Fairview Park, Indiana May 2003 Town Council Meeting Minutes

Town of Fairview Park

Minutes of the May 13, 2003 Meeting

The Town Council held their regular meeting on Tuesday, May 13, 2003 at 7:00 p.m. at the Municipal Building. The Pledge to the Flag was recited. Roll call was taken with council members James Hall, Larry Natalie, Tonya Smith, David Crane and Norma Snedeker and Attorney Henry J. Antonini present.

The minutes of the April (regular)/May (executive) meetings and financial report were approved with a motion by Tonya and seconded by David. The motion carried by voice vote.

Mr. Ellis advised that he had been to the IURC and that they had advised him that Fairview Park had withdrawn from their jurisdiction. Mr. Ellis was advised that the IURC was incorrect and that due to the remonstrance petition filed with the council, the Town had not withdrawn. He was advised that the Clerk-Treasurer had been in contact with the attorney at IURC and had mailed a copy of the petition to her. A referendum will be placed on ballot of the next election according to our attorney.

The Council discussed the shutoff of water service to the Ellis RV park. Mr. Ellis requested a temporary 1-year variance to allow his current renter to remain at the park. The council felt that 1 year was not temporary especially after a previous variance had been granted. Mr. Ellis advised that he has no plans to install sewer laterals for RV's. The council also felt that to allow this to continue would be an injustice to all of the residents of Fairview Park. A motion was made by Tonya and seconded by Norma to not allow the 1-year extension at the RV park, that the present renter has 30 days to vacate the premises and that no one else be allowed to move into the park without sewer hook-up. The motion carried by voice vote.

Mr. Ellis also voiced a complaint that a female purporting to be a council member and a possible State Police Officer had told his tenant to clean out the fencerow. No council member was aware of this and they will check into it.

Roy Kelley complained that no dirt or road pack had been placed on 5th street between Fulton and Gilbert. Sue will take care of it.

Al Rollins complained of rock by the road. Larry explained that on the advice of the asphalt company in order to preserve the roads a 12" shoulder of rock was laid on each side of the roads.

Jim Ferguson asked that the town mow and weed eat around the lift station at 6th and Fulton. David Crane will check out the area.

Dorothy Weir complained that she is still unable to see westbound traffic at 4th and Lincoln. Ameritech moved the box, but she advised that the bush is in the way. The bush is on private property. The council will look at it and talk with the property owner about trimming the shrub.

Sue asked the council what procedure they wanted to use for properties that had tall grass/weeds. With the worry of West Nile Virus, coupled with the wet weather it was decided to send the property owners a letter from the town asking that they keep the grass/weeds mowed and include a copy of the nuisance ordinance. If no action was taken, the Town Attorney would then follow up.

Summer rates will be in effect for the June, July and August billings.

Gene Marietta is in favor of zoning and asked the status. Tonya advised there have been no meetings recently with SK Wilson Assoc., but would check to see the status of the County's progress.

Leonard Akers asked about charging water customers outside the corporate limits a higher rate. Pat Callahan advised that you could charge higher rates if you could justify the charge.

Pat Callahan explained the water utility rate study and the proposed rates. It will be up to the council to advise him how to proceed. He advised that the cost of the rate study and rate increase would be approximately $5,000-7,500.

Larry informed the council that the previous WWTP operator, Charles Strobel resigned due to personal reasons. Currently in place are 2 gentlemen, Bill White, a licensed operator from Rockville and Rick Royal, apprentice.

Leonard advised that he and his wife made and hung the yellow ribbons along Washington and Pike Streets. He has also initiated a fund to purchase flags to hang along Washington. He estimated that he would need $2,000 to complete the project.

The Police Log was turned in for April.

A motion was made by Jim and seconded by David to pay the Town claims in the amount of $8,969.71, the wastewater claims of $15,303.58 and the Water department claims in the amount of $5,763.91. The motion carried by voice vote.

The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m. with a motion by Jim and seconded by Norma. The motion carried by voice vote.

Attested to by:

Teresa Baker, Clerk-Treasurer May 13, 2003