The
Ellettsville, Indiana, Town Council met in regular session on
Roll Call: David
Sorokoty asked for roll call of the Council Members. Members present were David Sorokoty,
President; David Drake, Vice-President; Ray Freetage; Lisa Combs-Creech and
Geraldine McIntyre. Also present were
Sandra Hash, Clerk-Treasurer; Mike Spencer; Attorney and Rick Coppock, Town
Engineer.
Supervisors
Present, Jim Davis, Jim Ragle, Jay Humphrey represented Ron McGlocklin, Mike
Farmer and Jeff Farmer.
Approval of the meeting
minutes for November 24th, 2003
Ray Freetage moved to approve the minutes. Lisa Creech seconded. Motion carried.
Action to pay Accounts
Payable Vouchers
Lisa Creech moved to pay the
accounts payable vouchers. Ray Freetage seconded. Motion carried.
Ordinances on First
Ordinance 03-23 to amend
section 810-25 of the Ellettsville Town Code concerning Zone Map
Lisa Creech read this ordinance
by title introducing it for the first reading.
Ordinance 03-27 adding chapters
851-859 of the
Bill Land informed the Council on Ordinance 03-27 stating the work included reviewing the zoning map and bringing it up to date from all of the changes that have taken place since 1966 making it current for now and amending as needed paying increased attention to zoning areas correctly. This ordinance repeals the old Town Code chapters 851-859 and replaces it with the revised chapters. The Subdivision ordinance sets up a local control system for Ellettsville. Mr. Land read for the record chapter 851 which sets up a preamble for the Subdivision Regulations. It reads:
The standards set forth in these regulations control the development of
land within the jurisdiction of the Town of
The 2002 Comprehensive Plan and the East Area Plan adopted by the Town
of
New residential growth must develop within the context on the existing
neighborhoods. This will add value both
within the neighborhoods and to the Ellettsville regional area as well.
Zoning regulation must serve the general welfare of the entire
community. Careful attention to process,
public notice and record keeping is required.
Technical as well as administrative early review of each case must be
thorough and professional with written minutes or reports submitted from each
meeting. The idea is to take time on the
front
end of the process so that subdivision requirements are clear and the
case is well prepared for each hearing.
Adding certainty and efficiency while gaining quality assurance is the
aim of this ordinance.
Following State guidelines the primary plat will be conducted as a
public hearing. The secondary plat will
be approved subject to the petitioner strictly following the subdivision
regulations and financially securing the cost of the infrastructure.
Most smaller divisions of land will be approved at the same meeting for
both primary and secondary plat.
As a subdivision is being built, a strict compliance with submitted
plans and commitments will be mandated.
A follow up by the Zoning Administrator will be required and a written
report will be submitted to the Plan Commission every six months during the
build out.
Mr. Land
recommended adopting this ordinance as presented as soon as possible and
strongly suggested a formal 2-year review take place to keep the ordinance up
to date and to change what may not be working well. This document is the result of 3 Plan
Commission workshops and was officially adopted unanimously by the Plan
Commission
Lisa Creech stated she has concerns on drainage, rental codes, parking issues, new construction creating problems for existing homes and the need for a Zoning Administrator to enforce the new regulations. Lisa also questioned allowing a developer to put in the utilities for new subdivisions in sections.
Bill replied it is critical the
drainage be correct. We want to work
with the developers to make a strong green light for quality development and
economic investment. We do not want to
hold them back. The critical thing is to
exact commitments at each stage to make sure they are done as well if not
better. With careful review and research
to ensure commitments are exacted. We
want to work with the developer so their finances are not pressed and we can
continue to have investment. The Plan
Commission upon their approvals should really look at the plans very carefully
to ensure the existing homes are protected from the new development and are
part of the written commitments.
David Sorokoty said appointing a Zoning Administrator would be taken care of at the beginning of the year.
Ray Freetage asked for clarification on the six month follow up.
Mr. Land said the project should be reviewed frequently, not just once in six months but according to the length of the project it should be reviewed every six months and a written report filed. He also offered his services to mentor the appointed zoning administrator at no cost if he is not the person appointed.
Geraldine McIntyre reiterated
the Planning and Zoning had passed this unanimously and suggested approving it
as is.
David Drake likewise
said he agreed with adopting this ordinance and make changes as needed. He fell Bill Land did a good job on this
update.
Mike Spencer reviewed
the Indiana Code about passing this ordinance on the first reading and since
this ordinance is being presented under I. C. 36-7 subdivision control ordinance
in the 700 provision then he suggested the Council could suspend the rules and
pass this on the first reading if they choose.
Sandra Hash stated the
Planning Commission will not meet until January. This would allow the Council time to review
the Subdivision Regulations update before the next Council meeting.
David Sorokoty informed
Mr. Land we would wait to review this again at the next meeting.
Ordinance 03-24 to create a
fund for Federal Grants for the Police Department
Sandra Hash explained the
Police had applied for grants, received the money and now a separate fund is
needed to house the money to keep it separate from appropriations. She requested this be passed tonight because
the grant money has already been received and is on the accounts payable docket
sheet to be expended tonight. Lisa
Creech moved that Ordinance 03-24 be submitted for first reading. Geraldine McIntyre seconded. Motion carried. Lisa Creech moved that Ordinance 03-24 be
adopted on the same day as which it was introduced. Geraldine McIntyre seconded. Motion carried. Lisa
moved that Ordinance 03-24 be adopted.
Ray Freetage seconded. Motion
carried.
Ordinance 03-25 to adopt the
new
Sandra Hash explained American
Legal re-codified the Town’s Code bringing it up to date and requested it be
passed tonight as well so that it can be accepted as the official Code. There will be quarterly updates including the
internet updates which will cost the Town approximately $1,500 a year. Lisa Creech moved that Ordinance 03-25 be submitted
for first reading. Ray Freetage
seconded. Motion carried. Lisa Creech moved that Ordinance 03-25 be adopted
on the same day on which it was introduced.
David Drake seconded. Motion
carried. Lisa Creech moved that
Ordinance 03-25 be adopted. Ray Freetage
seconded. Motion carried.
Ordinance 03-26 Salary
Ordinance for 2004
David Sorokoty read by title
and welcomed anyone who requested to see the entire document to view it in the
Clerk-Treasurer’s Office. Sandra Hash
explained it reflects a 3% raise for the employees over last year’s salaries. Geraldine McIntyre pointed out the Plan
Commission’s pay was raised from $15 per meeting to $25 and it not reflected in
the Salary Ordinance. Sandra agreed to
correct it for the next meeting.
New Business
Fire Contract between Ellettsville and the
Jim Davis informed the Council that the contract with
David Sorokoty asked
for further discussion.
Chuck Radke expressed
his concern about the funding of the new Fire Station. It is Ellettsville’s responsibility to bear
the entire cost. He is concerned that
our levy increase will not be enough to cover the entire debt. It appears that
Jim Davis stated the
township pays about 50 percent of the fire department’s operating budget. The Town may pay slightly more; however, the
Township has provided approximately 4/5 of the funds for the new fire truck. The cost of the truck was spread over a
period of five years and next year is the last year to pay on the truck. In the Supplemental Fire Service Agreement it
states “That the Township hereby agrees to pay $389,914 as its payment
obligation for fire services from 12-31-03 to 12-31-04 payable as follows: a)
$341,012 in cash or check; b) $48,902 credit for Ellettsville’s purchase of the
Township’s equity in the 1999 Pierce SABAR Pumper Truck.” In the
past history the Town primarily paid for the cost of daily operations,
however, Jim explained that in approximately 1997 the Department started
running on EMS calls and
had increased the contract with Richland Township at that time by
approximately $70,000 to help cover the calls which made the cost of daily
operations spread out more evenly between the Town and Township. He added that Trustee Don Lewis had bought
and assisted in the purchase of several fire trucks in the past as well. Purchasing trucks is an ongoing process. Currently we have two 1969 trucks that need
to be replaced and the cost to replace them is expensive. It would cost approximately ¾ million dollars
to replace one of them and around ½ million dollars to replace the other. If we would buy a new truck and Don would
agree to help purchase it 4/5 of $500,000 would be $400,000 carried over a five
year period. Jim agrees both the Town
and Township should pay the same for fire services and reminded the Council
they had tried to get the
Motion carried.
Disaster Recovery Agreement with Komputrol
Sandra Hash explained it was our annual agreement to keep the Town
prepared for a disaster. Komputrol
stores our information offsite and in case of an emergency and our systems were
destroyed then we could resume operations by contacting Komputrol for our
information. It costs the Town $450 in
an annual payment. She added she had considered
storing backups in a safety deposit box but had to continue using Komputrol in
order to fulfill State Board of Accounts guidelines. Geraldine McIntyre moved to accept the
agreement for disaster recovery with Komputrol.
Ray Freetage seconded. Motion
carried.
Request to rollover unused vacation days to 2004
Sandra Hash explained Kip Headdy was hired
Request to transfer unused vacation days to unused sick days for 2004
David Sorokoty read the requests to transfer. According to the Ellettsville Town Code under
section 255-35 it allows employees to have this benefit.
Jim Davis – 5 days Kevin
Patton – 2 days
Mike Stalcup – 2 days Kip
Headdy – ½ day
David Sorokoty stated
he disagrees with this benefit emphatically.
David Drake commented
this benefits the Town by the employee not using the time off. He added some employees want to save up sick
days in case of personal sickness. Lisa
Creech moved to allow the transfer of vacation days to sick days for 2004. Ray Freetage seconded.
Ed Bitner questioned
if in the event an employee has a large number of sick days accumulated if that
employee would terminate their employment would they be compensated for those
days when they leave.
Sandra Hash stated
no, there is no provision to pay out any sick time on termination.
Motion carried 4-1 with David Sorokoty voting no.
Supervisor’s Comments
Darlyne Sowder informed
the Council the Parks and Recreation Board had received the draft version of
the five year master plan for the Parks and Recreation Department. She requested the Council give her any
comments on the draft as soon as possible.
She
added the Parks Board was uncomfortable with the outcome and they will
be sending their comments and concerns to Mr. Segedy at
Sandra Hash invited
all the Town employees and the Council to the Town’s Christmas Luncheon which will
be on Wednesday, December 17th at the Rebekah’s
Geraldine McIntyre informed
the Council that on
David Drake
commented that Geraldine has been a good supporter of Crane as the Town’s
representative and would like her to continue being the representative. David Sorokoty agreed.
David Sorokoty
appointed Geraldine McIntyre to be the Town’s Representative at Crane for
2004. He closed by saying “Shop
Ellettsville!”
Adjournment
He asked for a motion to adjourn.
Geraldine McIntyre moved for adjournment. Lisa Creech seconded. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at
____________________________ __________________________
David Sorokoty,
President David
Drake, Vice President
_____________________________ __________________________
Lisa Combs-Creech Ray
Freetage
____________________________ __________________________
Geraldine McIntyre Sandra
C. Hash, Clerk-Treasurer