Common Council

CITY COMMON COUNCIL OF HARTFORD CITY, INDIANA AUGUST 4, 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, August 4, 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. Aspy made a motion to approve the agenda 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. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF JULY 7, 2025: Mr. Dudelston made a motion to approve the minutes of July 7, 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.) MR. CHRIS EHRHART – BLACKFORD COUNTY IRACS: Mr. Ehrhart, Ms. Allie Rains and Ms. Kimbra Reynolds returned to council as requested in the July meeting. They requested funding from council. Upon direction from the city’s attorney, council can appropriate funds from the restricted fund of the opioid settlement. After some discussion, Ms. Witt made a motion to appropriate $50,000 from the restricted opioid settlement fund for the Blackford County IRACS. 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.) DISCUSSION OF AGRICULTURE IN AN R-1 ZONED AREA WITHIN CITY LIMITS: A.) MS. ANNE OWEN – REGARDING RECOMMENDATION FROM AREA PLAN COMMISSION: Ms. Owen explained that the Area Plan Commission recommended R-1 zoning changes to remove agriculture as a use. Mr. Michael Wolfe read a letter from constituent Mr. Casey Dick. Mr. Dick expressed opposition to this recommendation stating government overreach and highlighting two R-1 zoned properties withing the city limits currently. There was much discussion. Mr. Scaggs made a motion to approve the APC recommendation. 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.  B.) 1ST READING OF ORDINANCE 2025-11 – AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE 1215 REGARDING DEFINING AGRICULTURAL USE WITH THE LIMITS OF THE CITY OF HARTFORD CITY: Attorney Drew Hall explained that this ordinance amendment changes the outdated zoning ordinance definition. The new definition was presented as: the use of land or structures in the production for commercial sale of any livestock or livestock products, aquaculture products, equine or equine products, poultry or poultry products, fruits, vegetables, forage, grains, timber, trees, bees and apiary products, tobacco, or other agricultural crops or horticultural or nursery stock. It was clarified that this definition targets commercial agriculture and does not impact small-scale activities like selling produce from a backyard or 4-H projects. Mr. Dudelston made a motion to approve the first reading of Ordinance 2025-11. Mr. Scaggs seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. Michael Wolfe – AYE, Tracey Witt – AYE, Ron Dudelston – AYE, Bill Aspy – AYE, Tony Scaggs – AYE. The vote to approve the first reading was 5-0. NEW BUSINESS: 1.) MR. JIM MORRIS – SURF INTERNET: Mr. Morris introduced Surf Internet to council. He explained that the Elkhart, Indiana based regional internet service provider is working in Indiana, Michigan, and Illinois. He expressed interest in bringing fiber internet to Hartford City. He stated that Surf Internet offers service with no contracts, no connection fees and price lock for life, providing speeds up to 2 gigs. They are not requesting city funding; Surf Internet will fund the project themselves. They also expressed interest in community involvement, such as joining the Chamber of Commerce and sponsoring local events and organizations like Little League. This was just for information at tonight’s meeting. There was no action taken. 2.) MR. DEREK BONEWIT – HOMECOMING PARADE: Mr. Bonewit was a no-show for tonight’s meeting. 3.) MS. DEB GRIDER – BZA (BUILDING ZONING APPEALS) BOARD APPOINTEE: Ms. Grider approached council about their appointment to the BZA board. She shared concerns about this board member regarding to non-adherence to board rules and procedures. She stated different dates and times as examples of when she claimed this happened. Ms. Grider requested the removal of this board member from the BZA. The council denied her request since this appointment to the BZA board is a Mayoral appointment and not a council appointment. They instructed her to schedule an appointment to speak with the mayor. 4.) SIGMA TECHNOLOGIES – AEP R-O-W 2026 PROJECT: Clerk-Treasurer Whatley presented the documentation on behalf of Sigma Technologies for this right of way project. Mr. Scaggs made a motion to approve this right of way project. Mr. Wolfe seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. Michael Wolfe – AYE, Tracey Witt – AYE, Ron Dudelston – AYE, Bill Aspy – AYE, Tony Scaggs – AYE. The vote to approve was 5-0. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT UPDATE: 1.) “WE NOTICED” INIATIVE: Ms. Cheri Brown explained that this initiative was designed to recognize residents for maintaining their lawns and properties. Signs are placed in the yards of recognized residents and are then rotated to new recipients every couple of weeks. The public is encouraged to nominate yards by calling City Hall, with the understanding that some residents may prefer not to be recognized. A letter is delivered to the recipient along with the recognition sign. 2.) BIKE AND PEDESTRIAN PLAN – PUBLIC INPUT SESSION: A public input session for a comprehensive community bike and pedestrian plan is being held on August 14, 2025 from 6:00 – 7:30pm at City Hall. Ms. Brown invited everyone to participate in this. She stated that having public input is often crucial to obtain state funding for projects. MAYOR’S COMMENTS: Mayor Eckstein announced there will be a second public hearing for the proposed utility rate increases at the regular City Council meeting on Tuesday, September 2, 2025 at 6:00pm. CLERK-TREASURER COMMENTS: NONE COUNCIL COMMENT: NONE PUBLIC COMMENT: NONE ADJOURNMENT: With there being no further business, Mr. Scaggs made a motion to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 6:47pm. FOLDER 2/REC 54