HomeMy Public PortalAbout2/13/1996City of Greencastle
City Hall
Four East Walnut Street
Greencastle, Indiana 46135
Pamela S. Jones
Clerk- Treasurer
GREENCASTLE COINIMON COUNCIL
Regular Session
February 13. 1996
The Greencastle Common Council met in regular session on February 13, 1996 at 7:30 p.m. at
Tzouanakis intermediate School. On the roll call, the following were found to be present:
Councilor Roach, Councilor Hammer, Councilor Green, Councilor Bavnard and Councilor
Masten. Also present was Mayor Michael and Attorney Zeiner. Mayor Michael called the
Meeting to order and requested everyone participate in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor Michael asked that everyone take a few moments of silence for the families of Brian
Lanie and Therian Freeman and the loss these families and the community have suffered.
Public Petitions and Comments
• Fire Chief Mike O'Hair presented plaques to Mike Miller and Dave Hollis for their heroic efforts
in saving a 94 year -old gentleman from a house fire. Chief O'Hair also stated that Elden Lewis
was at the scene and he will thank him personally.
Approval of Minutes
Minutes from the January 22, 1996 Special Session were approved on a motion by Councilor
Hammer, seconded by Councilor Roach. Vote was unanimous.
Department Reports
Police Chief Jack Hanlon told the Council that No Parking signs will be placed along the west
side of Locust Street between Seninary and Hanna and alone the east side of Locust Street from
Walnut Street to Seminary Street and Simpson Street from Locust to College, Thursday for the
Funeral of Brian Lanie at Gobin Methodist Church. The School is providing 4 -5 buses to
transport the students.
Chief Hanlon also reported that Captain Jim Hendrich has resigned and his last day will be
February 17, 1996. The Police Department is planning a farewell lunch and Chief Hanlon will
notify Council of the date.
Chief Hanlon reported that a Radio Operator has also resigned and was replaced with a part-time
operator, Data Williams. Chief Hanlon stated that they will advertise for a part -time position
which call for approximately 16 hours every two weeks.
Chief Hanlon reported that unpaid parking tickets will be going to County Court. Letters will be
sent by the City Attorney for past due fines before action is taken to County Court.
Street Superintendent Jim Wright reported to Council that all the Christmas trees have been
picked up and his department is patching pot holes.
Councilor Baynard questioned Sewage Superintendent Charlene Nichols about how often the
Charming Lift Station is getting clogged. Superintendent Nichols stated that it is getting clogged
approximately 2 times per week. Councilor Hammer questioned if the station is malfunctioning.
Superintendent Nichols stated that the station is doing what is expected. City Engineer Barnes
stated that there were a couple of options. One is to send it back to the design engineer to check
out. Councilor Hammer questioned if it was the design engineer or the contractor responsible.
City Engineer Barnes stated the pump was specified in documents, they are following contract
procedure to see where the responsibility lies. Additional testing needs to be done and turned
over to the desigm engineer. Councilor Baynard asked if it was not a design or contractor
problem if there is a grinder or conumenator that could be attached to relieve the problem.
Councilor Masten questioned if the design engineer was moving at an adequate rate. Engineer
Barnes stated that they have placed a screen for the incoming influent and sent letters to the
factories. Councilor Masten asked who the design engineer is. Engineer Barnes replied that
Bonar is the design engineer. Councilor Masten requested that Engineer Barnes request a rapid
solution from Bonar.
Fire Chief Mike O'Hair stated that his department will enforce inspections starting in the
downtown area. Councilor Hammer stated that there has been an Ordinance on the books for a
long time and questioned how much the fine is. Chief O'Hair stated the fine is approximately
$25.00 with a maximum tine of 52,500.00.
Councilor Masten stated that he heard that a new water truck was purchased. Mayor Michael
stated that it was paid out of 1995 funds and that she did not authorize a new truck for 1996.
Councilor Hammer asked if the money was encumbered from 1995. Clerk - Treasurer Jones
replied that the Water Department budget is not like the City budget and they cannot encumber
funds as they are revenue generating.
Councilor Baynard questioned the law regarding the trailer park on South Indiana Street and
stated that 2 new trailer had been placed in the park without going before the Zoning Board or
Plan Commission. Building Commissioner Bill Lawrence referred the question to City Attorney
Zeiner. Attorney Zeiner stated that Attorney's Matt Headley and Larry Wilson are doing
extensive research on this issue and hope to have an answer next week. Attorney Zeiner stated
that he could not give the City's position at this time, but it will be in writing within the next 48
hours and he will forward written information to Council when available.
is City Engineer Chris Barnes stated that a Wellhead Protection planning meeting is scheduled on
February 28, 1996 at 7:00 p.m. at Tzouanakis.
General Business
Second Reading of Ordinance 1996 -2, Ordinance Authorizing the City of Greencastle to Issue
58,300,000.00 Variable Rate Industrial Development Revenue Bonds, Series 1996 (Crown
Equipment Corporation Project) and Approving Other Action In Respect Thereto. Attorney
Zeiner explained to the Council that an amendment has been made to Ordinance 1996 -2 in that
the amount of bonds has been reduced from $9,750,000.00 to 58,300,000.00. Councilor Masten
asked if the scope was not as extensive as first thought? Zeiner replied that some of the
machinery was not eligible for this funding mechanism, so it was not the scope that changedjust
what was eligible. Councilor Hammer asked if this would also change the abatement. Attorney
Zeiner stated that this is Federal regulations and abatement is State. Ordinance 1996 -2 was read
by title only and accepted as read on a motion by Councilor Roach , seconded by Councilor
Baynard. Vote to accept was unanimous.
Attorney Zeiner requested Council permission to absent himself to deliver the Crown package to
Federal Express.
Ordinance 1996 -3, An Ordinance Authorizing An Interlocal Agreement Between The
Greencastle Redevelopment Commission and the Putnam County Board of Aviation
Commissioner For Development of the Putnam County Airport, was tabled.
Resolution 1996 -1, A Resolution Authorizing Creation of Part-Time Appropriation Number 115
and Transfer of Budgeted Part-Time Pay to said Appropriation in the 1996 Budget of the City of
Greencastle was read in its entirety and accepted on a Motion by Councilor Masten, seconded by
Councilor Hammer. Vote was unanimous.
City Engineer Chris Barnes reported to the Council on a Bridge Maintenance Agreement that he
has been working on with the County. Engineer Barnes stated that the County collects a
cumulative bridge tax and the County is responsible for all bridges in the County. The County
also collects money from the federal government for bridges that fall into the federal guidelines
of 20 feet from abutment to abutment. Engineer Bames explained that they have devised a
Watershed basis to categorize bridges (3 sizes):
Small - 48 inches in diameter and smaller - the City will be responsible for these in the City
limits.
Intermediate - anything between 48 inches in diameter and 20 feet will be joint responsibility
and there must be an agreement and authorization for each structure.
Large - 20 feet - County is to maintain.
There are 11 intermediate structures in Greencastle and one large (Sunset - Old Dump Road).
County Engineer Tom Dixon is trying to create a County Bridge and Beam team. Engineer
Barnes will bring an Interlocal Agreement to March meeting for first reading.
Councilor Hammer thanked Barnes for negotiating with the County. Councilor Hammer stated
that the City citizens pay the lions share to fund the bridges and should receive some benefit.
\ Councilor Roach also thanked Barnes and stated that working together to maintain these bridges
will benefit everyone.
Thelma Bumgardner, Township Trustee, stated that the new firetruck is paid in full and belongs
to the City.
Building Commissioner Bill Lawrence addressed fireworks and stated that he has been contacted
by a Fireworks company that wants to sell fireworks out of a 40 X40 or 40X 50 foot tent on Wal-
Mart's parking lot. Lawrence stated that he has some reservations regarding safety and asked the
Council how to proceed with this as the City has not been consistent with these issues in the
past. Councilor Masten stated that he does not feel that a tent is adequate for selling fireworks.
Councilor Roach requested that Lawrence look to the Planning and Zoning and if it does not
address the issue then we need to put requirements into the Planning and Zoning Ordinance.
Councilor Hammer asked if there was anyway that we can make our laws stricter than State
laws? Councilor Roach suggested that the City require permits, special exceptions, solid
structure etc. and asked if the Council could defer this to the Planning Commission for
resolution? Lawrence stated that he would bring up at the next Plan Commission meeting.
Special Council Meeting set for February 27th at 4:30 p.m. at the Street Department and a
Special Board of Finance Meeting set for February 27th at 4:45 p.m.
The Council Retreat at the Police Department was rescheduled for Saturday, February 34, 1996.
The Council will not schedule another Retreat until after April 15th.
Council Reports and Comments
Councilor Masten thanked Mrs. Bumgardner for clearly demonstrating management skills for
having the money to pay for the Trustees share of the new Fire Truck and also thanked the
Advisory Board for allocating the money. Councilor Masten also thanked Jim Hendrich for his
years of service to the City and stated that he is regretful that things happened as they did.
Councilor Green stated that Mainstreet met this morning and are moving along.
Councilor Hammer stated that the Park Board is moving along and that the Tree Committee will
have its 1st meeting on February 28th.
Councilor Baynard stated that he missed the Plan Commission meeting due to being sick.
Councilor Roach stated that the Greencastle Development Center had a meeting and School
Superintendent Jim Renz reminded the Council that they have a school board appointment and
requested that they target April to set the Council appointment. Councilor Roach also stated that
the Putnam County Foundation finance committee met to set an investment policy for the City
i
0 funds and have split the funds between an investment pool and CD's.
Councilor Masten stated that the Township has been successful in soliciting applications for the
School Board and wondered if the Council should do the same. Councilor Roach stated that
appointments to other boards were not done in that fashion and questioned if the Council wanted
to set a policy as such. After discussion, it was agreed that anyone interested should submit an
application to the City Clerk - Treasurer's Office at City Hall.
Adjournment
With no further business, Councilor Hammer, made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Councilor
Green. Vote was unanimous.
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Nancy A. i l ichael, Mayor
ATTEST:
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Pamela S. Jones, Clerk- easurer