Meeting began at 7:00 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Kelsey, Clerk-Treasurer Cummins, Chief Duhamell, Superintendent Walls, as well as Councilman Watts, Voirol, Gerig, Renner, and Martin were in attendance.
Chief’s Report:
The new police truck has arrived with installation of lights and the radio complete. The police markings will be put on shortly. After that, the prisoner containment system will be installed. The police chief has asked the council to approve the purchase of three body cameras for the department, one per vehicle. He recommends a wireless camera that he has used in the past by Vievu. This would be priced at nearly $2,700 for all three of the cameras. This will be brought up as new business for the next meeting.
Mayor’s Report:
The mayor is receiving quotes from multiple companies for a city website to be created. He is checking with the Community Association and the Chamber of Commerce to see if they want to join together to cost share. The Mayor has gotten quotes for new banners from both Northern Lights and Wahli Printing. An INDOT traffic study occurred investigating speed limits on SR-101 on the north side of Woodburn in response to Mayor Hoeppner’s request for an extension of the 40 mph speed zone to encompass the US-24 interchange. This request was presented due to the increased traffic near Love’s truck stop. The study did not show that the request should be fulfilled, but INDOT will change the speed limit to 50 mph instead of the current 55 mph. An INDOT sign crew has been out to put these new signs up.
Clerk-Treasurer’s Report:
Meeting minutes from February 1st were presented. Councilman Watts moved to accept minutes as presented, second by Councilman Voirol, all in favor. Warrants were presented to Council. The Clerk-Treasurer discussed training that is provided by the Indiana League of Municipal Clerk Treasurers in the upcoming month and requested payment in the presented warrants for this training as there will not be another meeting before that training session. Councilman Gerig moved to pay the warrants as presented, second by Councilman Voirol, all in favor.
Superintendent’s Report:
The Superintendent mentioned that he and the mayor had discussed the idea of changing out our green signs in the city with blue signs with white block lettering. The idea is to replace them over time, specifically the ones that need to be replaced in the near future. We can phase out the old signs with the new ones a few at a time. Councilman Watts moved to purchase the new signs for Main Street as well as the signs that need repaired right now throughout the City, second by Councilman Renner, all in favor. There was a break on the water line at the Hamptons that was fixed by Dozer Werks.
Councilmans’ Report:
Councilman Martin has requested that we replace the American Flag that is located at the police station. He also mentioned that the flag at city hall needs to be at half mast right now. Regarding the flag hanging over the street, apparently INDOT has regulations that do not allow for the flag to hang over the street at that height. Councilman Voirol mentioned about the City of Ligonier and was curious as to why they were able to do that and we are not. He also asked if Superintendent Walls would be able to sell the old Christmas tree decorations to other interested cities or towns. Superintendent Walls thought that the City of St. Joe or Milan Township may be interested. The Clerk-Treasurer will check on the treasurer’s listserv to see if any other city or town would be interested in purchase.
Old Business:
The Clerk-Treasurer could not find evidence of a recent donation to the Woodburn Youth League. The Council would like to have this knowledge before deciding a course of action.
New Business:
Greater Fort Wayne INC is coming out to meet with the Mayor to see about new industry and what the city needs to do to make sure we are able to handle any future businesses. In order to get financial assistance from the county for the development of a roadway in the industrial park, the city would have to own the property in question. The Clerk-Treasurer had gotten a price estimate for a new color printer for city hall. The current price from Strategic Business Technologies was for just over $3200. Councilman Watts requested a price for service on a device as well as both a lease and a purchase price from both Strategic Business Technologies and WM Imaging for next meeting. Strategic Business Technologies is able to offer on site hard drive storage for around $800 for initial setup. Superintendent Walls recommended that we have our back-up storage outside of this building. Councilman Watts recommended that we check to see if Carbonite is sufficient for our needs. If so, then we would not need to change our current setup, which is through Carbonite.
Audience:
A resident mentioned that the Strategic Planning Group has suggested that we need a tagline for the City. A recommendation of “Gateway to the Heartland” has been shared in the past. She is asking if all organizations relating to the City would be interested in sharing a common letterhead that would incorporate this idea. The Mayor mentioned that he would check with Wahli Printing and see what price would be involved with this.
Councilman Watts moved to adjourn the meeting, second by Councilman Voirol, all in favor. Meeting adjourned at 8:15pm.
