Mayor Costin called the meeting Martinsville Common Council to order on Monday, September 27,2021. Pastor Chris Page of Hoosier Harvest Church then led the prayer, followed by Mayor Costin leading the Pledge of Allegiance.
ATTENDANCE
THOSE MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE
- Kenny Costin, Mayor
- Phil Deckard, District 1
- Ben Mahan, District 2
- Josh Ferran, District 3
- Suzie Lipps, District 4
- Phil Deckard II, District 5
- Ann Miller, Councilwoman-at-Large
- Jim Wisco, Councilman-at-Large
- Dale Coffey, City Attorney
- Rebecca Tumey, Clerk – Treasurer
- Ben Merida, Deputy Clerk
A quorum was declared present.
No members participated electronically.
MINUTES
Mayor Costin presented the Minutes of Monday, September 13, 2021. to the Council. Councilman Phil Deckard II made the motion to accept and allow the Minutes. Councilwoman Ann Miller seconded the motion. The Motion passes 7-0.
MAYOR’S REPORT
A motion to recess the Council meeting was made by Councilman Phil Deckard Sr. Seconding the motion was Councilman Jim Wisco. The Motion passes 7-0.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Petition to Vacate Alley / 689 W. Washington St. – Attorney Richard Bray appeared with his client, Edwin Phillips. Phillips owns two plats of land that has a dead-end alley cutting through it. Mayor Costin called for public comment. Citizen James McHaffey, 659 W. Washington Street appeared to offer support for vacating the alley. Mayor Costin called two more times for public comment. Hearing none, the public hearing was closed.
Ordinance 2021-0022 /Amendment to Martinsville Code Chapter 66: Solid Waste, Article II: Collection and Disposal – The city’s financial advisor, Jeff Peters led the discussion for the proposed ordinance. Peters reminded everyone that in order for the Sanitation Department to operate like a turn utility, rates need to go to $15.00 per month. Further, for capital improvements, the Council should set the rate at $20.00 per month. Mayor Costin called for public comment. Stacey Williams, 105 Jordan Court, said she did not support the increase. Mayor Costin called an additional two times for public comment. Hearing none, the public hearing was closed.
Ordinance 2021-0023 / 2022 Budget – Jeff Peters, financial advisor to the city, reported the General Fund is balanced. Peters also said the city will be spending cash for sidewalks and paving in 2022. Funding will come from Riverboat and EDIT. Mayor Costin called three times for public comment. Hearing none, the public hearing was closed.
A motion to close the Public Hearing and to reconvene the Council meeting was made by Councilman Phil Deckard Sr. Councilwoman Ann Miller seconded the motion. The Motion passes 7-0.
NEW BUSINESS
Second Reading and Consideration of Ordinance 2021-2020 / Environmental Restriction Ordinance Regulating the Use of Groundwater and Groundwater Wells – Gary Oakes, Department of Planning and Engineering presented the ordinance for the second reading. A motion to accept and allow was made by Councilman Jim Wisco. Councilman Phil Deckard II seconded the motion. The Motion passes 7-0.
Ordinance 2021-021 / Vacate Alley – 689 W. Washington Street – A motion to accept and allow was made by Councilman Phil Deckard II. Seconding the motion was Councilman Phil Deckard Sr. The Motion passes 7-0.
Ordinance 2021-0022 / Amendment to Martinsville Code Chapter 66: Solid Waste, Article II: Collection and Disposal – First reading, no action.
Ordinance 2021-0023 / 2022 Budget – First reading, no action.
Resolution 2021-635 / Transfer of Funds – tabled for changes.
CLAIMS
Mayor Costin presented the Claims. A motion to accept and allow the Claims was made by Councilman Phil Deckard II, with Councilwoman Suzie Lipps making the second. The Motion passes 6-1. Councilwoman Ann Miller voted “no.”
COUNCIL COMMENT
Councilman Phil Deckard Sr. suggested the sanitation bills be separated from the current utility bills. Mayor Costin will research the suggestion.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Deputy Clerk and Citizen Ben Merida, 989 S. Harriett Street, asked the Council to start the process for no masks or required vaccinations pertaining to COVID. Merida believes this is one of our individual freedoms per the Constitution of the United States. A discussion led to a committee being formed to work on this issue. Committee members are Merida, Councilwoman Suzie Lipps and Councilman Josh Ferran.
Pastor David Zemple of Martinsville Baptist Tabernacle Church supports Merida’s endeavor.
Mayor Costin announced the next meeting will be Tuesday, October 12, 2021.
ADJOURN
There being no further business, Mayor Costin declared the meeting adjourned.
