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HomeMy Public PortalAbout4/09/1991GREENCASTLE COMMON COUNCIL • Regular Session April 9, 1991 The Greencastle Common Council met in regular session on Tuesday, April 9, 1991 at the Miller Education Center. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. On call of the roll the following members were shown to be present Councilor Mike Rokicki, Councilor Bob Sedlack, Councilor Sue Murray, Councilor Tim Conway, Councilor Sheri Roach. City Attorney Larry Wilson and City Engineer Ron Smith were also present. Public Petitions and Comments: Mr. Tim Gruen holz raised a question concerning the existence of a retaining wall for the DePau W Center for Contemporary Media on city right -of -way for Central Street. Mayor Harmless explained that the original right -of -way was thought to be forty feet. Ron Smith noted that he had reviewed the original plans for the Media Center and that the building had been built accordingly, with the assumption of a forty foot right-of- way. The Mayor indicated that Jim Wright was working with HERPICC to determine allowable structures in a right -of -way, and until such determination is made, no further action would be taken. Councilor Conway moved to remove the podium from the center of the room. This motion was seconded by Councilor Murray. With an aye unanimous vote, the motion was carried and the podium was removed. Cindy McCammack of Main Street Greencastle was present to request authorization of Council to submit a pre- application to the Community Focus Fund for a grant for the restoration of the opera house on the square. In response to questions from Council, Ms McCammack explained that the amount requested would be $230,000.00 and the local match is already provided through the existing funding package, that Main Street Greencastle would take on the grant administration responsibilities, and that expected close out would be February, 1992. Ken Eitel explained that the initial scope of the project had expanded with the decision to make the building more economically viable. Councilor Roach expressed a concern about further deterioration of the site if delays continue, and moved to authorize and endorse the pre- application for the grant. This motion was seconded by Councilor Murray. On call for the question, Councilor Conway abstained from the vote because of his downtown business. Councilors Roach, Murray, Sedlack, and Rokicki voted in favor of the motion and it was carried. Presented to Council was a letter from Barbara Sutherlin, DePauw University, requesting permission to barricade Simpson Street from Locust to College on Saturday, May 25, 1991 from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for the Commencement exercise. Council approved the request by consensus. Presented to Council was a letter from Nelson Ford, Heritage Preservation Fair Committee, requesting permission to close Indiana Street from Columbia to Walnut from 5:00 p.m. Thursday, May 16 until noon Sunday, May 19; Indiana Street from Walnut to Poplar from 6:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Saturday, May IS to accommodate the Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast; Franklin Street from Jackson to Vine 5:00 p.m. Thursday, May 16 until noon Sunday, May 19. Discussion ensued concerning the closing of the block of • Franklin from Indiana to Vine. Police Chief Jack Hanlon and Street Commissioner were to receive permission of business owners on that block. Council approved by CC 4/9/91 Page 2 • consensus all the closings with approval on the additional block of Franklin based on consent of business owners. Amy Theobald, DePauw University Special Events Co- Chairman, was present to request the closing of Hanna Street from Locust to College on Friday, April 19 from 3:30 to 6:00 p.m. for Little 500 activities. Council approved this request by consensus. The additional request for the closing of a portion of Jackson and Hanna on April 16 from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. for a morning run presented a safely concern for the runners and traffic control. Ms. Theobald was to work with Chief Hanlon to provide a route that did not require crossing high traffic areas. Ms. Terry Hall was present to explain that the Putnam County Mental Health Association in cooperation with the P.I.E. Coalition of Putnam County is in the process of applying for a five year $300,000.00 Community Partnership grant from the Office of Substance Abuse Prevention of the federal government. She continued that the purpose of the grant will be to assist in the formation and operation of a community partnership to encourage, coordinate, and augment county -wide prevention efforts of alcohol and other drug use. She requested that the city submit a letter of commitment to the Partnership, noting that there are no monetary requirements. She further explained that they are applying directly to the federal agency to allow for the hiring of personnel to coordinate the program. Councilor Sedlack moved to enthusiastically support the efforts P.C.M.H.A. and the P.I.E. Coalition and send a letter of commitment to the Partnership. This motion was seconded by Councilor Rokicki. On call for the question, CouncilorMurrav abstained from the vote because of membershipon the P.I.E. Board. Councilors Sedlack, Rokicki, Roach and Conway voted in favor of the motion • and it was carried. Councilor Sedlack offered to write the letter of commitment. Approval of Minutes: The minutes of January 8 regular session, January 8 Board of Finance, January 24 special session, February 12 regular session, February 1.2 Board of Finance, March 12 regular session were distributed to Council. Councilor Sedlack moved to approve the minutes as distributed. This motion was seconded by Councilor Murray and was carried by an aye unanimous vote. Approval of Treasurer Reports: The treasurer's reports of January, 1991 and February, 1991 were distributed to Council. Councilor Rokicki moved to approve the reports as distributed. This motion was seconded by Councilor Sedlack and was carried by an aye unanimous vote. The March treasurer's report was distributed for approval at the next meeting. Department Reports: Mr. Ernie Phillips reported the month's activities at the cemetery, noting that mowing would begin the middle of April. Mr. Stan Lambert reported the hiring of Jim Gabonay as the part -time maintenance person at the park. He continued that spring clean -up has been slow because of the rain, the rehabilitation of picnic tables and trash cans has begun, and the storm sewers at the band shell have been repaired. He also noted that the tumbling • program was going well and thanked the following volunteers: Janna Kissel, Leslie J CC 4/9/91 Page 3 Hanson, Lia Kendall, Debbie Grammel, Liz Spencer, Jenny Lambert, Alice Brattain, Melissa Miller, Patty Harmless, Matt Scheckel. Mr. Lambert announced an Arbor Day Program on Sunday, April 14 at 1:00 p.m. in the park. Mrs. Charlene Nichols delivered the statistical report of the Sewage Department, noting that the new portable diesel pump should be here in a week and that she is investigating an alarm system for the lift stations. Police Chief Jack Hanlon reported the monthly statistics for the department which included 526 complaints of which 66 were arrests. Council agreed to set a special session to discuss the Greencastle Dispatch proposal. Mr. Jim Wright delivered the statistical report for the Street Department. He also noted that he attended road school put on by HERPICC in West Lafayette. Councilor Rokicki commended Mr. Wright and the Street Department for their response time on requests. Councilor Roach indicated that she would contact the National Guard concerning their assistance in cleaning out the brush in the gully off Cassada Drive during spring clean -up. Mr. Leon Phillips reported the month's activities in the Water Department and noted that Don Moore had returned to work after a couple of days, but Jim Carpenter has remained off until he sees a specialist on April 15. i s Mr. Bill Lawrence reported the issuance of 15 permits in March. He also noted the work is continuing on the problem areas with one having been cleaned up, one still pending and one ready to go to the Board of Works. Mr. Ron Smith reported design work continuing on the southside intercepter and Foxridge sewer extension, and easement acquisition continuing on the Fillmore Road sewer extension. Mr. Larry Wilson reported the last two parcels for the southern highway acquisition will go to trial on April 29 and 30, and the acquisition letters have been prepared for easements in regard to the Greater Eastside Sewer Separation Project. Recommendations and Requests from Officers and Departments: Ordinance 1991 -6, An Ordinance Amending Chapter 255 -205 of the Greencastle City Code, Paid Holidays, was presented to Council for second reading and was read by Mayor Harmless. Councilor Rokicki moved to approve Ordinance 1991 -6 as presented. This motion was seconded by Councilor Sedlack. Councilor Murray noted that it had been clarified that the ordinance does allow for compensatory time off. A roll call produced the following vote: AYES: Councilor Rokicki Councilor Roach Councilor Murray Councilor Sedlack NOES: Councilor Conway Mayor Harmless declared Ordinance 1991 -6 to have been passed and adopted this date. • CC 4/9/91 Page 4 • Resolution 1991 -6, A Resolution Authorizing the Modification of Grant No. Ill 89 -014, was presented to Council and read in its entirety by Mayor Harmless. Councilor Murray moved to approve Resolution 1991 -6 as presented. This motion was seconded by Councilor Rokicki and was carried by an aye unanimous vote. Mayor Harmless declared Resolution 1991 -6 to have been passed and resolved this date. At 9:15 p.m. Councilor Murray moved to allow a five minute recess. This motion was seconded by Councilor Roach, was carried by an aye unanimous vote, and the meeting was recessed for five minutes. The meeting reconvened at 9:20 p.m. Ordinance 1991 -7, An Ordinance Vacating a Public Right -of -Way Located in the City of Greencastle, Putnam County, Indiana (Vacation of alley located between lots 53 and 68 on the north and lots 54 and 67 on the south in the original plat of the City of Greencastle - 12 foot alley running from Madison Street to Market Street - Moose parking lot), was presented to Council and read in its entirety by Mayor Harmless. Mr. Wilson noted that a public hearing would occur at the regular session of Council in May. Councilor Murray moved to approve Ordinance 1991 -7 as presented. This motion was seconded by Councilor Roach and was carried by an aye unanimous vote. Mayor Harmless declared Ordinance 1991 -7 to have been passed on first reading. Ordinance 1991 -8, An Ordinance Amending the Greencastle Planning and Zoning Ordinance: Chapter 831 - Home Occupations, was presented to Council and read in its entirety by Mr. Wilson. Councilor Rokicki moved to approve Ordinance 1991 -8 as • presented. This motion was seconded by Councilor Murray. Councilor Sedlack asked how the ordinance amendment would affect existing home occupations. Mr. Wilson explained that any home occupation existing legally under the present ordinance would be grandfathered. Councilor Conway asked what necessitated the amendment. Ms. Terry Hall explained that the Zoning Board needed further clarification of the definitions in the ordinance. Discussion ensued. Because only one reading of Council is required for adoption of this ordinance, Councilor Murray moved to table consideration of Ordinance 1991 -8 to allow for further discussion and public input. Councilor Roach seconded the motion to table. Councilor Rokicki indicated he had enough time to consider the ordinance with all the plan commission meetings spent on the question of home occupations. On call for the question Councilors Murray, Sedlack, Roach and Conway voted in favor of the motion to table, and Councilor Rokicki voted against. Mayor Harmless declared the first reading of Ordinance 1991 -8 tabled until the next regular session of Council. Ordinance 1991 -9, An Ordinance Amending the Greencastle Planning and Zoning Ordinance: Swimming Pool Regulations, was presented to Council and read in its entirety by Mayor Harmless. Councilor Roach asked that the ordinance be corrected to delete the phrase "by the Board of Zoning Appeals" from page two, Section 11, 821 - 40(B)(1). Councilor Sedlack moved to approve Ordinance 1991 -9 as corrected. This motion was seconded by Councilor Roach. Call for the question produced an aye unanimous vote and the motion was carried. Mayor Harmless declared Ordinance 1991- 9 to have been passed and adopted this date. Ordinance 1991 -10, An Ordinance to Amend the City of Greencastle City Code by Adding Subchapter 460 -25 to Provide for the Removal of Weeds and Rank is Vegetation, was presented to Council and read in its entirety by Mayor Harmless.