Meeting Minutes – July 2, 2025- DRAFT
The Churubusco Town Council held a meeting at 6:00 p.m. on July 2, 2025, at the Town Hall, 215 Home Avenue, Churubusco, Indiana. The meeting was called to order by the President with roll called by the Clerk-Treasurer. The Council members were present or absent as follows:
Present: Devin Keener, Nathan Van Horn, Mark Pepple
Absent: None
Madalyn Sade-Bartl, Clerk-Treasurer, was also present.
Encroachment Hearing- 953 W. Wheatfield Lane: Lori Crigger, owner of 953 W. Wheatfield Lane was present. She stated she would like to replace her existing fence that was encroaching the utility easement behind her house. Mr. Pepple made a motion to allow the encroachment. Mr. Keener seconded, and the motion carried 3-0
Encroachment Hearing- 115 S. Main Street: Ms. Bartl stated the American Legion was seeking approval to encroach the easement behind their building for an ADA ramp. The ramp would be removable, but the Planning Department stated approval must be given before building plans would be approved. Mr. Pepple made a motion to approve the encroachment. Mr. Keener seconded, and the motion passed 3-0.
Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes: Mr. Pepple made a motion to approve the meeting minutes for June 18, 2025, Executive Session minutes from June 23, 2025, and Special Meeting minutes for June 23, 2025. Mr. Keener seconded, and the motion carried 3-0.
Approval of Claims: Claims and payroll vouchers in the amount of $520,673.23 were approved and signed.
Public Comment: Kayla Crance brought to the Council’s attention that a complaint made by Shawn Gordon at the June 18, 2025 was not addressed and a tree was removed as a result. She also stated a tree at 401 Weston was also removed and the resident was upset about the removal.
OLD BUSINESS
There was no old business.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Approval of Pay App- Project B- $87,445.14 (release of retainage): Ms. Bartl presented Pay App 14 for Project B of the Sewer Project. Mr. Pepple made a motion to approve the pay application as presented. Mr. Keener seconded, and the motion carried 3-0.
The items 2-6 under new business (Appointment of Plan Commission Member, Appointment of BZA member, Appointment of RSD member, Appointment of Solid Waste member, Appointment of Chamber Board member) were tabled.
7. Ideal Grant Administration Contract: Mr. Boxberger reminded the Council they had signed an agreement with Ideal to administer their grant from the Indiana Housing Authority. He stated that it was the understanding, when the agreement was signed, that Ms. Bartl would be administering the grant. He explained that she still could as clerk-treasurer, but a resolution would have to be passed explaining any additional wages would be paid directly from the funds received by Ideal for grant administration services. He also explained that the Town could also hire another grant administrator to administer the grant. The Council agreed to have a special meeting to weigh their options.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Water/Street Department- Jeremy Hart: Mr. Hart was not present but left the attached report.
Wastewater Plant- Riley Templeton: Mr. Templeton stated construction was moving along and Cameron was learning a lot. He also stated there was a water leak at the Plant that he was going to fix after the holiday.
Police Department- Dustin Papenbrock: Marshal Papenbrock stated his department was running well and he and John Forker would be fabricating a mobile speed sign from an old trailer. He also reported he was planning on repainting the PD.
Park Department- Rick Krider: Mr. Krider was not present but sent the Council a report.
Town Attorney- Andy Boxberger: Mr. Boxberger had nothing to report.
TOWN COUNCIL REPORTS
Mr. Pepple stated he met with Marshal Papenbrock, and he would like to see the Council members take on specific departments, so they had someone to report to. He felt that would open up communication.
Mr. Van Horn stated he met with Mr. Hart and Casey Erwin to receive an update on the projects that were going on. He also stated he received an email from the Whitley County Solid Waste District letting him know they were discontinuing their payroll contract with the Town.
Mr. Keener had nothing to report.
CLERK-TREASURER REPORT
Ms. Bartl had nothing to report.
There being no further business to come before the meeting, the meeting was thereupon adjourned.
______________________________________ __________________________________________
Nathan Van Horn, President Mark Pepple, Council Member
______________________________________
Devin Keener, Council Member
ATTEST:
____________________________________________Madalyn Sade-Bartl, Clerk-Treasurer
