TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
JANUARY 25, 2018 5:30 P.M.
SHIPSHEWANA TOWN HALL
Roger D. Yoder Council Room
345 N. Morton Street
Shipshewana, IN 46565
PRESENT: Council; Elmer J. Mast, C. Arlene Lazzaro, J. Mike Wilcher, Lynn M. Bontrager. ABSENT: Council; Tad T. Hite. PRESENT: Staff; Bob Shanahan, Kurt W. Bachman, Casey Erwin, Tom M. Fitch II, Ruth Ann Downey. Public; Christine A. Yoder, Guy Thompson, Bill Etzler.
Council President E. Mast called the meeting to order, welcomed everyone and asked that they sign in. E. Mast noted that Council Member Tad T. Hite was absent, all other Council Members were present and pointed out that agendas were available.
INVOCATION & PLEDGE: C.A. Lazzaro gave the invocation and J.M. Wilcher led the pledge.
MOTION: L. Bontrager made a motion to accept the agenda with flexibility.
- Mast noted that the 2017 Year End Police Report was in Council Members paperwork.
OLD BUSINESS:
DEDICATION OF RIGHT-OF-WAY – FARVER STREET: Town Manager, B. Shanahan requested that the Dedication of Right-of-Way for Farver Street be removed from the agenda. Discussion followed.
MOTION: C.A. Lazzaro made a motion to remove Dedication of Right-Of-Way – Farver Street from the agenda. J.M. Wilcher seconded the motion. Motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS:
COMMUNITY CROSSING GRANT – BID AUTHORIZATION: B. Shanahan reported that we are ready to request approval to advertise for bids for the Community Crossing Grant projects. DLZ will take care of preparing the advertisements and we will have a bid opening date of February 22, 2018. C. Erwin reported that the Town was awarded Part 1 which is Harrison Street and Part 2 which includes North Harrison, Depot Street, Talmadge, Union, and Mill Street. C. Erwin referred Council Members to their paperwork for 2018 Street Improvements. Our goal is to award and start construction late spring with completion in early fall. Discussion followed.
MOTION: L. Bontrager made a motion to approve advertisement for bids for the Community Crossing Grant projects. J.M. Wilcher seconded the motion. Motion Carried.
2018 CARRIAGE COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS: B. Shanahan reported that the Carriage Committee is a three-member board with annual appointments. The three members are a representative from the Police Department, a Town Council Member, and someone from the Business Community. Tom Fitch II has agreed to serve on this board again. L. Bontrager was the 2017 Council Member appointee. We are behind schedule as the licensing process should have been done in December for 2018. R. Downey pointed out that the Business Representative is only allowed to serve one year in the position according to the Ordinance. Discussion followed. L. Bontrager reported that she was willing to be the Council Representative on the Carriage Committee for 2018. B. Shanahan reported that he would be in contact with Ryan Riegsecker to see if someone from his organization would be willing to serve on the committee this year.
MOTION: J.M. Wilcher made a motion to appoint Lynn M. Bontrager to the 2018 Carriage Committee as the Town Council representative on that board. C.A. Lazzaro seconded the motion. Motion carried.
EMERGENCY SIREN PLACEMENT – UPDATE: B. Shanahan reported that we have purchased the siren, but the installation has not been completed because a definite location had not been determined. We now have an agreement for the placement of the warning siren on the NE corner of Raber Patio on Farver Street, the easement has been prepared and is ready for signature. This warning siren is needed to cover the Southern part of the Town. The siren installation will move forward after the easement is signed. Discussion followed.
TOWN MANAGER REPORT: B. Shanahan reported that the Administrative Assistant had attended a conference in South Bend this week and you will find a summary of the conference in your paperwork. She did an excellent job letting you know what was covered at the conference. I feel it is important for the Council to know where their employees are when they are not here. On March 1st Administrative Assistant, Charity Elliott will be attending an HR Seminar as she is now the HR liaison for the Town. Discussion followed.
Council President, E. Mast asked if we need a motion this evening regarding wages. B. Shanahan reported not this evening the appropriate paperwork will be presented to the Council at the February 8th Council meeting.
- Mast asked for a motion to approve the January 11, 2018 Council meeting minutes.
MOTION: C.A. Lazzaro made a motion to approve the January 11, 2018 Council minutes as presented. J.M. Wilcher seconded the motion. Motion carried.
POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT: T. Fitch II asked Council Members if they had any questions regarding the 2017 Year End Report. Council Members had no questions at this time.
FINANCIAL REPORT: R. Downey referred Council Members to their paperwork for the 2018 Appropriation and Revenue Report. We have not received final approval for the 2018 Budget from the DLGF yet so some of the appropriation numbers may change. The Town received a Thank You note from the family of Goldie Lambright for flowers sent. A motion to approve the Claims Registers and Adjustment Journals would be appreciated. Discussion followed.
MOTION: C.A. Lazzaro made a motion to approve the Claims Register and Adjustment Journals as submitted. L. Bontrager seconded the motion. Motion carried.
- Mast asked resident, C. Yoder if she had anything to bring before the Council. C. Yoder reported that the Kick Off for the Relay For Life of LaGrange County will be held on Saturday, January 27th beginning at 9 a.m. at the Farmstead Inn and Conference Center. We will have four speakers and will be crowning our first Relay for Life Princess. Discussion followed.
There being no further business to come before the Council, E. Mast asked for a motion to adjourn.
MOTION: C.A. Lazzaro made a motion to adjourn. L. Bontrager seconded the motion. Motion carried.