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Earlham council approves first readings of two ordinances, OKs fund transfer and event closures
Summary
On Dec. 9 the Earlham City Council approved first readings of ordinances on animal control and on-site storage containers, approved a $23,651.51 transfer back to the water fund, set a hearing on a budget amendment and approved two street closures for community events; council also agreed to renew UnitedHealthcare and to replace the city hall furnace.
The Earlham City Council met Dec. 9 at Earlham City Hall and approved a slate of routine and ordinance actions, including first readings of two ordinances, a $23,651.51 fund transfer and permissions for two community street closures.
At the start of new business the council approved the first reading of Ordinance No. 471, an amendment to Chapter 55 (Animal Protection and Control) of the Earlham Code of Ordinances. The motion, made by Councilmember Visser and seconded by Councilmember Mudge, passed on a unanimous roll call. The council considered but did not act to waive the second and third readings for the ordinance; no motion was offered and that consideration died.
The council also approved the first reading of Ordinance No. 470, which would add Chapter 157 to regulate placement of on-site storage containers within the city. Councilmember Mudge moved the ordinance and Councilmember Nelsen seconded; the motion passed on a unanimous roll call. An attempt to waive the remaining readings for Ordinance No. 470 likewise received no motion and did not advance.
In financial business the council approved Resolution No. 24-34, a transfer of $23,651.51 from the water sinking fund back to the water fund. Councilmember Fredericksen moved the resolution and Councilmember Mudge seconded; the resolution passed on a unanimous roll call.
Council approved two street-closure requests for community events. Fredericksen moved and Nelsen seconded approval to close Chestnut Avenue in front of Bricker Price for the Dance Marathon on April 6, 2025, from 5:00–8:00 p.m.; that motion passed unanimously. Fredericksen moved and Miller seconded approval to close 2nd Street between Sycamore Avenue and Maple Avenue for the Friends of the Library Summer Reading Program kick-off on May 29, 2025, from 5:00–8:00 p.m.; that motion also passed unanimously.
The council set a public hearing on Budget Amendment No. 2 for fiscal year 2025 for Jan. 13, 2025, at 7:00 p.m.; the motion to schedule the hearing was made by Mudge and seconded by Miller and passed on a unanimous roll call.
On administrative matters Clerk/Treasurer Mary Sue Hibbs presented a staff report on employee health insurance. Hibbs said the proposed UnitedHealthcare renewal includes a 7.9% premium increase and that a similar plan through Blue Cross Blue Shield would be about $200 less per month. "Employees are happy with UHC," Hibbs said, and the council reached consensus to continue with UnitedHealthcare.
Mayor Jeff Lillie reported the city hall furnace required replacement after a temporary fix. Lillie said a quote was submitted by Lillie Plumbing and Heating and, after brief discussion, the council gave consensus to hire Lillie Plumbing and Heating rather than issuing a bid process.
Department reports included a Public Works note that Supervisor Gary Coffman was not present and that Councilmember Nelsen had discussed a leaking fire hydrant at 1st and Plum with Coffman. Police Chief Matt Stringham reported ordering radar equipment through GTSB, staff participation in Shop with a Cop and that Christmas on Chestnut went well.
Clerk Hibbs said she and Clerk Kaster attended a budget workshop and that she is preparing budget worksheets for department heads and a tentative FY26 budget schedule. The council adjourned at 7:38 p.m.
Votes at a glance: First reading approved — Ordinance No. 471 (Animal Protection and Control) (motion: Visser; second: Mudge) — Passed (Ayes: unanimous). Waive readings — Ordinance No. 471 — No motion (died). First reading approved — Ordinance No. 470 (On-site storage containers) (motion: Mudge; second: Nelsen) — Passed (Ayes: unanimous). Waive readings — Ordinance No. 470 — No motion (died). Resolution No. 24-34 (transfer $23,651.51 from Water Sinking Fund to Water Fund) (motion: Fredericksen; second: Mudge) — Passed (Ayes: unanimous). Chestnut Avenue closure for Dance Marathon April 6, 2025 (motion: Fredericksen; second: Nelsen) — Passed (Ayes: unanimous). 2nd Street closure for Friends of the Library May 29, 2025 (motion: Fredericksen; second: Miller) — Passed (Ayes: unanimous). Public hearing set for Budget Amendment #2 FY25 (motion: Mudge; second: Miller) — Passed (Ayes: unanimous). Adjourn: Motion by Mudge; second by Fredericksen — Passed (Ayes: unanimous).
