COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS

CITY OF ATTICA

July 9, 2007

The Common Council for the City of Attica met on the 9^th day of May at the hour of 7:00 p.m. at City Hall. Those present: Mr. Larry Grant, Mr. Bill Craft, Mr. Larry Askren, Mr. Brad Summers, Mrs. Maus, Mr. Deon Swift, and Ms. Sharon Negele.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETING

Mr. Askren made a motion to approve the minutes of June 11th, seconded by Mr. Summers.

DEPARTMENT HEADS

Mr. Jean reported that the city pool concession area was broken into via the A/C unit. The A/C unit was destroyed and a toaster oven was missing along with concession food and candy. It was also reported that there was an attempt to break open the cash register even though it was empty. Mr. O’Farrell reported that all five of the new doors are installed and that painting is on going.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Ms. Tina Mendenhall - the grant writer for the downtown façade project was unable to attend but Ms. Negele gave an update on the project. She reported that the architectural drawings have been received and that the next meeting on July 31^st at 7:00PM in City Hall would be with the business owners and the committee members. In addition, several speakers are invited to present grant funding sources. The project is now deemed to be 60% complete which allows a portion of the $50,000 grant money to be released to pay Fleis and Vanderbrink (architectural firm). Miss Mary Mattern approached the council on passing a tree ordinance that would enable the City of Attica to fulfill one of the requirements to become an official Tree City. Mr. Summers made a motion to read the Ordinance for the 1^st time in full and Mr. Craft seconded. Mr. Swift read the ordinance in full. Mr. Grant made a motion to table the Ordinance to allow the Council members to fully read the Ordinance at their leisure due to the length. Mr. Askren seconded the motion, all ayes.

NEW BUSINESS

Mr. Swift informed the council that he had received a letter of resignation from Daniel Askren regarding his position on the zoning board. Mr. Swift congratulated Daniel on his admittance into law school and wished him the very best. Mr. Swift inquired with the Chief of Police to see if he felt it would be necessary for the City of Attica to pass a more restrictive ordinance on fireworks after a the new state statue went into effect. Mr. Snoeberger felt at this time it would not be necessary. Mr. Swift announced that the trees downtown were going to have to be removed due to the sidewalk destruction. He also mentioned that a budget line item would be added in the 2008 budget for future trees and periodic replacement. Ms. Sharon Negele presented the annual compliance with Statement of Benefits from Harrison Steel regarding an ongoing abatement that began in 2002. After careful review by the council, Mrs. Maus made a motion to accept the continuance of the tax abatement and Mr. Askren seconded, all ayes. Mr. Grant presented a letter addressed to the Mayor and Council. The letter is proposing an ordinance that would protect the remaining brick roads from being blacktopped. His reasoning is that he would like to ensure that any future decisions regarding paving or repairs on these streets would require the City Council approval in place of Administrative rule. Mr. Grant stated that he would arrange by next Council meeting to have an ordinance prepared.

MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS

Ms. Negele attended that annual Clerk/Treasurer meeting in Fort Wayne and presented a report on new legislation passed in 2007 and meter reading technology:

There were over 200 bills passed but she presented only those pertinent or of interest to City Government. In a previous Council meeting Councilman Grant had asked about the cost associated with radio read technology for meter reading and Ms. Negele reported that at her conference she would inquire. She presented the cost associated with a radio read meter reading system that would only require a drive by (within 500-800 ft) versus our current Touch read system which requires physical contact with the touch pad attached to each water pit. The cost associated with implementing the radio read system is approximately $190,000. The current annual labor cost to capture the meter reads via the touch read system is $3,685. The annual labor cost for a radio read is approximately $553. The payback would calculate at approximately 60 years assuming zero interest. The conclusion that Ms. Negele presented is that the current technology is well suited for City of Attica meter reading needs. Only if there were a drastic reduction in cost in purchasing the hardware to convert to the radio read system could you then justify the conversion.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to come before the council, Mr. Askren made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Summers, all ayes.

________________________________

Deon H. Swift, II, Mayor

ATTEST:

________________________________

Sharon Negele, Clerk/Treasurer