HomeMy Public PortalAbout02-13-1997 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS AND SAFETY OF THE
CITY OF RICHMOND, INDIANA, FEBRUARY 13,1997
1 The Board of Public Works and Safety of the City of Richmond, Indiana, met at 5 p.m. Thursday, February 13,
2 1997, in the Municipal Building in said City. President Robert Goodwin presided with Robin Henry, Bruce
3 Metzger and Assistant City Attorney Steve Rabe in attendance.The following business was had to-wit:
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5 APPROVAL OF MINUTES
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7 The minutes of the February 6, 1997 meeting were approved on a motion by Henry, second by Metzger and
8 carried on a unanimous voice vote.
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10 CLAIMS FOR PAYMENT
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12 Claims for payment submitted by the City Controller's office were read by Henry who noted they totaled
13 $490,391.99 which include T.I.F. bond claims on land acquisition for Industries Road. She moved to approve,
14 second by Metzger and carried on a unanimous voice vote.
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16 TELECOMMUNICATIONS COUNCIL
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18 Mary Ellen Donat, president of the Telecommunications Council, appeared before the Board, noting that each of
19 the members had been presented a letter explaining that on December 18, 1996 the Telecommunications
20 Council had voted unanimously,with one absent,to request that other cable companies be invited to look at this
21 community's market.
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23 She noted that the group had several concerns which have not changed since they began to meet in May 1996.
24 Some of these concerns are the ad channels on basic service, limited choices and the lack of communication
25 between this group and TCI. She added that the problem seems to be getting worse instead of better. She also
26 added that Assistant City Attorney Steve Rabe had contacted the FCC and found there is no federal legislation
27 that would prohibit inviting other cable companies and the franchise agreement with TCI does not prohibit
28 entering into an agreement with another company similar to TCI.
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30 In answer to Metzger's question as to how the process would operate, Donat said she wasn't quite sure, but the
31 thing to do would be to find out how many there are and issue an invitiation to them to look over this market.
32 Metzger asked if she envisioned most of the contact be done by the Telecommunications Council or the Board
33 of Works. Donat said that she understands this Telecommunications Council is merely a body that makes
34 recommendations and what the group would do would be a result of this Board's actions which would mean the
35 Board would have to give this Council some direction. She said that although she would not speak for the other
36 Council members, she feels all of the members are dedicated and committed to serving this community and
37 would be willing to take the time to find other cable companies. She said the only idea she has at the present
38 involves RP & L which had a wide interest in that area three years ago. She said at that time, TCI made a lot of
39 promises which were never followed through and added that she feels this market is a good one and based that
40 on the studies done by RP& L. President Goodwin suggested the issue be taken under advisement.
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42 REQUESTS
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44 A. Fire Chief Mike Allen stated that Michael Christopher Allen had completed all his department testing
45 and requirements and Allen and Jeffrey Ray Kemp have both been approved for the state pension fund
46 and their effective hire date is February 18. He added that, for the purpose of seniority, Kemp is the
47 senior of the two. Metzger moved to approve the hiring of Allen, noting that the Board had already
48 approved Kemp and he would be the senior of the two,second by Henry and the motion was carried on
49 a unanimous voice vote.
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51 B. Chief Allen brought before the Board the retirement of Lt. Charles Clark, noting that he, as well as
52 his family, was present. Chief Allen said Lt. Clark was hired February 16, 1964, adding that his father,
53 Henry Clark, had served on the department 25 years. Chief Allen asked Lt. Clark to step forward and
54 presented him with a plaque which had an inscription along with his badge. Responding, Lt. Clark said
55 it had been 33 years of pleasure for him, adding that his family had put up with a lot as far as his work
56 schedule was concerned. But, he said, it "has been a real good job." Henry moved to accept the
57 retirement of Lt. Clark,second by Metzger and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote.
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59 C. Noting the contributors to the Youth Education Smokehouse, Chief Allen said their contributions had
60 been either of material and labor or financial.Those contributors included Russell &Geier Construction,
61 Wayne Sheet Metal & Welding, Signgrafx, Richmond Electric Supply, Koorsen Protection System,
62 Pardo's Towing & Recovery, Raper's Rent To Own, Cabinet Supply and the Eagles Lodge. He said he
63 left the Eagles until last because that group had contributed thousands of dollars not only to the Fire
64 Department but to the Police Department and he wanted to recognize them separately for the $8,000
65 they had given to initiate the project. Roy Combes was present to accept the certificate of appreciation.
Board of Works Minutes Cont'd
February 13, 1997
Page 2
1 D. Police Chief Bill Shake explained to the Board that because of the government contract GTE has
2 received, the company is offering better billing procedures, better equipment and better long distance
3 service which they have made available to governmental agencies. He said the monthly rate is $12.95
4 and $10 per month for unlimited nights and weekends. Chief Shake said the department has two
5 cellular phones which they are paying for on a monthly basis, noting that Officer Barry Ritter received
6 his grant from Drug Free Indiana to purchase a cellular phone for the child protection work and with the
7 Board's approval the Police Department would like to utilize the contract offer from GTE for the monthly
8 rate and the $10 per month for the Youth Services Division. Metzger moved to approve the request,
9 second by Henry and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote.
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12 CONTRACTS
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14 A. Appearing before the Board was City Engineer Bob Wiwi requesting the Board's approval for the
15 accelerated off-street parking design for the uptown redevelopment. He explained that looking at the
16 overall project of the uptown, the Mayor is identifyng his desire to accelerate the work on the parking
17 lots the City is planning on constructing.
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19 Wiwi said the goal would be to have this work on the lots in place prior to the major construction on the
20 Promenade. He said the original contract did not call for this to happen in this manner and it would
21 require some extra effort on the part of the consultant. Wiwi requested the Board approve the revised
22 project schedule proposal made by Cole & Associates which outlined five items of additional work
23 totaling $12,710. Wiwi said after reviewing it he feels this total can be reduced by doing the work
24 in-house, noting that he has had discussion with representatives of Cole and they concur with that. In a
25 letter to the Board,Wiwi recommended the amount be reduced to $10,050. President Goodwin said this
26 is an amendment of the contract's phase 3 entered into earlier for the design and preparation of plans
27 for the actual construction. Wiwi said the additional cost is for taking it out of the normal sequence of
28 events accelerating it so that prior to the demolition of the Promenade itself people will have adequate
29 parking space and it would mean less interruption to the businesses. Henry moved to approve the
30 accelerated off-street parking design and the additional cost of $10,050, second by Metzger and the
31 motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote.
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33 B. City Controller Shelley Miller explained some of the basic changes to the current insurance plan
34 offered to City employees which are a result of recommendations gathered from the committee
35 composed of representatives of all the City departments. She said this is a change in direction from
36 emphasis on emergency treatment to an emphasis on wellness procedures, noting that it includes an
37 allotment for each plan participant for wellness procedures each year.The new items,she said, include:
38 (1)an out-of-pocket cap for the employees so they know what that annual amount will be; (2) raised the
39 lifetime maximum benefit to $2 million from the previous $250,000; and going to allow the
40 implementation of a pre-tax premium for those employees that elect to do so as well as offer them flex
41 accounts for child care and medical costs. President Goodwin read the names of those who
42 participated in the study. Miller said the City will be seeing a savings, noting that the amount of claims
43 had decreased in 1996. Henry moved to approve the changes in the plan through Benefit Systems Inc.,
44 second by Metzger and the motion was carried on a unanimous voice vote.
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46 ADJOURNMENT
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48 There being no further business, on a motion duly made seconded and passed and carried on a unanimous
49 voice vote,the meeting was adjourned.
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55 Robert Goodwin, President
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60 ATTEST:
61 Norma Schroeder, Clerk
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