The Independent-News, Volume 120, Number 33, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 29 December 1994 — Page 7
WALKERTON TOWN COUNCIL MINUTES (continued) Attorney Holmes reported that the School Corporation has said that they will stay 20 feet away from our sewer line when building the Urey addition. They will not be driving any pilings, but will be pouring concrete footings. There should be minimal vibration with this type of construction. The total of the 1995 Sewer Operating Budget is $295,935.00. This is the same total as the 1994 budget, but there are changes to the various line items. Walt Heil made the motion to accept the 1995 budget. Seconded by Len Jaske. Carried. There was no Citizen's Input. OLD BUSINESS: Ordinance No. 1994-10, An Ordinance Eliminating the Walkerton Town Court was discussed. President Rizek asked Judge Schlifke if he thought that receipts will improve over what we have had in the past. Schlifke said that he has only been collecting for two months, and there haven't been any improvements in that time. He added that the only way to improve collections would be to convince surrounding police departments to write tickets through our court. Schlifke said
i o MAY IT BE YOUR BEST EVER I I Toasting only the best to the best: I Prosperity, health, good fortune to all in 1995! I L Liberty Lanes 603 S. State St. North Liberty U && ’ lit *® t* BS* zJi Here’s wishing you and yours 366 days of health, happiness and prosperity. You’ve been great, friends. Wells Aluminum Corp. NORTH LIBERTY
that two advantages of keeping the court would be: local ordinance would get more attention in the town court and that our officers wouldn't be spending as much time to testify, as they would if they had to go into South Bend. Rizek said that she feels we have to take all of these things into consideration — local issues, bad checks, and the ease of the officers coming into this court instead of going into South Bend. She added that we also have to be practical and look at things from a money standpoint. Rizek said that we are not looking to make money, on the town court, but we should at least break even. Schlifke said that our fine schedule is a little bit less than in other towns, and he intends to raise the fines in 1995. Gene Reese asked what kinds of things our court handles. Schlifke answered that it’s 80% traffic infractions. He can no longer handle bad checks, they have to go to Superior Court in South Bend. Schlifke said that although they had been handled through our court in the past, it has been a long standing law that bad checks cannot go to a town court. It is the prosecutor’s decision that this court can no longer handle bad checks. Gene Reese asked if we pass the ordinance tonight to eliminate the court at the end of 1995, and see an increase in revenue by June or July can another ordinance be passed to re-
instate the court. Attorney Holmes advised that it would be possible, but he does not recommend doing it this way. He further advised that the Council should base their decision on what is before them tonight. Len Jaske made the motion to accept Ordinance No. 1994-10, and eliminate the town court at the end of 1995. Seconded by Walt Heil. Gene Reese, Gordon Hartsell and Cheryl Rizek voted nay. The town court will remain in effect for at least the next five years. There was a discussion of the renovations that need to be done to the upstairs apartment. It was decided to contact Superior Waste about providing a dumpster for a load of trash that is in the attic, and also about the disposal of two washing machines and a freezer that were left behind by the last tenant. It was further decided to get estimates on installing new linoleum in the kitchen and bathroom, carpet for all the other rooms, paper and paint all rooms, fix a hole in the wall, fix a broken window and replace cabinet doors. Gene Reese said that in a meeting with our group health insurance agent, town employees voted to get out of the lACT plan and go to a PPN plan with a 4.4% increase for 1995. This is a reduction from the 19% increase we had been quoted for 1995. The Town will be paying a maximum of $325.00 per month toward each employee’s monthly premium for health coverage. NEW BUSINESS: President Rizek said that the State Board of Accounts' auditors have been here for the past couple of weeks and have found that Park Board members have been overpaid, according to Indiana Law. Park Board members have been over paid $200.00 a year for a number of years, and the auditors have sent letters to each of them asking them to reimburse the town. The rate of pay went into effect before any of the current Council members came into office, and no one was aware of the overpayments. Rizek said that the park board has always acted in good faith & feels it is wrong to ask them to repay the overpayments. Rizek asked attorney Holmes to research this and see if something can be done. Holmes said that there are different types of Park Boards, and he will research the law to see if it is all inclusive. In the meantime, ft WHR ' Tv May it be brilliant and bountiful! Eberly’s Orchard . 67118 Sage Rd North Liberty
DECEMBER 29, 1994 - THE INDEPENDENT NEWS
he is going to ask for a grace period for the repayments. Len Jaske made the motion to read Ordinance No. 1994-11, An Ordinance Amending the 1994 Salary Ordinance and Ordinance No. 1994-12, An Ordinance to Establish Compensation for Os ficers and Employees During the Calendar Year 1995, in short form and to waive the three readings. Seconded by Gene Reese. Carried. Len Jaske made the motion to accept Ordinance No. 1994-11, Seconded by Gene Reese. Carried. Gene Reese made the motion to accept Orddinance No. 1994-12. Seconded by Gordon Hartsell. Carried. The next Council meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Januarv 4, 1995. Bill Elkin has asked if the Town can restrict parking for a half block, along the side of the funeral home. The Council discussed restricting
j[| Ring out the old Bring in the new ' * HAPPY NEW 1995! 1 I G.A.P. Oil Co. And ; Gene’s Sunoco North Liberty GOODWISHES^ I ^F^^THE NEW YEAR IB Here's hoping that the year// M if ahead is truly a lucky one for/ Nii Vk y° u in way! Greetings / vw || ^Xfrom the entire staff at V I u / Xll % J 0 B I . i 11 A / w V / Polygon I k " W,us,r “ l ** WiUtrton J
parking on the day of a funeral. Attorney Holmes is going to discuss the parking with Elkin. Claims 1310 through 1399 for $246,761.58, Payroll Docket dated 11-23-94 for $21,964.72, Payroll Docket dated 12-7-94 for $34,145.93 and Payroll Docket dated 12-21-94 for $19,087.10 were accepted on a motion by Gene Reese. Seconded by Len Jaske. Carried. Gene Reese made the motion to adjourn. Seconded by Len Jaske. Carried. SENIOR CARD CLUB NEWS The seniors played euchre on Tuesday of last week with Morris Searfoss placing first with 78 points; second, Violet Masterman 71; third, a tie between Doris DePoy and Marilyn Stull with 67 points each.
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