Common Council

CITY COMMON COUNCIL OF HARTFORD CITY, INDIANA JUNE 3, 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 June 3, 2024. ROLL CALL: Members of the council present were Michael Wolfe, Tracey Witt, Tony Scaggs, and Bill Aspy. Mayor Eckstein, Attorney Brandon Murphy, and Clerk-Treasurer Dana Whatley were also present. Mr. Ron Dudelston was absent. PUBLIC HEARING: Mr. Scaggs made a motion to suspend the regular City Council meeting. Mr. Aspy seconded the motion. The vote to suspend the regular meeting was 4-0-1. A.) OCRA SEWER PROJECT FUNDING: Mr. Greg Beumer from Kleinpeter Consulting explained that this was the 2nd public hearing that is required in the process to obtain the $700,000 OCRA grant. He asked the public for any questions or comments. Mr. Warren Brown, Blackford County Economic Development Director congratulated the mayor’s office for attempting to obtain these funds. He stated that he was wholeheartedly in support of this project. Ms. Cheri Brown with Purdue Extension Community Development stated that she is in support of this project. She stated that it is a crucial project as we look forward to attracting new residents, building our community, and increasing the quality of life in Hartford City. Mr. Travis Williamson, Superintendent of the Wastewater Department stated that they are having ongoing issues in the project area, and we need to address the problems in this area and get them corrected. With there being no further public comment, this public hearing was closed. B.) SB-1 PERSONAL PROPERTY – eFLEX MOBILE, LLC d/b/a ARROW COMMERCIAL VEHICLES: Arrow Commercial Vehicles is a new manufacturing company that will be moving into the Key Plastics building. Their company manufactures Type A school buses, work trucks, electric vehicles to name a few. Mr. Brian Barrington with Arrow Commercial Vehicles was present to answer questions. He explained that their company is very employee focused and wants to “hire to retire.” He explained that the starting factory worker with be paid around $22 per hour and the skilled trade employee would be somewhere around $25-26 per hour. Mr. Barrington explained that things are moving along very well, and they would like to hire 17 employees by the end of June, 2024. Mr. Scaggs made a motion to close the public hearing. Ms. Witt seconded the motion. The vote to close the public hearing was 4-0-1. Mr. Aspy made a motion to re-open the regular City Council meeting. Mr. Scaggs seconded the motion. The city council’s decision to re-open the regular City Council meeting was 4-0-1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Ms. Whatley stated that we needed to amend the agenda and add letter “I” to new business for Mr. Bill Bacon to request to spend over $10,000. Mr. Wolfe made a motion to amend the agenda. Ms. Witt seconded the motion. The vote to amend the agenda was 4-0-1. Mr. Scaggs made a motion to approve the amended agenda. Mr. Aspy seconded the motion. The vote to approve the amended agenda was 4-0-1. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FOR MAY 6, 2024: Ms. Witt made a motion to approve the minutes of May 6, 2024 as submitted. Mr. Wolfe seconded the motion. The vote to approve the minutes was 4-0-1. OLD BUSINESS: A.) MR. CASEY DICK – ROAD CLOSURE REQUEST: Mr. Dick is requesting to close the corner of Meadow Drive & Evergreen for the annual block party in his neighborhood on the July 4th weekend. Mr. Scaggs made a motion to approve this request. Ms. Witt seconded the motion. The vote to approve the road closure was 4-0-1. B.) MAYOR ECKSTEIN: 1.) CHICKENS & FOWL: There was discussion about people having chickens and roosters in the city limits. Attorney Murphy stated that we could amend 92.41 of the city code to set the number of chickens that are allowed to be kept by an owner and that no roosters should be kept. It did state that those who currently have a rooster and more than the allotted number of chickens may have to be grandfathered in for the life of the animal. The current ordinance does spell out exactly how these animals are to be housed. There was discussion about the violation of the ordinance when animals are not kept in pens and are allowed to run loose. 2.) DOGS AT LARGE: Mayor Eckstein explained that there has been an increase in dog bite reports and other resident injuries due to dogs running at large. He stated that the dogs-at-large problem needs to be addressed and the pet owners need to realize that the city is serious about taking care of this issue. He proposed that the fines increase as follows: 1st offense = $250 2nd offense = $500 3rd offense = $1,000 Attorney Murphy stated that he would draft an ordinance for the review at the July meeting. C.) SIGNAGE COST FOR UTILITY CUSTOMER PARKING SIGNS: Mr. Scaggs made a motion to allow DPW Superintendent, Mr. Jeff Thomas and Police Chief, Cody Crouse, to work together to either design signs or purchase signs for the customer parking spaces for the utility office. Ms. Witt seconded the motion. The vote to approve was 4-0- 1. NEW BUSINESS: A.) RESOLUTION 2024-15 – RESOLUTION GRANTING TAX ABATEMENT FOR PERSONAL PROPERTY IMPROVEMENTS (E FLEX MOBILE, LLC d/b/a ARROW COMMERCIAL VEHICLES): This was the 1st reading for this proposed 10-year abatement. Mr. Scaggs made a motion to approve the 1st reading of Resolution 2024-15. Mr. Aspy seconded the motion. The vote to approve the 1st reading of Resolution 2024-15 was 4-0-1. B.) RESOLUTION 2024-16 – RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING SUBMISSION AND LOCAL MATCH COMMITMENT FOR OCRA GRANT: Mr. Wolfe made a motion to approve Resolution 2024-16. Mr. Scaggs seconded the motion. The vote to approve Resolution 2024-16 was 4-0-1. C.) RESOLUTION 2024-17 – RESOLUTION APPROVING CF-1 FOR REAL PROPERTY THE VILLAGES OF VAN CLEVE, LLP (2024 APPROVAL OF 2012-13): Mr. Scaggs made a motion to approve Resolution 2024-17. Ms. Witt seconded the motion. The vote to approve Resolution 2024-17 was 4-0-1. D.) RESOLUTION 2024-18 – RESOLUTION APPROVING CERTAIN AMENDMENTS TO THE PLAN FOR THE BLACKFORD INDUSTRIAL PARK ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: Mr. Aspy made a motion to approve Resolution 2024-18. Ms. Witt seconded the motion. The vote to approve Resolution 2024-18 was 4- 0-1. E.) MR. BILL SMITH: 1.) EMA ANNOUNCEMENTS: Mr. Smith thanked everyone who attended the CEMP meeting. He said that Hartford City was very well represented. 2.) CIVIL WAR DAYS: Ms. Judy Smith explained that Civil War Days will be held October 4 – 6. She stated that they need volunteers for gate workers, etc. They asked Council if they could appropriate any monies to this festival. She also shared that they are selling raffle tickets for $5 each and have several nice prizes. Mr. Scaggs made a motion to approve $4,000 to be given for Civil War days. Mr. Wolfe seconded the motion. The vote to approve was 4-0-1. F.) MAYOR ECKSTEIN – 608 W. MAIN ST.: Mayor Eckstein stated that he wants to take bids and sell this property to get it back on the tax rolls. He asked the Council for approval to accept bids from only the adjacent homeowners for potential sale of this property. Mr. Scaggs made a motion to approve this sale. Mr. Aspy seconded the motion. The vote to approve was 4-0-1. G.) MAYOR ECKSTEIN – UTILITY DEPOSITS: Mayor Eckstein stated that he had a citizen question as to why the city does not refund the utility deposits a few months after services are started. He stated that his office reached out to other communities in our  area, and they manage the deposits the same way Hartford City does. Hartford City bills 2 months in arrears and holds the deposits until the service is stopped by the resident. The deposit is used for any outstanding bill at the end of service. If there is excess deposit money left, then the customer receives a refund and if the customer has an outstanding balance after the deposit is applied, they will receive a bill for the difference. Attorney Murphy stated that we are operating correctly under the statute. Mayor Eckstein said this was just for information purposes. No action was taken. H.) MAYOR ECKSTEIN – PROPOSED AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECT/COUNCIL DONATION OF 2 PARCELS (APPROXIMATELY 1 ACRE) TO HARTFORD CITY REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION: Mayor Eckstein stated that the Hartford City Redevelopment Commission in exploring an affordable housing project at the old Sutton Field (Babe Ruth Baseball Park). He stated that it is not section 8 housing and there are rules and regulations to qualify to live here. He stated that the school owns 3 acres that they have donated to the Redevelopment Commission. Mayor Eckstein is asking the City Council to donate the 1 acre of city owned property to the Redevelopment Commission, as well. They have introduced Resolution 2024-19, a Resolution to transfer parcels from the city to the Redevelopment Commission. Mr. Scaggs made a motion to approve Resolution 2024-19. Mr. Wolfe seconded the motion. The vote to approve Resolution 2024-19 was 4-0-1. I.) BILL BACON – 2022 YEARLY INSPECTION OF WELL #4: Mr. Bacon stated that in 2022 Peerless Midwest had done an annual inspection of well/pump #4 and it needed to be pulled and cleaned. He stated that in 2022 the Council approved the work to be done but the current Water Project took precedence, and the work was not completed. He asked the Council for permission to spend over $10,000 to have it taken care of now. Mr. Scaggs made a motion to approve the expenditure. Mr. Aspy seconded the motion. The vote to approve was 4-0-1. MAYOR’S COMMENTS: NONE CLERK-TREASURER COMMENTS: NONE COUNCIL COMMENT: A.) MR. TONY SCAGGS – SPRINKLER CREDIT: Mr. Scaggs stated that he had a resident ask if we would implement the sprinkler credit again on the utility bills. This constituent more pointedly asked for the sewer portion to be credited since they are watering plants and lawns and not utilizing the sewer portion. No decision was made at this time. PUBLIC COMMENT: A.) MR. TYLER HUNT – PARKS UPDATE: Mr. Hunt stated that Mr. Dale Martin and his team have been doing an excellent job in the parks this season. He reminded everyone  that Saturday in the Park is on Saturday, July 6th from 10am until dark (then fireworks show). It will be held at Sigma Phi Gamma Park. He stated that they are still looking for volunteers and will be having a volunteer meeting on Tuesday, 6/11/24 at 6:00pm. He also was proud to let everyone know that the Memorial Pool opened on Wednesday, May 29th. They had 705 people come through in the past 6 days. The Park Board would like to challenge individuals and businesses to donate to the pool admissions so that swimmers can enjoy the pool at no cost. B.) WARREN BROWN – BLACKFORD COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: 1.) INDUSTRIAL PARK SIGN: Mr. Brown gave an update on new business opportunities in Hartford City and gave an update on the new Industrial Park Business sign. He stated that the sign is on order. 2.) COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN: Mr. Brown presented a copy of Blackford County’s Comprehensive Plan book to be kept in the mayor’s office for review. He also stated that the plan will be available online as well. C.) ANNE OWEN: 1.) COOK & BELLE CONCERT: Ms. Owen stated that due to inclement weather the Cook & Belle concert was rescheduled until 7/19/24. She invited everyone to mark their calendars and plan on attending. 2.) SHAKESPEARE RE-ENACTORS: Ms. Owen announced that the Shakespeare Re-enactment Club will be performing at Weiler Plaza on June 24th and 25th. They have a trailer that holds all their props and she stated that they will be parking it behind the stage overnight for safe keeping. ADJOURNMENT: With there being no further business, Mr. Scaggs made a motion to adjourn the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 7:19pm. FOLDER 2/REC 21