McKean gives inaugural state of city address

Authored by Jim Langham on Feb 22, 2012

Berne Mayor Bill McKean told a large group at Tuesday's Chamber of Commerce luncheon at Swiss Village that he looks to take an aggressive and thorough approach to dealing with challenges facing local residents. McKean praised city workers for their efforts and vowed to rely on their expertise in putting together a unified team effort to run efficient city government.
"We are in the process of applying for a new five-year sewer permit which will set the tone and direction we need to take at the sewage plant," said McKean. "I hope we can continue an aggressive approach of jetting and vacuuming sewer mains and catch basins.
"Berne has been very fortunate to have invested in the Teays River Well Field," continued McKean. "The two wells supplied the city with almost 174 million gallons of water this past year."
McKean praised water superintendent John Crider for overseeing the construction of the new 500,000 gallon water tower, which replaced the 1955 250,000 gallon tower.
"Brad Yoder and John are also laying 2,600 feet of 12-inch water main from the new water tower east to County Road 000, then north to Parr Road," McKean said. "This will eventually go to the sewage treatment plant. Also, this past year, they began replacing short sections of water mains in troubled areas and will implement some more in 2012, along with eliminating some dead end lines."
As state demands and cost of maintaining good city water continue to rise, cost for water maintenance also continues to rise, said McKean. As a result, Berne residents might be facing their first water rate increase in 31 years.
"The last administration engaged Umbaugh's to complete a study of water rates," McKean said. "The conclusion was that Berne needed to raise water rates because we are losing $8,000 a month. So, like several towns and cities in the area, we need to address this issue."
The infrastructure project that was nearly completed by the previous administration is down to the "punch list" phase, said the mayor.
"This project was financed entirely by a non-matching $960,000 grant with a big thank you to John Minch, Kurt Dailey and Shannon Smitley," said McKean. "With completion of this work, Commonwealth Engineering believes we are well on our way with IDEM mandated agreed order."
McKean noted that one of his first orders of business was instructing city attorney Jim Beitler to finish making the unsafe building ordinance a number one priority.
"I am pleased to say that with the council's unanimous approval, this ordinance is now in place and those structures whose conditions apply can be addressed," said the mayor. "This will not be a quick fix, but the process of cleaning up
unsafe and dilapidated buildings will now begin."
McKean began his speech by describing a "boot camp" city government meeting that council members Ron Dull, Phil Provost, Gregg Sprunger, Curt Wurster and Mark Wynn, along with clerk-treasurer Gwen Maller attended in Indianapolis. During that time, McKean, who also attended, and council members met with State Representative Matt Lehman for discussion and a tour of the State House.
"In the past few weeks I have met with work force manager Kurt Dailey and department heads. This has been good for me to better understand their various responsibilities," said the mayor. "Kurt has been with the city for 24 years and is certified in water treatment, as well as wastewater. Kurt also oversees our support workforce that includes Drew Dull, Chaise Moore and Jim Smith.
"Gary Nussbaum is in charge of the street department," continued McKean. "He has 24.3 miles of streets to maintain, which includes plowing snow, patching potholes and taking care of all stop and yield signs. In addition, he runs the street sweeper and leaf machine to pick up residents' leaves that have been put along curbs."
The mayor praised the efforts of Jay Sprunger who works closely with the street department in mosquito control. Much of this is done, said McKean, by spraying the city at night and dropping tablets in catch basins to kill mosquito larvae. Sprunger also monitors the potential for West Nile Virus in the local community.
"Jay also maintains the compost site, which is located at the sewage plant," said McKean. "Citizens are able to bring out glass clippings and garden vegetation which will be used to begin the compost process. Citizens may also bring brush and tree limbs to be stacked in another pile. Twice a year the grinder is able to turn the pile into wood mulch."
McKean noted that residents also have the option of putting grass and garden vegetation along the curb for collection on Thursdays. On Fridays, the same service is available for sticks, limbs and brush.
"Terry Kongar is responsible for operation and maintenance of the wastewater treatment plant," noted McKean. "Along with daily tests and lab work, Terry and Brandon Alberson complete reports that must be sent to IDEM."
Other personnel that received praise from the new mayor include Susan Schaffter in the utility department, Nancy Lindsey in the police department and Becky Sprunger as the mayoral assistant.
"Having been the administrative assistant for eight years with Mayor Minch, plus many years in customer service at Berco, I have a very qualified administrative assistant," observed McKean. "The City of Berne is so fortunate to have Gwen Maller as its clerk-treasurer. As we face budget constraints, I assure you that we will provide the city services in an efficient and cost effective manner."
Other city employees that McKean lauded include Gregg Moser, who is responsible for the sanitation department and building and planning director Shannon Smitley.
"His department works close with citizens, builders and businesses," noted the mayor. "Shannon is also superintendent of the Berne Storm Water Utility Board. He inspects homes for storm water compliance and keeps track of all properties in the community.
"The safety and well being of our community is in capable hands with our police and fire department. I met and will continue to meet regularly with Chief Tim Taylor and Chief John Crider as they provide leadership to their dedicated departments," McKean said.
"I look forward to working with the Berne City Council as we journey together. I encourage you to challenge me and to challenge yourselves. Let's all strive to make this an even better community," added McKean.

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