FEBRUARY
12, 2001
ATTICA,
INDIANA
The
Common Council for the City of Attica met on the 12th day of
February 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. Grant, seconded by
Mr. Craft. All ayes.
CITIZENS
PETITIONS
Dr.
Judy Bush, Superintendent of Attica School Consolidation, presented a letter
from Mr. Jim McKee, President of the Board of School Trustees, requesting a
change in the parking ordinance regarding College Street between Washington
and Jackson Streets. Accompanying
Mr. McKee's letter was a letter from Mr. Randy Swanson, who purchased the home
on the west side of College Street and supports the board's request. They
would like parking on the west side of College for both school employees and
visitors. The present ordinance
allows for resident parking only. Mrs.
Maus made a motion to take the request to the Traffic Committee, seconded by
Mrs. Gustus. All ayes.
The committee will meet on Tuesday, February 27, 6 p.m.
Mr.
Will Holycross and Mr. Zach Hale requested permission from the council to
install antennae on the city tower for their amateur radio station and to also
place equipment in the small building next to it.
Since they are putting their money into the equipment, they are willing
to help out monetarily with the upkeep of the tower.
Mayor Swift appointed a committee of Mr. Craft, Mr. Phelps, and Mr.
Grant to meet with Mr. Holycross, Mr. Hale, and Mr. O'Connor to see if they
can reach some kind of agreement. This
meeting will be Tuesday, February 27, 6 p.m. at city hall and will be open to
the public.
DEPARTMENT
HEADS
Mr.
Smith, Director of Public Works, reported that the reservoir and water tower
would have to be drained for inspection and repairs would be done if
necessary. This inspection must
be done every five years and the water tower is still under warranty.
He would like to do this at the same time hydrant flushing is done.
Police
Chief Robert Scherer said the new warning system would be in place and in
working order February 22.
Mrs.
Deanna Hutts, representing Fire Chief Ed O'Farrell, presented the fire
department's yearly report. They
had a 41% increase in fire runs during the year 2000.
Much of the increase came from medical assistance runs now made with
the ambulance service. Approximately
61% (139) of these runs were within the city limits.
Slightly more than 39% were made outside the city; 18% (42) in Logan
Township, 11% (25) in Davis Township, 4% (10) in Shawnee Township and 5% (12)
were mutual aide runs.
UNFINISHED
BUSINESS
Mr.
Phelps said the Finance Committee recommends to the council to use the
consulting firm of McCormick-Metsker Agency in Crawfordsville for the city
insurance. Mrs. Gustus made a
motion to appoint this firm and for costs not to exceed five thousand dollars,
seconded by Mr. Grant. All ayes.
City
Attorney Tom O'Connor presented a proposed ordinance on hazardous spills
within the city. Mrs. Gustus made
a motion to read the ordinance first time in full, second time by title only
and publish, seconded by Mr. Phelps. All
ayes. Mr. O'Connor read Ordinance
#1, 2001 in full and second time by title only: ORDINANCE #1, 2001 AN
ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A SYSTEM OF REIMBURSEMENT FOR COSTS AND EXPENSES
ASSOCIATED WITH THE ATTICA FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPOND-ING TO A HAZARDOUS MATERIAL
INCIDENT.
NEW
BUSINESS
Mr.
John Skomp, of Crowe, Chizek and Company, presented the annual review of the
Wastewater Treatment Plant and the Attica Municipal Water Utility.
He gave each council member a copy of their study and covered the
details with them. He stated that
the Attica Municipal Sewage Works is short in funds by approximately $86,000.
Crowe, Chizek and Company is recommending a 20% increase across the
board in sewage rates. He also
said the Attica Municipal Water Utility is going to continue to operate at a
loss even though those rates had been increased recently.
Crowe, Chizek and Company is recommending an additional 15% increase in
water rates. Mr. Skomp suggested
three options to the council: (1.) The
sewage rates can be raised by 20% effective July 21, 2001 and increase the
water rates an additional 15% effective January 1, 2002.
This would allow the customers to become accustomed to the increases
over a longer period of time, but would get the utilities back on their feet
much slower; (2.) Continue to
operate at a loss and hope that no unforeseen breakdowns or repairs should
occur. If the rate increases are
delayed, money could be problematic on operating and capital improvement
expenses. However, the situation
could work with no unforeseen problems; (3.)
Increase both the sewage and water rates at the same time, possibly
July 1,2001 in order to get the utilities back on track.
Mr. Skomp assured Mayor Swift that the proposed rates were comparable
to rates in the area. Mr. Skomp
also recommended that a study be done every two to three years, but based on
current consumption this rate should serve the utilities well for
approximately two to four years. The
council tabled the matter until their next meeting.
Mayor
Swift presented the budget totals for the Water and Sewage Departments.
MISCELLANEOUS
BUSINESS
The
council had a discussion concerning citizens letting their faucets run during
cold weather to prevent pipes from freezing.
When this is done, approximately four million gallons of water per
month is lost which is revenue lost to the city.
The council recommended that this practice no longer be done starting
next winter. The citizens will be
billed for all water used.
ADJOURNMENT
There
being no further business to be brought before the council, the motion to
adjourn was made by Mrs. Gustus, seconded by Mr. Craft.
All ayes.
_________________________
Deon H. Swift, II, Mayor
ATTEST:
__________________________
Nancy
Jo Beck, Clerk/Treasurer