Council Meeting - April 21, 2026

Attendance and Call to Order

Regular meeting, Tuesday, April 21, 2026, 7:00 p.m.

Pledge of Allegiance.

Roll Call: Holley Rose was not present.

Approval of Minutes

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

Public Hearing: Wastewater System Improvements Preliminary Engineering Report

Open the public hearing to seek assistance from the Indiana Finance Authority, Clean Water State Revolving Fund for a Sewer Project.

The Town of Osgood has caused a Preliminary Engineering Report dated March 30, 2026 to be prepared by the consulting firm of Commonwealth Engineers, Inc. Said PER has been presented to the public at this public hearing held on April 21, 2026.

Matt Wirth read the Notice of Public Hearing for the Town of Osgood Wastewater System Improvements Preliminary Engineering Report (PER) that was published in the newspaper.

Al Stong with Commonwealth Engineers, project manager, was present and gave a presentation for the explanation of the PER. It has been about 28 years ago that we performed our last wastewater utility improvements project. Since that time, no significant improvements have been performed. They assessed the treatment plant and collection system. They have identified what issues exist and what needs to be addressed. That list was prioritized. They performed the study, which part of it was the AMP. The flows to treatment plant are still within the design parameters of the plant. The anticipated growth can be supported by the existing plant. There are items at the plant and in the collection system that are beyond their useful life. One of our two clarifiers has been out of service. Both clarifiers are needed to ensure adequate treatment of the effluent. If the clarifier that is in service would fail, we would have catastrophic issues in discharging. This would violate our permit. He went on to review the improvements that are recommended at the treatment plant, collection system, project cost estimate, and schedule. We are soliciting financial assistance from the State. So until we know what that assistance is we will not know what the rate impacts are. They will need to make sure it is affordable. The State Revolving Loan Fund has loan forgiveness, which we received for the Water Project. This situation is no different and we think we present a strong case for this forgiveness. The request will be submitted and scored on the project priority list. They will come back with an offer letter. Submission of the PER is April. They were able to submit that. Typically we will receive a letter of conditions and where we rank on the priority list sometime in July. Looking at spring of 2028 to begin project and end spring of 2029.

Motion to approve and adopt Resolution 2026-7 and said PER be submitted to the State Revolving Fund Loan Program for review and approval. Bill 1st, Chris 2nd. 2 ayes.

Motion to close the public hearing. Bill 1st, Chris 2nd. 2 ayes.

Ordinances

Ordinance 2026-3: Amending Section 52.17 Metered Consumption

Gas Budget and Updated Summary: proposes a rate increase to the metered rate phased in over a 3 year period. Introducing Ordinance 2026-3 an Ordinance Amending §52.17 Metered Consumption.

Year 1, July 1, 2026:

• (A) First 800 cubic feet: $8.13 per 1,000 cubic feet;
• (B) Next 1,200 cubic feet: $6.68 per 1,000 cubic feet;
• (C) Next 98,000 cubic feet: $6.28 per 1,000 cubic feet; and
• (D) Over 100,000 cubic feet: $6.02 per 1,000 cubic feet.

Year 1, July 1, 2027:

• (A) First 800 cubic feet: $8.83 per 1,000 cubic feet;
• (B) Next 1,200 cubic feet: $7.38 per 1,000 cubic feet;
• (C) Next 98,000 cubic feet: $6.97 per 1,000 cubic feet; and
• (D) Over 100,000 cubic feet: $6.72 per 1,000 cubic feet.

Year 1, July 1, 2028:

• (A) First 800 cubic feet: $9.52 per 1,000 cubic feet;
• (B) Next 1,200 cubic feet: $8.07 per 1,000 cubic feet;
• (C) Next 98,000 cubic feet: $7.67 per 1,000 cubic feet; and
• (D) Over 100,000 cubic feet: $7.41 per 1,000 cubic feet.

Motion to preliminarily adopt the proposed rate increase. Bill 1st, Chris 2nd. 2 ayes.

Motion to have Lynn proceed with publishing a public hearing for May 19, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Bill 1st, Chris 2nd. 2 ayes.

Ordinance 2026-4, First Reading

Presenting Ordinance 2026-4 for the first reading: An Ordinance Establishing Right-of-Way Excavation, Road Cuts, and Bore Permits. The Town of Osgood has determined that it is in the best interest of the town to update their ordinance providing for the method and manner of construction, repair, replacement, of utilities and driveways within the streets or street ROW's of the town and provide for the method and manner of allocating the cost. It is basically updating deficiencies in the current ordinance.

Motion to approve Ordinance 2026-4 for the first reading. Bill 1st, Chris 2nd. 2 ayes.

Second reading will be May 19th.

Ripley County Area Planning

Dustin Payne (our representative) was present to discuss Ripley County Area Planning. Interviews are currently being conducting for the Building Director. The current Building Director's last day is May 29th. Interviews were held last week, the position is still open and they are still accepting applications. The current discussion is the Building Director's salary. The current salary is about $55,000. An area planner, say out of Ball State, entry level for a quality applicant is about $80,000. A couple board members are going back to County Council to request the salary be increased. The Planning Commission also wants to go to the town's to see if the towns would be interested in putting any money towards this position. We all know that this is a very important position that has some pretty drastic consequences if things go wrong. Towns contributing is not uncommon. He is asking for a commitment from Osgood. The numbers of $3,000 to $5,000 have been thrown out there.

Lynn stated the way this could be done is to enter into an interlocal agreement with the County and any other participating communities. In return, you may have some say in who the candidate is or who ultimately fills that position. There are different things that can be tweaked with an interlocal agreement. Lynn can work with the county's attorney or the other communities who may be interested. Chris Kuhn stated he would be for it, but would have to determine what the amount would be. Bill Roberts would be interested, but would like to know what the County would increase the amount to first.

Motion to move forward with this pending money availability and reaching an interlocal agreement. Bill 1st, Chris 2nd. 2 ayes.

Commonwealth Engineers Project Update Memo

2025 CCMG Project

Due to the weather, asphalt plants remain closed and no additional construction has taken place since our last report. The contractor is scheduled to complete construction within the month of April and milling and paving is schedule for early May.

Motion to approve Commonwealth's claim of $424.66 for Construction Engineering. Bill 1st, Chris 2nd. 2 ayes.

Motion to approve Consort Display Group's claim of $4,514.82 for 50 metro brackets. Bill 1st, Chris 2nd. 2 ayes.

Motion to approve Summers Metal's claim of $765.00 for trash can holder. Bill 1st, Chris 2nd. 2 ayes.

2026 CCMG Project

Osgood was awarded funding under SB 179. INDOT has tentatively awarded $790,433 pending the execution of a contract. Dave O'Mara produced the lowest bid for the proposed work. A recommendation to award the contract to O'Mara is on April's Town Council meeting agenda.

Motion to award and sign a contract for the 2026 CCMG Project to Dave O'Mara Contractor for $1,059,403.69. Bill 1st, Chris 2nd. 2 ayes.

A pre-construction meeting was held on April 15, 2026. Pending local approval, the "Notice to Proceed" will be effective May 1, 2026. Ninety days are allocated for the contractor to reach substantial completion and an additional thirty days is provided for final completion.

Motion to approve Commonwealth's claim of $2,700.00 for Final Design. Bill 1st, Chris 2nd. 2 ayes.

Wastewater Utility Preliminary Engineering Report and Asset Management Plan

The Preliminary Engineering Report, asset inventory and Asset Management Plan have been completed for the wastewater utility.

The recommended wastewater improvements project was presented to Town Board members for their review and comment. With the support of the Board, the PER for the wastewater improvements project was submitted to SRF.

The Public Meeting for the PER is scheduled for April 21st in conjunction with the Town Board Meeting; comments from the public will be accepted for five days following this meeting. A public notice was published for this meeting.

Water Improvements and Lead Service Line Projects

16 right-of-entry forms from homes identified as having galvanized lines have been approved, and 2 have been refused. 8 homeowners with galvanized lines requiring replacement have not returned a right-of-entry form.

A final round of letters were mailed to homeowners on April 1st. These letters included ROE forms and a last call for LSL inspections.

Commonwealth will assemble a plan for another outreach through mailers or door knocking. The "refusals" that are known galvanized will be reviewed with the Water Utility to determine if the Town can intervene or if these will remain on the list.

The pre-construction meeting for both projects was held at Town Hall on March 15th. Meeting minutes and all attachments have been delivered.

The first construction meeting for this project has been scheduled for April 22nd at Town Hall. Construction is expected to begin in May, but an official schedule has not yet been received.

A signed easement for 642 Wilson St. has been received from the homeowner. Tammy has the original and the easement has been recorded.

Project Expenditure Tracking

Town of Osgood Water Utility Improvements Project W24208.

Project Expenditure Tracking

Note: Table updated through IFA Disbursement form #8.

Motion to approve Commonwealth's claim of $20,566.78 for Bidding or Negotiating, Erosion Control, Easement Assistance, Regulatory Assistance, Legal/Financial Assistance, Field Investigation/Survey, and Service Line Evaluation for the LSLR Project. Bill 1st, Chris 2nd. 2 ayes.

Motion to approve Commonwealth's claim of $9,883.70 for Bidding or Negotiation and BABA Compliance for the Water Improvements Project. Bill 1st, Chris 2nd. 2 ayes.

Claims, Agreements, and Property

Baker Tilly Claim

Motion to approve Baker Tilly's claim of $4,387.00 for negotiating water wholesale contract with Napoleon Water. Bill 1st, Chris 2nd. 2 ayes.

SIRPC Labor Standards Administrator

Motion to approve Professional Services Agreement for Labor Standards Administrator with SIRPC for $12,000. Bill 1st, Chris 2nd. 2 ayes.

Lease at 240 W. Craven

One (1) bid has been received for the lease at 240 W. Craven, Duncan Robertson out of Franklin, IN.

Motion to accept Duncan Robertson's bid of $1,700 per month and sign the Lease Agreement for 240 W. Craven. Bill 1st, Chris 2nd. 2 ayes.

OCRA Comprehensive Plan Grant

Osgood was awarded the $50,000 OCRA Grant for a Comprehensive Plan.

Department Reports

Osgood Volunteer Fire Department

Kyle Negangard, Osgood Volunteer Fire, sent Council an email of a proposal for equipment for the fire fighters. He is requesting better communication because he does not know if they received it. They have been asked to provide more and more services. Currently, he has 5 fire fighters that need new gear, the gear is either out of date or he does not have gear to clothe the new fire fighters. They currently only have $29,000 for the rest of the year and they still have pump testing, ladder testing, hose testing, and a lease payment on 333. All of these tests are required annually, that can reflect on our ISO rating. Engine 332 is going for service next week with an electrical issue that no one can figure out, it will be out of service for an extended period of time. They have 8 portable radios that are not operational. They did a $40,000 grant with Rising Sun Regional Foundation, but they knocked it down to $15,000. The Fire Department was awarded an AED grant through the state and a small grant through the Ripley County Community Foundation for medical equipment. Kyle is requesting an increase for the 2027 Budget. He is requesting funds from the Public Safety Tax for the quote he submitted.

Motion was made to use the Public Safety money of $23,455.76 for the quote submitted. Bill 1st, Chris 2nd. 2 ayes.

Public Comment

Sally Springer was present and lives on the corner of Cherry Street. She is concerned with her pine trees due to the upcoming Community Crossing Project. She feels the roots will be bothered and it will kill her trees. According to the plans, the sidewalk by her trees is not being replaced. What happens in a couple years if her trees die? Lynn Fledderman stated if the project causes damage we will submit to our insurance company. Al Stong, president of Commonwealth Engineers was present, if the canopy extends over top the area of excavation, there could potentially be impacts to the roots. Al suggested that she stay after the meeting to discuss.

Kay Morehead was present and concerned about the Community Crossing Project also. Her garage is on Cherry Street, where is she suppose to park when the project starts. Clerk-Treasurer stated that the contractor will make accommodations.

Adjournment

Motion was made to adjourn the meeting. Bill 1st, Chris 2nd. 2 ayes.

Claims were signed.

Signatures

Clerk-Treasurer

President, Chris Kuhn

Member, William Roberts