Clark Township council adopts five ordinances, approves consent agenda and resolutions

The Township of Clark Council on March 17 adopted five ordinances, approved routine claims and consent-agenda items, and passed three resolutions after public hearings and roll-call votes.

The council adopted ordinances 25-04 through 25-08 (see "Votes at a glance" below). Council members voted unanimously on each adoption; recorded roll calls show each measure passed with the council members present voting yes. The council also approved a consent agenda that included the appointment of two Clark Volunteer Fire Department members and several tax and sewer-account adjustments, and it passed resolutions supporting a state humane pet-store bill, authorizing a contract extension for Hyatt Hills Golf Course, and ratifying an emergency sewer repair payment.

Adoption matters were moved, seconded and carried after brief staff explanations. Business Administrator Jim Ulrich told the council that the change in ordinance 25-04 replaces a DCA-defined term by renaming the local requirement from "certificate of compliance" to "certificate of resale" in resale inspection contexts. Additional administrative cleanups split construction and zoning fees into separate code sections (25-05 and 25-06), adjusted civil service job-title rankings and pay ranges for public works positions (25-07 and 25-08), and created a custodial-worker position and salary range to bring a previously outsourced role in-house (25-08).

The consent agenda (approved in one motion) included: appointments of Juan Palusic and Joseph Kancina to the Clark Volunteer Fire Department (effective 03/17/2025); authorization for the tax collector to apply sewer-account balance adjustments ($29,457.90); and tax and sewer overpayment refunds totaling $4,035.22. Council also moved payment of monthly bills totaling $320,577.69 (reviewed by Council member O'Connor).

Three resolutions were passed by unanimous roll call: council support for the State "humane pet store" bill (S-2511/A-4051); authorization for the mayor to execute a fourth amendment to the agreement governing the Hyatt Hills Golf Course Commission (extending the term to 2030); and ratification of an exigent-business-administrator action to remediate a sanitary sewer main break on Prescott Turn in the amount of $7,500.

Votes at a glance - Ordinance 25-04 (amend chapter 114; rename certificate of compliance to certificate of resale): Adopted; roll call recorded as all present voting yes. - Ordinance 25-05 (amend fees; separate construction fees): Adopted; roll call recorded as all present voting yes. - Ordinance 25-06 (amend land-use fee/administration sections): Adopted; roll call recorded as all present voting yes. - Ordinance 25-07 (adjust civil-service ranking for public-works repair title): Adopted; roll call recorded as all present voting yes. - Ordinance 25-08 (create custodial-worker position and set salary range): Adopted; roll call recorded as all present voting yes. - Resolution supporting S-2511/A-4051 (humane pet store bill): Approved, roll call yes by council members present. - Resolution authorizing mayor to execute fourth amendment with Hyatt Hills Golf Course owner: Approved, roll call yes. - Resolution ratifying $7,500 exigency action to repair sanitary sewer main on Prescott Turn: Approved, roll call yes. - Consent agenda (appointments and refunds): Approved in one motion.

Council President Bill Smith and Business Administrator Jim Ulrich led readings and staff explanations during the ordinance hearings. No substantive public testimony opposed the ordinances during their public hearings.

The council set public hearings for newly introduced ordinances (including a motorized-scooter ordinance and several bond ordinances) for April 21, 2025, where the public will have another opportunity to comment.