LAPEL TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
DECEMBER 19, 2024

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

Motion to amend the agenda to add Resolutions 15, 16, 17, and 18 to the New Business section and a report from MS Consultants on the appraisal of our Gas System to be added to the Presentation section made by Robertson, 2nd by Shuck and all were in favor.
Public Comment: Jim Bauer spoke about brown water. Mike Helterbrand spoke about 22 W
Pendleton Avenue.

Oksana Polhuy, from MS Consultants brought the contract for Planning.
Motion to approve the Base Contract and Task Order #1 made by Robertson, 2nd by Fouse, and all were in favor.

Motion to table Task orders 2 and 3 until the January meeting made by Blake, 2nd by Shuck, and all were in favor.

Weihe Row Permit: Standard ROW Permit
Motion to approve the Weihe ROW Permit mad by Robertson, 2nd by Fouse, and all were in
favor.

Dan Cutshaw, from MS Consultants discussed the three appraisals for the Gas Company. His
recommendation was to move forward to the Public Bid and Bid it to the highest bidder.
Motion to seek sealed bids for the Gas Company made by Washmuth, 2nd by Robertson, and all were in favor.

Blake suspended the regular council meeting and opened the Public Hearing for the Additional Appropriations. There were no questions from the public. Blake closed the Public Hearing and resumed the regular meeting.

Motion to approve Resolution 11-2024 authorizing Transfers of Appropriations made by
Robertson, 2nd by Shuck and all were in favor.

Motion to approve Resolution 12-2024 authorizing a Transfer from Cascadden Fund to the Park Fund made by Fouse, 2nd by Robertson and all were in favor.

Motion to approve Resolution 13-2024 authorizing Additional Appropriation made by Blake, 2nd by Robertson and all were in favor except Shuck.

Motion approve Resolution 14-2024 authorizing Year End Transfers made by Shuck, 2nd by
Robertson and all were in favor.

Discussion was held on Ordinance 14-2024 which is the Salary Ordinance for 2025.
Motion to approve Ordinance 14-2024 with amendments. A person with a CDL would receive
$2.00. The Police additional education and with the caveat that the review takes place in April
to replace the annual increase with a Merit based system made by Washmuth, 2nd by
Robertson and all were in favor.

New Business: Resolutions 2024-15, 2024-16, 2024-17, and 2024-18. McMullen discussed the First Merchants Bank building and a location for the First Merchants ATM.

Motion to approve Resolution 2024-15 approving an agreement in principle and authorizing
negotiations and final execution of the settlement and property swap agreement made by
Robertson, 2nd by Washmuth and all were in favor.

Motion to approve Resolution 2024-16 approving support of First Merchants Bank's Variance
Petition to install an ATM machine made by Robertson, 2nd by Blake and all were in favor.

Motion to approve Resolution 2024-17 authorizing a designated representative to execute a
certificate of substantial completion and ensuring protections pursuant to the Developer's
Agreement made by Washmuth, 2nd by Robertson and all were in favor.

Motion to approve Resolution 2024-18 authorizing a joint Executive Session with the Stony
Creek Township Board of Trustees and Trustee regarding the Water Territory Dispute made by
Shuck, 2nd by Robertson and all were in favor.

Unfinished Business: General Obligation Bond. Selecting the Bank for the Purchaser. One bank was at 6.15% if we have our depositories with that bank. 6.35% if we did not have depositories with that bank. The second one was at 4.25% with or without depositories.
Motion to approve the Bond purchaser with the lower rate 4.25% and authorize the ClerkTreasurer to open a new checking account for the deposit of those funds made by Blake, 2nd by Robertson and all were in favor.

Department Reports: Captain Buffington stated the PD responded to 352 calls last month and responded to 4780 runs. Received new rifles. Sold the Durango and bought the Tahoe.

Robertson reported on Planning. We had a Primary Plat for Lapel Industrial Park that was
improved.

Hutchison reported on Utilities. On-Call center will be cancelled. BOD incubator is
inoperable. Yearly gas audit was satisfactory. 811 needs what holidays we approved.
Motion to approve the purchase of a new Incubator for the Wastewater Plant at a cost of
$6999 made by Shuck, 2nd by Robertson and all were in favor.

Clerk-Treasurer Report: Retherford stated that she had a letter of interest to serve on a board. She has a Memorandum of Executive Session that needs voted on.
Motion to approve the Memorandum of Executive Session made by Blake, 2nd by Shuck and all were in favor.

Retherford stated that she would be meeting with Suzy Bass for end of the year.
Motion to approve the claims docket made by Fouse, 2nd by Robertson and all were in favor
except Shuck.

Motion to approve the November Payroll Docket made by Blake, 2nd by Shuck and all were in
favor.

Motion approve November 21st and December 12th meeting minutes made by Fouse, 2nd by
Washmuth and all were favor.

Council member Comments and Concerns: Shuck passed out some information about
Cascadden Fund. He let Council know that this would be the last biannual year for the $100,000 check and that starting next year we will start receiving $50,000 yearly. Shuck stated that he would like for the Clerk-Treasurer to look into Trust Indiana to maybe start investing $5000 out of Cascadden fund.

Motion to adjourn made by Robertson, 2nd by Washmuth and all were in favor.

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