City Council - Regular Meeting

She had something. I call the meeting to order. Lindber. Mayor Crane here. Council member Copenhaver here. Ber here. Smith here. Randall here. And attorney Pal here. There any additions or corrections to the minutes?

Stand. Taylor's been working with annexation and he is wanting to engage u a firm what's the name of it Taylor is here BBNC

there is yeah out of Lafayette Aaron Spelaric to help him with the annexation of the south of town. String down road.

Yeah. String down road. The cemetery. BBMC Benning and Clary by chance. Say that again. I know the people within it. I don't know the firm. I can't remember the firm name. It's a law firm. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. We have an office. You say Bennett, Benning, and Clary.

That's probably right. Erin Spelaric is the the attorney. Bennett Benning and Clary. Yeah, that's it. Okay.

Fees are based upon the work performed. Um they work for 250 an hour which is pretty parallegals and staff is 125 which is pretty reasonable for that type of work. I talked to one firm out of Indianapolis and theirs was $650 an hour. How much would you think? How much time do you think they'd have in it? Taylor.

Well, depending. It just depends on how many parcels, how many land owners you have. Um, but I would I would guess probably 10 to 15,000 would be the top of what I would expect. There's pro probably eight I'm going to say eight to 10 land owners.

Then obviously the lower side of under all of that if if it's a super voluntary or total voluntary So you needing a motion to engage on Yes. So move.

Yes. I know a few years ago the u when they talked about taking water and sewer out there, it was going to be over a million dollars. nobody wanted to do it and all. Right now, the city has about 63,000 in it. Um, we we can't anticipate the city spending any more than the annexation. So, it's since since it's all will be private investment from here on. So, I talked to Greg uh Shelton. He's interested in uh services and being put in um the Marathon Station. Scott's talked to them. They're interested. Um Community Foundation. Um whether Overpass or anybody else, I don't know. Chelsea's interested in bu an office out there. Um have 70 home sites would be paying water, sewer, and electric. Um, so the Mount Hope Cemetery, um, they don't pay any taxes, but they would like to be in. So, it would be a good thing for us to be able to take over the String Town Road out to the interstate since it's pretty new right now. It would be good for us. And we put a line down the center and make it safer.

How far south will that go? To the interstate. To the interstate. Okay. How far off of string tone does it would it go back just based on those frontage lots?

Um, it would probably go back to the golf course to the west and east. It would go to Shelton's anyway. Probably no farther than that than the cemetery. Would you think, Scott? I think eventually you may take those houses in on the golf course because the sewer sept the septics out there. That sand's not breaking. It's just a matter of time before they probably start having issues with one of the cup.

Yes. Still building in behind the cemetery. Is that right? Yes. And roughly how many houses? 70 and and our water is okay. Bart and what we have in wastewater will handle that as well. Yes. This this upgrade we did, Greg, you you can answer that. Would that possibly max it out then?

No. still way under. Yeah, I think our design capacity is 450. Yeah. Usually under 200ish. Yeah. So, less than half%. Yeah. Chad, do you have anything else? No.

Paul, so right now we're just in the beginning talks of annexing it. Is that what this is? We're not saying we're definitely doing it. I think we need to definitely do it, but you know, I mean, there's no doubt if we're going to grow, that's the only way we're going to grow. They What has been the push back in the past? Yes. Nobody wanted to spend the million dollars plus to get the utilities out there. Okay. But we're we are already set up to go. We aren't going to we have the infrastructure to do it already.

We're putting it in. But I mean like what we already have the existing to connect. Yeah. We're not going to be over capacity or anything like that you said. So that that would be one of my concerns to make sure that we are good to go and then um feedback to go ahead and do it. How has that been as far as to annex it? Have we had any public comment on it as to whether what their what their thoughts? No. No. Really? That would probably come off of the attorney's office contacting everybody. Yeah, it would come off. Yeah, that's right. Yeah.

Okay. Any contact. I don't think forced annexation is good. No, I wouldn't want to force, you know, somebody across the road down there, say Larry Shrock that lives out there. I don't I wouldn't, you know, I wouldn't want to force him to be annexed in, but he's right there in the line. Well, he's across the road. Okay. Yeah. So what you're saying is this like the first stage of where we're moving forward.

Yeah. We need to Yeah. for developers for back and see where we're at. Yeah. Yeah. There'd be there'd be petition there would be a hearing or more. Yes. There would be additional steps to come from that office. Okay. So you need a second to Brad's motion. I do. I make a second. Okay. Randy, yes. Brad, yes. Chad Kios, yes.

Motion passes 40 to engage Aaron Spelaric of BBNC. Casey, do you want to bring that up? I have. Yes.

Yes. I think we need to update our tap piece for new builds for water and sewer. We have the quotes. It's just basically you have a 3/4 tap or one inch tap 3/4 meter set or one inch meter set. These are just what it costs just the materials to do them. Right now we're at $400 for a tap fee. Um so we're a little light but like to move the 3/4 taps to 800 and a one inch taps to,200 and then $800 across the board for sewer taps. That's what was that?

800 for a sewer tap for what when we do them as far as the city street.

Well, I just saw something here. the Versburg if you want to compare a little bit. Uh minimum 750 U tap fee for then some additional cost asphalt patch concrete curb sidewalk replacement is extra. The minimum on the sewer is 750 each. Uh overhead service, this is for Versburg. Overhead services free underground 350 plus 250 $2.50 50 cents a foot for anything over a 100 foot. So, that's about as close as I just got this just like a week ago. I didn't know we were talking about um and it's important to be able to cover our cost. That's for sure. And there was one in here from a small town. Theirs is 5,000

program. And then the total, of course, if approved by the engineers, it's 5,300 for tap fees. That's all they gave. They didn't say what specific thing it was. It just that's it. Five grand, you know. So, sounds like we did two wires. So, it's not like it's a big deal. Yeah. Same with the Shiloh and some of the others that's in we did all ours. We didn't touch them. Yeah. Well, I wouldn't question that, Brad. No, it wasn't my question. No,

but you know, it sounds like we need to update them. I think so. I know you're going to put a lot of houses out there. I know Rackliff's getting some houses. I don't know what the property is going to be out there on those 30 some acres, but yeah, you know, 70. So, 70 lots. So, yeah. Did you say 34 800 1 inch 12? Is that what you said? Yes. 3/4 and waste water 800 across the board.

Besides replacements,

and these quotes that are in front of us, this would really cover both water and sewer. That's just water. That's just water. So what you're even suggesting comes in 2/3 the rate of what it would take us in material, right? Yeah. Minus the meter and it's $412. So take that off and we're about labor. $400. I agree with that question.

Beersburg was on the electric or any for each 750, but then there was some additional cost. 750 on um 3/4 inch. Well, it doesn't say that differentiate. Yeah. I've seen a lot of the stren the exchange of those emails and and usually there isn't a differentiation between 3/4 and one inch usually so much for water, so much for sewer. Yeah. What's what's the most common then? 3/4. Yeah.

But the one inch meters and just double price. So the battle is not just Yeah, typically a $1,500 for each fee is not uncommon. What What did you say their electric was though, Randy? It varies depending on who it was. Yeah, it was 750. Overhead was free. Underground was 350. So you're looking at what? Underground was 350. Yeah.

Plus, yeah, up to 100 ft. And it's $2.50 over, but I suppose that's up to date. I suppose I just got it, so could be. Hadn't even seen that one. And all that's on the list, serve, isn't it? Okay. Does anybody want to make a motion? What is What is the actual numbers again?

800 on a 3/4 water tap 1,200 on a 1 in and sewer taps 800 on sewer taps. Okay. Do you usually is there anything you go in? Is it uncommon to do more than 100 ft for sewer or because I mean theirs was 350 extra. Um,

or was that for that's electric. Never mind. Never mind. 250 for Yes. Sorry. I stand correct. Wow. See, normally pretty much unless you But normally you're making a sewer tap. You're not running it. No, we tap. He's just tapping it and running it to the property line. And then they take it. So the sewer that's what the sewer would be and that's what the the water would be. Gotcha. me for any plumbing. Okay.

So, do we already have a motion on there? We don't. I'll make that motion. I have a second. I'll second it. Have a motion in a second. Paula, yes. Chad, yes. Brad, yes. Randy, yeah. Motion passes. 40 The ordinance will be ready for the January meeting. It'll have to be signed off and written the ordinance for change. You got all that, Taylor? Yeah.

Okay. Greg You got deal with the cold weather. I do have uh I did get a hold of support. We got a couple issues I need to come back and look at a little work but okay four things that need

Okay. You did contact them. Okay. Uh, okay. Reply. Um, that's about it. Okay, sounds good. KC

uh besides the meter times I don't know if we ever came to a decision about the overtime for the electric phone holding as far as start action has not been taken but it in my opinion needs to um it was passed that way originally based on the fact that we were looking for uh supervisor and that has since changed. My recommendation is as of first of January is that Casey be the one responsible for the calls

and I would make make that motion accordingly. From what I understood, it never never was voted on. From what I understood, it was just a mutual agreement between mayor and that's all it was, wasn't it? Upon the hiring of a superintendent, which we're not going to do. Yeah. Which that never happened. And there's no, you know, I mean, they have Dwayne Richardson, you know, that we pay that taught them all and has worked for Crawford'sville. And if they have any problem at all with anything, he'll come over. he part time. Um, and the issue has never been them going out on a call. The only question is carrying the phone,

right? And and it cost us $12,000 a year. And I think that needs to stop because it was only designed to be temporary in the first place. So should it my my question is do we even need a do we even need a motion? I think to do away with it, you do because in the minutes it said until a superintendent was hired. This way it just makes it factual. You're making a motion that we're going to do away with it January 1st. Makes sense. And transfer calls Monday through Thursday to And they're plenty capable of doing the work. They're doing a good job. Yeah. Yeah. That's not mean about not hiring a superintendent now. Oh yeah.

Need to because of the quality. That's right. Yeah. because they're doing a good job. And I second Brad's motion. Okay. Randy, yes. Brad, yes. Chad, yes. Paula, yes. Motion passes 40.

Do you have anything else, Casey? Bart, not much. So, just finishing out the year, working on a few projects we're trying to get finished up and stuff. Um, still looking still been looking at tankers. We have every time we find one that it gets sold. So, we're so we're they're still running about that. Our hang we found so far is running about that 270 to Yeah. 300. that's used. So, yeah,

good truck. So, we're still hoping next year we can get a new tanker. Okay. Located two of them. So, they they they move fast. That's about it. We're have to really kind of have everything ready to go if we move forward. Maybe by next year we'll be ready to Is that all you had? Okay. Thank you, Shannon. Uh, I have nothing other than our vehicles down at JTN getting outfitted for the next couple weeks. We'll have it back.

Okay, that's good. Looks good. Looked good before you sent it. Yeah, but it was clean. Yeah. Yeah. Okay, Randy. I don't have anything,

Brad. My only question would be regarding the insurance which we've discussed. Um, and it's difficult for me to do that because I don't want to create a conflict. Um but what angle is offering including the amount for the for the um vision would be coming in right at about 203 versus what we're currently been looking at a renewal at at 250. Um the the deductible for family actually even lowers in this currently family deductible is 1,500 and it would go to a,000. Um, but any action that would be taken, I think Brad needs to make sure to double check and talk to AIM and be sure that it doesn't raise an issue with a conflict for me being the agent if that's the case. I know I can't take action here. We want to make sure there no other conflict

exists from that standpoint. But um network which is pretty strong to have found anybody in the area that's not in network and looking at about every location I can even think of. And I gave Brad the Okay. the website. Yes, I have that.

Um, as well the u the coverage still looks to be extremely strong. Um, it does get more expensive out of network but again like I said locally I don't see anybody that's not in network and any current existing conditions would come over with the group to the new carrier. So, anybody currently dealing dealing with an issue would not continue to would not become a problem with the change. Okay. When you start talking about 20%, I think we're silly not to look at it.

Yep. I'll I'll talk with AIM with their attorney.

My concerns are the same. if we change, you know, there hasn't been any complaints. There hasn't been anything wrong with their current insurance other than maybe the cost that it cost the taxpayers, which I understand that, but I don't want to short change our employees either. If we change and it's not the same, they don't have the same care. And then there's other fees that come with it as a lot of times insurance does. So, until I can verify that information, I'm not going to be for a change. There is, and I don't know all the detail of the current plan, but there is some co-pays, but most of it does falls within the same EE20 split that you would normally do out after deductibles. And like I said, the family deductible is actually even $500 less. So, which would more than compensate for a few co-pays

as long as we're comparing apples to apples? Well, it's not excluding anything. So, I'm not sure. I mean, it's it's still major medical. It's still going to see your doctor. It's still caring, but it's still pretty extensive. I don't know where it would be not in not inclusive. If I could speak up for my employees, they don't want because they have concerns and that there's no guarantees next year's rates not going up.

True. That's not to say we can't shop again, too.

But I just, you know, like bringing bringing a whole city in and they, you know, hate to say, but they can fish you in with this low rate and then bombard everything up. I just know that my employees have spoken that they would if they had a word and if you want to bring them all in, we can gather every employee from the city and get their consensus. I would love to talk to you guys, but on behalf of my department, they love where they're at. Um, they like when we don't use our insurance, they actually give us check money back and they're happy with their doctors and everything right now. And a lot of them are actually worried that I know you said you looked and see if people are local, but I don't know local. I don't know who their doctors are. They like to continue with their doctors, same doctors or not. So that's a big stress on them. And then doing re the relication of everybody going in for the next year too. So like I said on behalf of my department would like to stay where we're at. That's just fine. because I do like to bring all the city in and let everybody talk. I think that'd be might be a smart move to do.

You know, I don't have it so it doesn't affect me, but I know the stress of it. So to answer your question about providers, I looked regarding Williamsport is in, North K's in, um, hospitals in, Crawford'sville's in, uh, Kauga is in, uh, Clinton's in, Terraot's in, um, I think both hospitals in Lafayette are in. I didn't go searching. Oh, Danville's in. Carl Carl's not, but Carl's never has been for either of the any of these plans. So,

and and they may end up being in because Carl's still making changes as to who they're going to accept. So, I'll make that call tomorrow and and

Do you have anything else, Brad? No. Chad? No. Paula, not tonight. Okay. Keith, Chelsea, Scott, Maria, Holly. Meetings adjourned. Everybody's so shy. It's so funny. I know.