Argos officials held an emergency meeting Tuesday night where a number of documents were considered, including an ordinance conveying certain Town property to the Marshall County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC).
Town Attorney Derek Jones stated that due to the short time period that officials had to get the meeting put together, they declared that an emergency exists, pursuant to the state’s regulation on the public notice of meetings. (IC-5-14-1.5-5).
Jones went on to mention that since the property is being conveyed to the MCEDC, a 501-c organization, officials are exempt from having to abide by certain public notice and hearing requirements that typically accompany such a transaction.
However, he said they still had to pass a particular ordinance related to the process.
He explained, “Now what the ordinance does is it basically allows for the Town to convey lots 1 and 3 of the Argos Manufacturing Center minor subdivision and it also provides authorization for the Town to execute any and all other necessary documents.”
Members suspended the rules and passed the ordinance on all three readings unanimously.
Next, members looked over a Quitclaim Deed and Sales Disclosure Waiver.
Jones said that three readings weren’t required since the ordinance the council passed earlier in the meeting allows for the execution of the deed. It was then approved, as presented, by council members.
Jones added that the waiver would just need to be signed by the purchaser so no council action was taken on that document.
In addition to those items, the council also considered a ‘soil mining and indemnification agreement.’
Marshall County Economic Development Corporation President and CEO Jerry Chavez was in attendance and shared why this document was important.
Chavez stated, “There is some peat on what I would call the western edge of lot two and the western edge of lot one that’s pretty deep so they can’t build on peat, they have to take it out.”
He added that by taking action on the document, the council would be prepping for the future as it would allow the facility to be expanded up to 300,000 sq ft. Members unanimously passed that agreement and the associated resolution.
An Argos Manufacturing Center Development Agreement was also presented.
However, members were asked to refrain from formerly approving it until the purchaser, the MCEDC and Town Officials could meet to discuss it further. Jones noted that the closing process was not contingent on that document.
Chavez thanked the council members and the Town Attorney Jones for their expedient approach to the process and recognized the negotiating team for their efforts.
