November 26, 2024 Meeting Minutes
- alyssaknepple5
- Nov 26, 2024
- 4 min read
SOUTH WHITLEY TOWN COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
TOWN HALL BOARD ROOM
118 E FRONT ST
SOUTH WHITLEY, IN 46787
NOVEMBER 26, 2024
6:30 PM
CALL TO ORDER: Meeting was called to order by Council President Randy Cokl at 6:30 pm. Members present were as follows: Council President Randy Cokl, Vice President Brock Waterson, Utility Supervisor Kent Slater, Town Attorney Greg Hockemeyer, and Clerk-Treasurer Alyssa Knepple. Councilman Trey Weber and Town Marshal Mikel Vandevender were not in attendance.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ADJUSTMENTS
NONE
NEW BUSINESS
OLD BUSINESS
BRIAN MCCARTY: Mr. McCarty is ready and signed the contract. He has started working on the properties and getting them cleaned out. Attorney Hockemeyer said he will contact the council when he has the closing information. There was a question from the audience about Green Parrot building connected to the 206 & 208 properties. Councilman Waterson stated that Brent Reed is still the owner of the Parrot and has good ideas for the building. He’s hoping that with the other two properties getting remodeled, it will help inspire a remodel of the Parrot.
PUBLIC INPUT
KAREN JORDAN: Asked about the trash being picked up at 106 N Maple. She had been walking the alleys with the construction going on and noticed the trash was full but the house is currently empty so she didn’t know how they would get their trash picked up. Also, there is an old mattress in the dumpster behind the post office that looks like it belongs to one of the apartments above a business on State Street. The Clerk stated she would talk to Borden to see if there is anything they can do about those issues.
EDC: Dale Buuck gave the council an update about what the EDC has been doing.
· There is a broadband task force created with Surf Net and MediaCom, but there is another option the group is looking into “Lakeland Internet”, which uses Terrana technology. Installing 7 towers in Whitley County that use this technology could cover almost the entire county, especially the rural areas. It gives great service to our rural residents at an affordable cost. There are currently studies being done around the county to get information on current coverage.
· The EDC has hired contractors to help facilitate community development plans and help develop the smaller towns around Whitley County. They can even help Mr. McCarty to find grants and funding for the building repair costs.
· Councilman Waterson askes Mr. Buuck if the EDC can assist the town with getting INDOT to install a sidewalk from the Town digital sign to Whispering Hills. This is a concern for our council because there are many kids who walk down that street to get to school and it is on a main highway through town.
· Councilman Waterson also asked for assistance in applying for grants to help with the restoration on the water tower that has now been deemed a historical landmark.
DEPARTMENT HEADS:
PARK BOARD – DAVE WARNER: Not present
WASTE WATER/UTILITIES SUPERVISOR – KENT SLATER:
· Kent asked the council what the price is for the rest of the old light poles. Mr. Hockemeyer stated that since the others were sold at $325 for taller and $395 for short. Council agrees that this should be the set price for any other inquiries about purchasing the remaining light poles.
· The line truck needs repaired, and the parts are no longer being made. It would be an expensive repair. Kent is suggesting the purchase of a newer used line truck. The council advises Kent to get some prices of replacement trucks.
· Maple Street construction is almost finished. API is now waiting for the weather to warm up enough for them to pave.
TOWN MARSHAL – MIKEL VANDEVENDER: Not present
TOWN ATTORNEY – GREGG HOCKEMEYER: Mr. Hockemeyer said he will look over the contract from Brian McCarty and let the council know when the closing will be.
CLERK-TREASURER – ALYSSA KNEPPLE:
· 2025 COUNCIL MEETING DATE APPROVAL: Councilman Waterson asked the Clerk if there is anything different about these dates. All dates are still the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month at 6:30 pm. Councilman Waterson made a motion to accept the 2025 council meeting dates. Councilman Cokl seconded. Motion passed with a vote of 2-0.
· The Clerk also let people know there is a new trash guy that has been doing pick up for South Whitley. He has never had a trash collection job before this, so the Town is asking for patience from residents while he continues to learn. If a residents’ trash gets missed, leave it out and call the Clerks’ office with your address. They will call Borden on Monday morning with the missed addresses and another guy will be sent to get the missed addresses. Also, trash will be picked up on Saturday November 20th because of the Thanksgiving holiday.
APPROVALS:
APPROVAL FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION MEETING MINUTES FROM NOVEMBER 20, 2024: Councilman Waterson made a motion to accept the Executive session meeting minutes. Councilman Cokl seconded. Motion passed with a vote of 2-0.
APPROVAL FOR PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES FROM NOVEMBER 20, 2024: Councilman Waterson made a motion to accept the public meeting minutes from November 20, 2024. Councilman Cokl seconded. Motion passed with a vote of 2-0.
APPROVAL FOR NOVEMBER 12TH REGULAR MEETING MINUTES: Councilman Waterson made a motion to accept November 12th regular meeting minutes. Councilman Cokl seconded. Motion passed with a vote of 2-0.
APPROVAL FOR NOVEMBER 26TH APV’s TOTALING $ 239,779.97: Councilman Waterson made a motion to accept November 26th APV’s totaling $239,779.97. Councilman Cokl seconded. Motion passed with a vote of 2-0.
APPROVAL FOR PAYROLL WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 18, 2024, TOTALING $ 12,443.74: Councilman Waterson made a motion to accept payroll for the week ending November 18, 2024 totaling $ 12,443.74. Councilman Cokl seconded. Motion passed with a vote of 2-0.
APPROVAL FOR PAYROLL WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 25, 2024, TOTALING $ 10,628.38: Councilman Waterson made a motion to accept payroll for the week ending November 25, 2024 totaling $ 10,628.38. Councilman Cokl seconded. Motion passed with a vote of 2-0.
ADJOURN at: Meeting was adjourned by Council President Randy Cokl at 6:56 pm.
APPROVALS: ATTEST: