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HomeMy Public PortalAbout11-04-2002a7 PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND, INDIANA, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2002 The Common Council of the City of Richmond, Indiana met in regular session at 7:30 p.m., Monday, November 4, 2002, in the Council Chambers in said City. President Bruce Wissel presided with the following Councilmembers present: Howard "Jack" Elstro, Etta J. Lundy, Karl Sharp, Bing Welch, Larry Parker, Paul Combs, Phil Dickman and Sarah "Sally" Hutton. The following business was conducted: PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE PRAYER BY COUNCILMEMBER ELSTRO ROLL CALL Nine present. President Wissel asked the students in the audience to come forward and introduce themselves. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Minutes of the October 21, 2002 meeting were approved on a motion by Councilmember Welch, second by Councilmember Parker and the motion was carried on a voice vote Erma Rich presented the visiting Russians from Serpukov, Richmond's Sister City, to the Councilmembers. She pointed out that four of them were doctors and had come here with the aid of a grant to see our doctors in action and to visit sites within the City. One of the doctors gave a brief speech in which she expressed appreciation for the opportunity to visit and to learn. PRESENTATIONS, MEMORIALS, REMONSTRANCES, PETITIONS AND INTRODUCTIONS MOTIONS OR RESOLUTIONS. (MUST BE IN WRITING) COMMUNICATION FROM THE MAYOR Mayor Shelley Miller had no comments. REPORT FROM BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS AND SAFETY President Wissel said the minutes of the meeting of October 17, 2002 were in their packets. REPORTS FROM DEPARTMENT HEADS City Attorney Bob Bever gave an update of the Department of Law in four different areas which included Enforcing the Laws/Ordinances of the City of Richmond, Defending the City on all legal complaints, Preparing all necessary legal documents and ordinances and Representing the City in all legal matters. REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES REPORTS FROM SPECUL COMMITTEES REPORTS FROM ORGANIZATIONS MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS Councilmember Lundy moved to appoint Eugene Ayton to a three-year term on the Police Merit Commission, second by Councilmember Hutton and the motion was carried on a voice vote. ORDINANCES ON FIRST READING Councilmember Elstro moved to suspend the rules and read Ordinance No. 83, 84, 88, 89, 93 and 94 - 2002 by title only, second by Councilmember Lundy and the motion was carried on a voice vote. ORDINANCE NO. 83 — 2002 The Clerk read Ordinance No. 83 — 2002 — A GENERAL ORDINANCE ADDING CHAPTER 32.80 TO THE CITY OF RICHOND CODE REGARDING THE CREATION OF A CITY EMPLOYEE GRIEVANCE COMMISSION City Attorney Bob Bever asked that this ordinance continue to be held on first reading because the AFSCME contract is expected to be signed this coming Thursday. 9$ Common Council Minutes Cont'd November 4, 2002 Page 2 ORDINANCE NO.84 — 2002 The Clerk read Ordinance No. 84 — 2002 — A SPECIAL ORDINANCE REZONING CERTAIN PROPERTY LOCATED ALONG INDUSTRIES ROAD IN THE CITY OF RICHMOND, INDIANA President Wissel said this ordinance would go to the Planning Advisory Commission. ORDINANCE NO. 88 — 2002 The Clerk read Ordinance No. 88 — 2002 — AN APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2002 BUDGET Mayor Miller explained that this is a transfer of money within the Fire Department to take care of additional unexpected overtime. Councilmember Welch moved to suspend the rules and advance Ordinance No. 88 — 2002 to second reading and read by title only, second by Councilmember Sharp and the motion was carried on a voice vote. The Clerk read Ordinance No. 88 — 2002 on second reading. President Wissel declared Ordinance No. 88 — 2002 on public hearing. There being no comments either for or against the ordinance, Councilmember Elstro moved for engrossment, second by Councilmember Hutton and the motion was carried on a voice vote. Councilmember Lundy moved to suspend the rules and advance Ordinance No. 88 — 2002 to third and final reading and read by title only, second by Councilmember Elstro and the motion was carried on a voice vote. The Clerk read Ordinance No. 88 — 2002 on third reading. Ordinance No. 88 — 2002 was adopted on a unanimous roll call vote. ORDINANCE NO. 89 — 2002 The Clerk read Ordinance No. 89 — 2002 — A SPECIAL ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF RICHMOND TO RECEIVE A DONATION Explaining this ordinance was Stan Lambert, superintendent of the Parks and Recreation Department, saying that a donation of $10,069.82 from the estate of Frances Irene Rodefer had been made to the Richmond Senior Community Center for the use in day to day activities there. Councilmember Parker asked if there would be some kind of plaque or other kind of acknowledgement at the Senior Center. Lambert said that the staff would be working on that. Councilmember Lundy moved to accept the donation, second by Councilmember Welch and the motion was carried on a voice vote. President Wissel declared the ordinance on public hearing. There being no further comments for or against, Councilmember Elstro moved for engrossment, second by Councilmember Welch and the motion was carried on a voice vote. Councilmember Welch moved to suspend the rules and advance Ordinance No. 89 — 2002 to third and final reading and read by title only, second by Councilmember Sharp and the motion was carried on a voice vote. The Clerk read Ordinance No. 89 — 2002 on third reading. Ordinance No. 89 — 2002 was adopted on a unanimous roll call vote. ORDINANCE NO.93 — 2002 The Clerk read Ordinance No. 93 — 2002 — A GENERAL ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 54 OF THE CITY CODE REGARDING SEWER USAGE City Attorney Bever explained that this is a lengthy ordinance and would be explained in more detail at Council's next meeting. President Wissel said it would be brought back on second reading at that time. al Common Council Minutes Cont'd November 4, 2002 Page 3 ORDINANCE NO.94 — 2002 The Clerk read Ordinance No. 94 — 2002 — A GENERAL ORDINANCE RE-ESTABLISHING RICHMOND CITY COURT Bever explained that this ordinance has come about through a request made by President Wissel and over the past few months much discussion has occurred within the Administration regarding the possibility of establishing this court to hear violations of City ordinances. He said this ordinance must be presented at this time due to state law which requires that a City Court be established in the year before the year of municipal elections. This ordinance then would take effect with a City Judge beginning in the year 2004. Discussion centered on issues brought up by the various Councilmembers such as where the court would be held, whether or not an attorney was necessary to preside, and what the reasons were behind the court being discontinued in the early 1980s. President Wissel said this would be brought back on second reading at Council's next meeting. ORDINANCES ON SECOND READING AND ENGROSSMENT ORDINANCE NO. 79 — 2002 The Clerk read Ordinance No. 79 — 2002 — A SPECIAL ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE APPROVAL OF A STATEMENT OF BENEFITS FOR A PROPERTY OWNER APPLYING FOR DEDUCTIONS UNDER IC. 6-1.1-12.1 President Wissel explained that this is a request by Holland Colors for tax abatement for new manufacturing equipment. He pointed out that the original request was for $1 million but upon looking into it further, he found that some of the computers were to be used in the offices and did not qualify for the abatement. Councilmember Sharp moved to amend the ordinance, changing the amount to $980,000, second by Councilmember Dickman and the motion was carried on a voice vote. President Wissel explained that the new equipment would make it possible for the company to hire five new employees while keeping 77. He said the equipment would enable the company to become more competitive. There being no further comments either for or against the ordinance, Councilmember Welch moved for engrossment, second by Councilmember Parker and the motion was carried on a voice vote. Councilmember Welch moved to suspend the rules and advance Amended Ordinance No. 79 to third reading and read by title only, second by Councilmember Parker and the motion was carried on a voice vote. The Clerk read Amended Ordinance No. 79 — 2002 on third reading. Amended Ordinance No. 79 — 2002 was adopted on a unanimous roll call vote. ORDINANCES ON THII2D READING UNFINISHED BUSINESS CALL FOR ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, on a motion duly made, seconded and passed, the meeting was adjourned at 8:25 P.M. Bruce Wissel, President ATTEST: Norma Schroeder, Clerk