Town of Osgood Minutes

Town of Osgood
Regular Meeting
Tuesday, September 15, 2015
7:00 P.M.

Present at the meeting were Norman Kappes, Holley Rose, DeDee Holliday, Tammy Wilhoit, John Ertel, Cathy May, Shawn Negangard, Eric Roush, Larry Bewley, Tony Wood, Phil Johnson, Susan Craig, and Jason Smith.

Pledge of Allegiance.

Roll Call - all present

Motion was made to waive the reading and adopt the pre-read minutes. Holley 1^st, DeDee 2^nd

3 - ayes

Tabled from last month: Ordinance 2015-1, an ordinance amending Ordinance 2009-13 (Weeds and Other Rank Vegetation). This ordinance was introduced last month with the following changes included:

• The weed height violation will shorten from 12 inches to 8 inches,
• Mow at least once a month for the months of April and October,
• Mow at least twice a month during the months of May through September,
• Prohibit grass clippings, mowed grass, mowed leaves, mowed debris cast or blown onto or into
• the Town’s streets, curbs, or alleys,
• Animal matter is prohibited including but not limited to carcasses, skeleton, or feces,
• Trash is prohibited including but not limited to appliances, furniture, or rubbish of any kind,
• Any disagreeable substances are prohibited which may be harmful, hazardous, poisonous, and
• odorous or which may breed insects or draw vermin,
• Reduces the number of days to comply with the Ordinance from 15 days to 10 days,
• Penalty for this ordinance violation will be a fine up to $2,500 plus $250 administrative costs.

Motion was made to approve Ordinance 2015-1. Holley 1^st, DeDee 2^nd

3 - ayes

Congratulations to Nick Buchanan for passing his Operator Certification Examination for Wastewater.

Retroactive to September 7, 2015: Motion was made to increase Nick Buchanan’s hourly rate by $.50 for obtaining his Operator Certification. DeDee 1^st, Holley 2^nd

3 - ayes

Trick or Treat will be Saturday, October 31^st from 5:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M.

Southeastern Indiana Regional Planning Commission - Susan Craig addressed Council on Community Mapping Tools. There are 2 tools they’ve been using: Asset Mapping and Strategic Doing. The Asset Mapping is planning for the Community; strengths, weaknesses, and threats. The focus would be the people, skills, institutes, schools, and civic groups. There are questions with the Strategic Doing: What to do? What could be done? When can it be done? This is an active way to plan and get things done in the community. Identify gaps, where is wealth going? Example: A grocery store leaves town and there is nowhere for the residents to shop, they will leave your community and spend money elsewhere. S.I.R.P.C. staff will be working on this and if the Council would like to meet or have any questions, they can contact them.

On September 11, 2015, IDEM provided approval to proceed with the pilot testing of the new flocculent chemical and recirculation pump at the water plant. Typical pilot testing allowed is 90 days, if the new flocculent chemical performs well and is to be implemented permanently we will need to apply for the appropriate permit. If the pump performs as expected we will need to apply for that appropriate permit as well before it is permanently installed. Permitting could take 30 to 60 days. Pilot testing will be completed as quickly as possible allowing us to apply for and obtain the permits before our 90 days run out.

Umbaugh and Associates have completed the water rate study. Clerk-Treasurer has asked Council to review the study and advise how they would like to proceed. Council indicated that they would like to receive more information from Commonwealth Engineers on the pilot testing before they proceed.

Sewer Department - Tony Wood stated monthly report has been submitted. They were over average on chloride, but not 20% over. They will keep an eye on it. The fertilizer is getting out and the base map for the GIS has been completed. Manholes, clean outs, lift stations, lines, flow directions, and database with lateral inlines linked to the manholes is all set up on the map. Tony stated he is very proud of the way it turned out. Holley stated it’s really advanced and hats off to your department to have all those tools. Tony stated there is some minor editing to do but the WTH Software integrates with the 911 system. The next department to have this done will be the gas. He also stated that the plant has been running very well and is very impressed with Nick Buchanan for passing his Operator Certification Exam, there is an average of a 40% passing rate.

Police Department - Eric Roush gave his monthly statistical report. They’ve had several calls and have been very busy. He has also worked with the Health Department, Fire, and EMS with an infestation of bed bugs at a residence, along with other issues. The Fire Department and EMS provided him with protective equipment when entering the home and after leaving. His concern is that it not only affects him, but his home, the town hall, and other town employees and their departments due to turning on utilities. There are chemicals that will help alleviate these issues. He is requesting Council to purchase some of these chemicals not only for the police department, but all the departments. Shawn Negangard with the Fire Department stated he gets his from Major Supply out of Covington, KY.

Motion was made to purchase spray and powder chemicals for bed bugs. Holley 1^st, DeDee 2^nd

3 - ayes

Fire Department - Shawn Negangard stated they had 20 first response runs, 5 auto accidents, 1 car fire, 1 mutual aid, 1 other, 1 spill, and 1 landing zone for a total of 30 runs.

American Legion Post #173 - Phil Johnson requested permission to be at the stoplight on Saturday, October 10^th from 9:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M.

Motion was made to approve American Legion’s request. DeDee 1^st, Holley 2^nd

3 - ayes

John Ertel prepared an Amendment to Ordinance 2008-1, related to the minimum monthly charge for gas meters. There will be a public hearing at the regular meeting on October 20, 2015 at 7:00 P.M. for the purpose of amending Section III, B, Section 1 of Ordinance 2008-1.

 

Notice will be ran in the newspaper.

John Ertel also requested Council to set up an executive session next week for pending litigation.

Tony Wood stated that Friendship will allow the Bricktober Fest to use their generator if needed.

Claims signed

Meeting adjourned

Osgood Town Hall	Osgood Street Utilities	Osgood Water Plant	Ripley Co. Sheriff
Monday - Friday	Monday - Friday		24/7/365
8:30 am - 12:00 pm	7:30 am - 11:30 am	812-689-4324	Emergencies - 911
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm	12:00 pm - 4:00 pm		Non Emergencies:
812-689-4240	812-689-3839		812-689-5555
After 4 PM Leave Message	After 4 PM Leave Message		Street Department will be Dispatched Out

Osgood Utilities can now be reached 24-7-365, after hours and weekends for gas leaks, water leaks, sewer backups, etc. Simply call 812-689-0178 for a live dispatcher to get the service you need.