- Call to order this the Monday, April 14th, 2025 meeting of the Ellsville Town Council.
- Prayer? Anyone?
- Go ahead. Who wants to do the prayer?
- Okay, I'll do the prayer. Bless us, our Father, and help us make not necessarily decisions
- that are right for us, but the right decisions in your name that will help our residents,
- that will help the community. Amen. Amen. Chief? I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United
- States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible,
- with liberty and justice for all. Noelle, when you're ready, roll call, please.
- William Ellis? Here. Scott Oldham? Here. Trevor Sager? Here. Dan Swafford? Here.
- Approval of the minutes for the regular meeting, March 24th, 2025. So moved. Second. Motion,
- second. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Any abstaining?
- Actions to pay accounts, payable vouchers, and payroll. So moved. Second. All those in favor say
- aye. Aye. Any opposed? Any abstaining? There are four resolutions this evening. The first is
- Resolution 13-2025 to dispose of surplus property. Yes, that would be me. We got a 2014
- International
- Sydney 400 tandem dump truck. We've got a new one that's coming to replace it, and we're really not
- using it too much at this time, and we don't want it to cost us any more money, so we want to get
- rid of it, so. And how are we doing that? It will be, as stated on the resolution, it'll be sold
- on gov deals. Okay. So I bid. Questions from council? Any actions from council?
- Make a motion to approve Resolution 13-2025 to dispose of surplus property.
- Second. Motion second. Noelle? William Ellis? Yes. Scott Oldham? Yes. Dan Swaffer? Yes. Trevor
- Sager? Yes. Motion carries. Thank you. Next resolution is Resolution 14-2025, additional
- appropriation for lit economic development. I think that would be for me. I talked to Noelle,
- I needed some money to pay for our portion of initiative coming out of the BEDC where we are
- looking to establish an economic development district in Brown County and Owen County.
- IU is helping support this effort as well. And I needed $5,000
- of lit ED for this. It seems like a good fit for lit ED, which is economic development.
- When I was talking to Noelle, she suggested, because she knows there's some other things
- that need to be taken care of, downtown Ellesville. We're doing some safety upgrades for the parks,
- park areas at Campbell Park and where the shelter house is. And so we're doing some safety upgrades
- and she knows I'm going to need some money for that. We need some accessories. The Heritage
- Center, which for me is called the barn. And we're looking at a couple of projects to build
- more parking downtown along Vine Street, two different projects. And so anyway, she asked
- that we appropriate $30,000 so she doesn't have to keep coming back for special appropriations.
- How do you take that? Yes, sir. And the cash balance currently extra that doesn't include
- any salaries or anything in there is $76,000. Before or after the $30,000? After the $30,000.
- Okay. Other questions from Council? Where in Vine are you thinking of the parking?
- Well, I really haven't talked about one of the projects. We own property at a corner,
- if you will, from the back of the post office along that alley. There's a grassy area. It's
- right up against the first house on the right one, east on Vine Street. We have a new store
- moving in downtown, and with the current activity with the Caffeinated Cook and some of the other
- businesses that are located down there in the library, I'm thinking we might want to move on
- making more parking downtown. I haven't even talked to Kip about it, but it's been talked about
- before,
- and I think that's why we own that property. So anyway, that's one of them. And then the other
- project that we have talked about, we actually talked about it during the envision process,
- and now with the new initiative to have a summer concert series in the downtown area in the parks
- that we've been talking about, we're talking about a streetscape and parking along Vine Street,
- basically from where the village end or starting about where the highway is down to 2nd Street.
- And so, and it would be along the creek side or the north side of Vine Street. And so I think we
- can
- pick up about 50 to 80 parking spaces. I can't remember, but with all the things that we plan
- for the future, I think we ought to be ahead of it and have the parking there, and I think it will
- stimulate businesses to say. And we're not having to demolish any things to do. No. Okay. So I mean,
- it's stuff that's not developed land right now and it's already off the tax rolls because we own it.
- Yeah. It's a good use of it. It will be adjacent to the flood mitigation. Which will actually
- hopefully help businesses increase value. An improvement in park. Yep. Okay. Other questions
- from council? Yeah, I have a question. On our economic development commission, is that another
- taxing body? Can they impose taxes without us? The BEC? No, the EDD. Oh, the economic development,
- the three county thing, right? Yeah. Actually, what it does for you, I'm just going to read.
- So it federally designates regional entities that lead to economic development, planning, funding,
- and implementation across multiple counties and sectors. It increases access to critical federal
- funds. Not sure if that's true anymore. And for transportation, infrastructure, workforce,
- development, as well as receiving ongoing technical assistance. But it is not a taxing entity.
- But they get their money currently from government funding. But in turn, would that,
- would the counties that go to that have to pay this taxes? Correct? No, this is really more of a
- regional planning unit that works with, it helps organize and coordinate things that economically
- will be positive for the three counties. And so, I mean, you know, a lot of our conversations right
- now about our future, we talked to Spencer, Town Spencer, we talked to Owen County, there is an
- economic development. Yeah. And so we have a lot of conversations across the river right now. And
- so
- this would just kind of form a lot, formalize what we do. And we would be part of a larger
- initiative
- with city of Bloomington, IU, Brown County. I mean, if you think about the three counties,
- we all have different. Right. I mean, I understand the fundamentals of it. But
- what worries me is the funding of it. And everything that I've read about it, I see where
- there's counties that are charged economic development committee fee like tax. So Darla,
- do you know if this is going to be an additional tax imposed on our residents or? I don't know.
- I'd have to look at what Michael's looking at. So I'm still waiting for Jen Pearl to get back
- with me on that question. I do think they can do TIF districts. So maybe that's what there's
- across county lines. Huh? I thought it was only they could do TIF districts or help facilitate
- TIF districts if they crossed a county line. Well, this would. Oh, you mean the actual
- district? Yeah. I'm not sure that aspect, but I've not seen anything with direct taxing authority.
- I've never heard that talked about. It comes up almost every EDDC meeting I go to, and I've
- never heard that talked about. In the state of Indiana, there's only seven counties that has not
- joined an EDD, and Owen County, and Merrill County, and Brown County is three of those.
- Right, and my next question then is if we approve this, I mean, are we locked in? Have we already
- voted on an EDC, or is that coming up? Well, the EDD will be developed, and this is a one-time
- one-time deal. So, but what I'm saying, if we appropriate this money tonight, then we're locked
- into the EDC, right?
- Not necessarily, because the county will be the lead on it as far as the entity that is part of the
- EDD,
- and we're just a town in the county. So, just like Bloomington. This could move forward without us.
- Yes. I mean, that's what the reality is, and my ask is that we participate in economic development
- that we may enjoy. Right, and I think it's a good idea. I'm just concerned about the taxing part of
- it, because I was told there will be a tax imposed after we join. So, I'm just making sure of that,
- and I would like to know. With the way that the legislature seems to be wanting to limit the local
- income tax, no matter what they are, I don't see them giving the ability of a tri or quad or
- however
- many counties that want to join the ability to impose a tax on top of that, because it seems like
- the momentum of the legislature has been to cap certain things. So, to actually allow this where
- it would open up more taxing ability just doesn't seem... Well, I mean, it's got to be funded from
- somewhere. Well, a lot of it, like I said, by having an EDD, it opens you up to federally funded
- grants. Right. Which is big. And that's the way it was presented to us, that the grants are pretty
- much, once we form this, the grants kind of pay for the infrastructure of the EDD. But... Can we
- have Darla check into this before we move on this? Or is there a time restraint? There was, like
- April 14th.
- I mean, if we, you know, if the board decides we need to waive them, we need to waive the...
- Well, I mean, are we going to miss it if we go... Well, obviously we're going to miss the date
- anyway.
- Today's the 14th. Yeah. That's when they wanted to have their application. Let me kind of throw
- this
- out there. We can't impose a tax by ourself. Neither can the county. But if the city decides
- they want to join on, they have the ability under the taxing board because they're more than 50%.
- To institute the tax. If there is one, it would have to go through the Monroe County
- Tax Commission. So join or not join, we could still eat it if there is a tax.
- You don't get excluded because it's by county. From what Jen Perlman said to me when I asked
- this question, she said it does not have the power to tax, but she's supposed to confirm.
- I just texted her again to find out. She's from the BEDC. What she's found out about that.
- But understand whether we vote or anything on this putting the money in tonight. If it can,
- and it passes, it doesn't need our votes to pass. I think that's kind of what Scott was saying.
- >> I'm sorry, I didn't hear that last part. >> I said it doesn't need our votes to pass.
- But I see your point. And that was in the discussions, and we've had a presentation
- at the BEDC. Taxing was never brought up as one of the things they're allowed to do.
- >> It probably should have been brought up. I mean, there's got to be a reason we've opted
- out of this for so many years. >> Yeah, I think it was maybe short-sighted because we, out of 90
- counties in Indiana, only seven haven't joined. And so we put ourselves at a disadvantage when
- it comes to economic development opportunities, grants, or what have you. And it just does seem
- like, you know, in this day and age, that collaboration with our neighbors, our neighboring
- counties, especially Owen County, that we get organized and work towards this very thing.
- >> Mike, is it -- you said it was $5,000, the joining fee?
- >> Yeah. >> Is that annual or is it a one-time?
- >> It could be -- listen, they did not -- the $5,000 I came up with. So we're not tied to anything.
- >> Is it annual or is it one-time? >> No, this is just to get us through the
- application process. >> That's going to cost about $60,000
- to get through the application process, and they were asking for what, $20,000 from each county?
- >> Yes. >> I mean, so they're asking $20,000.
- I know the city of Bloomington is putting some in. IU is committed to some. Owen County,
- I don't know how they're breaking those out. Brown County, we don't know how they're funding it,
- but that was -- >> And IU said they'll -- they put in $10,000.
- It could be used just for Murrow County or to cover any monies that aren't collected from the
- other counties to make it happen. >> Okay. Darla, let me ask you this question then.
- Let's say that they go through this application process, and will there be -- will it come back
- to us for a vote after or a resolution or something establishing this? >> No.
- >> Dan, I really don't know, so. >> I mean, the county -- just to be clear,
- the county will be the entity that joins in the EDD. It's all counties. And so we won't be voting
- on this again. All we can -- what we're trying to do is realize some benefit from economic
- development
- and either you're in or you're out, either you're participating and you're competing.
- >> Yeah, I get all that, Mike. I do. I'm just -- the question was
- about the taxes and the funding. That's the only question I have.
- >> I know we're not asked for reoccurring funding. That would probably be if there is
- something at the county. I mean -- >> We're not.
- >> We're doing voluntarily funding on this. I'll be honest with you. To me, it's like for us to get
- a seat at the table. And that's what this is, for us to say, hey, we kind of did some buy-in for
- this so the county can't say we paid all $20,000 or whatever. I just heard back from Jen again,
- and she said that everyone she's talked to believes the EDD does not have the power to tax.
- ROI, which I guess who they're hiring to draft this, is double confirming this,
- and she's texted them and see what she hears back. But honestly, the $5,000 is so
- that we can have kind of some standing to say, hey, we get a seat at the table of this.
- Because if we don't contribute anything, if it still happens, they're going to say,
- well, you guys didn't put anything up for it. I mean, that is a concerning thing about the
- taxing. But this is really our only chance to have any input into this, because it's going to
- happen
- with or without us. Just because you put the $5,000 in doesn't negate the fact that we can't
- institute the tax, even if it's there, and we can't keep it from being instituted, even if we don't
- join. But it does give us some leeway to say, hey, we put some money in. We want some input.
- So what's the pleasure of the council? Is there a motion on this resolution?
- I'll make a motion to approve resolution 14, 2025, additional appropriation for lit economic
- development. It should be from lit economic development, right? Or for? Does it matter?
- For, yeah. From.
- From. Yeah. That's right.
- I'll second. Before we do that, I forgot, because this is an appropriation. Is there any public
- comment on this? Seeing none in chambers or online, back to the council. So we have a motion.
- I would like to make one more statement before we go to a vote. Sure. Go ahead.
- I would like to have that answered. So if Darla, if you could look into that for me
- and get back to me as soon as you can, I'd appreciate it.
- Because, yeah, our residents need to know. Exactly. All right. There is a motion in a second.
- Whenever you're ready. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Thank you. Next is resolution 15 2025
- for fiscal plan for them. I'm assuming Michael during annexation. Did I get that correct?
- So at the planning commission's April meeting, they approved Mr. Dorian's petition to be annexed
- into the town. And the fiscal plan that is before you is prepared by the planning department.
- And the annexation consists of plus or minus 4.794 acres. And it will be
- zoned. I'm getting a little ahead of ourselves that ordinances later in the meeting, but it
- will be zoned are one single family residential. Questions from council. Any action from council.
- Make a motion to approve resolution 15 dash 2025
- for fiscal plan for the Michael during annexation. Second. Motion second. Yes.
- Scott Oldham. Yes. Dan Swafford. Yes. Trevor Sager. Yes. Motion carries.
- Next is resolution 16 2025, the fiscal plan for the railroad corridor annexation.
- Also at the plan commission's April meeting, it voted to send to the town council a positive
- recommendation for the annexation of what we've been calling the railroad corridor. And it
- is located on between McNeely Street and West Main Street and east of the North Sale Street
- and West Main Street intersection. It is plus or minus .91 acres. It will be zoned
- single family residential R one. And this is the fiscal plan that was prepared by the planning
- department pursuant to statute for that annexation. Questions from council.
- Action from council. I'll move to approve resolution 16-2025 for fiscal plan for the
- railroad corridor annexation. Second. Motion and second. William Ellis? Yes. Scott Oldham? Yes.
- Dan Swafford? Yes. Trevor Sager? Yes. Motion carries. Moving now to ordinances on first reading.
- There's four of those this evening. The first is ordinance 2025-06, establishing rates and charges
- for the use of and services rendered by the water works system of the town of Ellsville, Indiana,
- and repealing all ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict herewith.
- So a couple years ago we approved a water rate increase. It was to be in two phases.
- This is the second phase that's been approved by the IURC and we're ready to move forward.
- So the second phase is about a 5.5 percent increase and it covers
- some O&M costs and also the payment on the new building.
- And the reason we went in two phases so we wouldn't bill for phase two until we actually need it.
- Questions from council for this?
- [inaudible]
- You mean per thousand gallons, Dan, as an example?
- I'm sorry, what?
- Are you asking what the increase was?
- Yeah, I mean he mentioned that this one was a five percent increase. I was just curious
- on the first phase how much the increase was.
- Yeah, maybe at the next meeting let us know.
- Per thousand gallons, Ellisville customers paid five dollars and seventy cents.
- Go ahead.
- Any other questions, comments?
- They paid five seventy. Is that before or after?
- That's with the introduction of phase one. That's what the customers were paying.
- And do you know what they paid before that?
- I don't have the old statute.
- That was the increase. That was the new amount.
- The phase two, it's six eighty five now.
- So it's an additional six eighty five or six?
- Yes, because the six eighty five is to cover the water department's payment for their third
- or seventh building. It wouldn't allow us to do that in the first phase, so that's not what I know.
- Thirty seven ten to thirty nine one.
- It'll go from forty five hundred a gallon user, which is our average, from thirty seven ten to
- thirty nine dollars and fifteen cents.
- It's the second phase?
- Yes.
- Well, it's the first phase.
- I thought I was at five seventy, you mentioned?
- Darla?
- The meat of it was the first phase.
- Yes.
- Well, the meat of it, this is an ordinance on first reading, so why don't we sort all this out
- maybe
- in a chart, so when we come back to it on second reading, we can look at it and explain to
- everybody
- and ask questions. So if there's questions from council or anyone else that need to be answered
- before we actually vote on this, please direct those to the town manager.
- Next is ordinance twenty twenty five dash zero seven,
- amendment to the employee handbook to add ghost employment policy.
- This is in addition to the employee handbook and the ghost employment policy is word for word
- what was in the personnel policy under title thirty six in the old town code,
- and so this is just incorporating that language into the employee handbook.
- Okay. Any questions from council on this?
- Okay, let it come back to us next time. Ordinance twenty twenty five dash zero eight,
- amendment to employee handbook to add a grievance policy.
- Again, this is word for word what's in the title, old title thirty six under the Ellitsville town
- code, and that is now just incorporated into the employee handbook. Questions or comments from
- council? And again that comes back our next meeting. Ordinance twenty twenty five dash zero nine,
- amendment to employee handbook to amend add miscellaneous provision.
- This is to add some language to clarify retirement benefits. So I was asked to amend section three
- eighteen under which makes reference to the Indiana public retirement system to state that
- eligible full-time employees will be covered by INPRS. And then I was asked to make some changes
- to section three twenty with regard to the 457B retirement savings plan for regular full-time
- employees. So you'll recall that at the last town council meeting the town approved a resolution
- to allow employees to put money into a 457B retirement savings plan. And so this language
- allows for those employees who have left Perth for some reason, for example they're retired,
- they're collecting from Perth, they want to keep working, and it allows the town to contribute
- funds to those employees 457B retirement savings plans.
- Okay, questions from council?
- I noticed the text from there, Scott pointed out, it said elected officials. Is that saying that
- the council now is covered by INPRS?
- I think the intent is because the clerk treasurer is covered under for elected officials.
- Yeah, I mean we're not asking for it to be, I mean I'm not.
- Maybe it needs to read selected elected officials or something to that degree so
- we don't get into a fight 10 years right about what we meant.
- Somebody doesn't get it exactly. How would we phrase that?
- I think it's already covered in the perp regulations because of the term full-time
- employee. In other words, you wouldn't be eligible as a part-time or something. You have to have so
- many hours to qualify that. That's an awesome one if there's a threshold there. So that would be
- maybe for qualified elected officials. That works. But you don't touch a time clock though, right?
- So she doesn't have any set hours. No, but under the definition she's a full-time employee.
- She receives the full-time benefits. How's that from the town? All right.
- How about we have the word qualified, like Liam said? Would that be an issue, you think, Darla?
- You just want to make it clear that the only elected official is the town clerk?
- Well, or, I mean, let's qualify because, by their standards, we wouldn't qualify. But let's say in...
- Because there's a part of it that says if you don't meet in-person statutes,
- that the town then has to contribute to a 457 or something like that later in the policy.
- Yeah, I had some issues with that, I have to tell you.
- We're trying to prevent a problem of yours, don't we?
- Right, right. Well, that's why I was trying to be careful with the language
- in the new section that made it clear that if the employees were not eligible
- because of their retirement, because I wanted to make it clear that if you weren't...
- If you couldn't be in 77 or PERF, I don't think 457 covers you. 457 is supposed to be a supplement,
- is my understanding. So I was trying to make it clear that the only...
- I may have the number on whatever the policy is. So, okay, I'll throw a hypothetical out. Let's say
- 10 years from now, a council member says, "I should have been getting money into PERF and stuff."
- Are we okay with legally saying, "No, that's not what this ordinance means"?
- Well, I have no problem with changing Section 318 to make it clear that we're talking about
- the town court treasurer only under elected officials, if that's the concern. That would be...
- I mean, I think that's fine. Yeah, I think that would be...
- Okay. Anything else from council?
- George, do you have something to say?
- The clerk may not be the only person who might qualify. So, if you use the word "qualify,"
- then you have to, of course, set up certain parameters. Once you can establish the parameters,
- then you're good to go. Anyone that meets that threshold is going to be eligible. But you set
- it up, the way you're setting it up, it only applies to her and her job. Well, there may be
- another job that qualifies, and that's... I like the word "qualify." If you qualify, then you can
- get that stipulation. Right, because we wouldn't qualify for any of those plans right now.
- No, but should something in the future change that...
- As an example, let's say in the future there's a mayor. Well, that mayor will qualify.
- Who left a mayor picture?
- Well, realistically, you'd have to redo everything because you'd no longer be a town.
- Right, yeah.
- You'd be a city at that point. Okay, anybody else got changes or comments? Okay, that'll come
- back in a finalized form next time. Now we're on to ordinance on second reading. First is Ordinance
- 2025-04 to amend the zone maps to rezone the Gareth and Anne Blackwell property from C2
- General Business to R1 Single Family Residential.
- Good evening. This is petition by Gareth and Anne Blackwell Trust to rezone one parcel located at
- 7490 West State Road 46 from Commercial 2 General Business to Residential 1 Single Family Residential.
- On March 6th, the Plan Commission approved a two-lot subdivision for the Blackwell Trust,
- which was zoned Commercial 2. One lot of the subdivision is commercial, and the use of the
- other lot is Single Family Residential. The commercial lot, Lot 1, will remain Zone C2.
- The Plan Commission, after meeting on March 6th, voted unanimously to forward a favorable
- recommendation for the zoning map amendment to the town council. Petitioners requesting to change
- the zoning of 7490 West State Road 46 from Commercial 2 to Residential 1, and petitioners
- representatives are present if you have any questions. Questions from council? I actually do.
- Doesn't this conflict with our comprehensive plan? Because that area there I thought was zoned for,
- not zoned, but that was where we had planned for business and commercial. Part of it was also
- rezoned to, or not rezoned, but changed to a mixed-use village center. So if it remains C2,
- then it's in disagreement with the UDO. You have the R1 single-family residential,
- would that be in disagreement with the UDO? If you change the zoning to that, no. It is a
- single-family house on that lot. There is currently?
- Yes. So the lot, when it was subdivided, it was subdivided for commercial on one lot,
- and then the other lot was the house, which is the wild doing residential.
- So we're just making sure, it's not like they're going to build single-family homes there.
- No, it's already there. It's already there.
- Yeah. And if I recall correctly,
- this was actually started, the bidding process before the UDO was ratified, correct?
- Yes, there's been three petitions on the property, so yes.
- So they were in motion just to... Yeah, the questions are not saying I'm
- against it. I was just kind of making sure that we're staying commitment consistent, but
- they were already there. I mean, Harmon Farms is mixed-use and residential also,
- so it's not like it's without precedent. I just want to bring the point up that those
- that were already in motion, we shouldn't penalize because we slammed the door after
- they were already starting down the road. No, I 100% agree with you.
- Other questions from Council? Since this is an ordinance on second reading,
- is there comments from the public? Seeing none, back to the Council for action.
- I move approval of Ordinance 2025-04 to amend the rezone to Gareth and Anne Blackwell property from
- C2 to General Business R1 single-family resident. Second.
- Motion and second when you're ready. William Ellis?
- Yes. Scott Oldham?
- Yes. Trevor Sager?
- Yes. Dan Swafford?
- Yes. Motion passes.
- Next is Ordinance 2025-10, annexation of the Doring property.
- This is a request by Michael Doring to voluntarily annex a parcel totaling approximately
- 4.74 acres of land subject parcels located at 5474 or 5475 North Union Valley Road.
- The reason for the two addresses is due to an error GIS shows 5475, but
- Mr. Doring says all his paperwork is 5474, but once it's annexed into town, we will
- fix that address issue. Petitioners requesting to annex one parcel, as I said, proposed annexation
- area is 14% contiguous to the town, and 100% of the property owners are parties to the petition.
- Parcel is currently zoned AGR, Agricultural Residential by Monroe County, and is recommended
- to be designated as Residential 1, Single Family Residential upon annexation. Property will be
- located in Council Ward 4. At its meeting on April 3rd, the Plant Commission voted unanimously to
- forward a favorable recommendation to town council with zoning of R1, Single Family Residential.
- Petitioner could not be here, so I'll be happy to answer any questions you may have.
- Questions from Council? Again, an ordinance on second reading. Anything from the public?
- And back to the Council. - Make a motion to approve
- Ordinance 2025-10, Annexation of Doring Property. - I'll second.
- When you're ready. - William Ellis?
- Yes. - Scott Oldham?
- Yes. - Dan Swafford?
- Yes. - Trevor Sager?
- Yes. - Motion carries.
- Annexation, sorry, Ordinance 2025-11, Annexation of Railroad Corridor.
- This is a request by a town in Ellisville to voluntarily annex approximately .91 acres of land
- Subject parcel is an abandoned railroad corridor located between West McNeely Street
- and West Main Street and east of the North Sale Street and West Main Street intersection.
- Parcel numbers 53-04-10-100-040.001-011. The town's heritage trail has been constructed
- on the railroad corridor. Proposed annexation area is 52% contiguous to the town at Ellisville.
- Parcel is currently zoned AGR Agricultural Residential by Monroe County and is recommended
- to be designated as R-1 single-family residential upon annexation. At its meeting on April 3rd,
- the Planning Commission voted unanimously to forward a favorable recommendation to
- town council with zoning of R-1 single-family residential. - Questions from council?
- I want to comment, Denise. Appreciate you and Planning Commission to vetting these and I like
- the unanimous approval, so thank you. - Oh, thank you.
- Other questions or comments from council? Anything from the public? Back to council.
- I move to approve Ordinance 2025-11, annexation of railroad corridor.
- Second. - Motion to second.
- William Ellis? - Yes. - Scott Oldham?
- Yes. - Dan Swafford?
- Yes. - Trevor Sager?
- Yes. - Motion carries.
- Thank you. - Next on our old business is a discussion of the wheel tax.
- Well, I guess I'll start off unless somebody else has something to add to it. I'm going to
- request at this time that we move the table to this wheel tax. It was brought to my attention
- this morning through the AIM legislative summary that there has been some amending. The HB 1461
- has been amended in the Senate Appropriations Committee last week. Like I said, an email was
- sent out last week and I would like to wait until this Senate bill comes before the House and it's
- actually set and done. There's just been a lot of changes in it and I really don't want to discuss
- much of it until we get what we've got with them first. - Right, because we're theorizing on what
- they may or may not do. - Exactly. - There's been some confusion on social media that people think
- we're planning to vote on this today. - Exactly. I've seen that myself and, I mean, it's out there
- for everybody to see. The biggest thing is, and I want the public to know, that I myself
- do not want to see something that's a burden to the taxpayers as well. And the original proposal
- in the HB 1461 was if we did not do this, I mean, we get a lot of money from the Community
- Crossings grant. I mean, this year's pretty close to a quarter of a million this year.
- We will no longer be able to do that. My restricted fund will not do what we're doing today as
- resurfacing these streets. I mean, our streets, I'm not going to say they're going to start falling
- apart tomorrow, but streets that we're repairing is going to take longer to circle back around to,
- to get them upgraded again. Also, with this new bill, now with this amendment they've put in there
- now, that smaller communities do not have to implement the will tax to be able to,
- help me, apply for the Community Crossings grant. Also in that, in the original amendment,
- there was a proposal to unstack this, and that was the biggest thing I wanted to let the public
- know
- that with the unstacking of these vehicle taxes, if Ellsville did implement this tax,
- it would not be an extra burden. It just revert the money going to the county and coming to
- Ellsville. And from what I saw, I looked at the legislative update before I came, I did,
- it looks like that's still in there. Yeah, I did, I still saw that, but doesn't mean it could be,
- just may not have been updated on that. Okay, well, that was the other thing. It would be nice
- if it was still there. Right, but it looks like I really would like to do this. One of the
- amendments,
- one of the amendments that look like, and I know where, is that it said that if you don't have it,
- you don't get the same percentage of, they're tying a percentage now. It's also in discussion
- with this, and I don't have it in front of me somewhere, me and Denise, we kind of went
- through a little bit of this this morning, that there possibly will be a reduction in percentage
- that I will get in my restricted line in the NVH. We're going to have to make that up somewhere.
- Right. Right, if I could caution everyone and continue if we want, we're putting a lot of
- information out there right now that we have no idea if it's going to come true or not, and some
- people are going to only hear snippets of this or only choose to hear snippets. Totally agree. And
- start warning people. So I don't disagree. I just wanted people to understand this was still
- only planned to be a conversation. We weren't planning to just ram a wheel tax. And hopefully
- between this and the other discussions we've had, they say they can understand why we're even
- discussing this now. Yes. So I request this evening we table this. Do we need to do a motion on
- that?
- As long as there's a consensus to table it to the next meeting, I don't think a formal motion is
- required. I'm good with tableing it. Yeah, because I have a lot of questions, so let's wait. Yeah,
- until we actually know what we're playing with. Right. We may be back in the corner where we
- have to do something, but then again, we may not. Right. It hasn't gone to conference yet. It didn't
- look like. And that's, we won't know until that happens. Exactly. Thank you all very much.
- Now we move down to new business, which is review of TIF management annual report.
- Because the town has established economic development areas,
- the town is required to file with the department of local government finance by April 15th of each
- year, a TIF management annual report. And I had emailed a copy of this to the board members,
- I believe last week. This has been prepared by Baker Tilly. Long story short, the west side
- allocation area and the riverfront allocation area have zero revenues and zero expenditures, but we
- still have to file the report by tomorrow. So at the redevelopment commissions meeting this evening,
- they accepted this report and theoretically they are forwarding it onto council for your review,
- but you don't need to do anything. We just have to show the minutes that you've been provided
- with a copy of this report. Soviet. It's all zeros right now. Right. Any questions?
- Okay. Board of Zoning Appeals appointment. I have a couple vacancies on the Board of Zoning
- Appeals and tonight I bring before you Caleb Plummer. It would be a presidential appointment.
- The next appointment would be the entire council would vote on it. Caleb is a resident
- of Ellitsville. He has his own business here and I think he would bring the knowledge I need to the
- Board of Zoning Appeals and he's eager to serve. Okay. Does it match what we need as far as?
- For BZA, it's not political. There's no partisanship. Thank you for the word.
- Okay. We'll make that appointment. Thank you.
- Next is a proposed MOU between Richland Beam Blossom and the town for resurfacing entryway.
- Okay. Okay. So, last year we talked to Richland Beam Blossom Nursing Care. I can't remember.
- Health center. Thank you. I always say that wrong. There is a road entry from 46
- and all the medical buildings access that road entry to get into dental care.
- There's IU. Is it an IU? IU Health is in there. Richland Health is in there. And then it also
- feeds into the little strip mall that's got Edward Jones and a couple other. And
- it used to be like an HOA as best I can remember. And all those businesses were supposed to take
- care of it. But everything's changed hand. Nobody owns anything that was there originally.
- And so it went into disrepair. And I've been asked by almost every business
- in there. I have been asked by every business in there, including Richland Beam Blossom Health Care.
- What can they do? What can we do to maintain that road and make it? I mean, it's just in
- deplorable shape and what we could do. So after finding out that Richland Beam Blossom Health Care,
- originally it was their drive. And for lack of a better term, they own it. And
- we talked to them. They helped us out with some easements. And I said I'd get back to
- them and see if we could work something out. And so they have agreed to bring it up to standards
- money-wise for materials. We agreed to surface it and then take it over as part of our
- town's inventory. It resolves who needs to take care of it, who plows it. We plowed it for years,
- even before -- you know, I mean, we just plowed it because it needed to be plowed just for the
- health care. So anyway, there's several businesses there and nobody knows who owns it. And I just
- think this might be one of those times when government can actually step in, help and resolve
- an issue for the good of the community and the businesses at hand. >> Okay. Questions from
- council? Go ahead. >> Is it just a repaving or are we going to try to bring this road into the
- town's inventory? >> We're going to bring it in. That's part of the agreement. If they'll pay for
- the materials, we'll use our paver and workforce, we'll pave it and bring it into the inventory,
- and then from now on it will be in our inventory and we'll be responsible for it. >> Correct me
- from wrong guard. Is this kind of the same situation we did for Jacob Court? >> Jacob Court
- dedication. It could be, yes. >> Could be. >> Unfortunately, the person that Michael spoke to at
- Richland Beanblossom, the director, is no longer there, but yes, I mean, that's what I would
- envision is this being like the Jacob Court dedication that the town council did about a year or so
- ago, where Richland Beanblossom doesn't transfer the property to the town in fee simple, but there's
- an agreement whereby the town
- town, takes it over, it's part of the town's inventory.
- Aside from that, honestly this is in the public benefit that we do something with it,
- because of the number of ambulance and fire runs that have to go to that facility, and
- that way our equipment doesn't get damaged should it fall into a state of disrepair.
- Thank you for saying that. And truly the agreements with the corporation, my local,
- I haven't talked to her since last fall, and we were just getting around to taking care
- of this, and so I'll go, if you approve this, then I'll go back, meet their point person
- and finalize it.
- Just out of the public necessity, I would say that we do it, yes.
- I agree.
- Yeah, I've got a few issues with this. First of all, I just don't see us paying
- to pave another business road. I mean, we are not in the contracting business, and to
- put the taxpayers' dollars, equipment, supplies, and to take over a road to get it up to standards
- to take it over is just not our responsibility. Now, if they want to bring the road into the
- town like that was done on capital, we had to bring it up to standards before we turned
- it over into the road's inventory. Another thing, you said that they are paying for this
- in this ordinance. It says the Department of Public Works are to supply the labor and
- materials to repave the facility. So which is it? Are we paying for this?
- They're paying for the materials. I think it's $8,700. Yes. Why does it state in this
- that we are supplying the labor and material? It pays $8,700. Okay. It's a reimbursement.
- Right. Yeah, I'm still a little concerned about this because I understand it needs to
- be done and there's trouble with the businesses on who has it. Obviously, they have to have
- easements. All those businesses have to have easements to their existing business. So really,
- it should be all of them paying for that and not just one entity when there's four other
- businesses in that area. And another thing, like I said, there's other
- businesses in town that need repaved. And I can think of one, but I'm not going to mention
- it, needs it done badly. We can't send our government workers up there to pave a private
- business. I just don't understand how we can do that legally.
- Well, you want an answer? Sure.
- Okay. So, yeah, you're probably right. And in fact, if you say no, then we won't have
- to work so hard and we can just go on down the road and do something else. But I think
- part of really good governments, what they should do and accomplish is to make the town
- better and to resolve problems that are confusing and there's no real good, nobody's ever going
- to solve a problem. And for the betterment of the town, and like Scott said, for God's
- sakes, for all the ambulances and the fire trucks and the police cars that go down through
- there, this was a way to make a lot of different people happy and make the situation better
- and safer and to provide leadership to resolve a problem.
- So what are you going to do when, let's say, Richland Plaza comes to you, say, hey, we'll
- give you our easement and our parking lot, you guys pave it, we'll pay you because we're
- going to get a hell of a deal on it because you're using free labor, free equipment, blah,
- blah, blah. What are you going to do when they come to you?
- I'm going to say that's not something that we-- How are you going to distinguish between
- the two, though? They're both businesses? I already did. I just said we're not going
- to handle that. But why are you doing it for them? See, I'm
- arguing for someone else coming to you. Right. Well, you're talking about one entity that
- can control their destiny and they can decide whether they do or don't do anything, whereas
- this entryway serves several very important businesses to the town and to healthcare,
- and this is a situation where we can provide the leadership, resolve the problem, and move
- on down the road. It's like no big deal. But, I mean, I could argue that my business
- provides stuff, important things to the town. You could, but you'd be disappointed if you
- argue with me because I'd say no. I'm just saying, I'm not even sure legally
- we can do this. Well, if they deed it to the town or transfer
- it to the town's inventory, we can't do it. But, I mean, we did that back when me and
- you were on the board, like, for instance, Capitol Avenue. I spent 20 grand to get it
- brought up to the town's standards before the town took it into their inventory. And
- it just wasn't me, it was like nine other entities and the business in there.
- It's unfortunate that I wasn't town manager. But I'm just saying that I just don't think
- we can do this. I mean, if Darla says it's okay, and we're not going to get a big lawsuit
- filed against us saying that you're providing taxpayers dollars to fund a privately owned
- business pavement. I mean, I just don't see how we can get away with that.
- The counter argument, Dan, that I would make to you and anyone else here live on television
- is there's a, to me, there's a big difference between and no offense, take whatever business
- you want, but you call that Richland Plaza. That's an elective thing where people go there
- to shop to do whatever else. There are people in this facility who have no option but to
- live there and they are confined there and they need emergency medical service, which
- has our assets being the fire trucks, police cars, having to go up there. So it's in our
- best interest to make sure that that's to standard because quite frankly, a lot of times
- anymore there's an engine company going up there with a 40,000 ton or 40,000 pound engine
- on a road that if we leave it to whoever, it could be the lowest coming bidder and who
- knows if it supports it. I remember probably 10 years ago where we had one of them on its
- side because the road wasn't maintained appropriately. So I really don't want to go back down that
- road because they're at Richland Plaza maybe once a month, maybe. They're here once a day,
- maybe. So there's a difference to me. And it's a healthcare facility. I get what you're
- saying and I agree with it, for a for-profit everything, but here we have people confined
- that we know are going to need services that we are legally bound to give them.
- But I'm just telling you too, why are we going to get in this business? As we continue to
- grow, there's going to be other healthcare facilities move in.
- If there's healthcare facilities move in that want to give us through land?
- There's some here now too that, you know, are we going to start paving their drives?
- I mean, I just see this as just a nightmare on my part.
- You forget the uniqueness of it that there's several healthcare entities that utilize that
- one.
- And they also are privately owned and for-profit. And they should be able to afford to have
- their drive done.
- If you don't want us to do it, I'll, I can move on.
- I'm saying too, I'm not even sure it's legal for us to do things like this.
- I haven't seen Darla Sturris into every, anything that is illegal yet. So if it's passed...
- Well, she hasn't even had a chance to speak yet. So...
- I'm pretty certain she would have...
- I'm afraid she doesn't want to.
- Pretty certain she would have asked this before it got here.
- I don't think she wants to speak on it.
- Let me ask you this, Dan and Mike both. If we could get them, the, whoever entity is
- paying for it, they can work that out, whether it's the healthcare center or not, to pay
- for the full cost of it, as in our labor and everything. We're not, that way no tax dollars
- are being used for it. But we make sure the road's up to standards.
- But then I got a problem with that because we're not contractors. We are a municipality.
- We are not contractors. So, I mean, if they got the money to do that, hire your own people
- to do it, then we'll take the road in, and then from there on out, we'll maintain that
- road. That's why we're involved. I've seen an opportunity
- for the town to take a leadership role and make something happen for the good of the
- town and for the good of the businesses that located here. And that's why I did it.
- Well, you know, I just don't think it's legal. This gives me heartburn too. I'm not going
- to lie. Because it said I understand the uniqueness of this, but I don't know if every other
- business
- is going to understand the uniqueness or they can argue they're just as unique in a different
- way. Exactly. There's medical facilities in Richland
- Plaza. Richland Plaza is owned by one entity. One
- entity. They control their destiny. They don't depend on anybody else.
- It's a triple net lease. Every business in there is part owner of it. They have to pay
- for everything. Yes, exactly right.
- William can tell you that. He had a business there.
- It comes to our inventory beforehand. Well, if it comes to our inventory beforehand,
- it should be up to standards before it comes into our inventory.
- And that's what we've done in the past. It was. It was at one time and it's fell
- in disrepair because nobody claimed ownership of it. And like I said, everybody
- that was in on the fix, in on it when it was developed, all those people are all gone.
- Part of me is thinking those businesses though should have had that ironed out when, I mean,
- those businesses, are they leasing, somebody leasing those buildings to them?
- Because that's who should be in that conversation.
- This is just, no, you may not disconnect it.
- In a second, I write public comment when we get to public comment, but right now, no,
- William, were you talking? I'm sorry.
- I lost my train of thought, but I just think that, yeah, whoever the lead, whoever they rent from,
- that's an entity similar to Richland Plaza, and it may not be as many people,
- and I don't know, do they have a triple net lease? I don't know. I don't know that,
- but if they do, then they're already kind of built into the lease. That's part of it,
- and if we do this, it's kind of given a, we're putting our thumb on the scale so those businesses
- don't get hit with the increases, what it would cost to do this, or other businesses would like
- in Richland Plaza as an example. I mean, I know at least two businesses have left because of
- that issue, what they put in there, so it's... And I can tell you right now, $8,700 will not get
- that paid. If you bring in a private contractor, that's probably going to be $40,000 to pave all
- that. Well, you don't have to tell me all that. I don't need to know any information like that.
- If you don't want to do it, why don't we settle this by moving on?
- Let's wait. Darla, is this legal? -I think this is a policy decision for the town council.
- Okay. That sounds like a punt. -You get your costs recouped, and so then if you determine
- that you want to include labor costs in there, I think that's reasonable. But I don't see this
- as being any different from the Jacob Court dedication that the town did within the last
- year or so ago. -I don't remember that. Yeah, because that would work out for a minute.
- Wasn't Jacob Court, though, up to spec before we took it over to the inventory?
- It was even completely built before we took it over. Not to a finished state.
- I'd like Kip's opinion on it a little bit. -With no backlash. Be honest, Kip.
- Because my question, too, is do you have the staff and the time and the labor to do this?
- Will that take away from other things going on, though?
- [inaudible]
- I'd like to mention we did all the work for the Highway 46 project, which lasted four years,
- and it took away from other things we did. But we did them anyway, and so we can surely
- do 491 feet of road if we can do four years of work and get all of our other work done.
- So that question is moving. -Also, Kip, what equipment will you be using?
- What would you need to do this? -Probably two to three trucks.
- And does this $8,700 sound like a feasible amount for? -I'm the one to come up with that.
- Okay. That's just material, correct? -That's just material from me.
- Is that trail desperate? -My question for you, because this is a complaint I get a lot,
- parking to get onto the trail, if we would take this into the inventory,
- is it enough space there to add parking spots to get people onto the trail? Because that's what
- I hear all the time, is there's not a great way to get onto it. -And the person that owns
- the strip mall has already done, has already made an effort to donate the end of that for more
- parking for the trail. And in fact, the person that owns strip mall, he says after hours,
- anybody can park there to go on the trail, and he welcomes it. And I guess I've never made that
- public before, but we haven't got around to putting the parking lot in, but it is in our things to
- do
- as we move forward with Stewart Park and the trail. And so, I mean, that's kind of an answer.
- I think that's a lot for sale right now. You can see they stub in, so that's someone's lot
- that they own. -Kip, about how much if we had to get reimbursement for the labor and equipment,
- I mean, just what I'd say the wholesale cost, if you're not prepared for that tonight, I mean,
- I understand. -We would just get the road, we would not own that.
- I can tell you. -What are we doing? I'm sorry. -So, it'd be give or take, $200, it'd be like
- $1,100. -Five guys, I'm using your numbers off your cruise, they could, five guys, eight hours.
- Eight guys, five hours. Here's what I took, I took 130 times eight, yeah.
- I'd be comfortable with this. Again, I still, it understands Dan's concern,
- but I think the case can be made here. We have one entity donating some of the, not really donating,
- but allowing part of their lot for public use, but if it was, if they paid for the full cost,
- I could completely understand other than just, because it also says that upon completion, they
- pay. I like some of the money up front, too. That's the other thing, too. I'd be a lot more
- comfortable with that. -And add in labor? -I mean, I know it's probably not going to get your vote,
- Dan. -No, I mean, just because they're donating their parking lot to say they're going to sell
- it and the next owner doesn't allow it after our parking, so that's not... -I wasn't going to bring
- that up anyway, so I don't... -Yeah, that's not the parking lot, it's the room. -Right. -It's the
- connecting room. So let's be honest. I mean, if it was parking, I'd be against it, but it's the...
- No, I mean, William mentioned that the person donating his parking lot for the trail after
- hours. -Because what I was saying is that, you know, I'm looking for some input from
- whoever Edward Jones and all them rent from. I mean, it's a shared use road, so maintaining it
- should be shared use. -Exactly. -Let's be honest, it probably should have been deeded to the town
- whenever all this was built to begin with for this exact reason, because it's not part of the
- parking
- lot, it's an access route. But here again, no fault to anyone in the room, somewhere we dropped
- that
- ball years ago, because that thing's been sitting there for 15 or 20 years. -Unless they didn't
- want to
- donate it in. -Well then, they don't get it approved in some of the factions. -The driveway itself
- is actually
- unneeded property that belongs to the originally Muslim health care facility. -Okay. -If that's the
- case, I can see why the
- shopping center, they're like, hey, it's not ours. -Right, exactly. -But I'm sure they have easements,
- they would have to have easements. -I don't know, that's something. -I mean, they couldn't have
- built
- the building without easement. I mean, it's just because they're newer buildings, there's no way
- that could have happened. -I mean, I've had several phone calls from the, whatever, the dental
- center
- where Dr. Caff used to be at and all that. I mean, from the employees as well as customers. -Right.
- Well, I know we have at least one number of public comment, so let's open up to public
- comment at this point. You're limited to three minutes, as normal. -At the beginning of this
- discussion, there was some comment about a homeowners association or something the equivalent of
- that, but
- you came back to that at the end of the discussion. It seemed to me maybe, one, you can provide
- leadership as a community, as a town, by exercising appropriate public authorities, one. And two,
- I think we ought to be looking at the users and the owners of the land take some responsibility.
- I'm very sympathetic to Dan's concern, because one is, you know, I encounter this with respect
- to the sidewalk, and I don't recall exactly how we got into it. When we started talking about the
- sidewalk in Abigail months ago, Paul, the most recent discussions back in last November or so,
- there was the issue about we were paying trails somewhere, we couldn't use the resources, or we
- couldn't employ public employees to sort of get the sidewalk finished, because there was some
- thought
- about that being an opportunity. So there are some costs to that, but, you know, I think there are
- a
- variety of ways we provided leadership here, and covering their costs, to me, is not a good defense
- of our good competition of leadership. Let me also, well, let me stop there. Okay, thank you.
- Is there anyone else? Back to the council.
- Okay. Is there a motion?
- I will make a motion to approve this with the following amendments, that 50% has to be
- contributed up front, and that it's the total labor equipment cost and material cost.
- I'll second. Motion is a second, whenever you're ready.
- William Ellis? Yes. Scott Oldham? Yes. Dan Swofford?
- I do appreciate you putting that in there, William, but I still, I had to vote no.
- I do understand. Trevor Sager? Yes.
- Motion carries. I fully respect your reasoning, Dan.
- Now we move to privilege of the floor. Anyone having business for the council that is not
- on our normal agenda? Step up please.
- We have someone in the chamber speaking right now, Mr. Perry. We'll come back to you in a moment.
- Good evening. My name is Marvin Olmet, and I am a town resident and the president of the
- Monroe County Fall Festival. I would like to thank the town and the public works department
- that puts in countless hours to make the festival happen. Simple improvements over years previously
- to a very successful 2024 Fall Festival. Adding more family entertainment, expanding children's
- games, larger bands, and better food truck choices all led to this success. New craft vendors and
- commercial vendors advertising left us with a waiting list, having more vendors than in the past.
- Our sponsorship members grew as well, filling the sponsorship
- signs at the downtown festival board that hasn't happened in a long time. This year,
- we have attracted bigger tribute bands, including local talent shows. We will have a larger circus
- show and plan to have contests that haven't happened since the 1990s. Our last Fall Festival
- meeting was filled. We filled every seat. Our volunteer base is growing with new faces each
- meeting. Once again, I would like to thank the town of Ellsville for their past support and ask for
- your support once again for the 2025 Fall Festival as we celebrate 90 years since the first Fall
- Festival was held in Ellsville. Thank you. Thank you. I appreciate your time putting in on that.
- I used to volunteer for that. It's a lot of work. It is.
- Anyone else in chambers? If not, we'll go back to Mr. Perry.
- Let me note that I raised the sidewalk issue in the last meeting and I have to thank the
- Planning Director, Colline Moore. Apparently, I've gotten some text, even though I'm going to
- talk to the whole, but I've gotten some text from neighbors indicating that the sidewalk is in
- process, which is fine. Let me also note another item, and that is the reduction of the seat limit
- on State Road 36, which I find would be a positive development. It had odds with
- perfect or stated preferences for some of our city staff, including our town marshal who
- was interviewed on the issue. He didn't think that there was any compromise to our safety.
- My wife almost lost her life with 46, across from the man for my dog and across from the Starbucks,
- and the total of the conglomerate, $46,000. So we have problems now. The other issue on it
- is enforcement of the 35 mile hour speed limit that is now on State Road 6 between Arlington and
- Heart Straight Road, which is the change that the end up made, uh, day to day. Awesome. Yes. I'm
- sorry, did you, did we lose Mr. Perry or was he done? Okay. All right. Thank you for your comments.
- Anyone else? Yeah, we're going to move to supervisor comments. Oh, I just thank all the employees
- who
- worked during the two storms we had a week ago, Wednesday and last Friday. So I mean, can't say
- enough about it could go on and on, but I'll just thank them. Um, Kip, are you going to mention
- Mikey? Well, I think it better coming from you, but, um, so I'm going to pass to Kip, um, talking
- about one of our employees.
- Okay, go ahead.
- It might be a little early, but the fireworks are July the 5th this year, which is a Saturday. So
- everybody can start their party planning. I'm going to jump back on that. So that that night, there'll
- also be a concert in the park. So and it'll be over in time to
- Get up to the fireworks. So plan ahead.
- Come on, move on.
- All right, uh, hopefully I won't get too emotional. I'm not really
- That much, but
- A couple weeks ago we lost a very devoted employee to town of Elksville.
- Mike Richardson hired in in July of 2001. I hired in in November of 2001.
- The big lug is I've had to watch my back because you'd hurt you or by accident or you just
- everything. He was a devoted employee of the town, worked many hours plowing snow. He's went
- 24 hours straight plowing snow and we've done it together.
- I want to thank the town and staff and everybody that helped us lame the rest last Friday. He's
- very gonna be missed. The guys are already
- Missing that fist bump. Love you, brother. Just trying to help you boys out or he's all time coming
- up with some kind of a whine, but
- We're gonna miss Mikey.
- He come up, give me a big belly bump.
- I think it goes without saying that we, as a council and as a town, express our condolences to not
- only his family, but to his co-workers who for years treasured his input and his presence and I
- think as a council, we would ask for just a moment of silence.
- Thank you.
- I want to make quick comment for the rest of the council does that you guys get your shot. Little
- known, well, I think little regarded or remembered is the leadership that Mike has shown over the
- last several years for flood mitigation and without a doubt, there's some people who had damage.
- Had it not been for him making sure all these projects got done, there would have been a lot more
- people have a lot more damage than what we had when we got six inches of rain an hour or two hours.
- So, Mike, thank you.
- You're welcome.
- We talked about this and I think I'll be coming before the board very soon to talk about phase two
- and some of the actions we can take to get in a position where maybe we can do even more.
- I'll tell you, as at the RDC meeting that Trevor brought up, we brought up the flooding, I have
- talked to some people that got impacted down there and I can say there, I don't sense any anger or
- frustration with the town.
- I mean, just mother nature, they understand that.
- But, you know, one of the reasons we brought up stage two is as we try to market Ellsville downtown
- in that TIF district to come in,
- it says a lot more, hey, we tried this, okay, we had this major rain, this still didn't work. But
- even Carl said what was 15 inches less than what the last real big one? So, I mean, it's working.
- He did.
- And that's why--
- And it's avoided a lot of other smaller storms.
- Yes, absolutely. But I think that as a council and as a town, we probably, we do need to look at
- what a phase two would look like. That way, you know, because there may come a time, and I'll say
- this, that we've tried
- everything possible, but Mother Nature still says no. We're not there yet. But when we are, we're
- going to have to have some tough discussions about that area.
- I think the one thing again, and commending Mike to stay honest, is there's so many times over the
- years that 46, both east and westbound, has been closed to traffic because of water. Well, why that
- seems, because thankfully, it usually has happened in the middle of the night.
- And while that seems bothersome, troublesome, whatever else, let's remember that 46 is the only
- people from Spencer have to get to the hospital.
- Only people can go help people in Spencer is 46. So what we've accomplished so far, like you said,
- is phase one. But it's incumbent upon us, both for our citizens and for the people that aren't even
- in our area, to do everything we can and to try and get the state to help us as much as they can to
- make sure that traffic can continue.
- So again, thank you to everyone who's done so much so far. But we've got more work to do.
- Yeah, and I would just like to tag on to that. Mike, you've done an excellent job over the years.
- And I know I think it was Brian Mobley that pushed us to finally buy that property up and start
- that shelving back in there.
- I think that it receded a lot quicker. And I think what Scott said, there was several events that I
- think we would have flooded if it hadn't been for that shelving. So I think it's working. It's just
- not fixed. And I don't think we can ever fix it totally. But no, you have a tornado come through.
- Right. Exactly.
- Mother Nature is going to do what she does. But it's definitely a good job laughs as they say. Yeah.
- Other council comments.
- Seeing none, no further business for the council.
- For sure.
- Recording start.
- (upbeat orchestral music)
- ("Pomp and Circumstance")