Meeting Minutes- December 7, 2016
The Churubusco Town Council met on December 7, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. in the Town Hall. Members present were President Frank Kessler, Council Members Mark Pepple and Bruce Johnson, and Clerk- Treasurer, Madalyn Sade-Bartl. Also in attendance were area residents Pat Liggett, Pat Stanford, and Jera Kessler; Jenna Rosswurm, Turtle Days Association; Rachael Rosfeld, Post & Mail; Nicole Minier, Churubusco News; Town Marshal, Mike Engle; Town Supervisor, Jeremy Hart; Bob Gray, Wastewater Superintendent; and Park Superintendent, Rick Krider.
Council President Kessler called the meeting to order, welcomed visitors and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll was called by the Clerk-Treasurer. All members were present.
Approval of November 16, 2016 meeting minutes:
Mr. Pepple made a motion to approve the minutes for the meeting of November 16, 2016. Mr. Johnson seconded and the motion carried 3-0.
Approval of Claims and Payroll Vouchers:
Claims Vouchers dated for December 7, 2016 in the amount of $288,885.75 were approved.
Public Comment:
There were no public comments.
Old Business:
1. Social Media Policy: Ms. Bartl brought to Council a revised copy of Resolution 2016-23, A Policy Establishing Standards and Responsibilities for the Acceptable Use of Social Media. Mr. Pepple made a motion to approve the revised resolution. Mr. Johnson seconded and the motion carried 3-0.
New Business:
1. Turtle Days Update: Ms. Rosswurm approached the Council with updates on the 2017 Turtle Days Festival. She stated the Association had secured a ride company and the dates for the festival would be June 13-17, 2017. She also was seeking the approval from Council to change the time of the parade from 6 p.m. to 4 p.m. The Council agreed by consensus that the change would be fine.
2. Election of Council Officers effective noon January 1, 2017: President Kessler informed the public that this meeting would be his last for a few months as he was about to undergo further treatment for a medical condition. As such, he felt it appropriate to elect 2017 officers. He opened nominations and Mr. Johnson nominated Mark Pepple as President. Hearing no other nominations, President Kessler closed the nominations. Mr. Johnson made a motion to elect Mr. Pepple as the 2017 Council President. President Kessler seconded and the motion carried 2-0 with Pepple abstaining. President Kessler opened nominations for 2017 Council Vice-President. Mr. Johnson nominated President Kessler. Hearing no others, President Kessler closed nominations. Mr. Johnson made a motion to approve President Kessler as the 2017 Council Vice-President. Mr. Pepple seconded and the motion carried 2-0 with President Kessler abstaining.
President Kessler also stated Mr. Pepple would be acting President from Dec. 12, 2016 until the end of the year.
3. Water Main extension project: Ms. Bartl and Mr. Hart had recently talked to DLZ Engineering concerning the extension and completion of a water main loop on US 33 North and on West 205. They were seeking the Council’s input on whether the Town was interested in applying for OCRA funds in the upcoming March 2017 funding round. The Council had several concerns with the projects and wished to table further discussions until more information was gathered.
4. Recycling day changed: Mr. Johnson wished to inform everyone the Town’s recycling day would be changed from Friday to Monday beginning Monday, January 2.
5. New police car purchase: Marshal Engle brought to the Council quotes for a new police vehicle to be ordered in 2016 to receive it in early 2017. This vehicle would replace Officer Papenbrock’s 2012 Dodge Charger. That vehicle would then be used as the spare car. Engle recommended the purchase of a 2017 Dodge Durango and stated his all-wheel drive Durango got better gas mileage than the V8 Chargers. Mr. Johnson made a motion to approve the purchase of a 2017 Dodge Durango at the cost of $25,997 from Thomas Dodge in Highland, Indiana. Mr. Pepple seconded and the motion carried 3-0.
Department Reports:
Jeremy Hart, Town Supervisor
Mr. Hart reported he had just gotten back from training in Columbus and would be on vacation the following week.
Bob Gray, Waste Water Treatment Plant Supervisor
Mr. Gray stated all reports were in and the Plant was running well.
Michael Engle, Town Marshal:
Marshal Engle had nothing further to report.
Rick Krider, Park Supervisor:
Mr. Krider stated they had finished winterizing the buildings and tearing equipment from the Splash Pad. He also stated the contractors would be starting construction of the Splash Pad restrooms this week.
Ron Felger, Town Attorney:
Mr. Felger was not present.
Council Reports:
President Frank Kessler:
President reported he had attended the EDC Roundtable where the US 30 project was discussed. If the project ever does occur, Columbia City would be the first area of construction. He also asked Ms. Bartl to suspend his 2017 pay until he returns to the Council.
Bruce Johnson:
Mr. Johnson asked if anything further could be done about the Lucky Lady. President Kessler stated the Town exhausted all its available efforts in the rehabilitation of the property.
Mark Pepple:
Mr. Pepple had nothing to report.
Madalyn Sade-Bartl:
Ms. Sade-Bartl had nothing to report.
Having no other business and after all proper papers were signed, President Kessler adjourned the regular meeting.
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Council President, Frank Kessler
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Council Member, Bruce Johnson
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Council Member, Mark Pepple
ATTEST:
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Madalyn Sade-Bartl, Clerk-Treasurer
