Common Council

CITY COMMON COUNCIL OF HARTFORD CITY, INDIANA JANUARY 2, 2024 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 January 2, 2024. ROLL CALL: Members of the council present were Michael Wolfe, Tracey Witt, Tony Scaggs, Bill Aspy, and Ron Dudelston. Mayor Eckstein, Attorney Brandon Murphy, and Clerk-Treasurer Dana Whatley were also present. 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: A.) DECEMBER4, 2023: Mr. Wolfe made a motion to approve the minutes as submitted. Mr. Dudelston seconded the motion. The vote to approve was 3-0-2. Ms. Witt and Mr. Aspy abstained from this vote because they were not on the council, at the last meeting. B.) DECEMBER 19, 2023 SPECIAL MEETING: Mr. Dudelston made a motion to approve the minutes as submitted. Mr. Scaggs seconded the motion. The vote to approve was 3-0-2. Ms. Witt and Mr. Aspy abstained from this vote because they were not on the council, at the last meeting. OLD BUSINESS: NONE NEW BUSINESS: A.) JB PROPERTY INVESTMENT GROUP – SIGNAGE ISSUES: The owner of JB Properties reached out to Council stating now that they are fully operational, they are having issues with trucks turning the wrong way and ending up on city streets. They are requesting permission to hang signs that clearly mark the directions. Mr. Scaggs made a motion to approve this request. Mr. Aspy seconded the motion. The vote to approve was 5-0. B.) TRAVIS WILLIAMSON – NICB INCIDENT 2023: Mr. Williamson addressed the odor complaints. He explained that a local company had an issue on October 15, 2023 and have been working to correct this issue. During that time, they have had a couple of setbacks. Mr. Williamson stated that IDEM is aware, and the company is working to rectify the situation. This report was just for informational purposes. No action was taken. C.) JEFF THOMAS – PERMISSION TO SPEND OVER $10,000: Mr. Thomas explained that he is preparing to have a CCMG paving project this year. He is asking permission to spend over $10,000 for engineering fees. The Board of Works approved entering a contract  with USI Consultants, Inc. in the amount of $15,000 for engineering services for this paving project. Mr. Scaggs made a motion to grant permission to spend over $10,000 on this project. Mr. Dudelston seconded the motion. The vote to approve was 5-0. D.) COUNCIL ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND BOARD APPOINTMENTS: Mr. Scaggs made a motion to nominate Mr. Ron Dudelston as President of the Common Council for 2024. Ms. Witt seconded the motion. The vote to elect Mr. Dudelston as President was 5-0. Mr. Dudelston made a motion to nominate Mr. Michael Wolfe as the Vice President of the Common Council for 2024. Ms. Witt seconded the motion. The vote to elect Mr. Wolfe as the Vice President was 5-0. COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS FOR 2024: Michael Wolfe – Revolving Loan Fund Committee Council Liaison to the Clerk-Treasurer Mr. Dudelston made a motion to appoint Mr. Wolfe to these duties. Mr. Scaggs seconded the motion. The vote to approve was 5-0. Ron Dudelston – Property Standards Board Redevelopment Commission Mr. Dudelston made a motion to approve these appointments. Mr. Aspy seconded the motion. The vote to approve was 5-0. Bill Aspy – Area Plan Commission Animal Shelter Board Mr. Dudelston made a motion to approve these appointments. Mr. Scaggs seconded the motion. The vote to approve was 4-0-1. Mr. Aspy abstained from the vote. Tracey Witt – Blackford Development Corporation Greenscape Committee Mr. Scaggs made a motion to approve these appointments. Mr. Aspy seconded the motion. The vote to approve was 5-0. Tony Scaggs – Historic Preservation Commission Mr. Dudelston made a motion to approve this appointment. Ms. Witt seconded the motion. The vote to approve was 5-0.  E.) DANA WHATLEY – SERIES TRANSFERS FOR YEAR END 2023: Ms. Whatley explained to council that she needed to make a couple of series transfers as she completes the year end process. She requested the following transfers: GENERAL FUND: MAYOR – From line item 323 (Travel & Education) To 113 (Mayor’s Assistant) $1,422.73 CLERK-TREAS – From line item 324 (Telephone) To 125 (P-T Ofc Help) 4,347.63 From line item 362 (Equip Repair) To 125 500.00 From line item 390 (Dues & Subs) To 125 68.00 From line item 323 (Travel & Education) To 125 1,433.37 From line item 442 (Office Equipment) To 125 600.00 From line item 210 (Office Supplies) To 125 929.00 BOARD OF WORKS – From line item 135 (Healthcare Reimbursement) To 341 (Workman’s Comp) 61,500.00 PARKS – From line item 129 (Sand, Gravel & Stone) To 101 (wages & Labor) 6,020.00 Mr. Scaggs made a motion to approve the series transfers. Mr. Wolfe seconded the motion. The vote to approve was 5-0. MAYOR’S COMMENTS: Mayor Eckstein stated that our insurance company wants to know who is responsible for the upkeep and liability for our city sidewalks. Attorney Murphy stated he would look to see how the city of Muncie manages this situation and will report back at the February meeting. CLERK-TREASURER COMMENTS: NONE COUNCIL COMMENT: A.) Mr. Dudelston asked the Council to review ordinances for some committees that the city has in place. He would like to bring up as a discussion point at the February meeting as to how these committees are working and if there is need to amend some of the processes. He stated that he would send out an email with a link to these ordinances for review.  B.) Mr. Wolfe asked about removing the two stop signs on Independence Parkway since the hospital and emergency room closed. PUBLIC COMMENT: A.) Mr. Bill Smith with the Blackford County EMA spoke about the upcoming solar eclipse in April 2024. He stated that he is expecting a substantial increase in traffic coming through Blackford County for this event. He said we need to determine passages that will remain open and accessible for first responders. He stated that it is supposed to be dark at 1pm that day. B.) Travis Williamson informed Council that they have put in a new sidewalk at 223 E. Main St. & Mulberry St. He said that the homeowner there has little space to park and has started using this sidewalk as his personal parking spot. He asked the council to drive by and look at this so that a solution can be determined. C.) Jeff Thomas stated that one of the new plow trucks has been delivered. The second one will be delivered in two weeks. ADJOURNMENT: With there being no further business, Ms. Witt made a motion to adjourn the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 6:50 pm. FOLDER 2/REC 37