Meeting Minutes – June 1, 2022
The Churubusco Town Council met on June 1, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. in the Scout Building. Members present were council members Devin Keener and Nathan Van Horn; and Clerk-Treasurer, Madalyn Sade-Bartl. Others present were members of Turtle Days Festival, Inc.- Terri Johnson, Kathy Neireiter, David & Brittany Murphy, and Dodie & Tony Hart; Gary Lyons; Marlin Leininger, Whitley County Council on Aging; holly Miller, DLZ Engineering; Linda Tincher, Post & Mail; Rick Krider, Park Superintendent; Bob Gray, Wastewater Superintendent; and Town Marshal, Dustin Papenbrock (via Zoom).
Council President Devin Keener called the meeting to order, welcomed visitors, and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll was called by the Clerk. Council member Mark Pepple was absent.
PUBLIC HEARING: SEWER PROJECT PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING REPORT:
President Devin Keener opened the Public Hearing at 6:00PM. Holly Miller of DLZ presented an overview of the Preliminary Engineering Report, noting that there will be a five (5) day comment period in which the public and make comments and ask questions. They may be directed to the Madalyn Sade-Bartl, Clerk-Treasurer, at madalyn@townofchurubusco.com. DLZ discussed financing for the project through the State Revolving Loan Fund Program. The cost of the project is estimated at $12 million, including improvements to the wastewater treatment and collection system. Gary Lyons, a resident of Circle Drive, asked for an update of when his area would be connected to the sewer. Ms. Bartl, the Town’s representative on the Whitley County Regional Sewer District board, gave him an update on the RSD’s timeline and explained the upgrades the Town was making to their collection system was to increase the capacity to help serve the RSD and his area of town. Hearing no other comments, President Keener closed the public hearing.
Approval of May 4, 2022 Minutes:
Mr. Van Horn made a motion to approve the minutes for May 4, 2022 as presented. President Keener seconded and the motion carried 2-0.
Approval of Claims and Payroll Vouchers:
Claims Vouchers dated for June 1, 2022 in the amount of $224,471.15 were presented and approved.
Public Comment:
There were no public comments.
Old Business:
1. Approval of Resolution 2022-06- A Resolution for Wastewater State Revolving Fund (WWSRF) Loan Program Signatory Authorization: Ms. Miller presented Resolution 2022-06. Mr. Van Horn made a motion to approve Resolution 2022-06 as presented. President Keener seconded and the motion carried 2-0.
2. SRF Application: Ms. Miller presented the SRF application to the Council. Mr. van Horn made a motion to approve the application as presented. President Keener seconded and the motion carried 2-0.
3. Contract for Turtle Days: Ms. Bartl stated Mr. Boxberger had written a revised contract for Turtle Days Festival, Inc. that was more substantial than what had previously been signed by both parties. Mr. Van Horn made a motion to approve the contract as presented. President Keener seconded and the motion carried 2-0.
4. Contract for Warrior Appreciation Days: Ms. Bartl stated this contract was similar to the previous contract and was written by Mr. Boxberger. President Keener made a motion to approve the contract as presented. Mr. Van Horn seconded, and the motion carried 2-0.
New Business:
1. Baker Tilly Engagement Letter- General Obligation bond service: Ms. Bartl presented an engagement letter from Baker Tilly for GO bond services. She stated it was like other the Town had signed with Baker Tilly and Mr. Boxberger had reviewed the document and approved it. Mr. Van Horn made a motion to approve the engagement letter as presented. President Keener seconded and the motion carried 2-0.
2. Pay Increase- Natalie Blessing: Ms. Bartl asked the Council to consider increasing the hourly wage for Deputy Clerk, Natalie Blessing. She stated Ms. Blessing had been with the Town for a year and was a great asset to the utility office and the town. Ms. Bartl stated Ms. Blessing had been hired already having a bachelor’s degree in public finance and the previous deputy had received a pay increase when she obtained a bachelor’s degree. President Keener made a motion to approve Natalie Blessing be moved from a deputy clerk #3 to a deputy clerk #2 effective pay 12. Mr. Van Horn seconded, and the motion carried 2-0.
3. Clingerman CCMG Pay Request #1: Ms. Bartl presented the 1st pay request from API for the Clingerman CCMG project. She stated she had spoken with Todd Thurber from DLZ about when to charge the contractors for materials the town bought to fix things that had been damaged during the project. Todd stated it would be easiest to bill at the end of the project, so she was planning on doing that. Mr. Van Horn made a motion to approve pay request #1 for $186,304.50. President Keener seconded and the motion carried 2-0.
Department Reports:
Jeremy Hart, Town Supervisor:
Mr. Hart presented the attached report. Mr. Hart stated API had come back to town and started with the manhole at 33 & Clingerman. However, the manhole was not sized right, so they made a temporary fix, and they will have to redo it.
Bob Gray, Wastewater Treatment Plant Supervisor
Mr. Gray stated all reports were in and things were running well.
Dustin Papenbrock, Town Marshal:
Marshal Papenbrock stated he would be coordinating with Mr. Hart on traffic control for Warrior Appreciation Day and Turtle Days.
Rick Krider, Park Supervisor:
Mr. Krider stated the Park was running well and he was gearing up for Turtle Days. He also reported the Splash Pad was open and there had not been any problems.
Andy Boxberger, Town Attorney:
Mr. Boxberger was not present.
Council Reports:
Mark Pepple:
Mr. Pepple was not present.
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. She stated she would be in D.C. from June 8-11 and she and Natalie would be in Michigan City for the ILMCT annual conference June 11-16. The office would be closed during that time.
Having no other business and after all proper papers were signed, President Keener adjourned the regular meeting.
___________________________
Council President, Devin Keener
___________________________
Council Member, Mark Pepple
____________________________
Council Member, Nathan Van Horn
ATTEST:
_____________________________
Madalyn Sade-Bartl, Clerk-Treasurer
