Minutes of the October 13, 2008 Town Council Meeting
The Town Council meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Larry
Armstrong, President of the Council. Present also were Council members Bob
Lewis, George Schenkel, and Sue Williams. Bob Hull, Town Superintendent, Bruce
Snyder, Zoning Director, and Virginia Nye, Clerk/Treasurer, and Neal Blythe,
Town Attorney were also present. Twenty two people signed the guest register.
The minutes of the September 8 Council meeting were read. The minutes of the
September 22 meeting were noted but not read aloud. Minutes of both meetings
were approved by the Council, upon a motion by Bob Lewis and second by George
Schenkel, and unanimously approved.
The financial report, including the Voucher Register and Revenue and Expenses
for August, was read. Total of expenses by fund are: General Fund $23,633.28,
Garbage Fund $4,379.12, and Sewer Fund $49,469.28, for a grand total of
$77,481.68. The Warrants to be Approved totaled $46,604.55. George Schenkel made
the motion to approve the financial report, Sue Williams seconded, and the
motion passed.
REPORTS
The Marshal’s report included fifteen complaints that the police department
responded to.
The Neighborhood Watch program is moving forward quickly. The Fremont Fire
Department list of 25 complaint calls for September included only two from Clear
Lake.
Bruce Snyder gave the Building and Zoning Report. During this period three
Improvement Location Permits and two demolition permits were issued. A tabled
variance application will be heard at the October 20 BZA meeting. Also, three
possible zoning violations are being investigated.
Bob Hull reported that in the sewer portion of the barn, interior walls, wiring,
insulation, and storage loft are now complete. The street work has included
replacement of asphalt next to the boat ramp after a broken culvert was
repaired. Bob mowed road side, patched pot holes, cut roadside brush, and
replaced several street signs. He reported that directional signs need to be
replaced. Bob Troll will check on original installation of the signs.
Bob Hull also gave Laura’s report on garbage and sewer collections. She may need
to file claims. Neal Blythe suggested filing liens annually.
Sue Williams made a motion to approve the reports, Bob Lewis seconded the
motion, and the motion passed.
OLD BUSINESS
Neal Blythe reported on four legal cases before the town. He also
confirmed the appointment of a BZA secretary last week.
NEW BUSINESS
ORDINANCE 2008-8. An Ordinance Vacating
a Portion of Arcadia Drive, Town of Clear Lake. Second reading.
Bob Lewis read the summary only of the ordinance that authorizes
vacation of a portion of the approximately 20-foot wide right of way known as
Arcadia Drive. George Schenkel made the motion to approve the second reading of
the ordinance, Bob Lewis seconded, and the motion passed.
ORDINANCE 2008-11. Ordinance Setting
Salaries and Wages of the Officers and Employees for the Town of Clear Lake,
Indiana for the Year 2009. First Reading.
Larry Armstrong read the ordinance and noted that the payroll has
been increased by 5 percent in the past two years. He then made the motion to
approve the first reading, Sue Williams seconded, and the motion passed.
Larry Armstrong discussed the Unified Development Ordinance. There
will be a meeting on Tuesday, October 14, to review the ordinance for an update
on changes. In November, the Ordinance will go back to the Plan Commission for
review.
The Council meeting was closed in order to have a Public Hearing of
the Proposed 2009 Budget. George Schenkel made a motion to close the Council
meeting, Bob Lewis seconded, and the motion passed.
THE PUBLIC HEARING OF PROPOSED 2009 BUDGET.
George Schenkel made a motion to open a public hearing for the Town’s 2009
Budget, Bob Lewis seconded, and the motion passed.
George Schenkel then gave an overview of the 2009 budget comparing it to the
2008 budget. The 2009 budget includes a total expense budget of $585,718, with
revenue of $478,453. The budget includes all funds with the exception of the
sewer fund.
Randy Tilbury, Tax and Business Consultant for the town, reported that the 2009
revenue receipt from property taxes will be $300,000 for all funds. There will
be a 4-percent increase in property taxes for the year. With the increased value
of property taxes up by 17 percent over last year, he then recommended that the
town apply to the state for additional taxes. We must apply this year or have
$10K loss the next few years.
Bob Lewis made the motion to close the Public Hearing for the 2009 Budget,
George Schenkel seconded, and the motion passed. The Public Hearing was then
closed.
George Schenkel made the motion to open the Council meeting, Sue Williams
seconded, and the motion passed.
Larry Armstrong noted that we had reached the end of the agenda, and opened the
meeting for comments from attendees. There was further comment about noise from
some of the boats.
At 8:05 p.m., Bob Lewis made the motion to adjourn, George Schenkel seconded,
and the motion passed.
___________________________________
Larry Armstrong, President
___________________________________
Virginia Nye, Clerk/Treasurer