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HomeMy Public PortalAbout11/13/1990GREENCASTLE COMMON COUNCIL Regular Session November 13, 1990 • The Greencastle Common Council met in regular session on Tuesday, November 13, 1990 at 7:30 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 Sue Murray, Councilor Bob Sedlack, Councilor Mike Rokicki. Also present was City Attorney Larry J. Wilson. Fire Chief Bob Elmore, Assistant Chief Steve White, and Lieutenant Mike O'Hair presented Fire Department Awards for Bravery and Heroism in connection with life saving acts during several structure fires in 1990. Receiving the awards were Rick Long, Jamie Adams, Jamie Cox, David Hunt, Jeff Mace, Alan Small, and Frank Allen. Mr. Jack O'Brien, who experienced a structure fire in September, 1990, thanked Mr. Adams and Mr. Cox for their assistance and commended the Greencastle Fire Department for their response and professionalism. Department Reports: Mr. Jim Wright delivered the street department report which included, but is not limited to, purchased 46 tons of stone and 30 tons of hot mix; picked up 0 dogs; grade and stoned Keightly Road, Frazier Street, South Street, Fairview Street; repaired storm sewers and street signs; cut and topped trees; removed stumps; and swept streets. Discussion was initiated by Councilor Sedlack in regard to having the street department employees in the street department garage on December 3rd, the predicted day of a possible earthquake. Mr. Wright assured Council that the employees will be outside working most of the day. Mrs. Leslie Hanson asked about the stop sign at Maple and Sycamore. Mr. Wright indicated that a solution to the problem may be an island. Mr. Leon Phillips delivered the water Department report. He noted that all services in the areas to be repaved had been rerun to avoid cuts in newly paved streets. Fire Chief Robert Elmore reported that he has begun to review applications and has accepted bids for the refurbishing of the mack fire truck. Councilor Sedlack asked if giving awards of bravery was a typical practice for the department. Chief Elmore affirmed that it is an accepted practice. Mayor Harmless asked whether the locations of the fires had smoke detectors. Chief Elmore stated that two had smoke detectors, but one did not have batteries. Councilor Murray inquired about inspections of businesses. Chief Elmore stated that they had performed several inspections downtown at the request of the owners, and that they need to continue doing business inspections. The fire department has also ordered small trash bags to be hung on all Greencastle home doors. The bags will contain information for home owners regarding fire safety and smoke detectors and will be delivered by the Boy Scout organization in Greencastle. Mrs. Nichols delivered the monthly statistical report for the sewage department. Councilor Sedlack inquired about auxiliary power to address the College Street lift station concerns. Mrs. Nichols confirmed that she is working with the sewage department engineers and Public Service Indiana on possible alternatives in the case of power failure to that and other lift stations. Stan Lambert, Park Department Director, thanked the Fire Department and Police Department for their assistance with the shelter house dumpster fire and delivered a winter programming update. He also noted that 600 Christmas cards have been sent to the 101st Airborne serving in Operation Desert Shield. Councilor is Sedlack asked if a problem has developed from the number of dogs being walked in the park. Mr. Lambert indicated that such concerns have not presented themselves in a proportion that would constitute a problem. CC 11/13/90 Page 2 Department Reports continued: ® Mayor Harmless presented the Cemetery report. The Buckles property has been purchased and the house has been demolished. Discussion ensued concerning a tree nursery for planting trees on city property. Jim Wright attended a tree seminar at PSI and it was taped for showing on Channel 19. Mayor Harmless distributed the police Department report. The department is working on monitoring the truck traffic. Councilor Roach inquired about the purchase of a new generator. Mayor Harmless indicated that the 2911 Central Dispatch decision is still pending. If needed, the National Guard Armory will send a generator to Central Dispatch first. City Attorney Larry Wilson advised that the Dean V. Newby case was settled by the insurance company. There are no pending lawsuits. There are four land acquisitions to be settled yet concerning Southern Highway right -of -way. Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the October. 30, 1990 meeting were distributed to Council. Councilor Murray moved to approve the minutes as presented. This motion was seconded by Councilor Sedlack and was carried by an aye unanimous vote. Recommendations and Requests from Officers and Departments: Ordinance 1990 -22, An Ordinance Amending Chapter 442 -30 of Greencastle City Code Schedule of One -Way Streets (Central Street), was presented and read by title only by Mr. Wilson. Councilor Murray moved to approved ) Ordinance 1990 -22 as presented. This motion was seconded by Councilor Sedlack. Mayor Harmless read a letter from Greencastle School Superintendent Dr. Gary Druckemiller expressing hope for a favorable determination to change Central Street to one -way north. Concern from area residents about the enforcement of no parking on the west side of the street to ensure the safety of the children was also expressed. Councilor Rokicki called for the question. The motion to approve was carried by an aye unanimous vote. Mayor Harmless declared Ordinance 1990 -22 to have been passed and adopted this date. Councilor Rokicki asked if Central. Street is safe to open. Mr. Wright noted that it is not due to the continued construction on the DePauw Center for Contemporary Media. Councilor Murray suggested keeping the street closed until the sidewalk project is complete. Councilor Rokicki moved to keep Central Street closed until Mr. Wright and Chief Hanlon deem it safe to open. This motion was seconded by Councilor Sedlack and was carried by an aye unanimous vote. Ordinance 1990 -24, An Ordinance Amending Chapter 600 of the Greencastle Code to Establish a Department of Parks and Recreation, was presented to Council for second reading and was read by title only by Mr. Wilson. Councilor Rokicki moved to approve Ordinance 1990 -24 as presented. This motion was seconded by Councilor Murray. Councilor Murray asked if Park Board members finish their terms of office or need to be reappointed. Mr. Wilson explained that with the reorganization, the Park Board Commissioners would be reappointed. On call for the question the motion was carried by an aye unanimous vote. Mayor Harmless declared Ordinance 1990 -24 to have been passed and adopted this date. n U CC 11/13/90 Page 3 Recommendations continued: Ordinance 1990 -25, An Ordinance Amending Chapter 443 -55 of the Greencastle City Code Schedule of On- Street Reserved Handicapped Parking Spaces was presented to council. The Exalted Ruler of the B.P.O.E. asked that this ordinance be tabled until such time that a poll of handicapped members could be conducted. Councilor Rokicki moved to table Ordinance 1990 -25. This motion was seconded by Councilor Roach, and was carried by an aye unanimous vote. Councilor Rokicki announced a Community Forum to be held on November 27, 1990, PSI building, at 7:00 p.m. The Clerk - Treasurer informed Council that additional appropriations would not be required to cover storm damage expenses from the wind storm of August 29, 1990. Transfers of appropriations by resolution in December will cover those expenses. The Clerk- Treasurer also commended the Department Supervisors for their efforts in budget management through the reassessment year, noting the city did not have to issue tax anticipation warrants even though spring tax distribution did not occur until September and October. Councilor Roach noted that a resolution from Council needs to be forthcoming concerning the request to name the Southern Highway. Such resolution would then be sent to the state legislature. Councilor Sedlack asked for an update on the position of city engineer. Mayor Harmless noted that the Board of Works and the Clerk- Treasurer will conduct interviews on November 8 and 9, 1990. Presented to Council was a letter from the Greencastle Merchants Association regarding the Annual Christmas Parade. The parade will take place on Monday, November 26, 1990 at 6:30 p.m. ® The letter requests closing of appropriate streets and no parking on the square. The consensus was to approve this request. With no further business, Councilor Roach moved to adjourn. This motion was seconded by Councilor Rokicki and was carried by an aye unanimous vote. The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m. L� Z__ Michael M. Harmless, Mayor ATTEST: l/L�L dith Berry; Clerk- asurer •