SOLDIER TOWNSHIP BOARD MEETING
The regular monthly meeting of the Soldier Township Board was called to order on February 7, 2023, at 12:15 p.m. Board members present were Karl McNorton (Trustee) and Jerry Glasgow (Treasurer). Also present were Bob Oliva (Township Business Administrator/Road
Superintendent), Doug Schmitt (Fire Chief), John Tipton (Co-Road Superintendent), and Laurie Moody (Bookkeeper).
Guests in attendance were – John Welch (auditor), Rick Elliott (The Elliott Group), Jim Stewart (The Elliott Group), Jared Beam (Insurance Consultants), Chris Hutchens (CEK Insurance), Scott Southern (CEK Insurance), and Tami McFarland (CEK Insurance).
The meeting was opened with the election of the presiding officer of Township meetings for year 2023. Member Glasgow made a motion that Mike Mathes be voted as the presiding officer. Member McNorton seconded the motion. Motion carried 2-0. Due to the absence of Member Mathes at this meeting, Member McNorton continued to serve as presiding officer for this meeting.
Member Glasgow made a motion to approve the check register, the bank account reconciliation reports, and the minutes from the January 3, 2023 Board meeting, as presented, with no additions or amendments. Member McNorton seconded the motion. Motion carried 2-0.
Public comment and communication – There were no public comments or communication.
General – Mr. Oliva introduced Mr. John Welch who presented the annual audit for 2022. Member Glasgow made motion to approve the audit presentation by Mr. Welch. Seconded by Member McNorton. Motion carried 2-0.
In the absence of Lee Hendricks, Legal Counsel, Mr. Oliva presented the board with a Petition for Approval of Attachment of Land Released from Menoken Township to Soldier Township. It was the recommendation of legal counsel that the board approve the petition for the boundary change. Member Glasgow made motion to approve the proposal of the request for boundary change for Soldier Township. Member McNorton seconded motion. Motion carried 2-0.
Casualty and Liability Insurance and Workers Compensation Insurance proposals were presented by representatives of Insurance Consultants, The Elliott Group, and CEK Insurance.
Fire Chief Schmitt presented the written fire report. The 2023 Can-Am Defender has been received and is waiting on a bid to get it outfitted with lights and communications.
The Fire Department will be submitting grant requests for the AFG Tanker Grant for 2023, the SAFER grant and with AT&T FirstNet for the iPad Grant.
The Annual Banquet is scheduled for February 24, 2023, at The Brownstone.
The closing date for the land acquisition for the new fire department is scheduled for February 8, 2023, at 9:00. The Cashier’s Check was approved by Jerry Glasgow, Treasurer, and has been prepared. Chief Schmitt and Member McNorton will both be present at the closing to sign all necessary documents.
Road – Mr. Oliva and Mr. Tipton informed on the status of the design-build process of the new maintenance shop. The pad for the building was constructed using asphalt millings and is almost completed.
Mr. Tipton presented the written road report, updating on the status of work performed during the month of January.
Pricing proposals for culverts were submitted from three companies. Mr. Tipton asked approval to select Ace Irrigation, the lowest priced proposal. Member McNorton made motion, seconded by Member Glasgow, to approve purchasing culverts from Ace Irrigation. Motion carried 2-0.
Executive Session – Mr. Tipton requested Executive Session. Moved into Executive Session at 1:25 p.m., for no more than 10 minutes. Regular session to resume at 1:35 p.m. Present were Karl McNorton, Jerry Glasgow, Bob Oliva, Doug Schmitt, John Tipton, and Laurie Moody. The Board came out of executive session at 1:30 p.m. and convened in open regular session. No binding action was taken. Meeting adjourned at 1:35 p.m.
Special Board Meeting was called to order at 1:35 p.m. on February 7, 2023. The purpose of this working session was to discuss and select the insurance agency to service the township insurance needs for 2023. This meeting was adjourned at 1:50 p.m. and all participants returned to regular session. Member Glasgow made motion to select The Elliott Group, Member McNorton seconded the motion, and the motion carried 2-0.
With no further business to come before the Board, motion was made by Member McNorton to adjourn the meeting. Member Glasgow seconded the motion and meeting adjourned at 1:51 p.m.
The next monthly Board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 7, 2023, at 12:15 p.m.