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HomeMy Public PortalAbout06-28-1999 PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND,INDIANA,MONDAY,JUNE 28,1999 The Common Council of the City of Richmond,Indiana met in regular session at 7:30 p.m. Monday, June 28, 1999, in the Council Chambers in said City. President Bing Welch presided with the following Councilmembers present: Howard "Jack" Elstro, Etta Lundy, Robert Dickman, Geneva "Gene" Allen, Dennis R. Rice Sr., Bruce Wissel and Larry Parker. Sarah "Sally" Hutton was absent. The following business was conducted: PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE PRAYER BY COUNCILMEMBER ALLEN ROLL CALL Eight present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Councilmember Rice moved to approve the minutes of the June 7, 1999 meeting on a motion, second by Councilmember Allen and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote. President Welch recognized students in the audience from two government classes at Centerville High School and thanked them for their attendance. PRESENTATION OF REMONSTRANCES, PETITIONS, MEMORIALS, INTRODUCTIONS, MOTIONS AND PUBLIC COMMENTS There were none. COMMUNICATION FROM THE MAYOR Mayor Dennis Andrews commented on the document he distributed to Councilmembers prior to the beginning of the meeting, which was, entitled "Main Street Bridge Evaluation Study." He said he knows the community is focused on the work being done on the new bridge which is about a$6.5 million project, adding that there are a couple of things he would like to say about the new bridge. First, he said, that new bridge is still anticipated for completion in the spring of 2000,which would be about 10 months from now. He said he wanted to address the project to have some public discussion about and the first is why the state is building a completely new bridge as opposed to renovating the existing bridge.He said that was what he had asked in 1995 and the response was that the old bridge did not just need a new deck but refurbishing to the structure beneath the deck as well as the deck being removed.He added that because of the extent of the replacement and renovation that was required it actually was thought to be cost effective to have a new one. He said the second factor that the state considered in making that decision was that the City would be without a bridge for about a 11/2 to 2-year period. The Mayor addressed the traffic flow. He said as this project unfolds there would be four lanes of traffic extending across the new bridge and that both east and westbound U.S. 40 traffic would now extend straight across the Gorge Park and south of the jail. He added that the westbound traffic, which now curls around the City Building and goes across the existing bridge would, when the new bridge is opened, need to extend south between the Wayne County Courthouse and the existing jail to join the four lanes of traffic. Therefore, the merger intersection, which is currently at the juncture just west of the City Building, would be moved south a block and the county had to give space to make room for that. The second part of that design, he said, was not fully supported by those who had been involved in traffic engineering or traffic safety studies,that this new bridge would be at grade with the CSX Railroad.He said that track would, in the future, possibly be abandoned but it currently has been used one or two times a week. He said the use of that railroad is not thought to be an impediment or significant to the traffic flow, but nevertheless it is very unusual for new crossings to be created. He said it was something that was generated by another $1 million plus that would have been required with the grade not to align with the crossing. He said he thinks this would surprise many citizens within this community when four lanes of traffic would be stopped on the new bridge when the gates go down. Commenting on the information distributed about the existing bridge, Mayor Andrews said the City had taken the position with the State that the existing bridge would come down when the new bridge was finished.However,expecting that when the time came for the bridge to come down,the public would have many questions about that and secondly, that the City has experienced a significant amount of additional traffic partly because of the uptown redevelopment and partly because of the overall upswing of the economy the City wanted to take a second independent look as to whether or not the old bridge could be saved. Common Council Minutes Cont'd June 28, 1999 Page 2 He added that he supposed if there was any previous position at all about having a second look taken by bridge engineers of the existing bridge it would have been grounded by the thought that even if it was not safe to restructure or too costly to keep as a four-lane bridge maybe it would be less costly and doable to keep it as a two-lane for traffic only perhaps to connect west Richmond to the uptown area without dropping down to National Road.He said this report from Cole Engineers shows on Page 6 a figure of$4.4 million to refurbish the structure itself which primarily pertains to completely removing the deck and by replacing some amounts of the under carriage that needs to be replaced to make it completely face for the future.He said the City was actually hoping that the figure would be significantly less than that. The Mayor pointed out the recommendation of Cole was that due to the deterioration that the structure be demolished in accordance to the wishes of the State. He added that this report is similar to what the State had, with updated numbers, and the conclusion must be the same. However, he said, the administration wanted to take this information after having made it public and plan to meet with the county and the state and revisit this issue with this information. He said his larger report would be on file at Morrisson-Reeves Library, the main floor of the City Building and, he said, he would direct those having questions to City Engineer Bob Wiwi. (The file is also available in the City Clerk's office.) Councilmember Dickman asked if demolition is the end result would the state be responsible for that. The Mayor answered that he believed it would be and that is another thing to add to the discussion with the State. He said he thought the cost originally estimated for demolition was less than what is illustrated by Cole. He said one of the things that is in the contract and in the speculations right now is for an overlook but the City's transportation study is not to just look at the old bridge and evaluate it but to look at the Starr/Gennett valley,the hard surface trails,the new bridge,the jail and the uptown which meant looking at all the transportation needs in that area were changing and what had to be done locally to be pro-active and to incorporate that into a transportation plan to take to Indianapolis and ask for federal funding.He said the existing agreement only talks about an overlook and the City might not be what Richmond might want so the administration wanted to get into that in discussion. The Mayor said the City wants to examine quite intently what the State is intending as an overlook. Councilmember Elstro asked about the walks on the new bridge and the Mayor responded that at one point the final construction documents from the State showed a corridor and the City had originally petitioned the state to have a see-through railing so the Gorge could be seen and they had agreed to that. However, the final plans did not show that. However, through the help of the Greenfield office of INDOT to get the railing changed so that it was a see-through railing. He said this really is a deck with a three-foot inner protective wall and the see-through railing. He said it creates some additional challenges for snow removal and for the traffic portion.He said some of those issues have not been completely resolved. President Welch said he had only one question in looking at the conclusions of the consultant where they talked about the wingwalls. He said those are imbedded into the limestone cliff on both the east and west side, particularly on the west side it sits over the Sim Hodgin Parkway and just above that, the City has a major sewer trunk line going down through that limestone. He said his fear is that if those wingwalls are removed and that limestone wall starts to come down the City will not only lose the road but a major trunkline to the Sanitation Department. He said he's hoping the State would take a long look at what might happen there if they start demolishing the old bridge. Councilmember Lundy commented that she remembered when the City first talked with INDOT about the bridge and the price they set aside for the tearing down of the bridge does not even begin to come close to the $4 million. She said they said to us at that time if the City did keep the bridge they would give x- amount of dollars then it would be the City's to maintain from then on. She said if the City decides to keep it,it would be a major undertaking. The Mayor said that is essentially the position INDOT is expressing today and the only thing the State would contribute would be whatever the amount of the demolition was of the existing bridge. REPORTS FROM CITY DEPARTMENTS Giving an update on the Richmond Parks &Recreation Department was Superintendent Stanton Lambert who said he wanted to share with the Council the department's 1999 goals, adding that he had also provided a copy of the 1998 year-end report in the Councilmembers'packets. He said the goals for 1999 which were set included (a) To begin the construction phase for the Whitewater River Gorge trail components consisting of the Cardinal Greenway and the Gorge Trail sections; (b) Activate the department's dormant foundation fund within the Wayne County Foundation to develop additional long range community support for the department; (c) Complete the department's five-year master plan update; (d) Complete planning for infrastructure renovation funded through a general obligation bond for Glen Miller which includes removing the existing tennis court facility and construct a new one, remove the existing concession and rest room building and construct a new one, remove the existing playground and construct a new one and add additional office space to the existing office building and in Clear Creek Park to renovate the existing Cordell Pool facility; and (e) Complete a capital asset management plan for the City. Common Council Minutes Cont'd June 28, 1999 Page 3 Continuing,Lambert said final plans have been submitted for the Cardinal Greenway to INDOT.Two right of way issues,he said,with CSX Railroad are being worked out and INDOT will set the bid letting date for later this year. And, he said, final plans have also been submitted to INDOT for the Gorge Trail and a bid letting date has been set for October. In the planning phase is goal number two and Park Board members are working with the staff to put a structure into place to create an active organization to support parks and recreation within the community. He added that this goal would also serve as a long-range strategy to address infrastructure, facility and programming needs and demands through non-tax revenue supported means. Lambert said the five-year master plan update was begun last year in anticipation to tying in with the City comprehensive plan and with the completion of that in late 1998, the department will re-start its update effort in the second half of this year with meetings on that issue to begin in July. He said a park capital improvement work plan was developed to address the needs for goal number four and presented to Council and the Park Board in the April meetings.He said the Board approved the plan and authorized development of preliminary cost estimates to set the scope of the plan to be funded within the limits of the recently paid- off park bond. Estimates have been received at this time, he said, and the scope of work as it stands now will cover the following: The renovation of the existing Cordell Pool facility in Clear Creek Park; the removal and construction of the playground in Glen Miller Park as well as the removal and construction of the tennis courts and the removal and construction of restroom/concession building. He said the additional office space was cut from the plan but funding sources are still being investigated to enable this item to be completed. He said the Board has begun the preliminary steps to sell bonds to fund these projects by passing initial resolutions to begin the process. The bonding process, he said, would be completed by the end of the year barring no remonstrance by the community. An ordinance to sell bonds, he said, will be brought before Council in late fall for final approval and project construction could begin in the spring of 2000 with plans for completion by the end of the year. Addressing goal number five,Lambert said this is an important project and although it is not readily visible to the public it is significant due to the improvement in effectively managing the department's capital assets that will be possible due to the information that will be available from this plan. He said assets ranging from equipment to land and facilities are being inventoried and assessed as to their condition, life span and replacement costs.Management decisions,he said,can be based on information provided within the capital assets plan when planning for park facility maintenance,park improvements and budgeting. An example of this,he said,is the equipment rotation plan would be able to be pulled out of this capital assets management plan. He said the plan would be an ongoing project to keep it up to date and it will tie into the finance department's new accounting system and the G.I.S. being created for the City through the Public Works and Engineering Department. Commenting on the status of this project at this time, Lambert said the inventory of equipment has been completed and permanent identification of equipment is in progress and will be completed later this year. He said the inventory of land,permanent improvements and facilities will begin later this year and possibly run into next year, adding that collation of information of all the inventory process is being done as it is collected. Completed goals and projects in 1999, he said, include the implementation of the 1998 golf division re- organization plan,replacement of the lighting on Roosevelt Hill will be completed by the end of this week in time for July 4 fireworks, Glen Miller Park will be targeted this year for the paving of roads and the project will begin in the fall, installation of wingwalls on Glen Miller bridges and the paving of the front section of Rose Garden Drive is currently in the process of being done,improvements of McBride Stadium have been made, construction of a new golf maintenance barn is also in progress with completion date set for this fall,rehabilitation of the maintenance building in Bicentennial Park was completed earlier this year with only painting yet to be done, and installation of French drains in the softball field at Clear Creek Park was completed last week. In the programming area of the Parks & Recreation Department Lambert said Just Us Kids Outdoors (J.U.K.0) saw a registration this year which passed the 350 number for 1998 with three weeks into the program.He said junior golf has had 88 participants, adding that this is the first year the City has managed that program. Other new programs put into effect in 1999 included "Week-end Women" which was a program designed for women to teach them outdoor recreation skills. Also "Outdoor Adventure," a program designed for middle school children. He said they would be using volunteers from the RHS basketball team and some students from the 21st Century Scholar program at IU East. He said the Easter Extravaganza this year topped 2500 in attendance and that program keeps growing and growing.He added that the outdoors family movie series began last Saturday evening with 120 people attending despite the rain.He said three more movies are scheduled for this summer. REPORT FROM BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS AND SAFETY The minutes of the meeting of May 27,June 3 and June 10, 1999 were in the Council packets. Common Council Minutes Cont'd June 28, 1999 Page 4 REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES REPORTS FROM SPECIAL COMMITTEES REPORTS FROM ORGANIZATIONS MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS ORDINANCES ON FIRST READING Councilmember Elstro moved to suspend the rules and read Ordinances No. 44, 50, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56 and 57 — 1999 on first reading and read by title only, second by Councilmember Parker. However, President Welch commented that before the vote is taken he wanted to note that Ordinance No. 44 — 1999 was amended and was on first reading at Council's meeting July 7, which means it does not have to be read on first reading again. However, he said, the amendment that was made at the last meeting was to add the $120,000 in manufacturing equipment and he had noticed that in the new ordinance Councilmembers received in their packets that the SB 1 form was not amended. Therefore, he said, with Council's approval he would pencil in the$120,000 into the signature copy. Council voted unanimously to approve the motion made by Councilmember Elstro excluding Ordinance No.44—1999. ORDINANCE NO.50—1999 The Clerk read Ordinance No. 50 — 1999 — AN APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATIONS TO CERTAIN FUNDS Deputy Controller Ann Cottongim explained that this ordinance deals with additional appropriations for the Cumulative Capital Improvement Fund is to appropriate$88,000 which is the remaining cash balance that was in this fund as of December 1, 1998. She said no new projects have been identified,it is just the dollars that were not encumbered by year end and this is a reverting fund which means the Council needs to approve the appropriation so those projects not completed during that year can be completed. Councilmember Elstro moved to suspend the rules and advance Ordinance No.50— 1999 to second reading and read by title only, second by Councilmember Wissel and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote. The Clerk read Ordinance No.50—1999 on second reading. President Welch declared Ordinance No. 50— 1999 on public hearing. 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 unanimous voice vote. Councilmember Wissel moved to suspend the rules and advance Ordinance No. 50— 1999 to third and final reading and read by title only, second by Councilmember Lundy and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote. The Clerk read Ordinance No.50—1999 on third reading. Ordinance No.50—1999 was adopted on the following call of the roll: Ayes:Elstro,Lundy,Dickman,Allen,Rice,Wissel,Parker and Welch(8) Nays:None Absent:Hutton ORDINANCE NO.52—1999 The Clerk read Ordinance No. 52 — 1999 — AN APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATIONS TO CERTAIN FUNDS Explaining this ordinance, Cottongim said this additional appropriation is for the Law Enforcement Aid Fund and deals with the auction proceeds that were received to be used to upgrade the equipment for the S.W.A.T. team and also to upgrade the mug shot photo system to make it Y2K compliant.President Welch commented that the $58,000 figure in the ordinance is incorrect, noting that it should be $5,800 and Cottongim agreed that was the correct total. Councilmember Rice moved to amend the ordinance to read the corrected amount of $5,800, second by Councilmember Dickman and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote. Councilmember Dickman moved to suspend the rules and advance Ordinance No. 52 — 1999 to second reading and read by title only, second by Councilmember Rice and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote. Common Council Minutes Cont'd June 28, 1999 Page 5 The Clerk read Ordinance No.52—1999 on second reading. President Welch declared Ordinance No. 52—1999 on public hearing. There being no comments either for or against the ordinance, Councilmember Wissel moved for engrossment, second by Councilmember Parker and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote. Councilmember Lundy moved to suspend the rules and advance Ordinance No. 52— 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.52—1999 on third reading. Ordinance No.52— 1999 was adopted on the following call of the roll: Ayes:Elstro,Lundy,Dickman, Allen,Rice,Wissel,Parker and Welch(8) Nays:None Absent:Hutton ORDINANCE NO.53—1999 The Clerk read Ordinance No. 53 — 1999—AN APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE SUBMITTAL, ACCEPTANCE, AND APPROPRIATION OF A GRANT FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Major Chuck Klein of the Richmond Police Department explained that the department had been notified of - a law enforcement block grant for $18,075 and this is a request for the Board's approval to apply for it. President Welch asked if this is for the in-car video systems and Major Klein responded that that is correct. Councilmember Dickman moved to suspend the rules and advance Ordinance No. 53 — 1999 to second 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.53—1999 on second reading. President Welch declared Ordinance No. 53— 1999 on public hearing. There being no comments either for or against the ordinance, Councilmember Wissel moved for engrossment, second by Councilmember Rice and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote. Councilmember Rice moved to suspend the rules and advance Ordinance No. 53 — 1999 to third and final reading and read by title only, second by Councilmember Dickman and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote. The Clerk read Ordinance No.53—1999 on third reading. Ordinance No.53— 1999 was adopted on the following call of the roll: Ayes:Elstro,Lundy,Dickman,Allen,Rice,Wissel,Parker and Welch(8) Nays:None Absent:Hutton ORDINANCE NO.54—1999 The Clerk read Ordinance No. 54— 1999—AN APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE SUBMITTAL, ACCEPTANCE, AND APPROPRIATION OF A GRANT FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Major Klein also explained this ordinance, stating that in December 1998 the department was notified of the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Act of 1998 which states the Department of Justice will pay up to 50 percent of the cost of bulletproof vests for each and every officer on the department. He said this ordinance deals with a request for Council's approval to submit that grant hoping to receive the grant of $21,174.61. Councilmember Rice said if this grant is not awarded this would have to come out of the General Fund or the Police Department budget and Major Klein concurred,adding that the money is budgeted. Since there is a 5-year life expectancy on the vests, Major Klein said most of the vests the officers are currently wearing expire later this year. Councilmember Rice said because 77 are purchased at one time, the price is a little lower,he asked if anyone goes out and offers to the smaller departments the purchase of those vests at that time.Major Klein responded that this grant act of 1998 focuses on the departments with 100,000 officers or less so those funds are available to each and every department. Common Council Minutes Cont'd June 28, 1999 Page 6 Councilmember Dickman moved to suspend the rules and advance Ordinance No. 54 — 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.54—1999 on second reading. President Welch declared Ordinance No. 54— 1999 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 unanimous voice vote. Councilmember Dickman moved to suspend the rules and advance Ordinance No. 54— 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.54—1999 on third reading. Ordinance No.54—1999 was adopted on the following call of the roll: Ayes:Elstro,Lundy,Dickman,Allen,Rice,Wissel,Parker and Welch(8) Nays:None Absent:Hutton ORDINANCE NO.55—1999 The Clerk read Ordinance No. 55 — 1999 — 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 Allen explained that Transilwrap Co. Inc. had requested a 10-year abatement on new manufacturing equipment in the amount of$225,000. She said the request would be reviewed by the Tax Abatement Review Committee and be brought back on second reading at Council's next meeting. ORDINANCE NO.56—1999 The Clerk read Ordinance No. 56 — 1999 — 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 Allen stated that Alusuisse Composites Inc. had requested a 10-year abatement for the manufacturing equipment costing $5,425,000, adding that this also would be reviewed by the committee and come back on second reading at Council's next meeting. President Welch said this ordinance also would come back on second at Council's next meeting. ORDINANCE NO.57—1999 The Clerk read Ordinance No. 57 — 1999 — AN APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 1999 BUDGET City Attorney requested that this ordinance be carried over on first reading because of the absence of the Department Head. ORDINANCES ON SECOND READING AND ENGROSSMENT ORDINANCE NO.40—1999 The Clerk read Ordinance No. 40 — 1999 — 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 Allen said this ordinance would be held on second reading until more information is received. ORDINANCE NO.44—1999 The Clerk read (Amended) Ordinance No. 44— 1999—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 28, 1999 Page 7 Councilmember Bistro said he had talked with Eric Barnes at the Hoosier Container Corp. at 1001 Indiana Ave. noting that the total amount would be for$1,254,000 with$120,000 earmarked for a new press with the remainder going for 40,000 square feet of warehousing and manufacturing. He said if business goes well they will possibly be back for another addition in another three years. President Welch declared Ordinance No. 44— 1999 on public hearing. There being no comments either for or against the ordinance, Councilmember Dickman moved for engrossment, second by Councilmember Allen and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote. Councilmember Dickman moved to suspend the rules and advance Ordinance No. 44 — 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 Amended Ordinance No.44—1999 on third reading. Amended Ordinance No.44—1999 was adopted on the following call of the roll: Ayes:Elstro,Lundy,Dickman,Allen,Rice,Wissel,Parker and Welch(8) Nays:None Absent:Hutton ORDINANCE NO.45—1999 The Clerk read Ordinance No. 45 — 1999 — 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 Allen said she had visited with Jerry Benjamin at Elevator Equipment Corp. and learned they would be building, at a cost of$2 million,a new building which will be a machining center which will house another million dollars worth of equipment. She said they have hired seven additional plant people since the first of the year and promote from within. She said they manufacture hydraulic electrical systems and component supplies as well as complete elevator systems. She said the additional equipment and space will hopefully enable the company to hire 80 additional people to the existing 40. President Welch declared Ordinance No.45— 1999 on public hearing. 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 unanimous voice vote. Councilmember Rice moved to suspend the rules and advance Ordinance No. 45 — 1999 to third and final reading and read by title only, second by Councilmember Dickman and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote. The Clerk read Ordinance No.45—1999 on third reading. Ordinance No.45— 1999 was adopted on the following call of the roll: Ayes:Elstro,Lundy,Dickman, Allen,Rice,Wissel,Parker and Welch(8) Nays:None Absent:Hutton ORDINANCE NO.46—1999 The Clerk read Ordinance No. 46 — 1999 — 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 Allen explained that this is a request made by Enviro Finishing of Indiana Inc. for a 10- year abatement on new manufacturing equipment, adding that since no contact had been made because of the unavailability of a representative of the company she suggested this be held until Council's next meeting. ORDINANCE NO.48—1999 The Clerk read Ordinance No. 48 — 1999 — 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 Parker explained that this is a request by Benchmark Graphics Inc. for a 10-year tax abatement on $100,000 worth of new equipment, adding three new employees. He traced their progress through the years which has brought them to their present location on Industrial Parkway.He said they are adding a four-color printing press which is their eighth press being installed for the manufacture of labels. Common Council Minutes Cont'd June 28, 1999 Page 8 Councilmember Lundy questioned the difference in salaries they have now and the new proposed position and Councilmember Parker explained that when they first hire someone they have had no experience so they have to train them how to operate the equipment and as soon as they become a qualified operator the wage is jumped up.He noted that the average wage there is$10 to$11 per hour. President Welch declared Ordinance No.48—1999 on public hearing. There being no comments either for or against the ordinance, Councilmember Rice moved for engrossment, second by Councilmember Allen and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote. Councilmember Wissel moved to suspend the rules and advance Ordinance No.48— 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.48—1999 on third reading. Ordinance No.48— 1999 was adopted on the following call of the roll: Ayes:Elstro,Lundy,Dickman,Allen,Rice,Wissel,Parker and Welch(8) Nays:None Absent:Hutton ORDINANCES ON THIRD READING There were none. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Councilmember Wissel commented that this is Cottongim's last meeting since she is leaving the Controller's office and will be relocating to Highland Heights,Ohio. 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