Loading...
HomeMy Public PortalAbout12/14/1999City of Greencastle City Hall Four East Walnut Street Greencastle, Indiana 46135 Pamela S. Jones Clerk - Treasurer GREENCASTLE COMMON COUNCIL REGULAR SESSION TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14,1999 7:00 P.M. TZOUANAKIS INTERMEDIATE The Greencastle Common Council met in Regular Session Tuesday, December 14, 1999, 7:00 p.m. at Tzouanakis Intermediate School. Councilor Masten called the meeting to Order. 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 Attorney Laurie Robertson. Mayor Michael arrived at 7:30 p.m. Public Petitions and Comments Keith Hutcheson, Criss and Hutcheson, asked about cleaning up the area at Madison and Jacob Street. Mr. Hutcheson stated he has-talked to the Building Commissioner, the Mayor and three Councilors and wants to make sure there is a public record made of his complaint Mr. Hutcheson presented pictures of the area in question along with a picture of a sign declaring Greencastle an All- American City and a Clean City. Attorney Robertson stated she is the hold up in this process ® and she will place this on the top of her priority list. We need to amend the Ordinance, Attorney Robertson continued, and there are a lot of questions to be answered. Councilor Roach stated the City is looking at a Community Focus Grant for this area. Councilor Masten gave the pictures to CT Jones for the record. Fire Chief Mike O'Hair stated he would like to reserve the right to speak once the Mayor arrives at the meeting. Department Reports Police Chief Hendrich stated, in response to some letters in the Banner Graphic, the number of speeding citations has diminished, but there were 270 warnings issued in November and 210 warnings issued in October - these are not reported in the Scanner. Chief Hendrich stated there are some funding issues regarding dispatch that need to be an agenda item in the future. Street Commissioner Miles was absent. Park Director Staton stated there are over 300 kids enrolled in the Basketball Program and 40 sponsors. Director Staton further reported the ice skating rink is being put up and calls from Santa will be done this month. Engineer Smith was absent. Councilor Roach questioned Attorney Robertson regarding a couple of properties he reported in regard to the Weed Ordinance and asked what has happened with those complaints. Attorney © Robertson stated they are in the hands of the Building Commissioner. Councilor Baynard stated he has submitted infonnation to the Mayor and Building Commissioner regarding an auto repair business being operated at the corner of Maple and Apple Street which is ® zoned R -2 and a complaint of rank vegetation and a dilapidated building at 39 Sunset. Councilor Baynard stated both the Mayor and Building Commissioner stated they would look into this. Councilor Baynard questioned if anything has been done. Attorney Robertson stated she would look into this and get back with Councilor Baynard. Motion to approve minutes from November 9, 1999, Regular Session; November 16, 1999, Executive Session; November 16, 1999, Special Session and December 1, 1999, Special Session made by Councilor Hammer with the following corrections: November 9, 1999 Regular Session in the Park Director report there were 650 people at the Trail of Fear not 250; and November 16 1999, Special Session, regarding the discussion on Albin Pond Walkway and Councilor Roach's suggestion to make Albin Pond Road one -way with half being used for a bike path, Councilor Hammer and Councilor Masten objected to this idea. With those corrections, Councilor Baynard seconded the motion. Vote was unanimous. Approval of Claims Councilor Baynard stated he has a couple of items of concerns in the claims. One is a $799.99 digital camera in the Park claims that is a line item in the 2000 Budget and the other is a Pressure Washer in the amount of $749.00 with an appropriation of only $720.00. The remainder to pay for the pressure washer is in the Resolution to transfer later in the agenda. Councilor Hammer stated that once claims are passed by the Park Board they are to be paid and these claims are only brought to Council as a courtesy. CT Jones stated the Council has in front of them a letter from Mike Rokicki, President of the Park Board, addressing these issues. The digital camera is in the 2000 budget and the Street Department has a portable pressure washer that was agreed to be used by all departments. Councilor Baynard stated he is willing to approve claims with the digital camera and pressure washer being removed. Councilor Roach made the motion to table the approval of claims, seconded by Councilor Baynard. Vote as follows: Councilor Roach, yes; Councilor Hammer, no; Councilor Baynard yes; and Councilor Masten abstained. Motion does not pass. Councilor Hammer made the motion to approve claims as submitted with the exception of the digital camera. Councilor Roach stated he is not willing to approve claims prior to the Resolution regarding transfers being addressed. Motion dies for lack of second. Councilor Roach made the motion to table the Approval of Claims until after the Resolution of Transfer has been before the Council, seconded by Councilor Baynard. Vote as follows: Councilor Roach, yes; Councilor Hammer, yes; Councilor Baynard, yes; and Councilor Masten abstained. Mayor Michael arrives at this time. Motion to approve the 2000 Holiday Schedule made by Councilor Hammer, seconded by Councilor Roach. Vote was unanimous. Ordinance 1999 -11, An Ordinance Fixing the Salaries of Elected Officers of the City of Greencastle for the Year 2000, second reading. Motion to approve made by Councilor Roach seconded by Councilor Baynard. Vote was unanimous. Councilor Roach asked that Chief O'Hair be allowed to speak at this time as he asked to reserve that right during public petitions and comments. Chief O'Hair stated that as of January 1, 2000, he will no longer be Fire Chief. Chief O'Hair thanked the Council for all that they have done and for their support in his six years as Chief. Chief O'Hair stated he will fulfill his remaining years to the best of his ability, but does want the Council to know how confused City employees and department heads can be by explaining the events of the past month. Chief O'Hair stated that on November 16, 1999, he was called into the Mayor's Office for an "evaluation" and when they were done, the Mayor shook his hand and stated he would be Chief for the next four years. On December 7, 1999, Chief O'Hair continued, he was called into the Mayor's Office and told he would no longer be Chief. On December 10, 1999, Chief O'Hair stated he went to talk to the Mayor and she commented that she wasn't sure if she made the right decision and on December 13, 1999, he was called into her office again and told she was sticking with her first decision and he would not be Chief as of January 1, 2000. Chief O'Hair stated he would hold his head up as he has supported the Council and their decisions over the past four years. Chief O'Hair stated that he is not a politician and people will just have to accept him as he is. Chief O'Hair stated he knows how confused people can get, these dates and conversations show how things are handled. Chief O'Hair stated he didn't loose his job because he didn't do his job -the Mayor never told him he wasn't doing his job and he has never been given a job description - so, Chief O'Hair continued, it must be personal. Chief O'Hair stated there must be policies in place to guide. Chief O'Hair further stated he was told he was leaving because he is frustrated and stated he doesn't know of any department head that doesn't get frustrated from time to time. Mayor Michael stated she appreciates the job Chief O'Hair has done and this is a decision she has made and feels it is in the best interest of the City and the Fire Department. Several audience members were present requesting a reason for the demotion of Chief O'Hair. Attorney Robertson stated it has never been the policy of the City to share personnel issues with the public. Councilor Baynard thanked Chief O'Hair for his help and support over the past four years and wished him the best. Councilor Masten stated this is the dark side of politics and told Chief O'Hair that you knew when you took the job it wouldn't be forever. Resolution 1999 -40, A Resolution Reappropriating Fire Service Charge Account Funds to MVH (Street Department), was read by Mayor Michael. Motion to approve made by Councilor Masten, seconded by Councilor Roach. Vote was unanimous. Resolution 1999 -43, A Resolution of the Common Council of the City of Greencastle, Indiana, Regarding the Reimbursement of Certain Preliminary Expenditures from Proceeds of a Proposed Issue of Bonds, was read by Mayor Michael. Tom Pitman and Scott Peck, attorneys from Baker and Daniels were present. Councilor Hammer questioned the change from $545,000.00 to $570,000.00. Tom Pitman stated these are the figures they were given by London -Witte. CT Jones stated she will supply the Council with the information from London - Witte. Motion to approve made by Councilor Hammer, seconded by Councilor Roach. Vote was unanimous. Resolution 1999 -44, A Resolution of the Common Council of the City of Greencastle, Indiana Regarding Publication of Notice of Additional Appropriation of Proceeds of a Proposed Issue of Bonds, was read by Mayor Michael. Motion to approve made by Councilor Baynard, seconded ® by Councilor Masten. Vote was unanimous. Resolution 1999 -45, A Resolution Authorizing Additional Transfer of Appropriation Between Classifications of Appropriation in the 1999 Budget of the City of Greencastle, was read by Mayor Michael. CT Jones stated the $500.00 transfer for the Non - Reverting Basketball Fund was deleted by the Park Board. Councilor Roach stated he was under the impression the appropriation of $720.00 was put in each department budget for the purchase of a community pressure washer - why is the Park Department purchasing their own pressure washer? Mayor Michael stated she was not aware this purchase was being made. Mike Rokicki stated this issue was discussed at a Park Board meeting. Director Staten stated it is for convenience. Councilor Hammer stated any human fluids in the pool causes the pool to be closed and this can be used to wash down the concrete deck around the pool, etc. Motion to approve Resolution 1999 -45 with the exclusion of the $500.00 transfer in the Basketball Non - Reverting Fund was made by Councilor Roach, seconded by Councilor Hammer. Councilor Baynard stated he is not against the purchase of the pressure washer, just the procedure that was used. Vote was unanimous. Motion to approve claims with the exclusion of the Digital Camera in the Park Department was made by Councilor Baynard, seconded by Councilor Roach. Vote as follows: Councilor Roach. yes; Councilor Hammer, yes, Councilor Baynard, yes, and Councilor Masten; abstain. Ordinance 1999 -20, An Ordinance of the City of Greencastle, Indiana ( "The City "), Authorizing ® the Issuance and Sale of County Economic Development Income Tax Revenue Bonds of the City Payable Solely from County Economic Development Income Tax Revenues to be Received by the City in the Principal Amount of Five Hundred Seventy Thousand Dollars ($570,000.00) for the Purpose of Financing Costs of Various Proposed Economic Development Projects of the City, Together With Expenses in Connection With the Issuance of Bonds, first reading. Motion to waive reading made by Councilor Roach, seconded by Councilor Hammer. Vote was unanimous. Mayor Michael read Ordinance 1999 -20 by Title only. Tom Pitman and Scott Peck from Baker and Daniels were present to discuss the Ordinance. Tom Pitman stated this is the first major action in the legal procedures for issuing a bond for the projects set out in the Ordinance and also sets the parameter for the bond issue which is twenty (20) years. The bonds will be repaid out of EDIT funds. Councilor Masten made the motion to adopt Ordinance 1999 -20, first reading, seconded by Councilor Roach. Vote was unanimous. Ordinance 1999 -21, An Ordinance of the City of Greencastle, Indiana ( "The City "), Appropriating the Proceeds Derived from the Sale of Bonds Heretofore Authorized to be Issued and Designated as "City of Greencastle, Indiana, County Economic Development Income Tax Revenue Bonds, Series 2000" (Together with Investment Earning Thereon), for the Purpose of Financing the costs of any or all or any Portion of Certain Proposed Economic Development Projects of the City, Together with Expenses in Connection With the Issuance of the Bonds, first reading. Motion to Waive reading made by Councilor Roach, seconded by Councilor Baynard. ® Vote as follows: Councilor Roach, yes, Councilor Hammer, no; Councilor Baynard, yes and Councilor Masten yes. Mayor Michael read Ordinance 1999 -21 by Title only. Tom Pitman explained that this is the second step in the process. If the Bond Ordinance is adopted, this Ordinance appropriates the monies from the bond sale, subject to public hearing. There must be a ten (10) day public notice prior to the hearing. Motion to adopt Ordinance 1999 -21, first reading made by Councilor Masten. seconded by 0 Councilor Hammer. Vote was unanimous. Resolution 1999 -46, A Resolution Establishing A Capital Improvement Plan For County Economic Development Income Tax, was read in part by Mayor Michael. Motion to table Resolution 1999 -46 made by Councilor Roach, seconded by Councilor Hammer. Vote was unanimous. CT Jones presented a list of Encumbrances for 1999, as follows DEPARTMENT - MVH (STREET) $17,500.00 From Sidewalks 201001366 First Street $ 7 From Curbs 201001363 Stadium Drive $ 7 From Storm Sewers 201001234 Stadium Drive DEPARTMENT - PARK & RECREATION $ 5,848.45 From Recreation 204001291 Deck Furniture Supplies Motion to approve made by Councilor Masten, seconded by Councilor Roach. Vote was unanimous. The 2000 Budget for Basketball Non - Reverting Fund was presented to the Council. CT Jones told the Council the Park Board approved $5,000.00 for the Director Salary as opposed to $6,000.00. Motion to approve the Basketball Non - Reverting Budget for 2000 with the Director salary changed to $5,000.00, for a total budget of 521,000.00 provided the cash is available, made by Councilor Masten, seconded by Councilor Hammer. Vote was unanimous. The 2000 Budget for Softball Non - Reverting Fund was presented to Council. Motion to approve the Softball Non - Reverting Budget for 2000 in the amount of $10,000.00 provided the cash is available, made b_v Councilor Hammer, seconded by Councilor Masten. Vote was unanimous. Mayor Michael presented plaques to Councilor Baynard and Councilor Masten for their dedication to public service. Mayor Michael stated she has already presented Councilor Green with his plaque. A Special Session was set for December 30, 1999, 4:00 p.m. at the Putnam County Library for the second reading of the Bond Ordinances and the EDIT Resolution. Councilor Baynard expressed his thanks to the citizens of Greencastle, particularly to the citizens of the Fourth Ward, for allowing him to do what he has done in the past four years, to the Council and especially to Councilor Masten for his leadership the past four years. • Councilor Hammer expressed his thanks to Councilor Baynard, Councilor Green and Councilor Masten for their four years of service on the Council. C O Being no further business, Councilor Roach made the motion to adjourn, seconded by Councilor Masten. Vote was unanimous. AT�T: Pamela S. Jones, Cler e surer Nancy A Mich el, Mayor E