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HomeMy Public PortalAbout1/12/1999City of Greencastle 11 E City Hall Four East Walnut Street Greencastle, Indiana 46135 Pamela S. Jones Clerk- Treasurer GREENCASTLE COMMON COUNCIL REGULAR SESSION TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 1999 7:00 P.M. TZOUANAKIS INTERMEDIATE The Greencastle Common Council met in Regular Session Tuesday, January 12, 1999, 7:00 p.m. at Tzouanakis Intermediate School. Mayor Michael called the meeting to order. On the Roll Call, the following were found to be present: Councilor Roach, Councilor Hammer, Councilor Green, Councilor Baynard and Councilor Masten. Also present was City Attorney Trudy Selvia and City Engineer Ron Smith. Mayor Michael expressed condolences to the family of Jim Jones in his passing and asked for a moment of silence in his honor. Mayor Michael thanked all departments for their help in keeping the streets and sidewalks clean during the recent snows. Organization Councilor Green made the motion to nominate Councilor David Masten for Council President. Motion was seconded by Councilor Roach. There were no other nominations for Council President. Councilor Roach made the motion to close nominations for Council President, seconded by Councilor Green. Vote was unanimous to close nominations and to accept Councilor Masten as Council President. Mayor Michael stated there are two appointments to the Redevelopment Commission due at this time. Councilor Masten stated he has not talked to Steve Gauley or Marty Catanese to see if they are interested in continuing their appointments and made the motion, contingent upon their willingness to accept reappointment, to reappoint Steve Gauley and Marty Catanese to the Redevelopment Commission. Motion was seconded by Councilor Green. Vote was unanimous. Council appointments to various boards were discussed next. Councilor Baynard stated he is interested in being the Council Liason to the Park Board. Councilor Baynard stated he would enjoy serving on the Board and feels there needs to be representation from the Fourth Ward, which there is not at this time. Councilor Hammer stated he has been on the Park Board as the Liason for three years now and served on the Board prior to that. Councilor Hammer stated the Park and Tree Boards are his passion. Councilor Hammer further stated he can't serve on the Putnam County Foundation Board due to a conflict of interest and he isn't interested in the Cable Access Channel. After some discussion it was decided to appoint both Councilor Hammer and Councilor Baynard to the Park Board as Co- Liason members along with the following appointments: Councilor Masten - Plan Commission and Mayor appointment to Putnam County Foundation Councilor Hammer - Tree Board and Co- Liason to the Park Board Councilor Roach - Greencastle/Putnam County Development Center and Mainstreet Councilor Green - Putnam County Foundation and Mayor appointment to Cable Access Committee Councilor Baynard - Co- Liason to the Park Board Mayor Michael as the Council appointment to the 911 Board at her request. Councilor Masten made the motion to accept the full slate of appointments, seconded by Councilor Green. Vote was unanimous. Public Petitions and Comments Ernie Ford commended the Street Department and all other departments that helped for a great job on snow removal. Department Reports Councilor Baynard commended the Fire Department for using their reserves and stated it is nice to see one of our Councilmembers (Councilor Roach) putting in twice as much time as the other reserves. Councilor Masten stated it sets a good example for the rest of the reserves and also commended Councilor Roach for his time spent at the Fire Department, Mayor Michael extended congratulations to Jeff Mace for being nominated for Firefighter of the Year. Chief O'Hair reported the Fire Department will go back to the Kelly System beginning January 18th. Mayor Michael commended the Police and Street Department for their efforts to deliver and pick up employees for nursing homes, hospital, etc. during the recent snow emergency. Councilor Masten asked if everyone is cooperating with the Snow Emergency Ordinance. Street Commissioner Wright stated there are certain areas in town where people need to be more cooperative in moving vehicles. If they do not move their cars we cannot push the snow back or their cars get plowed in and they get upset. Park Director Staton reported the Basketball Program will be selling candy until January 30, 1999. Mayor Michael introduced Dan Garrison who is working as an intern at City Hall through Winter Term. Approval of Minutes Councilor Roach made the motion to approve minutes from December 8, 1998 Regular Session: December 23, 1998, Special Session and December 30, 1988, Executive Session. Motion seconded by Councilor Hammer. Vote was unanimous. City Engineer Ron Smith reported he is working on the Jackson Street and Washington Street intersection and Bloomington and Washington Street intersection improvements. The State has agreed to separate the two intersections and fund the improvements separately. Four alternatives have been discussed for the Washington and Jackson Street intersection, Engineer Smith continued, but none seem to be a good fit. Engineer Smith suggested making adjustments to the traffic lights at the Washington and Indiana intersection and do some lane modifications to help with the turning radius. Councilor Roach stated that is a good idea. The design for Bloomington Street - Washington Street intersection has been extended to Locust Street intersection with a left turn lane for Locust Street and a blister for traffic to move around the turning cars. The design also adds drainage work to intercept more water. The issue that arises, explained Engineer Smith, is that we will need to remove parking between Locust and Spring Street on Washington which will require an amendment to the Ordinance. Construction is scheduled to begin June 1, therefore the parking changes need to be made by March. Councilor Hammer stated this creates problems for two businesses on Washington Street. Councilor Roach suggested Engineer Smith get together with the two business owners within the next couple of months to discuss this issue. Councilor Hammer asked if the blister could be shortened to one -half a block instead of taking the whole block or just cut back the grassy area to allow for parking. Engineer Smith responded there is a required minimum of a 3 foot buffer between the street and sidewalk and the State requires at least 250 feet for the blister. Reconfiguration of parking is always inconvenient Engineer Smith stated. Councilor Hammer stated we need to support local businesses. Engineer Smith stated the 10th Street intersection and Franklin Street projects are on schedule and moving along with June 1 as a starting date. Clerk - Treasurer Jones asked that claims be tabled at this time. Motion to table claims made by Councilor Roach, seconded by Councilor Baynard. Vote was unanimous. Ordinance 1998 -29, An Ordinance Establishing a Building and Ground Improvement Fund for the City of Greencastle, Putnam County, Indiana, second reading. Motion to approve made by Councilor Masten, seconded by Councilor Hammer. Vote was unanimous. Resolution 1999 -1, a Resolution Authorizing Additional Appropriations, was read by Mayor Michael. Engineer Smith stated the 530,000.00 is for the purchase of the Dick Brown lot. Engineer Smith stated he did the Environmental I Assessment even though it is no longer a requirement. Engineer Smith stated he went through the work sheet and answered the questions as a Professional Engineer and Rick Brown supported the statements in the form and filled in the history of the property. Motion to approve made by Councilor Masten, seconded by Councilor Green. Vote was unanimous. Councilor Baynard stated parking issues still need to be addressed in the south end of town. Resolution 1999 -2, A Resolution Authorizing Funding of Main Street Greencastle From Industrial Development Funds, was read by Mayor Michael. Motion to approve made by ® Councilor Roach, seconded by Councilor Hammer. Vote was unanimous. Ernie Ford introduced Edith Welliver the new Director of Main Street. Mr. Ford stated Main Street is excited about separating from the Chamber as the goals aren't necessarily the same. ® Mayor Michael asked for the Council's blessing for her to sign a Census Proclamation for the 2000 Census. Mayo, iviichael stated the census is very important and the Proclamation forms a partnership with the municipality and the census bureau to ensure an accurate count. Councilmembers gave their blessing to the Proclamation. Chief Hendrich reported to Council that he is workingon the Lease Program for the police cars. The lease is for four (4) Crown Victoria vehicles with a police package. The lease is $21,000.00 per year for four years. This does not include light bars. sirens. radios. etc. Ordinance 1999 -1, An Ordinance Amending Section 7 of Ordinance 1998 -13 An Ordinance Establishing the Size of Departments of the City Government of the City of Greencastle, Indiana, Fixing Salaries for the Employees of Such Departments and Fixing the Salaries of Certain Other Appointed Officials for the Year 1999, first reading, was read by Mayor Michael, Mayor Michael explained the Wastewater Treatment Plant has not had a Vactor Operator and would like to rename the position as a Shift Operator 94. This person would overlap second and third shifts, working 7:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. and would also be available to cover for vacations, comp time, sick days, etc. Motion to approve made by Councilor Masten, seconded by Councilor Hammer. Vote was unanimous. Ajoint meeting of the Council and Board of Works was set for January 20, 1999, 5:30 p.m. at the Water Plant to review the Preliminary Engineering Report prior to the Public Hearing and O submission to the State. The Public Hearing for the Preliminary Engineering Report is scheduled for Tuesday, February 9, 1999, 6:00 p.m. at Tzouanakis Intermediate School. Motion to adjourn made by Councilor Hammer, seconded by Councilor Masten. Vote was unanimous. ATTES Pamela S. Jones, Clerk -T asurer Nancy A. I hael, Mayor