Clarksville Town Council Meeting - November 18, 2025
Clarksville Town Council Meeting - November 18, 2025
The Clarksville Town Council held its regularly scheduled meeting on November 18, 2025, at approximately 6:45 PM. The meeting included the appointment of a new fire chief, recognition of photography contest winners, public comments regarding a proposed pet store, and approval of several contracts and agreements. A work session followed the regular meeting, featuring presentations on a forgivable loan for a new business and a discussion on potential parking regulations for RVs, trailers, and boats.
Consent Calendar
- Approved minutes from previous regular meetings, claims (current and pre-written), and acceptance of minutes from various boards and commissions appointed by the council. (Motion by Councilwoman Henderson, second by Councilman McEwen, unanimous.)
Public Comments & Testimony
- Jen Bug (301 South Clark Boulevard) spoke against PuppyGram, a for-profit puppy broker planning to open at Green Tree Mall. She detailed the company's history of sick animals, predatory financing, and violations in other cities (Kokomo, Indianapolis, Louisville). She urged the town to use licensing, inspection, zoning, and health review powers to prevent their operation, noting that a new state law (House Bill 1412) prevents a local ban on retail pet sales.
- Miles Handy (CEO of PuppyGram, Kokomo, Indiana) responded, stating PuppyGram provides a safe place to buy purebred puppies and helps prevent internet scams. He claimed involvement in drafting state legislation (HB 1412) and denied animal neglect allegations, stating the company operates ethically and partners with communities.
Discussion Items
- Appointment of Fire Chief: The council unanimously appointed Brent Wilson as the new Clarksville Fire Chief (motion by Councilman Stotz, second by Councilman McEwen, 6-0). Wilson expressed gratitude and commitment to the department. Assistant Chief Dennis Johnson will remain in his role. Outgoing Chief Brandon Skaggs was thanked for his service.
- Photography Contest Winners: Arts Commission President Corey Hain presented winners of the inaugural photography contest, with over 130 submissions. Grand prize winner: Jen Bug with "Miss Dorothy Kerberg and Cat Man Doo." Category winners included Don Dick (History), Mark McCulloch (Architecture), David Leach (Nature), and Cindy Cheney (People). Photos will be displayed in town hall.
- Insurance Renewal: Approved property, casualty, liability, auto, cyber, and workers' compensation insurance renewal with Travelers, IPEP, and Beasley for $1,153,043 (a 15% increase over expiring premium of $1,005,477). The increase is attributed to higher claims and property values. (Motion by Councilman Stotz, second by Councilwoman Henderson, unanimous.)
- School Resource Officer Agreement: Approved resolution 2025 R24 to continue providing an SRO for Parkwood School through Greater Clark Schools. The school pays 25% of the officer's cost, with annual adjustments. (Motion by Councilwoman Henderson, second by Councilman Stotz, unanimous.)
- Police Vehicle Purchase: Approved purchase of four pursuit vehicles from Bachman Commercial for $228,924 (plus upfitting $64,560, total $73,371 per vehicle). Funding from Lloyd Police Fund ($179,422), CCD Police Fund ($39,644), and Federal Drug Fund. (Motion by Councilwoman Henderson, second by Councilman McEwen, passed 4-1-1.)
- Legal Services Contract: Approved contract with Pitt and Frank for attorney Alex Gaddis to continue providing legal counsel to building, planning, and zoning departments. (Motion by Councilman Voiner, second by Councilman Munich, unanimous.)
- Heritage Engineering Consultant Agreement: Approved $177,866 contract for design and construction inspection of a sewer line from Apple Leaf Lane to Pump Station 24. Project must be substantially complete in 150 days, final completion in 180 days, with liquidated damages for delays. (Motion by Councilman Stotz, second by Councilman McEwen, unanimous.)
- Villages of Waterford Subdivision: Approved resolution 2025 R23 accepting dedication and maintenance of streets (Kingsbury Court, Magnolia Court), stormwater, sewer, and sidewalks from the developer. (Motion by Councilman Voiner, second by Councilwoman Henderson, unanimous.)
- Zoning Code Amendment: Ordinance 2025 Z05 was tabled by motion from Councilman Voiner to allow more time for review. (Unanimous.)
- Clerk-Treasurer Report: Stone Cipher reported on cash flow, anticipated budget amendments for December, and completion of a telecom audit saving the town approximately $20,000 annually. He thanked outgoing fire chief Brandon Skaggs.
- Council Comments: Council members thanked Chief Skaggs, congratulated photography winners, and wished everyone a happy Thanksgiving.
Work Session Items (presented after regular meeting)
- Forgivable Loan Presentation: Shay Mansfield presented her business, Live Wellness and Coffee Club, seeking a $150,000 forgivable loan to open a co-working and wellness space at 1300 Main Street. She projected first-year profit of $350,000-$400,000 and plans to invest $100,000 of her own funds. The business will offer coffee, co-working, recovery services (sauna, cold plunge, red light therapy), and community events. The council will consider the application.
- RV, Trailer, and Boat Parking Regulations: Code enforcement officers Kimberly Newby and Austin Angeles presented a proposal to address complaints about parking of RVs, boats, utility trailers, box trailers, and roofing trailers. Recommendations include prohibiting parking in front yards, limiting street parking to 48 hours for loading, requiring empty trailers, and requiring hard dustless surfaces. Discussion included concerns about property rights, enforcement capacity, and vision clearance. The council asked for statistics on current complaints and directed staff to draft an ordinance.
Key Outcomes
- Brent Wilson appointed fire chief.
- Photography contest winners recognized.
- PuppyGram public comments received; no immediate action taken.
- Insurance renewal approved ($1,153,043).
- SRO agreement approved (resolution 2025 R24).
- Police vehicle purchase approved ($228,924) with 4-1-1 vote.
- Legal services contract approved.
- Heritage Engineering contract approved ($177,866).
- Villages of Waterford infrastructure accepted.
- Zoning code amendment tabled.
- Forgivable loan application for Live Wellness and Coffee Club under consideration.
- Staff directed to draft parking ordinance for RVs, trailers, and boats.
Meeting Transcript
On behalf of the Clarksville Town Council, welcome to the November 18th regularly scheduled meeting. Councilman Stotz, if you would please introduce tonight's invocation for us. Tonight we have a special guest with us, uh Pastor Scott Lawyer with Return Church has come to pray over us. So Pastor, if you come on up, I'd appreciate it. Good evening, Hoosers. How's everyone doing tonight? I would like to start with a verse out of Isaiah 9 6, if you don't mind. It's going to say this is a nice Christmas verse for everybody. It's that time of year. For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rise on his shoulders, and he will be called wonderful counselor, mighty God, everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace. Let us pray, please. Wonderful counselor, give every member here the wisdom and clarity to make the decisions. Mighty God, give the strength, the integrity, the courage, and fairness. Everlasting Father, remind us that each person and each family matters in this community. Prince of peace. Every decision and disagreement be handled with respect and solution and resolution. And for every every person in this room, and especially every board member, every board member and every family they have prosperity and that their families be covered in the mighty name of Jesus. And everybody say Amen. Thank you. Thank you, sir. One nation, under God, indivisible with liberty, and justice for all. And so this evening we are going to appoint a new fire chief. And at this time, I would like to uh ask for a motion to appoint. I make a motion to appoint Brent Wilson. Is there a second? Oh second. Motion on the floor from Councilman Stotz with a second from Councilman McEwen. All those in favor, please raise your right hand and say aye. Aye. Aye. And that is six in favor. Congratulations to Brent Wilson being appointed the new Clarksville Fire Chief. Brent, if you'd like to come forward and uh say a few words and address the crowd. Thank you. Um just one quick moment of your time. Uh I really do appreciate your consideration for my appointment this evening. Um I'm truly grateful and for the trust that you guys have placed in me and for the trust that the community has placed in me. I don't take that lightly by any stretch of any imagination. Our department has had a long history of dedicated service, and I look forward to continuing to honor uh the good that work that's been done before us and to continue that forward. I'm excited for the future of our department and committed to supporting our firefighters and continuing to strengthen our culture and serving this community as best we can possibly can. And I appreciate the opportunity. I look forward to getting to work immediately. So thank you again. Thank you to the council, thank you to the community, and really uh don't take it for granted one bit. So thank you. And Brent, I believe you have with you your wife and mother, and they're gonna do the pinning and also wanted to uh make sure to announce that assistant chief Dennis Johnson will uh also remain in that role. Yes, absolutely. Okay. Are we gonna take a picture of that?
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