Town Council Work Session

TOWN COUNCIL WORK SESSION Tuesday, July 15, 2025 at 7:00 PM Bristol Town Hall Council Chamber 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 Doug DeSmith, Council President pro tempore called the regular council meeting to order on Thursday, July 15, 2025 at 7:29 pm. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE led by Steve Priem ROLL CALL Members present: Dean Rentfrow, Cathy Burke, Gregg Tuholski, Doug DeSmith Absent: Jeff Beachy Others in attendance: Clerk-Treasurer Cathy Antonelli, Town Manager Mike Yoder, Fire Department representative AJ Robertson & Jennifer Roberston, Town Marshal Steve Priem, Legal Counsel Alex Bowman APPROVAL OF AGENDA - stands as published REPORTS Baker Tilly Rate review Ian Stahl and Brent from Baker Tilly were present to answer questions and go over the results of the utility rate review. Legal Counsel Alex Bowman reviewed the details of the first reading of Ordinance No. 2025-08-07-14, An Ordinance of the Town of Bristol, Indiana Amending Chapters 51 and 52 of the Town of Bristol, Indiana Code of Ordinances Relating to Water and Sewer Utility Rates. He noted that amendments to the current sewer water rate ordinance to delay the increase of water rates until May 1, 2026, currently scheduled to occur August 1. The change also addresses a 10% rate decrease of what the currently scheduled ordinance proposes for sewer and notes that it could have retroactive application to July 1, 2025.  Cathy Burke makes a motion to approve on first reading 2025-8-07-14 to delays any rate increases to May of next year for sewer and water.  Cathy Burke amends her motion to advance the ordinance to second reading, Seconded by Dean Rentfrow. Voting Yea: Doug DeSmith, Dean Rentfrow, Cathy Burke, Gregg Tuholski. Motion carries.   Alex also spoke to an Ordinance that mandates connection for property owners that are on septic and within 300 feet to be connected to the municipal sewer system, as well as consideration for a variance process to be implemented in order to regulate that process to connect. Council agrees to move forward with creating a variance process. TOWN MANAGER Mike Yoder Mike asked Legal Counsel Alex Bowman to give an update on corner property and the tax records. Council agrees to move forward with imminent domain for the gap property and title search. Assistant Town Manager Jill Swartz spoke to incremental development of downtown site - opening a temporary site for a local business to spark some excitement for continued or additional businesses. (ie. rise & roll, vanilla bean creamery, farmer’s market). This then sparked title discussions for RDC, Town, unified title, licensing arrangements. Council supports moving forward. CLERK-TREASURER - no items this evening. TOWN ATTORNEY Alex Bowman will not be in attendance on Thursday. Attorney George Lepeniotis will be here. MOTION TO ADJOURN  Motion to adjourn made by Cathy Burke, Seconded by Doug DeSmith. Voting Yea: Doug DeSmith, Dean Rentfrow, Cathy Burke, Greg Tuholski.  Meeting adjourned at 8:39p These minutes are a summary of actions taken at the Bristol Town Council meetings. The full video archive of the meeting is available for viewing at https://bristol-in.municodemeetings.com/ for as long as this media is supported. ______________________________________ __________________________ Doug DeSmith, Council President pro tempore Cathy Antonelli, Clerk-Treasurer