April 16, 2025 Meeting – White Pigeon Village Council

Present: Wagaman, Carr, Fenner, Hostetler, Kershner, Miller, Wortinger

Also present: Persing, Kuhlman, DeBruine, Burgoyne

Call to order at 6:00pm by President Wagaman.

Motion by Hostetler/Wortinger to approve the agenda. Yea: All. Motion carried.

Motion by Wagaman/Carr to approve the minutes of the March 19, 2025 Regular Meeting. Yea: All. Motion carried.

Motion by Wagaman/Hostetler to pay bills as presented. Roll call vote – Yea: Wagaman, Carr, Fenner, Hostetler, Kershner, Miller, Wortinger. Nay: None. Motion carried.

Old Business:

  1. Merlin Miller spoke about The Haven and its role in the community. They are very interested in buying two parcels currently owned by the Village. Council will discuss this.
  2. JPR Water Improvement Project. Josh Wyman presented an update on the project.
  3. Amendment to Ordinance 2025-01-08. Motion by Kershner/Hostetler to approve this amendment to the ordinance. Roll call vote – Yea: Hostetler, Kershner, Wortinger. Nay: Carr, Fenner, Miller, Wagaman. Motion failed.
  4. Text.gov uses your cell phone as a way to communicate important information to residents. Wagaman asked Council members to review the information and discuss at the next meeting.
  5. HydroCorp proposal. This company would handle all the State requirements relating to cross connections, at a cost of $59,975. Motion by Wagaman/Wortinger to approve the proposal. Roll call vote – Yea: Wagaman, Carr, Fenner, Hostetler, Kershner, Miller, Wortinger. Nay: None. Motion carried.

New Business:

  1. Motion by Wagaman/Wortinger to approve the two dispensary applications that were received. Roll call vote – Yea: Wagaman, Carr, Fenner, Hostetler, Kershner, Miller, Wortinger. Nay: None. Motion carried.
  2. Switching Village internet from Comcast to Surf. Tabled until next meeting.
  3. Employee Committee interviewed three candidates for the Clerk/Treasurer position and recommend Alexandria Watts for the position. Motion by Kershner/Wagaman to approve this recommendation. Roll call vote – Yea: Wagaman, Carr, Fenner, Hostetler, Kershner, Miller, Wortinger. Nay: None. Motion carried.
  4. Wagaman said Lacie Pletcher will stay on as the Village bookkeeper. Motion by Kershner/Carr to pay Pletcher $150 per week for up to six months to train the new Clerk/Treasurer. Roll call vote – Yea: Wagaman, Carr, Fenner, Hostetler, Kershner, Miller, Wortinger. Nay: None. Motion carried.
  5. Wagaman wants to hold two community clean up days, the first and second Saturdays of May at the Village dump site. Motion by Wagaman/Carr to spend no more than $1,100 for this project. Roll call vote – Yea: Wagaman, Carr, Fenner, Hostetler, Kershner, Miller, Wortinger. Nay: None. Motion carried.

Public Comment was received.

Committee Reports:

Chief Burgoyne gave his report. He handed out a proposed ordinance relating to the consumption of alcohol in public and asked everyone to review and make recommended changes.

DPW DeBruine gave his report and said road patching will begin soon.

Fenner said she would like to see fencing around the new apartment project, especially on the side facing the cemetery.

Wagaman read a letter from Kay Burgoyne, resigning from the Planning Commission. Council accepted her resignation and thanked her for her service to the community. He then read a letter from John Morris, who expressed his desire to serve on the committee. His request was approved.

Wagaman shared that the sewer department submitted a grant for solar panels and would hear if it was approved by the end of April.

Wagaman asked Council members to review the Village website and recommend any changes to be made.

Wagaman asked members to think about The Haven’s request to purchase the two Village parcels. He believes they would have to go out for bid.

Motion by Wagaman/Carr to adjourn meeting at 7:16pm. Yea: All. Motion carried.

Posted by law 4/17/2025
Village Hall Deputy Clerk
White Pigeon Post Office – Susan Persing