Town Council Regular Meeting

TOWN COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING Thursday, January 18, 2024 at 7:00 PM Council Chambers - Bristol Municipal Complex and live streamed Town of Bristol YouTube channel MINUTES This meeting is held in the Bristol Municipal Complex is open for in-person participation. The meeting is live streamed on Town of Bristol YouTube channel. Livestream link is available on the Town Website Bristol Indiana - YouTube CALL MEETING TO ORDER The Thursday, January 18, 2024 Council Meeting was called to order at 7:00pm by Cathy Burke, President pro tempore. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was led by Jill Swartz. ROLL CALL: Members present: Doug DeSmith, Dean Rentfrow, Cathy Burke, Gregg Tuholski Absent: Jeff Beachy Others in attendance: Alex Bowman, Nik Kantz, Mike Yoder, Jill Swartz, Mike Albin Absent: Cathy Antonelli - (Indy for training) APPROVAL OF AGENDA  Motion to approve the requested change of moving item 11b to 6b was made by Gregg Tuholski, Seconded by Dean Rentfrow. Voting Yea: Doug DeSmith, Cathy Burke, Gregg Tuholski, Dean Rentfrow. Motion carried. APPROVAL OF INVOICES  Motion to approve the invoices was made by Doug DeSmith, Seconded by Cathy Burke. Voting Yea: Doug DeSmith, Cathy Burke, Gregg Tuholski, Dean Rentfrow. Motion carried. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: December 21, 2023 Regular Council Meeting minutes December 29, 2023 Special Council Meeting minutes January 4, 2024 Regular Council Meeting minutes  Motion to approve the three above listed meeting minutes was made by Doug DeSmith, Seconded by Dean Rentfrow. Voting Yea: Doug DeSmith, Cathy Burke, Gregg Tuholski, Dean Rentfrow. Motion carried. Marshal Albin introduced the departments’ newest full time officer, Philip Danley, who recently completed his Academy training and is looking forward to serving our community. PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR (AKA Public Comment) Chris Garner of The HUB (Hearts United for Bristol) wanted to thank the Council for allowing them to set up an office downstairs last January, 2023 while they worked on growing and building up resources and partner agencies to help the community. They have helped about 700 families this last year and look forward to the Councils' continued support and partnership. Volunteers are always welcomed! PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT ITEMS - no items this evening. REPORTS TOWN MANAGER Mike Yoder Permission to bid water infrastructure improvement project. (bids to be opened on March 21,2024) Town Manager Mike Yoder introduced Ken Jones from JPR to talk to the water infrastructure improvement project. It's estimated to be about $15M, this includes a one million gallon water storage tank and closing a loop with a lot of 12" pipe going into the ground, crossing the river.  Motion to give Mike Yoder permission to bid this project was made by Gregg Tuholski, Seconded by Doug DeSmith. Voting Yea: Doug DeSmith, Cathy Burke, Gregg Tuholski, Dean Rentfrow. Easement acquisition for water project Ken Jones spoke to the Just Compensation for watermain easement acquisition located at 19570 County Road 8, Bristol, IN 46507. Total acquisition value is $11,115.00.  Motion to approve the easement acquisition for $11,115.00 was made by Gregg Tuholski, Seconded by Doug DeSmith. Voting Yea: Doug DeSmith, Cathy Burke, Gregg Tuholski, Dean Rentfrow. Permission to bid CCMG 2023-2 project  Motion to give Mike Yoder permission to bid the CCMG 2023-2 project was made by Dean Rentfrow, Seconded by Doug DeSmith. Voting Yea: Doug DeSmith, Cathy Burke, Gregg Tuholski, Dean Rentfrow. 2023 Stats from Elkhart County Humane shelter Annual report received from the Elkhart County Humane Shelter on the activity for Bristol. Total number of animals impacted was just under 200. CLERK-TREASURER - Jill Swartz, Deputy Clerk-Treasurer Asking for Council approval to pay 2023 invoices before the 02.01.2024 meeting to close out the year.  Motion to pay the 2023 invoices made by Dean Rentfrow, Seconded by Gregg Tuholski. Voting Yea: Doug DeSmith, Cathy Burke, Gregg Tuholski, Dean Rentfrow. Denese Thornburg began as our utility clerk on January 8, 2024 and is doing a great job so far. TOWN MARSHAL Mike Albin - Marshal Albin gave a review of the Operations and Code Enforcement reports from last month and for year end. - Shop With a Hero fka Shop With a Cop was a success again this last year. Since staffing is lower, they couldn't take as many children, but were able to allocate about $100 more to each child that did go and the recipients shared that wealth with purchases for other family members.  - In addition, the Pride Academy/Bristol division of Elkhart Community Schools, received a pizza party, from and delivered by our officers in uniform to help connect the officers with students in a positive atmosphere (instead of the kids only seeing an officer when there is a negative issue) in order to help promote our community. - A new bill is being proposed that Marshal Albin wanted to share the available information with the Council. Senate Bill 129 offers reimbursement to the employer of local police officers, if the police officer leaves within three years of receiving basic training while employed in the unit. The reimbursement is based on the cost of the training, the first year salary of the police officer, the equipment costs and cost of benefits that the officer received. If the officer leaves in their first year to another department, the reimbursement is at 100% of the eligible costs, if they leave in the second year it's 66% of the eligible costs, if they leave in the third year it's 33% of the eligible costs. More to come if the bill is passed. FIRE CHIEF Nik Kantz Fire Chief Nik Kantz reviewed his Operations report from last month and asked for our residents assistance with shoveling out the fire hydrants if they have one on or near their property, if they are snowed in. It takes time and energy from fighting a fire if the hydrants have to be shoveled out in order to get to it. They appreciate all efforts from the community. PARK BOARD Park board member, Linda Powell, gave a review of current happenings. The Park Board welcomed new park board member, Andrew Medford as of January 1. Election of officers: President Scott Dreamer, Vice President Mikel Ropp They are in the last year of the 5-year plan, so they will look to revisit and improve/update the plan so that they will be eligible for grant opportunities. Congdon Park: Handicap Launch - applied for a grant, but were not awarded it. Summer program - will check with local school teachers to see if there is interest to help Cummins Park: Consideration of repaving the parking lot TOWN ATTORNEY Alex Bowman Town Attorney Alex Bowman reviewed the proposed Joint Resolution No. 1/18/2024-1, a joint resolution of the Town Council of Bristol, Indiana and the Township Board for Washington Township of Elkhart County, Indiana establishing policies and procedures for joint meetings relating to the creation of the Bristol Washington Township Fire Protection Territory prior to asking for adoption.  Motion to approve Joint Resolution No. 1/18/2024-1 was made by Cathy Burke, Seconded by Doug DeSmith. Voting Yea: Doug DeSmith, Cathy Burke, Gregg Tuholski, Dean Rentfrow. NEW BUSINESS - no new business this evening. UNFINISHED BUSINESS -no unfinished business to present this evening. TOWN COUNCIL DISCUSSION ITEMS Doug DeSmith -no items to discuss this evening. Dean Rentfrow -no items to discuss this evening. Cathy Burke -no items to discuss this evening. Gregg Tuholski gave kudos on the hours worked by our street department during the recent snow (starting plowing at 11:00pm thru 6am and then back at it at 11:30am) and how well the roads were cleared. Mike Yoder asked about vehicles on the street and plows unable to get through to clear the snow. Marshal Albin offered a suggestion to help in residential awareness. Create a letter, if it's a specific street or area, to let residents know to keep vehicles in their driveways, so the plows can get through or they could be towed. Another option would be to utilize the TextMyGov app with a message, but that will only reach those that have signed up. Ideas to be considered. Jeff Beachy -not present this evening NEXT MEETINGS: Friday, January 26, 2024 Public Hearing RE: creation of a fire protection territory at the Bristol Community Church 6:30pm Thursday, February 1, 2023 Regular Council Meeting 7:00pm MOTION TO ADJOURN  Motion to adjourn made by Gregg Tuholski, Seconded by Doug DeSmith. Voting Yea: Doug DeSmith, Cathy Burke, Gregg Tuholski, Dean Rentfrow. Meeting adjourned at 7:53pm. ______________________________ ____________________________ Cathy Burke, President pro tempore Jill Swartz, Deputy Clerk-Treasurer