City Council Meeting Minutes 6/7/2010
COMMON COUNCIL
JUNE 7, 2010 7:00 P.M.
THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE WAS GIVEN BY EVERYONE IN ATTENDANCE.
PRAYER WAS GIVEN BY REV. 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 ABSENT
MINUTES OF THE FORMER MEETING WERE APPROVED AS PRESENTED.
TED ALCORN, 1333 J AVE., SAID HE WAS NOT AGAINST THE TRASH FEE PICK UP,
HE WANTED A MODIFICATION OF THE TRASH PICK UP. HE WANTED TO SEE A RECYCLING FEE PICK UP. THE FEE BE $10.00 PER MONTH OR $.30 DAILY. HE SAID IT WOULD SAVE THE CITY MONEY ON LAND FILL COSTS AND BRING BACK WORKERS. HE SAID WE COULD USE THE CURRENT TOTES AS RECYCLING BINS. THE TRUCKS CAN BE USED AS RECYCLING PICK UP TRUCKS. THEN WE CAN GO BACK TO WHERE WE WERE BEFORE AND HAVE THE TRASHED PICKED UP AS BEFORE. HE FELT THE CITY COULD HAVE THEIR OWN RECYCLING PLACE.
PAULINE HASTY, 1302 S. 23RD ST., STATED SHE COULD NOT PULL THE BIG TOTER TO THE STREET. SHE SAID SHE HAD TO CALL A NEIGHBOR OR SOMEONE TO TAKE IT OUT AND BRING IT BACK IN. SHE SAID THERE WAS NO WAY SHE COULD DO IT IN THE WINTER. SHE SAID SHE HAS 4 LITTLE BAGS A MONTH AND SHE FELT IT WASN'T FAIR FOR HER OR OTHERS WHO LIVE ALONE TO PAY A $12.00 FEE. SHE SAID SHE DOES RECYCLE BUT IF SHE IS GOING TO HAVE TO PAY THE $12.00, SHE WILL DUMP EVERYTHING INTO THE TOTER.
NORMA DISHMAN, 645 S. 11TH ST., SAID SHE THINKS IT IS UNFAIR. SHE WAS UPSET BECAUSE A SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING WAS NOT HELD ON A SATURDAY DURING THE DAY SO THAT THE ELDERLY COULD ATTEND. SHE SAID SOME PEOPLE ARE SCARED TO DEATH BECAUSE OF THE STATEMENT ABOUT A LIEN PUT ON THEIR PROPERTIES IF THEY DON'T PAY THIS FEE. SHE COMMENTED ON HOW THE COUNCIL MEETINGS WERE HELD AND COMMENTS MADE AT THE MEETING SUCH AS COUNCILMAN REID'S MOTION TO SUSPEND THE RULES ON PUBLIC COMMENT AND PROHIBIT PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE TRASH SITUATION UNTIL WE ACTUALLY HAD AN ORDINANCE. IF AND WHEN WE END UP WITH A TRASH ORDINANCE, WE ARE STILL GOING TO HAVE TIME FOR EVERYBODY TO HAVE COMMENTS AND PLENTY OF TIME FOR DISCUSSION. AT THE SAME MEETING, MRS. DISHMAN SAID THAT PRESIDENT YORK SAID, AS PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL, GAVE HER WORD THAT ADEQUATE TIME WOULD BE GIVEN. MAYOR SMALL SAID THAT THE PUBLIC COULD SPEAK AT ALL THREE MEETINGS. HE SAID THERE WILL BE A FOURTH OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK. EVERYBODY SHE KNEW TOOK THAT TO MEAN A SEPARATE MEETING. YOU ARE NOT ONLY DENYING PEOPLE OF THIS COMMUNITY TO COME BEFORE THE COUNCIL TO SPEAK AND HAVE A PLACE BIG ENOUGH, SHE CHARGED THAT THE COUNCIL OF THIS CITY IS GOING AGAINST EVERYTHING THEY CAN AGAINST THE CITIZENS OF NEW CASTLE, ABOUT THS TRASH PICK UP. SHE SAID. YES YOU WILL PASS THIS TONIGHT BUT YOU (THE COUNCIL) HAVE DONE A GREAT DISSERVICE TO THE PEOPLE IN THIS COMMUNITY. SHE ASKED THAT THIS ORDINANCE BE TABLED TONIGHT AND GIVE THE PEOPLE TIME TO COME AND TALK ABOUT THE ISSUES BEFORE YOU VOTE ON THIS TRASH PICK UP.
MAYOR SMALL SAID A PUBLIC HEARING IS STRICTLY THAT. WE SIT, WE HEAR. WE ARE CONDUCTING A PUBLIC HEARING AT THIS TIME.
TERESA KING, 714 VINE STREET. SHE SAID WHEN WE GOT THESE NEW TRUCKS, IT WOULDN'T COST THE TAX PAYERS ANY EXTRA MONEY BECAUSE IT WOULD BE CHEAPER BUT THERE WOULD BE A LOT OF PEOPLE LOOSING THEIR JOBS OVER THIS. SHE DIDN'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH ANY OF IT EXCEPT PEOPLE LOOSING THEIR JOBS.
TED ALCORN SPOKE AGAIN ASKING THE COUNCIL TO TABLE THIS ISSUE UNTIL THEY HAD A CHANCE TO LOOK AT WHAT HE WAS PROPOSING WITH RECYCLING.
COUNCILMAN KIDD ASKED TO REFRESH HIS MEMORY. DIDN'T WE DISCUSS THE RECYCLING BEFORE?
COUNCILMAN KOGER SAID THE CITY CANNOT AFFORD IT RIGHT NOW. WE ARE NOT EQUIPPED RIGHT NOW. A STIPULATION IN THIS ORDINANCE WE ARE GOING TO BE LOOKING AT THIS AGAIN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2011. WE ARE GOING TO LOOK AT OTHER OPTIONS. IS THIS A CURE ALL, NO, WE ALL KNOW THAT. WE ARE LOOSING REVENUE DAILY. WITH THE PROPERTY TAX CUTS, WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING TO GENERATE REVENUE. THE ONLY WAY A CITY CAN GENERATE REVENUE IS USER FEES. WE WILL LOOK AT THIS AGAIN THEN. IF SOMEONE CAME IN HERE WITH FIGURES, AND KEEP OUR GUYS WORKING, WE WOULD LISTEN TO THAT BUT WE DON'T HAVE TIME FOR THAT RIGHT NOW.
MAYOR SMALL SAID EVERY MEETING WE DELAY, IT COSTS THE CITY $50,000.00. ONE EMPLOYEE COSTS THE CITY $50,000.00. WE CANNOT DELAY. WE HAVE BEEN TALKING THIS NOW FOR 6 MONTHS. WE WANT TO RECYCLE. APPROXIMATELY 20% OF THE CITIZENS OF NEW CASTLE RECYCLE. THE OTHER 80% DO NOT. WE HAVE TO PAY MORE TO GET RID OF ANY PRODUCT THAT WE WOULD RECYCLE, TAKE IT UP TO MUNCIE, THE CLOSEST PLACE, AND PAY OUT ABOUT $30 TO $40 A TON TO RECYCLE. WE HAVE TO PAY $32. A TON AT BUSTERS. WE WILL BE LOOKING INTO RECYCLING. HE ALSO TALKED ABOUT STARTING A CARDBOARD RECYCLING. HE SAID THE $12.00 CHARGE WILL BREAK US EVEN. THIS IS NOT A PERFECT ORDINANCE. WE ARE REQUIRED TO REVIEW THIS ORDINANCE IN JANUARY.
UPON WRITTEN REQUEST BY A CUSTOMER TO DISCONTINUE TRASH SERVICE, THE CITY SHALL SUSPEND BILLING FOR THAT SERVICE TO THE CUSTOMER PROVIDED THE CUSTOMER ALSO MUST DISCONTINUE OR TERMINATE WATER SERVICE TO THE PROPERTY FOR THE SAME LENGTH OF TIME. THE PROPERTY OWNER SHALL NOT RESUME WATER SERVICE WITHOUT ALSO RESUMING TRASH SERVICE. THE WRITTEN NOTICE REFERRED TO HEREIN MUST BE PROVIDED TO THE NEW CASTLE UTILITY BILLING OFFICE NOT LESS THAT (14) DAYS PRIOR TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE BILLING SUSPENSION. IN ORDER TO SUSPEND BILLING AND TRASH COLLECTION, THE CITY MUST RECEIVE AT LEAST (14) DAYS NOTICE OF THE CUSTOMER'S INTENTION IN THIS REGARD.
DISCUSSION:
NORMA DISHMAN SAID IF THERE IS NOTHING IN THIS ORDINANCE THAT SAYS I DO NOT HAVE TO PAY TRASH FEES, IT SHOULDN'T BE PASSED. SHE SAID SHE KNEW EVERYONE THAT PAID A WATER BILL WILL PAY A TRASH FEE. SHE SAID SHE DOES NOT WANT A TRASH FEE. SHE ASKED THE COUNCIL TO SAY "NO" TO THIS ORDINANCE.
MAYOR SMALL SAID THAT THE CHARGE HERE FOR ALL PROPERTY OWNERS THAT RESIDE WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS OF NEW CASTLE AND ARE ENTITLED TO RECEIVE SOLID WASTE SERVICES, PURSUANT TO ORDINANCE #3583, THAT WAS PASSED LAST FALL, THAT ALLOWED US TO COLLECT FROM THE NON-PROFITS, CHURCHES AND MULTIPLE RESIDENTIAL UNITS UP TO 4 UNITS.
COUNCILMAN REID SAID THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NON-FOR-PROFIT AND RESIDENTIAL, THE NON-FOR-PROFIT HAVE TO BUY ALL THEIR TOTERS VERSUS RESIDENTIAL GETS A 96 OR 48 GALLON. HE SAID AN OPTIMISTIC FIGURE AT 1.2 MILLION FOR TRASH OPERATION COSTS US @ 7,000 HOUSEHOLDS. WE WILL STILL BE NEARLY $200,000.00 SHORT ON OUR OPERATIONS. AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR, WE WILL HAVE TO REVISIT THIS FOR THE PUBLIC'S SAKE.
COUNCILMAN KIDD EXPLAINED HOW THE PROPERTY TAX WORKS. DUE TO THE DECREASE IN MOST PROPERTY TAXES, THE CITY, COUNTY AND SCHOOLS DO NOT RECEIVE ENOUGH MONEY TO OPERATE ON. WE HAVE THREE CHOICES.
1. WE DO NOTHING AT ALL.
2. PRIVATIZE
3. DO WHAT WE ARE DOING, PUTTING ON A FEE.
PRESIDENT YORK SAID THAT WAS THE WAY MOST OF THE COUNCIL FELT. WE AT LEAST HAVE SOME CONTROL OVER WHAT FEES WE CHARGE. IF IT IS PRIVATIZED, IT IS OUT OF OUR CONTROL. THIS WAS NOT OUR OPTION WHEN THIS STARTED.
MAYOR SMALL SAID HE DOUBTED IF THERE WAS MANY PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM THAT THEIR PROPERTY TAXES ARE NOT CONSIDERABLY LESS THAN WHAT THEY WERE LAST YEAR OR THE YEAR BEFORE. HE SAID HE KNEW OF ONE PERSON whose PROPERTY TAXES IN 2006, WAS $606.00. THIS YEAR THE SAME PROPERTY TAX IS $51.26. THAT IS A $550.00 SAVINGS. ALL WE ARE ASKING IS $12.00 A MONTH.
NORMA DISHMAN ASKED IN JANUARY, 2011, IF YOU FIND THAT THE CHARGE IS NOT SUFFICIENT AND YOU HAVE TO CHARGE MORE, HER QUESTION IS, CAN MAYOR SMALL, THROUGH THE BOARD OF WORKS, PRIVATIZE OUR TRASH WITHOUT THE COUNCIL APPROVAL?
COUNCILMAN REID SAID THE MAYOR CAN SEEK FOR PROPOSALS; THE CITY WILL LOOK AT THE OPTIONS. NOTHING CAN BE DONE WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OF THE MAJORITY OF THE COUNCIL. HE SAID HE HOPED THE CITY OF NEW CASTLE CAN BECOME SUFFICIENT ENOUGH TO MAKE THIS WORK. HOWEVER, IF IT CAN'T, AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND IF IT SI CHEAPER, THEN PROVIDE THE ADDED SERVICE OF RECYCLING, WHAT A REGIONAL WASTE MANAGEMENT ENTITIES DO, THEN IN JANUARY, HIS ANSWER WOULD BE, WE NEED TO GET OUT OF THE TRASH BUSINESS. WE HAVE SIX MONTHS AND HOPEFULLY THE CITY OF NEW CASTLE'S OPERATION CAN BECOME SUFFICIENT ENOUGH TO PROVIDE THAT SERVICE. IF NOT, WE AS A COUNCIL OWE IT TO THE CITIZENS OF NEW CASTLE TO DO WHAT IS IN THE BEST OF THEIR FINANCIAL INTEREST.
HE EXPLAINED THE WAY THESE COMPANIES ARE ABLE TO THROW IN RECYCLING WHEN THE SERVICE IS PRIVATIZED. ANY RECYCLABLES IS JUST EXTRA MONEY FOR THEM. THEY HAVE THE STAFF AND THEIR OWN RECYCLING FACILITIES. IF ANYBODY OUTSIDE THAT COMPANY THAT BUYS RECYCLING SERVICE, THEY HAVE TO TAKE IT TO THEM. THERE IS A LIMIT TO HOW MANY PERMITS ARE ISSUED PER COUNTY OR DISTRICT FOR RECYCLING. MOST OF THE BIGGER COMPANIES HAVE COME IN AND SWEPT THOSE UP. HE SAID THE ONLY WAY NEW CASTLE IS GOING TO GET FULL SERVICE OF RECYCLING, AFFORDABLE FOR ANYBODY; IT WILL PROBABLY BE LIKE A COMPANY LIKE BEST WAY OR WASTE MANAGEMENT. IF THE CITY DOES IT, IT MAY BE CARDBOARD OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. FOR THE CITY TO RECYCLE, IT WOULD COST THE CITY MORE MONEY. YOU COULDN'T MAKE ANY MONEY AND IT WOULD COST MORE AND WITH OUR BUDGET AS IS, RIGHT NOW, UNLESS YOU ARE GETTING SERVICE FROM ONE OF THE BIG COMPANIES, IT IS CHEAPER TO THROW THE STUFF AWAY THAN IT IS TO RECYCLE IT.
ROLL CALL VOTE: FIVE VOTES AYE ONE VOTE (MALONE) NAY PASSED AND ORDERED.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
PUBLIC:
TED ALCORN COMMENTED ABOUT THE STATE POLICE WATCHING WHERE THERE IS A FUNCTION AND WHEN IT IS OVER, THEY STOP THEM FOR ONE REASON OR ANOTHER. THE STATE TROOPERS ARE TAKING OVER THE CITY. WHY ARE THEY IN THE CITY AND BEING PAID FOR WHAT OUR POLICE OFFICERS DO.?
MAYOR SMALL SAID WE HAVE FEWER OFFICERS NOW.
ASSISTANT CHIEF OF POLICE ULLERY SAID THAT THEY HAVE JURISDICTION. WE DON'T GOVERN THEM. IF YOU HAVE A COMPLAINT, CALL PAUL WETZEL AT TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT AGENCY.
DALE COLE SAID THE CREDIT UNION RECEIVED A BILL FOR A HOLE THAT WAS DUG BY THE WATER DEPARTMENT BEFORE A SIGN COULD BE ERECTED. WHERE DO WE SEND THE BILL? THE WATER COMPANY WAS LOOKING FOR THEIR LINE.
MAYOR WILL CHECK THIS OUT.
MILDRED WHITE STATED THAT SHE AND HER HUSBAND ALMOST HIT TWO GIRLS ON A MOPED BECAUSE THEY WEREN'T PAYING ANY ATTENTION. SHE THINKS EDUCATION SHOULD BE GIVEN BEFORE SOMEONE CAN DRIVE A MOPED. SHE SAID THEY HAD NO REFLECTORS AND WERE WEARING DARK CLOTHES.
A REQUEST FOR A STOP SIGN BE PLACED ON SPRING ST., SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 11TH ST AND STATE RD. 3. GIVEN TO TRAFFIC COMMITTEE.
PRESIDENT YORK MOVED TO ADJOURN.
