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Meeting Minutes – November 20, 2024
The Churubusco Town Council met on November 20, 2024, 2024 at 6:00 PM in the Town Hall. Members present were council members Devin Keener and Nathan Van Horn; and Clerk-Treasurer Madalyn Sade-Bartl. Others present were local residents Lisa Fensler, Alisha Hackett, Kristy Riggs, Bruce & Lorraine Shanabarger, Gage Shively, John Hart, Kayla Crance, Carolyn Bonar, Roxeanne Wells, and Dave Denton; Town Marshal, Dustin Papenbrock; and Park Superintendent, Rick Krider.
Mr. Van Horn called the meeting to order, welcomed visitors, and led the Pledge of Allegiance. The Clerk called roll. Mark Pepple was absent.
Approval of meeting minutes for November 6, 2024 and November 18, 2024:
Meeting minutes for November 6, 2024 and November 18, 2024 were presented. Mr. Keener made a motion to approve both sets of minutes as presented. Mr. Van Horn seconded, and the motion carried 2-0.
Approval of claims and payroll vouchers:
Claims vouchers dated November 20, 2024 in the amount of $118,407.69 were presented and approved.
Public Comment:
Mr. Van Horn opened the public comment section by asking those in attendance that if they had any comments concerning anything on the printed agenda that they please wait until those items were addressed in the meeting. There were no other public comments.
Old Business:
1. Ordinance 2024-17: Easement Encroachment Process: Mr. Sade-Bartl explained what had been going on with the easement encroachment issue in Threshers Ridge. Since the last meeting, the Town’s attorney, Andy Boxberger, had reviewed and amended a process and agreement based upon Columbia City’s process and agreement. Mr. Van Horn acknowledged that most of the crowd was there because of this ordinance and opened the floor to questions and comments. Several citizens voiced their opinions including Kristi Riggs and Alisha Hackett, both of whom asked for more specificity in who “Churubusco” refers to. After approximately thirty-five minutes of discussion between citizens and the Council (a copy of a draft amendment submitted by Ms. Riggs on 11/21/2024 is attached), Mr. Keener made a motion to extend the timeline of imposing penalties to December 31, 2024 and table the passage of Ordinance 2024-17 until the December 4, 2024 meeting in order to address the citizen concerns within the agreement. Mr. Van Horn seconded, and the motion carried 2-0. Bruce Shanabarger wished to thank the Council for working with the residents on rectifying the issue. He stated the Council could have easily just made residents move the encroachments, so he appreciated the Council’s willingness to examine solutions.
New Business:
1. Approval of Pay App #21- Crosby- Project A: Sewer Plant Upgrades- $336,607.98: Ms. Bartl reviewed Pay Application #21. Mr. Keener made a motion to approve Pay App #21 as presented. Mr. Van Horn seconded, and the motion carried 2-0.
2. Approval Water Plant Flow Meters: Ms. Bartl presented a quote from Gasvoda for new flow meters in the amount of $24,980. Ms. Bartl gave a brief explanation of the need and stated that it was specialized equipment with limited suppliers, so this was the only quote obtained. Mr. Keener made a motion to approve the purchase of flow meters in the amount of $24,980. Mr. Van Horn seconded, and the motion carried 2-0.
Department Reports:
Jeremy Hart, Water/Street Department:
Mr. Hart was not present but left the attached report.
Bob Gray, Wastewater Treatment Plant Supervisor:
Mr. Gray was not present. Ms. Sade-Bartl gave a brief update on the sewer project.
Dustin Papenbrock, Town Marshall:
Mr. Papenbrock stated he was short staffed as officers were using vacation time and he has been in the school since Officer Fulkerson left at the beginning of the month. He also reported the position had been posted and he would be accepting applications until January 1, 2025.
Rick Krider, Park Superintendent:
Mr. Krider stated he was ¾ done with leaves and he had received some volunteer help from the girls’ basketball team. He also reported the batting cages would be paid for by the high school and Youth League.
Andy Boxberger, Town Attorney:
Mr. Boxberger was not present.
Council Reports:
Devin Keener:
Mr. Keener had nothing to report.
Mark Pepple:
Mr. Pepple was not present.
Nathan Van Horn:
Mr. Van Horn had nothing to report.
Madalyn Sade-Bartl:
Ms. Bartl presented the attached report. She reported the Town had received $585,000 through the Community Crossings Matching Grant for Conway, part of Weston, and part of Douglas reconstruction. She also stated many of the utility employees still had vacation time to use before the end of the year, so they were also juggling some staffing issues.
Having no other business and after all proper papers were signed, President Pepple adjourned the regular meeting.
___________________________ _____________________________
Council President, Mark Pepple Council Member, Nathan Van Horn
___________________________ ATTEST: ___________________________
Council Member, Devin Keener Madalyn Sade-Bartl, Clerk-Treasurer
