The Winona Lake Town Council adopted two ordinances at its June 16 meeting.

Both ordinances were introduced at the council’s May meeting.

Ordinance 2015-5-1 clarifies enforcement of park rules and regulations, especially those pertaining to the new splash pad at the Limitless Park. It also establishes guidelines for police enforcement of park rules.

The ordinance was adopted after a second reading.

Ordinance 2015-5-2 amends Ordinance 2003-4-4, which allowed the town to collect fees for equipment rentals. The new ordinance adds rental fees for paddleboards.

The new ordinance was amendment since the first reading in May. A typo regarding one set of rental fees was fixed and some older items were renumbered. Some items which were no longer offered were removed. Also, accommodations for possible fee changes in the fall were written in. This amended ordinance was adopted as Ordinance 2015-5-2A.

Also at the meeting, Street Superintendent Tom Miller reported a recently discovered issue. With the heavy rains and flash flooding earlier this week, Miller found that some storm sewers at the street department building on Chestnut Street were connected to the sanitary sewer – which violates a town ordinance.

Miller conferred with Town Engineer Larry Long and worked up a preliminary plan to re-route the storm drains, as well as addressing some other drainage issues. The storm water would ultimately outlet into Wyland Ditch.

Long estimates the project would cost roughly $15,000. Miller feels that diverting the storm water from the sanitary sewer will provide the town a significant saving in waste water treatment costs.

Miller and Long also announced they were working on standards for design and construction for public works. This would establish basic templates for projects including sanitary and storm sewer, roads, sidewalks, curbs and tree planting.

“It’s complete and thorough design standards,” said Miller. “It’d be very beneficial for the community to have that. I think it will help us move forward for many, many years.”

Long provided an update on the decorative street light project that will be starting on the island. All contracts have been formalized and sent out. NIPSCO will be taking down some unused power poles. The first phase of construction will begin at the end of June. Long does not expect any significant traffic issues as a result of the construction.

When the council opened the meeting to floor topics, Kathy Gill raised concern that the Masterworks Festival’s Patriotic Pops concert, which has been held at the Hillside Amphitheater for many years, is being moved indoors due to funding issues.

“I appreciate that they’re still doing the concert, but my concern, as a person who lives in that area, we’re diminishing our great Fourth of July,” she said. “I feel like it won’t be as great. We’re losing part of what makes Winona Lake a special destination.”

Following Gill’s address, John Elliott noted that the annual fireworks display, which follows the Patriotic Pops festival, will be bigger than ever. The $40,000 display, put on by Mad Bomber, will include a special finale in honor of the late Dr. Dane Miller.