LIGONIER, Ind — Water Superintendent Jeff Boyle accepted a Hoosier Water Guardian Award at Monday’s council meeting from Michael Aylesworth, the regional office director for the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.

The award, the second highest award given by IDEM, was the result of effective work on well-field protection for the city water supply, including monitoring wells for water protection, adequate set backs of city wells from other activities, and an up-to-date contingency plan.



Ligonier Parks

Ligonier Parks Director Alan Duncan presented the council with a report for 2009 reflecting the many activities and projects of the department, along with an account of membership totals and Rec Center usage. Membership totals increased from 441 to 632 in 2009, while usage hours increased from 29,702 to 42,566.



New insurance plan

At a special meeting last Thursday, the council considered the insurance choices available for the coming year, and selected the plan that best kept city expenses under control. Under the new plan, employee costs will either increase slightly or decrease slightly depending on options chosen.



Firm changes

The council approved a letter to city wastewater management company EMC informing the company that the contract with the city will not be renewed after its expiration in December of 2010. EMC is being sold to American Water, a larger company providing water and wastewater management services.

Ligonier pays EMC approximately $17,000 per month for management services. The city intends to explore all options for department management, including staffing the department with city personnel, developing a new arrangement with an external management firm such as EMC, or selling the department to a private operator that would provide the city with wastewater services.



Spring cleanup

The council approved April 17 as the date for spring cleanup in the city. Items, other than hazardous materials, can be taken to the Street Department garage between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. that day.

Waste Management Board

Mayor Patricia Fisel told the board that she is required as mayor to represent the city on the Solid Waste Management District Board. An alternate able to appear at meetings and make a proxy vote is permitted. However, and Mayor Fisel has appointed council member John Pettit to this position to fill in when the mayor is unable to attend.



Other city business

Another round of grant applications is being prepared by the city with assistance from consulting group Region III-A Management.

Additional technical and engineering detail will be added to the applications to improve the chances of acceptance. An application for assistance with combined sewer operation work for the east side of the city is at the top of the list.

The city will save money by internal preparation of some of the data needed for a county and city income survey required for the applications.

Mayor Fisel once more reminded the council of the importance of completing accurate census counting, which has a direct impact on funds from the state based on population.

The average of $1,400 per resident that will come to the city based on population will come primarily from cigarette and motor vehicle taxes.

The council approved a renewed maintenance contract with Herman & Goetz for upkeep on city generators, based on past performance by the company.