HomeMy Public PortalAbout2/13/1990GREENCASTLE COMMON COUNCIL
Regular Session
February 13, 1990
® The Greencastle Common Council met in regular session on
Tuesday, February 13, 1990 at the GTE Community Meeting Room. The
meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m. On call of the roll the
following members were shown to be present: Councilor Sheri Roach,
Councilor Sue Murray, Councilor Bob Sedlack, Councilor Mike
Rokicki. Councilor Tim Conway was absent. Also present was city
attorney Larry Wilson.
Department Reports:
Assistant Chief Paul Patterson delivered the statistical
report which included six (6) fire runs, two (2) grass and trash
runs, two (2) mutual aid calls, and two (2) vehicle runs. The
department also assisted the Indiana State Farm with an underground
fuel spill.
Police Chief Jack Hanlon reported 317 calls in the month of
January which included 100 citizens assistance, 43 accidents, 21
theft calls, and 21 alarm calls. There were 70 ready during the
period. Chief Hanlon also distributed a compiled 1989 yearly
report. Councilor Murray noted that the year end report was nicely
done.
The Water Department report delivered by Superintendent Leon
Phillips included the following: installed four (4) new services,
rerun two (2) services, repaired two (2) leaks, retired four (4)
services, replaced four (4) meter lids, replaced one (1) meter pit,
changed 101 meters, and rebuilt 193 meters. Gallons pumped in the
month of January were 38,139,786. Mayor Harmless noted that the
petition for the takeover of the 240 water Corporation had been
filed.
• Superintendent Charlene Nichols reported the statistics from
the Sewage Department which included 22 sewer calls and 3500 feet
of lines cleaned with the vactor truck. Councilor Murray asked
what the plans are for the vactor truck. Mrs. Nichols noted that
the city lines would be covered in a planned manner with the center
city a priority due to the age of the lines. She continued that
the last heavy rain revealed no problems at the Bob Breese
residence, and the removal of the cement blockage at the manhole
site seems to have alleviated the backup.
Councilor Roach requested an investigation of a smell. near the
corner of Jefferson Street and Walnut Street.
Councilor Rokicki indicated that there is still a problem of
storm drainage at Cassada Drive. Mr. Wright noted that the inlet
is still collecting debris and a catch basin may have to be
installed.
Mr. Wilson commented that the Sewer Use Ordinance is badly
outdated and needs to be revised. Councilor Murray noted that it
should be done in conjunction with the Sewage Department Master
Plan being done by Triad Associates.
Street Commissioner Jim Wright delivered a statistical report
which included the following: purchased 116 tons of stone, 20 tons
of cold mix, picked up 9 dogs, picked up Christmas trees, stoned
and graded 17 alleys, the mailboxes in Foxridge, South Street,
Fairview Street, Kneightly Road, Madison berm, picked up trash on
Wood, Tennessee, and Tenth Streets, installed 18 new signs in
Foxridge and 16 other new signs, repaired catch basin, storm sewers
on Kirkwood Drive, Indiana, Shadowlawn.
• Councilor Sedlack requested an update on the Street Department
Garage project. Mayor Harmless noted that Jim Wright has been
working with Jim Lowry on developing specs.
Ordinance 1990 -5, An Ordinance Approving the Petition of Lee
M. Stewart and Susan B. Stewart, Husband and Wife, to Vacate Public
Right -of -Way in the City of Greencastle, Putnam County, Indiana,
was presented to Council and was read in its entirety by Mr.
Wilson. Councilor Rokicki moved to approve Ordinance 1990 -5 as
presented. This motion was seconded by Councilor Roach, and was
carried by an aye unanimous vote of members present.
Mayor Harmless declared Ordinance 1990 -5 to have been passed
on first reading.
Ordinance 1990 -4, An Ordinance Amending Chapter 715 of the
Greencastle City Code (Water Rates and Charges), was presented to
Council for second reading and was read by title only. Mr. Wilson
noted that the correction to page three (3) had been made as
requested and now reads $795.89. Councilor Rokicki moved to
approve the corrected Ordinance 1990 -4 as presented. This motion
was seconded by Councilor Murray, and was carried by an aye
unanimous vote of members present.
Mayor Harmless declared Ordinance 1990 -4 to have been passed
• and adopted, to be effective upon approval of the Indiana Utility
Regulatory Commission.
CC 2/13/90 Page 2
Department Reports continued:
•
Councilor Murray asked about storm water backup on SR231
between Seminary and Anderson. Mr. Wright noted that the lines
need to be cleaned again now that the State repaving project on
SR231 is completed.
In the Building Department report it was noted that the
building permits are now being published in the paper.
The Legal Department report included an update on Southern
Highway right -of -way acquisition. Mr. Wilson noted that
approximately 12 parcels remain to be acquired out of 55 parcels
and he expects five or six to have to go to suit. Mr. Wilson also
informed the Council that a continuance has been filed in the Mary
Dean v. City of Greencastle, Jim Hendrich, Ernest Newby.
The Treasurer's report for December, 1989 was distributed to
Council. Councilor Murray requested and received an explanation of
receipts and disbursements. Councilor Sedlack moved for approval
of the Treasurer's report as presented. This motion was seconded
by Councilor Murray and, was carried by an aye unanimous vote.
Claim Approval:
Presented to Council was a claim from Wilson & Wilson in the
amount of $989.00 for legal services in regard to industrial
development. Councilor Roach moved to approve and pay the claim as
presented. This motion was seconded by Councilor Rokicki, and was
carried by an aye unanimous vote of members present.
Presented to Council was a claim from the Greencastle
Development Center in the amount of $7,500.00, the quarterly
dispersement of the grant for funding. Councilor Sedlack moved to
approve and pay the claim as presented. This motion was seconded
.
by Councilor Rokicki. Discussion ensued concerning the Greencastle
Development Center's other sources of funding, including the LEDO
grant and private sector funding. The motion was carried by an aye
unanimous vote of members present.
Recommendations from Officers and Departments:
Councilor Murray requested that Ordinance 1990 -5 be considered
first for the benefit of Mr. Stewart who was present in the
audience.
Ordinance 1990 -5, An Ordinance Approving the Petition of Lee
M. Stewart and Susan B. Stewart, Husband and Wife, to Vacate Public
Right -of -Way in the City of Greencastle, Putnam County, Indiana,
was presented to Council and was read in its entirety by Mr.
Wilson. Councilor Rokicki moved to approve Ordinance 1990 -5 as
presented. This motion was seconded by Councilor Roach, and was
carried by an aye unanimous vote of members present.
Mayor Harmless declared Ordinance 1990 -5 to have been passed
on first reading.
Ordinance 1990 -4, An Ordinance Amending Chapter 715 of the
Greencastle City Code (Water Rates and Charges), was presented to
Council for second reading and was read by title only. Mr. Wilson
noted that the correction to page three (3) had been made as
requested and now reads $795.89. Councilor Rokicki moved to
approve the corrected Ordinance 1990 -4 as presented. This motion
was seconded by Councilor Murray, and was carried by an aye
unanimous vote of members present.
Mayor Harmless declared Ordinance 1990 -4 to have been passed
• and adopted, to be effective upon approval of the Indiana Utility
Regulatory Commission.
CC 2/13/90 Page 3
Recommendation continued:
• Ordinance 1990 -7, An Ordinance Adding Chapter 230 of the
Greencastle City Code (City Seal), was presented to Council and
read in its entirety by Mayor Harmless. Mayor Harmless noted that
the city has a Council seal and the Clerk- Treasurer has a seal, but
the City of Greencastle does not. The proposed City Seal carries
the 1849 date, he continued, because that is the year Greencastle
changed from a town to a city. Councilor Rokicki moved to approve
Ordinance 1990 -7 as presented. This motion was seconded by
Councilor Murray, and was carried by an aye unanimous vote of
members present.
Mayor Harmless declared Ordinance 1990 -7 to have been passed
on first reading.
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 removed from the table for the
purpose of discussion. Councilor Murray moved to send Ordinance
1990 -1 to committee for review. Suggested committee included two
(2) Councilors, Street Commissioner Jim Wright, and a representative
from each of the Civic League, Park Board, Public Service Indiana,
and the Chamber of Commerce. Councilor Rokicki seconded the motion
to send to committee. The motion was carried by an aye unanimous
vote of the members present.
Ordinance 1990 -6, An Ordinance Requiring the Installation and
Maintenance of Smoke Detectors, was presented for discussion.
Councilor Sedlack noted that he would prefer to consider Ordinance
1990 -6 with Fire Chief Bob Elmore present to enter into the
discussion. Councilor Rokicki commented that he considered the
ordinance in question a safety issue and asked that it be included
• on the agenda for first reading in March. The consensus of Council
was to table Ordinance 1990 -6 until the March regular session of
Council.
Resolution 7.990 -2, A Resolution Approving the Statement of
Benefits of Banc One Equipment Finance, Inc., was presented to
Council and was read in its entirety by Mr. Wilson. Mr. Wilson
also presented an explanation of the resolution. Councilor Murray
moved to approve Resolution 1990 -2 as presented. This motion was
seconded by Councilor Roach, and was carried by an aye unanimous
vote of members present.
Mayor Harmless declared Resolution 1990 -2 to have been passed
and resolved this date.
Council Reports and Comments:
Mayor Harmless presented a letter from DePauw University
requesting the closing of Simpson Street on May 26, 1990 for the
purpose of graduation ceremonies. Councilor Rokicki moved to
approve the request as presented. This motion was seconded by
Councilor Roach, and was carried by an aye unanimous vote of
members present. The Clerk- Treasurer noted a response would be
sent to Depauw University on behalf of the Council.
Councilor Rokicki presented to Council and read in its
entirety a proposed form of resolution regarding the closing of the
Greencastle Indiana Gas Company business office. Mayor Harmless
noted that a meeting was scheduled with a representative of Indiana
Gas Company at 3:00 p.m. on February 14, 1990 in the Mayor's
office, and that Council was welcome to attend that meeting.
Councilor Murray moved to table consideration of the proposed form
of resolution until after the meeting with the representative of
• Indiana Gas Company. This motion was seconded by Councilor Sedlack
and the motion was carried by the following vote:
CC 2/13/90
Council Reports continued:
Page 4
• Ayes: Councilor Murray Nays: Councilor Rokicki
Councilor Sedlack
Councilor Roach
i
Mayor Harmless delivered an update on legislation that affect
local government. He noted the solid waste bill looks hopeful;
concerning the collective bargaining issue, IACT position remains
that it is a home rule topic on the local level; and concerning the
excise tax reduction bill, Mayor Harmless noted that the City
received about $102,000.00 in excise tax distribution in 1989 and
that it is used to support the budget, and the concern remains on
how to continue to provide the services now supported by the excise
tax.
With no further busine
adjournment. This motion was
carried by an aye unanimous
meeting was adjourned at 8:55
ss, Councilor Murray moved for
seconded by Councilor Roach, was
vote of members present, and the
D.M.
Z'
Michael M. Harmless, Mayor
ATTEST:
i
Ju 'th Berry, Clerk- r asurer
•