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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 •