The Ellettsville, Indiana, Town Council met in regular session at 7:30 PM, Monday, July 8, 2002 at the Town Hall. David Sorokoty called the meeting to order and Jerry Pittsford led in prayer. Geraldine McIntyre led in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll Call
David Sorokoty asked for roll call of the Council Members. Members present were David Sorokoty, President; David Drake, Vice-President; Mike Cornman, Geraldine McIntyre and Jerry Pittsford. Also present was Sandra Hash, Clerk-Treasurer; Deborah Hudson, Administrative Assistant and Mike Spencer, Town Attorney.
Supervisors Present Jim Davis, Jim Ragle, Ron McGlocklin and Mike Farmer. Jeff Farmer was absent.
Approval of Minutes of
the regular meeting on June 24, 2002
Geraldine McIntyre moved to approve the minutes. Mike Cornman seconded. Motion carried.
Action to pay Accounts
Payable Vouchers
Geraldine McIntyre moved to approve the accounts payable vouchers. David Drake seconded. Motion carried.
Addition to Agenda
Mike Cornman requested to add new Police Reserve appointments to the
Agenda under New Business
Resolutions None
Ordinances on First
Reading
Ordinance 02-10 concerning
the annexation of adjacent and contiguous territory known as the Wanda Jones
property which is located east of Cedar Bluff Gardens
David Drake read the ordinance by title. Mike Carmin, Attorney, who represents Wanda Jones, the petitioner
for the annexation, said that she is the sole owner of the real estate
involved. This is a voluntary annexation and Ms. Jones is requesting a C-3
zoning since the Town surrounds the property.
Mr. Carmin said there is a question on whether the Town has the
authority to annex this area or not.
Mike Spencer feels the statute does not allow the Town to annex off of a
shoestring annexation, but Mr. Carmin feels the Town has the authority to
annex. There was some discussion on
this issue and it was agreed to proceed and that it would probably be resolved
during the process. David Drake said
the Planning and Zoning Board had recommended a C-3 Commercial Zoning for this
property. David Sorokoty said that
since this is the first reading that no action would be taken tonight.
Ordinance 02-13 adopting
chapter 610 concerning use of safety equipment at the Ellettsville Skate Park
Jerry Pittsford read the ordinance by title. David Sorokoty said that Darlyne Sowder, President of the Parks
and Recreation Board had requested this ordinance be tabled until she
thoroughly reviewed all of the paperwork.
Addition to Agenda
Sandy Hash, requested two
ordinances to be added to the Agenda and introduced – Ordinance 02-14, an
Ordinance to re-establish a Cumulative Capital Development Fund and Ordinance
02-15, an Ordinance to re-establish a Cumulative Firefighting, Building and
Equipment Fund
After the ordinances have been introduced they will be published twice,
one week apart and they can be adopted at the following meeting. However, they won’t go into force until
approved by the Department of Local Government Finance.
Each reassessment results in a reduced tax rate and a state
reassessment is due in 2003. The
proposed ordinances would raise the tax rate in CCD from .0404 to .05 and the
rate in CBE would go from .0269 to .0333.
By increasing these rates now it should keep each fund at a reasonable
rate when the reassessment is done.
David Drake made a motion to add Ordinance 02-14 and Ordinance 02-15 to
the agenda. Geraldine McIntyre
seconded. Motion carried. David Drake made a motion to introduce 02-14
for first reading. Jerry Pittsford
seconded. Motion carried. David Drake made a motion to introduce 02-15
for first reading. Geraldine McIntyre
seconded. Motion carried with Mike
Cornman abstaining.
Ordinances on Second
Reading
Ordinance 02-05 annexation
of the Well Site Property Phase II - 10 acres (western edge)
Mike Cornman read by title.
Jerry Pittsford moved to approve Ordinance 02-05. David Drake seconded. Motion carried.
Ordinance 02-07 annexation
of adjacent and contiguous territory known as Hoosier Tire / Jack’s Defeat
Creek Mall Annexation Area
Geraldine McIntyre read by title.
David Drake moved to adopt Ordinance 02-07. Geraldine McIntyre seconded.
Motion carried.
Old Business None
New Business
Insurance renewal
information – Regina Haverly, ISU (Insurance Systems Unlimited) The May Agency
Regina gave a booklet of information to each Council member to review
concerning the Town’s property and liability insurance. She asked them to review the information and
compile their questions then give them to Deborah and Regina will consult with
her. Existing policy ends August 1st,
2002.
American Legal Publishing –
Joe McDonough
Mr. McDonough said that he has spoken with Sandy about re-codification
of the Town’s Ordinances. The company
headquarters are in Cincinnati, Ohio and American Legal does codification work
all over the country. In Indiana they
currently serve 125 cities, towns and counties publishing their codes and
ordinances. They are also codification consultants for Indiana Association of
Cities and Towns.
Sandy explained she had received proposals from American Legal
Publishing and Municipal Code. She gave
each Council Member a price comparison sheet to review. Mike Spencer reviewed the contract with no
corrections. The code and minutes may
be maintained after completion of the re-codification for approximately $1,500 annually allowing the most current
information to be available. The information
would be available on the American Legal web site with a direct link to the
Ellettsville web site. It will also
have search capabilities. Sandy
contacted the Noblesville Clerk-Treasurer, Janet Jaros, who uses American
Legal, about their satisfaction with the services American Legal provided. She replied they are very satisfied with
American Legal publishing. They call if
they have questions concerning an ordinance that might have been amended and
things don’t match up.
They even call with the cost of codifying before they send it. American Legal Publishing’s website address
is amlegal.com, to view their services.
Mr. McDonough said the initial cost to do the Town’s re-codification in
its current entirety would be approximately $9,000 and the yearly fee to
maintain future updates to the code and the minutes would be approximately
$1,500 according to our Town’s size comparing it to other towns and their
updates that American Legal has served.
Mr. Donough said that we could update our information as often as we
choose. He said that the Town would
receive the code in three formats – twenty hard paper copies, a CD of the code
and on the website. Sandy explained
that if the Council agrees to proceed with American Legal they could begin the
re-codification process omitting title 8 and the Personnel Policy. When the Plan Commission completes the
update to title 8 and the Council approves the Personnel Policy then American
Legal can incorporate these sections in to the final version. The draft of the new book will be ready in
approximately six months as well as legal research report for the Council and
Town’s Attorney. American Legal Publishing’s research will report conflicts
within the code and any conflicts with Indiana code along with their
recommendations to resolve the conflicts.
Mr. McDonough said they won’t change anything without the Council’s
permission. David Sorokoty said he
would like to table a vote on contracting with American Legal until the Council
could review the proposal more thoroughly.
Geraldine McIntyre moved to table the vote until the next meeting. Mike Cornman seconded. Motion carried.
Privilege of the Floor
Gene Crum -
Introduced four new Police Reserve Candidates – Jay Baker, Randy Berry, Matt
Fleener and Russell Harris. Jay
graduated from Bloomington South and is currently a Correctional Sargeant at
the Plainfield Correctional Institution.
Randy also graduated from Bloomington South, he is a veteran of the
USAir Force, he has first aid, CPR, Haz-mat and martial arts training and is
currently a machine operator at Hall Signs.
Matt graduated from Bloomington North and has training in First
Responder, CPR and is currently a truck driver with the Monroe County Highway
Department. Russell graduated from
Edgewood High School, is in the Navy Reserves and is currently in commercial
sales for Graphic Impresssions.
Mike Cornman recommended the
Council appoint these four candidates as Reserve Deputies. This would make the active list of Reserve
Officers membership a total of sixteen.
David Drake suggested having a limit on the number of Reserve Officers
allowing guidelines to follow.
Geraldine McIntyre said the Council should create an Ordinance for
this. They discussed an appropriate
limit for the Police Reserves.
Bob Sowder – Captain of the Ellettsville Police
Reserves said he had a received a request that might help determine the number
of Reserve Officers needed. He read and
submitted a letter to the Council stating that the Richland Bean Blossom
Community School Corporation had contacted the Reserves requesting a minimum of
four officers in the morning, one at noon and four at school dismissal to do
traffic control for the next school year.
In return they would make a monetary contribution to the Reserves, which
help the Reserves operate at very little cost to the town. The Reserves are basically a self-funded
unit. The only expense for the town is
the mandatory insurance and fuel for the vehicle. The Reserves also cover shifts for fulltime officers due to
vacations, illness, or court appearances.
New officers are not allowed to work alone but may assist fulltime
officers and senior reserve officers.
Ellettsville has a high percentage rate for advancing reserve officers
into professional law enforcement careers.
Mike Cornman made a motion to appoint Jay Baker, Russell Harris, Randy
Berry and Matt Fleener as Reserve Deputy Marshals. David Drake seconded.
Motion carried.
Sandra Hash swore in the new Reserve Officers.
Gene Crum – Commented on June 22 there was an
incident that occurred where a man who was over stressed became suicidal and
demonstrated his stress by shooting off his shotgun 10 to 12 times inside his
house. The Town Marshal, Ron McGlocklin successfully managed to talk the man
out and get him to surrender his shotgun and peacefully leave his home for
proper care. He commends this to the
attention of the Town Council to know you have that type of professional work,
which would not necessarily be carried
out the same in other jurisdictions.
You should all be very proud of the outcome of this situation.
Supervisor’s comments
Jim Davis – Presented a letter to the Council
recommending Firefighter Kenny Parrish be promoted to the position of
Lieutenant. Jerry Pittsford moved to
promote Kenny to Lieutenant. David
Drake seconded. Motion carried. Jim also commended Kenny and Scott Dutton on
delivering a baby girl during a 220 Ambulance run.
Ron McGlocklin – Commented the Fireworks Show was excellent
and commended the Fire Department for a great Show. He also expressed his appreciation to the Fire Department’s
Ladies Auxiliary and the Journal for the recognition ceremony for the Fire and
Police Departments.
Geraldine McIntyre – Thanked the Fire Department for a nice
Fireworks Display as well.
Mike Cornman – Explained a complaint he had received
about a vacant house having tall grass, which had been mowed, except the area
around the fence had not been trimmed.
There was no evidence of vermin in the area as a result of the fence
area not being trimmed. The house is for sale and the yard is mowed therefore
he will not be sending any more letters to this residence. The Council agreed with Mike’s
decision. Jerry Pittsford suggested
that a concerned neighbor could trim the fence if they choose to since it is a
vacant home.
Jerry Pittsford – Announced this was his last meeting on
the Town Council because he and his family are moving. He thanked the Council, Sandy, Lynn, Amber,
Mike Spencer and all of the Supervisors for working so well with him.
David Drake – Commented he and the Council would miss
him. All the Council members agreed
with David and expressed they would miss Jerry and had enjoyed working with
him.
Sandra Hash – Informed the Council members of a Public
Law change concerning changes in the procedure for appointing a new Council
member. She will give each of them a
copy for reference.
David Sorokoty – Commended Ron McGlocklin for his work
with the suicidal victim. He also said that Officer Tony Bowlen should be
acknowledged as well for a fine job.
David thanked every Department in the Town for all of the work that each
Department contributes to the Town; he said they are the “backbone of the
community”. He commented how nice a
presentation the Ellettsville Fire Department and Police Department gave during
the Fourth of July Parade in Bloomington; he said the vehicles looked very
professional as well. Lastly he thanked
the Fire and Police for a great Fireworks Display and he said he appreciated
the opportunity to honor them by handing out the Certificates from the Journal
at the High School on Saturday.
Adjournment
David Sorokoty asked
for a motion to adjourn. Jerry
Pittsford moved for adjournment. Mike
Cornman seconded. Meeting was adjourned
at approximately 9:15 PM.
_____________________________ __________________________
David Sorokoty, President David Drake, Vice President
_____________________________ __________________________
Mike Cornman Jerry Pittsford
_____________________________ __________________________
Geraldine McIntyre Sandra C. Hash, Clerk-Treasurer