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HomeMy Public PortalAbout11-15-1999 PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND,INDIANA,MONDAY,NOVEMBER 15,1999 The Common Council of the City of Richmond, Indiana met in regular session at 7:30 p.m. Monday, November 15, 1999, in the Council Chambers in said City. President Bing Welch presided with the following Councilmembers present: Howard "Jack" Elstro, Bob Dickman, Sarah "Sally" Hutton, Geneva "Gene" Allen, Dennis R. Rice Sr., and Larry Parker. Absent were Etta J. Lundy and Bruce Wissel. The following business was conducted: PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE PRAYER BY COUNCILMEMBER PARKER ROLL CALL Seven present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Minutes of the meetings of October 18 and November 1, 1999 were approved on a motion by Councilmember Allen, second by Councilmember Rice and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote. PRESENTATION OF REMONSTRANCES, PETITIONS, MEMORIALS, INTRODUCTIONS, MOTIONS AND PUBLIC COMMENTS There were none. COMMUNICATION FROM THE MAYOR City Attorney Bob Bever announced that Mayor Andrews had arrived home safely only five minutes before from his trip to Japan but would not be attending the meeting tonight. REPORT FROM BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS AND SAFETY President Welch said the minutes of the meetings of October 21 and 28, 1999 were included in their packets. REPORTS FROM DEPARTMENT HEADS REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES REPORTS FROM SPECIAL COMMITTEES Councilmember Hutton announced that the Urban Enterprise Board would need to fill a vacancy which should be a resident of the Starr Neighborhood. REPORTS FROM ORGANIZATIONS MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS President Welch said he had received a communication from the Wayne County Convention & Tourism Bureau reminding Council that it is time for appointments to be made for its Board.He said that at this time the Bureau is recommending that Linda Von Pein, owner of Advanced Travel America, representing the travel industry, be re-appointed, and Dana Weigle, owner of McDonald's, representing the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, be re-appointed. He said both terms would be for two years, ending December 31, 2001. He said there is a third appointment but there is no recommendation at this time, adding that the individual appointed should be a representative of the lodging industry. He asked Councilmembers to consider each of the two names submitted. He said at the next meeting on December 6,Council might consider those two names as well as a possible nomination for the Urban Enterprise Board.He added that there has been a resignation from the Street Tree Commission and Council needs to fill that vacancy. He invited Councilmembers to submit names at the next meeting so that action might be taken.He said the resignation had been received from Ann Parliament. ORDINANCES ON FIRST READING Councilmember Elstro moved to suspend the rules and read by title only Ordinances No. 96, 97, 98, 99, 100 and 101,second by Councilmember Hutton and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote. Common Council Minutes Cont'd November 15, 1999 Page 2 ORDINANCE NO.96—1999 The Clerk read Ordinance No. 96 — 1999 — AN APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATIONS TO CERTAIN FUNDS Deputy Controller Kristen Perrel explained that this ordinance deals with unused funds that reverted in 1998. She said the projects involved would be the renovation of the Police Department lobby, the wiring and lighting for the field at McBride Stadium and concrete work on the driveways at the fire stations. Councilmember Dickman moved to suspend the rules and advance Ordinance No. 96 — 1999 to second reading and read by title only, second by Councilmember Elstro and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote. President Welch announced that the ordinance was on public hearing. Councilmember Parker asked if the City would take on the maintenance of the wiring and lighting at McBride versus the Park Department. Stanton Lambert, superintendent of the Parks and Recreation Department, explained that the wiring in question is the main wiring that goes out to the field towers that light up the stadium. He said that is being replaced by more up-to-date wiring cable. Councilmember Parker asked why that would not come out of the Parks budget. Lambert said the funds that were held over were funds that were set aside when the Parks Department was going to work through RP&L to do this and at one point$45,000 was estimated and that was set aside from these funds for that. However,when the bids came in,they came in at quite a lot more than that and they are going back because the requisition had been written and that money was set aside.He said they are still using it for lighting,but it is not going to RP&L,but a private contractor.That is why they are requesting to that the money be re- appropriated because it rolled back over into the general fund last winter. He said it was money funded from the administration for McBride Stadium.Lambert said general maintenance would be taken care of by the Parks Department, adding that with the larger projects like this in working with the administration the Parks Department, in order to meet the City's obligations under the contractual agreement to renovate the stadium they have used some funds outside of the Parks Department to complete that project. Councilmember Hutton asked if this would finish all of the obligations for McBride Stadium. Lambert answered that this money is one part of what the department is planning to be its final improvements to be made under the contractual obligations. Other parts, he said, that are being finished up are a concession building replacing the old one,for which they have received Build Indiana funds. There being no further comments either for or against the ordinance, Councilmember Elstro moved for engrossment,second by Councilmember Dickman and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote. Councilmember Rice moved to advance Ordinance No. 96 — 1999 to third and final reading and read by title only,second by Councilmember Allen and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote. The Clerk read Ordinance No.96—1999 on third reading. Ordinance No.96—1999 was adopted on the following call of the roll: Ayes:Elstro,Dickman,Hutton,Allen,Rice,Parker and Welch(7) Nays:None ORDINANCE NO. 97—1999 The Clerk read Ordinance No. 97 — 1999—AN APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE SUBMITTAL,ACCEPTANCE,AND APPROPRIATION OF A GRANT FROM A PARTNERSHIP FOR A DRUG FREE WAYNE COUNTY Carol Miller, coordinator for the Widowed Persons Service, explained that this ordinance deals with expanding the WPS program to train outreach volunteers to recognize medication and or alcohol abuse in the newly widowed. Also,she said,the other part of that process is an education and screening process with referrals only. She said they wanted to try to establish a protocol to gather specific data that can be used to identify at risk population to work with and educate them. Councilmember Dickman moved to suspend the rules and advance Ordinance No. 97 — 1999 to second reading and read by title only, second by Councilmember Parker and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote. President Welch announced that Ordinance No. 97 — 1999 was 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 unanimous voice vote. Common Council Minutes Cont'd November 15, 1999 Page 3 Councilmember Rice moved to suspend the rules and advance Ordinance No. 97— 1999 to third and final reading and read by title only, second by Councilmember Parker and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote. The Clerk read Ordinance No.97— 1999 on third reading. Ordinance No.97— 1999 was adopted on the following call of the roll: Ayes:Elstro,Dickman,Hutton,Allen,Rice,Parker and Welch(7) Nays:None. ORDINANCE NO.98—1999 The Clerk read Ordinance No. 98 — 1999 —AN APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE SUBMITTAL,ACCEPTANCE,AND APPROPRIATION OF A GRANT FROM A PARTNERSHIP FOR A DRUG FREE WAYNE COUNTY Explaining this ordinance was Robin Henry, director of Community Partnerships for the City,representing the Halfway House Advisory Subcommittee, along with the Rev. David Layman. She said they are asking for a $20,000 grant for funds for a non-medical treatment center for drug and alcohol patients. She said they received earlier this year grants from Reid Hospital Foundation for $35,000 and a$6,000 grant from the Wayne County Foundation. She said they are currently in the process of hiring an organizational director for the Halfway House, then turned to the Rev. Layman who proceeded to tell Council what they were specifically asking for in this grant. He said when they get a director to move the process along they would need to find a place where - there would be a residential recovery program and there will also be expenses relating to the program. He added that the local group is using as a model "The Healing Place" in Louisville, Ky. that has been recognized as a very effective one. He said people involved in the program have to participate and work at least 15 hours a week in the kitchen or in security as well as clean up tasks. He said there is about a 60 percent success rate of those who stay with the program for a year and people can live in this setting for an extended period of time whereas most of the other drug resources are outpatient.He said there are high hopes that this can be helpful, adding that the law enforcement community is interested in seeing this move forward. Although there is a treatment program in the jail,when people leave,there is no positive environment or a halfway house where they can go to continue their recovery. One of the local judges has also asked to be involved in this program,he said, adding that it is estimated that there are about 2,000 people in Wayne County who are on probation and perhaps 80 percent of these are dealing with addiction problems. Councilmember Hutton asked how large the facility is that they would like to start with. Rev. Layman answered that the number could possibly be 20,-starting with treatment specifically for men then adding a unit for women. Councilmember Parker asked if Rev. Layman had any idea of what their total budget would be and Rev.Layman answered that it would be about$100,000 a year. Councilmember Parker asked him where he feels he can receive the funding in the future.Rev. Layman said they have assistance at this time from Reid Hospital and the Wayne County Foundation and added that they hope to appeal to the churches and the community agencies to support the program as well. Rev.Layman said the program in Louisville,Ky.is sponsored by the Jefferson County Medical Society and the physicians in that area have been very helpful in moving that program forward and also receive a lot of donations from the community. He said he felt it was beneficial to have Henry, as director of Community Partnerships, helping to organize this because it is a possibility of getting the religious community, government, and other interested persons working together on a problem that many feel is such a big problem. He added that since Bridge House closed many years ago there has been no program in place to address this issue. Councilmember Hutton, addressing her question to Councilmember Parker, asked if he had asked earlier if the money is coming from the City and she wanted to answer that. She said the funds are coming from Drug Free Wayne County and that is out of a different pot of money. Henry said this just pays the organizational director who in the short term would be a City employee and that would be a part of the City's in-kind support.She said once that individual is hired they would be coming back to Council. President Welch commented on the project,noting that it is needed. Councilmember Rice moved to suspend the rules and advance Ordinance No. 98 — 1999 to second reading and read by title only, second by Councilmember Allen and the motion was carried-on.a unanimous voice vote. The Clerk read Ordinance No.98—1999 on second reading. Common Council Minutes Cont'd November 15, 1999 Page 4 President Welch announced that Ordinance No. 98 — 1999 was on public hearing. There being no comments either for or against the ordinance, Councilmember Dickman moved for engrossment, second by Councilmember Hutton and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote. Councilmember Dickman moved to suspend the rules and advance Ordinance No. 98 — 1999 to third and final reading and read by title only, second by Councilmember Elstro and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote. The Clerk read Ordinance No.98—1999 on third reading. Ordinance No. 98— 1999 was adopted on the following call of the roll: Ayes:Elstro,Dickman,Hutton,Allen,Rice,Parker and Welch(7) Nays:None. ORDINANCE NO.99—1999 The Clerk read Ordinance No. 99 — 1999 — A SPECIAL ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE APPROVAL OF A STATEMENT OF BENEFIT'S FOR A PROPERTY OWNER APPLYING FOR DEDUCTIONS UNDER I.C. 6-1.1-12.1 Councilmember Allen explained that Mosey Manufacturing Co. is requesting a 10-year abatement for equipment in the amount of$3,150,000. She said the request would go to the Tax Abatement Committee and be brought back to Council on its December 6 meeting. ORDINANCE NO.100—1999 The Clerk read Ordinance No. 100 — 1999 — AN APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 1999 BUDGET Stan Lambert, superintendent of Parks & Recreation Department, explained that this ordinance transfers some funds that were accumulated in their regular salaries due to some positions being vacant throughout the year. He said it is being transferred to replenish their chemical account area for buying chemicals for the coming year. He said these are used for areas ranging from the floor areas to the general park areas as well as the community's beautification efforts by keeping the weeds controlled in public areas. He said the Repair Parts Vehicles account is for the funding of regular and unforeseen vehicle maintenance that has been ongoing through the year. He said they have had several of their larger pieces of equipment which have required some ongoing maintenance this year that has been somewhat expensive. He said the funds transferred into Building Materials account will be used for a new furnace for Mac's Shack in Glen Miller Park. Councilmember Elstro moved to suspend the rules and advance Ordinance No. 100 — 1999 to second reading and read by title only, second by Councilmember Rice and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote. The Clerk read Ordinance No. 100—1999 on second reading. President Welch announced that Ordinance No. 100 — 1999 was on public hearing. There being no comments either for or against the ordinance, Councilmember Elstro moved for engrossment, second by Councilmember Allen and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote. Councilmember Allen moved to suspend the rules and advance Ordinance No. 100— 1999 to third and final reading and read by title only, second by Councilmember Rice and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote. The Clerk read Ordinance No. 100— 1999 on third reading. Ordinance No. 100—1999 was adopted on the following call of the roll: Ayes:Elstro,Dickman,Hutton,Allen,Rice,Parker and Welch(7) Nays:None. • ORDINANCE NO.101—1999 The Clerk read Ordinance No. 101 — 1999 — A SPECIAL ORDINANCE VACATING A PORTION OF NORTH 6TH STREET BETWEEN THE NORFOLK & SOUTHERN RAILROAD CROSSING AND BRIDGE AVENUE; CLOSING THE PUBLIC RAILROAD CROSSING OF NORFOLK& SOUTHERN LOCATED ON NORTH 6TH STREET BETWEEN THE INTERSECTION OF NEFF STREET AND BRIDGE AVENUE Common Council Minutes Cont'd November 15, 1999 Page 5 Explaining the ordinance was City Attorney Bob Bever who said the administration is the petitioner but no action is being asked for tonight since public debate is encouraged for both steps at Council's next meeting December 6. He said since this involves a vacation of a public way it would be referred to the Plan Commission which is meeting on December 2 so that hearing can be held before Council's meeting. Bever said that Richmond Baking Company is considering expanding their business and not moving to another locale or another community,it would be necessary for them to expand over 6th Street.He said they own property on both sides of that street right now and this would allow an expansion of their building and their oven needs that will later be described primarily in a presentation that the company representatives will describe at the next Council meeting. Bever said the discussion about this began through conversations between the Richmond Baking Company personnel and Mayor Andrews,adding that the City has a secondary or co-equal benefit with this closing of the street. He said this would also close the railroad crossing located on North 6th Street between Neff Street and Bridge Avenue which removes the opposition that INDOT and the Norfolk&Southern Railroad Company currently has to the City's petition for a new railroad crossing in the Midwest Industrial Park. He said the City and the Economic Development Corp. had requested that new railroad crossing and had been confronted with opposition by the Norfolk & Southern Railroad and INDOT because of safety concerns that every additional railroad crossing has more safety concerns.He said during that discussion,it was stated that they might not be opposed to adding the railroad if the City could find another one to close. Therefore,when this came about,it seemed to go hand in hand,Bever said. Bever said that is why Ordinance No. 101 — 1999, with the petition by the administration, is to close that portion of 6th Street as well as to close that crossing.He said members of the City Engineering Department have talked to property owners within that area, trying to set the stage knowing that there will be much discussion about this.He said all of this would come out at the next meeting. Jim Quigg, president of the Richmond Baking Company, explained that his company had been here for almost 100 years and is in a posture where it needs to expand. He said they have more than 100 employees now and the company is probably the oldest, if not one of the oldest, locally owned manufacturing companies in the City. Giving some background, Quigg said the company has been located in central Richmond ever since they started when they were only a block from their present location where they moved in 1920. He said the problem they have had in expansion is that their ovens go east and west and going west isn't possible because of Cardinal Greenway. He said he had never thought of going east with their expansion until he and the Mayor had their initial conversation about the North 6th Street crossing.He said it is so vital to his company because the ovens go east and west. He said they are traveling band ovens and most ovens in bakeries are 300 feet long and because of the limitations in their size,their longest oven is 140 feet and most of their competitors have 300-foot ovens. That, Quigg said, makes it critical that his company has to somehow to go toward the east with its extension, so when this North 6th Street situation came up they immediately saw an opportunity to perhaps expand in that direction.He said there is another side issue as far as parking because most of their parking is on the north side of Bridge Avenue and their employees park there and getting across Bridge Avenue, especially where North 6th Street intersects with it,they"take their life in hand."He added that this would give them much more parking space,also. President Welch said Ordinance No. 101 — 1999 would be held on first reading and would come back on second reading at Council's meeting December 6, when a full public meeting will be held on it. • Councilmember Parker asked what date would the special Plan Commission Meeting be held and Bever answered that it would be December 2. SECOND READING AND ENGROSSMENT ORDINANCE NO. 87—1999 The Clerk read Ordinance No. 87— 1999—A SPECIAL ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING MAP AT 412 AND 418 NATIONAL ROAD WEST AND 121 SOUTHWEST 5TH STREET, RICHMOND, INDIANA President Welch commented on the letter Councilmembers had received from Bob Goodwin, director of Planning,explaining the public hearing conducted by the Richmond Advisory Plan Commission Thursday, October 28, 1999. In it, he stated that Robert J. Mendenhall and Barbara Chaplin, owners of True Value Hardware, were requesting a rezoning from R-3 One to Eight Family Residence District to C-2 Commercial District,.He said notices were delivered to 16 surrounding property owners with one comment returned in support and none returned in opposition. He said the Plan Commission voted 9 in favor,with none opposed,and 2 absent,to recommend the approval of the ordinance. Common Council Meeting Cont'd November 15, 1999 Page 6 President Welch announced that Ordinance No. 87— 1999 was on public hearing. Speaking in favor of the ordinance was John Mendenhall, the owner of Mendenhall True Value on the corner which is currently zoned commercial and would like the other properties surrounding it to be zoned the same for future plans. In answer to a question by Councilmember Elstro as to whether or not there were plans right now, Mendenhall said there were none. However, he said, eventually down the road they had plans for a larger building,but there are no set plans right now. There being no other comments either for or against the ordinance, Councilmember Elstro moved for engrossment,second by Councilmember Hutton and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote. Councilmember Hutton moved to suspend the rules and advance Ordinance No. 87— 1999 to third and final reading and read by title only,second by Councilmember Allen and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote. The Clerk read Ordinance No. 87—1999 on third reading. Ordinance No. 87—1999 was adopted on the following roll call: Ayes:Elstro,Dickman,Hutton,Allen,Rice,Parker and Welch(7) Nays:None. ORDINANCES ON THIRD READING There were none. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Councilmember Rice,directing his comments in regard to the work going on at Glen Miller Golf Course,to Stan Lambert, said he had noticed the cart paths and gravel are getting done as well as much of the other things. He commended the employees for their fine work and President Welch added his.appreciation, stating that he,along with Councilmember Rice also enjoys that course. CALL FOR ADJOURNMENT There being no further business,on a motion duly made,seconded and passed,the meeting was adjourned. Bing Welch,President ATTEST: Norma Schroeder,Clerk