TOWN COUNCIL MEETING September 14, 2015 7:00 p.m. I. CALL TO ORDER & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council Vice President N. Walding called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Roll was called by Clerk-Treasurer S. Kuziela; present were Council Member J. Ton, Council Member L. Kittredge, Council Member N. Walding, and Council Member E. Delaney. Council Member S. Darnell was absent. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Council Member E. Delaney made the motion approve the minutes of the August 24, 2015 Council Meeting, motion seconded by Council Member L. Kittredge, motion approved by unanimous voice vote. IV. CONSIDERATION OF CLAIMS Council Member J. Ton made the motion to approve claims as submitted, motion seconded by V. PETITIONS AND COMMENTS FROM THE FLOOR George Manning 1776 Indian Boundary Rd - Mr. Manning expressed his concerns and opinions regarding the proposed ordinance involving vacant and abandoned buildings. He stated the Town should develop an attractive incentive to bring persons into the downtown. Kay Gersna 508 Burdick Mrs. Gersna also expressed her concerns about the proposed ordinance involving vacant and abandoned buildings and in particular the proposed fine structure. She commented about the difficulty in obtaining reliable tenants and the obstacles in selling business properties. Nick Schwartz president and owner of Hoosier Fire Equipment in Valparaiso commented that he was aware that Smeal Fire Apparatus, whose engines he sells, didn t have the lowest bid for the fire engine yet since they are a local business, that would be a benefit if they were awarded the bid. VI. REPORTS FROM OFFICIALS AND DEPARTMENT HEADS A. POLICE - Chief Cincoski reported that they received an award from the Bullet Proof Vest Grant program for $1,500 for 2017. He also requested that specific items for use with the Chevrolet Impala be declared surplus and the sale authorized to Kouts PD. Chesterton no longer has any Impala police vehicles and the equipment is specific to the Impala.
He advised that he would propose the sale to Kouts for $1.00 as recommended by Town Attorney Lukmann. Council Member E. Delaney advised the Police Commission recommended this request and he made the motion to approve, seconded by Council Member J. Ton, motion approved by unanimous voice vote. The Chief also advised that the Police Commission has approved street closings for the Heart Walk 5k on September 26 th, Village Point in Coffee Creek Center, and the Hook on Art Festival on September 25 th and 26 th would involve parking bans and street closures downtown. He advised that notices of the closures would be sent to the effected businesses and residents. B. FIRE - Chief Jarka thanked the 1 st Methodist Church s Community Service Project for cleaning the Eagle Scout project on the east end. He also requested approval to approach Westchester Township for matching funds for a STEA grant they have been awarded along with other fire agencies through the firefighter s assistance program. Council Member E. Delaney made the motion to approve the request, seconded by Council Member L. Kittredge, motion approved by unanimous voice vote. Chief Jarka advised that he has submitted a letter recommending that Sutphen Corporation of Dublin, Ohio be awarded the bid for the fire engine since they were the lowest responsible bidder. Town Attorney Lukmann commented that he understood the position of Mr. Schwartz but Indiana Law requires the bid be awarded to the lowest responsible and responsive bidder, and he recommended that the Council make a motion to that effect and it is their decision to award the bid and to release the bid bond of the unsuccessful bidders. Council Member E. Delaney made the motion to award the bid to Sutphen Corporation of Dublin, Ohio as the lowest responsible and responsive bidder and release the bid bonds of the unsuccessful bidders, motion seconded by Council Member J. Ton, motion approved by unanimous voice vote.. C. TOWN HALL - Clerk-Treasurer S. Kuziela concerning the board appointments, the opening on the Redevelopment Commission is a President s appointment. She stated that they have received an applicant for the Porter County Convention Recreation and Visitor s Commission s Board of Directors, Roy Krizek, owner of the Schoolhouse Shop. She stated that he would also need to submit his name to Porter Town Council and Burns Harbor Council as a nomination for the position to be forwarded to the Porter County Council. Council Member J. Ton made the motion to nominate Roy Krizek for the appointment to the PCCRVC, seconded by She reported that Kim Goldak had submitted her name for the BZA position and Council Member J. Ton made the motion to appoint Mrs. Goldak to the BZA, seconded by Council Member E. Delaney, motion approved by unanimous voice vote. Clerk-Treasurer S. Kuziela advised that Dean Lafata has submitted an application for the Tax Abatement Committee opening, Council Member E. Delaney made the motion to appoint Mr. Lafata, seconded by Council Member L. Kittredge, motion approved by unanimous voice vote. Clerk-Treasurer Kuziela requested that the Council declare the list of items presented as surplus so that they could be auctioned. Council Member E. Delaney made the motion to declare the list as submitted as surplus, seconded by Council Member J. Ton, motion approved by unanimous voice vote. She requested that the Council set the Auction date for September 29 at 6:00 p.m. Council Member J. Ton made the motion to set the date and time recommended, seconded by Council Member L. Kittredge, motion approved by unanimous voice vote. She also requested approval of the agreement with James Waggoner as the auctioneer. Council Member J. Ton made the motion to approve the agreement pending review by Town Attorney, seconded by Council Member L. Kittredge, motion approved by unanimous voice vote. 2
D. STREETS, SANITATION & CENTRAL SERVICES- Street Commissioner J. Schnadenberg reported they have applications available for temporary employees for the annual leaf pickup program. He also requested permission to work with the Town Attorney to address the issue of overdue refuse bills. He advised that the Town is losing revenue that could be used to provide services and he would like to work with the Town Attorney to find a way to recoup these funds. Council Member J. Ton made the motion to approve the request, seconded by Commissioner Schnadenberg also commented on a letter received from a resident on S. Jackson Blvd concerning a tree infested with ants. He advised that he would evaluate the tree, but earlier inspection did not indicate it needed to be removed. E. ENGINEERING - No Report F. BUILDING - Building Commissioner M. O Dell advised there have been (4) building permits for single-family dwellings and (1) for a multi-family dwelling. G. PARK - No Report H. ATTORNEY - Town Attorney Lukmann announced the addition of Connor Nolan to the staff at Harris, Welsh, and Lukmann. I. UTILITIES - Superintendent D. Ryan advised the 21 st St sewer project is almost complete and they have begun construction of the Fox Chase Farms project. J. TOWN MANAGER- Town Manager B. Doyle reported the R.D.A. rejected all grants submitted by municipalities because they are focusing on commuter rail. He also reported that Taj restaurant is under new management and would like to continue their application process for the riverfront license process; it is to be forwarded to the A.T. Commission. Council Member J. Ton made the motion to permit this to continue, seconded by Council Member E. Delaney, motion approved by unanimous voice vote. He advised the Gastro 49 application has been placed on hold at this time. K. NIRPC REPORT - Council Member J. Ton reported the full commission meeting would be Thursday and he would have a report following that meeting. He also asked Engineer M. O Dell about the status of the Porter Ave bridge project since it is funded by an 80% NIRPC grant. Engineer O Dell advised there would be a meeting on Wednesday and it appeared that the bridge is completed and they are ready to pave the roadway. He would have an update after the Wednesday meeting. VII. PUBLIC HEARINGS, BID OPENINGS AND REMONSTRANCES VIII. ORDINANCES AND/OR RESOLUTIONS ORDINANCE 2015-13 An ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF CHESTERTON TO ESTABLISH A VACANT AND ABANDONED BUILDING REGISTRATION AND MAINTENANCE PROGRAM Town Attorney Lukmann advised that the Chesterton Tribune had an article last Friday that completely explained the Ordinance. Town Attorney Lukmann again clearly explained the Ordinance. Council Member J. Ton made the motion to approve the Ordinance on 1 st Reading, seconded by Council Member E. Delaney, motion approved by unanimous voice vote. Council Member J. Ton made the motion to suspend the rules, seconded by 3
Council Member J. Ton made the motion to approve the Ordinance on 2 nd Reading, seconded by ORDINANCE 2015-16 AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF CHESTERTON AMENDING THE FOURTH ADDITION TO COFFEE CREEK CENTER - Attorney G. Babcock presented information on behalf of the developers and advised that this matter had received a favorable recommendation of the Chesterton Plan Commission. Ordinance introduced at this meeting. ORDINANCE 2015-17 AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF CHESTERTON ESTABLISHING A FUND FOR GARBAGE PICKUP AND DISPOSAL INCLUDING RECYCLING FEES Council Member J. Ton made the motion to approve the Ordinance on 1 st Reading, seconded by Council Member J. Ton made the motion to suspend the rules, seconded by Council Member E. Delaney, motion approved by unanimous voice vote. Council Member E. Delaney made the motion to approve the Ordinance on 2 nd Reading, seconded by Council Member L. Kittredge, motion approved by unanimous voice vote. ORDINANCE 2015-18 AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF CHESTERTON AMENDING TOWN CODE Town Attorney Lukmann advised this addresses vehicles parking in the Electric Vehicle Charging Station spots downtown. Council Member E. Delaney made the motion to approve the Ordinance on 1 st Reading, seconded by Council Member J. Ton, motion approved by unanimous voice vote. Council Member J. Ton made the motion to suspend the rules, seconded by Council Member J. Ton made the motion to approve the Ordinance on 2 nd Reading, seconded by Council Member L. Kittredge, motion approved by unanimous voice vote. ORDINANCE 2015-19 Town Attorney Lukmann advised this Ordinance was no ready for this meeting but should be ready by the next meeting. IX. COMMUNICATIONS X. OLD BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS Ted Sommers reported on the NIPSCO LED conversion program and requested authorization to speak on behalf of the Town in regards to the Town participating in the program with other communities that he represents. He advised that at this point, there was no cost to the Town and ultimately it could reduce maintenance and electric costs. Council Member E. Delaney made the motion to authorized Mr. Sommers to speak on behalf of the Town in this matter, seconded by Council Member J. Ton, motion approved by unanimous voice vote. 4
XII. COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD Council Member J. Ton: Council Member J. Ton commented that it is budget time and he would like to keep in mind raises for employees. Council Member L. Kittredge: No Comment Council Member E. Delaney: No Comment Council Member N. Walding: No Comment XIII. ADJOURNMENT A Council Member E. Delaney made motion to adjourn, seconded by Council Member L. Kittredge, motion approved by unanimous voice vote. Meeting adjourned. ATTEST: COUNCIL PRESIDENT Clerk-Treasurer S. Kuziela 5