First Huntingburg Common Council meeting for 2012

The biggest controversy at the Huntingburg Common Council meeting yesterday evening was the word “unanimously” as council members tripped over it a few times while conducting their first official meeting for the newly elected council members and mayor.

Mayor Denny Spinner was very familiar with how to run the official meeting even with the guidance of City Attorney Phil Schneider, “Back in the old days, as you would say, I sat on the press’s side. I have about sixteen years covering these meetings, so I had a little bit of an idea of how it would go, but it is a little different being up there,” said Spinner.

The new Council elected Councilwoman at Large Amy Lehr  as President Pro Tem.

The Council discussed the Unsafe Building Fund and voted unanimously to have Schneider write the ordinance establishing the fund. Mayor Spinner stated several residents in Huntingburg had heard of the unsafe building fund and offered donations to establish the fund. An unsafe home at 612 Bretz Street has brought this issue to the Council’s attention.

View Bretz Street home in a larger map

The Council then made appointments to several boards. See the list of appointments here.

The Council appointed Mayor Spinner as the new commissioner to the Indiana Municipal Power Agency. He replaces Rich Hazelwood as commissioner.

The Board of Finance met and appointed Councilman Glen Kissling as President and Councilwoman Linda Summers as Secretary. Clerk-Treasurer Tom Dippel explained the city’s investments were earning more in a checking account (average .3% to 1.15%) than they would have in CD’s. The Board of Finance then adjourned.

The council then approved an ordinance entering into a recreational services contract with the Patoka Township Trustee. This ordinance allowed individuals from Patoka Township to utilize programs offered by the Huntingburg Park Department for the same cost as Huntingburg residents. Patoka Township paid $12,000 to the city of Huntingburg for this service.

The council also approved an ordinance entering into a Fire Protection Contract with the Patoka Township Trustee to provide fire response by the Huntingburg Fire Department. Patoka Township pays Huntingburg $26,000 to provide that protection.

The council then discussed the City’s Public Purchasing Policy and approved a resolution governing the public purchasing policy. The resolution establishes a board or agency to oversee purchases for the city departments. The ordinance proposed would establish the Board of Public Works and Safety as the board overseeing purchases. The goal is to streamline the purchasing policy for the city departments. The Council reviewed the resolution and approved it.

Mayor Spinner discussed the Uniform Service Contract with Aramark. According to the mayor, Don Foerster had negotiated with Aramark and established a few contractual changes. Originally Aramark was charging a service charge for each city department they provided uniforms for, now the city will be charged a single service charge. Additionally the contract time frame has been shortened from five years to three. The city also decided to remove reflective striping from city uniforms to allow a better trade-in value for the uniforms. The department heads decided the employees would be protected adequately with reflective vests.

Spinner also informed the council that certain departments were considering jeans for their uniform needs due to the durability. Councilman Alex Blackgrove expressed this would lend to an unprofessional appearance in the city employees. Mayor Spinner stated he would express that concern to the department heads but also stated the employees would maintain another pair of pants for official functions and the jeans being considered would be supplied by Aramark.

The Council approved the Uniform Agreement with Aramark.

At the end of the Council meeting, Councilman Glen Kissling spoke to the council as a citizen of Huntingburg. He expressed he was dismayed to hear remarks at the last council meeting in regards to the new council and mayor not appearing at the dedication of the Veterans’ Monument.

Kissling thanked previous Mayor Belcher and his administration in establishing the Veterans’ Monument.

Kissling stated that one of his greatest regrets in life has been that he did not serve in the uniformed services of the United States Military. He explained his two brothers served but he did not and he is very proud of their service.

Kissling further stated he had been at the dedication ceremony and described it as beautiful. He stayed to the back of the crowd during the ceremony to allow all the veteran’s attending to be in the front. “So forgive me for not standing out and being recognized.”