HomeMy Public PortalAbout05-02-1994 459
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eIT LOF_t1ativtO.NEL INDIANA-_11tLOND I T_MAY-219.94
1 The Common Council of the City of Richmond, Indiana met in regular session at 7:30 p.m. Monday, May 2,
2 1994, in the Council Chambers in said City. President Larry Parker presided with the following
3 Councilmembers present: Etta Lundy, Jane Brookbank, Mary Ellen Donat, Don McBride, Gene Allen, Bob
4 Dickman and Sally Hutton.Absent was Howard"Jack"Elstro.The following business was had to-wit:
5
6 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
7
8 PRAYER BY COUNCILMEMBER ALLEN
9
10 ROLL CALL
11
12 Eight present.
13
14 APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF APRIL 18.1994
15
16 Councilmember McBride moved to approve the minutes of April 18, 1994, second by Councilmember
17 Brookbank and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote.
18
19 COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR
20
21 Mayor Roger Cornett introduced State Representative Richard Bodiker, stating that he was in the Council
22 chambers to make a presentation. Representative Bodiker explained that in 1991, during the budget
23 discussions, $200,000 had been put into the budget for general infrastructure improvements for the City,
24 noting that the money was to come out of the Build Indiana funds. He added that Senator Allen Paul had
25 kept that in the budget through the Senate. Local government, Representative Bodiker said, was allowed to
26 choose various projects it wanted to promote which couldn't be done otherwise, with tax dollars. He noted
27 that the Richmond Rose Garden, the Downtown Promenade and some business areas were improved and
28 he added his thanks to all the people who bought lottery tickets as he gave Mayor Cornett the $200,000
29 check reimbursing the City for those infrastructure improvements.
30
31 Mayor Cornett noted that this is not unusual for State Representative Bodiker and State Senator Paul to
32 come across with this kind of support and he noted that this community is fortunate in having the two
33 represent it. He noted the uses of the money included the South Sixth Street parking lot for Color Box at
34 $130,000; the paving of South 10th Street parking lot at $27,000; the renovation of the Charles House at
35 $9,250; the expansion of the Richmond Rose Garden at $20,000; one of the entrance signs to the City at
36 $9,600; and curb and sidewalk repairs took up the balance.
37
38 PRESENTATIONS OF REMONSTRANCES, PETITIONS AND MEMORIALS
39
40 President Parker announced the public hearing on Ordinance No. 32 - 1994 which was a special ordinance
41 adopted April 18, 1994, declaring an area an economic revitalization area which will allow deductions from
42 property tax values for a period of 10 years for a 48-unit apartment complex and a commercial office
43 building. After considering the remonstrances and objections, Council shall take final action by confirming,
44 modifying and confirming,or rescinding said ordinance.
45
46 Speaking in favor of the ordinance was Rick Freeman at 108 South Ninth Street, who reiterated the
47 comments he made when Council adopted the ordinance April 18 and asked for questions from
48 Councilmembers who had none. Hearing no additional comments in favor and none against, President
49 Parker declared the final vote action.
50
51 In answer to questions posed by two Councilmembers earlier, Councilmember Donat said tax abatements
52 on real estate totaled $9,282,560 and $14,955,500 on manufacturing equipment. She added that this
53 ordinance is in compliance with everything and is right on schedule. However, she said, an economic
54 revitalization area is defined as a geographic area which has become undesirable for or impossible for
55 development and occupancy. She said she felt all Councilmembers should be familiar with this area so they
56 can make their own judgment as to whether or not it meets that criteria. She also noted that she had had an
57 internal communication from an existing employer who, at one time was one of the leading Richmond
58 employers, but is no longer. She said their fixed operating costs increased by $70,000 this year due to a
59 13.3 percent increase in property taxes levied by local government, stating that this factory now bears more
60 61
than half a million annual burden for local property taxes. She pointed out that this employer is burdened
where others are not.
62
63 President Parker said tax abatements the City has allowed are under three areas which are the economic
64 revitalization area, the Urban Enterprise Zone and those made for special industry moving into Richmond.
65 He added that these tax abatements have continued to grow each year and he feels Council needs to take a
strong look at it and make sure the public is receiving benefit in return. He stated that some of the
abatements are on buildings and equipment that perhaps would not have come to the City if there were no
tax abatements, but some are because people happened to be in the right place at the right time.
460
Common Council Minutes Cont'd
May 2, 1994
Page 2
1 He gave the Urban Enterprise Zone as an example, adding that he feels Council should make sure that
when these tax abatements are passed that it is representative of what it is trying to accomplish which is
creating new jobs and new industry.
Ordinance No.32- 1994 was confirmed on the following call of the roll:
Ayes:Lundy, Brookbank, McBride, Allen, Dickman, Hutton and Parker(7)
Nays:Donat (1)
Absent: Elstro
11� REPORT FROM CITY DEPARTMENTS
1
1 REPORT FROM OTHER OFFICES
1 REPORT FROM BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS AND SAFETY
1
1 Councilmember Lundy expressed her appreciation to City Engineer Bob Wiwi for the drain system on North
1: 10th Street between North F and North H Streets which is completed.
1•
2. Councilmember McBride noted his appreciation to Jan Hibner for her help in a situtation he had regarding a
2 property which was empty and needed looking into.
2
2 President Parker reported that a memo had been received from Mayor Roger Cornett concerning the
2, disposition of the Main Street Bridge in which he stated that it is this administration's position to take down
2 the current structure when the new one is open. He further stated that consideration should be given to a
2• possible gorge overlook from the western side of the current bridge abutment. Mayor Cornett added that the
2 reason for the position on the bridge is to keep the City from facing ongoing maintenance costs of the
2: current structure.
2•
3. REPORTS FROM SPECIAL COMMITTEES
3
3 Councilmember Hutton announced that while meeting with the Gorge Committee today she heard Garrett
3 Boone invite those interested to a luncheon Wednesday at the Design Center to hear the national
3, coordinator for the American Discovery Trail which is the walking trail going coast to coast. She also noted
3 that since it rained this past Saturday, the final gorge cleanup will be this coming Saturday and she urged
3• those with chain saws to join in the effort since there are about 200 small trees which need to be cut.
3
3: REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES
3•
4. REPORTS FROM OTHER COUNCIL COMMITTEES
4
4. President Parker welcomed the students from Richmond High School attending.
4
4, ORDINANCES
4.
4. ORDINANCES ON FIRST READING
4
4 Councilmember Brookbank moved to suspend the rules and read on first reading by title only Ordinances
4 No. 37, 38, 39 and 40 - 1994, second by Councilmember McBride and the motion was carried on a
641
unanimous voice vote.
5
5 ORDINANCE NO.37-1994
5
5 The Clerk read Ordinance No. 37 - 1994 - AN APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 1994
5 BUDGET
5
57 President Parker said this ordinance appropriates money available for expenditure of equipment in 1994
5 from the Cumulative Capital Development Fund and the Cumulative Capital Improvement Fund. City
5 Controller Dennis Grimes stepped forward explaining that the ordinance is an additional appropriation
661
ordinance designed to appropriate the remaining balance in the fund inasmuch as the final decision has
been made as to what the capital allocation would be from the two various capital funds. He noted the
6 ordinance had been legally advertised in the newspaper as prescribed by statute for additional
6 appropriations on April 22.
6•
6 Councilmember Dickman moved for acceptance of the proof of publication, second by Councilmember
Hutton and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote.
461
Common Council Minutes Cont'd
May2,1994
Page-3
1
2 Councilmember Brookbank moved to suspend the rules and advance Ordinance No. 37 - 1994 to second
3 reading and read by title only, second by Councilmember Allen and the motion was carried on a unanimous
4 voice vote.
5
6 The Clerk read Ordinance No.37-1994 on second reading.
7
8 President Parker announced that Ordinance No. 37 - 1994 was on public hearing. Hearing no comments
9 either in favor or opposition of the ordinance, Councilmember Dickman moved for engrossment, second by
10 Councilmember Hutton and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote.
11
12 Councilmember Lundy moved to suspend the rules and advance Ordinance No. 37 - 1994 to third and final
13 reading and read by title only, second by Councilmember Brookbank and the motion was carried on a
14 unanimous voice vote.
15
16 The Clerk read Ordinance No.37- 1994 on third reading.
17
18 Ordinance No.37-1994 was adopted on the following call of the roll:
19
20 Ayes: Lundy, Brookbank, Donat, McBride,Allen, Dickman, Hutton and Parker(8)
21 Absent: Elstro
22
23 ORDINANCE NO.38-1994
24
25 The Clerk read Ordinance No. 38 - 1994 - A SPECIAL ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING MAP AT
26 3363 EAST MAIN STREET
27
28 President Parker explained that this ordinance changes the zoning of the single family residence located at
29 3363 East Main Street from R-31 to eight family residence to R-31 to eight family residence special use
30 which will permit the installation of an administrative business office not dependent on over the counter sales
31 under article 22.012 of the zoning code.
32
33 He added that Ordinance No.38- 1994 will be referred to the Planning Commission.
34
35 ORDINANCE NO.39-1994
36
37 The Clerk read Ordinance No. 39 - 1994 - A SPECIAL ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING MAP AT
38 5114 OLD NATIONAL ROAD EAST
39
40 President Parker explained that this ordinance is a rezoning of a single family residence owned by James
41 and Sallye Creech who desire the flexibility to apply C-4 uses to this property. He stated that since there are
42 no questions this ordinance will also go to the Planning Commission.
43
44 ORDINANCE NO.40-1994
45
46 The Clerk read Ordinance No. 40 - 1994 - A SPECIAL ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE APPROVAL OF
47 STATEMENTS OF BENEFITS FOR PROPERTY OWNERS APPLYING FOR DEDUCTIONS UNDER I.C.
48 6-1.1-12.1
49
50 President Parker asked Councilmember Donat to explain the ordinance. She stated that she was unable to
51 attend the last tax abatement meeting but she had called Jan Hibner in the department of law who reported
52 that all the businesses on this ordinance had complied with the law. She said there were questions about
53 Prestwick Square Inc. but they had submitted more information and therefore they now appear on this
54 ordinance and everything is in order. She added that she had a telephone call from someone interested in
55 another business mentioned in this ordinance and she noted that she had the information for which they had
56 asked. She said if they care to speak when their time comes she will have an answer for them.
57
58 Councilmember Brookbank moved to suspend the rules and advance Ordinance No. 40 - 1994 to second
59 reading and read by title only, second by Councilmember McBride and the motion was carried on a
60 unanimous voice vote.
61
62 The Clerk read Ordinance No.40- 1994 on second reading.
63
64 President Parker announced that Ordinance No. 40- 1994 was on public hearing, adding that the ordinance
65 was a special one authorizing the approval of statements of benefits and these are the tax abatements that
are offered to existing businesses for real estate and new manufacturing equipment.
4.62
Common Council Minutes Cont'd
May 2, 1994
Page 4
There being no comments either for or against the ordinance, Councilmember McBride moved for
engrossment,second by Councilmember Hutton and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote.
Councilmember Lundy moved to suspend the rules and advance Ordinance No. 40 - 1994 to third and final
reading and read by title only, second by Councilmember McBride and the motion was carried on a
unanimous voice vote.
• The Clerk read Ordinance No.40 -1994 on third and final reading.
1#
1 In response to President Parker's request for final comments from Council, Councilmember Donat said she
1. had neglected to mention earlier that at a concerned citizens meeting recently which she was invited to
1 attend and answer questions, several had questions about tax abatement. She said the concern was about
1, the cost to the City that would be in revenue dollars lost. President Parker explained the tax abatement as it
1' applies to the real estate and to the manufacturing equipment in this particular case, noting that it would be
1• for any new additions to that business's building over a 10-year period.
1
1 Councilmember Donat agreed, adding that all the real estate is for 10 years. She noted that Council had an
11 ordinance a few meetings ago that would also allow the manufacturing equipment to be abated for 10 years.
2 She said in this case they have four corporations seeking tax abatements for five years and two seeking 10
2 years. She added that in three of the instances the real estate had not been built yet. President Parker said
2 the building, as well as the equipment, in this particular case, is abated over 10 years which is 100 percent
2 tax abatement for year one,then 90 percent, etc. He added that it is for all new additions and does not cover
2 any existing real estate or existing manufacturing equipment that they have.
2
2 President Parker explained that this is an incentive for the City's present industry to expand and create jobs,
2 noting that two of the criteria regarding this is that they have to either create new jobs or obtain jobs by the
2 building of an expansion of real estate or the addition of new manufacturing equipment. Councilmember
2 Allen pointed out that she felt it was important that the citizens know that tax abatements were designed in
3 order to promote the additional investment into the community and that this is not anything that is going off
3 the current tax roles. She added that this is something that is an investment into manufacturing and the
3 building is going to increase the investment and eventually come on the tax roles.
3
3 Councilmember Donat said that a lot of the manufacturers in town expressed a concern to her that while
3 they may deduct their costs from taxes they may not deduct taxes from utility rates and when the City seeks
3 to subsidize spending with Richmond Power & Light dollars that potentially raises utility rates which in turn
13 causes a problem for the manufacturers that taxes will not. She added that some guideliness need to be set
3 down for the tax abatements and there is a need to establish some kind of system to make sure that jobs are
13 being retained and found and that these abatements are being used properly. President Parker said there is
4 a check and balance system in that after Council passes these they do go on to the state where they may
either accept or reject them, noting they have the final approval.
4
43 President Parker recognized Mike Toschlog who had stepped to the lecturn, noting that he had missed the
41 public hearing but he would allow him to make a brief comment. Toschlog stated that he lived at 5054
4 Leadline Road and said he had a question about the Wayne County Convention &Tourism Bureau building.
4. Councilmember Donat stated that he was the person who had asked for the information and she provided
4 him with that. Toschlog questioned, in particular, the two new jobs which was stated they were going to
4 create. City Controller Dennis Grimes said he could not answer that particular question but would state that
41 First Richmond Realtors is building the building and will lease it to the Tourism Bureau.
5
5 Councilmember Donat said this was disucssed in the Tax Abatement Committee meeting and determined
5 that it met the requirements. She added that one of the things is that the State Tax Board has commissioned
5 the Tax Abatement Committee to review these so that they are sure to fit the statutory limitations and the
54 Board indicated in a ruling last year that if the Tax Abatement Committee does not review these they will be
52 returned and denied. She added that the Committee tries to be prudent in these tax abatements that are
5 submitted in representation of investment into the community and the corporations listed in the ordinance are
5 in compliance.
I5
5 After much discussion, President Parker said Toschlog had the right to go to the tax hearing when the state
6' tax people come over to the Wayne County Courthouse to listen to it. He said he could not answer
6 Toschlog's questions and they could argue all day long but the fact is that if the businesses meet the criteria
6 as submitted all Council can do is either approve it or deny it then the State Tax Board can make a final
6 determination when it reviews it. Some discussion followed as to whether proper notice had been given
6 about the Tax Abatement Committee meeting and Toschlog said if the publication for the meeting had not
65 been done under.the Indiana statute then any business at that meeting is void. President Parker told
Toschlog that he was welcome to have his attorney look into the matter.
63
Common Council Minutes Cont'd
May 2, 1994
Page-5 - - —
1
2 Ordinance No.40-1994 was adopted on the following call of the roll:
3
4 Ayes: Lundy, Brookbank, Donat, McBride,Allen, Dickman, Hutton and Parker(8)
5 Absent: Elstro
6
7 ORDINANCES ON SECOND READING
8
9 ORDINANCE NO. 26-1994
10
11 The Clerk read Ordinance No. 26 - 1994 - A SPECIAL ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING MAP AT
12 3194 UNION PIKE
13
14 President Parker declared Ordinance No.26- 1994 on public hearing.
15
16 Speaking in favor of the ordinance was Bob Burton, attorney for the petitioner,who noted that the property is
17 located on Union Pike approximately one quarter of a mile north of 1-70 at the intersection of Wayne Road
18 going to the west and to the east venturing into the area of Highland Road. He said they are asking for C-4
19 commercial zoning, noting that the property is over an acre in size. Bob Goodwin, director of planning and
20 redevelopment, displayed a map on the overhead projector showing the location of the property.
21
22 Burton explained that the property has a 12,000 square foot commercial building on it which was constructed
23 over 30 years ago by Ed Kaler for his business which is the same business now and that is Fowler
24 Wholesale owned by Bob Dick and Harold Simpson. He said the building has been continually used for
25 warehousing and distribution of food stuffs, candies, sundries and tobaccos for convenience stores. He
26 added that it would not be used for either residential, industrial or any other purpose other than commercial.
27 He said the property to the east is zoned industrial M-2 and is a trucking company and the property to the
28 west is also zoned industrial M-2. The property to the north on the west side of Union Pike, Burton said, is
29 farmland.
30
31 Burton said they are asking to change from a non-conforming use to C-4 commercial because they want the
32 use to actually conform to the zoning ordinance. He noted that one reason for that is the City's long range
33 plans to continue to develop Union Plke on out to improve the road with an expectation that commercial and
34 industrial uses will make use of the area. He said the other is that Fowler needs some flexibility whether it
35 retains the property for its present use or determines to sell it.
36
37 In answer to Councilmember Donat's question as to why four members of the Advisory Planning Commission
38 voted to deny this, Burton said there was some misunderstanding about notification of property owners.
39 Councilmember McBride said Council had rezoned the property across the street from this property in
40 question so the owner could build a garage there and he felt it would be inconsistent to refuse this rezoning.
41
42 Robert Dick of 2323 Stoneybrook Lane, half owner in Fowler Wholesale that owns the property at 3194
43 Union Pike, explained that the property was used primarily for warehousing until about two and one half
44 years ago. He said they bought the property at 645 Indiana Avenue because they outgrew the original
45 facility, noting they had about 20 employees and were operating in 12,000 square feet of space. He said they
46 now have 22,000 square feet and 36 employees. He added that they bought the building on Indiana Avenue
47 and now have over$750,000 invested in real property and are paying property taxes not only to the City but
48 to Wayne County on property that they get partial use from. He noted that they had spent quite a bit of
49 money maintaining the Union Pike property, putting $21,000 in it last year for a new roof, making sure it
50 stays in good repair. He added that they are trying to be good citizens and feels that they deserve to have it
51 rezoned.
52
53 Hearing no further comments in favor of the ordinance and none against, Councilmember Dickman moved
54 for engrossment, second by Councilmember Hutton and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote.
55
56 Councilmember Allen moved to suspend the rules and advance Ordinance No. 26 - 1994 to third and final
57 reading and read by title only, second by Councilmember McBride and the motion was carried on a
58 unanimous voice vote.
59
60 The Clerk read Ordinance No.26-1994 on third reading.
61
62 Councilmember Donat stated her concern about the six to four vote. However, she said, it was her feeling
63 that since none of those who opposed it were in attendance tonight they evidently were not so vigorously
64 opposed to it.
65
464
Common Council Minutes Cont'd
May 2, 1994
Page-6 -
i
Ordinance No.26- 1994 was adopted on the following call of the roll:
Ayes: Lundy, Brookbank, Donat, McBride,Allen, Dickman, Hutton and Parker(8)
Absent: Elstro
ORDINANCE NO.30-1994
The Clerk read Ordinance No. 30 - 1994 - A SPECIAL ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING MAP AT
1 1200 SOUTH 18TH STREET AND APPROVING A FINAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN
1
1 President Parker asked Councilmember Brookbank to explain the ordinance. She said the vote of the
1 Planning Commission was 9-0 in favor. She noted that this is the Prestwick Apartments discussed earlier in
1 the evening. President Parker announced that Ordinance No.30- 1994 was on public hearing.
1
1 Speaking in favor of the ordinance was Jim Lowry, a representative of Freeman Planning and Development,
1 who asked for Council's approval noting the unanimous approval of the Planning Commission. He noted that
1: this would allow construction of an office and 48 apartments at approximately South 18th and L Streets.
1°
20 There being no other comments in favor and none against, Councilmember McBride moved for
2 engrossment, second by Councilmember Hutton and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote.
2
2 Councilmember Brookbank moved to suspend the rules and advance Ordinance No. 30 - 1994 to third and
2• final reading and read by title only, second by Councilmember McBride and the motion was carried on a
2 unanimous voice vote.
20
2 The Clerk read Ordinance No.30 -1994 on third reading.
2
2 Ordinance No.30- 1994 was adopted on the following call of the roll:
3'
3 Ayes: Lundy, Brookbank, Donat, McBride,Allen, Dickman, Hutton and Parker(8)
3 Absent: Elstro
3
3 ORDINANCE NO.34-1994
35
3. The Clerk read Ordinance No. 34 - 1994 - A SPECIAL ORDINANCE ANNEXING TERRITORY
3 CONTIGUOUS TO THE NORTHWEST CORPORATION LIMITS TO THE CITY OF RICHMOND
3:
3° President Parker announced Ordinance No.34- 1994 was on public hearing.
40
4 Goodwin pointed out the proposed annexation area on a map displayed on the overhead projector,
4 explaining that of the five areas to be annexed for the future growth of the community this area and the
4 southeast annexation of 1,060 acres which is awaiting final determination by the court system are the two
4, priorities.
4
4. Goodwin said the primary reason for discussing the southeast annexation is that it is an area bisected by the
4 City's only remaining railroad which comes back through the community to the northwest and that area
4 would be the second primary annexation area. The differences and the similarities are obviously, Goodwin
4 said,the railroad in both locations and the proximity to 1-70. He said the thinking at the time of the request for
5 the southeast annexation was that it would be suitable for small parcel sites for which an M-1 light industrial
5 could be applied. He said the area to the northwest would be predominantly 100-, 200-, 300- and 400-acre
5 sites within that 1,845 acres.
5
5 Goodwin pointed out the area which belonged to Richmond State Hospital then noted that the annexation
5 boundaries start at the northwest corner which would be the south right of way line of Round Barn Road,
5 extending south to the south right of way line of Crowe Road which extends east to the west right of way line
5 of Salisbury Road then down Salisbury to the point where it hits the City limits and back up the center line of
5 that road again. He explained the reason for going there was because in that particular area, half of the
5 roadway is in the City and the other half in the county and this would bring all of that right of way into the
6 City. Continuing to trace the boundaries, Goodwin said the line comes back north along the center line of
6 Salisbury Road to the present City limits and along the railroad track extending east and following a part of
6 the City limits around the Buchholtz subdivision that is annexed by about a one-foot strip to bring that area
6 into the City. Then, continuing north and west back into the point of beginning. He noted that the state
6 hospital farm property is approximately 380 acres and that land was brought under City control through
65 action of the Indiana State Legislature last year. He said while it is still owned by the state, the City can act
on behalf of the state to market that for industrial use.
465
Common Council Minutes Cont'd
May 2, 19q4
Page 7 -
1
2 The area is more than adequately served by basic utility services, Goodwin said, having both water and gas
3 which are private services and sewer and electric which are services the City provides. He added that
4 annexation would not affect school boundaries.
5
6 Speaking against the proposed annexation was Gerald Milsaps of 3064 Gaar Jackson Road who questioned
7 as to whether that area would have proper police and fire protection as well as adequate utilities. He was
8 also concerned about Centerville schools losing out on tax money. James Watt of 2470 Rich Road also
9 expressed his concern about whether or not the City services would be available and about his taxes.
10
11 Douglas Hamilton of 2303 Salisbury Road North, said he bought in the area in which he wanted to live and
12 spent $30,000 to drain his property since it is in the wetland area and now that it is livable,the City wants to
13 take his land.
14
15 Jon Branstrator said he was not saying there are ground water problems in that area but he noted that a
16 creek runs through part of the proposed area and there is water there. He added that the industrial
17 development should state that.
18
19 James Wallace of 2470 Rich Road also voiced concern about the wetland. Marcia Toschlog French, Wayne
20 County Commissioner,said they are aware of it.
21
22 Don Eliason stated that he had been a Center Township resident for 72 years and his concern is that the
23 community is driving agriculture away from this area. He touched on many areas in voicing his stand against
24 the proposed annexation which included the background of the Richmond State Hospital land, the proposed
25 convention center,the gorge, Hill's Pet Foods,the EDIT tax and the City's master plan.
26
27 Gertrude"Lucky"Ward, a resident of Airport Road, stated that she had been studying Richmond and Wayne
28 County history and said it seemed to her that the City is so intent on industry that it is insulting to our
29 ancestors who farmed and led agriculturally-oriented lives. She said there are still people who are interested
30 in doing that and they have good solid land which should not be wasted on concrete slabs. She noted the
31 failure of the Bucyrus Erie plant and Natco, making note of the fact that Charlie Mosey is doing what he can
32 with that facility now.
33
34 Helen Sowers, also a resident of the proposed annexation area, stated that she had strong concerns about
35 the proposed annexation. She pointed out her love of the country where she has lived for the past three
36 years and has learned to appreciate it. She commented on the underground water supply near the surface,
37 noting that Artesian wells do exist, adding that the water supply of both Richmond and Centerville could
38 become contaminated. She said there are no better stewards of this land than the farmers, adding that if they
39 are going to produce food they are going to take care of that ground.
40
41 Leroy Gibbons of 3131 Crowe Road commented that he had attended the Planning Commission meeting
42 and heard no answers to the questions he had. He said the majority of the land in the proposed annexation
43 area is owned by four families, adding that one of those has been in the same family over 100 years and one
44 large plot has been owned by one family since the 1800s. He said more answers are needed about the
45 wetland and he suggested that someone talk with those families who own large tracts of land to see if they
46 are interested in selling it.
47
48 In answer to a question posed by Councilmember Allen, Gibbons said he does not live in the proposed land
49 to be annexed but stated that he is a taxpayer.
50
51 Mike Hensley of 3748 Crowe Road urged Councilmembers to vote against the ordinance noting that he was
52 concerned about the fire protection and as to whether or not his insurance rates were going to go up.
53
54 Laura Toschlog of 3743 Toschlog Road said she is the mother of two small children and the family lives
55 across the street from the property the City is talking about building a factory on. She said they had spent
56 eight years of their lives and money to live in the country and she wants to continue to live on the land owned
57 by her father-in-law which has been in the family for many, many years.
58
59 Councilmember Brookbank moved for engrossment but Councilmember Donat said she felt Council needed
60 to get some answers to the questions asked tonight.She said she didn't know whether that could be done in
61 a Committee of the Whole meeting or not and asked for the input of other Councilmembers. Councilmember
62 Hutton asked Goodwin if he was prepared to answer all the questions asked tonight and he answered that
63 he could speak to several of them. Councilmember McBride asked how many Councilmembers had even
64 been around that area out there and President Parker said he felt that possibly nobody had walked the entire
65 1,800 acres, but was certain most knew the perimeters.
46
Common Council Minutes Cont'd
May 2, 1994
Page 8
Wallace said it was not necessary to walk it. He said there is an opening to the state farm ground on a road
built of cinders, noting the swamps and the dump where they have been dumping items for the past 30
years.
President Parker said Ordinance No.34-1994 will stay on second reading.
ORDINANCES ON THIRD READING
°
1 0 There were none.
1
1 OLD BUSINESS
11 1 There was none.
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS
1
1 There was none.
1
2 ADJOURNMENT
2
2 There being no further business, on a motion duly made,seconded and passed,the meeting was adjourned.
2
2
2
2
27
2:
2° Larry Parker, President
30
3
3
3
3,
3 ATTEST:
3° Norma Carnes, City Clerk
3
3
39
40
4'
4/4
4
4
4
4
4
4
5
5
5
5
5
5
5•
57
5:
5°
60
6
6•
6
6•
6