HomeMy Public PortalAbout01-04-1999 PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF RICHMOND,INDIANA,MONDAY,JANUARY 4,1999
The Common Council of the City of Richmond, Indiana met in regular session at 7:30 p.m. Monday,
January 4, 1999, in the Council Chambers in said City. President Bing Welch presided with the following
Councilmembers present: Etta Lundy, Robert Dickman, Sarah "Sally" Hutton, Geneva "Gene" Allen,
Dennis R. Rice Sr, Bruce Wissel and Larry Parker. Howard "Jack" Elstro was absent. The following
business was conducted:
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
PRAYER BY COUNCILMEMBER HUTTON
ROLL CALL
Eight present.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of the December 21, 1998 meeting, were approved on a motion by Councilmember Allen,
second by Councilmember Wissel and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote.
PRESENTATION OF REMONSTRANCES, PETITIONS, MEMORIALS, INTRODUCTIONS,
MOTIONS AND PUBLIC COMMENTS
President Welch announced that Resolution No. 13 — 1998, which covers the Comprehensive Plan, was
carried over from the December 21, 1998 meeting and Bob Goodwin, Director of Planning, would be
elaborating in detail on the contents of the Plan.
Goodwin explained that the document is the result of discussions, some of which were intense, during 17
public meetings.He said this is a document of which the City can be proud and which is going to guide the
City's efforts as it moved into the next millennium. He gave the definition of that word which is "a hoped
for period of happiness,peace,prosperity and justice."
He said he feels the plan is a document that can and should be amended on a regular basis because every
time Council amends the zoning ordinance, in effect, they are amending the comprehensive plan. He said
the idea behind that is that the plan is always current.
He said he would provide Council with ordinances from other communities such as demolition of
abandoned structures, housing code violations, specifically relating to appearances as the City works with
various neighborhoods. He said they could see how these things are attacked by other communities. He
reminded Council that the plan itself is a resolution, not law, and is something that is meant to be changed
on a regular basis.
He said the Planning Department is currently under review by the Citizens Advisory Group, which will
make recommendations as to how things can be done more efficiently and be more responsive to the
community. He said when this is done, hopefully in February, the department can start implementation of
the recommendations made.
Goodwin talked about the contents of the comprehensive plan including special development districts,
individual neighborhood plans, historic preservation, infrastructure policy, demand site managements and
capital improvements such as curbs and sidewalks.
Councilmember Allen asked for copies of the state statute 36-7-4-1500 and City Attorney Bob Bever said
he would provide all Councilmembers with a copy of that. She said she agrees with the voluntary cleanup
program that the Sanitary District is going to do, adding that she had noticed some of the alleys still loaded
with trash that hasn't been picked up. She said she thinks the volunteer groups should get together as soon
as the snow melts. She said she also thinks the housing tax credit is excellent, adding that she is looking
forward to working on the economic revitalization areas to give credits for tax improvements for housing
and getting new housing.She said she feels this,overall,is a very good plan and she is happy with it.
Councilmember Wissel moved to adopt Resolution No. 13 — 1998, second by Councilmember Hutton and
the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote.
COMMUNICATION FROM THE MAYOR
REPORTS FROM CITY DEPARTMENTS
REPORT FROM BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS AND SAFETY
Minutes of the meetings of December 10 and 17, 1998 were in the Council packets.
Common Council Minutes Cont'd
January 4, 1999
Page 2
REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES
There were none.
REPORTS FROM SPECIAL COMMITTEES
REPORTS FROM ORGANIZATIONS
There were none.
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS
ORDINANCES ON FIRST READING
There were none.
ORDINANCES ON SECOND READING AND ENGROSSMENT
ORDINANCE NO.117—1998
The Clerk read Ordinance No. 117 — 1998 — A SPECIAL ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING
MAP FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED TO THE REAR OF 2301 CHESTER BOULEVARD,
RICHMOND,INDIANA
Wissel reported that the Richmond Advisory Planning Commission met on December 17 on the petition of
Avery Swiderick, owner, and Scott Hancock, agent, requesting a rezoning from an R-2 one family
residence district to a C-2 commercial district at the rear of 2301 Chester Boulevard. He said notices had
been sent to six surrounding property owners with two returned in favor and none opposing. He said the
Planning staff recommended approval and the Commission had voted 10 in favor, one opposed and one
absent to recommend approval.
President Welch declared Ordinance No. 117 — 1998 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 Rice moved to suspend the rules and advance Ordinance No. 117— 1998 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. 117—1998 on third reading.
Ordinance No. 117—1998 was adopted on the following call of the roll:
Ayes:Lundy,Dickman,Hutton,Allen,Rice,Welch,Parker and Wissel(8)
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