MINUTES OF THE APRIL 9, 2007 MEETING OF THE TOWN COUNCIL
The April 9, 2007 meeting of the Clear Lake Town Council was called to order at 7:05 p.m. by Jack McArdle. Others present were Tony Kraus, Larry Armstrong, Councilmen, Virginia Nye, Clerk Treasurer, Robert Hull, Town Superintendent, Bruce Snyder, Zoning Director, and Erik Weber and Neal Blythe, Town Attorneys. Sixteen people signed the guest register.
Minutes of the March 12 meeting were read. Larry Armstrong made the motion to approve. Tony Kraus seconded and the motion passed.
Financials were read by Virginia Nye. Tony Kraus moved approval, Larry Armstrong seconded and the motion passed. Warrants to be Approved were read by Nye, Tony Kraus moved approval, Larry Armstrong seconded and the motion passed.
The Marshal’s report was given by Larry Armstrong. Larry reported that there was a new wave of mailbox vandalism. The Marshal gave a medical assist to the township. There was no Fire Department report.
Bruce Snyder, Zoning Director, reported that he issued six Improvement Location Permits during the last month.
Bob Hull, Town Superintendent reported that the sewer line is working fine. He has spread black top to cover pot holes, the area around 750 Lake Drive has been flooded all winter, we are working to alleviate the flooding problem. REMC is preparing street lighting for Penner Drive, NIPSCO is working to complete their portion of the work.
Larry Armstrong made a motion to approve the reports. Tony Kraus seconded, and the motion passed.
OLD BUSINESS
Neal Blythe reported appeals are still pending in regards to the Hoagland suits. Depositions are ongoing in the Folland issue.
NEW BUSINESS
Ordinance 2007-1. Sewer Rate Ordinance. First Reading. Following introduction and discussion, Larry Armstrong made a motion to approve the first reading of the ordinance. Tony seconded, and the motion passed. The meeting was adjourned for a Public Hearing..
PUBLIC HEARING
Fremont is increasing the sewer rate charged to Clear Lake by 17 percent. This increase will amount to about $25 per year per customer on their amended ordinance.
The assessed rate for customers outside Fremont are assessed at 1 ½ time the rate in town.
Snow Lake customers each receive a bill from Fremont.
The town should publish information in the newsletter so townspeople can respond in the future. There is a need to react collectively as a customer.
One suggestion was a tracking study, to follow collectively as a customer.
CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING
REOPEN COUNCIL MEETING:
Second reading of Ordinance 2007-1. Tony Kraus made a motion to suspend the rules and read the summary of the ordinance for the second reading of Ordinance 2007-1. The motion was seconded by Larry Armstrong, and passed. Tony made a motion to approve the second reading, Larry seconded and the motion passed.
Third reading of Ordinance 2007-1. Tony Kraus made a motion to suspend the rules and read the summary for the third reading of Ordinance 2007-1. Larry Armstrong seconded the motion and the motion passed. Tony Kraus made the motion to approve the third reading of Ordinance 2007-1, Larry Armstrong seconded, and the motion passed.
Tony Kraus introduced an Agreement for License to Encroach upon Public Right-of-Way and read the agreement. Larry Armstrong raised a concern, if property owner objects to a revocable license. Neal Blythe’s response was to write this into the agreement. Following this, Larry seconded the motion and the motion carried.
At 8:10 p.m., Tony made the motion to adjourn. Larry seconded the motion and the motion passed.
________________________________________________
John McArdle
________________________________________________
Virginia Nye