Common Council

CITY COMMON COUNCIL OF HARTFORD CITY, INDIANA SEPTEMBER 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, September 3, 2024. ROLL CALL: Members of the council present were Ron Dudelston, Michael Wolfe, Tracey Witt, Tony Scaggs, and Bill Aspy. Mayor Eckstein, Attorney Brandon Murphy, and Clerk-Treasurer Dana Whatley were also present. PUBLIC HEARING: Mr. Scaggs made a motion to close the regular council meeting. Mr. Aspy seconded the motion. The vote to close the regular council meeting was 5-0. The public hearing was for the 2025 budget. There was no comment made. Mr. Dudelston made a motion to resume the regular meeting. Mr. Scaggs seconded the motion. The vote to resume the regular meeting was 5-0. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Mr. Dudelston made a motion to approve the agenda as presented. Mr. Aspy seconded the motion. The vote to approve the agenda was 5-0. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FOR AUGUST 5, 2024: Mr. Scaggs made a motion to approve the minutes of August 5, 2024 as submitted. Mr. Wolfe seconded the motion. The vote to approve the minutes was 5-0. OLD BUSINESS: A.) TRINITY BELL – INQUIRING ABOUT THE INTERPRETATION OF THE CHICKEN ORDINANCE: Ms. Bell approached council for clarification of the rabbits and fowl portion of the animal ordinance. There was debate over the interpretation of and potential revision of the ordinance to make it less restrictive. Suggestions were made to remove the contradictory sections of the ordinance and to clarify that chickens should be kept in an enclosure but not necessarily confined to a coop 24/7. Attorney Murphy stated that we will draft an amendment to be introduced at the next regular meeting. No other action was taken, at this meeting. NEW BUSINESS: A.) BSM GROUP – RIGHT-OF-WAY REQUEST FOR 701 E. ELM ST.: Mr. Dudelston made a motion to accept the request from BSM Group for this project. Mr. Scaggs seconded the motion. The vote to approve the Right-of-Way project was 5-0. B.) RESOLUTION 2024-23 – APPROVING CERTAIN AMENDMENT TO THE PLAN FOR THE BLACKFORD INDUSTRIAL PARK ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AREA: It was explained that this resolution is related to redevelopment and economic development areas, including the Key Plastics Building back into the revitalization area. It was relayed that the Area Plan Commission approved this at their meeting this same night. Mr. Dudelston made a motion to  approve Resolution 2024-23. Mr. Wolfe seconded the motion. The vote to approve Resolution 2024-23 was 5-0. C.) 1ST READING OF ORDINANCE 2024-04 FOR THE BUDGET 2025 BUDGET: Mr. Scaggs made a motion to approve the first reading of Ordinance 2024-04. Mr. Aspy seconded the motion. The vote to approve the first reading of Ordinance 2024-04 was 5-0. D.) 1ST READING OF ORDINANCE 2024-05 FOR THE SALARY ORDINANCE 2025: Mr. Dudelston made a motion to approve the first reading of Ordinance 2024-05. Mr. Scaggs seconded the motion. The vote to approve the first reading of Ordinance 2024-05 was 5-0. E.) BILL SMITH – BLACKFORD COUNTY EMA: Mr. Smith was not in attendance at tonight's meeting. F.) WWTP SUPERINTENDENT, TRAVIS WILLIAMSON – REVIEW OUTSIDE LAB RENTAL FEES FOR 2025: Mr. Williamson stated that there is a need to increase what his department charges for outside lab rental fees due to inflationary pressures and it is just to recover his costs. Mr. Scaggs made a motion to approve this request. Ms. Witt seconded the motion. The vote to approve the rental fee increase was 5-0. G.) FIRE CHIEF, NICK PARROTT – PERMISSION TO SPEND OVER $10,000: Chief Parrott explained that he would like to purchase a new rescue truck. Mr. Scaggs made a motion to approve the expenditure. Mr. Dudelston seconded the motion. The vote to approve this purchase was 5-0. MAYOR’S COMMENTS: A.) MARION HEALTH EAST – OPEN HOUSE: Mayor Eckstein announced that the new Marion Health East hospital is ready to open soon. He explained that they will have an open house on September 15, 2024 from 12pm – 6pm. B.) SUPPORT LETTER FOR THE GIFT 8 TRAILS PROJECT: Mayor Eckstein asked the Council for their vote to sending a support letter to Lilly for the trail project grant application. Mr. Scaggs made a motion to approve sending this letter. Ms. Witt seconded the motion. The vote to approve was 5-0. C.) 9/11 REMEMBERANCE CEREMONY: Mayor Eckstein stated that the city will hold its annual remembrance ceremony at Veterans Park on September 11, 2024. He stated that he is seeking veterans and first responders to speak at the event. CLERK-TREASURER COMMENTS: NONE COUNCIL COMMENT: A.) MR. DUDELSTON: Mr. Dudelston reminded everyone that Civil War Days will be taking place 10/4 – 10/6. He is looking for volunteers to work at the entry gate to collect admissions. PUBLIC COMMENT: NONE ADJOURNMENT: With there being no further business, Mr. Scaggs made a motion to adjourn the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 6:41pm. FOLDER 2/REC 35