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Home My Public Portal About09-02-2003PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND, INDIANA, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2003 The Common Council of the City of Richmond, Indiana met in regular session at 7:40 p.m., Tuesday, September 2, 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, Stephen H. Rabe, Phil Dickman and Sarah "Sally" Hutton. The following business was conducted: PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE PRAYER BY THE REV. PHIL DORRELL ROLL CALL Nine present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Councilmember Wissel moved to approve the minutes of August 18, 2003, second by Councilmember Parker and the motion was carried on a voice vote. PRESENTATIONS, MEMORIALS, REMONSTRANCES, PETITIONS AND INTRODUCTIONS MOTIONS OR RESOLUTIONS. (MUST BE IN WRITING) COMMUNICATION FROM THE MAYOR Mayor Shelley Miller gave Councilmembers an update on the past weekend weather events, saying that with the amount of rain that fell within the City, the crews were extremely busy. She said the Sanitary District employees were in the trouble spots in the community as well as the street crews. She said about four to five calls were received about flooded basements, but the problems were much less severe than in the past. She also added that some preliminary plans were brought into her office today with some short term and midterm plans to remedy some of the problems that exist in the South West 4' Street area. She also addressed the new Main Street Bridge project, saying that it looked like Sim Hodgin Parkway would not be opened until that is complete. In answer to a question by Councilmember Lundy, Mayor Miller answered that according to the Railroad they are ready to start on the 8' Street crossing any time, and the City continues to call them on a weekly basis. She said it is the City's understanding that they will be starting on that within the next few weeks. REPORT FROM BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS AND SAFETY Minutes of the Board of Works meeting of July 31, August 7 and 14, 2003 were in the Council packets. Councilmember Hutton asked whether or not the surrounding businesses are asked for their input when the curb cut requests are made to the Board of Works. City Attorney Bob Bever said that if it is an adjoining property owner they usually ask for input and there is always a report from the engineering department and the traffic division of the Police Department. REPORTS FROM DEPARTMENT HEADS REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES REPORTS FROM SPECIAL COMMITTEES REPORTS FROM ORGANIZATIONS MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS President Welch said that at the last meeting three names were brought before Council to consider for re- appointment to the Human Rights Commission, stating that they are Bob Hunter, Leslie Ducey and Kathy Khamis. Councilmember Lundy moved to accept those re -appointments, second by Councilmember Hutton and the motion was carried on a voice vote. ORDINANCES ON FIRST READING Councilmember Elstro moved to suspend the rules and read Ordinances No. 58, 59, 60, 64, 65, 66, 68, 69 and 70 — 2003 by title only, second by Councilmember Sharp and the motion was carried on a voice vote. ORDINANCE NO. 58 — 2003 The Clerk read Ordinance No. 58 — 2003 — AN APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE KNOWN AS THE 2004 SALARY ORDINANCE Common Council Minutes Cont'd September 2, 2003 Page 2 City Controller Ann Cottongim said the ordinance deals with the salary ordinance for 2004, noting that there is a 1 and11/2 percent increase across the board for all employees. In answer to questions by Council, Cottongim and the Mayor said most of the positions were tilled. President Welch said this ordinance would be held until the next Council meeting when it would come back on second reading. ORDINANCE NO.59 — 2003 The Clerk read Ordinance No. 59 — 2003 — AN APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE FIXING THE ANNUAL COMPENSATION OF ALL ELECTED CITY OFFICERS FOR 2004 Cottongim said this ordinance also reflects a 1 and11/2 percent increase and this could not be adopted tonight because it has to be held for second publication. President Welch said it would also be held on second reading and come back to Council at its next meeting. ORDINANCE NO.60 — 2003 The Clerk read Ordinance No. 60 — 2003 — AN APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING A REDUCTION IN APPROPRIATIONS FROM CERTAIN FUNDS Cottongim said that as a result of the Committee of the Whole meeting held last week, it was evident that the City needed to make a reduction to the 2003 budget in order to balance the 2004 budget. She explained that with the current financial situation of the state, reassessment and revenues coming in, quite a large amount of money needed to be identified in order to help out. She said every department participated and was willing to help out. Councilmember Wissel asked Cottongim if she could furnish Council with a summary which actually tells them where the funds are coming from instead of a bunch of numbers. She said she could furnish that information to all the Councilmembers. She pointed out that there are some capital items and basic supplies that the departments will go without this year, but said that none of the services or projects that were promised are being cut. President Welch said this ordinance would be held and come back on second reading at Council's next meeting. ORDINANCE NO. 64 — 2003 The Clerk read Ordinance No. 64 — 2003 — AN APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2003 BUDGET Cottongim explained this one, too, saying that these are funds identified that need to be moved to personal services accounts and money needed to cover the contract items with AFSCME which include reorganization, the clothing allowance and the CDL pay. She said it also covers some additional money needed to be paid out in overtime. Councilmember Lundy moved to suspend the rules and advance Ordinance No. 64— 2003 to second reading and read by title only, second by Councilmember Elstro and the motion was carried on a voice vote. The Clerk read Ordinance No. 64 — 2003 on second reading. President Welch declared the ordinance on public hearing. There being no comments either for or against, Councilmember Wissel moved for engrossment, second by Councilmember Sharp and the motion was carried on a voice vote. Councilmember Wissel moved to suspend the rules and advance Ordinance No. 64 — 2003 to third and final reading and read by title only, second by Councilmember Dickman and the motion was carried on a voice vote. The Clerk read Ordinance No. 64 — 2003 on third reading. Ordinance No. 64 — 2003 was adopted on a unanimous roll call vote. ORDINANCE NO.65 — 2003 The Clerk read Ordinance No. 65 — 2003 — AN APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING PAYMENT FOR SERVICES FROM THE RICHMOND SANITARY DISTRICT, RICHMOND POWER LIGHT, MOTOR VEHICLE HIGHWAY, AND PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT FUNDS TO THE GENERAL FUND IN 2004 Common Council Minutes Cont'd September 2, 2003 Page 3 Cottongim also explained this ordinance, saying that it is brought before Council each year and includes the percentage of salaries paid from funds outside the general fund and paid to the general fund. She recommended that this ordinance be tabled and passed at the same time as the salary ordinance. President Welch called attention to Page 2 where the year in the last "Now Therefore" was incorrect, saying that it should be 2004 instead of 2003. Cottongim agreed. Councilmember Rabe moved to approve the change, second by Councilmember Wissel and the motion was carried on a voice vote. ORDINANCE NO.66 — 2003 The Clerk read Ordinance No. 66 — 2003 — AN APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE TO BE KNOWN AS THE 2004 BUDGET Cottongim said this ordinance simply introduces the 2004 budget and will be advertised as needed and passed at Council's special adoption hearing September 24. President Welch said this ordinance would be held on second reading until Council's next meeting. 7] N 111►k,11201 The Clerk read Ordinance No. 68 — 2003 — 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 Explaining this ordinance was Councilmember Wissel who said this request for a 10-year tax abatement is made by CIE Realty LLC and is for a real estate abatement for $3,900,000. President Welch said this ordinance would be referred to the Tax Abatement Committee and come back before Council at the next meeting. ORDINANCE NO.69 — 2003 The Clerk read Ordinance No. 69 — 2003 — 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 Wissel explained that this ordinance is also for CIE (Contract Industrial Tooling) and is for the equipment for an additional $400,000. President Welch said this would also be referred to the Tax Abatement Committee and come back to Council at its next meeting. 7] N 111►k,11201 [��LIS�IZIX; The Clerk read Ordinance No. 70 — 2003 — A SPECIAL ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A NEW HAZARDOUS MATERIALS RESPONSE FUND Cottongim explained that because of a change in the state law the City can establish a new non reverting hazardous materials fund. She said the City is currently invoicing billing out for all costs related to hasmat emergency situations and that was in the general fund. She said this fund will be used for supplies and equipment, train firefighters and there is also a chance that the City could receive a Homeland Security grant to receive money up to $5,000 in this fund. Councilmember Wissel moved to suspend the rules and advance Amended Ordinance No. 70 — 2003 to second reading and read by title only, second by Councilmember Sharp and the motion was carried on a voice vote. The Clerk read Ordinance No. 70 —2003 on second reading. President Welch declared the ordinance on public hearing. There being no comments either for or against, Councilmember Elstro moved for engrossment, second by Councilmember Hutton and the motion was carried on a voice vote. Councilmember Lundy moved to suspend the rules and advance Ordinance No. 70 — 2003 to third and final reading and read by title only, second by Councilmember Rabe and the motion was carried on a voice vote. The Clerk read Ordinance No. 70 — 2003 on third reading. Ordinance No. 70 — 2003 was adopted on a unanimous roll call vote Common Council Minutes Cont'd September 2, 2003 Page 4 ORDINANCES ON SECOND READING AND ENGROSSMENT ORDINANCE NO. 57 — 2003 The Clerk read Ordinance No. 57 - 2003 — 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 Wissel explained that this ordinance deals with a request made by Masonite Door Corp., formerly Premdor, for an estimated value of $621,900. He called attention to an item that should not be included in the amount and recommended passage and moved to amend it to delete the $57,950 for the embossed press, making the amended total $563,950, second by Councilmember Dickman and the motion was carried on a voice vote. President Welch declared the amended ordinance on public hearing. There being no comments either for or against, 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 Amended Ordinance No. 57 — 2003 to third and final reading and read by title only, second by Councilmember Sharp and the motion was carried on a voice vote. The Clerk read Amended Ordinance No. 57 — 2003 on third reading. Amended Ordinance No. 57 —2003 was adopted on a unanimous roll call vote. UNFINISHED BUSINESS CALL FOR ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, on a motion duly made, seconded and passed, the meeting was adjourned at 8:25 P.M. ATTEST: Norma Schroeder, Clerk Bing Welch, President