January 04, 2024 Council Minutes

DARLINGTON TOWN COUNCIL & UTILITY BOARD MINUTES January 4, 2024 CALL TO ORDER: President Nicole Parker opened the meeting with the pledge. The appointment of the 2024 officers was as follows: A motion for Nicole Parker to be President and Teresa Sutherlin Vice President was made by Marilyn Cohee and seconded by Jeremy Weliever. Motion Approved (3- 0) Clerk-Treasurer Michelle Cash, Attorney Tyler Nichols, and Electric Linesman Jason Gates joined the council for the January meeting. PUBLIC COMMENT: Brian Cummings addressed the council and asked for approval to cut into the roadway and bore into the manhole to connect his sewer system. Mr. Cummings informed the council that he would be doing the work himself. Clerk Cash asked if the town required a licensed and insured contractor. The council believed that Mr. Cummings had enough experience to complete the project. A question as to whether an agreement needed to be written up for the town to make sure the road was put back in the same manner it was before was asked by Jeremy Weliever. Mr. Weliever was informed that the recording would suffice. After much discussion, a motion was made to allow Mr. Cummings to complete the hook-up after he had paid the $750.00 tap- on fee to the town hall and seconded by Mrs. Sutherlin. Motion Approved (4-0) ELECTRIC LINE PROJECT: Linesman Jason Gates asked for approval for the Darlington Electric Company to purchase the materials for the line project to save $112,000.00 and ensure that any leftover material stayed with the town. A motion to approve was made by Marilyn Cohee and seconded by Vice President Teresa Sutherlin. Motion Approved 3-1, opposed President Parker. At this time, the council motioned to select Hoosier Edison as the bid award winner for the electric line project, with the amended totals corrected from the audit to be $677,828.85. The motion was made by President Parker and seconded by Jeremy Weliever. Motion Approved (4-0). Jim Hill with Alpha Engineering will contact Hoosier Edison to provide the contractor’s bond and certificate of insurance. The contractor's bond will need to be signed by the council, with a motion made by Jeremy Weliever to allow the president's signature only and seconded by Marilyn Cohee. The bond can be dropped at the town hall, and the project can proceed. Motion Approved (4-0) The next order of business approval for the Use Agreement and Release between the Town of Darlington Municipal Electric and Becks. Beck’s Superior Hybrids, Inc. has offered the use of real estate to stage materials and equipment. Clerk Cash will inform the town’s insurance company to get additional policies or riders. Mr. Gates informed the council that Southern States Recloser informed them that the OCR’S will need to be larger for the project. The proposed increase will be an additional $28,775.00 in materials. A motion to approve the additional material for the bond project was made by Vice President Teresa Sutherlin and seconded by Marilyn Cohee. Motion Approved (4-0) APPROVAL OF MINUTE Vice President Teresa Sutherlin made a motion to approve the monthly meeting on December 7, 2023, and Marilyn Cohee seconded. Motion Approved (3-0). MONEY MATTERS: The motion to approve the payroll docket accounts receivable and appropriation report for December 2023 was made by Marilyn Cohee and seconded by President Parker. Motion Approved (4-0). All reports are emailed before the meeting to be reviewed. NEW BUSINESS: Vice President Teresa Sutherlin motioned to approve Attorney Tyler Nichols's engagement letter for 2024, which was seconded by Marilyn Cohee. Motion Approved (4-0) A motion to approve the mowing contract with Phil Mahoy for 2024 was made by Marilyn Cohee and seconded by Vice President Teresa Sutherlin. Motion Approved (4-0) A motion to approve the Community Center Cleaning contract with Diedra Jill Mullen for 2024 was made by Marilyn Cohee and seconded by Jeremy Weliever. Motion Approved (4-0) A motion to approve the cleaning contract for the Town Hall with Amy Brown for 2024 was made by Marilyn Cohee and seconded by Vice President Teresa Sutherlin. Motion Approved (4-0) A motion to approve the Park Maintenance contract with Bob Cash for 2024 was made by Marilyn Cohee and seconded by Vice President Teresa Sutherlin. Motion Approved (4-0) The next order of business was to appoint the Liaisons for 2024: Town Hall - Teresa Sutherlin Police Department — Nicole Parker Electric Department - Jeremy Weliever MVH - Streets- Jeremy Weliever Park — Jeremy Weliever Wastewater — Jeremy Weliever Code Enforcement Officer — Nicole Parker STAFF & ELECTED OFFICIAL REPORT: Attorney Report —none Wastewater Report — Tom Astbury gave the council the review of December with no violations. Mr. Astbury gave an overview of what has been completed and what will come in 2024. Clerk Cash reminded the council and Mr. Astbury of the American Relief money that can be used for wastewater but must be done by December 2024. Electric Report — Report Above MVH Report-None Darlington Police Department — Marshall Kevin Crull sent the December activity logs and the January 2024 police schedule email. Park—None Code Enforcement Officers — None Clerk-Treasurer Cash presented the billing report for December 2023. Clerk Cash requested an estimate to put cameras and a wall in the front office of the town hall. The request was granted, and Clerk Cash will bring an estimate to the February 1, 2024 meeting. COUNCIL MEMBERS REPORT Marilyn Cohee — None Teresa Sutherlin — None Jeremy Weliever - None Nicole Parker — None PUBLIC COMMENT - None The next scheduled Town Board and Utility meeting will be on February 1, 2024 — at 5:00 p.m. — at the Darlington Community Center. Vice President Teresa Sutherlin made the motion to adjourn and seconded by Marilyn Cohee. Motion Approved (4-0). el Joxosd £ Suthorion Nicole Parker, President Teresa Sutherlin, Vice President o . Jeremy V\filiever, Council Member Marilyn CoKee, Council Member Attest:W/M /2 d/fif—— Michelle R. Cash, Clerk-Treasurer