[0:00] for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and

[0:05] justice for all.

[0:09] » Okay. First on the agenda is Ann. I don't think she's here right now.

[0:13] » I'm not here yet. >> So, we'll move on.

[0:17] Um, administrative matters. I entertain a motion to approve June

[0:23] 9th, 2025 regular meeting. >> I'll make that motion.

[0:30] Do I have a second? >> Second.

[0:33] » Motion made by Jim and seconded by Larry. Is there any further discussion?

[0:38] » All in favor signify by saying I. I. >> Oppos. Same sign.

[0:44] Now approve claims doc apparel

[0:49] number 12 13 voucher register batch July council

[0:56] meeting. We'll just entertain a motion to approve all them together unless you

[1:00] want to do it separate. Motion

[1:03] » have a motion made by Larry. Do we have a second?

[1:08] » Seconded by Danielle. Any discussion?

[1:13] All in favor signify by saying I. >> I.

[1:17] » Um, superintendent reports. Jeremy, >> uh, brush pickup's never ending, so

[1:24] that's always on there. Uh we did level dirt and get the the sand ready for

[1:29] concrete at the colar cemetery. Um we fire hidings. We did flush fire hiding

[1:35] this past month. Um with that we had a a snafu up on Puddleston Road down there

[1:41] when we shot one of them. It slam shot and end up with a leak. So we fixed that

[1:45] that night. Um mo weed eat the trail changed a couple meters. Um bronze was

[1:51] ready for that while their um service line to be charged up and get bacteria

[1:55] test off of it and they all they passed so it's in service um locates as needed.

[2:00] We did pass some potholes, clean up what fireworks at school we could get to. Um

[2:07] I don't know if you noticed but the tow the tower is out of service went out of

[2:10] service last Monday. Um so we put on some pressure relief valves to help with

[2:14] that and uh they came in today. Looks like they're getting ready to start

[2:17] pressure washing. They got a bunch of welding done last week and the week

[2:20] before that. So that's moving forward. >> Anybody have any questions for Jeremy?

[2:26] I have one. >> Yes.

[2:28] » If you go across the OE bridge and headed to the park, the fire still got

[2:33] the hose laying out. >> It's going to that's one of the pressure

[2:35] relief valves. >> Okay.

[2:38] Um can we go through three of our

[2:41] superintendents then you be up? >> Oh yeah, absolutely.

[2:44] » Doug, everybody read his report.

[2:50] Jake. >> Oh, sorry.

[2:53] » Um, yeah, just saying

[2:58] try to get the back truck out some. Working on labs. Um,

[3:04] had a couple issues in the plant. We were able to get remedy to get fixed,

[3:08] get everything back operational properly. Um,

[3:13] been checking those stations at park full power the past. Obviously the same

[3:17] thing for the 4 shows. Um everything seems to be

[3:23] smoothish. >> Evate questions for Jake.

[3:30] Uh the month of June, the police department fielded 264 call screens and

[3:34] drew 10 investigative cases, investigated nine accidents, conducted

[3:38] 48 traffic stops, four arrests were made, one driving offense, two driving

[3:43] offenses, and one operating while intoxicated.

[3:47] Uh the guys conducted 27 business checks. We did some funeral escorts.

[3:51] Handled some animal complaints. I started

[3:56] the lexipole process of policies and procedures going through and reviewing

[4:01] and editing. It's going to be close to 200 policies for the police department.

[4:05] And as the warmer weather came through, uh myself and a couple of the other guys

[4:10] started using the bike for bike patrol.

[4:16] » Anybody have any questions for Branson? >> I got I got a question, sir. Um, are all

[4:22] the police cars decaled? >> I'm sorry, I didn't hear.

[4:27] » The car police cars, are they all decaled?

[4:30] » No. >> No. Why is that?

[4:32] » Uh, my car is not decaled. Um, but all the cars that are on patrol are decal.

[4:36] Yes. >> There a reason why you're not decal?

[4:42] » Um, I'm not really feeling many calls for service. And as an administrative

[4:45] car, generally they're not they're not fully marked cars.

[4:52] Um, I had something. I've had compliments on the department doing

[4:58] good, but I have one complaint, more than one,

[5:03] about the golf carts. The guys shouldn't be afraid to stop

[5:08] them. >> Well, my guys, I'll tell you, my guys

[5:11] are not afraid to stop them. They've just got to see it.

[5:14] » Well, they're driving around town all the time. But it says right in our Glock

[5:18] ordinance, you have to have a driver's license.

[5:20] » Correct. >> Well, in the last two weeks, I know six

[5:25] or eight times I've been riding around town with my sister as a school teacher,

[5:29] and she said, "Well, that's one of my seventh graders driving that one." Well,

[5:32] that's one of my eighth graders driving that one every day.

[5:36] » Well, if that happens, I would encourage these people obviously to reach out to

[5:39] the police department and let us know if they knew who it is. Uh because we'll be

[5:42] more than happy to address it. And obviously if my guys see it, they're

[5:45] going to address it. >> Yeah, but your guys don't know the

[5:47] people. But you know, when it's a young kid,

[5:50] I mean, is it going to hurt anything to stop them and say, "Hey, can I see your

[5:55] driver license?" >> No. But again, I assure you if they see

[5:57] it, they will >> because like and I know they overlook

[6:02] things sometimes, the sheriff's department and the town

[6:06] police. Like when we had our county fair parade,

[6:10] everybody's in the parade going and here's a young girl. She could have been

[6:14] over 9 or 10 years old, maybe driving a golf

[6:18] cart, following a bunch of people that was walking.

[6:22] One something would happen. She didn't have a driver's license. I know it was

[6:26] in the parade. They kind of got overlooked things, but personally, I

[6:29] didn't think that was very smart on the parents part. I would agree. And you

[6:34] know, the parents, they should know when they get their

[6:37] sticker for the golf cart. But what all it requires, you got to have a license.

[6:43] So, I'm just saying. Could we start checking on them,

[6:46] » sir? Thank you, Amber.

[6:51] » Hello. >> You're up.

[6:53] » Okay. Hi everyone. Good to see you again. It's been a while. Um, you should

[6:58] have a memo in front of you. Um, so we, well, I think it was Eric

[7:06] because I had another meeting that night. Um, Eric was here

[7:10] maybe in March or April with the annual utility reports. um at that point in

[7:16] time um you know if you read through the memo which the memo kind of summarizes

[7:22] those reports and um just gives you a a refresher of what those kind of told us

[7:28] and what Eric presented. Um but if you recall for sewer um in one of our

[7:34] recommendations for the uh the sewer utility in that report was um a rate

[7:39] increase. Um so we the memo kind of breaks down both water and sewer. Um

[7:46] water if you you can kind of skim through you know all the the top bullet

[7:50] points which are straight from the utility reports we presented. But if you

[7:54] jump to the recommendation you know water with you know how it's been

[7:58] financially performing the past few years. It's um come in over budget on

[8:03] receipts and underbudget on operating expenses. Both really well. And then

[8:07] didn't have any, you know, capital improvements plan that we would so

[8:11] unless anything has changed. So interrupt me please if so. Um it didn't

[8:15] have any capital improvements plan that would really uh you know have us say you

[8:19] should probably consider rates there. Um so water's all good. We're not

[8:23] recommending a rate increase at this time. however sewer um mainly due to the

[8:27] capital improvements it has planned over the next five years. Um and again if

[8:31] anything's changed let me know. Um we we did uh recommend a 12% rate increase or

[8:38] sorry 21% got my numbers flipped 21% rate increase for sewer at that time and

[8:44] we did recommend if you do move forward with that increase um phasing it in two

[8:48] phases. So phase one effected January 1, 2026 and phase two effected January 1,

[8:55] 2027. So both a year apart. Um so that's in the sewer and the sewer half the

[9:00] recommendation. And that 21% increase would raise the monthly wastewater bill

[9:06] for a 4,000galon residential user by about 12 bucks. And that would be you

[9:11] know the that would be after the second phase. So January 1, 2027.

[9:16] Um, again, that rate increase really just um is driven by capital

[9:22] improvements. So, in in order for sewer to be able to complete those

[9:25] improvements that um you know, Brad has on the outlook, uh we would recommend

[9:30] that rate increase. So, I'm here tonight just to refresh you. Um you know, reopen

[9:36] the topic, talk about any questions or concerns you have, and then if you all

[9:41] want to move forward, um again, you can make it effective. sooner than January

[9:47] 1, 2026, but in our reports, that's kind of what we would recommend. So, you

[9:51] don't necessarily have to. So, we have a little bit of time. Um, but if you want

[9:55] to move forward with that, we can discuss that, what that looks like,

[9:58] discuss the timeline with Justin, and um, get that ball rolling. So, any

[10:03] thoughts, questions, concerns? >> I think we already got the camera van. I

[10:09] think >> I'm sorry.

[10:11] » The camera van didn't purchase that. Is that not the camera van or

[10:17] » it's a camera van? >> It's the van, not the camera.

[10:19] » Not the camera. >> The van is considerably less.

[10:24] » Okay. >> And that was in 25

[10:27] » already. Yeah. So those hardships are already happening and we know um under

[10:32] the outlook bullet um there was just some big items in 25 and 26 that um this

[10:39] rate increase would help not only afford that but then recoup afterwards um and

[10:43] afford future capital improvement. >> So we need a new camera. Is that what

[10:47] you're saying? >> Yeah.

[10:48] » Okay. >> June 2002.

[10:54] » Okay. that we always got. >> They don't have parts to repair it

[10:58] anymore. >> Unless you find somebody

[11:01] » camera van and >> Oh, I'm sorry.

[11:04] » Purchased. >> We probably titled it.

[11:05] » Yeah. >> No, that's fine. Report.

[11:08] » When we were initially looking at it and putting it in there, we thought of it as

[11:12] a one single unit as a camera van. >> Not as a combination, but maybe we could

[11:17] piece the two together, but that's why it's linked together. Now, how often,

[11:21] Jake, do you go out and camera for other entities other than the town? Do you do

[11:26] that very often? >> Other entities outside of the town?

[11:30] » Yeah. I mean, for for somebody other than for the towel,

[11:33] » not a ton. Um, currently, we really don't have

[11:37] capabilities like for individual sewer lines are much smaller. I don't have the

[11:41] ability to do many of those, >> but we have it in our rate thing. If we

[11:45] go to camera for somebody, right? >> Okay.

[11:51] There's there's not many calls for that. >> I was just curious.

[11:56] » So, the other page you should have with the memo is, you know, you all do move

[12:02] forward with a suggested rate increase, what that kind of rate structure would

[12:06] look like. So, um, this page compares your current rates, which if you look at

[12:12] footnote one, you guys have not changed sewer rates since 2016.

[12:16] Um so that's about a decade which is quite a long time. Um we typically

[12:21] recommend you know three to five years. I mean we review your financials every

[12:26] year of course. Um so that's you know awesome that you guys have you know

[12:30] gotten this far with us reviewing everything every year

[12:34] that we would have recommended something sooner. But 10 years is pretty long

[12:38] time. um you know so to think of the costs today compared to what your they

[12:43] were in 2016 when your rates you know were changed or obviously things are

[12:48] very different. Um so then the proposed rates phase one would be the set of

[12:53] rates effective January 126 and then the proposed rates phase two would be

[12:58] effective January 127. And of course if you want to change those phases make

[13:03] them you know less spread apart you certainly could. That's up to you all.

[13:08] But um that is what we had in our report and it we thought it was sufficient to

[13:13] to proceed with those phases if you fish.

[13:17] » Well, I'm thinking maybe we ought to phase it in a little less percentage

[13:23] more often. You know what I mean? Maybe every six months boost it a little bit

[13:28] rather than going full 12% at one time. >> Yeah, you certainly could. I thought you

[13:33] said that 12% but in two phases. 6% 6%. >> Sorry, it was I mixed my numbers up. It

[13:40] was 21% over two phases. It was a $12 increase

[13:45] to the sewer bill for a 4,000galon user. But we could

[13:50] » kind of restructure the phases to instead of doing, you know, just two

[13:55] phases annually, do like four every six months or something.

[13:58] » I would like to see that personally just the 12% increase of one shot.

[14:04] » Yeah, >> that's my thought.

[14:06] » I don't disagree. >> I think it's something Let's start

[14:09] before January one >> do phase like 6% every six months.

[14:16] » No, can we vote on that now? We can't vote on now. Okay. You have anything

[14:23] else, Amber? >> Um,

[14:28] » when you're ready to move forward, we can um provide the rates to Justin

[14:33] within those phases or um provide them to you with the different phases

[14:38] structure. Is that kind of what you want from me is just the um this page but

[14:44] phased out into four phases. >> That's my thought.

[14:47] » Okay. >> Everybody agreeable with that? Sounds

[14:50] good to me too. >> Okay. I can send that over and um yeah

[14:55] when and if you're ready to proceed just let me know and I'll work with Justin

[14:58] and we can get that ball rolling.

[15:03] Okay, >> Brad.

[15:07] » Okay, everybody got to see the civarian

[15:13] cemetery McFarland. So that was set last week.

[15:20] Um, we have ordinance 14 and 2025 and that is amending the fee schedule.

[15:29] Where did we drop that from, Kendra? >> It was at 1250.

[15:33] » It was at 1250 to 900 for space.

[15:40] » Why did we drop? >> Uh, based off of other communities and

[15:47] recommendations, if if you add up, there's 40 spaces now.

[15:54] So, if you add that

[15:57] one each all those spaces will be added. Um it'll more than cover it. Plus the

[16:03] other ones the concrete's already done. So that cost for those will be

[16:09] less yet. >> So that will cover the cost of the

[16:12] calarium though. >> Oh yeah.

[16:14] » With probably what 15 20%.

[16:20] And the other part of this would be the um

[16:27] maintenance would go from down to 250 >> just

[16:33] » instead of in for those spaces instead of the 500

[16:36] » that's on the color bearing. >> Yes. On those spaces the maintenance fee

[16:40] would be less. I would entertain a motion

[16:46] for ordinance number 14 of 2025. >> Have a motion made by Alva. Do I have a

[16:53] second? >> Second.

[16:54] » Seconded by Jim. Is there any more discussion on it?

[17:01] All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I.

[17:04] » Oppos. Same sign. >> Ordinance number 15 on the generator.

[17:10] » Okay. what that is for. They would like half of that up

[17:16] when they order it. So with way we're not able to do that with passing this

[17:22] ordinance. If somebody has a larger ticket item, we can go ahead and pay for

[17:27] half of it. >> But that would be on anything, not just

[17:30] on a generator. >> Yes. Yes.

[17:32] » Okay. And which I don't think that's a bad idea anyhow personally.

[17:37] » No, it's not in today's. So I'd entertain a motion for order number 15

[17:42] of 2025. So

[17:45] » moved. Have >> a motion made by Larry. Do I have a

[17:48] second? >> Second.

[17:50] » Seconded by Jim. Is there any more discussion on that?

[17:54] All in favor signify by saying I. >> I.

[17:57] » Oppos. Same sign.

[18:01] » The fire territory. I don't you know we're not moving forward with that.

[18:07] Um, what do you guys want to do with that?

[18:13] » You're having a hard time getting people together, aren't you?

[18:17] » I had some um McKenzie

[18:23] and Mick from Franklin Township. They were able to be on with

[18:27] Bigger Tilly when we had a team meeting.

[18:34] It's not sounding favorable, though.

[18:39] Oh, they expect us to pay for a new fire truck.

[18:43] » Well, and this from Baker Tilly is the study of what the townships.

[18:53] It shows the fire contracts

[18:57] currently on page two.

[19:01] the and it also shows the townships that have to pay fire contracts to other

[19:07] entities. That's on the second column.

[19:12] The third column is the total payments that each township makes

[19:20] and the estimated re revenues that each township

[19:26] is going to get. So it shows that

[19:31] half of the townships that we work with are already spending more than what they

[19:35] bring in in revenue for fire protection.

[19:42] So, a rate if we increase fire contracts

[19:48] and they can either pay them or not pay them, but

[19:52] they're going to be over budget

[19:57] on their ends. >> So, could the townships start a fire

[20:02] accum? >> That would be on them. And the

[20:06] cumulative fire funds from my understanding are for

[20:11] equipment only. Am I correct? >> So

[20:18] we sure don't want to deny fire protection.

[20:22] But if we raise our rates and they and they can't pay it. So then what happens?

[20:28] » That's the predicament we're in. >> They need to restructure their budget

[20:31] then, don't they? >> Well, they get certain money for

[20:36] That's all I get in fire protection. I get it from property taxes and that's

[20:42] all I have to pay off. >> And starting in 2027,

[20:45] everything's changed as far as

[20:50] revenue level.

[20:57] Well, so I guess we need to decide if we want to We've been dragging our feet on

[21:03] this for two years, >> probably.

[21:09] » We either need to do something or dump the pot.

[21:12] » Yep. >> What's the council's concerns?

[21:18] » My concern is if we go to the fire territory, we're going to increase

[21:22] taxes. We're talking about an increased rate the sewer

[21:30] be an increased tax rate if I'm correct on

[21:37] my township would be willing to sit down with all of you if we can have a work

[21:41] session so the cube fund is an option for us um that being said I know we

[21:47] would not want to take it out at its highest highest rate which is 0333

[21:52] but maybe if we could work something out amongst ourselves that we, you know,

[21:57] which obviously my board has to agree if we could do half that rate, we could

[22:01] generate a little bit of money. Um, the problem is, you know, Senate

[22:05] Bill Whim has kind of messed all of our funds up. I mean, it's we're going to

[22:09] lower property taxes, but then, you know, you guys are going to have to put

[22:12] a lid on for income taxes. >> It's not up to us. what's up to the

[22:16] county, but then you know the township sure heck doesn't want to put on a

[22:21] cumulative fund on property taxes when they just got lower for everybody.

[22:27] » So >> it's a mess.

[22:29] » Yeah. >> A rock in a hard spot.

[22:33] » Well, it doesn't appear that the fire territory is going to fly. So might as

[22:37] well just forget. Is

[22:39] » everybody agreeing to trash the fire territory thoughts?

[22:46] Jim. >> Yeah,

[22:47] » Larry. >> I can't vote on that. I can't say.

[22:50] » Oh, yeah. >> Yeah,

[22:52] » I agree. >> Not not going to happen.

[22:56] » So, I guess our territory things out the door.

[23:00] » But I do like the idea of what Ken said, meeting with their board and seeing what

[23:06] we can work with. Maybe we can do that with Franklin

[23:10] Township, Harrison Township, and all the other ones we work with

[23:16] or cover >> if you ever can get them all together.

[23:25] » Brad, downtown sidewalks. >> Downtown sidewalks. Um,

[23:30] this Wednesday we've got a meeting, the original engineer that drew the plans

[23:38] and the engineer group that was the inspection group. We're all going to

[23:42] meet out there and we're going to figure the two areas that are not ADA compliant

[23:48] whose issue it is to fix. It's got to be on one of them. So, um

[23:55] 10:00 we're going to get that accomplished. Hopefully, the contractor

[23:59] was supposed to be back to start fixing things. They haven't. So, we should have

[24:05] an answer for that Wednesday, too. So, no more Wednesday.

[24:13] Sent a bunch of mowing nuisance letters out whether it's yards or grass tall.

[24:21] So, we should be going. >> What about junk pile?

[24:25] » That's a nuisance part. Yeah. Um,

[24:31] Solar Park is online, so it's putting power back on. But they

[24:37] you guys went out and last >> Was it just last day?

[24:42] » Yeah. So, it's putting power back on the grid, I guess. I haven't heard from

[24:47] anybody on how much or what, but if you watch, they obviously are following the

[24:52] sun now. It's kind of neat.

[24:56] Um,

[25:00] You know, I see there's a little scuttle about the cemetery, the mowing.

[25:06] Um, go out and look at it. The buckorn's

[25:11] really tall. It grows really fast. >> That comes with dry weather.

[25:16] » Um, they're coming tomorrow to mow it.

[25:22] Uh, there's spots that don't need anything. There's spots that

[25:28] It will be here. Sorry. [Music]

[25:34] » If you got any questions about that, I guess

[25:43] that's all I have. >> Kendra,

[25:48] I've got ordinance 13 of 2025, which um just lays out how the seed

[25:55] money is intended to be spent in 2026 and

[26:00] through 2027 and then we don't have to worry about it again.

[26:08] It hasn't changed from except for the numbers hasn't changed from the last one

[26:15] we had it earmarked for the same thing. >> Well, this ordinance is already in

[26:20] effect so we didn't need to really do anything on it.

[26:23] this one >> or number 13's already in effect.

[26:27] » We have to redo it every two years. >> Is this the third year for it?

[26:32] » Yes. It's every other year we have to do it.

[26:37] » That's every two years. >> Every two years.

[26:40] » Yes. This is this is to pass it for 2026 and 2027.

[26:46] » Okay. >> Did I say two?

[26:48] » You said three years. So, I'd entertain a motion to approve ordinance number 13

[26:54] of 2025. >> I'll make that motion.

[26:58] » Motion made by Larry. Do we have a second?

[27:02] » Second. >> Seconded by Danielle. Is there any more

[27:05] discussion on it?

[27:09] All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Same sign.

[27:15] » Okay. The last one that you have is um

[27:20] voice club. Um, we use Q7 software for all of the financials in the town office

[27:29] and they are offering a cloud version.

[27:35] This is just uh numbers on implementation.

[27:43] If we decide to go forward with it relatively soon, it takes off the

[27:49] underneath professional services on the second page.

[27:55] We will take off that migration fee.

[28:03] what >> the migration fee to move all of our

[28:05] data that we have.

[28:12] » Um I'm not asking to do it tonight. I wanted to give you guys some information

[28:18] and then if you guys have questions, concerns,

[28:22] » what will this do to benefit you guys at the office?

[28:27] Um, they have their own system where we'll be able to take credit cards

[28:35] through the office, >> not have to charge a 3% fee.

[28:38] » Not have to charge a 3% fee. Um, it's all in real time. So,

[28:43] » yeah, it's all in real time. >> Right now, when the girls cash post

[28:46] payments up front, you can't even see them until you update that evening.

[28:51] Well, it'll all be in real time. So some we have a lot of people who make a

[28:54] partial payment and come back two hours later make the other payment. You can't

[28:57] see their first payment. This is it'll all be real time. It'll update

[29:01] automatically. I think it's supposed to be also give

[29:05] our customers um ways to get on there. They can see their usage, their bills,

[29:12] everything. All we wouldn't have a separate module like invoice cloud like

[29:15] we have now. It's all done through key. All building would be done through and

[29:19] people could come in and pay for a golf cart permit and their utility bill.

[29:25] » Well, this is a >> and it won't be separate transactions

[29:28] like they are now. >> This is a pretty big expense that we got

[29:30] to try to absorb. >> It is.

[29:35] » How we going to do that? You're looking at $65,000.

[29:42] What do you get back from the box?

[29:46] » What do you get back? >> So, you got third of it back there.

[29:50] » Well, and we pay every year now for updates for Keystone.

[29:54] » Yeah. >> How all the members?

[29:59] Um, we pay $15,000 a year annually for updates for all the software. We pay

[30:06] $800 for Carbonite for backups. Um, server replacement, which we're going to

[30:12] need here soon, is going to be another $3,000.

[30:15] And those are all expenses that we wouldn't have

[30:20] through the voice cloud because it's not going to need updated because it's all

[30:23] in real time. And we won't need the backups for the

[30:28] server that we do because we won't have all our software on the server.

[30:34] » I guess my question is where do we have funds to do this with?

[30:40] We're uh >> it'd be shared office 80% electric.

[30:45] » It's shared.

[30:51] » Well, that's something we need to think about pretty good.

[30:56] » And that's all I have. >> I have any old business?

[31:02] Have any new business?

[31:08] Do I have a motion to adjurnn? Jim made a motion to adjurnn.

[31:16] » Thank you everybody. Branson, do you want this

[31:21] top of the golf course?

Town Council Meeting July 14th, 2025

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