Meeting Minutes – January 6, 2021
The Churubusco Town Council met on January 6, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. in the Scout Building. Members present were Council Members Mark Pepple, Bruce Johnson, and Nathan Van Horn; and Clerk-Treasurer, Madalyn Sade-Bartl. Also in attendance were Michael Lehman (via Zoom); Dale Buuck, Whitley County EDC (via Zoom); Jeremy Orr, The Post & Mail (via Zoom); Town Marshal, Dustin Papenbrock (via Zoom); Town Supervisor, Jeremy Hart (via Zoom); Park Superintendent, Rick Krider (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. All members were present.
Approval of Meeting Minutes December 16, 2020:
Mr. Johnson made a motion to accept the minutes for December 16, 2020 as presented. Mr. Pepple seconded, and the motion was approved 3-0.
Approval of Claims and Payroll Vouchers:
Claims Vouchers dated December 31, 2020 in the amount of $188,813.37 were approved and signed.
Public Comment:
Whitley County EDC Director, Dale Buuck, spoke and informed the Council of a low interest loan program available to small businesses affected by COVID-19. The program was made possible through an OCRA grant. Buuck stated there was still a lot of money available and if businesses were interested, they should call the EDC’s office.
Old Business:
There was no old business.
New Business:
1. Council Elections: being the first meeting of the new year, the Council had to conduct an election for president and vice-president of the Council. President Van Horn opened the floor for nominations for president. Mr. Johnson nominated Mr. Van Horn with Mr. Pepple seconding the motion. The floor was closed for nominations and a vote of 3-0 was passed. President Van Horn opened the floor for nominations for vice-president and made the motion to nominate Mr. Pepple for vice-president. Mr. Johnson seconded, and the nominations were closed. Mr. Pepple was voted as vice-president with a vote of 3-0.
2. Board Appointments: Ms. Bartl presented a list of board appointments which needed to be filled for the current year. Mr. Johnson stated he would continue serving on the Solid Waste Board. Mr. Pepple stated he would continue to serve on the RSD and EMA boards. The appointments were agreed upon by consensus.
3. Approval of CCMG Pay Requests 2 & 3 and change order 1: Ms. Bartl presented two pay requests and a change order for the CCMG project. These orders would complete the work done to S. Mulberry & Home Avenue and allow to project to go to close out. President Van Horn made a motion to approve pay requests 2 & 3 and change order 1. Mr. Johnson seconded, and the motion carried 3-0.
4. Resolution 2021-01- Transfer of Appropriations: Ms. Bartl presented Resolution 2021-01, a resolution transferring 2020 appropriations. President Van Horn made a motion to approve the resolution. Mr. Johnson seconded, and the motion carried 3-0.
5. Resolution 2021-02- Fund Transfer Resolution: Ms. Bartl presented Resolution 2021-02, a resolution transferring funds to other funds. Mr. Pepple made a motion to approve Resolution 2021-02. Mr. Johnson seconded, and the motion carried 3-0.
6. Resolution 2021-03- COVID-19 Policy Changes: Ms. Bartl presented Resolution 2021-03, a resolution extending certain COVID-19 policies. She stated federal COVID-19 sick leave policies expired on December 31, 2020. The Town, however, currently had one employee out who had tested positive for COVID-19 and other employees were concerned that if employees were required to use sick time to cover COVID-19 illnesses, they would not abide by the CDC’s recommendation of staying quarantined for 14 days. Further, there were a few employees who did not have enough sick time to cover 14 days of illness. One aspect of the policy would allow an employee to continue being paid for 14 days without using paid time off if the employee tested positive for COVID-19. Other policy updates were extensions of policies passed earlier in 2020. Mr. Pepple made a motion to approve Resolution 2021-03. Mr. Johnson seconded, and the motion carried 3-0.
Department Reports:
Jeremy Hart, Town Supervisor:
Mr. Hart presented the attached report.
Bob Gray, Wastewater Treatment Plant Supervisor
Mr. Gray stated he had to order a new blower and it would be here in two weeks.
Dustin Papenbrock, Town Marshal:
Marshal Papenbrock stated he had been off since last Friday due to COVID and Officer Fulkerson had been covering the road and the school during his absence. He stated he was continuing to encourage his officers to have less public interaction to try to minimize contact and keep them healthy and safe.
Rick Krider, Park Supervisor:
Mr. Krider stated he was busy cleaning out buildings and the pole barn.
Ron Felger, Town Attorney:
Mr. Felger was not present.
Council Reports:
Mark Pepple:
Mr. Pepple had nothing to report.
Bruce Johnson:
Mr. Johnson had nothing to report.
Nathan Van Horn:
Mr. Van Horn had nothing to report.
Madalyn Sade-Bartl:
Ms. Sade-Bartl presented the attached report.
Having no other business and after all proper papers were signed, President Van Horn adjourned the meeting.
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Council Member, Mark Pepple
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Council President, Nathan Van Horn
ATTEST:
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Madalyn Sade-Bartl, Clerk-Treasurer
