HomeMy Public PortalAbout08-27-1970 BOARD OF WORKS AND SAFETY OF THE CITY
OF RICHMOND, INDIANA, AUGUST 27, 1970
The Board of Public Works and Safety of the City of Richmond,
Indiana, met in regular session in the Municipal Building,
August 27, 1970, at the hour of 9:00 a .m. Mr . Cecere presiding,
with Mr . Howell attending . The following business was had
to-wit :
Mr . Howell moved to approve the minutes of the previous meeting,
seconded by Mr . Cecere and on unanimous voice vote the motion
was carried .
Ed Peterson of the Wayne County United Fund appeared to ask
the Board to authorize four 30-minute parking spaces in front
of the United Fund office in order that volunteers and others
doing business with the United Fund may have a place to park .
Traffic Captain Paul Martin said such an action might set a
precedent for others downtown. Mr . Cecere asked whether the
area warrants the short-term parking . Assistant Police Chief
Major Doren said that the area is no different from all of
downtown . Mr . Cecere said he felththat the Board could not provide
on-street parking for any one business or institution . Mr .
Howell moved the Board deny the request for 30-minute parking
spaces , seconded by Mr . Cecere and on unanimous voice vote the
motion was carried .
Mr . Peterson then asked the Board' s permission to string banners
across S . 8th and N . 8th Sts . and U . S . 40 East . He said he has
talked to the State Highway Department and they have agreed,
provided the City approved. Mr . Howell explained that the Board
has no jurisdiction over State Highways and could not grant or
withhold such permission .
Juvenile Captain Gibbs recommended that Thursday, October 29, from
6 to 10 p.m. be designated "trick or treat" night . Mr . Howell
moved the Board approve the recommendation, Mr . Cecere seconded
and on unanimous voice vote the motion was carried .
Mr . Howell moved the Board approve a request from the Fraternal
Order of Police to hold a carnival on the Old City Building
ground Sept . 14 through 19, Redevelopment, which. owns the land,
having given permission, Mr . Cecere seconded and on unanimous
voice vote the motion was carried .
Ed Mahley of the Episcopal Church diocese requested permission
to hold a parade on Nov. 7 at noon, beginning at the Leland
Motor Inn and ending at St . Paul ' s Church . Mr . Howell moved the
Board approve the request, subject to State Highway approval ,
seconded by Mr . Cecere and on unanimous voice vote the motion
was carried .
Mr . Ater of Ater ' s Ambulance Service appeared concerning complaints
by neighbors of disturbances during the night consisting of
fast starts and sirens , occuring during night runs of the ambu-
lance. Ater explained that he seldom goes out on night calls
from his home, but he does keep an ambulance there in case the
ambulance at the garage is called out and another call comes in.
He further explained that he never uses the flashing lights or
the siren until he is three blocks away 'from his home. He said
complaints about a loud telephone bell have already been taken
care of since he has had his outside bell removed . Mr . Howell
and Mr . Cecere both admonished Ater that he is not to operate the
ambulance business from his home, except in emergencies, and
that he is to be extra cautious not to disturb the neighborhood
during nighttime hours .
The question of insurance payments on a wrecked ambulance was
discussed . Mr . Ater said the insurance company has offered
$1 , 200 .00 for the ambulance or offered to pay $940 .00 for repairs .
Mr . Howell thought that payment low, since the City paid $7,000 .00
for the ambulance two years ago. Mr . Ater said that the insurance
adjuster claimed the ambulance would have to be sold as a
carry-all , however it had been insured as an ambulance. Mr .
Howell told Ater not to make any settlement until he has had
further opportunity to discuss it with him.
Board of Works Minutes
Page 2
August 27, 1970
The Clerk presented proof of publication on Amended Resolution
No. 2-1970 . Mr . Cecere, City Attorney, examined the proof
of publication and found it to be correct . Mr . Howell moved
to approve the proof of publication, seconded by Mr . Cecere
and on unanimous voice vote the motion was carried .
No remonostrators appeared and no written remonstrances were
received .
Mr . Howell moved the Board confirm Amended Resolution No. 2-1970
seconded by Mr . Cecere and on unanimous voice vote the motion
was carried .
Mr . Howell moved the Board authorize R .P . & L . to install the
following street lights from the priority list:
Mr . A. E . Beck, General Manager
Richmond Power & Light
Richmond, Indiana
Dear Mr . Beck:
The Board of Public Works and Safety at their regular meeting
on Thursday, August 27, 1970, authorized the installation of
the following street lights from the priority list:
7 . South 2nd Street through South 6th Street, A to B Street .
8. Hunt Street, Railroad to L Street and L Street to Belden.
9. South 5th Street from H to Q Streets .
10 . Southwest 3rd Street through Southwest 5th Street,
National Road to Southwest E Street .
11 . Northwest 5th Street through Northwest 11th Street from
Peacock Road to Richmond Avenue.
li'a Southwest 19th Street from National Road through Western
Drive.
19 . National Road East from Mr . Wiggs to Railroad .
Very truly yours ,
Charles Howell
City Controller
Mr . Cecere seconded the motion and on unanimous voice vote the
motion was carried .
Mr . Howell moed the Board refer a request for fire hydrants in
the Crestdale addition to the Fire Department for study and
recommendation, Mr . Cecere seconded and on unanimous voice vote
the motion was carried .
Mr . Howell moved the Board accept athe.cifoL1.owi ng report; seconded
by Mr . Cecere and on unanimous voice vote the motion was carried .
DOGS DELIVERED TO . THE. ANIMAL SHELTER DURING MONTH OF
JULY, 1970
DATE ADDRESS TYPE SEX COLOR
7-1 164o S . 6th Collie M Bl & Wt
7-1 611 Sheridan Police M B1 & Br
7-1 919 N . llth Collie M Br & Wt
7-1 919 N . llth Terrier M Br & Wt
7-1 911 N . 11th Collie M Br & Wt
7-1 919 N . llth Collie M Br & Wt
7 -2 1625 Oakland Ave. Police M B1 & Br
7 -2 1312 S . 16th Terrier M Br
7-22 1600 S. 7th Terrier F Bl & Wt
7-22 1600 S . 7th Terrier F Br & Wt
7-23 319 S . 10th Beagle M Bl , Wt & Br
7-23 71.0 N . 19th Collie M Br & Wt
7-23 64 N . W. G Cocker F Bl
7-23 805 N . G Hound F Bl , Wt, & Br
7-23 805 N . G Beagle M Br
7-28 S. 8th & G Collie M Bl , Wt , & Br
Board of Works Minutes
-August 27, 1970
Page 3
DOGS DELIVEREDTO . ANIMAL . SHELTER DURING MONTH
OF JULY, 1970
DATE ADDRESS TYPE SEX COLOR
7-28-70 10 River Ct . Terrier F B1 , Wt & Br
7 -29 49 N . W. J Terrier
Collie
M B1 , Wt
7-30 31 N. W. F M Tan
7-31 916 S . 9th Beagle F Br & B1
7-31 808 N . F Terrier F Bl , Wt & Br
7-31 18 River Ct . Terrier M Tan
7 -31 18 River Ct . Terrier M Tan
7-31 1128 -Sheridan Collie F Br & Wt
15 Cats delivered to the Animal Shelter
17 Pups delivered to the Animal Shelter
Found homes for 6 dogs .
11 Sick dogs destroyed .
5 dogs returned to the owners . -
James Ferguson
Dog Warden
City Plan Director Rick Freeman asked the Board authorize a
resolution to be presented to Council approving a $150 .00
transfer within his budget from postage to telephone, $56.00
from tires and tubes to other office supplies ; and $30 .00 from
stationary and printing to gasoline. Mr . Howell moved the
Board approve the request , seconded by Mr . Cecere and on
unanimous voice vote the motion was carried .
Fire Chief William Berry presented the following report:
JULY MONTHLY REPORT
INSPECTIONS 409
RE-INSPECTIONS 21
VERBAL ORDERS 7
LETTERS 9
Captain Griffin had classes at the Trinity Lutheran Church on
church fires . He also showed the film "Our Obligation", 57
attended .
Captain Sparks has been devoting much time to selling ads for
the East Central Indiana Fire Conference to be held in Richmond
the first of October .
Sparky ' s Fire Department had open house at #1 Fire Station.
An estimated 900-1 ,000 toured the building .
Captain Bosell had three classes at the Richmond High School on
Resusci Anne. 74 students attended.
Captain Bosell and Captain Sparks had three classes on how to
111 extinguish kitchen fires for local restaurants .
Captain Bosell had classes with Kemper Brothers fire brigade .
36 members attended.
Fire Marshal Green has given assistance over the week-ends on
fire runs while certain Chief Officers were on vacation .
Reported by:
Harlan Green, Fire Marshal
Mr . Cecere read the following letter:
Board of Works Minutes
August 27, 1970
Page 4
Andrew Cecere, President
Board of Public Works and Safety
City of Richmond, Indiana
Dear Sir :
I have found it necessary to bring charges of "Absence with
Leave" and "Nelect of Duty", Article X111 , Section 1 , page 27
of the Rules and Regulations of the Fire Department against
Captain Richard Huffman, Officer in Charge #2, "C" Platoon.
Captain Huffman left his post as Officer in Charge Co. #2
without first obtaining permission from his immediate superior ,
that being Battalion Chief Marion Williams, and did not notify
his immediate suboordinate, that being Firefighter Dave Myers
to serve as Acting Officer in this absence.
Captain Huffman has been a member of the Richmond Fire
Department since September 16, 1950 and there is no justifi -
cation for his conduct .
A copy of Battalion Chief Marion Williams report of this
infraction of the rules is enclosed.
Captain Huffman has been notified of the charges to be
filed by this office .
It is the recommendation of this office that Captain Huffman
be reduced in rank from Captain to Engineer and copy of these
proceedings be made a part of his permanent record .
Roderick Rohe
Assistant Chief
Captain Huffman was present, represented by Counsil John Brant .
Mr . Brant told the Board that Captain Huffman did leave his
post without permission from his superior officer , but he did
not neglect to notify his suboordinate, a charge which was
mentioned in Chief Rohe ' s letter to the Board but not in
Battalion Chief William ' s letter to the Chief. _ICh,i,ef Rohe
explained that Battalion Chief .Wi 11 iams was on vacation but
Firefighter David. Myers was present to testify.
Firefighter Myers testified that he was on duty on July 26, under
Captain Huffman. Captain Huffman told him he was leaving after
he received a phone call from his wife, to change a tire. The
second time Captain Huffman left the same day, he again told
him he was leaving, this time to unlock the car since his son
had inadvertently locked the keys inside the car . Also on duty
at the time was Michael Ellen . Upon questioning by Brant,
Mr . Myers said he knew that he was the next in command according
to seniority . Mr . Cecere said that it was established that
Mr . Huffman left without permission from his superior officer
and it was a question of how severe the punishment should be.
Chief Rohe said that Captain Huffman has been on the Department
for nearly 20 years and knows the proper procedures for absences
and he considers this a serious breach .
Mr . Brant recited the following facts concerning the absences:
Captain Huffman had a call from his wife who was stranded in the
country with a flat tire, accompanied by her 77-year old mother
and 6-year old son . He tried unsuccessfully to call someone to
fix the tire, and subsequently tried to locate Chief Rohe who
was also not at headquarters . He did advise Mr . Myers he was
leaving and the estimates of length of his absence range from
20 to 30 minutes . That same evening he again received a call
from his wife, the substance of which was that his son had locked
the keys inside the car . This time he did not attempt to locate
Chief Williams and Chief Rohe since he was not able to reach
them earlier . His estimated absence was from 7 to 10 minutes ,
after notifying Myers .
Board of Works Minutes
August 27, 1970
Page 5
Mr . Brant explained that Captain Huffman has three weeks short
of 20 years ' service, with an unblemished record . On the day in
question he should not have been working, having received second-
degree burns the previous day . He had letter from his doctor
stating that he should not have been at work . Mr . Brant cited
other instances when Captain Huffman showed his dedication to
duty by appearing at work when physically ill . Mr . Brant also
stated that there is a history of absences in the fire depart-
ment . He felt that the recommendation is severe in view of the
facts stated, and that apparently the rules of the Fire Department
have not been made clear and there is no common understanding
of them. Mr . Brant said he felt that a written reprimand, to
be made a part of Captain Huffman ' s record, would be a =fitting
punishment .
Mr . Cecere said that he felt that a serious breach of rules had
taken place, that he appreciates Captain Huffman ' s concern for
his family but he did not feel that the situation constituted an
emergency to prompt Captain- Huffman to leave his post . He said
the excellent record of Captain Huffman ' s service and his willing-
ness to make sacrifices for the Department would be taken into
consideration .
Mr . Howell said that he did not recognize the emergency nature
of the reasons for the two absences . If this is a regular prac-
tice it must be stopped, but he did not see the need for a
deduction in rank.
Mr . Howell moved the Board suspend Captain Huffman for one day
without pay, constituting the loss of 1 /365th of his annual
salary, seconded by Mr . Cecere and on unanimous voice vote the
motion was carried .
There being no further business , on motion duly made, seconded
and carried, the meeting was adjourned.
/s/ Andrew C. Cecere, President
ATTEST: Lotte Hoskins , Clerk of the Board