COMMON COUNCIL
OCTOBER 20, 2008 7:00 P.M.
THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE WAS GIVEN BY ALL IN ATTENDANCE.
MAYOR SMALL OPENED THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE COMMON COUNCIL.
ROLL CALL:
SANDY YORK PRESENT
ANGIE GOODMAN PRESENT
JAMES KIDD PRESENT
MARY MALONE PRESENT
VAUGHN REID PRESENT
RICHARD HAHN PRESENT
MAYOR SMALL ASKED THAT A SILENT MOMENT BE TAKEN BY ALL IN ATTENDANCE FOR COUNCILADY LOUISE PIERCE WHO PASSED AWAY ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2008.
PRESIDENT SANDY YORK COMMENTED ON THE THINGS THAT SHE AND COUNCILADY PIERCE HAD DONE TOGETHER OVER THE YEARS. SHE SAID THAT THEY HAD SHARED, AS FRIENDS, WONDERFUL EXPERIENCES AND THAT LOUISE WAS A TRUE AMBASSADOR FOR THE CITY OF NEW CASTLE. SHE SAID THAT LOUISE WOULD BE TRULY MISSED BY ALL.
COUNCILADY MALONE EXPRESSED DEEP FEELINGS FOR COUNCILADY PIERCE AFTER A 43 YEAR FRIENDSHIP. SHE SAID LOUISE WAS AN AMBASSADOR FOR NEW CASTLE AND IS NOW WALKING ON STREETS OF GOLD.
COUNCILMAN HAHN SAID THAT LOUISE WAS A SPECIAL PERSON WITH MANY TALENTS AND TOUCHED MANY LIVES, NOT ONLY IN NEW CASTLE BUT WHEN SHE WENT ON HER MISSION TRIPS TO OTHER COUNTRIES. SHE WILL BE SADLY MISSED.
ATTORNEY COPENHAVER SAID THAT IF THERE IS A CITY ATTORNEY IN HEAVEN, HE SAID THEY HAD BETTER WATCH THEIR SPELLING AND GRAMMER. LOUISE WILL CALL THEM ON ANY ERRORS.
COUNCILMAN REID COMMENTED ON A FORMER TIME IN HIS LIFE AND HOW HE BECAME INVOLED WITH LOUISE. HE SAID LOUISE WAS A VALUABLE VOLUNTEER TO MANY FACETS OF THE COMMUNITY.
SHARON RAY OF NEW CASTLE AND LINDA BIR-CONN, EXECDUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE NEW CASTLE-HENRY COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER GAVE A PRESENTATION ON A DOG PARK THAT THEY WANT TO SEE BUILT IN A GRASSY AREA SOUTH OF FIRE STATION 3 NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF ROOSEVELT AVENUE AND Q AVENUE.
MRS. RAY STATED THAT THE AREA WOULD BE TOTALLY FENCED IN AND A CARD FOR MEMBERS WOULD HAVE TO BE USED TO ENTER. RESIDENTS OF THE CITY WOULD PAY LESS THAN OUT OF TOWN RESIDENTS. ALL DOGS WOULD HAVE TO BE SPAYED OR NEUTERED AND HAVE ALL THE REQUIRED SHOTS.
VERNON THOMPSON, RESIDENT OF ROOSEVELT AVENUE, SAID HE WASN'T AGAINST THE DOG PARK, JUST THE LOCATION. HE SAID THAT CHILDREN WALK TO SCHOOL THROUGH THE AREA WHERE THE DOG PARK WOULD BE BECAUSE OF SAFETY REASONS.
MRS. BIR-CONN STATED THAT THE ANIMAL SHELTER WOULD BE TOTALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY CLEAN UP IN THE PARK.
MRS. RAY STATED THAT DONATIONS WOULLD PAY FOR EVERYTHING. THERE WOULD BE NO COST TO THE TAX PAYERS OF NEW CASTLE.
AFTER A 45 MINUTE DISCUSSION, PRESIDENT YORK SAID SHE WASN'T SURE WHERE THE PROPOSAL WOULD GO. SHE SAID SHE WOULD NOT MAKE A PROMISE OF WHEN IT WILL BE BROUGHT TO A VOTE. SHE SAID THE COUNCIL HAD TO STUDY THIS VERY THOUROUGHLY.
PRESIDENT YORK SAID THAT A LOT OF PROPOSALS HAVE BEEN MADE FOR BAKER PARK AND EVENTUALLY, THE CITY WILL RUN OUT OF SPACE. PRESIDENT YORK SAID WE HAVE A SKATE PARK THAT HAS BEEN WAITING IN LINE AND WE PROMISED THOSE KIDS THAT THEY WERE NEXT IN LINE.
MAYOR SMALL SAID THE ENTRANCE OF THIS PARK WILL BE ON P AVENUE. THERE WOULD NOT BE ANY PARKING ON ANY OF THE SIDE STREETS. THE PLANS THAT WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT WAS TO BE A SAND VOLLEY BALL COURT. ALSO, A WALKING TRAIL, STARTING AT FIRE STATION 3, THEN DOWN Q AVENUE, TURNS ON ROOSEVELT, BEHIND THE POOL, OVER TO THE BASKETBALL COURTS AND TO THE BASEBALL DIAMONDS. WE WANT TO HAVE A SCENIC TRAIL THERE BETWEEN THE DOG PARK AND Q AVENUE.
COUNCILMAN REID ASKED HOW THIS WAS GOING TO IMPACT THE HORSESHOE TOURNAMENTS.
MRS. BIR-CONN SAID THEY WOULD BE SET BACK A WAYS FROM THAT. ON ISSUES SUCH AS THAT, WE CAN CLOSE THE PARK DURING THOSE HOURS.
COUNCIMAN REID ASKED WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR MAINTAINING AND MANAGING THE MONEY ANDMAINTAINING AND MANAGING THE INSIDE OF THPARK AREA. IS THE CITY DONATING GROUND TO AN ORGANIZATION OR HOW WILL THIS WORK?
MRS. BIR-CONN SAID THE LAND THAT THE ANIMAL SHELTER SITS ON BELONGS TO THE CITY. WE RAISED THE MONEY AND BUILT THE ANIMAL SHELTER. WE LEASED THE LAND FOR A DOLLAR. THIS IS FOR THE LIFE OF THE HUMANE SOCIETY. AS MR. COPENHAVER HAMMERS OUT THE DETAILS, HE WILL ANSWER THE QUESTIONS. VOLUNTEERS WILL RUN THE PARK AND BE TOTALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR EVERYTHING.
DISCUSSION CONTINUED ABOUT THE LOCATION OF THE PARK. OSBORNE PARK WAS MENTIONED WHERE IT WOULD BE WIDE OPEN, SHADE AND WATER.
MR. THOMPSON SAID HE HAD 35 NAMES ON A PETITION AGAINST THE DOG PARK IN BAKER PARK.
MRS. RAY SAID SHE HAD 365 NAMES ON A PETITION FOR THE DOG PARK.
MR. THOMPSON ASKED HOW MANY NAMES ON HER PETITION WERE FROM THE AREA IN WHERE THEY WANT TO PUT THE DOG PARK.
MRS. RAY SAID 3.
PRESIDENT YORK SAID SHE WANTED TO SEE ALL THE NAMES ON THE PETITIONS. SHE SAID THE COUNCIL WOULD TAKE THE DOG PARK UNDER CONSIDERATION.
ORDINANCE #3546
ELECTED OFFICIAL SALARY ORDINANCE WAS READ BY TITLE ONLY ON THIRD AND FINAL READING BY SANDY YORK.
PRESIDENT YORK MOVED TO PASS THIS ORDINANCE. COUNCILMAN HAHN: SECOND
ROLL CALL VOTE: SIX VOTES AYE PASSED AND ORDERED.
ORDINANCE #3547
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE SALARY ORDINANCE WAS READ BY TITLE ONLY ON THIRD AND FINAL READING BY SANDY YORK.
PRESIDENT YORK MOVED TO PASS THIS ORDINANCE. COUNCILMAN HAHN: SECOND
ROLL CALL VOTE: SIX VOTES AYE. PASSED AND ORDERED.
ORDINANCE #3549
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SALARY ORDINANCE #3521 WAS READ IN FULL ON SECOND READING BY SANDY YORK
PRESIDENT YORK MOVED TO PASS THIS ORDINANCE. COUNCILMAN HAHN: SECOND
ROLL CALL VOTE: SIX VOTES AYE. PASSED AND ORDERED
ORDINANCE #3550
AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING FEES OR COSTS FOR THE USE OF PARK SHELTERS WAS READ IN FULL BY SANDY YORKON SECOND READING.
COUNCILMAN REID MOVED TO TABLE THIS ORDINANCE. PRESIDENT YORK: SECOND
ROLL CALL VOTE: SIX VOTES AYE. TABLED
ORDINANCE #3551
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING NEW CASTLE CITY CODE TITLE XII, CHAPTER 74, SCHEDULE I BY CREATING A NEW FOUR-WAY STOP WAS READ IN FULL ON SECOND READING BY SANDY YORK.
PRESIDENT YORK MOVED TO PASS THIS ORDINANCE. COUNCILADY GOODMAN: SECOND.
ROLL CALL VOTE: SIX VOTES AYE. PASSED AND ORDERED.
ORDINANCE #3553
AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING THE SALARIES OF ADMINISTRATIVE AND MANAGEMENT EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY OF NEW CASTLE, INDIANA WAS READ IN FULL ON FIRST READING AS CORRECTED BY SANDY YORK.
PRESIDENT YORK MOVED TO PASS THIS ORDINANCE AS CORRECTED (A SCRIBBLERS ERROR). COUNCILADY MALONE: SECOND. ROLL CALL VOTE: SIX VOTES AYE. PASSED AND ORDERED.
ORDINANCE #3554
AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING SALARIES OF VARIOUS EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY OF NEW CASTLE WAS READ IN FULL ON FIRST READING BY SANDY YORK.
PRESIDENT YORK MOVED TO PASS THIS ORDINANCE. COUNCILMAN HAHN: SECOND
ROLL CALL VOTE: SIX VOTES AYE. PASSED AND ORDERED.
ORDINANCE #3555
AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING THE SALARIES OF THE CITY OF NEW CASTLE FIRE DEPARTMENT NON-POLICYMAKING EMPLOYEES WAS READ IN FULL ON FIRST READING BY SANDY YORK.
PRESIDENT YORK MOVED TO PASS THIS ORDINANCE. COUNCILMAN KIDD: SECOND
ROLL CALL VOTE: SIX VOTES AYE. PASSED AND ORDERED.
ORDINANCE #3556
AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING THE WAGES OF THE NEW CASTLE POLICE DEPARTMENT NON-POLICYMAKING EMPLOYEES WAS READ IN FULL ON FIRST READING BY SANDY YORK.
PRESIDENT YORK MOVED TO PASS THIS ORDINANCE. COUNCILMAN HAHN: SECOND
ROLL CALL VOTE: SIX VOTES AYE. PASSED AND ORDERED.
ORDINANCE #3557-
AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING THE WAGES OF THE VARIOUS EMPLOYEES OF THE CITY OF NEW CASTLE, INDIANA WAS READ IN FULL ON FIRST READING BY SANDY YORK.
PRESIDENT YORK MOVED TO PASS THIS ORDINANCE. COUNCILMAN KIDD: SECOND
ROLL CALL VOTE: SIX VOTES AYE. PASSED AND ORDERED.
ORDINANCE #3558-AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A 2009 VOLUNTARY EARLY RETIREMENT INCENTIVE PROGRAM WAS READ IN FULL ON FIRST READING BY SANDY YORK.
PRESIDENT YORK MOVED TO PASS THIS ORDINANCE. COUNCILMAN HAHN: SECOND
ROLL CALL VOTE: SIX VOTES AYE. PASSED AND ORDERED.
PRESIDENT YORK MOVED TO SUSPEND THE RULES AND READ ORDINANCE #3558 ON SECOND READING BY TITLE ONLY. COUNCILADY GOODMAN: SECOND
ROLL CALL VOTE: SIX VOTES AYE. RULES SUSPENDED
ORDINANCE #3558-AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A 2009 VOLUNTARY EARLY RETIRMENT INCENTIVE PROGRAM WAS READ BY TITLE ONLY ON SECOND READING BY SANDY YORK.
PRESIDENT YORK MOVED TO PASS THIS ORDINANCE. COUNCILMAN KIDD; SECOND
ROLL CALL VOTE: SIX VOTES AYE. PASSED AND ORDERED.
PRESIDENT YORK MOVED TO SUSPEND THE RULES AND READ ORDINANCE #3558
ON THIRD AND FINAL READING BY TITLE ONLY. COUNCILMAN REID: SECOND
ROLL CALL VOTE: SIX VOTES AYE. RULES SUSPENDED.
ORDINANCE #3558-AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A 2009 VOLUNTARY EARLY RETIREMENT INCENTIVE PROGRAM WAS READ BY TITLE ONLY ON THIRD AND FINAL READING BY SANDY YORK.
PRESIDENT YORK MOVED TO PASS THIS ORDINANCE. COUNCILMAN REID: SECOND
ROLL CALL VOTE: SIX VOTES AYE. PASSED AND ORDERED.
COUNCIL REPORTS:
COUNCILMAN HAHN ASKED THAT ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS REMEMBER THE HUSBAND OF LOUISE PIERCE, LESLIE PIERCE, IN YOUR PRAYERS.
CITIZENS APPEARING BEFORE THE COUNCIL:
NORMA DISHMAN STATED THAT SHE APPRECIATES THE COUNCIL. THEY DISCUSS EVERYTHING IN FRONT OF US INSTEAD OF BEHIND CLOSED DOORS.
MAYOR SMALL MADE COMMENT ABOUT THE RAILROAD CARS SITTING IN NEW CASTLE. HE SAID THEY ARE PROTECTED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. THE CITY HAS ALWAYS MOWED THE RIGHT OF WAY. HE SAID THIS YEAR; I ORDERED THEM NOT TO DO THAT. WHEN THE WEEDS BEGAN TO GROW UP, WE SENT LETTERS TO THE RAILROAD INFORMING THEM THAT THEY WERE IN VIOLATION AND IF BROUGHT INTO COURT, IT COULD BE A $2,500.00 FINE DAILY. THEY DID SOME WEED WACKING AND THE WE SENT ANOTHER LETTER AND THEY ARE WORKING WITH US.
MAYOR SMALL SAID THE CITY HAS PETITIONED THE COURTS FOR RECEIVERSHIP OF THE JENNINGS BUILDING. TOMORROW WE SHOULD RECEIVE THIS LANDMARK. THEN THEY WILL BEGIN WORKING ON IT, WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE NEW CASTLE REDEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.
PRESIDENT YORK MOVED FOR ADJOURNMENT.
COUNCILMAN HAHN: SECOND.
