Ferdinand Town Council: A little humor and a lot of details

Not as unusual as it might seem, the Ferdinand Town Council meeting was laced with humor Tuesday night (February 10).

Property and Street Superintendent Tom Lueken sought permission to attend Purdue Road School in Lafayette March 10-12. The schooling is free, but Lueken needed approval for a vehicle, lodging and meals.

Concerning lodging, “Bev [Clerk-Treasurer Bev Schulthise] does best on the lowest booking she can find,” Lueken noted. “I’m scared to go in some of them,” he added wryly, “but there’s been a bed in all of them.”

Council President Ken Sicard directed Schulthise, “Be sure to get a hotel that the front door locks,” after approval was granted.

This was not the only levity during the hour and a half meeting, possibly thanks to the council’s excessive planning and decision making in the past few months which is moving many projects forward.

Jon Wetzel was on hand from Midwestern Engineering for two of those projects. The Loogootee firm was low bidder to draft final design for the phosphorous abatement project. After the contract was executed, Wetzel told council members that two items need to be addressed immediately — financing and site acquisition. He said Ferdinand is eligible for a grant paying up to 45% of the project, along with a low interest (3%) loan, both from Rural Development (RD).

Eligible, but there are no guarantees and RD will require preliminary engineering, an environmental assessment and financial information to apply. Ditto for a loan from the State Revolving Fund (SRF).

The environmental assessment would be required for the land chosen on which to build drying beds for sludge disposal. “Funding and site acquisition, these are two critical components,” Wetzel said. And to meet the deadline imposed when the town renewed its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit, both components need to be set in motion ASAP.

Council members agreed — they needed to look at three potential sites, meet with Mike Strahl from RD and possibly set a special meeting to move into overdrive.

Wetzel was also present to oversee a bid opening to repair and repaint the westside clarifier. The project had been slated for completion in 2014 but delays and then a lack of bidders moved it into 2015 and council members, along with Wastewater Superintendent Roger Schaefer and Town Manager Chris James, thought bidding it out early would be prudent, even if the work cannot be completed until summer. Low bidder was KWK Enterprises ($64,000). The bids ranged upwards from there to a high of $130,495. Council members agreed to take the bids under advisement for review by Schaefer and Wetzel.

GAB Clean Sweep

Beth McManaway with German American Bank, was on hand with a request. The bank hosted a successful Clean Sweep Day in 2014, where local organizations picked up trash throughout town and for their efforts, earned $300. McManaway set the target date for this year’s sweep for Saturday, May 2, from 7-10:30 a.m. She was seeking permission for the event and also help in the form of route maps (James said he has the ones from last year), assistance from the police department to inform participants of what should and should not be picked up and a trash truck stationed at GAB for removal.

GAB is limiting participation to 10 organizations and will give priority to teams that participated last year. If interested contact her at GAB’s Ferdinand branch.

The council also:

• Renewed the $5,200 annual contract with Dubois Strong.
• Set an additional appropriation hearing for March 10 at 8 p.m.
• Approved a $1,700 contract for the Indiana 15 Regional Planning Commission to codify ordinances and update the code book.
• Approved a proposal from facilitator Kathy Kleindorfer from Evansville to update the Comprehensive Plan as outlined in the February 4 issue report on the Plan Commission
• Heard from James, no action has been taken by Dollar General to mitigate storm water problems; however, James thought the weather might be a factor.
• Discussed the need for a sign at Scenic Hills Court stating “No Turnaround” specifically for semis that keep trying to turn around there. The drivers “can evidently drive forward but not backwards,” deadpanned Sicard.
• Learned the Legislature passed SB 309 out of committee on an 8-2 vote which would be detrimental to Ferdinand in the ongoing REC vs municipalities. Sicard said if the bill passes, towns and cities would not be allowed to provide electric in newly annexed areas now covered by Rural Electric. An amendment to allow subdivision residents to choose their provider might be possible. Sicard plans to continue fighting this.
• Appointed Tom Lueken inspector of storm water control/detention basins, the inspections to be completed annually.

Departmental reports

From Police Chief Ricky Patton

• Heard Reserve Officer Eric Hopkins is the second reserve (of five) to complete training and can now patrol, while Lloyd Froman is preparing to serve as a trainer for his fellow officers. Patton also gave his monthly report which will be published next week.

From Fire Chief Dan Lindauer

• Heard the VFD is again accepting candidates for the Junior Fire Fighter Program. Youth 15-21, male or female, from this or neighboring counties are welcome to apply by calling Scott Brosmer at 812-630-8973, talking to any Ferdinand Fireman, or contacting Town Manager Chris James.
• Learned the Ferdinand VFD made 16 runs in January, four for fires and 12 First Responder call outs.
• Received approval to purchase four rear tires for the ladder truck at a price not to exceed $600 apiece (including mounting and disposal of the old tires). The truck is currently outfitted with tires that are over 20 years old.
• Discussed an ordinance requiring Knox Boxes on new construction. Councilman Ron Weyer said he has heard several questions about security. Lindauer noted the only key into the box is in the possession of the fire department, even the business owners aren’t given one.
• Heard all five new fire department members will soon begin training.
• Learned new smoke detectors and other protective items were donated to equip both fire stations and heard a big thank you to the anonymous donor.

From Utility Superintendent Henry Haake

• Heard a utility pole was damaged at the trailer court in an accident, affecting other poles. The offender was located by police so repairs should fall under that person’s insurance.
• Learned Haake and his crew are working on the 13 th Street water main and trimming trees around power lines.
• Gave approval for Haake to attend the Indiana Alliance of Rural Water conference at French Lick on March 18 and 19, which will result in 10 continuing education points. The cost is $135 plus use of a vehicle.
From Property and Street Superintendent Tom Lueken
• Learned his crew is working on shoulder stabilization on the east side of Scenic Hills Drive and clearing out storm water inlets.

From Wastewater Superintendent Roger Schaefer

• Approved a request to send Ryan Ernst to a WTH mapping conference at Ft. Harrison State Park in Indianapolis on March 6 for a $90 fee plus transportation and meals.
• Will allow three sewer department members to attend the Indiana Alliance of Rural Water conference in French Lick for a one day session at $90 apiece.
• Reviewed Schaefer’s annual report. In 2014 his department treated 300,000 gallons of sewage per day for 1,290 homes; located 273 utilities; heard the inflow rate was 49% for inflow and infiltration; will again smoke test this summer between 9th and 17th streets; hauled 147 loads of sludge resulting in land application of 411,600 bio solids, and treated 170,000 gallons of sludge with bacteria, as well as paying off one project and refinancing another for a cost savings. Schaefer also presented rain data back to 2009. In 2014, 51.5 inches of rain and 10.65 inches of snow fell — not the highest year (that would be 2011 at 77 inches) but Schaefer said flooding seemed to be more prevalent last year.

From Park Department President Mike Steffe

• Learned the restroom renovation project at 18th Street Park is progressing and soon the first frost-free drinking fountain will be installed so water will be available year round.
• Heard the 5th Street Park restroom renovation project has been put off until autumn and the shelter house project is being reevaluated.
• Were told 16 trees have been tapped for removal, primarily for safety.
• Learned the March 4 meeting will focus on signing major leases with various leagues.

From Town Manager Chris James

• Were told James and Lueken attended an Erosion Control Seminar to find ways to tackle the issue.
• Heard FP intern Jordan Voges has hit the ground running and is currently quizzing fellow students on a variety of issues to “put them in a forward thinking position in preparation for the Comprehensive Plan update.”
• Participated in an annexation legislation conference call with Sicard to discuss House Bill 1561 and Senate Bills 309 and 330.
The next regular Ferdinand Town Council meeting is slated for Tuesday, March 10 at 7:30 p.m. The BZA will meet Wednesday, February 25 at 6:30 p.m., followed by a 7 p.m. Plan Commission meeting. The newly formed Economic Development Commission will meet Monday, March 9 at 6:30 p.m.