January 9, 2024
Council Meeting Minutes
Present: Council President: Cameron Emond, Vice President: Michael Johnson
Council Members: Darwin Miller, Betty Hoster, Rex Pearson
Clerk Treasurer: Judy Thomas, Deputy/Utility Clerk: Breanna Plantenga
Water Superintendent: Bob Thomas, Wastewater Superintendent: Jeff Province
Town Marshal: Jared Baer
Other: Sandra Gloss, Mark Bachman, Susan Bachman, Daryl Orns, Pam Jordan, Carey Jordan, Janet Gross, Michelle Earney, Steve Young, Jerry Lietz, Kenneth Burns, Marilyn Young, Marilyn Maxwell
Absent: Town Attorney: Jacob Ahler
Council President Cameron Emond opened the Council Meeting with the pledge of allegiance.
Newly elected council members Cameron Emond, Betty Hoster, and Darwin Miller were sworn in, and signed their Oath of Office.
All Council Members signed the Nepotism Agreement.
The Council voted on Council President and Vice President. Council Member Rex Pearson made a motion for Cameron Emond to be the Council President. Council Member Darwin Miller second the motion. Motion carried 4-0. Council Member Darwin Miller made a motion for Michael Johnson to be Council Vice President. Council Member Rex Pearson second the motion. Motion carried 4-0.
Department heads were presented for approval.
Water Superintendent- Robert Thomas
Wastewater Superintendent- Jeffery Province
Town Marshal- Jared Baer
Fire Chief- Kenneth Burns
Ambulance Director- Steve Young
Park Board- Lori Bussell
Council Vice President Michael Johnson made a motion to approve the department heads. Council Member Betty Hoster second the motion. Motion carried 4-0.
Council Member Darwin Miller made a motion to keep the Wolcott Enterprise and Herald Journal as the Town’s primary newspaper. Council Member Betty Hoster second the motion. Motion carried 4-0.
Council Member Darwin Miller made a motion to keep the Bank of Wolcott as the Town’s primary bank. Council Member Rex Pearson second the motion. Motion carried 4-0.
The approval of membership dues was presented for the following organizations: Indiana Association of Cities & Towns, Indiana League of Municipal Clerks & Treasures, International Institute of Municipal Clerks, Indiana Rural Water Alliance, American Water Works Association, and Alliance Rural Water, AIM Legal Council for the Clerk’s league. Council Vice President Michael Johnson made a motion to approve the membership dues for 2024. Council Member Betty Hoster second the motion. Motion carried 4-0.
The December 19, 2023 Council Meeting minutes were presented for approval. Council Member Rex Pearson made a motion to approve the December 19th minutes. Council Member Betty Hoster second the motion. Council Vice President Michael Johnson and Council Member Darwin Miller abstained from voting, due to not being present at the December 19th meeting. Council President Cameron Emond voted to approve the minutes. Motion carried 3-0.
Wastewater Superintendent Jeff Province reported that everything is going well at the Wastewater Plant. Jeff stated that the water heater at the plant has just been replaced. Jeff will be going to classes with the Alliance once a week to get his Wastewater license.
Water Superintendent Bob Thomas stated that he is working on getting quotes to get a filtration system put in at the Water Plant, to get rid of the manganese in the water. Council Member Darwin Miller brought up using a chemical to temporarily fix the brown water issue. After some brief discussion, it was decided that getting a filtration system would be a better option. Council Vice President Michael Johnson stated that he has contacted KIRPC about getting a grant to replace water pipes in town. Bob Thomas wanted Council approval to get the median changed out at the Water Plant. Council Member Michael Johnson made a motion to get the media changed out at the Water Plant. Council Member Darwin Miller made second the motion. Motion carried 4-0.
Town Marshal Jared Baer picked up the new truck for the police department. Jared reported that he will be getting bids to sell the Taurus. Jared also reported that he will be ordering equipment for the new truck. Jared then asked the Council to approve a contractor to come in and install some of the equipment. Council Vice President Michael Johnson made a motion to approve the hire of a contractor to install the equipment into the truck. Council Member Darwin Miller second the motion. Motion carried 4-0. Jared also stated that he has observed some unsafe sidewalks in town. After some discussion, it was decided that Jared would look into the sidewalk removal and/or repair. Council Vice President Michael Johnson made a motion for Jared to look into getting the sidewalk removed/repaired. Council Member Betty Hoster second the motion. Motion carried 4-0.
Council Vice President Michael Johnson reported that White County Economic Development is very interested in developing Wolcott.
Jerry Lietz presented on behalf of White County Area plan, that there are policies and regulations being put in place, in the event that BP puts in CO2 lines in White County.
Michelle Erney reported that the Summer Festival will be on July 5-6.
Marilyn Maxwell reported that the Mainstreet Committee has been doing Warm Welcome baskets for first time home buyers in Wolcott. The Mainstreet committee is currently working on getting a grant to help out with the Warm Welcome Baskets. The Mainstreet committee will also be giving out 70 Bobby the Wonder Dog books to the fourth graders, at the end of January.
Clerk Treasurer Judy Thomas reported that she took office on January 1st and everything is going well. Judy told the Council that she has classes coming up in January that she will be attending. Judy stated that she is currently looking for a missing check, as well as working on getting bank reconciliations straightened out.
Council Member Darwin Miller brought up hiring a part time street employee. After some discussion, the subject has been tabled for the next meeting.
The Council appointed representatives for the following:
KIRPC – Jannell Hofstetter
White County Economic Development - Michael Johnson
RWCDC – Darwin Miller and Cameron Emond
Area Plant – Betty Hoster
Council Member Darwin Miller made a motion to appoint the representatives. Council Member Rex Pearson second the motion. Motion carried 4-0.
Donations:
Council Vice President made a motion to donated $6,500.00 to the Mainstreet committee. Council Member Rex Pearson second the motion. Motion carried 3-0. Darwin abstained due to nepotism.
Council Member Darwin Miller made a motion to donate $6,000.00 to the Summer Festival committee. Council Member Betty Hoster second the motion. Motion carried 4-0.
Council Member Betty Hoster made a motion to donate $7,500.00 to the Remington Wolcott Community Development Committee (RWCDC.) Council Member Rex Pearson second the motion. Motion carried 3-0. Darwin abstained due to nepotism.
Council Member Darwin Miller made a motion to donate $3,200.00 to White County Economic Development. Council Member Betty Hoster second the motion. Motion carried 4-0.
The Council discussed cancelling the second meeting in January due to a lack of availability. Council Member Darwin Miller made a motion to cancel the second meeting in January. Council Member Rex Pearson second the motion. Motion carried 3-1 Michael Johnson opposed.
Resident, Pam Jordan, spoke to Marshal Jared Baer about concerns regarding residents parking vehicles on sidewalks, and concerns about residents blocking the view out of an ally with their vehicle.
Deputy/Utility Clerk Breanna Plantenga presented at TREC Collections program to the Council for approval. The information was previously left by former clerk treasurer, Pam Bennett. The program would allow the town to work with TRECS to take significantly past due water bills to collections. After some discussion, the topic was tabled until the Council could speak with the town attorney about the agreement.
An online complaint form is in the works for residents, on the town website.
Marshal Jared Baer discussed the town having a spring cleanup this spring. After much discussion, it was decided that Jared would look into quotes for dumpsters.
Council Member Darwin Miller stated that he has been looking into the price of microphones for the council members, to help the residents hear the council better at meetings.
Meeting adjourned.