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HomeMy Public PortalAbout7/09/1991GREENCASTLE COMMON COUNCIL ® Regular Session July 9, 1991 The Greencastle Common Council mct in regular session on July 9, 1991 at 7:30 p.m. at the PSI building. On Call of the roll the following members were shown to be present: Councilor Sheri Roach, Councilor Tim Conway, Councilor Sue Murray, Councilor Bob Sedlack, Councilor Mike Rokicki. City attorney Larry Wilson was also present. Public Petitions and Comments: Presented to Council was a request from Susan Hunter and Boomer Taylor for permission to contract with home owners for painting street numbers on curbs. Their proposal noted a $6.00 fee for the service with $1.00 to be donated to either the Humane Society, Big Walnut Sports Park or Main Street Greencastle (home owners preference). Councilor Rokicki moved to approve the request as presented. This motion was seconded by Councilor Murray and was carried by an aye unanimous vote. Approval of Minutes: The minutes of June 13 regular session, June 13 public hearing, June 25 special session, June 25 public hearing were distributed to Council. Councilor Murray moved to table approval of the minutes until the meeting of July 23rd. This motion was seconded by Councilor Rokicki and was carried by an aye unanimous vote. Approval of Treasurer's Report: ® The treasurer's report of May, 1991 was distributed to Council. Councilor Rokicki moved to table approval of the report until the meeting of July 23rd. This motion was seconded by Councilor Sedlack and was carried by an aye unanimous vole. Department Reports: Statistical reports were distributed to Council with the following additional comments. Police Chief Jack Hanlon noted that the radio equipment for dispatch has been ordered and that a advertisement will be placed for applications for the dispatch positions. He also noted that proposals will be taken for renovation. Chief Hanlon continued that Officer Epple has begun training at the Police Academy and will be gone for twelve weeks and that the department is preparing for the fair parade. Councilor Roach expressed a concern about having the fireworks at Robe Ann Park because of traffic safely. Councilor Murray added that Big Walnut Sports Park has only one road and would also pose a traffic safety problem. No action was taken by Council concerning the issue of the fireworks. Councilor Sedlack asked if the Fourth of July Committee raised enough money to fund the 1991 fireworks display. Mayor Harmless noted that they had more than met expenses for 1991. Mrs. Nichols indicated that the alarm on the College Street lift station was installed and operating. Councilor Rokicki asked if the other lift stations have been fitted for the portable pump. Mrs. Nichols responded that the Wal -Mart lift station would be the next one completed. CC 7/9/91 Page 2 • Department Reports continued: Fire Chief Bob Elmore noted that Engine 4 is back in service, and that David Varvel is back from medical leave. Mr. Wilson added that the state legislature had passed legislation similar to our smoke detector ordinance. Mr. Leon Phillips noted that he has contacted major water users personally to ask for voluntary conservation and does not vet feel mandatory conservation is necessary. Mr. Wilson reported that casement acquisition continues on the 10th Street project and on the Greater Eastside Sewer Separation project. Concerning the pool project, 680 signatures were certified by the county auditor on the petitions in favor of the pool bond issue. He also noted that to comply with the storm water discharge permit requirement the city will be filing as part of a group through the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns. Concerning new legislation, industries requesting tax abatement after July 1, 1991 will be required to file a statement of benefits with the local taxing unit on an annual basis. Recommendations and Requests from Officers and Departments: Ordinance 1991 -11, An Ordinance Amending Chapter 442 -30 of Greencastle City Code Schedule of One -Way Streets, was presented to Council and read by title and synopsis by Mayor Harmless. Councilor Murrav moved to table the ordinance until Mr. Wright and Chief Hanlon can verify that neighbors have ample access to alleyways to allow parking in the rear. Councilor Rokicki seconded the motion and it was carried • by an aye unanimous vote. Ordinance 1991 -12, An ordinance Amending Chapter 443.15 of Greencastle City Code Schedule of No Parking Zones, was presented and read by title and synopsis. Councilor Rokicki moved to approve Ordinance 1991 -12 as presented. This motion was seconded by Councilor Murray and was carried by an aye unanimous vote. Mayor Harmless declared Ordinance 1991 -12 to have been passed and adopted this date. Resolution 1.991 -14, A Resolution Endorsing Application to Section 8 Existing Housing Program, was presented and read in its entirety by Mayor Harmless. Councilor Murray moved to approve Resolution 1991 -14 as presented. Councilor Sedlack seconded the motion. Max Johnson of the Greencastle Housing Authority explained that there are 90 people on a waiting list for the program, although 30 are the most that can be handled at this time. He continued that the Section 8 program is 100% federally funded and subsidizes 135 units. The units are inspected and must meet guidelines. Of the 363 people taking part in the program, over half are children. On call for the question,. Resolution 1991 -14 was passed by an aye unanimous vote. Mayor Harmless declared Resolution 1991 -14 to have been passed and adopted this date. Ordinance 1991 -13, An Ordinance Approving a New Schedule of Water Rates and Charges, was presented and read in its entirety by Mr. Wilson. Councilor Rokicki moved to approve Ordinance 1991 -13 on first reading. Councilor Roach seconded the motion. Discussion ensued with Mr. John Seever responding to questions concerning the intervention by Reelsville Water Corporation, the wholesale rate study, the present inverted rate schedule assigned to wholesales users. Councilor Rokicki asked what would occur if the rate increase was not passed by Council. Mr. Seever and Mr. Phillips • explained that capital expenditures for the water system would be a concern. The clerk- CC 7/9/91 Page 3 ® treasurer noted that the city water utility has an obligation to the rate payers to maintain the water system in a manner that will insure the quality and availability of water. Mr. Seever went on to explain that since the Reelsville Water Corporation intervention, a complete cost of service and whole user study was required by the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission. Councilor Conway asked if the city can remove itself from the jurisdiction of the I.U.R.C. Mr. Wilson responded that it can, however, a court of law would then hear an intervention case. On call for the question the following vote was recorded: AYES: Councilor Roach NAYS: Councilor Conway Councilor Murray Councilor Rokicki Councilor Sedlack Mayor Harmless declared Ordinance 1991 -13 to have been passed on first reading 4 -1. Ordinance 1991 -14, An Ordinance Establishing the Size of Departments of City Government of the City of Greencastle, Indiana, Fixing Salaries for the Employees of Such Departments and Fixing Salaries of Certain Other Appointed Officials for the Year 1992, was presented to Council and read in its entirety by Mayor Harmless. Councilor Rokicki moved to approve Ordinance 1991 -14 as presented. Councilor Murray seconded the motion. Discussion ensued concerning the additional personnel in the park department to operate the proposed new pool facility and the police department for the operation of the new city dispatch center. On call for the question the motion was carried by an aye unanimous vote. Mayor Harmless declared Ordinance 1991 -14 to have been passed on first reading. ® Ordinance 1991 -15, An Ordinance Fixing the Salaries of Elected Officials of the City of Greencastle for the Year 1992, was presented to Council and read in its entirety by Mayor Harmless. Councilor Sedlack moved to approve Ordinance 1991 -15 as presented. Councilor Murray seconded the motion. Councilor Sedlack noted that he felt Council salaries needed to be increased in increments over time, but with the decisions to increase other departments, understands the desire of Council to refuse an increase in the 1992 budget year. Councilor Murray noted that she understands the need for incremental increases, but feels the 1992 salary for Councilmcmbcrs should remain the same. Call for the question recorded an aye unanimous vote. The clerk - treasurer noted that Ordinance 1991 -15 would come before Council for second reading after a thirty day publication requirement. Mayor Harmless declared Ordinance 1991 -15 to have been passed on first reading. Council Reports and Comments: Councilor Murray asked if large item refuse removal is grant eligible. Mayor Harmless responded that it is not in the terms of the recycling grant and that the cost of a large item pick -up would have to be thoroughly investigated. With no further business, Councilor Murray moved for adjournment. This motion was seconded by Councilor Rokicki, was carried by an aye unanimous vote, and the meeting was adjourned at 10:00 p.m. Michael M. Harmless, Mayor TEST: ® Ju ith Berm, Clerk -Tre, s ire,