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~~~ The Redevelopment Commssion is in the process of amending or rewriting their plan for the TIF Districts and has asked the Town Council to give them a list of projects that they would like to see completed with the help of the TIr funds, Items mentioned in the discussion were: Expansion of the sewage treatment plant, installing storm sewers and curbs in TIF District I, reclaiming of the planting strips, help with the cost of concrete removal and replacement with the downtown lighting project, completing the brick walk in front of the Town Hall, assisting in the cost of constructing a parking lot at 39 W. Main, if the Town acquires that property, and the building of a second fire station south of town. Some of those items .fall under the Street Scaping plan, which is already in place. A motion was made by Councilman Dolen, second by Councilman Clark to put the list into writing and submit it to the Redevelopment Commission, with the treatment plant and storm sewer improvements being first priority. Motion carried 4-0. On the subject of the Salary Ordinance and council health insurance benefits, Councilman Bryant stated that according to The Indiana Cities and Towns Handbook, all compensation for elected officials, including health insurance benefits, must be addressed in the Salary Ordinance., This was not done until this year. The Employee Insurance Benefit Manual was also amended last year to include coverage for elected officials, effective September 1, 1.99$. He does not feel that in 1948 when health insurance was added that it was handled correctly. He stated that the cost of health insurance coverage for four councilmen last year was approximately $50,000 and will be again this year. Many towns and counties are no longer offering health. insurance to elected officials and he does not feel that i:C is necessary to do so. Paul Bryant asked what was the most the Town could have to spend out in claims on each council member and their families in a year. President Warthen stated that the most that can be spent on any one employee or family member is $20,000. Paul Bryant asked the council if they believe that the taxpayers are aware of how much is being spent on their healthcare. President Warthen stated that local government is the most accessible level of govemment in the United States and that taxpayers can contact them at work, home or on the street at any time and that as council members they have surrendered a portion of their private lives. He stated that some local governments have created a Tawn Manager position to relieve the council members of some of their duties and he does not agree with that philosophy. Councilman Dolen stated that he believes the five council members are doing the job of a Town Manager now. Councilman Bryant stated that he does not believe that tying this discussion on health insurance to the need for a Town Manager is a good argument. Julie Wallman, who is a part time employee at the park, stated that she does not feel that it is fair that she cannot receive health insurance when she works twenty to thirty hours per week and the council members can. She does not believe that the council members put in that many hours- Paul Bryant stated that he would like the dollar amount that has been paid out in insurance since 1448 for each council member to be disclosed to the taxpayers. Councilman Shields stated that while some information on medical claims may be protected by Privacy Law, Sandy Pezxy would know what could and could not be disclosed and that she would certainly give him any information that is considered public infornation. Councilman Bryant made a motion to allow six months for council members to find other insurance and discontinue coverage at that time. The motion died for lack of a second. A motion was made to approve Ordinance 3-2004, to rezone the Grafton property between Hadley Road and Bridge Street by Councilman Bryant, second by Councilman Clark. Motion carried 5-0. The Council asked Tizn Currens to advertise for cemetery mowing bids since the current contract ran out at the end of last year. The bids will be opened at the meeting on Apri16, 2004. Fire Chief, Les Farmer reported that the new breathing air compressor and fill system and the cascade system on the Brawn Township Squad that was approved by the Council have been installed and everything is up and ruxaxiirtg. Joe Beikman, Street Superintendent stated that the price he gave Troy Bryant on the walk in front of the Town Hall was for the Street Department to do the work themselves and if the council wants them to do the work he needs to know so he can schedule it. Troy stated that he would get prices for someone else to do the whole project, so that if the