Common Council

CITY COMMON COUNCIL OF HARTFORD CITY, INDIANA NOVEMBER 6, 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 November 6, 2023. ROLL CALL: Members of the council present were Michael Wolfe, Dustin George, Tony Scaggs, Ron Parrott, and Ron Dudelston. Mayor Eckstein, Attorney Patrick Wright, and Clerk- Treasurer Dana Whatley were also present. MAYOR ECKSTEIN: Mayor Eckstein asked that the council and gallery observe a moment of silence in honor of the passing of Blackford County Commissioner John Oxley. PUBLIC HEARING: Mr. Dudelston made a motion to suspend the common council meeting for the public hearing. Mr. Scaggs seconded the motion. The vote to suspend was 5-0. A.) ANNEXATION OF PRIVATELY OWNED LAND: B.) ANNEXATION OF CITY OWNED LAND: Attorney Russell Brown, who was hired by the Hartford City Redevelopment Commission explained about the proposed annexation of two separate properties with the plan of building housing. He explained that the proposed annexation is 100% voluntary. He explained the steps involved in completing this proposed annexation. Several people spoke up in favor of this proposed project stating the need for new single-family housing in our community. It was explained that this is a crucial piece in the city’s attempt to secure funding through the READI 2.0 grant. This project would be for mixed use housing (i.e., apartments, condominiums, and single-family dwellings). There was conversation about developing the remaining empty lots at the Creekside subdivision first. It was brought to the council’s attention that the city owned property was purchased years ago for the Wastewater Treatment Plant for emergency sludge overflow. The council was urged to make sure another area for this overflow is procured before the project moves forward. With no further discussion, Mayor Eckstein asked for a vote to close this public hearing. Mr. Scaggs made a motion to close this public hearing. Mr. Wolfe seconded the motion. The vote to close the public hearing was 5-0. Mr. Dudelston made a motion to open the regular meeting of the Council. Mr. Parrott seconded the motion. The vote to open the regular meeting was 5-0. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Mr. Dudelston made a motion to approve the agenda as presented. Mr. Scaggs seconded the motion. The vote to approve was 5-0. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FROM OCTOBER 2, 2023: Mr. Parrott made a motion to approve the minutes as submitted. Mr. Dudelston seconded the motion. The vote to approve was 5-0. OLD BUSINESS: A.) ANNE OWEN: 1.) PROPOSED UNSAFE BUILDING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT: Ms. Owen explained to Council that this amendment is strictly on commercial/industrial buildings. She explained that this ordinance was drafted by the legal council for the Area Plan Commission. She also stated that she had taken it to Shamrock Lakes and Montpelier, and they passed the amendment unanimously. There was some discussion about the verbiage in the document. Mr. George made a motion to approve the amendment. Mr. Parrott seconded the motion. The vote to approve was 4-1. 2.) CORNUELLE CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING EVENT: Ms. Owen explained the layout of the festival and all the things that are being planned. She asked Council’s permission for the appropriate road closures. Mr. George made a motion to give permission for the requested closures. Mr. Scaggs seconded the motion. The vote to approve was 5-0. NEW BUSINESS: A.) MR. GREG HUNT, 824 N. WABASH AVE. – REQUEST TO MOVE TWO STREET SIGNS: Mr. Hunt explained that there is a school sign and a speed limit sign on the edge of his property that he would like to have moved 14 feet to the west of where they are currently located. He wants to park a trailer on his property and the signs at their current location are preventing him from doing so. Mr. George made a motion to grant the request. Mr. Scaggs seconded the motion. The vote to approve was 5-0. B.) 1ST READING OF ORDINANCE 2023-08 – AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMON COUNCIL OF HARTFORD CITY, INDIANA, ANNEXING CERTAIN TERRITORY TO THE CITY OF HARTFORD CITY, INDIANA, PLACING THE SAME WITHIN THE CORPORATE BOUNDARIES THEREOF AND MAKING THE SAME A PART OF THE CITY OF HARTFORD CITY, INDIANA: Mr. Scaggs made a motion to approve the 1st reading of Ordinance 2023-08. Mr. Dudelston seconded the motion. The vote to approve the 1st reading was 5-0. C.) 1ST READING OF ORDINANCE 2023-09 – AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMON COUNCIL OF HARTFORD CITY, INDIANA, ANNEXING CERTAIN TERRITORY TO THE CITY OF HARTFORD CITY, INDIANA, PLACING THE SAME WITHIN THE CORPORATE BOUNDARIES THEREOF AND MAKING THE SAME A PART OF THE CITY OF HARTFORD CITY, INDIANA. Mr. Dudelston made a motion to approve the 1st reading of Ordinance 2023-09. Mr. Scaggs seconded the motion. The vote to approve the 1st reading was 5-0.  D.) CHIEF CODY CROUSE: 1.) SERIES TRANSFERS: Chief Crouse explained that he is requesting to make the following series transfers: 103 to 220 = $5,700 104 to 362 = $79,000 138 to 362 = $40,000 Mr. Scaggs made a motion to approve the series transfers. Mr. Wolfe seconded the motion. The vote to approve was 5-0. 2.) PERMISSION TO SPEND OVER $10,000 FOR AXON CONTRACT: Chief Crouse explained that it is time to upgrade the Police Department’s body camera program. He explained that the Board of Works approved the renewal of the contract pending the funding approval by the Council. He stated the contract is approximately $96,490. He also explained that the Sherrif’s office and Prosecutor’s office are currently using the same system. This will make things work seamlessly between all offices. Mr. Scaggs made a motion to approve this expenditure. Mr. Dudelston seconded the motion. The vote to approve was 5-0. MAYOR’S COMMENTS: Mayor Eckstein reminded everyone that the city will be closed on Tuesday, November 7, 2023 for election day and closed on Friday, November 10, 2023 for observance of Veteran’s Day. CLERK-TREASURER COMMENTS: NONE COUNCIL COMMENT: Mr. Ron Parrott thanked Mr. Travis Williamson and his team for helping with a complaint from a constituent. He stated that he appreciates all the department heads. He also stated that he is happy that Blackford County officials have decided to raise the Local Income Tax that directly affects the Local Option Income Tax that the first responders receive to help with their budgets. PUBLIC COMMENT: A.) MS. ANNE OWEN – Ms. Owen relayed the sincere gratitude for the JROTC “A” Team and their parents. They placed 3rd in the nation. They were overjoyed with the Police/Fire escort they received on their way. B.) CHERI BROWN – PURDUE UNIVERSITY - Ms. Brown reminded everyone of the ongoing work on obtaining quality broadband service to Blackford County. She asked everyone to please conduct speed tests from their homes. This data is used in completing this process. ADJOURNMENT: With there being no further business, Mr. Scaggs made a motion to adjourn the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 7:07 pm. FOLDER 2/REC 170826_003