LAPEL TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
OCTOBER 17, 2024

In attendance: Chad Blake, Brian Robertson, Lindsay Washmuth, Roger Fouse, Gary Shuck,
Teresa Retherford, Clerk-Treasurer, Evan McMullen, Town Attorney

7p.m. meeting called to order at the Lapel Lion's Club

Motion made to amend the new business section for the first reading of the amended
ordinance for the golf cart section made by Blake, 2nd by Robertson. All in favor.

PUBLIC COMMENTS AND CONCERNS:
John Mendenhall would like the alley/utility easement located off 11 th Street to be
accessible. Shuck and Hutchinson will get the alley/utility easement graveled and done the
way it needs to be.

Paul Madara asked who was going to fix 800 South, road south of 38 from the pipeline,
people tearing it up. Blake states the town was not officially contacted by the pipeline
company about working in our area. The town will be getting in contact with the pipeline
company to see what they are going to do to fix their mess.

Mike Helterbrand followed up on his complaint with 22 Pendleton Ave that he made 3
months prior.

PRESENTATIONS:

Planning Adminstrator
ROW Permit for the Library- Oksana suggested that the library provides the plans
for the structural details of the sidewalk that they tore out and bring in front of the council
to make sure it meets the ADA Compliance.
Motion to approve the ROW Permit for the library made by Shuck, 2nd by Washmuth. All in
favor.

Event Permit
Christmas in Lapel- Lindsey Washmuth submitted two permits, one with an
alcohol vender, one without. The permit is for December 7th from 4pm-8:30pm.
Motion to approve the event permit without the additional alcohol vendor made by Blake,
2nd by Robertson. All in favor except Washmuth who abstained.

NEW BUSINESS:

Letter of Resignation - Herschel Hinkle has resigned from the BZA effective
October 10, 2024. There is now a position available to fill on the BZA board.
Open position on Redevelopment Commission -A resume from Richard Himes
has been received.
Tabled until the end of the meeting to determine if there are political affiliation
requirements to be on the Redevelopment Commission.
Fiber Hawk Amendment to the Lease Agreement - Retherford states the council
approved a lease agreement on August 15, 2024 with Fiber Hawk who has sold out to OnRamp Indiana. Fiber Hawk wants to assign the contract to the purchaser.
Motion to amend the Fiber Hawk Agreement to change ownership to On-Ramp Indiana
made by Blake, 2nd by Washmuth. All in favor.
Triangle - M&R Station - The owners of the land where our M&R station is located at
by Pendleton Ave and 13 is asking if the town wants to purchase the property.
Motion made to authorize Fouse to reach out to owners of the property at 13 and
Pendleton Ave made by Blake, 2nd by Shuck. All in favor.
Park on John Street - The equipment at the park on John Street is not in
compliance. The town's utility department suggests the town gives the park back to
Hershberger's. 
Motion to contact the Hershberger trust and return that property to their care made by
Blake, 2nd by Fouse. All in favor except Shuck, No.
Adoption of 2025 Budget-All members of council should have received a required
ordinance, form 4.
Motion to approve budget as it has been submitted to the state made by Robertson, 2nd by Blake. Robertson, Blake, Washmuth in favor. Fouse and Shuck No.
Golf Cart Ordinance - Councilman Robertson asked Town Attorney McMullen to
remove the requirement for a curfew from the Ordinance. The Ordinance is identical from
the previous ordinance 7-2021 aside from Section 9, Hours of Operation.
Motion to approve Ordinance 12-2024, the amended golf cart ordinance as presented
made by Robertson, 2nd by Washmuth. All in favor.
Motion to suspend the rules and approve the ordinance on the first reading made by
Robertson, 2nd by Fouse. All in favor.
Motion to appoint Richard Himes to the Redevelopment Commission made by Robertson,
2nd by Washmuth. All in favor.

CLERK-TREASURER REPORT:
Retherford went to class last week. Lisa Nichols has been sick and out of the office
all week. No meeting minutes or payroll docket.

PUBLIC HEARING: No public hearings.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

South Madison Community Foundation Donation - Discussion was made about
what program to donate the funds to.
Motion to give the South Madison Community Foundation Donation to the Lapel Middle
School STEM program made by Fouse, 2nd by Washmuth. All in favor.
Leaf Pickup - Shuck talks about the outside sources that the town contacted to
pick up the towns leaves and suggests the town goes with BAM from Westfield. Leaves will be picked up every week in November and December 9, 2024.
Motion to approve the contract pending the amendment for the dates discussed made by
Blake, 2nd by Robertson. All in favor.
Greg Weaver- Montgomery Farms - Came for a follow up from the concern he
raised to the council at the April meeting.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS:

Police - Police Chief Nasalroad states when Halloween hours will be.
Planning Staff/Plan Commission - The public hearing for the Lapel Industrial Park
for their primary plat was continued per Robertson. A discussion was made about code
enforcement cases, and they will need to go through legal proceedings. Also, a change to
the comprehensive map to match the wording was mentioned.
Utilities - Staffing & Vacation - Blake mentions he has terminated John Nikoloff
from his position with the town.
Motion to ratify the termination made by Blake, 2nd by Washmuth. All in favor.
Hutchinson asks for an employee's time to be rolled over to the next year due to
being short staffed. Blake said that it will be tabled until the next meeting.
Motion to advertise hiring 3 positions for utility department, full time made by Fouse, 2nd by Robertson. All in favor.
Blake states that since John Nikoloff is no longer with the town, the current utility
people may apply for an hourly supervisor/team lead position if they have any interest.
Robertson gives an update on the water project.
A pay application number 20 in the amount of $413,304.51 was submitted and has
been signed off by the engineering department.
Motion to table for a special meeting on October 28, 2024 by Fouse, 2nd by Robertson. All in favor.
Parks - October meeting has been moved to October 28, 2024. The grant process
for the Brookside Project got approved. $675 donation was received from South Madison
and combining it with a $1,000 donation from Lapel Community Association to purchase a
new piece of playground equipment. Request that Jake Huntzinger be appointed to the
open seat on the Parks Board.
Motion to appoint Jake Huntzinger to Park Board made by Fouse, 2nd by Blake. All in favor.
RDC - No update.
Office/Administration -A replacement for Utility Billing Clerk has been hired and
she starts Monday.

COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS AND CONCERNS:

Robertson informed the council that while Sutton Tree Service was in Town cutting
down trees, he approved of another tree to be cut down due to a storm.

APPROVAL OF CLAIMS:
Motion to approve the claims as presented made by Robertson, 2nd by Fouse. All in
favor except Shuck abstained.

ADJOURN:
Motion to adjourn made by Robertson, 2nd by Fouse. All in favor.

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