Town of Osgood Minutes

Regular Meeting
Tuesday, April 20, 2021
7:00 P.M.

Present at the meeting were Tammy Wilhoit, Jeremy Schmitt, Norman Kappes, Chris Kuhn, Lynn Fledderman, Tony Wood, Dustin Payne, Jodi Comer, Jerry Vollmer, Gary Payne, James and Cathy Betz, Charla McEvoy, and Cortney Scoggins.

Pledge of Allegiance.

Roll Call - Holley Rose was not present.

Motion to waive the reading and adopt the pre-read minutes. Chris 1^st, Norman 2^nd
2 -ayes

Opened the public hearing for the re-establishment of the Cumulative Capital Development Fund, this is done every 3 years. Levy will be with taxes due and payable in 2022. No questions were asked. Subsequent to the hearing the voting body can vote to pass.

Motion to approve Ordinance 2021-1. Chris 1^st, Norman 2^nd
2-ayes

Opened the public hearing for the Water Utility Improvement Project. Jodi Comer was present to discuss the grant submission to OCRA. The proposed project includes three components: replacement of the water main (from 4 inch line to a 6 inch line) on Buckeye Street from Jefferson Street to Andrew's Street by direct drilling, correcting the hydraulic connection, and instrumentation at the water plant. The grant request from OCRA is for $568,329, with matching funds from Rising Sun ($40,000), Reynolds Foundation ($125,000), Town of Osgood ($15,000), and In kind labor - Osgood ($1,671). Norman signed a letter to OCRA giving permission for Mary McCarty to submit the grant proposal for the Town of Osgood. Also, a draft ordinance was prepared for establishing the ARP Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Grant Fund and OCRA's CDBG Duplication of Benefits Disclosure form was signed. Norman asked if anyone had questions. No questions asked, hearing closed.

Motion to submit to OCRA for the Water Improvement Project. Norman 1^st, Chris 2^nd
2 - ayes.

Old Business:

3 zoning violations at 110 Railroad Avenue by James Betz: Lynn issued a letter to James Betz to immediately cease current activities and to come into compliance with the Ripley County zoning code prior to resuming activity. The three violations were: Section 80.36 Parking requirements, two parking spaces are required for each unit; Section 80.39 Administration Improvement Location Permit, within the jurisdiction of Ripley County Area Plan Commission, no structure, improvement, or use of land may be altered, changed, placed, erected, or located on platted or unplatted lands, unless the structure, improvement, or use and its location, conform with the Zoning Code of Ripley County, and an Improvement Location Permit for such structure improvement, or use has been obtained from the Executive Director by the owner(s) of the property; and Section 80.39 Administration Health and Safety Requirements, an application for an Improvement Location Permit shall not be issued for a commercial or industrial structure or for any other applicable building until the plans for such structure have been approved by the Department of Fire Prevention and Building Safety of the State of Indiana.

James and Cathy Betz were present and gave Council a document of what their plans are for going forward with the property on Railroad Avenue. Lynn Fledderman stated that they are in violation of Ripley County Zoning Codes, they will need to go to the county for necessary permits and possibly may need some state permits as well. A zoning code change may be required. Cathy Betz stated that the current residential is staying residential. Chris Kuhn asked about parking, there is only street parking and not enough for each unit as required. Across the street is property owned by CSX and can be taken away at any time. James Betz stated that they are not adding units, if it doesn't get zoned residential, they will keep it as business. Gary Payne, business owner and member of OBC, was present and stated that he is not in favor of putting apartments in there. Mr. Payne stated that we have been discussing comprehensive plans, renovating the mini park, and building a new house on N. Elm Street and doesn't feel it will be productive for Osgood down the road. He doesn't want residential on the main street, while in the process of developing the downtown. Jerry Vollmer concurs with Mr. Payne. He does not support residential in that area, he said it needs to be businesses. Mr. Vollmer stated that the Betz's will be confronted from a lot of people from this community who are against it. Mr. Betz stated that he wants what's best for the community also. Mr. Vollmer stated that the community will not grow from rental property. Lynn Fledderman stated once again that they need to go to the county to get proper permits.

2021 Community Crossing Project claims:

Commonwealth Engineers - $18,500 for design revision and documents.

Motion to approve Commonwealth's claim and pay once funds are released. Chris 1^st, Norman 2^nd
2 ayes

Sewage Works Revenue Bonds of 1997 (still trying to include 2011): Tammy and Tony did a zoom call yesterday for the S&P Rating call. Will learn more on Thursday.

A pre-construction meeting was held today at 4:00 for the 2021 Community Crossing Project. Jeremy Schmitt with Commonwealth stated that the contractor will be mobilizing soon. He is currently waiting on their schedule. Construction schedule is about 5 months.

Motion to approve Notice to Proceed and Attorney Certification for Lynn. Chris 1^st, Norman 2^nd
2 - ayes

Wastewater Department - Tony Wood stated that reports have been submitted. They've been cleaning up the yard, pressure washing, and fertilizer will be going out.

Water Department - Tony Wood stated that taps for REMC and Negangard were put in. Best Metal needs a 4 inch meter replaced. We are in the process of transitioning to a new read system. It has not gone very smoothly. Grants have been submitted for the generator project. There will be a meeting at the annex building with Rising Sun Regional Foundation on May 17^th to discuss the project. Compliance is good, staffing good, licensing exams and classes being set up. We desperately need this Water Project to be funded since we've had another leak on S. Buckeye. We have some ground to make up on budgets, usages are still down and we're in the process of trying to refinance the bonds to save money long term.

Police Department - Will Wallace stated they had 125 calls.

Claims signed.

Motion to adjourn the meeting. Chris 1^st, Norman 2^nd
2- ayes

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