Meeting Minutes – July 7, 2021
The Churubusco Town Council met on July 7, 2021, at 6:00 p.m. in the Scout Building. Members present were Council Members Devin Keener, Mark Pepple, and Nathan Van Horn; and Clerk-Treasurer, Madalyn Sade-Bartl. Also in attendance were residents Brandon & Emily Johnson; Pat & Amy Carpenter, Anytime Fitness; Marlon Leininger, Whitley County Council on Aging; Holly Miller, DLZ; Wastewater Superintendent, Bob Gray; Park Superintendent, Rick Krider; Dustin Papenbrock, Town Marshal; and Jeremy Hart, Town Supervisor.
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 June 2, 2021 Minutes:
Mr. Pepple made a motion to approve the minutes for June 2, 2021 as presented. Mr. Keener seconded and the motion carried 3-0.
Approval of Claims and Payroll Vouchers:
Claims Vouchers dated July 7, 2021 in the amount of $510,732.56 were approved and signed.
Public Comment:
Pat & Amy Carpenter approached the Council concerning a grinder pump overflowing which has caused sewage backup at Anytime Fitness. Mr. Carpenter explained the occurrence that happened over the holiday weekend was the 5th time it had occurred and wanted to know why the business responsible for the overflow has not been held liable. The Council discussed the situation with Mr. Hart, Mr. Gray, and Ms. Bartl and what could be done based upon how the ordinance was written. Ms. Bartl stated the steps that needed to be taken based upon the ordinance and that the town’s attorney needed to be the one to write and send any notifications of violations to the business owner and owner of the property. Mr. Pepple stated he would take care of the issue and get it rectified. The Council also agreed to pay for Anytime Fitness’s cleaning costs due to the backup.
Old Business:
There was no old business.
New Business:
1. Brevin’s Façade Grant: Ms. Bartl had forwarded the Council Brevin’s façade grant application. She stated both the Chamber and Main Street recommended the approval; however, there had been discussion between the groups concerning the quotes that were provided not being comparable quotes. The Council asked what the verbiage concerning quotes was in the application. Ms. Bartl stated it just said two quotes with three preferred. Mr. Pepple felt that the Council should move forward with approving this application but make the modification in the application that similar quotes should be obtained. The Council agreed. President Van Horn made a motion to approve Brevin’s Façade Grant application not to exceed a reimbursement of $3000. Mr. Pepple seconded, and the motion carried 3-0.
2. SRO Contract renewal: Ms. Bartl and Marshal Papenbrock had met concerning the renewal of the SRO contract and no changes except for contract amount had been changed. This was to account for any increases to benefits or wages that may occur over the course of the 2021-2022 school year. Mr. Pepple made a motion to approve the SRO contract as presented. Mr. Keener seconded and the motion carried 3-0.
3. SWIF Grant Approval: Holly Miller, DLZ Engineering, and Ms. Bartl had put together an application for the SWIF Grant Program. The application was due July 12. It included the sewer project and water meter replacement totaling the maximum award of $5,000,000. Ms. Miller stated that if the grant was awarded to the Town, the amount of the bond that was needed for the sewer project would be less because the grant money would be used in conjunction with the bond. The Council agreed the Town should try to get any grant funds that may be available, and President Van Horn made a motion to submit the application. Mr. Pepple seconded, and the motion carried 3-0.
4. Sewer Project Bid- Infiltration Projects: Ms. Miller stated bids were due at 4:30 for the alley infiltration project, but no one had submitted. She said this was probably due to the project being small and contractors being overwhelmed with construction projects. She suggested the project be rolled into Part D of the sewer project (line extension) that way pipe projects were in with pipe projects, and it may be more enticing for a contractor because it was a larger scale project. President Van Horn said he felt it makes the most sense to merge the projects. The Council agreed by consensus.
5. Whitley County RSD Appointment: Ms. Bartl was told at the last RSD meeting that the Town’s appointment was up on August 1. Mr. Pepple stated his work schedule made it difficult to attend and he was fine with not being the Town’s appointment. President Van Horn asked Mr. Keener if he was interested in filling the role and he stated that since Ms. Bartl was regularly attending the meetings and was familiar with the project, he was ok with having her fill that role. The Council agreed by consensus.
6. Ordinance 2021-09: An Ordinance Designating Clingerman Avenue & Line Street as a Three-Way Stop: Ms. Bartl presented Ordinance 2021-09. Marshal Papenbrock stated he did have some concerns with designating this as a three-way stop. He stated if this is passed, the stop must be overtly noticeable. Ms. Bartl stated that part of the reason Line Street was awarded this CCMG funding was because of citizen concerns of the safety on Line Street. Mr. Hart added that when the project was designed, they made sure the project included pavement markings, flashing stop signs, and double signs being installed at the intersection. Ms. Bartl stated the ordinance would also be published in both the Post & Mail and Churubusco News prior to it being passed. Marshal Papenbrock stated if these safety measures were put into place, he was fine with the ordinance. President Van Horn made a motion to introduce Ordinance 2021-09. Mr. Keener seconded and the introduction was passed 3-0. A vote on the ordinance would be done at the July 21 meeting.
Department Reports:
Jeremy Hart, Town Supervisor:
Mr. Hart presented the attached report. He informed the Council that when the catch basin at Line and Clingerman was replaced, they had gotten back up from Windsor. Ms. Bartl stated she would contact the Commissioners.
Bob Gray, Wastewater Treatment Plant Supervisor
Mr. Gray stated reports for the month were in. He also reported there has been a lot of water coming into the plant due to rain, but they’ve managed to handle it. Mr. Pepple asked if Mr. Gray had heard anything about the county fixing the tile. Mr. Gray stated he had not spoken to anyone. Mr. Pepple urged Ms. Bartl to inform the RSD that the town would not sign a contract until the tile was fixed.
Dustin Papenbrock, Town Marshal:
Marshal Papenbrock stated Turtle Days ran smoothly. There were a couple issues concerning road closures, but he had learned from it. He also stated the rifles had been ordered.
Rick Krider, Park Supervisor:
Mr. Krider stated Youth League was winding down. He also reported there had been a lot of use of the Main Street trail extension. Finally, a recent storm had caused an electrical fire at the splash pad. Kissinger Electric was there within a ½ hour and had the splash pad up the next day.
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 stated a resident had approached him about a backyard drain in Thresher’s. The resident was experiencing flooding because there was a gap between the ground and the top rim of the drain. Mr. Hart said he would check it out.
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, 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
