December 23, 2024 Meeting Minutes
- alyssaknepple5
- Dec 23, 2024
- 5 min read
SOUTH WHITLEY TOWN COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
TOWN HALL BOARD ROOM
118 E FRONT ST
SOUTH WHITLEY, IN 46787
DECEMBER 23, 2024
4:30 PM
CALL TO ORDER: Meeting was called to order by Council President Randy Cokl at 4:30 pm. Members present were as follows: Council President Randy Cokl, Vice President Brock Waterson, Councilman Trey Weber, Town Attorney Greg Hockemeyer, Utility Supervisor Kent Slater, Town Marshal Mikel Vandevender, and Clerk-Treasurer Alyssa Knepple.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ADJUSTMENTS
GFH, LLC (JOE GRANT) 401 W WAYNE | $ 71.86 | Councilman Waterson made a motion to accept the adjustment for $71.86. Councilman Weber seconded. Motion passed with a vote of 3-0. |
NEW BUSINESS
2025 INSURANCE RENEWAL: Tonya Warner from The Hilb Group presented the Town with the 2025 insurance policy. There has been a 29% increase in prices because of the number of claims in 2024. The policy lapses on 1/1/2025. The council discussed how they would like to be notified closer to budget preparation on what the estimate of insurances costs would be so they can have the option to look at other providers if the price isn’t satisfactory. Mr. Hockemeyer stated that on behalf of the Town that they will require the premium estimate in august or September to give a reasonable amount of time to get quotes from other insurance options and even other insurance representation, if needed. After the discussion, Councilman Waterson made a motion to accept the 2025 insurance package. Councilman Weber seconded. Motion passed with a vote of 3-0.
2025 SALARY ORDINANCE 2ND READING: Councilman Cokl asked if the other councilmen have looked over the Salary Ordinance and if they had any questions. Both said they had looked over the information and had no questions. Councilman Waterson made a motion to accept the 2025 Salary Ordinance at its second reading. Councilman Weber seconded. Motion passed with a vote of 3-0.
EMPLOYEE YEAR END BONUS: The Council discussed different amounts for what they felt would be a sufficient year-end bonus and agreed on $300 for each full-time employee, and that included the part-time custodian, Renee Enyeart. Councilman Waterson made a motion to give each full-time employee $300 and the custodian should be included as well. Councilman Weber seconded. Motion passed with a vote of 3-0.
2025 APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS: Councilman Cokl read the names for reappointment for Redevelopment Commission, Planning Commission, and BZA. Councilman Waterson asked why the members from the Council were not said and Mr. Hockemeyer reminded him that the RDC is reappointed every year, but the other two groups have staggered terms. Councilman Waterson made a motion to approve the reappointment of Teresa Carrano, Karen Jordan, Bryan Rose, and Brock Waterson to the Redevelopment Commission for 2025, Wendy Bills for the Planning Commission, and Rodney Hardesty for BZA. Councilman Weber seconded. Motion passed with a vote of 3-0.
· Councilman Weber stated he would be the Region 3A representative for 2025.
· Councilman Weber nominated by motion that Brock Waterson be the Council President for 2025, and Councilman Waterson nominated by motion for Trey Weber to be the Vice President for 2025. Each motion was seconded by Councilman Cokl. Motions passed with a vote of 3-0.
Councilman Waterson informed Kent Slater about some of the streetlights that are out. Mr. Slater said the bucket truck is being repaired and needs all the hydraulics replaced, so it is going to take about a month.
OLD BUSINESS
· Councilman Weber has been in contact with the owner of the old flower shop, who has expressed interest in selling the building to the Town, as well as the owners of the property on the corner of St. Rd 5 and 14. He is going to contact both owners at the beginning of the year to further discuss the properties.
· Councilman Waterson talked about how the Town wanted to beautify the land across the river. The council talked about putting baseball fields there, but the property is in a flood way and because of the fences for baseball fields would stop the flow of debris. Soccer fields could be an option.
· Councilman Waterson would also like to get the property ready and start the process for the bridge to be built to cross the river and connect the two parks.
· Councilman Waterson talked with the building department, and he said the Town might have enough right of way for the sidewalk to be built from the 5 way stop to Whispering Hills by a private contractor. Councilman Weber has been in contact with Matt Brinkman from Region 2A to start and get the sidewalk built. Matt told Councilman Weber that if INDOT had not returned his call or email, to let him know and Matt would reach out to INDOT on our behalf.
· Councilman Waterson talked to the Head Contractor of the CCMG 2023 project, and he stated he is going to try is best to start the next project on time and stay on schedule since it will affect the streets to the schools.
· Councilman Weber also discussed the property that was gifted to Aaron McClure on Hathaway Drive. It was brought up that the property was given to Mr. McClure to build AJ Machine, but the property was then used as collateral for him to buy the property in Columbia City where the business is currently. For the Town to initiate imminent domain, there must be a very specific governmental purpose for the property.
PUBLIC INPUT
No public input
DEPARTMENT HEADS:
PARK BOARD – DAVE WARNER: Not Present
WASTE WATER/UTILITIES SUPERVISOR – KENT SLATER: Nothing to present.
TOWN MARSHAL – MIKEL VANDEVENDER:
· Marshal Vandevender asked the council for the approval of signing the title of the 2015 Ford Explorer police vehicle over to Copsgear.com as a trade for services rendered. Councilman Waterson made a motion to transfer the title of the police vehicle to Copsgear.com as payment for services rendered in the installation of equipment for the new police vehicles. Councilman Weber seconded. Motion passed with a vote of 3-0.
· Marshal Vandevender informed the Council that Sgt. Johnson finished his instructor training. Also, Officer Haupert will be starting ILEA training on January 6th, 2025, as well as Officer Limore will be starting pre-basic on January 6th, 2025.
· Marshal Vandevender informed the council that he looked at the vehicle that was involved in a traffic stop by Officer Fannin and resulted in possible damage when the K9 did her search. The Marshal will forward Mr. Hockemeyer everything he has on the case and see what his take is on the Towns’ options for a resolution.
TOWN ATTORNEY – GREGG HOCKEMEYER:
· Mr. Hockemeyer informed the council that he does not have a closing date for the 206 & 208 S State Street properties. He will notify the council as soon as he gets the information.
CLERK-TREASURER – ALYSSA KNEPPLE:
· Councilman Waterson made a motion to accept the meeting minutes from the December 20th executive session and public meeting regarding personnel. Councilman Weber seconded. Motion passed with a vote of 2-0. Councilman Cokl abstained because of his absence at the meetings being voted on.
APPROVALS:
APPROVAL FOR DECEMBER 10TH REGULAR MEETING MINUTES: Councilman Waterson made a motion to accept the December 10th regular meeting minutes. Councilman Weber seconded. Motion passed with a vote of 3-0.
APPROVALS FOR AUGUST 2024 BANK RECONCILIATIONS: Councilman Waterson made a motion to accept the August 2024 bank reconciliations. Councilman Weber seconded. Motion passed with a vote of 3-0.
APPROVAL FOR DECEMBER 23RD APV’s TOTALING $ 268,855.89: Councilman Waterson made a motion to accept the December 23rd APV’s totaling $268,855.89. Councilman Weber seconded. Motion passed with a vote of 3-0.
APPROVAL FOR PAYROLL WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 16TH, 2024, TOTALING $12,752.54: Councilman Waterson made a motion to accept payroll for the week ending December 16th totaling $ 12,752.54 Councilman Weber seconded. Motion passed with a vote of 3-0.
APPROVAL FOR PAYROLL WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 23RD, 2024, TOTALING $10,740.98: Councilman Waterson made a motion to accept payroll for the week ending December 23rd totaling $10,740.98. Councilman Weber seconded. Motion passed with a vote of 3-0.
ADJOURN at: Meeting was adjourned at 5:21 PM by Council President Randy Cokl.
APPROVAL: ATTEST: