Town Council - Regular Meeting

Do you sir? We're still together.

She said this year. couple minutes. Oh yeah. Iris side. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Call to order the meeting of the Rono Town Council. Um, April 7, 2026 town council meeting minutes. Any questions or changes for Sarah? I make a motion to move April 7th, 2026 town council meeting minutes as written. I'll second. Can we have comment under the citizens comments? Yes. Gotcha. All those in favor say I. I. All oppose. Comments changes. Um locker.

Hello everyone. just here tonight to give you an update uh as to where we stand on our plans. Um generally speaking, we uh finished up with our 90% set. Uh we met with Aaron and discussed any last questions and comments and we are preparing all of our calculations and everything to make our IDM construction permit review or construction permit application. Um, so we're working through getting all that all squared away and we should have that done probably yet this week. Um, so nothing big really changed. Just kind of started ironing out or got all the pieces finalized and put together for all the different pieces and parts. The one thing that did change unfortunately was our cost estimate. as we continued to uh work through our final continue to work through with reps about getting updated costs and everything. Basically what happened is the 60% set we had a 20% contingency and our 90% cost estimate is basically now includes that 20% contingency. So the number you see before you still has that 20% contingency additionally attacked on. Once we get hear back from IDM and we think we have a better idea that we think will start to go away and we think that ultimately the number will still remain at right at that 11.1.2 million is is where we think we're going to settle

where we were at the 60%.

Exactly. But just with that 20% contingency, unfortunately, like I said, as we started ironing out costs with with reps and everything, the their cost started to come in a little bit higher than they were first getting us back when we got preliminary costs. Excuse me. So, like I said, we still have the SPR, we still have the aeration basin, the electrical building, the UV system. All of that is still happening. It's all still it's all been ironed out. Now, like I said, we met with Aaron, got his final comments on the 90%. We've made those updates. Those are involved or those are included in our submission for the IDM construction permit. And that should happen, like I said, here within the next later this week, I would think. Um, once we have all of our calculations presentable and all that kind of stuff, too. So, um, overall, just a general update on the project. We were excited to hear uh from Aaron and Tanisha that Ready decided to go ahead and and help out with their their million-doll um funding. And so in conversations with Aaron, we basically are ready to go on this project. And so once the lagoon and other things are all ready to go and we're ready to start that bidding process, we should be ready to go and hit the ground running once we hear word that we're able to start that bidding process. So, um, ultimately this one will kind of now be finished up and not sat on the shelf, but will just sit in in holding until, um, the whole package is ready to be bid or ready to get approval for funding and then ultimately get bid out on its own merits. So, um, I think that's all the updates I had for you. If there's any questions, I'd be happy to to answer any questions that you guys have. Um, thank you.

Thank you. Thank you. Just one thing to note. So, when we do bid, we only typically will hold bids for 90 days. So, so we really need to have the funding pretty much lined up before we start to bid and then and then once you bid, if you have to do any rate increase, you do the rate increase and then you close up your bond. So it's it's it's going to be a you know we can we can adjust that schedule once we know all the factors and we can work through Baker Tilly and figure out when that schedule needs to happen. So sounds good. Thank you.

Next on the agenda, citizens comments. Um, this is a reminder that since those comments, uh, by law, you are restricted to three minutes. Um, before you speak, please state your name and your address.

Okay. Darling Rose, 239 South Main Street. The question I wanted to ask when it says comments and changes under your minutes approval, it seems to me unless the minutes are different from the ones that Sarah gave Bob, it's missing content. And I don't know how you can approve if it's missing content such as

such as the citizens comment the discussion we had that was cut off. However, since the that was a very short video meeting, um none of that is included in your minutes and when my experience is having been a past clerk treasurer as the secretary to the council, it was my responsibility to include the contents of the meeting. And I understand that now we're videoing except we weren't last week or last month. So there's significant amount missing out of your minutes. So that's the question. How do you how do you respond to that?

I mean I was I wasn't here for the meeting. So you're but I I will say generally with our minutes we take meeting minutes based on the agenda and they haven't included citizens comments for quite some time. I understand that but also it's some of it's video technology is great until Wi-Fi goes out. It wasn't

because I've heard conspiracy theories. So disclaimer is when Wi-Fi goes out there's nothing we like that wasn't on purpose. It there was nothing to do with that. But there is historical content to these meetings that you are missing that you are leaving out. So again, I did it in the past. I'm not saying that the present has to do with the past, but last month's meeting was somewhat unique. It it was an anomaly based on

and and I'm acknowledging that. I'm not saying it was done on purpose or whatever. I'm just saying that there's content that was not visible at all and should have been in the minutes. Thank you. Thank you.

I'm sure everyone has seen the news um segment. My name is Brie Bowers, by the way. I live a 261 self. Um, I'm the person that has a very large tree fall in my house. Um, so I have something to read here. Um, a couple months ago, a very large tree located on the town ement fell on my house. My neighbors and I had reported the tree as being diseased well before the incident more than once. Um the town did not take any action to address it. Um notably the town did remove a similar disease tree from my neighbor u when it was reported and I'm not entirely sure about the one on the other side if you guys remove that one as well. My insurance is covering the repairs of the house. I'm still responsible for the deductible and I have to pay out of pocket to have the tree roof my property as the insurance doesn't pay the full cost of that either. I'm respectfully asking the board to reimburse these costs. The town, I believe, was negligent in maintaining the tree that it knew was hazardous. You were warned more than once, more than twice. Um, you've already shown responsibility for these trees by maintaining them, trimming them in the past. I don't I don't know why it's different now that it's fallen on my home. I don't know how it would have been different had it would have fallen on the street and fell on someone's car, killed someone's child who would have been responsible then. Um, the act of God defense I don't believe applies because of the negligence. The Indiana TOR Claims Act does not shield municipalities from liability when negligence is involved. I ask the board consider this request tonight on its merits, separate from any

prior private discussions amongst board members and uh the treasurer. Um prior to this meeting, I'm well aware that there have been discussions on how to deal with me already. And um I would also like to know in the interview with the 21 reporter, a town attorney was mentioned. I'd like to know who that is. Um, and I'd also like the name of the arborist that supposedly evaluated the tree and when that was done. Thank you. So you're welcome to submit a formal if you have a formal request to submit it in writing and we'll take everything under advisement but when litigation's threatened it becomes now a legal issue and we no longer have a public comment but it's being taken under advisement.

I have an idea.

Any other citizens comments or questions? I have a comment. The photo I showed you. I'm getting tired of looking at it. So, um, we had a conversation with Aaron after you brought the picture and he's going to reach out to Frontier. I think you said front. Was it Frontier or do you know which you which one came in?

I think there's several. So, as an advisement, none of us I don't think anyone here is happy about the performance that's been in the rightway um for utilities. So, we are also along with the county looking at an ordinance to put more teeth in there to combat things like this, but we plan to follow up with Frontier and Metro, whoever was in town most recently to try to see if we can rectify. And thank you for bringing it to our attention. Utilities one is who territorial my easement of my backyard. Utilities one. You got that one. Thank you.

Bob Rose 239 South Main Street. Who's in charge of the video? I'm running video set up over there. Then you were the one that got shut off. Mhm. The internet went out. It's not. He did not shut it off regardless of what everyone is spreading rumors about that is not true. The internet went down. When you get a spinning wheel, it's kind of like on most people's when you start to see the spinning wheel, you know something's not right. And I think from my understanding after asking questions, that's what was happening. It wasn't on purpose. Thank you.

Any other questions, comments? Thank you. Park department.

Uh just got a couple things. Uh first, on April 27th, the fundraiser for the uh pickle ball court closed and I'm proud to pronounce that the uh the mountains match me met for $50,000. So then we'll get the matching for that. So we'll get another $50,000 to go towards the pickle ball court. Um just waiting for the survey to be done and then uh once that is complete u um I'll present the bits to you guys for as far as for asphalt and fencing and all that stuff let you see who you would like to go with and then we'll progress from there for the typical court. And the other thing I have is uh I was called from one of the Ron Baseball League um board members and they were um requesting that they we need some extra dirt to help with the ball fields obviously due to the lot of amount of rain that we received. Um they were requesting that uh probably about two truckloads or two dump truck loads of dirt. Um and then uh one of the truckloads was donated by the Polers Association and then the other one would come out of the u the baseball fund and then the also the donation was made for hauling of the dirt to the voling goods. So I just going to let let board know that um I don't have the exact amount. I don't know if uh Sarah gave that to you. I assume she has. It was I think it was $1,300 or less.

Um 1705 it was one invoice for quick dry and one for dirt. Yeah. So um that whatever the the board wants to do, it could come out of the park fund park budget fund or um you can take it out of the uh the baseball leaks rental. So makes sense to take it out of the rental fees. Yeah. The best and easiest way to handle it is to take it out of the rental fees. Sure. Do you need a motion for that or if that's what you want to do? I'll make a motion to take the the money out of the U baseball rental fee in the amount in the amount of 17 the last tax will be 1705 1,758

and 88. I'll second that. All those in favor say I. All post. And then the last thing I have is um their electric company, Range Line Electric, has started working on the poles for the baseball field. They're getting the poles and lights set up. And then hopefully within the next two weeks, weather permitting, uh the old poles will be taken down and they'll be putting up the new poles and hooking up the electric. Side note, Dave, yes. Um don't know if you had a chance to look through the email I sent you from Sandra with 3A.

I think that's probably a good thing for us. I think there's money in the park fund to pay because it's I think it's 10,000 total. They usually take half up front, half in the back end to create a a formal master plan for the park and greenways which would allow us to have access to grant funding to go after. Some of those are really good um matching grants. So 8020 is not bad. No. Um, but also it may look a little bit more favorable with the community foundation if we have a plan in place that they can actually work off of to get maybe Lily Fund. Okay. Thank you. Thanks. That's all I have. The police department.

My last meeting. So, I just want to take this minute on behalf of the council um council, excuse me, to um give Jim a lack of appreciation for his 18 years of service. It's 18, right? 19. 19. Um just, um as many of you know, his last day is May 15th. Um 14th.

14th. She's trying to get the whole day out of you. I wasn't I thought Brian was going to be doing this speech to you. I'm like, thanks a lot. We just want to present this plaque to you. And um I also want to let everyone know that after the meeting, we will be having cake in celebration of Jim and his service for the town. We appreciate you. Thank you. That's a big

And on that note, it's not on the agenda, but we do have to appoint a new town marshal. Really? All right. Do you want to make the the official motion or Sure. So, the town has chosen

grandfather Gardner would like to move up to the marshall's position. And so, I will make a formal motion to that effective. Council would like to appoint Grant as our new town motion. A second. All those in favor say I. I. All opposed. It's a fail. It's you. It's on you now. Appreciate the opportunity. I'm not sure if it's May 14, 15, 16 somewhere in there.

All right. I look forward to continue serving the town. It's on a different shift. See you today. All right. uh superintendent of operations.

Uh just a couple updates. The current community processing project, all the concrete has been poured. We're doing some site restoration now. Uh expecting probably two weeks we'll start paving. So out here by May. Um the next one we're going to apply for about just walked the streets of that last week. Um they're about done with the design, so we'll be ready for that. New lift station was put online on Tuesday. Um, everything's working great. They're doing demo of the old one. Supposed to be done by the end of the month with everything. We'll see. If not, may have to stretch it a little bit. And then on the thousand north, the county ditch, um, the culvert is Claton. um talking to the county highway and it's our responsibility that they are willing to do work if we buy the supplies. So I went ahead and ordered the collar pipe which was a total of $6,629.70. Um there was you know three four time on that came in yet but we're not going to get it any cheaper having somebody else do it. So the glad to reach out and volunteer to do that for us.

You definitely don't want to sink holes. No. And just for cl so people know, bridges are are owned and maintained by the county, but small structures within town limits are the responsibility of the town, which is why I'm responsible for it.

Thanks. Councilwoman Terry Edmonston, Councilwoman Teresa White, I have a few bills, you stole my thunder. I apologize. I

So, after what feels like I get it's been close to a year of going after funding very doggedly and not taking no for an answer. Um, we have been awarded a million dollars to go toward our wastewater treatment plant, which will help with cost. Um, huge thank you to Lach Mueller, Aaron, um, everyone on council, especially Terry Rob Miller, um, really went to bat for us, too, showing up at things that he didn't necessarily have to on our behalf. Um, but we have we have received that. There is a chance closer to June that we may be able to get more than a million, but right now we'd be slotted in a million. So, again, still at it as as I personally promised, I wouldn't let it go. try to stay after it as much as possible. So, we have received that. Um, I'm also looking into Brian Humphre and myself are working with a couple of people locally um to work on a historic preservation commission. Um it it's not to be legalistic or create impediments to development, but it's more so with development coming to get ahead of the curve to make sure we have guardrails in places and to keep the charm of our town. Um I think a lot of us I think some of the the fear with having a larger wastewater treatment plant is future development. Um, we want to keep uh the charm of Rowan of what it is. And creating a historic preservation commission is the first step. It does not change any ordinance or create one, but it creates more of a citizen commission um to have feedback, weigh in on what you want the community, downtown especially to look like. Um, and it's getting residents and businesses buy in on what we're doing. So, that's news to some council members, too. So, um, working on that kind of behind the scenes, but want to make sure it's very transparent that, you know, a most of us, I think, really want to protect what

we have here in Rowan Oak, uh, the right way. So, that's one step in it. Another thing I want to talk about is our TIFF funds and seedit dollars. TIFF funds, whenever we tiff an area, it's for it's like redevelopment. So, that's why we have a redevelopment commission. Those funds are usually set aside and are only spent on specific projects that meet certain criteria. It's not a money pot that can be used for just anything. It's something that has to be it's tied into what our specific criteria is as a redevelopment commission. So it can't go to salaries that there's certain things it just is restricted from. So just to clarify because I think someone had some questions about that. And then with regard to town hall, many of you know I work for an engineering firm, but we don't do business in town because I'm on council. But our town hall is not ADA compliant. Um, and there are issues that arise with that, legal issues. And so for myself, it's one of those I'm a I'm a planner. It may not be today, tomorrow, five years, but I think uh doing our due diligence is to look and see, okay, what can we do to be ADA compliant and to be more accessible to people. So, that is something I'm personally looking at. So, and transparency, that's all I have. We can talk at the end if you want. Comments, public comments kind of ended.

Okay. I just have a question about the tree service.

I'll talk to you afterwards. I'll offici um the first one's on a personal note. Um and I want to be clear. This is me personally speaking. I'm not speaking for the town council. Um I had more that I wanted to say, but because of the litigation part, I won't. But in the story that most of you have probably seen or read, a couple of things were mentioned that were not true or slightly misleading. And I would like to set the record straight on that. Uh the first thing was that the gentleman who wrote the story said that no one on town council was willing to be interviewed on camera. He sent an email, which I have on my phone, to Mandy asking if anyone on council would be willing to be interviewed. Didn't say on camera. that said, "Would you be willing to be interviewed?" She accepted. She let him interview her. And to her thinking and the rest of us, that satisfied what he was asking for. Our names, all five of us are on the Chamber of Commerce website. They're also on the town of Rona website with our contact information. Either our phone numbers or our emails were always readily accept available. He did not make any effort to reach out to any of the other four of us. So to say that we weren't willing is patently not true. The second part was he mentioned in his article that he had asked for meeting minutes and as of that writing he had not received them. He was informed as was I for a whole year before I ran for town council. requested meeting minutes and by law you go to the clerk and you fill out a Freedom of Information Act form asking for those minutes and then within two days I believe it's 2 days you're given those minutes. If you want

copies I paid 10 cents a copy for them. He was notified of that and he has still not come in to fill out that form. So that is not on Sarah or counsel. That is him not doing his job. And finally, I am very much offended that the implication that the camera failed because of Wi-Fi and he's saying that he still didn't get answers for why that shut off. If you watch the news, you know that a lot of times they'll cut to a reporter somewhere and maybe that feed doesn't work. You'll get audio but not visual or visual but not audio and they'll say, "Sorry, it's not working. We'll come back to it." Sometimes they don't. that doesn't mean the journalist is trying to hide things from you or be deceitful. So why would you assume that of us just because the Wi-Fi failed? And that's really all I have to say about all of that. And then my second item is that we need as a board to discuss Grant's salary. So, we will visit the 2026 salary ordinance specifically pertaining to the town marshal and anyone has towards that.

Who's going to get Grant's job?

We've hired we've hired a deputy marshal. It'll be announced. It'll be announced later, but he will be starting at a later date. Um, but we will announce that. Okay.

Anyone want to say anything?

Well, I personally looking at it with experience, years of experience knowing that we'll be revisiting salary issue in December. Um, the number I had was 63. All right. Um I know we've had multiple discussions about this. I uh disagree with that amount. I feel with the amount of liability um um he's he there's other departments that have less liability and less responsibilities and they're paying more than 63,000. Um, I think he is, um, plenty qualified and I would like to see the salary remain the same as it was on that ordinance at the $68,9844. I will add that based upon surrounding areas including Andrews and other towns in Huntington County, it's in line with those amounts. If you couple that with the benefit package that we offer, it's better than those towns. And I have um also researched um through Zip Recruiter and a couple of other sites looking at average salary, median salary for town marshals, which limits it to small towns. And the numbers are anywhere from $25,000, which in discussion with Jim, uh is typically a part-time marshall. Um but on Zip Recruiter, they say the average for the state is closer to $90,000. So, I'm kind of with Mandy. I mean, we're only talking5,000 or more dollars. Um, but I and I've also talked to Jim. My biggest concern in keeping the salary the same was that I don't want to insult Jim or offend Jim by a new marshall walking in and making the same wage that he makes. And Jim has told me on multiple occasions that he

100% supports Grant making the same amount he does. Is that correct, Jim? I'm gone.

All right. Well, I need to make a motion and a vote. And I guess if I'm going to throw in my two cents, as we often find me doing, I like to meet in the middle. And we're at 63. We're at 69. What about 65?

I'm just throwing that out. That's generally where I play the game. So, I think that's more fiscally responsible in light of Senate Bill One and the impacts we're going to see and safety lo and other funds that are going to be hit. Well, we just need to make a motion and either get a second or not get a second and then have another motion. We just need to come to a decision. So, I would make a motion to keep it where it's at. Um, at the current salary. All right. I'm going to second that. All those in favor say I. I. All opposed. Nay. Nay. Okay. The eyes have it.

And that's all I have. Okay. um vice president next year. I have nothing at this time. Thank you. All right. I have uh two things on under my name. Um the first one is we received a special event application for Freedom on Maine. I know there's a representative here. Um I we do have a I do have a couple questions for you. Um the first thing is who is the actual event organizer? Is it the Golden Ridge Capital Partners or is it foundation. Uh, Waterfield America Foundation. It's going to be Waterfield America Foundation. Okay. Um, we're going to have to amend the application because

Did you bring a new one? I did. Okay. I asked you because that changes the fee amount based on who because the foundation is nonprofit, correct? Yes. Okay. And then my second question is we receive a certificate of insurance from you. Um the problem is is that it's the certificate the insured is Golden Ridge Capital Properties and the certificate holder is the Waterfield Foundation. Um we need the certificate holder and the additional insured to be the town of Ron Oak. So we will need an amended certificate. Um other than that, does anyone have any other questions or

concerns? Um, I'm okay with approving it contingent cuz I know they have you have planning to do and you need to make sure that you have the event approved. So, I am going to make a motion to approve the application um contingent on getting that revised certificate of insurance. I'll second that. All those in favor say I. All opposed. Okay. Thank you. What's the date? Oh, I'm sorry. July 2. Yes. July 2nd. Yes. July 2nd. Okay.

Okay. And then the other thing is the API construction pay app number seven for approval. What was this for, Aaron? Yeah. Uh for the legislation. Okay. That's what I thought. All right. So, the amount is of course it's tiny. Yeah. Really tiny. It's the 559,000, right? No. 246 77. It's really hard to see. It's really It's It's really tiny. Yeah. Okay. I see it. So, okay. So, the two Okay. So, I'm going to make a motion to approve the API construction payout number seven in the amount 246,778.89. I'll second that. All those in favor say I.

I. All opposed. Okay, that's all I have. Who's next? Okay. Um we are revisiting voicecloud. Um we talked about this um last meeting regarding the software and we tabled it to this meeting. So do you have any questions concern? Does anyone have any questions for Sarah because I know that everyone needed time to review it. So if go ahead and if you have a question ask if not I'm would like to move forward with the decision on that one. So, does anyone have any questions or I think after looking at it, it

pretty clear that's the way it's going to go. So, um I would be fine with making a motion that we to go ahead and sign up for that and pay. Can you remind us that amount again? Uh it's a not to exceed $56,25. I'll second that motion. All those in favor say I. I. All opposed. And the last thing I just want to say is thank you to Jim. It's been I couldn't even see you, but it's been a pleasure to work for you. Um I do feel like Jen and I kind of got the last laugh, though. Once you see the cake, we'll see. That's all I have.

All right. Thank you. All right. Is there any old business? Presentation of bills and utility adjustments. I will make a motion to accept and pay the bills and utility adjustments as presented. I'll second that. All those in favor say I. I. All opposed. And I'll make a motion to adjourn the meeting. I'll second. All those in favor say I. I. All oppose. Thank you.