COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS

APRIL 9, 2001

ATTICA, INDIANA

The Common Council for the City of Attica met on the 9th day of April 2001 at the hour of 7 p.m. at city hall. Those present: Mr. Larry Grant, Mr. Curt Phelps, Mrs. Kay Gustus, Mr. Bill Craft, Mr. Tom O'Connor, and Mr. Deon Swift. Absent: Mrs. Valerie Maus.

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES

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

CITIZENS PETITIONS

Mr. Swift thanked the elementary school children and their sponsor, Mrs. Carolyn Carlson, for attending the meeting concerning the cannon. These children are going to be members of the committee and will be attending the meeting in the home of Mrs. Joanna Ruh1man, Wednesday, April 11.

Mr. Phelps made a motion for the council to reverse their decision to sell the cannon at this time until they hear from the committee with their recommendations, seconded by Mr. Grant. All ayes.

Mrs. Carolyn Helms spoke concerning House Bill 1522, which became Public Law 100 effective July 1, 1999. This bill states that a person may not buy or sell certain items that may have been removed from the cemetery. Specifically, it includes grave memorials, grave artifacts, or grave (ornamentation or other commemorative items. Under this law, it is a Class D Felony if the loss is at least $2,500.

NEW BUSINESS

Mr. Ray Willsey, Assistant Principal of Attica Junior-Senior High School, was present to made a request of the council. In an effort to keep students in school, a new program is being implemented with the assistance of the Fountain County Court. Mr. Willsey is requesting the use of the council room for out-of-schools suspensions. Having the facility available to them would inhibit the student from feeling that out-of-school suspension would be a vacation. The students would be supervised at all times and have homework to study. Mr .Willsey's suggestion was to try this for a year .

After discussion among council members, Mr. Phelps made a motion to authorize the Board of Works to enter into an understanding with the school to use the council room, seconded by Mrs. Gustus. All ayes.

DEPARTMENT HEADS

Police Chief Bob Scherer and Officer Aaron French presented information on the Cops in Schools 2001 Program to see if the city was interested in participating. This program is similar to the D.A.R.E. Program. Mr. French has done research on the program and is interested in serving as the school resource officer if the Federal grant for this program is received. It entails the officer in spending approximately 75% of his time (about 30 hours per week) assisting the schools with whatever programs they may have. The money from the grant would be used to replace Mr. French in order to hire another officer for three years. Also, this program pays benefits and salaries up to $125,000. If the benefits and salaries were over $125,000 for the three-year period, the city would be responsible for the fourth year. Funds to assist with the costs might be available from several organizations and perhaps the school. Officer French has spoken with the school administration and they are very interested. Mayor Swift appointed the Standing Committee of the Police to meet with Mr. Scherer and Mr. French and look into this program to see if there is a way the city can fund their share of it. The committee is Mr. Phelps, Chairman, Mr. Grant and Mr. Craft. They will report back to the council at the Mayor June meeting.

UNFINISHED

Mrs. Gustus made a motion to bring Ordinance #3 from the table and read for the third time, seconded by Mr. Grant. All ayes. Mr. O' Connor read: ORDINANCE #3,2001, AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF A TTICA, INDIANA, AMENDING CHAPTER 6, ARTICLE 2 ENTITLED CURFEW REGULATIONS. Mrs. Gustus made a motion to adopt Ordinance #3, seconded by Mr. Phelps. Roll was called, all ayes.

Mrs. Gustus made a motion to bring to the table Ordinance #4 and read for the third time, seconded by Mr. Craft. All ayes. Mr. O ' Connor read: ORDINANCE #4, 2001, AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL FOR THE CITY OF ATTICA, CHAPTER 10, ARTICLE 7, SECTION 71, .BY THE INCLUSION OF SECTION 71, ENTITLED: STREETS WITHIN MOBILE HOME PARKS. Mrs. Gustus made a motion to adopt Ordinance #4, seconded by Mr. Phelps. Roll was called, all ayes.

Mrs. Gustus made a motion to read Ordinance #5 for the first time in full, second time by title only, seconded by Mr. Phelps. All ayes. Mr. O'Connor read in full: ORDINANCE #5,2001, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 6, DIVISION IX, JUNKED, ABANDONED, DISASSEMBLED, OR INOPERABLE OR UNLICENSED MOTOR VEHICLE REGULATIONS. He then read Ordinance #5 by title only:

ORDINANCE #5,2001, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 6, DIVISION IX, JUNKED, ABANDONED, DISASSEMBLED, OR INOPERABLE OR UNLICENSED MOTOR VEHICLE REGULATIONS. Mrs. Gustus made a motion to table and publish, seconded by Mr. Phelps. All ayes.

Mrs. Gustus made a motion to read Ordinance #6 first time in full, second

time by title only, seconded by Mr. Phelps. All ayes. Mr. O'Connor read in full: ORDINANCE #6, 2001, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE SCHEDULE OF RATES AND CHARGES FOR THE ATTICA SEWER WORKS. He then read Ordinance #6 by title only: ORDINANCE #6,

2001, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE SCHEDULE OF RATES AND CHARGES FOR THE ATTICA SEWER WORKS. Mrs. Gustus made a motion to publish and table, seconded by Mr. Phelps. All ayes.

Mr. Phelps made a motion for Mr. O' Connor to prepare an ordinance increasing water rates 15% and present it at the May council meeting, seconded by Mrs. Gustus. All ayes. Mayor Swift informed the council that the new rates are compatible to rates in surrounding towns and cities and in some instances, lower. Mr. Grant made a motion for the new rates to go in effect July 1,2001, seconded by Mrs. Gustus. All ayes.

Mrs. Gustus made a motion for the burning dates to be set for April 16 to Apri126, 2001 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., seconded by Mr. Craft. All ayes.

Mrs. Beck reported on House Bill 1925, which would allow cities and towns to participate in the state health insurance plan. She also reported on House Bill 1130, which will allow city and town councils to adopt an ordinance for the city/town clerk to collect a document storage fee and/or an automated record keeping fee in an amount up to $5 for each fee on each case in the city or town court. After much discussion, Mayor Swift asked Mrs. Beck to compose a letter to the State Senator and Representative expressing support of the two bills.