West Central Reporter

City of Rushville City Council met July 1.

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, Mike Farniok, Bob Fishel, Bryan Matteson, Mike Ryan and Paul Trimble. The meeting was called to order at 5:30 P.M.

Others present included: City Attorney, Erin Wilson-Laegeler; Chief of Police, Rick Wright; Mike Grate of the City Clerk’s Office; Moe Billingsley of The Rushville Times; Brad Thurman of the Schuy Rush Board; Tina Cox, representing United Methodist Church; Reggie Stambaugh of Schuyler County Mental Health; State’s Attorney, Chuck Laegeler.

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. PUBILC COMMENTS

Reggie Stambaugh, representing Schuyler County Mental Health (SCMH), informed the council that they had re-purchased the building behind the SCMH office and will be converting that building into long- and short-term apartments for local residents with substance abuse or mental health issues. Stambaugh reported these apartments will hopefully help these residents get the resources and support they need to start their new lives. Council Member, Richard Davis asked Stambaugh how many apartments there would be and how long the stays would be. Stambaugh said they are going to have two (2) long-term and two (2) overnight apartments. A short discussion followed.

Tina Cox, representing the United Methodist Church (UMC), reported she is working along with SCMH and there will be a fundraiser on August 3rd from 6-8pm, called “Tables for Transformation”. Cox stated each table will cost One Hundred Fifty Dollars ($150) and will seat six (6) people. Cox noted they are encouraging those people to decorated their table. Cox said there will be a lasagna dinner and live entertainment with all the proceeds going to Project Restoration for building expenses at the SCMH apartments. Cox state4d the anonymous donor is funding the building for the apartments, but there will be other expenses after construction.

Stambaugh reported that SCMH has hired a dentist and he will be starting in August 2025, with construction on the dental office to begin August 2024.

Reggie Stambaugh and Tina Cox left the meeting at 5:39 p.m.

5. 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 June 17, 2024

b) Approve the Minutes of the Sidewalk Committee Meeting held June 26, 2024

c) Approve “Claims for Council Approval Dated 07/01/24” & Accept Monthly Reports

d) Approve Engagement Letter with Gray Hunter Stenn for the Fiscal Year Audit ending April 30, 2024

e) Approve Appointment of Sarah Dodds to the Scripps Park Board

f) Approve Change Order #1 to Neumann Company Contractors in the Amount of $14,418

g) Approve Loan Reimbursements

h) Pass & Adopt Ordinance No. 1380, Prevailing Wage Ordinance

i) Consider Suspending the Rules RE: Ordinance No. 1382, An Ordinance Amending Ordinance No. 625 (An Ordinance Providing for the Installation of Motor Vehicle and Pedestrian Control Signs and Providing Penalties for Violation of the Same) – 10 Minute Parking

j) Pass & Adopt Ordinance No. 1382, An Ordinance Amending Ordinance No. 625 (An Ordinance Providing for the Installation of Motor Vehicle and Pedestrian Control Signs and Providing Penalties for Violation of the Same) – 10 Minute Parking

Dodds MOVED TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA. Farniok SECONDED, AND THE MOTION CARRIED WITH AN ALL “YEA” ROLL CALL VOTE AS FOLLOWS: 8 YEAS – Acker, Davis, Dodds, Farniok, Fishel, Matteson, Ryan, & Trimble; 0 NAYS; 0 ABSENT.

6. ITEMS TO BE REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA – IF APPLICABLE All items were approved on the Consent Agenda.

7. DISCUSS & CONSIDER 2ND READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 1381, ORDINANCE RE: HEADSTONES AT THE RUSHVILLE CITY CEMETERY

Matteson MOVED TO PASS ORDINANCE NO. 1381, ORDINANCE RE: HEADSTONES AT THE RUSHVILLE CITY CEMETERY TO THE THIRD (3RD) READING. Ryan SECONDED, AND THE MOTION CARRIED WITH AN ALL “YEA” ROLL CALL VOTE AS FOLLOWS: 8 YEAS – Davis, Dodds, Farniok, Fishel, Matteson, Ryan, Trimble & Acker; 0 NAYS; 0 ABSENT.

8. DISCUSS & CONSIDER ENTERING INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH RENT.FUN FOR KAYAK RENTAL AT SCHUY-RUSH

City Attorney, Erin Wilson-Laegeler reported she had a conference call with Rent.Fun and they worked out a few revisions to the agreement. Atorney Wilson-Laegeler said the liability clause was worked out along with the percentages of sales Schuy-Rush Park would be receiving per rental. A discussion followed regarding the percentage of funds Schuy-Rush Park.

Council Member, Bryan Matteson asked Attorney Wilson-Laegeler if she asked if we purchased a four (4)-unit kayak rental program, what would it take to add an eight (8)-unit and Attorney Wilson Laegeler said the process would start over, so we need to decide on what size of unit we want. Another discussion followed.

Dodds MOVED TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH RENT.FUN FOR AN EIGHT (8)-UNIT KAYAK RENTAL PROGRAM FOR TWENTY-NINE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($29,000) AT SCHUY-RUSH PARK. Davis SECONDED, AND THE MOTION CARRIED WITH AN ALL “YEA” ROLL CALL VOTE AS FOLLOWS: 8 YEAS – Dodds, Farniok, Fishel, Matteson, Ryan, Trimble, Acker, & Dodds; 0 NAYS; 0 ABSENT.

9. COUNCIL MEMBER & OFFICIALS’ REPORTS

Water Committee Member, Bryan Matteson reported the water tower’s projected completion time frame is now mid to end of July. Matteson stated the city will be keeping the clay form the Hilltop construction site.

Sidewalk Committee Chairman, Terry Dodds reported the committee met on June 26th and discussed the bicycle rodeo. Dodds stated calls have been made to the people interested in participating in the event. Dodds said representatives from the state, and possibly the federal offices, will be at City Hall on Wednesday, July 17th at 10:00 a.m. to discuss Safe Routes to School as well as the bicycle rodeo. Dodds noted all are welcome to attend.

Ordinance Review Committee Chairman, Richard Davis reported he volunteered his help and use of his dump truck to Randy Beatty in order to get his property cleaned up and Beatty agreed.

Davis voiced his concern with the lack of having someone on staff that could run the pumps and open and close the swimming pool properly. Mayor Ervin stated that we have a volunteer, Mark Coil, who works with pumps for a living and has been a savior for us at the pool. Davis agreed, but still felt the city might want to look in to hiring someone that is staffed at Scripps Park full-time that could do maintenance at the pool, Virginia, Cottages, Pro Shop and ball diamonds. Mayor Ervin reminded the council that we will have the company that built the pool start opening and closing it this year. A discussion followed.

Council Member Mike Ryan reported he was approached by some residents regarding Avenue B from Monroe to Congress being very narrow and wanting to see if it could be a one-way street. Mayor Ervin said this will be given to the Street Committee and Attorney, Wilson-Laegeler to find out the legalities in this.

Police Committee Member, Bob Fishel commended Chief of Police, Rick Wright and his officers for the work they have put in regarding ordinance violations. Fishel asked if this has put an extra strain on the department, and Chief Wright stated it has, but that is part of the job.

Fishel reported that a police officer approached him regarding his inability to drive down Dewey Street because of the way people are parking. The officer asked if the city could look at putting no parking signs on one side of Dewey Street. Fishel stated he was going to meet with Superintendent of Operations, Eric Thurman to discuss this and get a Street Committee meeting set to work on this issue.

Fishel questioned where the city was with the dog issue at 716 N. Liberty Street. Mike Grate of the City Clerk’s office, stated all their dogs, except one, had their shots and they were waiting on the underground fence and collars to come in. Fishel asked how much time they have to get down to three (3) dogs, and Matteson said he feels this family has done everything we asked and would like to have another meeting to revisit this. A discussion followed.

Fishel asked Attorney, Wilson-Laegeler if we had heard back from Dollar General regarding their overflowing trash, and Attorney Wilson-Laegeler stated she has not. Fishel stated the trash situation is getting worse there. Attorney Wilson-Laegeler stated she will follow up with them.

Council Member, Susan Acker asked Mayor Ervin if he had heard anything from Mike Lamb about his business yard needing a fence, and Mayor Ervin stated that Attorney, Wilson-Laegeler is putting together a letter for Lamb as well the Schuyler Penney Event Venue regarding the ramp on West Washington. A brief discussion followed.

Mayor Jeff Ervin reported that Cemetery Sexton, George Vincent had a heart attack and was in the hospital. Mayor Ervin stated Marlon Magelitz has taken over in Vincent’s absence until further notice.

Mayor Ervin said Hood Construction has signed the contract for the demolition of the Gordley house on East Lafayette. Mayor Ervin stressed that Hood’s have until school comes in session to finish.

Mayor Ervin stated the anonymous donor is going to purchase the police department new body armor because the current body armor is almost out of date and needs to be replaced soon. Mayor Ervin said the anonymous donor has also agreed to purchase the vac trailer for the city. Mayor Ervin directed Grate to place Discuss & Consider Purchasing a Vac Trailer with Funds from the Anonymous Donor on the next council agenda. Mayor Ervin noted Thurman and his crew like this new vac trailer.

10. ADJOURN

Fishel MOVED TO ADJOURN. Acker SECONDED, AND THE MOTION CARRIED WITH AN ALL “YEA” ROLL CALL VOTE AS FOLLOWS: 8 YEAS – Farniok, Fishel, Matteson, Ryan, Trimble, Acker, Davis, & Dodds; 0 NAYS; 0 ABSENT

THE MEETING STOOD ADJOURNED ACCORDINGLY AT 6:10 P.M.

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