HomeMy Public PortalAbout01-06-2003PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF RICHMOND, INDIANA, JANUARY 6, 2003
The Common Council of the City of Richmond, Indiana met in regular session at 7:30 p.m., Monday,
January 6, 2003, in the Council Chambers in said City. President Bing Welch presided with the following
Councilmembers present: Howard "Jack" Elstro, Etta J. Lundy, Karl Sharp, Bruce Wissel Larry Parker,
Paul Combs and Phil Dickman. Sarah "Sally" Hutton was absent. The following business was conducted:
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
PRAYER BY COUNCILMEMBER PARKER
ROLL CALL
Eight present.
President Welch recognized a student in the audience and asked him to come forward and be recognized.
Christopher Ponder introduced himself, saying he is a student in Gary Weir's government class at
Richmond High School.
President Welch presented Councilmember Wissel with an engraved pen in appreciation of his service as
President of Council in 2002.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Minutes of the December 16, 2002 meeting were unavailable.
PRESENTATIONS, MEMORIALS, REMONSTRANCES, PETITIONS AND INTRODUCTIONS
MOTIONS OR RESOLUTIONS. (MUST BE IN WRITING)
RESOLUTION NO. 1— 2003
The Clerk read Resolution No. 1— 2002 — A RESOLUTION ENDORSING THE PROPOSED INCREASE
IN WAYNE COUNTY'S INNKEEPER'S TAX FOR PURPOSES OF ASSISTING IN THE PRIVATE
DEVELOPMENT OF A CONFERENCE CENTER
City Attorney Bob Bever explained that this resolution is a result of a committee formed a couple of
months ago with representatives of the City of Richmond, Wayne County, Richmond/Wayne County
Chamber of Commerce, and Economic Development Corporation. That committee, he said, was led by the
Richmond/Wayne County Convention and Tourism Bureau to discuss the future of the Lowe's building
because a private developer had come forward with a proposition that something could be done as a
conference center at that location if some help was received from the government sector.
From those meetings it was determined that one of the things that would be available would be funds from
the innkeeper's tax which is a tax of 5 cents on the dollar paid by those individuals spending the night in
the City in any one of the hotel/motel rooms. He said if that tax was to be increased by one cent, an
additional $100,000 per year, approximately, could be raised. Through some other research, he said, it was
found that the EDC could be a conduit in giving money to a private developer to make interest payments on
their loan or the statute could be raised to allow the one cent increase cut could also be amended to allow
that direct payment.
He said the committee put together a proposal to send to the Legislature to ask that the tax be increased by
one cent to six cents to raise that $100,000 which could be paid directly to the developer. Or, he added, if
the legislature didn't want to go with that part of the statute would still allow the increase to be funded to
the Tourism Bureau.
He said the resolution presented to Council tonight has already been adopted unanimously by the County
Commissioners, County Council, Chamber of Commerce Board and the EDC Board, as well as Mayor
Shelley Miller. He said this is asking the Common Council for its support, adding that the more support
shown locally, the more likelihood it will be that the Legislature will take it into consideration. Bever said
all three House Representatives and State Senator Allen Paul have said they are in favor of it but wanted to
see how much community support there is.
Mayor Miller commented that this is a unique opportunity for the community to enter into a private/public
venture, adding that in many communities a conference center is run by a municipality and it is difficult to
keep them running and to be profitable or to break even. She said this is an opportunity to begin the
conference center then to turn it over and it would be run completely by the private sector and immediately
be a part of the community's assessed evaluation and be receiving tax revenues as well as the huge
economic impact that the City would see from the increased tourism and conference business that a facility
like this could bring to this area.
Common Council Minutes Cont'd
January 6, 2002
Page 2
President Welch asked for comments from Councilmembers before discussion is opened to those in the
audience. He asked speakers to keep their comments limited to five or six minutes and not make them
repetitive.
Speaking first was Ken Paust, president of Wayne County Council, who gave some background on the
subject of a conference center which was actually started in 1975 by the Richmond/Wayne County
Chamber of Commerce. A group of three traveled to eight locations which included Dayton, Ohio;
Waterloo, Iowa, and Lexington, Ky. That group, he said, met with people who were operating convention
centers at that time to find out what was good and what was bad about their centers. It was quite a project
but was not completed at that time.
He said that group recommended at that time that a hotel/motel tax be put into place, which actually came
about, and today brings in approximately $500,000 yearly. He mentioned some of the changes that have
come about since that time which included the renovation of Civic Hall and the building of Tiernan Center.
The difference this time, he said, is that progress has been made with plans to move forward and be
competitive with other communities of the same size. He cited many opportunities that would come about
with the opening of a conference center. He said time is needed to develop all the plans and it is hoped that
this project can be put together before the end of this year.
Others speaking in support of the resolution included Mary Walker, director of the Wayne County
Convention and Tourism Bureau, who cited the economic impact of the different conference centers within
the state; Bill Pendley, 4495 Park Elwood Road, who is the owner The Potter's Wheel, a bed and breakfast
facility; Linda Von Pein, board member of the Tourism Bureau and co-owner of Advanced Travel; Dick
Kirchner, Vice President of Belden Wire and Cable Co.; Kathy Zelia, plant manager of Hill's Pet Nutrition;
and Frank Mazzei, President of the Richmond/Wayne County Chamber of Commerce, who named several
Chamber members who signed a petition in favor of the resolution.
Councilmember Combs commented about his participation with the committee in back of this resolution,
pointing out that the funds will not come from local taxpayers but from those individuals who choose to
stay overnight in the community in the hotels and motels.
President Welch asked Bever about the date the bill would be signed into law if the Legislature would
approve the one cent increase being asked for. Bever responded that the way he reads the statute
amendment is that it gives the ability to Wayne County Council to raise the tax to six cents, adding that
what the Legislature would be doing is giving the power to Council. He said that the tax could be
implemented around January 1, 2004 if all things went as projected. He added, however, that the building
could be started yet this year and would not have to be delayed until the start of the tax increase.
There being no further discussion, Councilmember Wissel moved to support the resolution, second by
Councilmember Parker and the motion was carried on a unanimous roll call vote.
COMMUNICATION FROM THE MAYOR
Mayor Shelley Miller expressed her appreciation of the work done on Christmas Day by the street
department employees clearing the streets of the snow.
Alluding to the Martin Luther King breakfast on January 20, she asked those Councilmembers who were
interested in attending to make their wishes known through a telephone call to her office.
Mayor Miller announced two changes within the administration stating that City Controller John Kenny has
accepted a similar position in Piqua, Ohio, and City Engineer Bob Wiwi who is director of the City's
Public Works and Safety Department will be moving to the Richmond Sanitary District as its Engineer.
Councilmember Combs commented about Ordinance No. 102 — 2002 which was adopted at the last
meeting, questioning whether or not it would affect the grants received by Roseview Transit. Mayor Miller
assured him that the City is well within its grant criteria through the action taken in the ordinance. In
answer to his question about fare increase, Mayor Miller said the majority of the fares are donations and
contributions and the health insurance issue would not affect those fares.
REPORT FROM BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS AND SAFETY
President Welch said the minutes of the meeting of the November 21, December 5, 12 and 19, 2002 were in
their packets that they received tonight. Since Councilmembers had not had the opportunity to look them
over, he said, any questions they had about those meetings could be answered at the next meeting of
Council.
REPORTS FROM DEPARTMENT HEADS
Common Council Minutes Cont'd
January 6, 2003
Page 3
REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES
REPORTS FROM SPECIAL COMMITTEES
REPORTS FROM ORGANIZATIONS
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS
ORDINANCES ON FIRST READING
There were no ordinances on first reading.
ORDINANCES ON SECOND READING AND ENGROSSMENT
ORDINANCE NO. 98 — 2002
The Clerk read Ordinance No. 98 — 2002 — A SPECIAL ORDINANCE REZONING THE PROPERTY
COMMONLY KNOWN AS 911 NORTH "E" STREET, RICHMOND, INDIANA
Reporting on the public hearing conducted by the Planning Commission on this ordinance December 19,
2002, Councilmember Wissel said the Commission heard the request to rezone to the Special Use District
in an M-1 Light Manufacturing District for a pizza restaurant located at 911 North E Street. He said there
were no comments against the petition and the Commission voted 9-0 in favor of the request.
President Welch declared Ordinance No. 98 —2002 on public hearing.
Speaking in favor of the ordinance was Joe Veazey who, along with his wife, is the owner of Joe's Pizza
which was previously located at 1723 National Road West. He said the facility that they want to occupy is
approximately 6,000 square feet and part of the building in which the Adam H. Bartel Co. formerly had its
distribution outlet.
There being no further comments for and none against the ordinance, Councilmember Elstro moved for
engrossment, second by Councilmember Dickman and the motion was carried on a voice vote.
Councilmember Wissel moved to suspend the rules and advance Ordinance No. 98 — 2002 to third and final
reading and read by title only, second by Councilmember Parker and the motion was carried on a voice
vote.
The Clerk read Ordinance No. 98 —2002 on third reading.
Ordinance No. 98 — 2002 was adopted on a unanimous roll call vote
ORDINANCE NO. 105 — 2002
The Clerk read Ordinance No. 105 — 2002 — A SPECIAL ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE
APPROVAL OF A STATEMENT OF BENEFITS FOR A PROPERTY OWNER APPLYING FOR
DEDUCTIONS UNDER I.C. 6-1.1-12.1 AND SPECIFICALLY 6-1.1— 12.1-7 (UPTOWN AREA)
President Welch requested that this ordinance be held for at least 30 days pending re-evaluation of the
request.
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The Clerk read Ordinance No. 107 — 2002 — A SPECIAL ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE
APPROVAL OF A STATEMENT OF BENEFITS FOR A PROPERTY OWNER APPLYING FOR
DEDUCTIONS UNDER I.C. 6-1.1-12.1
Councilmember Sharp explained that this ordinance deals with a request by Elder Lite Express Inc. and
Focus Five LLC for a new building in the Midwest Industrial Park with an estimated value of $3.5 million
in addition to the current value of $300,000, making it $3.8 million. He said he had asked Michael Sparks,
President and C.E.O. of Elder Lite to attend the meeting tonight to give additional information and to
answer any questions Councilmembers might have.
Sparks gave background on his company and its growth since 1988 when it began its operation with three
tractors and eight trailers. Today, he said, they are operating with 45 tractors, 102 trailers and rent space
from four different facilities within the City. He added that they employ 65 full time people and three part
time. He said the company's growth is being hampered with the operation as it is today and last month
received all the necessary approvals for Lot No. 3 in the Midwest Industrial Park and is ready to move
forward with expansion plans. He said they expect to add 15 to 25 new positions by 2005.
Common Council Minutes Cont'd
January 6, 2003
Page 4
Councilmember Sharp moved for approval of Ordinance No. 107 — 2002.
President Welch declared Ordinance No. 107 — 2002 on public hearing.
Speaking in favor of the ordinance was Frank Mazzei of the Richmond/Wayne County Chamber of
Commerce alluding to the company's successful background within the community.
There being no further comments for and none against the ordinance, Councilmember Elstro moved for
engrossment, second by Councilmember Dickman and the motion was carried on a voice vote.
Councilmember Lundy moved to suspend the rules and advance Ordinance No. 107 — 2002 to third and
final reading and read by title only, second by Councilmember Elstro and the motion was carried on a voice
vote.
The Clerk read Ordinance No. 107 — 2002 on third reading.
Ordinance No. 107 — 2002 was adopted on a unanimous roll call vote.
ORDINANCES ON THIRD READING
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
CALL FOR ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, on a motion duly made, seconded and passed, the meeting was adjourned
at 8:45 P.M.
Bing Welch, President
ATTEST:
Norma Schroeder, Clerk