Hearing Held On Super Voluntary Annexation Of Syracuse Technology Park
SYRACUSE — The Syracuse Town Council held a public hearing during its regular monthly meeting Tuesday night, May 17, regarding the super voluntary annexation of the Syracuse Technology Park, located north of town near the intersection of US 6 and SR 13. The park is technically in Elkhart County.
Syracuse resident Sharon Fowler asked why the council was considering annexation when nothing was taking place within the park. Councilman Larry Siegel explained annexation has to be done before things get started in the park. Fowler asked who was maintaining the park and was told the Town of Syracuse. Fowler told the council she felt annexation should not take place.
The council closed the hearing and approved annexation. Town Manager Henry DeJulia did the second reading of the annexation ordinance. He informed council members he hoped to have a fiscal plan to them before the June meeting as well as a resolution from Elkhart County so the annexation could be approved.
The council approved ordinance 2016-06 allowing an additional appropriation for LRS, Rainy Day and Oakwood T.I.F. funds. The council also approved ordinance 2016-07 to establish a town budget account.
In the department reports, DeJulia asked the council to approve a bid for $5,000 from JP Developers to demolish a house. The council approvied the bid.
DeJulia reported he met with Rundell Ernstberger and Associates to discuss upgrading the town’s comprehension plan or developing a new plan.
Council member Bill Musser asked Police Chief Jim Layne about people driving around town in golf carts with kids and the golf carts do not have seat belts. Layne explained seatbelts are not required, since they are not standard issue on golf carts. Musser noted it seemed unsafe to be driving around with kids hanging off the back of a golf cart.
Park Superintendent Chad Jonsson reported the annual Cruise ‘n Cuse will be held Friday evening and Saturday during the day. Long Drive may be closed depending on the weather and how many cars participate in the car show on Saturday.
Life guards will be on duty starting Memorial Day weekend.
Robin Merchant, public works superintendent, asked the council to approve a new leak adjustment policy. Merchant explained he came up with a new plan and made some changes at the request of the council. Council members stated they had not had time to review the policy.
In an update on the waste water treatment plant project, Merchant said he met with Triad, the company who engineered the project. Work will start to ramp up as the completion date nears. A representative from the manufacturer for the aerator has been asked to come out and look at the aerator for the plant as it’s not functioning properly.
The council approved spending $3,350 on a new trimmer for the tractor.
Paving bids were awarded to Phend and Brown for $109,757.60 with work to be completed by July 31.
The school system will be billed $4,410 for three water taps for the new school. Merchant explained the taps were not in the original plan for the school.
In discussion by the council, Council President Paul Stoelting asked Councilman Brian Woody if he was still interested in representing the council to the Turkey Creek Fire Territory Board since he has not been to several meetings. Woody said he handed in his letter of resignation to Republican Party Chair Randy Girod and last night was his last night as a council member.
Siegel agreed to be a council representative to the fire territory board. There was also discussion on selecting the independent representative as there are two candidates for the position, Randy Cox and Cindy Taylor.