LAPEL TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
JANUARY 16, 2025

In attendance: Chad Blake, Brian Robertson, Lindsay Washmuth, Gary Shuck, Clerk Treasurer Teresa Retherford, Town Attorney Evan McMullin

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

Election of Town Council Officers for 2025:

Motion made by Washmuth to nominate Robertson as Town Council President, 2^nd by Shuck. Blake, Washmuth and Shuck, yes. Robertson abstains.

Motion made by Washmuth to nominate Shuck as Town Council Vice President, 2 ^nd by Robertson. All in favor.

Motion made by Washmuth to appoint Retherford as Town Council Secretary, 2^nd by Robertson. All in favor.

Set Meeting Date and Time:

Motion made by Blake to maintain the same schedule for 2025, 3^rd Thursday of every month at 7:00 p.m. at the Lion's Club, 2^nd by Robertson. All in favor.

Council Liasons:

Motion made by Shuck to maintain the same liasons but add Blake as the Town's IT Liason, 2^nd by Washmuth. All in favor.

PUBLIC COMMENTS AND CONCERNS:

Alicia West talks about a well head protection plan for Lapel. Also talks about Senate Bill 491 and House Bill 1233 about the fire department.

NEW BUSINESS:

Commonwealth: Pay Application #22 & #23: Pay Application #22 is for $379,859.48 after subtraction of retained penalty and Pay Application #23 is for $433,843.21. Atlas is doing the service lines in the project area currently.

Motion to approve Pay Applications #22 & # 23 made by Robertson, 2^nd by Shuck. All in favor.

Row Dedication 2025-01 : Application for council to review and accept the dedicated ROW along south county road 1000 W and State Road 38.

Motion to approve the dedication of Row Dedication 2025-01 made by Shuck, 2^nd by Washmuth. All in favor.

Introduction of an Ordinance Amending Fee Schedule: Update of the planning section of the fee schedule was introduced that was recommended by the planning commission and Oksana.

Motion made to introduce the Ordinance 2025-1 Amending Fee Schedule made by Shuck, 2^nd by Blake. All in favor.

FMT: Fuel Tracking System: Retherford explained the quote from Midwest Maintenance and Construction for a new system that she recommended the Town should get to keep track of precise fuel usage with the town and fire department. Purchase amount of $14,456.25 for the fuel tracking system.

Motion to approve quote as presented minus the tax made by Robertson, 2^nd by Shuck. All in favor.

Motion to amend the agenda to add Resolution 2025-01 to New Business made by Washmuth, 2^nd by Shuck. All in favor.

Resolution 2025-1 Allowing the Council President to form a Steering Committee

Attorney McMullin discussed Resolution 2025-01 to everyone. Any type of renovations that may or may not need to be done will have to go out for a public bid. President of the Council to create a Steering Committee to meet with contractor(s) and form a public bid to go out. Motion to approve Resolution 2025-01 made by Shuck, 2^nd by Robertson. All in favor.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

There is no unfinished business.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS:

Police: Officer Nasleroad reported there were 466 calls and 26 criminal charges this month. The 2023 Tahoe and 2020 Explorer had a recall, and they got fixed. F-150 vehicle was making noise, took it in and the transmission was under warranty, so a new one was put in. Most calls the department got last year were on Sundays. There were 25 arrests for illegal drug possessions and 41 OWI related criminal charges last year. Last year there were 204 accident-related calls with 91 injuries.

Planning Staff/Plan Commission: Robertson states there have been issues with Stormstrike this month. Vehicles parked on roads and sidewalks. Discussion was had with Officer Nasleroad on what can be done. Oksana went over how addresses are assigned and about outstanding ordinances.

Utilities: Brandon Hutchison states the BOD incubator was installed at the wastewater plant. IDEM will be doing inspection soon. New hires are still in training.

Parks: Katie Hutchinson states there was no December meeting. Olivia Wood's 4-year term has ended, and she has requested that the council reinstates her position for her next 4year term.

Motion to reappoint Olivia Wood to the Parks Board made by Washmuth, 2^nd by Gary. All in favor.

RDC: Working on ideas that RDC can fund in the community this year.

Office/Administration: A letter was received from Frankton/Lapel Schools thanking the town for the donation. Lisa is still off. Diane is doing a great job.

CLERK-TREASURER REPORT:

Retherford has a meeting next Wednesday with Suzie Bass to help do the end of the year.

COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS AND CONCERNS:

Shuck gives a reminder there's another public hearing on the fire territory on February 5, 2025 at East Elementary School in Markleville. Diane is doing great in the office. Oksana helping with the planning fee schedule is really going to help the town out.

APPROVAL OF CLAIMS: Motion to approve claims as presented by Blake, 2^nd by Shuck. Blake, Washmuth, Shuckyes. Robertson abstains.

APPROVAL OF ALLOWANCE DOCKET:

Motion to approve Allowance Docket as presented by Shuck, 2^nd by Washmuth. All in favor.

ADJOURN:

Motion to adjourn made by Shuck, 2^nd by Washmuth. All in favor.

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