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HomeMy Public PortalAbout1/09/1990GREENCASTLE COMMON COUNCIL Regular Session January 9, 1990 L J 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 Cc 1/9/90 Page 2 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. cc 1/9/90 Page 3 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 •