Meeting Minutes – March 3, 2021
The Churubusco Town Council met on March 3, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. in the Scout Building. Members present were Council Members Mark Pepple, Devin Keener, and Nathan Van Horn; and Clerk-Treasurer, Madalyn Sade-Bartl. Also in attendance were Todd Thurber, DLZ Engineering; Eric Walsh, Baker Tilly; Kathy & Adam Neirieter and David & Brittany Murphy, Turtle Days Association; Rachael Rosfeld, KPC Media (via Zoom); Chelsie David, The Post & Mail (via Zoom); Robert Gray, Wastewater Plant Superintendent; and Town Supervisor, Jeremy Hart (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 February 17, 2021 Minutes:
Mr. Pepple made a motion to accept the minutes for February 17, 2021. Mr. Keener seconded, and the motion carried 3-0.
Approval of Claims and Payroll Vouchers:
Claims Vouchers dated March 3, 2021 in the amount of $115,916.29 were approved and signed.
Public Comment:
There were no public comments.
Old Business:
1. Design Contract Addendum: Todd Thurber from DLZ was present with a revised copy of the sewer design contract which was approved at the February 17 meeting. He stated the copy that was passed and signed was an old version, so the Council needed to accept the revised contract which included addendums to already designated projects. Mr. Pepple made a motion to approve the revised contract. President Van Horn seconded, and the motion carried 3-0.
New Business:
1. CCMG Construction Award: Mr. Thurber stated bids for the Line Street CCMG project were opened on March 2, 2021 by Ms. Bartl and Mr. Hart and a copy of the bid tabulation sheet was forwarded to the Council after the opening. Mr. Thurber had reviewed the bid packets. Mr. Pepple was concerned about the price difference between bidders. Mr. Thurber stated there was always a risk with bidders underbidding the project and requiring change orders, but that was a risk taken with all projects, but there was no difference in the quantities or amounts each contract bid. Ms. Bartl stated there was a bid alternate within the project that was ineligible for CCMG funding to replace a bad sewer line at the south end of the project area. She was hoping to use the Town’s upcoming bond anticipation note to pay for that project as it was included in the sewer project’s preliminary engineering report. Mr. Pepple made a motion to accept the bids and award the CCMG contract and bid alternate to API for $429,405.05. Mr. Keener seconded and the motion carried 3-0. Mr. Thurber asked, for the sake of time, if the Council was in favor of signing the contract outside of a public meeting. The Council approved that request by consensus.
2. Turtle Days Contract: David Murphy and Kathy Neireiter, President and Vice-President of the Turtle Day Association, were present at the meeting to discuss contract changes with the 2021/2022 Turtle Days contract. Turtle Days was in favor of the terms set through previous contracts but asked the Council to consider allowing the public restrooms in the Park be open during the festival. Mr. Murphy stated that many temporary bathroom facility vendors had gone out of business after COVID, and others were unable to guarantee daily cleaning, stocking, and sanitizing of their facilities. Turtle Days would be able to clean and restock the Park restrooms daily and agreed to pay for all water/sewer used during the festival and take responsibility for any vandalism or damage that may occur during the festival. Ms. Bartl stated reading the meters would not be an issue before and after the festival began and an accurate bill could be given to Turtle Days for that use. Turtle Days also asked if the Town would continue the practice of donating $2500 towards the festival’s fireworks show. Mr. Pepple made a motion to modify the contract with the restroom stipulations and give $2500 towards the 2021 festival. Mr. Keener seconded and the motion carried 3-0.
3. Ordinance 2021-04: AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE SEWER AND STORMWATER RATES AND CHARGES FOR THE USE OF THE SERVICES RENDERED BY THE TOWN OF CHURUBUSCO: Eric Walsh from Baker Tilly was present to answer any questions the Council may have of the proposed ordinance. He stated this ordinance was the first of two rate increases the Town would need to adopt prior to a bond being issued, but the final rates would not be presented or adopted until after the project was designed and bid. He also stated a new wholesale rate was not included in this ordinance, but an increase was eminent before bond issue. He also addressed previous Council questions concerning why minimums were charged. He stated minimums are put into place because there are costs associated with running a utility regardless on if a person uses them or not. Mr. Pepple voiced he did not feel Blue Lake Conservancy District and Whitley County Conservancy District should necessarily have the same rate as they were two different customers. Mr. Walsh stated BLCD’s rate would be based upon the methodology both entities have approved in using during past rate increases. As for WCRSD, once negotiations took place, the Town could look at different options of how their rate would be established and calculated, but that needed to be done within the next couple of months so an accurate rate could be established for both their use and the Town as a whole. President Van Horn stated the proposed ordinance basically got the rates to where past rate studies have suggested we pay. Mr. Pepple made a motion to introduce Ordinance 2021-04. Mr. Keener seconded and the motion carried 3-0. A public hearing for the ordinance was set for March 23, 2021 at 6:00 pm with adoption to occur after. Mr. Pepple stated he would like to suggest public comments via Zoom, for the upcoming meeting and future meetings, not be allowed. Mr. Walsh stated there were some legal issues that could occur with not allowing for people to be heard. Mr. Pepple stated he was ok with written comments either emailed or submitted in the chat but did not want to get into verbal debates with individuals who may be online. Mr. Walsh stated if viewers were still able to submit comments in writing, not allowing verbal comments from online viewers would probably be acceptable. The Council agreed to the suggestions.
Department Reports:
Jeremy Hart, Town Supervisor:
Mr. Hart presented the attached report. He stated they had found a spot of infiltration, but once it was smoke tested, it was still smoking. He thought it may be the house to the south and they would be investigating the possibility.
Bob Gray, Wastewater Treatment Plant Supervisor
Mr. Gray stated all state reports were in, but the Wastewater Plant was running a little rough. He also reported the digester should be up within 30 days.
Dustin Papenbrock, Town Marshal:
Marshal Papenbrock not present.
Rick Krider, Park Supervisor:
Mr. Krider was not present.
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 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, Devin Keener
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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
