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Home My Public Portal About6/13/1995City of Greencastle City ball ® your East Walnut Street Greencastle. Indiana +6155 GREENCASTLE COMMON COUNCIL Regular Session 13 June 1995 The Greencastle Common Council met in regular session on Tuesday, June 13, 1995 at Tzouanakis Intermediate School. The meeting was called to order at 7:37 pm. On the call of the roll the following members were found to be present: Councilor J D Calbert, Councilor Charles Miles, Councilor Sue Murray, Councilor Tom Roach and Councilor Mike Rokicki. Public Petitions and Comments: Mr Brian J. Jaworski, 1016 S Indiana Street, presented a petition detailing neighborhood complaints about the trailer park on South Indiana Street. The petition contains 49 signatures. Discussion ensued. Councilor Murray asked the City Attorney if he is aware of the on -going problem. NIr Zeiner indicated that he is Councilor Rokicki asked the City Attorney to look over the petition and report back to Council. Mr Norman Crampton, 426 Anderson Street, and Mr Bob Haymaker, Madison Township. made presentations on behalf of a recent study group at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church. Mr ® Crampton expressed a concern that more needs to be done in the areas of recycling and waste management. He specifically suggested that all paper should be accepted in recycling bags and that volume -based trash collections rates should be established. ;Mayor Harmless pointed out that the current collection contract runs until August, 1997 and that some communities also utilize a Senior Citizens rate (perhaps 50 %). Councilor Rokicki commented that the current trash - collection contract allows the contractor to begin accepting magazines and other grades of paper at any time the contractor chooses. Mr Haymaker presented a petition with 14 signatures. The petition urges Council, along with other city and county agencies, to be environmentally vigilant in approving development projects. "We want only development that is far- sighted and that protects our natural resources for future generations," the petitioners plead. Mr Jeff King, 32 Center Street, and Mr Don Moore made Council aware of their complaints concerning the vacant lot (owned by Jack Dalton) across the street from Mr King's residence. Street Commissioner Jim Wright indicated that he is aware of ongoing problems at that location, he has recently discussed the matter with the land owner and will do so again. City Engineer Chris Barnes indicated that he is also concerned with the matter, since it is related to safety issues involving access to the Citgo service station. Mayor Harmless said that closing the [rear] exit from the station would be helpful, perhaps an agreement can be reached with the service station operator. Approval of Minutes: Minutes of the April 20 executive session and the May 22 special session were distributed to ® Council members. Councilor Murray moved to approve the minutes as distributed. This motion was seconded by Councilor Miles and carried by an aye unanimous vote. Department Reports: In addition to the monthly statistical reports, the following comments were presented. Randy Robinson reported that the annual May and June cemetery lot sales are proceeding. Roads within the cemetery will be blacktopped this summer. As the result of suggestions from citizens, he Cemetery Board is looking into the possibility of creating a pet cemetery. Mr Robinson circulated a photograph of the possible site. Police Chief Jack Hanlon reported that the department is in the final stages of bringing the new officer into the force. He also reported that initial reports regarding the new lane markings on Indianapolis Road have been good. It has already become clear that the speed limit between 5th Street and 10th Street needs to be reduced from 40 mph to 30 mph. Working with the Street Department, this change will be made. In response to a question raised by Mrs Thelma Bumgardner. Chief Hanlon explained that the Senior Center van may no longer be parked in front of the Senior Center (north side of square) because it is a safety hazard to traffic southbound on Indiana at Franklin: that space will be enforced as a loading zone. Sewage Department Supervisor Charlene Nichols reported that IDEYI representatives will be in town Thursday when smoke tests are done on the West Walnut Street sewer line in an attempt to locate the source of fumes. Park Director Curt Cooley reported that the pool opened in time to have five good days in May. Street Commissioner Jim Wright reported that he and Chief Hanlon have consulted about several parking spaces around town. Those spaces that were clearly safety issues (such as the ones e on the east side of N Jackson just off the square) have been painted out. Mayor Harmless reported that the purchase agreement on the 1991 Elgin Street Sweeper has been paid -off. City Engineer Chris Barnes reported that he has met with representatives of the Utility Consumer Counselor's office; the hearing may be on June 30th. Foxridge water and sewer projects are almost done. Ohio street should be finished this week. The sidewalk project is slow, but moving. In response to a question from Councilor Rokicki, Mr Barnes said there are no new developments regarding the moving the traffic light at Indianapolis Road and Franklin Street. City Attorney John Zeiner reported that the Inter -Local Agreement for the purchase of a new fire engine has been achieved. He also reported on the Codification project: A draft of the new City Code has been received from Hoosier Codification Sen -ice, along with their claim for the Second Phase. As soon as the code has been reviewed, the claim may be paid. Requests and Recommendations from Officers and Departments: Announcing that this is a Public Hearing, Mayor Harmless introduced Mr David Jackman, representing Opportunity Housing, Inc., to discuss his group's proposal for use of the Old Industrial Park property. Mr Jackman indicated that preliminary pians call for the creation of 69 building lots for affordable housing and the setting aside of ^_.6 acres for future community development - a child- care facility, for example. The number of lots will decrease due to a recent decision to provide for a second entrance to the area. The overall plan is that Opportunity Housing would develop the site, sell a majority of the lots to developers and retain around 20 lots for use by Opportunity Housing's own First -time Homeowners program. Mayor Harmless suggested that a new Community Focus • grant application would be in order. Councilor Murray_ asked if the sale of that many building lots would be a problem. Mr Jackman answered, "No ". Mayor Harmless said "The area, is going O residential." and asked, "Does the Council want to be a partner with Opportunity Housing "? Mrs Linda Sims, a resident of the area, raised three questions: 1) What do you mean by affordable, entry -level homes?. Mr Jackman responded: Some 1000 to 1200 square feet, some 1200 to 1500 square feet. Approximately $60,000 at today's prices, probably higher by the time they are built. 2) What effect will it have on other residents of the area? 3) Who could use the child -care facility? Answer: The city will not be in the child -care business, but whatever facility is developed on this site will be available to anyone in the city. City Engineer Barnes asked what is the proposed zoning. Mayor Harmless indicated that it would be the same as Woods Edge, R -2. Councilor Roach moved that Council give Opportunity Housing, Inc. permission to proceed with feasibility and environmental studies. This motion was seconded by Councilor Miles. after some further discussion, the motion was carried by an aye unanimous vote. Mr Jackman acknowledged his understanding that no city money is committed by this action. Mayor Harmless declared the Public Hearing closed at 9:32 pm. Adjournment: With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:35 pm. Z/_ z Michael M. Harmless, :Mayor E ATTEST: Donald L. Weaver, Clerk- Treasurer ccnn0613.wpd r1 L