Common Council

CITY COMMON COUNCIL OF HARTFORD CITY, INDIANA SEPTEMBER 5, 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 September 5, 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, Attorney Patrick Wright, and Clerk-Treasurer Dana Whatley. PUBLIC HEARING – 2024 BUDGET: Mr. Scaggs made a motion to suspend the regular council meeting. Mr. George seconded the motion. The vote to suspend was 5-0. Mayor Eckstein and Clerk-Treasurer Whatley gave a brief overview of the proposed budget. One gentleman from the public commented that he was glad to hear that the city is living within its means, and it is encouraging to know that we have a healthy cash balance. There was no further comment. Mr. Scaggs made a motion to close the public hearing. Mr. Dudelston seconded the motion. The vote to close the public hearing was 5-0. Mr. Scaggs then made a motion to re-open the regular meeting. Mr. Parrott seconded the motion. The vote to re-open the regular meeting was 5-0. 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. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES FOR AUGUST 7, 2023: Mr. Wolfe made a motion to approve the minutes from August 7, 2023 as submitted. Mr. Scaggs seconded the motion. The vote to approve the minutes was 5-0. OLD BUSINESS: A.) RESOLUTION 2023-23 – A RESOLUTION ADOPTING STREET, ALLEY, AND EASEMENT VACATION PROCEDURES: There was much discussion about some of the verbiage in the resolution. Mr. Dudelston made a motion to adopt the resolution as presented. Mr. George seconded the motion. The vote to approve Resolution 2023-23 was 4-1. B.) ANNE OWEN 1.) AREA PLAN COMMISSION: Ms. Owen gave a brief update on the Unsafe Building Ordinance. She stated there are some changes that need to be made and the APC hearing will be on October 3, 2023. After that hearing, she will bring this back to the City Council for their review.  2.) COOK & BELLE CONCERT – WEILER PLAZA: Ms. Owen stated that we were able to reschedule this concert for 9/14/23 from 7:00 – 8:30pm. She requested that trash cans be placed out by the Street Department. C.) INTERSECTION OF HIGH & KICKAPOO ST. – STOP SIGN OR NO PARKING DISCUSSION (TABLED FROM AUGUST MEETING): Mr. George stated that after recently speaking with the property owners around this intersection they decided that they did not want anything done with the intersection. After some discussion, there was no action taken. NEW BUSINESS: A.) JEFF THOMAS – PERMISSION TO SPEND OVER $10,000: Mr. Thomas asked the Council for permission to spend over $10,000 on a boom lift that can be used by all departments for different tasks. Mr. Scaggs made a motion to approve the expenditure. Mr. Dudelston seconded the motion. The vote to approve the expenditure was 5-0. B.) 1st READING OF ORDINANCE 2023-06 – 2024 BUDGET: After some discussion, Mr. Parrott made a motion to approve the 1st reading of Ordinance 2023-06. Mr. Dudelston seconded the motion. The vote to approve the 1st reading of Ordinance 2023- 06 was 5-0. C.) 1st READING OF ORDINANCE 2023-07 – 2024 SALARY ORDINANCE: Mr. Dudelston made a motion to approve the 1st reading of Ordinance 2023-07. Mr. Wolfe seconded the motion. The vote to approve the 1st reading of Ordinance 2023-07 was 5-0. CLERK-TREASURER’S REPORT: NONE MAYOR’S REPORT: Mayor Eckstein invited everyone to the 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony on September 11, 2023 at 10:00am. It will be held at Veteran’s Park. COUNCIL COMMENT: A.) MICHAEL WOLFE: Mr. Wolfe mentioned the condition of the triangle lot that was a proposed trailhead project. He asked what the city was going to do to clean it up. It was mentioned that since this was a grant there was a committee assigned to this project. The committee consists of Dustin George, Michael Wolfe, Fred Hoffman, Samantha Bacon, John Oxley, and Warren Brown. Since several of the committee members attended tonight’s meeting they decided to meet during the next week and figure out how to complete this task. B.) DUSTIN GEORGE: Mr. George mentioned how successful the large trash pick up has been over the past 24 months. He calculated that over 628 tons of trash has been removed and it has made a significant difference in the blight situation around Hartford City. He thanked everyone for working together to make this happen.  C.) RON DUDELSTON: Mr. Dudelston mentioned a topic for future discussion. He would like to address transient vendors such as food trucks, etc. PUBLIC COMMENT: A.) TRAVIS WILLIAMSON: Mr. Williamson mentioned that as his CSO project ends the paving should start mid to late September. Mayor Eckstein thanked all the department superintendents for their work during these long & stressful projects. B.) DALE MARTIN – PARK’S DEPARTMENT: Mr. Martin asked Council’s permission to spend over $10,000 for a 2019 utility tractor. He gave some of the specifics of the equipment. He, however, had given the quote to Ms. Amy George and did not have it to share with the council. It was decided to bring this topic back to council at the October meeting when the Park’s Department could share more information. C.) RON PARROTT: Mr. Parrott thanked the Street Department for the mosquito spraying. He stated it is much more enjoyable on his patio these days. D.) ANNE OWEN: Ms. Owen called to the council’s attention some of the new small businesses coming to Hartford City and a couple of other businesses that are expanding. She encouraged everyone to stop by these businesses to say “Hi” and welcome them to the community. New businesses: Hallmark Sheds Bakery Dental Insurance Business Car Detailing Business Expanding: Althouse Autobody Hartford Meat & Deli ADJOURNMENT: With there being no further business from the Common Council, Mr. Scaggs made a motion to adjourn the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 7:11pm. FOLDER 2/REC 170625_002