[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6078960,"mediaKeyId","2957280-c99b1701d346f1fb212699c265f485d5","parentId",2957280,"title","Whiteland council pauses plan to enforce 2–5 a.m. parking rule after months-long dispute between mayoral office and police chief","audioSeconds",3954,"startMs",2006000,"endMs",5960000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2957280-c99b1701d346f1fb212699c265f485d5&start=2006&end=5960","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2957280-c99b1701d346f1fb212699c265f485d5/thumbnail_2006000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6078960/Indiana/Whiteland-council-pauses-plan-to-enforce-25-am-parking-rule-after-months-long-dispute-between-mayoral-office-and-police-chief","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6078960-e34abbf6a0afab167bf1feef5c595cb6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139563&Signature=n0G72qxiR0433stNm888LWJeRdz5lfgXBs9E2l0yu~T9o7ZBmUoAsrDpx6Rs8Pjqy4IgifDwiYrRFVMF5PY97ixMUt6TBfQl1YgVt-Bgqg4rklMS-BnQHLzQK0Uz72Fzj1gWa3iNnB3oFZl7rVDVBVwF2X2kVrEpW~txLrSGIZQbPYXKIa~JifzmwNReNY06V1p5wAAvwsIQGWgJP6vxykmxdg6LCpIQtQOIzB79fOHrE-NrHtC-YfSU3dY8XtnP9-bnsZn-XNqYs8qsHPtt~xpjObRXoZ2YdeAgXwybxGWUPEkU0OK9ZKlmnQLeBQLnFQ2VTCYvdQtd6G0lZFbYPQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town Council of Whiteland IN","date","2025-04-09T14:06:11Z","article","A heated discussion over enforcement of the town's no-parking ordinance and a written directive from the council president to the police chief dominated public business at the Whiteland Town Council meeting.

Council President Richard Hill introduced the item as \"Enforcement of 72.02, parking on the town streets and rights of way,\" and the discussion quickly turned to whether a council member had improperly given directives or threatened discipline to the police chief outside an open meeting. Council member Joe Sailor said he believed the summary of that meeting amounted to an open-door violation and a prohibited attempt by an individual member to direct town employees.

The dispute focused on Ordinance 72.02, which currently bans parking on some streets at certain times (the council identified the 2 a.m. to 5 a.m. window in the discussion). Sailor said council rules and state law prohibit individual members from directing employees and described the written summary he received about the alleged meeting as unacceptable. He said: \"No single member tells any police officer, much less the marshal, what to do. That's illegal. It's illegal both in my state law and it's illegal under the open door law, and it's illegal under our ordinance.\" (Council member Joe Sailor)

Police Chief Rick Shipp disputed the implication his force was not patrolling neighborhoods. Shipp described heavy call volume (more than 1,000 calls year-to-date) and said officers prioritize life-safety calls, patrols and response to commercial and warehouse areas. He told the council enforcement of the 2–5 a.m. restriction can hinder community trust when officers prioritize parking enforcement over proactive patrols and investigations. \"Do I want to be responsible for parking, or do you want a safe community? Do you want no crime in the community, or do you want parking?\" he said. (Police Chief Rick Shipp)

Council discussion moved between legal concerns about an alleged closed-door directive and policy choices about how strictly to enforce a largely time-based parking rule. Council President Hill said he had thought the written follow-up would simply confirm talking points after an informal conversation and apologized to anyone who felt startled by his approach.

Rather than immediately repealing 72.02 or ordering enforcement changes, the council directed staff to draft a revised ordinance. Town legal counsel (Steven) and Director of Administration and Operations Carmen Ortiz were asked to prepare a redraft that: (a) removes the townwide two-to-five a.m. prohibition language where unnecessary; (b) preserves no-parking prohibitions on identified arterial streets (Main Street/Whiteland Road, North Front Street, Pulliamia Boulevard, South Sawmill Road and any additional streets Carmen recommends); and (c) clarifies exceptions for snow removal and other emergency operations. Council members agreed to postpone formal action to the next meeting to allow review of a revised draft.

The council president and Chief Shipp both urged calmer, face-to-face communication going forward. Council President Hill said he would continue to accept resident complaints but agreed the proper channel for operational direction is the full council acting in public. Chief Shipp asked for clearer guidance and a review of enforcement priorities that balances public-safety response, community relations and parking enforcement.

Why it matters: The episode illustrates friction that can arise when elected officials, staff and first responders disagree about enforcement priorities. The council took the procedural step of asking staff and legal counsel to rewrite the ordinance rather than making an immediate policy change or taking disciplinary steps.

What happens next: Administration will present a revised ordinance at the next council meeting; the council said it would include a list of arterial streets to remain restricted and clarifying language on snow removal and emergency access.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town Council 4.8.25","oneSentenceSummary","A contentious meeting over enforcement of 72.02 (no parking 2\u00131 a.m.) and a written directive to Police Chief Rick Shipp prompted the Whiteland Town Council to ask staff to rewrite the ordinance and to defer any immediate repeal or disciplinary actions.","taxTitle","Whiteland Town, Johnson County, Indiana","taxId",56488,"location","Indiana","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6078940,"Votes at a glance: Whiteland council motions and outcomes from the meeting",6168,252000,6420000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2957280-c99b1701d346f1fb212699c265f485d5&start=252&end=6420","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2957280-c99b1701d346f1fb212699c265f485d5/thumbnail_252000.jpg","/articles/6078940/Indiana/Votes-at-a-glance-Whiteland-council-motions-and-outcomes-from-the-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6078940-ba3af0f951040d46c3c55f99691eac44/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139563&Signature=T6KmVgbnWUP20KlG88sP52zO4vebU-UoouTR6eYiWKwlQMwhN-Kt5SaQuceonqObIe-c-Ujw1EstvhhxmmgiqNDwZtSCzKN5AgT6lqp40A9at~t2WlY2xPyQbm5xwsN0-g5u5Clj9xboRrqO7G-svHL8gB--pcSUZMtrrgxjI-2d1oEyWgQJf79H8X0uaplmnUGb7tm4NEiBsOTC8uNqQYsFkxzaLhN-iaccLWUtLCHjGcBIC~0htclV3IVzcy5R5REuweo3GRKBjIqmsRoISvKNAvbGPzy~8A0ZHU1FYlEwYg6U0GRtGOGahYHmjTsrgsiUXRqaWB6KyrzMDB-ScA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","This at-a-glance summary lists formal motions and recorded outcomes from the Whiteland Town Council meeting.

1) Conflict-of-interest disclosures
- Motion: Accept annual conflict-of-interest disclosure statements for Deborah L. Hendrickson and Michael Hendrickson.
- Action: Motion made and seconded; roll call taken. Outcome recorded as accepted.

2) Voucher packet approval (Voucher packet 4/825/2025)
- Motion: Approve voucher packet as presented.
- Outcome: Approved by roll call (affirmative votes recorded; tally consistent with passage).

3) Town-hall roof replacement
- Motion: Award roof replacement contract to Basic Construction (lowest responsive bidder) for the town hall project; staff to request matching or extended workmanship warranty where feasible.
- Outcome: Motion approved by roll call.

4) Disposal of town assets
- Motion: Dispose of surplus fire-department equipment and inoperable vehicles and send the heavy rescue apparatus to a broker/auction; electronics and kitchen items to be disposed per policy.
- Outcome: Passed (recorded roll call 5-0).

5) ABC LLC (Warrior Trail LLC) tax-abatement compliance
- Motion: Find ABC LLC in substantial compliance with its tax-abatement reporting for the third year.
- Outcome: Motion to find them in substantial compliance carried by roll call.

6) Redwood sanitary sewer dedication and maintenance funds
- Motion: Accept dedication of sanitary sewer infrastructure for Redwood subdivision and accept maintenance funds, pending legal review of maintenance agreement language and amounts.
- Outcome: Motion approved (vote recorded; subject to counsel review).

7) Parking ordinance 72.02 motion
- Motion: A motion to repeal the 2 a.m.–5 a.m. portion of 72.02 was introduced during debate.
- Outcome: Council decided instead to have administration and counsel rewrite the ordinance (list arterial streets to remain restricted) and bring the revision to the next meeting; no repeal vote was taken.

8) Fire apparatus purchase
- Motion: Authorize execution of the purchase contract for a Spencer stock pumper, conditioned on town-counsel review and satisfactory financing arrangements; staff to return with detailed bond/lease financing scenarios.
- Outcome: Motion approved on the floor (motion and second recorded); council directed staff to produce financing options prior to closing.

Notes: All motions were made publicly and recorded in the meeting minutes. Where the council approved contracts or dispositions, staff were directed to complete legal review and return with final documents for signature.","The council approved several routine and major items, including vouchers, roof replacement, disposal of excess equipment, tax-abatement compliance and a conditional purchase of a fire engine; a proposed repeal of the 2\u00131 parking rule was deferred pending ordinance rewrite.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6078946,"Town finance team says bank reconciliations done through Feb. 2024; staff to publish quarterly 2025 results and advance CIP work",313,617000,930000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2957280-c99b1701d346f1fb212699c265f485d5&start=617&end=930","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2957280-c99b1701d346f1fb212699c265f485d5/thumbnail_617000.jpg","/articles/6078946/Indiana/Town-finance-team-says-bank-reconciliations-done-through-Feb-2024-staff-to-publish-quarterly-2025-results-and-advance-CIP-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6078946-8598f27e7616d5208d7107d22c04342b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139563&Signature=Dk3w4LZ8OgG3GksTu5WrIxykVHP1PCbbc24l3TMzYAKGWmBvfWykGiYK7EEw3wd8K~Ejl1AZhwTqOkOtXeuRL1c988ZovEyMAfFe-zPHFgKg9WUPqgsQ9eIXY36SUk0RHqzqaIhLzyrxHsuaNr9bezfauNCVkTvBpFmwPvxsrzpdBLMx6G8WTkkDinZZzaTsRWrye83nG~PrEB5ih7dHGSbRt5L2zUJ5BjZQcz3w9PF5Xp-X3VLXttcPicFVeQKy~bh1Z-dIYG1uPqQOg0DPrlLkB8343bMQ3gh7SIwLA1L6ZQhaY5V4bVAeyC8Prie1wJuwQr4~EcNfdmwu7ldx7g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Town finance staff told the Whiteland Town Council they have largely completed a multi-month reconciliation backlog and will soon finish posting reconciliations into the town's Keystone accounting system.

Accounting lead Christie reported the team had physically completed about 150 bank reconciliations through February 2024 and expected to have all items posted in Keystone that evening. Finance director Adam said that once reconciliations are complete, the town can close the fiscal period and begin a monthly process to keep 2025 current. Adam recommended a best practice benchmark: produce closed, reconciled reports to departments and council within roughly 20 days after month-end.

Staff also told the council they have a draft five-year financial plan and a capital improvement plan that lists about $103,000,000 of prioritized projects. The team completed an asset management plan with Wesler Engineering and has a capital asset policy submitted to the state for the 2024 annual report. Adam said staff will publish a first-quarter 2025 financial summary and continue work on depreciation funds for utility reserves ahead of the 2026 budget cycle.

Adam and staff flagged legislative activity at the statehouse (various bills) that could affect municipal revenue options, including possible changes to growth appeals, business personal property tax and cable franchise fees. Staff said they are monitoring the bills and will return with town-specific impacts once state action is final.

Why it matters: Closing the bookkeeping backlog and having reconciled accounts flowing into the town's financial system is a prerequisite for accurate budgeting and CIP planning; staff said the reconciliations are nearly done and will enable more timely monthly reporting.

What happens next: Staff will finish posting reconciliations in Keystone, distribute a first-quarter 2025 report, advance the capital improvement plan conversation (including depreciation for utilities), and present financing implications of pending state legislation when they are finalized.","Finance staff reported completion of approximately 150 bank reconciliations and progress in Keystone accounting, a draft five-year financial plan, and a capital improvement plan of roughly $103 million in prioritized projects. Council asked for continued monthly updates as staff finalize reconciliations and prepare the 2026 budget.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6078950,"Council conditionally authorizes purchase agreement for a spare engine; looks to bonding options to fund apparatus and ladder",1158,8050000,9208000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2957280-c99b1701d346f1fb212699c265f485d5&start=8050&end=9208","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2957280-c99b1701d346f1fb212699c265f485d5/thumbnail_8050000.jpg","/articles/6078950/Indiana/Council-conditionally-authorizes-purchase-agreement-for-a-spare-engine-looks-to-bonding-options-to-fund-apparatus-and-ladder","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6078950-fa38b37c810e03df36ecef1f5d032b07/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139563&Signature=d07-vQki~J8oOcs796Vi90IqDxoSs6eR0tLodXqVYcI~Fq64BaTOZxZVxISUfTfwjk4sEMUE1jzS5JxF~tmf5X5UHEObpy5RN7BhDSzsUvVEXUwNsPJqtgb7bGOCc8V8WRppTC3iiC6aWtiALnjnoobCDpELRoD0BoDz3Q~eFTqwslzEt7JmvGArAOl5OAzdZprBsXJptJl5q8k9MJwARyRD3JjrZEtF4rebWxTtSxkhWaF1JdImrQkjBmJ-mp6QjQPVCu5~5lxnK3wHahWbYUJDEGTkWv6F66bJi1RiU0qBtMe614Z6EeVyHw10wv1z7NUk04dDo6y1zYYmhE1fHw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Whiteland Town Council authorized the town to proceed with a purchase contract for a near-complete stock pumper engine, subject to legal review and satisfactory financing arrangements, after the fire department reported its two front-line engines are aging and at risk of extended downtime.

Fire officials said the apparatus on offer is a stock build that reduces lead time and cost compared with a fully custom truck. The supplier's base price plus recommended equipment upgrades totaled approximately $847,043, which included an optioned equipment package to make the unit immediately operational for Whiteland's needs. Fire leadership recommended purchasing the stock unit and fitting it with hoses, shelving and required tools rather than relying on older engines that have growing maintenance problems.

Director of Finance Adam (surname not specified) presented two principal financing paths: (1) a general-obligation (G.O.) bond issued by the fire district (the fire levy is separate from the town's levy), which would create a dedicated levy to repay debt; and (2) a lease-purchase (a lease structured like a loan), which would not create new property-tax levy capacity and would require repayment from existing revenues. Adam noted the G.O. option creates a new dedicated revenue stream and is typically lower-cost over the long run, while a lease avoids the legal process of a bond but leaves repayment to current budget resources.

Council discussion also referenced a future ladder-truck replacement that could be paired with bond timing so that debt maturities align with equipment needs. Adam and staff said they would return with financing scenarios showing how a bond could be sized to keep the town's overall tax rate neutral while funding both the engine and a future ladder.

The council approved (by motion and second on the floor) moving ahead with the purchase contract conditioned on legal review and successful arrangements for financing; the motion included a direction for staff to present financing options for council approval.

Why it matters: Whiteland runs a busy fire department with increased call volume over recent years. The council's decision to pursue a near-term apparatus purchase and to explore a G.O. bond could preserve fire suppression capacity and reduce risk that a front-line engine is inoperable during critical calls.

What happens next: Town staff will secure written contract terms, work with town counsel on the purchase agreement, and return with financing scenarios (bond sizing/term vs lease options) and a recommended path for council approval.","The council authorized (subject to legal review and financing) purchase of a near-complete stock pumper to replace aging engines. Town staff and finance director presented general obligation bond and lease options that could finance the apparatus, and council asked staff to return with financing scenarios.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6078955,"Whiteland council asks staff to update outdated right-of-way ordinance after Brightspeed presentation",401,1075000,1476000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2957280-c99b1701d346f1fb212699c265f485d5&start=1075&end=1476","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2957280-c99b1701d346f1fb212699c265f485d5/thumbnail_1075000.jpg","/articles/6078955/Indiana/Whiteland-council-asks-staff-to-update-outdated-right-of-way-ordinance-after-Brightspeed-presentation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6078955-5457a508808ab1ab561372b4bf6d74c3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139563&Signature=Cyx5Uoq2xLH5uRwr-XZHxQj0vnIZoDZEaxb4Mhmb03NtPA92dRM7COZrgvQha4vd3FjBJniFDJGNGVhnyGLptfrUnf89e4wSf4kIDoPchvDRyUvmxJUQOnHowLW4GBYZobwdj-uiyd3dEZlWDtuUQPvrZLVV98efb0JHBRU4N-5cKGsVi-T4bZey568EHqnRXCw8GzkiC6G~WRR7GTSogBOT5iRdOk75SltVPZkQRFYMBDPKfc68uMIhhDAnmxQu6U8OIk9entQnqrPycGfmfy3ax9167vgNdkEDfcBezatbl19tczFsTzGRSx0ej2B87dqwNgm-Kn002vNkOjAIGw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Counsel and an outside municipal attorney urged the Whiteland Town Council to modernize its right-of-way ordinance after Brightspeed representatives described a multi-location fiber deployment in and around Whiteland.

Jacob Bowman, who advised the council on the matter, said the town's bond ordinance governing right-of-way use dates to February 2008 and requires $5,000 bonds per excavation location for two years. Bowman recommended updating the ordinance to reflect current costs and to include provisions tailored for fiber-optic installations and directional boring.

Bowman outlined two main pieces of risk management presented by Brightspeed: bonds and insurance. He said Brightspeed provided an insurance policy endorsement that removes the typical contractor-exclusion, meaning subcontractor damage would be covered by Brightspeed's policy. He recommended considering a blanket bond (for example $25,000 to $50,000) across project locations rather than a low per-excavation $5,000 bond that likely would not cover serious utility damage. \"A $5,000 bond per one location, if something happens, a $5,000 isn't gonna cover anything in the first place,\" Bowman said. (Jacob Bowman)

Brightspeed representatives told the council the full project originally identified more than 300 locations; after mapping which locations fall within town rights-of-way, Brightspeed estimated about 60 (one speaker said about 63) right-of-way locations in Whiteland. Brightspeed's Michelle Brzicki said crews prefer working in rights-of-way and along existing phone lines where feasible because it reduces ground disturbance.

Town staff and legal counsel discussed adding specifications from the Indiana Department of Transportation for directional boring and incorporating more robust bonding and insurance language to protect sewer and water laterals. Council member discussion emphasized protecting town infrastructure and ensuring the town has inspection/repair requirements before contractors move to the next location.

Action and next steps: The council asked administration and counsel to draft a revised right-of-way ordinance that: updates bond amounts and terms; includes provisions specific to fiber installations and directional boring; requires camera inspection of laterals where feasible; and clarifies inspection and repair steps before crews proceed to subsequent excavations. A council member asked staff to return with a draft at the next meeting.

Why it matters: Fiber installations reduce digital divide issues and increase broadband options, but large-scale directional boring near sanitary and water laterals creates a risk of line strikes. Updating bond and insurance language gives the town stronger tools to require repairs and claim compensation when damage occurs.

What the transcript recorded: Town attorney and outside counsel recommended modernization of the ordinance; Brightspeed said its insurance included a contractor-exclusion endorsement; Bowman recommended a blanket bond approach; Brightspeed estimated about 60 right-of-way work locations in town.","Counsel and an outside attorney recommended updating the town's 2008 right-of-way bond and permit ordinance to address fiber-optic directional boring projects; Brightspeed representatives and town attorney discussed bond levels, insurance endorsements and approximately 60-63 right-of-way locations.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Whiteland council pauses plan to enforce 2–5 a.m. parking rule after months-long dispute between mayoral office and police chief

Votes at a glance: Whiteland council motions and outcomes from the meeting

Town finance team says bank reconciliations done through Feb. 2024; staff to publish quarterly 2025 results and advance CIP work

Council conditionally authorizes purchase agreement for a spare engine; looks to bonding options to fund apparatus and ladder

Whiteland council asks staff to update outdated right-of-way ordinance after Brightspeed presentation