October 9, 2001
The Ellettsville, Indiana, Town Council met in regular session at 7:30 PM, Monday, October 9, 2001. Jerry Pittsford called the meeting to order and led the prayer. David Drake led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Jerry asked for roll call of Council Members. Members present were Jerry Pittsford, President; David Sorokoty, Vice President; Michael Cornman, David Drake, and Geraldine McIntyre. Sandra Hash, Clerk Treasurer was also present. Mike Spencer, Town Attorney was unable to attend due to the change in meeting night.
Approval of the Minutes
of the regular meeting of September 24, 2001
A motion was made by Geraldine McIntyre and seconded by Mike Cornman to
approve the minutes of September 24, 2001.
Motion carried.
Ordinances on First
Reading
Ordinance 01-27 vacating
public way 412 Paul Street, lots 26 and 27 (Whitsell’s addition)
Larry and Betty Radamaker’s property is connected to this area. Larry explained the area and his reason for
wanting the property all on one deed so that if the land were ever sold it
would be simpler. This has already been
taken to the Plan Commission and received a favorable recommendation. This will be voted on during the next
meeting to be legally correct.
Ordinance 01-28 creating the
“Always Remember 9-11” donation fund
This would be a special fund used to receive donations for public
employees affected by the terrorist attacks.
Indiana Association of Cities and Towns (IACT) organized this idea and
encourage all government employers to create this special fund that anyone is
welcome to donate to. Mike moved
Ordinance 01-28 be submitted for first reading and David Drake seconded the
motion. Motion carried. Mike moved to adopt this Ordinance on the
same day (first reading) as it was introduced and David Drake seconded the
motion. Motion carried. Mike moved we adopt Ordinance 01-28 and
David Drake seconded the motion. Motion
carried.
Resolutions
Resolution 15-01 Transfer of
Funds
David Sorokoty read by title.
David Drake moved to approve and David Sorokoty seconded. Motion carried with Mike abstaining.
Ordinances on Second
Reading
Ordinance 01-25 concerning
the issuance and use of credit cards
David Drake read by title and Sandy explained that she had discussed
this ordinance specifically with Jim Davis and Ron McGlocklin. Mike Spencer also reviewed and revised the
ordinance by adding the use of fuel cards.
Jim Davis explained the fuel cards, how the PIN number is used and the
detailed monthly statements. Sandy
explained she had spoken with Mike Spencer and both are in agreement that a
handwritten log should also be kept on re-fueling trucks as well in accordance
with Chapter 266-20, section c of this Ordinance. David Drake moved to approve the ordinance and David Sorokoty
seconded. Motion carried with Mike
abstaining.
Old Business
Interlocal Agreement between
Ellettsville Fire Department and the City of Bloomington Fire Department
Jim Davis said he would like to table this agenda item until
Bloomington City’s Fire Chief Jeff Barlow had a chance to look over the
agreement for a second time. Jim had
asked Mike Spencer to review the document and Mike had revised it but Chief
Barlow has not seen it since the revision, therefore Jim would like to wait to
discuss this agreement. Also there were
a few typos in the reading that needed to be corrected before a final vote was
taken as well. Geraldine moved to table
this item until the next meeting and David Sorokoty seconded. Motion carried.
Appraisals for 615 W. Main
Street and 621 W. Main Street
Jerry discussed that the Town was interested in purchasing these two
pieces of property with the possible intention of building the new government
center building on these lots therefore, appraisals were done on both 615 and
621 W. Main Street. Figg Appraisal
Corp. and JDC Group, Inc. appraised each home.
Figg appraised both homes at $49,000 each and JDC appraised both homes
at $45,000 each. A complete report of
each appraisal is on file in the Clerk’s Office. Indiana Code requires the Town to have two appraisals when
purchasing property in this manner and the purchase price should be no greater
than the average of both appraisals, which in this case would be $47,000. No action will be taken on this tonight but
we will continue to investigate the purchase of these two properties.
New Business
Contract between the Town of
Ellettsville and the Ellettsville Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.
This document has the same wording as previous years contract with one
exception, which is the amount of the contract. This year we are reducing the contract to $5,000 instead of the
$10,000 we have had in previous years.
Jim Davis explained that the amount was reduced in anticipation of the
contract with Bloomington Hospital placing an Ambulance at Station #8. The other $5,000 was moved into the
part-time firefighter line to help pay the salaries of the nine newly hired
firefighters, five of which were volunteers.
David Drake moved to approve the contract with the reduction of the
amount and Geraldine seconded. Motion
carried with Mike abstaining.
Action to pay Accounts
Payable Vouchers
Geraldine made the motion to approve paying of the accounts payable
vouchers. Mike seconded. Motion carried.
Supervisor’s comments
Jim Davis requested that he and Division Chief Bill
Headley receive permission to attend two training school seminars in
Indianapolis concerning residential 2001 international building codes put on by
BOCA. One seminar is one day in October
and the other one is three consecutive days in November. Geraldine made the motion to allow Jim and
Bill to attend both seminars and David Drake seconded. Motion carried with Mike abstaining. Also notice this schooling is the reason why
funds were transferred earlier from the Building Inspector Salary line to the
Training Aids and Schools line, to pay for the seminars.
Jim wanted
clarification from the last Council Meeting on the release of Edgewood Village
building permits and Rex Voils. He
questioned if it was on just
single family or included multi-family lots. The Council agreed all of the building permits have been released
and can be applied for now.
Jeff Farmer reported a while back that $6,000 was being
spent on a toxicity test. All three of
the tests came back negative therefore; the plant is running at 100% good
meaning nothing toxic is showing in the streams.
Geraldine McIntyre gave each member of the Council an
invitation from Crane to attend the dedication of Airborne Electronic Welfare
Facility on November 7, 2001.
Jeana Kapczynski sent her
information on the Main Street project convention they’re having in Bloomington
on November 8th and 9th, 2001.
Indiana Association of
Cities and Towns also sent her information on the Round Table evening meeting
on October 16th, 2001 that will be held in Orleans, Indiana. Geraldine said they will be discussing
affordable health insurance and the upcoming reassessment and that someone
should really attend this meeting if possible since it is closer than where
they are often held. Jerry asked if
Sandy would attend this and recommended her going as well as two Council
members. Geraldine said she would go. Mike requested we receive a mailing from
IACT about the meetings that are held in the northern areas, which are often
times closer to attend for us.
Geraldine also reported that
a week ago Saturday at Solid Waste they took in old house paint, large
appliances, other large household items and miscellaneous items and they are
considering accepting items more than twice a year since they had such a good
response.
Jerry Pittsford asked which light post won the vote at the
Fall Festival. The votes have not been
counted as of yet. The ballots are
still in the box in the Clerk’s Office and Lisa Creech has not tallied them
yet.
David Sorokoty suggested the Town be wise and prudent with
our money during the upcoming year and now as well since we receive monies from
the Federal, State and Local County level and it often takes a while for the
money to filter down. I also requested
Sandy to get information about a fund that the State allows Towns and Cities to
set up called “Rainy Day Fund” for a fall back for the Town.
Mike Cornman the Indiana Main Street Conference which is
in Bloomington this year as Geraldine mentioned earlier suggested as many Town
Council Members as possible should attend this conference. It does have a cost but it would be very
informative.
Sandy Hash our health insurance renews November 1st,
2001. She has received some of the
information from the State and they only offer three State plans in our
County. One is Anthem Traditional with
a low deductible and an 80/20 match thereafter it doesn’t have a co-pay at the
office visits or a prescription card; the other two are both HMO’s and
unfortunately there are very few doctors within our area, Mooresville is the
closest doctor. I’ve requested
additional information from the State but I haven’t committed us to anything
yet. Cheryl Terry with the May Agency has
compiled five different quotes and I have compared the two best of the five to
our existing Starmark Insurance.
Originally Starmark went up 19% and our insurance is age rated. She suggested having a special meeting to
discuss insurance since there are so many variables to consider. David Drake suggested employee participation
in reviewing insurance choices.
Jerry called for a work session on insurance for
Thursday, October 18th, 2001 at 6:00 p. m. and order dinner in
during meeting. The meeting will be
open for all employees.
Jerry and Sandy met with Vi
Simpson, Joel Hall the district supervisor for INDOT, Senator Meeks and
representatives from both Democrat and Republican caucus financial advisor
board along with Mike Farmer, Rick Coppock and Jeff Farmer. We discussed the cooperation between the
Town, Utilities, INDOT and
everyone involved with the State Road 46 project. Eight miles of water and sewer lines will
have been relocated when the project is completed.
Privilege of the Floor
Ronald Heinecke had his water turned off while he was on
vacation and when he returned his yard was flooded. He would like his water bill to be adjusted. Mr. Heinecke had a plumber look at the pipes
also to investigate the leak. In the
past we have only given sewer credit.
Mike Farmer was not present so Jeff Farmer explained that when we turn
on the meter we check for leaks for a period of time. However, Jeff said it was the responsibility of the homeowner
from the meter to the house. Therefore,
we cannot give Mr. Heinecke a credit on his water bill but we can give him a
credit on his sewer bill.
Ed Bitner, 430 Main Street, when the Town moved all the sewer lines
afterwards they beautified the yards that were torn up to complete the project
by sowing new grass seed and strawing.
However, when he was mowing his yard his mower was almost torn up by all
of the rocks, sticks and stumps left from the project that wasn’t fixed
properly. Ed just wanted to inform us
that since the State will be tearing his yard up again next spring that there
isn’t a need for the Town to fix up the yard again. Ed doesn’t want to receive a weed letter from the Town next
spring when he doesn’t mow that section of his yard or else he will have to
have the Town repair the yard again because he doesn’t want to destroy his
mower. He doesn’t feel it was properly
drug and cleared off correctly the first time.
Jerry informed that if the rocks don’t settle or if it is not feasible
to mow his yard that the Town will either have to fix the yards torn up or live
with the high weeds. He also said prior
to sending out weed letters we would consider those individuals’ yards that
were tore up during the Hwy. 46 project.
Ed also wondered how the
appraisers were picked for the two home appraisals. He said Figg gave a low appraisal of his home and was not happy
with it. He said Figg would not be a
good appraiser. Jerry said Figg was not
picked for any particular reason, just a random pick.
Bob Sowder, 114 W.
Temperance Street, just wanted to
inform us that the Police Reserves had eight men work 149 hours during the fall
festival which is the equivalent of 2 men per shift of 24 hours per day for the
entire festival.
He also wanted to Thank the
Council, especially Dave Sorokoty and Hoosier Outdoor Advertising for the
billboard across from Hoosier Tire.
Adjournment
A motion was made by Geraldine to adjourn. Mike seconded. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 8:36 PM.
_____________________________ __________________________
Jerry Pittsford, President David Sorokoty, Vice President
_____________________________ __________________________
Mike Cornman David Drake
_____________________________ __________________________
Geraldine McIntyre Sandra C. Hash
Clerk-Treasurer