SOUTH WHITLEY TOWN COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
TOWN HALL BOARD ROOM
118 E FRONT ST
SOUTH WHITLEY, IN 46787
FEBRUARY 27, 2024
6:30 PM
CALL TO ORDER: Meeting was called to order at 6:30 pm by Council President Randy Cokl. All members present were as follows: Council President Randy Cokl, Vice President Brock Waterson, Councilman Trey Weber, Town Attorney Greg Hockemeyer, and Clerk Treasurer Alyssa Knepple. Town Marshal Mikel Vandevender and Utility Supervisor Kent Slater were not in attendance.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ADJUSTMENTS
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NEW BUSINESS
2023 CCMG CONTRACT SIGNING: Mike Duffy from DLZ was in attendance to have the Councilmen sign off on the CCMG 2023-2 project. This project is a $1.3 million project that will cover a complete reconstruction and some surface work on five different streets in town. Councilman Waterson made a motion to allow Council President Randy Cokl to sign any other documents for the 2023-2 project alone. Councilman Weber seconded. Motion passed with a vote of 3-0.
OLD BUSINESS
GARAGE SALE DATES 2024: Town wide garage sales have been scheduled for April 26th and April 27th. The Clerks’ office is getting the porta-pots for the sale.
DOWNTOWN LIGHTING: The poles have started to come in and when Cory Schipper started removing some of the older poles, he noticed there was a different bolt pattern on some of the existing poles. He went and ordered 12 poles that have a smaller bolt pattern. The poles should be delivered between the beginning of April to the second week in May.
SOUTH STATE PROPERTY: Matt Long has sent his second invoice for the work that has been done on the property. Once he is finished, the council can continue to move forward with making walking trails and maybe some parking on the property.
There is a vacancy in the planning commission and redevelopment commission. The council will need to appoint a new representative at the next meeting.
PUBLIC INPUT
KAREN JORDAN: Karen brought in some different examples of murals that her husband has seen in other small towns. She suggested having a mural contest or the Whitko senior class do the mural on the side of the Subway building if the owner would approve it.
ANDY BOWERS: He would like to plan a fall festival/ chili cook-off for small businesses and residents to come together for block party. The council told him to put something together with his ideas and they can look it over and approve it.
CAMPER ZONING ISSUE: Marshal Vandevender has been working with Nathan Bilger of the Planning and Building Department to find out exactly if there is an issue and how it can be enforced. He should have an update at the next council meeting.
DEPARTMENT HEADS:
PARK BOARD – DAVE WARNER: Not present.
WASTE WATER/UTILITIES SUPERVISOR – KENT SLATER: Not present due to medical leave.
· ROSS WALKER: Councilmen discussed the request from Ross Walker to cut into the sidewalk to make a fire escape for the apartment he is wanting to put in the basement of the old laundromat. The council would like Mr. Walker to come to a meeting and explain exactly what he is planning to do to cover the holes. The council is also going to reach out to Nathan Bilger at Planning and Building to see if they have any concerns with the project.
TOWN MARSHAL – MIKEL VANDEVENDER: Not present due to being on vacation.
TOWN ATTORNEY – GREGG HOCKEMEYER: Filed a letter to the EEOC stating the Town’s stance on the discrimination lawsuit.
CLERK-TREASURER – ALYSSA KNEPPLE:
· CAPITAL ASSET LEDGER: Looking into a few different companies and financial advisors that will help the Town get their Capital Asset Ledger put together and be approved by the SBOA.
· Working on getting registered to take a notary class. Greg is going to investigate whether that is a necessity or if the Clerk can hold two different “offices” since she holds enough power just as the Clerk.
· The Clerk will be out of the office March 18 through March 21 for ILMCT Institute and Academy training in Plainfield.
· Working with Text-My-Gov to advertise a promotion to encourage residents to sign up for Town wide updates and alerts. More information to come!
APPROVALS:
APPROVAL FOR FEBRUARY 13, 2024 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES: Councilman Waterson made a motion to accept the regular meeting minutes for February 13. Councilman Weber seconded. Motion passed with a vote of 3-0.
APPROVAL FOR APV’s TOTALING $25, 650.33: Councilman Waterson made a motion to accept APV’s in the amount of $25,650.33. Councilman Weber seconded. Motion passed with a vote of 3-0.
APPROVAL FOR PAYROLL WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 19, 2024, TOTALING $11,226.84: Councilman Waterson made a motion to accept payroll for the week ending February 19 in the amount of $11,226.84. Councilman Weber seconded. Motion passed with a vote of 3-0.
APPROVAL FOR PAYROLL WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 26, 2024, TOTALING $9,405.76: Councilman Waterson made a motion to accept payroll for the week ending February 26 in the amount of $9,405.76. Councilman Weber seconded. Motion passed with a vote of 3-0.
ADJOURN at: Meeting was adjourned at 7:03 pm by Council President Randy Cokl.