HomeMy Public PortalAbout07-06-1987 502 dl
PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF RICHMOND,INDIANA.JULY 6,1987
1 The Common Council of the City of Richmond, Indiana met in regular session July 6, 1987 at the hour of 7:30
2 P.M.in the Council Chambers in said City. President Brookbank presided with the following Councilmembers
3 present: Elstro, Williams, Whitesell, Parker, Hutton Morris and Theobald. Absent: Hankinson. The
4 following business was had to-wit:
5
6 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
7
8 SILENT DEVOTIONS
9
10 APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF JUNE 15,1987
11
12 Councilmember Hankinson moved to approve the minutes of the previous meetings as prepared, seconded
13 by Councilmember Whitesell and on unanimous voice vote the motion was carried.
14
15 COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR
16
17 Mayor Frank H. Waltermann commented on the Rose Festival activities and stated he felt it had been an
18 excellent festival. He thanked all the various city departments for their participation and added his
19 congratulations to the Rose Festival Office.
20
21 Mayor Waltermann also congratulated Harry Ray Post 65 for their forty-second year of fire works displays
22 for the Forth of July celebration.
23
24 Mayor Waltermann informed the Council that the All-America City Award presentation would be held at the
25 Whitehouse,Washington, D.C.on July 15th and a delegation would be there representing the City.
26
27 Mayor Waltermann said that he had greeted 193 cyclists tonight that are participating in a cross country tour
28 from Seattle to Atlantic City for the American Lung Association. He said the cyclists average 80 miles per
29 day and Wayne County was able to present them with a 500.00 check for the Lung Association.
30
31 REPORTS FROM OTHER OFFICES
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33 Councilmember Parker informed the Council that he had asked Rita Stout to check on the complaint issued
34 on the trees by Mr. Carl Reynolds. Ms. Stout said there had been a misunderstanding and the trees sent to
35 the landfill were to have been planted by boy scouts and they were not. She said the trees were seedlings
36 and chances of survival were not good. Ms. Stout said she did check on the trees planted at Highland Golf
37 Course and they had been planted. She said they were a little larger and delivered in water and they are
38 hopeful that some will live.
39
40 Ms. Stout informed the Council that the Street Tree Commission meets the forth Wednesday of each month
41 and invited the Council to attend.
42
43 REPORT FROM BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS AND SAFETY
44
45 President Susan Silberstein reported the Board had awarded the bids for several street sweeping projects
46 within the City, approved the retirement of Fire Department employee Lt. Robert Thalls and also approved
47 three promotions within the Fire Department. Ms.Silberstein said the Board had approved the contracts with
48 persons hired to secure utility easements within the Reeveston area and also established guidelines for
49 block parties.
50
51 REPORTS FROM SPECIAL COMMITTEES
52
53 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
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55 Councilmember Whitesell announced the Committee of the Whole dates set for July 9th and 16th have been
56 cancelled. He said they hope to cover many questions on the salary ordinance tonight and conclude
57 discussion and review when the ordinance returns for second reading. Councilmember Whitesell said the
58 salary ordinance must be passed prior to August 1, 1987 and it might be possible a special meeting would
59 need to be called to pass the ordinance.
60
61 REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES
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63 REID HOSPITAL
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65 President Brookbank announced Jack Reed and Bill King have resigned from the Hospital Board and will be
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Common Council Minutes Cont'd
July 6, 1987
Page 2
1 replaced near the end of the year with other appointments. She said they also approved the purchase of
2 new equipment that x-ray movements of the body and announced the resignation of Ms. Nan Halsey.
3
4 REPORTS FROM OTHER COUNCIL COMMITTEES
5
6 HUMAN RELATIONS ORDINANCE
7
8 Councilmember Morris reported the Citizen Advisory Committee for the Human Relations Ordinance had met
9 and heard testimony the past seven weeks. She said they will probably meet one more time and possibly
10 would any further meetings until the end of summer and wrap up their work early in the fall.
11
12 MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS
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14 ALLIED BROADCAST DEMONSTRATION
15
16 President Brookbank announced that Allied Broadcasting would be having a demonstration of
17 telecommunications equipment on Friday, July 10, 1987 at 10:00 A.M. and the Council was invited for the
18 demonstration and tour.
19
20 APPOINTMENT TO TOURISM BUREAU
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22 The Council was requested to replace Mr. Pete Myers, representing the lodging industry, on the Tourism
23 Bureau. The recommendation was Ms. Rose Ann Grimwood,General Manager of Howard Johnsons.
24
25 Councilmember Morris moved to approve the appointment of Ms. Rose Ann Grimwood to the Wayne County
26 Tourism Board,seconded by Councilmember Parker and on unanimous voice vote the motion was carried.
27
28 ORDINANCES
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30 ORDINANCES ON FIRST READING
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32 Councilmember Morris moved to suspend the rules and read Ordinances No.34, 35, 36 and 37-1987 on first
33 reading by title only, seconded by Councilmember Whitesell and on unanimous voice vote the motion was
34 carried.
35
36 ORDINANCE NO.34-1987
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38 The Clerk read on first reading by title only Ordinance No.34-1987-AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER
39 154 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE, BEING ORDINANCE NO. 2325-1968, COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE
40 ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND, INDIANA PROVIDING FOR THE REZONING OF
41 PROPERTY LOCATED AT 105 WOODLAWN AVENUE FROM R-2 SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCE DISTRICT
.42 TO R-2 SU SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCE SPECIAL USE DISTRICT AND AUTHORIZING THE SPECIAL USE
43 OF SAID PROPERTY TO PERMIT THE PLACEMENT OF A MANUFACTURED HOME.
44
45 President Brookbank announced the ordinance would be assigned to the Plan Commission for advertised
46 public hearing.
47
48 APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE NO.35-1987
49
50 The Clerk read on first reading by title only Appropriation Ordinance No. 35-1987 - AN ORDINANCE TO
51 APPROPRIATE WITHIN THE PARK NON-REVERTING FUND.
52
53 President Brookbank announced Ordinance No.35-1987 would be advertised for public hearing. '
54
55 TRANSFER ORDINANCE NO.36-1987
56
57 The Clerk read on first reading by title only Transfer Ordinance No. 36-1987 - AN ORDINANCE TO
58 TRANSFER WITHIN THE AIRPORT FUND.
59
60 Councilmember Morris moved to suspend the rules and move Ordinance No. 36-1987 to second reading,
61 seconded by Councilmember Hutton and on unanimous voice vote the motion was carried.
62
63 The Clerk read Ordinance No.36-1987 on second reading.
64
65 President Brookbank announced Ordinance No.36-1987 was on public hearing.
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Common Council Minutes Cont'd
July 6, 1987
Page 3
1 City Controller, Marge Sweet explained to the Council that the transfer was 3,000.00 within the Airport Fund
2 to be transferred from the Personnel Services account to the Other Contractual Services account to pay for
3 the ILS maintenance person.
4
5 There being no further discussion, Councilmember Hankinson moved for engrossment of Ordinance No.36-
6 1987,seconded by Councilmember Williams and on unanimous voice vote the motion was carried.
7
8 Councilmember Williams moved to suspend the rules and move Ordinance No. 36-1987 to third and final
9 reading and read by title only, seconded by Councilmember Hankinson and on unanimous voice vote the
10 motion was carried.
11
12 The Clerk read Ordinance No.36-1987 on third and final reading by title only.
13
14 Ordinance No.36-1987 was adopted on the following call of the roll:
15
16 Ayes: Elstro,Williams, Hankinson,Whitesell, Parker, Hutton ,Morris,Theobald and Brookbank (9)
17 Nays: None
18
19 ORDINANCE NO.37-1987
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21 The Clerk read on first reading by title only Ordinance No. 37-1987 - AN ORDINANCE SETTING TOTAL
22 REGULAR WAGES AND POSITIONS FOR APPOINTED OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY OF
23 RICHMOND, INDIANA EXCEPT FOR MEMBERS OF THE POLICE AND FIRE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING
24 UNITS, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 1988 AND ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1988,
25 APPROVING THE ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION TO CERTAIN APPOINTED OFFICIALS OF THE CITY,
26 OTHER THAN GOVERNMENTAL, WHO PREFORM SERVICES FOR THE CITY,WHICH SERVICES ARE
27 CONNECTED WITH THE OPERATION OF THE MUNICIPALLY OWNED UTILITY OR FUNCTIONS.
28
29 It was noted the ordinance needed to be amended to add a position under Public Transit that had been left
30 out of the Ordinance.
31
32 Councilmember Morris moved to amend Ordinance No.37-1987 to add the position of Maintenance at LTC IV
33 at the salary of 13,722.,seconded by Councilmember Whitesell and on unanimous voice vote the motion was
34 carried.
35
36 Mayor Waltermann addressed the Council regarding the proposed salary ordinance. He said he had tried to
37 deliver the packets individually in order to talk with the members of Council, but had not found them at home.
38 Mayor Waltermann said hundreds of hours had gone into the preparation of the ordinance, including many
39 evening hours by himself and staff members. He said they also took advantage of a contract with
40 Waggonner, Irwin and Scheele to lay out scatter plots to make a futuristic salary ordinance. Mayor
41 Waltermann stated that sixty employees were up graded in their positions.
42
43 Mayor Waltermann explained to the Council that the COMOT (Clerical Positions) had not been in line with
44 other similar positions around the City and had been upgraded accordingly. He said the LTC(Labor,Trades
45 and Crafts) positions were also changed. He added that due to some of the COMOT positions not being in
46 line, it was very costly to train and hire due to continual turnover in the positions.
47
48 Mayor Waltermann said the goal of the ordinance was to make all classifications consistent within all
49 departments and to make the wages competitive in the area. He said this ordinance will give the City a good
50 chance for more job retention with their employees and eliminate the hiring and hours of training that are so
51 costly.
52
53 Mayor Waltermann informed the Council that the COMOT positions were the number one priority to upgrade
54 to midpoint in their salary range since they were on the lowest end of the spectrum. He said them
55 consideration was given to the LTC positions that were out of line. He said he and the City Controller decided
56 that 250,000.00 of the capital equipment funds could be used to fund a pay increase for the 450 employees
57 of the City. He said every person received a 300.00 raise and the balance was used to bring the lower paid
58 employees to the midpoint in their salary range. Mayor Waltermann said the proposed will be an increase of
59 220,000.00 against the general tax levy and can be offset by the fund in capital equipment if necessary. The
60 Mayor indicated that the Cumulative Capital Development Fund would assist with the cuts in capital
61 equipment money along with the fact that the City had done considerable upgrading of equipment the past
62 three years.
63
64 Councilmember Williams stated he realized a great amount of time went into preparation of the salary
65 ordinance, but as a community we are losing jobs and even new industry is not paying in the 7.00 and 8.00
Common Council Minutes Cont'd
July 6, 1987
Page 4
1 ranges. He said the taxpayers of the community look to the Common Council to make the necessary cuts in
2 the budgets.
3
4 Councilmember Elstro asked if the funds were taken from the capital equipment this year, where did they
5 anticipate getting them from the next year and Mayor Waltermann informed the Council that other
6 communities were in much worse financial shape than Richmond and were having to get into operating
7 balances for operating funds. He said he had looked down the road three to four years and all need to
8 encourage the State Legislature to assist cities with funding alternatives.
9
10 Mayor Waltermann also said that even though persons knew what jobs paid when they were hired by the
11 City,they did not know all the additional responsibilities to be added and the employees have performed well.
12 He said maybe next year there might not be an increase, but presently the City is not hunting for funds to
13 survive and with the CCDF funds possibly funds dedicated to capital equipment could be used next year,but
14 chances are the salaries would be frozen rather than deplete the equipment funds.
15
16 He said City employees have been historically low paid and have no fringes to give concessions. He added
17 it was time to look at the lower paid employees that are still behind other City employees and this ordinance
18 does accomplish this.
19
20 Mayor Waltermann stated he has checked with local industry and City employees are just now being brought
21 into line with other median incomes and many are still not caught up.
22
23 Councilmember Williams stated he was not saying there should be no increases, just that the public will
24 frown at some of the larger increases.
25
26 Mayor Waltermann said he would be happy to explain any of the jobs to justify the salaries.
27
28 Councilmember Whitesell asked about a total percentage increase and Mayor Waltermann said that some of
29 the force will be reduced by attrition and with that in mind the total increase is approximately 8%.
30
31 Councilmember Whitesell commented on the funding being taken from capital equipment and asked if other
32 budgets were reduced could additional funds come from there and Mayor Waltermann said that was a
33 possibility and that all departments have been asked to freeze or reduce their budgets, except in special
34 cases.
35
36 Councilmember Whitesell commented on not knowing the complete funding mechanism until the end of the
37 year and how difficult it was to format a budget without all the information on funds available. .
38
39 Councilmember Morris stated she felt the ordinance had been well prepared an pointed out an addition error
40 on one of the salary breakdowns coming from several departments.
41
42 It was suggested that the ordinance be gone over by line item and the points were made in the various
43 departments:
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45 Mayor's Office
46
47 Councilmember Elstro questioned the raise in the secretary's position and Mayor Waltermann explained it
48 was brought up to the COMOT mid point. Councilmember Elstro commented the public cares about dollars
49 not mid points.
50
51 Councilmember Elstro asked about the increase for the Director of Administrative Services and Mayor
52 Waltermann explained the added responsibilities from federal mandates and stated without the addition time
53 put in by this individual, it would necessitate hiring additional staff. The Mayor added that this salary had
54 been frozen the past two years and was becoming a more important position to the City.
55
56 Finance Office
57
58 Councilmember Morris asked about the Communications Coordinator and Mayor Waltermann explained it
59 was the lowest paid position and with all the requirements of the position and turn over in personnel,the City
60 if loosing money in retraining.
61
62 Councilmember Morris commented it was an entry level position and asked why a position such as the
63 Secretary of Economic Development was paid in the same range.
64
65 Councilmember Williams moved to cut the salary for the Communications Coordinator by 638.00, seconded
Common Council Minutes Cont'd
July 6, 1987
Page 5
1 by Councilmember Elstro the motion failed on a voice vote.
2
3 Councilmember Parker moved to hold all cuts until after the ordinance had been completely discussed,
4 seconded by Councilmember Whitesell and on unanimous voice vote the motion was carried.
5
6 Law Department
7
8 Discussion was held on the Legal Assistance being paid at 3/4 time and if so the figure presented was not
9 correct. Mayor Waltermann was requested to get the information on this salary.
10
11 Economic Development
12
13 Councilmember Parker asked what the Director's salary was based on and Mayor Waltermann stated it was
14 based on national averages and the 55,000. range seemed compatible with applications being interviewed.
15
16 Councilmember Brookbank commented on the Secretary's position being factor so low and the importance of
17 the position.
18
19 Engineer Division of Public Works
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21 Mayor Waltermann explained to the Council that the position of Designer was brought up due to new
22 responsibilities including computer aided drafting.
23
24 Mr. Ralph Willis informed the Council that he hopes to reduce his personnel in the future and that persons in
25 that office are now having to learn new technology to enhance their skills.
26
27 Transportation Division of Public Works
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29 Councilmember Parker commented on the Street Commissioner being paid below under other Department
30 Heads and Mayor Waltermann explained the position was as a division head and not a department head.
31
32 RECESS AND RECONVENE OF COMMON COUNCIL
33
34 Upon request the Common Council took a brief recess. Upon reconvening of the Council, Councilmember
35 Hankinson was not in attendance, leaving the meeting due to illness.
36
37 The Council decided to go to the Ordinance on public hearing to give any audience a chance to speak prior to
38 finishing their work on the proposed salary ordinance.
39
40 ORDINANCE ON SECOND READING
41
42 ORDINANCE NO.32-1987
43
44 The Clerk read on second reading Ordinance No. 32-1987 - AN ORDINANCE FIXING THE ANNUAL
45 SALARIES OF ALL ELECTED OFFICERS OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND, INDIANA.
46
47 Mr. Barden examined the Proof of Publication and found it to be in order. Councilmember Morris moved to
48 accept and file the Proof of Publication, seconded by Councilmember Hutton and on unanimous voice vote
49 the motion was carried.
50
51 President Brookbank announced Ordinance No.32-1987 was on public hearing.
52
53 There being no comment, Councilmember Elstro moved for engrossment of Ordinance No. 32-1987,
54 seconded by Councilmember Whitesell and on unanimous voice vote the motion was carried.
55
56 Councilmember Elstro moved to suspend the rules and move Ordinance No. 32-1987 to third and final
57 reading and read by title only,seconded by Councilmember Hutton and on unanimous voice vote the motion
58 was carried.
59
60 The Clerk read Ordinance No.32-1987 on third and final reading by title only.
61
62 Councilmember Elstro stated he still felt the position of Mayor was being being underpaid and Councilmember
63 Williams said he also supported that statement.
64
65 Ordinance No.32-1987 was adopted on the following call of the roll:
Common Council Minutes Cont'd
July 6, 1987
Page 6
1 Ayes: Elstro,Williams,Whitesell, Parker, Hutton, Morris,Theobald and Brookbank (8)
2 Nays: None
3 Absent: Hankinson
4
5 ORDINANCE NO.33-1987
6
7 The Clerk read on second reading Ordinance No.33-1987-AN ORDINANCE TO APPROPRIATE WITHIN THE
8 GENERAL FUND.
9
10 Mr. Barden examined the Proof of Publication and found it to be in order. Councilmember Parker moved to
11 accept and file the Proof of Publication, seconded by Councilmember Whitesell and on unanimous voice
12 vote the motion was carried.
13
14 President Brookbank announced Ordinance No.33-1987 was on public hearing.
15
16 There being no comment, Councilmember Parker moved for engrossment of Ordinance No. 33-1987,
17 seconded by Councilmember Elstro and on unanimous voice vote the motion was carried.
18
19 Councilmember Morris moved to suspend the rules and move Ordinance No. 33-1987 to third and final
20 reading and read by title only,seconded by Councilmember Hutton and on unanimous voice vote the motion
21 was carried.
22
23 The Clerk read Ordinance No.33-1987 on third and final reading by title only.
24
25 Ordinance No.33-1987 was adopted on the following call of the roll:
26
27 Ayes: Elstro, Williams,Whitesell, Parker, Hutton, Morris,Theobald and Brookbank (8)
28 Nays: None
29 Absent: Hankinson
30
31 CONTINUED DISCUSSION OF ORDINANCE NO.37-1987
32
33 Transportation Division of Public Works
34
35 Councilmember Parker compared the position of the Street Commissioner with the Assistant Park
36 Superintendent and stated he felt the classification was wrong. He suggested the salary be increased.
37
38 Planning. Permits and Inspections
39
40 Mayor Waltermann explained the increase in Weights and Measures inspector due to additional job
41 responsibilities in inspection on weeds and housing and now being paid from temporary help funds for those
42 functions.
43
44 Councilmember Parker asked if the County was assisting with the funds for Weights and Measures and
45 Mayor Waltermann stated they were not.
46
47 Park Department
48
49 Councilmember Parker asked about the Special Project Coordinator and Ms. Sue Roberson, Director of
50 Administrative Services, explained the job would be an assistant with recreation programs and they are
51 anticipating even more expansion of the programs.
52
53 Councilmember Parker asked about the Promenade Maintenance and Mayor Waltermann explained they had
54 decreased in number from three and a supervisor to only two currently.
55
56 Councilmember Parker asked about the Park Ranger and Assistant Park Ranger and Mayor Waltermann
57 stated the assistant position will be paid less,the scale represents the maximum.
58
59 Councilmember Whitesell requested a work sheet showing the actual increases to all position including
60 those outside the tax levy.
61
62 President Brookbank asked the members of Council with further questions to contact Mayor Waltermann or
63 the City Controller for appropriate answers.
64
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Common Council Minutes Cont'd
July 6, 1987
Page 7
1 ADJOURNMENT
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3 There being no further business,on a motion duly made,seconded and passed,the meeting was adjourned.
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8 Jane R. Brookbank, President
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10 ATTEST:
11 Mary Merchanthouse,City Clerk
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