Minutes 8/5/2020

Meeting Minutes – August 5, 2020

The Churubusco Town Council met on August 5, 2020 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 residents Wayne Yager and Pat Liggett; Commissioner-Elect Theresa Green; Park Superintendent, Rick Krider; Town Marshal, Dustin Papenbrock; 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 for July 15, 2020:

Mr. Johnson made a motion to approve the meeting minutes from July 15, 2020 as presented. Mr. Pepple seconded, and the motion carried 3-0.

Approval of Claims and Payroll Vouchers:

Claims Vouchers dated August 5, 2020 in the amount of $122,818.84 were presented and approved.

Public Comment:

Ms. Bartl stated Bob Amber had requested the Council’s approval to hold Cam’s Cause on October 3, 2020. Mr. Krider stated he had approved the date and times of the event. The Council agreed to the request by consensus.

Old Business:

1. 1.       Hiring of a New Deputy Marshal: Marshal Papenbrock stated he had conducted interviews for the open marshal position prior to leaving for vacation. Only two applicants were qualified for the position. He requested Scott Geist, a 25-year veteran of law enforcement, be hired to fill the deputy marshal position. Mr. Pepple made a motion to approve the hiring of Scott Geist. Mr. Johnson seconded, and the motion carried 3-0.    
2. 2.       Sewer Generator Quote: Ms. Bartl stated she had sent a quote from Bob Gray for the generator repairs he had mentioned at the special meeting the previous week. Bartl stated it needed done as soon as possible. Mr. Johnson asked where the money would be coming from, and Ms. Bartl stated either sewer operating or sewer improvement. Mr. Pepple made a motion to approve the quote from MacAllister for $13,253. Mr. Johnson seconded, and the motion carried 3-0.

New Business:

1. 1.       Park Camera Quote: Ms. Bartl stated she, Marshal Papenbrock, and Mr. Krider had met with a couple of different contractors for the installation of security cameras at the Park. She also informed the Council she had secured $10,000 from the Smith Township Trustee and $2500 from Churubusco Rotary in addition to the $1,500 Turtle Days Association promised to give for this expense. She also had a request into the Churubusco Chamber for $2,500 which they would discuss at their meeting the following week. Mr. Krider asked the Council to table the decision so another quote could be sought. Ms. Bartl stated the installation of the police department cameras several years ago was around $7,000 for only seven cameras at one location. She did not think there would be anyone who could quote the project any lower than what the low quote was. Marshal Papenbrock asked Mr. Krider why he was apprehensive about either of the companies who had quoted the project. Mr. Krider stated he did not the idea of boring lines and hard wiring the system. Mr. Pepple stated he could not see spending $9,000 for a line of sight system and made a motion to approve a quote from Advanced Systems Group for $27,100. Mr. Johnson seconded, and the motion carried 3-0. 
2. 2.       Comprehensive Investment Plan Quote: Ms. Bartl stated she, President Van Horn, and most of the department heads had met with Eric Walsh from Baker Tilley concerning the development of a comprehensive investment plan. Ms. Bartl stated it was a project Mr. Pepple had wanted done during his tenure as council president, and with the possibility of a large sewer project, some larger road projects, and other expenditures, it was really overdue the Town complete this plan. Ms. Bartl had forwarded a quote from MR. Walsh along with a sample copy of an investment plan from another municipality. Mr. Johnson was concerned Baker Tilley would be taking over the Town’s accounting. Ms. Bartl stated that would not be happening. This document was just a tool to better plan for capital expenses. It would make budgeting easier for everyone, and if the Council did not want to follow it or change it, they could do that. It would be like the comprehensive plan only it would specify possible funding mechanisms to pay for projects. Ms. Bartl also reminded the council the Town had spent $20,000 for the comprehensive plan in 2013 and it did not include any of the budgeting information this plan would include. She felt this would be a much more useful tool for everyone in the long run and it was also a requirement to receive certain funding. President Van Horn made a motion to approve Baker Tilley’s proposal not to exceed $25,000. Mr. Pepple seconded, and the motion passed 3-0.
3. 3.       Fine Arts Festival- Approval to Close 100 Block of Line Street: Ms. Bartl stated she had received a request from the Library to close the 100 block of N. Line Street on August 29 for the Fine Arts Festival. Marshal Papenbrock stated he had no issues if concrete barricades were used again this year as they were last year. The Council agreed by consensus to close the street on August 29.

Department Reports:

Jeremy Hart, Town Supervisor:

Mr. Hart was not present but sent the attached report.

Bob Gray, Wastewater Treatment Plant Supervisor

Mr. Gray was not present.

Dustin Papenbrock, Town Marshal:

Marshal Papenbrock stated he had attended the SRO conference the previous week and had received a memorandum of understanding from Carmel Police Department. He felt it would be good to model our SRO contract on that document and asked the Council to look it over so it could be presented to the school.

Rick Krider, Park Supervisor:

Mr. Krider stated a 3 on 3 basketball tourney had been held at the Park a couple weeks ago and it went well. The organizers hoped to have more tourneys. He also stated a couple of travel teams had been practicing on the softball and baseball fields. A few members of the girls’ team, however, had tested positive for COVID, so their season was cut short. The boys’ team had a couple of kids also test positive for COVID, but they have again started practicing.

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 reviewed her attached report.

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