Town Council Minutes 9/8/2026
Meeting of the Town Council of Huntertown, Indiana
Tuesday, September 8, 2026, 6:00 p.m.
Huntertown Town Hall, 15617 Lima Road
A public meeting of the Huntertown Town Council was held on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at Huntertown Town Hall, 15617 Lima Road, Huntertown, IN. Present were town council members Michael Aker, (P); Patricia Freck; Brad Hite; Tina McDonald; and Brandon Seifert; Town Manager Hannah Walker; Clerk-Treasurer Ryan Schwab; Resource Officer Andrew Baehl; Derek Frederickson and Jessica Hile of Engineering Resources Inc.; Mike Hawk of Hawk Haynie Kammeyer & Smith; eleven (11) members of the public and zero (0) members of the media. The meeting was streamed on the Town’s YouTube Channel.
Michael Aker called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance.
At 6:00 p.m., Michael Aker suspended the regular meeting and opened a Public Hearing for Huntertown Ordinance 2026-019 Appropriations and Tax Rates. Ryan Schwab provided an overview of the proposed 2027 budget, including the three funds that have applicable tax rates. The floor was opened to public comments, and the following public comment was brought forth:
· Kyle Quandt, a resident at 809 Shale Run, asked for information about funds available in the event of an emergency; funds available to account for services related to the increased number of street miles; for information about how the budget is put together; and funding for streets and sidewalks to improve walkability.
After no further public comment was brought forth, Michael Aker closed the Public Hearing at 6:22 p.m.
At 6:22 p.m., Michael Aker opened a Public Hearing for TC Ordinance 2026-020, an Ordinance annexing certain territory to the Town of Huntertown to be commonly known as the parts of Broad Acres and Beaumont Developments Voluntary Annexation. Hannah Walker provided an overview of the Ordinance. The floor was open to public comments, and none were brought forth. Michael Aker closed the public hearing and reconvened the regular meeting at 6:24 p.m.
COUNCIL ACTION
Patricia Freck made a motion to approve the minutes of August 17, 2026, regular meeting. Brad Hite seconded. Motion carried 5-0.
Tina McDonald made a motion to approve the minutes of August 24, 2026, special meeting. Patricia Freck seconded. Motion carried 5-0.
Brandon Seifert made a motion to approve the general, water, and sewer claims dated September 8, 2026, in the amount of $686,427.36. Patricia Freck seconded. Motion carried 5-0.
Brandon Seifert made a motion to introduce TC Ordinance 2026-020, an Ordinance annexing certain territory to the Town of Huntertown to be commonly known as the parts of Broad Acres and Beaumont Developments Voluntary Annexation. Patricia Freck seconded. Motion carried 5-0.
Tina McDonald made a motion to approve TC Resolution 2026-017, a declaratory resolution for the designation of economic revitalization area No. H-20 application of API Alliance LLC. Patricia Freck seconded. Rachel Black, representing the Allen County Department of Planning Services, provided an overview of the resolution. Rick Raber, Chief Technology Officer for API Alliance LLC briefly addressed the council as well. After no further discussion, the motion was carried 5-0.
Brad Hite made a motion to approve two quotes from Turland Equipment in the amount of $14,484.98 for various attachments for the town’s track loader. Tina McDonald seconded. Motion carried 5-0.
Michael Aker announced the resignation of Randy Bailey from the Huntertown Redevelopment Commission and appointed David Bleke to serve the remainder of that term, which expires on December 31, 2026.
NEW BUSINESS
Outside of items listed under Council Action, the following New Business was brought forth:
· Hannah Walker presented the council with two proposals from vendors interested in helping the town update its policy and procedure manual and salary ordinance. Council members said they needed more time to compare the two proposals before deciding. No action was taken.
REPORTS
Patricia Freck had the following report:
· She provided an update on the Veterans Memorial project at the Huntertown Family Park noting that construction is set to begin on September 29, 2026.
Brandon Seifert had the following report:
· He provided the council with a handout from Indiana State Representative Marlin Stutzman’s office calling for project submittals for a Community Project Funding program. The program includes multiple categories to submit projects for federal funding. He asked council members and town staff to review the information and consider projects for submission.
Resource Officer Andrew Baehl had no report.
Clerk-Treasurer Ryan Schwab had no report.
Town Manager Hannah Walker had the following report:
· Pine Hills Church is looking to add a coffee shop to its facility. The Allen County Board of Zoning Appeals will be holding a public hearing on the matter on Wednesday, September 16, 2026. Information was shared with council via email and anyone with comments or concerns needs to address them with her prior to the Public Hearing.
· Score sheets for the Request for Proposals for the pedestrian bridge were sent out via email. Those who want printed versions should let her know and she will make those available.
· Allen County is leading a Municipal Unit Strategic Taskforce (MUST) meeting on Monday, September 14, 2026, at Citizen Square. Livestream of the meeting is available.
· She handed out a document listing the number of documents complaints from residents regarding water quality or other utility issues. Since the document was created in March, the document has tallied just seven formal complaints.
Representative of Engineering Resources Inc. had the following report:
· Derek Frederickson provided the council with an updated utility capacity spreadsheet, noting that 32 new connections were made to both the water and sewer utilities in August.
Mike Hawk of Hawk Haynie Kammeyer & Smith had no report.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Barb Graves, a resident at 2025 W. Gump Road, shared concerns about speeding along W. Gump Road, between State Road 3 and Lima Road. She suggested the town purchase speed cushions to slow traffic down. She said that her work takes her to Cincinnati, OH, where speed cushions have been employed. She cited a 37-percent decrease in speed related traffic issues along the roadways with the speed cushions.
Monica Wells, a resident at 2330 Edgerton Street, expressed interest in having the town’s code enforcement team look into an abandoned home. She said the home has been condemned but no one is doing anything about it. Attorney Mike Hawk said the town could request a repair/demolish order from the County if the property has been vacant for the amount of time suggested. Patricia Freck said that the town has a form online that residents can fill out to report homes in violation of town code.
After no further public comment was brought forth, Patricia Freck made a motion to adjourn. Brandon Seifert seconded. The motion passed with a voice vote and the meeting adjourned at 7:10 p.m.
Meeting minutes were approved by council at the 9/21/2026 meeting