January 28, 2025 Meeting Minutes

SOUTH WHITLEY TOWN COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

TOWN HALL BOARD ROOM

118 E FRONT ST

SOUTH WHITLEY, IN  46787

JANUARY 28, 2024

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, Utility Supervisor Kent Slater, Town Marshal Mikel Vandevender, and Clerk-Treasurer Alyssa Knepple.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

ADJUSTMENTS

BRITTANY BALL

$473.44

Councilman Cokl made a motion to accept the adjustment for $473.44. Councilman Weber seconded. Motion passed with a vote of 3-0.

NEW BUSINESS

PARK BOARD INTERESTED CANDIDATES: (This topic was discussed after the I.T. contract discussion)

·        BRI SIMS, JENNA REIFF, BRAYLYNN ANDERSON- These women have approached the Clerk and showed an interest in being on the park board. Ms. Reiff and Mrs. Anderson live inside town limits, but Mrs. Sims lives inside the school district. There was discussion about what it meant to live in the district because the Clerk thought it was the school district, but Mr. Hockemeyer said it would most likely be the taxing district. Mr. Hockemeyer wants to table this discussion until he can look further into the state codes and town ordinances to verify.

·        When the park board topic was revisited, Mr. Hockemeyer found that the state code said district, which means taxing district, but the Town has a park board ordinance that says there should be four members with two being different political parties. The ordinance also gives the library a representative if they feel a member would be a significant asset. This member needs to be part of the library district, which would allow Mrs. Sims to be a member of the park board. Councilman Weber said he would reach out to the library and recommend Mrs. Sims as the library’s representative.

o   Mrs. Anderson gave some examples of ideas they have discussed for the parks and public places in town. They wanted to start with a survey of middle school and high school students to see what they are looking for in a public park. New basketball courts, different sports areas, activities they would be interested in attending, etc.

·        The park board candidates and current members will meet with the council on Tuesday February 11, 2025, at 5:30 pm to discuss the future of the board.

IMPA DEDICATED SERVICE RATE APPROVAL: The Clerk explained to the council the dedicated service rate form from IMPA was the approval of the extra fee applied to every monthly invoice that goes into a separate account. This account is used for services and projects that the Town needs done and before the Town receives an invoice, the funds for the project will be taken from the dedicated services account. The Town Hall line rerouting was paid for out of the dedicated services account. Councilman Weber made a motion to accept the dedicated services rate of $152.50 per meter. Councilman Cokl seconded. Motion passed with a vote of 3-0.

M. HARVEY I.T. CONTRACT: The Clerk presented the council with the 2025 contract from M. Harvey Technology & Consulting LLC. The contract was reviewed by Mr. Hockemeyer prior to the meeting and he gave his approval with no concerns. The monthly cost increase is due to the rising cost of security software and Microsoft 365. Mr. Harvey will also be helping with the live stream issues so the Town can begin having council meetings online for residents to watch at home. Councilman Cokl made a motion to accept the 2025 I.T. contract between the Town of South Whitley and M. Harvey Technology & Consulting, LLC. Councilman Weber seconded. Motion passed with a vote of 3-0.

DLZ 2025-1 CCMG APPLICATION: Dave Sheets from DLZ came to discuss the 2025-1 CCMG application and approve the streets that will be on the application. The council verified with the Clerk about the 25% match being included in the 2025 budget. The amount of the match will be $475,000. Dave also informed the council about the 2024-1 CCMG project that includes Mulberry Street and part of Main Street. The water line under Mulberry Street was discussed and needs to be replaced while the street is torn up. Dave said he would discuss this extra project with API, who won the bid for this project, to see if they would be willing to add the water line replacement into the project plans. The line is an 8” cast iron pipe that has been in place since the 50’s or 60’s. Councilman Weber made a motion to apply for the 2025-1 CCMG that will include Main Street, Wayne Street, and Elm Street. Councilman Cokl seconded. Motion passed with a vote of 3-0. Councilman Weber made a motion to give the Council President the authority to sign all documents related to the 2025-1 CCMG project. Councilman Cokl seconded. Motion passed with a vote of 3-0.

OLD BUSINESS

104 S STATE STREET PROPERTY: Councilman Weber informed the council that he would like to move forward with the purchase of the property and has lined up two appraisers to start the purchase process. Mr. Hockemeyer told Councilman Weber to give him the names and information of the appraisers and he will finalize the resolution regarding the potential acquisition of the property. Councilman Cokl motioned to approve Dawson Appraisal and Metz & Denney, LLC as the appraisers of the property, as well as give Councilman Weber permission to lead the purchase of the property as the Town representative. Councilman Waterson seconded. Motion passed with a vote of 3-0.

STREETLIGHTS: Councilman Waterson spoke with Kent Slater about the amount and locations of streetlights in need of new light bulbs. Mr. Slater informed the Council that when the new line truck is delivered, the lights will be changed, there is no safe way for the utility department to change those lights at this time.

PUBLIC INPUT

None

DEPARTMENT HEADS:

PARK BOARD: No representative present

WASTE WATER/UTILITIES SUPERVISOR – KENT SLATER:

·        Mr. Slater is still waiting for the official letter from IDEM regarding the wastewater plant upgrade Phase B. The letter will better explain how IDEM would like the Town to proceed.

·        The line truck has began the final inspection and everything looks good so far. Once the inspection is finished, the money will be wired, and then a delivery date will be set. The Town should receive the new truck within the next couple of weeks.

TOWN MARSHAL – MIKEL VANDEVENDER:

·        The police officers would like to inform the council of their concerns about the part-time officers receiving the same bonus as full-time officers. The council discussed the pros and cons of the part-time officers receiving the bonus but would like more time to discuss and find a solution. This topic was tabled for a future meeting.

·        Officer Limore will be going to the academy starting May 6, 2025, with a graduation date of August 22, 2025. He will be sworn in at the February 11, 2025, council meeting.

TOWN ATTORNEY – GREGG HOCKEMEYER:

·        The park board candidates were discussed more in depth

CLERK-TREASURER – ALYSSA KNEPPLE:

·        CROSSROADS BANK LOAN APPROVAL- The equipment loan from Crossroads Bank was discussed and has been set up for a total amount of $17,024.20 with quarterly payments beginning July 15, 2025, in the amount of $1,560.83. The loan is going to cover the upfront costs of new 4 new office computers and a new police radio. Councilman Cokl made a motion to accept the equipment lease with Crossroads Bank for $17,024.20. Councilman Waterson seconded. Motion passed with a vote of 2-0. Councilman Weber abstained from the vote.

·        The Clerk had her meeting with Jeff Rowe from Baker Tilly today. They discussed the reason for the study, any upcoming extensive projects, etc. Mr. Rowe said he would get a contract and quote of services prepared and ready for approval at the next council meeting.

APPROVALS:

APPROVAL FOR JANUARY 14TH REGULAR MEETING MINUTES: Councilman Cokl made a motion to accept the January 14th regular meeting minutes. Councilman Weber seconded. Motion passed with a vote of 3-0.

APPROVAL FOR JANUARY 28TH, 2025 APV’s TOTALING $ 324,344.76: Councilman Cokl made a motion to accept January 28th APV’s totaling $ 324,344.76. Councilman Weber seconded. Motion passed with a vote of 3-0. 

APPROVAL FOR PAYROLL WEEK ENDING JANUARY 20TH, 2025, TOTALING $11,859.49: Councilman Cokl made a motion to accept payroll for the week ending January 20th, 2025, totaling $11,859.49. Councilman Weber seconded. Motion passed with a vote of 3-0.

APPROVAL FOR PAYROLL WEEK ENDING JANUARY 27TH, 2025, TOTALING $ 12,423.35: Councilman Cokl made a motion to accept payroll for the week ending January 27th, 2025, totaling $12,433.35. Councilman Weber seconded. Motion passed with a vote of 3-0.

ADJOURN at: Meeting was adjourned at 7:07 PM by Council President Brock Waterson.

APPROVALS:

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