Minutes: 9/16/15

Meeting Minutes- September 16, 2015

The Churubusco Town Council met on September 16, 2015 at 6:30 p.m. in the Town Hall. Members present were Council Members, Mark Pepple, Alan Malcolm and Frank Kessler, and Clerk-Treasurer, Madalyn Sade-Bartl. Also in attendance were area residents Pat Stanford, Bruce Johnson, Brad Millikan, and Michael Shanabarger; Viv Sade, Churubusco News; Nick Rupert, Post & Mail; Waste Water Supervisor, Bob Gray; Town Marshal, Mike Engle; and Town Superintendant, Jeremy Hart.

Council President, Mark Pepple, 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: PROPOSED 2016 BUDGET

Mr. Pepple opened the meeting for the proposed 2016 budget. He asked if there were any public comments concerning the budget. Hearing none, he closed the hearing.

Approval of August 19, 2015 & September 2, 2015 meeting minutes:

The approval of minutes from August 19, 2015 had been tabled at the previous meeting as there was not a quorum present at the September 2^nd meeting. Mr. Kessler made a motion to approve the minutes for the August 19 minutes. Mr. Pepple seconded and the motion carried 2-0 with Mr. Malcolm abstaining. Mr. Malcolm made a motion to approve the September 2, 2015 minutes. Mr. Kessler seconded and the motion carried 2-0 with Mr. Pepple abstaining.

Approval of Claims and Payroll Vouchers:

Claims Vouchers dated for September 16, 2015 in the amount of $96,789.79 were approved.

Public Comment:

None

Old Business:

1. Youth for Christ Scout Rental:  Brad Millikan from Youth for Christ reviewed his request for Scout Building usage on Wednesday nights throughout the school year. He was asking the Council if they would allow rental fees to be waived for the organization. Mr. Kessler stated he had discussed the proposal with Rick Krider and Rick was ok with the arrangement. Mr. Malcolm questioned if the Council was allowed to waive fees and Ms. Bartl stated fees were waived for a few organizations like the Scouts, Youth League and the School per prior arrangements. The Council agreed by consensus to allow Youth for Christ to use the building during the 2015-16 school year.

1. SRO Contract: President Pepple reported he had talked with Galen Mast about the proposed contract and Mast stated he would be approaching the School Board with the 45 day contract at their next meeting should the Town Council approve it. Mr. Kessler made a motion to accept the 45 day contract as presented. Mr. Malcolm seconded and the motion carried 3-0.

1. Main Street OCRA Project: Mr. Kessler stated the tank that had been found previous to the last meeting was removed and filled with water, so no environmental issues or major delays occurred and the cost to remove the tank was minimal. He stated because of the tank being present, a special backfill had to be used to support the light fixtures. Overall, the project was progressing steadily and running on schedule, thanks in part to great weather over the past several weeks.

Phend & Brown also submitted their first draw request for the amount of $108,775. Mr. Malcolm made a motion to accept the request. Mr. Kessler seconded and the motion carried 3-0.

New Business:

1. Sewer Plant ATV: Ms. Bartl supplied three quotes for a Yamaha ATV to the Council. Mr. Gray asked where the quote was for House of Yamaha. Ms. Bartl stated that when she called to see if the quote was still valid or if the vehicle was still there, they had informed her that the ATV was not available. Mr. Gray and Ms. Bartl had spoken to different representatives and Mr. Gray stated he had talked to a rep who informed him the previous quote was still valid. The issue was tabled until the matter was sorted out.

1. Resolution 2015-09: Ms. Bartl presented Council with Resolution 2015-09: A Resolution to Transfer Funds and Create a New Fund for the Purpose of INDOT Alternative Routes Disbursements. The Resolution called for a fund to be created for disbursements and revenue for the Alternative Routes project and for $66,000 in the Town’s matching funds be transferred from Economic Development to the new fund. MR. Kessler made a motion to accept the Resolution as presented. Mr. Malcolm seconded and the motion carried 3-0.

1. LOIT Fund: President Pepple was recently contacted by Whitley County Auditor, Jana Schinbeckler, about the possibility of a Local Option Income Tax (LOIT) being created to help fund public safety shortfalls. The Council was asked to do a “straw vote” before the County Council adopted the measure. Pepple stated, though, that the County made it sound like no matter what the Town wants to do, they could and would still pass the tax. All members of the Council voiced their concerns with the tax and all did not like that the County wanted to pass the maximum tax right away. Other concerns were voiced by Clerk-Treasurer Bartl. She was upset that there was a possible extra $87,000 in revenue the Town could receive, yet she had just heard about the possibility the day prior. She stated had she known this was a possibility; she would have budgeted differently to accommodate the extra revenue. President Pepple agreed and voiced the County could have communicated it better and sooner than what they did.

After discussing the issue at length, Mr. Kessler made a motion to accept the County’s $.025 proposed LOIT. Mr. Malcolm seconded. The motion carried 2-1 with President Pepple voting against.

Department Reports:

Jeremy Hart, Town Supervisor:

Mr. Hart left the attached report. He reported he and Ms. Bartl would be meeting and going over what MVH funds were available and decide which repaving projects would be done before winter.

Bob Gray, Waste Water Treatment Plant Supervisor

Mr. Gray presented the Council with bids for a RAW pump controller. President Pepple asked what the issue was with what he was currently doing. Mr. Gray stated that while the new RAW pump was making things run better, much of the hydraulics had to be done manually. This controller would alleviate this issue. Mr. Malcolm made a motion to accept the joint quote from LA Electric and BL Anderson for the amount of $6736.00. Mr. Kessler seconded and the motion carried 3-0

Mr. Kessler asked Mr. Gray why the Plant was experiencing foam. Mr. Gray stated it was being caused by grease and oil, but told the Council while he sees the amount he is experiencing as a major issue, our foam problem was nothing compared to many plants in the area.

Michael Engle, Town Marshal:

Marshal Engle informed Council that since Ron Rohrer passed away, he had to make other arrangements to get tire for the fleet. He stated he spoke with Jerry’s Tire in Columbia City and they were able to get the same tires Ron was getting for us on the State’s contract. He stated the County currently uses Jerry’s and he has a long relationship with the business and felt confident they would be able to meet our needs.

Rick Krider, Park Supervisor:

Mr. Krider was not present.

Ron Felger, Town Attorney:

Mr. Felger was not present.

Council Reports:

Frank Kessler:

Mr. Kessler had nothing to report.

Alan Malcolm:

Mr. Malcolm had nothing to report.

President Mark Pepple:

President Pepple reported the EMA had chosen a new director and it would be Amy Biggs. Because of this decision, there had been some Board resignations and some turmoil within the organization.

Madalyn Sade-Bartl:

Ms. Bartl stated the Town Wide Garage Sales would occur the following weekend and she had received many listings for the event. She was also working on writing two grants- one was for tree replacement at the Park and the other was for replanting along Main Street. The Main Street grant was due on Oct. 2^nd while the other was due in mid-October. She also reported the Government Center was progressing and 3 of the 4 windows had been installed that day. Finally, Cleanup Day would be held October 3^rd.

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