Common Council

CITY COMMON COUNCIL OF HARTFORD CITY, INDIANA JULY 3, 2023 MEETING MINUTES CALL TO ORDER & WELCOME: Mayor Eckstein called to order a meeting of the Common Council of the City of Hartford City at 6:00pm on July 3, 2023. ROLL CALL: Members of the council present were Michael Wolfe, Dustin George, Ron Dudelston, Ron Parrott, and Tony Scaggs. Also present were Mayor Dan Eckstein, City Attorney Brandon Murphy, and Clerk-Treasurer Dana Whatley. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Mr. Dudelston made a motion to approve the agenda as submitted. Mr. Scaggs seconded the motion. The vote to approve was 5-0. Mayor Eckstein explained the city is holding a public hearing this evening and that he would entertain a motion to suspend the regular council meeting. Mr. Wolfe made that motion. Mr. Dudelston seconded it. The vote to suspend the regular council meeting was 5-0. PUBLIC HEARING: A.) GILLMAN ANNEXATION: There was no comment from the public. B.) BOT AGREEMENT FOR NEWBERRY BUILDING: There was no comment from the public. C.) ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT: There was no comment from the public. Mayor Eckstein asked for a motion to close the public hearing. Mr. Scaggs made a motion to close the public hearing. Mr. Wolfe seconded the motion. The vote to close the public hearing was 5-0. Mr. Scaggs made a motion to re-open the regular council meeting. Mr. Dudelston seconded the motion. The vote to re-open the regular council meeting was 5-0. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES FOR JUNE 5, 2023: Mr. Dudelston made a motion to approve the minutes from June 5, 2023. Mr. Parrott seconded the motion. The vote to approve the minutes was 5-0. OLD BUSINESS: A.) 2ND READING OF ORDINANCE 2023-03 AN ORDINANCE TO VACATE ALLEY BEHIND AMERICAN LEGION: There was some discussion about giving the property owners next door to the Legion access to the alley and the overhead doors of their buildings. Mr. Parrott made a motion to amend Ordinance 2023-03 to say, “portion to direct north of 205 E. Washington St. is to be vacated”. Mr. Dudelston seconded the motion. The vote to amend this ordinance was 5-0. Mr. Dudelston made a motion to approve Ordinance 2023-03 as amended. Mr. Parrott seconded the motion. The vote to approve Ordinance 2023-03 as amended was 5-0. B.) 2ND READING OF ORDINANCE 2023-04 REAFFIRMING AWARD OF BUILD- OPERATE-TRANSFER TRANSACTION, PLEDGING A PAYMENT SOURCE THERETO, AUTHORIZING AN AMENDMENT TO THE BOT LEASE AGREEMENT, AND TAKING CERTAIN OTHER RELATED ACTIONS: Mr. Dudelston made a motion to approve the second reading of 2023-04. Mr. Parrott seconded the motion. The vote to approve was 5-0. C.) 2ND READING OF ORDINANCE 2023-05 AN ORDINANCE FOR VOLUNTARY ANNEXATION INTO THE CITY OF HARTFORD CITY AND EXTENDING THE CORPORATE BOUNDARIES OF THE CITY OF HARTFORD CITY, INDIANA: Mr. Dudelston made a motion to approve the second reading of Ordinance 2023-05. Mr. Scaggs seconded the motion. The vote to approve was 5-0. D.) RESOLUTION 2023-20 ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT: Mr. Scaggs made a motion to approve Resolution 2023-20. Mr. Wolfe seconded the motion. The vote to approve Resolution 2023-20 was 5-0. NEW BUSINESS: A.) RUSS STHROME WITH MASONIC LODGE: Mr. Sthrome addressed council to explain what the Lodge does and about membership opportunities for those who would be interested. B.) BILL SMITH – EMA: Mr. Smith explained that he is working on the Comprehensive Emergency Plan. They are planning a tabletop exercise in January 2024. It will be a tornado exercise that involves both Hartford City and Montpelier. He asked for 3 or 4 dates to hold this exercise. It will be held from 8:30am – 12 noon.  C.) BILL BACON – SPEND OVER $10,000 FOR PAVING: Mr. Bacon explained that he has four digs that are too big for the Water Department to do themselves. They are at the following locations: Foam Factory, Wabash Ave. & Kickapoo St., Wabash Ave. & Water St., and Cherry St. & Kentucky Ave. He is asking permission to spend over $10,000 to hire this work to be done. Mr. Dudelston made a motion to approve the expenditure. Mr. Scaggs seconded the motion. The vote to approve was 5-0. D.) ANNE OWEN & AMY ANACKER – FLAG IN FRONT OF BURNT COIL: Neither Ms. Owen nor Ms. Anacker were able to attend tonight’s meeting. Ms. Owen stated that as far as planning and zoning is concerned it is completely fine. Mr. Scaggs made a motion to approve a flagpole & flag to be placed in front of Burnt Coil. Mr. Parrott seconded the motion. The vote to approve was 5-0. CLERK-TREASURER’S REPORT: NONE MAYOR’S REPORT: 1.) The mayor gave kudos to the Parks Department and to the Fire Department for all their hard work with Saturday in the Park even though the weather did not cooperate, and the event was cancelled. He thanked Chief Parrott for the amazing fireworks show that the Fire Department put on. He was thankful there was a break in the rain so they could have it. 2.) Mayor Eckstein stated that since finding out about the IU Hospital closing several community leaders have met and they are trying to figure out the best steps moving forward. COUNCIL COMMENT: 1.) MICHAEL WOLFE – Mr. Wolfe gave kudos to Greenscape for mulching City Hall. 2.) RON PARROTT – Mr. Parrott recommended that the city purchase a lift that we could use for different things. (i.e., hanging Christmas lights, etc.) ADJOURNMENT: With there being no further business from the Common Council, Mr. Dudelston made a motion to adjourn the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 6:42pm. FOLDER 2/REC 170422_003