The Ellettsville, Indiana, Town Council met in regular session at 7:30 PM, Monday, January 13, 2003 at the Town Hall. David Sorokoty called the meeting to order and Ray Freetage led in prayer. David Drake led in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll Call
David Sorokoty asked for roll call of the Council Members. Members present were David Sorokoty, President; David Drake, Vice-President; Lisa Combs-Creech, Geraldine McIntyre and Ray Freetage. Also present was Sandra Hash, Clerk-Treasurer; and Mike Spencer, Attorney.
Supervisors Present: Jim Davis, Jim Ragle, Mike Farmer and Ron McGlocklin.
Election of Officers – David Sorokoty opened the elections for nominations for President and Vice-President of the Town Council
Ray Freetage nominated David Sorokoty for Town Council President, David Drake seconded. Ray Freetage made a motion to close nominations, David Drake seconded. Motion carried. Dave called for a vote for himself as President. Motion carried to elect David Sorokoty as President.
Geraldine McIntyre nominated David Drake for Town Council Vice-President, Lisa Combs-Creech seconded. Ray Freetage made a motion to close nominations, Geraldine McIntyre seconded. Motion carried. Dave called for a vote for David Drake as Vice President. Motion carried to elect David Drake as Vice-President.
Appointments:
Liaisons for each department:
Street – Lisa Combs-Creech
Police – Ray Freetage
Fire – David Drake
Utilities – Geraldine McIntyre
Grievance Officer – Ray Freetage
Health Officer – Lisa Combs-Creech
Monroe County Ambulance Advisory Board – Jim Davis
Board of Zoning Appeals – David Sorokoty and one more member (Democrat)
Monroe County Emergency Management Board – David Drake
Monroe County Solid Waste Management Board – Geraldine McIntyre
Park and Recreation Board Member – one more member (Democrat)
Monroe County Animal Control Board – will keep open for now
Approval of Minutes of the regular meeting on December 23, 2002
Ray Freetage moved to approve the minutes. Geraldine McIntyre seconded. Motion carried.
Action to pay Accounts Payable Vouchers
Geraldine McIntyre moved to approve the accounts payable vouchers. David Drake seconded. Motion carried.
Presentation on the Fire Territory
Ellettsville Fire Chief Jim Davis and Captain Kevin Patton, along with Robert “Sparky” Johnson, Fire Chief of Van Buren Fire Department gave a presentation on the possibility of forming a fire territory. The territory would consist of the Town of Ellettsville, Richland Township and Van Buren Township. Jim opened the presentation by expressing his appreciation for such a good turn out saying one of his main goals was to make the public aware of this proposal. The presentation explained the current status of each fire department’s equipment, building conditions, staffing, fire protection and areas needing improvement. The age of equipment, crowded
office space and lack of storage is a big concern for the Ellettsville Department. Jim also discussed the calls for service, population increase and staffing. Safety is a big issue that fire departments focus on and many times only one fireman is available to go out on a call, which is not recommended. Training is also a big issue for the department. Certain types of training are mandatory by the state and are an on going process required for both the paid and volunteer staff. Jim went on to explain the details of a Fire Territory; by definition “A Fire Territory is created when two or more units of government pass identical ordinances to join together for the purpose of sharing fire protection, prevention and other fire services.” He gave a list of goals if the two departments would join. He also discussed Budget matters and cost to taxpayers. A proposed tax rate for 2004 if the Fire Territory is established would be 22 cents according to the estimated assessed value. The areas that are currently covered between Ellettsville and Van Buren were described. In closing Jim and Robert emphasized that if the two departments were merged it would benefit the community by making fire services more efficient and it would increase the safety for the firemen who serve them.
Resolutions
Resolution 01-03 Insurance Reimbursement
David Drake read the resolution to reimburse Police appropriation 232 by $3,682.75 for radio antenna and portable radio damage. Ray Freetage moved to adopt Resolution 01-03. David Drake seconded. Motion carried.
Resolution 02-03 Rainy Day Fund Transfer
Lisa Combs-Creech read the resolution. Lisa Combs-Creech moved to approve Resolution 02-03. Ray Freetage seconded. Sandy explained that the Rainy Day Fund was established last year to receive unused and unencumbered funds to save emergency situations. There was $30,000 left in the General Fund. This is the first transfer into the Rainy Day Fund. Motion carried.
Ordinances on First Reading
Ordinance 03-01 to amend Chapter 255 of the Ellettsville Town Code concerning Personnel
David Drake read by title to introduce this Ordinance. He explained that this Ordinance deletes the Limited Full-time status from the Personnel Policy.
Old Business
Heritage Trail TE Application
Rick Coppock requested approval to submit an application for a grant to start construction of a trail on the old railroad track. The trail would run from the corner of Sale and Main Streets to State Road 46. He gave a quick overview of the proposed project explaining a few of the details. The project includes a pedestrian bridge, which will be costly. After reviewing the original proposal he streamlined it by removing some of the original extras such as lights down the trail. There is a 20% match required from the Town of approximately $76,154.00 with in kind services and donations. Ray Freetage commented that part of the justification for approval of this trail was to have the trail reach Campbell’s Park and the Baseball Fields and felt that would be hard to accomplish. Rick explained that the original trail designed by Barry Fisher was an extensive trail including several routes and was more of a long term idea but that this trail proposal would end at the new Jack’s Defeat Creek Bridge. He said if they were to make an access to the parks it would be later and would probably be with a pedestrian street grade crossing not a bridge over the road. David Sorokoty explained trails are becoming a popular trend in communities. Geraldine McIntyre made a motion to go ahead with the application for the Heritage Trail. David Drake seconded. Motion carried 4-1.
Street Light TE Application
Rick Coppock requested permission from the Council to submit an application for a grant to purchase streetlights and wiring. This would also have a 20% match required for the Town to pay of approximately $20,500. Lisa Combs-Creech made a motion to approve the grant application for streetlights. David Drake seconded. Motion carried.
New Business
2003 Contract for Employment of Mike Spencer as Town Attorney
The contract remained the same as the 2002 contract, with no fee increase. Ray Freetage moved to adopt the contract for Mike Spencer for 2003 in the amount of $7,500. David Drake seconded. Motion carried.
2003 Contract for Employment of Bill Land as Town Planner
The contract remained the same as the 2002 contract, with no fee increase. Mike Spencer prepared this contract per Mr. Land’s request. Sandy explained that Bill Land is working on the new zoning ordinance for Ellettsville. Ray Freetage moved to accept the contract from Bill Land, Lotus Planning Services for $27 per hour not to exceed $16,848 for 2003. Geraldine McIntyre seconded. Motion carried.
Supervisor’s comments
Sandra Hash explained that Mike Spencer reviewed and suggested a couple of changes to the Ball State University contract. She will contact Ball State and work out the changes with them. The Council already approved this agreement in December so after the contract is corrected and revised the Council President will need to sign it. She also said that Ball State would like their first payment of $4,000. Sandy requested permission to write a pre-written check to Ball State after the contract is signed since it was already approved.
Geraldine McIntyre mentioned she had received information from Rick Coppock on what it would cost for a road to the senior citizens housing addition. She will set up a meeting with Rick Coppock, Marian Jacobs and the owner of the property to discuss this issue. She will keep the Council informed as soon as she knows more.
David Sorokoty welcomed Lisa Combs-Creech to her first meeting on the Town Council.
Adjournment
Ray Freetage moved for adjournment. Geraldine McIntyre seconded. Meeting was adjourned at approximately 9:05 p. m.
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David Sorokoty, President David Drake, Vice President
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Lisa Combs-Creech Ray Freetage
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Geraldine McIntyre Sandra C. Hash, Clerk-Treasurer