Common Council

COMMON COUNCIL COUNCIL CHAMBERS-CITY HALL DECEMBER 19, 2023 -7:00 P.M. Public Hearing/ Water Rates- Ross Hagan from Baker Tilly opened the public hearing with explaining the reasoning and amounts of the water rate increase. Jack Guthrie resident of 1531 S. Main Street asked why the Council was rushing to pass this ordinance before the end of the year and Council Member Jim Dazey told him the current administration felt led to complete this task before the new administration took over on January 1, 2024. The public hearing ended at 7:09 P.M. The Common Council of the City of Kendallville met in regular session December 19, 2023 at 7:09 P.M. Roll call was answered by: Mayor SuzAnne Handshoe, Council Member Regan Ford, Council Member Corey Boese, Council Member Jim Dazey, Attorney Doug Atz, Council Member Shari Targgart, Council Member Amy Ballard, and MYAC Member Melissa Smith. Others present were: Katie Ritchie, Matt Getts- KPC, John & Janelle Dixon, Lance & April Waters, Keith Ballard, Chris McCreery, Scott & Debbie Derby, Cindy Marple, Randy Handshoe, Brylee Handshoe, Layken Handshoe, Connor Handshoe, Mike Riehm, Jordan Fought, Brad Targgart, Tanya Evard, Chris Streich, Patrick Howell, Matt Gillison, Kevin Pegan, Nathaniel Stahl, Jeremy McKinley, Trevor Handshoe, Brandon Cox, Ross Hagan- Baker Tilly, Rhae Dazey, Scott Mosley, Doug Davis, Gwen Christianson, and Jim Nixon. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all in attendance. MINUTES/ MEETING Minutes from the December 5, 2023 Common Council meeting were presented for review. Council Member Jim Dazey made a motion to approve with a second from Council Member Shari Targgart. The motion passed 5 ayes – 0 nays. PETITIONS OR COMMENTS No petitions or comments were given. MAYOR Recognition of Gwen Christianson Mayor SuzAnne Handshoe presented Gwen Christianson with a plaque for her years of service to the Tree Commission. Recognition of Lance Waters Mayor SuzAnne Handshoe presented Lance Waters with a plaque for his years of service with the Kendallville Police Department. Mayor Handshoe said that she is sure Waters will make a great mayor for the City. Reschedule Council Meeting January 2024 Mayor SuzAnne Handshoe presented a list of meeting dates for Council and Board of Works for the 2024 year. The second Council meeting will need to be moved to January 23rd instead of January 16th as all Council Members will be at elected official training in Indianapolis. Council Member Jim Dazey made a motion to approve the meeting date change with a second from Council Member Regan Ford. The motion passed 5 ayes – 0 nays. CLERK-TREASURER Resolution #1115/ 2023 Transfers Council Member Jim Dazey requested the reading of Resolution #1115 in its entirety. Attorney Doug Atz read Resolution #1115 in its entirety. Council Member Jim Dazey made a motion to approve with a second from Council Member Shari Targgart. The motion passed 5 ayes – 0 nays. ENGINEERING The November McCray Solar Report was presented for review. FIRE The November Fire Report was presented for review. POLICE The November Police Report was presented for review. OLD BUSINESS General Ordinance #1262/ Diamond Street Parking- 3rd Reading Council Member Jim Dazey requested the reading of General Ordinance #1262 in title only. Attorney Doug Atz read General Ordinance #1262 in title only. Council Member Jim Dazey made a motion to approve with a second from Council Member Regan Ford. The motion passed 5 ayes – 0 nays. Special Ordinance #1588/ Water Rates- 2nd Reading Council Member Jim Dazey requested the reading of Special Ordinance #1588 in its entirety. Attorney Doug Atz read Special Ordinance #1588 in its entirety. Council Member Jim Dazey made a motion to approve with a second from Council Member Amy Ballard. The motion passed 5 ayes – 0 nays. Council Member Jim Dazey made a motion to suspend the rules and request the 3rd reading be done on Special Ordinance #1588 with a second from Council Member Regan Ford. The motion passed 5 ayes – 0 nays. Council Member Jim Dazey requested the reading of Special Ordinance #1588 in title only. Attorney Doug Atz read Special Ordinance #1588 in title only. Council Member Jim Dazey made a motion to approve with a second from Council Member Amy Ballard. The motion passed 5 ayes – 0 nays. NEW BUSINESS Special Ordinance #1589/ Sewer BAN Ordinance -1st Reading Council Member Jim Dazey requested the reading of Special Ordinance #1589 in title only. Attorney Doug Atz read Special Ordinance #1589 in title only. Council Member Jim Dazey made a motion to approve with a second from Council Member Amy Ballard. The motion passed 5 ayes – 0 nays. General Ordinance #1263/ Sewer Ordinance -1st Reading Council Member Jim Dazey requested the reading of General Ordinance #1263 in title only. Attorney Doug Atz read General Ordinance #1263 in title only. Council Member Jim Dazey made a motion to approve with a second from Council Member Regan Ford. The motion passed 5 ayes – 0 nays. ALLOWANCE OF BILLS AND CLAIMS Council Member Jim Dazey presented bills and claim numbers 75464 through 75609 for $1,875,622.88 for approval. Council Member Jim Dazey made a motion to approve the bills and claims with a second by Council Member Amy Ballard. Clerk Treasurer Katie Ritchie gave a brief description as to why the claims were unusually high. The motion passed 5 ayes-0 nays. Recognition of Elected Officials Mayor SuzAnne Handshoe recognized Council Member Regan Ford and Council Member Jim Dazey for their years of service to City Council as this this their last meeting as Members. Council Member Jim Dazey recognized Mayor SuzAnne Handshoe for her years of service as Mayor to the City of Kendallville with a crystal gavel plaque. MOTION TO ADJOURN Council Member Jim Dazey made a motion to adjourn the meeting with a second from Council Member Regan Ford. Mayor SuzAnne Handshoe adjourned the meeting at 7:56 P.M. ________________________________________ Kathren R. Ritchie- Clerk Treasurer Minutes approved by me this 2nd day of January, 2024 _______________________________________ Lance L. Waters-Mayor