Common Council - Regular Meeting

Okay. Uh, Mr. McKinley, uh, our Republican party chair, going to be swearing in our new city councilman.

All right. Good. Good evening. Um, Nick McKinley, the Grant County Republican Chair, and I'd like to invite Dr. Jeff Ry is up here. Oh, and his wife, too. I'm sorry. Come on up. So, this past Saturday, the Grant County Republican Party held a caucus to replace the vacant seat that I once held. Um, and Dr. Jeff Reyes U was the winner of that caucus. And so, it's my honor to swear him in right before the meeting today. So, if you could just place your left hand on the Bible and right hand uh in the air and repeat after me. I, Dr. Dr. Jeff Reyes do solemnly swear

I, Dr. Jeffrey Rees do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Indiana in the Constitution of the State of Indiana and that I will faithfully And I will faithfully and partially and partially and diligently discharge and diligently discharge the duties of the office the duties of the office of Marian City Council at large of Marian City Council at according to law according to law and to the best of my ability. and to the best of my ability. Congratulations. Thank you so much.

We like to invite the kids up here so they can get a a photo before the meeting starts. We'll do one with just you guys and then I'll Ready? One here. You guys stay where you're at. All right. Congratulations.

Appreciate it. Thank you.

Thank you, Nick. Okay, I want to go ahead and officially call this meeting to order now. Uh we're going to start tonight with our prayer. Uh Dr. Kenan Davis, our COO of Marian is going to do the prayer and our Councilman Jim Brunner will lead us in a pledge of allegiance. So, if you'd all stand, please. Oh dear God, we just thank you for another day that we can come before you um with hearts full of gratitude and just say thank you that we're able to say thank you for brand new mercies for blessings that we don't deserve. Thank you for your pro protection of this county and this city. Thank you God for the ability God to still make sound decision God Lord. and we are praying to you this afternoon or this evening um because we expect for you to be here. We expect for you to be in the room. We expect for you to guide hearts, to guide minds, God, so that we make decisions considering all people. Thank you for the direction that we are going and thank you God for preserving us in spite of everything that goes on around us. Um we ask that you continue to be present in Grant County and in this city name of Jesus we pray. Amen. Amen. I would like to flaggy and justice for all.

Thank you, Kenan. Thank you, Jim. Okay, we take roll call, please. Kain I. Ray here. Ford ice here. Brunner here. Klene here. Marshall here. Whitten here. Divine here. Calgill

here. Okay. At this time we uh on our recognition, our spotlight, we uh have Anthony Decker with us tonight. He is the owner of the Old Fitz Pub right across the bridge on Washington across from the credit union. So Anthony, if you'd like to come on up here, he's going to Yeah, right up here. He's going to talk a little bit about his place and then uh I'll say a few things. All right. I have to do this. Lean over here. Well, this is interesting. Uh gosh, I don't know what to say. I'm just going to speak from my heart. Number one, uh I used to be psyched out and intimidated by official meetings like this. But um having opened this pub, I think one of the things I want to acknowledge first is so many familiar faces in the room, friends, um that I've been able to make at the Old Fitz Pub. Uh so many of you that I've got to know over the last couple months, and it's great to see you all. Um really, really special. So, thank you all that have been in uh one time or 10 times to support us. Um, and I think that that right there, the feeling that I'm having right now being in city hall um in front of city officials and and people that care about our city, I think that's what makes an Irish pub special is that it kind of uh I've often said that uh any town, any city with an Irish pub, the community is brighter. Um, there's something that an Irish pub does to a community that makes it more special. We're honored to be that Irish pub. Um, we are a traditional, familyfriendly Irish pub right here in the heart of Marian, Indiana. And, um, gosh, I don't I don't know. I don't know how much you want me to ramble about what we do or

what we offer. Um, but basically we're we're we're here to to to hopefully make you all feel at home, to be a place that uh friends can gather in to experience some fun flavor, um, some some nice beers, some nice cocktails, whatever it be. We are family friendly. We're all ages. Um, one of the favorite things that I'd like to share is that there was a has been a couple occasions, but one particular night that we had a family in town and they had a um a child that was not big enough to even sit with the parent at the table. They were still in their uh their carrier, their seat on the floor. And then we were also celebrating that night a hundredth birthday party in the same room. So it was like the polar end of the spectrum. We had a baby that was sleeping in a carrier, not even big enough to be uh held at the at that time. And then we had a hundredth birthday party and that's just beautiful. That's what the pub is for. We hope to be a place for everyone. Um we uh offer traditional Irish fair. Um gosh, I don't know. Oh jeez, I don't know what to say.

Was birthday. Was that Nick's birthday? Oh, no. It wasn't Nick's. Not this year. That's next year, I think. Right, Nick? But uh

Yeah. But um we're we're just we're we're blessed to be able to be here in Marian. Um this place uh I I've been born here, raised here in Marian, Indiana. I left. I'll fully admit it. I had that anarchist side of me that's like I'm going somewhere else and I'm going to go see what else there is to see outside of Marian, but I call it the Marian tractor pull. It pulls you back in because there's something special about Marian and it's undeniable now. I'm back. My family is here. We're raising our children here. um the the place that we decided to open our business in. Um I had used to go to Vogle's doughnut shop there with my great-grandfather Fitzgerald and we would get donuts and um it's a special thing to be able to uh carry on the Irish customs and traditions in that building that he uh brought into our family. So if you see on our logo, it says 1914 on it. That's my great-grandfather, William Fitzgerald. He was the first born in America of our Irish descent and um he was a proud Marian citizen. Um so here we are opening an Irish pub in the heart of Marion and we hope that you all feel the love inside the doors. Uh you know everyone's a little bit Irish in an Irish pub. Uh we've got an exciting um day ahead of us on Saturday, March 14th. Can I put a shameless plug in for that? So, we are um hosting what I'm calling, to my knowledge, Marian, Indiana's first St. Patrick's Day festival. I've not known one since I've been here, since I've been born, since I've been around. And uh we're going to do it right. So, it is next Saturday, the 14th. We are starting off with a what we're calling the Green for Good 5K. And uh all proceeds from both sponsors and racers, we're giving back to the community. So,

we're using our pub as a platform to uh garnish some community support. It's all the proceeds are going to St. Martin's Community Center, the Mission. And uh we have a lot of fun events throughout the rest of the day. So, racer registration starts at 10:00, races at 11, and we've got at noon a artist coming from Chicago. He's playing uh St. Patrick's Irish music for us. We got a big tent coming to the parking lot. We've got face painting by Mona Mona Black. Mana Mona, sorry, I just met her. She's going to come down and do face painting for the kids or adults. We've got Ashley's ice cream cart coming to join us. Um, we have the McGovern Children's Irish Step Dance Class from Fort Wayne. They're coming down to perform for us at 1:30 in the big tent in the parking lot. Um, we have the largest Irish flag ever flown in the state of Indiana going to be flown over Washington Street in uh cooperation with the Maran Fire Department. They're bringing the big rig. I brought a 15 foot by 25 foot Irish flag. We're hanging that over Washington Street. And I'm gonna say it now because he's saying it, but Mayor Morurell, uh, let let the, uh, let the news out that we're working on trying to get this river to turn green. So, we are, uh, last minute kind of trying to get the river green. So, I've got some connections made and if we can make this river green, we're going to do it. If we can't do it this year, you can sure enough expect it next year. He's in full support of it. Um, and we're going to have a great day. The pub will be open the whole day, the whole evening. We got all kinds of fun. We've got 12 sponsors, 12 corporate sponsors last minute all came together to help sponsor the Green forgood 5K race and that's amazing. We didn't even take a whole lot of time to try to garnish those but it was amazing to see them come forward. So excess sponsor money,

it's all being flushed to St. Martins's. Um yeah, we're just we're we're very happy and blessed to be here in Marian and um uh bringing some new culture um some new traditions. Uh my goal with this Irish pub as may maybe some of you many of you may know in the room I am the also the president of Miss Cinea 1812. So, I love history and um it's my goal with this Irish pub that you all learn a little bit uh not only about modern Irish culture, but the history of the Irish impact, the immigrants impact on America through our Irish pub as well. So, um gosh, I don't know. I can ramble about this all night. So,

what do you got for me? Yeah, I I'll just say a few things, too, because I've been there quite a few times. Um and I'm not going to say anything that I haven't already said to Anthony. Um, I was like, man, that place, it doesn't look that big, you know? Why is it taking an year and a half to rem until you walk in? Two and a half years. Two and a half years. That's right. So,

wait till you walk in. The woodwork, the bar is just um it it is the most amazing place. And I love it because there's no TVs in there. So, you actually have to visit with the people you're with and everything. You're not just watching TV. The food, I have not, and I'm not just saying this, I've not had a bad meal. The food is phenomenal. And um they have a a gentleman that comes in that is an Irish singer and he plays and sings and Anthony gets his drum out, he sings and plays right with them. It you do a very good job. I'm telling you, I can't say enough about this place. It is the new hot spot in Marian. It's I really encourage everybody to go down there and get some Irish food and and some Irish culture and uh of course you know I'll always be there to support you too. So

thank you. Thank you guys. Thank you all for having me. Thank you. It's great to speak to you all and I hope you all feel the love in the Irish boat. Any of the council members wanted any questions or anything? Thank you. Thank you. We ask that you just uh uh share that with your friends and uh we plan on being here for my my goal is that someday my kids may run this place. So, our goal is to be here for a very long time and uh we appreciate your support. Yeah. Thank you, brother. Yeah. Thank you.

Okay. Next on the agenda be the uh consent agenda. I would entertain a motion. Mr. President, I move that we pass the consent agenda. Second. Okay. I have a motion by Councilman Kaine, a second one by Councilman Klene. Uh, roll call, please. Kane, I. Reyes, I. For ice, hi. Brunner. I. Klene, yes. Marshall, I. Whitten. Yes. Divine. Yes. Calgill. I.

Okay. Next on the uh agenda would be the committee reports. Uh Dr. Reyes, I'm sure you have a lot of your committee reports. Go ahead. No, I'm just messing with you. Uh all right. Any anybody have any committee reports though? Mr. Brown, go ahead.

We had a over an hour long uh park and recreation meeting um with Rose Candina uh with spring coming. And uh if she would please come up to the microphone real quick. I think she has some exciting news about the dog park, Wiggly Field, and all those kind of things. So, uh I don't expect her to spend uh an hour, but uh I think it would be interesting if you'd let the people know what we did talk about yesterday, so it's all yours. We talked about a lot of things. Um do you have the agenda on you? Do you have the agenda, Jim?

Yeah. Yeah. Um, so I mean, dog park update, um, they've started moving ground again. Um, we don't plan to open the dog park though until probably, um, towards the end of summer because of the sod and everything that's going to be put down. Um, we won't want dogs and and people on it. Um, it it wouldn't be good for it. Um they have some concrete pads to do yet. Um we're working on getting the internet hooked up there um for the entry um whether it be FOBs or whatever they um choose to do for the gate entry. Um so it's moving along. We were did get our first federal draw from um the um LWCF. Um so that money's coming in now. Um that's been a whole entire process. Of course, the dog park has been about a seven, eight year process. Co didn't help. So, um we're getting towards the end of it. We'll have one more draw and the dog park will be completed. Um Friendship Corner, um the PIP surfacing um that we needed to do um because ADA requirements changed. Um there's two areas inside Friendship Corner. I know I emailed all of the county or the city council members um at the end of last year. um with a drawing and you know the cost um to get that finished. Um Jeffrey and I are currently working on a grant um with AWS. We have applied for a $50,000 grant. The project cost is about $85,000. So hopefully we're able to get that $50,000 grant um that will cover uh the majority of the cost. Um and then um

we're also working on another they call it mighty money grant through ADWS. We're trying to purchase um ADA compliant picnic tables to place in each one of our parks. Um we were able to purchase six last year. Um and we are in the midst of trying to get that grant again um to purchase six more. Um and then um the other the other thing is is we're trying to um renovate shelter 5. It's the last restroom in Matter Park. Um well, basically any of our parks that needs some work done. Um I do have a meeting with the mayor this coming Monday to kind of talk about those projects. Um so um and then Bucks Complex is um coming along. Um we're just waiting on um the striping for the new tennis courts and then pickle ball that got converted last year or the old tennis courts that got converted to pickle ball. Um they need stripes. So um they should do that this spring and both of those um projects will be completed.

Any questions? Good. Thank you, Rose, for getting us updated on that. Any other committee reports?

Um the border works met yesterday and the main thing on the agenda was the awarding of the bid for the new um fire pumper truck that will be stationed at station one. Um they received four bids. Uh one from Sentinel for uh 999,000 and then one from HME that was for 791,000. McQueen for 1.041 million and then uh Donley Safety which was for 691,000. Um, after they did the review, they found that the two or low bids did not have the exact specs they were looking for in a pump truck. They also did not have the um the demo and the in the period that they needed, I guess, for them to be able to use them and make sure that there was um no issues and for the equipment to be to be exactly right. Is that right, Brian? That they usually do a certain time frame. Um and so they went ahead um and awarded the bid to Sentinel. Um that truck is actually already built and in St. Louis and will be able to be delivered by the time station one is complete. Um, and it will have a fourmonth demo period where um, all the equipment will be run and tested and worked through and made sure it's working the way they expect it to so that it can be um, fully up to the way that it needs to be for uh, for the new station to be in service. And that was everything for that meeting. Um, we have not had a Maran utilities board meeting. That is actually this Thursday. And then we will have um we'll talk about that later about the ordinance. Um we're getting closer to having the discussion about

where we need to go with those rates and what the two um consultants have come together. Um I'm expecting to have a better report for that and we'll probably have a committee meeting um before the council meeting on the 17th. Correct. What was the the sentinel bid? What was the the one that they accepted? Um, it was $999,694. And that's that's no equipment. That's strictly the pump, right? Um, I thought that had I don't know the answer to that to be honest because I sounded like it had all the equipment, but you would know better than me if that were true.

It probably isn't if I would guess. So, okay. Okay. Thank you. Anybody else? Don't see any at this time. Okay. So, we'll move on to unfinished business. Uh, additional appropriation 1226. Second reading and public hearing. An ordinance appropriating $50,000 for the Maran Arts Commission. Speaking city controller Dana Gold. Actually, Matt is going to come up the executive director and speak on what where they're at, what he's done with this.

Good evening. Do I need to state my address?

I'll do it. Cool. Uh 11:24 West Spencer Avenue, 46952. Um just want to provide some updates from the last hearing a month ago. Um there are a couple things that I mentioned. Um just want to follow up on them. one, I had talked about uh a grant opportunity that I felt confident that the American Arts Commission would be awarded, and I am glad to say that I was accurate. Um, last year, I submitted application for the Indiana Arts Commission's Creative Convergence. It is a two-day training session down in Fischers, Indiana, and then there is a $5,000 follow-up grant opportunity. Um, for these $5,000, we will be placemaking local art at the central bus station. And this $5,000, all of it goes back into the community. Uh it will go into the Bad Apple uh company to print and install the vinyl installation. It'll also pay a local artist for a design of the art. And then we'll also pay a local videographer to create a short story that could be used for a promotional tool for our public transit system. And then last time I had given updates in regard to the arts and cultural district designation that we are seeking through the Indiana Arts Commission. Um, as I've mentioned, they have not been accepting applications in the time that I've been director for these last 10 and a half months, but I've been able to develop a relationship with the director of that program and Joe Hansen. Uh, and came and visited our city back in November to get a idea of what we have here in Marian, get to meet the people in our community. And she came and visited us last Thursday for the red carpet premiere of the now entering Marion documentary. Um, and it was a pleasure to show her that in the span of three months, she was able to see the elevator shaft being built at the apartments down by the river. Uh, to tell her about the new businesses going into the Boston Hill Center, such as the Bookworm Orchard, which is going to have monthly poetry readings down in the basement of the first Wednesday of every month starting in April, as well as Art Alive with

Alicia. And then of course after the event, uh took her to dinner over at Oh, he's already gone. Uh the old Fitz. Um and then a couple things I I mentioned, I believe last month, uh working on a partnership for acquiring funding funding through the uh Indian Arts Commission in a strategic way where in the fall and spring of each year, they have an arts project support grant that awards $4,000. The Marian Arts Commission was awarded the fall um cycle. that is what is funding the 18 concerts that are happening in downtown Marian this summer. But we are not eligible to apply for that uh spring cycle. We have to wait until the fall. However, instead of letting that money stay by the wayside, I had discussed, I believe last month uh partnering with the visitors bureau to fill the void of the loss of uh a cinematic experience here in uh in Marian. Thankfully, uh, I had a curveball thrown on Friday last week where I double checked to see that in the eligibility requirements for that grant, a visitors bureau has to be a 501c6 and then upon further investigation saw that the Grant County visitors bureau is a 501c4. So, with a matter of two days until we can apply for that grant, I've been able to partner with Kerry Services where the go the goal is to apply for a grant where we will get the $4,000 to create three sessions um with Arts Alive with Alicia to take uh her services, give her the the money for the preparations as well as the materials to go to Carrie's services and to create three sessions with their creative hearts artist. And we will also have funding uh for a videographer. Again, we want to keep sharing and telling these stories that are taking place here in our community and what art can do. And I just want to state that again being able to be strategic about these opportunities and to see that we have funding that is that is out there

and working with our partners here in the community where the Mariners Commission does not have to be the one that acquires the funding. We will gladly work with people in our community to ensure that we are bringing that into the community. Um this Thursday I believe I mentioned last month the NEA research grant that we're going for and the area of focus that we are uh looking at is opioid use treatment recovery and prevention and I will be the first to admit that I am not an expert in that field but we have a lot of them here in our community. So, I'll be bringing in a research professor from Indiana Western University, as well as therapists that specialize in substance use disorder and artsbased uh related therapy. Uh bringing in uh recovery residents uh leaders as well as getting feedback from the members of our Grant County drug court. This is an award that can uh have national significance for our community and awards between 20,000 to $100,000. Uh there is another grant I'm working on this month. Um I will admit that there's a lot going on this month in regards to uh grants. Uh Dr. Reyes, I emailed you today about the uh other ones we're working on. Um this one is for $35,000. And what I envision and it's been discussed with uh our my board president, Don Conwell. Um the southeastern part of downtown Marian has a lot of opportunity and right now I feel it's being overlooked. And what I want to do is there's an empty car lot that I believe the city owns. Uh in my discussion with Mayor Morell and his words were do whatever you want with it, just make something happen. And so trying to curate something where we can get that funding to bring some kind of art installation and draw attention there where people will be more aware of Parker Seafood Restaurant over there as well as the revitalation efforts that the SOS Marian nonprofit organization is doing with the housing along Branson Street. And then uh

it was either uh pure luck or intuition. I sent an email last month to Councilman Calg and Councilman Ford eyes following up the uh first hearing for this. And in that I had uh mentioned uh Councilman Ford eyes how I believed he uh bestowed the uh the qualities of honor, courage and commitment. And then to my surprise learned that much like myself, he is also Marine. So, I had the privilege of meeting with Councilman Ford Ice last month uh to get a better understanding of his perspective of his role in this community and I just wanted to share with you and the rest of council the fundraising efforts that we are preparing for for this year. Uh tomorrow morning I will be presenting at the Greater Grant County Gather and Grow Breakfast. This is an opportunity for the Maring Arts Commission to make ourselves aware to local business leaders who don't know of us yet, as well as let them know that the momentum that we are seeing here in our community, if they want to partner with the Marine Arch Commission, provide them examples of what we're doing, they can be leaders in our community with us. Um, we have a fun fundraising effort scheduled for Mother's Day weekend. again focusing on downtown where we will create experience that will bring people to our downtown businesses to both support them and make them aware of the uh businesses that are going down here. Like I'd mentioned, Boston Hill Center, it's popping. Like I just went over and checked out the skate uh skate skateboard shop there and uh to my knowledge, even though KB Computers has moved out, I believe they've already got that space filled in and that place is fully occupied. Um, I'm still working on the branding and um, the Friday concerts this this summer. Um, yes, we want the concerts to be the draw, but really we want downtown Marion to be that space outside of people's homes and their work. We want downtown Marion to be the third space that people choose. And at the concert series, we'll be having a booth set up to let people know that the Marin Arts Commission was able to acquire the funding for these

concerts. And we want to keep this sustainable. We want to keep this to be not just a one-time event this summer, but we want this to be the norm here in Marian. And so requesting fundraising at these events. Uh we are in the preparations for this year's MAC Gala, our largest fundraiser that typically the last two years has brought in over $25,000 each each event. And then we're also developing uh a program to roll out this summer. That would be a subscription based program. that is a way for us to maintain monthly passive uh revenue. And lastly, I um I just want to say uh it's been a privilege these last 10 and a half months uh to be in this role. Um you know, a year ago, maybe if I was here, I wouldn't know pro I would only know maybe a handful of you. And here I am and I feel like I know pretty much half the people in this room. Um, this role has allowed me to better know this community, uh, to better know myself, uh, to be able to create opportunities such as for Kerry Services, uh, getting to know Jim Al and everything they do at Kerry Services. Uh, it's a privilege to be able to continue working and, uh, like Jim says, turning abilities into opportunities. And uh lastly, I if you haven't if you weren't able to attend this past Thursday's uh red carpet premiere, I encourage you this Thursday evening at 8 PM on PBS, please tune in for the now entering Marian documentary. Um it paints a beautiful picture of the good things that are happening in our city as well as gives you a lot of history that I wasn't aware of of our city and I am glad that we were able to have a segment that highlights the arts here in our city. got a lot going on.

It's appreciate that. Any council members have any questions, comments, anything for Matt? Go ahead, Mr. Fores.

Yeah, I I did have a a great meeting with Matt and uh um we walked downtown and looked at a lot of sites down there. I got to see his record shop and uh we had some very good conversations. I appreciate his direction and his passion and his enthusiasm for our community and what you do for our community. I still feel that my opinion hasn't changed and you know that uh we discussed that in in length. I feel that uh any organization like that needs good people and they need volunteers and I offer my help anytime you need it. I'm more than willing. I just believe that you should be self-sufficient as a nonprofit organization and uh I I feel that the the city of Marian and this government legislative body, we have other uses for that money as far as I'm concerned. But I dearly appreciate your organization and I'll support it any way I can other than that. Thank you, Matt.

Thank you.

Anybody else? Um, okay, Matt, if you want to sit down. This is a second reading public hearing, and I'll now open this up for anybody in the public that would like to speak for or against this. And if you come up, you will say state your name, your address, and you'll have three minutes to speak. Hello, I am Tashima Davis and my address is 3410 Wildwood Drive, Marion, Indiana 46952. Um, I am in support of what Matt is doing and the Marion Arts Commission. I have um received uh monetary things from a grant from the Marian Arts Commission and I am currently displaying a body of work at the Kennedy Arts Center. I have been supported from both a Marian Arts Commission uh Marian Design Co. and also the Kennedy Arts Center um on numerous levels and I don't think that I would have been able to do as much as I've done without that support. Um, I think that they are doing a wonderful job personally because it gives me as an artist an opportunity to display my stuff. It also gives me an opportunity to constantly dig my roots deeper in this community. Um, as an artist, I feel like we need more um, opportunities like what is being provided at the Marian Arts Commission for artists who just don't have that extra oomph, whether that is money, a space, or the motivation to do what they uh, should do, and that's create art. here in our community. We have a lot of artists here. Um, and things like the Marian Arts Commission with the grants that they offer artists will bring those people out of hiding and also turn those funds back into the city after they are

selling and making art for all of us. Thank you.

Thank you. Anybody else? Hi there. My name is Misty Fox. Address um 1609 East Low Road and that's Marian 46952. Um so, as I just said, my name is Misty Fox. Uh as some of you might know, I work at the Candy Arts Center. Um I'm also an artist myself, like Toshima. As you might guess, I'm in favor of continuing to fund the arts here in Marian. Uh but I'm not doing this just out of bias. I believe the arts are as important to human beings as breathing and that it comes as natural to us too. We don't always think about it consciously, but it's something that when we are surrounded by it makes life more enriching, interesting, and vibrant. Um, it saddens me that the arts are often the first thing cut when budgets are adjusted. Art is not a bonus. It is as necessary as any other subject. We had a man step into the gallery just last week and he said something that stuck with me. When schools take away art and music classes to make room for STEM, they actually see overall test scores and student success drop. He compared this to exercising only one part of your body and wondering why you don't feel healthy. Even beyond school and perhaps even more importantly in communities and cities, we need things like business and infrastructure, of course, but we need art, too. We frequently have people step into the art center and proclaim that they've never been in before. And they're so glad and surprised that we have something like this in Marian. They see this one space in our city and immediately feel that Marion has been elevated. And I'm sure they'd be encouraged to see art added in any other form, too. Forms that I can see beginning to crop up with the works of the Marion Arts Commission through live music, murals, public sculptures, local events downtown, and more. Because of that, I hope you'll continue to see the value of this organization. Thank you.

Any Okay, go ahead, Mr. May. Charles Moon 703 East Sazy Street. Uh if they want to have an arts commission, I have no problem with that. But I think uh until the police department is paid a sufficient salary and taken care of, we shouldn't be spending city money on a outside nonprofit organizations. And uh there's just several things that we need. And there's all kinds of organizations. If you start this, uh, you're going to have churches coming in and asking for money. It's nonprofit. All right? So, I think you need to nip it in the bud. I think that the funds for the city ought to be used for the city and not for independ independent organizations. Anybody else? I'm waiting.

Hello. You've all known me as being uh an advocate of the arts. I just want to remind us of the simplicity of the ability. Can we get your name and address?

Oh, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Wendy Puffer, 5215 North Piconga, Marian, Indiana 46952. I apologize. um that art is a talking point that allows us to promote our city. Um art is a noun and a verb. It's an expression and an an application. Um I was just um at the Y this weekend doing my few times of workout and um on my way out I ran into a guy and I happened to have my um car door open and I had the radio on. So he's asking me what radio station I was listening to and he had just moved back to Marian and I had the opportunity at that moment because he was just like he'd live grown up here and was coming back to tell him about what was happening here in the arts and he wasn't asking me at all about creativity art anything that had to do with that. But art becomes an ambassador on our behalf. And so when I think of how much time Matt has spent outside of this city to talk to the state and those outside of our county about what's happening in this city, it's all been around the narrative of art. So at art creates that verb that keeps moving, but it also creates that noun, that application that we get to enhance and enjoy as we live around it. So thank you for your consideration. It means a lot.

Thank you, Wendy. Anybody else? Going once, twice. Okay. All right. I will close the uh portion of the public hearing at this time. Is there any more discussion from the C? Yes, Mr. Clank. Go ahead.

Yeah. Thank you. You know, we give incentives to businesses to give them life and to uh help them help the community. And this may not be an abatement, but it still is an an incentive to an organization that promotes the community and helps bring some life to the community. And I got to add, however, that I hope this is the last time we're asked to do this for the arts commission that it does truly become self-sufficient as you're obviously working on. So, more power to you. Um, but you know, this time I can see going with the incentive.

Thank you, Councilman Klein. Yeah, go ahead.

Yeah, thank you for the opportunity to speak, Mr. President. I uh I am in agreement with passing this ordinance. Um we made a commitment one year ago that we would fund the arts commissions for two to three years and this is the second year. So hopefully they, you know, they will be self-sufficient uh come the third year and they won't be back and they'll be able to uh fund themselves from here on out. Um, but this is a an ordinance that gives a great positive influence towards downtown and when we create uh trying to create this arts district uh which will be a a big boon to the the city of Marian along with with the new restaurants and people moving downtown. It's it's all a part that all works together. So, I am certainly in uh agreement that we need to pass this $50,000 to the Marin Arts Commission and I would urge other council members to vote in favor. Thank you.

Go ahead. Yeah, this your your opportunity. First one. Go ahead, Doc. First, I do want to, you know, say that Matt has worked hard on a lot of these things. Obviously, being my first meeting here, one of my questions, I know you talked about sustainability. I don't know if he can come back up to the podium and and talk, but my question is, you know, hearing other council members talk, you know, it's we've had a commitment to you or to the Maran Arts Commission for a couple years, it sounds like. Do you have an actual plan of what you plan to do with this $50,000? Because again, somebody mentioned a bunch of different things and there was really no direction that was talked about. There's there's been direction about you know what you've talked about other things and this you know how are you going to how are you going to sustain yourself going forward so we can all have a have a a clear conscience about what that looks like going forward you know so if it if it if it does come up again next year we're educated on that.

Yeah. So, the $50,000 that we're requesting, uh, 15,000 of that will go towards grants that we give out to local artists. We have six cycles each year that award up to $1,000 and then the remaining funds go towards uh curating exhibits at the Kennedy Arts Center. Um, and then the remaining $35,000 goes towards the salary of the director. Uh, a week, I believe it was last week, I sent uh the budgets from 2024, 2025, as well as the proposed budget for this year on how we would be sustainable. Um, to be able to maintain the current salary that I have and to be able to still curate those grants and uh, exhibit at the Kenny Arts Center, we would have to sustain an annual fundraising of $75,000. And do you have a plan to get to that $75,000? Because based on some of these things, the Matt Galla was your biggest one at 25,000. You know, we're that's a third of the way. What does the rest of that look like?

So, the other things that I talked about um I don't know how much it's going to bring in. That's where the preparations and the execution is critical for us to find out what's going to work and what's not. Um some of the other things we've discussed is having um exhibits at the KI Arts Center that and this is in discussion with Chris Ky as well where uh commissions from the sales portion of those proceeds would go to the Marine Arts Commission and then I don't want to talk about it because I don't want anyone else to go for it but I do know next year that the uh Indian Arts Commission has a uh is it by annual every two years they have a uh funding opportunity for $20,000 and that's for operational costs. So that's not I'm not taking that accountability, but knowing that those opportunities are out there lets me know that there are other opportunities as well that I can find.

Well, and definitely I mean based on the the things that you've discussed up to this point and I know how hard you work obviously we've we've worked together on some other things, but you work hard on I just want to make sure we have a path to success here where you are sustainable like what the rest of the council is talking about, you know, so we understand what that looks like. Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, Matt. Anybody else? Go ahead, Mr. Ro.

I I just have one other one other comment to make is is that last year wasn't the only time that that we funded the Marian Arts Commission. I was on the Maran Arts Commission board in 2020 when Bobby Pitman was the president of the board. So, and we funded them then and we funded them ever since during al ball and starting with um Mayor Morell. And I'm just saying that, you know, at some point in time, they have to become self-sufficient. And our our situation has changed since last year with Senate Bill One. And that is something that every councilman needs to take into mind because we have other departments that are coming to us and are going to come to us for additional funds and we're going to need those additional funds and we don't know the complete total impact of the Senate Bill one until 2027 the budget for 2028. But you're going to need these funds. And I'm telling you, if you keep giving money away from the general fund and don't keep it in the city funds to fund the departments, we're going to get back to the same situation we were with Seabolt. We're going to be borrowing money because we're out of money. So, I just want you to keep that in mind. This isn't the first year that we funded Marion Arts Commission. And secondly, on that, this second year that they came back was supposed to be a stairstepped. I do remember that for a fact. I thought it was a one-time shot, but it was brought to my attention that it was supposed to come back for three years, but it's supposed to be stairstepped down. Wasn't 50,000 every year. So, that's one reason that I'm against it is because of Senate Bill one. And the second reason is because I feel that they need to be self- sustainable.

Self- sustainability in a nonprofit with fundraisers is a must. So, just take that in consideration. Thank you. Um, and just for clarification, I I agree with you, Mr. Ford. I with Senate Bill One, we have to watch what we're doing. But they did kick Senate Bill back to 29 instead of 27, just for everybody's knowledge on that, too, because of there's been so much push back on it's it's just not fair. It's killing cities and counties. And so I whether they did that to revisit it, you know, I would hope that's what they're doing it for. But anyway, just for that um I I agree um with Mr. Klein and Mr. Kaine. Uh I'm in favor of this tonight. Um hopefully that by next year you will be self- sustained. I I see from last year to this year how much harder you've worked, Matt, and the things that you've done and accomplished. I believe in the arts commission. You know, Wendy's always done a great job with it and everything. And um we'll see. Hopefully next year you'll be self- sustained at that point. But I also agreed on that commitment and I'm not going to go back on what I agreed to at my commitment on it. So I'm just I'm in favor of it this year to push forward with it as well. Okay. At this time, if there's no more discussion, I will entertain a motion.

Mr. President, I move that we suspend the rules on additional appropriation number one, 2026. Second. Okay. I have a motion to suspend the rules from Councilman Kaine and a second from Councilwoman Divine. Vice President Councilwoman Divine. Roll call, please. Kain, I. Reyes, I. Ford, no. Brunner. I. Klein, yes. Marshall, I Whitten, yes. Divine, yes. Calgill, I. I now entertain a motion to pass general ordinance.

Mr. President, I move that we pass additional appropriation number one, 2026. Second. Okay. I have a motion by Councilman Kaine and a second by Councilman Klene. Roll call, please. Kane. I. Reyes. I forise. No. Brunner. I Klene. Yes. Marshall. I Whitten. Yes. Divine. Yes. Calgill.

I. Motion has passed. All right. Next on the agenda would be general ordinance 12026 amending the monthly water usage rates. It's well second reading and public hearing that a motion will be made to move to the March 17th common council meeting an ordinance amending the monthly water user rates and charges for the city of Marian Indiana.

I'll speak on that. Um the that let I I tried to speak to most of you. The reason being on this is Baker Tilly and um Crow has still not got they they needed another week to get the what they say is the final number, the final percentage that will allow the utilities to be able to operate and start building their capital gains back up and everything. So because of that, they said they might have it by today, yesterday or today. So I said, "Well, I'm not giving it to the council and say, "Here it is. Vote on it in 15 minutes." I don't believe in that. So that's why I'm asking that we that I get a motion to put this to the 17th because then I can get it to all the council members hopefully by the end of this week and you guys will have plenty of time to look it over, ask questions, digest it, and understand it better. So then on the 17th, we can deal with it at that time. So your motion then would be if I were to make a motion it would be simply to move this to the 17th meeting

to suspend the rules tonight and move it to the 17th. Yes, sir. Then yes, that's my motion. Thank you. Second. Okay, we have a motion by Councilman uh Klein and a second by Councilman Brunner. Roll call, please. Clarification. Yes, sir. It stays on second reading and public hearing. Yes, that's correct. Okay, as it is now, but just go to the 17th. Yeah. Okay. Roll call, please. Kane, I Reyes, hi. Ford ice. Hi. Brunner. Hi. Klene, yes. Marshall, I Whitten. Yes. Divine. Yes. Calgill.

I. Thank you guys. Okay. Uh, general ordinance 2, 2026. An ordinance amending council rules, second reading and public hearing. An ordinance amending the rules for the common council. Speaking council president Brian Calg.

This is the one that we passed before that the two rule changes is that we have the deadline is the Tuesday prior to the next meeting. uh that it gets into Aisha by two o'clock instead of it used to be four but now we're changing it to two so she has sufficient time so if somebody comes in at the last minute she has time to get it prepared and get it done because somebody always comes in at the last minute so that helps her with that and the other rule change is that the mayor vetos any of our decisions then we have a time frame that we have to either override or uphold the ve veto So we'll just now change that so that it automatically goes on the next council meeting scheduled. So that way it takes care of the time frame we don't have to worry about. So that's the two rule changes and and that's what that is for. Any discussion on that? Okay. This is a second reading public hearing. So I will open up this to the public if anybody would like to speak for or against it. Come on up. Say your name, address, and you'll have three minutes. Anybody? Okay, I don't see anybody coming up. I'm going to go ahead and close the uh public portion of this. Um I will entertain a motion at this time.

Mr. President, I move that we suspend the rules on general ordinance number two, 2026. Second. Okay. I have a motion by Councilman Kaine to suspend the rules and a second by Councilman Brener. Roll call. Kain. I. Reyes. I. For ice. I. Brunner. I. Klene. Yes. Marshall. I. Whitten. Yes. Divine. Yes. Calgill. I I will now entertain a motion to pass general ordinance. Mr. President, I move that we pass general ordinance number two, 2026. Second.

Okay, we have a motion by Councilman Kaine, second by Councilman Brunner. Go ahead. Kain I. Reyes. I Brunner. I Klene. Yes. Marshall. I Whitten. Yes. Divine. Yes. Calgill I motion pass.

Okay. Uh the other thing is we have Okay. We was going to have the Grant County Visitors Bureau where we was going to post or give a a position to that, but our council uh Mr. Harker had found out and read that the city council, we don't have an appointment. The mayor has got four, the commissioners have four, and then the county council has one, not the city council. So, that makes it really easy for us tonight. We don't have to vote. So, can we can we send the mayor a recommendation?

Actually, is what I did. I didn't send a recommendation, but we did forward Aisha forwarded all the resumeéumés to him so he can make his appointment based off of, you know, the resumes and she contacted everybody today. And Aisha, I really appreciate all the work you've put in on this the last couple months um kind of for nothing, but um you know, sorry about that, but I do appreciate everything you did and so they're all aware and they know that they'll be notified by somebody from the mayor's office for their appointment for that or whoever he's going to decide to put on. Any questions or Okay, we don't have any new business. Um, the one announcement I do have is I I guess some people was confused when we talked about Gateway when we have an additional appropriation that it gets advertised through Gateway, but the the agendas for people to find out what's on the agenda and everything. It's nothing's changing. We're still using the the Maring Chronicle. We're still using the News Herald. Um they just the um controllers's office add added gateway when I'm hope I'm saying this right um that they advertise their the additional appropriations through gateway as well. So it's just kind of an added thing that that the controllers put in there. So just to clarify that for everybody. Yes Aisha.

We don't use the news herald. The council does not use the news herald. We use the chronicle. That's it. That's it. Okay. Like I said, we don't use the News Herald anymore. We just use the Chronicle now, I guess. Thank you, Aisha, for telling me that. So, um, so we're only we only have to use the one then. Okay. All right. Anybody else have any announcements? Okay.

Okay. Obviously, I don't know what I'm talking about at all tonight. So, um, DGLF then put it to where they have the controllers's office on additional appropriations has to put it through Gateway. Okay. Now, I did have some people ask me, "How do you get on that to look at that?" If you go to Marian's website, city of Marian's website, and then you can get on Gateway through that and find the way to Okay, Linda, come on up to the mic. Yeah, come on up to the mic. Gateway Indiana, it'll take you straight to Gateway.

Okay, we're gonna use Gateway Indiana to take you straight there now. Okay. Dag gone. Anybody else have any announcements? I want to get out of here. No. I'll take a motion for adjournment. So move. Second. Okay. Got a motion by Councilman Klene and a second by Councilman Kaine. Roll call. I I I Yes. I Yes. I