Minutes- 2/5/14

Meeting Minutes- February 5, 2014

The Churubusco Town Council met on February 5, 2014 at 6:30 p.m. in the Town Hall. Members present were President Frank Kessler, Council Members Alan Malcolm & Mark Pepple, and Clerk-Treasurer, Madalyn Sade-Bartl. Also in attendance was area resident Pat Stanford; Nicole Kirkpatrick and Vince McEntee, Turtle Days Association; Rick Krider, Park Supervisor; and Town Marshal, Mike Engle.

Council President Frank Kessler called the meeting to order, welcomed visitors and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll was called by the Clerk. All Council members were present.

Approval of January 15, 2014 meeting minutes:

Mr. Malcolm made a motion to approve the minutes for the meeting of January 15, 2014. Mr. Pepple seconded and the minutes were approved, 3-0.  

Approval of Claims and Payroll Vouchers:

Payroll Docket #2 & #3 and Claims Vouchers dated for February 5, 2014 in the amount of $124942.02 were approved.

Public Comment:

Pat Stanford, on behalf of his daughters, wanted to commend John Forker for the excellent job he did plowing Thresher’s Ridge that day. President Kessler appreciated the praise for Mr. Forker and felt that the whole Street Department had been doing an excellent job during this snowy winter. Mr. Malcolm agreed and stated he has heard nothing negative about how the Department has handled the huge amounts of snow.

Old Business:

The issue of the 2014 Turtle Days festival was again on the table. Mr. Pepple asked Mr. Krider if those users of the Park the proposed week had been contacted and other arrangements had been made. Mr. Krider stated Youth League had approved the move in dates. Ms. Bartl stated that the renter for the Scout Building the weekend prior to Turtle Days had no issues as long as rides were not in the parking lot. The Turtle Days Association assured that would not be an issue. Mr. Malcolm and Mr. Pepple agreed that since all users of the Park were ok with the switch, the date change was approved.

New Business:

President Kessler informed the Council there were three requests for proposals for engineering services concerning the downtown Main Street sent to various engineers and only one proposal came back. The proposal was from GAI Consultants in the amount of $75,700. Mr. Malcolm made a motion to accept the proposal and Mr. Pepple seconded the motion, but had concerns of rushing to a decision. He asked President Kessler is they would have time to look the proposal over. President Kessler informed him that the pre-engineering surveys had to be completed before the May 1^st grant deadline. President Kessler also stated he had a meeting set up for next week with INDOT concerning the project as INDOT has to have approval of any projects along their right of ways. Mr. Pepple was satisfied with this answer and the motion carried 3-0. The funds will be taken from the Economic Development Fund.

The Main Street Committee representatives were unable to attend the meeting, so the request for funding would be tabled until the next meeting.

President Kessler brought to Council names of those who wished to serve on the Plan Commission and BZA. Mr. Malcolm made a motion to accept the re-appointments of Bob Martin, Pat Stanford, Brenda Saggars, and the new appointment of Jason Bartl to the Plan Commission and the appointment of Jason Bartl to the BZA. Mr. Pepple seconded and the motion carried 3-0.

With the looming legislation of the elimination of business personal property tax in the Indiana Legislature, the governing bodies within the county agreed to create a resolution opposing the elimination of business personal property taxes. Mr. Pepple stated that while he felt this should be something the State passes, his concern was the replacement of lost revenue as the Governor has not indicated what would be used in its place. President Kessler agreed that this was going to be another unfunded mandate by the State and the local governments and public school systems would be the ones who would suffer because of it. The Town is at risk to lose $111,000, Smith-Green at risk to lose over $175,000, and the County government to lose $800,000. Overall, the total loss for Whitley County would be over $3 million. Mr. Malcolm made a motion to approve the Joint Resolution 2014-1. Mr. Pepple seconded and the motion carried 3-0.

Ms. Bartl was pleased to announce that she had received a call from INDOT the previous day and Churubusco’s Safe Routes to School project was one of seventy statewide projects awarded during this round of open call for projects. The Safe Routes to School Project will construct sidewalks along one side of Mill Street from Main Street to Millstone Run, along one side on Windsor from Whitley Street to Douglas Street, and along the one block of Douglas Street to connect Windsor and Line Street. The grant is an 80/20 grant. The estimated cost of the project is $330,000 with Churubusco’s responsibility being $66,000. The funds for this project will come from the Economic Development Fund.

Department Reports:

Jeremy Hart, Town Supervisor:

Mr. Hart was not present, but left the attached report.

Bob Gray, Waste Water Treatment Plant Supervisor

Mr. Gray was not present and did not leave a report.

Michael Engle, Town Marshal:

Marshal Engle stated the new Durango will be shipped the tenth and he will be going to pick it up as soon as it comes in.

Rick Krider, Park Supervisor:

Mr. Krider inquired about the sign inventory. President Kessler stated that the initial inventory had been completed and Mr. Hart just needed to complete a list of what needed replaced. Ms. Bartl added that INDOT would be having another call for projects in March and the Town can apply for a grant to get those signs replaced. She stated that from what she has heard, anyone who applies for a sign replacement grant is usually successful in obtaining it.

Ron Felger, Town Attorney:

Mr. Felger was not present.

Council Reports:

President Frank Kessler:

President Kessler reported that his meeting with INDOT concerning the Downtown Improvement Project was slated for February 13^th.

Alan Malcolm:

Mr. Malcolm reported a solid waste increase would be seen on the spring taxes.

Mark Pepple:

Mr. Pepple reported a public meeting for the comprehensive plan would take place February 11 at the Scout Building.

Madalyn Sade-Bartl, Clerk-Treasurer:

Ms. Bartl reported that she had 2013 closed and Key Fund would begin to be installed in a couple weeks.

Having no other business and after all proper papers were signed, President Kessler adjourned the regular meeting.