Common Council - Regular Meeting

You know, I missed all the snow. She's taking off. She's the one. Yeah.

Well, you know, we kept it around for you to come back, too. So, Um, before we get started, it was me.

I just messing with you. [laughter] So basically basically anything that we get within their rights are there. However, I mean, I didn't have any questions back around. She was I'm not surprised you didn't have any common sense. I

would He thinks that he's the important one. We know the city just doesn't work. It doesn't run without you at the the steering wheel, the amast. [clears throat] David was down there. Yeah, my brother was So, my brother lives in Orlando and he was uh texting us, you know, complaining about it. Of course, here it was like 20 people. more like things. However, will you survive? You'll have to wear socks with your sandals.

Good [clears throat] evening and welcome to the Monday, February 9th, 2026 meeting of the Martinsville Board of Works and Safety. Meeting is hereby call to order. Mr. Murder, would you please call roll? Kelly Bray, present. John Lily White, present. Mayor Cton, present. We have a quorum. Thank you. Prior to tonight's meeting, you each received a copy of the Monday, January 12th, 2026 meeting for your review. Are there any additions or corrections to the minutes? Uh, no. None for me. No. I'll make a motion that we accept the minutes as written. I'll second that motion.

Been a motion made and second to approve the minutes as presented from the January 12th meeting. All in favor say I. I. Oppos? No. Motion carries. Also, prior to tonight's meeting, you received copies of claims for your review. Are there any questions or comments regarding the claims? I don't. No, I'll make a motion that we accept the claims as written. I would second that motion. I like that we move that though, so I don't screw it up at the end. That's made that a lot easier. And that was the main reason Mr. Porter, Mr. Merida wanted to move it, because they wanted to save you any further embers.

It was generous. Thank you very generous. So motion made and seconded to approve the claims as presented this evening. All in favor say I.

I oppose. No. The motion carries. Mr. Porter speaking of view. Good evening board. Um before you this evening you have two bonafide street closure requests uh for first one being for the Memorial Day annual Memorial Day program at the corner of Jefferson and Washington streets. Uh it basically goes alley to alley on Washington and then from uh the alley here by city hall to Washington Street with a diagonal closure for southbound Jefferson. So we can keep that open and the same thing would actually apply for the Veterans Day program because the work over at the courthouse will not be done. So um that's what you have before you. It's the same as it's been for many many years and so we just present it to you for your consideration. I don't have any concerns with that at all.

Do you need two motions? Yes. I'll make a motion that we accept the street closing for Memorial Day program. And I will second that. A motion made, seconded to approve the annual Memorial Day program street closure. All in favor say I. I oppose. None. The motion carries. And as I said, the second one is on the uh the Veterans Day program. Um and that will actually be on Saturday this year. because Veterans Day um they they do this on the Veterans Day itself. So, I guess it's Memorial Day. It's actually on Saturday. I'm sorry that they do it on the actual Memorial Day, not the recognized day. So,

I'll make a motion we accept the street closure for the Veterans Day. And I'll second that motion. And a motion made and seconded to approve the Veterans Day program street closure for November the 11th at 11 o'clock. All in favor say I. I. I. Oppose. No. Motion carries. Mac, what is that date on the Memorial Day program? I know it's is it the 30th? 30th. And I believe that's a Saturday this year.

Okay. Thank you. Then lastly, uh requests came in from the parks department regarding the closures for events that they book through for for individual events like a wedding or whatever and they want to close a street and they're just looking for um blanket approval on their end to deem what is necessary to be closed when they book an event uh there that is not a traditional citywide event like a Memorial Day service or or whatever. And so that's that was what what point C is on your agenda and what that pertains to is is that closure just putting up the blockies there.

Yes. Yeah. The bar the the might close pike but we need she was requesting to have that um ability to make that determination and then and do what's necessary for the short period of time that it would be involved for those events. So, we're talking about the venue, correct? Sorry, for some reason I had the park in my mind. I'm sorry. At the venue. And you said she Who are we talking? Me. Ashley Cox is a park superintendent who does the the and the parks department actually does the booking. So, it'll be through Okay. Um I I don't have a problem with that. Do you, Kelly?

How much of Pike Street are we talking? just like from Sycamore to Yeah. Sycamore to Maine maybe normal, but it's for a much shorter duration than what a a public event would be. Uh and that's why she was instead of bringing each one of these coming back in and doing a request. She wanted to have that ability to make that determination on what's appropriate for the event if it's a a quote private event that she's booking there at the venue. Well, prime example would have been the Charlie Kurt candle lighting. Yes, we had less than what 48 hours notice on that and we definitely have to close down Pike Street for that just for security reasons.

And and that's perfect example. I think my only um caveat would be, you know, I would want it to be on something that was less than a certain amount of time. For instance, if they need to close it for six, half a day or something, um I'm I'm okay with them making that determination. If it's going to be, you know, an all day event or something like that, would it be appropriate to say you have that authorization and if it's extending more than four hours, for example, send it through the mayor's office for his I I would be totally in favor of that. Okay. Yes, we can share that with her. So,

I don't know if that requires a motion to approve that that request or not, Dale. Yeah, it probably should. Okay, then I will make that motion. I would motion that we uh give approval authority to the parks department for any request uh to close the area around the venue for 4 hours or less. Uh other than that, it should be sent through the mayor's uh office unless it's deemed an emergency. And I'll second that.

Been a motion made and seconded to approve the request of the Vincent venue to allow the [clears throat] city park superintendent Ashley Cox to make those determinations for any event up to four hours. If it's more than that, then it would be coming through city hall here for approval. All in favor say I. I. Post. No. The motion carries. Thank you.

Thank you, Mac. Mr. Coffee packet this evening you have a subordination agreement. This is a conclusion of an agreement entered into 2019 with the state of Indiana for the improvements they made with I69. Uh we do have some utilities within the state's rightway now uh along I69. And so this agreement uh is something that city previously agreed they would do is subordinate our rights to the state state's rightway uh concerning any and all utilities we have within that rightway. However, if there's damage caused by the state or the use of the rightway, the state has agreed to to repair our utilities for that. We've relocated quite a bit in regards to the I69 project, but there are still some areas where our utilities are technically within that rightway. So again, this is just a finding finally finishing out uh our previous commitment from 2019. Well, I wasn't here in 2019, but I'm still totally fine with it. Any thoughts? And I would motion that we close out the subordination agreement as requested.

And I'll second it. Been a motion made and seconded that we [clears throat] uh close out the subordination agreement with ENDOT. All in favor say I. I oppose. None. Motion carries.

Sewer adjustments tonight. We have quite a few. 730 East Nutter Street, 1,129.37 489 a half West Harrison Street, $12048. 420 West Harrison Street, $10022. 58 Meredith Place, $37,984. 1,200 South Main Street, $34,2.31. 1389 South Harriet Street $1,820.73 20 Duo Drive $115.98 700 East Washington Street $44364 1340 East Harrison Street 1,17.98 and 34 Dalton Lane $13061 one sense you received copies of these applications. Are there any questions or comments?

No, I know we're going to have a whole bunch more coming up, but I have a motion that we accept them as presented. I'll second it. It's been a motion made and seconded to approve the SE adjustments as presented this evening. All in favor say I. I post. No. Motion carries. Next regular meeting, board of works and safety will be on Monday, February 23rd, 2026, 6:30 p.m. here in the council chambers. We are journ

Thank you. Hello. How are you, sir? battery.

It's kind of like online.

[snorts]

just about two weeks before the last time So I'm busy. So I have this paper. Good evening and welcome to the Monday, February 9th, 2026 meeting of the Martinsville Common Council. The meeting is hereby called to order. This time I'd like to invite Pastor Jeff Floyd from M1 Church to come forward to offer prayer tonight. So, if you would stand and then remain standing for our pledge of allegiance.

Our precious heavenly father, thank you for this beautiful day you've given us. Thank you for the opportunity we have to serve and live here in Martinsville. We just lift up this city council and ask that you'll be with each and every person individually in their marriages, their family, their businesses. You have planned for our community. Um we pray that the enemy doesn't have a foothold. He doesn't come in and division. Just anoint this council and lead us forward for your plan and purpose for this great community. Anoint and bless him. Let him just fit in and add with all.

We love you. Liberty and justice for all.

At this time, before we do your role, I would like to ask Jonathan Collier to come forward. I know you were sworn in by our county clerk, but we were kind of wanted to do it here in front of the council. I'll switch hand repeat after me. I, Jonathan Collier, I, Jonathan Collier, do you hereby swear do you hereby swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States

and I will support the Constitution of the United States the Constitution of the State of Indiana the Constitution of the State of Indiana and the ordinances, policies, and resolutions and the ordinances, policies, and resolutions of the city of Martinsville of the city of Martinsville and that I will faithfully that I will faithfully and impartially uphold and partially uphold and discharge my duties and discharge my duties. responsibilities and responsibilities as a member as a member the city of Martinsville common council of the city of Martinsville common council to the best of my skill and ability to the best of my skill and ability according to the law

according to law [applause] Yeah. And this pen is the only thing that you'll ever do. decision.

So now at this time, Mr. Murda, if you please call the roll. John Badger, present. Susie Lips, present. Ben Mayan, present. Josh Faring, present. Ann Miller, Jonathan Collier, present. Phil Deford the second, present. Mayor, we have a quorum. Thank you. Prior to tonight's meeting, you were sent out minutes of the Monday, January 12th, 2026 meeting for review. Are there any additions or corrections to the minutes? I make a motion that the minutes are approved as presented. Second.

Motion made and second to approve the minutes as presented. All in favor say I. I. Oppos? No. Thank you. Motion minutes pass. You're also sent out copies of the claims for review. Are there any questions or comments regarding any of the claims? Make the motion to approve the claims as presented. Second. It's been a motion made and seconded to approve the claims as presented this evening. All in favor say I. I.

Oppos? No. Motion carries. Uh, Councilwoman Miller is not here this evening. So, we're going to uh postpone the committee study on the pedlers solicitors and transient merchants uh that she and John have been working on. So, we'll put that on for for next month. I just want to give you a real quick update on two things. one, you know, we see a lot of people coming in now city hall getting building permits and we see how the city has has grown over the last year. Just for an FYI, from January 1, 2025 to December 31st, 2025, Mr. Strader and his department took in $191,546.75 in building fees. So that's that's a record year for for our community. Another thing I just want to give you kind of an update. The snow that's still outside. It's going to be around a couple more days. Uh I think the city street department, the water department, wastewater department, no. But any are any of us perfect? No. But I think they did a a fantastic job. Uh, we had seven men that were called in, worked on an average of about 220 to 250 hours, I'm sorry, average of 23 to 21 hours each. We had roughly 250 manh hours in overtime in the snow. Now you figured the cost of the labor, the sand use, the salt use, uh, and everything that the snow that's still out there cost us about $25,000. And again, I think the street department did a fantastic job clearing as well as

they did because it was not easy. Again, we were asking residents if they could to remove their cars off the street. uh some some residents can't and some of our streets are in a situation that if you've got some on both sides, it's very difficult to bring a snow plow down the street. But again, they did a fantastic job and and they worked. We need to conduct a public hearing this evening. So therefore, without objection, the council will be in re recess for the purpose of conducting the public hearing. This is ordinance 2026-1911 salary ordinance. Uh Mr. Coffin, what you have your packet tonight for the public hearing is the ordinance 20261911. Um, if you will recall last uh fall towards the end of the year, we had various discussions on uh amending the salary ordinance concerning certain positions and maybe that positions of clerks in our various departments for the city. So, what you have tonight for the public hearing is the changes to that. It starts with uh the circuit court uh I'm sorry, city court. It also uh overflows into the clerk treasures office, the police department, um the utility office. So, those positions are affected. some of those positions and the clerk positions of those departments are affected as an amendment to the salary ordinance would be an increase in the hourly rate of pay. So that's what you have before you tonight to consider for the public hearing. Uh this is a situation it's going to have first reading here tonight as well. Um I I do believe this is an ideal situation because of the amount of time that we've spent talking about this. It certainly could be something that uh the council would consider

waving the requirement to have two readings and and basically if it's unanimous you could you could wave the requirement and go ahead and pass it on first reading tonight and again the reason I say that is just because the amount of time that we've spent in talking and discussing this but we're fulfilling our requirement tonight for the public hearing

at this time. Are there any questions from the council? Mr. Coffee? If not, before I open the floor to public comments, I just want to remind you this is the public hearing on this matter. Uh, is anyone in the public wanting to comment on this ordinance? All right, no one's coming forward. Then we'll declare the public hearing on ordinance 20126-1911 closed. Common council meeting is back in session. Uh Mr. Coffee, we've got the first reading. Yeah, I don't have anything else to say unless there's any questions to the council, but this is first reading tonight uh on ordinance uh 20261911. I propose that the council wave the requirement and take the salary ordinance 2026-1911 to vote this evening. [clears throat] Second

motion made on the floor and seconded to wave the requirements and go ahead and pass this ordinance into a second reading for a vote. All in favor? Do we need to do a roll call vote on this Ben since we need majority? This has to be unanimous. Dale, we need roll call or you don't need roll call, but it does have to be unanimous. Okay. All in favor say I. I. I. Oppos? No, it is unanimous. So, the motion passes. Mrs. Lips, do you want to make a motion to accept?

I make a motion that the council accept the ordinance 2026-1911 salary ordinance. I'll second. It's been a motion made and seconded, excuse [clears throat] me, to accept ordinance 2026-1911, the salary ordinance. All in favor say I. Oppose. No. Motion carries. Thank you, councel. Next on the agenda is the retirement of a K9 Police Chief, Deputy Chief Brown. [clears throat]

Ryan Manley's pup. Um he's what we're trying to do is we're trying to retire Loki. Um this is going to city and department ongoing liability. Um he's a German Shepherd and a Malin wall. Um been a sign Um, K9 Loki was a dual pistine which basically entails he uh products detection and he also does retirement for a K9 and police can kines. So what we want to do here, sorry, get mixed up here. Um, sorry.

Um, okay. Sorry, I got a little confused there. um area and care obligations. Um police department is asking um with respect and approval is to ser release the city and department from liability associated with ownership and transfer custody of um Loki would remain in care with his handlers. um a familiar environment and a well-earned retirement with his quest is not only fiscally responsible and we ask for the board's approval. goes on vacation that the the K9 sitter this evening.

Just like to welcome our new member, Jonathan. Congratulations. Thank you. Um, mayor, I will ask since the snow is starting to wake, can we look at Catherine Street at the end? to the north where it ends. I don't think we have a

Mr. Straer, that is Catherine Street you're on, correct? Yes. At the end of it, we've got a couple homes I think that are city limits that pay for water and sewer and everything, but the street ends in gravel there. It's never finished. I don't know what reason, but I know when they push that snow and have our time, it kind of ends there because then you're into the gravel. But can we take a look at that and see if we can get that finished? The problem The reason why it was never finished is the contractor never completed it like you supposed to. We never really took that street in because it wasn't finished properly. So in essence, it's not a city street. What's that? In essence, it's not a city street

because we was never taken in. So what do we need to do to get that? Uh be up to the residents to bring it up to city standards. Then we can take it in. I'll take a look at see how I I had it measured at one time. See what it would cost. Okay. If you at this point the developer is not going to Yeah, I know it's been but it's been kind of a standoff issue because you hate to encourage any more of that. So unfortunately the residents area suffered.

Yes. It's not necessarily fair. Wasn't their fault. Yes. If you don't mind if you look at that, let me know. I appreciate that. Other areas because I'll take for example [clears throat and cough] Malard's Crossing uh back off Spring Lake [clears throat] that was never finished by the developer, the residents there. And I know because I owned a unit there at the time, we ended up putting the last top seal on that and then it was taken in by the city. Yes. But it was up to the residents to bring it in to the standards that we'll look into that. Thank you.

Any other comments? Any comments from the public this evening? Mayor Bob, uh, the street that you're referring to at the end of Catherine Street was developed by the developer that built the seven homes in there. Never did ever bring meet the city standards with that. And I think that the width of it and the base is just stone. So you would have a lot of issues there costwise. I think it would be something that might reach out to the developer. Okay.

Maybe you and Mr. Dun and I can have a conversation tomorrow. Thank you. Okay. Next regular meeting of common council will be on Monday, February 23rd, 2026 being at 7 o'clock at the council chambers. We are ajourned. All right. You too.