May 9, 2005

The Ellettsville, Indiana, Town Council met in regular session on Monday, May 9, 2005, at the Fire Department Training and Conference Room. Patrick Stoffers called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Lisa Creech led in prayer and Phillip Rogers led in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Roll Call: Members present were Patrick Stoffers, President; William Evans, Vice President; Lisa Creech, Phillip Rogers and Dennis Williamson. Sandra Hash, Clerk-Treasurer was also present.

Supervisors Present: Jim Davis, Jim Ragle, Ron McGlocklin, Jeff Farmer and Frank Nierzwicki were present.

Approval of the minutes

Lisa Creech moved to approve the minutes for the regular meeting on April 25, 2005. William Evans seconded. Motion carried.

Action to Pay Accounts Payable Vouchers

Lisa Creech made a motion to pay the Accounts Payable Vouchers. William Evans seconded. Motion carried.

Ordinances on First Reading

Ordinance 05-09 to amend the zone maps – Lots 79 and 80 in Sharp’s Second Addition from R-1 to C-3

Frank Nierzwicki, Director of Planning Services, reviewed the R-1 to C-3 zoning request for the property on the southwest corner of Matthews and Main Street. This has been discussed twice by the Plan Commission and the changes were approved last week. The property is compatible with the surrounding area. The parking and setback requirements will limit the use of the lot. He recommends passing this ordinance.

Ordinance 05-10 to amend a section of title 150 of the Ellettsville Town Code concerning Planning and Zoning

Frank explained the latest transition phase on building permits. The transition from the Fire Department conducting the building inspection to Monroe County handling them started the first of the year. There has been a delay between making the change and instituting a fee. The Board recommended a $25.00 per application fee in February. Since the first of the year there have been thirty building permits for single or multi family residents. Six were freebies before the $25.00 fee was instituted. He gave the Council a chart showing a per square foot charge (between two and six cents) on residential, commercial and industrial buildings. The chart also showed different levels of income that would be generated from the various charges. The five cents per square foot was recommended by the Plan Commission at the meeting last week. Patrick said he is not inclined to have five cents per square foot charge. He feels two to three cents is enough. Lisa feels it is a good idea to get input from the developers. Frank added the City of Bloomington charges six cents per square foot on their inspections. Patrick said he is not sold on the five cents even though we still have some planning and administrative type costs but no longer do inspections. Frank went on to explain the City of Bloomington did their own inspections at one time and they turned it over to Monroe County. The City decided they needed a certain amount of money coming back in and came up with a rate that would guarantee this amount. Other groups have also done this.

Ordinance 05-11 to amend the Ellettsville Town Code concerning parking, loading and driveways

Frank explained minor changes to the driveway and loading ordinance came before the Plan Commission last year. It was discussed again in both a work session and the regular Plan Commission meeting Thursday. He checked with legal counsel Friday on the changes made. He would like to table this for further legal review. Lisa commended Frank on a good job with the wording in this document.

Lisa Creech made a motion to table Ordinance 05-11 to amend the Ellettsville Town Code concerning parking, loading and driveways. William Evans seconded. Motion carried.

Old Business

Ellettsville Main Street priority list

Dennis Williamson handed out a letter from the Main Street Board to the Council listing the priorities for the next few years. The letter is also asking for continued support of the Main Street programs.

Patrick asked about the directional signs. Jeana Kapczynski, President of Ellettsville Main Street, mentioned the downtown merchants feel visitors and out of town people are lost since the one way pairs were put in. She feels the “way point” signs in Bloomington were an expensive program. She would like the State to put up signs saying “Business District” to help people out. Patrick commented to Jeana about hearing “Ellettsville, The friendly little town next door” on radio station AM 1370. It is very catchy. Jeana said the slogan came from a brain storming session with local businesses at Eagles Landing. They also think the Town Seal is nice but a Town logo would be friendlier. They mentioned having a contest with the high school to come up with one, with the Town’s approval. Lisa felt this was a wonderful idea. William wanted to know how many signs there would be and what they will say. Jeana said it would depend on how many the State would allow in the right of way. The signs would probably be the green “Business District” ones and also some locating the government offices.

Lisa wanted to know if there is a program for businesses to fund banners for the new light posts. Jeana said Main Street was raising money for street lights and the Town ended up purchasing them. Main Street has $8,000 for lights on Sale Street after utility work is completed. There has not been a push for banners at this time. The Street Department has already made the snowflakes for Christmas which were partially funded by Main Street. Jeana then announced Main Street is a small volunteer group that will meet Wednesday at 5 p.m. in the Ellettsville Library.

New Business

Jeff Farmer is requesting a Temporary Full Time employee for the construction season. The position is for a TFT Laborer. Mike Farmer and Brian Miller interviewed and chose Travis Summerville. Jim Hardin was the first choice but he declined the position. The next position is for a SFT (Seasonal Full Time) position to help with odds and ends for a few months this summer. Daniel Deckard was chosen for this position.

Lisa Creech made a motion to hire TFT Travis Summerville and SFT Daniel Deckard. William Evans seconded. Motion carried.

Jeff Farmer also mentioned the Letter of Request for Capacity Certification has his blessing. There is plenty of capacity at the plant and he sees no problems with the letter. He had to leave the meeting due to a break in the water main.

Capacity Certification for Litten Estates, Hearne Development LLC represented by Bledsoe, Tapp and Riggert

Bernie Guerrettaz of Bledsoe, Tapp and Riggert would like a capacity certification so the plans can be approved by the State. He did not have anything else to add to Jeff Farmers comments.

Lisa Creech made a motion to approve the Capacity Certification Letter for Litten Estates, Hearne Development LLC. William Evans seconded. Motion carried.

Final Plat for Autumn Ridge Subdivision, Phase II represented by Bledsoe, Tapp and Riggert

Bernie Guerrettaz explained the final plat documents. No changes have been made and they want to plat the next eleven units.

Lisa Creech made a motion to approve the Final Plat for Autumn Ridge Subdivision, Phase II. William Evans seconded. Motion carried.

Service Agreement with Hoosier Disposal – Street Department

Patrick stated he met with Hoosier Disposal this afternoon to review the service agreements for the Street, Utilities, Wastewater, Fire and Police departments. The details were as follows:

Street Department: $82.60 monthly, 6 yard container, dumped weekly,

Utilities: $82.60 monthly, 6 yard container, dumped weekly

Wastewater: $74.60 monthly, 3 yard container, dumped weekly

Fire Department no charge, 6 yard container, dumped weekly

Police Department no charge, 6 yard container, dumped weekly

Patrick thinks the prices are fair and reasonable. The prices are locked in for three years. He recommends approving the agreements for the Street Department, Wastewater Plant and Utilities for the mentioned amounts. Dennis asked all the department supervisors if the containers were big enough. All answered yes.

William Evans made a motion to approve the Service Agreement with Hoosier Disposal for the Street Department, Fire Department, Police Department, Utilities Department and Wastewater Department. Phillip Rogers seconded. Motion carried.

Conflict of Interest from Mike Stalcup, Fireman

Sandra Hash mentioned Mike Stalcup, an electrician, installed a generator at Station 8. He filed a Conflict of Interest form because he is also a full time fireman. Jim said the generator works and there are no problems.

Lisa Creech made a motion that we accept the Conflict of Interest from Mike Stalcup, Fireman. William Evans seconded. Motion carried.

Privilege of the Floor – non Agenda Items

Charles Jacobs, Commander of the Reserves for the Ellettsville Police Department, has an applicant, Rob Davis, seeking employment as a Reserve Deputy Marshal. Rob is a resident of Ellettsville. Charles has completed all the required background checks, clearances and contacted all references. He and Ron McGlocklin interviewed Rob and feel he would be a welcomed addition to the department. Rob is currently employed as a Security Guard at Bloomington Hospital. He was also a Reserve Officer in Stinesville.

Lisa Creech made a motion to accept Rob Davis as a Reserve Deputy Marshal for the Town of Ellettsville. William Evans seconded. Motion carried.

Patrick asked Rob to stop by Town Hall tomorrow to have Sandra swear him in.

Supervisors Comments

Jim Davis, Ellettsville Fire Chief, explained the e-mail regarding surplus air packs. Last fall the County Fire Chiefs received grants from Homeland Security to purchase new air packs for every fire department in the county. When assisting other units, it is important all departments have uniformed gear that is interchangeable. Ellettsville received all new air packs making the old air packs surplus. There are some small departments that need air packs. Chris Clouse and Mark White gave a demo on the new versus the old air packs. Chris recommends surplusing ten of the older sets. There are fire departments in Green County and Lawrence County that need air packs.

Dennis Williamson made a motion to declare ten air packs surplus as the Fire Department sees fit. Lisa Creech and William Evans seconded. Motion carried.

Dennis Williamson attended the Park Board meeting this month. They are working on signage and trails for the Wishing Well Park. The Park Board will visit west Boggs Park to look at the trails. The Park Board said Denise Knell resigned. Sandra added she sent an e-mail and contacted the Park Board but there has not been any response. Patrick said to send a certified letter to Denise concerning her resignation.

Lisa Creech announced this Saturday, May 14, both the Fire and Police Station will have their Open House.

Ron McGlocklin, Ellettsville Police Department, mentioned the Police Departments Open House is from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. with the opening ceremony at 1 p.m.

Jim Davis, Ellettsville Fire Department, Open House is from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. with the opening ceremony at 11 a.m. Everyone is welcome.

William Evans extended his thanks to Jim Ragle and the Street Department for helping out the residents on Turtleback Creek Drive. He wants to thank them for filling the pot holes too. Ten Reserve Police Officers worked 303.5 hours in April 2005. Their total hours in 2004 were 3921.9. The police department has extended the invitation to the Stinesville Police Department to attend the new training classes. No date or time has been set. He wants to thank Mike Farmer and the Utilities Department for replacing the flag on the water tower.

Adjournment

William Evans made a motion to adjourn. Phillip Rogers seconded. Motion carried.

Meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.