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HomeMy Public PortalAbout08-17-1998 ='_:5 3 PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF T-HEZI-T-Y-OFLRICHMO D,INT1yTg�AT�-A�ATii6lA�. .T��A S7 A T��TQT�TC�T-1� 49-98 The Common Council of the City of Richmond, Indiana met in regular session at 7:30 p.m. Monday, August 17, 1998 in the Council Chambers in said City.President Bruce Wissel presided with the following Councilmembers present: Howard "Jack" Elstro, Etta J. Lundy, Bob Dickman, Sarah "Sally" Hutton, 3eneva "Gene" Allen, Dennis R. Rice Sr., Bing Welch and Larry Parker. The following business was onducted: LEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE RAYER BY COUNCILMEMBER HUTTON 'OLL CALL Me present. • PPROVAL OF MINUTES he minutes of the August 3 meeting were approved on a motion by Councilmember Dickman, second by ouncilmember Welch and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote. 'resident Wissel recognized members of Boy Scout Troop No. 95 in the audience,announcing that they are orking on their citizenship in the community badge. He asked each of them, along with Scoutmaster P uane Madden,to step to the microphone and introduce themselves. so,President Wissel said, Jim Russell on the camera for WCTV, told him that 10 years ago tonight was I e first time the Council meetings were televised. President Wissel said Russell was there that night along with Councilmembers Elstro, Parker and Hutton. After a bit of confusion, it was determined that ouncilmember Lundy did not join Council until two months later, in October of 1998, replacing Marion illiams. RESENTATION OF REMONSTRANCES, PETITIONS, MEMORIALS, INTRODUCTIONS, OTIONS AND PUBLIC COMMENTS OMMUNICATION FROM THE MAYOR ayor Dennis Andrews expressed his appreciation to the administrative team and the department heads for he job they did on the budget, adding that City Controller Shelley Miller needs a special thank you. He aid the department heads made a lot of cuts themselves to get the budget balanced. He stated that the udget is $500,000 under the levy and at the same time money has been rolled into the police and fire ension which is another$500,000.He said that means that actually$1 million had been cut this year under hat could have been spent. He said there would be a special meeting at 6:45 p.m. Monday, August 24, 1998 to introduce the budget ordinance on first reading. President Wissel announced that the meeting ould be prior to the comprehensive plan meeting at Indiana University East and will be held in the ommunity Room. EPORTS FROM CITY DEPARTMENTS n explaining the activities within the Department of Human Resources, Director Jan Hibner said her eneral responsibilities are personnel,employee benefits, the Safety Committee and all claims filed against he City. She said her office is responsible for prospective, present and past employees as well as the olicies that affect them. ibner stated that the salary administration review is just one of several ongoing projects she has been orking on this year. She said that includes updating job descriptions, making them A.D.A. compliant, .L.S.A. compliant and streamlining the classification system. She said she is continuing to write job escriptions now in the Sanitary District and an employee evaluation system is to be in place by next year ith training on how to use it and how to evaluate employees for future merit raises. second project, she said is bidding out for a third party administrator for the City's health plan, adding hat the purpose of this is to make sure the City is getting the best value for its money in terms of what it is ctually spending. She said she has been working with a consultant to help evaluate those bids which include the plan design, stop loss insurance for higher claims, short term disablity and a Section 125 plan implemented on April 1, 1997. She said this has been well received by the City's employees and is a real Benefit for them. She said she is also looking at and hoping to provide by the beginning of next year,a long term disability program,adding that it is only in the proposal stage at this time. he said she had completed some affirmative action review data for the existing departments, and for the 1 ture will be working with Ron Chappel, director of the Human Rights Commission. The reason for that, he said, is to improve the City's minority recruiting and hiring and to develop an ongoing affirmative action program and provide training for that. Common Council Minutes Cont'd Ag s 17 _8 Page 2 Other issues she would like to look at the future, she said, is the C.D.L. policy, sexual harassment issues that are a hot topic for all employers and making a few minor changes in the personnel policy. She concluded,saying that this is an exciting and challenging time to be working in Human Resources. REPORT FROM BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS AND SAFETY The minutes of the meetings of July 9, 16, 23 and 30, 1998 were in the Council packets. Councilmember Allen questioned minutes of July 30 in which Resolution No. 7 — 1998 was adopted. She said that resolution explained that the salaries were fixed by the Board of Works because the Common Council had not passed the ordinance fixing the salaries by August 2. She then asked if that is the first time this has happened. City Controller Shelley Miller said it was done this way last year, explaining that by code it can be taken to the Board of Works as an interim step if there are ongoing negotiations with police and fire, then follow it up later with an ordinance. REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES REPORTS FROM SPECIAL COMMITTEES REPORTS FROM ORGANIZATIONS MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS ORDINANCES ON FIRST READING Councilmember Elstro moved to suspend the rules and read Ordinances No. 84, 85, 86, 87 and 88 — 1998 by title only,second by Councilmember Welch and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote. ORDINANCE NO.84—1998 The Clerk read Ordinance No. 84— 1998—A SPECIAL ORDINANCE VACATING THE PUBLIC WAY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: SEVENTEEN (17) FEET IN EQUAL WIDTH EAST OF THE ENTIRE EAST SIDE OF LOT NUMBER 39 IN M. PARRY'S ADDITION TO GREENWOOD, NOW A PART OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND,WAYNE COUNTY,INDIANA President Wissel said this ordinance would go to the Planning Commission. ORDINANCE NO.85—1998 The Clerk read Ordinance No. 85 — 1998 — 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 request made by Ronald Horton of Ron's Truck&Trailer Service at 817 Progress Drive for a tax abatement to build a building at an estimated value of$332,000.She said this would come back on second reading at the next meeting. ORDINANCE NO.86—1998 The Clerk read Ordinance No. 86 — 1998 —AN APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE TO BE KNOWN AS THE 1999 SALARY ORDINANCE City Controller Shelley Miller explained Ordinance No. 86 as well as No. 87, saying that it is required by state code as part of the budget process, to set the salaries for the elected officials and employees of the City. Then, she said,in the near future a third ordinance will be introduced which will set the 1999 salaries for police and fire as well. The ordinance for the salaries for the elected officials is required to be advertised twice, she said,stating that the first time should be at least 30 days prior to approval.Therefore, she said, she is requesting the ordinances be approved, along with the budget process by the end of September.President Wissel said this ordinance would come back on second reading. ORDINANCE NO.87—1998 The Clerk read Ordinance No. 87 — 1998 — AN APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE FIXING THE ANNUAL COMPENSATION OF ALL ELECTED CITY OFFICERS FOR 1999 President Wissel said this ordinance had been explained by Miller, adding that it will also come back on second reading. _: 5 '5 Common Council Minutes Cont'd At gist 17 199R Page 3 PRDINANCE NO.88—1998 The Clerk read Ordinance No. 88 — 1998—AN APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE SUBMITTAL, ACCEPTANCE, AND APPROPRIATION OF A GRANT FROM THE WAYNE COUNTY FOUNDATION Ron Chappel of the Human Rights Commission explained this ordinance deals with a grant request of the Wayne County Foundation for$2,04.25 for purchasing a computer system transcriber,flat bed scanner and a fax machine for the Human Rights office. 2ouncilmember Elstro moved to suspend the rules and advance Ordinance No. 88— 1998 to second reading and read by title only, second by Councilmember Lundy and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote. he Clerk read Ordinance No. 88—1998 on second reading. resident Wissel declared Ordinance No. 88—1998 on public hearing. here being no further comments in favor of the ordinance and none against, Councilmember Dickman oved for engrossment, second by Councilmember Hutton and the motion was carried on a unanimous oice vote. 2ouncilmember Lundy moved to suspend the rules and advance Ordinance No. 88— 1998 to third and final -eading and read by title only, second by Councilmember Rice and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote. I he Clerk read Ordinance No. 88- 1998 on third reading. •rdinance No. 88— 1998 was adopted on the following call of the roll: •yes:Elstro,Lundy,Dickman,Hutton,Allen,Rice,Welch,Parker and Wissel(9) ays:None. •RDINANCES ON SECOND READING AND ENGROSSMENT •RDINANCE NO. 75-1998 I he Clerk read Ordinance No. 75 — 1998 — AN APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING • •DITIONAL APPROPRIATIONS TO CERTAIN FUNDS 'olice Chief Bill Shake explained that this ordinance deals with the appropriation of the additional$12,000 at is in the police special revenue funds to cover the purchase of new hand guns for the officers of the ichmond Police Department.He said he would also like to speak to Ordinance No. 76— 1998, stating that t transfers $10,000 from the hospital medical account to the other equipment account. He said combining he funds covered by both the ordinances with the current funds available in the police budget will allow hem to purchase the equipment. In answer to a question asked by Councilmember Rice,Miller said it is an cceptable use of the Other Equipment category to purchase it from that and it is within the guidelines of e State Board of Accounts to do that. 'resident Wissel declared Ordinance No. 75— 1998 on public hearing.There being no further comments in avor of the ordinance and none against, Councilmember Elstro moved for engrossment, second by ouncilmember Hutton and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote. ouncilmember Elstro moved to suspend the rules and advance Ordinance No. 75— 1998 to third and final eading and read by title only, second by Councilmember Welch and the motion was carried on a nanimous voice vote. he Clerk read Ordinance No.75— 1998 on third reading. rdinance No.75— 1998 was adopted on the following call of the roll: yes:Elstro,Lundy,Dickman,Hutton,Allen,Rice,Welch,Parker and Wissel(9) ays:None. RDINANCE NO.76—1998 he Clerk read Ordinance No. 76 — 1998 — AN APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 998 BUDGET Common Council Minutes Cont'd Augua17. 199_8 Page 4 President Wissel explained that this ordinance was previously addressed by Chief Shake and declared it on public hearing. There being no further comments in favor of the ordinance and none against, Councilmember Elstro moved for engrossment,second by Councilmember Rice and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote. Councilmember Dickman moved to suspend the rules and advance Ordinance No. 76 — 1998 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.76—1998 on third reading. Ordinance No.76— 1998 was adopted on the following call of the roll: Ayes:Elstro,Lundy,Dickman,Hutton, Allen,Rice,Welch,Parker and Wissel(9) Nays:None. ORDINANCES ON THIRD READING A. None. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Councilmember Rice commented that he had contacted City Engineer Bob Wiwi about a water problem in the North 12 Street area around the railroad track and was pleased with his quick action in looking into the problem. President Wissel stated that members of Council had been contacted by the American Cancer Society to help raise funds by sacking groceries at County Market from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, October 7, adding that five percent of the receipts that day will go to fight cancer. President Wissel also announced the Committee of the Whole will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday, August 19, in the Council Chambers in the Municipal Building. CALL FOR ADJOURNMENT There being no further business,on a motion duly made,seconded and passed,the meeting was adjourned. Bruce Wissel,President ATTEST: Norma Schroeder,Clerk