Common Council Meeting Minutes – February 14, 2022

Common Council, News

Mayor Costin called the meeting Martinsville Common Council to order on Monday, February 14, 2022. Deputy Clerk Ben Merida led the prayer followed 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.

All Council persons were present.

MINUTES

Mayor Costin presented the Minutes of Monday, January 24, 2022. to the Council. A motion to accept and allow the Minutes was made by Councilman Phil Deckard II.  Councilwoman Suzie Lipps seconded the motion. The Minutes are approved 6-0-1. Councilman Phil Deckard Sr. abstained due to having been absent.

MAYOR’S REPORT

Mayor Costin called for Phil Deckard Sr., to join him for a presentation.  Costin had a plaque made for Martinsville’s bicentennial. The plaque lists Martinsville’s mayors back to 1884.  Mayor Costin then called Steve McConnell of Morgan County Insurance to front for a presentation to Deputy Clerk Ben Merida.  Merida accepted a check in the amount of $8,200.00 from a grant from IPEP for the purchase of AED’s and other CPR supplies.

NEW BUSINESS

PUBLIC HEARING / PETITIONS FOR ANNEXATION / CAROL C. SMITH 7 W. EDWARD SMITH – Mayor Costin recessed the Council meeting to open the public hearing.

Councilman Ben Mahan said he believed the petitions were incomplete.  City Attorney Dale Coffey explained this annexation is a “super annexation” because it is voluntary.

PUBLIC HEARING

Mayor Costin called for public comments.  Close to two dozen residents of Baker Township and Washington Township appeared.  Comments included concerns about having the four parcels annexed to the city.  Reasons included flooding, police and fire coverage, future utilities, and loss of farmland.  The residents that appeared were from Godsey Road, London Drive, Turkey Track, to name a few.  After over an hour, all that wished to comment had done so.  Mayor Costin called three times for additional comments, hearing none, the public hearing was closed.

Reconvene Council Meeting

STAFF REPORTS

Monthly statistics were given by Police Chief John Richards and Fire Chief Kevin Greene.  Superintendent Mac Dunn discussed road conditions during the recent snowstorm.  Dunn added that Lafary Group had donated time and equipment to clear downtown.

NEW BUSINESS

Resolution 2022-0002 / Adoption of Written Fiscal Plan for Annexation of Real Estate – tabled until the next meeting.

Ordinance 2022-0033 / Annexing Certain Territory into the City – This was the first reading.  Action may occur at the next meeting.

Indian Creek Road to the City – Director of Planning and Engineering Gary Oakes presented the roadways description to the Council.  A motion to accept and allow was made by Councilman Phil Deckard II.  Councilwoman Ann Miller seconded the motion.  The Motion passes 7-0.

CLAIMS

Mayor Costin presented the Claims.  A motion to accept and allow the Claims was made by Councilman Phil Deckard II. Councilwoman Ann Miller seconded the motion.  The Motion passes 7-0.

COUNCIL COMMENT

Comments included thanking LaFary Group for their help as well as Gather ‘Round for feeding city employees during the snowstorm.

PUBLIC COMMENT

ADJOURN

There being no further business, Mayor Costin declared the meeting adjourned.