West Central Reporter

City of Rushville City Council met Nov. 4.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

November 4, 2024 RUSHVILLE CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

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 called the meeting to order and directed City Clerk, Stacey Briney 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, & Paul Trimble. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M.

Others present included: City Clerk, Stacey Briney; City Attorney, Erin Wilson-Laegeler; Superintendent of Operations, Drew Ralston; Chief of Police, Rick Wright; Moe Billingsley of The Rushville Times; and Sandy Bartlow.

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. PUBLIC COMMENTS

There were no public comments at this time.

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 October 21, 2024

b) Approve the Minutes of the “Special” Meeting held October 29, 2024

c) Approve the Minutes of the Claims & Insurance Committee Meeting held October 30, 2024

d) Approve “Claims for Council Approval Dated 11/04/24” & Accept Monthly Reports

e) Approve Loan Reimbursement

f) Consider 1st Reading of Ordinance No. 1385, Annual Tax Levy

Fishel REQUESTED TO HAVE ITEM “5F” REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA.

Fishel MOVED TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ITEM “5F”. Dodds 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

Item “5F”: City Attorney, Erin Wilson-Laegeler reported the city received less money than what was levied for last year. Attorney Wilson-Laegeler noted this can come from people not paying their taxes, moving away, etc. Attorney Wilson-Laegeler stated the city can proceed with staying under the five percent (5%) threshold or we can increase what we should have received.

Attorney Wilson-Laegeler said City Clerk, Stacey Briney brought to her attention that the city has had to transfer money from the general fund to the insurance fund the last couple years so that will need to be addressed in the appropriations.

Attorney Wilson-Laegeler reported the city can only get five percent (5%) of the amount received, not the amount we asked for, so if the council wants to do more than the five percent (5%), a public hearing will have to be held. Council Member, Bryan Matteson asked Attorney Wilson-Laegeler’s option on this, and she said this ultimately would need to be addressed in the appropriations and if the city has a healthy bottom line, then there really would not be anything to do.

Matteson MOVED TO PASS ORDINANCE NO. 1385, ANNUAL TAX LEVY TO THE SECOND (2ND) READING. Dodds 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.

7. OPEN BIDS FOR SURPLUS PROPERTY

Mayor Ervin read the bids for surplus property located at 147 E. LaFayette Street. The following bids were received:

• Larry & Nancy Wisecup - $2,750;

• Rex Powell - $2,800;

• Henry & Katherine Ren - $1,020;

• Charlie Fleck - $502;

• Reggie Stambaugh - $2,000

8. DISCUSS & CONSIDER ACCEPTING BID FOR SURPLUS PROPERTY

Mayor Ervin reported no bidder met the eighty percent (80%) threshold but the city can award the bid but there are hoops that we have to jump through. Attorney Wilson-Laegeler stated that since there was no conforming bid, the council can pass a resolution to accept a non-conforming bid or we can accept more bids. Attorney Wilson-Laegeler noted she would stay with what the city has. Council Member, Susan Acker asked how the council would know what is in the city’s best interest if we do not know what the bidder’s ideas are for the lot, and Mayor Ervin suggested pulling in a couple bidders and ask them. No action was taken at this time.

Sandy Bartlow left the meeting at 7:16 p.m.

9. DISCUSS & CONSIDER APPROVING TIF APPLICATION FOR WORTHINGTON FUNERAL HOME

TIF Committee Chair, Acker reported Worthington Funeral Home applied and was awarded a Twenty-Five Thousand Dollar ($25,000) TIF grant on November 6, 2023. Acker said the city knew they were not going to be done with the work until spring, but spring came and went and they are not done. Acker stated Worthington’s reapplied for an extension.

Acker MOVED TO APPROVE A ONE (1) YEAR EXTENSION ON THE TIF APPLICATION FOR WORTHINGTON FUNERAL HOME. Ryan SECONDED, AND THE MOTION CARRIED WITH AN ALL “YEA” ROLL CALL VOTE AS FOLLOWS: 7 YEAS – Farniok, Fishel, Matteson, Ryan, Trimble, Acker, & Davis; 0 NAYS; 0 ABSENT; 1 ABSTAIN – Dodds.

10. DISCUSS & CONSIDER ADVERTISING FOR BIDS FOR THE N. LIBERTY STREET STORM SEWER PROJECT.

Water & Sewer Committee Chairman, Matteson reported that the city has One Hundred Forty Seven Thousand One Hundred Twenty-Five Dollars ($147,125) in ARPA funds that need to be allocated by the end of the year. Matteson stated Jamie Headen of Benton & Associates would like to address and reroute the storm sewer at Rogers Bakery. Matteson said the estimated cost of that project came in at One Hundred Forty-One Thousand Dollars ($141,000). A discussion followed.

Matteson MOVED TO APPROVE TO ADVERTISE FOR BIDS FOR THE NORTH LIBERTY STREET STORM SEWER PROJECT. Fishel 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.

11. DISCUSS & CONSIDER RENEWING PROPERTY/CASUALTY, LIABILITY, WORK COMP, & UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE WITH ICRMT & PAYING DOWNPAYMENT

Claims & Insurance Committee Chairman, Richard Davis reported the committee met with Joe Redshaw of Redshaw Insurance to discuss the city’s insurance renewal. Davis stated the renewal came in Fifteen Thousand Five Hundred Eighty-One Dollars ($15,581), which is a nine percent (9%) increase from last year. Davis noted that increase was mainly due to the addition of the new ball diamond.

Davis MOVED TO APPROVE RENEWING THE PROPERTY/CASUALTY, LIABILITY, WORK COMP, & UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE & PAYING THE DOWNPAYMENT. Farniok SECONDED, AND THE MOTION CARRIED WITH AN ALL “YEA” ROLL CALL VOTE AS FOLLOWS: 8 YEAS – Fishel, Matteson, Ryan, Trimble, Acker, Davis, Dodds, & Farniok; 0 NAYS; 0 ABSENT.

12. COUNCIL MEMBER & OFFICIALS’ REPORTS

Water Committee Chairman, Bryan Matteson updated the council on the Phase I water projects:

• Contract A – Hood Construction will be starting on the hydrant replacement tomorrow;

• Contract B – Neumann Company has wrapped up the work on the water tower;

Matteson thanked Ross Lenover for his five (5) years of service at the city.

Sidewalk & Lighting Committee Chairman, Terry Dodds reported the railing is in for the police department.

Ordinance Review Committee Chairman, Richard Davis reported the blocks are done on the trailer owned by Brian Tomlinson on East Clinton Street.

City Attorney, Erin Wilson-Laegeler reported she has had a few questions regarding zoning, the provisions, etc. Attorney Wilson-Laegeler presented a handout with the information. Said handout is attached and a part of these minutes.

Attorney Wilson-Laegeler also reported she has been in touch with Two Rivers Landbank who provide resources to help cities and counties to help with dilapidated properties. Attorney Wilson-Laegeler stated she would like to set up an information meeting with whoever is interested in being involved to see if this is a good fit for the city. Consensus of the council was to proceed with the meeting.

Chief of Police, Rick Wright reported the new firearms are in and two (2) of the officers have qualified. Chief Wright noted he is waiting on the holsters to arrive. Chief Wright thanked the Mayor and council for supporting the department.

Chief Wright stressed that everyone must lock their vehicles and do not leave valuables in them.

13. ADJOURN

Acker MOVED TO ADJOURN. Fishel SECONDED, AND THE MOTION CARRIED WITH AN ALL “YEA” ROLL CALL VOTE AS FOLLOWS: 8 YEAS – Matteson, Ryan, Trimble, Acker, Davis, Dodds Farniok, & Fishel; 0 NAYS; 0 ABSENT. THE MEETING STOOD ADJOURNED ACCORDINGLY AT 7:29 P.M.

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