The Celina City Council met on Monday April 14th. At the meeting, the Celina City Council voted to pass ordinances authorizing rental agreements between the Celina Sharks and the Celina Dolphins swim teams and the Bryson Pool for this summer. The council heard from Toby Hertenstein, the Vice President of the Tri County League:

Click to Listen

Note:

Presentations were made by representatives of the Celina Dolphins and the Celina Sharks. These presentations can be viewed in the link below which is the video of tonight's council meeting beginning at the 27 minute mark

.To view the meeting:

Click Here

The following is an AI Generated summary of the Celina City Council Meeting:

1. City Council Meeting

• Opening Prayer and Pledge
  Prayer invoking mercy and safety, followed by the recitation of the pledge to the flag of the United States.
• Roll Call and Agenda Acceptance
  The meeting was called to order on Monday, April 14th, 2025, including roll call and acceptance of the updated agenda with amendments noted as Agenda 17-25-0.
• Minutes Correction and Amendment Discussion
  Discussion of corrections for the regular council meeting minutes dated March 24, 2025, including clarification over phrasing (“from” modifications) and whether an outcome motion to suspend the rules was recorded, as well as the process of amending the written record.
• Swim Team Ordinances Discussion
  Presentation of two nearly identical ordinances authorizing rental agreements for Bryson Pool. Ordinance 13-25-0 for Celina Dolphin Swim Team and Ordinance 14-25-0 for Celina Sharks Swim and Dive Team, including a fixed rate of $100 per hour. Clarification on attached rental agreements and specific conditions regarding key management for the Dolphins.
• REC Advisory Board Recommendation
  Review of the REC Advisory Board Recommendation from meetings on February 27, 2025, March 6, 2025, and March 24, 2025. The recommendation supports allowing two teams to use the pool to provide opportunities for kids to swim and dive, detailed scheduling for practice sessions over alternating weeks, and commentary on potential issues if one team were to cancel their season.
• Audience Communication and Clarifications
  Council addressed audience questions regarding potential conflicts in pool meets and practices, clarifying that while practice conflicts could be sorted out in agreement prior to the season, conflicts in meet scheduling might require escalation to the council for resolution. Also raised was the structural clarity of the ordinances and administrative procedures.

Conclusion

1. Motion for amend was passed with all council members voting in favor.

• Approval and funding of public works projects with emergency measures to ensure timely construction and equipment procurement.

• Westview Park Restroom Project Ordinance
  Discussion on Ordinance 15-25-0 which authorizes awarding the Westview Park Restroom Project to Grand Lake Building Company for $327,750, including budget details, bid comparisons, and construction plans for a new restroom facility with removal of the old restroom from under the shelter house. Community feedback and design similarities with previous projects were also mentioned.
• Electric Distribution Department Bucket Truck Appropriation
  Presentation of Ordinance 16-25-0 for appropriating $325,595 to purchase a 2026 International Alltec TA-60 Articulating Telescopic Aerial with Material Handling from Altec Industries, Inc. This includes justification based on retiring a 2006 bucket truck, explanation of savings from current pricing, and the urgency to avoid price increases and delays (with potential $22,000 increase if delayed past May 2025).

Conclusion

1. Approved and passed with a motion to suspend rules and unanimous votes followed by administrative comments indicating readiness to proceed within the fall timeline, although the exact start date remains to be confirmed.
2. Ordinance passed as an emergency measure to preserve public safety and allow the City to secure the equipment promptly.

 City Council Appropriations and Emergency Measures

• Bucket Truck Discussion
  Discussion on material handling, bucket trucks usage, proactive replacement approach and obtaining usage data (e.g., truck ages) to ensure operational efficiency.
• Ordinance 17-25-0 - Capital Fund Appropriations
  Detailed discussion on appropriating $600,000 to the police capital fund, $2,300,000 to the fire capital fund, $500,000 to the street improvement capital fund, and $300,000 to the park capital fund from the general fund, including emergency measure declarations and budget adjustments.
• Ordinance 18-25-0 - Recreation Equipment Donation
  Presentation of the ordinance appropriating $2,000 from the Park Recreation Fund to acknowledge a donation from VFW Post 5713 for purchasing football equipment such as agility ladders, weight sleds, harnesses, and other items needed for a summer football camp and recreation football season.
• Ordinance 19-25-0 - Security and Maintenance Appropriations
  Discussion involving appropriation of funds split among multiple budgets to cover $10,300 for security cameras in the CMU Administration Building, an extra $1,638 for Police Department Flooring Replacement Project, $100,000 for street maintenance repair materials, and $75,000 for engineering fees for the State Route 703 Water Line Replacement Project. Also includes a review of budget spreadsheet issues and plans for securing future budget changes.

Conclusion

1. Ordinance passed with a 7-0 vote.
2. Ordinance passed at 7-0 after motions and suspensions of rules.
3. Ordinance passed with motions; noted plan to protect budget spreadsheets.

7. Administrative funding, infrastructure projects, and operational updates

• Cost Splitting for Engineering Fees
  Discussion on splitting engineering fees including $24,000 allocation from the electric fund for a water line project along State Route 703. Questions were raised about using electric funds for water projects and the four-way splitting formula.
• Ordinance 10-25-0 Second Reading
  Second reading of ordinance appropriating funds for multiple critical water department projects. The elevator at the water plant was highlighted as a critical need with motion to suspend for approval and action.
• Administrative Reports and Trash Pickup
  Update on spring heavy trash pickups and upcoming scheduled pickups on Saturday, April 26th for the regular Friday route and Saturday, the 19th for the regular Thursday route, including adjustments due to weather conditions.
• Protest Notification
  Notification of a protest by the Democratic Party scheduled for Saturday at noon on 127 at Lighthouse, planned against Elon Musk. Coordination with the Sheriff’s Department, police chief, and ODOT was mentioned for security arrangements.
• Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Concerns
  Discussion on challenges with infiltration into sanitary sewers, CSO overflows, and internal measures including sealing manholes and repairing sewers. Also, issues regarding capacity constraints at the wastewater plant impacting future development.
• Wastewater Plant Tour and Committee Follow-up
  Reference to a tour of the wastewater facility provided by Tom Sanford and plans for future detailed committee meetings to discuss additional technical requirements including EPA submissions and PTI permits.
• Fire Department Staffing
  Update that Zach Metzger has been signed off for the fire department staffing with new hires starting, alongside a mention of police cadets graduating and state expedited testing.
• Parks and Recreation Contract Update
  Brief update on Parks and Rec contract discussion and that recommendations and further details will be brought back at the next meeting.
• Pool Slide Removal and Replacement
  Notification that the old pool slide has been removed and a new slide is in manufacturing. Details include a $50,000 concrete work arrangement with Bryson and pending permit submission to the Department of Health.
• Dispatch and Facility Morale
  Update on dispatch and facility morale, noting the improved facility conditions and communication among dispatchers despite bond coverage concerns. Emphasis was placed on operations and morale boost for the team.

Next Arrangements

•  Correction and amendment of the meeting minutes with proper inclusion of amendment motions and modifications regarding donation clarification.
•  Adoption of two identical ordinances for pool rental agreements with distinct modifications for each swim team.
•  Scheduling arrangement for alternating swim team practices as recommended by the REC Advisory Board.
•  Verify equipment records and manufacturer dates to determine ownership
•  Confirm meet schedules and their alignment with season ticket holder benefits
•  Reevaluate the hourly pool usage fee in light of historical costs and quotes
•  Address board governance and harassment complaints through formal protocols
•  Clarify and document the criteria for classifying donated items and ensure conflict-free contracts.
•  Obtain comprehensive equipment and meet schedule information before the second reading.
•  Finalize a workable pricing model for pool rental and associated lifeguard arrangements.
•  Review the scheduling of multiple teams to avoid conflict with pool usage.
•  Schedule next meeting on the 28th of the month.
•  Obtain additional documentation on equipment ownership and insurance policies.
•  Consider adding an emergency ordinance clause at the next meeting.
•  Confirm construction start date (reported as fall, possibly October or September) and update in the next report.
•  Follow up on scheduling for the restroom project and the detailed timeline provided by stage date at 26.
•  Monitor bucket truck procurement process to avoid delays and cost increases.
•  Investigate the rationale for cost splitting using electric funds for water projects.
•  Follow-up on the suspended ordinance motion for water department projects, specifically the elevator issue.
•  Confirm schedules for trash pickups and monitor weather impacts.
•  Monitor the protest event and coordinate with law enforcement as needed.
•  Arrange a detailed committee meeting on wastewater infrastructure and capacity issues.
•  Finalize and communicate the Parks and Rec contract recommendations at the next meeting.
•  Oversee pool slide replacement project and permit processes.