Town Council hearings and meeting minutes 9/06/16

Public Hearing on Case T.C.A. 16-01

September 6, 2016 6:30 PM

Members Present: Todd Everling, J. Scott Flick, Joyce Higginbottom, Katie Regan, Clerk Teresa Duke, Attorney Jeremy Peelle.

Absent: Scott Deyoe.

Mr. Everling addressed the public on Case T.C.A. 16-01. Case T.C.A. 16-01 is to consider the petition of Anthony Puller regarding voluntary annexation of the following territory described as follows: Parcel(s) 34-11-03-101-003.000-011. Said property more commonly known as 122 S. Maple St., Greentown, IN. 46936.

With no comments or objections regarding Case T. C. A. 16-01, Mr. Everling closed the public hearing.

Public Hearing on Case T.C.A. 16-02

September 6, 2016 6:38 PM

Members Present: Todd Everling, J. Scott Flick, Joyce Higginbottom, Katie Regan, Clerk Teresa Duke, Attorney Jeremy Peelle.

Absent: Scott Deyoe.

Mr. Everling addressed the public on Case T.C.A. 16-02. Case T.C.A. 16-02 is to consider the petition of Greentown Partners LLC regarding voluntary annexation of the following territory described as follows: Parcel(s) 34-05-33-351-026.000-011. Said property more commonly known as 614 W. Main St., Greentown, IN. 46936.

After Mr. Everling answered questions from the public, Mr. Everling asked if anyone had any other comments or objections to this Case T.C.A. 16-02.

With no comments, Mr. Everling closed the public hearing.

Public Hearing on the 2017 Budget

September 6, 2016 6:45 PM

Members Present: Todd Everling, J. Scott Flick, Joyce Higginbottom, Katie Regan, Clerk Teresa Duke, Attorney Jeremy Peelle.

Absent: Scott Deyoe.

Mr. Everling read the 2017 Budget for Greentown Civil Town. The 2017 Budget Adoption will be on September 20, 2016. The Notice to Taxpayers is available online at www.budgetnotices.in.gov or by calling (888) 739-9826.

After Mr. Everling and Mrs. Duke answered questions from the public, Mr. Everling asked if anyone had any other comments or objections to the 2017 Budget for Greentown Civil Town.

With no comments or objections regarding the 2017 Budget for Greentown Civil Town, Mr. Everling closed the public hearing.

Greentown Town Council Meeting

September 6, 2017 6:50 PM

Members Present: Todd Everling, J. Scott Flick, Joyce Higginbottom, Katie Regan, Clerk Teresa Duke.

Absent: Scott Deyoe.

Meeting was called to order by Vice President Todd Everling.

Minutes of Previous Meeting: The minutes of the previous meeting were presented for additions or corrections. Mr. Everling asked for a motion to accept. Motion was made by Ms. Regan. Motion was seconded by Mrs. Higginbottom. Motion carried.

Approval of Dockets: General Fund total expenses for August 17^th – September 6^th were $57,736.75. Water Utility was $60,517.89. The Wastewater Utilities totaled $33,560.63. Mr. Everling asked for a motion to accept. Motion was made by Mr. Flick. Motion was seconded by Ms. Regan. Motion carried.

Items from Attorney: Mr. Peelle gave an update on 427 W. Payton St. For now the Town will continue to mow this property and file liens against the property until Mr. Peelle can clarify matters concerning with the owner Ms. Gardner and the mortgage holder First Farmers Bank & Trust.

Mr. Peelle had documents ready to file a claim against Ms. Powell at 126 W. Payton St. and then Ms. Powell filed bankruptcy which will hold up our proceedings with Ms. Powell. (126 W. Payton St. had a structural fire and the property has been abandoned.)

Mr. Peelle received a Tort Claim from McCann Legal who represents Eastern Howard School Corporation RE: Town of Greentown / Eastern Howard School Corporation Water Issues.

The Claim states that Greentown has exposed and continues to expose EHSC students, staff and visitors to dangerous amounts of lead in its drinking water. Claimant’s damages are continuing in this matter. It is impossible to state the exact extent of its loss at this time, but it is estimated that there would be a loss in excess of $71,184.16.

Mr. Peelle will communicate with McCann Legal regarding this matter and informed the council that Eastern Howard School should be barred on this due to the 180 days that have passed in their dealings with the Town on this matter.

Josh Johnson who represents Casey’s General Store asked a formal request to the council regarding a waiver on the sewer tap fee and the water tap fees. Mr. Everling had no problem with the request, since Casey’s have put a lot of work in the Towns infrastructure. Mr. Everling asked for a motion to waive the sewer and water tap fees. Motion was made by Mr. Flick. Motion was seconded by Ms. Regan. Motion carried. Casey’s General Store will pay a meter deposit.

Mr. Simpson gave a progress report on his property at 128 N. Meridian. Mr. Simpson said work has come to a halt due to an injury with his contractor and the masons pulled off the job to work on homes affected by the recent tornado. Mr. Peelle has no problem extending the status hearing that is scheduled for September 27, 2016. Ms. Regan made a motion to extend the status hearing for 120 days (mid January 2017). Mrs. Higginbottom amended the motion and requested that Mr. Simpson continue to periodically give progress updates either in writing or in person. Motion was seconded by Ms. Regan. Motion carried.

Mr. Peelle is working on having a building inspector come and inspect 128 N. Meridian.

Petition for Voluntary Annexation: Anthony Puller and Greentown Partners LLC both had a public hearing and adoption will be on September 20, 2016.

2017 Budget for Greentown Civil Town: Public hearing on the 2017 Budget was done and adoption will be on September 20, 2016.

Greentown Fire Dept. Report: For the month of August 2016, the Greentown Fire Department had 45 EMS runs, 11 fire, and 6 rescue. The fire department annual fish fry is September 17^th.

Police Dept. Report: Reading of the Paper Report. Mr. Everling asked for a motion to accept the report. Motion was made by Mr. Flick. Motion was seconded by Ms. Regan. Motion carried.

Marshall Bennett has three candidates to consider for positions in the Greentown Police Reserves. Marshall Bennett and the Police Committee will perform follow-up interviews with the candidates.

Utility Report: Mr. Everling read the Utility Report. For the month of August 2016 there are 72 delinquent accounts. There is a total of $11,291.35 that is 30 days or more outstanding. No action required from council; information only.

Water Report: Reading of the Paper Report. Mr. Everling asked for a motion to accept the report. Motion was made by Mr. Flick. Motion was seconded by Ms. Regan. Motion carried.

Street Report: Reading of the Paper Report. Mr. Everling asked for a motion to accept the report. Motion was made by Mrs. Higginbottom. Motion was seconded by Mr. Flick. Motion carried.

Wastewater Report: Reading of the Paper Report. Mr. Everling asked for a motion to accept the report. Motion was made by Mr. Flick. Motion was seconded by Mrs. Higginbottom. Motion carried.

Park Advisory: Greentown Main Street Association, Inc. voted to replace the Town’s winter decorations with newer, smaller, snowflakes that will use LED bulbs that, not only use less electricity, but last much longer than the old bulbs. The cost to replace the snowflakes is $3480.00. Mary Miller asked the council to consider contributing $1160.00 towards the new decorations. Motion was made by Ms. Regan to donate $1160.00 for the new decorations to the Greentown Main Street Association, Inc. to be paid out of the CEDIT FUND. Motion was seconded by Mrs. Higginbottom. Motion carried.

Old Business: Ms. Regan announced that the Town of Greentown was awarded a $96,400 Community Crossroads Matching Grant from the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT). Streets to be resurfaced are Walnut Street, from Hammer Street to Maple Street, and South Meridian Street, from Main to north end of the bridge.

New Business: Mr. Everling read the Town of Greentown Economic Development Grant Policy. The Greentown Town Council may agree to support a business or organization located within the city limits of Greentown by paying an amount up to 50% of the cost of a project that falls within the guidelines set forth in Ordinance 2011-1, not to exceed $2,500 every 5 years. Grants will be awarded at the discretion of the Council. Mr. Everling asked for a motion to accept the Town of Greentown Economic Development Grant Policy. Motion was made by Mrs. Higginbottom. Motion was seconded by Mr. Flick. Motion carried.

Council approved to have Marshall Bennett and Mrs. Duke investigate the costs to move the disconnected tornado siren at the fire station to a new location.

Mr. Everling read the Amended Contract between the Town of Greentown and Klein Enterprises, LLC. This Agreement is made between the Town of Greentown (Town) and Klein Enterprises, LLC (Contractor) to provide the Town of Greentown Superintendent services for the following departments: the Town of Greentown Waste Water Treatment Plant. The Contractor shall be paid a bi-monthly fee of $2,500 for a total of $60,000 a year. Mr. Everling asked for a motion to accept the amended contract for Klein Enterprises, LLC. Motion was made by Mrs. Higginbottom. Motion was seconded by Mr. Flick. Katie Regan abstained. The motion was approved with one abstention.

Guests: The council answered questions regarding the request of letters for the competitive OCRA grant for the improvements to the Water Utility.

Adjourn: Mr. Everling asked for a motion to adjourn. Motion was made by Mrs. Higginbottom. Motion was seconded by Mr. Flick. Motion carried.