Meeting documents · Common Council
Common Council agenda & minutes — May 6, 2026
May 6, 2026 · 10 pages
This text was read off the city’s scanned PDF by optical character recognition. It will contain misreadings — names and numbers especially. The original scan is the record — read it here ↗
===== page 1 ===== PRESIDENT - BRIAN COWGILL VICE PRESIDENT - ERIKA DEVINE MARION COMMON COUNCIL AGENDA eq Regular Meeting - Marion City Hall Council Chambers CITYof MARION Date: May 06, 2026 COMMON COUNCIL Time: 7:00 P.M. AMENDED CALL TO ORDER PRAYER: Jason Camery, jail commander and senior pastor of Marion Reformed Presbyterian Church. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Council President Brian Cowgill ROLL CALL RECOGNITION-SPOTLIGHT: Art teacher Tashema Davis and the McCullouch Junior High 8 grade State and National Art award winners. CONSENT AGENDA: A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING April 21, 2026 B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF EXECUTIVE SESSION April 21, 2026 C. CONSIDERATION OF PRE-APPROVED CLAIMS D. CONSIDERATION OF CLAIMS COMMITTEE REPORTS UNFINISHED BUSINESS Additional Appropriation 06-2026- Appropriation for CReED 24 reading public hearing An Additional Appropriation appropriating $108,168.58 to miscellaneous contractual services. Speaking: City administration. Executive summary: The CREED board recently voted to dissolve themselves. NEW BUSINESS Additional Appropriation 07-2026- Appropriation for Opioid Settlement Unrestricted An Additional Appropriation appropriating $30,000 for Opioid Settlement Unrestricted. Speaking Dr. Jayda Monteiro Executive summary: The opioid crisis continues to significantly impact our community through addiction and overdoses. This additional appropriation will allow us to maintain our contract with the consultant and continue the work necessary to effectively allocate settlement funds. These resources will be used for program support and community capacity building within the City of Marion. Additional Appropriation 08-2026- Appropriation for Opioid Settlement Restricted An Additional Appropriation appropriating $120,000 for Opioid Settlement Restricted. Speaking Dr. Jayda Monteiro. Executive summary: The State of Indiana has awarded a matching grant to the City of Marion to support our ===== page 2 ===== programs and services dedicated to combating opioid addiction. Announcements The next City-Wide Clean-up will be May 16, 2026 from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. District two will be the only district that can set items at the curb. Everyone else who lives in city limits can take items for drop off to 520 E. 6" St. ===== page 3 ===== REGULAR MEETING — MARION COMMON COUNCIL — MAY 6, 2026 — 7:00 P.M. — CITY HALL The Common Council of the City of Marion, Indiana met in a regular session on TUESDAY, the 6TH day of May 2026, at the hour of 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers, City Hall. On the call of the roll the members were shown to be absent or present as follows: Present: Cain, Reyes, Fordyce, Brunner, Marshall (arrival 7:35), Whitton, Devine, Cowgill Absent: Cline Prayer: Jason Camery, jail commander and senior pastor Marion Reformed Presbyterian Church Pledge of Allegiance: Council President Brian Cowgill SPOTLIGHT/RECOGNITION: Tashema Davis and the McCullouch Junior High 8" Grade State and National Art Award Winners e Tashema Davis explains she had students enter an art show which was at the Fort Wayne Museum of Art. ¢ Tallulah Gibson received a silver national medal, Naya Cruz received a gold and an honorable mention, Alayna Jackson received a gold, and Selah Veenknat received an honorable mention. e Tashema Davis provides information about the upcoming art show at Marion High School, on May 16" and 17". The show will be open until 6:00 pm on Friday and Saturday from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. e Brian Cowgill announces that the City Council will present certificates to the students for their artistic achievements. e Erika Devine emphasizes the importance of recognizing arts alongside sports, especially with the designation of an Arts District. CONSENT AGENDA FOR MAY 6, 2026 preapproved claims and claims for MAY 6, 2026. President Brian Cowgill moves for a motion to approve the consent agenda for May 6, 2026. Motion to approve the consent agenda for May 6, 2026- Cain, second Devine Aye: Cain, Reyes, Fordyce, Brunner, Whitton, Devine, Cowgill. Nay: none. Motion carries. COMMITTEE REPORTS « Jim Brunner reports on the park board meeting, highlighting the progress of the Ballard field and the dog park. ¢ Erika Devine reports on the Board of Works meeting, mentioning the Life Saving Award for Officer Anthony McClung and the swearing-in of four new officers. e Officers sworn in were Jeff Wallace, Aaron Shipley, Giovanni Cruz, and Austin Castillo. ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATION 06-2026-Appropriation for CREeD An additional appropriation appropriating $108,168.58 to miscellaneous contractual services. e Kennan Davis, COO for the city of Marion, explains the dissolution of CReED and the transfer of funds. Public hearing ===== page 4 ===== None. Motion to suspend the rules for Additional Appropriation 06-2026 - Cain, second Devine. Aye: Cain, Reyes, Fordyce, Brunner, Whitton, Devine, Cowgill. Nay: none. Motion carried. Motion to pass Additional Appropriation 06-2026 - Cain, second Whitton. Aye: Cain, Reyes, Fordyce, Brunner, Whitton, Devine, Cowgill. Nay: none. Motion carried. Additional Appropriation 07-2026- Appropriation for Opioid Settlement Unrestricted An Additional Appropriation appropriating $30,000 for Opioid Settlement Unrestricted. ¢ Dr. Jada Monteiro provides an overview of her work, including the local needs assessment, advisory committee, and prevention programming. ¢ Dr. Jada Monteiro discusses the implementation of the Giant Mind Safe Choices program and the One Marion Giant Care program. e Dr. Jeff Reyes asks about the data and plans to mitigate the opioid crisis, and Dr. Jada Monteiro provides detailed responses. e Gary Fordyce emphasizes the need for additional tools and methods to support law enforcement in combating drug dealers. ¢ Dr. Jada Monteiro discusses ongoing efforts to support law enforcement, including the LEAD program and the Heart Team model. . e Gary Fordyce recalls past programs like DARE and CERT team, expressing interest in reviving them with opioid settlement funds. . e Dr. Jada Monteiro and Gary Fordyce discuss the importance of funding and sustainability for these programs. Motion to pass Additional Appropriation 07-2026 to second reading public hearing- Cain, second Brunner. Aye: Cain, Reyes, Fordyce, Brunner, Whitton, Devine, Cowgill. Nay: none. Motion carries. Additional Appropriation 08-2026- Appropriation fot Opioid Settlement Restricted An Additional Appropriation appropriating $120,000 for Opioid Settlement Restricted e Dr. Jada Monteiro explains the details of the grant, including the implementation of evidence- based curriculums and family workshops such as Guiding Good Choices. e Dr. Stephanie Lockwood, Superintendent of Marion Community Schools, supports the initiative and emphasizes the importance of proactive education. e Dr. Jeff Reyes asks about the implementation strategy and the sustainability of the programs. e Dr. Jada Monteiro explains this is a matching money for the grant. e The program Too Good for Drugs will be for each grade. The meeting will be soon about the best way to distribute the curriculum. e Dana Gault explains that once the funds are appropriated, they will be placed in an account separate from the general fund to keep track of spending. ===== page 5 ===== Motion to pass Additional Appropriation 08-2026 to second reading public hearing- Cain, second Whitton. Aye: Cain, Reyes, Fordyce, Brunner, Marshall, Whitton, Devine, Cowgill. Nay: none. Motion carried. ANNOUNCEMENTS e Brian Cowgill announces the next citywide cleanup on May 16th. « Jim Brunner announces the opening of the Splash House on May 23", Meeting adjourned by Council President Brian Cowgill at 7:50 pm. ae oh. at 7:50 pm. Erika Devine- Vice President ===== page 6 ===== PRESIDENT - BRIAN COWGILL VICE PRESIDENT - ERIKA DEVINE MARION COMMON COUNCIL AGENDA eq Regular Meeting - Marion City Hall Council Chambers CITYof MARION Date: May 06, 2026 COMMON COUNCIL Time: 7:00 P.M. AMENDED CALL TO ORDER PRAYER: Jason Camery, jail commander and senior pastor of Marion Reformed Presbyterian Church. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Council President Brian Cowgill ROLL CALL RECOGNITION-SPOTLIGHT: Art teacher Tashema Davis and the McCullouch Junior High 8 grade State and National Art award winners. CONSENT AGENDA: A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING April 21, 2026 B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF EXECUTIVE SESSION April 21, 2026 C. CONSIDERATION OF PRE-APPROVED CLAIMS D. CONSIDERATION OF CLAIMS COMMITTEE REPORTS UNFINISHED BUSINESS Additional Appropriation 06-2026- Appropriation for CReED 24 reading public hearing An Additional Appropriation appropriating $108,168.58 to miscellaneous contractual services. Speaking: City administration. Executive summary: The CREED board recently voted to dissolve themselves. NEW BUSINESS Additional Appropriation 07-2026- Appropriation for Opioid Settlement Unrestricted An Additional Appropriation appropriating $30,000 for Opioid Settlement Unrestricted. Speaking Dr. Jayda Monteiro Executive summary: The opioid crisis continues to significantly impact our community through addiction and overdoses. This additional appropriation will allow us to maintain our contract with the consultant and continue the work necessary to effectively allocate settlement funds. These resources will be used for program support and community capacity building within the City of Marion. Additional Appropriation 08-2026- Appropriation for Opioid Settlement Restricted An Additional Appropriation appropriating $120,000 for Opioid Settlement Restricted. Speaking Dr. Jayda Monteiro. Executive summary: The State of Indiana has awarded a matching grant to the City of Marion to support our ===== page 7 ===== programs and services dedicated to combating opioid addiction. Announcements The next City-Wide Clean-up will be May 16, 2026 from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. District two will be the only district that can set items at the curb. Everyone else who lives in city limits can take items for drop off to 520 E. 6" St. ===== page 8 ===== REGULAR MEETING — MARION COMMON COUNCIL — MAY 6, 2026 — 7:00 P.M. — CITY HALL The Common Council of the City of Marion, Indiana met in a regular session on TUESDAY, the 6TH day of May 2026, at the hour of 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers, City Hall. On the call of the roll the members were shown to be absent or present as follows: Present: Cain, Reyes, Fordyce, Brunner, Marshall (arrival 7:35), Whitton, Devine, Cowgill Absent: Cline Prayer: Jason Camery, jail commander and senior pastor Marion Reformed Presbyterian Church Pledge of Allegiance: Council President Brian Cowgill SPOTLIGHT/RECOGNITION: Tashema Davis and the McCullouch Junior High 8" Grade State and National Art Award Winners e Tashema Davis explains she had students enter an art show which was at the Fort Wayne Museum of Art. ¢ Tallulah Gibson received a silver national medal, Naya Cruz received a gold and an honorable mention, Alayna Jackson received a gold, and Selah Veenknat received an honorable mention. e Tashema Davis provides information about the upcoming art show at Marion High School, on May 16" and 17". The show will be open until 6:00 pm on Friday and Saturday from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. e Brian Cowgill announces that the City Council will present certificates to the students for their artistic achievements. e Erika Devine emphasizes the importance of recognizing arts alongside sports, especially with the designation of an Arts District. CONSENT AGENDA FOR MAY 6, 2026 preapproved claims and claims for MAY 6, 2026. President Brian Cowgill moves for a motion to approve the consent agenda for May 6, 2026. Motion to approve the consent agenda for May 6, 2026- Cain, second Devine Aye: Cain, Reyes, Fordyce, Brunner, Whitton, Devine, Cowgill. Nay: none. Motion carries. COMMITTEE REPORTS « Jim Brunner reports on the park board meeting, highlighting the progress of the Ballard field and the dog park. ¢ Erika Devine reports on the Board of Works meeting, mentioning the Life Saving Award for Officer Anthony McClung and the swearing-in of four new officers. e Officers sworn in were Jeff Wallace, Aaron Shipley, Giovanni Cruz, and Austin Castillo. ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATION 06-2026-Appropriation for CREeD An additional appropriation appropriating $108,168.58 to miscellaneous contractual services. e Kennan Davis, COO for the city of Marion, explains the dissolution of CReED and the transfer of funds. Public hearing ===== page 9 ===== None. Motion to suspend the rules for Additional Appropriation 06-2026 - Cain, second Devine. Aye: Cain, Reyes, Fordyce, Brunner, Whitton, Devine, Cowgill. Nay: none. Motion carried. Motion to pass Additional Appropriation 06-2026 - Cain, second Whitton. Aye: Cain, Reyes, Fordyce, Brunner, Whitton, Devine, Cowgill. Nay: none. Motion carried. Additional Appropriation 07-2026- Appropriation for Opioid Settlement Unrestricted An Additional Appropriation appropriating $30,000 for Opioid Settlement Unrestricted. ¢ Dr. Jada Monteiro provides an overview of her work, including the local needs assessment, advisory committee, and prevention programming. ¢ Dr. Jada Monteiro discusses the implementation of the Giant Mind Safe Choices program and the One Marion Giant Care program. e Dr. Jeff Reyes asks about the data and plans to mitigate the opioid crisis, and Dr. Jada Monteiro provides detailed responses. e Gary Fordyce emphasizes the need for additional tools and methods to support law enforcement in combating drug dealers. ¢ Dr. Jada Monteiro discusses ongoing efforts to support law enforcement, including the LEAD program and the Heart Team model. . e Gary Fordyce recalls past programs like DARE and CERT team, expressing interest in reviving them with opioid settlement funds. . e Dr. Jada Monteiro and Gary Fordyce discuss the importance of funding and sustainability for these programs. Motion to pass Additional Appropriation 07-2026 to second reading public hearing- Cain, second Brunner. Aye: Cain, Reyes, Fordyce, Brunner, Whitton, Devine, Cowgill. Nay: none. Motion carries. Additional Appropriation 08-2026- Appropriation fot Opioid Settlement Restricted An Additional Appropriation appropriating $120,000 for Opioid Settlement Restricted e Dr. Jada Monteiro explains the details of the grant, including the implementation of evidence- based curriculums and family workshops such as Guiding Good Choices. e Dr. Stephanie Lockwood, Superintendent of Marion Community Schools, supports the initiative and emphasizes the importance of proactive education. e Dr. Jeff Reyes asks about the implementation strategy and the sustainability of the programs. e Dr. Jada Monteiro explains this is a matching money for the grant. e The program Too Good for Drugs will be for each grade. The meeting will be soon about the best way to distribute the curriculum. e Dana Gault explains that once the funds are appropriated, they will be placed in an account separate from the general fund to keep track of spending. ===== page 10 ===== Motion to pass Additional Appropriation 08-2026 to second reading public hearing- Cain, second Whitton. Aye: Cain, Reyes, Fordyce, Brunner, Marshall, Whitton, Devine, Cowgill. Nay: none. Motion carried. ANNOUNCEMENTS e Brian Cowgill announces the next citywide cleanup on May 16th. « Jim Brunner announces the opening of the Splash House on May 23", Meeting adjourned by Council President Brian Cowgill at 7:50 pm. ae oh. at 7:50 pm. Erika Devine- Vice President