[5:13] start.

[5:21] Please be attending while we have prayer. Dear heavenly father, we ask

[5:25] that uh we all come together here for this meeting and we all uh

[5:31] honor this meeting with our uh with our patience and that we close this meeting

[5:38] in harmony. In your name we pray. Amen. >> Amen.

[5:42] » Pledge of allegiance. I aliance to the flag of the United

[5:48] States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under

[5:54] God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all

[6:07] of the business >> for June 16th, 2026. I'll entertain a

[6:12] motion. I'll make a motion to approve.

[6:18] We made a motion. Do I have a second? >> I have a second.

[6:23] » Do I have any discussion?

[6:27] » Hearing none. Shannon,

[6:33] » yes. >> Her.

[6:34] » Yes. >> Yes. Okay.

[6:41] » Approval of claims. >> We move we pay the claims.

[6:46] » I have a motion to accept the claims. Do I have a second?

[6:50] » I'll second. >> I have a second from her.

[6:54] Do I have any discussion?

[7:00] Hearing none. Shannon. >> Yes.

[7:04] » Her. >> Yes. Yeah. Yeah. No. Yes.

[7:14] » Okay. Whole business. >> Is Emily here from Strand?

[7:18] » Um, she's not. Homer, I'm sure she's done a little bit late. Uh, would you

[7:23] mind >> about this?

[7:24] » Yeah. Would you mind if we uh go ahead and go with me for the CCMG paving?

[7:29] » Yeah, let's do that. Get back to Emma. Here she is. Right here. Oh, okay.

[7:38] Emily, you're up. Emily, you're up. [laughter]

[7:42] » I ran back and light up here.

[7:46] » Thank you. Sorry for Jason. So, >> that's okay.

[7:54] » Okay. >> Hi, everyone.

[7:58] » Hi. >> So, sorry.

[8:00] » We're waiting on you. >> Oh, that's great. You'll have to hear

[8:03] that at a time. Um, okay. So, update on the project. We, the contractor has

[8:10] applied for substantial completion. Um, that's already come and gone. We have a

[8:16] final substantial completion letter out to them. Uh, so after that comes final

[8:21] completion. With Okra, the way the funding agency works uh is we'll apply

[8:29] for that final uh final completion step essentially at once they've completed

[8:37] all the work. And since we added some additional work related to Ballards,

[8:41] that's going to be in the October time frame. So, we have one more pay

[8:45] application that I brought with me. Um it's pay application 4. Talked about it

[8:49] with Jason. It's already been signed by everyone, but just I think he said he

[8:54] was putting it in your packets as well. And

[8:56] » how much is that for? >> And that was four.

[9:06] Application four was for $63,192

[9:15] 9. Uh that's withholding retainage. So, what we had kind of worked out with them

[9:20] is just to keep it clean, we're only waiting on Ballards. Um, and it worked

[9:25] out that retainage is about $19,000, if I'm remembering correctly. Yeah,

[9:30] $19,464. So, um, they they agreed to just keep

[9:35] retainage in there and we'll handle that in the final payoff and then we'll also

[9:39] process the next change order in the last payout and that includes the

[9:42] ballards that we're adding. So, um, yeah. Do I need to request their

[9:48] approval to pay that? >> Yes.

[9:52] » Okay. So, we're requesting your approval for payment of that.

[9:56] » So, I entertain a motion. I'll make a motion to pay out.

[10:01] I have a motion for payout. I have a second.

[10:06] I have a second. Do I have any discussion?

[10:11] Uh, I have a couple things. Okay. You guys can go through that. After

[10:18] you go through the motion. >> After I go through the motion. Okay.

[10:22] There. No discussion. Shannon,

[10:26] » I'm going to abstain from this one because I didn't I couldn't understand

[10:28] all that she said. >> Sorry about that.

[10:33] » Yes. >> Yeah.

[10:39] » Did she approve? She was saying okay.

[10:46] And I have one more document as well. Um so this is for change order number three

[10:51] which is those ballards that we were talking about. Um so that is for

[10:56] providing and installing uh ballards at the air release valve the air release

[11:00] valve locations that are out in the farm fields.

[11:04] » These are D's request. Um and so Mr. request. And so that ended up being

[11:10] $9,090 uh from the contractor. That's what

[11:16] they'll completing. That's what they'll be be completing in October following

[11:21] Mr. Dodd actually harvesting his field, >> right? For harvest,

[11:24] » right? And then so I just need your signature and approval on that one as

[11:29] well. >> Okay.

[11:31] Do we need a motion? Yeah. >> Yep. I'll make a motion to approve

[11:36] change order number three. >> I have a second.

[11:42] » Yeah, I'll second it. >> And we got a second permit. Do I have

[11:45] any discussion? >> Hearing none. Shannon.

[11:50] » Yeah. >> Yes.

[11:54] » Yes. Before you leave, I do have complaint that they

[11:59] need to level up the dirt that they promised to level the dog property.

[12:05] » Yes. >> Yes. And that

[12:09] » that will be part of their final completion. So, we've noted restoration.

[12:13] We've noted restoration needs to be completed to get their final payment.

[12:18] » He's had he's had to go out and level the field up so he can harvest his hay.

[12:24] Okay. Yeah, we can definitely >> I want that noted. So,

[12:28] » I can note it and then I can also reach out to our contact with lawyer tomorrow

[12:32] and see what's going on there. >> So,

[12:38] and those are the two payment requests that I had on there.

[12:40] » Um, there's a third letter OMR uh that is a request for a delay in the final

[12:49] completion stages. It was too late when Mr. Dodd came to Evan, the uh

[12:57] construction manager at Lawyers Excavation to get the ballers in for

[13:04] this season. So rather than damaging crops, um we are uh

[13:13] other to do that after harvest. Yes, >> that makes perfect sense to me.

[13:21] » Uh we're shooting for late October to be to have final completion,

[13:25] » right? >> Which will include um remediation of any

[13:30] uh damages that are still uh in play with

[13:37] God and Mr. >> Yeah. Yeah. I'm sure you document all

[13:44] that, right? or yes by Okay. Yeah. Okay.

[13:51] » Yes, I can I will reach out to them and ask what's going on there.

[13:56] » Okay. And I signed your doc. >> Thank you.

[13:58] » And that was it for them.

[14:04] » Anyone that's going up to the podium tonight, can you please speak directly

[14:07] to the microphones? That's the only way Shannon's going to hear you.

[14:12] » All right.

[14:26] Good evening, council. >> Um, first off, I wanted to talk about

[14:31] the community crossing uh paving project that's going on. And also last month I

[14:38] wanted to discuss about the road inventory that I'm in the process of

[14:42] doing. Um I'll start with road inventory. Um it is not completed as of

[14:49] yet, but I did ride around with uh Tony uh Agles from Strand in the new mini

[14:56] truck which worked excellent in in 95°ree weather with the air conditioning

[15:01] on. Um and uh we looked at three roads, well two roads mainly that I would like

[15:10] to spend money on uh next year for the community crossing matching grant. Um

[15:17] Schaefer Drive beside the bank going to uh

[15:23] Brookside Drive. Um and also the entrance to Liberty Place, which is all

[15:29] the same road. Um, looks like we're going to have to do a lot of uh repairs

[15:35] to that road. Um, probably a full depth repair with some drainage issues as

[15:41] well. That road gets underwater a lot in, uh, springtime and and, you know,

[15:47] the fall rains. So, uh that's the number one priority road that I see this far

[15:56] into um uh the road inventory. And also uh I

[16:03] noted in my town manager report as well that South Street is uh uh the road base

[16:10] is awesome and uh kudos uh to Strand um for building that road um many years

[16:22] ago. I think it's lasted a long time. I think it was 20 years ago that that road

[16:27] was built by Hope's own uh Mr. Steve um who was who has since retired from

[16:35] straight. Um I would like to look into chip sealing that road. Um not doing

[16:44] anything with the road base itself. Um chip sealing and then also putting a fog

[16:51] coat which is like uh similar to seal coating like we did on the square on top

[16:57] of the chip seal. Um, it should last. If we do that, um, I think we would see

[17:04] another six or seven years out of it before we really need to think about

[17:10] repaving that that particular road. Um, of course, we crack seal it first and uh

[17:17] then chip and seal and then put a a fog coat on top of that. Um, it should last

[17:22] [snorts] for another few years. And um I hate to uh start looking at the cost of

[17:29] repaving that road right now because it would be a substantial amount of of

[17:33] money. And by chip sealing it and fog coating, I think we'd be spending a

[17:39] maybe a third the money on that we would on seal coating or I'm sorry on paper.

[17:45] So would the new steel company that's going in

[17:50] have any I mean I guess I would be uh extra wear.

[17:56] So would that would you actually get six to seven

[18:00] years out of it? >> I think so. I mean it's lasted 20 with

[18:03] as much heavy traffic as as what's been on it. And Ed, you probably remember

[18:09] best um on when that road was done.

[18:12] » Long time ago. I know it's been at least 20 years.

[18:15] » Yeah. I don't I remember it being done >> because they widened it out.

[18:21] » Yeah. >> M That's the county. I would extend that

[18:25] to the county road also to the county jurisdiction also. I'm sorry, I didn't

[18:32] understand that. >> The Well, the road right now is short

[18:36] being fastened up to the to the county road,

[18:43] attached to the county road. That needs that section needs all the help it can

[18:48] get. >> Yes.

[18:50] » So, we need to >> You're talking about between Raymond

[18:52] Street and >> the town limits.

[18:56] » Yes. >> Um and I need to really take a good look

[18:59] at that section. Maybe we can mill and uh uh pave that little small section and

[19:06] then chip and seal the rest. That might be a a good bang for our buck. But I

[19:12] think doing all of South Street currently is out our budget.

[19:16] » Understand that. But we do need to take care when we do part of it. We need to

[19:20] do the whole thing. >> Yes. Yes.

[19:25] Um the uh >> but

[19:28] » when you chip and seal, how long do you wait before you fog coat it?

[19:32] » It's fairly shortly, like a day or so after they chip seal the road. They'll

[19:38] they'll come back and they'll put a uh uh quick drying tar on top of that chip

[19:46] seal. It's more than just tar. >> Does that Does that retain all the the

[19:50] loose? It retains all the loose stuff so it doesn't fling on everybody's cars as

[19:55] they're driving. >> Okay.

[19:58] » Um which is that's why they do it is to um you know on uh not so heavily

[20:07] traveled roads in a regular city. That's why they do that on um because it won't

[20:16] fling rocks. >> Okay.

[20:20] um the uh CCG paving portion of uh this year's 2026.

[20:27] There are three rows left to do. Um after they did go Meadows in

[20:32] Rejuvenator, I had them stop temporarily uh because of Main Street Fiber and all

[20:39] of the the craziness that's been going on with roads blocked and um trucks

[20:45] parked and things in the way. Um so uh Mainstream is going to be finished um in

[20:54] the next week or two at the most and then they will start doing uh uh the

[21:02] patchwork on the streets. Um and they have assured me that they will have

[21:08] those three roads in question at least done prior to Allstar coming back on

[21:13] August 17th. Um, so then Allstar, who we have a

[21:19] contract with for 2026, will be doing rejuvenator and also um

[21:27] seal coating on Scott Street. And they're going to rejuven all of uh

[21:33] Jackson Street from Aken all the way to right outside the town hall. Um, and

[21:40] then also Brookside Drive is uh the third street that still needs to have a

[21:45] rejuvenator placed on it. Um, I think the rejuvenator is looking good still

[21:50] and uh I'm pretty satisfied with what it does and how it's acted on um Liberty

[21:57] Place. I think it uh has softened up that road and added a lot of uh good

[22:03] ingredients back to the asphalt to keep it from breaking.

[22:10] One of the things we might want to work on there too is where they dug these

[22:15] holes in the road. U the fiber company, they need to

[22:21] compact that stuff before they put asphalt down.

[22:26] » Um I've been working >> getting kind of deep.

[22:29] » I've been working with Mainstream on that. And uh as you recall in 2023 you

[22:34] passed a street cut ordinance and they are aware of our street cut ordinance as

[22:40] well as our alleyway um gravel and grass remediation that was

[22:47] all in that ordinance and they have it and they have assured me that that will

[22:53] all be done per our ordinances. Um, so I don't have any doubt that that will be

[23:00] done correctly.

[23:06] » Okay, >> that's all I have on CCMG and road

[23:10] inventory. Are there any roads in particular that the council would like

[23:15] to see me double check

[23:22] that you can think [clears throat] of off the top of your head?

[23:27] No, >> I'll pop my head now.

[23:29] » Okay, I'll let you know next month um once I get all the road inventory

[23:36] completed on uh what roads that um seem to be bad in the inventory and uh we'll

[23:44] discuss further prior to the uh September CCMG round.

[23:54] Okay. Thank you, Jason. >> Thank you.

[23:56] » Main Street P. >> Okay.

[24:01] » Yes. >> Yeah. He needs a motion. Yeah.

[24:03] » I also need a motion to pay uh Thanks, Diane. Um, I also need a motion to pay

[24:09] Allstar Paving for what they've done currently, which is, um, just in the pay

[24:16] app is all of Broad Street and Meadow Place,

[24:22] um, which they've already paved this year.

[24:26] Enter motion.

[24:31] » Thanks, John. I have a second. I'll second it. Thanks, Herb. Any

[24:37] discussion

[24:41] hearing? None. Shannon. >> Yeah.

[24:44] » Herb. >> Yeah.

[24:45] » Ed. >> Yeah.

[24:46] » John. >> Yeah.

[24:47] » 5.

[24:56] Okay. Now we're ready for Mainstream. >> Yeah. Um Vance is one of the project

[25:02] managers with Mainstream. I asked him to uh submit to me a uh quick letter with

[25:09] an update on the overall project. Um and uh the construction phase of the

[25:18] project remains on schedule and is inspected in expected to be completed by

[25:24] the end of July. Um overall con uh progress continues to track well. Um

[25:31] there have been some uh utility locate delays and uh that's actually been a

[25:38] fairly big issue that I would like to discuss with you. As you know, they're

[25:43] in Gan Meadows right now. And uh we have easements um

[25:50] in Gan Meadows, but since Gan Meadows has built, there's been built there's uh

[25:58] uh restricted access to those easements due to fences that have been built over

[26:04] our easement. [clears throat] So, the community is pretty upset that

[26:09] Mainstream Fiber is walking into their backyards. Um, some are claiming without

[26:16] permission and uh I just kind of wanted to talk about that. Um,

[26:22] yes, they are. They have been in some uh people's backyards without permission

[26:29] and uh the only thing they're doing in those backyards is to do the locates

[26:35] that are actually in our easement and their fence is not on their property

[26:40] line. It is going over our easement. So, we have no access other than to go into

[26:47] someone's backyard to look at the easement, which has been a huge problem.

[26:52] Um, Mainstream has done their due diligence to uh post door knockers on

[26:58] people's um front doors and uh most everybody has obliged and called, but

[27:04] there's still 10 or 12 residents in Gan Meadows that uh um they have yet to

[27:12] locate and that's causing a pretty major delay for this project. um it's already

[27:19] a week behind um just due to the fact that they can't locate because they

[27:25] can't get access to people's backyards. Um

[27:30] so I don't really know what to do other than to uh uh ask for advice from the

[27:38] council to see what uh they recommend doing.

[27:44] Yeah, >> I think the law says that if they build

[27:47] on an easement that it can be taken down.

[27:52] » It absolutely can. >> Yes, it does. And that everybody needs

[27:56] to keep in mind that is an inherent risk you take when you decide to build over

[28:02] the top of these. >> So,

[28:07] um I had Jeff in mind >> I had Jeff, our town lawyer, um look

[28:12] into that today and uh perhaps you can give a little update on on that access

[28:19] legally from a legal standpoint, Jeff. >> Sure. Um, well, I don't come up there,

[28:24] but they're correct. Uh, you can >> you can speak into this.

[28:28] » All right. >> She's not on the

[28:30] » We lost her picked out, so you're good. >> All right. Uh, you cannot block the

[28:35] access to the ement. Um, they have their subject to the ement. So, you the city

[28:41] has to be able to, the town has to be able to get in there and maintain

[28:46] utilities. So, some people don't like it. Um, but

[28:50] they're going to have to go through the fence and go in the backyard.

[28:54] So, >> and it's not just the town that has to

[28:57] have access to it. Any utility front, whether it's correct,

[29:01] » REMMC, Duke Energy, Citizens or what is it? Uh, Center Point,

[29:07] » Gas, you know, the town of Hope in their utility department, AT&T, Comcast,

[29:14] everyone's utilities run through those easements.

[29:18] So, Everyone has to keep in mind that it's

[29:21] not just the town that has to have access to it. It's every company that

[29:25] runs their utilities through those. That's true.

[29:30] » And I I don't think it's um unless unless it's really delaying it. You

[29:35] know, I don't want to have to uh uh destroy someone's illegal fence back

[29:41] there just to gain access to the easement. But um I do know that there

[29:46] are a couple properties back there that have so much junk in the backyards that

[29:52] um you can't even do a locate because over the existing easement there's too

[30:00] much junk for the locators to actually get in there and do magnetic checks to

[30:05] do the locates.

[30:08] Um, so it's all coming to a head here pretty soon as far as um, you know, that

[30:14] and I'll keep you guys advised of of the situation and uh, if we have to have a

[30:21] special meeting um, this week or next week, then that's what we'll have to do,

[30:27] I reckon. >> What do we recommend we do to for those

[30:31] people to become compliant? Do we need to take Matt out there?

[30:35] Matt has actually been helping out some uh with

[30:39] » Matt doesn't want to, but >> I can't force people to let me into

[30:43] that's that's >> that's

[30:45] the issue, not me issue. >> Okay.

[30:47] » Yeah. You just you have a right to be there and we have to go to court. I

[30:54] can't imagine we have to go that far, but um you have right to be there in the

[31:03] in this case. broad. Um, and then if there are costs

[31:08] incurred in moving stuff so you can access and properly

[31:12] access these, then those are cost responsible.

[31:19] » And the reality of it is we're not going to be there forever. We just wanted

[31:24] » Yeah. We just want to get in and out and and uh finish the project. And in fact,

[31:29] the good news is that uh we are 85% completed. So another week, week and a

[31:37] half at the most and all those construction crews will be out of here.

[31:42] And uh then they'll be doing remediation and road work, road patching, and uh

[31:48] then they'll just be installing fiber through the conduit that they've been

[31:53] boring. And uh we shouldn't see too much of them here in the you know by let's

[31:59] say August 5th or 6th. >> But you got to get that machinery down

[32:05] through there too. >> That's right.

[32:07] » Yes. >> That's right. Well, for what it's worth,

[32:10] I had somebody u hit me up at the huts the other day

[32:17] and was complaining about the uh the new company coming in. I said,

[32:24] 'We don't want to change. Why are you making us change?' I said, 'We not

[32:27] making you change.' She said, 'I have blah blah blah and I want to keep them.'

[32:33] I said, fine. That's your option. You can keep those people. You do not have

[32:37] to change. >> And that's exactly what this is, an

[32:40] additional option. It is nothing that is being forced upon

[32:45] anyone. Just so we're perfectly clear, >> right?

[32:52] Um overall I would say that um from a standpoint of just knowing how

[33:00] many water manes and gas lines and sewer lines that we have in this town. Um they

[33:09] have hit a few and I've read everything that I see that has been posted on

[33:14] Facebook. I don't respond [clears throat] to it. I won't respond

[33:16] to it, but I've read all of the uh statements that people have made and uh

[33:23] you know overall I think they're in the 99%

[33:27] percentile with um going over or under any of our water fans. They've had some

[33:36] um locating issues where there's been unmarked pipes and uh really that's

[33:43] about the only issues that we've had and it's just a handful. So I mean I I would

[33:50] say kudos to um the contractor that Mainstream hired

[33:55] to do this job. I think they've done a wonderful job.

[34:00] And just to be clear, so those are mislocates that are from a a separate

[34:09] company. >> Correct.

[34:11] » Right. So when they they're not actually the ones who are locating it themselves,

[34:15] » right? There's several uh locators that have been hired to do locates um

[34:24] uh for this fiber project as well as uh um we've had David Klouse here and um

[34:32] Jason Mack have been doing locates of our utilities, water and sewer, and

[34:37] they've done a hell of hell of a good job and have worked their butts off to

[34:41] make this this happen. So, um, you know, kudos to our guys and, uh, the Fiber

[34:47] guys, too.

[34:52] » In essence, and I agree with her that I think everybody's done a phenomenal job.

[34:56] It's uh, uh, unfortunate that we have these issues, but it's just part of it's

[35:04] just part of uh, construction and part of

[35:07] » Yeah. >> getting out there and doing a job.

[35:08] Anybody who's ever done construction will tell you they've probably never had

[35:13] a job go perfectly smooth. >> Right.

[35:16] » And if you do or you think you do, I can assure you you didn't. You didn't do

[35:20] this. >> That's right. And on the scale of this

[35:23] » doesn't work that way. >> On the scale of this project um being

[35:27] the largest project in the town since 1965,

[35:31] I would say that they've done a wonderful job. Any questions about uh

[35:37] mainstream fiber? >> No.

[35:41] » Thank you, Jason. >> Thank you.

[35:44] » Okay.

[35:47] Okay. New business. Water tracker. >> Nope. Nope. Old business. Signed order

[35:53] on property. >> Signed. I'm sorry. We're still in old

[35:57] business. >> Yeah.

[35:59] » Yeah. >> Sorry.

[36:01] » Yeah. >> Um, good evening, council. forward.

[36:05] » This is an update on the um I always forget the address. South Hitchcock

[36:11] Court um home. >> Yeah.

[36:13] » Uh we've got the order on summary judgement. We should have the recipe for

[36:18] sheriff sale filed this week hopefully as soon as possible. Uh because I want

[36:24] to make sure we try to get on the um sheriff sale for September. Um and

[36:29] there's a timing issue with notice. So uh hopefully we'll get that done

[36:33] tomorrow. I hope um the judgment at this point well as of April 30th is $31,884

[36:42] that has increased at $542 a day. Um what will happen is to conduct the

[36:48] sheriff sale we'll have to cure any current um tax faults um which I think

[36:56] they owe for one of the payments last year and the

[37:00] May payment. So, and then as you know, this was lost, the property was lo lost

[37:05] to uh tax sale. So, we'll have to pay that off as well. I think the cost to

[37:11] get to share sale from here, roughly $6,000. I was hoping to have

[37:17] that termed up, but I don't have it. Um, and then

[37:22] as soon as I have that number, I'm going to request that we pay it right away

[37:26] because the interest continues on that um tax sale. Um, so anyway, now that

[37:32] once we have the press fee that we can go to share sale, I'm going to pay it

[37:35] off right away. So, I'll get Jason and Diane and get that done.

[37:40] » Jeff, will that $6,000 um be added to the total cost of uh of

[37:48] the tax sale? >> Yes. So, what we'll do at the tax sale

[37:52] is bid the judgment amount of whatever it's grown to at that point plus any of

[37:56] those costs that I just talked about. And then we're either gonna town will

[38:01] either own it for that amount without paying anything else or somebody will

[38:05] out bid us by a dollar and you'll get paid all the money back, which is what

[38:10] we hope happens. So again, I will keep you up to speed,

[38:14] but I'm hoping that that'll be the first week of September [clears throat] is

[38:17] we'll get that sale. >> Do we need a motion to approve the

[38:24] amount for the for the tax sale? Well, that's um if you could approve up to

[38:29] maybe seven just to make sure. Um that's what would keep me say I know it'll be

[38:35] under that. So if you could approve up to seven.

[38:39] » I'll I'll entertain a motion for the 7,000.

[38:42] » I'll make a motion to approve 7,000. >> I'll second it.

[38:46] » We have a motion in the second. Uh do we have any discussion?

[38:51] » Hearing none. Herb. >> Yes.

[38:53] » Ed? >> Yes.

[38:54] » John? >> Yes. or zero.

[38:57] » Thank you, council. >> Now,

[39:02] water pressure.

[39:09] I just wrote it up as town council discussion. Um there's a uh email um

[39:15] that I got from our water and uh our utility pros Brandon Barthol who works

[39:23] for I don't know if you all read that or not but he was discussing about the uh

[39:31] purchase dates and meter dates may not align exactly with the first to the 30th

[39:36] of each month. Um unmetered or hydrate use we show estimate at the bottom of

[39:43] the chart. Um, customer demand water to be stored in the system from previous

[39:49] purchases pro uh possibly leaks vary from month to month.

[39:57] I mean the whole emails in your packet. [clears throat]

[40:03] Those are just the highlights.

[40:08] Did everybody get a chance to review that?

[40:11] Yep. >> And if we're not satisfied with uh with

[40:15] these answers, um you can always put it off.

[40:23] » Herb, what's your thoughts?

[40:28] » I mean, I read through it. I It answered some of the questions that I had the

[40:33] figures that I had questioned, but I mean,

[40:38] yeah.

[40:44] We could also have Brandon here if you would like for his presence to be

[40:49] requested at the next meeting. Of course,

[40:58] we want additional review or we want to put this ahead.

[41:02] Well, I think the issue is we have to decide whether we want to do the water

[41:07] tracker um implemented the increase or not um

[41:13] based upon what was presented last month last month. So

[41:19] that's the issue. I think it's uh I don't remember off the top of my head

[41:24] what it was. >> 40 cents for00

[41:28] » 40 cents for every thousand gallon. It was either that or

[41:32] » four four cents per thousand. I thought >> I thought it was four.

[41:37] » Four four cents per thousand gallon. >> 41 cents per00.

[41:44] » Okay. 4 cents per 100. >> Yeah.

[41:49] Sorry.

[41:52] » Yeah.

[41:55] » Some might lose a finger or something.

[42:01] I saw it. >> So,

[42:03] » wow. >> I'll I'll tell you about the ink. I've

[42:07] been doing Amazon ink because it's like onethird the cost and sometimes they

[42:12] just don't like the little

[42:19] » just was hoping it wasn't used as like crime scene cleanup. We got some

[42:24] recycled. Um, anyways,

[42:28] » try to be cost efficient. >> I I appreciate that. Thinking outside

[42:32] the box. I'm okay with that. [snorts]

[42:36] » Yeah. So, that's that's the u topic of discussion. Um,

[42:43] is whether we want to

[42:48] make a motion to approve it or not.

[42:55] I don't think we got much choice.

[43:10] Well, I usually don't make motions, but I'll make a motion to approve.

[43:20] Do I have a second?

[43:28] And I don't have a second. So that motion I I assume is void.

[43:42] » Yeah, the motion just dies.

[43:46] » So at that point it would be tabled. till next month.

[43:51] » So the following month, if you want to try it again,

[43:58] » I'll make the motion to table for an additional 30 days.

[44:02] » I'll second that. I have a motion and a second.

[44:09] Do I have any discussion?

[44:13] Hearing none. Herb, >> yes. Ed.

[44:16] » Yep. >> Yep.

[44:18] » Yes.

[44:25] » Yellow Trail Museum fireworks request. >> You like to go to the podium?

[44:30] » Yes. >> Yes.

[44:40] » I'm here representing the Yellow Trail Museum. On June the 26th, we cancelled

[44:47] all of the outdoor activities for Oldfashioned Independence Day, which

[44:50] included the fireworks because there were storms predicted.

[44:55] And so I'm here to request that the EDIT money, the EDIT funds that would have

[45:00] been used for the June 26th fireworks, if we could use those fireworks for the

[45:07] Christmas of yester year, which would be December the 4th.

[45:19] What's the council's thoughts?

[45:25] » I think we better do it.

[45:30] » What do you want to put that? >> I move I move that we allowed to go on

[45:34] to Christmas yesterday year. >> That a form. Is that a motion?

[45:38] » Yes, >> I have a motion. Do I have a second?

[45:42] Have a second from John. I have any discussion.

[45:48] Hearing none. >> Herb.

[45:52] » No. >> Ed.

[45:54] » Yep. >> John.

[45:55] » Yes. >> Uh.

[46:07] What the? Are we wanting before I answer why are

[46:13] you wanting to do it in during the Christmas of yesterday year?

[46:17] » That's our next big event that is townwide

[46:22] and half of the balance has already been paid. 4250 has already been paid

[46:30] to the uh provider Premier Pyro which is not refundable.

[46:37] So we have to either have to use it or loop it.

[46:40] » Yes. >> Yep.

[46:41] » And I think we did this one other year because of fire hazard. [clears throat]

[46:46] We couldn't shoot them off and so they were used at Christmas yesterday.

[46:52] » So is that what they require is a 50% deposit,

[46:57] » a nonrefundable deposit? >> Yeah, it is.

[47:02] » Wow.

[47:07] I'm going to move we do it because I'd rather

[47:11] » blow it up in the air than lose it. [laughter]

[47:15] » Literally. >> Literally.

[47:23] » Crazy. >> So, we've approved it.

[47:25] » Thank you.

[47:30] » Okay. Park request LC Chris.

[47:39] Good evening, council. My name is Dale. I'm here on behalf of Pope Moravian

[47:43] Church and we are asking uh for permission to

[47:49] use the town square, the gazebo for an outreach, a free music event. uh we had

[47:56] initially looked at August 9th and for this ministry this outreach we're

[48:03] thinking about something like we've done in the past which was um once a month

[48:09] the second Sunday of each month and so um we're looking for permission to use

[48:16] the the town square and the gazebo for this free music event outreach um for

[48:23] August 9th and I'm not sure whether we should go ahead and ask for September

[48:29] and October as well or not. >> What time

[48:33] » it is on Sundays from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

[48:41] » and what type of music will be amplified? We have our own PA system

[48:45] which we have used here in the past and it will be a mix of classic rock and

[48:51] Christian music and then there will be a short

[48:56] message of encouragement somewhere in between.

[49:01] » You don't have food? >> No.

[49:04] » No. Well, okay.

[49:08] » No. No food. >> No food. Nothing

[49:12] like that. Okay. No. >> And you're doing that every Sunday in

[49:17] September, October. >> No, that would be uh originally we were

[49:21] looking at August 9th, so it would be the second Sunday of the month. And then

[49:26] wondering if it'd be possible to have it on the second Sunday of

[49:33] September and October as well. >> That's where I misunderstood it. Sorry.

[49:38] Sorry. I didn't make that clear. I don't think it with anything else.

[49:44] » It is available on the calendar. >> I'll see why not. So,

[49:49] » I'll make a motion to approve the second Sunday of August, September, and

[49:53] October.

[49:58] » I have a second from John. Any discussion?

[50:03] » I do have certificate of liability if you need that. And that would be due

[50:10] every month. >> Due every month.

[50:12] » Yes. >> Okay.

[50:13] » Prior to the event. >> Okay.

[50:16] » Not to say that you're not keeping up with your insurance, but

[50:19] » I understand. I understand. >> Yes.

[50:24] » I've been abstain. >> John.

[50:27] » Yes.

[50:33] » Thank you so much.

[50:37] Jake Miller,

[50:41] » Jake Miller, Heritage of Hope. I'm here to do the uh official request for the

[50:46] square for Heritage Day. So, 58th annual Hope Heritage Day, September 25, 26, 27.

[50:54] Uh theme this year, tip your hat to Heritage.

[50:58] Um the park request that I submitted to Jason is for um September 23rd through

[51:06] the 27th. That's Wednesday through Sunday night. Um

[51:12] road closures, nothing's really changed um other than some things Matt and I

[51:16] talked through last year. Um Thursday 6:00 p.m. we're asking to close interior

[51:23] roads plus middle parking for all three roads. So that's uh Washington,

[51:28] Harrison, Jackson. Uh that would be Thursday 6:00 p.m. and then Friday at 9

[51:35] a.m. Uh requesting to close all of Harrison in Washington, which would be

[51:40] from High Harrison from High to What Street

[51:45] is this out here? The I guess the alley alley.

[51:49] » The alley. >> So the alley behind us here

[51:51] » street. >> Yeah, across the street. And then um

[51:56] 9:00 a.m. all of Washington that would go to the corner where uh with pizza is.

[52:01] So um usually back to the alley there so people can turn down the alley and dive

[52:06] out. So and then at 5:00 p.m. close all of Jackson Street from

[52:11] um back in this corner to the road to the highway. So

[52:17] nothing crazy. Wednesday um at noon usually when we get the green light set

[52:21] up. So mowing and stuff is typically done by then. So no major changes to

[52:28] anything this year. Um any questions you guys have about logistics there?

[52:34] » When do you want to cut the parking off on the west side of the square?

[52:39] » Um sorry that would fall into um ideally the 6 p.m.

[52:45] » Okay. Thursday. Yes. You just didn't wasn't listen.

[52:48] » I did not. I apologize. We usually do that 6 p.m. But currently

[52:52] » Yeah. >> There's usually a lot of people in and

[52:55] out right there. >> Yeah. Um and then I guess I also forgot

[52:59] to list this back lot too. Uh we would like to have it same usage as we've had.

[53:04] Yeah. Behind town hall for uh the big uh vertical landscape machine.

[53:09] » Same amount of space. >> Yeah.

[53:13] » Yeah. Yeah. You're good on parking north side.

[53:19] I'll make a motion to approve. I'll second to approve. I have a second.

[53:23] » Yep. >> I got a second.

[53:25] » Any discussion? >> Hearing none. Herb.

[53:30] » Yes. >> Ed.

[53:30] » Yep. >> Yes.

[53:32] » I one one quick um add-on item that's more of a food for thought looking at um

[53:40] pricing and logistics for Heritage Days. Uh the town very graciously gives edit

[53:45] funds every year has ever since I have known um to help offset entertainment

[53:51] costs. Um logistical costs have raised up probably 75 to 100% the last 5 years

[53:57] postco you guys are very aware of all that. Um entertainment costs I went back

[54:02] and and I have all this information. Um if you guys ever any of you want to sit

[54:06] down individually with me and go through some of the stuff I have uh from the

[54:09] last several years. entertainment costs are exceeding $30,000 a year this at

[54:13] this point. So, um we have supplemental ways. We do advertising obviously um in

[54:20] our programs and through social media. We have paid advertisers that help. We

[54:25] also charge for nonprofits uh for their food booths. We charge for the um the

[54:30] other art arts and antiques crafts vendors that are around trying not to

[54:35] price out uh especially nonprofits. um the money that generates around the

[54:40] square it's about it's over hundred grand a year that generates through

[54:43] those nonprofits as far as cash that they raise. So not trying to to gouge

[54:47] them. So we've not raised their prices. We have um slowly over the last few

[54:51] years raised the prices on the other vendors so to try to provide more income

[54:57] there. Uh we're also hesitant to raise the advertising costs too just due to

[55:01] most of our advertisers are local businesses. Um and so we're trying not

[55:06] to to lose a lot of that support. So, um I know the edit process is a completely

[55:11] different thing than what it used to be where there's no edit board to go to. Um

[55:14] I I would love to come and say, "Hey, we'd like to to be able to get 30,000 to

[55:19] help offset our cost because we're slowly dipping into our reserves." Um

[55:23] but I know that might not be feasible in a lot of situations. So, I'm asking

[55:28] » How much is your reserve? >> We do have an edit.

[55:31] » Do we is that But my the process for heritage day is automatically approved.

[55:35] It's been approved by council. So I don't go before the edit board to

[55:37] request money. >> So it's a 20,000 automatic every year.

[55:41] » We still have the edit committee. >> Well, I I know that's I'm just saying

[55:44] I've not had to go in front of the committee to request that was I believe

[55:48] the the amount was set by the council is the way I understood it.

[55:52] » So how much do you receive now? >> 20,000.

[55:55] » Yeah. 20,000. So So to answer your question, our reserve

[56:00] is a little over 20,000. It was closer to 50,000.

[56:06] the year of 2020, we did not have heritage days. There was still money

[56:09] coming in that year from advertisers. We carried a lot of it over. Um, so we're

[56:15] working at about a five to $6,000 deficit every year. So, like I said, I I

[56:19] I don't want to sit here and waste everyone else's time. We'll be

[56:21] respectful of that. But I do have um budget for the last three years. If you

[56:26] guys want to look at that on an individual basis, feel free to to reach

[56:29] out to me. I can I can walk through that with you. But

[56:32] » would you like to bring it through the edit committee? That that's that's my

[56:35] question. Do I need to formally come to edit to request that? Do I need to

[56:39] request the amount? Okay. >> Yes.

[56:41] » So, okay. I guess I'll get with Jason and figure out when those meetings are.

[56:45] » Yes. >> So, okay.

[56:47] » We'll just have to make a formal request. They don't they don't meet

[56:50] unless we have a request. >> Okay. Yeah. I just know that it's been

[56:54] an automatic, so we've not had to formally request it here. So, perfect.

[56:57] Awesome. Any other questions for me? >> Thank you, Jake.

[56:59] » Yes, sir. um the uh $20,000 that funds uh uh gives to Heritage Days every year,

[57:09] what percentage of that is your budget? >> Um so estimated budget this year 62,000

[57:16] and some change actual spent budget in 2025 was 58,580.

[57:24] 24 was 64,000 23 was 54,000. So say that that 20,000

[57:30] around 40% [clears throat] of your

[57:35] » Yeah. >> Give or take.

[57:36] » Yeah. Give or take. I mean the years have fluctuated too.

[57:38] » That's important for me to know. >> Yeah. 20 20 and 60. I mean you're

[57:42] looking at 33% there. So for the for the estimate this year we're hoping to be

[57:47] under that. So by by hopefully four or 5,000. But

[57:50] » who's your entertainment going to be this year?

[57:53] » You would ask me. I didn't write it down. Um,

[57:57] Eric Hamlin, band, Banister family.

[58:03] Uh, we've got, um, our main is Wild Bill and the Bruisers. So, we've got, um,

[58:11] Friday is classic rock, Saturday is country theme, Sunday is bluegrass. So,

[58:18] and then obviously the, um, gospel sing at the high school. And I haven't heard

[58:22] who they're bringing in this year for that yet. So

[58:27] » Jason, if you want to get with me and sit down and go through some of the

[58:29] stuff you're able to share. I I have a lot of it. I reconcile quite a bit of it

[58:33] today. So be more than happy to share that.

[58:35] » Saturday is that country and western music or just [snorts] country.

[58:41] » I'm I'm not I'm not the musical entertainment guy. So it it could be

[58:45] country or western or both and I wouldn't know the difference, bro. So

[58:49] yeah. >> Thank you. [laughter]

[58:50] » Yeah. I'm more of a logistical person. So awesome. All right. Anything else?

[58:54] » It was a joke. >> Yeah.

[58:56] » Not everybody got it. >> You got me there. So that went way over

[58:59] my head. So [laughter] all right.

[59:03] » Thank you guys. >> Thank you.

[59:16] » No, let's let's not encourage it.

[59:24] Hey, I like my jokes sometimes. >> Sometimes.

[59:28] » That's one of them.

[59:32] » Good evening again, council. Um, I want to talk about Thunder on the Square this

[59:38] year. Um, spoke with Matt Lee on the phone

[59:42] oh, couple weeks ago now. And uh uh I had to go get my phone to remember

[59:50] the date. Um so I apologize about leaving, but um Matt has requested to

[59:57] move Thunder on the Square to Saturday, September 12th from 4 to 7 p.m.

[1:00:05] Um >> what was the original date?

[1:00:11] » Diane, do you know the original date? I is

[1:00:13] » I think it was in June originally. >> I think it was July 18th, but I don't

[1:00:21] know. I don't know where we are. I apologize. I can't give you a specific

[1:00:25] date.

[1:00:33] » Not that it's a deal breaker. I was just asking.

[1:00:36] » Off the top of your head, >> that was back in May.

[1:00:44] That was like that was like my first meeting. I remember so it would have

[1:00:47] been May. May was my first meeting. That's when I was talking.

[1:00:51] » Well, I think he was doing >> discuss.

[1:00:54] » Let's just move on. Um >> yeah, it's not that big of a deal.

[1:00:57] » Right. So, uh Thunder Island Square wants to be moved to September 12th from

[1:01:02] 4 to 7. He's uh uh has um Nightal country band playing of

[1:01:10] course and then he's trying to bring in a uh uh country musician

[1:01:17] and possibly western musician country and western musician um by the name of

[1:01:22] Wade Hayes who's a fairly big name in the country music industry and uh um

[1:01:28] that's kind of the reason why he would like to um delay this event and plus I

[1:01:34] think it's just going to be a cooler uh weatherwise for the leather cloud

[1:01:41] motorcyclists to be here on town square. No booze um no changes that have already

[1:01:50] been approved um for Thunder on the square. Just the date

[1:01:55] is all he wants to change. >> I'm looking for

[1:01:59] » He's got liability insurance. >> He does. Yes.

[1:02:03] Yeah, I'll make a motion to approve the date. I have a motion. Do I have a

[1:02:07] second? >> I'll second it.

[1:02:10] » I have a second. Do I have any discussion?

[1:02:15] Hearing none. >> Yep.

[1:02:18] » Yep. >> 4.

[1:02:25] » Thank you. Um, next is assistant utility superintendent

[1:02:32] and uh wanted to have a quick conversation about the assistant uh

[1:02:38] utility superintendent who is David Klouse and uh uh David since he retired

[1:02:44] um was not allocated those 4% increase in salaries. It was a flat $50 an hour.

[1:02:53] Um he uh has been working this summer out

[1:02:58] in the heat and uh he's getting tired. Um, and he uh asked about getting that

[1:03:07] percentage increase and I opted to uh have a conversation with him to just

[1:03:15] move it to $60 per hour with a 2hour minimum

[1:03:20] um for the rest of David's assistant utility career which should be only um a

[1:03:28] couple more years. And other than doing the locates recently, um, you know,

[1:03:34] David hasn't been utilized a whole lot. So, I really don't see it as being a

[1:03:39] huge increase, um, considering the amount of hours that

[1:03:44] he's been that he normally works. And we need David to maintain his water

[1:03:52] and sewer license. and uh he's a a good help to um Jason Mack and uh he's uh

[1:04:01] available pretty much whenever Jason calls him they they work out a

[1:04:06] situation. Is that correct Jason? Um so Jason and David work really well

[1:04:11] together when Jason needs it. >> Motion to approve.

[1:04:16] » So this is actually changed by ordinance ordinance.

[1:04:21] » Change the ordinance. How to do that? We'd have to suspend the rules and then

[1:04:25] vote on it this evening. And uh >> right away

[1:04:30] » Jeff, is that correct?

[1:04:38] » Okay. >> And this ordinance is uh uh number

[1:04:42] 2026-01. >> So you would be proposing to go from 50

[1:04:47] to 60. >> Yes. as opposed to the 4%

[1:04:54] increase. >> Yes.

[1:04:56] » So 50 to 60 is actually a 20% increase.

[1:05:04] » Yes. But rather in in lie of having to change that every year. Um, is he a week

[1:05:13] average? >> Um,

[1:05:17] maybe maybe one or two a week. I bet he's been here maybe five hours a month

[1:05:24] since he retired. >> So, we're not talking about a

[1:05:28] significant amount of money compared to that many hours.

[1:05:33] So, I'll make a motion to suspend the ordinance uh the previous ordinance for

[1:05:39] the assistant superintendent salary board.

[1:05:47] » Yeah, that too.

[1:05:52] » Keep typing.

[1:06:01] Now we have to have a motion, right?

[1:06:12] » Now we have to vote on >> on the motion.

[1:06:16] » On the motion. >> Yep.

[1:06:20] » Yep. >> 4 Z.

[1:06:25] And now we'll make the motion to change it to a $60 per hour

[1:06:33] rate. >> I'll second it.

[1:06:38] » I have a sec. Do we have a second? First and second.

[1:06:41] » Yep. >> Okay. Any discussion?

[1:06:46] Hearing none. >> Yep.

[1:06:48] » Yep. Gone. >> Yeah. Boy.

[1:06:55] makes me wish I learned how to read.

[1:07:01] » Now, are we are we on track?

[1:07:06] » Yeah, you approved it, right? >> Yeah, we're good.

[1:07:10] » Okay. >> Um, so the $60 an hour has been approved

[1:07:15] and we're good. Thank you, council. >> And we didn't vote to do retro,

[1:07:20] » right? No, no, no. It was just effective today.

[1:07:24] And then Homer, if you would indulge me, I'd like to introduce uh Danielle Tedar

[1:07:30] and Elizabeth James. They are both here representing the Bartholomew County

[1:07:34] Humane Society. And uh they just want to introduce themselves and have a quick

[1:07:40] discussion uh about animals and what they do and uh how how they do things.

[1:07:49] Okay, thank you. >> Thanks.

[1:07:51] » Thanks, Jason. >> Good evening, council members. I'm

[1:07:54] Elizabeth James. Daniel Alire, our exact director is with us tonight. We don't

[1:07:58] have an ask of you, so we should be your favorite attendee of this evening. Um,

[1:08:04] we've been working with Jason over the past few months to just better

[1:08:07] understand what relations can be had that aren't currently there. So, we've

[1:08:12] we're in our 60th year of serving Bartholomew County um as the Bartholomew

[1:08:17] County humane society, which is not to be confused with the city animal

[1:08:22] shelter. So, we serve a very different jurisdiction and I would imagine we've

[1:08:26] had some relations with the town of Hope since 1966, our inception. Um Jason,

[1:08:32] kudos to him. Thank you for being willing to have a conversation with us

[1:08:37] so I'm better understanding where animals are coming from the town of Hope

[1:08:41] in that as well. Yes, thank you. Um and how we can better assist you all in

[1:08:49] getting animals to us to ultimately get them fixed. So, one piece that I think

[1:08:54] you all should be aware of that we're pretty uh aggressive on is the spay and

[1:08:59] neuter. So Danielle spearheaded our launch of Spaner in-house clinic last

[1:09:04] June and to date we have altered how many how many animals?

[1:09:10] » Over 800 >> year to date

[1:09:12] » year to date. >> Yeah00

[1:09:14] » year to date a little over 800 and then we started last June and ended the year

[1:09:19] a little over 500 if I recall. So we're very passionate about root cause and the

[1:09:24] town does not bring us a lot of animals. However, um, one animal can multiply

[1:09:30] very quickly. So, we're interested in better partnering with you all and and

[1:09:34] helping to better serve your your residents.

[1:09:38] I'd invite you all to come out and see our facility if you've ever been.

[1:09:41] » Where is your facility? >> We are, if you're exiting Columbus off 7

[1:09:47] on the east side, go down the road by Phoenix Guns, if you know where I'm

[1:09:52] talking about. >> Yeah. Yeah.

[1:09:53] » And keep taking that down and >> like you're going towards Merles, right?

[1:09:57] Yes, sir. And you take that down and we're going to be right off the right

[1:10:01] back by the Duke Power Plant. You can see us. We're kind of hidden back there.

[1:10:05] Um we'd invite you out, see a clinic. It's it's really quite impressive what

[1:10:10] Danielle and her team are doing um to get at the root cause.

[1:10:14] » How many animals do you normally service at a time?

[1:10:17] » At a time in >> I mean, how many do you have out there?

[1:10:21] » Sure. So, annually we typically take in dogs over 900. That number is pretty

[1:10:26] consistent. [clears throat] Um, at one time our facility is fit to outfit 35

[1:10:33] dogs. And how many cats?

[1:10:38] [snorts] >> I want to say

[1:10:44] » right around 60 65. That's in house. >> Do you ever euthanize?

[1:10:50] » We do. And the reason we do is only for um health or behavioral. We do not

[1:10:57] euthanize for space. That's a very important distinction.

[1:11:02] » That allows us to retain our no kill uh national status which we have retained

[1:11:07] for the past 5 years. >> Yeah. Great.

[1:11:10] » You foster them out. >> Yes sir. Yeah. Pretty large robust

[1:11:15] foster base. We do work from the [clears throat] city of Columbus

[1:11:18] regularly. I support them as well. But Matt is great to work with. He's

[1:11:24] excellent to our staff and we look forward to future relations.

[1:11:30] » How do you how do you go about fostering your dogs and cats?

[1:11:34] » Would you like to answer that? >> Sure. So,

[1:11:37] » stand up, please. [laughter] >> Hello.

[1:11:41] Uh we have a foster application just checking some boxes and making sure that

[1:11:46] we you know who's going to be having our animals and then after that you come in

[1:11:51] and you kind of tell us what you're looking for. If it's something that fits

[1:11:56] your household personality or energy wise or you just walk around and you

[1:12:01] find somebody that you like. >> Uh Foster's completely free. We provide

[1:12:06] all of the supplies, food, toys, all of that and

[1:12:13] you just kind of see if it's a good fit. If not, then we will take them back and

[1:12:18] try again. >> We do have a try it before you buy it

[1:12:21] option. Um, >> that term was new to us, but we like it.

[1:12:26] [laughter] >> So, an FTA option, foster to adopt,

[1:12:30] that's newer, >> so it's worked out well.

[1:12:34] » What is the cost of adoption? Currently we have a discounted adoption

[1:12:40] because of an adoption event but normally $80 for a cat and 120 for a dog

[1:12:46] and within that I think it's important to include that that is the altering of

[1:12:51] the animal so surgical procedures to get it vetted and everything

[1:12:56] » include shots also. >> Yes sir.

[1:13:00] How many dogs do you want? >> Oh, I thought you were

[1:13:06] » That's what I just asked him. How many dogs do you want?

[1:13:10] » Cat. I might take a cat, but I'm not taking

[1:13:15] » So, come out and see us. We just want to introduce ourselves. We're We're trying

[1:13:18] to be more instrumental instrumental in fostering better relationships

[1:13:22] throughout the county and we we appreciate you all.

[1:13:25] » Awesome. Thank you very much. >> Thank you guys. Humane Society also has

[1:13:28] local Daniel Tedar.

[1:13:33] The Tedar family has been local for a very very long time.

[1:13:37] » Yep.

[1:13:41] [laughter]

[1:13:44] » Thank you. >> Thank you.

[1:13:46] » Thank you.

[1:13:50] » Okay. >> Next item.

[1:13:55] » Fruits of hope. >> Your name's on here an awful lot. It

[1:13:58] sure is. >> I couldn't

[1:14:07] out there.

[1:14:11] [cough]

[1:14:16] Um, so

[1:14:20] Main Street, uh, in the past was, uh, uh, a affiliated Indiana Main Street

[1:14:31] associate, um, or Indiana Main Street. And uh over the course of the last

[1:14:37] couple years, they lost that accreditation and then uh decided to try

[1:14:42] for ODAN, which is a Oakra downtown affiliated network.

[1:14:49] And uh as of January 1st, they lost all accreditations with OKR for one reason

[1:14:58] or another. Um, as you know, Main Street and Odan Oprah is a big part of this

[1:15:08] community and Main Street has been in the past has been a big part of this

[1:15:13] community. So, uh, I took it upon myself along with, uh, Jamie Stainbrook and

[1:15:20] Victoria to start working on a 501c3, um, and, uh, begin a new, uh,

[1:15:29] organization called the Roots of Hope, which will be a Oprah ODAN uh, Oprah

[1:15:38] downtown affiliated network, um, which is, uh essentially

[1:15:45] uh Indiana accredited Main Street without all of the reporting. Um

[1:15:52] the uh mission statement that we have is uh to preserve Hope's heritage,

[1:15:58] strengthen its economy, and inspire a connected community dedicated to

[1:16:02] building a vibrant future. Um vision statement is a thriving hope where

[1:16:08] history, community, and opportunity grow together.

[1:16:13] Um our our uh the roots of hope motto is rooted in the past growing our future.

[1:16:20] Um the uh main reason why we want to uh

[1:16:26] start up this organization and tonight I'm requesting your participation and

[1:16:33] support of this new uh 501c3. Um, first off, we want to preserve the

[1:16:41] history of hope. Second off, uh, we want to work on economic development for

[1:16:46] future generations. Um, increase visitation to the community

[1:16:50] through engaging events and activities. Uh, encourage economic investment that

[1:16:56] preserves the community's heritage while creating opportunities for the future.

[1:17:02] Um, so tonight I'm asking uh for the council to approve to uh support this

[1:17:09] new organization and then Omar, if you would be so kind as to sign a letter um

[1:17:16] showing your support that I could send to Okra, we can move on through this uh

[1:17:22] portion and attain the 501c3 and the then uh next month will be okra.

[1:17:31] will be down here to discuss um this organization and its impact that it will

[1:17:39] have on the community as well as their support of this community.

[1:17:47] » I'm recommending we approve this. >> I'll second it.

[1:17:54] » Well, I didn't Yeah, I don't. Was that a motion?

[1:18:03] Huh? >> You want to turn it into

[1:18:05] » Well, I've just recommended we approve it. I Yeah.

[1:18:10] » Hey, this for I think it's a good thing. >> I mean, this is going to hopefully uh

[1:18:17] help jumpstart um

[1:18:22] Main Street or what used to be Main Street. Um you know, started off really

[1:18:28] good. um kind of u

[1:18:33] fizzled out over the few years. Um so I think the group that's coming in is

[1:18:40] going to do a lot of good things and

[1:18:44] mainstream interest stop having direction.

[1:18:49] Yes, >> this or this organization um

[1:18:54] gives uh uh an opportunity to the hope to hope

[1:19:00] that's unique because we can obtain grants and go for grants through the

[1:19:05] private sector and not through a public uh entity like a government.

[1:19:11] » Yeah. >> So that's why it's important for me to

[1:19:15] have uh an okra affiliated network. Okay. Well, we've got a second. Do we

[1:19:21] have a motion? >> That's what you made the motion.

[1:19:25] » Cleared up. Somebody >> Yeah.

[1:19:27] » made a motion. >> Somebody make a motion.

[1:19:29] » I'll make a motion. >> Made a motion.

[1:19:38] » John, you want a second? >> Uh, I can't.

[1:19:44] » Yeah, you got involved. I have involvement with the

[1:19:49] » so I have to abstain

[1:19:56] » John seconded I have a a motion and a proper second.

[1:20:02] So you have to abstain. >> Yes sir.

[1:20:05] » Yep. I >> Yes.

[1:20:08] Three three and one stayain.

[1:20:14] Okay. >> Thank you, council. I appreciate it.

[1:20:18] » Okay. Now, before we open the meeting up to

[1:20:24] public discussion, I have a question about

[1:20:27] where we at with our owner occupied three cabs.

[1:20:33] Has any work been >> um has any work been started?

[1:20:37] » Not that I'm aware of yet. I think they're still going through the funding

[1:20:42] process. um with [clears throat] getting

[1:20:47] » all of those funds that we approved at the last council meeting where we opened

[1:20:53] up the bids. I think they're still finalizing all of those bid requests and

[1:20:57] double check. But it should start here fairly soon, I

[1:21:02] would think. >> Okay.

[1:21:04] » Sorry, I don't have much of an update. >> Well, and I it was just something I was

[1:21:08] thinking about. I wanted to uh get some insight on it.

[1:21:14] » All right. Um before we I have one thing I want to discuss or mention. Um since

[1:21:22] we have updated the town website, we do not have after hours the emergency

[1:21:29] contact on there for the utility department and it we need to have that

[1:21:33] added. um because in the years past we've had that

[1:21:39] um and Matt correct me if I'm wrong. It used to

[1:21:43] um be tied in with the utility office but also came through dispatch here. So

[1:21:50] um I know we have on call personnel um that rotate but we need to have um that

[1:21:58] number posted on our website. um would especially been helpful with the uh

[1:22:05] utility work that's been going on. We've had a few uh issues arise that haven't

[1:22:10] been during normal business hours. So, >> yes,

[1:22:13] » um that needs to be added.

[1:22:18] Should the town uh supply the utility department a cell phone with a

[1:22:24] particular number so whoever's on call can carry that cell phone with them?

[1:22:32] If we don't already then Yes.

[1:22:38] » I'll look into that. >> Yeah. Because uh what who how did how

[1:22:42] was the uh emergency contact done before? It goes to somebody would call

[1:22:48] the number. It goes to the utility office

[1:22:53] » and then to dispatch and then they have the call.

[1:22:58] » We do, but we don't have dispatching after 4 p.m. sometime.

[1:23:03] I can take one of the utility department numbers and have it transfer to the on

[1:23:07] call person each week. It's not necessarily that I have to buy

[1:23:12] a cell phone. I can have them call a certain number at the utility department

[1:23:17] and have it transfer to whoever's on call their cell phone.

[1:23:21] » We can do that >> even better. But we [snorts] also just

[1:23:25] need to have that number posted on the website so that people can access it

[1:23:31] or the utility office website, whatever the number is going to be

[1:23:37] if it's going to be a different line other than.

[1:23:41] But we also just need to make sure it's obviously after hours contact.

[1:23:49] Right now, there's nothing that says on the website if you have an after hours

[1:23:53] emergency, here's the number you contact. It just gives the number for

[1:23:58] uh the utility office. That's it. So, >> it's kind of kind of vague.

[1:24:04] » We'll work on that. >> Yeah,

[1:24:06] » I'll let you know next month.

[1:24:14] » All right. I have one thing I want to add to then I'll try to keep quiet. I

[1:24:19] think uh our new uh seller who's doing the work on taking care of stuff that

[1:24:26] ain't going right in town building >> building and zoning.

[1:24:32] » Austin is doing a great job. I think I I really like this report Austin.

[1:24:38] » Thank you. >> Keep up the work. Good work.

[1:24:40] » I appreciate it. >> You're okay.

[1:24:44] who gave you. It's fine. I don't trust you as long as anyone else.

[1:24:53] » Anything else? Good. >> All right. Open to public comments.

[1:25:02] » I got one from the podium and you're next.

[1:25:08] » Yeah. Hear 102 Main Street. I have questions.

[1:25:12] » Okay. Did when you went to it's called Main

[1:25:16] Street Fiber. >> Mainstream.

[1:25:20] » Mainstream fiber. >> Mhm.

[1:25:22] » Did they present you with a schematic diagram where everything was going?

[1:25:31] » I don't know if they did they present with a schematic diagram where

[1:25:36] everything was going. Yeah. I was trying to remember how

[1:25:39] » anybody look at it. >> Yes.

[1:25:43] Okay, my next question, and I'm going to be kind of a smarty here. Where do I

[1:25:48] send the easement that I'm going to draw up

[1:25:52] for what they put in the middle of my front yard?

[1:25:57] » What is it again? >> They put one of those things in the

[1:26:00] middle of my front yard. >> Is it outside of

[1:26:03] » It's outside of any easement. Way outside. So that's what we need to look

[1:26:08] at that and see. Does it have to be within the 15t

[1:26:13] easement? >> Uh there's 80 ft of easement um on at

[1:26:20] 102 main. >> Oh, because it's on the highway.

[1:26:24] » It's on the highway. >> Yeah, but they put they put it right in

[1:26:28] the middle of the yard. They could have put it close to a

[1:26:32] driveway.

[1:26:37] Um, I can talk with the fiber representatives and see okay why it's

[1:26:43] there. >> Get it moved. I wasn't aware that they

[1:26:47] put it right in front of his yard. I'm not sure that it's in the east.

[1:26:53] I haven't actually looked, but I do know that there's

[1:26:59] right there on >> I'm right on Main Street every day.

[1:27:03] Stop. take a look. >> Okay, first thing let's do let's just

[1:27:06] make sure it's either within or without and then we'll

[1:27:12] discuss with them why what what was their reasoning of placement,

[1:27:16] » right? I mean I

[1:27:20] yeah I mean one would think that yes you would would have put it probably in a

[1:27:25] little more um closer to a driveway out of but again

[1:27:32] I don't know why they put it where they did. So there's a specific reason um

[1:27:38] and if it can be moved let's see if it can be adjusted. Um, [snorts]

[1:27:45] » we've had a lot of uh, well, I shouldn't say a lot, but we've had several

[1:27:50] customers um, request their boxes be the boxes that are along the side of the

[1:27:57] road. Um, some of them aren't level or they're a little higher than they should

[1:28:01] be. And the fiber company's been great about leveling them, uh, putting dirt

[1:28:07] around and seating around them. So, it shouldn't be really much of an

[1:28:13] issue. >> Yeah. I mean, we just need to see.

[1:28:17] » Yeah. >> Double check.

[1:28:19] » It's way up in the churchyard, too, >> because obviously they need to stay

[1:28:22] within the easement. If it's outside of it, they're going to need to fix it.

[1:28:27] » Yeah. >> I mean, that's

[1:28:30] plain and simple. The other question I've got that needs to be answered,

[1:28:35] these lids and things that they're putting they're putting these boxes in,

[1:28:40] what happens when a truck triacle truck runs over those or our dumpster man

[1:28:48] runs over those? >> Anything that's near a road is has a

[1:28:52] rating for that particular weight. Um there's they're rated uh several of them

[1:29:00] are 3,000 pounds, others are 10,000 pounds. Just depends on which box you're

[1:29:08] talking about. And I'm happy to give you that list if you'd like to look through

[1:29:12] it of which boxes are where and what their weight rating weight rating is.

[1:29:19] » Well, I can see those pops being broke through.

[1:29:25] I mean, shouldn't be if it's a 10,000lb range.

[1:29:28] » 10,000 ought to hold it. No problem. Cuz that's just one axle,

[1:29:34] » right? >> Okay.

[1:29:38] You're next.

[1:29:43] » This is my first time here, so this is pretty interesting.

[1:29:46] » Your name and >> Margie McMillan, 610 Washington Street.

[1:29:50] » Thank you. And my issue is they have left my yard a mess.

[1:29:57] I've got pictures. Um, they didn't put any straw down.

[1:30:02] They right on the other side of my driveway where the tree is, they cut up

[1:30:06] a lot of tree roots. They just threw them in a pile. Just left them there.

[1:30:10] Now, [snorts] the two guys that was there before I came tonight, they're

[1:30:14] pulling that through. I guess I did discuss it with them and they took

[1:30:18] pictures too and they said it shouldn't have been left like that. But I just

[1:30:21] decided to go ahead and come anyways cuz I take pride in my yard.

[1:30:25] » I know you do. >> And and I you know it's it's horrible.

[1:30:33] » Okay. You want to answer that? >> Um yeah, I can speak on that. I uh

[1:30:38] apologize about the mess that they left. Um, I need to know your address.

[1:30:45] » 610 Washington. >> 610 Washington.

[1:30:48] » I can uh I can call to people with mainstream fiber and ensure that that's

[1:30:54] uh taken care of first thing in the morning. So there [clears throat] will

[1:30:59] be somebody out there um tomorrow and it will be seated

[1:31:05] and uh I mean that's I just need to know

[1:31:10] addresses and >> after the construction phase

[1:31:16] um is completed they're going to be going around um all of the town and uh

[1:31:24] if there's anything that the citizens um the residents are not happy with um

[1:31:31] they're happy to address it and uh fix it. Um yeah,

[1:31:42] they do the best they can. I think um considering how many holes they have in

[1:31:49] this town right now, don't think it's fair to say that it's hard to get it all

[1:31:56] fixed. in a prompt and timely manner. So,

[1:32:01] » well, I hope it rains too because you know the price of of water and hope I

[1:32:05] can't afford the waters. >> Mar, keep in mind too um as a part of

[1:32:12] their final phase, they'll be going back around.

[1:32:15] » Okay? Because that was one thing that we stipulated is that as the soil settles,

[1:32:21] things compact, they need to go back around and fix any issues where maybe

[1:32:26] stuff is settled around a box. We don't want to leave a lip of the box sticking

[1:32:30] up, something where somebody could have a trip hazard,

[1:32:33] » anything like that. >> They need to put it back to the way it

[1:32:37] was found. >> Yeah.

[1:32:38] » Um so that may be one of those and if it settles, come back, let us know so we

[1:32:43] can put it on the list. That way we make sure they check it.

[1:32:46] » Okay. >> Because if you [clears throat] don't say

[1:32:49] anything, they don't know. >> I mean,

[1:32:52] with how many houses are around here that they

[1:32:54] » Well, and the two guys I talked to tonight, they were really nice. They're

[1:32:57] not the ones that made the mess, though. They were the the next phase. So,

[1:33:02] [clears throat] but they took pictures and they were really nice about it. So,

[1:33:05] and I mean, I was too. I mean, I know they got a lot to do, but I just, you

[1:33:10] know, think it should be like cuz I I I said I take pride in my yard. I

[1:33:15] » I, you know, I pay to have it spray, okay? I mean, and all that kind of

[1:33:20] stuff. So, >> Okay.

[1:33:21] » But, okay. Thank you. >> We'll get them out there.

[1:33:25] » Margie, if there's any issue, um, the town of Hope has a Facebook page and

[1:33:30] just message me. Everybody knows

[1:33:36] this week. I think you have one of those templates.

[1:33:44] » Thank you. >> Welcome.

[1:33:48] » Thanks for keeping your yard nice. >> Yeah,

[1:33:51] » it makes my life easier. Thank you. [laughter]

[1:33:55] » Yeah. I was just wondering uh we live on Robin Street and after they dug up from

[1:34:00] Main Street and outside our Ma meter while we had a leak inside the meter on

[1:34:05] my property and I it happened after they dug the hole down to the the line

[1:34:14] » on the outside. >> You know what what date they were there?

[1:34:19] » He said that they were there the 29th. >> Okay.

[1:34:22] » And the leak happened on the 9th. Okay.

[1:34:28] » Name address for the record. >> Mark Tristler.

[1:34:32] » What's your address? >> 328 Robert Street.

[1:34:35] » Thank you.

[1:34:39] » Our utility superintendent, Jason Mack, is here uh this evening. I will have him

[1:34:45] go out first thing in the morning and look at your meter and uh see if it's on

[1:34:51] your side or on >> it is on my side. I had I think Jeremy

[1:34:56] » Yeah, Jeremy's already gone out. >> But that he said it's on my side,

[1:35:01] » but it didn't happen till after they dug up.

[1:35:03] » Could it be anything that the fiber people did

[1:35:09] » right through there? I'm not sure. I think they stayed on the side of the

[1:35:14] meter. Unless I can put we'll take it.

[1:35:18] » Okay. The leak is just by the meter on my property.

[1:35:23] » It's right at the meter. >> So, I got somebody coming to fix it. I

[1:35:27] know my water bill is going to be high because it [clears throat] went for like

[1:35:31] seven days being le

[1:35:37] and there was this second thing I want to address about the roads being done.

[1:35:43] Are they going to do anything with Union Union Street between Seminary and South

[1:35:47] Street? Are they going to leave it travel?

[1:35:51] » Well, that's a pretty hot topic. >> Oh, okay.

[1:35:54] » Uh it it's been discussed many times. Um so the the problem is is um

[1:36:03] the property that owned on each side of it is still owned by Pope Hardwoods.

[1:36:09] » Yeah. Um, technically how the street lines up,

[1:36:16] we would have to cross their property line to get it to be lined up perfectly.

[1:36:22] Um, >> it used to be a street.

[1:36:26] It was a street. It was paint a paint street before.

[1:36:30] » I don't I don't that must be way before my time, but

[1:36:33] » it used to be. I've been there for 50 years. uh you know if we got to the

[1:36:38] point that yes, we're going to put this that had it has to be completely

[1:36:43] » dug out compacted um which >> if everybody knows is not cheap. Um we

[1:36:51] just did what Broad Street between >> seminary and South

[1:36:57] » and um you know it was pretty costly but it's not to say that it's not on the

[1:37:03] radar. It's on the radar. It's um >> unfortunately

[1:37:07] » until something happens with the property

[1:37:10] » um whether uh it's

[1:37:14] the property lines are adjusted or if they decide to sell it.

[1:37:19] » Can it be reszone? >> I don't know specifically how not

[1:37:26] necessarily reszoned. It has to be reserveyed. Okay. Um, we don't know what

[1:37:31] the property owner's idea is there. They may they may decide

[1:37:38] to to um change that whole thing there. And if they do, if they build houses,

[1:37:46] that street that we know may not be there anymore.

[1:37:50] » So, we're going away with the street. >> Well,

[1:37:53] » it's still considered a street that's on it.

[1:37:59] the infrastructure may change. >> The biggest problem that

[1:38:06] um we ran into when we were looking at this was

[1:38:11] uh there is not enough right of way to build a functional two-lane road between

[1:38:19] South Street and seminary. The town only owes like only owns like 14 foot of

[1:38:25] right away which is not enough to legally make a twolane road by today's

[1:38:31] standards. >> Okay. But it was a two-lane road to

[1:38:34] start with, >> right? Um and maybe 50 years ago or

[1:38:41] whenever it was a official paved road, if it was a official pave, I'm not sure.

[1:38:48] » Um that could have sufficed, but now with

[1:38:53] the way that modern roads are built, minimum is 16 ft wide. So,

[1:39:02] uh along most of Union Street, there's a 50 foot rightway which is clear up 10 10

[1:39:09] or 12 feet into your front yard on both sides of this town right away, but for

[1:39:16] some reason that never extended >> um past seminary street.

[1:39:22] » So, it makes it really difficult to figure out how we purchase right away

[1:39:28] from Woods Millers or if they want to sell it

[1:39:33] and how much it cost. >> Then the then you add to the to the

[1:39:39] total cost of constructing a 100 yard long road. Um the last time I

[1:39:47] checked it was around $300,000. >> Yeah.

[1:39:51] » So it's just one of those things. It's not a priority for the town because it's

[1:39:56] an excessive amount of money to spend on 100 yards of road when we could that

[1:40:03] $300,000 could go to a multitude of other roads in town and make them good

[1:40:11] for five or 10 years. [clears throat] >> I understand that. I just wonder it's

[1:40:14] just a question I want. >> Yep. No, it's a good question. I mean,

[1:40:18] it's >> You're not the first one to have asked

[1:40:20] it. I promise you probably won't be the last.

[1:40:23] » Okay, >> that's okay.

[1:40:24] » Thank you very much. All right. Thank you.

[1:40:27] » Do we have anybody else? >> Can I ask another question?

[1:40:30] » Yeah. >> Yeah.

[1:40:31] » And it has nothing to do with any problems in Hope. Okay. [laughter]

[1:40:36] » I have to locate a water line and a fiber optic line going down a lane to

[1:40:42] the hope.

[1:40:47] Is there an address for the Hope Sanitary?

[1:40:52] » Well, turn around. that guy right behind you.

[1:41:00] » I think came in. >> Yeah. Well, I

[1:41:04] » cuz when I called in >> So,

[1:41:09] » the only thing that I can say is that maybe I can have Diane pull a record for

[1:41:15] the electric bill that we were seeing. >> That' be a good place.

[1:41:19] » And that might might show us an address. We got a few tomorrow.

[1:41:24] » Okay, I appreciate that. >> Is it not listed on GIS?

[1:41:27] » 301 to 499 Race Street. >> I just pulled up.

[1:41:31] » What? >> What? Race Street.

[1:41:33] » Race Street. >> Race Street. 301 to 499 Race Street.

[1:41:36] » Well, that ain't nowhere near Race Street.

[1:41:38] » It's right on Race Street. I don't know what you're talking about.

[1:41:42] » It runs right along Race Street. That's where I know where he's talking about.

[1:41:49] » He's talking about >> that's the official address for the

[1:41:52] cemetery. >> You're talking about the one off 600,

[1:41:55] right? >> Oh, okay.

[1:41:57] » The one on 600 that comes cuts down. >> I thought I thought I cemetery. I'm

[1:42:03] sorry.

[1:42:11] » Hey, I got a good idea. Just kidding. guys locate here. Hope we send him down

[1:42:16] there. >> We'll get you one

[1:42:19] way or another. >> Jason, get on hold one of them guys

[1:42:23] that's located here and hope take them down there.

[1:42:28] » I think

[1:42:32] we have do we have anybody else for public

[1:42:35] » comment?

[1:42:39] » I want to thank everybody for coming. I want to thank everybody for uh having uh

[1:42:47] pride in their community. I want to thank everybody for coming tonight.

[1:42:50] That's been a very productive meeting and I want to thank everybody for

[1:42:53] coming. I now declare this meeting closed.

Hope Town Council Meeting 07/21/2026

Transcript