Kevin Gelbaugh

The council discussed and approved several items related to the Miller Sunset Pavilion, including job descriptions/postings, dasher board sales, season ice rink pricing, and the rink season schedule. An MOU for KABS Route/Signs was approved pending Village approval. The council approved the purchase of a new air conditioner and a street sweeper, as well as a gasoline price agreement. An auction report was presented, and sponsorships/donations for Trick-or-Treat on the Trails were approved. Travel authorization was granted for the Town Manager to attend the Aim Ideas Summit. The council discussed the SBOA audit and approved sending a letter to employees regarding the audit.

The meeting included discussions and decisions on several cases. A case regarding a new building was tabled pending additional information and reviews. A request to modify a single-family rental to accommodate five unrelated students was approved with a condition for review in May 2026. A request for a duplex rental was approved. A request for a single-family rental was tabled until off-street parking is created. Setback and lot coverage variances for a new house build were approved. A request for a single-family rental was approved with a condition for one car parked out front. A request for a single-family rental was approved. A case regarding a triplex rental was not heard due to improper notification.

The meeting addressed several cases, including a use variance request for a commercial building in a multi-family zoning property, which was approved with concerns about traffic and site drainage to be addressed by the Building Commissioner and Plan Commission. A request for the use of a property as a single-family rental was approved after the addition of required parking spaces. A request to use a property as a triplex rental was approved following proper notification and inspection. A proposal to use a property as a duplex rental was considered as a single-family rental until renovations and inspections are completed. Lastly, a request for a single-family rental was approved conditional upon a final building commissioner inspection and the use of parking spaces on an adjacent parcel.

The 2021-2026 Master Park and Recreation Plan for the Town of Winona Lake focuses on prioritizing community park and recreational needs, maintaining and enhancing natural and man-made resources, and ensuring optimal use of funds. Key goals include gathering stakeholder feedback, setting achievable objectives, evaluating existing park conditions and programming, guiding the development of amenities and programs, and expanding funding opportunities. The plan also addresses accessibility, universal design, and specific actions for park improvements and programming from 2020 through 2025 and beyond.

The Winona Lake Town Council meeting included a presentation on proposed KABS routes through Winona Lake. The council also discussed and approved the renewal of the yearly contract with Keystone for accounting software. Other topics included board appointments, sponsorship/donation/grant approvals, reports from various supervisors, committee reports, and a statement on the SBOA audit. Public concerns were raised about the audit report, clerk-treasurer actions, and other town-related issues.