The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My Public Portal About01-19-1999 PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND,INDIANA,TUESDAY,JANUARY 19,1999 The Common Council of the City of Richmond, Indiana met in regular session at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, January 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 ALLEN ROLL CALL Nine present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of the special and regular meetings held January 4, 1999, were approved on a motion by Councilmember Hutton, second by Councilmember Parker and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote. PRESENTATION OF REMONSTRANCES, PETITIONS, MEMORIALS, INTRODUCTIONS, MOTIONS AND PUBLIC COMMENTS Councilmember Allen presented a gavel to Councilmember Bruce Wissel in recognition of his excellent showing as President of Common Council throughout 1998. Mayor Dennis Andrews read a proclamation, which was presented to all department heads and representatives of Richmond Power&Light: "WHEREAS, the winter storm of January 1999 with its snow, ice and cold temperatures have created hardship on all the citizens of the City of Richmond;and "WHEREAS, the employees of our local government have endured such hardships while providing necessary services to the citizens of the City of Richmond;and "WHEREAS, the services provided by our city street crews, sanitation workers, parks and public works maintenance employees, by our police officers and firefighters, services from city buses and from our airport,services provided by the employees of Richmond Power and Light and services from city hall have continued through these troublesome conditions;and "WHEREAS, city employees do not receive additional compensation for enduring additional hardship themselves in serving the public;and "WHEREAS, city employees frequently are not adequately thanked and publicly acclaimed by the public officials who require extra efforts from them during difficult times; "THEREFORE, I, Dennis Andrews, Mayor of the City of Richmond, do hereby proclaim January 19-22, 1999, as the City of Richmond Employees Week in the City of Richmond and commend each employee of the City of Richmond for their exemplary service to us all. As Mayor of Richmond,I ask all citizens of our city to join me in saying thank you to all of these men and women who have served, sacrificed and endured hardships during this storm to the betterment of our community." The Mayor added that in recognizing the folks who ran the snowplows and picked up the trash, services from City Hall continued, though interrupted, stating that the Controller and Deputy Controller had work 23 hours getting the payroll out so those people who had worked overtime would have their checks.He said these kinds of things are unknown to the public,then,he added that many calls had been received from the public recognizing those people who went out of their way to help during this difficult time. President Welch, speaking on behalf of Council, added his praise of those that braved the elements and provided those services during that two-week period of time. COMMUNICATION FROM THE MAYOR Mayor Andrews announced that there would be an open house from 11 a.m.to 2 p.m. Saturday,January 30, at the Sanitary District,along with school participation,to help promote recycling and show the public how the recyclables are separated.He said this event would probably be repeated this summer. Common Council Minutes Cont'd January 19, 1999 Page 2 The Mayor also commented on a community meeting on linkages and the comprehensive plan, which is scheduled to take place from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Municipal Building. He said he had also distributed information concerning a committee to review and update the City's Affirmative Action Chapter. His appointments to that committee, he said, are Fire Chief Mike Allen, Police Chief Bill Shake, Director of Human Rights Ron Chappell, Director of Human Services Jan Hibner, and City Attorney Bob B ever. He said the purpose of the committee would be simply to update those provisions and bring them current with state and federal law and also to have an open discussion on the latest aspects of Equal Employment Opportunity.He added that he would ask President Welch to appoint a member of Council to participate on the review committee. Councilmember Hutton commented that there had been a lot of confusion with the recycling because of the bad weather and asked if there were going to be any special pickups since a lot of it had been missed. Speaking for the Sanitary District,Jackie Makela said the department is trying to catch up on this and they have done away with the limit of the amount. She said they are trying to pick up whatever is out there,but they want to stay with the same pickup schedule so as not to confuse people. She added that recyclables could be placed in plastic bags and placed at the side of the container. REPORTS FROM CITY DEPARTMENTS REPORT FROM BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS AND SAFETY _ Minutes of the meetings of December 23 and 30, 1998,were in the Council packets. REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES There were none. REPORTS FROM SPECIAL COMMITTEES REPORTS FROM ORGANIZATIONS There were none. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS Councilmember Allen moved to add Ordinances No. 1 and No. 2 — 1999 to the agenda, second by Councilmember Wissel and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote. President Welch stated that Councilmember Hutton had asked to be replaced on the Community Services Council and Councilmember Allen had consented to fill that vacancy. He said in view of that change, Councilmember Allen has resigned as Chairperson of the Tax Abatement Evaluation Committee and Councilmember Rice has agreed to serve as Chairperson of that committee. He added that Councilmember Allen wouldl remain as a member of that committee. ORDINANCES ON FIRST READING Councilmember Elstro moved to suspend the rules and read Ordinances No. 1, 2, 4 and 5 — 1999 on first reading by title only, second by Councilmember Parker and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote. 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 Allen explained that this ordinance deals with a new manufacturing equipment 10-year abatement request for Pittsburgh Tube Co. and will come back on second reading after it has been evaluated by the committee. 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 explained that this ordinance deals with a new manufacturing equipment 10-year abatement request for Shrock Cabinet Co.and will also come back on second reading. Common Council Minutes Cont'd January 19, 1999 Page 3 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 President Welch said the ordinance would be referred to the Planning Commission for its recommendations and it would come back to Council at its first meeting in February. 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 Answering a question by Councilmember Hutton about whether or not the property is located on New Paris Pike, City Planning Director Bob Goodwin said it is located at the intersection of New Paris Pike and Gravel Pit Road with I-70 traversing overhead. President Welch said this ordinance would also be referred to the Planning Commission. ORDINANCES ON SECOND READING AND ENGROSSMENT There were none. ORDINANCES ON THIRD READING There were none. UNFINISHED BUSINESS President Welch announced that Council needs to appoint two people who are residents of the City to the Street Tree Commission. He said he had been given the name of Bill Misner of 3471 Geraldine Lane who had indicated his willingness to serve,adding that he would give Misner's name to Council to consider and to possibly recommend for one of the vacancies at the next meeting. He said if that be the case, an additional name and recommendation needs to be given for a second appointment to the Commission. 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