Common Council

COMMON COUNCIL COUNCIL CHAMBERS-CITY HALL OCTOBER 7, 2025 -7:00 P.M. The Common Council of the City of Kendallville met in regular session October 7, 2025, at 7:00 P.M. Roll call was answered by: Mayor Lance Waters, Council Member Amy Ballard, Council Member Shari Targgart, Attorney Jacob Atz, and Council Member Christopher McCreery. Council Member Corey Boese and Council Member Tara Streb were absent. Others present were Katie Ritchie, Matt Getts- KPC News, Scott Derby, April Waters, John Dixon, Patrick Howell, Gary Strange, Tiffani Cox, Darin Metzger, Kevin Dressler, Sandra Dressler, Brian Strange, David Mooney, Brody Fretz, Dawn McGahen, Ryan Alwine, Melissa Walker, Trevor Hampshire, Shafter Baker, Doug David, Angie Handshoe, Karla Clarke, Abram Combs, Kenia Diaz, Scott Mosley, Nathaniel Nickles, Bill Crowe, Connor Marks, Austin Lash, Margerie Taylor, Jeremy McKinley, Dakota Dellahan, Nate Stahl, Matthew Gillison, and Tanya Evard. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all in attendance. MINUTES/ MEETING Minutes from September 16, 2025, Common Council meeting was presented for review. Council Member Shari Targgart made a motion to approve with a second from Council Member Christopher McCreery. The motion passed 3 ayes – 0 nays. PETITIONS OR COMMENTS Administrative Engineer Scott Derby thanked the Council for their consideration of 4% raises for city employees. Derby stated that throughout the last five administrations he has worked with this group of people work very well together to get projects done in house to help cut costs. Mayor Lance Waters thanked all city employees who helped make the Apple Festival and Fall Harvest Festival a huge success. MAYOR Fire Prevention Week Proclamation Mayor Lance Waters read a declaration proclaiming October 5th – 11th 2025 as Fire Prevention Week in the City of Kendallville. OLD BUSINESS Special Ordinance #1598/ 2026 Budget- 3rd Reading Council Member Amy Ballard requested the reading of Special Ordinance #1598 in title only. Attorney Jacob Atz read Special Ordinance #1598 in title only. Council Member Amy Ballard made a motion to approve with a second from Council Member Shari Targgart. The motion passed 3 ayes – 0 nays. Special Ordinance #1597/ 2026 Salaries – 2nd Reading Council Member Amy Ballard made a motion to suspend the rules and read Special Ordinance #1597 in title only since the ordinance was posted online for the public to view with a second from Council Member Shari Targgart. The motion passed 3 ayes – 0 nays. Council Member Amy Ballard requested the reading of Special Ordinance #1597 in title only. Attorney Jacob Atz read Special Ordinance #1597 in title only. Council Member Amy Ballard made a motion to approve with a second from Council Member Christopher McCreery. McCreery thanked all the employees for their hard work and dedication to the city but encouraged employees to cut as much costs as possible to be frugal with tax payers dollars. The motion passed 3 ayes – 0 nays. General Ordinance #1278/ Zoning Regulations – 3rd Reading Council Member Amy Ballard requested the reading of General Ordinance #1278 in title only. Attorney Jacob Atz read General Ordinance #1278 in title only. Council Member Amy Ballard made a motion to approve with a second from Council Member Shari Targgart. Council Member Christopher McCreery requested clarity for the last part of the ordinance. The motion passed 3 ayes – 0 nays. ALLOWANCE OF BILLS AND CLAIMS Council Member Amy Ballard presented bills and claim numbers 80675 through 80800 for $1,717,796.24 for approval. Council Member Amy Ballard made a motion to approve the bills and claims with a second by Council Member Christopher McCreery. Clerk Treasurer Katie Ritchie told the board this included two payrolls and the payoff of the prior 2007 water bond. The motion passed 3 ayes-0 nays. MOTION TO ADJOURN Council Member Shari Targgart made a motion to adjourn the meeting with a second from Council Member Amy Ballard. Mayor Lance Waters adjourned the meeting at 7:13 P.M. ________________________________________ Kathren R. Ritchie- Clerk Treasurer Minutes approved by me this 21st of October 2025 _______________________________________ Lance L. Waters-Mayor