Meeting Minutes- 7/16/14

Meeting Minutes- July 16, 2014

The Churubusco Town Council met on July 16, 2014 at 6:30 p.m. in the Town Hall. Members present were President Frank Kessler, Council Members Alan Malcolm and Mark Pepple, and Clerk-Treasurer, Madalyn Sade-Bartl. Also in attendance were area residents Pat Liggett and David Taylor; Nicole Kirkpatrick & Vince McEntee, Turtle Days Association; Alan Tio, Whitley County EDC; Katie Wagner, Churubusco News; Tim Misiora, Post & Mail; Town Supervisor, Jeremy Hart; Wastewater Superintendant, Bob Gray; Park Superintendant, Rick Krider; 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 members were present.

PUBLIC HEARING: Ordinance 2014-08 restricting the use of fireworks

President Kessler called to order the public hearing to discuss Ordinance 2014-08, an ordinance restricting the use of fireworks within town limits. Mr. David Taylor spoke in favor of the ordinance, but would like to see the ordinance become even more restrictive by allowing a designated area at the Park to be used to use fireworks. President Kessler explained that the ordinance was in accordance with the restrictions listed in the Indiana Code and the Town could not be any more restrictive than the provisions listed within the Code. Having no other public input, President Kessler closed the public hearing.

Approval of July 2, 2014 meeting minutes:

Mr. Malcolm made a motion to approve the minutes. Mr. Kessler seconded and the motion carried 2-0, with Mr. Pepple abstaining.

Approval of Claims and Payroll Vouchers:

Claims Vouchers dated for July 16, 2014 in the amount of $97,255.83 were approved.

Public Comment:

There were no public comments.

Old Business:

At the July 2^nd meeting, Ordinance 2014-08, an ordinance restricting the use of fireworks, was introduced. Mr. Pepple asked if the ordinance deterred the use of cannons. Ms. Bartl stated that the I.C. definition of “consumer fireworks” stated that the device could not be thicker than 2 ½ inches. Marshall Engle added that the device also had to light up. Mr. Pepple asked Marshall Engle how we can enforce such an ordinance. Marshal Engle stated that there would have to be eyewitnesses of violators. However, the Police Department had a good idea of those who were using fireworks and they would talk to those individuals. President Kessler pointed out that the current ordinance for the Town was no longer legal to use or enforce and unless the Council wanted to only enforce the Indiana Code, some updates needed to be made with the Town’s ordinance. Mr. Malcolm made a motion to approve Ordinance 2014-08 as written. Mr. Pepple seconded and the motion carried 3-0.

New Business:

Alan Tio from the Whitley County EDC appeared in front of Council to give his mid-year economic update. Mr. Tio had news of very big projects in the works for the EDC and informed the Council that the EDC’s budget would remain flat for 2015. He continued by giving the Council updates on new businesses coming into the county and ways the EDC was working on retaining business.

Nicole Kirkpatrick and Vince McEntee approached the Council and gave some updates on Turtle Days. Ms. Kirkpatrick stated that there was a lot of good feedback from this year’s festival, the biggest positive being the amusement company that was used. Ms. Kirkpatrick felt that it was important to secure the company again next year and in order to do that, Turtle Days would have to be held the second week of June, as it was in 2014. Mr. Pepple asked Mr. Krider if that would pose any issues and MR. Krider stated that it was in advance enough that schedules could be worked around those dates. The other Council members agreed that moving the date would not be an issue and approved the change by consensus. The second item Ms. Kirkpatrick asked about was replacing the Turtle Days shed at the Park. She explained that the Association has two sheds and both are in very bad shape. It would not be cost effective to repair the sheds. She instead felt that Turtle Days should replace the sheds with just one building. President Kessler saw no issues with replacing the sheds with one building. Finally, Ms. Kirkpatrick reported that the Turtle Days Association had repainted the playground equipment at the park prior to the 2014 festival. President Kessler thanked her and the Association for this project and felt that it was much improved.

Department Reports:

Jeremy Hart, Town Supervisor:

Mr. Hart had been called out of the meeting, but left the attached report.

Bob Gray, Waste Water Treatment Plant Supervisor

Mr. Gray stated that there may be an issue with some of the pumps at the plant being too small and that he was looking at larger pumps. He stated that a rough figure for replacing these pumps was $30,000.

Michael Engle, Town Marshal:

Marshal Engle stated that there had not been any other issues concerning the construction through town.

Rick Krider, Park Supervisor:

Mr. Krider reported that the back restrooms were to have their first inspection the following day and that water service should be hooked to the building by the end of the week. President Kessler asked if the soccer field was ready for fall soccer league and Mr. Krider stated that Bill Swinehart was taking care of it and it was looking good.

Ron Felger, Town Attorney:

Mr. Felger was not present.

Council Reports:

President Frank Kessler:

President Kessler had nothing new to report. He mentioned he would be attending the EDC roundtable the following day.

 Alan Malcolm:

Mr. Malcolm reported he would be attending the Solid Waste meeting the following Monday.

Mark Pepple:

Mr. Pepple reported that the County had extended an offer to a new EMA director. He accepted their offer and would start the following week.

Madalyn Sade-Bartl:

Ms. Bartl reported she had recently met with the DLGF concerning next year’s budget and that the tax rate for next year should remain about the same or lower than this year’s.

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