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HomeMy Public PortalAbout7/11/1995. City of Greencastle City Hall • Four East Walnut Street Greencastle, Indiana 46135 Don Weaver, Clerk- Treasurer GREENCASTLE COMMON COUNCIL Regular Session July 11, 1995 The Greencastle Common Council met in regular session on Tuesday. July 1 1. 1995 at Tzouanakis Intermediate School. The meeting was called to order at 7:35 pm. On the call of the roll the following members were found to be present: Councilor Charles Miles, Councilor Sue Murray, Councilor Tom Roach and Councilor Mike Rokicki. Also present were Mayor'vtike Harmless, City Engineer Chris Barnes and City Attorney John Zeiner. Public Petitions and Comments: Mrs Leslie Hansen, 15 E Berry Street, commented that "the 4th Ward is amassing quite a junk yard" around the house at the comer of S College and E Berry Streets, Mrs. Hansen was assured that ciry officials are well aware of this situation. Councilor Miles said he has whiten to the property owner /resident. Councilor Rokicki indicated that a time frame for clean -uD has been set. The Senior Citizens Center have been asked to assist. "Give us a few more weeks." he asked. "We'll make one more effort to achieve results thtu cooperation." City Attorney Zeiner and Building • Commissioner Lawrence will also pursue enforcement efforts. Mr Barry Baynard, 600 Apple Street, seeks a legal clarification regarding the alley that was formerly behind his property. Common knowledge is that the alley was officially closed in 1985, but no record of the closing can be found at the Putnam Countv Court House. Ivtr Bavnard has heard of no objection from neighbors that it should still be treated as an allev. City Attorney Zeiner pointed our that the problem would come up if ivir Baynard were to sell the property or seek a permit to build on it. Mayor Harmless expiained the process of closing it at this time: Have it surveyed, get a legal description, get a notice from the Plan Commission, check with the Utilities. then come back to Council. Citv Attorney Zeiner will follow -up. Approval of Minutes: On an aye unanimous vote of members present, minutes of the June 13 executive session and the May 20 special session were approved as distributed and minutes of the June 13 regular session were approved with an amendment as to place of meeting. Department Reports: In addition to the monthly statistical reports, the following comments were presented. Police Chief Jack Hanlon reported that June was a relatively quiet month. Our new officer, Scott Fitzsimmons, began work today. Also, the new patrol car went into service this week. Fire Chief Mike O'Hair announced an upcoming Safety Day_ at Wal -Mart and that bids will • be opened for the new pumper on Juiv 20th. Cemetery Superintendent Randy Robinson reported that road work has begun: advertising e for blacktop bids will be coming out soon. Water Department Superintendent Leon Phillips announced that the old 2" main along Martinsville Street has been retired. The average pumping rate in June was 1.8 M gallons per day. Sewage Department Superintendent Charlene Nichols reported that her new employee, Steve St Pierre, has started and that the 20 acres of land west of the plant has been acquired. Councilor Roach inquired if there has been any recurrence of the gas smell along the W Walnut line. Ms Nichols replied, "No. We'll see how it is when it starts raining again." Street Commissioner Jim Wright reported that the situation at Mr Dalton's field on Center Street is better. Park & Recreation Director Curt Cooley reported that on some of the SPARK days, more than 200 individuals have used the pool. With a Familv Free Night coming up, new records may be set. City Engineer Chris Barnes highlighted several projects that he is working on. In planning for the sidewalk project, a public information meeting will be set up soon. Bids for the Greater Eastside Phase III project are being advertised. Building Commissioner Bill Lawrence reported that he has issued 23 permits for construction of single - family houses so far this year. He is frustrated in dealing with unsafe and unhealthful situations involving renting living space in condemned buildings because the city has no ordinance and the county Board of Health is not interested. Councilor Murray suggested that the city send someone to meet with the Board of Health to explain the problem. Nlavor Harmless said he would do that. Councilor Rokicki pointed our that we do have an Unsafe Building Ordinance. Reading sections from a copy of the new City Code, which is currently being reviewed, Mr Zeiner • discussed the 1988 ordinance referred to by Mr Rokicki. After City Attorney John Zeiner highlighted the projects that he is pursuing, he was asked by Councilor Murray for a status report on the S Indiana Street Trailer Park situation. We are treating it as "an existing non - conforming use" case, he said. "We intend to aggressively get it cleaned up." Public Hearing: Mayor Harmless opened the public hearing on the city's proposed application under Section 108 (Hoosier Development Fund - South Central Indiana). The mayor then read a letter from Matthew C. Rueff, Director of the Community Development Division of the Indiana Department of Commerce, which gave details of the Hoosier Development Fund. Greencastle is fortunate to be one of the tour regional agents for the state -wide program. "This program is available only in HUD non - entitles areas, like us ", he said. Mr Bill Dory indicated that Main Street Greencastle and, perhaps. Opportunity Housing could obtain funding through this program. The public hearing was adjourned. Recommendations and Requests from Officers and Departments: Resolution 1995 -13, A Resolution Affirming Heartland Automotive, Inc., Compliance with Statement of Benefits, was read in its entirety. Councilor Murray moved approval of the resolution and Councilor Miles seconded the motion. Mr Bill Dory commented that he had checked the numbers on the Heartland report and was confident in them. Ms Bonita Stacy spoke • representing Heartland Automotive, Inc. The resolution was approved on an aye unanimous vote of members present. ® Resolution 1995 -14, A Resolution Affirming H. A. Parts Products of Indiana Co. (HAPPICO) Compliance with Statement of Benefits, was read in its entirety. Councilor Roach moved for approval of the resolution and Councilor Murray seconded the motion. ivlr Mike Burnes spoke representing HAPPICO. The resolution was approved on an aye unanimous vote of members present. Resolution 1995 -15, A Resolution Authorizing Application for Hoosier Development Fund and Local Match Commitment. was read it its entirety. Mavor Harmless commented that "this will till -in where there is a short- fall." A motion by Councilor Roach, seconded by Councilor Murray, was passed on an aye unanimous vote of members present. Resolution 1995 -16, A Resolution Authorizing an Agreement with Consolidated Rail Corporation (CONRAIL) for a Waterline Easement, was read in its entirety. In answer to a question, City Engineer_Chris Bames informed Council that the cost to the city is 53,125, a one -time payment. A motion by Councilor Murray, seconded by Councilor Rokicki, was passed on an aye unanimous vote of members present. Ordinance 1995-11, An Amended and Restated Ordinance Authorizing the Issuance of Waterworks Revenue Bonds. Etc. (An Ordinance Amending Ordinance 1995 -9). was presented. Mayor Harmless read the title only. City Attorney John Zeiner pointed out changes from Ordinance 1995 -9. which reflect the result of recent negotiations with the IURC. A motion by Councilor Miles, seconded by Councilor ; Murrav, was Dassed on first reading on an ave unanimous vote of members present. Ordinance 1995 -12, An Ordinance approving a New Schedule of Water Rates and ® Charges (An Ordinance Amending Ordinance 1995 -8), was presented. Mavor Harmless read the title only. City Attorney John Zeiner pointed several minor changes to the draft text. A motion by Councilor Murray, seconded by Councilor Miles, was passed on first reading on an ave unanimous vote of members present. Ordinance 1995 -10.. An Ordinance Rezoning Wooded Hills from AG to R -1, was read in its entirety (excluding legal description) by Mayor Harmless. Councilor Rokicki commented that this parcel has always been known as the 'Kersey" subdivision. Building Commissioner Bill Lawrence commented that this change "resolves some problems." A motion by Councilor Rokicki, seconded b_v Councilor Roach, was oassed on final reading on an ave unanimous vote of members present. Mayor Harmless reminded members that Council will meet in special session at 5:00 pm on Tuesdav, July 18, at the Street Department Facilitv. Adjournment: With no further business, Councilor Murray moved for adjournment and Councilor Rokicki seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 9:07 pm. Michael M. Harmless. ,Mayor ATTEST: • Donald L. Weaver, Clerk - Treasurer wpwin60hvpdocs \counc11\071 1 r95.mm