The City of New Castle, Indiana

COMMON COUNCIL MEETING

JULY 20, 2009     7:00 P.M.

 

THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE WAS GIVEN BY ALL IN ATTENDANCE.

PRAYER WAS GIVEN BY PASTOR PAUL KIRK, WESLEYAN MEMORIAL CHURCH.

MAYOR SMALL OPENED THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE COMMON COUNCIL.

 

ROLL CALL:

SANDY YORK                                              PRESENT                  

ANGIE GOODMAN                                      ABSENT

JAMES KIDD                                                 PRESENT

MARY MALONE                                          PRESENT

MARK KOGER                                             PRESENT

VAUGHN REID                                            PRESENT

RICHARD HAHN                                         PRESENT

 

MINUTES WERE APPROVED AS PRESENTED.

 

NEW CASTLE E-COATERS TAX ABATEMENT COMPLIANCE FORM WAS PRESENTED

TO THE COUNCIL BY BRAD CROWE, GENERAL MANAGER.

PRESIDENT YORK MOVED TO ACCEPT THIS APPLIANCE.   COUNCILMAN KIDD: SECOND

ROLL CALL VOTE: SIX VOTES AYE.            COMPLIANCE ACCEPTED.

 

     PRESIDENT YORK ANNOUNCED THAT THIS WAS A PUBLIC HEARING TONIGHT TO ESTABLISH THE CUMULATIVE CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT FUND.

PRESIDENT YORK MOVED TO PASS THIS RESOLUTION.  COUNCILMAN KIDD: SECOND

     PRESIDENT YORK SAID JUST A CONTINUING.  RE-AUTHORIZING.

     COUNCILMAN REID SAID CONTINUING AT A HIGHER RATE?

     PRESIDENT YORK SAID YES AND IT HAD BEEN APPROVED FOR THIS YEAR.

     COUNCILMAN REID SAID DO WE WANT TO CHANGE THIS, SO MAYBE WE CAN GO BACK AND LOOK AT THIS IN A COUPLE OF YEARS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE STILL IN A POSITION, HE WAS SURE THAT THEY WILL BE BUT FOR THE SAKE OF PROOF AND REVIEW.

      PRESIDENT YORK SAID TO REDUCE OR RESEND IT, COULD WE%u2026%u2026%u2026

      COUNCILMAN REID ASKED ABOUT THE HEARING.

      PRESIDENT YORK SAID THIS WAS THE PUBLIC HEARING TONIGHT.

 MAYOR SMALL ASKED IF THERE WERE ANY COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC.   MAYOR SMALL SAID HEARING NO COMMENTS, HE CALLED FOR QUESTION AND ROLL CALL VOTE.

ROLL CALL VOTE: SIX VOTES AYE.            PASSED AND ORDERED.

 

 

     PRESIDENT YORK ANNOUNCED THAT AT THIS TIME, A PUBLIC HEARING WAS TO TAKE PLACE TONIGHT ON THIS RESOLUTION.

 

DISCUSSION FROM THE PUBLIC:

TED MANDELL, MIDDLETOWN, INDIANA, ASKED WHAT THE EXTRA MONEY WAS TO BE USED FOR.  HE SAID THIS DOES AFFECT THE WHOLE COUNTY.  WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE EXTRA MONEY, IF IT PASSES?

     PRESIDENT YORK SAID IT WOULD GO TO FUND OUR PUBLIC SAFETY. 

     MR. MANDELL ASKED,"ALL OF IT?"

     COUNCILMAN REID SAID HE THOUGHT THERE WAS A MISUNDERSTANDING HERE.  HE SAID, .25% HAS TO BE USED IN PUBLIC SAFETY.  THE OTHER .25% GETS TAKEN OFF PEOPLE'S PROPERTY TAXES AND BECOMES A REBATE, A DECREASE IN PROPERTY TAXES.  HE SAID IT IS A WASH, NOT GOING TO BE AN ACTUAL TAX INCREASE.  THAT .25% WILL COME OFF YOUR PROPERTY TAXES OR THAT IS WHAT WE HAVE BEEN TOLD BY OUR LEGAL COUNSELOR.

     COUNCILMAN REID SAID THERE IS A TOTAL INCREASE OF ONE-HALF PERCENT TOTAL.  OF THAT ONE -HALF PERCENT, HALF OF THAT HALF PERCENT WILL TURN AROUND AND SHOW UP AS A DECREASE IN YOUR PROPERTY TAX BILL.  THERE IS ONLY A NET INCREASE OF .25% AND THAT IS FOR EMERGENCY SERVICES. 

     COUNCILMAN REID SAID TO ANSWER THE OTHER PART OF YOUR QUESTION, HE SAID HE ANTICIPATES THAT .25% TO FUND EMERGENCY SERVICES WILL STILL RESULT IN DECREASES OF PERSONNEL WITHIN THE EMERGENCY SERVICES, EVEN WITH THAT .25% INCREASE.  THE OTHER BECOMES A WASH BECAUSE IT GETS BACKED OUT OF YOUR PROPERTY TAXES.

      MR. MANDELL SAID HE WAS DEAD SET AGAINST IT.  HE SAID HE WAS HERE TO HEAR WHAT THE CITY COUNCIL THOUGHT ABOUT IT.

      COUNCILMAN REID ASKED CITY ACCOUNTANT CUPP IF THE CITY HAD RECEIVED IN ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE FROM DLGF OF WHAT WE CAN EXPECT IN LEVY BUDGET DECREASES NEXT YEAR.  HE SAID HE KNEW WE HAD THAT ESTIMATE IN MARCH, OF A HUNDRED AND SIXTY THOUSAND ADDITIONAL DECREASE IN REVENUE IN THIS COMING YEAR.  HAVE WE GOTTEN ANYTHING ELSE?

      ACCOUNTANT CUPP SAID NO.  THEY DO NOT RELEASE THAT.

      COUNCILMAN REID SAID THAT WAS FROM THE BUDGET OFFICE IN THE STATE LEGISLATOR.  HE SAID WE ARE ANTICIPATING AT LEAST AN EIGHT HUNDRED AND SIXTY THOUSAND DOLLAR DECREASE IN REVENUE NEXT YEAR IN THE CITY.  YOU HAVE A CITY GOVERNMENT THAT HAS GONE FROM A BUDGET OF AROUND $16,500,000.00 IN 2003 TO ABOUT $14,300,000.00 THIS YEAR.  SO, WE HAD A SIGNIFICANT DECREASE IN REVENUE AND ON TOP OF THAT, THE ECONOMY AND THE SHAPE IT IS IN.  WE HAVE TO FIND SOME ADDITIONAL REVENUE AND THIS SEEMS TO BE ONE OF THE MOST LEAST PAINFUL WAYS TO DO IT AT THIS POINT.

     MAYOR SMALL SAID THAT THE CITY IS WORKING ON A BUDGET NOW WITH THE LOIT PROPERTY TAX FOR PUBLIC SAFETY.  HE SAID WE EXPECT THE BUDGET TO BE EVEN.  WE HAVE ENOUGH MONEY COMING IN TO FUND THE BUDGET THAT WE ARE PROPOSING.  WE ARE EXPECTING AROUND $500,000.00 FROM THE PUBLIC SAFETY PORTION OF THAT.  THIS IS TO MAINTAIN STATUS QUO THAT WE PRESENTLY HAVE WITHIN OUR FIRE, POLICE AND EMS.  THESE ARE THE FIRE, POLICE AND EMS THAT YOU IN THE COUNTY EXPECT US TO PROVIDE MUTUAL AIDE, THE AMBULANCE IS GOING OUT, FIRE AND POLICE ON OCCASION.  WITHOUT THE PASSAGE OF THIS, SOMETHING IS GOING TO HAVE TO GIVE.  WE ARE DOWN TO BARE BONES IN THE NON- PRIVATE, NON-PUBLIC SAFETY ASPECTS.  THE NEXT CUTS IS COMING IN PUBLIC SAFETY.  SO, THIS IS JUST TO MAINTAIN STATUS QUO.

 

PRESIDENT YORK MOVED TO PASS THIS RESOLUTION.  COUNCILMAN KIDD: SECOND.

 

MAYOR SMALL ASKED IF ANY DISCUSSION FROM THE COUNCIL.

      COUNCILMAN HAHN SAID WE HAVE THE COIT, WHEEL TAX AND OTHERS AT THIS POINT.  IF THIS IS PASSED, THEN WE ALSO HAVE THE USER TAX ON TRASH.  WE ALSO HAVE A WATER RATE INCREASE COMING UP.  WE NEED TO PUT THIS ALL ON THE TABLE.  AT THE LAST COUNCIL MEETING, THE SWIMMING POOL WAS MENTIONED.  65% OF THE CITY IS POVERTY LEVEL.  WILL THE OTHER 35% BE PAYING THE LOIT TAX?  JOB LOSS, WE DON'T KNOW YET, GREDE, CHAPTER 11, METALDYNE AND ALLEGHENY, SO PEOPLE ARE LOOSING JOBS, CAUSING STRESS.  3 AFSCME WORKERS ARE LOOSING THEIR JOBS NEXT MONTH.  BY PASSING THIS, IT SAYS PUBLIC SAFETY, SO IS AFSCME CONSIDERED PUBLIC SAFETY?

      MAYOR SMALL SAID NO.

      COUNCILMAN HAHN SAID IF AFSCME IS NOT IN THIS, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT THEY WILL BE BACK IN A QUICK TIME?  IF WE DON'T PASS THIS, OUR PUBLIC SAFETY PEOPLE WILL PROBABLY BE LAID OFF.

      MAYOR SMALL SAID THERE MAYBE A $500,000.00 SHORTAGE AND CUTS WOULD HAVE TO BE MADE IN ALL DEPARTMENTS.

      COUNCILMAN HAHN SAID IF THIS IS PASSED, THERE STILL ARE NO GUARANTEES

THAT THERE WON'T BE CUTS.  IS THAT CORRECT?

      MAYOR SMALL SAID AS IT IS NOW; WE WILL MAINTAIN THE STATUS QUO IN AFSCME AND PUBLIC SAFETY.  LAST YEAR, WE HAD A SHORTFALL OF $300,000.00 FROM PEOPLE WHO DID NOT PAY THEIR PROPERTY TAXES.  WE ARE BUDGETING THIS YEAR, ASSUMING TO DLGF, WE WILL RECEIVE X DOLLARS IN PROPERTY TAXES.  IF WE HAVE A LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO DON'T PAY THEIR PROPERTY TAXES THIS YEAR, WE COULD EXPECT FURTHER REDUCTIONS.

      COUNCILMAN REID SAID HE HAD A STATEMENT THAT HE WANTED TO MAKE.  YOU MENTIONED MAINTAINING STATUS QUO OF THE EMERGENCY SERVICES.  HE SAID HE BELIEVED THAT WE ARE PAST THAT POINT.  HE SAID HE THOUGHT WE NEED TO LOOK AT, EVEN WITH  LOIT, A FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE IN THE WAY EMERGENCY SERVICES ARE PROVIDED IN NEW CASTLE.  HE SAID HE KNEW THIS WAS NOT POPULAR AND NONE OF US WANT TO GO THIS ROUTE, BUT WE NEED TO LOOK AT IMPLEMENTING MIXED RESERVE AND PAID FIRE AND POLICE.  IF IT IS NOT THIS COMING YEAR, IT'S GOING TO BE THE NEXT.  THOSE CUTS, REGARDLESS OF WHAT HAPPENS WITH LOIT, ARE GOING TO HAVE TO COME OUT OF EMERGENCY SERVICES.  IN ORDER TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE PUBLIC SAFETY, THIS CITY IS GOING TO HAVE TO IMPLEMENT THOSE UNPAID RESERVES, VOLUNTEER SERVICES IN THE POLICE AND FIRE.  REGARDLESS OF WHAT HAPPENS WITH LOIT, HERE OR AT THE COUNTY LEVEL, WHICH PROBABLY WON'T HAPPEN, HE THOUGHT THE CITY WAS GOING TO HAVE TO RETHINK HOW IT PROVIDES EMERGENCY SERVICES.  IT WOULD MAKE SOME OF US FEEL BETTER IF WE HAD SOME SORT OF COMMITMENT FROM THE ADMINISTRATION THAT WE ARE NOT GOING TO CONTINUE TO JUST KEEP ON GOING ALONG AND HOPING IT GETS BETTER IN A COUPLE OF YEARS.  THAT WE ARE GOING TO FUNDAMENTALLY CHANGE THE WAY  THE CITY THINKS its EMERGENCY RESPONSE SYSTEM.  OBVIOUSLY, NONE OF US WANT TO RAISE TAXES.  THAT IS AN OPEN ENDED STATEMENT, SLASH QUESTION.

      MAYOR SMALL SAID HE HAD MET WITH THE THREE CHIEF'S THIS MORNING.  HE SAID HE DID PUT THEM ON NOTICE; FURTHER CUTS WILL BE COMING FROM THE PUBLIC SAFETY ASPECTS.  HE SAID WE MUST BAN TOGETHER AND HAVE A COOPERATIVE EFFORT WHERE WE CAN WORK WITH FEWER PEOPLE.  WE ARE DOWNSIZING THRU ATTRITION.  WE ARE LOOSING A FIREMAN THIS WEEK AND HE WILL NOT BE REPLACED.  WE ARE SHORT ONE PARAMEDIC AND DOWN SEVERAL POLICEMEN.  THIS IS ALL THROUGH ATTRITION.  THE NEXT STEP WILL NOT BE THROUGH ATTRITION BUT LAY OFFS.  HE TOLD COUNCILMAN REID THAT HE DID UNDERSTAND WHAT HE WAS SAYING AND THAT NEEDED TO BE LOOKED AT.

      COUNCILMAN REID SAID AT SOME POINT, WE NEED TO GET AHEAD OF THE FINANCIAL HOLE THAT WE HAVE DUG OURSELVES IN WITH THE TAX WARRANTS.  HE WANTED TO SEE SOME MONEY PUT INTO THE EMERGENCY RAINY DAY FUND SO WE DON'T HAVE TO PAY INTEREST OR ROBBING UTILITIES.  THE ONLY WAY IS TO MAKE CHANGES IN EMERGENCY SERVICES.

      PRESIDENT YORK SAID NOBODY WANTS TO RAISE TAXES.  IF YOU DO RAISE TAXES, YOU NEED TO CUT SPENDING.  SHE AGREED WITH COUNCILMAN REID AN EVERYTHING HE SAID.  WE HAVE TO CUT AT HOME AND OTHER PLACES OF EMPLOYMENT.  SHE SAID THAT EVEN THE PROPOSED RESOLUTION PASSES TONIGHT, EACH COUNCIL MEMBER HAS GIVEN THIS GREAT THOUGHT.  THIS RESOLUTION STILL HAS TO PASS BY THE COUNTY COUNCIL.  IF THEY DON'T PASS IT, THEN THERE HAS TO BE 51 VOTES.  THIS WILL NOT GO INTO EFFECT WITHOUT ALL OTHER TOWNSHIPS COMING ON BOARD OR THE COUNTY COUNCIL.  WHAT IS DONE HERE TONIGHT DOESN'T MEAN THAT IT IS WRITTEN IN STONE. THIS IS STEP ONE.  STEP TWO IN AUGUST.

      COUNCILMAN REID SAID HE AGREED WITH COUNCILMAN HAHN.  IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE KEEP IN MIND THAT WE HAVE A RECOMMENDED UTILITY RATE INCREASE THAT IS GOING TO HAVE TO BE IMPLEMENTED.  THAT IS GOING TO EFFECT PEOPLES UTILITY BILLS.  IT IS GOING TO GET UGLIER BEFORE IT GETS PRETTIER.  THE UTILITIES HAVE TO BE SOLVENT BECAUSE THE ALTERNATIVE WITH A PRIVATIZED UTILITY, NOT ONLY TRYING TO MAKE IT'S COST BUT TO MAKE MONEY, IN WHICH CASE, PEOPLE'S UTILITIES WILL GO HIGHER.  KEEP THIS IN MIND.

TOM DALTON, FIREMAN OF THE CITY OF NEW CASTLE, STATED HE WAS NOT IN SUPPORT OF VOLUNTEER FIREMEN.  YOU MAY HAVE FIFTY VOLUNTEERS BUT WHEN THEY ARE NEEDED, TWO OR THREE SHOW UP.  HE SAID THAT FIRE DEPARTMENTS ACROSS THE COUNTY ARE HURTING FOR THE MONEY THAT WOULD BE PRODUCED THROUGH THE TAX INCREASE.  HE SAID THAT THE CITY WAS PLAYING "RUSSIAN ROULETTE," WITH LIVES, AT ITS CURRENT FIRE DEPARTMENT STAFFING LEVEL. HE SAID THE CONSTITUENTS WERE GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE UP THEIR MINDS OF HOW MUCH PUBLIC SAFETY THEY WANT.   HE TOLD OF DIFFERENT INCIDENTS THAT HAVE HAPPENED BECAUSE OF THE SHORTAGE IN MANPOWER. 

      FIRE CHIEF MURRAY SAID THAT EACH FIRE TRUCK DELIVERS 3,500 GALLON OF WATER A MINUTE AT A STRUCTURAL FIRE.  IT TAKES 3 TRUCKS TO DO IT. 

     TOM DALTON SAID THEY HAVE 6 MEN ON THOSE TRUCKS.  WE SHOULDN'T BE DOING IT BUT WHAT HAPPENS IF WE DON'T.  WE SHOULD SHUT DOWN A STATION AND PUT 3 MEN ON 1 TRUCK, 3 MEN ON ANOTHER TRUCK AND 2 MEN ON RESCUE.  IF WE CAN'T SUPPLY THE 3,500 GAL. OF WATER PER MINUTE, THE HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE GOES UP.

      CHIEF MURRAY SAID THE DEPARTMENT HAD JUST INCREASED TO A 4 THROUGH THE ISO RATING.  HE SAID PROBABLY, IF THEY REVISITED, WE WOULD GO BACK TO A 5 OR 6 RATING.

      COUNCILMAN REID ASKED FOR A CLARIFICATION ON THE ISO RATING.  YOU DID MEAN IT GOT BETTER.  HE SAID THE OPTION WAS TO CLOSE DOWN A STATION AND OPERATE THAT THIRD ONE AS A VOLUNTEER STATION.

      TOM DALTON SAID WE HAVE THE BEST OF TRAINING AND EVERY MAN IS TRAINED, TRAINED, TRAINED.  NO OTHER COMMUNITY, NOT EVEN INDIANAPOLIS CAN COME IN HERE AND LAY OUT THEIR TRAINING RECORDS AND SHOW THEY ARE BETTER THAN NEW CASTLE.  A FIRE IS A FIRE AND WE ARE TRAINED VERY HIGHLY FOR IT.

      PRESIDENT YORK ASKED CHIEF MURRAY, EVEN IF IT WENT TO VOLUNTEERS, THERE IS COSTS FOR TRAINING AND EQUIPMENT.  WE ARE STILL RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT.  I AM CORRECT?

      CHIEF MURRAY SAID THAT BEFORE ANYONE COMES INTO THE FIRE SERVICE, OSHA REQUIRES THE EMPLOYER TO PROVIDE THEM WITH A SET OF TURN OUT GEAR.  DOES IT HAVE TO BE ANYTHING OTHER THAN COMPLIANCE WITH NFPA?   NO.  THERE ARE SEVERAL RAGES OF EQUIPMENT THAT YOU CAN GET.  THE BARE MINIMUM IS AROUND $1,500.00 TO $2,000.00, PER FIREFIGHTER.  AT A 4 TO 1 RATIO, ISO SAYS WHAT A VOLUNTEER TAKES TO REPLACE A FIREFIGHTER, THAT IS SOMEWHERE AROUND $8,000.00 FOR 1 GUY.  JUST FOR HIS GEAR.  THAT DOESN'T INCLUDE ANY OTHER UNIFORMS TO GO ALONG WITH IT, DO4ESN'T INCLUDE AN OSHA PHYSICAL THAT IS REQUIRED AND ANY OTHER TRAINING IT WOULD TAKE.  IT WOULD TAKE AT LEAST 6 MONTHS TO PUT THAT IN PLACE.

      COUNCILMAN REID ASKED WITH THE TURN OUT GEAR, NOT THE FACE PIECE, BUT THE GEAR, EQUAL IN SIZE OF ANOTHER, IF THE VOLUNTEER QUITS%u2026%u2026%u2026%u2026.

      CHIEF MURRAY SAID IT WAS A COST UP FRONT.

      COUNCILMAN REID SAID HE HAD TALKED WITH CHIEF MURRAY AND IN MOORELAND, FOR THE MOST PART, AND COUNCILMAN REID SAID HE WOULD NOT RECOMMEND IT, THOSE IN MOORELAND FOREGO OSHA PHYSICALS%u2026%u2026..

      CHIEF MURRAY SAID MOST DEPARTMENTS DO.

      COUNCILMAN REID SAID OUR TOWNSHIP CONTRACT WITH THE TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE.  THE TRUSTEE HAS A CHUNK OF CHANGE SITTING IN FIRE PROTECTION AND IF WE ARE SO SHORT, WHY AREN'T WE GOING AFTER THAT AND SAYING GIVE US THE MONEY IF YOU WANT TO CONTINUE TO HAVE FIRE PROTECTION IN THE TOWNSHIP.

       CHIEF MURRAY SAID THERE WAS AN INCREASE THIS YEAR. A 2.5%.  HE SAID HE ASKED FOR MORE THAN THAT.

      COUNCILMAN REID ASKED FOR THE JUSTIFICATION GIVEN.  FOR NOT PROVIDING MORE.  SITTING AROUND IN A BANKING ACCOUNTANT DRAWING INTEREST.

      CHIEF MURRAY SAID HE COULD NOT ANSWER THAT.  HE SAID THEY WOULD HAVE TO ASK THE TRUSTEE.  HE SAID HE ASKED FOR A REASONABLE SUGGESTION OF 5%.  HE SAID IT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN APPROPRIATE TO THE TRUSTEE OR THE TAX PAYERS IN THE TOWNSHIP, TO SAY I WANT A 25% INCREASE.  SHE HAS TO HAVE A BUDGET AND THE SAME TYPE SITUATION AS WE HAVE HERE.

      COUNCILMAN REID SAID HE UNDERSTOOD BUT IF THAT IS SITTING IN A BANKING ACCOUNT, THAT IS NOT WHAT THE TAXPAYERS MONEY IS FOR.  HE SAID HE WAS BRINGING THIS UP.  HE ASKED HOW MANY FIREMEN ARE WE CONTRACTED TO THE TOWNSHIP.

      CHIEF MURRAY SAID WE ARE CONTRACTED TO PROVIDE THE SERVICES THAT ARE REQUIRED TO TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM.

      COUNCILMAN REID ASKED, TYPICALLY, HOW MANY FIREMEN DO WE PROVIDE?

CHIEF MURRAY SAID SIX.  THERE IS NOTHING IN THE CONTRACT THAT STATES HOW MANY PERSONNEL OR APPARATUS RESPONDING.

      THE CHIEF SAID THE CONTRACT SAYS, DEEMED BY THE CHIEF, WE ARE TO RESPOND WITH WHATEVER IS NECESSARY TO ACCOMPLISH THE INCIDENT AND MED IGATE THE EMERGENCY.  THAT TAKES ALL WE HAVE HERE IN TOWN TO COVER THE TOWNSHIP.  IF WE ARE RESPONDING TO A HOUSE FIRE, WE RESPOND IN THE TOWNSHIP AS WE DO IN THE CITY BECAUSE WE PROVIDE THE SAME SERVICES.

      COUNCILMAN REID ASKED WHEN EVERYBODY IS HEALTHY; YOUR CURRENT STAFFING IS 3 SHIFTS.  HOW MANY FIREMEN ARE ON EACH SHIFT?

      CHIEF MURRAY SAID AS OF SATURDAY, 9, 9AND 9.  WITH 2 ON VACATION, THAT WILL LEAVE THEM.

      COUNCILMAN REID ASKED HOW MUCH HIS BUDGET WAS FOR THE YEAR.

      CHIEF MURRAY SAID 1.14 ROUGHLY.

      MAYOR SMALL SAID THAT HE WAS LED TO BELIEVE THAT MS. WADMAN'S CASE, THE REASON SHE HAS A RESERVE IS AT ANY YEAR THE CITY COULD OPTION NOT TO PROVIDE FIRE PROTECTION TO HER AND SHE DOES HAVE THIS RESERVE FOR A FIRE STATION AND STAFFING.

      COUNCILMAN REID SAID HIS CONCERN WAS IF WE ARE HURTING SO BAD, IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT,  WE ARE PROVIDING SERVICES TO THE TOWNSHIP, THEN AT SOME POINT THAT CASH PILE THAT IS BEING COLLECTED FROM THE TAX PAYERS IN THE TOWNSHIP FOR FIRE SERVICE, NEEDS TO COME OFF AND USED TO ACTUALLY PROVIDE THE SERVICE.  HE SAID AS FOR AS HE KNEW, THAT PILE OF MONEY HAS BEEN SITTING THERE ACCUMULATING SINCE SHERMAN BOLES WAS MAYOR BECAUSE THERE WAS PLANS TO IMPLEMENT A FIRE DEPARTMENT IF HE GOT RE-ELECTED.  THERE WERE PERSONNEL FRICTIONS OR WHATEVER.

HE SAID SANDY WAS NODDING HER HEAD AS THIS WAS HER UNDERSTANDING TOO.  HE SAID HE WASN'T SUGGESTING THAT IT WASN'T PRUDENT TO HAVE SOME RESERVE.  THAT MUST BE PART OF THE PROBLEM WE HAVE.  WE DON'T HAVE ANY RESERVE TO DEAL WITH CASH FLOW.  BUT, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE GETTING THE MOST MONEY FOR OUR BUCK, AS WE MOVE FORWARD.

      COUNCILMAN KIDD ASKED CHIEF MURRAY IF HE WAS GETTING WHAT YOU WERE ASKING FOR.

      CHIEF MURRAY SAID THE LAST CONTRACT WAS SIGNED FOR APPROXIMATELY $213,000. AND CHANGE FOR THE YEAR.  THIS WAS A TWO YEAR CONTRACT.  WE TAKE APPROXIMATELY 30 TO 35 RUNS A MONTH IN THE TOWNSHIP.  MIND YOU, 85% ARE MEDICAL ASSIST.  SHE IS NOT RESPONSIBLE TO PROVIDE ANY SERVICES FOR MEDICAL ASSIST.  WE DO THIS OUT OF THE GOODNESS OF OUR HEARTS OT WHATEVER.  SHE IS ONLY RESPONSIBLE TO PROVIDE FIRE PROTECTION FOR THE TOWNSHIP.  ON AVERAGE, ONE OR TWO BRUSH FIRES OR A CAR FIRE OR AN OCCASIONAL HOUSE FIRE.  YOU ARE LOOKING AT SIX OR SEVEN RUNS THAT COULD BE CONSIDERED FIRE OR HAZARD MATERIAL.  WE ARE GETTING A PRETTY GOOD AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR ACTUAL, WHAT YOU WOULD CONSIDER FIRE RUNS COMPARED WHAT SOME GET IN OTHER TOWNSHIPS AREAS.   HE SAID HE THOUGHT IT WAS A VERY FAIR CONTRACT.

CHIEF MURRAY SAID, IN 2008, THERE WAS A $280,000.00 HOME THAT WAS FULLY ENGULFED, IN THE TOWNSHIP.  WE HAD TO CALL IN FIREMEN TO COVER THE CITY WHILE THE OTHERS, ALONG WITH MUTUAL AIDE, COVERED THE FIRE.  IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME.  HE SAID WITH WHAT HE HAS, THERE IS NO WAY TO PROVIDE EVERYTHING.  HE SAID DURING THE FIRE, THEY HAD SIX OR SEVEN CONSECUTIVE RUNS.  EVERY PIECE OF APPARATUS WE HAVE, WAS INVOLVED.

CHIEF MURRAY SAID HE DIDN'T WANT ANYONE TO WALK AWAY FROM HERE TONIGHT, THINKING THE FIRE DEPARTMENT IS LYING DOWN AND TAKING IT.

      FIREMAN TOM DALTON SAID THINGS HAVE CHANGED.  IN THE 50'S, IF YOU WANTED TO BE A FIREMAN, YOU COULD COME OFF THE STREETS.  NOW, WE MUST TAKE A TEST BEFORE YOU CAN BE CONSIDERED.  IF YOU DON'T PASS THE WRITTEN TEST, YOU DON'T GET HIRED.  AS LONG AS THERE IS ONE PROFESSIONAL PAID FIREFIGHTER ON THIS FIRE DEPARTMENT, WE WILL ABSOLUTELY INSIST THAT ANY VOLUNTEER GOES THROUGH THE SAME QUALIFICATIONS, HIRING, TESTING, ETC.   WE DON'T WANT TO WORK WITH SOMEBODY OR PUT OUR LIVES IN SOMEBODY'S HANDS THAT ARE NOT QUALIFIED.  YOU'RE NOT GOING TO SAY, EVERYBODY BE A VOLUNTEER FIREMAN FOR NEW CASTLE.

      MAYOR SMALL SAID 25 OF YOUR MEN ARE CERTIFIED AS EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIANS.

      FIREMAN DALTON SAID HE KNEW THAT THE NEW CASTLE FIREMEN WERE AS HIGHLY TRAINED AS ANY OTHER FIRE DEPARTMENT, SUCH AS MUNCIE OR INDIANAPOLIS, WHICH ARE MUCH LARGER.

      PRESIDENT YORK STATED SHE WOULDN'T TRADE JOBS WITH FIREMAN DALTON FOR NOTHING AFTER SPENDING A DAY AS A FIREMAN TRAINING.

      PAULINE HASTY, 1302 S. 23^RD ST., APPEARED BEFORE THE COUNCIL ASKING IF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT BILLS THE INSURANCE FOR THOSE RUNS?

      MAYOR SMALL SAID IF THE PATIENT HAS INSURANCE.

      PRESIDENT YORK SAID NOT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.

      CHIEF MURRAY SAID THAT THE INDIANA LAW SAYS THAT ANY MUNICIPALITY FIRE DEPARTMENT CAN NOT BILL YOUR INSURANCE.  HE ASKED THAT EVERYONE CONTACT THE STATE INSURANCE DEPARTMENT, DOWNTOWN INDIANAPOLIS, AND CONTACT THE HEAD GUY, CALL YOUR LEGISLATOR AND CONVINCE THEM THEY NEED TO CHANGE THAT.  THE ONLY ONES THAT CAN BILL FOR A FIRE RUN TO THE INSURANCE IS A VOLUNTEER DEPARTMENT BECAUSE THEY HAVE ZERO PAID PERSONNEL.

      MRS. HASTY ASKED MAYOR SMALL TO GET SOMETHING STARTED SO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAN CHARGE.  SHE SAID THAT IS WHY SHE PAYS HER INSURANCE.

      MAYOR SMALL SAID HE WOULD HAVE TO CONTACT SEVERAL IN LEGISLATION TO SEE IF SOMETHING COULD BE CHANGES.

      PAUL DAVIS, NEW CASTLE, SAID IT WAS FOOLISH TO EVEN THINK ABOUT CUTTING PUBLIC SAFETY.  HE WANTED TO KNOW WHY IN THIS ORDINANCE 2.5% WAS GOING FOR PUBLIC SAFETY.  WHY NOT THE WHOLE 5% TO PUBLIC SAFETY.

      COUNCILMAN REID SAID IN INDIANA WE PAY OUR PROPERTY TAXES ONE YEAR BEHIND SO THE 2.5 % WILL SHOW UP IN 2011 PROPERTY TAX BILL.

       MARY LOGAN, NEW CASTLE, SUPPORTED THE 2.5% FOR PUBLIC SAFETY WITH COIT IF IT KEEPS OUR EMPLOYEES WORKING.  IF THERE IS A LAY OFF IN EMERGENCY SERVICES, DON'T DO IT.

      ROGER GOSSER, SAID THE PEOPLE THAT GET LAID OFF ARE THE ONES DOING THE WORK.  IS ANYBODY BEEN LAID OFF IN THE CITY BUILDING OR MANAGEMENT?

      MAYOR SMALL SAID YES.  HE IS NOW SERVING AS DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS,

DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES WITH A CONTRACTED PERSON TO ASSIST HIM, NO ASSISTANT DIRECTORS IN ANY DEPARTMENTS.  WE HAVE TAKEN MAJOR HITS.  THIS IS A LARGE TASK.

      COUNCILMAN HAHN SAID HE UNDERSTANDS TOTALLY, PUBLIC SAFETY.  THEY ALL HAVE BEEN TRAINED AND DO ENDURE A LOT OF STRESS.  NOT EVERYBODY COULD FILL THE EMERGENCY SERVICE SHOES.  IF WE PASS THIS TONIGHT, THERE IS STILL COULD BE A LAY OFF IN THESE SERVICES.  IF WE ARE HAVING A HARD TIME MAINTAINING 3 STATIONS WITH LESS PERSONNEL, WHAT IS THE REASON TO PASS THIS IF WE CAN'T MAINTAIN OUR PEOPLE.   WE NEED TO HIRE MORE, TO STAFF PER OSHA.  THEY HAVE CERTAIN DEMANDS FOR EACH OCCUPATION.  THERE ARE NO GUARANTEES.  HE ASKED IF EVERY ELECTED OFFICIAL WOULD BE WILLING TO GIVE CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THEIR PAY CHECKS TO THE GENERAL FUND TO KEEP SOMEONE WORKING.  GIVE WHAT YOU CAN.  WE GOT TO COME UP WITH SOME ALTERNATIVE.   TAX AFTER TAX.  WITH AN INCREASE THAT IS COMING IN UTILITIES, SOME PEOPLE WON'T BE ABLE TO BUY MEDICINE OR FOOD.  PEOPLE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO LIVE THEIR LONGEVITY OF LIFE.  THIS IS WHAT THE GOVERNMENT IS TRYING TO DO TO THE PEOPLE.  WE MUST TRY TO HELP.

      MAYOR SMALL SAID WE ARE TALKING ABOUT TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS.  HE SAID HE COULD NOT GUARANTEE THAT THERE WOULD NOT BE A LAY OFF IF WE DID GET THE LOIT PASSED BUT HE SAID HE COULD ALMOST GUARANTEE IF WE DON'T GET THAT EXTRA FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS, 10 PEOPLE WILL BE LAID OFF.  YOU FIGURE $50,000.00 PER EMPLOYEE AND THAT IS SOMETHING WE JUST CANNOT DO.

      COUNCILMAN HAHN SAID WE CAN'T LAY OFF ANY MORE PEOPLE.  THAT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE.  WHAT ELSE CAN WE DO BESIDES THIS LOIT?

      PRESIDENT YORK SAID EVEN IF WE PASS THIS, IT IS SUBJECT TO PASSAGE BY ANOTHER, THE COUNTY LEVEL.  THERE ARE NO GUARANTEES OF WHAT WE ARE DOING HERE TONIGHT.  SHE SAID SHE WANTED EVERYONE TO KNOW THAT.  WE CAN PASS THIS AND IT CAN STILL DIE IN 30 DAYS.  IF THIS DOES NOT PASS AT THE COUNT7Y LEVEL, THERE WILL BE LESS FIREFIGHTERS, EMS AND POLICE OFFICERS ON THE STREET.  WHEN YOU CALL FOR THEM, THEY ARE NOT GOING TO BE THERE.

       COUNCILMAN KIDD ASKED WHAT THE COUNTY HAD TO LOOSE IF THEY DON'T PASS IT.

       MAYOR SMALL SAID THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT DOES NOT HAVE its OWN FIRE PROTECTION.

       DALE COLE, NEW CASTLE, SAID   TO THE COUNCIL, STEP UP AND BE THE LEADER AND PASS THIS RESOLUTION.  NOBODY WANTS TO PAY TAXES BUT WE DO WANT THE SERVICES.

       A GENTLEMAN FROM HARD ACRE COURT SPOKE TO THE COUNCIL ADVISING THEM TO VOTE FOR IT IF THEY FELT IT WAS THE RIGHT TIME.  IF NOT, DON'T.  HE SAID THEY WERE ON A LIMITED INCOME AND DON'T WANT IT.  HE SAID HE HOPED THE COUNCIL WOULD WEIGH THE FACTS.  HE STATED HE WAS AGAINST IT.

      COUNCILMAN HAHN ASKED IF THIS GENTLEMAN HAD CHILDREN AT HOME, AND HE WENT TO THE STORE, THE HOUSE CATCHES FIRE, TAKES THE FIRE DEPARTMENT 20 MINUTES TO GET THERE AND YOUR CHILDREN ARE THERE, ARE YOU WANTING TO PAY A FEE TO MAKE SURE THAT NEVER HAPPENS, HE SAID HE DIDN'T WANT TO MAKE THE DEVIL'S ADVOCATE TO YOU BUT IF HIS CHILDREN WERE IN THAT HOUSE, THERE ISN'T ENOUGH MONEY IN THE WORLD THAT HE COULD PLACE ON IT.  YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT IT AS WHAT IF IT WAS OUR FAMILY.  YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU HAVE GOT UNTIL YOU LOOSE IT.

      COUNCILMAN REID ASKED THE AUDIENCE ONE QUESTION.  IF THE AUDIENCE IS GIVEN THE CHOICE TONIGHT, GIVE A SHOW OF HANDS OF IF YOU WOULD RATHER SEE THE EMERGENCY SERVICES THAT ARE PROVIDED EITHER IN QUANTITY OR THE METHOD THAT THEY ARE PROVIDED CHANGED OR WOULD YOU RATHER SEE THE COIT INCREASE.  COIT, RAISE YOUR HAND.  A CHANGE IN SERVICE, RAISE YOUR HAND.  THE C O I T WON. 

      COUNCILMAN KOGER SPOKE BEFORE HE CASTED HIS VOTE.  HE SAID EVERYTHING HE WAS GOING TO SAY HAD BEEN SAID.  THE CITIZENS DESERVE THE FIRE AND POLICE PROTECTION THAT THEY GET NOW AND NEED TO CONTINUE TO AND THEY DESERVE THAT.  WE ALL KNOW IT IS BECAUSE OF DECLINING PROPERTY TAXES.  THERE MAY BE ONE PERSON ON THE COUNTY COUNCIL THAT WILL VOTE IN FAVOR OF THIS.  ONE ON THEIR BOARD.  THEY HAVE PUT THIS ON THE BACK BURNER FOR MONTHS, THEY HAVE LEFT IT TO OUR COUNCIL TO INITIATE THIS.  WE ARE THE ONES IN THE NEWSPAPER TOMORROW MORNING ON HOW WE VOTED.  WE VOTED TO RAISE TAXES, HEADLINES.  WE HAVE MORE TO LOOSE AS A CITY THAN THE COUNTY DOES.

THERE ARE SEVERAL COMMUNITIES AROUND US THAT PAY IN EXCESS OF 2% TO L O I T RIGHT NOW.  IT'S ON THEIR BOOKS.  MOVE TO ONE OF THOSE COMMUNITIES AND SEE HOW YOUR PAYCHECK GOES THEN.   YOU'LL LOOSE IT BEFORE YOU MOVE.  IT' THE THINGS YOU DON'T KNOW.  YOU JUST READ THE HEADLINES.  HE SAID WE NEED AND HE WANTS, THE PUBLIC SAFETY THAT WE HAVE NOW.  HIS VOTE IS AYE.

      COUNCILMAN REID SAID HE WOULD VOTE AYE BUT THE CITY NEEDS THE MONEY TO MAKE AND IMPLEMENT STRUCTURAL CHANGES IN THE WAY WE OFFER SERVICES.

      COUNCILMAN HAHN SAID HE WAS NOT AGAINST THE RESOLUTION AND HE WAS NOT FOR IT.  HE SAID YOU CAN'T MAKE NO ONE HAPPY.  DO WHAT IS BEST FOR THE CITIZENS OF NEW CASTLE.  HE SAID LISTENING TO THE PEOPLE TONIGHT HAS CHANGED HIS DIRECTION OF THOUGHT.

 

ROLL CALL VOTE:  SIX VOTES AYE.                     PASSED AND ORDERED.

 

 

PRESIDENT YORK MOVED TO TABLE THIS ORDINANCE UNTIL AN ERROR HAS BEEN CORRECTED.

 

COUNCILMAN REID ASKED IF THE CLERK HAD WORKED A PART TIME EMPLOYEE THIS YEAR.

CLERK LAVARNWAY SAID YES.  SHE SAID THE PART TIME HAD ALWAYS BEEN ON THE SALARY SCHEDULE AND DID NOT KNOW HOW IT WAS MISSED BUT THAT IT HAD BEEN IN HER BUDGET AND APPROVED BY CITY COUNCIL.

 

PRESIDENT YORK MOVED TO TABLE THIS ORDINANCE UNTIL THE NEXT MEETING.  COUNCILMAN HAHN: SECOND  ROLL CALL VOTE: SIX VOTES AYE.        TABLED.

 

 

     KIM RHODES SAID THE PICTURES SHE PRESENTED WERE IN A 10 BLOCK AREA.

SHE SAID THE ONE PICTURE ON CHURCH STREET, SHE HAD BEEN DEALING WITH

THIS COMPLAINT AT THE BUILDING INSPECTORS OFFICE FOR A YEAR.  THE HOME THERE DOES HAVE WATER BUT NO ELECTRICITY.  IT IS OCCUPIED.  THEY HAVE FOUR DOGS.  SHE CONTACTED THE HUMANE SOCIETY, BUILDING INSPECTOR, THE POLICE, AND CAN'T GET ANYTHING DONE.  SHE SAID SHE WAS UPSET ABOUT THE LARGE TRASH.  SHE SAID A PLAN SHOULD HAVE BEEN IN PLACE.  WE ARE BEGINNING TO LOOK LIKE INDIANAPOLIS SLUM AREAS.  IF YOU DO PUT A TASK FORCE TOGETHER, SHE VOLUNTEERED TO WORK WITH THAT TASK FORCE. 

      COUNCILMAN HAHN SAID THAT THE CITIZENS TASK FORCE SHOULD BE STARTED RIGHT NOW.  HE ASKED MRS. RHODES TO BE THE CHAIRPERSON OF IT.

THOSE INCLUDED INTO THE TASK FORCE WILL BE:

PRESIDENT YORK, COUNCILMAN KIDD, COUNCILMAN KOGER, COUNCILMAN HAHN AND MRS. KIM RHODES.

      COUNCILMAN KOGER SAID HE AGREED THAT THE CITY DOES NEED A TASK FORCE.  HE SAID THIS IS A SAD DAY WHEN YOU HAVE TO FORM A TASK FORCE TO PICK UP TRASH.  HE SAID HE KNEW WHAT WAS IN THE ORDINANCE BUT HE THOUGHT IT WAS TIME THAT THE BUILDING INSPECTOR AND THE STREET DEPARTMENT PICKS UP THE TRASH ON A DAILY BASIS AND QUIT DRIVING BY IT

DAY AFTER DAY.

      MAYOR SMALL SAID HE HAD ORDINANCE #3564 WHICH THE ADMINISTRATION PRESENTED TO THE CITY COUNCIL ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO, EXPLAINING THE CUTS WE HAD  AND TO COME UP WITH USER FEES, CHARGING FOR SOFAS.  WE WOULD PICK UP BRUSH AND LIMBS, TIRES ALIKE.  IT NEVER MADE A MOTION OR READ.  IT IS SITTING IN A COMMITTEE WITHIN THE CITY COUNCIL.  HE SAID HE STARTED THE BALL ROLLING%u2026%u2026%u2026%u2026%u2026.

      COUNCILMAN KOGER SAID, YOU GOT THE BALL ROLLING%u2026%u2026. WHY IS IT STILL IN COMMITTEE?  WE FELL THAT THE CITY SHOULD BE DOING SOMETHING ABOUT IT ON A DAILY BASIS.  THAT IS WHY IT IS STILL IN COMMITTEE, SITTING ON OUR DESKS.

      COUNCILMAN HAHN SAID,  ORDINANCE #3391, NOVEMBER 15, 2004,  WAS PASSED AND IT SAYS, CLEANUP OF PREMISES BY GOVERNMENT AUTHORIZATION.  10 DAYS AFTER THE DUE NOTICE IS GIVEN TO ANY OWNER, AGENT OR OCCUPANT OF ANY PRIVATE PROPERTY TO REMOVE LITTER FROM THE PREMISES.  THE CITY IS AUTHORIZED TO CLEAN UP THE PRIVATE PROPERTY AND BILL THE OWNER OR AGENT.  THE COST THEREOF, INCLUDING LEGAL FEES.  IF NOT PAID WITHIN 30 DAYS,  EXECUTION MAYBE ISSUED AGAINST THE OWNERS FOR THE AMOUNT SPENT IN THE CLEANING WORK AND A LIEN BE PLACED AGAINST THE PROPERTY UNTIL THE CLAIM HAS BEEN SATISFIED.

      COUNCILMAN HAHN SAID, "WE HAVE NOT BEEN ENFORCING THIS ORDINANCE."

HOW WE GOING TO ENFORCE A NEW ORDINANCE?

      MAYOR SMALL SAID THEY WERE ENFORCING IT THROUGH CITY COURT.

      COUNCILMAN KIDD SAID THERE WAS ONE THING WE COULD DO TO HELP.  WHEN THE TRASH COLLECTORS COME TO A CLEAN OUT, THAT SHOULD BE DOCUMENTED AND THE TRASH COULD BE PICKED UP A LOT SOONER.  THE CITY COULD PICK THAT UP SOONER AND GET IT OFF THE STREETS. HE TOLD OF SEVERAL SITES WHERE TRASH HAD LAID FOR WEEKS.  HE THOUGHT THOSE SHOULD BE DOCUMENTED, PICKED UP AND OFF THE STREETS.

      MAYOR SMALL SAID HE MUST REMIND THE COUNCIL THAT OUR MVH FUNDS

SLASHED.   HE ASKED STREET COMMISSIONER AYERS IF HE HAD THE MANPOWER TO DO THIS.

      MR. AYERS SAID THEY GO FROM ONE JOB TO ANOTHER SINCE HE THE LAY OFFS.  YOU CAN ONLY DO SO MUCH WITH 18 PEOPLE IN A DEPARTMENT.  HE TODAY WE HAD FIVE PEOPLE ON THE PACKERS, TWO MECHANICS AND ONE IN THE OFFICE.  THREE PEOPLE OFF,  FIVE PEOPLE ON STREET CUTS, AND FIVE TO PAINT STRIPS ON THE STREETS.  THAT IS OUT.  WE ARE RUNNING THE ALLEYS NOW TRYING TO GET THINGS CLEANED UP.  THEY ARE OUT PICKING UP EXTRA AT THE REQUEST OF THE MAYOR THIS WEEK.  ONE FLAT BET PICKED UP EXTRA, 2 COUCHES, BED ROOM SUIT AND TOOK IT TO THE DUMP.  IT COST $160.00 TO DUMP THEM.

IT IS THE MATTER OF HELP AND  ROTATION.

       PRESIDENT YORK ASKED IF THE STREET DEPARTMENT WAS GOING TO BE RUNNING THE FLATBEDS ANYMORE OR JUST AT THE REQUEST OF MAYOR SMALL?

      MAYOR SMALL SAID WE HAVE 104 MILES OF STREETS.  WE HAVE LIMITED RESOURCES AND HE AGREED WITH EVERYTHING THAT HAD BEEN SAID.

      MR. AYERS SAID WHEN YOU BY-PASS THE PROCEDURE, YOU ARE IN VIOLATION OF THE ORDINANCE.

      COUNCILMAN REID SAID WE HAVE A LITTER PROBLEM.  HE SAID THE BIG STUFF IS NOT PART OF THE CURRENT ORDINANCE.  WE MUST RESOLVE THAT SOME HOW.  IN THE MEANTIME, SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE ON AN EMERGENCY BASIS.  HE SAID WHAT HE WAS LOOKING AT, THAT WAS COVERED IN THE CITY ORDINANCE, ACCORDING TO THE BROCHURE THAT CAME ON THE WATER BILL, WHEN THE NEW TRASH TRUCKS START PICKING UP, THAT TIED BUNDLES WILL NOT BE PICKED UP OR ANY OTHER THAN ACTUAL THINGS THAT WILL FIT IN THAT.  WE HAVE A DISCREPANCY BETWEEN THE ORDINANCE AND WHAT THE POLICY IS GOING TO BE.  THE ORDINANCE SAYS AS LONG AS IT WEIGHS LESS THAN 75 POUNDS AND A 3 FOOT BUNDLE, OR SMALLER, THE CITY WILL PICK IT UP.  BUT, WE HAVE SENT OUT GUIDANCE TO THE CITIZENS THAT SAYS IF IT WON'T FIT IN THE ACTUAL TRASH CONTAINER, AND DON'T PUT THINGS LIKE SHELVING OR STUFF YOU COULD TIE IN A BUNDLE AND STICK OUT THERE.  HE SAID SOMETHING NEEDS TO HAPPEN.  AMEND THE ORDINANCE, AND HE DIDN'T THINK THE COUNCIL WOULD BE WILLING TO AMEND THAT PART, OR TO ELIMINATE IT, OR THE CITY NEEDS A PLAN TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO PICK IT UP.

     MAYOR SMALL SAID HE LOOKED TO COUNCIL TO GIVE ADVICE ON AN ORDINANCE WE CAN ENFORCE.  WE HAVE CUT BACK A LOT IN MANAGEMENT AREA.  THIS ALSO HIT THE BUILDING COMMISSIONER.  HE NO LONGER HAS AN ASSISTANT.  NO OTHER DEPARTMENT HAS ASSISTANTS.  HE HAD TWO CLERKS, NOW ONE AND A HALF.  THEY ARE UP TO THEIR EARS IN PAPER WORK.  LISTEN TO SQUEAKY WHEELS.   THOSE WHO SQUEAK THE MOST TEND TO RISE TO THE TOP OF THE LIST.  WE ARE BEING VERY RE-ACTIVE RIGHT NOW, UNFORTUNATELY.

      COUNCILMAN KIDD SAID HE THOUGHT THE CITY SHOULD BE THINKING ABOUT A CODE ENFORCER.  MAKES THEIR PAY BY PART OF THE FINES.  THE HOPE INITIATIVE HAS TALKED ABOUT THAT.  THAT WOULD SAVE THE BUILDING INSPECTOR S OFFICE A LOT OF WORK. 

      MAYOR SMALL SAID THE CITY IS IN THE BUDGET PROCESS RIGHT NOW AND MR. HALL CAME WITH HIS BUDGET REQUESTING A BUILDING INSPECTOR, ASSISTANT INSPECTOR AND TWO CLERKS.  HE SAID HE TOLD MR. HALL IT HAD TO BE AN ASSISTANT OR A CLERK.  COULD NOT BE BOTH.  THERE IS GOING TO BE A CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER BEING ADDED TO THE SALARY SCHEDULE.  HE WILL WORK 32 HOURS A WEEK @ $11.00 PER HOUR AND  WILL BE FUNDED OUT OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND REPORT TO MR. HALL TO TAKE CARE OF THESE THINGS COUNCILMAN KIDD WAS TALKING  ABOUT.

      SUPERINTENDENT AYERS SAID THAT 30 YEARS AGO, THE STREET DEPARTMENT

HAD 29 PEOPLE.  IT REALLY TAKES 33 FULL TIME PEOPLE.    WE HAVE 18 AND 3 GOING TO BE LAID OFF, SOMETHING HAS TO HAPPEN.  ONLY 15 PEOPLE, WE HAVE TO BE ON ROTATION. 

      CHARLES WILSON, CRESCENT ADDITION, SAID HE WAS NOT OPPOSED TO THE TRASH PICK UP.  HE SAID THEY TAKE THEIR TRASH TO CRESCENT CREEK.  IF WE HAVE TRASH CONTAINERS, IT WILL BE VERY DIFFICULT FOR THEM.  SEVERAL WIDOWS AND HIM ARE ELDERLY AND HE WAS REQUESTING THAT THE TRUCK COULD COME INTO HIS ALLEY.  THEY COULDN'T TURN AROUND BUT COULD BACK OUT.

      MAYOR SMALL SAID IF PRESIDENT OBAMA CAN HAVE 3 CZARS, HE COULD HAVE ONE WHICH WILL BE DAVID ENGLAND, WATER SUPERINTENDENT AND HE IS GOING TO CO-COORDINATING THE TRASH.  WE ARE ASKING FOR PATIENCE.

      COUNCILMAN HAHN OFFERED TO COME TO HELP MR. WILSON AND THE OTHER LADIES GET THEIR TRASH OUT UNTIL A SOLUTION CAN BE GOTTEN.

      MAYOR SMALL SAID HE HAD TALKED WITH ELDERLY PEOPLE WHO HAVE TOLD HIM THAT THE TRASH MEN ACTUALLY CAME UP ON THEIR PORCH TO HELP WITH THE TRASH.  THIS SITUATION IS GOING TO EXIST.  PEOPLE ARE JUST NOT PHYSICALLY ABLE TO DO THIS.  THAT IS WHY MR. ENGLAND WILL SOLVE THE PROBLEM.

      COUNCILMAN REID SAID HE KNEW THE PROBLEM WITH MR. WILSON AND THE OTHER ELDERLY THAT LIVE THERE.  HE SAID HE THOUGHT THERE WAS ROOM TO DRIVE THE TRUCK IN THERE AND BACK OUT. 

       

PRESIDENT YORK SAID SHE HAD A REQUEST FOR CHIEF NICHOLSON.  SHE SAID THERE IS AN ORDINANCE WHICH WAS PASSED STATING "NO SEMIS ON GRAND AVENUE."  ON GRAND AVE., THERE IS A LOT OF TRAFFIC BECAUSE OF CONSTRUCTION, BUT THERE IS NO REASON FOR A SEMI TO COME UP GRAND AVE., FROM 25^TH ST., GO EAST TO 18^TH ST..  THERE IS NO FACTORIES, NO STORES, IT IS ALL RESIDENTIAL.  SHE SAID 20 TO 25 SEMIS GO BY ON A DAILY BASIS.

THERE ARE SIGNS AT EVERY BLOCK, A WEIGHT LIMIT.  THIS HAS BEEN ON THE BOOKS FOR AT LEAST 6 OR 8 YEARS.  SHE SAID SHE WANTED THIS ENFORCED.

      CHIEF NICHOLSON SAID THAT THEY HAVE BEEN ENFORCING THAT.  THEY EVEN STOPPED A SEMI ON Q AVE. THE OTHER DAY WHICH HAS BEEN RELIEVED BECAUSE OF CONSTRUCTION.  HE SAID THEY ARE ENFORCING IT.  

      PRESIDENT YORK SAID IT WAS GETTING BACK TO ENFORCING WHAT IS ON THE BOOKS.  SHE ASKS THAT THIS MATTER BE LOOKED INTO.

      COUNCILMAN KIDD SAID THAT MAYBE CORRECTIVE SIGNS WOULD HELP.

      COUNCILMAN REID SAID HE HAD 2 QUICK THINGS. SAID POLICE OFFICERS WERE OUT RUNNING RADAR.  MORE PHYSICAL ENFORCEMENT THAN IN THE PAST.  THIS IS A GOOD THING.  HE SAID HE APPRECIATED THAT.  HOW DIFFICULT WOULD IT BE TO GET " NO TRUCK" SIGNS POSTED ON BUNDY, RIGHT AFTER YOU PULL OFF OF ST. RD. 3.  IT IS NOT MARKED. IT KIND OF LOOKS LIKE A BY-PASS, IF YOU'RE NOT FROM NEW CASTLE.  PUT UP A NO TRUCK SIGN THERE.

      CHIEF NICHOLSON SAID THAT THE OFFICERS WERE CONCERNED WITH SIGNS OFF OF ST. RD. 3 PERTAINING TO SEMIS, ESPECIALLY WITH TRUCKS THAT HAD TO MAKE DELIVERIES TO SCHOOLS AND STORES.  HE SAID HE RECOMMENDED THAT THE COUNCIL PASS A BLANKET ORDINANCE THAT WOULD STOP TRUCKS FROM TRAVELING EASTBOUND OR BEING ON THOSE ROADS EAST OF STATE ROAD 3, ONCE CONSTRUCTION IS FINISHED.  YOU WILL HAVE THE TRUCK ROUTE ON 300 SOUTH WHICH WILL BE OPENED.

      COUNCILMAN REID SAID WE WOULD HAVE TO ALLOW FOR DELIVERIES.  WE DON'T WANT TO SCARE UPS OR FED X AWAY.

      PRESIDENT YORK SAID IT WAS GOING TO HAVE TO BE UNDER A WEIGHT LIMIT.

     

COUNCILMAN HAHN SAID BY THE SUNNYSIDE SCHOOL.  PEOPLE OVER THERE ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE DUST AND ASKED THAT THE ROADS BE WATERED DOWN.  HE SAID THEY ARE WATERING DOWN BY THE DAIRY QUEEN BY A FIRE HYDRANT.    THEY ARE ASKING THAT THE ROAD BE WATERED.

      MAYOR SMALL SAID THEY ARE WITHIN DAYS OF GETTING THE BASE LAID THERE.  SOUTH OF M AVE.

      POLICE CHIEF NICHOLSON SAID THAT THEY HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED THAT PAVING IS TO START TOMORROW.

 

COUNCILMAN REID ASKED ABOUT THE WALLS ERECTED BETWEEN INDIANA AVE. AND THE RAILROAD TRACKS ON TH OTHER SIDE OF SOUTHGATE.  HE HAS HEARD COMPLAINTS AND FRUSTRATION THAT PEOPLE CAN'T SEE AROUND THE CORNERS OR INTERSECTIONS WHEN PULLING OUT OF THEIR DRIVEWAYS.  HAVE THOSE GONE THROUGH FINAL CHECK WITH ENGINEERING?  IS THAT ON THEIR LIST?

      MAYOR SMALL SAID IT SHOULD BE.  HE SAID THEY HAVEN'T DEVELOPED A PUNCH LIST.

      COUNCILADY MALONE SAID SHE HAD SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THIS MATTER. SHE SAID YOU HAVE TO BE ALMOST IN THE MIDDLE OF 18^TH STREET TO SEE.

 

CITIZENS SPEAKING:

DALE COLE SAID THAT METALDYNE IS JUST ABOUT GONE.  HE SAID THE METHODIST CHURCH IS OPENING its DOOR ON MONDAY FOR ANYONE WHO WANTS TO COME AND HAVE PRAYER FROM 9:00 A.M. TO 5:00 P.M.  WE ALL NEED PRAYER.  THE ADDRESS IS 2400 NORTH MEMORIAL DRIVE.

 

PAUL DAVIS ASKED IF ANYONE KNEW ANYTHING ABOUT THE ABANDONED HOUSE NEXT TO HIS CHURCH ON NORTH 16^TH ST.  HE ASKED IF THERE WAS AN UPDATE.

      EDC DIRECTOR DAVIS SAID THE NSP GRANT WOULD HAVE TO BE CHANGE THE ORDER REQUEST TO SEE IF THAT WOULD QUALIFY.  SHE SAID SHE WOULD PURSUE THE GRANT.

      MAYOR SMALL SAID THAT IN THE GRANT, WE ASKED TO REHAB 3 HOMES AND DEMOLISH ONE.  THOSE NUMBERS ARE CHANGING AROUND.  THIS HOUSE COULD BE DEMOLISHED AS WELL AS REHABBED.

 

MARY LOGAN ASKED THAT NOTIFICATION BE GIVEN TO THE ELDERLY ABOUT THE SMALLER DUMPSTERS.

       MAYOR SMALL SAID IT HAD BEEN IN THE PAPER AND A FLIER HAD BEEN SENT.  THE MAYOR SAID THE COST WAS $60.00 FOR AN ADDITIONAL TRASH CAN.

       MS. LOGAN SAID SHE WANTED TO THANK EVERYONE INVOLVED WITH THE POOL.  SHE SAID SHE THINKS EVERYTHING IS GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

 

 

PRESIDENT YORK MOVED FOR ADJOURNMENT.

COUNCILMAN REID: SECOND