Minutes 11/15/17

Meeting Minutes- November 15, 2017

The Churubusco Town Council met on November 15, 2017 at 6:30 p.m. in the Town Hall. Members present were Council Members Mark Pepple, Frank Kessler, and Bruce Johnson; and Clerk- Treasurer, Madalyn Sade-Bartl. Also in attendance were area residents Nancy Wright, Pat Liggett, and Roger Stahlhut; Rachael Rosfeld, Post & Mail; Holly Miller, DLZ Engineering; Bob Gray, Wastewater Superintendent; Ron Felger, Town Attorney; Jeremy Hart, Town Supervisor; and Mike Engle, Town Marshal.

President Pepple called the meeting to order, welcomed visitors and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll was called by the Clerk-Treasurer. All members were present.

Approval of November 1, 2017 meeting minutes:

Mr. Johnson made a motion to approve the minutes for the meeting of November 1, 2017. Mr. Kessler seconded, and the motion carried 3-0.

Approval of Claims and Payroll Vouchers:

Claims Vouchers dated for November 15, 2017 in the amount of $309,602 were presented and approved.

Public Comment:

There were no public comments.

Old Business:

Community Crossings Consultant Selection: Ms. Bartl explained that a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) was sent to five engineering firms for design services associated with the Community Crossings project. Four submitted responses. The Selection Committee met and scored the firms based upon INDOTS scoring sheet. Based upon the scores, the Selection Committee recommended negotiations be started with Fleis & Vandenbrink as they were under a constricted timeframe to get design complete and a contract awarded prior to the INDOT grant closeout date of April 16, 2018. Mr. Kessler made a motion to accept the Committee’s recommendation and begin negotiations with Fleis & Vandenbrink for design and engineering services associated with the Community Crossings project. Mr. Johnson seconded, and the motion carried 3-0. Ms. Bartl stated she would notify the firm and hoped the contract would be ready to approve at a special meeting the next week.

Ordinance 2017-14: 2018 Salary Ordinance: Ms. Bartl stated Ordinance 2017-14 had been introduced and discussed at the previous meeting and the noted changes had been made. Mr. Johnson made a motion to approve Ordinance 2017-14. Mr. Kessler seconded, and the motion carried 3-0.

Ordinance 2017-15: Alley Closure: Ms. Bartl presented to Council Ordinance 2017-15 which would close the alley between 111 and 115 N. Main to vehicular traffic. She refreshed the Council on the upcoming Franklin Promenade alley activation project which was scheduled to begin after the first of the year. Mr. Johnson made a motion to introduce Ordinance 2017-15. Mr. Kessler seconded, and the motion carried 3-0.

Sewer Extension Design Approval: Holly Miller from DLZ Engineering provided the design for the South Side Sewer Extension. She pointed out additions that were added after the preliminary design and explained these additions would more than likely increase the expected cost of construction. Mr. Johnson made a motion to approve the design and advertise for construction bids. Mr. Kessler seconded, and the motion carried 3-0.

Stahlhut Yarde contract: Mr. Felger explained he had been in contract negotiations with the attorney for Stahlhut Yarde and he was unsure if the owners of Stahlhut Yarde had a chance to see the final contract. Roger Stahlhut, owner of the company stated he had talked to his attorney, but had not seen the final contract. Mr. Kessler made a motion to approve the contract between the Town of Churubusco and Stahlhut Yarde. Mr. Johnson seconded, and the motion carried 3-0. Mr. Felger stated he would forward the signed contract to Stahlhut Yarde’s attorney for their approval.

New Business:

1. Smoke Testing Proposal: President Pepple stated this item would be tabled as Mr. Hart is still working on obtaining quotes.
2. 2018 Police Car purchase: Marshall Engle presented quotes from Thomas Dodge for a 2018 Charger Police Interceptor. He stated the costs remained the same as last year’s. Mr. Kessler made a motion to approve the purchase of a 2018 Dodge Charger from Thomas Dodge. Mr. Johnson seconded, and the motion carried 3-0.
3. Library Proposal: Ms. Bartl reported she and Mr. Kessler had attended the Library Board meeting on Monday night to gauge the Board’s interest in selling the adjacent parking lot to the Town. Mr. Kessler stated obtaining the parking lot for use as a public parking facility had been in the downtown plan and was something they had approached the Library about several years ago. The Board at that time was not interested in selling the property, but after approaching this Board, they were open to the idea. The other council members agreed this purchase would be beneficial to both the Town and Library and it was approved by consensus to move forward with the purchase.

Department Reports:

Jeremy Hart, Town Supervisor

Mr. Hart presented the attached report.

Bob Gray, Waste Water Treatment Plant Supervisor

Mr. Gray stated the permit application had been turned in. He also stated the sludge had been hauled and applied.

Michael Engle, Town Marshal:

Marshal Engle had nothing to report.

Rick Krider, Park Supervisor:

Mr. Krider was not present.

Ron Felger, Town Attorney:

Mr. Felger had nothing to report.

Council Reports:

President Frank Kessler:

Mr. Kessler reported he had attended the Whitley Works meeting. The program is currently at WCCS and it helps to train high school students skills they will need to enter the workforce. The hope is to implement the program at all three of Whitley County’s high schools. He also reported that Main Street had received a façade grant request from K&K, but he was awaiting Main Street approval.

Bruce Johnson:

Mr. Johnson stated Turtle Days had elected a new president and vice-president and had chosen a theme. Mr. Kessler asked Mr. Johnson if he could ask a member to present a report at the Council meeting before the end of the year.

Mark Pepple:

Mr. Pepple reported the EMA recently reviewed the project that were completed during 2017 and looked forward to goals for 2018.

Madalyn Sade-Bartl:

Ms. Sade-Bartl reported she was still working on getting caught up. The Tree Lighting and Bake Sale would be held on Saturday Nov. 25 at the Point. She also had been answering questions concerning the RFP for the rate study. Those were due on December 1. She and Blue Lake were also working out billing issues, so the Blue Lake customers would officially be transferred on January 1, 2018. She was also involved in a Capital Improvements Plan meeting with the other department heads to occur on December 12 at 9:00 am.

Having no other business and after all proper papers were signed, Mr. Pepple adjourned the

meeting.