November 24, 2024 Council Minutes

DARLINGTON TOWN COUNCIL & UTILITY BOARD MINUTES November 7th, 2024 CALLTO ORDER: Vice President Teresa Sutherlin opened the meeting with the pledge. Al council members were present. With President Parker being on vacation. Also joining the council was Clerk-Treasurer Michelle Cash, Electric Superintendent Brian Mullen and linesmen Jason Gates and Attorney Tyler Nichols. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: A motion to approve the October 3, 2024 and October 10, 2024, minutes was made by Jennifer Flaugher, seconded by Marilyn Cohee. Motion Approved (4-0) MONEY MATTERS: A motion to approve the payroll docket accounts receivable transfer's and appropriation report for October 2024 was made by Jeremy Weliever and seconded by Marilyn Cohee. Motion Approved (4-0). All reports are emailed before the meeting to be reviewed. A motion to approve the 1 reading on an additional appropriation for the American Rescue Plan fund for $41,832.33 to move the money into an appropriation line item to pay for the repair work on the wastewater plant and lift stations, was made by Marilyn Cohee, seconded by Jennifer Flaugher. Motion Approved (4-0). A motion to approve $3,000.00 from Police Salary line item 1101001113.000 to General cT/ Professional Services 1101001312.000 to cover shortages was made by Marilyn Cohee, seconded by Jennifer Flaugher. Motion Approved (4-0) A motion to approve $3,000.00 from Police Salary line item 1101001113.000 to General Armory/Other Services 1101001396.000 to cover shortages was made by Marilyn Cohee, seconded by Jennifer Flaugher. Motion Approved (4-0) PUBLIC COMMENT: Bart Maxwell requested to the council for a letter for a 10 percent variance for a roof size on a new build on his lot in town. Motion to approve the variance was made by Jeremy Weliever, seconded by Marilyn Cohee. Motion Approved (4-0) Steve Helgers requested approval to bury gas lines under the alley located beside the town hall at 222 west main street. Superintendent Brian Mullen said that the request could not be approved due to buried electrical line under the alley currently. NEW BUSINESS: The first reading of Additional Appropriation Ordinance 5-2024 for the American Rescue Plan. OLD BUSINESS: 2" reading of Salary Ordinance 4-2024 for 2025. The current engineering proposal were discussed and tabled for the Clerk Treasurer to complete an Indiana Rural Water Application to see where the town sits for funds to start a project on the wastewater plant. A motion to amend Salary Ordinance 5-2023 the rehiring of Jason Gates was made by Marilyn Cohee, seconded by Jeremy Weliever. Motion Approved (4-0) The council received news that the owner of Blakes Mowing will not be able to do the property clean-up, due to the fact the liability insurance expense. Clerk Cash gave an update on the baseball and softball contracts. The softball contract for 2024 has been paid as of November 7%, 2024 and the baseball remains unpaid, The council was informed that they will need to find someone for the 2025 season to lease the concession stand. STAFF & ELECTED OFFICIAL REPORT: Attorney Report —Attorney Nichols reported on the follow up of Code Enforcement violations. Attorney Nichols updated the council on the Cummings inspection, he is currently waiting on a signed paper to complete the inspection of the wastewater hook-up. Wastewater Report —~ Tom Astbury — Director of Astbury Water Technology, Inc. - reported no violations for the month of October. Mr. Astbury reported on the plugged lift station 2 and provided pictures of completion of lift station 1 be completely redone. Clerk Cash gave an update after expenses were reported on the ARP money. Mr. Astbury reported the Lift Station 3 pump needs a rebuild, the cost will be $5,200.00 and he will bill the town with no interest for 10 months the cost to replace. A motion to approve the cost was made by Jeremy Weliever, seconded by Marilyn Cohee. Motion Approved (4-0). Mr. Astbury reported there was one last -expense for the ARP that will be completed before the end of the year with Indiana pump works for $9,724.00 to replace pump number 2 was made by Jeremy Weliever, seconded by Jennifer Flaugher. Motion Approved (4-0) Electric Report — Superintendent Brian Mulien reported they were working on contracts for 425 pilot projects. They currently are working on some new builds. Mr. Mullen gave an update on the smart meters and is currently working with Aqua to come to an agreement to put the antennas on the water tower. He is also working with them to allow us to get water readings to change the charge structure for wastewater. Linesmen Jason Gates requested to the council about proceeding forward on hiring a third person for the electric department. Mrs. Cohee at this time would like to wait until the expenses and revenue come in with the rate increase to see what direction the electrical department can go in. MVH Report- Mr. Mullen report on the completion of the streets being paved, the lines have been painted and the handicap spaces updated with new markings. Darlington Police Department — Marshall Kevin Crull sent the October 2024 activity logs and the November 2024 police schedule in an email. Mr. Crull will be looking into cameras for the Town Hall. Park — Nothing Code Enforcement Officers ~Mike Smith is continuing to work on clean-up of properties papers will be filed with the attorney to move forward on properties who have not taken corrective action. Clerk-Treasurer Cash presented the billing report for October 2024. Clerk Cash reported to the council that the website will need to be changed due to the fact it will not have the capabilities for the required recording in 2025. Clerk Cash presented a quote from Rural Water Impact/Municipal Impact for $1,270.00 with a $665.00 yearly maintenance fee. After some discussion Jeremy Weliever made a motion to approve the contract, seconded by Marilyn Cohee. Motion Approved (4-0) A motion to approve the tracking factor for January, February, and March 2025 with a decrease of $0.005268 per KWH was made by Marilyn Cohee, seconded by Jennifer Flaugher. Motion Approved (4-0) COUNCIL MEMBERS REPORT Marilyn Cohee — None. Teresa Sutherlin — None Jennifer Flaugher -~ None Jeremy Weliever — None Nicole Parker — Not Present PUBLIC COMMENT - None Town Board and Utility meeting will be on December 5, 2024 - at 5:00 p.m. —at the Darlington Community Center. Jeremy Weliever motioned to adjourn and was seconded by Jennifer Flaugher. Motion Approved (4-0). Joroan. /2 Sullerps Nicole Parker, President Teresa Sutherlin, Vice President = 72 et Cihor lergnfy Weliever, Council Member Marilyn Coh/ee, Council Member Jennifer Flaugher, Council Member Attest: 770/&#//4 /Cfl 4” Michelle R. Cash, Clerk-Treasurer