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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