March 26, 2024 Meeting Minutes

SOUTH WHITLEY TOWN COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING AGENDA

TOWN HALL BOARD ROOM

118 E FRONT ST

SOUTH WHITLEY, IN  46787

MARCH 26, 2024

6:30 PM

CALL TO ORDER: Meeting was called to order at 6:30 pm by Council President Randy Cokl. Members present were as follows: Council President Randy Cokl, Vice President Brock Waterson, Councilman Trey Weber, Utility Supervisor Kent Slater, Town Marshal Mikel Vandevender, Town Attorney

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

ADJUSTMENTS

BREANNA FREEMAN	$1,102.33	Councilman Waterson made a motion to accept the adjustment in the amount of $1,102.33. Councilman Weber seconded. Motion was passed with a vote of 3-0.
JOSEPH NESS	$1,611.52	Councilman Waterson made a motion to accept the adjustment in the amount of $1,611.52. Councilman Weber seconded. Motion was passed with a vote of 3-0.

NEW BUSINESS

Kris Shoemaker (Maple Street resident) is concerned about his sprinkler system being damaged during the construction of Maple Street. A couple of the sprinklers come out in the tree lawn that will be redone during construction. Kent informed the council that they can bring up the concern during the pre-construction meeting. Also, it is the property owner’s responsibility to locate the sprinklers and lines before construction begins.

Mike Sands was concerned about a blue couch sitting on the side of the road on Columbia Street. With trash pickup day coming in May, Borden has said that if there are smaller things properly wrapped and ready to go into the trash, they will pick them up. Otherwise, they will stay out and are the property owner’s responsibility after town trash day. Marshal Vandevender stated that address was on his list of ordinance violations to take care of.

OLD BUSINESS

IMPA SERVICE AGREEMENT: Attorney Hockemeyer read over the service agreement and said it was a standard contract for services. The council went through the contract and agreed there wasn’t anything concerning. Councilman Waterson made a motion to accept the 2024 IMPA service agreement. Councilman Weber seconded. Motion passed with a vote of 3-0.

206 & 208 PROPERTY: Brent Reed has not been able to do what he had expected with the properties. Attorney Hockemeyer said it would be a simple signing of paperwork to get the properties back into the Town’s ownership. He will get started on the quick-claim deed. The green parrot has also been discussed but is still in talks. Councilman Waterson would like to make a motion to acquire the properties back and move forward. Councilman Weber seconded. Motion passed with a vote of 3-0.

·        Councilman Waterson clarified that the Reed’s could take the buildings from their insurance beginning May 1, 2024. The Clerk will get the insurance switched back under the Town effective May 1, 2024.

ROSS WALKER: Councilman Waterson discussed the fire escape construction with Mr. Walker and came to an agreement that the council will only approve this change if the hole is covered with a grate that will be flush with the sidewalk. Councilman Waterson made a motion to accept Ross Walker’s building improvements ONLY based on the owner covering the hole with an approved grate that is flush with the sidewalk. Councilman Weber seconded. Motion passed with a vote of 3-0.

PUBLIC INPUT

Kiwanis Breakfast at the Press Room on March 30th 9:30 am – 11:30 am.

Town Easter Egg Hunt will begin at Noon on March 30th. There were 8 bikes and many prizes donated from businesses and residents in town. Over 2,000 eggs will be hidden in the South Whitley Youth League Baseball diamonds. Businesses around town will also have activity tables and coloring pages for kids while they wait for the hunt to begin.

DEPARTMENT HEADS:

PARK BOARD – DAVE WARNER:

·        The swing set has arrived and the Parks Department will be getting that installed soon.

·        Town Park will get re-mulched over the summer. The council wants the park board to look into getting black rubber mulch or something that might last a little longer than a couple seasons.  

WASTE WATER/UTILITIES SUPERVISOR – KENT SLATER: HydroCorp has given a quote for water meter replacements. The price includes resident letters and setting up appointments, getting meters programmed into TUNet, and installation. The project would replace all non-radio read meters in town, which is around 700. Councilman Waterson made a motion to accept the quote with HydroCorp in the amount of $57,160.00. Councilman Weber seconded. Motion passed with a vote of 3-0.

TOWN MARSHAL – MIKEL VANDEVENDER: Nothing to report     

TOWN ATTORNEY – GREGG HOCKEMEYER: Nothing to report

CLERK-TREASURER – ALYSSA KNEPPLE:

·        CONSULTING CONTRACT- Attorney Hockemeyer looked over the contract and stated he saw no issues. The Council would like to put a cap on the cost at $8,000. Councilman Waterson made a motion to accept the contract with Clarity Capital Consulting up to the amount of $8,000. Councilman Weber seconded the motion. Motion passed with a vote of 3-0.

APPROVALS:

APPROVAL FOR MARCH 12TH REGULAR MEETING MINUTES: Councilman Waterson made a motion to accept regular meeting minutes for March 12th. Councilman Weber seconded. Motion passed with a vote of 3-0.

APPROVAL FOR APV’s TOTALING $ 333,954.91: Councilman Waterson made a motion to accept APV’s totaling $333,954.91. Councilman Weber seconded. Motion passed with a vote of 3-0.

APPROVAL FOR PAYROLL WEEK ENDING MARCH 18, 2024, TOTALING $ 10,607.52: Councilman Waterson made a motion to accept payroll for the week ending March 18th. Councilman Weber seconded. Motion passed with a vote of 3-0.

APPROVAL FOR PAYROLL WEEK ENDING MARCH 25, 2024, TOTALING $ 8,881.35: Councilman Waterson made a motion to accept payroll for the week ending March 25th. Councilman Weber seconded. Motion passed with a vote of 3-0.

ADJOURN at: Meeting was adjourned at 7:07 pm by President Randy Cokl.