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HomeMy Public PortalAbout2/12/1991GREENCASTLE COMMON COUNCIL Regular Session February 12, 1991 The Greencastle Common Council met in regular session on Tuesday, February 12, 1991 in City Hall. The meeting was called to order at 7:40 p.m. On call of the roll the following members were shown to be present: Councilor Mike Rokicki, Councilor Sue Murray, Councilor Tim Conway and Councilor Bob Sedlack. Also present was City Attorney Larry Wilson. By consensus, the Council amended the agenda to delay Public Petitions and Comments to allow for interested public to arrive at the published time of 7:45 p.m. Department Reports: Mr. Jim Wright presented the 1990 yearly summary for the Street Department which included: purchased 540 tons of stone and 520 tons of hot mix; picked up 86 dogs; replaced 188 street signs, 70 stop signs and 66 various other signs; installed 1,018 feet of storm sewer pipe; resurfaced Cassada Drive, Primrose Lane, Dogwood Lane and Anderson Street; picked up 2,800 yards of leaves; cleaned 680 feet of storm sewers; storm damage clean -up from August 29 to November 1. Mr. Wright continued with the monthly report for January, 1991 which included: purchased 266 tons of stone and 8 tons of cold mix; patched several holes in pavement; added stone and graded South Street, Frazier Street, Keightly Road, West Street and Southern Highway crossings; installed 22 slop signs and 14 other signs; picked up • Christmas trees and cleaned catch basins. Councilor Sedlack asked for any additional information concerning the acquisition of the State Highway garage. Mr. Wright noted that the state is still anticipating a late summer, early fall availability, and that he and Mr. Smith had toured the facility last week. Councilor Murray commended Mr. Wright for his efforts through 1990, indicating his ready knowledge of problem areas about which she had made inquiry. Fire Chief Bob Elmore delivered the yearly summary for 1990 which included a total of 156 responses; 101 city, 33 township, 9 mutual aid, 13 spills. Chief Elmore continued with the report for the month of January, 1991, which included 17 responses for the period. He noted that the Mack truck was prepared for refurbish, will leave on February 18 and will return in approximately 120 days. Fie reported that Captain Paul Patterson submitted a letter of request for retirement effective March 10, 1991 and will be on vacation until that time. Chief Elmore added that new firefighter Bill Miller began February 9, 1991. Mr. Leon Phillips provided a summary of the Water Department activity in 1990. which included pumping a total of 515,125,000 gallons. The monthly report for January, 1991 included the installation of four services, valve replacement, retirement of four services and 2000 feet of 2" main, and various others for a total of 208 work orders. Gallons pumped for the month were 40,242,000. Mr. Phillips also indicated that work has begun on the Greater Eastside project with addition of hydrants and replacing • the of the 2" main. CC 02/12/91 Page 2 • Department Reports continued: Police Chief Jack Hanlon presented the 1990 summary for the Police Department reporting a total of 5,130 complaints which included 894 arrests, 557 accidents and 92 burglaries. Chief Hanlon noted that the following equipment was added to the department: a dictaphone for police reports, 2 portable radios, 2 shotgun holders, 2 power search lights, it new camera outfit, and that the IDACS requirement was met with the installation of the new IDACS computer. He added that switching to fuel injected engines in the new police taus has resulted in better gas mileage and less maintenance. Chief Hanlon reported that new patrolman Albert Epple will begin duly on February 13. Mr. Ernie Phillips reported normal winter maintenance occurring at Forest Hill Cemetery. Mr. Lawrence reported the issuance of three building permits in the month of January. Councilor Sheri Roach entered the meeting at this time. Mr. Ron Smith reported that he is presently reviewing city projects to determine which of those would best be effected in house. Councilor Murray asked who would responsible for overseeing the Greater Eastsidc Sewer Separation Project. Mr. Smith indicated that it is yet to be determined and that he is reviewing the plans and documents. • Mr. Wilson reported no new claims against the city and indicated that insurance premiums have been positively of fected by the reduction in law suits. He noted that the next step in the Greater Eastsidc Sewer Separation Project is to receive a letter of finding from an appraiser concerning the easement acquisition. Public Petitions and Comments: Terry Hall, President of the City Plan Commission, was present for the purpose of discussion of the University Zone Issue Capsule before the Council. She noted that it was approved at the Plan Commission meeting in January and its purpose is to give legal and theoretical basis for writing a University Zone ordinance. She continued that the narrative outlines two types of zones. An inner district and a fringe district which adjoins other zones of the city. It also discusses the parking issue and possibilities that would be equitable for both the city and the university. Ms. Hall added that the plan commission, the city and the university would all be represented at the writing of the University Zone ordinance. Councilor Sedlack asked if a ratio of living units to parking spaces had been developed. Mrs. Margaret Catanese, Vice President for Finance, DCPauw University, responded that an inventory had been included in the new master plan. Ms. Hall added that much information has yet to be gathered concerning the writing of the ordinance. Mayor Harmless noted that the final public gathering concerning the comprehensive city plan had occurred on Saturday, February 9. Ms. Hall indicated that • it was not as well represented as earlier public meetings, however, provided it good discussion. CC 02/12/91 Page 3 • Approval of Minutes: The minutes of November 13 regular session, November 27 community forum, December 11 regular session and December 27 special session were distributed to Council. Councilor Sedlack asked that the comment of Steve Scott be added to the minutes of November 27 and with that addition moved to approve the above minutes. This motion was seconded by Councilor Murray and it was carried by an aye unanimous vole. Recommendations and Requests from Officers and Departments: Discussion ensued concerning the recommendation to name the city portion of the southern highway Warren Way and the state portion of the southern highway Veterans ititemorial Highway. Mayor Harmless noted that a committee was formed to decide a fitting memorial for Mayor Gerald E. Warren and that they had met with representatives of the V.F.W. and the American Legion and reached the above recommendation. Councilor Scdlack indicated that he does not want Resolution 1991 -1 to be represented as coming from Council and was concerned about a road having three names. Councilor Rokicki suggested naming the southern highway Veterans' Memorial Highway as per the petition brought before Council in October, 1990 and naming 10th Street in honor of Mayor Warren. Councilor Sedlack suggested naming the southern highway the Southern Highway. Councilor Murray noted that she had spoken with Mrs. Warren who felt that the naming of the southern highway in Mayor Warren's honor was a very fitting memorial. • After continued discussion, Councilor Roach moved to name the southern highway Veterans' Memorial Highway and to name 10th Street in honor of Mayor Warren. This motion was seconded by Councilor Rokicki. Councilor Sedlack stated that he would not vote in favor of the motion because it was the vision of Mayor Warren that made the southern highway a reality. Councilor Conway noted that the issue was an idea who time had not come creating divisiveness within the community and offered a substitute motion to table. The substitute motion was lost for lack of a second. On call for the question of the original motion the following roll call vote was recorded: AYES: Councilor Rokicki NOES: Councilor Conway Councilor Murray Councilor Sedlack Councilor Roach Mayor Harmless declared the motion to have been carried. Mr. Wilson indicated that the proposed form of Resolution 1991 -1 and the proposed form of Resolution 1991- 2 would be amended to reflect the above action of Council and come back before Council. Resolution 1991-3,A Resolution Authorizing Transferof Appropriations Between Classifications in the 1991 Budget of the City of Greencastle, was presented to Council and read in its entirety by Mayor Harmless. The necessity of the transfer was presented by Park Director Stan Lambert and further explained by the clerk - treasurer. Councilor Murray moved to approve Resolution 1991 -3 as presented. This motion was seconded by Councilor Rokicki and was carried by an aye unanimous vote. Mayor Harmless declared Resolution 1991 -3 to have been passed and resolved this date. CC 02/12/91 Page 4 Recommendations continued: The agenda was further :uuended to allow for the updale of the Clean City Committee at this time. Gwen Morris was present to report that the Clean City Committee is progressing toward voluntary curbside recycling by September 1, 1991. They have requested that the Board of Works develop specifications and take proposals for the purchase of the recycling trailer to be used by the contracted trash hauler and individual bins to be distributed to participating homeowners. She noted that the purchases will be made with the 50/50 recycling grant awarded to the city. Mr. Wilson noted that the trash hauling contract will be up for bid this summer and that recyclable pick -up and trash pick -up will be bid separately, but allow for it combined bid. Councilor Rokicki noted that these are exciting times and that recycling is a good project. Colette Irwin -Knott of H. J. Umbaugh & Associates and Brian Long of Raffensperger, Hughes & Co., Inc. were present to report to Council the amended figures in the refunding bond ordinances. Discussion ensued concerning the reasons for refunding the present bond issues in both the Water Utilitv and the Sewage Works, including an informal debate of the proposal brought forward by Councilor Conway to call the outstanding honds with cash on hand in the Sewage Works. No formal action was taken as a result of this discussion and the following ordinances were presented to Council. Ordinance 1991 -4, An Ordinance concerning the advance refunding by the City • of Greencastle, of its Sewage Works Revenue Bonds, Series 1981; authorizing the issuance of Sewage Works Refunding Revenue Bonds of 1991 forsuch purpose; providing for the collection, segregation and distribution of the revenues of the sewage works and the safeguarding of the interests of the owners of the Sewage Works Refunding Revenue Bonds of 1991, other matters connected therewith; and repealing ordinances inconsistent herewith, was presented to Council and read by title only by Mayor Harmless. Presentation of amendments was effected by Ms. Irwin-Knott. Councilor Murray moved to approve Ordinance 1991 -4 as amended on second reading. This motion was seconded by Councilor Roach. On call for the question the following roll call vote was recorded: AYES: Councilor Rokicki NOES: Councilor Conway Councilor Roach Councilor Murray Councilor Sedlack Mayor Harmless declared Ordinance 1991 -4 to have been passed and adopted this date. Ordinance 1991. -3, An Ordinance concerning the advance refunding by the City of Greencastle, of its Waterworks Revenue Bonds of 1979; authorizing the issuance of Waterworks Refunding Revenue Bonds of 1991, for such purpose; providing for the collection, segregation and distribution of the revenues of the waterworks and the safeguarding of the interests of the owners of the Waterworks Refunding Revenue Bonds of 1991; other matters connected therewith; and repealing ordinances inconsistent herewith, was presented to Council and read by title only by Mayor Harmless. Presentation of amendments was of fected by Ms. Irwin-Knott. Councilor Sedlack moved to approve Ordinance 1991 -3 as amended on second reading. This motion was seconded by Councilor Rokicki. • CC 02/12/91 Page 5 • Recommendations continued: On call for the question the following roll call vote was recorded: AYES: Councilor Rokicki NOES: Councilor Conway Councilor Roach Councilor Murray Councilor Sedlack Mayor Harmless declared Ordinance 1991 -3 to have been passed and adopted this date. Council Reports and Comments: Mayor Harmless noted that Chief Hanlon and Mr. Wright have presented the concern of having it animal control officer in the city. The procedure as it exists is to have the street department employees or police officers respond to complaints of running dogs or packs of dogs. It was noted that the issue needs the consideration of Council. Councilor Conway presented and read in its entirety a proposed form of resolution calling for the suspension of services of Triad Associates, Inc, with Jim Frazell having principal interests in the company pending the outcome of the trial. Mayor Harmless indicated that it has been reported to the city that Mr. Frazell has resigned and further information would be requested to verify that report. The consensus of Council was to await verification before consideration of the proposed resolution. • Councilor Conway inquired as to the T011dsOn Drivc homeowners responsibility concerning hooking into the sewage system. Discussion ensued concerning the original requirements placed before the developer of that subdivision and it was indicated that further investigation is necessary. With no further business, Councilor Sedlack moved for adjournment_ This motion was seconded by Councilor Murray, was carried by an aye unanimous vote, and the meeting was adjourned at 10:25 p.m. ,�/z Ntichael M. Harmless, Mayor ATTEST: Ju ilh Derry, C erk- Treasurer •