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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCM-02-20-78 MINUTES OF THE CITY C0~3NCIL MEETING February 20, 1978 The regular meeting of the City Council was called to order at 7:32 PM by Mayor Pickett, who presided. All members except Councilman Coots, who arrived at 7:36 PM and Councilwoman Reiman, who arrived at 7:40 PM were present. City Attorney and Clerk-Treasurer were present also. CoUncilwoman Doane gave the invocation. Mayor Pickett led the pledge of allegiance. Councilman Horvath stated the minutes of the last regular should be corrected to read Dr. Hartman rather than Mr. Hartman in the first paragraph, page two. Councilman Swift moved to approve the minutes as corrected, Councilman Horvath seconded it and it passed unanimously. BOB THOMPSON OF PUBLIC sERVIcE: COAL STRIKE: Mr. Bob Thompson, representing Public Service of Indiana, appeared before the Council to review the status of the mandatory cut backs in the use of electricity due to the coal strike. A hand out as attached to the minutes was given to the Council. HOWARD HUNT RESOLUTION: Councilman Garretson stated he would like to make special note of the passing of Howard Hunt and move that the Clerk-Treasurer prepare a resolution recognizing the contributions made by Mr. Howard Hunt in the Carmel- Clay community by his many activities including membership on the Carmel-Clay s6hool board and Carmel Library Board and expressing the sense of loss and sadness felt by the Common Council of Carmel at his sudden passing February 15, 1978 and that such resolution bear the signatures of the Mayor, Clerk-Treasurer and members of the Council and such resolution therefore be sent to Mrs. Eleanor Hunt, Councilman Meacham seconded it and it passed unanimously. Mayor Pickett asked all to rise for a moment of silence in Mr. Hunt's memory. PUBLIC POLICY COMMITT~:~.' MEETING: Councilman Garretson stated the Public Policy Committee met last Thursday with three representatives of Indiana University for purposes of seeing how they could assist the City in cost analysis in terms of our capital improvements. ~n~ committee asked them to prepare a proposal for the City to consider in which they would take a look at the tax base and project it for a ten year period, analyzing what amount of money would be available on a year to year basis for capital improvements and pensions. AMENDMENT OF RULES PROCEDUI%E: Councilman Garretson moved to amend the rules of the procedure adopted by the Carmel Common Council by providing that all future agendas of the Council include as the last item of aid.business: Reports of standing Committee Chairmen and that such Chairmen should use such opportunities for purposes of information only and that any action or discussion proposed by such 6T~airmen be listed under old or new business as is appropriate to the problem, Councilman Swift seconded it and it passed unanimously. NEW BUSINESS: AGENDA ITEM #l: ORDINANCE FOR 3-WAY STOP SIGNS AT LEXINGTON BLVD. AiID LINCOLN CT~ AND LEXINGTON BLVD. AND ALTAM AVE.: Ordinance #D-lh~ establishing 3-way stop signs at Lexington Blvd., Lincoln Ct., and Altam Ave., was read by Mayor Pickett. Page 2 2/20/78 Councilman Garretson moved to adopt ordinance as read, Councilwoman Reiman seconded it. Councilman Swift moved to suspend the rules, Councilman Garretson seconded it and it passed unauimously. Motion to adopt passed unanimously. Mrs. Paul Newville presented to the Mayor the rest of the names of residents to be added to the previous petition. AGENDA ITEM,S2: AMENDMENT TO SALARY ORDINANCE ~0R STREET DEPARTMENT: Proposed Ordinance #D-l~6 promoting Greg Brown to the position of General Foreman in the street deRartment was read by Mayor Pickett. Councilman Meachammoved to approve the ordinance, Councilman Horvath seconded it. Councilwoman Reimanmoved to suspend the rules, Councilman Meacham seconded it and it passed unanimously. Motion to adopt passed unanimously. AGENDA ITEM#3: AMENDMENT TO 1~78 SALARY ORDINANCE FOR CLERK-TREASURER OFFICE: Proposed Ordinance #D-l~7 changing the source of funds for position of bookkeeper in the office of the Clerk-Treasurer from Manpower to ½ Water, ½ Sewer, was read by Mayor Pickett. Councilman Coots moved for adoption, Councilwoman Doane seconded it. Councilman Swift moved to suspend the rules, Conncilman Meacham seconded it and it passed unanimously. Motion to adoP~ passed unanimously. AGENDA ITEM #2: CONSIDER ORDINANCE FOR ACTING MAYOR: Councilman ~ift 8tared he felt cur Mayor's recommendation on this matter should be followed. He stated there could be a problem if the Mayor should happen to be out of town and an emergency should arise. The cities and towns association suggest,while the law is not specific on this matter to tell you how to do it, it is, in their opinion, a good idea to have the procedure in ordinance form. He stated he felt our department heads did a fine job in the blizzard, but the blizzard might be an indication of something that could happen and so there would be no confusion, he felt some procedure of some kind should be followed, should be known and should be passed. He stated he didn't feel the individual is so important as everyone simply knowing there is a person and who that person should be. He suggested the Mayor meet with the Public Policy Committee and come up with a recommendation on the matter. Mayor Pickett stated he would be glad to discuss it with them. Mr. Kern stated he didn't think there was an answer to the problem and stated an Indiana ~apreme Court case and an Attorney General's opinion, both of which agree with his view, that the discretionary powers cannot be delegated. Councilman Garretson stated there is a difference in the executive and legislative branch of governments. People elect an individual to an executive position to carry out policy and it is not in the providence of the .legislative branch to take advantage of a situation to change what public has expressed, therefore, he would fall on the side of someone of the administrative branch, just as in second and third class cities, if there is a comptroller in that city, that person is second in line to become Mayor. He stated that as the city becomes larger, he felt it was in the best interest, institutionally, to have a line of authority. Mayc~ Pickett stated he felt two members of the Board of Works do constitute a majority and can act. Councilman Garretson stated that was fine as long as they didn't disagree. If they disagreed we had a problem. Mayor Pickett stated he was not opposedto workio~ out some procedure on this but did not feel he had legal authority to delegate authority of the Mayor's office. Councilman Swift stated there was nothing that said he could do it, but there also was nothing to say he could not do it. Councilwoman Reiman stated she would like to recommend to the committee to consider keeping with an elected official as acting Mayor and consider the Clerk- Treasurer inasmuch as she is full time and aware of what is going on. Clsrk~Treasurer suggested the committee also consider a procedure to follow for a deputy Clerk- Treasurer inasmuch as she is the only one to sign checks. Mr. Kern stated he would not recommend any elected official to delegate any of their powers. Page 3 2/20/78 VALVE REPLACEMENT: Utilities Manager stated he would like the Council to consider approving an expenditure from the water depreciation fund. This was not budgeted but had been anticipated. Valves in the downtown water plant needed to be replaced. Approximately $1,500.00 needed to be expended for immediate replacement of bad valves. Another related problem is that the company has stopped maki~ the type of valves used in the newer downtown water plant. If he waits until one of them malfunctions he would have a real problem, therefore, he would like the Council to consider approving taking bids for replacing the valves with a newer kind. Approximate expenditure for that Would be $10,000.00~ Board agreed by consensus for the Utiliti~s~Manager to proceed with placi~ the item out for bids and to give tenatlve approval for the $1500.00 expenditure subject to an ordinance beiD~ passed to officially appropriate the money. Councilman Garretson stated, pending the public policy conm~ittee makiD~ a recommendation on procedures for the Council committees to follow, he would recommend the budget committee of the Council meet with the Utilities Manager and bring back a recommendation on additional items he needed for his water depreciation expenditures. LAYNE-NORTHERN WELL ~8: Councilman Coots asked Mr. Kern to explain further the Layne-NorthernWell #8 settlement. Mr. Kern stated the settlement was acceptable to everyone and still maintain the friendship of Layne-Northern. Councilwoman Reiman asked if the meeting at which everyone agreed to this was a public meeting. Mr. Kern stated litigation_was not under the sunshine law. Councilman Coots asked what Clyde Williams was contributing toward this settlement. Mayor Pickett stated they had agreed to credit us with something like $2,500-$3,000. Council- woman Reiman stated she would like to state for the record ~he felt Layne-Northern paid too much and Clyde E. Williams didn't pay enough. PUBLIC POLICYCOMMITTEE MEETING: Councilm~n Garretson stated the Public Policy Committee would meet next Monday at 7:30 PM. SEWAGE SYSTEM: Mayor Pickett stated he would like to meet with the Council soon and discuss the regional sewer project and sewage system in general. CITY COURT: Councilman ~wift stated inasmuch as the C~y Court bill to extend the life of the City Courts passed the House and is now in the Senate he would urge all Councilmembers to contact their Senator and urge its passage. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:10 PM. Approved: f B. Prsk tr,'Ma or A~TEST: ~J Peggy Lo'Smith ~ - Clerk-Treasurer PUBLIC SERVICE INDIANA February 20, 1977 All Commercial Customers: Unfortunately due to the coal strike cut backs have had to be implemented. To avoid confusion with conflicting reports here is how the mandatory cut back affects you. In accordance with the Public Service Commission of Indiana you are to reduce your usage by 25% based on your average daily usage for the period of January, February and March of 1977. If you are a new business use your most current bill or call the local office. Meter readings will be taken and if you have not reached the reduction a representative will contact you and assist you in your efforts. As a general suggestion cut out the use of electricity that is not totally essential to your operation. A 100% reduction is required for dispensable use such as the following. 1. Outdoor flood lighting 2. Advertising lighting except minimum level necessary to orotect life and property and a single illuminated sign identifying commercial facilities that are open after dark. 3. General lighting levels in store and offices greater than minimum functional levels. 4. Show window display lighting 5. Greater number of elevators operating than is necessary. 6. Parking lot lighting above minimum function levels. 7. No more than 68 heating and no less than 78 cooling. 8. Greater than minimum work schedules as for building cleaning, maintenance and restocking. 9. Nightime sports and recreational activities. This reduction is in effect until further notice of additional reductions or hopefully the lifting of all restrictions. Thank you for your cooperation during a very difficult time. PUBLIC SERVICE INDIANA, INC. 20West Main Street · PmO. Box455 · Carmel · Indiana46032 317,,846o2595