Meeting Minutes – April 7, 2021
The Churubusco Town Council met on April 7, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. in the Scout Building. Members present were Council Members Mark Pepple and Nathan Van Horn; and Clerk-Treasurer, Madalyn Sade-Bartl. Also in attendance were Rachael Rosfeld, KPC Media (via Zoom); Chelsie David, The Post & Mail (via Zoom); Ron Felger, Town Attorney; Dustin Papenbrock, Town Marshal; Town Supervisor, Jeremy Hart (via Zoom); and Wastewater Superintendent, Bob Gray.
Council President, Nathan Van Horn, called the meeting to order and led the pledge. Roll was called by the Clerk. Council member, Devin Keener, was absent.
Approval of Claims and Payroll Vouchers:
Claims Vouchers dated April 7, 2021 in the amount of $211,000.46 were approved and signed.
Public Comment:
There were no public comments.
Old Business:
There was no old business.
New Business:
1. Ordinance 2021-05: An Ordinance of the Town of Churubusco authorizing the current refunding by the Town of its outstanding Sewage Works Revenue Bonds- Ms. Bartl gave a brief overview of the proposed ordinance and Mr. Felger gave instructions of how the Council needed to proceed in introducing and passing the ordinance upon first reading. Mr. Pepple made a motion to introduce Ordinance 2021-05. President Van Horn seconded, and the motion carried 2-0. Mr. Pepple then made a motion to suspend the rules requiring three readings. President Van Horn seconded, and the motion carried 2-0. Finally, President Van Horn made a motion to adopt Ordinance 2021-05. Mr. Pepple seconded, and the motion carried 2-0.
Department Reports:
Jeremy Hart, Town Supervisor:
Mr. Hart presented the attached report.
Bob Gray, Wastewater Treatment Plant Supervisor
Mr. Gray stated the recent inch and a quarter rain flooded three basins. Mr. Pepple asked Mr. Gray if we had a good grasp of the amount of waste coming into the plant from Blue Lake Conservancy District. Mr. Gray stated we do and can even get daily readings if we need to do so, but they were no where near the capacity listed within their contract. Mr. Gray continued his report by voicing his opinion that the Town should be doing more to address the infiltration issues. Mr. Pepple stated he was concerned with Mr. Gray and his position as the Council had just signed authorization to issue over $10 million of debt. Mr. Gray felt the I&I projects within the proposed sewer plan were not enough and felt the biggest issue was located near the Clingerman & Line Street lift station. Mr. Pepple asked Mr. Gray why he had not addressed this problem prior to now, but Mr. Gray interjected he had discussed this problem in length over the last several years with both the Council, Mr. Hart, and Ms. Bartl. Due to Mr. Hart’s connection being spotty, Mr. Pepple stated this conversation could be continued later, but he needed Mr. Gray to be on board with the upcoming project.
Dustin Papenbrock, Town Marshal:
Marshal Papenbrock stated the application process for the full-time opening ends on Saturday and he hoped to have the new hire road ready by 5/1/2021. He also stated that once the new officer was hired, he was planning on implementing 12 hour shifts until at least the end of the year, but he and Ms. Bartl needed to develop some policies prior to starting the new schedule. Marshal Papenbrock also reported on an issue with a part-time deputy who was unable to be insured due to the officer’s arrest and suspension of his license which occurred last year. Papenbrock stated the officer was back to work at another entity as an officer and was still able to be insured through that entity’s insurance. Mark Coonrod, the Town’s insurance broker, directed Mr. Papenbrock to write a letter, but was unsure how the Council felt about him writing a letter. Mr. Pepple stated it was his department and he could handle the situation as he saw fit. Finally, Marshal Papenbrock reported the Town had been accepted into the federal LEESO program.
Rick Krider, Park Supervisor:
Mr. Krider was not present.
Ron Felger, Town Attorney:
Mr. Felger was not present.
Council Reports:
Mark Pepple:
Mr. Pepple had nothing to report.
Nathan Van Horn:
Mr. Van Horn had nothing to report.
Devin Keener:
Mr. Keener was not present.
Madalyn Sade-Bartl:
Ms. Sade-Bartl stated she had been busy attending numerous webinars concerning ARP funding and she was working on development of a plan to use those funds. She also reported the capital improvement & investment plan lists had been submitted to Baker Tilly and since the bond authorization had now been signed, they would start to work on developing that plan soon.
Having no other business and after all proper papers were signed, President Van Horn adjourned the meeting.
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Council Member, Devin Keener
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Council Member, Mark Pepple
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Council President, Nathan Van Horn
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ATTEST:
Madalyn Sade-Bartl, Clerk-Treasurer
