HomeMy Public PortalAbout12-18-2000 PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF RICHMOND,INDIANA,MONDAY,DECEMBER 18,2000
The Common Council of the City of Richmond, Indiana met in regular session at 7:30 p.m. Monday,
December 18, 2000, in the Council Chambers in said City. President Larry Parker presided with the
following Councilmembers present: Howard"Jack"Elstro,Etta J. Lundy,Bruce Wissel, Karl Sharp, Bing
Welch, Phil Dickman and Sarah "Sally" Hutton. Paul Combs was absent. The following business was
conducted:
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
PRAYER BY COUNCILMEMBER WISSEL
ROLL CALL
Eight present.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Councilmember Welch moved to approve the minutes of December 4,2000,second by Councilmember
Sharp and the motion was carried on a voice vote.
PRESENTATION OF REMONSTRANCES, PETITIONS, MEMORIALS, INTRODUCTIONS,
MOTIONS AND PUBLIC COMMENTS
COMMUNICATION FROM THE MAYOR
Mayor Shelley Miller introduced the newest member of the administration,John Kenny,newly hired as the
City Controller. She said he comes to the position from Earlham College. She said she had also just
received word from City Attorney Bob Bever that the City has closed on the second phase of the Midwest
Industrial Park.
REPORT FROM BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS AND SAFETY
President Parker said the minutes of the meetings of November 22 and 30, 2000 were included in their
packets.
REPORTS FROM DEPARTMENT HEADS
REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES
REPORTS FROM SPECIAL COMMITTEES
REPORTS FROM ORGANIZATIONS
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS
President Parker announced there was a young man in the audience who was working on a merit badge.He
was a member of Boy Scout Troop No. 119 and was working on a communications badge.
Councilmember Hutton moved to appoint Diane Whitehead, Vanessa Orr and Dick Foore to the Urban
Enterprise Board,second by Councilmember Dickman and the motion was carried on a voice vote.
ORDINANCES ON FIRST READING
Councilmember Elstro moved to suspend the rules and read by titles only Ordinance No. 108, 109, 110,
111, 112, 113 and 114 - 2000, second by Councilmember Lundy and the motion was carried on a voice
vote.
ORDINANCE NO.108—2000
The Clerk read Ordinance No. 108 — 2000 — 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 the ordinance was Councilmember Wissel who said it was a request for a tax abatement made
by Wayne Dairy for new equipment totaling $6,442,500 and for $804,000 for real estate. He said this
would come back to Council at its next meeting.
Common Council Minutes Cont'd
December 18,2000
Page 2
ORDINANCE NO. 109—2000
The Clerk read Ordinance No. 109—2000—AN APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE
SUBMITTAL, ACCEPTANCE, AND APPROPRIATION OF A GRANT FROM THE ABSOCOLD
YOUTH FOUNDATION
Tony Foster, the City's Grants Administrator, said this is a request for$10,000 from the Absocold Youth
Foundation to help fund the construction of the outdoor skate park to be located on the corner of North 22nd
and E Streets. He explained that the unexpected high cost was because of specialized concrete work
associated with the project. In answer to a question by Councilmember Hutton, Foster said the original
budget was $135,000 that paid for some design work then when it was put out for bid, it came in at
$240,000. He said Stan Lambert, Parks Superintendent, had been working closely with the architect to
reduce the cost and has outlined some ways in the next re-bid to do that. Foster said this request is for
supplemental funding to help fund the project.
Councilmember Welch moved to suspend the rules and advance the ordinance to second reading and read
by title only,second by Councilmember Wissel and the motion was carried on a voice vote.
The Clerk read Ordinance No. 109—2000 on second reading.
President Parker declared the ordinance 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 Sharp and the motion was carried on a voice vote.
The Clerk read Ordinance No. 109—2000 on third reading.
Ordinance No. 109—2000 was adopted on a unanimous roll call vote.
ORDINANCE NO.110—2000
The Clerk read Ordinance No. 140—2000—AN APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE
SUBMITTAL, ACCEPTANCE, AND APPROPRIATION OF A GRANT FROM THE INDIANA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Foster explained that the City is requesting $172,000 from the Indiana Department of Transportation's
enhancement program to fund a navigation way-finding system to serve as a combined recreation,
beautification and economic development tool. He said the City would provide a 20-percent match of
$43,000 if it is funded and the project is in a preliminary engineering phase. He said it is signage that is put
into place and would easily be adapted to fall into the guidelines of the proposed sign ordinance that is
currently being reviewed by Council.
Councilmember Sharp asked how the money would be paid and Foster responded that when the project is
let,the City would send its local match and INDOT would put the project out for bid. He said they would
manage the project for the City,paying the bills for the project.Foster said the signage would be located at
various points directing visitors to various places such as educational facilities and museums,to name just a
few.
Councilmember Lundy moved to suspend the rules and advance the ordinance 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. 110—2000 on second reading.
President Parker declared the ordinance on public hearing. There being no comments either for or against
the ordinance, Councilmember Welch moved for engrossment, second by Councilmember Sharp 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 Clerk read Ordinance No. 110—2000 on third reading.
Ordinance No. 110—2000 was adopted on a unanimous roll call vote.
•
Common Council Minutes Cont'd
December 18,2000
Page 3
ORDINANCE NO.111—2000
The Clerk read Ordinance No. 111 —2000—AN APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE
SUBMITTAL, ACCEPTANCE, AND APPROPRIATION OF A GRANT FROM THE INDIANA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Foster explained that this ordinance deals with a request made by the City for $2 million from INDOT,
specifically to fund the construction of a new Main Street bridge. He said it requires 20 percent match that
would come from the TIF fund, adding that the City has been in touch with the County and the officials
have provided their support for the application.In answer to a question by Councilmember Sharp about the
20 percent match,Foster said it works the same way as he explained with the prior ordinance.He said that
20 percent match would be$500,000.
Councilmember Welch moved to suspend the rules and advance the ordinance to second reading and read
by title only,second by Councilmember Dickman and the motion was carried on a voice vote.
The Clerk read Ordinance No. 111—2000 on second reading.
President Parker declared the ordinance on public hearing. There being no comments either for or against
the ordinance, Councilmember Lundy moved for engrossment, second by Councilmember Elstro and the
motion was carried on a voice vote.
Councilmember Elstro moved to suspend the rules and advance the ordinance to third and final reading and
read by title only,second by Councilmember Lundy and the motion was carried on a voice vote.
The Clerk read Ordinance No. 111—2000 on third reading.
Ordinance No. 111—2000 was adopted on a unanimous roll call vote.
ORDINANCE NO.112—2000
The Clerk read Ordinance No. 112 — 2000 — AN APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE AMENDING THE
2000 BUDGET
John Kenny explained that this is a transfer of funds within the Finance Department,deleting$15,000 from
the Other Supplies Account and adding $10,000 to the Computer Equipment Account and $5,000 to the
Furniture and Fixtures Account in the General Fund.
Councilmember Welch moved to suspend the rules and advance the ordinance 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. 112—2000 on second reading.
President Parker declared the ordinance 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 the ordinance 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. 112—2000 on third reading.
Ordinance No. 112—2000 was adopted on a unanimous roll call vote.
ORDINANCE NO.113—2000
The Clerk read Ordinance No. 113 — 2000 — A GENERAL ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING A CASH
TRANSFER FROM THE GENERAL FUND TO THE OFF STREET PARKING FUND
Mayor Miller explained that it was discussed at some length during the budget process that this fund was
operating at a deficit because of the reduced revenues and declines of the contributions of the downtown
merchants over the years. She said this ordinance deals with a request for a transfer from the General Fund
into the Off-Street Parking Fund to bring it out of the deficit before the end of the year.She said the amount
would not exceed$15,000.She added that along with the request goes the recognition that the way the fund
is operating needs to be changed so the City doesn't look at cash transfers in future years. She explained
that the Off-Street Parking Committee had met within the past few weeks and had come up with a plan.
Common Council Minutes Cont'd
December 18,2000
Page 4
Terry Quinter, operations manager for Roseview Transit and Off-Street Parking, said that in cooperation
with the City Clerk's office, Main Street Inc. and Public Works and Safety, the plan is to communicate
more with the uptown merchants and visit with them personally. She said the intent is to explain what the
maintenance cost entails as well as the improvements made in the parking garage which include new
elevators,ugraded lighting and the stairwells. She said now that a couple of businesses have relocated out
of the downtown,the North 7t'Street City parking lot is rarely full which brought about the elimination of
a parking attendant and cutting the hours of another. She said the attendant would be on duty only from 2 to
6 p.m. during the time of most of the traffic in the lot. She added that that change would be monitored and
revisited in either April or May to re-evaluate it.
Councilmember Welch said he thought it was a good idea to see what people want in downtown parking.
Mayor Miller said the City would be mailing surveys to merchants and could be mailed to the general
public. She said that based upon the response,it could give a stronger indication of the shortcomings in the
parking situation.
Quinter said the Committee is open to suggestions, adding that signage would be added to the parking
garage. Answering questions posed by Councilmembers, Quinter said revenue from the parking permits go
into the Off-Street Parking fund.Mayor Miller said the fine money is split,with the fines realized from the
uptown area going into the Off-Street Parking fund and the others going into the General Fund.
Councilmember Welch moved to suspend the rules and advance the ordinance 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. 113—2000 on second reading.
President Parker declared the ordinance on public hearing. There being no comments either for or against
the ordinance, Councilmember Wissel 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 Sharp and the motion was carried on a voice vote.
The Clerk read Ordinance No. 113—2000 on third reading.
Ordinance No. 113—2000 was adopted on a unanimous roll call vote.
ORDINANCE NO.114—2000
The Clerk read Ordinance No. 114—2000—AN APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE TO BE KNOWN AS
THE 2001 FIREFIGHTER AND POLICE OFFICER SALARY ORDINANCE
City Attorney Bever explained that the City has reached agreements with the Police and Firefighters'
Unions, which has resulted in his bringing the 2001 salary ordinance for those two departments to Council
in the form of an ordinance. He explained that the agreement with the Firefighters contains a 41/2 percent
increase for 2001, the same in 2002 and a 51/2 percent increase in 2003. He added that this allows at the
end of that third year, when that extra one percent is added that the City puts in the Firefighters pension,
that the Police do not,that they are almost identical at that time.He said the actual contract is anticipated to
be approved by the Board of Works Thursday.
In answer to a question by Councilmember Hutton, Mayor Miller said the bus drivers' contract was
negotiated in July or August and was for 31/2 percent.
Councilmember Elstro moved to suspend the rules and advance the ordinance to second reading and read
by title only,second by Councilmember Dickman and the motion was carried on a voice vote.
The Clerk read Ordinance No. 114—2000 on second reading.
President Parker declared the ordinance 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 the ordinance 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. 114—2000 on third reading.
Ordinance No. 114—2000 was adopted on a unanimous roll call vote.
Common Council Minutes Cont'd
December 18,2000
Page 5
ORDINANCES ON SECOND READING AND ENGROSSMENT
ORDINANCE NO.84—2000
The Clerk read Ordinance No. 84 — 2000 — A SPECIAL ORDINANCE VACATING AN UNUSED
PORTION OF A ROADWAY LOCATED AT THE CORNER OF SOUTH A AND GARWOOD ROAD
Speaking in favor of the ordinance was Brad Smarelli, 3100 U.S. 27 South, who explained that he is also
one of the owners of the property at 4351 South A Street. He said he is here tonight to ask the City to
vacate an unused portion of roadway along the corner of South A Street and Garwood Road. He said he
intends to use the property to add parking space at that location.He said he was here tonight to answer the
question Council had two weeks ago as to how much parking is needed.
He said the building is 6,500 square feet and there is 235 square feet not used by the public which means,
by City Code, there are 31 spots needed.He said at that same meeting, Council had a question about what
the cost would be and $2,000 is what Council came up with. He explained that he had covered all this in
letters he distributed earlier to Councilmembers, stating that he also had made the offer to let the City have
the property back within five years if needed, with some advance notice. He also stated that Council had
some questions concerning drainage,saying that Gordon Moore is here tonight to explain that.
Moore, a representative of Kramer & Associates, said a drainage plan had been submitted to the City
Engineer's office and was approved today.He said the building is located 40 feet from the right-of-way and
explained that Councilmembers had drawings in front of them to refer to as he was explaining it. He said
all the area along Garwood Road on the west side, as well as the parking lot itself, would have to have fill
material brought in which would be quite an expense.He added that the parking lot would be the detention
area and would drain to the west where a new catch basin would be constructed.
The discussion which ensued centered around issues such as 32 parking spots to comply to City Code,
green space, traffic concerns which would include possibly a right turn lane off Garwood. City Engineer
Bob Wiwi said Walmart would be putting up a new signal at a new location directly opposite the entrance
to Kroger which would provide a better ingress and egress from the Walmart store. Councilmember Welch
said he could foresee additional traffic from areas such as Boston,cutting down South A Street to go to the
Walmart store rather than get out on to Main Street. He said he believes in the foreseeable future there
would be a need for turn lanes,left,and an acceleration lane on Garwood Road.
President Parker declared the ordinance on public hearing. There being no further comments either for or
against the ordinance,Councilmember Elstro moved for engrossment,second by Councilmember Hutton.
Prior to the vote,President Parker said he had a question regarding the amount,which he directed to Bever.
The figure that Smarelli used,Bever said, was$2,000 and after talking with several bankers,he said it was
hard to put a value on this because of the lack of marketability. He said that is how the$2,000 figure was
reached. Bever said the City doesn't want to set a precedent and does not want to make that a donation a
condition,then actually selling it for that.
Councilmember Welch,directing his question to Bob Goodwin,director of Planning, asked if the retaining
wall of the parking lot could set right on the property line. He also asked if they kept the green space there
at the parking lot could a condition be put on that that it would have to be maintained as green space.
Smarelli said he did not want to put the walk next to the building but hoped to landscape it making a small
berm to block the headlights.
President Parker said the ordinance now needs an amendment. Councilmember Hutton moved to agree to
sell the property back for the amount given,second by Councilmember Welch and was carried on a vote of
5 in favor and three against. Councilmember Elstro moved for engrossment, second by Councilmember
Hutton and the motion was carried on a voice vote.
Councilmember Hutton moved to suspend the rules and advance the ordinance to third and final reading
and read by title only,second by Councilmember Elstro and the motion was carried on a voice vote.
Councilmember Dickman commented that he feels the City needs to look at vacation of property as
income.
The Clerk read Ordinance No. 84—2000 on third reading.
Ordinance No. 84—2000 was adopted on a unanimous roll call vote.
ORDINANCES ON THIRD READING
There were none.
Common Council Minutes Cont'd
December 18,2000
Page 6
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
President Parker announced that because of the New Year holiday falling on the first Monday in 2001,that
both Council meetings during January would be moved one week forward, making the meetings fall on
January 8 and January 22.
It was also discussed that the work session for Council concerning Ordinance No. 83 — 2000 would be
open to the public,however,since there would be no formal action taken at the meeting and there had been
a public hearing on the ordinance,there would be no public input.He said this could be discussed further at
Council's January 8,2001,meeting.
CALL FOR ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business,on a motion duly made,seconded and passed,the meeting was adjourned.
Larry Parker,President
ATTEST:
Norma Schroeder,Clerk