February 11, 2025 Meeting Minutes
- alyssaknepple5
- Feb 11
- 5 min read
SOUTH WHITLEY TOWN COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
TOWN HALL BOARD ROOM
118 E FRONT ST
SOUTH WHITLEY, IN 46787
FEBRUARY 11, 2025
6:30 PM
CALL TO ORDER: Meeting was called to order by Council President Brock Waterson at 6:30 pm. Members present were as follows: Council President Brock Waterson, Vice President Trey Weber, Councilman Randy Cokl, Town Attorney Greg Hockemeyer, Town Marshal Mikel Vandevender, and Clerk-Treasurer Alyssa Knepple. Utility Supervisor Kent Slater was not in attendance.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ADJUSTMENTS
CHRISTOPHER WORLEY | WATER – $ 314.90 WW - $1,063.92 | *This adjustment did not need approval because the leak was due to Town equipment failure. It is included so the Council was made aware of the large adjustment. |
RICHARD KREIDER | $ 340.86 | Councilman Cokl made a motion to accept the adjustment for $340.86. Councilman Weber seconded. Motion passed with a vote of 3-0. |
KEVIN COYLE | $ 248.65 | Councilman Cokl made a motion to accept the adjustment for $248.65. Councilman Weber seconded. Motion passed with a vote of 3-0. |
ASHLEY MILLER | $ 448.54 | Councilman Cokl made a motion to accept the adjustment for $448.54. Councilman Weber seconded. Motion passed with a vote of 3-0. |
JENNIFER BOSTON | $ 165.78 | Councilman Cokl made a motion to accept the adjustment for $165.78. Councilman Weber seconded. Motion passed with a vote of 3-0. |
NEW BUSINESS
OFFICER LIMORE SWEAR IN: Marshal Vandevender swore in Officer David Limore.
HUMANE SOCIETY OF WHITLEY COUNTY 2025 CONTRACT: The council reviewed the contract with the Humane Society of Whitley County and agreed to the annual fee that will not exceed $3,000. Councilman Weber made a motion to accept the 2025 contract with HSWC. Councilman Cokl seconded. Motion passed with a vote of 3-0.
DLZ: Mike Duffy from DLZ came in to seek approval to accept Brooks Construction bid for the 2024-2 CCMG project. Bids were opened on February 10, 2025 at 2:00 PM. Councilman Cokl made a motion to accept the Brooks Construction bid for the 2024-2 CCMG project and to allow Council President Brock Waterson so sign all documents related to the 2024-1 & 2 CCMG projects outside of an official meeting. This approval also includes permission for President Waterson to sign the IDEM notification of water line replacements on Mulberry Street. Councilman Weber seconded. Motion passed with a vote of 3-0.
· 2024-2 CCMG – Councilman Waterson expressed his concerns with API and the 2024-2 project. He wants to make sure that API keeps to their timeline so there are no disturbances in school dismissal. Mike Duffy said it would be something to discuss during the pre-construction meeting.
OLD BUSINESS
RATE STUDY CONTRACT DISCUSSION: The Clerk and the Council discussed the importance of having a rate study done because of rising costs. There are two different accounting firms that the Clerk has contacted to get quotes for a rate study from Baker Tilly and Krohn and Associates.
· During this discussion, town resident, Tony Starkey said he would like to discuss the amount of money his business, Fox Products, and Larod, LLC pay per year in utilities. He would like the Council to look at businesses and possibly give discounted utility rates to businesses interested in coming to South Whitley because he has investors ready to move into Town. He said it has been hard for him to find positives about South Whitley for these investors to have a want to move into town. Mr. Starkey is asking for the Town Council to meet with him on February 19th at 2:00 pm to walk through his vacant properties so they can see his progress and they can discuss what incentives can be given to bring new businesses to Town.
After Mr. Starkey left the meeting, the Council looked over the different quotes and because the price was very similar, they decided to go with Baker Tilly because the Town has worked with them before, and they have a good professional work relationship. Councilman Weber made a motion to accept Baker Tilly’s scope of work and contract with the limit of cost being $21,700.00. Councilman Cokl seconded. Motion passed with a vote of 3-0.
COUNCILMAN TOPICS
Councilman Waterson said the local boy scout troop would like to put a flag retirement box into the Clerks’ office for people to drop off their old flags so they can be disposed of properly.
Councilman Waterson asked the Clerk if the Town had any Whitko Pride decorations that could be put around town in support of the Lady Wildcats going to Regionals. The Clerk said there isn’t anything we currently have, but it is something she would look into purchasing for the future. Usually banners and light pole decorations take about 4-5 weeks to be delivered.
PUBLIC INPUT
None at this time
DEPARTMENT HEADS:
PARK BOARD UPDATE: The interested parties met with the Council at a public work session before the meeting today. There are six individuals interested, so the council appointed board members, but said the board should start a committee that would allow other residents to be involved in creating ideas and support for the parks department but not make final voting decisions. Council President Brock Waterson appointed Braylynn Anderson on a one-year term, Randy Simpson on a two-year term, Jenna Reiff to a three-year term, and Faye Johnson on a four-year term. These terms have a beginning date of January 1, 2025.
WASTE WATER/UTILITIES SUPERVISOR – KENT SLATER: not present
TOWN MARSHAL – MIKEL VANDEVENDER:
· Marshal Vandevender presented the Council with the contract for Officer David Limore. Councilman Cokl made a motion to accept the Limore contract. Councilman Weber seconded. Motion passed with a vote of 3-0.
· Marshal Vandevender asked the council for permission to hire another part-time officer. Because of their current position and the one they will be taking for another department, the Marshal would like to maintain this individual’s anonymity. Councilman Cokl made a motion to allow Marshal Vandevender to hire another part-time officer. Councilman Weber seconded. Motion passed with a vote of 3-0.
· Marshal Vandevender informed the council that Officer Fannin and the SRO, Officer Thomas, will be switching squad cars. The SUV Officer Thomas currently drives is better equipped for road pursuits and a K-9 that gets in and out of the vehicle frequently. Officer Fannin’s vehicle is not the best for road pursuits and is already set up for a K-9. The vehicles will be resurfaced to match the new squad cars, and the SRO vehicle will be wrapped with a new Whitko themed print. The cost for the switch comes from a donation Officer Fannin received for a new K-9 vehicle, so the Town will not pay for the resurfacing or new equipment to accommodate the officers’ switching vehicles. Councilman Cokl made a motion to allow Officer Fannin and Officer Thomas to switch squad vehicles. Councilman Weber seconded. Motion passed with a vote of 3-0.
TOWN ATTORNEY – GREGG HOCKEMEYER: Nothing to present.
CLERK-TREASURER – ALYSSA KNEPPLE: The Clerk’s office got the computer upgrades finished today. Everything went pretty smoothly, and the new system is working great.
APPROVALS:
APPROVAL FOR JANUARY 28TH REGULAR MEETING MINUTES: Councilman Cokl made a motion to accept the January 28th regular meeting minutes. Councilman Weber seconded. Motion passed with a vote of 3-0.
APPROVAL FOR FEBRUARY 11TH, 2025 APV’s TOTALING $ 224,924.68: Councilman Cokl made a motion to accept the February 11th, 2025, APV’s totaling $ 224,924.68. Councilman Weber seconded. Motion passed with a vote of 3-0.
APPROVAL FOR PAYROLL WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 3RD, 2025, TOTALING $ 12,212.57: Councilman Cokl made a motion to accept payroll for the week ending February 3rd, 2025, totaling $ 12,212.57. Councilman Weber seconded. Motion passed with a vote of 3-0.
APPROVAL FOR PAYROLL WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 10TH, 2025, TOTALING $ 11,829.21: Councilman Cokl made a motion to accept payroll for the week ending February 10th, 2025, totaling $ 11,829.21. Councilman Weber seconded. Motion passed with a vote of 3-0.
ADJOURN at: Meeting was adjourned at 7:23 pm by Council President Brock Waterson.
APPROVALS:
ATTEST: