WINONA LAKE - David Rapp was sworn in Tuesday morning as a reserve officer for the town's police department.
Winona Lake Clerk Treasurer Retha Hicks swore in Rapp during Tuesday's Winona Lake Town Council meeting.
Rapp was recommended for the position by Town Marshal Paul Schmitt. Rapp graduated from the Kosciusko County Reserve Academy in 2006 and has been a county reserve officer for three years.In other business, the council on first reading approved a law enforcement liaison grant salary ordinance.
Winona Lake Town Coordinator Craig Allebach said the state board of accounts required the town to establish an ordinance to pay salaries for law enforcement liaisons.
"The liaisons are to be be a local resource for the police departments," Allebach said.
The ordinance states the liaison would be paid by the clerk treasurer under the grant, but the liaison is not considered a town employee.
The town received the one-year grant totalling $490,000 from the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute. Each of the seven liaisons in the state will receive $70,000 each for one year for liaison duties.
Besides paying for the liaison's salaries, the funds also will cover equipment, supplies, and mileage.
Lance Grubbs, who has served as a liaison between the state and Winona Lake Police Department for 10 years, will be one of the seven liaisons who will receive $70,000 for one year. Grubbs also serves as a liaison for north east Indiana.
The ordinance will need to be approved on second reading at the council's April meeting.
The council previously approved the town applying for the grant from the Criminal Justice Institute.
Allebach said a law enforcement liaison serve as a liaison between the state and local law enforcement agencies.
The liaisons serve different parts of Indiana and meet with town's safety commissions and drug task forces.
In other business, the council approved the street department purchasing a $3,500 broom from Bobcat of Warsaw to attach to the town's Bobcat.
Winona Lake Public Works Director Pete O'Connell said debris from the storms and contractors leaving gravel and dirt on the road damaged the town's current broom.
The broom will be used for Greenway maintenance and cleaning up after floods and storms.
He said the street department is picking up the town's leaves this week, but if it rains this week the leaf pickup will extend into next week.
The council approved Randy Swanson, Winona Lake Town Council member, to serve on the town's plan commission. Swanson replaces Jeff Carroll who resigned from the council.
Jim Lancaster, council vice president, presented the council with the town's strategic plan for 2009-2011.
Lancaster said the council for the past six months has been forming the plan for the town to establish goals.
Lancaster said the plan was developed by the town's supervisors and council members.
The plan listed the town's priorities including heritage, infrastructure, safety and services, environment, and economic development.
The list includes preserving the Billy Sunday Museum and Visitor's Center, Pierceton Road and Stonehenge street paving projects, canal dredging, and working on community partnership relationships.
Winona Lake Town Council member Sue Gooding said she has heard concerns from residents regarding lighting needed at the crosswalk by Grace College on Kings Highway.
She wondered if there could be a flashing light warning drivers of the crosswalk so the area could be better seen at night.
O'Connell said he will look into the issue.
Hicks said the town has received a financial donation from the Dane and Mary Louise Miller Foundation for the bases for three bronze plaques.
Granite bases have been ordered that are 2,000 pounds apiece. The plaques and bases will be placed around the flag pole in front of the Winona Lake town hall.
Upcoming events in the town include a 5K run and walk at the Winona Lake Park Saturday at 10 a.m. and a Chocolate March in the Village at Winona; Kosciusko County Breast Cancer Awareness Day is April 18 at the Grace College Orthopaedic Capital Center; Winona Lake town clean-up day is April 25 from 10 a.m. to noon; and the annual Fat & Skinny Tire Festival is May 1-3.
