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
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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
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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