COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF ATTICA
JUNE 10, 2002
The Common Council for the City of Attica met on the 10th
day of June 2002 at the hour of 7 p.m. at city hall. Those present: Mr. Larry
Grant, Mr. Bill Craft, Mrs. Valarie Maus, Mrs. Kay Gustus, Mr. Curt Phelps, Mr.
Tom O’Connor, and Mr. Deon Swift.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETING
Mr. Phelps made a motion to approve the minutes of the May
13, 2002 council meeting, seconded by Mrs. Gustus. All ayes.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Mr. Grant said the Traffic Committee met May 1, 2002 to
discuss the options of the downtown area regarding the over all traffic safety
in the area. Police Chief Snoeberger
informed the Traffic Committee that his department would soon be getting a
better radar speed traffic system that would enable them to enforce the speed
limits more closely. After much
discussion, the committee decided to recommend the following: 1.
Drop the speed limit to twenty miles per hour on Perry Street as it
passes thru downtown and post it accordingly;
2. Ask the police department to
more aggressively enforce all the traffic ordinances in the downtown area such
as speed and parking time limits for vehicles along Perry, Main and Mill
Streets. They would like to look at the
situation at a later date to see if additional stop signs are needed after the
two steps above are completed. Mrs.
Gustus made a motion for Mr. O’Connor to read Ordinance #8 for the first time
in full, second time by title only, table and publish, seconded by Mr.
Grant. All ayes. Mr. O’Connor read: ORDINANCE #8, 2002 AN ORDINANCE OF THE A COMMON COUNCIL FOR THE A
CITY OF ATTICA AMENDING CHAPTER 8, DIVISION V, SECTION 8-164(b) BY THE
INCLUSION OF SECTION 8-164(B)(3). This
ordinance authorizes the Common Council for the City of Attica to regulate the
maximum speed limit on certain streets and roads within the City of
Attica.
Mr. Grant also reported that the Attica Zoning and Planning
Commission met on June 4, 2002 to hear a request from Shawnee Corporation, Bill
Foster, to subdivide two plats south of Attica in order to sell residential
building lots. After reviewing the
planning division, the members voted unanimously to recommend the city council
approve the request. Mrs. Gustus made a
motion to approve the request, seconded by Mr. Grant. All ayes; with Mr. Phelps abstaining.
CITIZENS PETITIONS
Bob and Corry Cole of Williamsport were present to advise
the council they were in the process of laying groundwork for a Boy and Girls
Club for Fountain/Warren Counties. At this
time, they are not certain where it will be located. Mr. and Mrs. Cole were not asking for anything, they were present
in order to let the area communities know what they were doing. They have formed a Steering Committee of
approximately fifty Warren/Fountain County people. The Regional Director will be coming from Chicago to meet with
the committee to officially get the ball rolling. Mr. Cole said location is important and he would appreciate any
ideas that the area businesses might have.
DEPARTMENT HEADS
Mr. Robert Smith, Director of Public Works, reported that
there was a problem with the yard wastes pickup on Monday mornings. Residents are cutting down trees, large
bushes, etc. and setting them in front of their homes to be picked up. It is taking city employees two days a week
to accomplish the pickups rather than the designated one-day (Monday). They are hauling away several loads a
day. After discussion, council members
decided the city employees would continue picking up only bagged grass
clippings, garden byproducts and small tree trimmings. If there is storm damage, the city will pick
up limbs and trees downed that are on city streets. Citizens who leave large tree limbs and bushes along the street
will be cited for ordinance violation.
Mr. Smith also said he had received two quotes for new
scales at the Sewage Plant.
Police Chief Gene Snoeberger introduced Kyle Askren as the
city’s newest Reserve Police Officer.
Officer Askren had been sworn in at the Board of Works meeting on June
4, 2002.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Mr. Phelps made a motion for Mr. O’Connor to read Ordinance
#9 for the first time in full, second time by title only, table and publish,
seconded by Mrs. Gustus. Mr. O’Connor
read: ORDINANCE #9, 2002 AN ORDINANCE
OF THE COMMON COUNCIL FOR THE CITY OF ATTICA, REINSTATING COUNCILMATIC
DISTRICTS. This ordinance states that
the Councilmatic Districts would be the same as the voting precinct boundary
lines.
NEW BUSINESS
Mayor Swift said it was his pleasure to announce to the
council and the citizens of Attica that the city has received a grant for the
North End Project from the Department of Commerce. He thanked the council, clerk’s office, Mr. Smith and the city
crew, and Fire Chief Ed O’Farrell for all the time and effort put forth in
obtaining the grant. He also wished to
thank the residents who took the time to attend the grant meetings and express
their concerns over the water problem.
Mayor Swift invited everyone to the Capitol Rotunda, Wednesday, June 12,
1 P.M. for the official presentation of the grant by Lieutenant Governor
Kernan.
The council received a petition from Phelps Enterprises for
tax abatement for the new motel and car wash.
Mr. Phelps said he was denied papers by the Fountain County Recorder’s
Office to file for tax abatement because his projects did not qualify. Mr. O’Connor said tax abatement is a state
law. Within municipalities, towns, and
counties it’s up to those local entities to act upon tax abatement that is
established by state law. It is his
understanding that tax abatement is for equipment only, not buildings. Mr. Phelps said his was not a production
facility. Mr. O’Connor said he would
look into the matter and see if there is anything that can be done.
Mayor Swift said he had received a phone call from Dale
Grubb who said he has some more money for us for the Cannon Project. The mayor is setting up a photo appointment
on Saturday, June 15, 2002 and will let everyone involved in the project know
the exact time at a later date.
Mayor Swift said he would like to have Phelps Enterprises
name the street on which Attica Motor Lodge will be located. Mr. Phelps said taking into consideration
all the contributions made to the community of Attica by former Mayor Harold
Long, he would like to name the street Long Avenue. Mrs. Maus made a motion to name the street Long Avenue, seconded
by Mrs. Gustus. All ayes.
Mr. O’Connor stated that the plat presented to the city
council for Attica Motor Lodge and the car wash should be recorded at the
Fountain County Recorder’s office. The
platt would show the easement or public road, Long Avenue. Mrs. Gustus made a motion for the council to
approve the plat by adding the name of Long Avenue, seconded by Mrs. Maus. All ayes.
MISCELLANEOUS
Mr. Smith reported that #1 Well was in very bad shape, but
is now up and running. Mayor Swift said
the cost of repair went from $10,000 to approximately $20,000 to $25,000. It has now been put on a maintenance
contract with Reynolds Company so it can be kept in good working order. Reynolds is letting the city make payments
without interest. Number 2 Well will be
repaired next year.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the council,
Mrs. Gustus made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Mrs. Maus. All ayes.
_______________________________
Deon
H. Swift, II, Mayor
ATTEST:
__________________________________
Nancy Jo Mitchell, Clerk/Treasurer