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HomeMy Public PortalAbout06-25-2001PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND, INDIANA, MONDAY, JUNE 25, 2001 The Common Council of the City of Richmond, Indiana met in regular session at 7:30 p.m. Monday, June 25, 2001, in the Council Chambers in said City. President Karl Sharp presided with the following Councilmembers present: Howard "Jack" Elstro, Etta J. Lundy, Bruce Wissel, Phil Dickman, Bing Welch, Larry Parker, Paul Combs and Sarah "Sally" Hutton. The following business was conducted: PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE PRAYER BY COUNCILMEMBER ELSTRO ROLL CALL Nine present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Councilmember Wissel moved to accept the minutes of the meeting of June 5, 2001, second by Councilmember Parker and the motion was carried on a voice vote. PRESENTATION OF REMONSTRANCES, PETITIONS, MEMORIALS, INTRODUCTIONS, MOTIONS AND PUBLIC COMMENTS President Sharp invited Brian Hatch, of Boy Scout Troop 119, to step forward and tell why he is attending the meeting tonight. Brian said this is a requirement for his citizenship and community badge. COMMUNICATION FROM THE MAYOR Mayor Shelley Miller gave an update on the issue of emergency medical response, explaining that what she had distributed to them was merely a preliminary draft, saying that they would be continuing work on it. She also said the City had been in correspondence with CSX Transportation regarding the railroad crossing at South L Street, adding that actually it was the City doing the corresponding since CSX had chosen not to respond. She said that the Board of Works recently issued an improvement order where the City is requiring CSX to upgrade that crossing and make improvements. She explained that if CSX does not respond, the City will pursue the improvements and bill them for the reimbursement for the work done. She said the City had received today word from INDOT that a $2 million grant has been awarded for the construction of a new two-lane bridge at the location of the old Main Street Bridge. She said that it is hoped that within the next 18 months the design work would be done and also within that time period the State would demolish the old bridge. Alluding to the information Councilmembers had received about the issue of the emergency medical response, Councilmember Parker asked if the City is looking at going into the ambulance business. Mayor Miller said at this point the City is merely gathering information to see if it is an issue it would like to continue to pursue. She said it is a public policy issue where there will be many discussions before it gets too far into an investigation. She added that the Richmond Fire Department is currently in dual response with Rural Metro but they do not do any transportation. Councilmember Wissel asked about the time frame for the railroad crossing and Mayor Miller said CSX has 30 days to respond and Bever said if CSX are in the midst of performing the work that needs to be done, the City would work with them. He said he feels this action by the Board of Works will get CSX "off of dead center" so they can get started. REPORT FROM BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS AND SAFETY President Sharp said the minutes of the meetings of May 24 and 31, 2001, were included in their packets. REPORTS FROM DEPARTMENT HEADS REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES REPORTS FROM SPECIAL COMMITTEES REPORTS FROM ORGANIZATIONS Common Council Minutes Cont'd June 25, 2001 Page 2 MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS President Sharp stated that the resignation of Eugene Green from the Telecommunications Council leaves a vacancy which needs to be filled since it is a Council appointment. He said Green's term expires December 31, 2001 and he asked Councilmembers to submit the names of those wishing to fill that vacancy. Councilmember Welch commented that he had a call from some of the citizens who are concerned about the greenhouses on Indiana Avenue and he had contacted Bob Goodwin, director of Planning, and the inspection department from the Bureau of Buildings. He said he had been informed that Hill Floral had communicated that a contract had been signed with the demolition contractor and with the remediation contractor for removing the asbestos. He said the work would start within two weeks, adding that they have taped off the area with the "danger" yellow tape taking care of the requests made at the last Council meeting when those citizens appeared in Council Chambers. ORDINANCES ON FIRST READING Councilmember Elstro moved to suspend the rules and read Ordinances No. 30, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42 and 43 — 2001, on first reading by title only, second by Councilmember Parker and the motion was carried on a voice vote. ORDINANCE NO. 30 — 2001 The Deputy Clerk read Ordinance No. 30 — 2001 — A SPECIAL ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING MAP AT 3601 EAST MAIN STREET, RICHMOND, INDIANA President Sharp said this ordinance deals with the service station to be placed on the Walmart property and would go to the Planning Commission. ORDINANCE NO. 36 — 2001 The Deputy Clerk read Ordinance No. 36 — 2001 — A SPECIAL ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE APPROVAL OF A STATEMENT OF BENEFITS FOR A PROPERTY OWNER APPLYING FOR DEDUCTIONS UNDER I.C. 6-1.1-12.1 Explaining this ordinance was Councilmember Wissel who said this is a tax abatement request made by B & F Plastics with an estimate of two new jobs with retention of 42. He said the estimated value is $119,000 and this ordinance should come back to Council at its next meeting.. ORDINANCE NO. 37 — 2001 The Deputy Clerk read Ordinance No. 37 — 2001 — A GENERAL ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 154.03.04 OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND CODE REGARDING VEHICLE IMPOUND STORAGE AREAS City Attorney Bob Bever said this was drafted by Assistant City Attorney Steve Rabe and could be held until the next meeting when it would come back on second reading. ORDINANCE NO. 38 — 2001 The Deputy Clerk read Ordinance No. 38 — 2001 — A SPECIAL ORDINANCE VACATING AN ALLEY RUNNING WEST OFF OF THE 100 BLOCK OF NORTH 9TH STREET President Sharp said this ordinance would go to the Planning Commission. Councilmember Welch read some questions about this ordinance directed at Planning Director Bob Goodwin, stating that he would like them asked at the Planning Commission meeting Thursday. The questions included the measurement of the skywalk, staying within the 10 feet used for the drive up lane, the placement of doors, why the offset of the building is necessary, how this affects the parking around the bank, the proper briefing of property owners on North Eighth Street and the impact losing the alley would have on the Hall of Fame. Also, he questioned the sewer placement, easements, trash trucks using the alley, permits issued by the State. ORDINANCE NO. 39 — 2001 The Deputy Clerk read Ordinance No. 39 — 2001 — A GENERAL ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 120 OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND CODE REGARDING ALARM PERMITS Bever stated that this ordinance could be addressed at Council's next meeting when it comes back on second reading. Councilmember Parker had a question about buildings with multiple tenants and what contact person would appear on the permit. Common Council Minutes Cont'd June 25, 2001 Page 3 ORDINANCE NO. 40 — 2001 The Deputy Clerk read Ordinance No. 40 — 2001 — AN APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2001 BUDGET City Controller John Kenny requested a transfer of $20,000 from Salary and Wages category to Contractual Services, explaining the reason for the transfer. He said the money is available due to a position that was budgeted for but not filled in the Finance Department and the money is needed in the latter category to pay for consulting services and increased software costs. Councilmember Wissel moved to suspend the rules and advance Ordinance No. 40 — 2001 to second reading and read by title only, second by Councilmember Elstro and the motion was carried on a voice vote. The Deputy Clerk read Ordinance No. 40 — 2001 on second reading. President Sharp declared Ordinance No. 40 — 2001 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 Wissel moved to suspend the rules and advance the ordinance to third and final reading and read by title only, second by Councilmember Welch and the motion was carried on a voice vote. The Deputy Clerk read Ordinance No. 40 — 2001 on third reading. Ordinance No.. 40 — 2001 was adopted on a unanimous roll call vote. ORDINANCE NO. 41— 2001 The Deputy Clerk read Ordinance No. 41 — 2001 — AN APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2001 BUDGET Since there was no one to speak on this ordinance, President Sharp said it would be held until next Council meeting when it would come back on second reading. ORDINANCE NO. 42 — 2001 The Deputy Clerk read Ordinance No. 42 — 2001 - A SPECIAL ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE APPROVAL OF A STATEMENT OF BENEFITS FOR A PROPERTY OWNER APPLYING FOR DEDUCTIONS UNDER I.C. 6-1.1-12.1 Explaining this ordinance was Councilmember Wissel who said it is a request for a tax abatement made by Focus III and is for a building that would be in the Midwest Industrial Park to house Delta, a packager and distributor of DVDs and compact discs. He said the company wishes to get into the manufacturing of these items. Councilmember Wissel then moved to suspend the rules and advance Ordinance No. 42 — 2001 to second reading, second by Councilmember Dickman and the motion was carried on a voice vote. The Deputy Clerk read Ordinance No. 42 — 2001 on second reading. Jim Hizer, Director of Economic Development Corp. of Wayne County, commented on the plans of Delta, stating that they include possibly tripling or quadrupling the management positions in their facility. He asked Council to consider that fact when they look over this ordinance. President Sharp said this ordinance would come back to Council at its next meeting. ORDINANCE NO.43 — 2001 The Deputy Clerk read Ordinance No. 43 — 2001 - A SPECIAL ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE APPROVAL OF A STATEMENT OF BENEFITS FOR A PROPERTY OWNER APPLYING FOR DEDUCTIONS UNDER I.C. 6-1.1-12.1 Councilmember Wissel explained that this ordinance deals with a 10-year tax abatement request for new equipment and the request was made by Productivity Fabricators Inc. He said they estimate three new jobs and the retention of 23 with an estimated value of $250,000. Common Council Minutes Cont'd June 25, 2001 Page 4 ORDINANCES ON SECOND READING AND ENGROSSMENT AMENDED ORDINANCE NO. 16 — 2001 The Deputy Clerk read Amended Ordinance No. 16 — 2001 — A SPECIAL ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE APPROVAL OF A STATEMENT OF BENEFITS FOR A PROPERTY OWNER APPLYING FOR DEDUCTIONS UNDER I.C. 6-1.1-12.1 Explaining this ordinance was Councilmember Wissel who said it was amended at the last Council meeting, changing the request to an 8-year abatement and the amount to $648,000. He said the request was made by Amcast Automotive. President Sharp declared Ordinance No. 16 — 2001 on public hearing. There being no comments either for or against the ordinance, Councilmember Hutton moved for engrossment, second by Councilmember Welch and the motion was carried on a voice vote. Councilmember Lundy moved to suspend the rules and advance Amended Ordinance No. 16 — 2001 to third and final reading and read by title only, second by Councilmember Welch and the motion was carried on a voice vote. The Deputy Clerk read Ordinance No. 16 — 2001 on third reading. Ordinance No. 16 — 2001 was adopted on a unanimous roll call vote. AMENDED ORDINANCE NO. 18 — 2001 The Deputy Clerk read Amended Ordinance No. 18 — 2001 — A SPECIAL ORDINANCE FIXING CERTAIN BENEFITS UNDER THE POLICEMAN PENSION FUND FOR THE CITY OF RICHMOND Mayor Miller said this ordinance and No. 28 are to continue to be on hold. ORDINANCE NO. 27 — 2001 The Deputy Clerk read Ordinance No. 27 — 2001 — A SPECIAL ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING MAP AT 275 FT. WAYNE AVENUE, RICHMOND, INDIANA Councilmember Combs explained that he had met with two representatives of Rumpke and now understands what an efficient operation it is and is now in favor of the ordinance. President Sharp declared this ordinance on public hearing. Speaking in favor of the ordinance was Tom Seal, attorney for Rumpke, who explained that he had given his presentation at the last Council meeting and is here tonight only to answer any additional questions Council might have. There being no further comments either in support or against the ordinance, Councilmember Welch moved for engrossment, second by Councilmember Hutton and the motion was carried on a voice vote. Councilmember Welch moved to suspend the rules and advance Ordinance No. 27 — 2001 to third and final reading, second by Councilmember Parker and the motion was carried on a voice vote. The Deputy Clerk read Ordinance No. 27 — 2001 on third reading. Ordinance No. 27 — 2001 was adopted on a unanimous roll call vote. ORDINANCE NO. 28 — 2001 The Clerk read Ordinance No. 28 — 2001 — A SPECIAL ORDINANCE FIXING CERTAIN BENEFITS UNDER THE 1937 FIREFIGHTER'S PENSION FUND FOR THE CITY OF RICHMOND President Sharp said it had been announced earlier that this ordinance would be held along with Ordinance No. 18 — 2001. AMENDED ORDINANCE NO.31 — 2001 The Deputy Clerk read Amended Ordinance No. 31 — 2001 — A SPECIAL ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE APPROVAL OF A STATEMENT OF BENEFITS FOR A PROPERTY OWNER APPLYING FOR DEDUCTIONS UNDER I.C. 6-1.1-12.1 Common Council Minutes Cont'd June 25, 2001 Page 5 Councilmember Combs said he had met recently with Tom Clements of Quality Tool & Gauge Inc. at 1747 South 5`h Street, stating that the request is for a 10-year tax abatement with an estimated value of $1,883,026 to purchase five new machines. He said they would be adding nine new positions and retaining 20 employees. Councilmember Parker moved to attach the revised SB lA form to this ordinance to show a 10-year abatement and the projected useful life of the equipment of 10 years, second by Councilmember Welch and the motion was carried on a voice vote. President Sharp declared Ordinance No. 31 — 2001 on public hearing. There being no further comments in support or against the ordinance, Councilmember Elstro moved for engrossment, second by Councilmember Welch and the motion was carried on a voice vote. Councilmember Lundy moved to suspend the rules and advance Ordinance No. 31 — 2001 to third and final reading and read by title only, second by Councilmember Elstro and the motion was carried on a voice vote. The Deputy Clerk read Ordinance No. 31 — 2001 on third reading. Ordinance No. 31 — 2001 was adopted on a unanimous roll call vote. ORDINANCE NO. 34— 2001 The Deputy Clerk read Ordinance No. 34— 2001 — A SPECIAL ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE APPROVAL OF A STATEMENT OF BENEFITS FOR A PROPERTY OWNER APPLYING FOR DEDUCTIONS UNDER I.C. 6-1.1-12.1 President Sharp explained that this ordinance would be held on second reading. ORDINANCE NO.35 — 2001 The Clerk read Ordinance No. 35 — 2001— A SPECIAL ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE APPROVAL OF A STATEMENT OF BENEFITS FOR A PROPERTY OWNER APPLYING FOR DEDUCTIONS UNDER I.C. 6-1.1-12.1 Councilmember Combs said he would be reporting on this ordinance at Council's next meeting. ORDINANCES ON THIRD READING There were none. UNFINISHED BUSINESS CALL FOR ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, on a motion duly made, seconded and passed, the meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m. ATTEST: Myra Miller, Deputy Clerk Karl Sharp, President