Meeting Minutes- 1/2/14

Meeting Minutes- January 2, 2014

The Churubusco Town Council met on January 2, 2014 at 6:30 p.m. in the Town Hall. Members present were President Frank Kessler, Council Members Alan Malcolm & Mark Pepple, and Clerk-Treasurer, Madalyn Sade-Bartl. Also in attendance was Lori Shipman, Lori Shipman Consulting, LLC; Katie Wagner, reporter for the Churubusco News; and Town Marshal, Mike Engle.

Council President Frank Kessler called the meeting to order, welcomed visitors and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll was called by the Clerk. All Council members were present.

Approval of December 18, 2013 meeting minutes:

Mr. Malcolm made a motion to approve the minutes for the meeting of December 18, 2013. Mr. Pepple seconded and the minutes were approved, 3-0.  

Approval of Claims and Payroll Vouchers:

Payroll Docket #26 and Claims Vouchers dated for January 2, 2014 in the amount of $95,915.51 were approved.

Public Comment:

There were no public comments.

Old Business:

There was no old business.

New Business:

Ms. Bartl recently sent out requests for proposals for grant writing and administration services and Council received three proposals. Region III-A’s proposal was in the amount of $38,000 for these services, Sturtz Public Management proposed $40,000 and Lori Shipman Consulting, LLC proposed a charge of 8% for grant administration and $8000 for environmental review and labor standards. Mr. Pepple was familiar with two of the three companies and asked Ms. Shipman to state her credentials, in which she did. President Kessler also informed Mr. Pepple that Ms. Shipman had been working with the Main Street Committee through the Whitley County EDC throughout the Main Street approval process. President Kessler stated he would rather work with someone who was familiar and who has been working on the project since day one. He also stated that while Region III-A had the low bid; he was concerned with the turnover they have had in the past few years. Mr. Malcolm made a motion to approve entering into an agreement with Lori Shipman Consulting, LLC in the amounts specified in her proposal. Mr. Pepple seconded and the motion carried 3-0.  Ms. Shipman thanked the Council and informed them of what was required to be completed prior to the May 2^nd deadline and stated she would be in contact with them very soon.  

Ms. Bartl had acquire3d four bids for the remodel of the fire station. Of the four, Grim Construction was the lowest at 19,000. President Kessler stated he had looked over all the bids and the only difference between the three was that Grim did not have the cost of the doors listed. Mr. Pepple asked if any timelines for getting this work completed were in place. President Kessler stated there were no timelines yet and those dates would be decided upon at a later time as would rental terms and conditions for a possible tenant of the building. Mr. Pepple felt there was no question of who to hire for the work. Mr. Malcolm agreed and by consent, the Council approved Grim Construction to complete the project.

President Kessler updated the Council on the Wellhead Protection Plan as Mr. Hart was not present. President Kessler stated that the plan had been approved by the state and the state recommended that since the plan was of such high quality, the Town apply for the Hoosier Water Guardian Program.

Marshal Engle brought to the Council three quotes for a new police vehicle. Marshal Engle recommended that the Council accept the lowest bid, $26,358, for a 2014 Dodge Durango V6. Mr. Pepple asked if there were any concerns of getting a V6 instead of a V8. Marshal Engle stated that in Churubusco, a V6 would be satisfactory and that cars going forward would be V6’s as they had better gas mileage. Mr. Malcolm made a motion to approve the purchase of a 2014 V6 Durango from Fletcher Chrysler in Franklin, IN. Mr. Pepple seconded and the motion carried 3-0.

Department Reports:

Jeremy Hart, Town Supervisor:

Mr. Hart was not present but left the attached report

Bob Gray, Waste Water Treatment Plant Supervisor

Mr. Gray was not present at the meeting.

Michael Engle, Town Marshal:

Marshal Engle had nothing to report.

Rick Krider, Park Supervisor:

Mr. Krider sent an email to Ms. Bartl stating they had been working on concession stands and other indoor projects.

Ron Felger, Town Attorney:

Mr. Felger was not present at the meeting.

Council Reports:

President Frank Kessler:

President Kessler reported that Main Street Committee was working on plans for a spring fundraiser. He also stated that the Committee was reviewing 2013 Façade Grants and would be coming to Council at a later date to ask for the Council to renew the program. He reported that a business recruitment plan needed to be done and that he had not heard any news on the road project by C&A. Mr. Malcolm asked what the status of Inwelligent was and President Kessler responded that progress was very slow at the moment.

Alan Malcolm:

Mr. Malcolm reported that he would be attending a Plan Commission meeting on the 16^th.

Mark Pepple:

Mr. Pepple had nothing to report.

Madalyn Sade-Bartl, Clerk-Treasurer:

Ms. Bartl reported that she would be presenting the Safe Routes to School application to INDOT on Monday morning.

Having no other business and after all proper papers were signed, President Kessler adjourned the regular meeting.