Minutes 12/3/14

Meeting Minutes- December 3, 2014

The Churubusco Town Council met on December 3, 2014 at 6:30 p.m. in the Town Hall. Members present were President Frank Kessler, Council Members Mark Pepple and Alan Malcolm, and Clerk-Treasurer, Madalyn Sade-Bartl. Also in attendance were area residents Pat Liggett and Pat Stanford; Viv Sade, Churubusco News;  Tim Misiora, Post & Mail; 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 members were present

Approval of November 19, 2014 meeting minutes:

Mr. Malcolm made a motion to approve the minutes with the noted corrections. Mr. Pepple seconded and the motion carried 3-0.

Approval of Claims and Payroll Vouchers:

Claims Vouchers dated for December 3, 2014 in the amount of $168,679.58 were approved.

Public Comment:

There were no public comments.

Old Business:

There was no old business

New Business:

President Kessler stated the EDC Board of Directors appointee, Steve Barcus, was wishing to retire from the Board at the end of the year. He and Alan Tio had discussed with Kristi Sturtz on the possibility of replacing Mr. Barcus, which she stated she would be interested. Mr. Pepple stated he felt Ms. Sturtz would be a good addition to the Board. Mr. Malcolm mad a motion to appoint Kristi Sturtz to the EDC Board of Directors. Mr. Pepple seconded and the motion carried 3-0.

President Kessler stated that there had been discussion in past years about staggering elections amongst the Council. The reason that it had been considered before is in case the Council would happen to have a complete turnover. Staggering the elections would ensure that some tenure would be among the Council. Mr. Pepple stated he had always wondered why it was never designed that way. Mr. Stanford spoke and stated he was aware of the previous discussions and thought the Council had not adopted the practice previously because of the cost of having separate elections. President Kessler stated there would be no additional cost as long as the election was held at the same time as another county election. Mr. Pepple made a motion to accept the terms as stated in Ordinance 2014-14. Mr. Malcolm seconded and the motion carried 3-0.

Ms. Bartl presented Resolution 2014-15 which would amend the holiday policy for police officers. The resolution would pay police officers holiday pay for the actual holidays instead of the days the Town designated as paid holidays, as will be the case next year with the 4^th of July holiday being observed on July 3^rd. Mr. Malcolm made a motion to accept the resolution. 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 and a bid for a retention pond project for behind the Government Center. President Kessler stated the project would help alleviate flooding issues behind the daycare and had been discussed for years prior. With the construction being done by Pankop’s at 538 S. Main, it would make sense to have the project completed at this time. Mr. Malcolm made a motion to accept Pankop’s bid of $14,177.00 for the proposed project. Mr. Pepple seconded and the motion carried 3-0.

Bob Gray, Waste Water Treatment Plant Supervisor

Mr. Gray was not present.

Michael Engle, Town Marshal:

Marshal Engle had nothing to report. President Kessler commended Marshal Engle and the CPD for the recent meth lab bust.

Rick Krider, Park Supervisor:

Mr. Krider was not present, but had left a report with Ms. Bartl. She stated everything was fine and the department was starting indoor work for the winter.

Ron Felger, Town Attorney:

Mr. Felger was not present.

Council Reports:

President Frank Kessler:

President Kessler reported that he, Ms. Bartl, and Main Street President, Dave Pearson, had recently attended a grant award ceremony at the Statehouse where the Town was recognized by Lt. Governor Ellspermann for receiving the Main Street Grant. President Kessler also reported there was a lot of behind the scenes work being done so the Main Street project could be put to bid after the new year.

 Alan Malcolm:

Mr. Malcolm had nothing to report.

Mark Pepple:

Mr. Pepple wished to thank Ms. Bartl for organizing the Tree Lighting Ceremony.

Madalyn Sade-Bartl:

Ms. Bartl reported the Tree Lighting went very well and about $150 was raised for the Park. She also reported she had met with INDOT the previous day. There had been a change in the project manager, so discussions had been stalled for a couple months, but they were back on track.

Mr. Malcolm asked about the expiration of the SRO contract. Ms. Bartl, Marshal Engle, and President Kessler all believed it to be in effect until the end of the 2015 school year. Ms. Bartl stated she would check and get back with the correct date. Mr. Pepple also asked Marshal Engle if it would be possible for the school to come in and give a report every few months. Marshal Engle stated he would check on that possibility.

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