Common Council

SPECIAL MEETING CITY COMMON COUNCIL OF HARTFORD CITY, INDIANA APRIL 22, 2025 MEETING MINUTES CALL TO ORDER & WELCOME: Council President, Ron Dudelston called to order a special meeting of the Common Council of the City of Hartford City at 6:00pm, April 22, 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. Scaggs made a motion to approve the agenda as presented. 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. OLD BUSINESS: A.) SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE 2025-02 NOISE ORDINANCE: Ms. Witt made a motion to approve the second 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. B.) COUNCIL REDISTRICTING: Mr. Dudelston explained that Blackford County Clerk, Kimberly Pitts is collaborating with a firm to re-draw the lines for the precincts as well as the City Council districts. Once the proper paperwork is drawn up it will be brought before council for approval. This topic was for informational purposes. C.) 1ST READING OF ORDINANCE 2025-04 AMENDING HARTFORD CITY CODE CHAPTER 70 GENERAL PROVISIONS: Mr. Scaggs made a motion to approve the 1st reading of Ordinance 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. Mr. Scaggs made a motion to suspend the rules for a 2nd reading of Ordinance 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. Mr. Wolfe made a motion to approve the 2nd reading of Ordinance 2025-04. 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. NEW BUSINESS: A.) 1ST READING OF ORDINANCE 2025-03 – AN ORDINANCE AMENDING HARTFORD CITY CODE CHAPTER 92 – ANIMALS: Mr. Scaggs made a motion to approve the first reading of Ordinance 2025-03. 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. B.) REVIEW RESOLUTIONS 2014-02 AND 2019-07 REGARDING HERITAGE DAYS: City Attorney, Aubrey Crist requested more time to look at the statute regarding these resolutions. Mr. Scaggs made a motion to table this topic until the May 2025 meeting. 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. C.) RESOLUTION 2025-07 – RESOLUTION DIRECTING AMENDMENT OF THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF BLACKFORD COUNTY: Mr. Scaggs made a motion to approve Resolution 2025-07. 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. D.) COUNCIL APPROVAL FOR MAYOR TO SIGN ON BEHALF OF THE CITY FOR THE CLOSING OF THE SALE OF CITY OWNED FARM GROUND: Mr. Scaggs made a motion to allow Mayor Eckstein to sign all paperwork at the closing of the sale of city owned farm ground. 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. E.) ELECTION OF VICE-PRESIDENT OF COMMON COUNCIL: Mr. Scaggs nominated Mr. Bill Aspy as Vice-President of the Common Council. Mr. Scaggs made a motion to elect Mr. Aspy as Vice-President for the remainder of the 2025 year. Mr. Dudelston seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. Michael Wolfe – AYE, Tracey Witt – AYE, Bill Aspy – ABSTAINED, Ron Dudelston – AYE, Tony Scaggs – AYE. The vote to approve was 4-0-1. MAYOR’S COMMENTS: A.) Mayor Eckstein asked council to consider donating the land at the Babe Ruth Ball Diamond to Blackford County Schools. The school will then sell the land. Mr. Scaggs made a motion to donate the land. 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. B.) Mayor Eckstein explained that Mr. Paul Kraus owner of PK Heating is having a small business cookout on Saturday, April 26, 2025 and encouraged all council members to attend.  C.) Mayor Eckstein informed Council that the city will hold a Shred-It Day for those who live in the city limits on June 21st from 9am – noon at City Hall. Anyone participating will need to show ID and their utility bill. D.) Mayor Eckstein stated that the City-wide clean up day will be held on their rain out date of May 3, 2025 at Oxley’s corner. COUNCIL COMMENT: Mr. Dudelston explained that Ms. Cheri Brown introduced him to a book (also in a YouTube video) on “13 Ways to Kill Your Community”. He encouraged everyone to check it out. Mr. Dudelston talked a little bit about Property Standards Board upcoming changes and the addition of a Code Enforcement Office soon. ADJOURNMENT: With there being no further business, Mr. Scaggs made a motion to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 6:36pm FOLDER 2/ REC 49