Common Council

CITY COMMON COUNCIL OF HARTFORD CITY, INDIANA MARCH 4, 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 March 4, 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. PUBLIC HEARING: Mr. Scaggs made a motion to suspend the regular Council meeting. Mr. Wolfe seconded the motion. The vote to suspend the regular meeting was 5-0. A.) RESOLUTION 2024-01 – NJT d/b/a MAYCO SB-1/PP: Mr. Chad VanHorn and Mr. Tony Fisher with Mayco addressed the City Council. They explained that this abatement request is for a new program they have implemented that will create 5 new jobs with a combined salary of $205,733. B.) RESOLUTION 2024-02 – NJT d/b/a MAYCO SB-1/PP: This abatement request is for more added manufacturing equipment. This will add 3 additional positions with a combined salary of $123,440. Mr. Dudelston made a motion to close the public hearing. Mr. Aspy seconded the motion. The vote to close the public hearing was 5-0. Mr. Dudelston made a motion to re-open the regular Council meeting. Ms. Witt seconded the motion. The vote to re-open the regular Council 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 FOR FEBRUARY 5, 2024: Mr. Aspy made a motion to approve the minutes as submitted. Ms. Witt seconded the motion. The vote to approve was 5-0. OLD BUSINESS: A.) DR. LEE – HERITAGE DAYS: Dr. Lee approached Council requesting that the city pay the electric bill for the Heritage Days Festival as they have in past years. Clerk- Treasurer Whatley made a request of the Heritage Days Committee to please have the bill put in the City of Hartford City’s name and have it mailed to her at 700 N. Walnut St. She expressed concern about receiving the bills in a timely manner as she has received them late over the past couple of years plus, she feels more comfortable paying a bill that is made out to the city and not just to the Heritage Days Committee. Dr. Lee stated that  he would take care of her request. Mr. Scaggs made a motion to approve paying for the Heritage Days electric bill for 2024. Mr. Dudelston seconded the motion. The vote to pay this bill was 5-0. B.) GREENSCAPE BOARD: It was explained that the Greenscape Board consists of the following members: Ms. Tracey Witt – Council Appointment Ms. Shonda Glancy – Council Appointment Ms. Marsha Martin - Council Appointment Ms. Anne Owen – Mayor Appointment Ms. Elizabeth Witt – Mayor Appointment Mr. Jeff Whetzel - Mayor Appointment Mr. Ron Parrott – Parks Department Appointment C.) MS. CHERI BROWN – ECLIPSE UPDATE: Ms. Brown explained to Council that the community board has met several times about this event. She stated that the 4-H Fairgrounds has made 100 camping sites for people who could potentially come to Hartford City. She said there is a Blackford Blackout Facebook site that people can visit for updates. She stated that ADM Custom Creations have eclipse merchandise for those who are interested. D.) MS. ANNE OWEN 1.) WEILER PLAZA UPDATE – Ms. Owen stated that she is putting the finishing touches on the summer concert series. She thanked the generosity of the family of Commissioner John Oxley for the memorial contributions for this series and her other sponsors too. This will allow concerts to be held every Saturday in June and July, except for July 6th because Saturday in the Park is scheduled for that day. She stated that they will spotlight small businesses during the concert series with advertisements. She explained that she will not need to block any city streets this season but did ask to block off the south side parking spots on Main Street for “Golf Cart Row.” Mr. Dudelston made a motion to grant her permission to block off those parking spots. Mr. Scaggs seconded the motion. The vote to grant permission was 5-0. 2.) UPDATE ON UNSAFE BUILDING ARTICLE THAT WAS ADDED TO THE ORDINANCE: Ms. Owen stated that she has sent out letters to all commercial property owners and once they receive the information back, they will develop a database to be used for first responders. She also wanted to thank Captain Joel Allred for spotting a hazardous situation that was located high on a building that could not be seen from the vantage point of the street level. She stated that thanks to the unsafe building ordinance being in place they can collaborate with the attorney and get this situation rectified. E.) MR. BILL SMITH – EMA: 1.) FEMA MEETING – Mr. Smith invited the Council to the FEMA meeting being held at the 4-H Building on Monday April 15, 2024 from 10am – 12noon. They will be  explaining how to fill out paperwork in case of a disaster. The FEMA representative will also be able to answer questions. 2.) LEPC MEETING - Mr. Smith addressed the Council and invited them to an LEPC meeting on May 1, 2024 at 11:00am at City Hall. They will be serving lunch at this meeting. 3.) TABLETOP EXERCISE FOR A MOCK TORNADO EXERCISE GOING THROUGH BLACKFORD COUNTY: Mr. Smith explained that EMA will be holding a tabletop exercise with first responders and elected officials in a mock scenario where a sizeable tornado would hit in Blackford County. This exercise will take place at City Hall on Tuesday, May 21, 2024. F.) ORDINANCE 2024-02 – AN ORDINIANCE AMENDING SECTION 155 OF THE CITY CODE – SIDEWALKS (TABLED FROM FEBRUARY MEETING): The Council stated there are still changes that need to be made to this ordinance. Mr. Scaggs made a motion to table this topic until the April meeting. Mr. Dudelston seconded the motion. The vote to table was 5-0. G.) BEEKEEPING WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS (TABLED FROM FEBRUARY MEETING): Clerk-Treasurer Whatley explained that after discussing this topic at the last meeting, she received an email from Ms. Anne Owen with a copy of Senate Bill 529 regarding agricultural matters that prohibits municipalities from making any local laws prohibiting beekeeping within city limits. No action was taken on this matter. NEW BUSINESS: A.) RESOLUTION 2024-01 – FIRST READING OF A RESOLUTION GRANTING TAX ABATEMENT FOR PERSONAL PROPERTY IMPROVEMENTS (NJT ENTERPRISES, LLC d/b/a MAYCO INTERNATIONAL LLC): Mr. Dudelston made a motion to accept the first reading of Resolution 2024-01. Mr. Wolfe seconded the motion. The vote to approve the first reading of Resolution 2024-01 was 5-0. Mr. Dudelston made a motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Wolfe seconded the motion. The vote to suspend the rules was 5-0. Mr. Dudelston made a motion to approve Resolution 2024-01 with a second reading. Mr. Aspy seconded the motion. The vote to approve Resolution 2024-01 was 5-0. B.) RESOLUTION 2024-02 – A RESOLUTION GRANTING TAX ABATEMENT FOR PERSONAL PROPERTY IMPROVEMENTS (NJT ENTERPRISES, LLC. d/b/a MAYCO INTERNATIONAL, LLC): Mr. Dudelston made a motion to approve the first reading of Resolution 2024-02. Mr. Scaggs seconded the motion. The vote to approve the first reading of Resolution 2024-02 was 5-0.  Mr. Dudelston made a motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Scaggs seconded the motion. The vote to suspend the rules was 5-0. Mr. Dudelston made a motion to approve Resolution 2024-02 on the second reading. Mr. Aspy seconded the motion. The vote to approve Resolution 2024-02 was 5-0. C.) RESOLUTION 2024-03 – A RESOLUTION APPROVING CF-1 FOR PERSONAL PROPERTY FOR NJT ENTERPRISES, LLC. d/b/a MAYCO INTERNATIONAL, LLC.: Mr. Scaggs made a motion to approve Resolution 2024-03. Ms. Witt seconded the motion. The vote to approve Resolution 2024-03 was 5-0. D.) RESOLUTION 2024-04 – A RESOLUTION APPROVING CF-1 FOR REAL PROPERTY NJT ENTERPRISES, LLC d/b/a MAYCO INTERNATIONAL, LLC: Mr. Scaggs made motion to approve Resolution 2024-04. Mr. Aspy seconded the motion. The vote to approve Resolution 2024-04 was 5-0. E.) RESOLUTION 2024-05 – A RESOLUTION APPROVING CF-1 FOR PERSONAL PROPERTY PETOSKEY PLASTICS, LLC: Mr. Scaggs made a motion to approve Resolution 2024-05. Mr. Aspy seconded the motion. The vote to approve Resolution 2024-05 was 5-0. F.) RESOLUTION 2024-06 – A RESOLUTION APPROVING CF-1 FOR REAL PROPERTY PETOSKEY PLASTICS, LLC: Mr. Aspy made a motion to approve Resolution 2024-06. Mr. Wolfe seconded the motion. The vote to approve Resolution 2024-06 was 5-0. G.) MR. JEFF THOMAS – PERMISSION TO SPEND OVER $10,000 FOR STREET PAVING: Mr. Scaggs made a motion to grant permission for Mr. Thomas to spend over $10,000 on this street paving project. Mr. Dudelston seconded the motion. The vote to approve was 5-0. H.) MR. TRAVIS WILLIAMSON – PERMISSION TO SPEND OVER $10,000 FOR LIFT STATION REPAIR: Mr. Williamson explained that they have a pump in need of repair or replacement at the lift station by the Disc Golf Park. He stated that it was purchased in 1995 and has been repaired three times. He is asking for permission to spend either $10,000 to repair it or $20,000 to replace it. Mr. Williamson said that if it is repaired now, it will need repaired again in approximately four years. Mr. Scaggs made a motion to purchase a new one for $20,000. Mr. Aspy seconded the motion. The vote to purchase a new pump was 5-0. I.) MR. BILL BACON – PERMISSION TO SPEND OVER $10,000 FOR EMERGENCY REPAIR AT CHERRY STREET: Mr. Bacon explained about the major main break at Cherry Street. He stated they installed a new insta valve for $15,000 and three 12-inch sticks of pipe at cost of $3,906. Mr. Scaggs made a motion to approve spending over $10,000 for this repair. Ms. Witt seconded the motion. The vote was 5-0.  J.) MR. BILL BACON – PERMISSION TO SPEND OVER $10,000 FOR STREET AND SIDEWALK REPAIR AT THE WATER MAIN BREAK SITE: Mr. Bacon also requested to spend over $10,000 to repair street and sidewalks at the repair site. MAYOR’S COMMENTS: Mayor Eckstein expressed his appreciation to all our department workers and the hard work they do many times goes unnoticed. He asked everyone to give them kudos if they see them out in the community. Mayor Eckstein reminded everyone that the Community Clean-Up Day is Saturday April 20, 2024 from 8:00am – 12:00 noon meeting at Weiler Plaza. He invited everyone to participate. Mayor Eckstein brought up a request to have the Council approve the transfer of a city owned property at 705 W. Franklin Street to the Blackford Development Corporation. This is a narrow property that could potentially be combined with the property next to it at 709 W. Franklin. If this is done it would allow a property owner to build a house and put this property back on the city’s tax rolls. Mr. Scaggs made a motion to approve this transfer. Mr. Dudelston seconded the motion. The vote to transfer was 5-0. CLERK-TREASURER COMMENTS: NONE COUNCIL COMMENT: A.) COUNCIL AT – LARGE: Mr. Scaggs gave thanks to all department heads and their staff, all those in charge of community programs and to the industries that are here in Hartford City. He stated what a vital part they all play in the success of Hartford City. PUBLIC COMMENT: A.) MR. TRAVIS WILLIAMSON – Mr. Williamson explained that he was called by a homeowner on the southwest corner of Elm St. & Werber St. The homeowner is having issues and asked if he could have a waiver to connect a drain in his yard to the sanitary sewer. Mr. Williamson explained to the homeowner that he cannot allow that to be done due to state law. One idea might be connect to a dedicated storm sewer about 1 block from the residence. Mr. Williamson is asking council members to walk this area with him to produce an alternative solution. B.) MS. MARSHA MARTIN - Ms. Martin explained that she is new to Hartford City and had obtained a copy of the state’s Festival Guide. She was questioning why Hartford City’s festivals were not listed? There was discussion about timing issues for submitting ads, cost, etc. Mayor Eckstein said that we would see what we could do about having ads placed in it for 2025. He also suggested coming together as a city and county to fund the ads and make a larger ad for several events.  Ms. Judy Smith stated that they used to advertise Civil War Days in that book. Mayor Eckstein mentioned the fact that Civil War Days will be held this year on October 4th – 6th. He encouraged people to get out and volunteer. Mr. Dudelston challenged the council members to sign up to volunteer to help. C.) MR. BILL SMITH – Mr. Smith stated that he just received an alert that there will be a state-wide tornado drill on Tuesday, March 12, 2024 at 10:15am. He reminded everyone to take time to know what their emergency plan would be. D.) MR. BILL BACON – Mr. Bacon wanted to remind everyone that the Water Department’s 3rd Annual 4th Grade Field Trip will be held on Friday, April 26, 2024. He also stated there is a tentative adult tour of the Water Treatment Plant later that same day. 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 171223_002