COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS

MARCH 12, 2001

ATTICA, INDIANA

 

 

The Common Council for the City of Attica met on the 12th day of March 2001 at the hour of 7 p.m. at city hall.  Those present:  Mr. Bill Craft, Mrs. Kay Gustus, Mrs. Valerie Maus, Mr. Curt Phelps, Mr. Larry Grant, Mr. Deon Swift, and Mr. Tom O’Connor.

 

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES

Minutes of the previous meeting were approved on a motion by Mr. Phelps, seconded by Mrs. Gustus.  All ayes.

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Mr. Phelps made a motion to bring Ordinance #1 to the table to be read for the final time, seconded by Mrs. Gustus.  All ayes.  Mrs. Beck read in full: ORDINANCE #1, 2001 AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A SYSTEM OF REIMBURSEMENT FOR COSTS AND EXPENSES ASSOCIATED WITH THE ATTICA FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDING TO A HAZARDOUS MATERIAL INCIDENT.  Mrs. Gustus made a motion to adopt Ordinance #1, seconded by Mr. Craft.  Roll call was taken, all ayes.

 

Mr. Grant reported the Traffic Committee met February 27, 2001 to consider changes in parking on the west side of College Street, across from the elementary school.  After much discussion of the issue, they were unable to reach a consensus.  Mr. Grant said he is personally making a proposal to the council that they allow as many parking places as possible between the south border of the property known as the Wolfe residence to whatever the setback is from Washington Street for parking.  He believes there may be three or four parking places and suggests it be marked for two hour parking along that side of the street to allow not only the school but whoever wishes to park there and to have it in order that it may not interfere with any resi-dential parking.  Mr. Grant referred said proposal to a motion, seconded by Mr. Craft.  Motion passed by three ayes, two nays.  The council requested Mr. O’Connor to prepare an amendment to the present parking ordinance.  Mr. Grant made a motion to read Ordinance #2 first time in full, second time by title only and publish, seconded by Mr. Craft.  Mr. O’Connor read in full:  ORDINANCE #2, 2001 AMENDING CHAPTER 8, SECTION 8-168E, ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ATTICA.  He then read by title only: ORDINANCE #2, 2001 AMENDING CHAPTER 8, SECTION 8-168E, ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ATTICA.  

 

Mr. Phelps reported that his company would be available for spring cleanup on May 18 and 19 if the council agrees.  All members agreed.

 

NEW BUSINESS

Mayor Swift reported that a Civil War Museum in Pennsylvania has offered to purchase the bronze cannon located in Riverside Cemetery.  They have offered $25,000 for it and will give the city a replacement made in steel.  Mr. Swift asked the council to consider the offer and to also obtain feedback from the citizens of Attica.  He said the $25,000 from the sale could be used to blacktop the cemetery or repair the fence.  The money would remain in the Cemetery Fund strictly for its use.  Mr. Phelps made a motion to accept the offer pending assurance that if the museum fails, we have some way of getting it returned to the city, and that the monies remain in the Cemetery Fund, seconded by Mrs. Gustus.  Four ayes, one nay.  Mr. Grant said he wanted to clarify that he is not saying no because he thinks it’s the correct thing to do, but he feels the citizens need to know and have an opportunity to express their opinions on the sale of the cannon.

 

Mayor Swift reported for Director of Public Works, Robert Smith.  The State of Indiana has requested that the city purchase a generator for the sewage lift station located behind C & D Technology to ensure that in the event of a power outage, sewage could not enter the Wabash River.  While this is not an urgent requirement, it will ultimately have to be done.  The city has received two quotes and both are right at $22,000 to $23,000.  Mayor Swift gave information and figures from B. L. Anderson and Huston to the council members for their perusal.  Council members decided to table this topic for the present.

 

Mayor Swift stated that even though the city raised the water rates earlier in the year, John Skomp, of Crowe, Chizek and Company, who did the water and sewage rate study, recommends the city increase water rates again along with sewage rates in June.  Because of our State Revolving Fund loans, Mr. Skomp said it was necessary for the city to do so.  The council in 1999 chose not to increase rates at 10% and now it becomes the responsibility of the present council.  The council requested Mr. O’Connor to prepare an ordinance raising water rates by 15% and sewage rates by 20% and to bring it to the April meeting.  These proposed rates must go into effect soon, which will probably be in June.

 

Mrs. Gustus made a motion for Mr. O’Connor to read Ordinance #3, 2001 for the first time and second time in full, publish and bring up at the April meeting, seconded by Mr. Craft.  All ayes.  This ordinance amends the curfew regulations for the City of Attica.

 

Mr. Grant made a motion to read Ordinance #4 for the first and second time in full, seconded by Mrs. Maus.  All ayes.   Mr. O’Connor read ORDINANCE #4, 2001 AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL FOR THE CITY OF ATTICA AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE FOR THE CITY OF ATTICA, CHAPTER 10, ARTICLE 7, SECTION 71, BY THE INCLUSION OF SECTION 71, ENTITLED:  STREETS WITHIN MOBILE HOME PARKS.  Mr. Craft made a motion to table and publish, seconded by Mrs. Maus.  All ayes.

 

MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS

Mr. Craft made a motion for Resolution #1, transferring $80,000 from the Sewer Fund to the General Fund.  This money will return to the Sewage Fund when tax monies are received from the state in June.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Grant.  All ayes.

 

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to be brought before the council, the motion to adjourn was made by Mr. Grant, seconded by Mrs. Gustus.  All ayes.

 

 

                                                                   ________________________

                                                                   Deon H. Swift, II, Mayor

 

ATTEST:

 

 

__________________________

Nancy Jo Beck, Clerk/Treasurer