The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My Public Portal About10-20-2003PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND, INDIANA, MONDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2003 The Common Council of the City of Richmond, Indiana met in regular session at 7:45 p.m., Monday, October 20, 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 COUNCILMEMBER DICKMAN ROLL CALL Nine present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Councilmember Wissel moved to approve the minutes of the October 6, 2003 meeting, 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) A. RESOLUTION NO. 9 — 2003 — A PRELIMINARY RESOLUTION DESIGNATING CERTAIN AREAS AS RESIDENTIALLY DISTRESSED AREAS President Welch explained that this resolution was discussed in the Committee of the Whole meeting where Councilmembers requested that changes be made in the basic boundaries of the distressed housing areas. He said that Tony Foster of the Community Development office had provided each Councilmember with new boundary markings. Councilmember Dickman moved to adopt the resolution as amended with the new description attached, second by Councilmember Rabe and the motion was carried on a voice vote. B. RESOLUTION NO. 10 — 2003 — RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND COMMON COUNCIL OF WAYNE COUNTY, INDIANA, AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE CDBG FUNDED PLANNING DOCUMENT FOR WERNLE HOME, INC. Tony Foster explained that earlier this year the City applied for a Community Development Block Grant which was used to help Wernle Children's Home prepare a new Master Plan and evaluation of structures on the campus. He said that, as Mayor Shelley Miller had mentioned at the last Council meeting, there was a public hearing on October 7 where the Master Plan was presented. He explained in detail the contents of the Master Plan sharing a drawing of the changes to be made, adding that it would be a 10 - to 20 —year plan. In answer to a question posed by Councilmember Hutton, Foster said that at this point they are just closing out the planning grant. Councilmember Wissel moved to adopt the resolution, second by Councilmember Sharp and the motion was carried on a voice vote. COMMUNICATION FROM THE MAYOR Mayor Shelley Miller commented on the remarks made at the last Council meeting by Councilmember Sharp about the City's efforts in joining with Wayne County officials, EDC and others as well as Dana and Richland to create a financing strategy that would enable Richland to acquire the Dana Foundry. She said the City was able to work on that and to put together a proposal that included a lease situation which was taken to the Redevelopment Commission and was approved. She added that there are additional steps that are required and that will eventually come before Council and at that time she said there would be more details. She said the administration has been working closely with the Revolving Loan Fund Board on a new loan program for small businesses and that was also approved at the last meeting. She explained some of the details which included the maximum loan amount, the interest rate and the loan terms of 3 to 5 years. She said they were well pleased with the development of that loan program and they will be marketing that to small businesses to provide additional incentives for job creation and growth and investment into our community. REPORT FROM BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS AND SAFETY Minutes of the Board of Works meetings of September 25 and October 2, 2003 were in the Council packets. Common Council Minutes Cont'd October 20, 2003 Page 2 REPORTS FROM DEPARTMENT HEADS REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES REPORTS FROM SPECIAL COMMITTEES REPORTS FROM ORGANIZATIONS MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS Councilmember Parker, Council's representative on the Redevelopment Commission, commented on the three discussion items coming before the Commission at its last meeting. These included the authorization and expenditures for the Neighborhood Redevelopment curbs and sidewalks on North F Street along with demolition of four properties within the T.I.F. district and this was passed. The second was the resolution concerning the lease of the Dana Foundry through EDC leading to discussions which included different types of situations that could happen. And, the third was authorizing expenditures for funds for streetscape improvements by the Leland for trying to put up some type of containment by placing flower planters to prevent vehicles from driving through the hotel. President Welch commented on a letter written by Police Chief Greg Pipes about an appointment to the Police Advisory Commission which indicated that Eric Marsh, whose term expires November 16, 2003, was agreeable to serve another three years if reappointed. Councilmember Wissel volunteered to call Marsh and take care of the filing of his application for reappointment and the issue would come back to Council at its next meeting. Councilmember Hutton moved to open the agenda and add Ordinance No. 67 — 2003 under second reading, second by Councilmember Lundy and the motion was carried on a voice vote. ORDINANCES ON FIRST READING Councilmember Elstro moved to suspend the rules and read Ordinances No. 74, 83, 84 - 2003, second by Councilmember Parker and the motion was carried on a voice vote. 7] N 11 112k,11201 RIMI&E I6-1IZIK, The Deputy Clerk read Ordinance No. 74 — 2003 — A SPECIAL ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING MAP FOR 33.378 ACRES OF A CERTAIN PARCEL FROM 0-1 TO A PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT Planning Director Bob Goodwin, explaining the ordinance, said that it deals with approximately 33.78 acres of land that Hayes Arboretum is desirous of having rezoned to Planned Unit Development. He said the plans are to hear this ordinance at the Planning Commission meeting Thursday in Council Chambers. He added that many people are expected and felt that the discussion would go on over a period of two months. He said they would review the development plan, the draft concept plan, and come back to Council with a recommendation at the conclusion of those hearings. President Welch said this ordinance would go to the Planning Commission for its study, evaluation and recommendation to Council. 7] N 111►k,11201 [�]�:ItIIAZIX; The Deputy Clerk read Ordinance No. 83 — 2003 — AN APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2003 BUDGET Explaining this ordinance was City Controller Ann Cottongim saying that this is a transfer of funds within the Police Department. She said the transfer is needed because of unknown increases in the gasoline expenses, the police P.E.R.F. account and the 911 salary contributions. Councilmember Wissel had a question about the P.E.R.F. account and Councilmember Hutton's question was about the 911 salary contributions. Both questions were answered by Cottongim. Councilmember Elstro moved to suspend the rules and advance Ordinance No. 83 — 2003 to second reading and read by title only, second by Councilmember Sharp and the motion was carried on a voice vote. The Deputy Clerk read Ordinance No. 83 — 2003 on second reading. President Welch declared the ordinance on public hearing. There being no further comments either for or against, Councilmember Elstro moved for engrossment, second by Councilmember Hutton and the motion was carried on a voice vote. Common Council Minutes Cont'd October 20, 2003 Page 3 Councilmember Lundy moved to suspend the rules and advance Ordinance No. 83 — 2003 to third and final reading and read by title only, second by Councilmember Elstro and the motion was carried on a voice vote. The Deputy Clerk read Ordinance No. 83 — 2003 on third reading. Ordinance No. 83 — 2003 was adopted on a unanimous roll call vote. ORDINANCE NO. 84 — 2003 The Deputy Clerk read Ordinance No. 84 — 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 deals with a request made by Productivity Fabricators, Inc. for a 10-year abatement for new equipment with an estimated new value of $250,000. He said this request would be discussed and investigated by the Tax Abatement Committee. President Wissel said this will be referred to the Tax Abatement Committee and would come back on second reading at Council's next meeting. ORDINANCES ON SECOND READING AND ENGROSSMENT ORDINANCE NO. 67 — 2003 The Deputy Clerk read Ordinance No. 67 — 2003 — A GENERAL ORDINANCE ADDING A NEW SECTION 154.52.04 TO THE CITY OF RICHMOND CODE President Welch said this ordinance was thoroughly discussed during the recent Committee of the Whole meeting and asked if anyone had further questions. President Welch declared the ordinance on public hearing. Councilmember Hutton submitted a letter from Renee Oldham, the director of the Urban Enterprise Zone, in support of the ordinance. Reading the last paragraph of the letter President Welch said: "The proposed housing ordinances will allow us to move forward, enhance and preserve the uniqueness of each of the neighborhoods within our community. We appreciate and applaud the efforts of this administration for moving these ordinances forward." There being no further comments either for or against the ordinance, 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. 67— 2003 to third and final reading and read by title only, second by Councilmember Elstro and the motion was carried on a voice vote. The Deputy Clerk read Ordinance No. 67 — 2003 on third reading. Ordinance No. 67 — 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 8:27 P.M. Bing Welch, President ATTEST: Myra Miller, Deputy Clerk