WINONA LAKE - Winona Lake Town Council Tuesday morning discussed having an energy audit completed to allow the town to apply for an energy audit grant.
Town Coordinator Craig Allebach said he was approached by a consulting group to apply for a heating and air conditioning unit and energy efficiency lighting grant for town offices.IWM Consulting Group has offered to do the energy audit for free.
This energy audit would provide more data for the grant request. IWM would look at the town hall, senior center, street department and the fire departments for the energy audit.
The council approved the offer for the energy audit to prepare the town applying for the energy efficiency grant.
In other business, the council heard Jay and Lori Widman recently purchased the home at 104 15th St. and have completed clean up at the property.
The couple asked the town to waive sewer fees until they can live in the property. The water has been shut off for some time, but the sewer line is connected and the town has been billing the former resident.
Jay requested to cap the line at the house in order to stop the sewer charges.
Allebach asked Public Works Superintendent Pete O'Connell if capping the line at the house was acceptable and O'Connell respond it was.
Councilwoman Joy Lohse explained to Widman the history of residents wanting the council to waive sewer fees and why the council needs to be consistent. The council approved capping the line at the house.
Councilwoman Sue Gooding was concerned about different race organizations marking lines for directions on the Greenway Trail and the town streets. Allebach said the town is revising its event permit so that organizers are aware they cannot make any permanent markings on the roads or Greenway.
Winona Lake resident Jerry Nelson asked if notification would be sent to the island residents regarding the bike festival and councilman councilman Jim Lancaster responded that postcards would be sent.
Nelson asked about restricting parking at the post office area where the drop boxes use to be. Allebach responded that this would be done when the weather warms up.
Clerk-Treasurer Retha Hicks opened and reported the bids for trash and recycling services.
Hicks will complete a chart for the council on the quotes. The council will take the bids under advisement and make a decision at its April 13 meeting.
The town discussed its 2010 strategic plan. Lancaster asked if any of the plan had been posted online. Allebach responded that it had not.
Lancaster asked that this be accomplished and felt that the information about money for projects be the priority in posting.
Lancaster also wanted to post on the Web site a project update, so residents know where projects stands on a monthly or quarterly basis.
Another tool Lancaster wanted the council to look at would be to list available resources, which might be financial resources or human resources.
Hicks asked where the town is in regards to negotiation with Warsaw on the wastewater rate. Councilman Randy Swanson reported that they are set to meet when Dave Wolkins is back in town, sometime in early April.
Hicks shared that Winona Lake's consultant reported that there is legislation coming into effect July 1 that will make it more difficult to build a treatment plant.
She asked the council to set a deadline to make a decision by May 1. Swanson felt that they could be ready for the first meeting in May. Hicks asked that it be done sooner if possible.
During supervisors reports, O'Connell asked Allebach to post on the Web site for residents to bag their leaves.
Town Marshal Paul Schmitt asked the council to anticipate approving the off-duty policy next meeting.
Schmitt reminded the council that Winona Lake is a fitting station for child car seats. The department receives grant money to provide seats for those who qualify financially. The department gives out about 80 car seats a year.
Brent Wilcoxson, Village at Winona managing director, asked if the town had any interest in committing money to tearing down 104 15th Street.
Allebach responded that it was not an issue since Jay Widman has purchased the property.
Lohse asked what happens when a property get so bad that it needs to be demolished.
Hicks responded there use to be a clause in the Indiana Code, imminent domain, but that has been restricted and so it makes it harder for towns to take action.
Upcoming events in the town Saturday include a second annual hunger run and walk for World Compassion Network at 10:30 a.m. at Winona Lake Park, an Easter Egg Hunt at 1 p.m. in Winona Lake Park, an Easter Egg hunt at Gordon Recreation Center at noon; a pancake breakfast at the Winona Lake Fire Station April 17 from 8 to 11 a.m.; town clean up April 17 from 9 a.m. to noon; Fat and Skinny Tire Bike Festival May 1 and 2 and a trail run fundraiser for trail maintenance May 22.
