COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS

AUGUST 13, 2001

ATTICA, INDIANA

 

 

The Common Council for the City of Attica met on the 13th day of August 2001 at the hour of 7 p.m. at city hall.  Those present:  Mr. Larry Grant, Mr. Curt Phelps, Mr. Bill Craft, Mrs. Valarie Maus, Mrs. Kay Gustus, Mr. Tom O'Connor, Mr. Deon Swift, and Mrs. Nancy Mitchell.

 

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES

Mr. Phelps made a motion to approve minutes of the previous meeting, seconded by Mrs. Maus.  All ayes.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Mr. Larry Grant, Chairperson of the Zoning and Planning Commission, reported that the committee met on August 7, 2001 and discussed the building permit ordinance to include time limits.  Those time limits were forwarded to Mr. O'Connor to be revised in the proposed ordinance revision.  Mr. Phelps made a motion to read Ordinance #9 for the first time and discuss, seconded by Mr. Craft.  All ayes.  Mr. O'Connor read in full:  ORDINANCE #9, 2001 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 10, ARTICLE 3, SECTION 10-35 BY PROVIDING ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE.  Council members held a short discussion.  Mr. Phelps made a motion to read for the second time by title only, table and publish, seconded by Mrs. Gustus.  All ayes.  Mr. O'Connor read by title only:  ORDINANCE #9, 2001 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 10, ARTICLE 3, SECTION 10-35 BY PROVIDING ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE. 

 

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

Mr. Greg Beumer, of Beumer & Associates, was present to inform the council of the progress of the Water Utility Improvement Grant Water Application.  He said we had received our clearance letter from the State Historic Preservation office.  He presented to the council the signature page of the full application for the mayor to sign.  Mr. Beumer requested a local match commitment of $60,000.  A part of this application is also a resolution that Mr. Beumer asks the city attorney to review before he passes it.  It commits the local matching money and it authorizes the mayor to sign the document and submit it on be half of the city.  Mr. Phelps made a motion to adopt the resolution authorizing the funds at $60,000, seconded by Mrs. Gustus.  Roll was called.  All ayes.

 

Mr. Eric Smith, from Hannum, Wagle & Cline was also present to discuss the water project.  He said the Department of Commerce would prefer to see that our city was prepared to proceed with the project before the application is submitted.  A critical point is that we have applied for all our permits and should we be granted the money, we are ready to construct the project.  He had presented the contract proposal to the council for their consideration at the July meeting in order to get the design to a point where we can apply for permits.  Mr. Smith presented two contracts for the council's implementation if they choose to accept it.  The local match would be used to pay in part the engineering fee as well as part of the construction.  Hannum, Wagle & Cline would complete the plans, specifications and permit applications necessary to apply to IDEM for permits the same day the grant application is submitted.  This demonstrates to the Department of Commerce that we're applying for permits and we're ready to proceed with the project, contingent to receiving the grant fund and permit.  Hannum, Wagle & Cline would also complete construction-ready documents; those documents that are ready to advertise to take bids sixty (60) days following notification of the grant award.  Mr. Smith said their firm has structured the contract so there's minimal work and minimal outlay of expenses should we receive the grant.    Their firm would complete to bid-ready documents sixty (60) calendar days after grant awards.  Then they would advertise for bids ninety (90) days after grant awards.  Thirty per cent (30%) of their design fee would be billed at the time of submission of the application.  The city would be required to pay nothing else if we don't receive the grant.  The fees are located on the contract:  thirty per cent (30%) at the time of submission to IDEM, fifty per cent (50%) after the city has been notified of the grant award and then ten (10%) at the time of bidding and another ten percent (10%), which is construction engineering at the time of completion.

Mr. Smith then addressed the Combine Sewer Overflow issue.  He informed the council that Attica has what is called a NPDES permit, which is a permit, issued by IDEM allowing the city to discharge treated wastewater into the river.  Those permits are reissued every five years and at that time they contain new requirements based on new regulations.  They may include compliance schedules of when you may be required to do certain things in order to stay in compliance with state mandates.  A requirement in the latest permit is for the city to submit a long-term control plan for our Combine Sewer Overflow Plan.  This is a follow-up to the CSO Plan submitted in the 1990's.  The EPA passed regulations requiring every community, which has combined sewers, to draft a long-term control plan showing how we are going to maximize treatment of combined sewers.  Basically, this means we have some sewers carrying both storm water and sanitary sewage.  They are trying to minimize the amount of combined sewers that may overflow into the river.  There are a variety of ways those can be minimized.  Its sewer maintenance, trying to store the combined sewer flows during a heavy rain event if we have a problem where it does overflow.  Lagoons can be built in order to store the overflow until the city could bleed those flows back into the plant.  Mr. Smith said the percentage of combined sewers in Attica is very small and our amount of overflow is slight.  Hannum, Wage & Cline met with IDEM to discuss what the requirements of our long-term control plan would be because in a lot of systems there are nine (9) steps that have to be met.  Many of them consist of modeling, where you actually put flow meters in the combined sewers and take measures on the river.  It becomes a very extensive process.  IDEM suggested HWC write a letter requesting a small community exemption, document the size of the combined sewer system and the current overflow we've had in the past few years.  It's likely that IDEM will grant us the exemption and the requirements would be much less stringent.  Once HWC receives the notification from IDEM, they can put in order a proposal to prepare the long-term control plan.  If things go the way they indicated, it's going to be much less cumbersome than what it would be for a lot of other communities.  HWC is also requesting a schedule extension.  The city's permit was scheduled to be completed by October 31, 2001 and HWC is asking for an extension to April 2002.  Mr. Smith will give that letter to the mayor to sign and submit.  Once HWC receives notification from IDEM, he will return and make a presentation on what is going to have to be done for our system based on what IDEM tells HWC; then we can make a decision and go from there.  Mr. Smith said the city must do the plan.  HWC has tried to document the case for the city so we will have minimal impact of the combined sewers on the environment.  Mr. Phelps wanted to know if the plan addresses the cost for the city for whatever we're going to be mandated to do.  "Exactly", said Mr. Smith, "it will have an implementation schedule of what we'll need to do as well as cost for all the items.  If there are no capitol improvements such as a construction project and if we can just recommend maintenance of certain items that will be included in it as well.  IDEM will still accept it if we don't recommend any construction based on what our system acts like now.  It will have costs and schedule in it".

 

WATER PROJECT

Mr. Phelps wanted to know if in previous discussions the construction observation fee been talked about.  Mr. Smith said he had included it in the contract, however, it's not required and if the city wants to do their inspection it's an option.  Mr. Phelps wanted the council members to understand that it would be an additional $26,700 to the project.  Mr. Smith said HWC could do it on an hourly basis assisting the city's staff; should there be a problem during construction, they would come on an hourly basis and review.  Mr. Smith thought the city would still want HWC to review shop drawings, etc.  Mr. Phelps made a motion to approve the contract with the deletion of construction observation and discuss, seconded by Mr. Grant.  All ayes.  A discussion was held among council members to approve the contract subject to that provision being changed from a flat rate to an hourly rate.  Mrs. Gustus made a motion to pass, seconded by Mr. Phelps.  Roll call was taken.  Five (5) ayes, 0 nays.

 

CITIZENS PETITIONS

Zollars Realty, on behalf of Mr. and Mrs. Alan Gustavel, petitioned to have property at 503 East Washington Street to be rezoned from R-1 (Single-Family Residential) to R-2 (Two-Family & Group House Residential).  Mr. Kyle Brown, who is in the process of purchasing the property, was also present.  Mr. Larry Grant made a motion for the request to be forwarded to the Zoning and Planning Commission, seconded by Mrs. Gustus.  All ayes.  Mr. Grant set a date of August 21, 6 p.m. for the commission to meet.

 

DEPARTMENT HEADS

Mr. Robert Smith, Director of Public Works, reported work had been resumed on the curbs on Park Avenue.

 

Police Chief Gene Snoeberger requested a cost of living increase for the police officers and said he would appreciate the council taking under consideration.

 

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS 

Mayor Swift announced a public hearing was now open to hear any comments on Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Foster's request to vacate a portion of an alley next to their property at 1011 North Street.  There being no comments from the floor, the public hearing was closed.  Mrs. Gustus made a motion to bring from the table and read Ordinance #10 in full, seconded by Mr. Craft.  All ayes.  Mr. O'Connor read in full:  ORDINANCE #10, 2001, AN ORDINANCE VACATING A PORTION OF AN ALLEY IN THE CITY OF ATTICA, INDIANA.  Mrs. Gustus made a motion to suspend the rules, read for the third time and adopt, seconded by Mr. Phelps.  All ayes.  Mr. O'Connor read in full:  ORDINANCE #10, 2001, AN ORDINANCE VACATING A PORTION OF AN ALLEY IN THE CITY OF ATTICA, INDIANA.  Roll call was taken.  Five (5) ayes, 0 nays.

 

Mrs. Gustus made a motion to bring from the table Ordinance #8 and read for the third time, seconded by Mr. Phelps.  All ayes.  Mr. O'Connor read:  ORDINANCE #8, 2001, AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL FOR THE CITY OF ATTICA AMENDING CHAPTER 4, ARTICLE 2, SECTION 4-15 BY THE INCLUSION OF SECTION 4-15 ENTITLED LATE PAYMENT FEES.  Mrs. Gustus made a motion to adopt, seconded by Mr. Phelps.  Roll call was taken.  Five (5) ayes, 0 nays. 

 

NEW BUSINESS

Mr. John Tingley, of Sentry Roofing, made a presentation concerning re-roofing the city building.  He presented pictures and told the council about the problem areas.  Mr. Tingley described the material used and submitted a bid to the council.  He suggested a building committee look at other installations his company has done.  He said it might be possible for the city to take money from this year's budget and buy the material and then pay the remaining next year.  He would check on this option.

 

Mr. Rick Jessup, of Phoenix Tank Service, spoke to the council concerning maintenance of the water tower.  The company would maintain the tower for a fee of $8,775 per year for ten years.  This fee includes:  annual inspection and cleaning of the tank, touch up on interior and exterior as needed, repainting and repairs from vandalism, any emergency repairs, and any future OSHA mandate updates.  After ten years, the contract would be renewable at five year intervals with Phoenix reserving the right to adjust the price increase at 15%.  The council will peruse the information.

 

MISCELLANEOUS

Mr. Grant made a motion to read Ordinance #11 for the first time in full, second time by title only.  Mr. O'Connor read:  ORDINANCE #11, 2001 AN ORDINANCE REPEALING ORDINANCE #20, 1999 ENTITLED WATER RESERVE FUND.  Mrs. Gustus made a motion to suspend the rules and adopt, seconded by Mr. Phelps.  Roll was called.  Five (5) ayes, 0 nays. 

 

Mrs. Maus made a motion to read Resolution #4, seconded by Mr. Craft.  Mr. O'Connor read in full:  RESOLUTION #4, 2001, RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL FOR THE CITY OF ATTICA, INDIANA.  A summary of the resolution is:  the City of Attica may be represented by full-time employees of the Clerk/Treasurer's office, namely: Nancy Mitchell, Lori Sichts and/or Deanna Hutts to appear in any Small Claims proceeding of the Fountain Circuit Court for the presentation of or defense of claims arising out of unpaid utility bills owed the City of Attica.  Mrs. Maus made a motion to adopt, seconded by Mrs. Gustus.  All ayes.

 

Mayor Swift thanked the Attica Community Foundation for the paint for the bandstand in McDonald Park and Jim Martin for donating his labor to paint it; he also thanked Bob Shepherd for organizing the details.  The mayor also thanked John Dill and Larry Grant for their radio support of the Summer Parks Program.

 

Mr. Grant made a motion to extend sprinkling privileges for citizens for another month, seconded by Mr. Craft.  All ayes.

 

Mayor Swift presented to the council the budget for 2002.  After discussion, the council decided to meet in special session on Thursday, August 16 at 7 p.m., city hall.

 

Mrs. Gustus made a motion to read Ordinance #12 and discuss, seconded by Mrs. Maus.  All ayes.  The council took into consideration a pay increase for full-time city employees.  The proposed salary ordinance would raise the salaries $.50 per hour for all hourly employees.  Mr. Grant made a motion to table the salary ordinance until the council met on August 16, seconded by Mr. Phelps.  All ayes.

 

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

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

 

 

 

                                                          ___________________________

                                                          Deon H. Swift, II, Mayor

 

ATTEST: