Maners proposes updates to Cloverdale government

Thursday, October 15, 2020
Clerk-Treasurer Kelly Maners sifts through paper during a recent Cloverdale Town Council meeting. Her new focus on tablets for the council members could eliminate this.
Banner Graphic/BRAND SELVIA

CLOVERDALE -- After pushing for online bill pay for utility customers, Cloverdale Clerk-Treasurer Kelly Maners is looking to more improvements at the Cloverdale Town Hall.

Among those the Cloverdale Town Council heard from Maners during its regular meeting Tuesday evening include an updated sound and video system in the meeting room as well as tablets for each council member.

Maners said the tablets (which would include cases) would serve two related purposes. They could eliminate the need to print off paper for town meetings. Town documents can also be put into an online folder where council members could access them.

The sound system, Maners said, could include speakers and lapel microphones, in addition to the video system. The latter could have a function which syncs recordings to Facebook Live.

Maners said money from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act could be allocated to cover these updates. The reasoning, the council agreed, was that these will improve public access -- especially for those at home. Ultimately, Maners provided that the CARES money could either be used or lost.

The council tabled the new sound system and the tablets until definite pricing was determined. Council Vice President Greg Jay and Town Attorney Daniel Hofmann indicated they would look at reputable brands for the tablets.

In another improvement move, the council approved a request for EAS Technology Consultants to analyze the town’s server and computer systems. Maners said EAS had been compared with 12 Point Technologies, and that EAS’ was “almost immediate” with customer service despite being more expensive overall.

While the analysis will cost $1,000, Maners said EAS would go through the whole network to identify potential updates and security needs. The council could then enter into an agreement with them.

In other business:

• The council adopted its budget for 2021.

• The council approved the purchase of a snow plow for one of the town’s trucks for $5,850.

• Cloverdale Town Marshal Steve Hibler recognized Amanda Seniour and Seniour’s Towing for donating new carrying vests to the Cloverdale Police Department.

Reserve Deputy Kent Goldman, who is also the commercial accounts manager for Andy Mohr Ford, also announced that the dealership was covering four automated external defibrillators (AEDs). Goldman said this was a “thank you” from Andy Mohr for the department’s support.

• Hibler announced that Halloween trick-or-treating hours in Cloverdale would be from 5 to 8 p.m.

• The council approved an updated job description for hiring a town manager.

The council also approved posting the job. Hofmann suggested it could be posted with the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns (IACT), even though Cloverdale is not a member. Otherwise, Hibler indicated that CPD has had success with Indeed.

Board member Cindy Holland was absent.

The next regular meeting of the Cloverdale Town Council is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. in the Cloverdale Town Hall.

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