Common Council - Regular Meeting

Why don't you guys get the table? [music]

Good evening. We'll call to order the December 2nd meeting of the Auburn Common Council. We'll begin with a moment of silent meditation or reflection followed by the pledge of allegiance. [clears throat] I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. [clears throat and laughter] We'll move on to roll call. Councilman Finchum

here. Councilman Bronn here. Councilman Web here. Councilwoman Dwit here. Councilman [clears throat] Williams here. Councilman Bundy here. Councilwoman Proer here. Council [clears throat] in front of you. You have the meeting minutes from the November 18th regular meeting. Move to approve as presented. I'll second. Okay. We have a motion and second to approve the minutes. Any questions or discussion? Hearing none, I'll call for a question. All in favor signify by saying I. I.

Opposed. Motion carried. Recognition of visitors. We have a very extensive list. So, please know that if you signed in, you'll be entered into the official meeting minutes. Welcome. [cough] [clears throat] So, we'll move on to communications. I believe Auburn Main Street is here to present some awards. Thank you everybody. We uh give out a few awards um to our community members that um excel in a different areas. The first one that we'd like to give out today is to Sarah Payne. She's here with us today and we'll have her come up. We want to proudly congratulate her on being awarded the 2025 Manurva Award which recognizes business women who made a significant and diverse contribution to the Auburn business community through innovation, collaboration, philanthropy, and the support for female entrepreneurs. Sarah has dedicated years of her life to sharing her time, talent, and vision with our community. She was instrumental in establishing and growing the Auburn Main Street organization, laying the foundation for the vibrant downtown we enjoy today. Her leadership and creativity were also a driving force in shaping the ACD Festival into the beloved celebration has become. with the addition of events that continue to inspire joy and connection. Beyond these achievements, Sarah played a key role in the original development of Fortify Life Project, demonstrating her commitment to the initiatives that strengthen and uplift Auburn. As an entrepreneur, she has further contributed to our local

economy as a and culture as a co-founder of Aspen Roots Collective, a business that reflects her in innovative spirit and collaborative approach. Sarah's impact is felt across Auburn. in the business she has nurtured, the projects that she has championed, and the opportunities she has created for others. Her work embodies the very essence of the Manurva Award, vision, resilience, and dedication to empowering our community. We celebrate Sarah Payne, not only for accomplishments, but for the inspiration she provides for future generations of women leaders. Auburn is stronger, more vibrant, and more united because of her contributions. Congratulations, Sarah. If you would come up, please. [applause] Thank you so much.

Thank you. The next award is um to Tammy Stafford. This is the 2025 Manurva Legacy Award. We are proudly we we proudly congratulate Tammy Stafford on being awarded the 2025 Manurva Legacy Award honoring a retired woman whose invaluable contributions have made a lasting difference in our community. Tammy's impact on Northeast Indiana is profound. As the founding executive director of St. Martins's Healthcare, she faithfully served from 2025 until her retirement in 2024. Under her leadership, the clinic became a vital resource for uninsured and underinsured residents across Decal, Nobel, Duben, and Lraange counties. Her vision and dedication brought innovative solutions to those in need, including the introduction of a mobile unit to expand across expand access to care. Tammy also spearheaded numerous events to support funding and programs ensuring the clinic's sustainability and growth. Beyond her professional achievements, Tammy's spirit, compassion, and pre presence has touched countless lives. She exemplifies the values of service, philanthropy, and community leadership that the Manurva Legacy Award seeks to honor. We celebrate Tammy Stafford for her extra extraordinary contributions and for the legacy she leaves behind a stronger, healthier, and more compassionate community. Thank you and congratulations, Tammy Stafford. Please come up. [applause]

Thank you for We do have one other award, the facade improvement award for 2025. I'll announce that it was Stuart and Abby Hood from Assurance Title and Race Real Estate. They did the improvement on 8th um at 102 East West 8th Street. Um and so I hope you go check it out. We're going to present that to them tomorrow. Thank you so much.

Thank you. [applause] So I would say congratulations to the recipients of the awards add to assurance title for the facade improvement award. Is there anyone in the public that would like to address the council? Anyone in the public that would like to address the council? Hearing none, we'll move on. Clerk treasure. Good evening. I have the current vouchers for 3,48,15610. Move to approve. Second.

We have a [cough and clears throat] motion, a second to approve the vouchers. Any questions or discussion? I need to abstain on number 97185 to Web Concrete Construction for $7,429.50. I'm employed by that company. Any other discussion, questions, comments? Hearing none, I'll call for a question. All in favor signify by saying I. I. Opposed. Motion carries. Thank you. I also have the October bank reconciliation is complete and on the website for your review. Thank you. Thank you.

Brings us to ordinances and resolutions. Ordinance number 2025-25, an ordinance to amend ordinance 93-16 to establish rates for emergency service billing. Summary. This ordinance amends ordinance 93-16 of the city of Auburn code of ordinances to establish rates for emergency service billing. I move that we pass ordinance number 2025-25 on second and final reading.

Second. Okay, we have a motion and a second to pass ordinance 2025-25 on second reading. Any discussion, questions? Hearing none, I'll call for a question. All in favor signify by saying I. I opposed. Car.

Ordinance number 2025-26, an ordinance authorizing payment in l of taxes. Summary. This ordinance authorizes the following transfer from enterprise funds as follows. One, from the electric department cash reserve fund, $215,000 to the general fund in lie of taxes. Two, from the water department cash reserve fund, $184,000 to the general fund in lie of taxes. Three, from the water pollution control department cash reserve fund, $45,000 to the general fund in lie of taxes. Four from essential services department cash reserve fund [snorts] $51,000 to the general fund and of taxes. I move that we pass ordinance number 2025-26 on second final reading.

Second. We have a motion to second to pass ordinance 2025-26. Any discussion, questions? Hearing none, I'll call for a question. All in favor signify by saying I. I opposed post. [clears throat]

Ordinance number 2025-27, an ordinance for the transfer of funds. Summary. This ordinance is for the annual transfer of funds as follows. One, park recreation fund, $14,000 from repair and maintenance to repair and maintenance. two, park and recreation non-reverting fund, $1,800 from professional services, $850 from rentals, $1,000 from other services and charges, 3,650 [clears throat] to other supplies. Three, MBH Street Fund, $10,000 from repair and maintenance to repair and maintenance. Four, fire territory fund, $30,000 from other professional services to other supplies. Five, general fund, $100 from municipal [clears throat] general other services and charges to common counsel other services and charges. I move that we pass ordinance number 2025-27 on second and final reading.

Second. Okay, we have a motion second to pass ordinance 2025-27 on second reading. Any discussion, questions? Hearing none, I'll call for a question. All in favor signify by saying I. I opposed. Motion carries. Resolution number 9-2025, a resolution for the additional appropriation of funds. Summary. This resolution proposes to appropriate 65,57362 to the LIP bond construction fund. I move that we pass resolution number 9-2025 on first reading. Second. [clears throat]

Okay, we have a motion and a second. Suspend the council meeting, open up the public hearing. Is there anyone that would like to come forward and speak in regards to resolution number 09-2025? Anyone that would like to speak in regards to resolution number 09-2025? Hearing none, we'll close public hearing. reconvene the council meeting. We have a motion and a second pass resolution 09-2025 on first reading. Any questions or discussion?

I do want to mention it's a resolution. So this is its only reading. Hearing none, I'll call for a question. All in favor signify by saying I.

I opposed. Motion carried. [clears throat] Resolution 10-2025, a resolution adopting a fiscal plan for the annexation of territory into the city of Auburn. Summary. This resolution adopts a fiscal plan to support the annexation of 3.742 acres of land located on the east side of County Road 35 south of State Road 8 and known as the Thomas Estates 3.742 acres annexation area. The fiscal plan includes details about the annexation area. the provisions of capital improvements and non- capital services and finance financing of the improvements and services. I move that we pass resolution 10-2025 on first reading.

Second. We have a motion and a second to pass resolution number 10-2025. Any questions or discussion? And again, it's the only reading for this. Hearing none, I'll call for a question. All in favor signify by saying I. I

post. Okay. Ordinance number 2025-28, an ordinance for the annexation of territory into the city of Auburn. Summary. This ordinance annexes 3.742 acres of land known as Thomas Estates's 3.742 acre annexation area to the city of Auburn. I move that we pass ordinance number 2025-28 on first reading. Second. We have a motion, a second to pass ordinance 2025-28. Any discussion, question, comments?

Hearing none, I'll call for a question. All in favor signify by saying I. I opposed. Motion carried. [clears throat]

Ordinance number 2025-29 and ordinance for the appropriation of city enterprise funds for the 2026 budget year. Summary. This ordinance sets forth the expenses of the city enterprise funds for the year ending December 31st, 2026. And the sums of money shown below are appropriated by this ordinance and ordered set apart out of several funds here and named and for purposes here and specified subject to laws governing same. Such appropriated sum shall be held to include expenditures authorized to be made during the year unless otherwise expressly stipulated and provided for by law. City Enterprise Funds Electric Department 31,557,683 Auburn Essential Services Department 6,956,45 Water Department 5,744,624 Water Pollution Control Department 6,810,500. I move that we pass ordinance number 2025-29 on first reading.

Second. We have a motion to second to pass ordinance number 2025-29. Any discussion, comments? I have a question as for uh yeah [clears throat] on the AES we're into uh capital expenditures into new territories and do we have any kind of timeline on when uh that may be completed or we're going to bring customers online for that? [clears throat] I don't think there's a necessarily timeline for when they will be online, but I believe the uh completion of the build uh will be within the next couple months. Okay. They're they're right on track.

Very good. Thank you. Mhm. Any other comments or discussion? Hearing none, I'll call for a question. All in favor signify by saying I. I. Opposed. Motion carried. Thank you. You're welcome. Moving on to reports. Under Mayor, I just would like to thank uh Daba and everyone that came out on Tuesday night last week. I think we set a record for the number of people that have attended the parade and the number of entries. So, it was a great night. So, thank you for that. Council President,

I just want to echo what the mayor said. Um, it's my favorite time of the year. So, it was it was a blast and the weather was perfect. Um, and then also just uh thank the street department for the last couple of days. I know they've been super busy and the streets have been um in in as good of condition as

I would like to stem off that. Uh, on the November 18th meeting for Board of Works, we did approve a unit to pre-treat roads that should be in service within the next couple weeks. So that will uh be very helpful. It lasts up to 48 hours [clears throat] 15 degrees. So we're looking forward to getting that in. And so we'll move on plan commission.

So um we haven't had our another meeting since our last council meeting, but um next week we do have um several items on the agenda. Underneath old business, Fortify 111 apartments will be coming back. Um they needed some more time to get some things together. It was tabled at the last meeting. underneath new business, there's um a couple reasonzonings on on the agenda. So 500 North Street is going to be reszoned and East Side uh Plaza section 2, lot 10 um is also going to be uh reszoned as well. So we do have those items on the agenda. Thank you. Committees, I have nothing for ordinance and resolution. Nothing for tax phase in

nothing for finance. Is there any unfinished business? Is there any unfinished business come to port of council? I just had a question about I saw a post this morning about the warming centers that I know. Yes.

Uh I know that we've worked to try to get some of those things, but I [clears throat] know it said call the police department non-emergency number after hours. I just feel like sometimes that may be uncomfortable for some people to do. Is there another option that we can make public or do we have an actual plan with the churches like we talked about? We do. And so during the day we have the YMCA that is open. After those hours, we do have some facilities, but they are on call. Uh it's very difficult to leave. We don't have a facility that we can just leave open throughout the night. Sure. Uh so we've posted the non-emergency number.

We do have a facility that is available to take one or two people. Correct, Chief? Uh if need be. But in the event of a uh inclement weather with a mass number of people, we do have an on call list at churches and so forth that they will open up. Okay. So we do have a plan. Perfect. Glad to know. I would apologize if it would be an uncomfortable phone call, but I do feel that's the best option because they do have to staff those facilities. I appreciate that. Mhm. Just to to clarify real quickly, after hours, that number is answered by dispatch. Correct. It is. And they will notify a police officer.

The who whoever's calling that number is not going to deal with a police officer. They're going to deal with a dispatcher and they're going to if that if that makes it easier for them to do that. I mean, I it's not uncomfortable for me, but I assume some people who are in that position probably are also right maybe at risk for other things. Yeah. So, I just wanted to make that if that is an issue for somebody. Yeah. And so yeah, they call dispatch. Dispatch will reach out and and dispatch an officer to that location. Okay. And uh I believe we'll transport if needed uh to to the one facility that is open. Great. Thank you. Thanks, Corey. Is there

Yes. unfinished business. We have uh some council funds that we usually try to distribute distribute [clears throat] at the end of the year some different projects and stuff. Excuse me. [clears throat] I have talked with two uh projects, so I'll bring those up and then if anybody else wants to bring anything else up and then hopefully we can decide on what to do with those funds. It's $3,800. Um I'm on the um I'm the [clears throat] excuse me, liaison for the parks department. So they have just uh a whole list of things that they are going to need to buy for phase two of Memorial Park. So, I mean, it's way above the $3,800. So, that would be one area that could be applied to. The other thing was brought up by Councilwoman Dwit. And the veterans memorial is going to be dedicated to the city, I do believe, for maintenance and everything after we're all done with it

at some point. Yes. So, they we could possibly start a uh maintenance fund with that money. The other thing that was pointed out uh was that they can't engrave the names on the concrete and they may have to buy granite or something to put on the face to engrave the names. So I don't know if they have the funds for that. So that would be another area that that could money could be applied. So those are the two areas that uh if anybody else has anything that you can pick one of those or pick something else.

I personally like the idea of the memorial to the for the maintenance fund from the memorial. It can be a legacy from the council going forward. I agree with that comment. [clears throat] Anybody else on this side? Well, I make a motion then we put our $3,800 towards the Veterans Memorial Maintenance Fund. A second. Okay, we have a motion, a second. Do we have to create that fund first? We would have to create that fund. Yes. And it needs to be moved before the money needs to be transferred before the end of the year. Uh

yes. So, we might need a resolution or a resol an ordinance at the next council meeting and we'd have to suspend the rules, vote on it twice and then make the transfer. Can it be a resolution? I think it has to be an ordinance. I think it does have to be, but I'll look into it and see. But the option to suspend the rules for something like that and then just vote twice. Yeah. As long as everybody votes for it, it'll it'll fly. Okay. So, should we hold on this vote? I'm okay doing this vote now. And that's where it's going to go, but you got to have a place to put it. Yep. Yeah,

we can have that for the December 16th meeting. We have a motion, a second. Any other discussion? Hearing none, I'll call for a question. All in favor signify by saying I. I opposed. Motion carried. [clears throat] Anything else under unfinished business? New business. General good and welfare of the community. Mr. Mayor. Yes.

Um I just want to reiterate what Councilwoman Dwet said and the mayor about the street department. They did a fantastic job. Um I was out shoveling my drive uh Sunday night and the snow plows came through and then again Sunday morning. Um the streets look great. They did a fantastic job. So, I just think they need to be com commended one more time. [clears throat] Thank you. Um, I would just like to congratulate I was able to present a a letter uh to Councilman Webb's grandson, Levi. Is that right? Correct. Yeah. Uh, achieved his Eagle Scout, which I believe is a very tough task. Yeah. So, congratulations to him.

Thank you. And only 6% of all scouts that join make it to Eagle Scout. So, really low number. Yes. Very proud. I've had the op the opportunity to do that twice this year. So that's neat. And I had to do some research on the history of an Eagle Scout and it's not an easy task to to accomplish. So congrats. Um next regular council meeting is Tuesday, December 16th, 2025 at 6 p.m. Move to adjourn. Second. Okay, we have a motion and second to adjurnn. All in favor signify by saying I. I opposed. Mjourn. Out of here.