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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCM-07-15-91CARMEL CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES JULY 15, 1991 CITY HALL/ONE CIVIC SQUARE 7:00 P.M./COUNCIL CHAMBERS The meeting of the Carmel City Council was called to order by Mayor Dorothy J. Hancock. Councilors in attendance were Lee Lonzo, Annabelle Ogle, Frank Fleming, Alan Potasnik, Tom Irvin and David Adams. Minnie Doane was absent. City Attorney Steve Andrews and Clerk-Treasurer Susan W. Jones were also in attendance. Councilor Fleming offered a correction to MINUTES OF JULY 1, 1991: the minutes. He stated that Ordinance D-704 should have been numbered D-703. With that correction Councilor Ogle moved to approve the minutes. Councilor Potasnik seconded the motion and all members voted aye. Motion carried ORDINANCE D-697/FINAL ACTION/COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE: Councilor Irvin said he wanted to begin, immediately, to review this plan update and begin work on the new update. Irvin said if this plan is a continuing "burning" then it could be the first thing on the agenda and if you don't like it, it can be changed. Irvin agreed with Dr. Dillon in his minority report stating that the update was an improvement. He said this update may not be exactly what is wanted but it is good enough to accept. Councilor Potasnik stated he felt it was the Council's job to protect all citizens. Councilor Potasnik reviewed the points he had made in the previous two Council meetings regarding the final decision on the plan update. Potasnik stated that the President of the Plan Commission has said he is not about to hold additional hearings on this plan, if it comes back, because of the unanimous recommendation for approval. Councilor Lonzo said he did a great amount of soul searching, probably more than it is worth when you consider this update is not accompanied by zoning ordinances which would really have the effect of law. Lonzo said he and Irvin had come to the same conclusion over the past two weeks, that this was not the perfect comprehensive plan update but it is better than the 1985 version. Lonzo said he wanted the Plan Commission to establish an ongoing comprehensive plan committee. Lonzo recommended that the committee take a serious look at taking a retreat or workshop on long-range planning. Lonzo asked that the new committee hold a series of public hearings and then report back with new recommendations as well as recommended zoning changes by October of 1992. Councilor Irvin called for the question. Councilors Lonzo, Ogle, Potasnik, Irvin and Adams voted aye. Fleming voted nay. Ordinance D-697 passed by a 5 to 1 vote. ORDINANCE D-706/PARK BOARD APPROPRIATION/$5,300/SECOND READING: Councilor Potasnik called for the question. Councilors Adams, Potasnik, Ogle and Lonzo voted aye. Fleming and Irvin voted nay. Ordinance D-706 passed by a 4 to 2 vote. ORDINANCE D-707/PUBLIC HEARING/ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATION/$10,000/BUILDING REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE/GENERAL FUND/BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS BUDGET: Councilor Lonzo moved to introduce Ordinance D-707 and suspend the rules for reading of the same. The motion was seconded by Adams. All members voted aye. Motion carried. The mayor explained this money was from the General fund and would be used for the removal of the in-ground gasoline tanks at the old police headquarters site. The mayor then opened the hearing to the public calling for any comments, questions and/or objections. Hearing none the hearing was closed to the public and then opened to the Council for the same. Councilor Fleming moved to suspend the rules, since there was no discussion on the appropriation, and act on D-707 tonight. The motion was seconded by Councilor Irvin. All members voted aye. Motion carried. Mayor Hancock called for the question. All members voted aye. Ordinance D-707 passed unanimously. ORDINANCE D-708/AMENDMENT TO SALARY ORDINANCE/CITY ENGINEER DEPARTMENT: The mayor explained this was brought up at the budget meeting last week. Tom Welch, City Engineer stated this ordinance eliminated the position of Inspector-Public Works II and that the position of Mechanic II was added for the remainder of the year at a bi-weekly salary of $923.08. Councilor Potasnik moved to introduce D-708 and suspend the rules for reading of the same. The motion was seconded by Ogle. All members voted aye. Motion carried. Councilor Adams moved to suspend the rules and act on Ordinance D- 708 tonight. The motion was seconded by Irvin. All members voted aye. Motion carried. The mayor called for the question. All members voted aye. Ordinance D-708 passed unanimously. ORDINANCE C-158/PUBLIC HEARING/ANNEXATION 4207 AND 4443 EAST 131ST STREET: Councilor Lonzo moved to introduce Ordinance C-158 and suspend the rules for reading of the same. The motion was seconded by Potasnik. The mayor asked the clerk if this hearing had been properly advertised. Clerk-Treasurer Jones stated it had been. The mayor opened the hearing to the public calling for questions, comments and/or objections. Hearing none the hearing was closed to b- the public and opened to the council for questions or objections. Irvin asked if the property surrounding this annexation was in the city. Welch stated it did meet the legal requirements for 1/8 contiguous property because of the Cricklewood subdivision being next to this property. Councilor Lonzo moved to table this agenda item until the Ordinance could be re-done to include a voters ward. The motion was seconded by Potasnik. All members voted aye. Motion carried. Andrews stated all the annexations need to include this from now on. The mayor stated this item would come back to the Council at the next regularly scheduled meeting. COMMUNICATIONS CENTER CLAIMS: Councilor Fleming presented the following claims for payment for the Communications Center. Gollmer Electric Inc. $2,250.00 Dart Corporation $3,647.50 Eden Enterprises $4,893.00 Kleen Air Co $1,491.00 Communication Products $1,100.00 Irvin moved to approve the claims as presented. The motion was seconded by Potasnik. All members voted aye. Motion carried. CIVIC SOUARE CENTRE USE PRESENTATION/COUNCILOR LONZO: The mayor thanked all the members of the committee and those members of the public that spoke to the committee. Lonzo stated he had prepared remarks but wanted to start off by just talking to the Council for a few minutes. Lonzo said in the past few weeks while preparing for this presentation, he had been talking to a lot of people who have been in this community for a number of years and have done a lot for Carmel. Lonzo said these folks are willing to work and have a vision for the community. Lonzo said while he was in the Chambers getting ready for his presentation, Mr. Tom Kendall tells Councilor Irvin that he has coerced students into being here tonight. Lonzo said he confronted Kendall and asked him where he got his information and Kendall said he couldn't tell that. Lonzo stated that this has been real typical of this entire year with some negative people taking the edge off of things. Lonzo apologized for starting off this way but if he got it off his chest then perhaps he could go on with his presentation the way it was intended. Lonzo introduced and thanked all the members of the committee, Martha Ferrin, Brain Griffiths, Horace Hadley, Judi Jacobs, Rick Wood, Bill York and Steve Andrews. Lonzo gave a small historical presentation on the history of the building. Lonzo stated that whether or not anyone approved of the procedure to purchase the building or not, it is irrevelent because the City must now make a decision as to the future of this building. Lonzo then stated there has been a secret concerning this building. Lonzo said this secret had not been repeated by the public nor by the media and was not some kind of power play but rather a discretion dictated by prudent business principles. Lonzo said it wasn't in the best interest of the public to go public and complemented the members of the Council who chose to run for re- election to not disclose this secret. Lonzo stated that when the Council went into the executive session to discuss this building, they were informed that a national sports governing body was interested in relocating their headquarters in Carmel. Lonzo stated the mayor and her representatives discussed many issues with this group including locating a national coaches college and bringing international competitions to the city. Lonzo stated that part of the overall discussion with this group was the need for office space and expressed an interest to rent over two floors of this building at going commercial rates and that they might be willing to make a move as early as this summer. Lonzo said the discussions were difficult and delicate and were asked by this group to not reveal who it was or that it was contemplating moving from its current location. Lonzo said they were disappointed to learn that this group had received offers from Atlanta and Colorado Springs. Lonzo said the use committee had been waiting for this group to hold their June board meeting and were to make their decision at that meeting. Lonzo said it was his understanding that the executive board had met and decided to delay their decision until September. Lonzo said the presentation given tonight does not include this group being the major tenant in the building. Lonzo then gave a specific report to the Council. (See attached.) Lonzo said the use committee met every Wednesday evening for weeks, sent out hundreds of letters and solicited all input into the building, held three open houses and held a town meeting for any resident to come and speak on the building. Lonzo then did a presentation of the text through the use of a overhead projector. (See attached for complete text.) Lonzo then had the following individuals give presentations in support of the building and use as a teen/senior citizen center and as a cultural center. Steve Nation, Hamilton County Prosecutor Don Allen, Assistant Police Chief, Carmel Police Larry Goens, SAFE, CBS Guidance Counselor Andy Klineman, CHS Student Senator Lisa Bradley, SAFE, CJHS Student Representative Assembly Jan Lewis, President, Hamilton County AARP Jean Gurvitz, Indianapolis Academy for the Performing Arts Fran Shoup, General Manager Carmel Symphony Orchestra Dr. Edward Manetta, Retired Chairman, Department of Fine Arts, St. Johns University Loretta Moore, Area Director, United Way of Central Indiana Jim Bagnoli, President Elect, Carmel Clay Chamber of Commerce After the presentations were given Lonzo stated it was difficult at best to talk to people about renting space when you don't know much about the cost. Lonzo submitted the list of priorities on renters or who should be given consideration on renting the building. (See attached.) Lonzo said that a committee of Council members was put together to evaluate the property that was vacated when the City moved into Civic Square and at this time, the use committee of Civic Square Centre recommended that the City Council property committee get back and re-evaluate the public meeting hall, city engineer's office, city hall, old main fire station, Dad's Club building, utilities building that is not being used and determine the long term uses by the City and any of those properties they do not see a use for that those properties be sold and those proceeds of the sale be applied to the purchase price of Civic Square Centre. Lonzo went on to suggest how rent could be charged to possible tenants. (See attached.) Lonzo presented possible forms of paying the principle, interest and operating expenses for the building. (See attached.) It was recommended that rent will be determined by the Board of Public Works. Lonzo said it was the recommendation of the committee that the City buy the building and pay the principle of the building so they would retain the title. Lonzo also stated the committee recommended some type of membership payments for teens and senior citizens. Lonzo said other teen centers have been studied and grant monies are available to help run a teen or senior citizen center. Other forms of revenue were also presented such as proceeds from vending machines and private donations. Money contributed by the Carmel Clay Parks Board was also mentioned. (Details of the above presentation is attached to the minutes.) Rick Wood of the use committee gave concluding remarks. Woods stated the plan submitted was a dynamic plan and was not the last word to be said but is a first step. Woods said there was a sense of community lacking in Carmel and this center will help to develop that sense. Lonzo said the Council could not decide tonight to purchase the building but that the City had signed a bond anticipation note and the committee recommended the City push forward with that option. Lonzo said that bond counsel had advised him that the process could take as long as 4 months. Lonzo then made a motion for the Council to direct the mayor and the city attorney to begin preparation for the purchase of Civic Square Centre and to report back to the Council at the first meeting in August as to the next appropriate step. The motion was seconded by Adams. All members voted aye. Motion carried. Lonzo moved to suspend the rules and allow Dr. Manetta to speak to the Council again. The motion was seconded by Potasnik. All members voted aye. Motion carried. Dr. Manetta thanked the Council and the mayor for their cooperation. Irvin then thanked Lonzo for his dedication and commitment to this project. There being no further business before the Council the meeting was duly adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Approved, ATTEST: CIVIC SQUARE CENTRE COMMITTEE FINAL REPORT see original minutes for attachments