COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS

CITY OF ATTICA

September 12, 2011 

 

The Common Council for the City of Attica met on the 12^th day of September at the hour of 7:00 p.m. at City Hall. 

 

Those present:  Mr. Larry Askren, Mr. Larry Grant, Mr. Dale Wilson, Mrs. Valerie Maus, Mr. Bill Craft, Mr. Robert Shepherd, Mr. Tom O’Connor, and Ms. Sharon Negele. 

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETING

Mr. Wilson made a motion to approve the minutes of the 8^th of August, 2011 Council meeting, seconded by Mr. Craft.

 

CITIZEN PETITION

Mr. Scott Gregory approached the Council regarding the closure of an alley along side the old Curves building for his outdoor concert for Friday and Saturday evening. Council discussed and agreed this would be acceptable. 

 

Burnadette Jordan approached Council on the issue of her insurance claim against the City and presented why she thought the offer from the insurance company was unfair.  Additionally she presented a written document describing the damage and cost associated with repair.  There was discussion on what the City has done to rectify the storm water flow and Mr. Shepherd explained that the drain from Derrick Street to Taylor Street they were able to jet open and from Derrick Street to North Street the City installed a whole new drain. He also mentioned that this new drain has now caused a diversion of the storm water flow to a new area which the City will have to address due to pooling.  Burnadette made a point that it still will be critical for the grate to be kept clean in order for the water to flow properly in a storm event.  Ms. Negele explained that she had not been aware of this partial offer by the insurance adjuster and offered to contact the adjuster to discuss the reasoning of their partial offer.  Council agreed that they would like this to be the next step.      

         

DEPARTMENT HEADS

Mr. Jean reported that he is getting ready for Potowatomi. 

 

Mr. Bass reported that he would need to update his body armor and is in the process of applying for a matching grant through the Department of Justice which covers 50% of the cost.  Additionally he also needs 6 new tazer guns for each of his officers.  His current inventory of 3 has only one that is working and the other two are broken.  The cost of repair is equal to replacing them with a new version.  He requested the funds to proceed with these equipment upgrades.  Ms. Negele reported that there was a balance of $23,844 in deferral and diversion fund which can be used for this kind of purchase.  She also noted that Council would need to pass a resolution to transfer the money into the local Law Enforcement Fund to proceed with the purchase.  Council agreed to the purchase and Mr. Bass would report back on the exact dollar amount.  Mr. O’Connor stated he would prepare the resolution for transfer of funds. 

 

Mr. Bass also reported that they were working on City ordinance violations and noted that the graffiti painted on a residence has been spray painted and the trailer in Elmdale was getting hauled off with the area getting cleaned up. Mr. Grant asked Mr. Bass why he has observed City of Attica Police vehicles out of town.  His response was that sometimes they are meeting another jurisdiction police department for a transfer of an arrestee that has an outstanding warrant in their community.  He also stated that it could also be over responding and that he would address that issue with his officers.  

 

Mr. Dismore reported that he issued a permit for demolition to Jeff Scott on the property of 801 Taylor but he would first be arranging some salvaging.  Mr. Hoffa stated that his property on 802 Taylor would be demolished as soon as he was able to iron out a bank issue.  He also issued a new permit for 911 S McDonald for a new front porch, a permit for Comcast to pour a new slab on the triangle for equipment and addressed the complaint on 925 Maple St.  The owner has cleaned it up and plans on redoing the outside next spring but promised to be better about maintaining the property.  He also mentioned that he would follow up on the house on the corner of Taylor/Hollovy that is a rental house and has been reported to have a major roach problem.  Mr. Craft inquired about 604 S Union regarding a building permit and is inquiring whether there is going to be enough parking spaces for the 6 units.  Mr. Dismore stated yes.  Mr. Askren asked if a permit had been issued for 1100 S McDonald and Mr. Dismore responded yes. 

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Ms. Negele presented the Salary Ordinance for 2012.  Mr. Askren made a motion to read it for the 1^st time in full and 2^nd time by title only, all ayes.  Upon completion of the readings Mrs. Maus made a motion to table and publish, seconded by Mr. Askren, all ayes. 

 

Mr. Grant brought from the table Ordinance #4 – Speed Regulation and made a motion for the third reading, Mr. Wilson seconded all ayes.  Upon completion of reading Mr. Wilson made a motion to adopt, seconded by Mr. Askren, all ayes. 

 

Mr. Shepherd asked for the committee recommendation on the requested curb removal which was tabled at the last meeting and Mr. Askren made a motion to remove the curb and Mrs. Maus seconded roll call 4 ayes and 1 nay. 

 

Mr. Grant made a motion to read Ordinance #5 requiring all cemetery burials to require containers for the 1^st time in full, second by title only, Mr. Askren seconded, all ayes.  Upon completion of reading Mr. Grant made a motion to dispense with the rules and to read it in full for the third time, Mr. Askren seconded all ayes.  Upon completion of reading Mr. Grant made a motion to adopt and Mr. Askren seconded 5 ayes 0 nays.

    

MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS

Mr. Shepherd reported that the new animal control officer is Arnie Watkins. 

 

Ms. Negele stated that with the agreement to bill Attica residents for Res-net service in place she requested for the billing service fee to be diverted to the Attica Downtown revitalization fund.   Mrs. Maus made a motion in favor of diverting the service fee to the Downtown Fund and Mr. Askren seconded all ayes. 

 

Mr. Shepherd announced that he was requesting quotes on duct work for the Med Shed and also explained the current furnace operated at 60-65% efficiency and really needs to be at 90%.  He also addressed the complaint with Crossroads regarding the drainage and was guaranteed they would address the issue. 

 

The Fountain County Commissioners have at this point tabled the Animal Control issue and also started the proceedings to revert the old Buckley Building back to city with taxes waived.  Additionally, Mr. Shepherd will be meeting with a Duke engineer to discuss the cities needs referencing Riley Field and the list of other requests.

 

Where there being no further business to come before the Council, Mr. Askren made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Grant all ayes.

 

 

 

 

                                                                        ________________________________

                                                                        Robert G. Shepherd, Mayor

ATTEST:

___________________________

Sharon Negele, Clerk/Treasurer