MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL
BRAZIL, INDIANA
FOR OCTOBER 11, 2023
A meeting of the Common Council was held on October 11, 2023, at 5:00 P.m. in Brazil City Hall. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Brian Wyndham.
PRAYER: Prayer was led by Steve Bell.
ROLL CALL: Mayor Brian Wyndham and Council Members, Shane Litz, Steve Bell, Karen Boes, Angie Modesitt and Brad Deal.
OTHERS PRESENT:
- City Attorney Traci Orman, Clerk- Treasurer Karen McQueen, a representative from the Brazil Times Hayley Cooper, Police Department Union President Zach Overton, Fire Department Union President Zach Mormans, Fire Department Union Members: Chis Moon, Cody Garrison and Cody Byers, City of Brazil Resident Vicki Lawhorn, and City of Brazil Resident Nancy White.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Steve Bell made a motion to approve the September 13, 2023 Minutes, seconded by Shane Litz. Motion Passed 3-2. Angie Modesitt and Karen Boes abstained due to absence at last meeting.
AUDIENCE COMMENTS: City of Brazil Resident Vicki Lawhorn and Nancy White inquired on the status on 3 handicap parking signs at 604, 607 and 612 South Chicago Avenue in Brazil. Also a Autistic child sign at 604 and 607 South Chicago Avenue. Council members unanimously agreed for City Attorney Traci Orman to prepare an Ordinance for all 3 Handicap Parking spots. Council members also unanimously agreed for Autistic sign to be placed at 604 and 607 South Chicago Avenue; no Ordinance needed for this sign.
Police Union President Zach Overton briefly spoke with council members about the Police Union Contract and the preference for the Police Officers to have Raises for the 2024 year instead of bonus’s.
OLD BUSINESS:
- Final Reading of Ordinance 11-2023, Appropriations and Tax Rates (2024 Budget) – Adoption continued until October 25, 2023, meeting @ 5pm.
- Final Reading of Ordinance 12-2023, Mayor salary (2024) – Adoption continued until October 25, 2023, meeting @ 5pm.
- Final Reading of Ordinance 13-2023, Clerk-Treasurer Salary (2024)- Adoption continued until October 25, 2023, meeting @ 5pm.
- First Reading of Ordinance 14-2023, Common Council Salary (2024) – Adoption continued until October 25, 2023, meeting @ 5pm.
- First Reading of Ordinance 15-2023, Police Officers Salary (2024) – Adoption continued until October 25, 2023, meeting @ 5pm.
- First Reading of Ordinance 16-2023, Firefighters Salary (2024) – Adoption continued until October 25, 2023, meeting @ 5pm.
- First Reading of Ordinance 17-2023, Appointees and Employees Salary (2024) – Adoption continued until October 25, 2023, meeting @ 5pm.
- Baby Box Update – City Attorney Traci Orman showed a 10-minute video to Council and audience members pertaining to the benefits of the Baby Box.
New Business:
- Fire Union Contract: 2024 – 2026 – Steve Bell made a motion to approve the Fire Union Contract 2024 – 2026, seconded by Brad Deal. Motion Passed 5-0.
- Residential Tax Abatement – City Attorney Traci Orman explained to council that there would potentially in the near future be a request for a Residential Tax Abatement. She said that we would re discuss this at the October 25, 2023 meeting.
- Trick or Treat – Days & Times – Shane Litz made a motion to approve Trick Treat Days October 30, 2023 and October 31, 2023 from 5-8 pm, seconded by Karen Boes. Motion Passed 5-0.
COUNCIL COMMENTS:
Karen Boes – Asked if the City of Brazil had agreed to Air Evac for employees. Mayor Brian Wyndham stated that the council had decided yes and if she wanted to be added, to contact Human Resource Manager Mary Jo Archer.
Brad Deal – Stated that he was going to miss Frank Phillips and that Frank Phillips contributed a lot to the community. Brad also stated that he was very thankful to the Brazil City Police and Fire Department on there speedy response to the Cloverleaf Nursing Facility Fire.
Angie Modesitt – Questioned the Mayor if Joink was done digging and placing lines in the City of Brazil and would they be fixing the roads. Mayor Brian Wyndham stated that there is a lot of work that is needing done on and off the roads in Brazil. Mayor Brian Wyndham stated that he would look into to it.
Steve Bell – Stated that he echoed what Brad Deal said about the City of Brazil Police and Fire Department response to the Cloverleaf Nursing home Fire. Very proud that they were first on scene.
Shane Litz – Stated that he would like to start a committee and move forward with Solar Energy for the city. Shane volunteered to be one of the members, Brad Deal also agreed to sit on the committee and the Mayor Brian Wyndham. The committee will meet and discuss with other council members at the December 2024 council meeting.
MAYOR COMMENTS:
Mayor Brian Wyndham – Also commented on missing Frank Phillips. Mayor Brian Wyndham also announced to council that the City of Brazil was awarded the Planning Grant for the Community Building. Mayor Brian Wyndham then stated that he was so proud of all of the active service groups in the community and he looks to see continued success in the community.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: nextCouncil Meeting October 25, 2023 @ 5 pm.
ADJOURNMENT: Brad Deal made a motion to adjourn meeting, seconded by Shane Litz. Motion passed 5-0. Meeting adjourned @ 6:05 p.m.
