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Home My Public Portal About1/13/2009City of Greencastle City Hall One North Locust Street, P.O. Box 607 Greencastle, Indiana 46135 765.653.9211 tplenn@citvofgreencastle.com January 13, 2009 Teresa P. Glenn Clerk Treasurer Greencastle Common Council Regular Meeting Minutes 7:00 P.M. Greencastle City Hall Call to Order; Roll Call A. Mayor Murray called meeting to order at 7:00 PM; upon roll call all councilors present. Public Hearing — Resolution 2009 -1, A Resolution Reaffirming Resolution 2008 -25 And Declaring An Economic Revitalization Area And Recommended Tax Deduction (Heartland Automotive LLC — New Equipment) A. Mayor Murray opened the public hearing at 7:02 PM by reading the resolution in its entirety; Bill Dory present representing this request. Public hearing closed at 7:08 PM. 1. Motion by John Lanie to approve Resolution 2009 -1, second by Jinsie Bingham, unanimous approval. III. Public Petitions and Comments IV. Organizational Matters A. Election of Council President 1. Motion by John Lanie to elect Adam Cohen as president for 2009, second by Jinsie Bingham, unanimous approval. B. Date, Time, Place for 2009 Council Meetings 1. Motion by Terry J. Smith to continue meetings on second Tuesday each month at 7:00 PM in City Hall, second by John Lanie, unanimous approval. C. Appointment to Board of Zoning Appeals 1. Terry J. Smith — Jeff Sigworth; John Lanie — Cathryn Ensley a. Motion by Terry J. Smith to appoint Jeff Sigworth, second by Mark Hammer, unanimous approval. D. Annual Appointments (2) to Redevelopment Commission 1. Steve Gauly and Jim Ruark have been serving and are willing to continue; Motion by Mark Hammer to continue appointments, second by Adam Cohen, unanimous approval. V. Council Assignments A. Plan Commission — Mark Hammer B. Park Board — John Lanie C. Economic Development Commission — Jinsie Bingham D. Tree Board — Terry J. Smith E. Cable Access — Adam Cohen F. Chamber of Commerce — Laurie Hardwick G. Putnam County Community Foundation 1. This appointment was made at last meeting, Therese Cunningham. H. Main Street Greencastle — Adam Cohen I. Greencastle /Putnam County Development Center— Jinsie Bingham J. Putnam County 911 - TJ 1. Consensus by council to continue appointments for 2009 same as 2008. VI. Department Liaisons A. Department of Public Services — Mark Hammer B. Fire Department — Terry J. Smith C. Forest Hill Cemetery — Jinsie Bingham D. Parks and Recreation — John Lanie E. Planning Department — Mark Hammer F. Police Department — Adam Cohen G. Utility Department — Terry J. Smith 1. Consensus by council to continue appointments for 2009 same as 2008. VII. Special Requests A. None heard VIII. Department Reports A. Cemetery — Ernie Phillips B. Engineer — C. Fire Department — Bill Newgent D. Park and Recreation — Rod Weinschenk 1. Cathryn Stiles has been hired as new assistant park director. Park Board retreat scheduled for Thursday evening. Asked council for any ideas for 2009 please send him an email regarding the idea. Lego mania scheduled for Sunday, January 25 at City Hall from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. President Cohen asked Rod to address upcoming tree project and ideas for Park department. Councilor Bingham asked if memorial tree donations may be made; Weinschenk agreed he would do that. E. Planner— Shannon Norman 1. Updated council regarding Community Summit and sustainability meeting held last evening with 56 in attendance. Steve Setchall chairman of this committee. MS4 commitment to IDEM is being planned and will be forwarding to council dates when each department supervisor will be meeting with Norman on MS4 items. Jinsie Bingham shared she was pleased with response to last evening's meeting. F. Police Department — Tom Sutherlin 1. President Cohen asked regarding name change of emergency response team. Will continue to be under the command of GPD but will be combining with Putnam County Sheriff's department and name change to Putnam County Emergency Response Team. G. Department of Public Works — Brad Phillips 1. Jinsie Bingham asked Brad to clarify "sheep shed ". President Cohen asked if Brad is comfortable with salt supply and trucks with upcoming weather. Councilor Hammer shared his concern with posts coming off on new light poles. H. Water &Wastewater Department — George Russell 1. Councilor Hammer asked for last 3 months of year that was not included on report. I. City Attorney - Laurie Robertson Hardwick IX. Approval of Minutes Page 2 of 4 I�- A. Special Meeting December 30, 2008 1. Motion by Jinsie Bingham to approve as presented, second by Mark Hammer, motion carried. Adam Cohen abstain. X. Old Business A. Tabled 1. Ordinance 2008 -17, An Ordinance Establishing An Economic Improvement District For The Central Business District, First Reading a. Motion by Mark Hammer to remove from table, second by John Lanie, unanimous approval. b. Motion by Adam Cohen to approve on first reading, second by Terry J. Smith. Open for discussion. c. Ken Eitel, downtown business owner, spoke in favor of the economic improvement district. 112 parcels with approximately 300 employees in this district. Important to have a "neighborhood association" committed to improvements to the downtown. Cheryl Danberry introduced herself and spoke regarding the impact this district will have on her family owned downtown business. Opposes wasteful and unnecessary use of public money for private owned businesses. She asked does this Council have the legal authority to do this and should they. Danberry continued by challenging the legal authority of this Ordinance and challenged the percentage needed to present this.Ordinance due to inclusion of exempt parcels. Urged council not to adopt this ordinance. Percy Snyder addressed council with remarks that during this economic downturn the last thing we want to do is strap the downtown businesses with another expense. Does not understand why this council is giving tax breaks to one place and asking for more tax from downtown business owners. Steve Geabes, downtown business owner, economic times are bad and this is not the time to add more expenses to struggling businesses. In favor of volunteer organization. Asking council to consider tabling until better economic times. Adam Cohen asked Mr. Geabes what he thinks needs to happen downtown. Mr. Geabes thinks that there needs to be more time for downtown business owners to come up with a better idea. John Danberry spoke regarding volunteering. He has done his own maintenance and taken care of weeds where he can and when he can. Bob Bitzer, property owner in proposed district, spoke regarding fact that he was not petitioned. He is not in favor of this district. Suggested new petition be submitted. Reiterated that this is nothing more than regular business expenses that should be the business owners. David Murray, person who began the discussion of this downtown economic district. Heard new things tonight. Important to make this clear that this is a property owners issue and expenses will be decided by the organization, nothing is in stone. "Smart City" book written by Suzanne Moore is the example with vibrant downtown businesses. This is about developing the downtown area not about weed pulling and snow shoveling. Asked for the support of the Council. Jerry Hecko spoke regarding not being notified about this petition. Asked council to re -poll the property owners. Mayor Murray asked Attorney Laurie Hardwick to speak regarding items Page 3 of 4 brought to the attention by Cheryl Danberry. Attorney Hardwick asked for more time to research non profit items. President Cohen moved to table this item, second by Terry J. Smith, table withdrawn by Adam Cohen, second by Terry J. Smith. Discussion. Motion by Adam Cohen to table this item on advice by legal counsel, second by Terry J. Smith, unanimous approval. XI. New Business XII. Approval of City Claims A. Motion by Mark Hammer to approve all claims as presented, second by Terry J. Smith, unanimous approval. XIII. Reports A. Mayor's Report 1. Public infrastructure focus group in each of the wards. Please notify mayor and planner for place to meet. 2. Seven days of public transport and are looking for another bus to continue. 3. Suggested to council dates for department retreats. January 27 and February 2. January 27 will not work. Will meet on February 2 at 5:30 PM and again on February 5 at 6:30 PM. 4. Website has new Greencastle Video. B. Clerk- Treasurer's Report C. Councilors Jinsie Bingham reminded Council about the INDOT hearing Thursday, January 22 at 6:00 PM; proposal to enhance Veterans Highway and US 231 South intersection. 2. Encouraged anyone interested in economic district to contact council. XIV. Adjournment A. Motion by Jinsie Bingham to adjourn at 8:40 PM, second by Mark Hammer, unanimous approval. Susan V. Murray, Mayor AT I W/(" Te P. Glenn, Clerk Treasurer Page 4 of 4