West Central Reporter

City of Rushville City Council met Feb. 20.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

1. ROLL CALL & CALL TO ORDER

The Rushville City Council met in the meeting room of the City Hall Building. Upon convening, Mayor Jeff Ervin directed Mike Grate to call the roll. Upon ROLL CALL, the following answered present: Council Members: Susan Acker, Richard Davis, Terry Dodds, Bryan Matteson, and Paul Trimble. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M. Council Members, Bob Fishel, Barry Rebman and Mike Ryan were absent.

Others present included: Mike Grate, City Clerk’s Office; City Attorney, Erin Wilson-Laegeler; Superintendent of Operations, Eric Thurman; Schuyler Isley, Economic Development Director; Tim Ward and Cathy Redshaw representing Schuyler County Economic Development Commission (SCEDC); Jody Worthington representing Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR); Diana Tyler and Gerald Stoneking.

Council Member Mike Ryan arrived at 7:03 p.m.

2. OPENING PRAYER

The Opening Prayer was led by Mayor Jeff Ervin.

3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Ervin.

4. TIM WARD TO ADDRESS COUNCIL RE: Hometown Hero Banners

Tim Ward representing Schuyler County Economic Development Commision (SCEDC), addressed the council regarding the Hometown Hero Banner Program. Ward noted this program is a partnership between SCEDC, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), and the Schuyler County American Legion. Ward stated this program is a living tribute to honor past and present members of the armed forces. Ward added, Hometown Hero Banner Company has a process in place to ensure this program will succeed. Ward went on to say that SCEDC, DAR, and the American Legion would run the program and they are only asking permission to use the twenty eight (28) poles the City owns. Mayor Ervin said the only thing the City would have to do is approve a variance to our ordinance because currently it states nothing can be displayed on our poles. Mayor Ervin stated he would have it added to the agenda for the next meeting for approval. A discussion followed. Consensus agreed to have SCEDC, DAR, and the American Legion proceed with the banner program.

5. PUBLIC COMMENTS

Diana Tyler addressed the council regarding her concern of the amount of dogs feces in the Rushville City Cemetery. Tyler said, it’s not only disrespectful to her family that are buried out there, but to everyone that has loved ones buried in the cemetery. Mayor Ervin agreed with Tyler and reassured her that this item is on the agenda for tonight’s meeting and the council will discuss what can be done to rectify this issue. Council Member, Bryan Matteson also agreed with Tyler and stated that he has seen all the dog feces as well.

6. CONSENT AGENDA

All items on the Consent Agenda are considered to be routine in nature and will be enacted in one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a Council Member so requests, in which event, the item will be removed from the Consent Agenda and considered as the first item after approval of the Consent Agenda.

a) Approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting held February 5, 2024

b) Approve the Minutes of the Economic Development Committee Meeting held February 5, 2024; Police Committee Meeting held February 6, 2024; Fire Committee Meeting held February 9, 2024; & Animal Control Committee Meeting held February 13, 2024

c) Approve “Claims for Council Approval Dated 02/20/24” & Accept Monthly Reports

d) Approve Farmers Market Dates as Presented

e) Approve Line Item Transfers

Dodds MOVED TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA. Ryan SECONDED, AND THE MOTION CARRIED WITH AN ALL “YEA” ROLL CALL VOTE AS FOLLOWS: 6 YEAS – Acker, Davis, Dodds, Matteson, Ryan & Trimble; 0 NAYS; 2 ABSENT – Fishel & Rebman.

7. ITEMS TO BE REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA – IF APPLICABLE

All items were approved on the Consent Agenda.

8. DISCUSS & CONSIDER APPROVING TIF APPLICATION FOR SCEDC

TIF Committee Chair, Susan Acker reported the TIF Committee and the Joint Review Board had met earlier this evening to review a TIF application that was submitted by SCEDC for Four Thousand Dollars ($4,000) to conduct a study to determine how many hotel rooms Rushville could support. Economic Development Director, Schuyler Isley explained that in the past a feasibility study was conducted to determine if Rushville could support a hotel/motel with forty (40) or fifty (50) rooms, but this study is a yes or no type of study. Isley explained that this study will determine the number of rooms Rushville could support. Acker added that the TIF rules do allow for money to be spent on a study.

Acker MOVED TO APPROVE A TIF APPLICATION IN THE AMOUNT OF FOUR THOUSAND DOLLARS ($4,000) TO SCEDC. Davis SECONDED, AND THE MOTION CARRIED WITH AN ALL “YEA” ROLL CALL VOTE AS FOLLOWS: 6 YEAS – Davis, Dodds, Matteson, Ryan, Trimble & Acker; 0 NAYS; 2 ABSENT – Fishel & Rebman.

9. DISCUSS & CONSIDER BIDS FOR OLD CITY FIRE TRUCK

Fire and Water Committee Chairman, Paul Trimble reported they had a meeting to open bids for the old fire truck. Trimble said the committee felt the bids were too low and recommended the council reject all bids.

10. DISCUSS & CONSIDER PLACING SIGNS AT ENTRANCES TO CEMETERY

Cemetery Committee Chairman, Matteson reported that on Tuesday, February 13th, he met with Ms. Tyler at her family’s cemetery lots. Matteson stated there was a lot of dog feces in that area. Matteson recommended purchasing six (6) signs at a cost not to exceed Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($2,500). Matteson noted these signs would warn people to have their dogs on leashes and to pick up their dogs excrement or face fines. Mayor Ervin wants to remind the people that these fines start at One Hundred Dollars ($100) for the first offence and increase from there.

Matteson MOVED TO APPROVE PURCHASING SIX (6) SIGNS TO BE PLACED AT THE ENTRANCES OF THE CITY CEMETERY AT A COST NOT TO EXCEED TWO THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($2,500). Davis SECONDED, AND THE MOTION CARRIED WITH AN ALL “YEA” ROLL CALL VOTE AS FOLLOWS: 6 YEAS – Dodds, Matteson, Ryan, Trimble, Acker & Davis; 0 NAYS; 2 ABSENT – Fishel & Rebman.

11. DISCUSS & CONSIDER SIDEWALK PROJECT

Sidewalk & Lighting Committee Chairman, Trimble reported they had a joint Sidewalk and TIF Committee meeting to discuss the sidewalk on the North side of West Washington Street from Congress Street to Monroe Street. Trimble stated the committee recommended putting this project out for bid.

Trimble MOVED TO APPROVE TO ADVERTISE FOR BIDS FOR THE SIDEWALK ON THE NORTH SIDE OF WEST WASHINGTON STREET FROM CONGRESS STREET TO MONROE STREET. Dodds SECONDED, AND THE MOTION CARRIED WITH AN ALL “YEA” ROLL CALL VOTE AS FOLLOWS: 6 YEAS – Matteson, Ryan, Trimble, Acker, Davis & Dodds; 0 NAYS; 2 ABSENT – Fishel & Rebman.

12. COUNCIL MEMBER & OFFICIALS’ REPORTS

Council Member, Susan Acker asked if we looked into charging fees for credit cards, and City Attorney, Erin Wilson-Laegeler stated she will look into that.

Council Member Brian Matteson reported he thinks there is some surplus items in sheds that the city needs to get rid of. Mayor Ervin requested that Matteson get an itemized list put together and bring to a meeting.

Parks & Recreation Committee Chairman, Terry Dodds reported they had a Scripps Park Board meeting and discussed needing employees for Pool and Golf Course, which they are looking into now. Mayor Ervin reminded Dodds that the deep end of the pool still needs to be painted.

Council Member, Richard Davis asked about advertising for summer part-time city employees. Matteson said that the cemetery has already been receiving applications. Mayor Ervin added the need to advertise for the waterer positions as well.

Council Member, Mike Ryan questioned if someone could make a residence on the square, and City Attorney Wilson- Laegeler stated we do not have any zoning ordinances that would make it a problem. A discussion followed.

City Attorney, Erin Wilson-Laegeler reported the dog incident that was discussed in the last council meeting were deemed dangerous dogs by the Animal Control Committee. Attorney Wilson-Laegeler stated the owner of the dogs was contacted City Clerk, Stacey Briney and she intends to appeal that determination. Attorney Wilson-Laegeler said this means the council will hear that appeal and suggested hold a public hearing before the next council meeting. Mayor Ervin noted the public hearing could be set up for 6:30p.m. prior to the council meeting on March 4th.

Mayor Jeff Ervin reported they had a Police Committee meeting to discuss putting eight (8) security camaras on the square, two (2) on each corner on the four (4) poles facing out. Mayor Ervin said Police Chief, Rick Wright has four (4) additional camaras that would go on the poles and face towards the gazebo. Mayor Ervin stated Andy Eustice of Advnaced Communications submitted a quote for Seven Thousand Five Hundred Sixty Two Dollars and Ninety Two Cents ($7,562.92) for the eight (8) cameras including the additional four (4) camaras. Consensus of the council was to install the camera and place this item on the Consent Agenda for the next council meeting.

Mayor Ervin also reported there was once an Ordinance Review Committee and he would like to recreate it. Mayor Ervin appointed Chairman Richard Davis, Bob Fishel, & Barry Rebman to this committee.

Mayor Ervin reminded the alderman about turning in their appropriations.

13. ADJOURN

Dodds MOVED TO ADJOURN. Acker SECONDED, AND THE MOTION CARRIED WITH AN ALL “YEA” ROLL CALL VOTE AS FOLLOWS: 6 YEAS – Ryan, Trimble, Acker, Davis, Dodds, & Matteson; 0 NAYS; 2 ABSENT – Fishel & Rebman. THE MEETING STOOD ADJOURNED ACCORDINGLY AT 7:31 P.M.

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