Minutes- August 2, 2023

by Madalyn Sade-Bartl on September 6, 2023 in Minutes

Regular Meeting Minutes –August 2, 2023
The Churubusco Town Council met on August 2, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. in the Scout Building. Members present were council members Devin Keener, Mark Pepple, and Nathan Van Horn; and Clerk-Treasurer, Madalyn Sade-Bartl. Others present were residents Jack Hall, Brittany Murphy, Pat Esslinger, Tim & Lisa Fensler, Brian Clark, and Dustin Papenbrock, Town Marshal.
President Keener called the meeting to order, welcomed visitors, and led the Pledge of Allegiance. The Clerk called roll. All members were present.
Approval of Minutes- July 19, 2023:
Mr. Pepple made a motion to approve the minutes from July 19, 2023 as presented. Mr. Van Horn seconded, and the motion carried 3-0.

Approval of Claims:
Claims Vouchers dated August 2, 2023 in the amount of $149,708.31 were presented and approved.
Public Comment:
There were no public comments.
Old Business:
1. There was no old business.
New Business:
1. Alley Activation- Legion/46 Graphics Alley: Mr. Pepple stated the Legion would like to use the alley for events and Mr. Pepple agreed to assist with that transition. Pat Esslinger, Commander of the American Legion, described why she would like to see the alley closed. President Keener stated he had spoken to Bret Keister, owner of 46 Graphics, and Mr. Keister was not in favor of the alley being closed as delivery trucks, garbage trucks, and others regularly used the alley. That traffic had increased considerably since the Legion put up concrete barricades in the back of their building and there was no longer another outlet to the alley that is located behind his buildings. The Council stated they would like to examine the possibility further and tabled any permanent closure of the alley.
2. Pay Requests- Sewer Project: Ms. Bartl presented pay applications from Crosby for project A of the ongoing sewer project and API for project C & D. Mr. Van Horn made a motion to approve Crosby’s pay application in the amount of $186,957.93 and API’s pay application in the amount of $170,506.95. Mr. Pepple seconded, and the motion passed 3-0.
3. Ordinance 2023-06: Pre-Payment Ordinance: Ms. Bartl presented Ordinance 2023-06: An Ordinance Authorizing the Clerk-Treasurer to Make Certain Disbursements for Necessary or Emergency Payments Prior to Confirmation of Claims. Ms. Bartl stated the Town already had a similar ordinance in place but there had been some changes to state code and new allowances had been made legal. This ordinance was updating what the Town allowed. Mr. Van Horn made a motion to approve Ordinance 2023-06. Mr. Pepple seconded, and the motion passed 3-0.
4. License Agreement- Surf Internet: Ms. Bartl presented a license agreement to allow Surf to place a switch on Town property. She stated Andy Boxberger had drafted the agreement and Surf had agreed to the provisions. The document was now awaiting Council approval. Mr. Van Horn made a motion to approve the license agreement with Surf Internet. Mr. Pepple seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
5. SRO Contract Update: Ms. Bartl presented an updated SRO contract to the Council. Marshal Papenbrock explained what language was added to the contract and the reasons behind the additions. President Keener posed several questions which Marshal Papenbrock and Ms. Bartl answered. Mr. Pepple made a motion to approve the revised SRO contract and send it to the school for their approval. Mr. Van Horn seconded, and the motion carried 3-0.
6. Turtle Town Plaza Grease Trap Issue: Tim & Lisa Fensler, owners of Heroes Family Bistro and Pub, were present to discuss the ongoing issues with the grinder located at Turtle Town Plaza. Andy Boxberger had sent another letter to Dan Millikan, owner of Turtle Town Plaza, concerning high temperatures being discharged into the grinder- a violation of the Town’s ordinance. The letter was sent by the request of President Keener after another grinder pump had been made inoperable due to a high presence of grease. After receiving the letter, Mr. Millikan’s representatives approached Mr. & Mrs. Fensler to address the issue as their restaurant was the only restaurant that was connected to the troubled grinder. Mr. & Mrs. Fensler stated they had done what was asked of them 2 years ago and installed a grease trap. President Keener asked Mr. Fensler what the water temperature was of the water being discharged by the restaurant’s dishwasher as the issue seemed to be the temperature of the grease being so high that it was still in liquid form and not being trapped by the grease trap. Mr. Fensler stated it was set per factory recommendations and per standards set by the Board of Health for food service. Mr. Pepple and Mr. Van Horn stated they felt that Mr. & Mrs. Fensler had done what was asked of them by the Council two years ago and it was up to the Town to come up with a solution that everyone can work at achieving together. Ms. Bartl stated she had spoken to Mr. Boxberger and the best solution would be to have an outside entity look at the system and try to develop what could be done. The Council agreed that would be the best route and approved Ms. Bartl to coordinate that effort.
Department Reports:
Jeremy Hart, Town Supervisor:
Mr. Hart was not present.
Bob Gray, Wastewater Treatment Plant Supervisor:
Mr. Gray was not present.
Dustin Papenbrock, Town Marshall:
Mr. Papenbrock stated the Rescue Task Force informational session would be held the following night with the two-day training happening that weekend. He also reported the Department had been inundated with car issues and it seemed every car had been in the shop for some problem. Finally, he stated he had conducted interviews for the full-time deputy position. He asked Council to approve the hiring of Rober Lysaght as a full-time deputy marshal to fill the position that was held by Chris Anderson. Mr. Pepple made a motion to approve Robert Lysaght. Mr. Van Horn seconded, and the motion passed 3-0. Mr. Papenbrock stated he would start the week of Labor Day.
Rick Krider, Park Superintendent:
Mr. Krider was not present.
Andy Boxberger, Town Attorney:
Mr. Boxberger was not present.
Council Reports:
Mark Pepple:
Mr. Pepple had nothing to report.
Devin Keener:
President Keener had nothing to report.
Nathan Van Horn:
Mr. Van Horn had nothing to report.
Madalyn Sade-Bartl:
Ms. Sade-Bartl stated she had finished the 2024 budget and was awaiting her meeting with DLGF. She had forwarded the proposed budget to the Council and department heads and asked them to give any feedback prior to that meeting. She also reported she would be conducting a walk-through with the architect of the Civic Center on Friday.
Having no other business and after all proper papers were signed, President Keener adjourned the regular meeting.