2022

by Madalyn Sade-Bartl on January 18, 2023 in Minutes

Meeting Minutes – December 21, 2022
The Churubusco Town Council met on December 21, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. in the Scout Building. Members present were council members Devin Keener, Nathan Van Horn, and Mark Pepple; and Clerk-Treasurer, Madalyn Sade-Bartl. Others present were local residents Pat Liggett, Miles Wilson, and Brian Clark; Town employees Zach Geiger, John Forker, Riley Templeton, Brandon Rittenhouse, and Joe Folds (via zoom); Bob Gray, Wastewater Superintendent; Jeremy Hart, Town Supervisor and Zach Zehner, Carson LLP.
Council President Devin Keener called the meeting to order, welcomed visitors, and led the Pledge of Allegiance. The Clerk called roll. All members were present.
Approval of Meeting Minutes: December 7, 2022:
Mr. Pepple made a motion to approve the minutes from December 7, 2022 as presented. Mr. Keener seconded, and the motion carried 2-0. Mr. Van Horn abstained.
Approval of Claims:
Claims Vouchers dated for December 21, 2022 in the amount of $853,166.63 were presented and approved.
Public Comment:
Local resident Miles Wilson spoke about his concerns with Ordinance 2022-25: 2023 Salary Ordinance. His concern was the job description for the Chief of Staff position had not been approved and the order of the agenda had the ordinance being passed prior to the job description being approved. Ms. Sad-Bartl stated the Council could flip the order of business and place new business first to which the Council agreed to do. Brandon Rittenhouse expressed frustration in finding information such as ordinances and minutes. The salary ordinance was not posted until the day before the meeting. Ms. Bartl stated her office had forgotten to post the ordinance and she apologized. Mr. Rittenhouse stated he was also frustrated that he had to dig for information and the website was not user friendly. Other town employees commented on various issues including staffing priorities and the proposed salary increase.
New Business:
1. Approval of hiring a part-time officer: Ms. Bartl presented an application that was received by Marshal Papenbrock for a part-time officer. She stated Marshal Papenbrock was asking the Council to approve the hiring of Robert Sands for the open part-time position. Mr. Pepple made a motion to approve the hiring of Robert Sands as a part-time Deputy. Mr. Van Horn seconded and the motion carried 3-0.
2. Approval of job descriptions: Two job descriptions were prepared by the Town Attorney, Andy Boxberger, and were given to the Council prior to the meeting to review. Mr. Van Horn motioned to approve the job description for the Chief of Staff and Street/Water Superintendent as written. Devin Keener seconded and the motion carried 2-1 (Mr. Keener – Aye, Mr. Van Horn – Aye, Mr. Pepple – Nay).
3. Approval of separation agreement: Mr. Boxberger also prepared a separation agreement for Jeremy Hart that would eliminate the Town Supervisor position as of December 26, 2022. He distributed it to the Council prior to the meeting for review. Mr. Keener made a motion to approve severance agreement and the release of the Town Supervisor position as written. Mr. Van Horn seconded, and the motion carried 3-0.
4. Approval of organization hierarchy: Ms. Bartl stated that with the elimination of the Town Supervisor position and the creation of the Chief of Staff position, the organizational hierarchy that was included within the personnel manual would need amended. Mr. Van Horn motioned to approve the organization hierarchy as presented. Mr. Keener seconded and the motion carried 2-1 (Mr. Keener – Aye, Mr. Van Horn – Aye, Mr. Pepple – Nay).
5. Resolution 2022-26: Approval of Transferring Appropriation Balances: Mr. Pepple motioned to approve the transferring of appropriation balances as presented. Mr. Van Horn seconded, and the motion carried 3-0.
6. Ordinance 2022-27: Creation of Funds for Opioid Settlement Revenues: Ms. Bartl explained why this fund was necessary. Mr. Pepple motioned to approve Ordinance 2022-27. Mr. Van Horn seconded, and the motion carried 3-0.
7. Resolution 2022-28: Approval of Vacation Payout: Mr. Keener explained that there were officers that were unable to use their vacation time but they were not eligible for vacation payout. Mr. Van Horn made a motion to approve Resolution 2022-28 for their vacation payout as presented. Mr. Pepple seconded, and the motion carried 3-0.
8. Approval of CCMG pay orders 5 & 6 and final charge order: Ms. Bartl presented the final change order and pay applications for the Clingerman CCMG project. Mr. Pepple motioned to approve pay orders and final charge order as presented. Mr. Van Horn seconded and the motion passed 3-0.
9. Appointing of new positions: Mr. Van Horn motioned to appoint Jeremy Hart to the Street and Water Utility Supervisor position. Mr. Pepple seconded, and the motion carried 3-0.
Mr. Van Horn motioned to appoint Madalyn Sade-Bartl to the position of Council Chief of Staff. Mr. Keener seconded and the motion passed 2-1 (Mr. Keener – Aye, Mr. Van Horn – Aye, Mr. Pepple – Nay).
Old Business:
1. Ordinance 2022-24: Annexation of Contiguous Property: Mr. Pepple made a motion to approve Ordinance 2022-24 as presented. Mr. Van Horn seconded and the motion carried 3-0.
2. Ordinance 2022-25: 2023 Salary Ordinance: Mr. Van Horn made a motion to approve Ordinance 2022-25 as presented. Mr. Pepple seconded, and the motion carried 3-0.

Department Reports:
Jeremy Hart, Town Supervisor:
Mr. Hart reported that they read meters last week and they were fixing the sander.
Bob Gray, Wastewater Treatment Plant Supervisor:
Mr. Gray had nothing to report.
Dustin Papenbrock, Town Marshall:
Mr. Papenbrock was not present but had told Mr. Keener that the Shop with a Cop event went very well and had about 25 kids participate.
Rick Krider, Park Superintendent:
Mr. Krider was not present.
Andy Boxberger, Town Attorney:
Mr. Boxberger was not present, and Mr. Zehner did not have anything to add.
Council Reports:
Mark Pepple:
Mr. Pepple had nothing to report.
Devin Keener:
President Keener 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 Keener adjourned the regular meeting.