HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCM-01-03-77 MINUTES 0F THE
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
January 3, 1977
The regular meeting of the ~n~b!ic W~s-was called to order at 7:30 PM
by President Pro-Tem, Fred Swift, in the Mayor's absence. Ail members were
present except Councilman Dean, who arrived at 7:35 PM. City Attorney and Clerk-
Treasu~rer were present also.
Councilman Meachammoved to dispense with the reading of the minutes of the last
regular meeting and approve them as received, Councilman Doane seconded it and
it passed unanimously.
STATE OF THE CITY REPORT: Cmuncilman Swift asked if everyone got copies of the
Mayor's "State of the City Report to the City Council". Everyone did.
UTILITIES BITDGET 0P~INANCE: Councilman Garretson moved for adoption of proposed
Ordinance #D-105, authorizing the Board of Public Works to submit an-annual
budget, Councilman Reiman seconded the motion. Councilman Meacham stated he had
some questions: (1) would McCullough & Associates prepare the budget? (2) Is it
the Council's desire to take the management of the Utilities out of the admini-
stration branch of government? Councilman Meacham also stated he felt a con-
tinguency fund was needed and that the March 31st deadline for the submission of
the budget be changed to allow six or seven months to prepare the budget.
Councilman Garretson stated: (1) It would be up to the Board of Public Works who
would prepare the budget,and (2) that there is nothing in the ordinance which
would circumvent the authority of the Board of Public Works to administer the
City Utilities, (3) nothing in the ordinance which forbids addition of items
other than what is listed so a continguency fund could be add~d~ (4~ would
disagree that it would take s~x or seven months to prepare an
Mr. McCullough had stated at last meeting that all the information is available
now and it would only take a matter of weeks to prepare it and not months.
Councilman Coots moved to amend the ordinance to include language: "That each
annual utilities budget thereafter be submitted by the Board of Public Works to
the Common Council for its review on or before September 30thi and that the
Common Council of the City of Carmel shall take action on said budget on or
before December 1st of each year thereafter", Councilman Reiman seconded the
amendment and it passed anmnimously. CouncilmamMeachammoved to amend the
ordinance f~arther to include a continguency fund, Councilman Garretson seconded
it and it passed 6-0, Councilman Reiman abstaining. Upon the advice of the City
Attorney, Councilman Coots moved to amend Section 2 in the ordinance to include
the language after the City of Carmel to the effect that both Water and Sewer
Utilities through the Board of Public Works shall submit seperate budgets in
accordance with their bookkeeping system. Councilman Meacham seconded it and it
passed unanimously. Councilman Swift called for the vote on the adoption of the
ordinance and it passed unanimously.
SPECIAL APPROp~TAmTON ORDINANCE FOR TRANSFERI{ING FUNDS FROM T~E REVENUE SHARING
ACCOUNT TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT BUI~ET: Councilman Swift opened the advertised
public hearing for consideration of proposed Ordinance ~D-106 transferring
$8,000 from the Reve..~ne Sharing account to the Fire Department budget to pay a
portion of the cost of a new fire truck to serve Carmel-Clay area. Proposed
ordinance was read by Councilman Swift. No-one present commented. Councilman
Meacham moved to adopt proposed ordinance, Councilman Doane seconded it. Council-
man Coots moved to suspend the rules, Councilman Meacham seconded it and it passed
unanimously. Councilman Coots asked how title was taken to a piece of equipment.
Councilman Swift stated the City owns it; however the Township pays a percentage
of the cost each year per contract. Motion to adopt ordinance passed unanimously.
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WATER STORAGE TANK: Councilman Garretson stated he noted in the Mayor's well-
prepared State of the City message he commented under future development that
revenue sharing money might be used to help finance the million gallon storage
tank. Bids are ~e be ~et on this project this month. Councilman Garretson
stated he had certain misgivings about using revenue sharing money for this
purpose and would hope the Mayor would put this item on the agenda at the next
Council meeting.
HAMILTON WESTERN UTILITIES CONTRACT: Councilman Swift stated he understood Ralph
Wilfongwas ill and would not be attending the meeting. He had asked to be put
on the agenda.
1977 POLICY SH~;~;T: Clerk-Treasurer stated she had been informed by the State
Board of Accounts that the policy sheet for the employees needed to be passed in
ordinance form prior to the 1st of each year. F~r. Kern stated the state statue
gives the Board of Public Works the right to set policy subject to ordinance, so
until an ordinance is passed the Board of Public Works can set it. Councilman
Swift read 1976 policy. Councilman Garretson stated he felt the Council should
wait for FAr. Conklin's report due next week. Clerk-Treasurer to send copies of
present policy to all Council members and put the item on the agenda for next meeting.
OFFICER PR0-TEM: Councilman Swift stated he appreciated the 9pportunity of serving
as officer Pro-Tem this year, but thought we should choose another one for this
current year. He also stated that inasmuch as the Mayor had brought it up in the
press recently, that we should choose one only when the needs arises such as to
chair the meetings in his absence. Councilman Swift stated he felt we should not
take the time to do that each time but to have one already chosen to serve when
needed, but to clarify that his sole duty was to serve in the absence of the Mayor.
Councilman Meacham suggested that each night the Mayor is not present, the Council
could start at one end of the table and alternate - using a different Council member
each time. Councilman Reiman stated that she felt in fairness to the person who
would have to take over that they should know in advance that they would be chairing
the meeting as they would need to ~e prepared. Therefore she felt annually was a
good idea and would nominate Jim Garretson to serve as President Pro-Tem for the
year 1977. Mr. Kern stated that statue 18-1-3.3 states that in the absence of the
Mayor the Council shall chose a presiding officer pro-tem from its members. Council-
man Swift stated it did not prohibit having a stand-by officer already chosen.
Councilman Garretson moved to nominate Mr. Coots to serve as President Pro-Tem in
absence of the Mayor for calendar year 1977. Councilman Dean seconded it. Councilman
Coots moved to amend the motion by substituting his name with Jim Garretson's,
Councilman Doane seconded it and it passed unanimously. Amended motion then passed
unanimously.
STREET CUT ORDINANCE: Councilman Swift read proposed Ordinance #D-lO7 requiring a
permit amd bond prior to cutting into any street, sidewalk, curb or public place
in the City of Carmel and repealing Ordinances numbered D-17 and D-22. Councilman
Garretson moved for adoption of proposed ordinance as read, Councilman Coots seconded
it. Councilman Meacham moved to amend the ordinance to include the Carmel Water and
Sewer Utilities in section 4, and substituting the words City Clerk-Treast~rer in
place of City of Carmel in section 3A., Councilman Reiman seconded the motion and it
passed unanimously. Ordinance was shown as being introducted.
ACTING MAYOR: Councilman Garretson asked City Engineer, who was present, what
he would do if he needed a problem resolved when the Mayor is gone. City Engineer
stated he thought perhaps inasmuch as the Board of Public Works ran most of the
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day to day business, he thought the remaining two members could meet and
make a decision. Councilman Garretson asked if one of the remaining two
would have authority to call a meeting. FLr. Ke~m stated he knew of nothing
in the state statues that requires an appointment of an actim~Mayor, but
would research it.
PUBLIC OFFICIALS LIABILITY INSURANCE: Councilman Coots stated he had two
quotes for public officials liability insurance and wodld put it on the
agenda at next meeting.
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 8:~0 PM.
Presiding 0 i e~~, Fred,. '
/
ATTEST: Approved;
Peggy ~od' ~mith ' ' Al~er~ B. Pickett ~
Clerk-Treasurer Mayor