Common Council agenda & minutes — January 20, 2026

January 20, 2026 · 6 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 =====
MARION COMMON COUNCIL AGENDA (.

PRESIDENT - BRIAN COWGILL VICE PRESIDENT - ERIKA DEVINE

Regular Meeting - Marion City Hall Council Chambers CITVof MARION
Date: January 20, 2026 COMMON COUNCIL
Time: 7:00 P.M.

CALL TO ORDER

PRAYER: Council President Brian Cowgill

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Councilman Andy Whitton
ROLL CALL

RECOGNITION-SPOTLIGHT: IWU Women's Volleyball team

CONSENT AGENDA:
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING JANUARY 6, 2026
B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 6, 2026
C. CONSIDERATION OF PRE-APPROVED CLAIMS
D. CONSIDERATION OF CLAIMS

COMMITTEE REPORTS

UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None

NEW BUSINESS

Conflict of Interest Disclosure: Acceptance of the Uniform Conflict of Interest Disclosure Statement.
Speaking: Corporate Council Michael Hotz

Executive Summary: The City Council is asked to acknowledge and accept the annual Uniform Conflict of
Interest Disclosure Statement submitted by City Attorney Michael T. Hotz regarding his professional
relationship with GCA Title. This disclosure is submitted in accordance with state law and City policy to
ensure transparency and compliance with ethical standards governing municipal officials and employees.
Acceptance of this disclosure affirms that the city has been notified of the disclosed relationship and that
appropriate safeguards are in place to avoid any actual or perceived conflicts of interest in matters involving
the City of Marion.

ANNOUNCEMENTS


===== page 2 =====
REGULAR MEETING — MARION COMMON COUNCIL — JANUARY 20, 2026 — 7:00 P.M.
~— CITY HALL

The Common Council of the City of Marion, Indiana met in a regular session on TUESDAY, the 20th
day of January 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, Marshall, Brunner, Cline, Devine, Whitton, Cowgill, McKinley.

Absent: Fordyce

Prayer: Council President Brian Cowgill

Pledge of Allegiance: Councilman Andy Whitton

SPOTLIGHT/RECOGNITION: Indiana Wesleyan University Women’s Volleyball Team
e Nick McKinley congratulates the team on their three consecutive national titles and discusses the
high expectations for a fourth title.
e Nick McKinley and Candace Moats express gratitude for the community's support and the
opportunity to be part of the city.
e The coach and team members introduced themselves.
e Brian Cowgill and Jim Brunner congratulated the team.

CONSENT AGENDA FOR JANUARY 6th preapproved claims and claims for JANUARY 6%, 2026.
President Brian Cowgill moves for a motion to approve the minutes for the special meeting minutes and
regular meeting minutes for January 6, 2026.

Motion to approve special meeting minutes for January 6, 2026-Cain, second Brunner. Aye: Cain,
Marshall, Brunner, Cline, Devine, Whitton, McKinley, Cowgill. Nay: none. Motion carries.

President Brian Cowgill moves for a motion to approve the regular meeting minutes for January 6, 2026.

Motion to approve regular meeting minutes January 6, 2026- Cain, second Cline. Aye: Cain, Marshall,
Brunner, Cline, Devine, Whitton, McKinley, Cowgill. Nay: none. Motion carries.

President Brian Cowgill moves for motion to approve the claims and preapproved claims for January 20,
2026.

Motion to approve the remainder of the consent agenda- Cain, second Cline. Aye: Cain, Marshall,
Brunner, Cline, Devine, Whitton, McKinley, Cowgill. Nay: none. Motion carries.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

e¢ Mike Cline reports on the Board of Aviation Commissioners meeting, mentioning a federal
assistance grant for $147,150 and other grants totaling $1,312,000.

e The jet A fuel system project is 75% complete, with $428,263 remaining.

e The final grant payment for the approach lighting project for runway two is received, covering
90% of the project costs.’

e Wolpert, the engineering firm, is working on the design of a new four-unit hangar and other
projects.

e The Aviation Academy is offering $22,000 in scholarships and expects involvement from Air
Force Junior ROTC.


===== page 3 =====
Conflict of Interest Disclosure:

e Michael Hotz, corporate counsel, discusses the conflict-of-interest disclosure, mentioning his
part-ownership in Grant County Abstract and the ordering of title work by the building
department.

e The mayor is aware of the conflict, and the disclosure is filed annually with the state.

e Michael Hotz offers to answer any questions and mentions his pride in being an IU law graduate.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
e Brian Cowgill announces the resignation of Shelly Jones from the visitor’s bureau for personal
reasons.

4

The nieeting was adjourned at 7:20 pm.

- ) { 7
aa = yw L 1 LA-—7 —— Cc a
Brian Cowgill-Ptesident


===== page 4 =====
MARION COMMON COUNCIL AGENDA (.

PRESIDENT - BRIAN COWGILL VICE PRESIDENT - ERIKA DEVINE

Regular Meeting - Marion City Hall Council Chambers CITVof MARION
Date: January 20, 2026 COMMON COUNCIL
Time: 7:00 P.M.

CALL TO ORDER

PRAYER: Council President Brian Cowgill

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Councilman Andy Whitton
ROLL CALL

RECOGNITION-SPOTLIGHT: IWU Women's Volleyball team

CONSENT AGENDA:
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING JANUARY 6, 2026
B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 6, 2026
C. CONSIDERATION OF PRE-APPROVED CLAIMS
D. CONSIDERATION OF CLAIMS

COMMITTEE REPORTS

UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None

NEW BUSINESS

Conflict of Interest Disclosure: Acceptance of the Uniform Conflict of Interest Disclosure Statement.
Speaking: Corporate Council Michael Hotz

Executive Summary: The City Council is asked to acknowledge and accept the annual Uniform Conflict of
Interest Disclosure Statement submitted by City Attorney Michael T. Hotz regarding his professional
relationship with GCA Title. This disclosure is submitted in accordance with state law and City policy to
ensure transparency and compliance with ethical standards governing municipal officials and employees.
Acceptance of this disclosure affirms that the city has been notified of the disclosed relationship and that
appropriate safeguards are in place to avoid any actual or perceived conflicts of interest in matters involving
the City of Marion.

ANNOUNCEMENTS


===== page 5 =====
REGULAR MEETING — MARION COMMON COUNCIL — JANUARY 20, 2026 — 7:00 P.M.
~— CITY HALL

The Common Council of the City of Marion, Indiana met in a regular session on TUESDAY, the 20th
day of January 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, Marshall, Brunner, Cline, Devine, Whitton, Cowgill, McKinley.

Absent: Fordyce

Prayer: Council President Brian Cowgill

Pledge of Allegiance: Councilman Andy Whitton

SPOTLIGHT/RECOGNITION: Indiana Wesleyan University Women’s Volleyball Team
e Nick McKinley congratulates the team on their three consecutive national titles and discusses the
high expectations for a fourth title.
e Nick McKinley and Candace Moats express gratitude for the community's support and the
opportunity to be part of the city.
e The coach and team members introduced themselves.
e Brian Cowgill and Jim Brunner congratulated the team.

CONSENT AGENDA FOR JANUARY 6th preapproved claims and claims for JANUARY 6%, 2026.
President Brian Cowgill moves for a motion to approve the minutes for the special meeting minutes and
regular meeting minutes for January 6, 2026.

Motion to approve special meeting minutes for January 6, 2026-Cain, second Brunner. Aye: Cain,
Marshall, Brunner, Cline, Devine, Whitton, McKinley, Cowgill. Nay: none. Motion carries.

President Brian Cowgill moves for a motion to approve the regular meeting minutes for January 6, 2026.

Motion to approve regular meeting minutes January 6, 2026- Cain, second Cline. Aye: Cain, Marshall,
Brunner, Cline, Devine, Whitton, McKinley, Cowgill. Nay: none. Motion carries.

President Brian Cowgill moves for motion to approve the claims and preapproved claims for January 20,
2026.

Motion to approve the remainder of the consent agenda- Cain, second Cline. Aye: Cain, Marshall,
Brunner, Cline, Devine, Whitton, McKinley, Cowgill. Nay: none. Motion carries.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

e¢ Mike Cline reports on the Board of Aviation Commissioners meeting, mentioning a federal
assistance grant for $147,150 and other grants totaling $1,312,000.

e The jet A fuel system project is 75% complete, with $428,263 remaining.

e The final grant payment for the approach lighting project for runway two is received, covering
90% of the project costs.’

e Wolpert, the engineering firm, is working on the design of a new four-unit hangar and other
projects.

e The Aviation Academy is offering $22,000 in scholarships and expects involvement from Air
Force Junior ROTC.


===== page 6 =====
Conflict of Interest Disclosure:

e Michael Hotz, corporate counsel, discusses the conflict-of-interest disclosure, mentioning his
part-ownership in Grant County Abstract and the ordering of title work by the building
department.

e The mayor is aware of the conflict, and the disclosure is filed annually with the state.

e Michael Hotz offers to answer any questions and mentions his pride in being an IU law graduate.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
e Brian Cowgill announces the resignation of Shelly Jones from the visitor’s bureau for personal
reasons.

4

The nieeting was adjourned at 7:20 pm.

- ) { 7
aa = yw L 1 LA-—7 —— Cc a
Brian Cowgill-Ptesident