September 27, 2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Ellettsville, Indiana, Town Council met in regular session on Monday, September 27th, 2004 at the Town Hall.  William Evans called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM stating Patrick Stoffers was attending another Monroe County Solid Waste Board Meeting and would be here later.  Lisa Creech led in prayer and Phillip Rogers led in the Pledge of Allegiance. 

 

Roll Call:  William Evans asked for roll call of the Council Members.  Members present were:  William Evans, Vice-President; Phillip Rogers and Lisa Creech.  Also present were Sandra Hash, Clerk-Treasurer; Mike Spencer, Attorney; Rick Coppock, Town Engineer and Jeffrey York, Planning and Zoning Administrator.  Dennis Williamson and Patrick Stoffers were absent.

 

Supervisors Present:  Jim Davis, Jim Ragle and Ron McGlocklin were present.  Jeff Farmer was absent.

 

Approval of the regular meeting minutes for September 13, 2004

 

Lisa Creech made a motion to approve the minutes for September 13th, 2004.  Phillip Rogers seconded.  Motion carried.

 

Action to pay Accounts Payable Vouchers

 

Lisa Creech made a motion to pay the accounts payable vouchers.  Phillip Rogers seconded.  Motion carried.

 

Award Recognition:  William Evans read the award aloud and said he hopes all the departments keep up the good work.

 

·        Indiana Public Employer’s Plan presented the Town of Ellettsville with a safety award in recognition of their excellent worker safety in 2003.

 

Union Valley Farms section 4 Final Plat

 

Rick Coppock of Bynum Fanyo & Associates explained this is the last phase of Union Valley Farms.  There will be 17 lots.  The majority of the improvements are in including water, sewer and base for the roads.  There is a bond for the remainder of the improvements.  This property is adjacent to the Forestview Subdivision off of Lakeview Drive.

 

Lisa Creech made a motion to approve the final plat for Union Valley Farms, section 4.   Phillip Rogers seconded.  Motion carried. 

 

Ordinance on First Reading

 

Ordinance 04-16 an ordinance to amend sections 152.220 – 152.227 and adding section 152.228 of the Ellettsville Town Code concerning parking, loading and driveways

 

Jeff York explained the original Ordinance he prepared as one of his first tasks was adopted in April 2004 but it was quite strict and was hard to enforce.  Therefore, the Plan Commission and himself has discussed amending the Parking, Loading and Driveway Ordinance several times over the summer fine tuning it to make it a little more “friendly” for the citizens and eliminate some of the stricter regulations, for example this amendment reduces the amount of gravel required from four inches to two inches.  This ordinance will be more enforceable as well as easier for citizens to come into compliance. (Note:  See Plan Commission Meeting 9-2-04 for list of proposed revisions)

 

Ordinance 04-17 an ordinance to amend sections 152.101 – 152.112 of the Ellettsville Town Code concerning floodplains

 

Jeff York explained this is an update to our floodplain ordinance.  The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) suggested these changes and we have patterned our ordinance amendment after the example they provided.  Our current floodplain ordinance is lacking on several issues.  These changes will bring the Town into compliance with State and Federal regulations for floodplains.

 

Ordinance on Second Reading

 

Ordinance 04-14 an ordinance concerning the annexation of 7405 W. State Road 46:  35 acres + / - owned by Brian Hearne

 

Philip Tapp of Bledsoe, Tapp and Riggert explained they have made the changes to accommodate the requests and alleviate the concerns of the local residents they have heard during the previous meetings and he doesn’t have anything else to add at this time. 

 

William Evans stated this is one of the best things he’s seen happen for a while with the way the developers and people have worked together on this.  This system is good for the community.

 

Lisa Creech seconded William’s comment.

 

Lisa Creech made a motion to adopt Ordinance 04-14 annexation of 7405 W. State Road 46:  35 acres owned by Brian Hearne.  Phillip Rogers seconded.  Motion carried.

 

Ordinance 04-15 Rezoning of 709 West Main Street R-1 to C-1

 

William Evans explained it is the old “Shook” house and a local attorney, Dana Kerr purchased the home and is renovating it to turn it into business offices.

 

Lisa Creech made a motion to adopt Ordinance 04-15 Rezoning of 709 West Main Street from R-1 to C-1.  Phillip Rogers seconded.  Motion carried.

 

Old Business - None

 

New Business - None

 

Privilege of the Floor

 

Mike Hendricks Commander of the Ellettsville Police Reserves explained Greg Marietta was formerly a Reserve and Greg would like to be reinstated to the force.  

 

William Evans recommended reinstating Greg Marietta to the Police Reserves and asked for a motion.

 

Lisa Creech made a motion to reinstate Greg Marietta to the Police Reserves.  Phillip Rogers seconded.  Motion carried.

 

Sandra Hash swore Greg Marietta in before the Council and congratulated him.

 

Supervisor’s Comments

 

Jeff York stated he has decided to resign his position as the Planning and Zoning Administrator for the Town and thanked the Town for the opportunity to serve here for a time. 

 

Lisa Creech said Jeff will be greatly missed by all and he was a great asset.

 

Lisa said she and Jim Ragle have been discussing the increased work load with the Town growing and shifting, etc...  She said one of the great services the Ellettsville Street Department provides is curb side brush pick up.   A lot of Town’s do not provide this service.  Jim agrees we shouldn’t just give this service away without some sort of compensation to the Town.  She added they need to put some organization to picking up brush so residents aren’t upset when their brush isn’t picked up when they think it should be.  She and Jim have considered setting aside in each quarter two days to pick up brush and have it posted in newspaper what two days so that people can prepare for it.    This would have help organize the Street Department’s work load.   She said Jim recommended funding for another laborer which could be funded by requiring citizens to purchase a band for brush pick up for approximately $2.00 to add funds for an additional part-time laborer.     They also discussed putting a bin at the Street Department location for the public to bring their brush and then the Street Department would take care of disposing of it.  Lisa pointed out the Parking, Loading and Driveway Ordinance is regulated solely by the Planning and Zoning Administrator and with Jeff’s resignation there will be no one to serve in that capacity.  Jeff York is also the Health and Safety Officer and Jim Ragle is the Deputy Health and Safety Officer.   She suggested an Executive Session to discuss this issue.

 

She will not be able to attend the October 25th Council Meeting due to her employment sending her out of town.

 

William Evans asked if two days each quarter was enough time to pick up all the brush.  He asked if it was scheduled would it help the situation. 

 

Jim Ragle said they spend about 3 or 4 days per month removing the brush with five or six guys and the equipment.  They’ve taken probably one hundred loads of brush out of the town.  They don’t schedule it.  It is just a service they do to help residents.  He doesn’t know if a schedule would help or not.

 

William Evans thanked Jeff York for the wonderful job he has done for the Town and said he hates to see him leave.

 

Adjournment

 

Lisa Creech made a motion to adjourn.  Phillip Rogers seconded.  Motion carried.  Meeting adjourned at 7:50 p. m.