Common Council - Regular Meeting

Good evening. It's 6 o'clock. We'll call to order the meeting of the Auburn Common Council. We'll begin with the moment of silent meditation or reflection followed by the pledge of allegiance. Pledge allegiance 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. Move on to roll call. Councilman Finchum

here. Councilman Bronn here. Councilman Webb here. Councilwoman Dit here. Councilman Williams here. Councilman Bundy here. Councilwoman Proser here. Council, in front of you, you have the meeting minutes from the January 20th regular meeting. Move to approve as presented. Second. We have a motion, a second to approve the minutes. Any questions or discussion? Hearing none, I'll call for a question. All in favor signify by saying I. I.

Opposed. Motion carried. Recognition of visitors. Kathy Medart, Emily Draina, Mary Smaltz, Mike Little John, Stella Otterstat, Oh, Margaret Buttermore. Did I get that right?

That's okay. Uh Kristen Lightner, Annum, Megan Discu, Sally Discu, Emily Rona, Andy Baron, Jennifer Hagar, and Jeff Jones. Welcome. We'll move on to communications. First thing we have is a proclamation for Triappa week. You ladies would like to come forward. Morning. Welcome.

[clears throat] yesterday this whole year. Doesn't seem possible, right?

Well, first of all, welcome. Whereas Kappa Kappa Kappa Incorporated, commonly known as Triricappa, is an Indiana based philanthropic sorority founded in 1901 to promote charity, culture, and education. And whereas Triricappa is comprised of nearly 8,000 members statewide who volunteer thousands of hours each year and raise more than 1.5 million annually to support charities, cultural organizations, and educational opportunities throughout Indiana. And whereas Triricappa chapters, including the TriRicappa of Auburn, have a long tradition of service and community involvement that positively impacts local residents. And whereas TRIRCAP celebrates its founding and statewide service efforts during the fourth week of February each year. Now therefore, I, Dave Clark, mayor of the city of Auburn, Indiana, do hereby proclaim February 22nd through 28, 2026 is Triricappa Week in the city of Auburn, and encourage all citizens to recognize and appreciate the organization's contributions to our community and our state. and witness whereof, I have here unto set my hand, and caused the seal of the city of Auburn, Indiana, to be affixed this third day of February, 2026.

Congratulations, ladies. Try camp's 150 years old this year. Yes. Thank you. Hi, ladies.

[laughter]

No kidding. They're the active ladies. I'm a little taller. Yeah. Huh? I heard that happen a couple times. Did you get us all in? Yeah. Oh, good. Then you can send it to us. Yes. [laughter] [applause]

I know. Isn't it crazy? You know, they always say it's like the top, you know, every year. I literally You're probably Well, the two in the room are the only ones I ever known that in Exactly right. And spelled right. I do know a couple of Emily with like a teacher. I still

Oh, so Oh, I bet so. I bet so. [laughter] Yeah. Thank you again, ladies. Okay, we'll move on.

Is there anyone in the public that would like to address the council? Thank you guys. Thank you. Is there anyone in the public that would like to address the council? Hearing none, we'll move on. Clerk treasure. Good evening. I have the current vouchers for $2,610,870.3. Move to approve. Second. Okay, we have a motion and second to approve the vouchers. Any questions or discussion? Hearing none, I'll call for a question. All in favor signify by saying I. I posted. Motion carried.

Thank you. I also have November and December bank reconciliation complete and on the website for your review. Thank you. Thank you.

Ordinances and resolutions. Ordinance number 2026-5, an ordinance amending ordinance 25-18 establishing pay classifications and salary ranges of appointed officers and employees of the city of Auburn, Indiana for the year 2026. Summary. The following is a proposed ordinance amending ordinance number 25-18 regarding the salaries of the appointed officers and the employees of the city of Auburn, Indiana for the year ending 20 thou or year 2026. I move that we pass ordinance number 2026-5 on first reading. Second.

Okay, we have a motion and second to pass ordinance number 2025-5 on first reading. Any discussion, questions? Hearing none, I'll call for question. All in favor signify by saying I. I. Opposed. Motion carried. Thank you. You're welcome. Moving on to reports. Uh, under mayor, we received the last annual report this morning. So, tomorrow we'll email all the department reports out to the council uh for information. And then just a reminder, state of the city is 6 o'clock on February 17th here at the council chambers. Council presidents,

no report plan commission. Yes, we have a meeting um next Tuesday. It's going to be basically an organizational meeting. There was a development plan that's going to be tabled. Um so there won't be any uh new business that's actually conducted. They're waiting on some uh final paperwork. So it needs to be table committees. Nothing for tax base. Nothing for finance. Nothing from organ um ordinance and resolution. Okay. Thanks. Is there any unfinished business to come before the council?

I'm not sure if it's unfinished business or something, but I just wanted to commend the process of the warming centers and that kind of stuff. I had someone reach out to me last weekend over the weekend when it was so cold and she was concerned about an unhouse person that she'd been seeing at the library and then sleeping in his car, Walmart, library, whatever. And I told her the situation was and I offered that she should call the police, but told her about the Northeastern Center and I just wanted to appreciate, you know, thank the process that it worked. The guy now has living conditions that are better than his car at least. And I just I just want to say thanks for making sure that was something available to these people because this person, you know, could have frozen to death or whatever. Um, and I just I just want to say thanks for making sure that all got handled.

Yeah, you're welcome. Yeah, it was a team effort between our internal team and, uh, Jason Meeks and the deputy director at DHS, uh, Mike Vanzyle. So, I know he's not the only one out there, but at least he was safe that night or and I know he's still continuing to be safe. So, so, thank you. Thanks for sharing.

Any other unfinished business, new business, general good and welfare of the community. [clears throat] I would like to share I shared this at border works this morning uh commending the street crews, the water department crews and WPC's staff that was out addressing the inclement weather we had last weekend. U it was definitely every scenario is unique and they you know they had some challenges with the temps and just a great job adapting to that. And then on Thursday, uh, WPC, we got notice about 8 o'clock on that Thursday night this past week, the butler was still struggling with their water mane. And so, thank the crew and Randy that went up and and helped them. Uh, I think our two crew members got back around 3:00 a.m., but they helped them. They found the leak, helped them uncover it and repair it. So, just hats off to the crews. Um, I said this morning, communities helping communities. So, you know, we're fortunate to have the number of employees we do. Uh, they had their street crew, WPC out there, water, which they only have one individual. Uh, and then I think a general maintenance, they had eight people. I mean, we got 12 just at our water department. So, um, you know, those guys answered the call and I know they appreciated it. So, uh, anything else under the goods? Next regular council meeting is Tuesday, February 17th, 2026 at 6:00 p.m.

Move to adjourn. Second. We have a motion to second to adjurnn. All in favor signify by saying I. I. Opposed. It adjourns. And done.