The City of New Castle, Indiana

COMMON COUNCIL 

MAY 17, 2010           7:00 P.M.

 

THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE WAS GIVEN BY EVERYONE IN ATTENDANCE.

PRAYER WAS GIVEN BY BOBBY YORK.

MAYOR SMALL OPENED THE MEETING OF THE COMMON COUNCIL.

 

ROLL CALL:

SANDY YORK                                     PRESENT                  

ANGIE GOODMAN                             PRESENT

JAMES KIDD                                        PRESENT

MARY MALONE                                  PRESENT

MARK KOGER                                     PRESENT

VAUGHN REID                                     PRESENT

RICHARD HAHN                                  PRESENT

 

COUNCILMAN REID STATED THAT HE HAD A QUESTION ABOUT THE MINUTES, FOR THE SAKE OF CLARITY.  HE SAID ON THE FIRST PAGE OF THE COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES, ON ITEM  #12, THAT NEEDS TO READ THAT SOMEBODY'S WATER OR SEWER WON'T GET SHUT OFF IF THEY FAIL TO PAY TRASH.  IT IS NOT ENTIRELY CLEAR THERE.  THAT SOUNDS LIKE IF ANYBODY FAILS TO PAY THEIR UTILITIES, WE WON'T SHUT THEM OFF.  THAT COULD BECOME AN ISSUE.

     CLERK-TREASURER LAVARNWAY SAID #12 AS WAS TAKEN FROM THE TAPE AS WAS EVERYTHING ELSE.

COUNCILMAN REID SAID HE PROBABLY SAID IT.  HE JUST WANTS TO MAKE SURE THAT IT IS CORRECTED.

     ADD :

#12%u2026%u2026..THE WATER UTILITY SHALL NOT BE TURNED OFF FOR FAILURE TO PAY CURRENT SOLID WASTE WATER FEES PROVIDED WATER AND SEWER FEES ARE CURRENT.

 

MAYOR SMALL READ A PROCLAMATION, PROCLAIMING THE MONTH OF MAY, 2010 AS "OLDER AMERICAN MONTH."

 

MAYOR SMALL SAID FROM THE EXPERIENCE WORKS, HE HAD A CERTIFICATE FOR SENIOR WORKS DAY, BY EXPERIENCE WORKS, TO HAND TO MRS. JEAN ANN HILL.  HE ASKED MS. HILL TO COME FORWARD AND RECEIVE THE CERTIFICATE.

HE SAID HE FELT HONORED TO READ THE CERTIFICATE .  HE THEN PRESENTED MRS. HILL WITH THE CERTIFICATE AS THE AUDIENCE GAVE A LOUD APPLAUSE.

 

BUSINESS:

PRESIDENT YORK SAID AN APPOINTMENT TO THE NEW CASTLE/HENRY COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.

     PRESIDENT YORK NOMINATED LORI BROWN.   COUNCILMAN HAHN: SECOND.   ROLL CALL VOTE: SEVEN VOTES AYE.    APPOINTED.

 

A PRESENTATION WAS GIVEN BY BRIAN BERGEN, REPRESENTATIVE OF EIDD, EASTERN INDIANA DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT.  HE GAVE AN UPDATE OF THEIR ASSISTANCE FOR GRANT WRITING.

 

     PRESIDENT YORK MOVED TO PASS THIS RESOLUTION DUE TO THE FACT IT HAS BEEN SHOWN THAT REVENUE WILL NOT BE SUFFICIENT TO FUND EXISTING APPROPRIATIONS, THUS REQUIRING THE REDUCTIONS SET FORTH.   COUNCILMAN HAHN: SECOND

     DISCUSSION: CITY ACCOUNTANT CUPP EXPLAINED THE REDUCTION FROM THE 2010 BUDGET IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,688,509.00.

      MAYOR SMALL SAID WITH THE PASSAGE OF THE TRASH FEES, WE CAN ACCOUNT FOR $1,569,398.00 OF THAT.  THAT WILL STILL LEAVE US A SHORTFALL OF $119,111.00 THIS YEAR.  THIS ONLY TAKES INTO ACCOUNT THE CIRCUIT BREAKER LOSS THAT WE KNOW WE HAVE.  WE FOUND OUT LAST DECEMBER WE HAD CLOSE TO A MILLION DOLLAR SHORTFALL IN PROPERTY TAX COLLECTION.  THAT IS NOT TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT ON THIS.  WE DO NOT KNOW HOW MUCH OF THAT WE WILL RE-COOP THIS YEAR.  THIS RESOLUTION GETS US IN LINE WITH THE CIRCUIT BREAKER AMOUNT.

      COUNCILMAN REID ASKED IF WE KNEW IF WE WERE GOING TO BE SHORTED.  POSSIBLY IN JUNE.

      MAYOR SMALL SAID THAT HE HAD HEARD FROM THE COUNTY.  SINCE THE TAX AMOUNTS ARE SMALLER, MANY ARE PAYING THEIR TAXES FOR THE YEAR.

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

 

     PRESIDENT YORK READ THE AMENDMENTS TO THIS ORDINANCE.

DISCUSSION:

     COUNCILMAN REID: SECOND

     COUNCILMAN KOGER ASKED IF SOMEONE IS GOING TO BE GONE FOR THE WINTER, DO THEY COME IN AND HAVE THE WATER SHUT OFF?

     THE ANSWER WAS YES.  THEY MUST SIGN A FORM TO HAVE IT SHUT OFF.

     WASTEWATER SUPERINTENDENT HAMILTON SAID YOU ARE ALREADY GOING TO PUT THE CHARGE ON THE UTILITY BILL.  SO, IF THEY COME UP AND HAVE IT SHUT OFF, THEN THERE IS NO BILL.

     COUNCILMAN REID SAID THEY ARE STILL GOING TO GET A UTILITY BILL FOR STORM WATER.

     COUNCILMAN REID SAID TO COUNCILMAN KIDD, WHAT IF WE HAVE SOMETHING LIKE IF SOMEBODY ASKS TO HAVE THEIR WATER SHUT OFF, BECAUSE  THEY ARE NOT THERE, OR THE PLACE IS NOT OCCUPIED, NOT CHARGE FOR TRASH.  HE SAID HE HAD TO AGREE WITH COUNCILMAN KIDD, IT IS STUPID TO CHARGE FOR TRASH IF THE HOUSE IS EMPTY.

     SUPERINTENDENT HAMILTON SAID IF THERE IS A CHARGE, AND THE UTILITY IS SHUT OFF, IT REVERTS BACK TO THE HOME OWNER.  THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SAYS WE HAVE TO CHARGE THE STORM WATER FEE.  IF SOME ONE SHUTS OFF THE UTILITIES TO THE HOUSE, THERE WOULD BE NO UTILITY BILL SO THERE WOULD BE NO TRASH FEE.

     ATTORNEY COPENHAVER SAID THE CITY WOULDN'T KNOW IF THE UTILITY WAS SHUT OFF UNLESS SOMEONE GIVES US NOTIFICATION IN WRITING THAT THEY WANT THEIR WATER SHUT OFF.

     COUNCILMAN REID SAID IT HAD TO BE TIED TO WATER.  THE PROBLEM WITH THE CITY DOING TRASH.  IF WE LET PEOPLE VOLUNTARILY FOR ANY OLD REASON FROM THE TRASH, WE WILL END UP IN A POSITION WHERE THE TRASH PICK UP IS GOING WE ARE GOING TO END UP IN A POSITION WHERE THE TRASH PICK UP WILL  BE UNMANAGEABLE AND MORE EXPENSIVE.  IF THERE IS NO ONE THERE MAKING TRASH%u2026%u2026%u2026WOULD IT BE A GOOD IDEA TO SPECIFY IN THE AMENDMENT THAT THEY NEED TO COME AND SIGN A LEGAL AFFIDAVIT %u2026..

     ATTORNEY COPENHAVER SAID IF THEY HAVE HAD THEIR WATER SHUT OFF, NO ONE SHOULD BE RESIDING.

     COUNCILMAN REID SAID SOME PEOPLE HAVE THEIR WATER SHUT OFF BUT STILL LIVE IN THE HOUSE.

     ATTORNEY COPENHAVER SAID THE FORM CAN BE REDONE TO SAY THAT THEY WILL CERTIFY THAT THE HOUSE IS VACANT.  HE SAID A PARAGRAPH WILL BE ADDED ABOUT SOLID WASTE.  THEY DON'T WANT WATER OR SOLID WASTE, IT CAN'T BE ONE OR THE OTHER, THEY BOTH WOULD HAVE TO BE SHUT OFF.  PASS THAT AMENDMENT TONIGHT, YOU CAN PASS THIS ON SECOND READING AND HAVE THE FINAL READING ON JUNE 7^TH.

      COUNCILMAN KIDD SAID HE WAS MAKING THE MOTION TO AMEND.                       

     ATTORNEY COPENHAVER SAID IT WILL BE AMENDED TO READ:  IF A PERSON TERMINATES WATER SERVICE TEMPORARILY, THEN THEY ALSO TERMINATE SOLID WASTE PICKUP TEMPORARILY.  THIS MUST BE DONE IN WRITING IN ADVANCE. IF THEY SIGN THE FORM, THEY WILL GET NO SOLID WASTE PICK UP AND NO CHARGE UNTIL THEY COME IN AND HAVE IT TURNED BACK ON.

      COUNCILMAN REID ASKED SUPT. HAMILTON IF THERE IS ENOUGH COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE UTILITY OFFICE AND THE OPERATIONAL SIDE OF THE UTILITIES, THAT IF SOMEONE COMES UP AND SAYS, I DON'T WANT TRASH PICK UP, WILL YOU BE ABLE TO CANCEL THE SERVICE.

     SUPT. HAMILTON SAID AT THE PRESENT, NO BECAUSE THIS IS A NEW PROCEDURE.

     COUNCILMAN REID ASKED IF IT WAS FEASIBLE.

     SUPT. HAMILTON SAID IT COULD BE DIRECTED BY SOMEONE.  THEY WOULD NOTIFY US THAT THIS RESIDENCE IS NO LONGER RECEIVING THAT.  THIS IS ALL NEW.  IT WILL TAKE TIME.

     COUNCILMAN REID SAID HE UNDERSTOOD BUT DIDN'T WANT COUNCIL TO GIVE AN ORDINANCE THAT THEY COULDN'T DEAL WITH.

      ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE AMENDMENT: SEVEN VOTES AYE.        AMENDED.

 

     PRESIDENT YORK MOVED TO PASS #3598 AS AMENDED.   COUNCILMAN HAHN: SECOND.

     ATTORNEY COPENHAVER SAID NO.

     COUNCILMAN REID SAID HERE IS WHERE I'M GOING WITH THIS QUESTION.  WHAT HAPPENS IF AT THE END OF THE YEAR, THE FEES THAT WE COLLECT, TO PAY FOR TRASH, ARE NOT ACTUALLY ENOUGH TO COVER THE OPERATIONAL COSTS?

      ATTORNEY COPENHAVER SAID YOU WOULD HAVE TO DEAL WITH THAT LIKE YOU WOULD ANY OTHER UTILITY.  THIS IS NOT A LEVIED DEPARTMENT.  IT IS PART OF THE UTILITIES.  IF IT DOESN'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY, YOU WILL HAVE TO BORROW AND PROBABLY RAISE RATES.  THIS IS THE SEWER DEPARTMENT.

     COUNCILMAN REID SAID SO WE ARE NOT CREATING A SEPARATE UTILITY, WE ARE DOING LIKE WE DID WITH THE STORM WATER.

     ATTORNEY COPENHAVER SAID EXACTLY. THIS IS PART OF THE SEWAGE WORKS DEPARTMENT.  NO LEVIED MONEY WILL BE USED UNLESS A TEMPORARILY LOAN. HE SAID HE COULDN'T IMAGINE THE LEVIED SIDE EVER BEING ABLE TO MAKE A NO INTEREST LOAN TO A UTILITY.

     COUNCILMAN REID SAID SO IT CAN'T OPERATE ON A DEFICIT.

     ATTORNEY COPENHAVER SAID NO.  IT IS JUST LIKE ANY BUSINESS.  YOU HAVE TO MAKE SURE YOUR RATES ARE INCREASED TO PAY FOR THE SERVICES.

     COUNCILMAN REID SAID HIS CONCERN WAS WE AREN'T GOING TO COVER THE FULL COST OF THE OPERATIONS.

     COUNCILMAN KIDD SAID THAT WAS HIS CONCERN ALSO.

     ATTORNEY COPENHAVER SAID ONE NICE THING THE COUNCIL HAS DONE,  BECAUSE THIS WON'T START UNTIL HALF THE YEAR, YOU WON'T BE TO FAR BEHIND WHEN YOU REVIEW  THIS AFTER A SIX MONTH OPERATION.

 

OPEN FLOOR TO THE PUBLIC:

 

SAMANTHA COCHRAN ASKED IF A DIFFERENT FEE COULD BE PUT IN FOR THOSE WHO ONLY HAVE LIKER ONE SMALL BAG A WEEK.

     ATTORNEY COPENHAVER SAID NO.  THIS ORDINANCE CONTAINS A $12.00 A MONTH FEE FOR EVERY USER.  HE SAID IF YOU KEEP YOUR WATER ON AT ALL TIMES, YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR A SOLID WASTE BILL SO PROBABLY BE BETTER OFF, EITHER WINTERIZE OR TURN OFF THE WATER.  IT MAY BE CHEAPER AND IT MAY NOT. 

 

COUNCILMAN REID SAID THE PROBLEM WE ARE GOING TO RUN INTO, WITH THE TRASH, INSTEAD OF PEOPLE PAYING FOR PICK UP, THEY WILL TAKE IT AND DUMP IN THE PARK OR PUTTING THEIR TRASH IN EMPTY TOTERS.

     ATTORNEY COPENHAVER SAID YOU HAVE TO KEEP IN MIND THERE IS AN ECONOMY OF SCALE.  THE FEE IS BASED UPON A CERTAIN NUMBER OF PEOPLE USING THE SERVICE.  IF THAT NUMBER OF PEOPLE DON'T USE THE SERVICE, THEN THE FEE GOES UP.  THAT WOULD BE THE SAME IF THE CITY DOES IT OR IF IT IS OUTSOURCED.  THEY WOULD DEMAND THAT WE HAVE A CERTAIN NUMBER OF PEOPLE USE IT OR THE COST WOULD GO UP FOR EVERYONE.  THE COUNCIL MUST BE CAREFUL TO MAINTAIN THAT ECONOMY OF SCALE. IF PEOPLE GO OUT AND SAY THEY AREN'T GOING TO USE THE SERVICE, I'LL TAKE MY TRASH TO THE LANDFILL, IT WOULD REDUCE THE ECONOMY OF SCALE AND EVERYBODY'S FEE WOULD GO UP.

 

COUNCILMAN KOGER GAVE AN EXAMPLE.  LET'S SAY YOUR GRANDMOTHER HAS A CAR AND SHE ONLY DRIVES TO CHURCH ON SUNDAY.  TO AND FROM, THAT'S IT.  SHE PAYS A WHEEL TAX ON THAT CAR.  IS IT FAIR FOR HER TO PAY THE SAME WHEEL TAX AS A GUY DRIVING A THOUSAND MILES A WEEK?  THIS IS ABOUT THE SAME SITUATION.

 

JEAN LANZER,  414  CHRISTINE DR.,  CONCERNED ABOUT AN APARTMENT HOUSE WITH 5 OR MORE UNITS AND TRASH PICK UP FEES.

     ATTORNEY COPENHAVER SAID IF THERE ARE 5 OR MORE UNITS, YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE TRASH PICKUP AND IF YOU DO GET A BILL, LET THE CITY KNOW.

 

WM. BAILEY, SO. 23^RD ST., SAID HE JUST BOUGHT A HOME AND WAS REMODELING.  HE ASKED IF HE WOULD RECEIVE A BILL FOR EVERYTHING.  HE SAID HE DIDN'T RECEIVE ANYTHING YET AND WANTED TO GET SOMETHING SOON.  HE DIDN'T WANT A LARGE BILL FROM MONTHS BACK.

     SUPT. HAMILTON SAID SINCE HE JUST GOT THE PROPERTY, THE CITY WAS NOT GOING BACK.  COME IN FRONT OF THE UTILITY IMPACT BOARD AND STATE YOUR CASE.  YOU WILL ONLY BE CHARGED FROM WHEN YOU BECAME THE OWNER.

 

KELLY McCASLIN,   BROAD STREET, CONCERNED ABOUT THE $12.00 TRASH FEE TO START.

     COUNCILMAN REID SAID WE KNOW IT WON'T COVER ALL THE COST SO THAT IS AS LOW AS WE CAN START.

     MR. McCASLIN ASKED IF THE AUTOMATED TRASH TRUCKS COULD BE DONE AWAY WITH AND GO BACK TO THE WAY IT WAS.

     PRESIDENT YORK SAID NOT FOR $12.00 A MONTH.

     COUNCILMAN REID SAID GOING BACK TO THE OLD WAY WOULD INCREASE THE COST.

    

SUPT. HAMILTON SAID THE MOST IMPORTANT THING ABOUT RUNNING A BUSINESS IS YOUR EMPLOYEE COST.  SALARIES AND BENEFITS.   THE OLD PACKERS, WE RAN 3 GUYS TO A TRUCK.  THE TRUCKS ARE SIMILAR IN COST BUT THE ONE ARMED BANDITS ONLY HAVE ONE DRIVER.  WITH THAT SAVINGS, WE CAN PAY THOSE TRUCKS OFF IN 5 YEARS.  YOU NEVER PAY THE EMPLOYEES OFF.  YOU WILL ALWAYS HAVE THAT COST.  IT COST ABOUT$200,000.00 PER YEAR TO RUN ONE PACKER.  FUEL COSTS, MAINTENANCE AND EMPLOYEES WITH WAGES AND BENEFITS AT ABOUT $58,000.00 A PIECE.  ORIGINALLY WE THOUGHT THE CITY COULD SAVE MONEY BY REDUCING THE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES.  TO GO BACK TO THE OLD WAY, WE WOULD BE IN FAR WORSE SHAPE.  THE CITY IS TAKING ON, WE ARE GOING TO START OUR OWN BUSINESS AND CONTROL OUR OWN DESTINY AS OPPOSED TO HAVE PRIVATE CONTRACTOR COME IN WHO COULD LOW BALL THE SITUATION.  MOST OWN THEIR OWN LANDFILLS.  ALL OTHER CITIES HAVE WHAT THEY CALL AN ESCALATION CHARGE AND THAT COST WILL CONTINUE TO GO UP.  IF THE CITY WANTS TO BE SUCCESSFUL AT THIS OPERATION, THEY NEED TO MAINTAIN AND OPERATE SOMEWHAT AS A BUSINESS.  WE ARE AT AN ADVANTAGE, WE DON'T HAVE TO OPERATE IT AS A PROFIT CENTER.  LEGALLY, WE CANNOT.  WE CAN NOT MAKE A PROFIT.

     MR. McCASLIN ASKED WHAT IT COST TO RUN A ONE ARMED BANDIT.

     SUPT. HAMILTON SAID YOU HAVE 1 EMPLOYEE AND THE COST OF A PIECE OF EQUIPMENT.  ROUGHLY, A QUARTER OF A MILLION DOLLARS.  A PACKER RUNS ABOUT ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY THOUSAND.  THE AUTOMATED PIECE OF EQUIPMENT THAT IS ON A LEASE PAYMENT SCHEDULE TO BE PAID OFF IN SEVEN YEARS.  THIS IS NOT INCLUDING THE COST OF DISPOSAL.  JUST OPERATING.  DISPOSAL IN $30.00 A TON.

      COUNCILMAN REID SAID IF YOU TAKE $250,000.00 A YEAR AND DIVIDE THAT BY 7 YEARS, PLUS SALARIES, IT COMES TO ABOUT $94,000.00.  SO IF COST $250,000.00,  ADD ANOTHER $100,000.00 FOR MAINTENANCE AND DUMP FEES WHICH IS PROBABLY WAY TOO HIGH, IT IS CHEAPER TO RUN THE AUTOMATED TRUCK THAN THE ONE WITH 3 MEN ON IT.

     SUPT. HAMILTON SAID IF A TRUCK BREAKS DOWN, THERE IS A WARRANTY ON NEW EQUIPMENT.  THE CITY HAS PLANS TO PURCHASE ANOTHER TRUCK.  WE HAVE OTHER PACKERS AND COULD BE RUN WITH 2 PEOPLE IF NEED BE.

 

GENE POE, 25TH ST., TALK OF COST OF TOTERS, $12.00 FOR A LARGE AND SMALL TOTERS.  REGARDLESS OF THE SIZE OF TOTERS, THE FEE WILL BE $12.00.   MR. POE ASKED ABOUT RECYCLING.

     SUPT. HAMILTON SAID WHEN THE ECONOMY IS BETTER, POSSIBLY WE CAN.  RIGHT NOW IT WOULD COST US TOO MUCH.  THE COUNCIL WILL LOOK AT THIS IN THE FUTURE.

 

ROLL CALL VOTE: SIX AYES      ONE NAY (MALONE)         PASSED AND ORDERED.

 

 

COUNCIL REPORTS:

PRESIDENT YORK- A FIRE HYDRANT AT THE CORNER OF 23^RD AND E AVE IT HAS HAD A BLACK TRASH BAG OVER IT FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW.  IT IS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY.  THE NEAREST FIRE HYDRANT IS AT 25^TH AND GRAND.  THAT IS A LONG WAY TO LAY HOSE.  ASKED FOR SOMEONE TO CHECK IT OUT AND GET IT WORKING OR REMOVE IT.

 

SANDY YORK - DO WE HAVE A MOWING PROGRAM?  ARE WE USING GEO'S?

      MAYOR SMALL SAID WE ARE ATTEMPTING TO GET ASSISTANCE FROM GEO WORK FORCE.  HAVING DIFFICULTY WITH THAT RIGHT NOW.  WE NEED 12 BUT CAN ONLY GET 5.  ARE ONLY OTHER ALTERNATIVE IS SEASONAL PART TIME WORKERS.  WE HAVE TO OFFER THE POSITIONS TO THE LAID OFF WORKERS FIRST.

     COUNCILMAN KIDD ASKED ABOUT THE WORK RELEASE AT THE HENRY COUNTY JAIL.

     SUPT. HAMILTON SAID THAT WAS DISCUSSED TODAY.  THEY HAVE ABOUT 100 PRISONERS AND ONLY 5 HAVE BEEN SENTENCED AND THEY WILL NOT ALLOW THOSE INDIVIDUALS TO CO-MINGLE WITH THE GO WORKERS.  THERE ARE ONLY 5.  THE OTHERS HAVE NOT GONE TO COURT OR SENTENCED YET.

     COUNCILMAN REID SAID IF WE CAN COME UP WITH THE MONEY, COME UP WITH A FLOATER JOB CLASSIFICATION.  MAYBE FOR THE SUMMER, BRING BACK 2 OR 4 OF THE FULL TIME PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN LAID OFF.  MAYBE THAT WOULD HELP FOR THEM TO GO AROUND WHEREVER THEY ARE NEEDED.

     MAYOR SMALL SAID THEY ARE USING SOME OF THE STREET DEPARTMENT PEOPLE IN THAT ROLE RIGHT NOW. 

 

PRESIDENT YORK - SAID HER NEXT COMMENT WAS NOT GOING TO BE VERY POPULAR. COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE GOTTEN CALLS IN THE PAST FEW DAYS ABOUT THE CONDITION OF THE CEMETERY.  IT LOOKS BAD.  SHE SAID SHE BROUGHT THIS UP LAST YEAR JUST ABOUT THE SAME TIME.  SHE SAID SHE KNEW IT HAD BEEN RAINING BUT SHE MOWS HER YARD AND FIELD BETWEEN SHOWERS.  SHE HAS 2 ACRES TO MOW. SHE SAID IT ISN'T COMPARABLE TO THE 20 THOUSAND OVER THERE.  THE CEMETERY AND PARKS HAVE GOT TO BE MOWED.  WE MUST FIND A WAY TO BRING BACK SOME OF OUR LAID OFF EMPLOYEES BACK, OFFER THEM THE JOB AND IF THEY DON'T WANT IT, FIND SOMEBODY THAT WILL.  SHE SAID ONE OF HER CALLERS SAID HIS WIFE WAS THERE FOR ETERNITY AND THEY CHOSE SOUTH MOUND/WEST LAWN BECAUSE THEY THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO BE TAKEN CARE OF AND MAINTAINED.  THAT IS WHAT THEY THOUGHT WHEN HER FATHER WAS LAID TO REST THERE.  IT WAS BEAUTIFUL AND WOULD ALWAYS BE MAINTAINED.

     MAYOR SMALL SAID THEY GOT OFF TO A VERY LATE START BECAUSE GEO INSISTED THAT ALL OF OUR SUPERVISORS TAKE TRAINING.  THE TRAINING WAS LATER THAN WHAT WE SHOULD HAVE STARTED MOWING.  WE WERE ABOUT THREE BEHIND.

     PRESIDENT YORK SAID SHE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO COME EVERY SPRING AND SAY CLEAN UP THE CEMETERY AND PARKS.  WE HAVE THE MOST BEAUTIFUL ONES IN THE STATE.

     COUNCILMAN KIDD SAID IF YOU HAVE TO HAVE ONE OR THE OTHER, START WITH THE CEMETERY.

     COUNCILMAN KOGER SAID WE SACRIFICED DURING THE WINTER MONTHS THE SIDE STREETS BEING PLOWED.  IT IS TIME FOR US TO STEP UP AND TAKE CARE OF OUR CEMETERY AND PARKS.   THERE IS NOT REASON FOR THEM TO LOOK LIKE THEY DO.  NO MORE EXCUSES.  WE NEED WORKERS.  IF THERE WAS SNOW ON THE GROUND, WE'D BE REMOVING IT.  THERE IS GRASS ON THE GROUND, WE NEED TO REMOVE IT.

 

COUNCILADY MALONE - SAID SHE HAD THE SAME KIND OF CALLS.  IT WAS SAID LAST YEAR; WE ARE GOING TO HAVE IT READY FOR MEMORIAL DAY.  WE NEED IT READY EVERYDAY.  NOT JUST MEMORIAL DAY.  SHE AND PRESIDENT YORK MAINTAIN THERE OWN LOVED ONES GRAVES.  IN THE PAST TWO YEARS, THE CEMETERY LOOKS WORSE THAN IT EVER HAS.

    COUNCILMAN KOGER SAID WE HEAR FROM THE ADMINISTRATION ON HOW BEAUTIFUL THE CITY LOOKS.  THAT WAS YOUR CAMPAIGN SLOGAN MAYOR.  IF THE PARK AND CEMETERY LOOKS THE WAY IT DOES, HE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN.

      COUNCILMAN REID SAID THAT IS WHY HE SUGGESTED A NEW CLASSIFICATION.  IT MAY NOT PAY AS MUCH AS A FULL TIME BUT MORE THAN A PART TIME.  IT MAY ENTICE PEOPLE TO GET TO WORK.  OFFER TO LAID OFFS FIRST.

      MAYOR SMALL SAID THE PLAN WAS TO BRING BACK 6 EMPLOYEES ON A PART TIME BASIS AT PART TIME PAY.  THE OFFER WILL BE EXTENDED.

    

COUNCILMAN KOGER SAID HE HAD ASKED AT THE LAST MEETING ABOUT THE STOP LIGHT AT CHURCH AND MAIN AND CHURCH AND 14^TH STREET.   HE SAID PROMISES WERE MADE TWO WEEKS AGO THAT THE CUT OUTS WOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF.  HE SAID EVERY CUT THAT HE TOLD MAYOR SMALL ABOUT HAS NOT BEEN TOUCHED.

      A LOCAL CONTRACTOR HAS BEEN CONTACTED AND WILL BE STARTING RIGHT AWAY.

 

COUNCILMAN REID ASKED ABOUT THE FIRE TRUCK SITUATION IN THE NEWSPAPER.  BUYING AN ADDITIONAL FIRE TRUCK OR GETTING THE TOWNSHIP MONEY TO PURCHASE OR LEASE.

     DISCUSSION: WHAT IS THE NEED AND THE PLAN.

     MAYOR SMALL SAID WE CAN TALK ABOUT SOME OF IT NOW THAT INVOLVES THE TOWNSHIP.  WE CAN'T SPEAK TO PUBLICALLY WITHOUT TALKING TO THE TOWNSHIP ABOUT IT.  THERE IS AN ALTERNATIVE THERE THAT MONEY FROM THE TOWNSHIP THAT GOES INTO THE FIRE NON-REVERTING FUND COULD BE

USED TO PURCHASE VEHICLES.  WE HAVE OTHER OPTIONS THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT RIGHT NOW.  HE ASKED FIRE CHIEF MURRAY TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF THE NEED AND WHY.

     CHIEF MURRAY SAID THAT TWO OF THE FRONT LINE VEHICLES, THE MANUFACTURE HAS GONE BANKRUPT.  HE SAID HE HAS A TRUCK THAT HAS BEEN IN INDIANAPOLIS, WAITING ON PARTS, SINCE APRIL 1^ST WITH NO END IN SIGHT.  IF THAT IS ANY SIGN OF HOW IT IS, THAT IS A LARGE PIECE OF SCRAP METAL.   IF ANYTHING GOES OUT OF SERVICE, LIKE LAST WEEK, THE ALTERNATOR WENT OUT ON ONE.  THEY ARE AGING AND THEY WEAR DOWN.  ONE IS THIRTEEN YEARS OLD AND THE OTHERS ARE 12 AND THE OTHER IS 8.  THE OLDEST ONE AND THE NEWEST ONE, THE COMPANY IS OUT OF BUSINESS BASICALLY.  THERE IS A NEED THERE ESPECIALLY IF THEY WILL GIVE US MONEY FOR THOSE TOWARDS A DOWN PAYMENT.  THERE ARE DIFFERENT PLANS.  HE SAID HE HAD NO HARD NUMBERS AT ALL.

     MAYOR SMALL SAID THAT IN NO CASE IF WE WERE TO PURCHASE A FIRE ENGINE, IT WOULD NOT BE WITH CITY MONEY.  NO TAX PAYERS MONEY.  THE MONEY COULD COME FORM THE TOWNSHIP NON-REVERTING FUND.

     ATTORNEY COPENHAVER SAID THAT IS WHAT THAT FUND IS FOR.  THE EQUIPMENT WOULD BELONG TO THE CITY OF NEW CASTLE,  THAT IS PART OF THE CONTRACT.  THERE IS A PORTION OF WHAT THE TOWNSHIP PAYS CAN ONLY BE USED FOR CAPITAL PURCHASES.

     CHIEF MURRAY SAID THEY HAVE NOT DISCUSSED THIS WITH THE TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE.  HE SAID THE WORKING CONDITIONS BETWEEN THE CITY AND TOWNSHIP ARE VERY GOOD. 

     COUNCILMAN REID ASKED IF THE CITY WOULD MAINTAIN SOME OF IT'S FIRE EQUIPMENT AND REPLACE OTHERS?

     CHIEF MURRAY SAID THE MOST RELIABLE PIECE OF EQUIPMENT HE HAD  IS A '91.  THE OLDEST ONE HE HAS.  HE SAID IT IS AGED BY STANDARD.  IT IS CLASSIFIED AS A RESERVE BUT YOU STILL HAVE TO DO ALL THE CERTIFICATIONS.  EVEN IF THE TRUCK IS NOT IN SERVICE, YOU HAVE TO CERTIFY IT.  THAT WAY, WE ARE COVERED AND IT FUNCTIONING AS IT IS SUPPOSE TO DO. 

     MAYOR SMALL SAID HE HAS HAD CITIZENS ASK WHY DO WE HAVE A FIRE TRUCK CHASING AN AMBULANCE.  A BASIC LIFE SUPPORT, A CUT FINGER OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT ONLY THE UNIT RUNS.  IF A CALL COMES IN THAT A PERSON IS HAVING DIFFICULTY BREATHING OR THEIR ARM IS SORE, THAT IS A GOOD SIGN OF CARDIAC PROBLEMS AND TO PROPERLY ADMINISTER TO THAT PERSON, YOU NEED FOUR PEOPLE.  TO GET EXTRA MEDICS, THE FIRE TRUCK RUNS WITH OUR EMS TRAINED FIREMEN.  IF CARDIAC ARREST, YOU NEED SIX PEOPLE THERE.  YOU COULD SEE TWO FIRE TRUCKS AND AN AMBULANCE GO TO ONE HOUSE.  THAT PUTS A HEAVY BURDEN ON OUR FIRE TRUCKS.  IF WE HAD PROPER STAFFING, WE COULD RUN RESCUE 6.  HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE RESCUE 6 RUN EVERY DAY.

      COUNCILMAN REID SAID TO HIM, IT SEEMED THAT 2 PARAMEDICS AND 2 EMTS SHOULD BE ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF A FULL ARREST.  TOO MANY PEOPLE.  CAN WE CHANGE PROTOCOL AROUND SO THAT WE DON'T NEED SO MANY PEOPLE.

      EMS DIRECTOR BURNS SAID THEY DON'T HAVE 6 ON A HEART ATTACK.  ONLY ON A CARDIAC ARREST OR SOME SERIOUS PROBLEM.  HE ASKED COUNCILMAN REID WHAT HE WOULD WANT FOR HIS FAMILY.  HE SAID HE COULD GO WITH JUST 2 BUT IT IS GOING TO DICTATE WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO THAT PATIENT.   IT IS ABOUT PATIENT CARE.  HE SAID WE CAN DO IT WITH 2 ON THE AMBULANCE BUT HE WASN'T SURE ANYONE IN THIS ROOM WOULD WANT JUST 2 WORKING ON A CARDIAC ARREST.

      PRESIDENT YORK SAID SHE SAW THIS HAPPEN FIRST HAND.

      MAYOR SMALL SAID TO COUNCILMAN REID, YOUR DAD WAS THE FIRST AT THE SCENE OF A CARDIAC ARREST AND HE GAVE CPR BEFORE ANYONE SHOWED UP.

      COUNCILMAN REID SAID HE KNEW WE GIVE QUALITY CARE.  HE SAID DON'T GET ME WRONG.  IN TIME, IF WE CAN'T AFFORD 6 PEOPLE AT THE SCENE, AND WE CAN'T AFFORD IT BECAUSE WE ARE WEARING OUT OUR FIRE TRUCKS,

WRAPPING UP MORE OVERTIME AND KNOWING WE MAY HAVE MORE BUDGET CUTS, DO WE HAVE AN OPTION OR AN ALTERNATIVE TO  MAKE CHANGES TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

     DIRECTOR BURNS SAID WE HAVE 2 TRUCKS ON DUTY WITH A PARAMEDIC ON EACH TRUCK.  IF BOTH TRUCKS ARE NOT BUSY, BOTH OF THOSE TRUCKS ALONG WITH THE FIRE TRUCK WILL RESPOND, 2 PARAMEDICS AND 4 E M TS.  AWESOME SERVICE.  WE COULD GO DOWN TO ONE TRUCK.  IT'S A MATTER OF WHAT EVERYONE WANTS.  HE SAID HE MADE THIS STATEMENT IN THE PAST.  WE PROVIDE AN AWESOME, AWESOME SERVICE UTILIZING THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.

THEY ARE ON DUTY AND BEING PAID.  HE SAID IF HE WAS CUT ANYMORE, THEY CUT $100,000.00 TONIGHT THAT WAS BUDGETED.  IF CUT ANYMORE, WE'LL HAVE TO SHUT A TRUCK DOWN.  THAT IS WHERE WE ARE AT.  WE ARE RUNNING A SKELETON CREW TO KEEP 2 TRUCKS GOING, ALONG WITH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.

     FIRE CHIEF MURRAY SAID IT WILL EFFECT HIS DEPARTMENT AS WELL.  WE MAY HAVE A STATION CLOSE.  IT WILL TRICKLE ON DOWN TO THE POLICE.

     DIRECTOR BURNS SAID IF HE SHUTS A TRUCK DOWN THE CITY LOOSES REVENUE TO THE TONE OF ABOUT EIGHT TO NINE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS A YEAR.  THAT IS SOMETHING FOR YOU TO THINK ABOUT.

     COUNCILMAN REID SAID HE BROUGHT IT UP SIMPLY BECAUSE WE HEAR THERE ARE TO MANY FIREMEN, TO MANY MEDIC, TO MANY POLICEMEN.  THE QUESTION IS, IF WE HAVE TO MAKE MORE CUTS, WHERE DO THE CUTS COME FROM?  IF A MILLION OR A MILLION AND A HALF, WHERE DO WE MAKE THE CUTS.  DO WE MAKE IT IN NON-EMERGENCY SERVICES AND HAVE OVER GROWN GRASS, WHICH ISN'T GOING TO KILL SOMEBODY OR DO WE CUT OFF A MEDIC TRUCK WHICH  WILL HAVE AN ADDITIONAL HEALTH IMPACT, OR GET RID OF 6 MORE POLICE.  THIS IS AN OPEN DISCUSSION AND HE DIDN'T FEEL THE COUNCIL WAS FULLY INFORMED ON WHAT THE PROTOCOL IS IN THE EMERGENCY SERVICES AND WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN.

     COUNCILMAN HAHN SAID WE WILL HAVE TO CUT BUT YOU CAN'T PUT A MONETARY VALUE ON A LIFE.  WHEN TRYING TO CUT, LOOK AT IT IN A PROFESSIONAL MANNER. WE'LL HAVE TO DO WHAT WE CAN.  HE SAID HE WAS NOT A PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTER OR CHIEF SO WE HAVE TO ASK THEIR OPINION.  THEY DEAL WITH THE LIVES EVERYDAY.  TO SAY 4 OR 6 OR 2, WHATEVER IS THE BEST FOR THE PEOPLE IN THIS COMMUNITY, THE TAX PAYERS NEED TO CONTINUE TO HAVE THE BEST SERVICE IN THE STATE OF INDIANA AND HE FELT CHIEF MURRAY, CHIEF NICHOLSON AND DIRECTOR BURNS ARE PUTTING THAT OUT.  WE NEED TO GIVE GOOD THOUGHTS TO THIS.

 

DIRECTOR DAVIS SAID SHE HAD TALKED WITH MANDY ADAMS AT THE COURT HOUSE, AUDITOR'S OFFICE.  ON FEB. 4, 2008, THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVED A TAX ABATEMENT.  BRYAN COATES, DIRECTOR OF EDC AT THAT TIME GAVE A PRESENTATION ABOUT THE GERMAN COMPANY THAT WAS COMING IN, K D K PLASTIC .  COUNCIL APPROVED THE ABATEMENT FOR 1.3 MILLION FOR EQUIPMENT.  SHE ASKED THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT YORK SIGN THE SB1 FORM.

     MAYOR SMALL SAID THAT COUNCILMAN KOGER MADE A SUGGESTION WHICH HE WANTED TO SHARE WITH THE TRAFFIC COMMITTEE.  HE SAID IT INVOLVES THE TRAFFIC LIGHTS AT 14^TH AND INDIANA AND SOUTH MAIN STREET AND INDIANA.  SUGGESTION WAS MADE, WHENEVER WE CHANGE THE OTHER LIGHTS DOWNTOWN,  MAKE SOUTH MAIN AND 14^TH STREET FLASHING YELLOW.  INDIANA AVE., RED.  HE SAID THIS WOULD HELP OUR EMERGENCY VEHICLES NOT HAVING TO CONTEND WITH THE RED LIGHTS THERE.

    COUNCILMAN REID MADE THE MOTION THAT WE TURN THE 2 LIGHTS, THE LIGHT AT MAIN AND CHURCH AND THE LIGHT AT 14^TH AND CHURCH, FLASH YELLOW GOING NORTH AND SOUTH AND RED, EAST AND WEST, 9:00 P.M. TO 6:00 A.M., DAILY, AND  AT MAIN AND INDIANA AND 14^TH AND INDIANA, YELLOW GOING NORTH AND SOUTH AND RED, GOING EAST AND WEST, 9:00 P-.M. TO 6:00 A.M., DAILY.    COUNCILMAN KOGER: SECOND     ROLL CALL VOTE: SEVEN VOTES AYE.                 PASSED AND ORDERED.

 

PRESIDENT YORK SAID  THAT NEW CASTLE E-COATING HAS ALSO BROUGHT THEIR COMPLIANCE HERE.  EVERYTHING IS IN ORDER. SHE SAID SHE HAS SIGNED OFF ON THAT ONE TOO.

 

PUBLIC:

DALE COLE,  SAID HE DIDN'T KNOW IF THIS WAS BAD OR GOOD.  TALKING ABOUT MONEY, TALK ABOUT EXPANDING TRASH PICKUP.  THE DENNEY ADDITION HAS WATER AND COULD BE THE FEE COULD BE ADDED TO THE WATER BILL.

     ATTORNEY COPENHAVER SAID A REQUEST WOULD HAVE TO BE MADE FROM THEM.  WE DON'T HAVE A TRASH DISTRICT AND THEY WOULD HAVE TO REQUEST IT.

     SUPT. HAMILTON SAID YOU WOULD HAVE TO DO YOUR COST TIMES THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE YOUR ARE SERVICING, AT WHAT POINT ARE YOU LOOSING MONEY.

     ATTORNEY COPENHAVER SAID AT $12.00 PER HOUSEHOLD, WE ARE NOT MAKING MONEY.  IF IN THE FUTURE WE ARE MAKING MONEY, THEN WE COULD SERVICE MORE PEOPLE.  THEY WOULD PAY LESS, BUT PAY US.  THAT IS SOMETHING WE MIGHT WANT TO LOOK AT.  THE PEOPLE WOULD HAVE TO COME TO US AND REQUEST IT.  WE DON'T HAVE A TRASH DISTRICT, THAT WOULD BE SEPARATE BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT.

 

STEVE ANKENY ASKED ABOUT TRASH PICK UP AND EXPANDING TO BUSINESSES.

     ATTORNEY COPENHAVER SAID THE COUNCIL DECIDED NOT TO PICK UP BUSINESSES.  THEY HAVE NEVER BEEN PICKED UP BY THE CITY.  THEY COULD LOOK INTO IT IN THE FUTURE.

 

PRESIDENT YORK MOVED TO ADJOURN.

COUNCILMAN REID: SECOND