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HomeMy Public PortalAbout04-05-1999 PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND,INDIANA,MONDAY,APRIL 5,1999 The Common Council of the City of Richmond,Indiana met in regular session at 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 5, 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 PRESIDENT WELCH ROLL CALL Nine present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Councilmember approved Wissel the minutes of the March 15, 1999 meeting on a motion, second by Councilmember Rice 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 offered some comments about the ordinance later in the meeting, which refers to the aquifer, thanking the members of the original committee who participated in reviewing this ordinance. He also thanked City Attorney Bob Bever for clarifying the language and bringing it current with the state law. Another are in which the Mayor said he would like to provide information concerns the asphalt and cement work within the City. He said City Engineer Bob Wiwi has compiled maps for 1996 through 1998 illustrating what asphalt work has been done and whether or not it has been done by contract or in-house. These maps also show the cement work, whether it has been done in a partnership program, in-house and the funding sources. It also addresses street trees, he said, adding that the information maps have been prepared to visually post in the Municipal Building and each Councilmember will have a copy of the maps as well as the proposed work for 1999. He said that information will be presented at the next Council meeting. REPORTS FROM CITY DEPARTMENTS REPORT FROM BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS AND SAFETY Minutes of the meetings of March 4, 11 and 18, 1999,were in the Council packets. REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES There were none. REPORTS FROM SPECIAL COMMITTEES There were none. REPORTS FROM ORGANIZATIONS Councilmember Parker said, as Council's representative to Reid Hospital, he had attended a Governor's conference on behalf of the hospital where they discussed the Board's responsibilities and duties. One of the things he learned,he said,was that the City and Reid Hospital is in pretty good shape compared to other parts of the United States. He said he learned, to his amazement that 47 percent of the health care nationwide is paid for by the U.S. Government through Medicare and Medicaid. He invited Councilmembers to look over the information he brought back from the conference. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS President Welch said he had talked with Bruce Lingenfelter and learned that he would be willing to be re- appointed to the Economic Development Commission. Councilmember Hutton so moved, second by Councilmember Dickman and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote. Common Council Minutes Cont'd April 5, 1999 Page 2 President Welch stated that there are two vacancies on the Telecommunications Council, which need to be filled due to expiration of the terms. He said he had talked with William Sponsel about serving another term and he has agreed to do so. Mary Ellen Donat, he said, is moving out of the City, adding that he had talked with Tom Valentine of 802 Henley Road who has a degree in telecommunications and who said he would be willing to fill that vacancy. Councilmember Dickman suggested that Council wait until its April 19 meeting to vote on filling those two vacancies. President Welch reminded Councilmembers again of the Operations Clean Sweep April 24 and the designated for Council to clean on North West 5th Street,noting the time would be from 10 a.m.to 2 p.m. Councilmember Hutton commented that she had a public service announcement concerning recycling and proceeded to announce that on the west side of the City the recyclables were to be picked up last Friday which was the first Friday of the month. However, she said, they had not been picked up so she called the Sanitary District. She said she was told that last Friday was not the first Friday because it did not have a Tuesday in the week so this coming Friday will be the first Friday. And, she said, that means that those recyclables would be picked up on the second Friday, which is really the first Friday according to the Sanitary District. She continued, saying that it also means that on the third Friday, they won't be picking the recyclables up because it will really be the fourth Friday. Therefore, she said, in the future, anybody who has their recyclables picked up on either Wednesday, Thursday or Friday, if there is not a Tuesday in that week, it is not the first week. She said she realized it was confusing, but that is the way it was explained to her. President Welch wished Councilmember Allen a happy birthday. ORDINANCES ON FIRST READING Councilmember Elstro moved to suspend the rules and read Ordinances No. 35 and 36 — 1999 on first reading by title only, second by Councilmember Parker and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote. ORDINANCE NO.35—1999 The Clerk read Ordinance No. 35 - 1999—AN APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE SUBMITTAL, ACCEPTANCE, AND APPROPRIATION OF A GRANT FROM THE AREA 9 IN- HOME COMMUNITY SERVICES AGENCY Terri Quinter, operations manager for the Paratransit and Roseview Transit, commented that this grant the ordinance pertains to comes to Roseview Transit every year and is specifically stated for senior citizens 60 years of age and over or the disabled who are 60 years of age and under. She said in 1998 19,000 one-way trips were made just by the Paratransit, and to this date,they have been transporting 70 to 75 one-way trips per day, which is a small increase. She said there are currently 700 to 750 senior citizens and disabled registered in the City's disabled base and three-fourths of them, she said,are senior citizens. Quinter said this grant would allow them to ride on a donation basis because it is through Area 9. She said the disabled under 60 must pay the regular fare, but those over 60 may ride on a donation basis as do the senior citizens and that donation is 50 cents which most pay regularly. She said the $40,500 basically is designated to cover two drivers' salaries', adding that there are four full-time drivers and four vans with one as a backup. These, she said, operate from 6:15 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 10:15 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. on Saturday. She explained that the trips are figured on a one-way basis because many of the passengers either ride to their destination and someone else picks them up, or they only ride back to their homes. Councilmember Elstro moved to suspend the rules and advance Ordinance No. 35— 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. 35—1999 on second reading. President Welch declared Ordinance No. 35— 1999 on public hearing. There being no comments either for or against the ordinance,Councilmember Elstro moved for engrossment,second by Councilmember Wissel and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote. Councilmember Lundy moved to suspend the rules and advance Ordinance No. 35— 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. 35—1999 on third reading. Common Council Minutes Cont'd April 5, 1999 Page 3 Ordinance No. 35— 1999 was adopted on the following call of the roll: Ayes:Elstro,Lundy,Dickman,Hutton,Allen,Rice,Wissel,Parker and Welch(9) Nays:None 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 Allen explained this ordinance deals with a 10-year tax abatement request made by Dana Corp. for new manufacturing equipment, stating that the estimated value is $6 million. She said the ordinance would be evaluated and come back to Council at its next meeting. ORDINANCES ON SECOND READING AND ENGROSSMENT ORDINANCE NO.27—1999 The Clerk read Ordinance No. 27 — 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 Hutton explained that this ordinance simply upgrades the existing equipment of Color Box Inc. at 623 South G Street and totals $865,000 in new equipment. She added that 217 jobs would be retained,stating that all of these are full-time employees with benefits. President Welch declared Ordinance No. 27— 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. 27 — 1999 to third and final 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.27—1999 on third reading. Ordinance No.27—1999 was adopted on the following call of the roll: Ayes:Elstro,Lundy,Dickman,Hutton,Allen,Rice,Wissel,Parker and Welch(9) Nays:None ORDINANCE NO. 28-1999 The Clerk read Ordinance No. 28 — 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 Hutton explained that Color Box Inc., which now occupies the old Deutz building on Industries Road, is asking for 10-year tax abatement on two 60-inch lithograph printing presses retaining 208 jobs and adding nine new jobs. She said they also make this request for a 10-year tax abatement on a new building with an estimated value of$3,845,000. In answer to a question posed by Councilmember Lundy, Councilmember Rice said these are skilled positions, stating that when they got their first press last year the salaries for operating the presses ranged from$22 to$25 per hour. President Welch declared Ordinance No. 28— 1999 on public hearing. There being no comments either for or against the ordinance, Councilmember Allen moved for engrossment, second by Councilmember Rice and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote. Councilmember Allen moved to suspend the rules and advance Ordinance No. 28— 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.28—1999 on third reading. Ordinance No.28— 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 April 5, 1999 Page 4 ORDINANCE NO.29—1999 The Clerk read Ordinance No. 29 — 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 as well as Ordinance No. 30 — 1999 refers to Milso Industries LLC. She said she visited Milso on Industries Road where they have been operating for three years,having acquired the property from Vandor. She said they are requesting a 10-year abatement on a 45,000 square foot manufacturing space with an estimated cost of$711,000, which is scheduled to be completed in July. She said they would also be asking for a 10-year abatement on new equipment with an estimated value of $348,930. She said they are currently selling 80 percent of their products to a captured market and their expansion would allow them to reach out to other customers as well as hire 15 more employees, plus an added benefit to the community of increased buying from additional local suppliers. President Welch declared Ordinance No. 29— 1999 on public hearing. There being no comments either for or against the ordinance, Councilmember Rice 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. 29 — 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.29—1999 on third reading. Ordinance No.29— 1999 was adopted on the following call of the roll: Ayes:Elstro,Lundy,Dickman,Hutton,Allen,Rice,Wissel,Parker and Welch(9) Nays:None ORDINANCE NO.30—1999 The Deputy Clerk read Ordinance No. 30 — 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 already explained this. President Welch declared Ordinance No. 30— 1999 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 Allen moved to suspend the rules and advance Ordinance No. 30— 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.30—1999 on third reading. Ordinance No. 30—1999 was adopted on the following call of the roll: Ayes:Elstro,Lundy,Dickman,Hutton,Allen,Rice,Wissel,Parker and Welch(9) Nays:None President Welch stated that Jim Hizer, the director of the Economic Development Corporation of Wayne County, had commended this Council on its willingness to grant tax abatements to aid local industry. He added that he feels Council does an excellent job in evaluating the requests and the need of the industry to get the abatements and add jobs. He said he is proud to see the efforts of the Councilmembers have been recognized and that the results are visible. Commenting on Ordinance No. 33 — 1999 to follow on the agenda, President Welch said Council would conduct a public hearing with comments pertaining to the ordinance but Council would be referring it to the Plan Commission.He added that it will be heard at that meeting later in the month then would be sent back to Council for final action at its first meeting in May. He said comments, both for and against, would be invited from the audience tonight. City Attorney Bob Bever said that even though this is not a typical zoning change ordinance the feeling is • that it is prudent to send it to the Plan Commission. He said it also makes sense to have this public hearing because of the special nuances of the aquifer protection and in case any input would benefit the Plan Commission's public hearing. Common Council Minutes Cont'd April 5, 1999 Page 5 ORDINANCE NO.33—1999 The Clerk read Ordinance No. 33—1999—A GENERAL ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 154 OF THE CITY CODE REGARDING WELLHEAD/AQUIFER PROTECTION DISTRICT President Welch declared Ordinance No. 33—1999 on public hearing. Speaking in favor of the ordinance was Peggy Branstrator, 439 College Avenue, representing the Aquifer Advisory Committee created by the first version of this ordinance which went through. She said there are no real surprises in comparing the older version with the newer one, adding that most of these are things that actually had been discussed over the past five years but the committee was unable to get some of them through when this came to Council before. She said nothing in this ordinance changes the intent of the original, adding that actually the language allows the committee to implement the intentions of the original ordinance in much better fashion. The reason for that is that it clears up some confusion about language and removes a few phrases that were found to be in violation of certain parts of the state code with respect to pesticide regulations which are not allowed to be regulated at the local level. President Welch said for clarification, in the ordinance, it talks about the testing wells and that has always been a stumbling block.He asked Branstrator if there is still an interest on the part of the U.S. Geographical Service to participate in those testing wells. She answered that the interest was still there as of 18 months ago. She said the person who spoke to the committee is extremely committed to helping local government and, in fact, is interested in continuing activity in regard to this ordinance and this particular committee regardless of his official position with the U.S.G.S. She said it is her belief that the U.S.G.S. would still be interested and willing to commit some of its own funds,adding that that is because it is part of a larger project where they are doing a multi-state study of the entire Miami River basin and the Whitewater River emptying into that is one aspect of that. Councilmember Dickman asked if any businesses or residents are showing any interest in this ordinance dealing with the aquifer issue.Branstrator said the interest has mainly been on the part of the five members of this committee. President Welch announced that Ordinance No. 33— 1999 would be held on second reading,referred to the Plan Commission for its public hearing the last Thursday of April and come back to Council at its first meeting in May. 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