HomeMy Public PortalAbout1/09/1990GREENCASTLE COMMON COUNCIL
Regular Session
January 9, 1990
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The Greencastle Common Council met in regular session on
Tuesday, January 9, 1990 at 7:35 p.m. in City Hall. On call of the
roll the following members were shown to be present: Councilor
Sheri Roach, Councilor Tim Conway, Councilor Bob Sedlack, Councilor
Sue Murray and Councilor Mike Rokicki. Also present was City
Attorney Larry Wilson.
During Public Petitions Mr. Don Christopher commended the City
and the Water Department on a job well done when a water line broke
on the bitter cold day just before Christmas.
Department Reports:
The water Department report included three main breaks in
December. Councilor Murray commended the water Department and Mr.
Phillips for taking care of these breaks in a timely manner. Mr.
Phillips noted that the State Highway Department assisted by
flagging traffic.
Mrs. Charlene Nichols reported that the Sewage Department
average flow in December was .832 MGD. She also noted that smoke
testing in the Greater Eastside has been completed. Councilor
Rokicki asked if the backup problem at the Robert Breese residence
had been corrected. Mrs. Nichols commented that she is still
waiting for enough rainfall to determine if the problem was solved
by removing the cement blockage.
Fire Chief Bob Elmore distributed a statistical report for
1989. Out of 149 runs, 239 were false alarms due to alarm
malfunction. Councilor Murray inquired about the comparison of
• runs for 1988 and 1989. Chief Elmore said there were six less runs
in 1989 and 358 -408 of the runs were in the township. Councilor
Rokicki asked about hiring an additional. fireman. Chief Elmore
said applications are now coming in.
Police Chief Jack Hanlon distributed a statistical report for
December and for the year. There were 4,925 complaints in 1989,
which is 400 more than 1988. Jeff Hampton will be attending the
training academy beginning on March 26. Applications are now being
taken to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Terry Judy.
The department is now upgrading their computer and would like to
thank Assistant Chief Hendrich for his efforts.
Mr. Jim Wright presented the street department statistical
report. Councilor Sedlack asked what streets are going to be
paved. Mr. Wright said that he would like to stick to the four
year plan. Mr. Wright thanked the council. and the mayor for the
equipment that was purchased in 1989. Mayor Harmless noted that he
had received many favorable comments on the street department's
work on snow removal.
Mr. Wilson reported a claim filed against the City by Deanna
Kay Parks regarding an accident that occurred on September 1, 1989.
It was jointly filed against the state, county and city.
Don Monnett reported that the furnace has been installed in
the cemetery garage and the insulation will be in next week.
Recommendations from Officers and Departments:
Ordinance 1990 -1, An Ordinance Regulating the Planting,
Maintenance, and Removal of Trees and the Creation of a Tree
Commission in Order to Promote and Protect the Public Health,
• Safety and General Welfare, was presented to Council and read in
its entirety by Mayor Harmless. Joann Haymaker and Gwen Bottoms
were present from the Civic League to discuss the proposed form of
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ordinance. Discussion ensued regarding right -of -way plantings,
• guidelines, enforcing body, tree species, funding sources, and long
term planning. Mike Koontz and Don Christopher of Public Service
Indiana were also present. Don Gedert commented that the suggested
eight (8) foot clearance over major thoroughfares was not
sufficient for large trucks. No action was taken and Councilor
Roach moved to table Ordinance 1990 -1. This motion was seconded by
Councilor Sedlack and was carried by an aye unanimous vote.
Ordinance 1990 -2, An Ordinance Amending the Greencastle
Planning and Zoning Ordinance by Amending the Zoning Map, was
presented to council and read in its entirety by Mr. Wilson. A
public hearing was held at the Plan Commission meeting on December
11, 1989. An explanation was presented by Mr. Wilson. Councilor
Sedlack moved to approve Ordinance 1990 -2 on final reading. This
motion was seconded by Councilor Murray and was carried by an aye
unanimous vote. Discussion ensued concerning the difference
between rezoning and restrictive covenants.
Mayor Harmless declared Ordinance 1990 -2 to have been passed
and adopted.
Ordinance 1990 -3, An Ordinance Annexing Territory to the City
of Greencastle, Indiana, was presented to council and read in its
entirety by Mr. Wilson. Mr. Wilson explained that approximately
thirteen acres are needed for the Southern Highway Project.
Councilor Rokicki moved to approve Ordinance 1990 -3 as presented on
first reading. This motion was seconded by Councilor Murray and
was carried by an aye unanimous vote.
Mayor Harmless declared Ordinance 1990 -3 to have been passed
on first reading.
Council Reports and Comments:
• Councilor Sedlack noted that he had made the counter proposal
to the Greencastle Development Center Board regarding Council
representation and they had accepted. They agreed to one
appointment to the executive board; the appointment would be for a
one year term with yearly reappointment; the appointee may be
either a Councilmember or a resident of the Greencastle community.
Questions included the concern for confidentiality. Councilor
Sedlack agreed that confidentiality needed to be maintained and
imparted to individual council members at the proper time.
Councilor Murray commented that she preferred the discussion of the
appointment be continued in a personnel executive session. Mr.
Wilson indicated that Council could consider and narrow to three
names in executive session then appoint the board member during a
public session.
Councilor Rokicki noted that he would again request that there
be three regular session Council meetings out in the community and
one community forum. The Clerk- Treasurer noted that the February
meeting could be held off site so that the public is not
inconvenienced by the renovation of the City Hall facility.
Mayor Harmless gave an update on the Community Focus Fund. He
will be distributing a letter door to door in the Greater Eastside.
Mayor Harmless noted that the legislature is in session and
there are five hundred bills to be presented. He continued that
Senator Dick Thompson is doing an excellent job representing city
and town issues. Concerning the census bill, special tabulations
passed the committee unanimously. Regarding the excise tax bill,
the concern is how the lost revenues would be replaced.
Councilor Sedlack asked if the City was notified when TCI
• raised their rates. Mayor Harmless informed the council that the
city was notified of the increase.
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Mayor Harmless set a tentative date of January 25, 1990 for an
executive session of Council at 7:00 p.m. and a special session of
Council at 7:30 p.m.
With no further business, Councilor Murray moved for
adjournment. This motion was seconded by Councilor Sedlack,
carried by an aye unanimous vote, and the meeting was adjourned at
9:29 p.m.
ATTEST:
GL� /LC
Michael M. Harmless, Mayor
J pith Berry,
Clerk- T asurer
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