Regular Meeting – February 22, 2022
President Welburn called the regular meeting of the Marcellus Village Council to order at 7:00 p.m. on February 22, 2022. Trustees present: Irwin, Thomas, Wilcox, Oswalt and Webb. Trustee Simmons was absent.
Agenda
Motion by Irwin, seconded by Oswalt, to approve the agenda with the following additions:
1. Under President’s Report – Add Item F. Michiana
– Add Item G. Fire Department Water Leak
2. Under DPW – Add Item A. DDA Banners
Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Minutes
Motion by Webb, supported by Wilcox, to approve and place on file the minutes of the February 8, 2022, Regular Meeting. Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Bills
Motion by Thomas, supported by Oswalt, to authorize the payment of bills in the amount of $34,469.94. Roll call vote – Ayes: Irwin, Thomas, Welburn, Wilcox and Webb. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Consent Agenda
Motion by Webb, supported by Welburn, to receive and place on file all items on the Consent Agenda. Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion carried.
President’s Report
Stephanie Bender-Breseman Resigns from DDA
Motion by Webb, supported by Irwin, to accept, with thanks for her service, Stephanie Bender-Breseman’ s resignation from the DDA. Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion carried.
President Welburn appointed Blake Terrill to the vacant position on the DDA. Motion by Irwin, supported by Webb, to ratify and confirm that appointment to finish out Stephanie Bender-Breneman’s term, which expires November 20, 2023. Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Parks and Recreation Committee
President Welburn appointed Miranda Wilcox to the Parks and Recreation Committee.
Motion by Oswalt, supported by Thomas, to ratify and confirm that appointment. Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Village Boundaries
Village Council members discussed the need for the Village to grow and its options given the changes in the Township where the Village’s future growth plans may be affected. The subject will be on the March 8, 2022, Village Council meeting agenda.
Michiana Recycling & Disposal
President Welburn shared a letter/request from Michiana Recycling & Disposal which asked the Village Council to consider a change to the procedure for bulk item pickups, moving to a scheduled pickup process by requiring residents to call or email the Michiana Recycling & Disposal office to inform them that they are placing a bulk item at the curb for pickup on the service day during the last week of each month.
Motion by Irwin, supported by Thomas, to approve the change to bulk item pickup services as requested. Roll call vote – Ayes: Thomas, Welburn, Wilcox, Oswalt, Webb and Irwin. Nays: None. Motion carried.
The changes to bulk item procedures will be announced on the Village’s website, Facebook page, on the next monthly utility bill and in The Marcellus News.
Cass County Leaders Meeting February 16, 2022
President Welburn and Clerk Terrill attended the Cass County Leaders meeting on February 16, 2022. During the meeting, they learned that the Cass County ARPA Committee would consider a number of proposals during its February 17, 2022, Board of Commissioners meeting. It has since been learned that the ARPA Committee made the following recommendations and for expenditure of the majority of the $10,059,018.00 in ARPA funds received by the County. The RFPs include the following projects that were subsequently approved on February 17, 2022:
$5 million for the Historic Courthouse
Renovation
$991,493 Cass County Road Commission
$297,000 Sheriff Office Improvement Project
$1.5 million for the Jail Improvement Project
$500,000 Local Road Match Funding to all Cass County Townships based on a percentage of total lane miles., to be distributed among 15 Townships who must provide a 50% match funding, with any funds not committed being retuned to the County. The approved projects leave an approximate balance of $1.7 million in Cass County ARPA funds.
Clerk Terrill explained that the other municipalities in the County have yet to be considered and she hoped the Cass County ARPA Committee would still consider the Village’s application to the County for a share of its ARPA funds to be used for the Village’s Lead Service Line Replacement Project. She has requested assistance/representation from Cass County District 2 Commissioner, Dixie Ann File.
Clerk’s Report
Public Participation Plan
Clerk Terrill shared the draft Public Participation Plan (PPP) that is a requirement for the RRC process. Oswalt moved, supported by Wilcox, to approve the PPP with additional stakeholders listed. Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Social Media Policy
Clerk Terrill shared a draft Social Media Policy to be considered by the Council. The policy provides guidelines and requirements regarding the posting of only appropriate content for the Village’s social media use for all Boards, Commissions and Employees.
Motion by Webb, supported by Thomas, to approve the Social Media Policy, with minor changes and to include a sign-off sheet for employees. Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Master Fee Schedule
Motion by Webb, supported by Welburn, to adopt Resolution 2022-01, a Resolution Adopting the Village of Marcellus Revised Fee Schedule, updated for commercial water and sewer tap fees. Roll call vote – Ayes: Welburn, Wilcox, Oswalt, Webb, Irwin and Thomas. Nays: None. Motion carried.
DPW
Motion by Irwin, supported by Thomas, to approve the purchase of ramps and jack stands for the DPW in an amount not to exceed $2,0000.00. Roll call Vote – Ayes: Welburn, Wilcox, Oswalt, Webb, Irwin and Thomas. Nays: None. Motion carried.
DDA Banners
Clerk Terrill shared an email request from the First Friday group for approval and DPW assistance with the placement of ten banners on light poles in the Downtown District. The banners and associated hardware will be purchased by the First Friday group.
Motion by Thomas, supported by Irwin, to authorize the placement of the banners and DPW assistance putting the banners in place. Roll call vote – Ayes: Wilcox, Oswalt, Webb, Irwin, Thomas and Welburn. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Adjournment
Motion by Thomas, supported by Irwin, to adjourn at 8:26 p.m. Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion passed.
Jacqueline A. Terrill, Village Clerk
Ronald Welburn, Village President
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