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Topeka council approves routine financial items, awards generator and repairs contracts and backs bike-trail grant support
Summary
At its Aug. 26 meeting the Topeka Town Council approved routine minutes and financial items, awarded a Generac contract and street repairs, authorized a wastewater operator/testing agreement, approved a bike-trail support letter for a Lilly Endowment grant, and scheduled police-department basement repairs and a temporary relocation.
The Topeka Town Council on Aug. 26 approved a slate of routine financial items and several contracts affecting town infrastructure and services.
Council President Adam Lambright called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. and the council unanimously approved the minutes from Aug. 12, the claims register, and the July financial report (motion to approve minutes by Ray Folk; claims moved by Justin Geigley; financials moved by Steve Schrock; all motions recorded as carried by unanimous “All Ayes”).
The council approved a State Revolving Fund (SRF) disbursement (51REV) of $1,408 on a unanimous vote. Town Manager Stewart Bender announced an Administrative Management Workshop to follow the meeting at 5:00 p.m.
On capital purchases and public-works contracts, the council awarded a Generac backup-generator contract for Town Hall to Middlebury Electric for $9,808 after receiving two quotes. The council accepted a bid for Lehman Drive repairs and awarded the work to Ranger Materials for $12,000; minutes note that Niblock did not submit a quote. Both awards were approved unanimously.
Council also approved two fence recommendations presented by Town Manager Stewart Bender — for 127 S. Harrison and 330 W. Pine — on motions by Council Member Justin Geigley with unanimous support.
The council approved a $5,612 Middlebury Electric quote to add a light pole at the recycle site and relocate security cameras to that pole. Separately, it approved a $5,000 wastewater operator and testing agreement that includes a termination clause; both motions passed unanimously.
Council approved a letter of support for a Lilly Endowment bike-trail grant application. Council Member Marlynn Mast and Town Manager Stewart Bender said they are coordinating where the trail will pass through the town and exploring Stellar Grant-related opportunities discussed at a recent meeting in LaGrange.
The Town Marshal reported Police Department basement repairs scheduled for Sept. 20, 2024; the department will temporarily relocate to Lehman Drive while DLZ prepares a site plan. Council minutes note a future bid cycle next summer and related budget planning for 2026.
Town Attorney Bill Eberhard reported he is drafting an agreement related to forming a Topeka Together 501(c)(3) committee and installing a business sign at IN-5; the council tabled final action on that matter until the next meeting on a motion by Ray Folk that carried unanimously.
Vice President Steve Schrock adjourned the meeting at 5:01 p.m. The council scheduled its next regular meeting for 4:00 p.m. on Sept. 9, 2024.
Votes at a glance: minutes approved (mover: Ray Folk; second: Steve Schrock; outcome: approved, unanimous); claims approved (mover: Justin Geigley; second: Steve Schrock; outcome: approved, unanimous); July financials approved (mover: Steve Schrock; second: Justin Geigley; outcome: approved, unanimous); SRF disbursement 51REV $1,408 (mover: Ray Folk; second: Steve Schrock; outcome: approved, unanimous); 127 S. Harrison fence (mover: Justin Geigley; second: Steve Schrock; outcome: approved, unanimous); 330 W. Pine fence (mover: Justin Geigley; second: Ray Folk; outcome: approved, unanimous); Town Hall Generac to Middlebury Electric $9,808 (mover: Ray Folk; second: Justin Geigley; outcome: approved, unanimous); Lehman Drive repairs to Ranger Materials $12,000 (mover: Steve Schrock; second: Justin Geigley; outcome: approved, unanimous); Recycle site light pole and camera relocation to Middlebury Electric $5,612 (mover: Ray Folk; second: Marlynn Mast; outcome: approved, unanimous); Letter of support for Lilly Endowment bike-trail grant (mover: Marlynn Mast; second: Justin Geigley; outcome: approved, unanimous); Wastewater operator/testing agreement $5,000 (mover: Marlynn Mast; second: Steve Schrock; outcome: approved, unanimous); Motion to table Topeka Together/IN-5 sign to next meeting (mover: Ray Folk; second: Justin Geigley; outcome: approved, unanimous).
(After first reference, council members are identified by last name.)
