Common Council

COMMON COUNCIL CITY OF HARTFORD CITY, INDIANA MAY 4, 2026 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, May 4, 2026. ROLL CALL: Members of the council present were Ron Dudelston, Michael Wolfe, Tracey Witt, and Bill Aspy. Mayor Dan Eckstein, and Clerk-Treasurer Dana Whatley were also present. City Attorney Tyler Rotstein attended via ZOOM. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86880447829? Tony Scaggs was absent. PUBLIC HEARINGS: Mr. Wolfe made a motion to suspend the regular meeting. Ms. Witt seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. Michael Wolfe – AYE, Tracey Witt – AYE, Ron Dudelston – AYE, Bill Aspy – AYE. The vote to approve was 4-0. A.) MAYCO – SB-1/PP TAX ABATEMENT REQUEST #1: Mr. Warren Brown gave explanation for both tax abatements requested. He stated that there are two different production lines being installed that will create a total of 8 new jobs. One line creating 6 and the other creating 2. The council expressed support, stating that the positivity of job creation, new equipment, and investment in our community is very good. There was no public comment. B.) MAYCO – SB-1/PP TAX ABATEMENT REQUEST #2: There was no public comment. C.) CSO-4 BOND ORDINANCE 2026-05: The background of this project was explained. This is the fourth phase to separate the stormwater and sewer lines across approximately 40 city blocks. These projects are mandated by Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM), and this final project must be completed by May 2028 to be in compliance with the state. The project impact comparing 2016’s data to April 2026 shows a 60% reduction in CSO event duration, indicating that the first three phases have been effective. The amount of water discharged into the creeks has significantly decreased. Ms. Jennifer Wilson with Crowe, LLP – who is the Rate Consultant and Financial Advisor for the city and Ms. Julie Boling with Krieg DeVault, LLP as bond counsel were both in attendance. The funding details were explained that the project is estimated to cost $7 - $7.5 million. The bond ordinance authorizes up to $8 million to cover potential higher bids. Ms. Wilson confirmed the debt service for these bonds was included in the rate increase enacted earlier this year. The interest rate is estimated around 4.3% - 4.5%, though the ordinance allows up to 8%. The bonds will be issued for a 20-year term. Ms. Boling explained the ordinance sets legal parameters for issuing the bonds. The bonds are payable solely from the net revenues of the sewage works, not from other taxes. There was no public comment. Mr. Dudelston made a motion to close the public hearing. Mr. Aspy seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. Michael Wolfe – AYE, Tracey Witt – AYE, Ron Dudelston – AYE, Bill Aspy – AYE. The vote to approve was 4-0. Ms. Witt made a motion to re-open the regular meeting. Mr. Wolfe seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. Michael Wolfe – AYE, Tracey Witt – AYE, Ron Dudelston – AYE, Bill Aspy – AYE. The vote to approve 4-0. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Mr. Aspy made a motion to approve the agenda as submitted. Ms. Witt seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. Mr. Wolfe – AYE, Ms. Witt – AYE, Mr. Aspy – AYE, Mr. Dudelston – AYE. The vote to approve was 4-0. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES: A.) MINUTES OF APRIL 6, 2026: Mr. Dudelston made a motion to approve the minutes of April 6, 2026 as submitted. Mr. Wolfe seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. Michael Wolfe – AYE, Tracey Witt – AYE, Ron Dudelston – AYE, Bill Aspy – AYE. The vote to approve was 4-0. B.) MINUTES OF APRIL 13, 2026 SPECIAL MEETING: Mr. Wolfe made a motion to approve the minutes of special meeting on April 13, 2026. Mr. Dudelston seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. Michael Wolfe – AYE, Tracey Witt – AYE, Ron Dudelston – AYE, Bill Aspy – AYE. The vote to approve was 4-0. OLD BUSINESS: A.) 2ND READING OF ORDINANCE 2026-05 – CSO-4 BOND: Mr. Dudelston made a motion to approve the 2nd reading of Ordinance 2026-05. Ms. Witt seconded the motion. . A roll call vote was taken. Michael Wolfe – AYE, Tracey Witt – AYE, Ron Dudelston – AYE, Bill Aspy – AYE. The vote to approve was 4-0. NEW BUSINESS: A.) UTILITY SUPPLY CO. – NEPTUNE GATEWAY PRESENTATION: The gentleman from Utility Supply Co. was unable to attend tonight’s meeting. Mr. Dudelston made a motion to table this topic until the June meeting. Mr. Wolfe seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. Michael Wolfe – AYE, Tracey Witt – AYE, Ron Dudelston – AYE, Bill Aspy – AYE. The vote to approve was 4-0. B.) MS. JUDY SODDERS – 1400 N. WALNUT ST.: Ms. Sodders requested to vacate an alley behind the property that she owns on Walnut St. Mr. Wolfe made a motion to begin the process. Mr. Aspy seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. Michael Wolfe – AYE, Tracey Witt – AYE, Ron Dudelston – AYE, Bill Aspy – AYE. The vote to move forward was 4-0. C.) HERITAGE DAYS: Dr. Tom Lee explained that Heritage Days is scheduled from 5/27/26 – 5/30/26. He requested funding for this year’s festival. Mr. Dudelston made a motion to fund $2,100 towards Heritage Days. Mr. Wolfe seconded the motion. . A roll call vote was taken. Michael Wolfe – AYE, Tracey Witt – AYE, Ron Dudelston – AYE, Bill Aspy – AYE. The vote to approve was 4-0. A second part of his request was street closures. He provided a map of the requests. Council expressed concerns about street closures and the placement of food vendors in a parking lot used by Obi’s restaurant for deliveries, employee parking and trash removal. A safety concern was also noted for the closure proposed for High Street. A proposal was made to move the High Street closure north one block, away from the courthouse square to improve safety to the Heritage Days patrons. Mr. Wolfe made a motion to approve the amended street closures. Ms. Witt seconded the motion. . A roll call vote was taken. Michael Wolfe – AYE, Tracey Witt – AYE, Ron Dudelston – AYE, Bill Aspy – AYE. The vote to approve was 4-0. There were a couple of un-resolved issues between Heritage Days and OBI’s. A special meeting of Council was set for May 11, 2026 at 6pm in case an agreement could not be reached between the two parties. D.) MR. JEFF THOMAS – DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS: 1.) CCMG: Mr. Thomas explained that the city is applying for another Community Crossings Grant in July. The total project is estimated at $900,000, with the city’s match being approximately $180,000 (20%). Mr. Wolfe made a motion to allow up to $200,000 for the city’s share to start this process. Ms. Witt seconded the motion. . A roll call vote was taken. Michael Wolfe – AYE, Tracey Witt – AYE, Ron Dudelston – AYE, Bill Aspy – AYE. The vote to approve was 4-0. 2.) INFORMATION ON TRASH PICKUP CHANGE: Mr. Thomas explained the Sanitation Department will be changing the trash collection from a five-day to four-day schedule, starting the first week of June 2026. The Friday route will be combined with Wednesday route. Trash will no longer be collected on Fridays. Residents will be notified in person or with a door tag. The change is intended to save time and money. E.) RESOLUTION 2026-10 SB-1/PP NJT ENTERPRISES, LLC d/b/a MAYCO INTERNATIONAL, LLC: Mr. Aspy made a motion to approve resolution 2026-10. Ms. Witt seconded the motion. . A roll call vote was taken. Michael Wolfe – AYE, Tracey Witt – AYE, Ron Dudelston – AYE, Bill Aspy – AYE. The vote to approve was 4-0. F.) RESOLUTION 226-11 SB-1/PP NJT ENTERPRISES, LLC. d/b/a MAYCO INTERNATIONAL, LLC: Mr. Aspy made a motion to approve resolution 2026-11. Mr. Wolfe seconded the motion. . A roll call vote was taken. Michael Wolfe – AYE, Tracey Witt – AYE, Ron Dudelston – AYE, Bill Aspy – AYE. The vote to approve was 4-0. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT UPDATE: A.) VETERANS: Ms. Brown explained that as part of the 250th celebration, Veterans were invited to the courthouse to do a commemorative picture. Forty-five veterans were in attendance. She stated it was a wonderful event. She thanked Neff Realty and Above and Beyond Woodworking for providing hats for all our veterans. Each veteran will receive an individual picture and a group picture that was funded by through a grant we received for our community. She also thanked Mr. Doug Smith with the National Guard and the American Legion for hosting our veterans for this event. Also, in keeping with honoring our veterans, they are conducting interview with the veterans, and they will compile snippets of those interviews, and they will be used as part of our celebration for Saturday in the Park, July 4, 2026. She explained that the families will have access to the full interviews. She stated it’s important to capture these memories for future generations. B.) CROSSWALK PAINTING PROJECT: On June 6, 2026 from 9am to noon volunteers will paint patriotic designs on our four downtown crosswalks. Gillman’s is sponsoring part of this project. She stated that volunteers are needed for painting. G.) CLERK-TREASURER’S REPORT: Ms. Whatley requested that council allow a new ordinance drafted regarding no door-to-door peddling in the Hartford City limits. There was discussion and guidance given by the City Attorney. Ms. Witt made a motion to give the attorney permission to begin work on a more robust ordinance to regulate solicitation. Mr. Aspy seconded the motion. . A roll call vote was taken. Michael Wolfe – AYE, Tracey Witt – AYE, Ron Dudelston – AYE, Bill Aspy – AYE. The vote to approve was 4-0. MAYOR’S REPORT: A.) CITY WIDE CLEAN UP: Mayor Eckstein explained that the City-Wide Cleanup is scheduled for Saturday, May 16, 2026 from 9a- noon. Everyone is to meet at Weiler Plaza. B.) COMMUNITY SHRED-DAY: Mayor Eckstein reminded everyone that a Community Shred- Day is planned for Saturday, June 6, 2026 from 9am – 12 noon at City Hall. This is for Hartford City residents. C.) CAR SHOW: There is a car show scheduled June 5, 2026 from 5p – 8pm at the Girl Scout House. All donations will go to the Alzheimer’s Association. D.) TRAIL EXTENSION: Mayor Eckstein explained that the Greenway trail is expanding and to move forward a three-way stop sign needs to be installed at Park Avenue and Wabash Avenue. Ms. Witt made a motion to approve the stop sign installation. Mr. Dudelston seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. Michael Wolfe – AYE, Tracey Witt – AYE, Ron Dudelston – AYE, Bill Aspy – AYE. The vote to approve was 4-0. COUNCIL COMMENT: NONE PUBLIC COMMENT: NONE ADJOURNMENT: With there being no further business, Ms. Witt made a motion to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 7:15pm. FOLDER 2/REC 43