COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS

CITY OF ATTICA

DECEMBER 9, 2002

The Common Council for the City of Attica met on the 9^th day of December 2002 at the hour of 7:00 p.m. at city hall. Those present: Mr. Bill Craft, Mrs. Valarie Maus, Mr. Larry Grant, Mr. Curt Phelps, Mrs. Kay Gustus, Mr. Tom O’Connor, and Mr. Deon Swift.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETING

Mr. Grant made a motion to approve the minutes of the November 11^th meeting, seconded by Mrs. Gustus.

CITIZENS PETITIONS

Mayor Swift opened a public hearing for a request from Mr. and Mrs. Don Scheurich, Mr. and Mrs. Ben Bowles, Dr. and Mrs. Charles Myers, and Mrs. Margaret Beckman to vacate Fountain Street that portion which lies east of lots 13 thru 18 and west of lots 19 thru 26 in the Travis Addition. Discussion was held among council members and those requesting the vacating. Mayor Swift then declared the public meeting closed. Mr. Grant made a motion to read Ordinance #17 for the first time in full, second time by title only, seconded by Mrs. Craft. All ayes. Mr. O’Connor read in full ORDINANCE #17, 2002 AN ORDINANCE VACATING A PORTION OF FOUNTAIN STREET IN THE CITY OF ATTICA, INDIANA. Mr. O’Connor then read by title only ORDINANCE #17, 2002 AN ORDINANCE VACATING A PORTION OF FOUNTAIN STREET IN THE CITY OF ATTICA, INDIANA. Mrs. Gustus made a motion to suspend the rules, read in full for the third time and adopt, seconded by Mrs. Maus. Mr. O’Connor read in full ORDINANCE #17, 2002 AN ORDINANCE VACATING A PORTION OF FOUNTAIN STREET IN THE CITY OF ATTICA, INDIANA. Roll was called. There were five (5) yeas, zero (0) nays. Motion carried.

DEPARTMENT HEADS

Mr. Ron Jean, Director of Public Works, informed the council the city’s leaf vacuum machine broke down this past week. He is getting an estimate for repair. He also is applying for a grant for a new leaf vacuum and is hoping to receive it in 2003. The city crew is presently picking up leaves with the backhoe.

Police Chief Snoeberger said he has spoken with two companies regarding security issues. One is securing new locking systems on the doors in the police department area. He has received a quote from one company and is waiting to hear from another. The second issue concerns video cameras. Two of the four video camera monitors in the jail cells are damaged. The current system does not actually record what is going on in the jail. The new system will monitor areas not only in the cellblock but also in the police department, parking lot and the fire department should the city wish it so. Chief Snoeberger said the system would cost approximately $20,000 plus. He will have the estimates for the next council meeting.

Fire Chief Ed O’Farrell reported the department had been very busy over the weekend with three fires. Two of the fires were house fires and the third was a grain dryer at the elevator. He also reported one firefighter had fallen off a ladder but no serious injury occurred.

Building Commissioner Bunny Jordan reported on parking spaces for new residential construction. She said presently the city ordinance only requires one parking space per family whether single or multi-family dwelling. Mayor Swift said he would like to see the council address this in the future.

Ms. Jordan then spoke about fence restrictions within the city. People run into problems such as having the fence too high, etc. There are restrictions on how high a fence can be from frontage of the house to the setback. She thought a permit should be required even if it is a five-dollar permit. This would give residents information on requirements before construction. Ms. Jordan thinks it will be more of a problem in the future and suggests the council consider this. City Attorney Tom O’Connor read the existing ordinance and said it could be interpreted to include fences. Discussion was held among council members and they agreed to address it again in 2003.

Ms. Jordan reported that legal notices had been mailed to Lambert Trailer Court and Stephen’s Auction House. She spoke to the owner of the property on Bond Street who said he would see that it is cleaned up. She is also trying to contact the owner of the old Pierce Building downtown. Mayor Swift said the city is going to put a notice in the paper for bids to demolish the Dicken’s property located at Third and Logan Streets.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Mr. Phelps made a motion to bring Ordinance #15 from the table, seconded by Mr. Grant. All ayes. Mr. O’Connor then read in full: ORDINANCE #15, 2002 AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL FOR THE CITY OF ATTICA, INDIANA AMENDING CHAPTER SIX, DIVISION TWO, SECTIONS 6-110 AND 6-111 ENTITLED OPENING BURNING. Mrs. Gustus made a motion to adopt Ordinance #15, seconded by Mrs. Maus. Roll was called. Five (5) ayes, zero (0) nays. Motion passed.

Mr. Phelps made a motion to bring Ordinance #16 from the table, seconded by Mrs. Gustus. All ayes. Mr. O’Connor read in full: ORDINANCE #16, 2002 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE #14, 2002 WHICH WAS AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 10, SECTION 10-20. This ordinance is amending Ordinance #14, 2002 by modifying certain rules as to Billboards and off-premises signs. Mr. Phelps made a motion to adopt Ordinance #16, seconded by Mrs. Maus. Roll was called. Five (5) ayes, zero (0) nays. Motion passed.

MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS

Mayor Swift informed the council that the Riley family has donated “Riley Field” to the city in memory of Joseph Riley, Sr. It has been officially deeded to the city. A sign has been ordered for the site and a ceremony will be held in the spring.

Mayor Swift announced to members that a special council meeting would be held after the Board of Works on Tuesday, December 17, 2002 to transfer funds.

Mayor Swift thanked the council members for this past year and said he appreciated what everyone had done. He also said he is looking forward to working with them in the coming year.

ADJOURNMENT

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

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Deon H. Swift, II, Mayor

ATTEST:

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Nancy Jo Mitchell, Clerk/Treasurer