August 01, 2024 Council Minutes

DARLINGTON TOWN COUNCIL & UTILITY BOARD MINUTES AUGUST 1, 2024 CALL TO ORDER: President Nicole Parker opened the meeting with the pledge. Four council members were present with Jeremy Weliever unable to attend. Joining President Parker was Clerk-Treasurer Michelle Cash, Electric Linesman’s Brian Mullen, Jason Gates, and Attorney Tyler Nichols. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: A motion to approve the July 11, 2024, minutes was made by Marilyn Cohee, seconded by Jennifer Flaugher. Motion Approved (4-0) MONEY MATTERS: A motion to approve the payroll docket accounts receivable and appropriation report for July 2024 was made by Vice President Teresa Sutherlin and seconded by Marilyn Cohee. Motion Approved (4-0). All reports are emailed before the meeting to be reviewed. PUBLIC COMMENT: Mayor Todd Barton with the City of Crawfordsville, and Tom Klein County Administrator, Montgomery County Commissioner Dan guard reported to Franklin Township Board and Trustee Jayne Lough, Sugar Creek Township Board and Trustee Peggy Whitacre and several citizens on the upcoming news of the city and county working together to create jobs, infrastructure and new business to the county and city. They reported on the importance of economic development to help bring in business and housing. They also talked of different opportunities that can be reached to help with finance for growth in small towns. NEW BUSINESS: Scott Siple with Midwest Engineering reported to the council that he will tour the wastewater treatment plant and surrounding lift stations to report back to the council at their September 19" meeting to evaluate the improvements needed to maintain the current plant. OLD BUSINESS: The second and final reading for Ordinance 2024-2 — Tree Cutting was read and reviewed. A motion to approve ordinance 2024-2 was made by Marilyn Cohee, seconded by Vice President Teresa Sutherlin. Motion Approved (4-0) Council reviewed the Form 1’s and will have a special meeting in August to discuss raises. All other budget items were good. STAFF & ELECTED OFFICIAL REPORT: Attorney Report —Attorney Nichols reported on the follow up of Code Enforcement Ordinance that go undone. Once the Code Enforcement officer issues the violation, and follow up is not complete, a letter will be sent out for an additional ten days to complete with each day accumulating a $100.00 a day fine. If the resident still does not comply with the violation, then Wastewater Report — Tom Astbury — Director of Astbury Water Technology, Inc. - not present Electric Report — Linesman Jason Gates reported to the council that his last day of employment with the town will be September 5, 2024 at which time he would like to be paid for his four weeks of vacation. President Parker asked that a Job Opening be placed in the local paper and posted so that the position can be filled as soon as possible. President Parker was concerned with the liability of only having one linesman when they are called out for storms. Linesmen Brian Mullen informed President Parker and the council that, if need be, we have a mutual aid agreement with CELP. Mr. Mullen went on to discuss the update on 32. Mr. Mullen will be looking into a contract with USIC to enter all data for 811 locates. This is a requirement that will start on January 1, 2025. MVH Report- Mr. Mullen report on the leaf vac and the amount of time and staff it takes to pick up leaves. This project is a free service to the residents of Darlington and the leaf vac, can have several breakdowns. The council would like for a notice to go out to the town residents that you have always been allowed to burn your leaves you just cannot burn them in the street. A motion to surplus the leaf vac due to the high cost was made by Vice President Teresa Sutherlin, seconded by Marilyn Cohee. Motion Approved (4-0) Darlington Police Department ~ Marshall Kevin Crull sent the July activity logs and the August 2024 police schedule in an email. Park — Clerk Cash reported that Bob Cash told the council they could surplus the explore that was used by him. He reported it is easier for him to use his own pickup. A motion to surplus and take bids on the explorer was made by Marilyn Cohee, seconded by Vice President Teresa Sutherlin. Motion Approved (4-0) . Code Enforcement Officers ~Mike Smith is continuing to work on clean-up of properties. Mr. Smith issued out several violations this week. Clerk-Treasurer Cash presented the billing report for July 2024. Clerk Cash will add the festival dates to the next billing message. COUNCIL MEMBERS REPORT Marilyn Cohee — None. Teresa Sutherlin— Jennifer Flaugher — Mrs. Flaugher asked for a donation for the Darlington Fish Fry and Festival for the DFI. A motion to donate $1,000 to the festival was made by Vice President Teresa Sutherlin, seconded by Marilyn Cohee. Motion Approved (4-0) A motion to not charge the Darlington Fish Fry Festival rent for the use of the park and shelters, was made by Vice President Teresa Sutherlin, seconded by Marilyn Cohee. Motion Approved (a-0) Jeremy Weliever — Not Present Nicole Parker — None PUBLIC COMMENT - None The next scheduled Town Board and Utility meeting will be on September 5, 2024 — at 5:00 p.m. — at the Darlington Community Center. Jennifer Flaugher motioned to adjourn and was seconded by Marilyn Cohee. Motion Approved (4-0). %% oadae 2 St e Nicole Parker, President Teresa Sutherlin, Vice President remy V\fiefiever, Council Member Marilyn Col(ee, Council Member Oc Jerinifer Flaughe/r, Council Member Aflest:%%/% Z é D— Michelle R. Cash, Clerk-Treasurer