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WALKERTON TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
JUNE 19, 2006
ADMINISTRATIVE MEETING 6:00 P.M.
Steve Carter from Umbaugh explained and answered questions concerning the Utility
reports.
ADMINISTRATIVE MEETING 6:30 P.M.
Kurt Pletcher from Umbaugh reviewed the indebtedness for the Park Bond, and
possibility of Lease Rental Bond
REGULAR MEETING
A meeting of the Walkerton Town Council was held on Monday June 19, 2006, at
the Walkerton Town Hall, 510 Roosevelt Rd., Walkerton, Indiana.
1. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M.
by President Gene Reese. President Gene Reese offered the opening prayer and led
the Pledge of Allegiance.
2. ROLL CALL: Roll call was taken by the Clerk-Treasurer:
Council President Gene Reese present
Council Vice President Glenn Jerrell present
Council Member Walt Heil present
Council Member Karol Jackson present
Council Member Lee Morton present
Town Attorney Fred Jones present
Clerk-Treasurer Penny Perry present
The Clerk Treasurer noted there were 18 other people present.
3. MINUTES: Council President Gene Reese declared the Minutes of May 15, 2006
approved as presented.
4. CITIZENS INPUT:
A. REBECCA BLOSSER: Ms. Blosser petitioned the Town Council to close part of
Grissom Drive, on August 27 th, from 3 to 7, for a Block Party. Council President
Gene Reese asked Street Superintendent Jeff Zehner if that would be a problem.
Superintendent Zehner said he would check his calendar, but it should be okay
Council Member Walt Heil made the motion to grant permission to close the street.
Council Member Karol Jackson seconded the motion. The motion passed with a vote
of 5 – 0.
5. CORRESPONDENCE:
A. TOWN WIDE YARD SALE: Council President Gene Reese pointed out the
letter from Shelly Platz about having a Town wide garage sale on the 29th of July.
Council President Gene Reese asked Superintendents Jeff Zehner and Kent Van Dyne
if they saw any problems. Superintendent Kent Van Dyne said the only request he has
is DO NOT PUT ANY SIGNS ON THE POLES. If you contact Shelly Platz at 586-
9011 she will put you on a map so everyone will know where the sales are. Council
Member Lee Morton made the motion to approve a Town wide garage sale. Council
Vice President Glenn Jerrell seconded the motion. The motion passed with a vote of 5
– 0.
B. HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY: Council President Gene Reese
asked Clerk-Treasurer Penny Perry to contact them to see if they got answers about
the properties in question.
6. OLD BUSINESS:
A. PLANNING GRANT: Paul Ramono from Jones & Henry Engineers reported
IDEM awarded the Town of Walkerton a $30,000 Planning Grant. There has been an
extension till November 8, but unless Koontz Lake gets their plans together, the
Town will have to file for another extension.
B. COMMUNITY PLANNING: Dr. James Segedy (Director of Community-Based
Projects and Professor of Urban Planning, presented the Town Council with a
proposal at the last meeting. Council Member Karol Jackson asked where the money
would come from. Suggestions were CCI, Rainy Day, Interest Earned or possibly
Riverboat Funds. The Town Council agreed to take the initial payment out of the
Rainy Day Fund ($3750) and the balance out of the Riverboat Fund. Council Member
Karol Jackson made the motion to approve the Stratigic Master Plan presented by Jim
Segedy, of Ball State. Council Member Lee Morton seconded the motion. The motion
passed with a vote of 5 – 0. Council President Gene Reese asked Clerk-Treasurer
Penny Perry to contact them with the go ahead.
C. ORDINANCES 41 & 43: Town Attorney Fred Jones presented to the Town
Council the proposed amendment to Chapter 41 of the Walkerton Code of
Ordinances. This amendment references the hours from 8:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M.
Council President Gene Reese asked the other Council members how they felt about
the amendment. Council Vice President Glenn Jerrell made the motion to adopt
Ordinance 2006-5 amending Chapter 41. Council Member Karol Jackson seconded
the motion. The motion passed with a vote of 5 – 0.
D. CEMETARY CARE: Superintendent Jeff Zehner presented to the Council a
contract between the Town of Walkerton and the Walkerton Cemetery Board of
Directors. This contract says the Town of Walkerton will rent the Walkerton
Cemetery Board two lawn tractors for $25.00 each mowing. Superintendent Jeff
Zehner will check with the Cemetery Board to see if they have Liability Insurance.
E. UMBAUGH CONTRACTS: Council Member Karol Jackson made the motion to
approve the increase in price on the Utility Contracts. Council Vice President Glenn
Jerrell seconded the motion. The motion passed with a vote of 5 – 0.
7. DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS:
A. AMBULANCE: No Report.
B. CODE ENFORCMENT: Code Enforcement Officer Tom Fox asked Town
Attorney Fred Jones if he has heard from the owner of the property on Michigan
Street. Also, Town Attorney Fred Jones has not heard anything from Susan Smith,
about the property at 1110 Ohio St.
C. ELECTRIC/WATER: Superintendent Kent Van Dyne reported the only thing
he would like to point out is for the Town Wide Garage Sale, there is an ordinance
prohibiting putting signs on poles. Superintendent Kent Van Dyne will contact Shelly
Platz and put that information on the bottom of the consumer confidence reports that
the Electric Dept will be mailing out next week. Town Attorney Fred Jones presented
Ordinance 2006-6 explaining the amendment (Chapter 105) from 60 amp service to
100 amp service. Council Vice President Glenn Jerrell made the motion to approve
the Ordinance 2006-6 Amending 60 amp vs. 100 amp. Council Member Lee Morton
seconded the motion. The motion passed with a vote of 5 – 0.
D. EXECUTIVE TEAM: Superintendent Jeff Zehner reported the Executive Team
will be meeting this Friday to discuss HSA’s and cellular phones. Teachers Credit
Union will be coming in to explain how the HSA’ s work.
E. STREET/WASTEWATER: 1.Superintendent Jeff Zehner informed the Town
Council, even though Jones & Henry are continuing to work on the Compliance Plan,
we will not be able to pay them until the Grant Agreement is signed. 2. IDEM has
approved the formation of the Koontz Lake Regional Sewer District. 3. On July 3rd
Superintendent Jeff Zehner would like to close part of Tyler Street in from of St. Pat’s
School & Church from 3:00 P.M. to 12:00 A.M. Council Member Walt Heil made the
motion to approve the closing of Tyler street on July 3rd from 3:00 P.M. to Midnight.
Council Member Karol Jackson seconded the motion. The motion passed with a vote
of 5 – 0. 4. INDOT is looking at putting a light back at the intersection 23 & 6 South,
to help with some of the congestion in that area.
F. FIRE: Since Fire Chief Kenny Eggleston could not be at the meeting Council
President Gene Reese read the COMMENTS: section of the Fire Report. The
Walkerton Fire Department has been awarded the 2006 Volunteer Fire Assistance
Grant through the DNR. The grant includes the purchase of (3) three Pro Pack Foam
Systems. These can be used at wild lan fires, vehicle fires, and numerous other
situations. The grant Total is $1750.00, with a 50/50 match. The Fire Departments
match will be $875.00 from the sale of surplus equipment line.
G. PARKS: Superintendent Brittnie Whitaker asked the Town Council if it would be
okay to change the web page to the Sesquicentennial Emblem for the next weeks
before the celebrations. The Town Council thought that was a great idea. 2. Cindy
Keiper (representing Tri Kappa) reported the concession stand had been broken into
twice in the last 10 days. 1 st time the loss was about $1500 and the 2 nd time it was
about $2000. This has precipitated the installation of an alarm system. Police Chief
Bob Hockett went around to all the business owners and collected enough money to
cover the cost of the alarm. THANK YOU CHIEF HOCKETT!! Cindy Keiper has
come to the Town Council to ask for a donation to replace some of the stolen items.
Council Member Karol Jackson made a motion to donate $1800 out of the Donation
Fund. Council Member Lee Morton seconded the motion. The motion passed with a
vote of 5 – 0.
H. POLICE DEPT: Police Chief Bob Hockett reported the Golf Outing went very
well. Superintendent Jeff Zehner reported Police Chief Hockett had the highest score.
Council Member Karol Jackson thanked Police Chief Bob Hockett on behalf of the
Town Council for going to the business for donations for Tri Kappa.
I. FINANCIAL: Clerk-Treasurer Penny Perry asked for a donation to the American
Cancer Society in Honor of Penny Perry for the Relay for Life walk coming up on
Saturday. Council Member Lee Morton made a motion to donate $100. Council
Member Karol Jackson seconded the motion. The motion passed with a vote of 5 – 0.
Clerk-Treasurer Penny Perry asked the Town Council to replace the Canon 550
Printer, Copy machine and the Fax machine with one machine. For the last 6 months
we have had increasing amounts of problems with them. Council President Gene
Reese asked Clerk-Treasurer to get quotes, before a final decision is made.
J. WAEDC: Put Steve Heim on the Agenda before the next meeting in an
administrative meeting to discuss his contract.
K. COMPUTER SERVICES: Computer Analyst Craig DeMyer reviewed the work
he has been doing and recognized Bill Graham for assisting with the conversion from
Earthlink to Network Solutions. Computer Analyst Craig DeMyer informed the Town
Council different options available with Network Solutions. Council Vice President
Glenn Jerrell also recognized Bill Graham for his initiative. Town Attorney Fred
Jones presented a Computer Maintenance Services Contract for review. Council
President Gene Reese asked Computer Analyst Craig DeMyer to put together a
budget with all updates, licenses or whatever is needed. The Town Council asked to
put the Computer Maintenance Contract on the Agenda for July 17 th.
8. NEW BUSINESS:
A. PARK BOND: Postponed till next meeting.
B. BUDGET: Dates for Budget meetings were set for Aug 2 nd and Aug 3rd
C. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: 1.President Phil Buckmaster informed the Town
Council it was reported, Walkerton had the 3 rd highest attendance at the Cove. The
Town Council agreed this is a very good community event, and Thanked all those
involved in making this happen. 2. Chamber President Phil Buckmaster informed the
Town Council, Greg Hunt from Mishawaka Fire Dept told Chamber President Phil
Buckmaster about monies available to EMS services in St. Joseph County. Council
Member Karol Jackson will follow up on this issue. 3. Chamber President Phil
Buckmaster asked the Town Council for $2200 from the Beautification Fund to
decorate around the Town signs. Council Member Karol Jackson made the motion to
approve this suggestion. Council Vice-President Glenn Jerrell seconded the motion.
The motion passed with a vote of 5 – 0. 4. The Chamber of Commerce is taking a bus
to the ALLSTATE 400 at the Brickyard on August 6, 2006, if anyone is interested
please contact Phil Buckmaster at 586-3100. 5. The Chamber of Commerce Annual
Golf Outing is scheduled for July 26, 2006.The Town Council will donate $200.00 to
sponsor a four (4) person team.
9. REVIEW PROJECTS IN PROGRESS:
A. POLICE TAKE HOME POLICY: Review for next meeting.
B. WALNUT CROSSING: Council President Gene Reese asked Council Member
Lee Morton and Superintendent Kent Van Dyne to get with Executive Director Steve
Heim and meet with Bob Stevens to get this issue resolved.
C. CYBERLINK: Town Attorney Fred Jones presented an Amendment to Lease to
the Town Council for review. Town Attorney Fred Jones pointed out the changes.
Council Member Lee Morton will take this Lease Agreement to Rudy Yakim with the
changes. Council President Gene Reese will contact Fourway.
10. CLAIMS: All claims were approved on a motion by Council Member Karol Jackson
and seconded by Council Vice President Glenn Jerrell. Motion carried with a 5-0 vote.
11. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, Council President Gene Reese
declared the meeting adjourned at 9:35 P.M.
______________________________
Council President Gene Reese
ATTEST:
_______________________________
Penny Perry, Clerk-Treasurer
