Common Council

CITY COMMON COUNCIL OF HARTFORD CITY, INDIANA APRIL 7, 2025 MEETING MINUTES CALL TO ORDER & WELCOME: Council President, Ron Dudelston called to order a meeting of the Common Council of the City of Hartford City at 6:00pm, April 7, 2025 ROLL CALL: Members of the council present were Ron Dudelston, Michael Wolfe, Tracey Witt, Tony Scaggs, and Bill Aspy. Mayor Eckstein, City Attorney Aubrey Crist, and Clerk-Treasurer Dana Whatley were also present. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Mr. Dudelston requested to amend the agenda for two items. He asked to remove the word “shelter” from the animal ordinance number 2025-03. Per Attorney Crist’s advice, he asked to remove new business letter “J” Park Place Communities from the agenda. Mr. Scaggs made a motion to approve the amended agenda. Mr. Aspy seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. Michael Wolfe – AYE, Tracey Witt – AYE, Bill Aspy – AYE, Ron Dudelston – AYE, Tony Scaggs – AYE. The vote to approve was 5-0. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FOR MARCH 3, 2025: Mr. Wolfe made a motion to approve the minutes for March 3, 2025 as submitted. Mr. Scaggs seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. Michael Wolfe – AYE, Tracey Witt – AYE, Bill Aspy – AYE, Ron Dudelston – AYE, Tony Scaggs – AYE. The vote to approve was 5-0. OLD BUSINESS: 1.) DR. TOM LEE – HERITAGE DAYS: Dr. Lee presented a Certificate of Insurance for the Heritage Days Committee. He also provided a map to the street department for roadblocks during Heritage Days. He also asked the council if they would be willing to appropriate any more money to this festival. Mr. Scaggs made a motion to donate an additional $1,000. There was NO second and the motion died. 2.) ZONING FOR AGRICULTURE AND HIRING OF SPECIAL LEGAL COUNSEL TO DRAFT AGRICULTURE ORDINANCE: There was discussion about hiring Attorney Barry Hall with McKinney & Co. and cap that expense at $2,500. Mr. Scaggs made a motion to move forward with hiring Attorney Hall and cap the expense at $2,500. Ms. Witt seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. Michael Wolfe – AYE, Tracey Witt – AYE, Bill Aspy – AYE, Ron Dudelston – AYE, Tony Scaggs – AYE. The vote to approve was 5-0. 3.) NO PARKING ORDINANCE FOR NORTH MICHIGAN AND GREENBRIAR DRIVE: Attorney Crist stated that she needs more documentation to address parking issues. Mr. Scaggs made a motion to table this topic to the special meeting of council. Mr. Aspy seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. Michael Wolfe – AYE, Tracey Witt – AYE, Bill Aspy – AYE, Ron Dudelston – AYE, Tony Scaggs – AYE. The vote to approve was 5-0.  4.) ORDINANCE 2025-03 ANIMAL ORDINANCE: Mr. Scaggs made a motion to table the 1st reading of this ordinance to the special meeting of council. Ms. Witt seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. Michael Wolfe – AYE, Tracey Witt – AYE, Bill Aspy – AYE, Ron Dudelston – AYE, Tony Scaggs – AYE. The vote to table was 5-0. NEW BUSINESS: 1.) BAKER TILLY – ANNUAL TIF REPORT UPDATE: Mr. Greg Balsano with Baker Tilly presented the annual TIF report, detailing revenues, expenditures, and allocation areas for 2024. This was for informational purposes. 2.) FRANNY TREMMEL – FLAVOR & SAVOR FOOD FESTIVAL: Ms. Tremmel explained about this food festival that she has planned on Saturday, June 21, 2025 from 10am – 4pm. She provided a map with road closure requests. Mr. Scaggs made a motion to approve the street closures she requested. Ms. Witt seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. Michael Wolfe – AYE, Tracey Witt – AYE, Bill Aspy – AYE, Ron Dudelston – AYE, Tony Scaggs – AYE. The vote to approve was 5-0. Mr. Scaggs made a motion to donate $500 for advertising funding for the food festival. Mr. Wolfe seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. Michael Wolfe – AYE, Tracey Witt – AYE, Bill Aspy – AYE, Ron Dudelston – AYE, Tony Scaggs – AYE. The vote to approve was 5-0. 3.) RESOLUTION 2025-01 – CF-1/PP NJT ENTERPRISES/MAYCO: Ms. Witt made a motion to approve resolution 2025-01. Mr. Aspy seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. Michael Wolfe – AYE, Tracey Witt – AYE, Bill Aspy – AYE, Ron Dudelston – AYE, Tony Scaggs – AYE. The vote to approve was 5-0. 4.) RESOLUTION 2025-02 – CF-1/RP NJT ENTERPRISES/MAYCO: Ms. Witt made a motion to approve resolution 2025-02. Mr. Wolfe seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. Michael Wolfe – AYE, Tracey Witt – AYE, Bill Aspy – AYE, Ron Dudelston – AYE, Tony Scaggs – AYE. The vote to approve was 5-0. 5.) RESOLUTION 2025-03 – CF-1/PP PETOSKEY PLASTICS: Mr. Scaggs made a motion to approve resolution 2025-03. Mr. Aspy seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. Michael Wolfe – AYE, Tracey Witt – AYE, Bill Aspy – AYE, Ron Dudelston – AYE, Tony Scaggs – AYE. The vote to approve was 5-0. 6.) RESOLUTION 2025-04 – CF-1/RP PETOSKEY PLASTICS: Mr. Scaggs made a motion to approve resolution 2025-04. Mr. Aspy seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. Michael Wolfe – AYE, Tracey Witt – AYE, Bill Aspy – AYE, Ron Dudelston – AYE, Tony Scaggs – AYE. The vote to approve was 5-0. 7.) RESOLUTION 2025-06 – CF-1/RP GILLMAN: Mr. Scaggs made a motion to approve resolution 2025-06. Mr. Wolfe seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. Michael Wolfe –  AYE, Tracey Witt – AYE, Bill Aspy – AYE, Ron Dudelston – AYE, Tony Scaggs – AYE. The vote to approve was 5-0. 8.) 1ST READING OF ORDINANCE 2025-02 – NOISE ORDINANCE AMENDMENT: Ms. Witt made a motion to approve the 1st reading of ordinance 2025-02. Mr. Scaggs seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. Michael Wolfe – AYE, Tracey Witt – AYE, Bill Aspy – AYE, Ron Dudelston – AYE, Tony Scaggs – AYE. The vote to approve was 5-0. The second reading will be at the special meeting of council. 9.) CONSTITUENT REQUEST TO CHANGE NOISE ORDINANCE FOR FIREWORKS: There was a request by a constituent to decrease the hours that fireworks are allowed to be fired around the 4th of July holiday. Attorney Crist stated that Indiana Code 22-11-14-10.5 determines the dates and times for fireworks and the council is not allowed to change it. 10.) RESOLUTION 2025-05 APPROVING TRANSFER OF FUNDS TO RAINY DAY FUND: Mayor Eckstein explained that we have excess appropriations from the 2024 annual budget and is requesting to transfer $20,100.00 from the general fund to the rainy-day fund. Mr. Scaggs made a motion to approve this transfer. Mr. Dudelston seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. Michael Wolfe – AYE, Tracey Witt – AYE, Bill Aspy – AYE, Ron Dudelston – AYE, Tony Scaggs – AYE. The vote to approve was 5-0. 11.) DISCUSS CREATING A ZOOM POLICY FOR MEETING ATTENDANCE: Attorney Crist explained that we need to create an ordinance that directs meeting attendance by council members via electronic means. She said that she will give examples to each board member individually and then they will move forward from there. 12.) COUNCIL REDISTRICTING: There was some discussion about what is expected by the state and the timeline for this redistricting. It was decided that the council will discuss this topic more at their special meeting. There was no action taken. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT UPDATE: 1.) REVIEW EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK – STATUS UPDATE: Ms. Brown explained that the committee continues to amend the handbook. 2.) CBDG GRANT TRAINING FOR CHERI & MORGAN MASSEY: Ms. Brown and Deputy-Clerk Treasurer Morgan Massey are taking advantage of grant administrator training from the state. 3.) BIKE/PEDESTRIAN PATH MASTER PLANNING GRANT: Ms. Brown stated we have received the grant funding, and she has been working with HWC as the consultants on this project. This planning work kicked off on Friday.  4.) SENIOR CITIZENS CENTER FACE LIFT: Ms. Brown explained that she received some donated funding to paint and replace flooring in the Senior Citizen’s Center. There will be an open house on May 21, 2025 5.) “THIS IS US” $5,000 ARTS COMMISSION GRANT: Ms. Brown explained that she’s working on obtaining a $5,000 grant to develop Hartford City’s story and displaying artwork downtown that tells our story. 6.) SMALL BUSINESS MEETING: Ms. Brown invited council to the Senior Citizens Center on April 24th for the small business meeting. 7.) CITY-WIDE CLEAN UP DAY: Ms. Brown reminded everyone that the city-wide cleanup day is April 19th from 8a – 12noon at Oxley’s corner. 8.) FUNDING FOR WATER DEPARTMENT’S LEAD PROJECT: Ms. Brown explained that she is helping the Water Department seek funding for their lead remediation project. MAYOR’S COMMENTS: 1.) GOLF CART SEASON: Mayor Eckstein stated that as the weather warms up there will be more golf carts on the city streets. He encouraged everyone to be on the lookout for them. 2.) CROWE UTILITY RATE STUDY: Mayor Eckstein explained that we are currently working with Crowe to obtain a current rate study as we investigate adjustments to utility rates and sewer & water tap fees. 3.) 4-H COMMUNITY CENTER UPDATE: Mayor Eckstein gave a brief update on the status of the community center. He stated that they have a funding shortfall. He reminded council that they have pledged $100,000 to this project, as well. CLERK-TREASURER COMMENTS: NONE COUNCIL COMMENT: 1.) MR. BILL ASPY: Mr. Aspy explained that he received a call from a constituent regarding large holes in the alley between 200 S. Jefferson and High Street. The lady explained it is the only way that she can transport her mother to the house. Mr. Jeff Thomas with the Department of Public Works stated that he would go down and assess the situation. 2.) MR. RON DUDELSTON: Mr. Dudelston thanked all who attended the council’s Town Hall meeting on March 31, 2025. 3.) MR. RON DUDELSTON: Mr. Dudelston and the council members decided on a Special Meeting date of April 22, 2025 at 6:00pm. PUBLIC COMMENT: 1.) WATER SUPERINTENDENT, BILL BACON: Mr. Bacon wanted to remind everyone that the Water Department will be hosting their annual 4th grade field trip on May 9, 2025. The council discussed giving some funding for their “goodie bags” that are handed out to the students. Ms. Witt made a motion to fund $500 towards this endeavor. Mr. Wolfe seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. Michael Wolfe – AYE, Tracey Witt – AYE, Bill Aspy – AYE, Ron Dudelston – AYE, Tony Scaggs – AYE. The vote to approve was 5-0. 2.) WASTEWATER SUPERINTENDENT, TRAVIS WILLIAMSON: Mr. Williamson raised concerns about the unreliable Verizon service in Hartford City over the past few years, affecting 5,000 to 6,000 residents. He requested that the council address this issue with Verizon on behalf of the community. 3.) RESIDENT, MR. BRAD HORNER: Mr. Brad Horner reported a safety issue with a damaged garage at the corner of Wabash and McDonald. He stated that the garage is leaning dangerously, with electrical lines posing a risk. He was advised to file a complaint through the city’s website for code enforcement action. ADJOURNMENT: With there being no further business, Mr. Scaggs made a motion to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 7:29pm. FOLDER 2/REC 50