Earlham council approves consent items, two resolutions, and administrative directions

At its July 13 meeting, the Earlham City Council approved several routine and administrative items.

Consent and appointments: The council unanimously approved the consent agenda, which included minutes for prior meetings, the treasurer's and claims reports, the appointment of Jason Fagen to the Planning & Zoning Board for a term ending July 31, 2031, a waiver of review for a plat of survey related to a proposed split of Dark Willow Estates, and approval of a fee agreement with Hopkins & Huebner. The consent-agenda motion was made by Council Member Mudge and seconded by Council Member Nelsen; the roll call vote was unanimous among members present.

Resolutions: The council approved Resolution No. 26-31 designating the placement of the agenda for 2026 (motion by Mudge, second by Visser) and Resolution No. 26-32 amending Resolution No. 26-25 to correct a clerical error in wages for full-time and permanent part-time employees (motion by Mudge, second by Visser). Both motions passed by unanimous roll call.

Administrative direction and grants: Clerk/Treasurer Jessica Visser reported attending Clerk School and asked the council to have the City Attorney prepare a written landlord utility-deposit agreement; the council directed City Attorney Ellie Mendlik to prepare a proposed agreement. The council supported hiring a part-time library employee under a seasonal model and supported fundraising to supplement a $10,000 Prairie Meadows Community Betterment Grant the city received for splash-pad improvements.

Votes at a glance: All recorded motions at the July 13 meeting passed by unanimous roll call of the council members present (Fredericksen, Mudge, Nelsen and Visser); Council Member Miller was absent.