Town Council 02-21-2023 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Tricia Runningen with Kendrick Foundation gave an update on what the Mental Health Task Force has been doing in Morgan County. They are wanting to hire a part time coordinator for the Mental Health Task Force to oversee the grant and oversee the taskforce as well as a facilitator. Their grant asks from the state $650,000 for two years. The project would go from June 1, 2023 to June 30, 2025. The grant applications opened on February 1. 2023 and will close on the last day of February. Town Attorney Lee explained that this first funding that is open for applications is governed by the FSSA and local government buy in is required to qualify for this loan. This is a reimbursable grant so no funds would be paid out until services are rendered. Attorney Lee stated while ARPA and general funds could be used for source of the funds, he suggested setting the funding limit and saying that the town would like to move forward with the project. Councilman Williams asked about the Mejer settlement funds that will be arriving, but Attorney Lee said it is not advisable to spend funds that have not been received yet. Councilman Williams made a motion to opt in to the grant proposal for an amount of $12,000 from ARPA funds. Councilman Cook seconded. Motion carried 5-0. Before voting affirmative Councilman Warthen stated he was concerned the amount may not be enough of a match toward this project. Ann from Peace Restored interjected during the vote to speak highly about the work that the foundation is doing and that any funds given would be used well. Councilman Brown then made a motion to fund an additional $12,000 to the project coming out of ARPA Funds. Councilman Williams seconded. Motion carried 5-0. Town Attorney mentioned that the super voluntary annexation may need to have a special meeting called as it must be passed within 60 days which would be March 7th, Town Attorney Lee gave an update on the TRANE Proposal. After a meeting with them this would fall under a public private partnership in which TRANE would handle the bidding process for the Town. When talking about these types of projects the amount is usually quite large and while there are funds on hand the use of these funds without financing would severely deplete the reserves. The question is would the town want to issue an RFP for the work that is being considered by TRANS. By doing that the town is not obligating themselves to take out a bond. Councilman Warthen asked about the potential price tag as the funds that were projected for this project is around $2.2M. Attorney Chou-il stated it is possible that this could be a $5M to $10M project, but that number will not be known until the RFP has been received. By issuing an RFP there is no obligation to move forward it is simply gathering information. Councilman Williams made a motion to allow Town Attorney Lee to move forward with drafting RFP for the town. Councilman Cook seconded. Motion Carried 5-0 Councilman Williams mentioned to Attorney Lee that the Brown Township Trustee contacted him and would like to pause the action on the Fire territory and set a calendar for 2024. Legal stated in order to move forward both entities must agree so if Brown Township votes not to participate then the process can be stopped. It is necessary to determine if Brown Township has taken a vote to move forward with the project. Councilman Cook also expressed that the trustee had been in contact with him as well. Attorney Lee expressed his concern about any movements or expectations that Brown Township had based on the council voting to move forward with the project. Attorney Lee again expressed his reservation in taking a vote to delay the process. Councilman Williams made a motion to delay the process of the Fire territory and continue negotiations with the Brown Township trustee and begin the process again in 2024. Councilman Cook seconded. Motion carried 4-1. Councilman Warthen opposed. There was again concern raised from Attorney Lee about any ramifications that could come if Brown Township has voted to move forward with the project, Councilman Cook and Councilman Williams reiterated that the Trustee of Brown Township does not want to move forward.