Loading...
HomeMy Public PortalAbout8/10/1999City of Greencastle City Hall ® Four East Walnut Street Greencastle, Indiana 46135 Pamela S. Jones Clerk- Treasurer GREENCASTLE COMMON COUNCIL REGULAR SESSION TUESDAY, AUGUST 10, 1999 7:00 P.M. PUTNAM COUNTY LIBRARY The Greencastle Common Council met in Regular Session Tuesday, August 10, 1999, 7:00 p.m. at the Putnam County Library. 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. Public Petitions and Cormnents Donald Flint, 300 Shadowlawn, expressed concern about cars speeding and passing each other on Shadowlawn. Several area residents were also present to express the same concern. Police Chief Hendrich stated the City needs to pay officers overtime if the problem is going to be solved. Councilor Masten requested Chief Hendrich present a proposal to Council regarding cost including the number of officers and hours needed to solve this problem. Mr. Flint asked if stop signs could be erected. Engineer Smith stated if the City desires to erect stop signs and traffic is equivalent from all legs of the intersection, it can be done. Councilor Hammer requested Street Commissioner Miles place double yellow lines all the way to College Street on Shadowlawn. Wally Estes, South Jackson Street, asked the Council to eliminate truck traffic on Jackson Street. Mayor Michael stated this would cause a backlog on U.S. 231. Department Reports Fire Chief O'Hair commended the reserves on their good work. Mayor Michael thanked the fire department and Red Cross for cold drinks during the fair parade. Police Chief Hendrich requested signs be placed at City limits notifying we have a Noise Ordinance that is enforced in City limits. Street Commissioner Miles thanked the fire department for watering trees on Northwood Blvd. Councilor Hammer thanked Street Commissioner Miles and his department for the "Cross traffic does not stop" signs placed on Shadowlawn. Water Superintendent Dale reported community service workers are working on fire hydrants. The fluoride issue, Superintendent Dale reported, will be addressed at the Board of Works meeting tomorrow. ® Park Superintendent Staton reported the Backroad Bike Tour will be September 11. The new aquatic center hours are 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday through Friday and Noon to 7:00 p.m., • Saturday and Sunday. City Engineer Smith reported the left turn signals at 10th Street and Indianapolis Road were turned on today - timing will be adjusted as needed. Franklin Street resurfacing is complete and the Bloomington Street/Washington Street intersection work has been started. Councilor Roach requested as the Edit Plan is formulated that we look at estimates on storm sewers and sidewalks on Columbia and Franklin Streets. Councilor Roach also stated the base on Poplar Street is going to have to be replaced. Engineer Smith reminded Council that one semi truck equals 650 vehicles on a street - this causes the streets to deteriorate much more quickly. Approval of Minutes Motion to approve minutes from July 19, 1999, Budget Retreat; July 22, 1999, Joint Executive Session - Common Council and Park Board of Commissioners; and July 22, 1999, Budget Retreat, made by Councilor Masten, seconded by Councilor Hammer. Vote was unanimous. General Business Motion to approve claims made by Councilor Baynard, seconded by Councilor Masten. Vote was unanimous. Leslie Hansen was present representing Main Street Greencastle, Inc., to request street closings for the "Downtown Connection" event planned by Mainstreet and DePauw University August 24, 1999 from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. The following street closings were requested: • -Close Indiana Street between Franklin and Washington Streets from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. DePauw University will provide the barricades at the two corners, leaving U.S. 231 open. -Four parking spaces in front ofKersey's reserved from Noon until 4:00 p.m. to bring in equipment. Mainstreet also wanted to alert the Greencastle Police Department of the unusual amount of pedestrian traffic through the area beginning at 4:00 p.m. and stated DePauw University will take responsibility for clean -up and trash removal. Motion to approve street closing request made by Councilor Masten with the stipulation that all affected business owners be notified, seconded by Councilor Roach. Vote was unanimous. Councilor Masten made the motion to retain Baker and Daniels as bond counsel and London - Witte Group as financial advisors for the proposed City Hall acquisition, seconded by Councilor Hammer. City Attorney Robertson stated we need to state why we want to retain these two firms. They have a proven track record, a good working relationship with the City, their proposals are competitive and they are both capable firms. Vote was unanimous. Ordinance 1999 -9, An Ordinance Amending the Greencastle Planning and Zoning Ordinance by Amending the Zoning Map (Wal -Mart Petition), second reading. Mayor Michael read the list of conditions placed on the approval for rezoning. Engineer Smith offered the status of each item: M - 1 - the proper storm drainage and wetlands easement will be drawn up and presented with the plans. 92 - the realignment of Calbert Way and main entrance stoplight will change traffic patterns and create a need for a left turn lane. Engineer Smith will need to be assured the lane is long enough to handle the traffic. • 43 - landscaping to include irrigation system. #4 - right -in, right -out secondary entrance with raised median in right -of -way. #5 - pedestrian push button signals will be installed on the new stoplights. 46 - parking lot is to have 973 parking spaces excluding the outlots. 47 - future development of outlots must be approve through the BZA. 48 - signage to appear as presented - approximately 12 feet height by 8 feet wide 49 - State to be petitioned to lower speed limit to 30 mph. #10 - parking lot to have "shoe -box" type lighting 911 - facade to have appearance as presented in proposal. Motion to approve Ordinance 1999 -9, made by Councilor Roach, seconded by Councilor Baynard. Kit Newkirk stated she feels the City has taken a "shoot, ready, aim" approach to this project and would like to recap her concerns regarding this project: a large commercial vacancy at Putnam Plaza - we already have vacancies throughout the City. - this will undermine the commercial property values - Larry Wilson advised the zoning plan needs to be revised - how will it help to revise afterwards - seems backward. - an economic impact study should be done first - then action taken. - this will create traffic problems - need a strategy and goal to get there. S Dale Sims from M& R Automotive stated he believes the Council has the cart before the horse. You will spend the money to hire people for a City Hall acquisition, but you won't hire the people to do an economic impact study. Councilor Masten stated he disagrees with property values decreasing, but I would like to see more regard to some of the other issues. As far as hiring firms for the City Hall acquisition, these are things required by law for a bond issue. I also agree we have the cart before the horse. This is a large investment in the community, a large taxpayer - times change and we, as a Council, have to be able to deal with change and the things that are thrown at us. Councilor Roach stated that he agrees with the "shoot, ready, aim ", analogy given by Ms. Newkirk. The City Plan is a snapshot of a certain time and what was wanted in the future at that time. Yes, we have problems with the comprehensive plan and yes, sometimes we have to be reactive instead of proactive, but we have to move on. Greencastle keeps growing and changing and we need to remain positive. Councilor Hammer stated with 520 -$30 billion being generated this is bound to draw more people to Greencastle who will also spend their money at other stores. This is our opportunity for development. We didn't ask them to come here, they came to us. There are some people in this community that really want a Wal -Mart Superstore. Councilor Green stated he doesn't see a great deal of difference in Industrial and Commercial zoning. The Plan Commission threw up a lot of conditions for Wal -Mart to meet and they have met them all. I just don't see how this is going to hurt this town. Councilor Baynard stated we can't keep Greencastle as is - the people who have talked to me are in favor of a Wal -Mart Superstore. • Vote to approve Ordinance 1999 -9 was unanimous. Ordinance 1999 -10, An Ordinance Establishing the Size of Departments of City Government of . the City of Greencastle, Indiana, Fixing the Salaries for the Employees of Such Departments and Fixing the Salaries of Certain Other Appointed Officials for the Year 2000, second reading. Motion to adopt made by Councilor Masten, seconded by Councilor Hammer. Vote was unanimous. Ordinance 1999 -12, An Ordinance Amending Ordinance 1997 -21, City of Greencastle, Indiana, Personnel Policy and Procedure Manual and Creating Section 3:18, first reading, was read by Mayor Michael. Clerk- Treasurer Jones and Attomev Robertson have been working with Baker and Daniels on this policy. Attorney Robertson stated it is very thorough but, suggested striking the entire sentence on disciplinary action in the last paragraph that reads: "Enforcement of this procedure, and any disciplinary action resulting therefrom, shall be the responsibility of the Board of Works ", as disciplinary procedures are already spelled out in the Personnel Policy. Motion to adopt as corrected made by Councilor Roach, seconded by Councilor Masten. Vote was unanimous. Ordinance 1999 -13, An Ordinance Amending Section 8 -76 of the Greencastle City Code, first reading. Motion to table made by Councilor Hammer, seconded by Councilor Roach. Vote was unanimous. Clerk- Treasurer Jones reported two quotes were received on the backhoe for the Street Department. Holt Equipment quote was $36,451.43 and MacDonald Equipment quote was • $35,820.00. Both quotes include trade -in for the old backhoe and are more than we had anticipated. Councilor Roach suggested Clerk- Treasurer Jones prepare an additional to cover any cost above the $18,000.00 budgeted for the animal control truck and try to get better quotes. Motion to adjourn made by Councilor Roach, seconded by Councilor Hammer. Vote was unanimous. Nancy A. Mi ael, Mayor ATTEST: Pamela S. Jones, 11