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HomeMy Public PortalAbout11-06-2000 PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND,INDIANA,MONDAY,NOVEMBER 6,2000 The Common Council of the City of Richmond, Indiana met in regular session at 7:30 p.m. Monday, November 6, 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,Paul Combs,Phil Dickman and Sarah"Sally"Hutton.The following business was conducted: PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE PRAYER BY PRESIDENT PARKER ROLL CALL Nine present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Councilmember Welch moved to approve the minutes of October 16,2000,second by Councilmember Combs and the motion was carried on a voice vote. PRESENTATION OF REMONSTRANCES, PETITIONS, MEMORIALS, INTRODUCTIONS, MOTIONS AND PUBLIC COMMENTS President Parker announced that speaking in place of Michelle Martin,representative of AFSCME Council No.62,who was scheduled to speak tonight,would be an employee of the Street Department and one from the Sanitation Department. Street Department employee Dan Harris, 5063 Cook Road, talked briefly about the recent vote of those in his department and how it was handled by the administration and asked that the Street Department employees be given the recognition they deserve. Speaking on behalf of the Sanitation Department was Rich Thomasetti, 2235 Autumn Way, who commented that the members of his department and those in the Street Department deserve the same rights as the Police,Firefighters,bus drivers and the RP&L employees.He said they have fought for two years to get the union recognized, adding that they would continue to fight. He asked the administration to recognize the union and respect the employees of these two departments the same way it respects the others he mentioned. COMMUNICATION FROM THE MAYOR Mayor Shelley Miller reported that OSHA did conduct an exit conference regarding its inspection of the Sanitary District and would be issuing written findings within the next three or four weeks. She said Stephanie Potts, the district's health and safety officer, would discuss some of the concerns briefly during the time on the agenda allotted to comments from department heads. The Mayor added that she anticipated hearing from OSHA regarding an exit conference for the Street Department within the next week or so, adding that the City does take all of the recommendations seriously and has already started corrective measures on any recommendations OSHA had on employee safety. REPORT FROM BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS AND SAFETY President Parker said the minutes of the meetings of October 5, 12 and 19, 2000 were included in their packets. REPORTS FROM DEPARTMENT HEADS Potts reported that there were five citations that would be issued by OSHA to the Richmond Sanitary District as a result of the ongoing inspection. The first of these, she said, involved the department's "confined space program" and an emergency rescue team. As of right now, she said, they have the Fire Department as its rescue team but that entity is not able at this time to provide that service. She said they need to look into measures to either get them equipped and get them trained to be the rescue team or provide their own rescue team within the Sanitary District. The second, she said, is training for the temporary employees in the household hazardous waste program,especially in the summertime. The other three citations, Potts said, were things that were found while OSHA was doing the inspection. One,she said,was a rigid pipe machine in the maintenance department that was not properly grounded and that has since been fixed.The other ones included the household hazardous paint can crusher was lacking a ground between the can crusher and the can where the paint goes into once the cans are crushed. The third one, she said, was also with the household hazardous waste where the drum in which the crushed cans are placed needs to have a lid on it while the cans are stored there before being disposed of in the landfill. Common Council Minutes Cont'd November 6,2000 Page 2 Councilmember Lundy asked how long would it take to correct the two remaining things mentioned in the citations. Potts said the major one would be with the rescue team, adding that IOSHA had given them 5 days after they receive the actual letter. The other one, she said, which is dealing with the training of the temporary employees, is a communication issue and a Stated Operating Procedure issue. She said when temporaries are hired,the health and safety officer needs to be notified at that time to do some training with them before they are allowed to operate anything that has to do with household hazardous waste. Potts said the Sanitation Department's major confined spaces would be the manholes that are entered to fix the sewer lines and all of the tanks at the wastewater plant are considered confined spaces. She said as a public entity there would be no fines issued. The Mayor said the administration had had several conversations with Fire Chief Mike Allen about this issue, stating that there are numerous industries within the City that have Richmond Fire Department listed as their confined space rescue team. She added that the Fire Department is aware of this and are working with the Sanitary District but others as well to make sure that they are in compliance on this issue. She said the Chief has offered to provide the services as soon as they can get the proper training and the necessary equipment. REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES REPORTS FROM SPECIAL COMMITTEES REPORTS FROM ORGANIZATIONS MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS Councilmember Combs said as a Councilmember he felt it was important to get people involved in the process of City government and that prompted him to provide the Morrisson-Reeves Library with the same information that Councilmembers receive in their packets prior to each Council meeting. President Parker reminded Councilmembers of Amended Ordinance No. 66 — 2000 which deals with the Richmond Police Complaint Advisory Committee. He said there are five residents serving on this Board, three appointed by Council and two appointed by the Mayor. He said Bever had some names, which Council might be interested in when considering its appointments. Bever said there have been five citizens who have approached the Police Department wanting to be appointed,adding that two of them are carryovers from the previous Mayor internal organization.These are Lucinda Cage and Paul Barton-Kriese, he said, who would like to stay on with the new organization. The new ones,he said, are J. Brandon Griffis who is former judge in Superior Court I, the Rev.Larry Curtis of Central United Methodist Church and Sheila Armstead. Bever said the Mayor has, on this date, and will be, in writing, appointing Paul Barton-Kriese, whose term would be expiring December 31, 2001 and Judge Griffis, whose term would run through December 31, 2002.He said this would leave the other three available,adding that in order to have staggering terms these appointments would not be expiring at the same time.Councilmember Hutton moved to appoint the three to the Committee,recommending Cage, who is the carryover,to serve through 2001 and Curtis and Armstead through 2002,second by Councilmember Combs and the motion was carried on a voice vote. Councilmember Welch commented that he had seen the abandoned home on 20th and North E being torn down and that was good to see and well past time for it to happen. He also inquired about the status of the Sherman house on Ridge Street.Bob Goodwin,Planning Director,responded that there are several of those houses that were approved and he would need to check the records. He asked him to call the office tomorrow so he could give him the scheduled dates. ORDINANCES ON FIRST READING Councilmember Elstro moved to suspend the rules and read by titles only Ordinance No.75,77,78,79,80, 81 and 84-2000,second by Councilmember Welch and the motion was carried on a voice vote. ORDINANCE NO.75—2000 The Clerk read Ordinance No.75—2000—A SPECIAL ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING MAP BETWEEN 750 AND 950 ON THE WEST SIDE OF SOUTH 23RD STREET There being no questions by Councilmembers about the ordinance,President Parker announced it would go to the Planning Commission. Common Council Minutes Cont'd November 6,2000 Page 3 ORDINANCE NO.77—2000 The Clerk read Ordinance No. 77 — 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 Councilmember Wissel explained that this is a request made by FHS Partners,L.L.C. He continued to say that it looks as though on the statement of benefits the company is requesting tax abatements of$400,000 on real estate and machinery at$500,000,however,he noticed he had no machinery listed on the ordinance. Bever said that should be amended. Councilmember Wissel said he would check on that and give a report at the next meeting. ORDINANCE NO.78—2000 The Clerk read Ordinance No. 78 —2000—AN APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE SUBMITTAL, ACCEPTANCE, AND APPROPRIATION OF A GRANT FROM THE LILLY ENDOWMENT,INC. Lt. Paul Phillips of the Richmond Police Department explained that this ordinance deals with position of the Neighborhood Resources Coordinator which is currently held by Diane Whitehead who he said is "extremely valuable"to the Department. He said that the position has been funded for the past three years by the Indiana Law Enforcement Assistance Fund,but that grant expires this year on December 31. He said he believes the Police Department could not do the things it is doing now without that position.He said they have applied to the Lilly Endowment for a grant for$75,000 to fund the position over the next three years. He encouraged Council to adopt the ordinance so the Police Department can continue to do some community policing, some public relations and become closer to the community and make the Department"user friendly." Councilmember Hutton agreed with the comments made by Lt. Phillips, stating that this position is certainly needed, adding that Whitehead has accomplished more in the past three months than has been done in the past three years. She also added that she also works well with the neighborhoods and is the Neighborhood Clearing House's Board president. Councilmember Wissel commented that the ordinance stated that the grant is for the salary of the Neighborhood Resource Coordinator for three years and for the development of youth-based programs.Lt. Phillips said Whitehead would facilitate those efforts, adding that they have a number of things they would like to do with those programs. For example, he said, for the past few months the Police Department has sponsored neighborhood picnics, youth teen dances, youth organizations, etc. He said their ultimate aim is to establish a teen center where they can provide activities for Richmond area youth from middle school up to high school. Councilmember Lundy commented that she is about to graduate from the Citizens Police Academy and she said Whitehead is in charge of that and does a very good job.Lt.Phillips said Whitehead has also organized the Youth Academy in which the high school students in the Richmond/Wayne County area are actively involved.He said this position is as important,if not moreso,than the position'of one of the officers. Councilmember Combs commented that he feels this Community is fortunate that Firefighters and Policemen,as well as a variety of individuals reach out independently and put a face on their occupations. Councilmember Wissel 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.78—2000 on second reading. 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 Welch moved to suspend the rules and advance the ordinance to third and final reading and read by title only,second by Councilmember Combs and the motion was carried on a voice vote. The Clerk read Ordinance No.78—2000 on third reading. Ordinance No.78—2000 was adopted on a unanimous roll call vote. ORDINANCE NO.79—2000 The Clerk read Ordinance No. 79 —2000—AN APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE SUBMITTAL,ACCEPTANCE,AND APPROPRIATION OF A GRANT FROM THE UNITED WAY Common Council Minutes Cont'd November 6,2000 Page 4 Explaining this ordinance was Kim Poinsett of the Richmond Parks and Recreation Department who said it is for the Widowed Persons Service and is the yearly request to the United Way for the operating budget of that agency. Councilmember Welch moved to suspend the rules and advance Ordinance No. 79 — 2000 to second reading and read by title only, second by Councilmember Combs and the motion was carried on a voice vote. The Clerk read Ordinance No.79—2000 on second reading. There being no comments either for or against the ordinance, Councilmember Elstro moved for engrossment,second by Councilmember Dickman and the motion was carried on a voice vote. Councilmember Lundy moved to suspend the rules and advance Ordinance No.79—2000 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.79—2000 on third reading. Ordinance No.79—2000 was adopted on a unanimous roll call vote. ORDINANCE NO.80—2000 The Clerk read Ordinance No. 80—2000—A SPECIAL ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING MAP AT 2521 SOUTH 23an STREET,RICHMOND,INDIANA President Parker explained that this ordinance is regarding a Planned Unit Development District to allow single family residences in an A-1 Agricultural District. There being no comments from Council,President Parker said the ordinance would be passed on to the Planning Commission. ORDINANCE NO.81—2000 The Clerk read Ordinance No. 81 — 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 this ordinance was Councilmember Wissel who said it is a 10-year tax abatement request made by Imperial Products Inc. and the amount asked for equipment is$830,000 and$425,000 for real estate.He said he would have a report at the next Council meeting. 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 There being no comments for or against the ordinance, President Parker said it would be passed on to the Planning Commission. ORDINANCES ON SECOND READING AND ENGROSSMENT ORDINANCE NO.70—2000 The Clerk read Ordinance No. 70 — 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 Councilmember Combs said he had spoken with Jerry Martin of Envirotech Extrusions Inc. which is located at 4810 Woodside Drive. He said they are requesting a 10-year abatement on new manufacturing equipment in the amount of$1,126,000 and have itemized that equipment on their request. He said they have 32 employees and would add 22 new employees as part of this expansion. He said they provide a good wage and good health insurance. He said they make mud flaps and van mats for Crown Chrysler, to mention one of the areas of their business. President Parker declared the ordinance on public hearing. There being no comments either for or against, Councilmember Welch moved for engrossment, second by Councilmember Combs 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 Lundy and the motion was carried on a voice vote. Common Council Minutes Cont'd November 6,2000 Page 5 The Clerk read Ordinance No.70—2000 on third reading. Ordinance No.70—2000 was adopted on a unanimous roll call vote. ORDINANCE NO.76—2000 The Clerk read Ordinance No. 76 — 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 Councilmember Wissel explained that this ordinance deals with a request made by Ahaus Tool for a 10- year abatement for one piece of machinery valued at$225,000 which would help employees work much more efficiently and increase production.He said one new job would be added and 135 retained. President Parker declared the ordinance on public hearing. There being no comments either for or against the ordinance, Councilmember Dickman moved for engrossment, second by Councilmember Combs and the motion was carried on a voice vote. Councilmember Welch moved to suspend the rules and advance Ordinance No.76—2000 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.76—2000 on third reading. Ordinance No.76—2000 was adopted on a unanimous roll call vote. 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. Larry Parker,President ATTEST: Norma Schroeder,Clerk