MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL
BRAZIL, INDIANA
FOR JANUARY 10, 2024
A meeting of the Common Council was held on January 10, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. in Brazil City Hall. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Brian Wyndham.
PRAYER: Prayer was led by Angie Modesitt.
ROLL CALL: Mayor Brian Wyndham and Council Members, Shane Litz, Steve Bell, Karen Boes, Brad Deal and Angie Modesitt.
ORGANIZATION MEETING:
- Set Meeting Dates and Times – Brad Deal made a motion to keep the meeting dates and times the same as 2023, seconded by Shane Litz. Motion Passed 5-0.
- Election of Officers: Angie Modesitt made a motion to nominate Brad Deal as the new Council President, seconded by Karen Boes. Motion Passed 5-0.
OTHERS PRESENT:
- Clerk- Treasurer Karen McQueen, City Attorney Traci Orman, a representative from the Brazil Times Hayley Cooper, Brad Emmert with Emmert/Timberland, Brazil City Fire Department Union members Zach Mormans, Andy Stone with Brazil Main Street and Vicki Mace with the Clay County Historical Society.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Steve Bell made a motion to approve the December 13, 2023, and December 27, 2023 minutes, seconded by Brad Deal. Motion Passes 4-1. Angie Modesitt abstained.
AUDIENCE COMMENTS: Andy Stone with the Brazil Main Street was present to ask council if he could apply for a Grant for 4 structural sign walls welcoming people to the City of Brazil. Andy explained that Brazil Main Street would spear head the grant, however, would request $25,000.00 from the city for the match of this grant. Grant application is due at the end of February. Mayor Brian Wyndham stated that he did not think it would be an issue to raise money for this. The council unanimously agreed for Andy to move forward with the grant application.
OLD BUSINESS:
- Emmert Residential Tax Abatement: Resolution 8-2023.
- Final Action and Abatement Calculation. Brad Deal made a motion to approve Resolution 8-2023 with a 5-year tax abatement, seconded by Angie Modesitt. Motion passed 4-1. Shane Litz Nay.
New Business:
- Brad Emmert – Brad Emmert presented to the council a plan to build multiple apartment additions as well as a new Timberland Home Center on the West end of town. Brad Emmert explained that to make the above projects a reality for more housing, that he would need the State and the Cities to help with more abatements. Brad Emmert wanted the council to know that he was very grateful for the current abatement on the new Flats that he will be building.
- Meetings –
- Livestreaming (and Legislation) – City Attorney Traci Orman reminded council that on July 1, 2025, that all meetings must be livestreamed, and she gave a presentation to council on way this could be made available to the public.
- Electronic Meetings – Via Internet
- Meeting Equipment – City Attorney Traci Orman explained to the council that they could buy I-Pads and use the I-Pads during the meeting and all paperwork needed would be uploaded to the I-Pads. I-Pads would stay at City Hall and only be used during meetings. This would be a great way to cut down on paper and be more environmentally friendly. City Attorney Traci Orman explained that she is currently working with another community who is using this process during meetings.
COUNCIL COMMENTS:
Karen Boes – Karen agreed with both Shane and Brad on the comments that they made.
Brad Deal – Wanted to thank Andy Stone and Brad Emmert for attending the first meeting of the 2024 year. Brad also wanted to thank them both for being progressive with the City of Brazil.
Angie Modesitt – None
Steve Bell – Steve thanked both Andy Stone and Brad Emmert for the service to the community.
Shane Litz – Shane stated that he was thankful to both Andy Stone and Brad Emmert for their presentations.
MAYOR COMMENTS:
Mayor Brian Wyndham – Mayor Brian Wyndham stated that he was very thankful to have such talented individuals as a part of this community. Mayor Brian Wyndham also stated that he looks forward to forming partnerships with both Andy Stone – Brazil Main Street and the Brad Emmert in the future.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: nextCouncil Meeting February 14, 2024 @ 5 pm.
ADJOURNMENT: Brad Deal made a motion to adjourn meeting, seconded by Karen Boes. Motion passed 5-0. Meeting adjourned @ 5:54 p.m.
