TOWN OF CLEAR LAKE
MEETING MINUTES

Minutes Of The June 14, 2010 Town Council Meeting

The regular meeting of the Town Council of Clear Lake, Indiana was held at the town hall on Monday, June 14, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. Present were Council Members, Bob Lewis, Sue Williams, Barry Worl and Alan Korte. Also present were Town Superintendent Bob Hull, zoning Administrator Bruce Snyder and Town Attorney Neal Blythe. There were twenty-two citizens who signed the guest register.

President, Bob Lewis called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. with those in attendance standing to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

Bob Lewis asked for any additions or corrections to the May 10th minutes. There being none, Bob asked for a motion to accept as presented. Alan Korte made the motion to accept the minutes as presented, Sue Williams seconded, Bob Lewis, Alan Korte, Barry Worl, Sue Williams voted to accept the minutes, George Schenkel abstained due to his absence in April.

In the absence of the Clerk-Treasurer, George Schenkel presented the Treasurer’s Report for May stating the beginning and ending balances for cash and investments, receipts and disbursements for the General Fund, Garbage Fund and Sewer Fund. The report is attached to the minutes.

George Schenkel also presented the Vouchers for the month of May for the following funds:
                                                                                    General Fund                    $19,594.43
                                                                                    Garbage Fund                      7,893.80
                                                                                    Sewer Fund                       15,472.79

                                                                        Total Amount of Vouchers            $42,961.02

                                                                        Warrants to be approved totaled   $10,844.50

Bob Lewis asked for a motion to approve the May Treasurer’s Report and Voucher Register in addition to the warrants to be paid in June. Barry Worl made the motion to approve the Financial Reports as presented, Alan Korte seconded, all in favor and the motion passed.

REPORTS

Marshal’s Report – Barry Worl reported for the Marshal that they have been busy during the month issuing about 30 golf cart permits. The boat is in the water and has been used by our officers and the Marine Patrol from the Sheriff’s Department. The new police vehicle has been used in the evenings/ late night and early morning adding several hundred miles. The Sheriff’s Department also responded to Clear Lake for on residential alarm and two public beach complaints. Two minors were arrested for consuming alcohol at the beach.

The report is attached for further details.

Fire Department – Barry Worl reported for the fire marshal that there were 54 calls for the month of May with three calls to the Town of Clear Lake and four in Clear Lake Twp.

Building & Zoning Report – Bruce Snyder reported that there were no Improvement Location Permits issued for the month of May. One remodeling project was review and no permit was required. A violation of the erosion control/silt fencing requirement at 838 & 839 was sent and was immediately corrected. A violation at 186 Lake Drive and 122 Outer Drive was determined to exist and the projects were voluntarily stopped.

Conferences were held with nine property owners concerning the UDO and its application to their project.

The Board of Zoning Appeals will meet on June 21, 2010 to review variance requests from Clear Lake Marina and Clear Lake Yacht Club, both for patios to be built in the lake yard set-backs.

Sewer Department – Bob Hull reported during the month of May there were 11 locates, 9 alarm calls, 2 pumps replaced or repaired, and the average flow was 34,718 gallons per day.
All air releases have been cleaned between Clear Lake and Fremont and the system if working well.

Street Department – Bob Hull reported that the engineers have staked the project for 2010 and are working on the drainage and drawings at this time. The project should be ready for bid by the next Council Meeting.

Easement drawings for 374 Lake Drive are complete and the drainage pipe will be installed as soon as the easement papers are signed and recorded.

The county drain at 318 Lake Drive has been cleared by the county and is flowing again. The town has cleared the culvert at 574 Lake Drive of branches and it is now flowing.

The dead-end street on the west side of the channel has been determined to be a private drive. A copy of the deed from the recorders office shows that Floren Place Circle is a 20” common private road by deed, recorded May 21, 1962. There was no documentation found that the Town has ever accepted the road for operation and maintenance. The street is not in our road inventory for tax money for maintenance.

Billing Clerk – Bob Hull reported for Laura that we had one small claim on May 25th and the property owners did not appear. We will be going back to Small Claims on July 15th and then a bench warrant will be ordered.

Sewer collections are going smoothly. The County should be sending out sewer lien payments later this month as tax billing was on time this year.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

1. Litigation – Neal Blyth reported that there was a hearing before Judge Brown in LaGrange that resolved some of the discovery issues that will hopefully result in a summary judgment. Sue Williams was present representing the Town.

There was a deposition in the alleged inverse condemnation concerning the sewer pipes. The case is scheduled for September and should be resolved at that time. George Schenkel was present representing the town.

Lawsuits to compel connection to the sewer went out on June 10th and they have 23 days from the day the lawsuit is filed. By early July the attorney should have a reply on the lawsuits.

We are waiting on the judge to dismiss the fence case.

2. ORDINANCE 2010-05: 2ND READING AN ORDIANCE AMENDING A PORTION OF THE CLEAR LAKE ZONING MAP

Bob Lewis read Ordinance 2010-05 in its entirety and asked the council to approve the ordinance on the second reading. Sue Williams made a motion to approve Ordinance 2010-05 as presented on the 2nd reading, Alan Korte seconded, all in favor and the motion passed.

ORDINANCE 2010-05: 3RD READING AN ORDINANCE AMENDING A PORTION OF THE CLEAR LAKE ZONING MAP

Bob Lewis read Ordinance 2010-05 in its entirety and asked the council to approve the ordinance on the 3rd reading. Alan Korte made a motion to approve Ordinance 2010-05 as presented on the third reading, George Schenkel seconded and the motion passed.

3. ORDINANCE 2010-04: 2ND READING AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CLEAR LAKE ORDINANCE 2009-06 REGULATING THE USE OF GOLF CARTS.

Bob Lewis read the ordinance in its entirety and asked for a motion to close the public meeting and open the public hearing. George Schenkel made the motion to close the public meeting and open the public hearing, Sue Williams seconded the motion and the motion passed.

Bob Lewis opened the floor for discussion. There being no discussion Bob Lewis asked for a motion to close the public hearing and open the public meeting. A motion was made by Barry Worl to close the public hearing and open the public meeting.

Bob Lewis asked for a motion to accept Ordinance 2010-04 amending the Clear Lake Ordinance 2009-06 regulating the use of golf carts. Alan Korte made a motion to accept the ordinance, George Schenkel seconded, all in favor and the motion passed.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Heritage Committee Report – Bonnie Brown. Bonnie reported that the history books have been delivered and noted the locations where they can be purchased.

2. Water Quality Committee Report – Annie Skinner. The feasibility study is now complete for the Cyrus-Brouse Ditch and there are nine best management practices to use as land owner buy-ins are acquired and grants become available. There are no land owners at this time.

There have been several County Roads that have been identified upstream of Clear Lake that the County Highway Dept. may be able to chip & seal to prevent erosion and sediment from flowing into Cyrus-Brouse and thus into Clear Lake. The committee will be attending the County Commissioners meeting to see if this is a possibility.

Consultants have also been working on identifying wet areas and wetlands around the lake. Their report has not been received as yet.

3. Board of Zoning Appeals – Bob Lewis reported that because of a variance request from the Clear Lake Yacht Club several of the BZA members have had to recues themselves from this hearing because they are members of the Yacht Club. Alternates who have been appointed are Larry Armstrong, Ken Goeckel and Barb Disser.

4. Public Street vs. Private Drive. Discussion continues on the status of the portion of Lake Drive on the northeast portion of the lake from #416-464. Research will continue to help to make a determination.

5. Tornado Sirens. The three sirens on the lake are in need of repair or replacement.

Bob Lewis asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:50 p.m. A motion was made by George Schenkel to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Alan Korte, all in favor and the motion passed.

Robert E. Lewis, Council President

Kay A. Kummer, Clerk - Treasurer