Loading...
HomeMy Public PortalAbout05-03-1999 PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND,INDIANA,MONDAY,MAY 3,1999 The Common Council of the City of Richmond, Indiana met in regular session at 7:30 p.m. Monday, May 3, 1999, in the Council Chambers in said City. President Bing Welch presided with the following Councilmembers present: Howard "Jack" Elstro, Etta Lundy, Robert Dickman, Sarah "Sally" Hutton, Geneva "Gene" Allen, Dennis R. Rice Sr., Bruce Wissel and Larry Parker. The following business was conducted: PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE PRAYER BY COUNCILMEMBER LUNDY ROLL CALL Nine present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Councilmember Hutton moved to approve the minutes of the April 19, 1999 meeting on a motion, second by Councilmember Wissel and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote. PRESENTATION OF REMONSTRANCES, PETITIONS, MEMORIALS, INTRODUCTIONS, MOTIONS AND PUBLIC COMMENTS COMMUNICATION FROM THE MAYOR Mayor Dennis Andrews expressed his appreciation to State Senator Allen Paul and State Representative Richard Bodiker for their help in acquiring Build Indiana money for $350,000 for McBride Stadium. He also thanked Lori Casterton, the grants writer for the City, and Police Chief Bill Shake, for their work in getting the $400,000 criminal justice grant that would allow officers to work more swiftly and safely. Another area, he said, was Bodiker's efforts of getting the $200,000 for the general infrastructure to be used in the area of the greatest need, as well as the $50,000 for the in-car police videos which will supply 50 for use in the police cars. The Mayor also commented on the 1999 Beautification Program, noting that there are several components which include cleaning up the alleys by the Richmond Department of Sanitation; mini grants designed to encourage public right of way improvements; the corridor beautification plan, aggressive infrastructure repairs, the recognition of cities and groups who contribute to the beautification effort by the Richmond Civics Council,and to encourage individual citizens to clean up and to beautify by picking up trash,pulling weeds and planting flowers. City Controller Shelley Miller, explaining the curb and sidewalk expenditures said that in 1996, the $42,169.10 for the curbs and sidewalks work was expensed from the Motor Vehicle Highway's concrete account. Other expenditures in 1997, she said, totaled $44,440.58; in 1998 it was $220,924.90 and in the 1999 budget it is$374,334.00. City Engineer Bob Wiwi explained the long range plan for the residential concrete curb and sidewalk work would be concentrated around the school areas, saying that public safety is the primary concern in getting the work done. He also stated that these lists were developed after meeting with the neighborhood associations and getting their input. Street Division Manager Bill Smith distributed the proposed 1999 paving list,explaining where the areas of work would be done. The 1999 Beautification Program, the curb and sidewalk expenditures, the long-range plan for residential concrete curb and sidewalk from 1999 through 2003, the 1999 Proposed Concrete Projects and the Proposed 1999 Paving List are all on file in their entirety in the City Clerk's office. Mayor Andrews said the maps distributed to Councilmembers which show the areas in which the work will be done will also be on display in the main lobby of the City Building. Councilmember Lundy commended the Engineering and Street Division on the long-range plan and President Welch requested that particular attention be paid in having the utilities put the streets back in as good or better condition after their work is completed. Wiwi said a list had been provided to all the utilities so they can get their work done ahead of time, adding that this is a pro-active position on the part of the City. Councilmember Rice commented that the residents on Maple and Elm Drives had expressed their appreciation for the work that had been done in that area. REPORTS FROM CITY DEPARTMENTS Common Council Minutes Cont'd May 3, 1999 Page 2 REPORT FROM BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS AND SAFETY The minutes of the meeting of April 8, 1999 were in the Council packets. REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES There were none. REPORTS FROM SPECIAL COMMITTEES There were none. REPORTS FROM ORGANIZATIONS MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS President Welch read a letter from Deb Butterfield, CEO of the Richmond/Wayne County Chamber of Commerce,thanking the community for its participation in the Operation Clean Sweep project April 24. President Welch also explained that he had received a letter from Debbie Garcia which was sent April 22, requesting to be on Council's agenda and he had sent a response on April 29,relaying the information that she would be scheduled on the May 17 meeting's agenda. Mike Toschlog attempted to make comments from the audience,but President Welch explained to him that he had honored the five-day response time. ORDINANCES ON FIRST READING Councilmember Elstro moved to suspend the rules and read Ordinances No. 39 and 40 — 1999 on first reading by title only, and Ordinance No. 38— 1999 in its entirety, second by Councilmember Rice, and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote. ORDINANCE NO. 38 —1999 The Clerk read Ordinance No. 38 — 1999—AN APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF RICHMOND TO RECEIVE A DONATION "WHEREAS, the City of Richmond, Indiana, has the option of accepting or rejecting donations for a specific purpose;and "WHEREAS, the acceptance of a donation for a specific purpose constitutes the appropriation of such property for the intended purpose. "NOW, THEREFORE, be it ordained by the Common Council of the City of Richmond, Indiana, that a donation of Three Hundred Dollars ($300.00) made to the Parks and Recreation Department for Kid's Create"An Arbor Day Adventure"by Premdor and all other donations received for said event throughout the 1999 calendar year shall be accepted and gratefully acknowledged by the citizens of Richmond." Councilmember Elstro moved to suspend the rules and advance Ordinance No. 38— 1999 to second 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.38— 1999 on second reading. President Welch announced the Ordinance No. 38— 1999 was 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 Lundy moved to suspend the rules and advance Ordinance No. 37— 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. 38— 1999 on third reading. Ordinance No.38—1999 was adopted on the following call of the roll: Ayes:Elstro,Lundy,Dickman,Hutton,Allen,Rice,Wissel,Parker and Welch(9) Nays:None Common Council Minutes Cont'd May 3, 1999 Page 3 ORDINANCE NO. 39—1999 The Clerk read Ordinance No. 39 — 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 request made by Richmond Baking Co. for a tax abatement on $100,000 for new equipment. She said the request would be reviewed by the Tax Abatement Committee and would be brought back to Council at its next meeting. 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 explained that this ordinance deals with a request for a tax abatement for a 34,800 square foot steel building as a spec building project at 450 Industrial Parkway. She said this, too, would be reviewed and brought back to Council's next meeting. ORDINANCES ON SECOND READING AND ENGROSSMENT There were none. ORDINANCES ON THIRD READING There were none. UNFINISHED BUSINESS President Welch announced that Ordinances No. 33 and 34 — 1999 have been referred to the Planning Commission and should come back to Council at its next meeting. Mayor Andrews, commenting further on the multi-year cement plan, said he expects some form of public discussion either in a Committee-of-the-Whole or in with the administration in the Community Room. He added that the plan is to keep those maps on display at the Neighborhood Clearing House and open to public scrutiny. The Mayor also commented on the video tape which was made by the EDC along with the City, stating that it has been well received and the comments have been favorable. 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