By Charlotte Caldwell
[email protected]
ANNA – The Anna Council heard concerns from a citizen about topics addressed during the last executive session at a meeting on March 14.
The citizen mentioned that, according to the meeting minutes for the Feb. 28 council meeting, there was an emergency ordinance passed after executive session to hire consultant services to find a new administrator and to appoint Mayor Mark Pulfer to interim administrator; neither of which was added to the agenda. The only topic that was to be discussed in executive session was litigation, according to the agenda, and the citizen said in order to discuss personnel, it has to be included on the agenda. The citizen added that it is not right that items were added and voted on once everyone left. Pulfer and council members provided no response to the concerns.
The deadline to apply for the administrator’s position was March 10 and 34 resumes were received and sent to Pulfer and council members.
During staff reports, Fiscal Officer Stacy Meyer reported previous administrator Jess Geuy received $1,802.32 for his vacation leave payout, and it was suggested that if vacation leave is granted upfront, then a stipulation should be made in the agreement that if the employee is not employed for one year, then no payout is eligible.
Pulfer reported the engineer’s estimate for the 2023 sidewalk program has been received and the sidewalk necessity ordinance which was still tabled will be on the next meeting’s agenda.
The Parks and Recreation Department also provided an update. Adan Baldonado is a new member of the park advisory board. Members of the Girl Scouts want to renovate the playhouse at the park to make it more educational and fun for kids, and the council was in favor of allowing the changes. The Sidney Endowment Grant and the Anna Foundation Grant have been applied for, and the splash pad is waiting on drawings and permits. The council agreed to waive the tap fees for the splash pad.
As for parks and recreation events, National Night Out plans are underway, and Food Truck Tuesdays will begin on April 4. Discussion has started about having tent camping, food trucks and events at the park for the total eclipse on April 8, 2024. It is estimated that 40,000 people could flock to the area to witness the eclipse.
The council heard first readings of two ordinances. One ordinance requires the Shelby County treasurer and auditor to distribute any costs taxed and collected by Anna’s Mayor’s Court, and the other ordinance amends section three of the public records policy from Jan. 22, 2008. The council also voted to give the Anna Market $125 per four boxes of trash bags sold – which is a $25 increase – and they accepted Bailey McKinney as a probationary volunteer firefighter.
During new business, Councilmember Ken Aselage moved to add an additional $5 to license fees to go toward street funds. The fees are currently at $5 and Councilmember Gary Strasser believed it can go up to $20. Solicitor Madison Brinkman will look into the details.
Another session of the council was held on March 28, and the next regular session will be held on Tuesday, April 11, at 7 p.m. in the council chambers.
Reach the writer at 937-538-4824.
