Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
WINONA LAKE - After being tabled earlier this month, the motion to allow the fire department to charge for emergency runs failed for the lack of a second during the Tuesday morning meeting of the Winona Lake town council.
Rolly Ortega, council liaison to the fire department, said he and town manager Craig Allebach met last week with members of the all-volunteer fire department.
Ortega said the crews do more than respond to fire calls - they assist at accident scenes and are required to handle hazardous materials if necessary.
He said a fair schedule of fees, with a maximum of $500 to a homeowner, could be billed according to state statute. Costs for the fire department to attend a recent fire totaled $2,400.
"We walked away with a different idea," Ortega said after the meeting.
Appearing at the council meeting were Roger Gelbaugh, fire chief, and Second Lt. Kevin Bell.
Eleven out of 14 county fire departments already charge for emergency runs, Ortega said.
Councilman Jerry Clevenger, who was against the idea presented earlier this month, reiterated his opposition.
"Just because 11 of 14 fire departments are doing it doesn't mean it's right for us," he said. "Higher premiums are paid by everyone who buys insurance. Insurance companies are not in business to lose money. As a tax or insurance premium, how do we best fund our fire department? If we say insurance we're not ducking taxes. I'm not in favor of the ordinance; it's not necessary in Winona Lake."
Gelbaugh said if the department handled a structure fire they would ask if the homeowners had fire insurance.
"If they don't, it's over. Or if it's not in their policy, we're done," Gelbaugh said.
Ortega said the charges would be for equipment loss and maintenance.
Gelbaugh said turnout gear costs about $1,000, not including boots. At a recent fire he kept three men outside because their gear was not up to standard. The department's budget was cut and only six turnout suits can be purchased this year.
Councilman David Delp asked how many runs the department made in a year and Gelbaugh said about 162.
When asked how many were structural fires, Gelbaugh said he didn't know. Bell guessed three to five per year.
"Fire department service charges are written into every policy. Whether or not the insurance company will pay them is another matter," Clevenger said.
He said the companies see what kind of community the fire departments serve first.
Council president Jeff Carroll asked for a motion to approve the ordinance. Ortega moved, and no one seconded.
The firemen gathered their belongings and left the meeting.
Bob Murphy of R.P. Murphy and Associates appeared before the board asking permission for the housing authority to obligate $10,000 toward rehabilitation of another house.
The sale of two homes benefiting from a 1994 federal Housing and Urban Development loan were sold, refilling the 1996 account's coffers with $7,000.
When a homeowner receives a HUD loan for rehabilitation there is a lien on the property. A percentage of the loan, if not all, is forgiven over time. If a property is sold while a percentage is owed, the lien is paid back to the housing authority. This money must be obligated before other funds are spent.
The request was approved.
The council returned to Murphy's payment as deliverer, as administrator and for environmental control for a recent housing authority grant. Murphy's invoice totaled $29,755. At the last meeting the town agreed to pay $24,013 because only 42 percent of the grant was spent, leaving a different of $5,742.
Murphy received the total amount from the Indiana Housing Authority anyway, and his request to split the $5,742 equally with the town was approved.
In other business the board:
• Heard clerk Retha Hicks is contesting the U.S. Census Bureau's population count, which shows a reduction of 66 residents from 1990.
• Opened a public hearing regarding the proposed senior citizen center. There were no comments from the public.
Following the hearing the council authorized a resolution for a Community Focus Fund application and commitment of funds for construction of a senior center. Total costs were given as $262,000; with $246,000 for construction; $16,000 in engineering costs to Scearce Rudisel Architects Inc., specifically with Jim McCleary, who recently joined the firm; $50,000 in matching town funds; and $12,000 from the Kosciusko County Foundation.
• Heard the Grace College Wind Ensemble will perform in concert at Rodeheaver Auditorium Thursday at 7:30 p.m. and the Reneker dinner will be at Westminster Hall May 22 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $11.50.
Winona Lake town council members are Jeff Carroll, Craig Snow, David Delp, Jerry Clevenger and Rolly Ortega. The council meets in town hall twice a month, at 7 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month and at 7:30 a.m. the fourth Tuesday of the month.
