Minutes 8/16/17

Meeting Minutes –August 16, 2017

The Churubusco Town Council met on August 16, 2017 at 6:30 p.m. in the Town Hall. Members present were Council Members Mark Pepple and Frank Kessler, and Clerk-Treasurer Madalyn Sade-Bartl. Also in attendance were Phil LaBrash, DLZ; Jon Myers, Whitley County EDC; Nicole Minier, Churubusco News; Town Supervisor, Jeremy Hart; Wastewater Superintendent, Bob Gray; and Town Marshal, Mike Engle.

President Pepple called the meeting to order, welcomed visitors and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll was called by the Clerk. Councilman Bruce Johnson was absent.

Approval of August 2, 2017 meeting minutes:

Mr. Kessler made a motion to approve the minutes from August 2, 2017 as presented. President Pepple seconded and the motion carried 2-0.

Approval of Claims and Payroll Vouchers:

Claims Vouchers dated for August 16, 2017 in the amount of $119,668.39 were approved.

Public Comment:

Jon Myers announced that C&A Tool had been sold with an expected closing date of September 1. He also announced Joe Collins has opened a distillery outside of Churubusco and there would be a tasting on Friday at S&V Liquors.

Old Business:

Safe Routes to School: Phil LaBrash from DLZ dated the Council on the status of Safe Routes to School. He stated the completion date on 8/4/17 was met and the next step was a pre-final walkthrough. At that time, a punch list would be compiled with things the contractor needed to fix. Mr. Kessler asked about the drainage issues on the Douglas alley. Mr. LaBrash stated there weren’t any issues with the alley, but the drainage issues on Windsor Dr. could not be corrected until after the Safe Routes project was closed. Mr. Hart explained further as to why the repair needed to be made.

New Business:

Ordinance 2017-12: Amendments to the weed and mowing ordinance: Ms. Bartl explained the proposed changes to the weed and mowing ordinance and how customers had been notified over the past few years. Mr. Kessler still had questions with the notification process. President Pepple stated his only issue was how new owners would be notified and that was stated in the proposed ordinance. Mr. Kessler replied he did not feel there was anything wrong with the current ordinance, but made a motion to introduce Ordinance 2017-12. Mr. Pepple seconded and the ordinance was introduced. A public hearing would be held prior to the September 6 meeting.

Part-time ICE employee position: Ms. Bartl stated she had been contacted by the school’s ICE program about placement of a student in the Clerk’s office. Dean Stanley was interested in pursuing marketing, sales, and customer service. President Pepple acknowledged he has always been a supporter of the partnerships the Town and CHS formed via the ICE program. Mr. Kessler made a motion to approve the hiring of Dean Stanley as an ICE student for the Clerk’s Office. President Pepple seconded and the motion carried 2-0.

Department Reports:

Jeremy Hart, Town Supervisor:

Mr. Hart explained he was obtaining bids to reconstruct Douglas Street and explained he wished to make the entire street 19 feet wide as it currently ranged in width from 15 feet to 26 feet.

Bob Gray, Waste Water Treatment Plant Supervisor

Mr. Gray reported there was trouble at Blue Lake with power and it wiped out the controller, so it needed to be replaced. He also stated the meter for Blue Lake was in for whenever the Conservancy took control of those customers.

Michael Engle, Town Marshal:

Marshal Engle had nothing to report.

Rick Krider, Park Supervisor:

Mr. Krider was not present.

Ron Felger, Town Attorney:

Mr. Felger was not present.

Council Reports:

President Frank Kessler:

President Kessler had nothing to report.

Bruce Johnson:

Mr. Johnson had nothing to report.

Mark Pepple:

Mr. Pepple had nothing to report.

Madalyn Sade-Bartl:

Ms. Sade-Bartl gave a brief update on the Stellar Strategic Plan.

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