The Ellettsville, Indiana, Town Council met in special work session at 6:30 PM, Monday, April 28th, 2003 at the Town Hall prior to the regular Council Meeting. David Sorokoty called the meeting to order.
Topic of Discussion: Police Station
David Sorokoty opened
the session by asking how long it would take to get the Capital Funds Project
information compiled from H.J. Umbaugh and if Ron McGlocklin had spoken with
anyone about his building needs. He also
requested
Ron speak to Mike and Jeff Farmer about the Police Station, since the Utilities
Department was also considering building a new facility and suggested the
possibility of building both buildings at the same time to save money.
Sandra Hash said the Funds Project was estimated to take 30 to 90 days. She also informed everyone that the Police Department still has approximately $24,000 left from the insurance reimbursement money they received for the flood damage. She commented that she thought the current office location was very convenient because it is close to the Post Office and The Journal.
Ron McGlocklin said he
had spoken
with a couple of contractors, but had not discussed specifics and he has
already spoken with Mike Farmer and Mike agrees there is a possibility of building
at the same time.
Jeff Farmer stated he and Mike had discussed the possibility of having one central office building with the Police wing on one side and the Utilities wing on the other side, adding that the Police definitely need to be secure from the general public. There could also be a meeting room that would be shared between the departments. He said there are other issues that need to be resolved, including what would be done with Town Hall. He also asked if anyone would object to losing Town Hall. If they decide to build a new building, they’ve considered the facility housing the Office employees, the Labor crew and equipment because the Utilities would be more productive if the entire operation was located in the same area, but added that if the Office can’t or no one wants to move it to the Matthews Drive building, then they may not build after all.
Geraldine McIntyre said she feels if
the Town Hall offices were moved, then downtown would be gone except for the
Post Office. She objects to losing the
Town Hall. She suggested making the
entire downstairs area the Utilities Office, utilizing the current meeting room
space, so the office employees wouldn’t be cramped together, which would
eliminate the need to relocate. She also
added that the
David Sorokoty also objected to losing the Town Hall and agreed with Geraldine, stating that to have the Town Hall downtown forces citizens to come downtown by giving them a reason to stop and this helps keep the downtown alive. He asked Ron and Jeff what their direction was on their plans for new buildings and he wanted to know if they would have a sketch or any specifications while waiting to hear from H.J. Umbaugh. He asked Jeff if the Utilities would remain with the Street Department if they don’t build.
Lisa Creech suggested if the
Utilities Office did move, then maybe the Clerk’s Office could remain in the
Town Hall and possibly have the downstairs as a site for other utilities such
as Vectren.
Rick Coppock suggested they should have an idea of building specifications and expenses because H.J. Umbaugh will need some idea to get a cost projection while working on the Capital Funds Project. If the Utilities decide to build, they may consider building a structure similar to the Street Department’s if they just house the labor crew and equipment.
Jeff Farmer said their main goal is to change the working conditions of the Office staff and that nothing was definite as far as building a new facility for all or part of the Utilities Department operations.
David Sorokoty suggested setting up a time frame so everyone works on the same schedule to keep this project moving forward.
Mike Farmer stated that they should forget about what to do with Town Hall for now to prevent any problems it may cause to the downtown area and the Police could move ahead with building a secure facility and maybe that they could add a meeting room area for Town Council and other meetings. This would allow for the renovation of the current Utilities Office, which would give them time to decide what to do about the Utilities Office and the Clerk’s Office. In his opinion, he didn’t really want to start a building project until the INDOT project was finished. He added that Rick, Jeff and himself should discuss what they really want to do and how much money they have to spend to see if building would even be feasible. They will compile a report and have it for the next meeting.
Sandra Hash inquired about
whether or not Town Hall would have to be brought into compliance for handicap
accessibility if we renovate. The
Clerk’s Office door is too narrow and there are stairs to the Office. She wanted to know if we would have to put in
an elevator. She said she was told the
doorbell was just a temporary fix. The
general consensus was no, the building itself was handicap accessible.
David Sorokoty said they
would give the Utilities and Police another month to get more details together
and meet again before the Council Meeting on May 27 at
David Drake questioned what
would be accomplished in a month, because there have already been several
meetings prior to this one with a similar outcome and not much progress has
been achieved on this project. He said
if the council just intends on building a Police Station, it wasn’t really
necessary to wait on the entire in-depth report from H.J. Umbaugh, because
$164,000.00 is currently available.
Sandra Hash said it would
help H.J. Umbaugh compile the report if they had hard figures to work
with. If the Town does a bond issue,
H.J. Umbaugh offers a debt service that would be outside our tax levy so the
bond would go directly as a new tax to the taxpayer.
Jim Davis commented that if
the Town bonds, the bond should include the new Fire Station, so all of the
Town’s needs at met at once.
Meeting adjourned at
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The Ellettsville, Indiana, Town Council met in regular session at 7:30 PM, Monday, April 28, 2003 at the Town Hall. David Sorokoty called the meeting to order and led in prayer. David Drake 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; Lisa Combs-Creech and Geraldine McIntyre. Also present were Sandra Hash, Clerk-Treasurer, Mike Spencer, Attorney and Rick Coppock, Engineer Consultant and MS4 Operator. Ray Freetage was absent.
Supervisors Present: Jim Davis, Jim Ragle, Ron
McGlocklin, Mike Farmer and Jeff Farmer.
Approval of Minutes of
the regular meeting on April 14th, 2003
David Drake moved to approve the April 14th minutes and
Geraldine McIntyre seconded. Motion
carried.
Action to pay Accounts
Payable Vouchers
Geraldine McIntyre moved to approve the accounts payable vouchers. Lisa
Creech seconded. Motion carried.
Ordinances on First
Ordinance 03-08 to Amend chapter 255 of the
Lisa Creech read the ordinance in its entirety and moved that Ordinance
03-08 be submitted for first reading.
Geraldine McIntyre seconded.
Motion carried. Lisa Creech moved
to adopt Ordinance 03-08 on the same day as introduced. David Drake seconded. Motion carried. Lisa Creech moved to adopt Ordinance
03-08. Geraldine McIntyre seconded. Motion carried.
Ordinances on Second
Ordinance 03-06 to amend the
Zone Maps –
David Drake read and explained
that the Plan Commission has already approved Ordinance 03-06, which changes
the zoning from R-1 to C-3 for lots 6 and 7.
Mr. Fred Gregory, legal guardian for Mr. Grover Brashear reiterated that
Mr. Brashear is a patient at R.B.B. Health Care Center and that selling the
property will help pay for his care. Mr.
Gregory stated the best use for the property would be commercial, instead of
residential and requested this ordinance and the next ordinance both be
approved. David Drake made a motion to
adopt Ordinance 03-06 to amend the zone maps for
Ordinance 03-07 to amend the
Zone Maps –
David Drake read and explained
the ordinance changes the zoning from R-1 to C-3 and said that the Plan
Commission has already approved the ordinance.
Ron Fletcher of ReMax Real Estate, representing Mr. Brashear and Ms. Jaco, agreed that the zoning needed changed and concurred
with Mr. Gregory’s statement that the properties would be best suited as
commercial, and it was a good idea to zone both properties simultaneously,
increasing business opportunities. He
asked about curb cuts for drive access and Rick Coppock referred him to
INDOT. Geraldine McIntyre moved to
approve Ordinance 03-07 to amend the zone map for
Old Business
Alleyway at old Elementary
School Site – Robinson Construction
Robinson Construction wants to reopen the
14’ alley from Temperance to Ritter Streets.
David Sorokoty said he thought it would be a good idea to open the alley
which would enhance the project to have another access to the site. David Drake said another access would be
nice, but he isn’t sure if it’s a good idea to start building roads for private
developers with Town’s limited funds, but doesn’t care if the Town helps Robinson. Lisa Creech said she thinks the
New Business
Sewer Capacity letter – Arbors at
Woodgate Phase 4
Rick Coppock explained this is the last
phase of this subdivision, containing 85 lots.
This is part of the IDEM capacity agreement with Woodgate,
Eastern-Richland and the Town. There
would be approximately 26,350 gallons per day.
Geraldine McIntyre moved to allow a certification letter for Arbors at
Woodgate Phase 4. David Drake
seconded. Motion carried.
Announcement
David Sorokoty announced that two of the
Council Meetings will be held at off-site locations:
Privilege of the Floor
Mike and Jeff Farmer recognized Brian
Miller and Tom Cornman, each for 5 years of service by awarding them with a
coat for their dedication and service.
For every 5 years of service, the employee receives a star patch to add
to their coat.
Georg Anne Snyder (
Lisa Creech said she uses
Ritter to travel to the school and agreed that people run that stop sign. She thought the Town should consider making
that a 4-way stop and have the police patrol, possibly even ticketing people to
make them slow down at that intersection.
Geraldine McIntyre sympathized with
Ms. Snyder saying traffic had gotten worse in her addition Ridge Springs, as
well.
David Sorokoty said everybody
in Town has had their share of traffic problems. He met with INDOT today asking for input in
changing some of the Town roads to one way and they are willing to review our
roads and help choose some possible streets to make one way. The Police Department doesn’t have the
manpower to have an officer sit and watch those streets. He didn’t think the traffic would slow down a
whole lot until the road construction is completed, which is scheduled to be in
November. He assured her the Council
would look into the situation and would do what they could.
Georg Anne Snyder stated if the
Town makes some of the streets one way, sidewalks would be nice in her
area. She inquired as to what the
Police do if they aren’t available to patrol this area because in the six years
she’s lived here she has had several items stolen, but nothing had been
done. No Police Officer has ever come to
her home to do a written report on the stolen property.
Elaine Strom, lives on the
corner of First and Ritter and agreed with her neighbor Georg Anne completely,
saying that people drive the same, they don’t care whether there are kids or
pedestrians present or not.
Darlyne Sowder said businesses
are suffering because of the road construction, also.
Ron McGlocklin stated the
Police Department would try to patrol the area but he doesn’t have the manpower
to have an officer watch that area for 3-4 hours a day.
He suggested an engineer look at the
intersection, possibly cutting down the bank because visibility is not very
good.
Jim Ragle commented when
they close Hartstraight road it will eliminate the traffic problem.
Supervisor’s Comments
Jim Davis presented a
letter of recommendation to bring Mike Stalcup’s salary up to full pay for a
second-class fireman. Geraldine McIntyre
made a motion to allow Mike Stalcup to be moved up to second-class pay. David Drake seconded. Motion carried.
Ron McGlocklin announced the
Police Department would be accepting sealed bids from May 1st
through May 30th until
Sandra Hash informed the
Council that the copier in the Clerk’s Office is in need of a part that is no
longer available. The copier is 13 years
old. The Town purchased it used. She would like to purchase a new copier. Jim Gordon has submitted a proposal. She will also request a proposal from
Maxwells. She would like the approval
from the Council to purchase a new machine.
A portion of the cost is covered by the current appropriations, but an
additional appropriation will be required for full payment. It will cost around $4,000 for a new
machine.
David Sorokoty said he didn’t
have a problem with Sandra purchasing a new copier.
Darlyne Sowder said that it is
becoming a big problem with bicycles using the skate park. The Town even has an ordinance about bikes in
the skate park and suggested they determine how to enforce it. It is listed in the rules that the Park can be
closed down if the rules are not followed, but she prefers to enforce the ordinance
rather than close the Park. She
suggested involved parents come to the next Parks Board Meeting.
She was pleased to announce that the
multi-purpose building for restrooms and a storage area has been started.
Lisa Creech suggested giving
warnings the first time and giving a fine for the second
offense. She also suggested having the
IU cadets program have cadet’s watch the First and
Karla Frownfelter wanted to inform
the council that the Animal Control Board meets
David Sorokoty thanked the
Utilities for a quick repair to the broken water main that another contractor
broke.
He also stated that he spoke with Jeana
Kapczynski about the Hilly Hundred and they discussed the Town showing the
movie “Breaking Away” at the
He informed everyone that he realizes there
are increased traffic problems because of the construction, but encouraged
everyone to patronize Ellettsville businesses.
The Baseball Little League will be having
their Jamboree and would like to close down
Adjournment
David
Sorokoty asked for a motion to adjourn.
Geraldine McIntyre moved to adjourn.
Lisa Creech seconded, motion carried.
The meeting was adjourned at
_____________________________ __________________________
David Sorokoty, President David Drake, Vice President
_____________________________ __________________________
Lisa Combs-Creech Ray Freetage
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Geraldine McIntyre Sandra C. Hash, Clerk-Treasurer