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HomeMy Public PortalAbout04-19-1999 PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND,INDIANA,MONDAY,APRIL 19,1999 The Common Council of the City of Richmond, Indiana met in regular session at 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 19, 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 ELSTRO ROLL CALL Nine present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Councilmember Wissel approved the minutes of the April 5, 1999 meeting on a motion, second by Councilmember Parker and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote. PRESENTATION OF REMONSTRANCES, PETITIONS, MEMORIALS, INTRODUCTIONS, MOTIONS AND PUBLIC COMMENTS RESOLUTION NO.1-1999 The Clerk read Resolution No. 1 — 1999 — A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITYOF RICHMOND,INDIANA PROVIDING PRELIMINARY APPROVAL OF THE ISSUANCE OF BONDS FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING FINANCING OF CERTAIN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FACILITIES City Attorney Bob Bever explained this is an Economic Development revenue bond financing application from Elevator Equipment Corp. He said it is similar to what has been done in the past with Marvel, Productivity and Holland Colors whereby the financing mechanism does not create any general obligation of the City.He said tonight's action is just an inducement, which is not final action.He said earlier tonight the Economic Development Commission passed their portion of what is necessary for this resolution to approve this project and this leaves it now in Council's hands at this time. Then, as they get more of their financial documents in order for review, at possibly Council's next meeting or by at least two more meetings,final action could be taken. Robert Delaney, attorney representing Elevator Equipment Corp., explained that he is here before Council tonight with Jerry Benjamin, vice president and CEO of the local corporation. Delaney explained that this is the second of actually five steps that are needed.He said from here,this has to go to the state, which has already approved the cap as $2.7 million, then it comes back for final approval from the Economic Development Commission followed by the final approval of this Council. He said he has provided a brochure,which reviews the project involved,adding that this corporation is kind of an unknown in the City.He pointed out the location of their building on North West 12th Street on a map provided each member of the Council. He said that is where the present 26,000 square foot facility is located and the plan is to add a 62,500 square foot facility for manufacturing and approximately 7,000 feet for office space in addition to$750,000 worth of equipment. Delaney talked about the history of the corporation,stating that it was founded in 1946,actually two plants, one here and one in California. He said when the initial application was made they had 40 employees but they are ready to rapidly grow, adding that they are projecting to triple their work force to add another 80 people in the next 30 years. He said several people have been added since that initial application. Delaney said this corporation sells component parts to all the major elevator operator companies in this country and they operate in many foreign countries. He said the jobs being added are mostly manufacture, although it does require some support personnel, and will be in the$12 range plus $3 of economic benefits and health insurance.He said it is projected that their payroll will add about$1.9 million to the community. He asked that Council approve the economic revenue development bonds at this second stage. Councilmember Dickman moved for adoption of the resolution, second by Councilmember Hutton and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote. COMMUNICATION FROM THE MAYOR REPORTS FROM CITY DEPARTMENTS Common Council Minutes Cont'd April 19, 1999 Page 2 • REPORT FROM BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS AND SAFETY Minutes of the meetings of March 25 and April 1, 1999,•were in the Council packets. Councilmember Hutton asked the Mayor about the discussion at the last Board of Works meeting about the closing of South West lst Street. Mayor Andrews said when the project was started the City had a verbal commitment from the Indiana Department of Transportation that Sim Hodgin would not be closed at the same time the Boulevard would be closed.He said the City was notified early last week that that had changed and the intention was for the upper area, including the Boulevard, to be closed this week and remain closed in order that the two contractors would be able to have the Boulevard open at the beginning of school in the fall. A part of that closure,he said,was 1st Street from Main to D Street.He said he met with City Engineer Wiwi and INDOT Friday and asked them to look at this again. He said he had expressed his concerns to INDOT and he expects them to get back with him this week. He added that this is something within their authority to do if they choose to proceed. He said north access to Hub Etchison Parkway would not be possible from National Road. REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES There were none. REPORTS FROM SPECIAL COMMITTEES There were none. REPORTS FROM ORGANIZATIONS MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS President Welch reminded Councilmembers to meet at the Mendenhall parking lot at 10 a.m. Saturday to participate in Operation Clean Sweep sponsored by the Richmond/Wayne County Chamber of Commerce. President Welch said two appointments to the Telecommunications Council had been discussed at the last meeting, commenting that William Sponsel had agreed to continue to serve and Tom Valentine had agreed to become a member of that council. Councilmember Rice moved to appoint both to terms on the Telecommunications Council, second by Councilmember Dickman and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote.President Welch asked Clerk Norma Schroeder to notify both men,commenting that since this is Sponsel's second term it would be for four years and Valentine's would be for three. ORDINANCES ON FIRST READING Councilmember Elstro moved to suspend the rules and read Ordinances No. 34 and 37 — 1999 on first reading by title only, second by Councilmember Parker and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote. ORDINANCE NO.34—1999 The Clerk read Ordinance No. 34— 1999—A SPECIAL ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING MAP FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 2301 CHESTER BOULEVARD,RICHMOND,INDIANA President Welch announced that this ordinance would be referred to the Planning Commission and come back to Council the first meeting in May. ORDINANCE NO. 37—1999 The Clerk read Ordinance No. 37 — 1999—AN APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE AND APPROPRIATION OF A GRANT FROM THE CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE David Hogg,representing the Retired Senior Volunteer Program, explained that his ordinance is necessary because the grant supplies most of the operating budget for the program. He said this is the 17th year for this, adding that the RSVP is under the Parks and Recreation Department and is for seniors 55 and above who volunteer in Richmond and Wayne County. He said there are currently 650 volunteers who give over 80,000 hours in most every non-profit organization within the City. Councilmember Hutton moved to suspend the rules and advance Ordinance No. 37 — 1999 to second reading and read by title only, second by Councilmember Elstro and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote. Common Council Minutes Cont'd April 19, 1999 Page 3 The Clerk read Ordinance No. 37—1999 on second reading. President Welch declared Ordinance No. 37— 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 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 Rice and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote. The Clerk read Ordinance No. 37—1999 on third reading. Ordinance No. 37—1999 was adopted on the following call of the roll: Ayes:Elstro,Lundy,Dickman,Hutton,Allen,Rice,Wissel,Parker and Welch(9) Nays:None • ORDINANCES ON SECOND READING AND ENGROSSMENT ORDINANCE NO.36—1999 The Clerk read Ordinance No. 36 — 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 Lundy explained that she had visited the Dana Machining Plant and met with Jeff Sutter, the plant manager and Tom Eagle,the controller. She said both went with her on a tour of the plant where the new machinery is being added. She said Dana is asking for a 10-year abatement on new equipment and some was purchased in January 1999 at a cost of$2.5 million. She said other equipment is scheduled to arrive late in August at a cost of$4 million,making the total investment$6.5 million. She said since January of 1997 Dana has employed 75 new people. She said she wanted to clarify the statement about the jobs on the request,explaining that it says this is going to create 70 jobs. Out of the 70, she said,23 have already been filled by the new equipment in January,there are 10 people who are laid off who will be brought back and that leaves a total of 37 new jobs created by the equipment and they expect to have those filled by December 1999.She said Dana has good salaries and health care plans. Eagle stepped forward and spoke in favor of the ordinance, stating that he had been at the local company here just two months and he appreciated the consideration for the abatement. There being no further 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 Rice moved to suspend the rules and advance Ordinance No. 36— 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. 36—1999 on third reading. Ordinance No. 36— 1999 was adopted on the following call of the roll: Ayes:Elstro,Lundy,Dickman,Hutton,Allen,Rice,Wissel,Parker and Welch(9) I Nays:None 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. Bing Welch,President ATTEST: Norma Schroeder,Clerk