Common Council - Regular Meeting

Common council meeting at 7:00. Please rise for the pledge of allegiance. 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. Okay. Roll call, please. Carol Steve Beardsley is absent. Isaac Chavez. Taylor Crrenshaw present. John Large. Robert Stevens present. Clarence Warren present. Eric Woods present. And I want to remind you all to make sure you're speaking into your mic especially so Alicia can hear you and then people viewing from home.

Thank you. And she can see us through that camera right there. So yes, I think I was turning my back on her a lot today. I know we keep turning like this to look at the TV because we think you're there, Alicia, but you're really there. She's really there. Okay, we have the minutes from the January 12th, 2026 regular meeting. Have a motion. Make make a motion we accept the minutes as presented. I'll second the minutes from January 12th. One correction. Okay. I abstained on the pro Tim vote. I wondered about that, but I couldn't remember.

Sorry, I did not catch that. I will make that change if you want to. Clarence, change your motion to as amended. As amended. Seconded. Okay. Ready for roll call? Yes. Isaac Chavez. Hi. Taylor Krenshaw. Hi. John Large. Hi. Robert Stevens. Hi. Clarence Woren. Hi. Eric Woods. Hi.

Okay. The minutes are approved as amended from the January 12th, 2026 regular meeting. Next we have public comments. Were there any public comments? Nothing. Okay. Okay. At this time, I'm going to um open the public hearing. Yeah, that's right. We're ready for the public hearing, Tim. Okay. Open the public hearing at 7:02 p.m. And we have with us tonight Tim Carson. Good evening. I am back. Right. Hi. As last time, I'm going to read my spiel really quick just to get that get that get that out of the way and then we can open up for some questions. So, we're here tonight for a public hearing for the city of Frankfurt for a comprehensive planning grant.

Uh, the planning grant is a grant program administered by the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs, OCR, and it's funded with federal community development block grant dollars, CDBG. These grants support a variety of projects that either benefit low to moderate income persons or eliminate slum or blight in communities. In order to be eligible for the community development block grant program, we need a lead applicant that is a unit of government. Uh, that could be a city, county, or incorporated town. In this case, the city of Frankfurt is serving as the lead applicant. Uh the project must meet one of the national objectives and be an eligible activity under the CDBG program. Uh the eligible national objective for this program is a benefit to low and moderate income persons. Uh the city of Frankfurt's low and moderate income percentage is exactly 51%. Uh there's approximately $ 1.5 million available each year through this program. The maximum award amount for comprehensive planning for a municipality of more than 10,000 residents is $60,000. In this case, the city of Frankfurt is seeking the full $60,000. A local match of at least 8% of the total project cost is required. Additional inind contributions can be counted as local match up to 5% with a maximum of $25,000. In this case, the community development and housing needs of the applicant include comprehensive planning. Uh those activities that are proposed include the assessment at a minimum of land use, government and fiscal capacity, public facilities and services, placemaking which includes community wellness, culture and education, economic development, housing, transportation, agriculture, natural resources, parks and recreation, broadband access, historic and archaeological resources, and hazard mitigation. Uh the proposed amount of funds that will be used to benefit low and moderate income persons uh total $30,600 based on those uh HUD figures of $51,000 or sorry 51%. Um the uh amount and source of local funds to be expended include a total of $40,000 to be derived from the local general fund. Uh there will be no displacement of any persons or

businesses associated with this project. Uh the grantee must respond to any written comments that are received during the public hearing process. Uh must indicate that comments will be considered and provide an explanation of how comments will be resolved. And we did not have any written comments that were submitted. Uh at this point, the application submitt is roughly February 27th of this year and uh estimated award announcements will be April or May of this year. We have a sign-in sheet. We have everybody signed in. Uh so at this point we can open up for public comments. questions, that kind of thing. I can provide additional clarity if anybody needs it. I did have a question of you, but I'll let you guys go first.

But you might explain to them that this is the same grant that we applied for earlier. We weren't able to get it. We missed it by a few points. And I think they just really didn't give a lot at that time for comp plans. Is that correct? So, OCR has not awarded a comprehensive plan in over a year at this point. uh they changed some of the scoring metrics and essentially um those of us that write those applications are trying to adjust the way that we're writing those applications based on the changes in the scoring metrics. We were rather close with this one. But yes, this is the exact same program that we u discussed in I think October of last year.

Uh essentially the idea of a comprehensive plan is it's a roadmap to success. They took a take a look at what your uh current resources are and what your um essentially your infrastructure looks like and they take a look at things that you should be addressing in the short term and things you should be addressing in the long term and kind of give you a guide map to success. Some of that's going to address growth. Most of it's going to ensure that you're just uh updating your current facilities to help improve the satisfaction of the residents of the city of Frankfurt. Uh, the reason that I'm vague with the details is essentially the first step is them actually obtaining information from your residents, from your local leaders, from all your departments to determine what Frankfurt thinks Frankfurt needs. They don't come in and tell you what they think you need. The first step is to figure out what you think you need. And that's actually part of why the scoring metric has become problematic because they expect you to come at them with specific problems outlined, but the first step of a comprehensive plan is figuring out what your problems are. So that makes it a little tough for us.

You have any comments, questions for them?

So one of the things that they flagged that I'm going to have a harder time coming up with information on is they want to look at a 3 to 5year timeline of issues that have developed. So we did a pretty good job outlining, I guess, the weaknesses of the city. um limited housing options, for example, was one of the things that we flagged. Um concern about the growth to the west and how that could be properly handled and managed. Um they they did a they they felt like we did a good job with the status quo, but they want to see what has actually changed more drastically in the last 3 to 5 years. So, if anyone has any suggestions on some things I can dig into, I would be much appreciated. any particular decline or issues that you've seen that seem to be more recent?

Is this something we can put together and get back to you? Absolutely.

Yeah. I don't need to put you on the spot right now. In fact, you guys all worked on some letters of support. Um I think that Kimberly still has the drafts of those letters. If you guys come up with anything and want to modify those letters, I would touch base with her. Um if you know of any residents that might be able to provide some additional support, we could also use some good resident letters as well. If you know anyone that's civic-minded that wants to make or see improvements to the city, even if they're not necessarily capable of doing it themselves, that early insight is going to be helpful. The first step I would do after the gets awarded is basically give all of the application information to the engineers that'll be doing the comprehensive plan. So, anything that anybody submits now is still going to go into the planning process once that begins.

And when when would you like those by? Because I think and the deadline is 27th. So, the 27th, I would say the absolute latest would be the 23rd. Okay. But I would definitely prefer to have them a little earlier to make it easier to incorporate into some of that information.

Essentially, we can upload all the supporting information we want, but if it's not actually uh referenced in the narrative of the application, there's a good chance they won't see it. So, the earlier I get it, the easier time I'm going to have incorporating into the narrative and drawing more attention to the concerns. So, if you guys have anything or come up with anything or just have any questions, um, the mayor has my contact info, Kimberly has my contact info. Feel free to reach out if you'd like some clarification or if you do get any other letters of support from residents, feel free to pass them along. Any other questions? Anything else? All right. Thanks for your time.

Thank you. Um, I'm going to go ahead and close the public hearing at 7:08 and reopen the council meeting. Um, I would like to go ahead and present the resolutions concerning this commitment. Um, I know they're on down on the agenda, but since we're already talking about the Oak Grant, I'd like to go ahead and do that. We have resolution 26-04 and then resolution 26-05. Um, 26-04 is a resolution authorizing application submission and local match commitment. Judy, do we have money in our budget for that match?

Yes. Yes, we budgeted that during budget time. Okay. Yes. So, could I have a motion? Is anyone interested in making a motion to pass resolution 26-04? I'll move to pass resolution 2604. I'll second. Roll call, please. Isaac Chavez. Hi. Taylor Krenshaw. Hi. John Large. Hi. Robert Stevens. Hi. Clarence Woren. Hi. Eric Woods. Hi.

Okay. Resolution number 26-04 passes. Uh, next we have resolution 26-05 and it's a resolution authorizing local match commitment. I'll move that we pass resolution 25 2605 second I heard count okay you're going to give that to Taylor okay she needs you roll please Isaac Chavez hi Taylor Krenshaw hi John Large hi Robert Stevens hi Clarence Woren hi Eric Woods hi

okay thank you we have both those resolutions passed then and I know Kimberly you're still going to be working on this for a while with Tim and I know there's going to be some other letters we need and such, but thank you for all your work on it. Okay, next we have ordinance number 26-01 and this is on second reading. Um, does anybody have any questions on that or Alicia, do you have anything for us on this ordinance? This is just a voluntary annexation for um TAD Rentals uh which is out by uh the Blue Green um schools. I think it's been a while since we've had first reading, but we because of the time frame, right, that we had to wait to

Right. That's correct, Mayor. we had to wait 14 days after the um public hearing on the fiscal plan uh in order to have the second reading on the ordinance and so because we didn't have a meeting in that time it's been a little bit but this is just to finish up that process and then once this is approved then I will get it published in the newspaper and then after 90 days we will record it okay thank you do we have any questions comments I'll move to pass ordinance 2601 on second reading. I'll second. Roll call, please. Isaac Chavez. Hi. Taylor Krenshaw. Hi.

John Large. Hi. Robert Stevens. Clarence Woren. Hi. Eric Woods. Hi. Okay. Ordinance number 26-02 passes on second reading. Uh, next we have ordinance number 26-03. This also is on second reading. And let's see, Carol, that's on the salary ordinance. So, would you like to talk to us about that? Um, this was for the changes to the salary ordinance concerning three job positions at the street department in in the sanitation area. Those had uh updated job descriptions and job titles, and uh one did include a salary increase. This is second reading.

And this is second reading. We did first reading on January 12th. I'll make a motion that we pass ordinance uh 2602 on second reading. Second. Okay. Roll call, please. Isaac Chavez. Hi, Taylor Krenshaw. Hi, John Large. Hi, Robert Stevens. Clarence Warren, hi. Eric Woods, hi. Okay. Ordinance number 26-02 passes on second reading. Uh, next we have ordinance number 26-03. This also is on second reading.

This was just an update to our nuisance fee schedule uh for nuisance cleanups that was requested by the police department for code enforcement. I actually like this. So, I'm definitely going to make a motion that we pass ordinance 2603 on second reading. Second. Roll call, please. Isaac Chavez. Hi. Taylor Crrenshaw. Hi. John Large. Hi. Robert Stevens. Hi. Clarence Woren. Hi. Eric Woods. Hi.

Okay. Ordinance number 26-03. Passes on second reading. Next, we have ordinance number 26-04. And could I have that by title only or its entirety, whichever you prefer? Move to read ordinance 2604 by title only. I have a second. Second. I heard Isaac. Ready for roll call. Yes. Isaac Chavez. Hi. Taylor Crrenshaw. Hi. John Large. Hi. Robert Stevens. Hi. Clarence Warren. Hi. Eric Woods. Hi.

Ordinance number 26-04. additional appropriation ordinance. Would you like me to speak to that, mayor? Yes, if you'd like to.

These are for funds that we already have uh the ARPA funds, which will be spent by December 31st of this year. If you recall, we had to have those committed by the end of 24 and spent by the end of 26. And um we have stayed on that schedule. And then also some opioid funds which we've received from the opioid legal settlements um in in various at various times throughout the year and in order for us to spend any of those monies we have to have them appropriated into our budget. There any questions?

The ARPA funds how many how many projects uh make up this total? Just one me. Just Metobrook. Yep. It's committed to that and and there's no going back on that now because the commitment had to be done by the end of 24.

Uh this is first reading. Um they have changed the the state has changed the process for additional appropriations. We no longer have to advertise in the newspaper which previously was 10 days in advance of the public hearing. Now uh there is a portal on gateway to submit the advertisement and no need to advertise in a newspaper but that must be submitted 14 days prior to the public hearing. So if we get if this passes on first reading and we're able to get that submitted to Gateway then um we can do second reading in March. I make a motion we pass ordinance number 2604.

Second. Roll call, please. Isaac Chavez. Hi. Taylor Crrenshaw. Hi. John Large. Hi. Robert Stevens. Hi. Clarence Warren. I. Eric Woods. Hi. Okay. Ordinance number 26-04. Passes on first reading. Thank you. Next do we have I know I have it somewhere. I think are these new or is it the are they um the next one should be 2605. Yes.

And that's relating to sanitation fees and you have in your packet and I'll let Alicia speak to this but you do have two different versions. Um so so they will need to be reviewed if you decide to go ahead with either of them. Okay. Um, first of all, could we get a motion whether you want to read in its entirety or by title only?

Make a motion we uh read ordinance 25 2605 by title only. Second. Roll call, please. Isaac Chavez. Hi. Taylor Krenshaw. Hi. John Large. Hi. Robert Stevens. Clarence Woren. Hi. Eric Woods. Hi.

Common Council, City of Frankfurt, Indiana. Ordinance number 26-05. An ordinance amending ordinance establishing procedures and fees for trash collection and disposal of garbage and waste. And I would address any questions or comments to Alicia. or we also have Superintendent Kilman in the audience. I like version one better. Just opinion. Is the only difference in number seven? Is that the only difference in the two versions?

Yes. The only difference is for the second total trash fee. Um, one of the versions has it so that it is that fee is also increased every 2 years and the other version has it so that it is only um increased to $10 now and then if we wanted to increase it in the future, we would have to amend the ordinance. Trash price is only going to go up. So if we don't raise it every two years like we do the other I think we're wasting our time.

Yeah. So, Alicia, since we have two different versions, would we just make a motion which version that we want to pass first, take a vote on it, and if it passes, we're okay. Or how should we do that? Yes. Okay.

Yes. I would do when when the motion is made, I would say uh that you make a motion to pass ordinance number 26-05 um with the additional increases every two years or without the additional increases. That way it's clear which version we are passing. And just for for all of your reference, version one um is is the one that includes with the increases every two years

for the totar and as referenced in number seven. Anybody else's thought? What's the percentage of our citizenry that has a second totter? I mean, I assume it's a couple percent. I do. Really? I've got a second one. I'll pay it. I have a second one as well.

You guys are just too wind for version one. I think it's the only way to keep the street department out of the red. Okay. Do we want to go ahead and have a motion made on that and then a second if we can get one and then we can do a roll call or is that okay with everyone? Okay. Motion made for 2605 version or the $2 raise over every two years which includes the additional increases. Yes, exactly. I'll second. Roll call, please. Isaac Chavez. Hi. Taylor Krenshaw. Hi.

John Large. Hi. Robert Stevens. Hi. Clarence Woren. Hi. Eric Woods. Hi. Okay. Ordinance number 26-05 version one passes on first reading. Next we have ordinance number 26-06. Mayor, before we read that by title only, Brian and I uh discussed it this afternoon and we would like to make a couple of adjustments to that. So if we could uh table that until the next meeting that would be great. So, we're going to table. Do we need a motion for that or can we just not present it? You can just not present it or you can make a motion. Either way is fine. What's the preference of the council?

Just not present for now. Well, I I think we need to table since it's on the agenda. I'll I'll move to do so. Second. I'm so sorry. Did Eric Was that a a motion? Yes. And Mr. Stevens second. Okay. Thank you. Roll call, please. Isaac Chavez, I. Taylor Krenshaw. Hi, John Large. Hi, Robert Stevens. Hi, Clarence Woren. Hi, Eric Woods. Hi. Okay. Ordinance number 26-06 is tabled. Uh, next we have resolution number 26-03. And Carol, I believe that's from your office. Is that correct?

That is correct. This is something we do annually. Just a little housekeeping to clean up uh older outstanding checks. This allows us to void them and in our accounting system and put them back in the fund that they were originally written out of. These are checks that have never cleared the bank. Um, as you can see, it's not not great amounts, but it is good for us to have this ability to clean these up. And this is according to um the IC code referenced in this resolution. And I've also listed what fund and the amount they're each coming out of. So if you have any questions, I'd be glad to answer.

I move we uh pass resolution 2603. Second. Roll call, please. Isaac Chavez. Hi. Taylor Krenshaw. Hi. John Large. Hi. Robert Stevens. Hi. Clarence Woren. Hi. Eric Woods. Hi.

Okay. Resolution number 26-03 passes. Uh we've already taken care of resolution number 2604 and resolution 26-05. Um is there any unfinished business tonight? Anybody have anything? Okay. Next under new business, we have approval of the CF1 forms and Carol has put those in the packets for you. It looks like we have NHK that has two. Chair Curry and Cunningham Group. I'll move to pass all CF1s. Second. Mr. Stevens, was that your second? Yes. Okay. Thank you. Roll call, please. Isaac Chavez.

Hi. Taylor Crrenshaw. Hi. John Large. Hi. Robert Stevens. Hi. Clarence Warren. Hi. Eric Woods. Hi.

Okay. All CF1s as presented are approved. Uh just real quick couple things I want to mention is state of the city is going to be Tuesday March 31st at 7 p.m. at the Frankfurt Public Library and we'll be giving some statistics of what happened in 25 from a financial standpoint from all of our departments and that type thing. So I hopefully I hope everyone can make it. That's my hope. Um, also on Thursday, February 26th at 11:30, um, the Sparkling Success Leadership Series is going to be happening with Cindy Hoy and she worked with the Indiana State Fair as director. So, that's kind of exciting. I think it'll be a good time. So, you can talk with Andrea or Kimberly and if you're interested in being there, we'd love to have you there. So, anything else?

Nope. Do I have anything else? I I have a couple things that need signed. Okay. Is that it? Yeah. I just want to make sure you don't run away. Motion made. Do I have a second? Second.