East Central Reporter

City of Martinsville City Council met March 27.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Bob Lovell

Shane Pendleton

Chris Perry

Ashley Wilhoit

Attendance: Mayor Herman Davidson, Clerk- Sheena Hammond, Treasurer- Terri Connelly, City Attorney Richard Bernardoni, Dan Kibler-Marshall Advocate, Ryan Slater- Chief of Police, Todd Shaffner, Chris Snearley, Bob Waggoner

Meeting called to order by Mayor Davidson at 7:00 PM.

Prayer: Bob Lovell. All in attendance recited the “Pledge of Allegiance.”

Public Comment: Dan Kibler thanked the council on behalf of Strohm newspapers for their service. He proposed city-wide clean up ads.

Motion by A. Wilhoit, 2nd by C. Perry, to approve the previous meeting minutes.

Record Vote:

Davidson Yes    Pendleton Yes

Perry Yes          Hammond Yes

Lovell Yes          Wilhoit Yes

Motion carried.

--Motion by S. Pendleton, 2nd by A. Wilhoit, to approve bill list.

Record Vote:

Davidson Yes    Pendleton Yes

Perry Yes          Hammond Yes

Lovell Yes          Wilhoit Yes

Motion carried.

Mayor Davidson presented a photo of a soldier silhouette that the American Legion would like to purchase and place in the city park.

--Motion by A. Wilhoit, 2nd by C. Perry, to approve the placement of the silhouette.

Record Vote:

Davidson Yes    Pendleton Yes

Perry Yes          Hammond Yes

Lovell Yes          Wilhoit Yes

Motion carried.

Martinsville school Superintendent, Bob Waggoner, thanked the city for their assistance in culvert placement and traffic control for the school. He spoke about a community project that the school district would like to allocate grant funds toward for the community’s mental and physical health. He’d like to allocate $30,000 of grant money toward a pickleball and basketball court at the ball park. Monies will need to be assigned to the project by June 30th. He is handing the project over to the city to seek bids and pursue the project.

Mayor Davidson mentioned that the new preschool buildings are currently blocking a section of Kendall St. due to a hang up in setting the buildings. They will remain there for up to two weeks.

Todd Shaffner, Gas Superintendent, distributed a cost estimate for getting the gas department certified and equipment purchased to be able to run plastic gas pipe, as the council had requested. Training considerations were discussed.

Todd Shaffner talked to the Council regarding increasing the gas department on-call pay. The Council will discuss this at upcoming meetings regarding raises.

A cost estimate was distributed to the Council for upgrading water and gas meters.

Hiring a part-time person for mowing was tabled.

Council discussed hiring a full-time city worker who will be cross trained. Council would like a position to be advertised.

Mayor Davidson distributed a map showing eligible Ameren poles to add electrical outlets. The council would like a quote to add electric to 11 poles and will revisit.

Mayor Davidson asked the alderpersons to survey sidewalks in their wards to consider replacing. Mayor Davidson asked the alderpersons to consider updating downtown banners.

Council decided to close City Hall at noon on Monday, April 8thfor the Solar Eclipse.

OTHER:

Chris Davidson:

● Mentioned that the Truelove property west of town may have sold.

● Said that many people have approached him about the TIF district and would like to see the city property dammed off and developed. Bob Waggoner expressed interest to him in assisting with getting the TIF District going.

● Need to know what engineering costs will be for city warehouse.

Bob Lovell:

● Questioned if an active Chamber of Commerce would help with starting up a TIF district.

Shane Pendleton:

● Expressed that a TIF district might be good, but other towns are buying properties/lots and selling them for people to build on. Thought this might be a good idea. The city could bid at tax sale.

Sheena Hammond:

● A letter about National Road yard sales was distributed. Would the Council like to have Martinsville’s city-wide yard sales the weekend in conjunction with that? The council agreed.

--Motion by C. Perry, 2nd by A. Wilhoit, to close the meeting.

Meeting adjourned 8:43 PM.

https://martinsvilleil.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/03-27-24-Minutes.docx.pdf