Common Council

CITY COMMON COUNCIL OF HARTFORD CITY, INDIANA JUNE 2, 2025 MEETING MINUTES CALL TO ORDER & WELCOME: Mayor Dan Eckstein called to order a meeting of the Common Council of the City of Hartford City at 6:00pm, June 2, 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 submitted. 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. PUBLIC HEARING: Mr. Dudelston made a motion to suspend the regular council meeting. 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. A public hearing was held on Ordinance 2025-05 for proposed Additional Appropriations to be added to the general fund in the amount of $300,000 for various projects, including the community center at the 4- H grounds. Questions were raised about the inclusion of Reed Lane paving. It was explained that this was a different topic and is not included in the additional appropriation request. With no other discussion, Mr. Aspy made a motion to close the public hearing. 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. Mr. Scaggs made a motion to re-open the regular council meeting. 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. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF MAY 5, 2025: Mr. Wolfe made a motion to approve the minutes of May 5, 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.) ORDINANCE 2025-06 – COUNCIL REDISTRICTING: A first reading of Ordinance 2025-06 for Council Redistricting was conducted. Mr. Scaggs made a motion to approve the first reading of Ordinance 2025-06. 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. Dudelston made a motion to suspend the rules for a second reading of this ordinance. 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. Mr. Dudelston made a motion to approve the second reading of Ordinance 2025-06. 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. 2.) ORDINANCE 2025-08 – AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 91 (PUBLIC MEETINGS, ASSEMBLIES, AND CELEBRATIONS) OF THE HARTFORD CITY CODE OF ORDINANCES: Council took this ordinance under advisement and tabled the 1st reading until the July 7, 2025 council meeting. No other action was taken at this meeting. 3.) VIRTUAL ATTENDANCE/VOTING POLICY FOR CITY COUNCIL: Council took this topic under advisement and tabled further discussion until the July 7, 2025 council meeting. No other action was taken at this meeting. NEW BUSINESS: 1.) MR. CASEY DICK – ROAD CLOSURE REQUEST: Mr. Dick could not be in attendance for tonight’s meeting, so Councilman Wolfe made the request on his behalf. This road closure request is for the annual block party that is held in The Oaks. He is requesting one block of Meadow Lane and one block of Evergreen Drive be closed from 12 noon to 4pm on Saturday, July 12, 2025. Mr. Wolfe made a motion to approve the request. 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. 2.) MS. ANNE OWEN – AREA PLANNING AND ZONING CHANGE RECOMMENDATIONS: Ms. Owen explained that the Area Plan Commission made recommendations for two changes to the zoning ordinance at their May 6, 2025 meeting. The first change that she requested council to vote on was in section 504. She stated that the APC has added a line that an appeal of a decision by the administrator must be made within 30 days of said decision. This will line up with the state rules. The current ordinance does not have a specific time limit in it. Mr. Dudelston made a motion to approve the change to section 504 of this ordinance. 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. Ms. Owen explained that section 502 of the same ordinance needs to have the same amendment. Mr. Dudelston made a motion to approve the amendment to section 502. 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. 3.) 1ST READING OF ORDINANCE 2025-05 – ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATIONS: Mr. Dudelston made a motion to approve the 1st reading of Ordinance 2025-05. 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 2nd reading of this ordinance will be held at the July 7, 2025 council meeting. 4.) RESOLUTION 2025-10 – CF-1/PP SHALEE OILS, LLC.: Mr. Dudelston made a motion to approve resolution 2025-10. 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. 5.) RESOLUTION 2025-11 – CF-1/RP SHALEE OILS, LLC: Mr. Wolfe made a motion to approve resolution 2025-11. 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. 6.) RESOLUTION 2025-12 – CF-1/PP 3M COMPANY: Mr. Scaggs made a motion to approve resolution 2025-12. 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.) MR. JEFF THOMAS – CCMG: Mr. Thomas stated that he was advised by the county that Hartford City would need to adopt their own wheel tax going forward to be able to apply for CCMG grants. There was discussion that the bill that was passed regarding this topic did not approve local municipal government needing to adopt their own wheel tax at this time. Mr. Thomas stated that he would investigate the topic more but just wanted to make council aware that it could be a possibility. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT UPDATE: 1.) FLAG DAY JUNE 14, 2025 – KICK OFF TO AMERICA’S 250TH CELEBRATION: Ms. Brown stated that our community intends to kick off next year’s semi quincentennial celebration on June 14th at 6:30pm at Weiler Plaza. 2.) “THIS IS US” PROGRAM KICK-OFF JUNE 14, 2025: Ms. Brown explained that the “This is Us” is made possible through an Art’s funding program. She explained that over the next year they will have a committee to determine who we are, what is our identity in Hartford City. She stated that it revolves around collecting pictures and finding out the stories behind those pictures to tell our story. 3.) COMMUNITY PRIDE PROGRAM KICKOFF: Ms. Brown said they are planning a community pride program as incentive for homeowners to take care and take pride in their homes, lawns, etc. It will enable neighbors to nominate other neighbors and people that you notice in the community that are doing things that are noteworthy. 4.) BIKE TRAIL AT WILDERNESS PARK: Ms. Brown stated that the bike trail at Wilderness Park is almost completed. She thanked Mr. Ross Alcorn and other volunteers for having a vision for this trail and making it a reality. MAYOR’S COMMENTS: 1.) NEW PARK’S SUPERINTENDENT: Mayor Eckstein introduced Mr. Dustin George as the new Park’s Superintendent. He stated that Mr. George is the perfect fit for this position, and he knows that Mr. George will have our Park’s in pristine condition. 2.) CITY EMPLOYEE PICNIC: Mayor Eckstein reminded all city employees and elected officials of the employee picnic that will be held at Hoover Park on June 20, 2025 at 11:30am. He stated that Deb Black will have her food truck there and will be serving lunch. CLERK-TREASURER COMMENTS: NONE COUNCIL COMMENT: 1.) MR. WOLFE – Mr. Wolfe stated that he was contacted by one of his constituents regarding an ordinance violation and was questioning the notification process and if there is a plan for another Code Enforcement Officer in the future. 2.) MR. DUDELSTON – Mr. Dudelston reminded everyone that we will start livestreaming the public meetings held at city hall beginning on July 1st. He stated that the public can access this livestream on the city’s website and hopefully the city app. PUBLIC COMMENT: 1.) MS. DEB GRIDER – DISCUSSION TOPIC – ZONING: Ms. Grider approached council in reference to how the APC Executive Director make decisions. She stated that she has issues with delayed public records requests and concerns about the 30-day appeal window and lack of clear ordinances regarding administrative appeals. She wanted the council to make sure about what they voted for tonight with the amendment changes to the Area Plan Commission zoning ordinance. 2.) MR. DOUG HUTSON – DISCUSSION TOPIC – ACCIDENT AT LION’S CLUB PARK: Mr. Hutson addressed council on the accident that his grandson was involved in at the Lion’s Club Park. He was operating a zero-turn mower for the Park’s department when the accident happened. Thankfully, his grandson was not hurt but he raised concerns on proper training on all the Park’s equipment and emergency standard operating procedures for the Park’s Department. 3.) MR. DOUG HUTSON – DISCUSSION TOPIC – STREET AND ALLEY MAINTENANCE REQUESTS: Mr. Hutson reminded council that he visited last month regarding the poor alley conditions of Reed Lane. He wanted to know the status of getting something done to repair it. 4.) MR. BILL SMITH – EMA – DISCUSSION TOPIC – RAILROAD 101 EVENT: Mr. Smith made council aware of the upcoming training event for 1st responders and elected officials regarding a hypothetical train accident scenario. It will be held at the Montpelier Fire Department, June 5th from 6:00 – 8:00pm. 5.) MS. HELEN MUSSELMAN – DISCUSSION TOPIC – PROPERTY ORDINANCE VIOLATIONS: Ms. Musselman stated that she was upset with the ordinance violation she received and expressed dissatisfaction with the issuing of code violation notices, citing poor communication and inappropriate use of police resources. 6.) MR. KEN DENHAM – DISCUSSION TOPIC – PROPERTY ORDINANCE VIOLATIONS: Mr. Denham agreed with Ms. Musselman and stated that he received his violation while he was in his yard doing lawn care. He did not understand why he was cited when he was clearly working on his lawn at the time. ADJOURNMENT: With there being no further business, Mr. Dudelston made a motion to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 7:13pm. FOLDER 2/REC 51