Meeting Minutes – January 20, 2021
The Churubusco Town Council met on January 20, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. in the Scout Building. Members present were Council Members Mark Pepple (via Zoom), Bruce Johnson, and Nathan Van Horn; and Clerk-Treasurer, Madalyn Sade-Bartl. Also in attendance were Town Marshal, Dustin Papenbrock; Town Supervisor, Jeremy Hart (via Zoom); and Park Superintendent, Rick Krider (via Zoom).
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 Claims and Payroll Vouchers:
Claims Vouchers dated December 31, 2020 and January 20, 2021 in the amount of $540,279.24 were approved and signed.
Public Comment:
There were no public comments.
Old Business:
1. Whitley County RSD Contract: Town attorney, Ron Felger, had forwarded a copy of a revised RSD contract to the Council. Mr. Pepple stated he had discussed the revisions with the RSD at their meeting on Tuesday. They seemed open to the changes, but there were unknowns that needed to be added by the RSD before the contract could be signed. The contract was still a work in progress, but it was getting closer to being finalized.
2. Proposal Opening: Talk of the RSD contract led to the Council discussing the design contract RFP. Ms. Bartl stated the proposals were due Friday, but a special Council meeting needed to be scheduled to do bid openings so the contract could be awarded at the February 3, 2021 meeting. The Council agreed to open bids on January 27, 2021 at 6:00 pm at the Scout Building.
3. Crossing Guard: Marshal Papenbrock stated that after numerous attempts to fill the position, the crossing guard position was still not filled, and he wanted to put an end date to providing the service. He stated he had called INDOT to request a meeting with them to try to make the crossing safer but had yet to hear back from anyone. He felt even prior to hearing from INDOT, the position needed to be eliminated. Mr. Pepple stated he felt the same way and stated Marshal Papenbrock just needed to decide an end date and publicize that date as the end of crossing guard duties being performed. President Van Horn agreed and stated it needed to be communicated prior to the end date so parents were not caught off guard. Mr. Pepple made a motion to eliminate the position effective February 8, 2021. Mr. Johnson seconded, and the motion carried 3-0.
New Business:
1. Humane Society Contract: Ms. Bartl presented an updated Humane Society contract and stated it was the same as previous years. Mr. Pepple made a motion to approve the Humane Society contract. Mr. Johnson seconded, and the motion carried 3-0.
Department Reports:
Jeremy Hart, Town Supervisor:
Mr. Hart presented the attached report. He stated they had been dealing with numerous leaks and they were still trying to catch up.
Bob Gray, Wastewater Treatment Plant Supervisor
Mr. Gray was not present.
Dustin Papenbrock, Town Marshal:
Marshal Papenbrock stated the new truck was in and he and Ms. Bartl would be picking it up on Thursday and getting it over to Copsgear to get outfitted.
Rick Krider, Park Supervisor:
Mr. Krider had nothing to report.
Ron Felger, Town Attorney:
Mr. Felger was not present.
Council Reports:
Mark Pepple:
Mr. Pepple stated he had attended the RSD meeting and they were progressing quickly.
Bruce Johnson:
Mr. Johnson stated this Council meeting would be his last as he has decided to resign his Council position effective immediately. Ms. Bartl stated she would need a signed statement of resignation to forward to the county clerk’s office before the resignation would be official.
Nathan Van Horn:
Mr. Van Horn stated he and Ms. Bartl had attended the Main Street meeting. Main Street reported they were no longer an accredited Main Street group, but they were working on becoming accredited again. To help with that process, Main Street wished to again partner with the Town on the Façade Grant program. They wanted to propose some changes to the application and Mr. Van Horn asked they submit those changes so they could be reviewed and approved by the Council.
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
