Meeting Minutes – January 5, 2022
The Churubusco Town Council met on January 5, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. in the Scout Building. Members present were Council Members Mark Pepple (via Zoom), Devin Keener, and Nathan Van Horn; and Clerk-Treasurer, Madalyn Sade-Bartl. Also in attendance were Lisa Tincher, The Post & Mail; Marlin Leininger, Whitley County Council on Aging; Holly Miller, DLZ Engineering; Town Marshal, Dustin Papenbrock; Wastewater Superintendent, Bob Gray; and Town Supervisor, Jeremy Hart.
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 December 15, 2021 Minutes:
President Van Horn made a motion to approve the meeting minutes for December 15, 2021 as presented. Mr. Pepple seconded, and the motion carried 2-0 with Mr. Keener abstaining.
Approval of Claims and Payroll Vouchers:
Claims Vouchers dated December 31, 2021, in the amount of $228,728.16 were approved and signed.
Public Comments
There were no public comments.
New Business:
1. Election of Officers: President Van Horn opened the floor for nominations for 2022 Council officers. He nominated Devin Keener to serve as president. Mr. Pepple seconded, and President Van Horn closed nominations for president and made a motion to elect Mr. Keener as president. Mr. Pepple seconded, and the motion carried 2-0 with Mr. Keener abstaining. Having just been elected president, President Keener opened the floor for nominations for vice-president. Mr. Pepple nominated Mr. Van Horn. President Keener seconded and closed nominations. Mr. Pepple made a motion to elect Mr. Van Horn as 2022 Council Vice-President. President Keener seconded and the motion carried 2-0 with Mr. Van Horn abstaining.
2. Resolution 2022-01: Cancellation of Warrants Older than Two Years: Ms. Bartl presented Resolution 2022-01. She stated the warrants automatically cancel after December 31 two years after the year of issuance. These warrants would be removed from the outstanding checks and the funds that were used to pay these checks would be deposited back into the appropriate funds. Mr. Van Horn made a motion to approve Resolution 2022-01. Mr. Pepple seconded, and the motion carried 3-0.
3. DLZ Contract for Clingerman Avenue: Ms. Bartl presented a contract for engineering and design services for the Clingerman Avenue project in the amount of $97,000. President Keener made a motion to approve the contract as presented. Mr. Van Horn seconded, and the motion carried 3-0.
4. Baker Tilly Engagement Letter: Ms. Bartl presented an engagement letter for Baker Tilly for services related to the proposed water project. She stated the cost included in the letter included costs if the Town were to need assistance with the bond process and the costs from items E-J would only be rendered if those services were necessary. She stated this letter needed to be signed before Baker Tilly could proceed with the rate study which was the first step in knowing the feasibility of the project. Mr. Van Horn made a motion to approve the letter as presented. President Keener seconded and the motion carried 3-0.
Old Business:
1. Holly Miller- Sewer Project Update: Holly Miller gave an update on the sewer project. She stated design was about 75% complete, but since there was additional funding available through the state, if the Town were to pursue that funding, additional information would need to be added to the design. Ms. Bartl stated she had spoken to Baker Tilly earlier that day and they suggested the Town at least try to procure some of the available SRF funding since the timelines for the Town to close on an open market bond were aligning so closely to the State’s schedule. SRF was not originally the plan, but because things have been delayed, it was now a feasible option.
Department Reports:
Jeremy Hart, Town Supervisor:
Mr. Hart presented the attached report.
Bob Gray, Wastewater Treatment Plant Supervisor
Mr. Gray stated all reports for 2021 were in and he was continuing to deal with water at the plant.
Dustin Papenbrock, Town Marshal:
Marshal Papenbrock stated his new part-time officer had started earlier in the week.
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:
President Keener asked Ms. Miller and Mr. Hart to give an update about the grease trap issue at East of Chicago. Ms. Miller stated the unit that was needed for the business was $1500-$2000 but would cost an additional $7500-$9000 to install and would have to be installed by a licensed plumber hired by the business owners.
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, Nathan Van Horn
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Council Member, Mark Pepple
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Council President, Devin Keener
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ATTEST: Madalyn Sade-Bartl
