July 23, 2024 Meeting Minutes
- alyssaknepple5
- Jul 23, 2024
- 5 min read
SOUTH WHITLEY TOWN COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
TOWN HALL BOARD ROOM
118 E FRONT ST
SOUTH WHITLEY, IN 46787
JULY 23, 2024
6:30 PM
CALL TO ORDER: Meeting was called to order by Councilman Trey Weber at 6:30 pm. Members present were as follows: Council Vie President Brock Waterson, Councilman Trey Weber, Utility Supervisor Kent Slater, Town Marshal Mikel Vandevender, Town Attorney Greg Hockemeyer, and Clerk-Treasurer Alyssa Knepple. Council President Randy Cokl was not in attendance.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ADJUSTMENTS
NONE
NEW BUSINESS
2024 CCMG AWARD: Councilman Waterson told the council about the many calls he has been receiving about the trees coming down during construction. The public will be informed to contact the Clerks’ office if they have concerns about the trees on their property. The Clerk will then give the list to DLZ and try to find a solution. This will be put out in the text chain and on the Towns’ Facebook page.
· Councilman Waterson made a motion was passed to award API Construction the 2024 CCMG project with the bid of $1,559,687.60 and grant signed authority to Council President Randy Cokl. Councilman Weber seconded. Motion passed with a vote of 2-0.
· Mike Duffy with DLZ informed the council that since the Town was awarded more than the project was bid for. There is a remaining balance that can be applied for in the 2024-2 CCMG cycle. Councilman Waterson made a motion to authorize Council President Randy Cokl to sign the applications and financial commitment letter to use the remaining awarded balance in the 2024-2 CCMG cycle. Councilman Weber seconded. Motion passed with a vote of 2-0.
OLD BUSINESS
The Cleveland Township Fire Department is wanting the council to vote on whether the Town will pay for half of a fire territory survey. Because of the absence of Councilman Cokl, the topic was tabled until the meeting on August 13, 2024.
PUBLIC INPUT
Karen Jordan: Karen has been looking into grants that would help pay for the repainting of the old water tower. She also discussed how she is looking into getting it added as an Indiana Landmark. She has been looking at old meeting minutes to find the year the water tower was built. Kent Slater stated there is a plaque on the tower that says 1932. The Clerk stated it might be in some of the meeting minutes that are still in the office at Town Hall. She would look into those and see if she can find that information.
DEPARTMENT HEADS:
PARK BOARD – DAVE WARNER:
· Dave has been working with Kent on the swing set layout for White Rock Park to try and get that up by fall. He wants to possibly put more but wants to see how it goes with just the swing set for now. Also, the land behind AG Plus’ elevator.
· There is a website developer working with Dave to set up the Pickleball Tournament for the Fall Festival because the lady he used in the past is unavailable this year.
· The Rudd property that was given to the Town is on the agenda to be developed. The park board is looking at maybe a bench with nice flowers since the space isn’t too big. Karen Jordan suggested doing a war memorial to honor South Whitley residents that have served.
· In the Towns’ comprehensive plan, there was suggestions about developing more of the launch area to provide rentals, a pier for fishing, and even an ADA ramp for kayakers. He is talking with DNR about possibly doing rentals and a river clean up.
WASTE WATER/UTILITIES SUPERVISOR – KENT SLATER:
· IMPA has been working with Kent to resolve the number of lines coming off a pole that connects to Town Hall on Front St. Some of the circuits have been there for many years and are no longer needed. IMPA is requesting to re-organize the electrical lines and remove the unnecessary ones. Councilman Waterson made a motion to accept the project option 1 that includes the 3-phase GOAB and using our funds in our dedicated services. Councilman Weber seconded. Motion passed with a vote of 2-0.
· Kent also looked into the sewer line issue on Line Street. He pumped 12,000 gallons of water into the lines and there were no issues on our end. He referred the owners to Miller Sewer and Drain to help diagnose the problem.
TOWN MARSHAL – MIKEL VANDEVENDER:
· The Marshal is seeking approval from the council to officially hire Isaac Haupert as a new Deputy Marshal. Marshal Vandevender told the council his polygraph test came back and everything looked great. The council previously interviewed Mr. Haupert and his hiring was put on hold until the results of the polygraph came back. Councilman Waterson made a motion to hire Isaac Haupert for the police department. Councilman Weber seconded. Motion passed with a vote of 2-0.
· Marshal Vandevender also is asking the council to approve Mr. Haupert’s pay at $55,000 annually as a probationary pay until he graduates from the Academy. Councilman Waterson makes a motion to accept Mr. Haupert’s probationary pay at $55,000 annually until graduation from the Academy. Councilman Weber seconded. Motion passed with a vote of 2-0.
· Councilman Waterson made a motion to use town streets during Fall Festival and allow State Street to be closed from September 25th to September 29th. Councilman Weber seconded. Motion passed with a vote of 2-0.
· SHOP WITH A COP RAFFLE DRAWING- The winners of the Master BBQ baskets are Julie Cline & Marty and Cindy Rossiter, the gas gift card from Country Corner is Abby McClairin, the Sugar Creek gift card and basket is Kyle Boggs, and the grand prize of a Blackstone Grill is Steve Hoopengardner.
TOWN ATTORNEY – GREGG HOCKEMEYER:
· Greg was informed that the claim made against the Town with the EEOC has been closed without taking any action against the Town.
CLERK-TREASURER – ALYSSA KNEPPLE: Town Hall needs a new sign outside of the building. The Clerk will look into a couple of different companies and options.
APPROVALS:
APPROVAL FOR JULY 9TH REGULAR MEETING MINUTES: Councilman Weber made a motion to approve July 9th Meeting Minutes. Councilman Waterson seconded. Motion passed with a vote of 2-0.
APPROVAL FOR MARCH AND APRIL BANK RECONCILIATIONS: Councilman Weber made a motion to approve March and April 2024 bank reconciliations. Councilman Waterson seconded. Motion passed with a vote of 2-0.
APPROVAL FOR JULY 23RD APV’S TOTALING $315,374.71: Councilman Weber made a motion to approve APV’s totaling $315,374.71. Councilman Waterson seconded. Motion passed with a vote of 2-0.
APPROVAL FOR PAYROLL WEEK ENDING JULY 8, 2024, TOTALING $10,187.01: Councilman Weber made a motion to accept payroll for the week ending July 8th totaling $10,187.01. Councilman Waterson seconded. Motion passed with a vote of 2-0.
APPROVAL FOR PAYROLL WEEK ENDING JULY 15, 2024 TOTALING $12,357.22: Councilman Weber made a motion to accept payroll for the week ending July 15th totaling $12,357.22. Councilman Waterson seconded. Motion passed with a vote of 2-0.
APPROVAL FOR PAYROLL WEEK ENDING JULY 22, 2024 TOTALING $10,738.39: Councilman Weber made a motion to accept payroll for the week ending July 22nd totaling $10,738.39. Councilman Waterson seconded. Motion passed with a vote of 2-0.
ADJOURN at: Meeting was adjourned by Councilman Weber at 7:06 pm.
APPROVAL:
ATTEST: