CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 12.09.2020

MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL

BRAZIL, INDIANA

FOR DECEMBER 9, 2020

A meeting of the Common Council was held on December 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, Brad Deal, Angela Modesitt, Karen Boes, Shane Litz and Mayor Brian Wyndham.

The Pledge to the American Flag was led by Mayor Brian Wyndham.

OTHERS PRESENT:

• City Attorney Traci Orman, Janet McClellan, and Police Chief Clint McQueen. 

PRAYER was said by Steve Bell.                      

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Shane Litz made a motion to approve the November 9, 2020, seconded by Angie Modesitt.  Motion passed 4-0. Brad Deal abstained.

AUDIENCE COMMENTS: NONE

OLD BUSINESS:    NONE

NEW BUSINESS:

1. Stormwater Ordinance 21-2020 – Traci Orman explained the creation of the stormwater utility and the implementation of the stormwater utility rate.  Attorney Orman explained the need for the rate and the process for setting it up. Baker Tilly prepared a financial report, which was reviewed,  and Strand was responsible for the ERU study. Brad Deal made a motion to pass Ordinance 21-2020 on 1^st reading. After discussion it was determined that the council has questions and needs additional information before they can pass a first reading of the ordinance. Therefore, Brad Deal rescinded his motion. Shane Litz and Angie Modesitt volunteered to head the sub-committee which will work together to obtain the information needed from Strand and/or Baker Tilley.  All council members are to get their questions to Angie or Shane.
2. Ordinance 20-2020 Updated Zoning Map (Zoning Changes) 2^nd Reading – Before the ordinance can be passed, we need the updated zoning map which incorporates all of the zoning changes which were approved.  The map is being updated and should hopefully be ready soon. Brad Deal made a motion to move this 2^nd Reading to January 2021 meeting seconded by Steve Bell.  Motion passed 5-0.

• Ordinance 22-2020 (919 W. Whiterock Rd) and Ordinance 23-2020 (SR59) Zoning Changes – Thesepetitions for zoning changes came before the Advisory Plan Commission at its November 19, 2020 meeting.  We are awaiting the written recommendation from the Plan Commission before the council can take action on the ordinances.  Angie Modesitt made a motion move these ordinances to the January 2021 meeting., seconded by Shane Litz.  Motion passed 5-0.
• Ordinance 24-2020: An Ordinance Amending Ordinance #17 -2019 – This ordinance corrects the salary for the administrator position held in the Planning and Zoning Office.  Angie Modesitt made a motion to suspend the rules, seconded by Brad Deal.  Motion passed 5-0. Angie Modesitt made a motion to pass Ordinance 24-2020, second by Brad Deal. Motion passed 5-0.
• Motion to Amend Exhibit A to Ordinance 18-2020: There is a scrivener’s error on Exhibit A to Ordinance 18-2020 (Salary ordinance for employees and appointees).  The salary for the administrator position in the Planning and Zoning Office should be ‘see hourly schedule A’.  Steve Bell made a motion to correct Ordinance 18-2020, second by Shane Litz.  Motion passed 5-0.
• Resolution 13-2020 Adopting IC 5-23 – The City’s trash contract expires in November 2021.  When the City negotiated for the trash contract originally in 2016 it used the provisions of IC 5-23 to implement a public-private agreement and utilize the Request for Proposals.  Shane Litz made a motion to approve Resolution 13-2020, seconded by Karen Boes.  Motion passed 5-0.
• Contract with Police Union and City – The City negotiated with the Police Union to renew its contract as the current contract expires at the end of 2020.  There were not a lot of major changes, there was mostly clean up and some language clarifications.  Specifically, changes were made to Article 18 (Health/Accident Group Insurance Benefits), Article (Fitness Facility Access), Article 25 (Manning of the Department / Police Duties / Special Police Officers), Article 33 (Holidays), and Article 37 (Salary Schedule).  Shane Litz was concerned that the health insurance is not renegotiated every year since this cost fluctuates and it may be necessary to adjust the 10% match for this benefit at some point down the road.  And if we can’t renegotiate that portion of the contract, he is concerned that the City of Brazil will have to pay that difference. Chief McQueen said this was something he will take back to the Police Union.
• Transfers Ordinance – Traci Orman said there was nothing to do on this ordinance since Karen McQueen, Clerk-Treasurer funded the bonus out of departments regular budgets.
• Ordinance #25-2020 confirming name Lake Brazilian Est- Originally Lake Brazilian Estates was platted with streets which were named Woodland and Lakeview Terrace.  Said streets have all been renamed to Lake Brazilian Estates at some point in time but the City cannot find any evidence of same.  In order to get these names corrected in INDOT’s inventory we need an ordinance confirming the name change.  Steve Bell made a motion to suspend the rules, seconded by Angie Modesitt. Motion passed 5-0.  Steve Bell made a motion to approve Ordinance #25-2020, seconded by Angie Modesitt. Motion passed 5-0.
• Additional Appropriations Ordinance 26-2020 – Public Hearing Open at 6:07pm by motion from Angie Modesitt.Council looked through the list of additional appropriation. Public Hearing closed at 6:10pm by a motion made by Karen Boes.  Brad Deal made a motion to suspend the rules, seconded by Shane Litz. Motion passed 5-0. Motion was made by Brad Deal to approve the additional appropriations Ordinance #26-2020, seconded by Shane Litz. Motion passed 5-0.

COUNCIL COMMENTS:

Angie Modesitt –

• Stated that the History of the City is not being represented in the newspaper anymore. We are losing our history.

Brad Deal –

• Brad thanked Steve Bell for sending him pictures of the new paint on the water tower at I-70.
• Brad has not seen the new water station that is on N. Vandalia St in the newspaper yet. 

Shane Litz –

• Shane thought it was good seeing Scott Turner post in the Clay County Historical Facebook page old clippings of the happenings in Clay County.

Should we post meeting announcements and/or public notices to our City Website/Facebook page.   

Steve Bell –

       ·    Maybe we should air our council meetings on Facebook.

MAYOR COMMENTS: Mayor Brian Wyndham commented that Frank Phillips asked if he could cover the council meetings for his blog. Also, he commented on the new water station, that there will be no more meters given out. The companies will go through the water station. It accepts credit/debit cards, or they can set up an account. The City will keep moving forward and stay on course. 

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:

Next City Council Meeting scheduled for December 30, 2020 at 5:00 p.m.       

ADJOURNMENT: Steve Bell made a motion to adjourn meeting; seconded by Angie Modesitt.  The motion passed 5-0.  Meeting adjourned at 6:24 p.m.