HomeMy Public PortalAbout02-01-1999 PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF RICHMOND,INDIANA,MONDAY,FEBRUARY 1,1999 '
The Common Council of the City of Richmond, Indiana met in regular session at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday,
February 1, 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, Bruce Wissel and Larry Parker. Dennis R. Rice Sr. was absent. The following
business was conducted:
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
PRESIDENT WELCH ASKED FOR A MOMENT OF SILENT PRAYER
ROLL CALL
Eight present.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting of January 19, 1999, were approved on a motion by Councilmember Wissel,
second by Councilmember Parker and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote.
PRESENTATION OF REMONSTRANCES, PETITIONS, MEMORIALS, INTRODUCTIONS,
MOTIONS AND PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were none.
COMMUNICATION FROM THE MAYOR
Mayor Andrews requested the approval of Council of his two appointments to the Economic Development
Corporation Board of Directors. He said his appointment to finish the expired term of Debbie Jenkins is
Diane Roberts, vice chancellor for academic affairs at Indiana University East. And, his second
appointment is Charles Martin, for a second term, having served the past three years. He said both are
willing to serve if Council approved. Councilmember Hutton so moved, second by Councilmember Lundy
and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote.
REPORTS FROM CITY DEPARTMENTS
REPORT FROM BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS AND SAFETY
Minutes of the meetings of January 7 and 14, 1999,were in the Council packets.
REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES
There were none.
REPORTS FROM SPECIAL COMMITTEES
REPORTS FROM ORGANIZATIONS
There were none.
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS
President Welch reminded Councilmember that the name of Bill Misner of 3471 Geraldine Lane had been
submitted for the Street Tree Commission at Council's last meeting. Councilmember Wissel submitted the
name of Neal Sabine, a professor at Indiana University East, as Council's second appointment to that
Commission, stating that he had been active in environmental issues. Councilmember Dickman moved to
appoint Misner for a two-year term, second by Councilmember Allen and the motion was carried on a
unanimous voice vote.President Welch said the vote on Sabine would be taken at the next meeting.
President Welch stated that the Mayor had requested Council be represented on the Affirmative Action
Review Committee, which will review the Richmond Code and make update and changes. He said he had
asked Councilmember Lundy to fill that spot and she has accepted that appointment. He added that the
appointment of Council of John Rusie, 210 South 17th Street, is in the process of expiring and said he had
talked with Rusie who indicated his willingness to continue serving. He said that appointment would be
confirmed at Council's next meeting.
In answer to a question by Councilmember Hutton about an appointment to the Human Rights
Commission,President Welch said he is waiting on a name to be submitted for consideration.He said those
names will be brought forward as soon as they are submitted.
Common Council Minutes Cont'd
February 1, 1999
Page 2
ORDINANCES ON FIRST READING
Councilmember Elstro moved to suspend the rules and read Ordinances No. 3, 7 and 8 — 1999 on first
reading by title only, second by Councilmember Parker and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice
vote.
ORDINANCE NO.3—1999
The Clerk read Ordinance No. 3 — 1999 —AN APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE
SUBMITTAL, ACCEPTANCE, AND APPROPRIATION OF A GRANT FROM THE INDIANA
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISION OF FORESTRY
Jill Kasprzak, representing the City Parks and Recreation Department, said this ordinance requests
authorization to submit and hopefully accept this Arbor Day grant. She said this year's Arbor Day
celebration is gong to be a large, special event held in honor of Mother Nature and is scheduled for May 1.
She said it would coincide with Arbor Day,Earth Day and Environmental Week which is being observed
by the Richmond Community Schools. She said the event will be held in South 10th Street Park, weather
permitting,where there will be a science fair and will have a children's museum type of atmosphere.
Councilmember Elstro moved to suspend the rules and advance Ordinance No. 3 — 1999 to second reading
and read by title only, second by Councilmember Parker and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice
vote.
The Clerk read Ordinance No. 3— 1999 on second reading.
President Welch declared Ordinance No. 3 — 1999 on public hearing. There being no comments either for
or against the ordinance, Councilmember Wissel moved for engrossment, second by Councilmember Allen
and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote.
Councilmember Lundy moved to suspend the rules and advance Ordinance No. 3 — 1999 to third 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. 3— 1999 on third reading.
Ordinance No. 3— 1999 was adopted on the following call of the roll:
Ayes:Elstro,Lundy,Dickman,Hutton,Allen,Wissel,Parker and Welch(8)
Nays:None.
Absent:Rice
ORDINANCE NO.7—1999
The Clerk read Ordinance No. 7 — 1999 —AN APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE
CITY OF RICHMOND TO RECEIVE A DONATION
Assistant City Attorney Steve Rabe, speaking on behalf of Captain Melody Truitt, said this ordinance
would allow the City to receive donations to the emergency animal fund, which would provide for
veterinarian care to cover the expenses of animals injured in traffic accidents.
Councilmember Lundy moved to suspend the rules and advance Ordinance No.7— 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.7— 1999 on second reading.
President Welch declared Ordinance No. 7 — 1999 on public hearing. There being no 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 Wissel moved to suspend the rules and advance Ordinance No. 7— 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.7— 1999 on third reading.
Ordinance No.7— 1999 was adopted on the following call of the roll:
Ayes:Elstro,Lundy,Dickman,Hutton,Allen,Wissel,Parker and Welch(8)
Nays:None.
Absent:Rice •
Common Council Minutes Cont'd
February 1, 1999
Page 3
ORDINANCE NO.8—1999
The Clerk read Ordinance No. 8 — 1999 — AN APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE AMENDING
ORDINANCE NO. 86 — 1998 ADOPTED SEPTEMBER 8, 1998, COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS
THE 1999 SALARY ORDINANCE
Explaining this was City Controller Shelley Miller, who said all Councilmembers had been given revised
copies of this ordinance. She explained that it was discovered at the beginning of this year, that two
positions under the Parks and Recreation Department under Public Works and Engineering reflected a
probationary rate. Now, she said, she is requesting that these be brought to the maximum, adding that it
would have been reflected with the 2.5 percent increase generally given with those two positions.The other
three positions, she said, are the result of the reorganization within the golf division of the Parks
Department and this was accomplished without increasing full time positions.
Mayor Andrews,commenting on item number 2, said this looks like a significant change but it is actually a
redistribution that will shift the percent of revenue that the director of golf receives from the golf shop. He
said all of that has been completely restructured under the new golf plan where the City will actually have
charge of the pro shops at both the Glen Miller and Highland Lake courses.
Stanton Lambert, superintendent of the Parks and Recreation Department, said item number 2 reflects the
change,which is the creation of one golf director position to be over both courses.He said there would be a
golf division director/head golf professional overseeing both courses with an assistant golf professional at
each course helping with the day to day operations.
Explaining this, Lambert said that during the negotiations the individual being interviewed was getting a
straight salary of $36,000 and they originally offered $24,000 with small percentages of the different
revenues coming into the golf courses. The individual counter offered asking that they not increase the
amount of money offered but to restructure it so he would be getting the same salary through the winter for
what he had been earning in his previous position and they would just reduce the percentages.Lambert said
they pay a little more now,but if they have a good year,the department will make out a little better because
the percentages they will be returning to the golf director will be smaller.President Welch commented that
the terms used by the search committee were"incentive wages."
Addressing item number 3,Lambert said each of the assistants will also receive an incentive percentage of
each of the revenues as they are coming into the golf courses, again as an incentive for them to increase
business. Looking at item number 4, he said this says that a second assistant golf professional shall be
added and'the maximum annual salary is$19,000. He said that deals with a restructuring of a position that
had been on the salary ordinance as the assistant superintendent of the department,which was not funded.
In answer to a question by Councilmember Hutton about the head golf course superintendent,Lambert said
that is Joe Lucas who is over the maintenance of both courses and who works in tandem with the director.
Councilmember Elstro asked if the Park Department will have full jurisdiction over the golf carts and pro
shops and Lambert said that is correct.
Councilmember Hutton moved to suspend the rules and advance Ordinance No. 8— 1999 to second 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. 8— 1999 on second reading.
President Welch declared Ordinance No. 8 — 1999 on public hearing. There being no comments either for
or against the ordinance,Councilmember Bistro 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. 8 — 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 Ordinance No. 8— 1999 on third reading.
Ordinance No. 8—1999 was adopted on the following call of the roll:
Ayes:Elstro,Lundy,Dickman,Hutton,Allen,Wissel,Parker and Welch(8)
Nays:None.
Absent:Rice
Common Council Minutes Cont'd
February 1, 1999
Page 4
ORDINANCES ON SECOND READING AND ENGROSSMENT
ORDINANCE NO.1 -1999
The Clerk read Ordinance No. 1 — 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 ordinance deals with a new manufacturing equipment 10-year
abatement request for $650,000 for Pittsburgh Tube Co. He said he spoke with Tom Woods, who is the
plant manager, who told him they had received a contract to manufacture steering columns for a variety of
autos and small trucks. He said this would also increase their business with manufacturing parts for the
John Deere diesel tractors and would result in 12 new jobs. Councilmember Parker said the committee
recommended adoption.
President Welch declared Ordinance No. 1 — 1999 on public hearing. There being no comments either for
or against the ordinance,Councilmember Wissel 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. 1 — 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 Ordinance No. 1 —1999 on third reading.
Ordinance No. 1 — 1999 was adopted on the following call of the roll:
Ayes:Elstro,Lundy,Dickman,Hutton,Allen,Wissel,Parker and Welch(8)
Nays:None.
Absent:Rice
ORDINANCE NO.2—1999
The Clerk read Ordinance No. 2— 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 asked that this ordinance be held on second until the next meeting. President Welch
acknowledged the request,stating that it would come back on second on February 15, 1999.
ORDINANCE NO.4—1999
The Clerk read Ordinance No. 4— 1999—A SPECIAL ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING MAP
FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 4611 NATIONAL ROAD WEST, CENTER TOWNSHIP,
RICHMOND,INDIANA
Councilmember Wissel reported that the Richmond Advisory Planning Commission conducted a public
hearing January 28 and looked at the petition for rezoning from a C-2 commercial to a C-4 general business
district for the property at 4611 National Road West. He said three letters had been sent to property owners
with two returned, one in favor and one in opposition. He pointing out that the owner wants to use one of
the buildings for a repair business for import cars and keep the front part to use as a used car lot.
Councilmember Wissel said the Planning staff recommended against approval, citing that the
comprehensive plan requested that this area be used for retail development, pointing out that the recent
development of Dr. Ruble's office was in compliance with that plan. He said the Planning Commission
voted with seven in favor with two opposed and seven absent to recommend approval.
President Welch declared Ordinance No.4—1999 on public hearing.
In response to a request by President Welch, Bob Goodwin, planning director, stepped forward to explain
the recommendation made by the staff. Goodwin said the area is primarily C-4 from the standpoint of uses
currently present. However, he said, the comprehensive plans calls for a C-2 zoning. Goodwin said the
opposing letter received by the Commission was that the site not be developed until the water problems are
taken care of and had nothing to do with the zoning classification. He said the staff feels that the
comprehensive plan should be the guide as to what should occur there but the Commission voted otherwise.
He said the property is the former site of the putt-putt golf course which legitimally met the C-2 use.
Common Council Minutes Cont'd
February 1, 1999
Page 5
President Welch said that in listening to the Plan Commission meeting, he is not convinced that the owner
is going to pave the entire property. Goodwin said he would have to do that for a sales lot because it is a
requirement of the zoning ordinance,however,it would be only for that portion which is to be used for the
• sales lot,adding that there is also a house and garage there.
Councilmember Hutton said she recalled that Council voted to have this rezoned for the putt-putt course
about six years ago and she voted against it at that time, adding that it is next to the church there. Goodwin
said the surrounding zoning is the trailer park, adding that there is a used car lot there and to the east is the
church, a lawnmower sales and a service station. He said the entire intersection at Round Barn Road is all
C-4, adding there is conflicting zoning between this property and Round Barn Road, stating that on the
opposite side of the road is the Natco building which is zoned heavy industrial.
Goodwin said the comprehensive plan was changed in 1992 with the intent of changing that corridor out
there to retail commercial rather than wholesale so the plan shows it as C-2 commercial for retail.
In answer to a question by Councilmember Dickman, Councilmember Wissel said he and City Engineer
Bob Wiwi were the two who voted against it,also because of the comprehensive plan.He said the area east
of there is an R-2 development and he looked at the recent development with the new doctor's clinic and
the Christian Church to the east, which has had a major expansion. He said most car lots have a short
history. Councilmember Dickman asked if the petitioner was at the Planning Commission meeting and
Councilmember Wissel said he was and had stated that there are other used car lots there in the area.
Councilmember Lundy said with this confusion, with the staff voting one way and the Commission the
other, she would like to look at the area and see for herself since she hasn't been out there for a long time.
She moved to hold the ordinance on second reading, second by Councilmember Elstro and the motion was
carried on a unanimous voice vote.
ORDINANCE NO.5—1999
The Clerk read Ordinance No. 5 — 1999—A SPECIAL ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING MAP
FOR THE PROPERTIES LOCATED AT THE SOUTHEAST AND SOUTHWEST CORNERS OF
INTERSTATE 70 AND STATE ROAD 121,WAYNE TOWNSHIP,RICHMOND,INDIANA
President Welch announced that a letter had been received from Attorney Jim Puckett, who represents the
property owners in this case, asking that this ordinance be tabled until February 25 when it would be heard
by the Planning Commission. He said that means it would come back to Council on second reading at its
March 1 meeting.
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