HomeMy Public PortalAbout10/12/1999y City of Greencastle
City Hall
Aft Four East Walnut Street
Greencastle, Indiana 46135
Pamela S. Jones
Clerk- Treasurer
GREENCASTLE COMMON COUNCIL
REGULAR SESSION
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1999 7:00 P.M. PUTNAM COUNTY LIBRARY
The Greencastle Common Council met in Regular Session Tuesday, October 12, 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. Also present was: City Attorney Laurie Robertson and
City Engineer Ron Smith.
Public Petitions and Comments
Sandy Huffman, a southside resident, stated there is a crest running north and south right off
Berry Street at Sycamore and Illinois Street. Ms. Huffinan stated that in the summer there are
approximately 30 children that play in that area and there have been several near misses regarding
children getting hit by vehicles. Ms. Huffman asked if a stop sign or a "Children At Play" sign
could be placed in that area. Engineer Smith stated he would have to do a traffic count.
Councilor Baynard stated the site distance is not very good in that area. Street Commissioner
Miles and Engineer Smith will look into this and bring the information back to Council. Councilor
Baynard requested they also look at the corner of Ohio and Illinois Street.
Department Reports
Fire Chief O'Hair reminded everyone that this is fire prevention month.
Police Chief Hendrich was absent
Mayor Michael stated that instead of spending $6,000.00 to $9,000.00 on overtime to enforce
speed limits she would rather hire another police officer. Councilor Masten stated they haven't
even hired the 14th officer at this time - why talk about another officer at this time.
Councilor Roach stated the Chief needs to continue working with the Prosecutor to see if the City
can get some of the monies from the Pre -Trial Diversion program.
Street Commissioner Thomas Miles stated his department has started leaf pick -up and asked
residents to rake the leaves to the curb not into the street.
Councilor Hammer asked Street Commissioner Miles about trimming the trees in the downtown
area. Street Commissioner Miles stated bids have been taken. It is a matter of discussing monies
with CT Jones and getting the work completed.
Park Director Kathy Staton stated the Haunted Trail has been set for October 29th and 30th from
® 7:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at the Jaycee Park. Director Staton stated they are looking for volunteers.
Engineer Smith reported a couple of problems were found on Franklin Street durine the recent
® rainfall. The design engineers are working on repairs at this time. Engineer Smith also stated the
Jackson Street design is on schedule and Wal -Mart has submitted plans and will go to the next
Plan Commission. After much review the W WTF design drawings are almost ready for submittal
to IDEM. Engineer Smith stated Washington and Bloomington Street intersection improvements
are almost complete, new markings will be in place soon, with the new left turn lane for Locust
Street. Councilor Hammer asked how many parking spaces were lost. Engineer Smith replied one
space by the Matador and two at the corner property.
City Attorney Robertson stated she has cleared up alot of small projects that she inherited when
she took over as City Attorney. The WWTP is a much larger project and she will be involved in
acquiring easements and she has also been working on the Sprint contract.
Motion to approve minutes from the September 14, 1999, Regular Session, made by Councilor
Roach seconded by Councilor Masten. Vote was unanimous.
Motion to approve City claims made by Councilor Baynard, seconded by Councilor Masten.
Councilor Masten asked Director Staton if the $ 1,000.00 out of Basketball Non - Reverting to
Greencastle Community Schools is a lump sum or a donation. Director Staton stated it was agreed
that a lump sum of $1,000.00 would be paid at the end of the year.
Vote to approve claims was unanimous.
Patti Harmless, P.I.E. Coordinator, requested permission to tie red ribbons around the posts in the
® downtown area to celebrate Red Ribbon Week, October 23 -31. Motion to approve made by
Councilor Roach, seconded by Councilor Hammer. Vote was unanimous.
Kay Sligh, 710 Maple Street, was present to request the street be closed from the corner of Maple
Street and Ohio Street to the first alley on the right hand side going north on Saturday, October
16, 1999, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. for a Block Party. Councilor Masten stated that Ms. Sligh is
running for political office and questioned if this was a political event stating that if it is you must
have disclosures and if it is a non - political event it sure looks like one. Councilor Masten further
stated that he feels this would set a bad precedent. Ms. Sligh stated this was a non - political,
community gathering with everyone in the community welcome. Councilor Hammer stated he
feels this sets a bad precedent and stated the Council has never closed a street for an individual.
Councilor Roach questioned if the event was sponsored by the Democratic Party and had
disclosures would you have the same concerns? Councilor Hammer stated that at least there
would be an organization backing the event, not an individual.
Councilor Baynard made the motion to approve the street closing, seconded by Councilor Roach.
Vote as follows:
Councilor Roach no
Councilor Hammer no
Councilor Green no
Councilor Baynard yes
Councilor Masten yes
® Motion does not pass.
Mayor Michael requested the Council consider a request from David Garrison that was not on the
® agenda. David Garrison was present representing Beta Theta Phi, Alpha Tau Omega and Sigma
Chi fraternities to request an exemption from the Noise Ordinance October 15th from 8:00 to
11:00 p.m for a philanthropic event from which the profits will benefit the Big Walnut Sports
Park. Motion to approve made by Councilor Roach with the contingency that if they are asked by
anyone to turn the music down, that it be turned down immediately, seconded by Councilor
Hammer. Vote as follows:
Councilor Roach yes
Councilor Hammer yes
Councilor Green yes
Councilor Baynard no
Councilor Masten yes
Motion to approve Ordinance 1999 -15, An Ordinance Amending Section 8 -22 of the Greencastle
City Code, second reading, made by Councilor Masten, seconded by Councilor Roach. Vote was
unanimous.
Motion to approve Ordinance 1999 -16, An Ordinance Amending Article 4, Section 7 -50 of the
Greencastle City Code, second reading, was made by Councilor Roach, seconded by Councilor
Hammer. Vote was unanimous.
Motion to set Trick or Treat for Sunday, October 31, 1999, from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., made by
Councilor Hammer, seconded by Councilor Roach. Vote was unanimous.
® Resolution 1999 -34, A Resolution Authorizing Additional Appropriations, was read by Mayor
Michael. Motion to approve was made by Councilor Masten, seconded by Councilor Roach.
Vote was unanimous.
Resolution 1999 -35, 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.
Leslie Hansen presented a letter from Main Street requesting permission for street closings and
parking restrictions for the Holiday Parade, Monday, November 29th, as follows:
-The closing of Spring Street between Washington and Seminary from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30
p. in.
-The closing of Walnut Street between College and Spring Street from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30
p. M.
-The closing of Indiana Street between Washington and Franklin from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00
p. nt.
-The stopping of traffic on Washington Street between Spring and Indiana during the
parade (approximately 15 -30 minutes).
Motion to allow street closings and parking exemptions as listed made by Councilor Hammer,
seconded by Councilor Masten. Vote was unanimous.
•
Ordinance 1999 -17, An Ordinance Amending Article 7, Division I (Rank Vegetation), First
® reading, was presented to Council. Councilor Hammer made the motion to waive the reading of
Ordinance 1999 -17, seconded by Councilor Masten. Vote was unanimous. City Attorney Laurie
Robertson stated the Building Commissioner checks complaints and issues notices if needed giving
the owner 10 days to clean up. Councilor Masten requested "f' on page 4 be changed from Board
of Works to Common Council. Motion to approve Ordinance 1999 -17, first reading, with change
to "f' on page 4, made by Councilor Roach, seconded by Councilor Masten. Vote was
unanimous.
Ordinance 1999 -18, An Ordinance Approving the Petition to Vacate Public Right -of -Way
Located in the City of Greencastle, Putnam County, Indiana, First reading, City Attorney
Robertson handed out a new copy with the last few paragraphs deleted on page 2. Mayor Michael
read Ordinance 1999 -18 without the legal description. Councilor Roach made the motion to adopt
Ordinance 1999 -18, seconded by Councilor Green. Vote was unanimous.
Councilor Roach stated the Edit Plan needs to continue with projects that are started and the
current Council needs to sit down with new Council to get their opinions since they will be the
ones to carry on the projects.
Mayor Michael gave an update on Y2K.
There was no information available on the PSI Grant,
Mayor Michael told the Council the Putnam County Foundation is contemplating reducing the
number of members on the board. The board currently has 20 members and the Mayor stated she
is requesting that there are at least two members representing the City on the board - one
appointed by the Council and one appointed by the Mayor.
Councilor Masten reported that a grant request has been made to the State Budget Agency for the
Build Indiana Funds.
Motion to adjourn made by Councilor Hammer, seconded by Councilor Green. Vote was
unanimous.
ancy A. I ichael, Mayor
ATT T:
Pamela S. Jones, Cl rk reasurer