Manchester Council OKs Handicapped Parking Ordinance
August 9, 2019 at 1:49 a.m.
By Maddie Jo Shultz-
The town council met at 7 p.m. Wednesday to review and discuss various programs and projects underway in the North Manchester community.
In attendance were council president Chalmer Tobias, vice president Laura Rager, council members Thomas Dale and Jim Smith, town manager Adam Penrod, clerk-treasurer Carrie Mugford and town attorney Matt Mize along with other town department heads and members of the public and press. Council member Allen Miracle was absent.
Following the call to order, there were no initial visitor comments and the council turned to unfinished business. A general ordinance to amend the town’s municipal code requires three readings before a motion can carry and the amendment can be approved.
The council completed its third reading of general ordinance 3, which will create a handicapped parking space downtown between the American Legion and The Crystal. The motion carried.
New business began with an EMT midyear report, presented by Parkview Health’s Carla Gebert. The EMTs have had an average of 70 to 72 runs a month, and the average response time for Wabash County’s 911 calls has been under 13 minutes “89.76% of the time.” According to Gebert, every run at under 13 minutes is the goal, but in rural areas, it’s impossible.
Consistently, the No. 1 reason for 911 calls is falling, whether from injury or illness. Gebert praised the first responders and presented Town Marshal Jim Kirk and Chief of Fire Operations Cam Kissinger with challenge coins. These coins commemorate and honor lifesaving service.
The next item of business dealt with improvements to the town’s water towers. Penrod introduced a nine-year maintenance contract with Dixon Engineering, with whom the town has worked previously. Both water towers need interior and exterior maintenance, and Mugford pointed out that a nine-year plan breaks down to roughly $12,500 per month and is significantly cheaper than past contracts.
The council moved to approve the contract with Dixon Engineering and the motion carried. Maintenance should begin in spring 2020, fixing ice damage from winter and improving overall water quality.
The council also approved the purchase of a new water department truck from local dealership Shepherd’s Chevrolet.
Shepherd’s will provide bid assistance; this allows municipalities to purchase a vehicle at cost and reduce the financial impact on taxpayers.
The council approved Manchester Alive’s request for funding and Manchester University’s request for a temporary street closure. A section of East Street will be closed from 8 a.m. Oct. 10 to 8 p.m. Oct. 12 for homecoming festivities.
Departmental and commission reports began with an update from Tobias on filling the vacant spot on the park board. The council will interview candidates and present a recommendation at the next meeting.
Kurt reported no problems downtown during Fun Fest. Building Commissioner Steve Shumaker announced a regular meeting Aug. 26 to address a rezoning request, among other business.
Penrod reminded the council the old lumberyard on South Mill Street was torn down; the area can now be utilized as a parking lot for downtown events. County Road 1100N is still under construction and the town asks for the public’s patience while the first phase of improvements is completed. Taking the Old Wabash Road detour is encouraged.
Penrod also discussed a July 30 meeting he, Rager, Mugford and Smith attended with representatives from the U.S. Census. He urged the importance of counting everyone in the community, as the number of heads “correlates to how federal dollars are distributed.”
The census “can only benefit us,” Penrod said.
Smith added that university students will be counted in the town’s census.
“Wherever you lay your head to sleep is where you’ll be counted,” he said.
In April 2020, Manchester University will verify the number of students in residence on school grounds.
Mugford related the $544,276.53 regular docket and $248,739.71 utilities docket and says she has no concerns with the budget.
Final visitor input included a comment from Tony DeLaughter regarding the Parkview EMTs. DeLaughter witnessed an EMT vehicle in town with one employee in it, remarking as a member of the public, “A half-staffed truck is better than no truck, but we’re paying for a staffed truck.”
Tobias opened the floor to council comments and, receiving none, adjourned the meeting. The next meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Sept. 4.
The town council met at 7 p.m. Wednesday to review and discuss various programs and projects underway in the North Manchester community.
In attendance were council president Chalmer Tobias, vice president Laura Rager, council members Thomas Dale and Jim Smith, town manager Adam Penrod, clerk-treasurer Carrie Mugford and town attorney Matt Mize along with other town department heads and members of the public and press. Council member Allen Miracle was absent.
Following the call to order, there were no initial visitor comments and the council turned to unfinished business. A general ordinance to amend the town’s municipal code requires three readings before a motion can carry and the amendment can be approved.
The council completed its third reading of general ordinance 3, which will create a handicapped parking space downtown between the American Legion and The Crystal. The motion carried.
New business began with an EMT midyear report, presented by Parkview Health’s Carla Gebert. The EMTs have had an average of 70 to 72 runs a month, and the average response time for Wabash County’s 911 calls has been under 13 minutes “89.76% of the time.” According to Gebert, every run at under 13 minutes is the goal, but in rural areas, it’s impossible.
Consistently, the No. 1 reason for 911 calls is falling, whether from injury or illness. Gebert praised the first responders and presented Town Marshal Jim Kirk and Chief of Fire Operations Cam Kissinger with challenge coins. These coins commemorate and honor lifesaving service.
The next item of business dealt with improvements to the town’s water towers. Penrod introduced a nine-year maintenance contract with Dixon Engineering, with whom the town has worked previously. Both water towers need interior and exterior maintenance, and Mugford pointed out that a nine-year plan breaks down to roughly $12,500 per month and is significantly cheaper than past contracts.
The council moved to approve the contract with Dixon Engineering and the motion carried. Maintenance should begin in spring 2020, fixing ice damage from winter and improving overall water quality.
The council also approved the purchase of a new water department truck from local dealership Shepherd’s Chevrolet.
Shepherd’s will provide bid assistance; this allows municipalities to purchase a vehicle at cost and reduce the financial impact on taxpayers.
The council approved Manchester Alive’s request for funding and Manchester University’s request for a temporary street closure. A section of East Street will be closed from 8 a.m. Oct. 10 to 8 p.m. Oct. 12 for homecoming festivities.
Departmental and commission reports began with an update from Tobias on filling the vacant spot on the park board. The council will interview candidates and present a recommendation at the next meeting.
Kurt reported no problems downtown during Fun Fest. Building Commissioner Steve Shumaker announced a regular meeting Aug. 26 to address a rezoning request, among other business.
Penrod reminded the council the old lumberyard on South Mill Street was torn down; the area can now be utilized as a parking lot for downtown events. County Road 1100N is still under construction and the town asks for the public’s patience while the first phase of improvements is completed. Taking the Old Wabash Road detour is encouraged.
Penrod also discussed a July 30 meeting he, Rager, Mugford and Smith attended with representatives from the U.S. Census. He urged the importance of counting everyone in the community, as the number of heads “correlates to how federal dollars are distributed.”
The census “can only benefit us,” Penrod said.
Smith added that university students will be counted in the town’s census.
“Wherever you lay your head to sleep is where you’ll be counted,” he said.
In April 2020, Manchester University will verify the number of students in residence on school grounds.
Mugford related the $544,276.53 regular docket and $248,739.71 utilities docket and says she has no concerns with the budget.
Final visitor input included a comment from Tony DeLaughter regarding the Parkview EMTs. DeLaughter witnessed an EMT vehicle in town with one employee in it, remarking as a member of the public, “A half-staffed truck is better than no truck, but we’re paying for a staffed truck.”
Tobias opened the floor to council comments and, receiving none, adjourned the meeting. The next meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Sept. 4.
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