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HomeMy Public PortalAbout08-19-1996 2 einiFMeti t'ct-tntett-oETuE F�iil�ll® B:FNDb4NA-M®NIE? if�AdS�tS-t996 The Common Council of the City of Richmond, Indiana met in regular session at 7:30 p.m. Monday, August 19, 1996, in the Council Chambers in said City. President Geneva "Gene"Allen presided with the following Councilmembers present: Howard "Jack" Elstro, Etta Lundy, Bruce Wissel, Sarah "Sally"" Hutton, Robert Dickman,Alan Stamper, Bing Welch and Larry Parker.The following business was had to-wit: PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE PRAYER BY COUNCILMEMBER WISSEL 1 ROLL CALL 1 1 Nine present. 1 1 APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF AUGUST 5.1996 1 1 Councilmember Hutton moved to approve the minutes of August 5, 1996,second by Councilmember Parker 1 and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote. 1 1 PRESENTATIONS.MEMORIALS. REMONSTRANCES.INTRODUCTIONS.MOTIONS. RESOLUTIONS 2 2 COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR 2 2 Commenting that earlier this year in evaluating organizations and costs associated with membership, Mayor 2 Andrews said he stumbled across the National Civic League and had an opportunity to meet with 2. representatives of that organization. He noted that he had provided all the Councilmembers with information 2" concerning the organization which not only emphasizes and carries information related to a lot of the 2 process kinds of things the City is looking at to emphasize in Richmond with Neighborhood Associations and 2: community involvement and community encouragement activites but also enabled him to join and to obtain a 2° membership in the legislative board for an annual amount of $130. He said that is compared to the U.S. 3° Mayors organization which charges a membership fee of$1,700. He said he decided this would be the best 3 organization not just for his membership but for all the Councilmembers to have memberships as well and 3 described in the packets, he said, are some of the ongoing types of information they should receive. 3 3, The Mayor also noted that tonight the budget will be presented officially and the Committee of the Whole 3 meetings will begin tomorrow. He said City Attorney Bever will be describing the process that may be a little 3" different from past budget procedures and he will discuss the mechanics. He said City Controller Shelley 3 Miller is present tonight to give an overview of some of the revenue expenditure categories for the Council 3: and the public. 3" 4o REPORTS FROM DEPARTMENT HEADS 4 4. Miller walked through the budget,starting with the table of contents, noting that the book is divided differently than in the past. She commented on the section of budget priorities and the various funds. She said it also 4j includes the capital funds, police special revenue funds as well as others, and off-street parking and pension 4 funds for police and fire. She pointed out that they have taken the maximum levy which is the amount that 4. can be legally raised according to the state statute and that estimated amount is the projected working 4 maximum levy for 1997 which is $9,395,209. She said the section above is a summary of the budget 4: estimates and the levy control total is $10,362,898. That means, she said, the City is starting off with a 4 $967,689 difference that must be reconciled before taking it to the State Tax Board. 50 5 Miller pointed out that the highlighted sections are the police and fire pension funds, commenting that this is 5 a financial exposure that is increasing each year and will take more and more of the tax levy every year to 5 support them unless the issue is addressed and a plan started to reduce the amount that will be required 5 from the tax levy. She called attention to the general fund which she said is requiring less of the tax levy and 5 the majority of the funds have actually decreased in the amount of working levy but because police and fire 5 have increased there is not the amount available to go toward the operating balance at this time.She added 5 that this is something to look at in the next few weeks and start making some recommendations on. 5: 5° Councilmember Stamper reminded Miller again that he had asked the department heads to give their 6e preference of their top three priority items and the bottom three when presenting their budgets in the 6 Committee of the Whole meetings. Miller said she had announced that at the last staff meeting. He also 6 asked whether or not the $967,000 which has to be cut reflects the $568,000 extra the City is expected to 6 receive. Miller said in the additional information Councilmembers will receive in the Committee of the Whole 6, meetings it will show the operating balances projected for the end of the year and these do not include the 6 estimates of the balance at this time which would include that CAJIT reserve. She said it is impossible to look at this budget as the ongoing revenues compared to the ongoing expenditures and to balance those two,then to use new revenues or windfalls to increase the operating balance. 222 Common Council Minutes Cont'd August 19, 1996 Page 2 • • • 2 Bever said after talking with Miller and President Allen a different procedure has been adopted this year, 3 noting that in the past, these have been presented in an ordinance form. He noting that in looking at tie 4 state statute, it anticipates and describes how the administration and the fiscal officer is to put together a 5 report of budget estimates to the city legislative body and after reviewing this report the legislative body s all 6 prepare an ordinance fixing the rate of taxation. After reviewing these in the Committee of the Wh le 7 meetings, then the City will be in a position to introduce on first reading an ordinance approving a 19 7 8 budget which he anticipates can be done at the September 3 Council meeting. He added that if there re 9 any changes they will not be in a form of having to amend any ordinance. 10 11 After that time, Bever said,the statute provides that Council will have to have a public pre-adoption heari g 12 with two prior publication notices - one three days ahead and one 10 days ahead - and in talking w th 13 President Allen and the administration several members will be attending the Indiana Association of Citie & 14 Towns convention the week of September 16 which is the date of the next regularly scheduled Cou cil 15 meeting. He said President Allen suggested that Council meet September 23 and to utilize that as the public 16 pre-adoption hearing, then if it is Council's wish to have the adoption meeting after that hearing Preside nt 17 Allen said Thursday,September 26 could be utilized for that one special meeting for the final approval of t e 18 budget. 19 20 Mayor Andrews took this opportunity to express his appreciation of the extra hours spent on the bud.et 21 preparation by Miller and her staff, noting that this is her first time through. He also thanked tho e 22 Councilmembers who had met with him and had discussions with him. 23 24 He explained that when they looked at the total difference at present, on the one hand it is a lot of mon:y, 25 but on the other,when they looked at the workshops and Committee of the Whole meetings it is not anythi g 26 but a positive process. He added that there still remain some areas where there are large potentials or 27 relief, noting that Carpenter Manufacturing is expected to get back to him about the anticipated sale of t e 28 building and not having a final answer on that, they went ahead and included dollars in the budget for all t e 29 present expenses that it is presently incurring. Aside from Carpenter, he said, Bever is doing additio al 30 research on the fire service dollars, noting that it is about a half million dollar tax burden at the present t at 31 many municipalities around the country have taken off the tax roles and put on a user fee basis that ag-,in 32 would relieve some of the pressure. He said the City did have an option of a property tax replacem:,nt 33 appeal but that was purposely declined. He added that he felt the department heads are looking forward to 34 the Committee of the Whole meetings to talk about their budgets. 35 36 REPORT FROM BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS AND SAFETY 37 38 The minutes of the July 25 and August 1, 1996, meetings were in the Council packets. 39 40 REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES 41 42 Councilmember Elstro commented that he had a letter and some photographs about the parking problem in 43 the areas of South H Street from South 6th to South 7th Streets. He said he would like to have the Traf is 44 Safety Division investigate the area,stating that he would turn the information over to Bever. 45 46 REPORTS FROM SPECIAL COMMITTEES 47 48 Councilmember Lundy read a letter from the August 12 meeting of the Housing Authority stating that all fo r 49 houses in the area of North 13th and North G Streets have been completed and the occupancy process h-s 50 begun. She said they will continue to seek available lots for more new homes and to make them available 51 for moderate income families who are unable to purchase homes on the open market. She also noted that 52 after 20 years of dedicated service Keith McGathy has announced his retirement as head of the Housi g 53 Authority and Maxcine Bragg,the current assistant director, has been appointed to fill that vacancy. 54 55 REPORTS FROM ORGANIZATIONS 56 57 Councilmember Stamper stated that Councilmembers might want to discuss publicly what they want in t e 58 tax abatement ordinance that they will be addressing in two weeks. He said his proposal is to approve the 59 for no more than three years and to hold the ordinances on first reading to give the public an opportunity o 60 know what is going on,then approve the ordinance two weeks later on the public hearing. He said in talki g 61 with some business people he found they agreed that would be a good idea. Councilmember Wiss:I 62 commented that all Council is doing with the abatements is expressing an opinion as to whether or not th:t 63 is the definition of the law. He added that he did not understand the concern of the public notice since this is 64 not something that can be voted on by public opinion. He said the purpose is to determine whether or not it 65 meets the guidelines and Councilmembers are briefed on those. Councilmember Dickman said Coun it needs to know what the plan is for adopting the ordinances and keep it consistent. 223 Common Council Minutes Cont'd Auguct 1 96 Pago 3 1 • 2 MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS 3 4 Councilmember Lundy congratulated Councilmember Parker on the birth of his first grandchild and added 5 that her grandchildren are visiting her from California. 6 ORDINANCES ORDINANCES ON FIRST READING 10 11 Councilmember Elstro moved to suspend the rules and read Ordinances No. 75 and 80 - 1996 by title only, 1,• second by Councilmember Parker and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote. 1c 1, ORDINANCE NO.75-1996 1'- 1• The Clerk read Ordinance No.75-1996-A SPECIAL ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING MAP AT 324 1 SOUTH 4TH STREET 1• President Allen announced the ordinance would be referred to the Planning Commission. 411 ORDINANCE NO.80-1996 c The Clerk read Ordinance No. 80 - 1996 - AN APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 1996 • BUDGET • • Miller came forward to explain that this is a budget transfer deleting $1,000 from computer services and r charges within the City Clerk's office and add $1,000 to the copier charges. She noted that printing is being 2: done for Council and Board of Works and not enough money was appropriated. Clerk Norma Schroeder 2! explained that since Council has no budget for 1996 there is no way to recoup the money spent in her office 3'' for copier charges. 3 3' Councilmember Hutton moved to suspend the rules and advance Ordinance No. 80-1996 to second reading 3c and read by title only, second by Councilmember Parker and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice 3, vote. 3. 3, The Clerk read Ordinance No.80-1996 on second reading. 3r 3: President Allen declared Ordinance No. 80- 1996 on public hearing. There being no comments either for or 3s against the ordinance, Councilmember Elstro moved for engrossment,second by Councilmember Hutton and 4. the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote. 4 4' Councilmember Lundy moved to suspend the rules and advance Ordinance No. 80 - 1996 to third and final reading and read by title only,second by Councilmember Hutton and the motion was carried on a unanimous 4' voice vote. 4. 4. Councilmember Stamper commented that he found it in bad taste to take this ordinance through on three 4' readings in one evening when the same was not done in the August 5 meeting for three businesses investing 4: $25 million in this community. He says he feels it is a double standard and not what members want to show 4: as a Council, adding that he does not want to set that precedent. He added that if Council allows these 51 ordinances to go through on three readings it should allow others to go through also or everything should 5i have to be published. President Allen commented that if the code allows Council to do ordinances on three 5, readings in one night it is appropriate to do that. However,she said,any Councilmember has the right to stop 5: the proceedings on third reading. 5, 5 The Clerk read Ordinance No.80-1996 on third reading. 5. 5 Ordinance No.80-1996 was adopted on the following call of the roll: 5: 5! Ayes:Elstro, Lundy,Wissel,Hutton, Dickman,Stamper,Welch, Parker and Allen(9) 6u Nays:None. 6 - 6' ORDINANCES ON SECOND READING 6• 64 ORDINANCE NO.68-1996 6. The Clerk read Ordinance No. 68 - 1996 - A SPECIAL ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE APPROVAL OF BENEFITS FOR A PROPERTY OWNER APPLYING FOR DEDUCTIONS UNDER I.C. 6-1.1-12.1 • • Common Council Minutes Cont'd .August 19, 1996 R-ade-ti • • 2 President Allen declared Ordinance No. 68 -.1996 on public hearing. There being no comments either for or 3 against the ordinance, Councilmember Elstro moved for engrossment, second by Councilmember Pa er 4 and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote. 5 6 Councilmember Elstro moved to suspend the rules and advance Ordinance No. 68 - 1996 to third and fi al 7 reading and read by title only, second by Councilmember Hutton and the motion was carried on, a 8 unanimous voice vote. 9 10 The Clerk read Ordinance No.68-1996 on third reading. 11 12 Ordinance No. 68-1996 was adopted on the following call of the roll: 13 14 Ayes:Elstro, Lundy,Wissel, Hutton,Dickman, Stamper,Welch, Parker and Allen(9) 15 Nays:None. 16 17 ORDINANCE NO.69-1996 18 19 The Clerk read Ordinance No. 69 - 1996 -A SPECIAL ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE APPROVAL of 20 BENEFITS FOR A PROPERTY OWNER APPLYING FOR DEDUCTIONS UNDER I.C. 6-1.1-12.1 21 22 President Allen declared Ordinance No. 69 - 1996 on public hearing. There being no comments either for or 23 against the ordinance, Councilmember Dickman moved for engrossment, second by Councilmember Hutt.n 24 and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote. 25 26 Councilmember Dickman moved to suspend the rules and advance Ordinance No. 69 - 1996 to third a d 27 final reading and read by title only, second by Councilmember Wissel and the motion was carried on a 28 unanimous voice vote. 29 30 The Clerk read Ordinance No.69-1996 on third reaidng. 31 32 Ordinance No. 69-1996 was adopted on the following roll call: 33 34 Ayes: Elstro, Lundy,Wissel, Hutton, Dickman, Stamper,Welch, Parker and Allen (9) 35 Nays:None. 36 37 ORDINANCE NO.70-1996 38 39 The Clerk read Ordinance No. 70 - 1996 -A SPECIAL ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE APPROVAL OF 40 BENEFITS FOR A PROPERTY OWNER APPLYING FOR DEDUCTIONS UNDER I.C.6-1.1-12.1 41 42 President Allen declared Ordinance No.70- 1996 on public hearing. 43 44 When President Allen questioned as to whether or not the ordinance contained a different front pag , 45 Stamper said that when he talked with Clay Miller in the Finance Department he had indicated that had ben 46 accomplished but Councilmember Stamper said he had not seen a copy. Councilmember Stamper s id 47 Sanyo has in good faith given a written estimate of what it is going to do and told the City publicly it is goi g 48 to be spending more than $22.8 million over a three-year period. He added that he sees no harm in goi g 49 ahead and approving it and changing it to $22.8 million which was the figure they gave Council August s 50 Bever commented that the numbers are correct and it is only a matter of not having the one front page. 51 Councilmember Elstro suggested they go ahead with the procedures in all good faith, second oy 52 Councilmember Stamper and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote. 53 54 President Allen declared Ordinance No. 70 - 1996 on public hearing. There being no comments either for •r 55 against the ordinance, Councilmember Dickman moved for engrossment, second by Councilmember Hutt•n 56 and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote. 57 58 Councilmember Dickman moved to suspend the rules and advance Ordinance No. 70 - 1996 to third a d 59 final reading and read by title only, second by Councilmember Parker and the motion was carried on a 60 unanimous voice vote. 61 62 The Clerk read Ordinance No.70-1996 on third reading. 63 64 Councilmember Welch said he is the one who held this ordinance up at the last meeting and he request:d 65 that a contact be made with Sanyo to incorporate the proper total on the benefit facing page. Bever said.if the Controller's office has all that it is only a matter of showing that in the file. President Allen said wh:n Councilmembers are sent the signed ordinance they will receive the right front page. 227 Common Council Minutes Cont'd August 19, 1996 rage 1 2 ORDINANCES ON THIRD READING 3 4 There were none. 5 6 UNFINISHED BUSINESS 7 8 Councilmember Elstro requested that Councilmember Dickman go over the schedules for the Committee of 9 the Whole meetings. Councilmember Dickman said all will be held at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers and 10 the days and dats are Tuesday, August 20; Thursday, August 22; Monday, August 26th; and Wednesday, 1 August 28th.Starting it off on August 20 will be the fire and police departments. 12 13 ADJOURNMENT 14 15 There being no further business,on a motion duly made,seconded and passed,the meeting was adjourned. 16 17 18 19 -0 1 -2 -3 Geneva"Gene"Allen, President -4 •5 -6 .7 8 .9 ATTEST: 0 Norma Schroeder, City Clerk 1 33 35 3�9 40 415 48 50 5�1 5p 514 5C5 5 5 6 6 60 6c 6, 6- 1 . .. 11\7•Du ND GO . ' . • . . 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