The Lapel Town Council met in regular session this date, at the Lapel Eagles, at 7pm, with the following members present- Gary Shuck, President; Tim Munro, Vice President; Clay Parkison, Debra Wainscott, Carl Tony Pearson, Members; Tom Tudor, Clerk/Treasurer; and Bill Byer, Attorney.

Munro moved, seconded by Parkison, motion approved, Shuck abstained on 9/15/2011 meeting, Pearson and Wainscott abstained on 10/13/11 meeting, to approve the minutes for the 9/15/2011, 10/6/2011. and 10/13/2011 meetings. Other than noted the vote was unanimously approved.

Pearson moved, seconded by Munro, motion passed unanimously to approve payment of the claims as presented.

Tudor reviewed the financial statements with the Council. A rate comparison was reviewed concerning natural gas rates between other utilities and the Town of Lapel. In the 20mcf category Lapel ranks 2nd lowest among communities that Pat Callahan, rate consultant works with. In IURC regulated gas companies the average cost for 20mcf is $185.78 and Lapel is $162.55.

Wainscott moved, seconded by Munro, motion passed unanimously, RESOLUTION #17. The Lapel Town Council agrees to extend a temporary loan to the General Fund from Gas Cash Reserve. The amount of the temporary loan is $11,581. The temporary loan must be paid in full by December 31, 2011 and will bear a zero interest rate.

Wainscott moved, seconded by Parkison, motion carried unanimously RESOLUTION 16. The Lapel Town Council agrees that the mileage reimbursement authorized by the State of Indiana will be Lapel`s rate. The State of Indiana allows 44cents per mile as the reimbursement amount.

Wainscott moved, seconded by Munro, motion passed unanimously, ORDINANCE #10. Be it ordained by the Lapel Civil Town unit, Madison County Indiana that for the expenses of Lapel Civil Town for the year ending December 31, 2012 the sum of $948, 197 .... are hereby appropriated and ordered set apart out of the several funds herein named ...

There was a public hearing concerning the proposed creation of a Storm Water Maintenance rate to be collected from the citizens. There were no questions or comments from the citizens present or council members. The public hearing was closed. Munro moved, seconded by Pearson, motion carried unanimously ORDINANCE #8. An ordinance creating and establishing Department of Storm Water Management for the Town of Lapel, Madison County, Indiana. Whereas the Town Council of the Town of Lapel ... finds that the storm water collection and disposal system of the Town is inadequate to property provide for the collection and drainage of storm water in the Town ... Town creates a Department of Storm Water Management to provide ... for the maintenance and improvement of the storm water collection and dispposal system of the TOwn ... A storm water user fee shall be imposed on each and every sewer connection ... The monthly storm water utility fee for all developed residential and non-residential properties within the Town shall be $2.50. The Common Council. from time to time, by ordinance may amend the monthly charge established in this section ... Read and adopted this 20th day of October, 2011.

David Allgood, Ash Way, Brookside I addition, asked for Council help in solving water from his neighbor behind his home, in Montgomery Farms Addition, dumping water onto his property from a pipe opening that is believed to be coming from his crawl space. Also a letter was read from Jamey Vibbert concerning the drainage situation in Montgomery Farms. The Council asked Attorney Byer to render an opinion on what the Town's position should be.

Suck secured a quote from Safety Tech for the purchase and installation of a natural gas powered electrical generator to supply electrical power to Town Hall, Ford Street Well, and the fuel tanks. The quote was for $19,800. The Council took the quote under advisement.

Central Avenue storm water lines are to be cleaned. A couple of homes on Central Avenue have not been connected to the new sanitary sewer system. The area will be cameraed to ascertain exactly who has and who has not been connected to the sanitary system. Corrections of these problems will be completed as soon as possible.

The Police Department announced the receipt of $1750 to offset part of the cost of the new bullet proof vests for the officers.

Officer Barnes presented the Police Department report. Barnes stated the department has applied for a grant for video/audio equipment for the police interviews and Town Hall protection in the utility/Town Hall work area.

Bob Kowalski was asked to look into used tired being stored by Eddie Wyant. They must be removed.

Munro asked the street department to look into why the lighted stop sign is not working at the intersection of 132 & 300 S. Munro asked that the Safety Program for office staff and utility workers begin as soon as possible. The program is web based. Munro and Daniel Paull are exploring the use of text messaging emergencies to town citizens. They are researching different methods that are reasonably effective in coverage and cost.

There being no further business to come before the Council the meeting was adjourned.

 

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