December 11 Ferdinand Town Council

Ferdinand veterans clubs interested in former police station

Along with four Forest Park High School government students, various media and department heads, two gentlemen sat patiently in the back of the Town Hall meeting room Tuesday night.

When item four under Old Business came up— Appraisal of the Old Police Station — they leaned forward.

Council President Ken Sicard said two appraisals had been sought for the old Police Station on W. 5th Street. The building was vacated last month when the Police Department moved into the former library.

One appraisal came in at $61,800 and to other at $65,600. “I will contact those who have expressed an interest,” said Sicard, and mentioned Jeff Fromme, president of the VFW.

About that time a lightbulb went off , and Sicard asked the two men — Legion Commander Ken Fischer and Al Berger — if they were there for the building, as it sits behind the Legion Post home.

Fischer said if the VFW wants it the Legion would not stand in that organization’s way. But then he noted that atthe prices quoted he doubted either club could afford it.

Because this is a town-owned building, the council cannot just put it on the market and an open bidding process must be observed. With that said, Town Attorney Bill Shaneyfelt noted he will find out what minimum bidding requirements are.

“We just want to be kept in the loop,” explained Berger.

Pay raises:

Looking toward the future, council members opined in July there would be no money for 2013 pay raises. They said the same thing in August. And September. It just wasn’t going to happen.

Then they found some savings by switching health insurance, about 2% over the existing pay scale. Initially, they decided to give supervisors a 1% raise and ask them to make recommendations as to how the remaining 1% should be divvied up among town employees. Then, Sicard said, he learned the 2013 cost of living increase is estimated at 1.7%. So they will likely adjust the supervisors’ salaries slightly higher, but will still follow supervisors suggestions for additional raises from the 1%  pool.

Sicard noted this puts some of the onus back on the supervisors and also is designed to reward those who work hard.

This will be discussed after Steczyk hears from the supervisors, hopefully before a December 19 special meeting.

The council also:

• Heard an ADA Compliance Transition Plan should be ready by month’s end.

• Discussed locations for a welcome sign on the north end of town; Sicard said two property owners are willing to lease sites.

•Also, learned 10-year-old Kassidy Anderson met with Steczyk and Ali Meyer to outline contest rules for students to design the sign. The contest is expected to be launched the second week of January.

• Wrote off a $128.15 utility bill owed by Dennis Wingo Jr., as he cannot be located.

• Reappointed Bev Schulthise to the Indiana 15 Regional Planning Commission, of which she is the treasurer.

• Approved a sewer budget to be submitted to Rural Development — a requirement for any municipality for which RD has a bond.

• Learned Lueken has reapplied for a composting facility registration, required every five years.

Police Department:

Chief Ted Bieker presented his monthly report along with three requests.

He said Officer Nathan Lueken has ben appointed IDACS (Indiana Data and Communications System) coordinator and will be responsible for working with the State Police on the technical and procedural aspects of the system the county and neighboring departments implemented earlier this year.

To go forward, Bieker needed to have a signed contract for this, the second phase of a three phase program.

What this will mean to the department is a streamlined procedure for the records management system.

Bieker was granted authorization to sign for the Ferdinand P.D.

He also asked to send Officer Lueken to Basic SWAT School in Evansville from March 11-15. The cost is $250 plus meals and use of a vehicle.

“We’ve been sending Nathan to SWAT exercises for over a year; he’s doing a good job,” praised Bieker. Permission granted.

Finally, Bieker asked to send Officer Donna Abrams for Basic Narcotics and Investigator Training sponsored by the Evansville Police Department.

The 40 hour class scheduled from January 14-18 is free of charge; however, the council agreed to furnish meals and a vehicle.

Fire Department:

Chief Dan Hoppenjans reported eight calls in November, one fire and seven First Responder.

He asked the council to reappoint Donnie Mohr for another three year term as assistant chief. Request granted.

Property and Street Department:

Supervisor Tom Lueken noted this Friday, December 14 will be the final day for leaf collection. He has already turned his attention to installing mandated reflective street name signs and will finish before year’s end, even though the mandate does not take affect until 2014. It will likely take into 2013 to install all the reflective stop and pedestrian signs also mandated.

Wastewater:

Superintendent Roger Schaefer said his staff has been taking year-end inventory for the plant. Since the last meeting they had to repair a sewer tap at East 3rd Street and were dealing with some oxidation ditch problems.

Schaefer praised Utility Superintendent Henry Haake for replacing faulty lighting at the sewer plant with LED lighting and said he hopes to replace more of the lighting in similar fashion as it works very well and will help cut electric costs.

At last month’s meeting, Schaefer had presented a proposal to purchase a liner for the EQ (Equalization) Basin but the contract called for 100% payment up-front and came with stipulations town attorney Bill Shaneyfelt found onerous.

He located another company that could provide the liner — Western Environmental in Arizona. Th e liner would be $150.96 cheaper (actual price $10,086) and payment would not be due until 30 days after delivery.

Schaefer cautioned that purchase could not wait long as heavy rains and winter weather might undo much of what has been done. However, he is awaiting a printed copy of the warranty. Shaneyfelt assured he could turn it around fast after the documentation is received.

Park Board:

President Scott Tretter was not present, but had asked Tom Lueken to convey a message.

Melvin “Mousy”  Daunhauer has been a seasonal worker for the past three years but won’t return in 2013. Tretter wished to thank Daunhauer publicly for all his hard work.

Sicard added his thanks and praise. “He [Daunhauer] has done a tremendous job.”