June 06, 2024 Council Minutes

DARLINGTON TOWN COUNCIL & UTILITY BOARD MINUTES June 6, 2024 CALL TO ORDER: President Nicole Parker opened the meeting with the pledge. All council members were present along with Attorney Tyler Nichols, Clerk-Treasurer Michelle Cash, Electric Supervisor Brian Mullen, Park Manager Bob Cash and Deputy Shelby Curtis APPROVAL OF MINUTES: A motion to approve the May 2, 2024, minutes was made by Marilyn Cohee, seconded by Jeremy Weliever. Motion Approved (5-0) MONEY MATTERS: The motion to approve the payroll docket accounts receivable and appropriation report for May 2024 was made by Marilyn Cohee and seconded by Vice President Teresa Sutherlin. Motion Approved (5-0). All reports are emailed before the meeting to be reviewed. PUBLIC COMMENT: Attorney Tyler Nichols addressed Ordinance 8-2022 Regulating Noise within the Town of Darlington. The Darlington American Legion requested that the ordinance make an exception for upcoming events with an outdoor band, to allow them to play until 11:00 p.m. instead of 10:00 p.m. Attorney Nichols informed the council that they are allowed to suspend the ordinance and change the time for the listed dates given. President Parker made a motion to suspend the ordinance for the dates given and allow the band to play until 11:00 p.m., seconded by Jennifer Flaugher. Motion Approved (5-0) Attorney Tyler Nichols also addressed a concern from Vice President Teresa Sutherlin, regarding the Darlington Fish Fry and Festival. Vice President Sutherlin wanted to know what the town needed to require from the Festival Committee to cover the town park for any liability during the festival since the town is not the ones putting it on. The Darlington Fish Fry and Festival must provide the Town of Darlington a Certificate of Liability naming the Town of Darlington on their policy and specifying the festival committee is assuming any liability during the festival as proof of insurance. Attorney Tyler Nichols addressed an issue with the electrical department on the want of residents asking for their trees to be cut down from the power lines or away from the roads. Attorney Nichols said the responsibility of the utility department is to make sure there is nothing in the streets, or in the lines that would make the unsafe or stop power to the residents. Itis not the utility department responsibility to clear away falling trees, just clear away the limbs from the power lines and road if deemed unsafe. Attorney Nichols will be looking into the required redistricting that will be due by July of 2025. Attorney Nichols also laid out the steps for boarding up unsafe building and mowing properties that have been left abandoned. Attorney Nichols will start the paperwork and provide the notices to get moving on two houses. Mr. Stuart Savka, MPA of Triad Associates, Inc presented the council with information and options on the needed upgrades to the wastewater plant. Mr. Savka would like to perform a study which would lay out all the options and items required for receiving grants, SRF loans, and income studies that would help the town to qualify and offset some of the cost to upgrade the wastewater plant. Mr. Savka estimated the cost around $9,500.00 but will be sending an email with the exact amount in the next week. The Council will receive the emaif then call a special meeting to approve Mr. Savka contract to begin the study. NEW BUSINESS: OLD BUSINESS: Attorney Nichols will be drafting some notices to begin the process on abandoned house and the trash that has been left., the council will continue to revisit and work on other alternatives o get the properties cleaned up. STAFF & ELECTED OFFICIAL REPORT: Attorney Report —none Wastewater Report — Tom Astbury — Director of Astbury Water Technology, Inc. Mr. Astbury roported the plant in compliance Mr. Astbury sent a monthly report via email. Electric Report — Linesman Brian Mullen updated the council on the continued progress of the 32 projects. He reported they will be working some Saturdays to tie in feed Banjo and IMI. There are several different projects going on right now and will continue for the next three to four months. MVH Report- Mr. Mullen reported a September date for Milestone Contractors, LP. to patch and resurface several places in town Darlington Police Department ~ Marshall Kevin Crull sent the May activity logs and the June 2024 police schedule in an email. Deputy Curtis updated the continued work on the speed sign needed to make it operable. Park — Mr. Cash asked for a motion to purchase a new batter’s box template for $259.00 to replace the broken one. A motion to approve the purchase was made by Jeremy Weliever, seconded by Vice President Teresa Sutherlin. Motion Approved (5-0) 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 May 2024. A motion was made by Vice President Sutherlin to accept the tracking factor for July, August, and September, 2024, seconded by Marilyn Cohee. Motion Approved (5-0) COUNCIL MEMBERS REPORT Marilyn Cohee — None. Teresa Sutherlin — None Jennifer Flaugher — None Jeremy Weliever - None Nicole Parker - None PUBLIC COMMENT - None The next scheduled Town Board and Utility meeting will be on July 11, 2024 — at 5:00 p.m. - at the Darlington Community Center. laremy Weliever motioned to adjourn and was seconded by President Parker. Motion Approved (5-0). - Nicole Parker, President 77 ada ) Teresa Sutherlin, Vice President Wit ot Jenéfii‘y Weliever, Council Member QFl—— aénnifer Flaugher, Council Member Attest: Michelle R. Cash, Clerk-Treasurer Marilyn Cohee, Council Member m