Meeting Minutes – February 18, 2026
The Churubusco Town Council held a meeting at 6:00 p.m. on February 18th, 2026 at the Churubusco Town Hall, 215 Home Avenue, Churubusco, Indiana. The meeting was called to order by the President with roll called by the Deputy Clerk-Treasurer. The Council members were present or absent as follows:
Present: Devin Keener, Mark Pepple, Nathan Van Horn
Absent: None
Natalie Blessing, Deputy Clerk-Treasurer, and Brendan Ruff, Town Attorney representative, were also present.
Public Hearing: Tower Lease: Mr. Pepple opened the public hearing for the tower lease. After hearing no public comment, Mr. Pepple closed the meeting.
Approval of meeting minutes: 1/21/26 & 2/9/26: Mr. Keener made a motion to approve the meeting minutes from the 1/21/26 regular meeting and the 2/9/26 executive session. Mr. Van Horn seconded and the motion carried 3-0.
Approval of Claims: Claims and payroll vouchers in the amount of $242,085.19 were approved and signed.
Public Comment: Dave Murphy and Rob Lysaght spoke as representatives of the Turtle Days board. They asked the council to consider paying for the festival’s insurance as they had done the year prior. They also asked if the town attorney would be able to assist in updating their paperwork as well. Mr. Pepple advised that he would like to look at the budget before making any decisions. Mr. Murphy also advised the festival will be held June 10th-13th this year.
OLD BUSINESS
1. Tower Lease: Mr. Ruff advised that they did get confirmation from APC Towers that they approved the final version of the lease agreement. The attorney explained the changes to the council. Mr. Van. Horn made a motion to suspend the rules so they can approve the lease on the first reading. Mr. Pepple seconded and the motion carried 3-0. Mr. Van Horn then made a motion to approve the lease. Mr. Keener seconded and the motion carried 3-0.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Water Distribution Improvements Pay App 3 – Casey Erwin with DLZ presented Pay App #3 for Bunn Excavating in the amount of $8,920.05. Mr. Keener made a motion to approve the pay app as presented. Mr. Van Horn seconded and the motion carried 3-0.
2. Project A – Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade – Change Order 10 – Mr. Erwin presented change order 10 for the Wastewater Treatment project. He advised that this change order was for the gate needed at the plant. He stated the Town is able to purchase the material using SRF funding, but that Crosby would not be doing the installation. He advised the Town have American Pump install the gate and pay for it out of the operating budget. Mr. Pepple stated he wanted to speak with Ms. Sade-Bartl about the budget before making a decision. Mr. Van Horn made a motion to approve the change order on the contingency that the funds were available in the budget. Mr. Keener seconded and the motion carried 3-0.
3. Downtown Busco Subdivision Plat: Mr. Hart confirmed the changes to the plat he suggested had been implemented. Mr. Keener made a motion to approve the plat. Mr. Van Horn seconded and the motion carried 3-0.
4. Lot Donation: Mr. Keener made a motion to donate lot 3 of the Downtown Busco Subdivision to the Churubusco Library on the contingency they will sign a Memorandum of Understanding that the Town Council will be allowed to use the building for their meetings. After some discussion, Mr. Van Horn seconded the motion and the motion carried 3-0.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Water/Street Department- Jeremy Hart: Mr. Hart presented the attached report.
Wastewater Plant- Riley Templeton: Mr. Templeton was not present.
Dustin Papenbrock: Mr. Papenbrock advised he signed a few of his officers up for trainings that will allow them to become instructors.
Rick Krider: Mr. Krider reported there were a lot of people back at the park now that the weather has gotten warmer. He also stated the girl’s softball team has started practice.
Town Attorney- Andy Boxberger: Mr. Boxberger was not present and Mr. Ruff had nothing to report.
TOWN COUNCIL REPORTS
Mr. Pepple had nothing to report.
Mr. Keener had nothing to report.
Mr. Van Horn had nothing to report.
CLERK-TREASURER REPORT
Ms. Bartl was not present, but Ms. Blessing advised that she has been working with the bank and the Town is now able to offer a free way to set up auto pay for utility bills. She reported that there will be a letter going out in the March billing with more information.
There being no further business to come before the meeting, the meeting was thereupon adjourned.
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Mark Pepple, President Nathan Van Horn, Council Member
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Devin Keener, Council Member
ATTEST:
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Madalyn Sade-Bartl, Clerk-Treasurer
