To view the June 9th Celina City Council Meeting:

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Meeting Notes

1. City Council Legislative Actions and Community Development

• Meeting Opening, Roll Call, and Agenda Acceptance

  The City Council meeting began at 7 o'clock with a prayer for wisdom, blessings, and community safety, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Attendees were reminded to silence cell phones. The regular meeting of City Council was called to order on Monday, June 9th, 2025. Roll call was taken: Baltzell (Here), Buxton (Here), Clausen (Here), Fleck (Absent), Gray (Here). The agenda for the evening was accepted following a motion by Mr. Balzell and a second by Mr. Gray, with all present voting yes.

• Corrections and Acceptance of May 12, 2025, Meeting Minutes

  Corrections and acceptance of the regular council meeting minutes from May 12, 2025, were discussed. Mr. Buxton clarified he was not present at the May 12th meeting, and it was confirmed only four members attended (Gray and Wolf among them). Buxton was identified as the pro tem presiding officer for that meeting. The minutes were amended to reflect these corrections. Motions to amend and accept the minutes were made and seconded, with votes recorded: Baltzell (Yes), Buxton (Yes), Clausen (Abstain), Gray (Yes), Sanford (Yes) for the amendment; Stanford (Yes), Gray (Yes), Clausen (Abstain), Buxton (Yes), Volto (Abstain) for acceptance.

• Ordinance 23-25-0: PY 2025 Community Housing Impact and Preservation (CHIP) Program Partnership

  The first reading of Ordinance 23-25-0 was presented, authorizing the Mayor to sign a partnership agreement with Mercer County for the PY 2025 Community Housing Impact and Preservation Program (CHIP). This partnership increases potential funding by $300,000, making the total potential grant award $700,000, and allows for additional points for partnering. The agreement is attached as Exhibit 1. The ordinance was declared an emergency measure for public health, safety, and welfare. Director Hitchcock clarified this is a biannual grant, and the county administers the program, with the city’s role limited to passing the ordinance and being a partner. Council members inquired about the types of properties (primarily homes) and the application process for homeowners versus contractors. Director Hitchcock explained that applications go through the county, not the city, and that while most projects are homes, eligibility is determined by county guidelines. The amount of funding has remained consistent in recent cycles. The ordinance passed to second reading with a 5-0 roll call vote.

• Ordinance 24-25-0: Final Plat Approval for Wheatland Acres Phase 7

  The first reading of Ordinance 24-25-0 was presented, approving a final plat for Wheatland Acres Phase 7. The plat was presented to the City of Salina for final approval and is attached as Exhibit A. The City Planning Commission met on May 22, 2025, and recommended approval, citing it as a very good design and much needed for the community due to the need for more housing lots. All department heads reviewed and approved the plans. The development consists of approximately 35 lots and provides a second exit to Frahm Pike, addressing previous concerns about access points and emergency egress. The ordinance was declared an emergency measure to allow site development at the earliest date possible. The ordinance passed to second reading with a 5-0 roll call vote.

• Ordinance 25-25-0: Lease Agreement for Westview Park with Greater Celina Area Soccer Boosters

  The first reading of Ordinance 25-25-0 was presented, authorizing a lease agreement between the City of Celina and the Greater Salina Area Soccer Boosters (GCASB) for the lease of Westview Park. The agreement is for a 3-day non-alcohol event, with a lease amount of $1 per annum plus fees for field preparation and lights. The City supports the event for community activities and participation. The reason for re-approving the ordinance this year is the addition of food trucks to the event, which was a significant enough change to require council approval again. It was clarified that Field 1 at Westview Park is no longer available as the county reclaimed the property, but this does not cause problems for the event, as fields 2 through 6 remain in use. Council members noted the event’s positive impact on the community and its support for youth soccer programs. The ordinance passed to second reading with a 5-0 roll call vote.

Conclusion

1. The agenda was accepted by unanimous vote of present members.

2. The minutes from May 12, 2025, were amended and accepted, with abstentions noted for members not present at that meeting.

3. Ordinance 23-25-0 (CHIP partnership) passed to second reading, 5-0.

4. Ordinance 24-25-0 (Wheatland Acres Phase 7) passed to second reading, 5-0.

5. Ordinance 25-25-0 (Westview Park lease) passed to second reading, 5-0.

2. City Council Resolutions and Administrative Updates

• Resolution 2-25-R: Solid Waste Management Plan

  The Council discussed and approved the Solid Waste Management Plan for the Mercer County Solid Waste Management District. The City of Celina must approve the plan within 90 days of receipt. The major change in this five-year update is the funding mechanism: moving from landfill tipping fees ($2 for in-county waste) to a $2.75 per ton fee on all waste generated in the county, regardless of where it is disposed. This requires agreements with all landfills and transfer stations to remit the fee. If the plan is not ratified, the EPA will impose the state-recommended plan. The City of Celina and the county commissioners have veto power. The deadline for passing the plan is July 30th, and council discussed the need to pass it by suspension or as an emergency measure at the next meeting to meet this deadline. The resolution was amended to include an emergency clause and passed 5-0.

• Resolution 3-25-R: Appointment of Carrie R. Fox as Clerk of Council

  The Council approved and recommended Carrie R. Fox to be employed as the Clerk of Council for the City of Celina, following the resignation of Michael F. DiDonato. Her employment is to commence June 1, 2025. The resolution was declared an emergency measure to ensure continuity of council operations. It was clarified that this position is separate from other city roles and is the only position directly hired by council. Council members expressed appreciation for both Michael’s service and Carrie’s qualifications. The resolution passed 5-0.

• Administrative Reports - Pool Update

  Director Hitchcock reported that the pool’s health department inspection is scheduled for tomorrow. If passed, the pool will open to the public by 1 PM, and to swim teams on Wednesday morning. The new slide installation is indefinitely delayed due to pending permits and unresolved issues with two state agencies regarding grounding requirements. The approval process for these permits can take up to 30 days per agency, potentially 60 days total, and there is no clear timeframe for completion. The pool opening temperature requirement is a combined 140 degrees (air temperature plus water temperature).

• Administrative Reports - Playground Equipment

  Discussion included plans for new playground equipment at Westview Park, with a request to be submitted to Bryson next year. A suggestion was made for a "buddy swing," which allows a parent and child to face each other while swinging, as a unique addition to the park.

• Administrative Reports - Grand Lake Road No-Turn Sign

  Follow-up was provided regarding a no-turn sign on Grand Lake Road onto Havemann. Although it was previously thought to be installed, it was found missing. The electric department is investigating the issue, as its absence has led to unsafe driving maneuvers.

• Administrative Reports - Hydroplane Races

  A reminder was given that hydroplane races are scheduled for the weekend of June 21st and 22nd, with expectations of a good turnout and community interest.

• Administrative Reports - Playground Pad

  The pad around the playground has been pulled up and ripped in some areas, primarily due to a soft subgrade causing excessive flexing. This is warranty work, and the contractor is expected to repair the area sometime in July. The damage is worsening as children pull at the rips, increasing the urgency for repairs.

• Administrative Reports - Police and Fire Department Reports

  Council members expressed appreciation for the police department’s recent activity. The fire department report was not available because the fire chief was on vacation. There is an ongoing civil service issue regarding the future fire chief position, and more information will be provided once resolved.

• Administrative Reports - City Cleanliness/Limb and Brush Pickup

  A community member praised the city for its efforts in picking up limbs and brush and keeping the city clean, with council members concurring and publicly acknowledging the city staff’s work.

Conclusion

1. The Solid Waste Management Plan resolution was amended to include an emergency clause and passed 5-0. The deadline for passing the plan is July 30th, and council must act promptly at the next meeting.

2. The resolution appointing Carrie R. Fox as Clerk of Council passed 5-0.

3. The pool slide installation is delayed indefinitely due to permit issues with state agencies.

4. A request for new playground equipment, including consideration of a buddy swing, will be submitted to Bryson next year.

5. The electric department is investigating the missing no-turn sign on Grand Lake Road.

6. The playground pad contractor is expected to repair the damage in July.

7. The fire department report was unavailable; updates on the chief position will follow resolution of the civil service issue.

8. The city’s limb and brush pickup efforts were acknowledged and appreciated by the community and council.

Next Arrangements

• The clerk is authorized and directed to mail or otherwise deliver a copy of Resolution 2-25-R to Mr. Kent Hinton, District Director, Mercer County Solid Waste Management District, 220 West Livingston Street

• The City must decide whether it approves the Solid Waste Management Plan within 90 days of receipt of the final draft plan.

• The deadline to pass the Solid Waste Management Plan is July 30th.

• The Council will likely need to pass the Solid Waste Management Plan at the next meeting by suspension or as an emergency measure to meet the July 30th deadline.

• The President of City Council will enter into an employment agreement with Carrie R. Fox for the Clerk of Council position.

• A request for new playground equipment for Westview will be submitted to Bryson next year, with consideration for a buddy swing.

• The contractor for the playground pad is expected to fix it sometime in July.

• The electric department will follow up on the missing no-turn sign on Grand Lake Road.

• Updates on the fire chief position will be provided after the civil service issue is resolved.