HomeMy Public PortalAbout9/14/19994.
City of Greencastle
Pamela S. Jones
City Hall
Four East Walnut Street
Greencastle, Indiana 46135
Clerk - Treasurer
GREENCASTLE COMMON COUNCIL
REGULAR SESSION
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 1999 7:00 P.M. PUTNAM COUNTY LIBRARY
Attorney Laurie Robertson and City Engineer Ron Smith.
The Greencastle Common Council met in Regular Session Tuesday, September 14, 1999, 7:00
p.m. at the Putnam County Library. Mayor Michael called the meeting to Order at 7:15 p.m. On
the Roll Call, the following were found to be present: Councilor Roach, Councilor Hammer,
Councilor Baynard and Councilor Masten. Councilor Green was absent. Also present was: City
Public Petitions and Comments
Don Flint thanked the Police Department for slowing down the speeding vehicles on Shadowlavm,
but Mr. Flint stated he still wonders about a stop sign being placed at Hillsdale and Shadowlawn.
Councilor Masten stated he lives on Northwood and knows the corner well and feels a stop sign
would cause more problems than it would solve. City Attorney Robertson stated she has checked
the Federal guidelines regarding stop signs and the guidelines are very specific about not using stop
signs for speed control. Mr. Flint asked if a double yellow line could be painted at that corner.
This will be looked into.
Wally Estes thanked the Police Department for slowing traffic down on South Jackson Street.
Councilor Masten addressed a letter in the "Speak Out" column of the Banner Graphic. Councilor
Masten stated the person who wrote the letter stated there is "no cost" for the fire department to go
out on EMS runs with Operation Life. Councilor Masten stated when the tone goes off everyone
is called in and overtime is paid; it is not a "no cost" situation.
Department Reports
Police Chief Hendrich stated his department has completed 501 hours of continuing education for
this year. Chief Hendrich stated he has approached the Prosecutor and requested he look into
turning some of the Pre -Trial Deferment Fees over to the Police Department for training. Chief
Hendrich explained the department gets $3.00 for every ticket written and prosecuted, but if the
defendant is put on the Pre -Trial Deferment program all the fees go into that program and the
department does not get their $3.00.
Chief Hendrich stated the State has restructured fees for accident reports, etc., and he will submit
e a proposal to Council to make sure we are in compliance with the State.
Chief Hendrich stated his department is putting together a "Citizens Academy" which will be held
• in September or October and will consist of a six to eight week course. Some of the topics to be
discussed are:
School Violence
Home Safety
2000 Readiness
Domestic Violence
Fraud
Chief Hendrich stated schools are open and officers are spending time in both the morning and
afternoon helping direct traffic, etc. Chief Hendrich also stated the department is working with the
Sheriffs Department on an emergency plan and hope to set up a "mock disaster" sometime in
October.
Councilor Roach commended the Fire, Police and Street Departments for working together on
Saturday to clean up the "spill" created by DePauw.
Cemetery Superintendent Randy Robinson stated they have new blacktop on the far northeast end
of the cemetery.
City Engineer Ron Smith stated the 10th Street Intersection Improvements are complete; Franklin
Street has some finishing details for the City side, but the Away Home Shelter Parking Lot and
other work at the shelter is still be completed.
• Bloomington and Washington Street Intersection, which was suppose to be a simple project has
turned out to be a not so simple project, they have run into utilities and a cistern that has to be
backfilled before the project can go forward. Engineer Smith reported the 1999 Resurfacing
project is complete and McDonald's construction is underway. The plans for Wal -Mart
Superstore have been received and are being reviewed at this time. Engineer Smith further stated
that he and Acting Wastewater Superintendent Mike Neese are working with consultants on the
Wastewater Treatment Plant design. The pavement markings for the new Lone Star intersection
are not complete, but they have been hauling aggregate out since Monday.
Mayor Michael stated she has asked for a five month extension on the Agreed Order with IDEM
and has received a verbal okay, but has yet to receive anything in writing. Attorney Robertson
stated the five month extension is on the construction date only. Councilor Masten stated he feels
there was a lot of wasted time once the agreement was signed and wondered why the process
wasn't started in a more timely manner. Engineer Smith stated the five month extension is for
acquiring easements for the Southside Interceptor due to a change in July that mandates all
easements be acquired prior to a plan being approved by IDEM.
Approval of Minutes
Motion to approve minutes from July 13, 1999, Regular Session; July 28, 1999, Special Session;
August 10, 1999, Executive Session; August 10, 1999, Regular Session and September 2, 1999,
• Special Session, made by Councilor Masten with a correction to August 10, 1999, Regular Session
minutes on page 3 approximately three - fourths of the way down "billion" should be "million ".
Motion was seconded by Councilor Roach. Vote was unanimous.
11
•
•
General Business
Motion to approve claims made by Councilor Baynard, seconded by Councilor Masten. Vote was
unanimous.
A request for parking exemption on Berry Street and permission to close Warren Street between
Highland and Berry Street for a port-a -let, October 2, 1999, for the 25th Annual Berry Street Flea
Market was granted on a motion by Councilor Roach, seconded by Councilor Baynard. Vote wa!
unanimous.
Councilor Masten asked Engineer Smith and Street Commissioner Miles to check into Warren
Street to see if it is platted as a street. Councilor Masten stated that if it is platted as a street we
need to deal with whatever problems there are.
Mainstreet Greencastle representatives were present to request funding in the amount of $7,500.00
(Seven Thousand Five Hundred Dollars) for the operating budget for 2000. Sue McCune stated
the task force feels the increased activity merits a $2,500.00 increase over the $5,000.00 funding
from the City in 1999. Mainstreet is once again in need of office space, etc. due to expansion in
membership and activities.
Councilor Baynard asked if Mainstreet has tried to raise the additional $2,500.00 through
members. Ms. McCune stated they have increased their membership base and have collected over
$11,000.00 in membership dues this year.
Councilor Masten stated he would be willing to agree to the $7,500.00 funding request with the
stipulation that Mainstreet agree to not raise their request above the $7,500.00 for the next three
years. A Resolution will have to be passed by both Council and CACFID to grant this request.
Edith Welliver, Director of Mainstreet, stated she doesn't want to limit their request to $7,500.00
for three years due to increased activities. Sue McCune stated they would take this request to their
task force.
Ordinance 1999 -12, An Ordinance Amending Ordinance 1997 -21, City of Greencastle, Indiana,
Personnel Policy and Procedure Manual and Creating Section 3:18, second reading. Motion to
approve made by Councilor Roach, seconded by Councilor Masten. Vote was unanimous.
Ordinance 1999 -14, Ordinance for Appropriations and Tax Rates, second reading. Clerk -
Treasurer Jones reported the following corrections in line items stating these corrections do not
effect the budget totals:
Board of Works Insurance
Park Overtime
Admission & Concessions
Communication & Transportation
Cemetery Tires & Tubes
$115,500.00 not $115,000.00
$ 750.00 omitted
$ 25,620.00 not $ 25
$ 4,640.00 not 4,460.00
300.00
Total for Supplies 10,050.00
Park Bond & Interest $172,200.00
not 3,000.00
not 10,500.00
not $172,000.00
Motion to approve with the above corrections made by Councilor Masten, seconded by Councilor
Roach. Vote was unanimous.
• Ordinance 1999 -15, An Ordinance Amending Section 8 -22 of the Greencastle City Code, first
reading, was read by Mayor Michael. Motion to approve made by Councilor Masten, seconded
by Councilor Hammer. Vote was unanimous.
Ordinance 1999 -16, An Ordinance Amending Article 4, Section 7 -50 of the Greencastle City
Code, first reading, was read by Mayor Michael. Councilor Roach made the motion to approve
with changes in the last sentence of the third paragraph to strike the word "sole" and the word
"and ". Motion was seconded by Councilor Masten. Vote was unanimous.
Resolution 1999 -31, A Resolution Reappropriating Insurance & Fire Service Charge Fund
Reimbursement, was read by Mayor Michael. Motion to approve made by Councilor Roach,
seconded by Councilor Hammer. Vote was unanimous.
Resolution 1999 -32, A Resolution Authorizing Additional Appropriation, was read by Mayor
Michael. Clerk - Treasurer Jones explained this additional appropriation is for a backhoe for the
Street Department. The Council approved using monies appropriated for an Animal Control
Truck to purchase the backhoe and the appropriation name is still "Animal Control Truck ".
Motion to approve made by Councilor Roach, seconded by Councilor Baynard. Vote was
unanimous.
Resolution 1999 -33, A Resolution Authorizing Transfer of Appropriation in the 1999 Budget for
• the City of Greencastle, was read by Mayor Michael. Motion to approve made by Councilor
Masten, seconded by Councilor Hammer. Vote was unanimous.
Mayor Michael read a Memo distributed by Police Chief Hendrich regarding Selective Speed
Enforcement which reads as follows:
To: Mayor Nancy Michael
From: Jim Hendrich
Date: September 8, 1999
RE: Selective Speed Enforcement
Nancy,
In response to the complaints voiced at the last city - council meeting, a proposal to pay overtime to
officers to slow the speed of citizens in Greencastle was requested.
Each shift was given the task of identifying target locations in the city which represent high
accident areas or high volumes of traffic who chronically exceed the speed limit.
The areas, which represent the greatest concerns, are within the school zones at the high school
and TZ elementary. The next area is the route from Jackson Street south to the Veterans Highway
and east to Indianapolis Road. The third area is one, which receives the most publicity,
Shadowlawn corridor from Jackson Street to Indianapolis Road. Indianapolis Road east of
• Franklin Street rounds out the top four.
The times that traffic move through the city must also be addressed. According to observations by
• officers as well as data from actual arrests, focus on 6am -9am and 4pm -8pm Monday- Friday
would have the greatest impact on traffic.
There are concerns citywide at various times which also need to be patrolled. We would make this
a part of the overall plan. We have diverted time away from patrol this past month to validate the
need expressed by the citizens. As reflected in the month end report, our citations are up 240%
from July.
It has been the objective of this memo to provide you and the council some information to
consider. We can spend a lot of time looking at the problem from a variety of data, but we
recognize the fundamental need for safety in our community.
The bottom line for some is money. How much will cost? The plan calls for three additional
officers to assist the normal staff to patrol the more than 50 road miles within Greencastle. The
estimate for overtime expenses for the time periods indicated earlier would be $315.00 per day.
This figure is based on 21 manhours times $15.00 per hour (time and half) rate for overtime.
Each officer will be required to make a minimum of four (4) contacts for moving violations each
hour. This would total eighty -four (84) warnings or arrests each day of operation.
It is our belief that a minimum of thirty days be committed to this project. We would review the
data with the council to see if it would need to continue.
We would encourage the citizens to voluntarily slow down to reduce the obvious impact of a
massive enforcement initiative.
Respectively,
Jim
• Chief Hendrich stated we would not have to spend this money if drivers would just slow down.
Councilor Roach stated this 240% increase in tickets has been accomplished by shifting
manpower. From the memo, Councilor Roach continued, it would cost the City $9,450.00 (Nine
Thousand Four Hundred Fifty Dollars) for 30 days. Would we be better off adding another "Fast
Cop ", Councilor Roach questioned. Councilor Roach stated he has a concern regarding the
quota system. Chief Hendrich replied that four contacts per hour is standard with any type of
operation such as this including Operation 55 and Operation Pullover.
Councilor Masten suggested Chief Hendrich and Clerk- Treasurer Jones check into the current
overtime budget and see what can be done.
Councilor Baynard stated he feels we should take a wait and see attitude; with arrests up 240%
since July, it must have made a difference.
Attorney Robertson asked Council to look over the draft Weed Ordinance included in their packets
and to call her with any comments or changes.
Motion to adjourn made by Councilor Masten, seconded bLCouncilor Baynard.
Q�C.0 wtd
7 A ST: A. Mi ael, Mayor
A�'EST: '
• Pamela S. Jones, C er =' reasurer
City of Greencastle
Two East Walnut Street
0 Greencastle, Indiana 46135
Memo
To: Mayor Nancy Michael
From: Jim Hendrich
Date: September 8, 1999
Re: Selective Speed Enforcement
Nancy,
Police Department
Tel. (765) 653 -2925 Fax (765) 653 -5514
In response to the complaints voiced at the last city- council
meeting, a proposal to pay overtime to officers to slow the speed of
0 the citizens in Greencastle was requested.
Each shift was given the task of identifying target iocations in the
city which represent high accident areas or high volumes of traffic
who chronically exceed the speed limit.
The areas, which represent the greatest concerns, are within the
school zones at the high school and TZ elementary. The next area
is the route from Jackson St south to the Veterans Highway and
east to Indianapolis Rd. The third area is the one, which receives
the most publicity, Shadowlawn corridor form Jackson St to
Indianapolis Rd. Indianapolis Road east of Franklin St. rounds out
the top four.
The times that traffic move through the city must also be
addressed. According to observations by officers as well as data
from actual arrests, focus on 6am- 9am and 4pin -8pm Monday -
Friday would have the greatest impact on traffic.
There are concerns citywide at various times which also need to
be patrolled. We would make this a part of the overall plan. We
City of Greencastle
Two East Walnut Street
Greencastle, Indiana 46135
Police D epartment
Tel. (765) 653 -2925 Fax (765) 6535514
have diverted time away from patrol this past month to validate the
need expressed by the citizens. As reflected in the month end
report, our citations are up 240% from July.
It has been the objective of this memo to provide you and the
council some information to consider. We can spend a lot of time
looking at the problem from a variety of data, but we recognize the
fundamental need for safety in our community.
The bottom line for some is money. How much will cost? The
plan calls for three additional officers to assist the normal staff to
patrol the more than 50 road miles within Greencastle. The
estimate for overtime expenses for the time periods indicated
earlier would be 315.00 per day. This figure is based on 21 man -
hours times 1.5.00 per hour (time and half) rate for overtime. Each
0 officer will be required to make a minimum of four (4) contacts for
moving violations each hour. This would total eighty -four (84)
warnings or arrests each day of operation.
It is our belief that a minimum of thirty days be committed to this
project. We would review the data with the council io see if it
would need to continue.
We would encourage the citizens to voluntarily slow down to
reduce the obvious impact of a massive enforcement initiative.
Respectively,
Jim