COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS

CITY OF ATTICA

March 10, 2008

 

The Common Council for the City of Attica met on the 10th day of March at the hour of 7:00 p.m. at City Hall.  Those present: Mr. Larry Grant, Mr. Bill Craft, Mr. Larry Askren, Mrs. Maus, Mr. Tom O’Connor, Mr. Deon Swift, and Ms. Sharon Negele. 

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETING

Mrs. Maus made a motion to approve the minutes of the February 11th council meeting, seconded by Mr. Craft.

 

SPECIAL:

Mr. Swift announced a Proclamation and proudly proclaimed the week of March 9-15, 2008, as Girl Scout Week.

 

PUBLIC HEARING:

Mr. Swift opened the public meeting regarding the fate of the City owned property at 127 N. Perry St.  Mr. Swift asked the public to first comment.  Mr. Steve Jones presented himself as an interested citizen in purchasing the property to build an auction house.  He passed out a document containing proposed drawings of the one story building and further explained that he had the financial status to afford the project.  Mr. Dave Huckleberry presented himself as a concerned citizen and a Board of Works member.  He reiterated the original intent (purchase the property, demolish the building, create a municipal parking lot) that the council agreed upon in August of 2007 and that the Board of Works had committed to a demolition contract.  He further explained that the building had been condemned for two years and that no one has shown interest in purchasing this property and that the Council should respect the Building Commissioners decision on condemnation and all future condemnations.  Mr. Dude Watkins introduced himself as construction specialist who prepared the drawings for Mr. Jones and that he could verify his ability to follow through on this project.  Mr. Swift then directed the comments to each council member.  Mr. Grant  reiterated the original intent which would guarantee an end result and that there could be a 2 hour limit of parking enforced.  Additionally, he reminded everyone there is no guarantee Mr. Jones would win the bidding and that there are compliance issues with the downtown façade renovation designs.  Mr. Askren stated that he felt the building should be auctioned and that if anyone wants to repair and run a business out of the building they should have the opportunity to do so.  Mrs. Maus said her original reaction to wait was due to the uproar she had heard regarding the demolition of a historic home.  She had time to think about it and realizes that she represents her constituents views and everyone she spoke with felt the building should be demolished.  So she would only be in favor of a plan that results in demolition of the building.  Mr. Craft stated that he agreed with Mrs. Maus.  Mr. Swift opened the subject back to the audience.  Ms. Dolly Poston-Zollars introduced herself as a citizen and local business owner, real estate agent representing the selling of the building next door and a downtown revitalization committee member.  She asked in light of this new information she would like to see the subject tabled for further thought.  Mr. Ronald Coffee introduced himself as the building commissioner and proposed if a sale occurs that the fairest procedure should be a public auction.  Mr. Steve Jones again presented that his demolition/construction project would be completed in a quick time frame.  Mrs. Emily Harrison introduced herself as a concerned citizen and a member of the downtown revitalization committee member.  She reiterated the original intent as a parking lot is needed due to the congestion in parking and first hand experience and as a snow build up alternative which Ron Jean had mentioned before as an issue.  She also directed her comment to Mr. Jones in that many people commit to various projects and fail to follow through and that there are no guarantees that Mr. Jones would be able to purchase the property.  She also stated why not investigate some of the other vacant buildings which could easily house an auction house.  Mr. Swift then posed the question to Mr. O’Connor if in the purchase agreement can you stipulate that the building must be demolished.  Mr. O’Connor responded with yes and that all terms and conditions can be pre-defined.  Mr. Grant then stated that there would have to be several defined conditions met in order to purchase the property including a public auction.  The several items discussed were:  Public Auction, Removal of building in a set amount of time, minimum bid, buyer pays all fees and % down or financing pre-arranged, consultation with architectural firm for façade compliance.  Mr. Tom O’Connor asked if the council members would email him with their ideas so he could prepare a document and that the Board of Works can accept the conditions the council sets. Mr. Grant made a motion to table the issue in order to define the terms and conditions and Mr. Askren seconded to be reviewed at the next council meeting.  Mr. Swift closed the Public hearing.                    

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Mr. Grant presented the Zoning and Planning Committee report regarding the request to rezone the property at 710 Perry St. from a R2 to a B1.  The board voted to recommend the rezoning.  Mrs. Maus made a motion to read Ordinance #1 to rezone the 710 Perry St. Property from R2 to a B1 for the first time in full and Mr. Askren seconded.  Mrs. Maus then made a motion to suspend the rules and read by title only for the second time and in full for the third time and Mr. Askren seconded.  Mrs. Maus made a motion to adopt  and Mr. Craft seconded, all ayes. 

 

CITIZENS PETITIONS

Wilma Lytle presented a request to rent the Community Center for 2 weeks in June at a reduced rate or a weekly rate.  The current rate is $50 per day which would be cost prohibitive for her Mother’s estate sale.  The council chose to table the subject until the next meeting to allow some thought to the idea.

 

DEPARTMENT HEADS

Mr. Jean announced his crews were in the process of removing the trees and drilling out the stumps from the downtown district due to their overgrowth which has been becoming destructive to the sidewalks.  He also had in his truck an example of a planter that can replace the blank grids made by Larry Sible.  He suggested that everyone take a look after the meeting.  Additionally there have been several complaints received regarding plowing into residential lawns.  He wanted to assure the public that this is merely an accident and is not being done intentionally.  Mr. Snoeberger announced that Joe Whitaker of FEMA has offered to provide 3 new laptop computers for the APD police cars.  To fully utilize this system would require the APD to invest monies for wireless connectivity.  The intention is to eventually convert to electronic ticketing.  He also wanted Council to know that he and his officers are making mental notes on Ordinance Violations and would be approaching residences soon.  Additionally he approached a landlord today regarding trash at one of his properties.  Mr. Coffee reported that he has sent out 20 letters on bringing structures into compliance and five requests for structure to be demolished including two businesses. 

 

 

 

 

NEW BUSINESS

Mr. Swift asked the Council if they wanted the City Wide cleanup and if so when would they want it.  Council members responded positively that they want the cleanup to continue and their constituents are already asking when will it occur.  Ms. Negele interjected that due to the competitiveness of the date amongst other Cities that she has already called and reserved May 3rd.  Additionally she reminded the Council that the city pays an additional amount per meter for the annual service.

 

MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS

Mr. Swift reviewed the timeline of the Perry Street Phase I project (New St. - Jackson St.)

  • 4/2/08  INDOT opens bids for project.  If bids are within budget INDOT will move forward with awarding construction contract.
  • 4/11/08  Assuming the bids are within budget, INDOT will issue letter to the City of Attica requesting the 20% match for the contract amount.  The actual date of receipt of this letter may vary, but we can expect that the letter will be received sometime between 4/7 and 4/11.
  • 4/18/08  City of Attica will send a check to INDOT for the 20% match for the project.  INDOT will not go forward with the awarding of the contract until the match is received.
  • 5/5/08  Assuming the match money is received in a timely manner and the contractor’s contract paper work is in order, we would expect INDOT to issue a notice to proceed  to the contractor on or around this date.
  • 5/15/08  A pre-construction conference will be held typically 10-15 days after the notice to proceed is issued.
  • 5/19/08  The construction schedule will be discussed at the pre-construction conference, but we would expect that the contractor will mobilize for construction immediately following the pre-construction conference.
  • 05/19/08 to 08/29/08  Perry Street will be closed to traffic from New St. to Jackson St. during this time period to allow for construction.  The contract will specify that the contractor will need to be complete by the 1st of September.

 

Ms. Negele presented the 2007 Budget Balance report which is a necessary analysis before determining the funds that would be available to fund the rainy day accounts.  She explained to the Council members that you can derive two conclusions from the analysis:

1) Our expenditures were less than budgeted (19%).

2) We received additional revenues than budgeted (3%).

She offered the Council members help if they required assistance in deciphering the analysis.  Next she presented the rainy day analysis and further noted the State had sent additional checks for $32,851.67 ($5,713.79 - Excess CEDIT, $27,137.88 - Excess CAGIT) to be deposited in the Rainy Day fund.  She is recommending the following distributions to the Rainy Day fund  from the following funds:

 

            $36,750.71  General

            $ 9,812.00    MVH

            $14,350.00   Park

            $14,370.00   Cemetery

Mrs. Maus made a motion to read Resolution #1 allowing the Rainy Day transfers, Mr. Craft seconded the motion.  Mrs. Maus made a motion to adopt Resolution#1 and Mr. Craft seconded, all ayes.

 

 Ms. Negele provided a deceased officer survivor benefit summary for deceased officer Marvin Osborn.  Nancy Osborn will receive 30% of monthly pay of 1st Class officer pay (lifetime benefit and adjusted annually with 1st class officer pay change) and a onetime funeral benefit of $9,000.  In order for the City of Attica to fulfill the cash flow requirements as defined we will need to temporarily transfer funds via a resolution.  Mr. Askren made a motion for Resolution #2 (allowing necessary temporary transfer to depleted APPF fund) to be read and Mr. Craft seconded.  Mr. Askren made a motion to accept and Mr. Grant seconded, all ayes.

 

Mr. Craft inquired with Mr. Snoeberger when the speed sign would be put in use.  Mr. Snoeberger replied that they were waiting for the weather to improve but that it would definitely be out for baseball season.

  

ADJOURNMENT

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                        ________________________________

                                                                        Deon H. Swift, II, Mayor

ATTEST:

 

 

 

________________________________

Sharon Negele, Clerk/Treasurer