PENDLETON — Reining in the cost of legal services, a presentation about a community group seeking to help residents with long-term storm recovery efforts, and responding to and hearing from concerned residents dominated the most recent Pendleton Town Council meeting.

After Clerk-Treasurer Matt Roberts delivered his regular report, Councilman Bob Jones proposed that going forward, the town be required to meet and vote on any decision that would trigger legal fees above the town’s $3,500 retainer fee.

“I think we need to get a handle on it,” Jones said.

Legal fees was an issue at the June council meeting, during which Councilman Chet Babb expressed concern that the town had exceeded its annual budgeted amount for legal fees halfway through the year.

Babb said the council had spent about $106,000 to date on legal fees, while the budget for legal fees for all of 2019 is about $75,000.

The town has incurred fees this year associated with unexpected employee issues, including a disciplinary matter involving former police chief Marc Farrer and an investigation into a list of complaints submitted and signed by 10 town employees.

According to Town Council President Jessica Smith, the Farrer case and the other employee matter cost the town $81,721 in legal expenses. This work fell outside the scope of duties covered by the town’s budgeted $3,500 monthly retainer fee.

Town attorney Alex Intermill said to require the council to meet to approve costs before legal services are available “could get unwieldy and put the town in a difficult situation,” in certain circumstances.

After lengthy discussion, the council voted to pass the measure.

On a related issue, the town also is in the process of accepting bids from firms interested in providing town legal services. Council members have said this effort is part of ensuring the town is spending tax dollars responsibly, and that other town service providers will be similarly and systematically evaluated.

Tornado recovery

A member of the Long Term Recovery Group Steering Committee, which was established in the wake of the May 27 tornado that hit Pendleton and surrounding areas, gave a presentation and alerted people to an upcoming deadline.

Luke Renner said the group was created to help people with any needs they might have, from finding financial assistance to emotional support.

“We need to take care of one another,” he said.

He also asked people to fill out the Madison County Long Term Recovery Group Disaster Initial Intake/Assessment Form.

This is a starting point for people to let their needs be known, as well as to possibly be eligible for low-interest loans for costs associated with storm damage.

The intake/assessment form also must be filed if one is to be eligible for assistance from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), which serves residents as well as businesses.

Deadlines for applications are approaching:

• The intake/assessment form must be filed by July 31 (A link to the form is available on the home page at town.pendleton.in.us/.) This form must be filed to apply for U.S. SBA disaster loans.

• Applications for U.S. SBA disaster loans are due Aug. 12 (residents) and March 2020 (businesses).

In other business

Town council President Jessica Smith responded to some residents’ concerns from the June meeting. She said she wanted people to know the recent employee complaints were “being taken seriously — all the complaints have been investigated,” and that town manager Tim McClintick has taken steps to address them.

Councilman Jones said the town is working to resolve the issues and be a good and fair employer.

Smith also said that an allegation during June’s meeting that an employee stole dirt from the town for use at his home was also investigated. She said what the employee took was excess dirt that came from opening burial plots at the cemetery, and that the town generally had allowed employees to take it.

She said the town also had allowed town employees to keep wood from felled trees and borrow town tools for personal use.

In light of related complaints, these practices will not be allowed going forward, Smith said.

During the public comment portion of the meeting:

• Resident Sandi Butler filed a complaint against McClintick, presenting the council with a two-page, 18-point list of reasons why she said he should resign or be terminated.

• Julie Schnepp, president of the Pendleton Business Association, suggested the town take steps to have certified building inspectors on staff, regardless of whether its required by law.

Shnepp also said she thinks the council ought to reinstate officer Marc Farrer as police chief. She said other employees’ transgressions have come to light recently, and those people have been reprimanded but allowed to keep their jobs and move forward. “Everyone’s getting a pass except Chief Farrer.”

• Resident Helen Reske expressed concern about two recently approved subdivisions that she said will lead to increased traffic. She said she hopes the subdivision are somehow stopped.