MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL
BRAZIL, INDIANA
FOR NOVEMBER 9, 2020
A meeting of the Common Council was held on November 9, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Brazil City Hall. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Brian Wyndham.
ROLL CALL: Steve Bell, Angela Modesitt, Karen Boes, Shane Litz and Mayor Brian Wyndham. Brad Deal was absent.
The Pledge to the American Flag was led by Mayor Brian Wyndham.
OTHERS PRESENT:
- Clerk-Treasurer Karen McQueen, Planning and Zonning Administrator Janet McClellan, Safe Haven Rescue Box Rep Roy Smith, Safe Haven Rescue Box Rep Mandy Shepard, Safe Haven Rescue Box Rep Stacey Dickison, and Brazil City Firefighter Stoney Fisher.
PRAYER was said by Karen Boes.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Steve Bell made a motion to approve the October 14, 2020, seconded by Karen Boes. Motion passed 3-1. Shane Litz abstained.
AUDIENCE COMMENTS:
Safe Haven Baby Boxes Representative Mandy Shepard was present to ask council for a final approval. Mandy Shepard is needing this approval before she would be able to start the process of raising funds for the Safe Haven Baby Box. Angie Modesitt questioned Mandy Shepard on the funding of the program. Mandy Shepard stated that she would like to raise $25,000.00. The breakdown of the $25,000.00 would be as follows: $10,000.00 would be for the purchase and installation of the box, $5,000.00 for an alarm system for the box, $5,000.00 for annual maintenance ($250.00 per year) and finally $5,000.00 of cushion for miscellaneous expenses related to the baby box. Karen Boes questioned Mandy Shepard on the current closest location of another Safe Haven Baby Box. Mandy Shepard stated that there was approval for one to be installed in Terre Haute, Indiana, however it has not yet been installed, so the current closest is Greenwood, Indiana. Shane Litz questioned Mandy Shepard on the majority of placement of the Baby Boxes at Fire Departments or Hospitals. Mandy Shepard explained that most placements are at Fire Departments because of confidentiality.
Angie Modesitt made a motion for final approval of the Safe Haven Baby Box, contingent on City Attorney Traci Orman looking over and approving the Safe Haven Baby Box Contract, seconded by Steve Bell. Motion was approved 4-0.
OLD BUSINESS: NONE
NEW BUSINESS:
- American Water Appraisal – Council commented that they were okay with the appraisal, however they wanted to state that the city of Brazil was not currently looking to sell its utilities. Shane Litz made a motion to approve the appraisal of the Water Utility by American Water, contingent on City Attorney Traci Orman looking over the contract again before the appraisal happens, seconded by Angie Modesitt. Motion was approved 4-0.
- Zoning changes – Ordinance 20-2020 – Planning and Zoning Administrator Janet McClellan is in the process of updating the zoning in the City of Brazil. Ordinance 20-2020 is an update to the current Zoning in the City of Brazil. Steve Bell made a motion to approve the first reading of Ordinance 20-2020, seconded by Karen Boes. Motion for first reading was approved 4-0.
COUNCIL COMMENTS:
Angie Modesitt –
- Stated that the company Baseline, has left a hole at the intersection of Church Street and Depot Street. Mayor Brian Wyndham stated that he would make sure that there are orange cones put up until the repairs can be made.
Steve Bell –
- Stated that he really likes the new paint on the City Hall building. Steve also stated that he would like new lights at the entrance of the City Hall building. Mayor Brian Wyndham suggested that council members get together and discuss different options for the lighting.
- Wanted to know if the new antique place at the old YMCA building on Meridian Street was zoned for commercial use. Planning and Zoning Administrator Janet McClellan stated, “Yes.” Steve also asked about the parking spots that were created to the south of the building, he wanted to know if the city created them or the owners of the building did. Mayor Brian Wyndham commented that Planning and Zoning Administrator Janet McClellan, needed to send a letter to the owners stating the need for council approval to create parking spots for their business.
Karen Boes –
- Stated that she would like the city to look at potential, “Slow Down” signs to be placed at the intersection of Raiden Street and Jackson Street. Mayor Brian Wyndham suggested that the city install “Yield” or “Stop Signs.” Karen would also like the city to also look at drainage issues in the same area.
- Questioned any information that anyone had on the Christmas in the Park, Christmas Parade. Mayor Brian Wyndham stated that Eddie Treadway contacted him and stated that they would like to have the parade and the Mayor suggested to him that thy should require individuals to wear masks.
MAYOR COMMENTS: Mayor Brian Wyndham commented that Street Superintendent continues to work on the streetlights along Highway 40. Mayor Brian Wyndham stated that we are now waiting on the next batch of light bulbs to continue fixing the lights. Mayor Brian Wyndham also stated that he had taken the Land Appraisal paperwork of the Old Coal Yard to the Emmert’s. This is the potential location of the new City Garage. Mayor Brian Wyndham also stated that the Façade Grant continues to move forward, and he is waiting to hear something back on the EDA Grant at the Industrial Park. Finally, Mayor Brian Wyndham commented that he would like to get back to the planning of the restoration of the Airplane on the Courthouse lawn.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
Next City Council Meeting scheduled for December 9, 2020 at 5:00 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT: Karen Boes made a motion to adjourn meeting; seconded by Angie Modesitt. The motion passed 4-0. Meeting adjourned at 5:40 p.m.
