City Council

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HOBART LAKE COUNTY, INDIANA February 6, 2013 Call to Order – Moment of Silence: Mayor Snedecor called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and a Moment of Silence. Roll Call: The following members were present: Mr. Herzog, Mr. Maggio, Mr. Vinzant, Mr. Brezik, and Mrs. Wiley. Absent: Mr. Mendez, and Mr. Claussen. Also present: City Attorney DeBonis and Clerk-Treasurer Longer. Correspondence: Mr. Maggio announced he received an e-mail from Dale Polomchak regarding a Dancing with Local Stars event to be held on Thursday, February 21st at the Radisson Hotel, featuring Mayor Snedecor. Tickets are available in the Mayor’s office. Mrs. Wiley stated she had received numerous e-mails regarding the ambulance service. Mayor Snedecor also distributed correspondence to the Council from Rev. Charles Strietelmeier and Dave Gallagher regarding the EMS service. Mr. Snedecor displayed a shadow box holding a gavel made from the wood of the old mill in Hobart and a brief history and photos of the mill. He noted the gavel was found in the safe in City Hall and now would be displayed in the City. Reading of Minutes: Motion by Mr. Brezik, seconded by Mr. Herzog, to accept the minutes of the regular meeting of January 16, 2013, as presented. All aye, motion carried. (5-0) Committee Reports: Mr. Herzog reported that the Working Conditions subcommittee met with the City Attorney and determined that a consultant should be brought in to review and suggest changes to the document, assuring that it meets current state and federal labor laws. Mr. Herzog also noted that the discussions with the union representatives and the City Departments would also be considered in the changes to the Working Conditions. Attorney DeBonis noted this will not be a swift process but hopefully could be completed by the end of the year. Mr. Vinzant stated the Ordinance Committee met earlier this evening and is working through a variety of the ordinances under consideration. Department Reports: Department reports were distributed from the Fire Department, Park Department, Public Works, Sanitary/Stormwater District and Director of Development. Approval of Agenda: Mr. Vinzant requested that Resolution 2013-02 regarding the Hobart Marsh Plan be added under Unfinished Business and Ordinance 2013-05 be added under New Business along with a review of the City’s Ethics Ordinance, both recommended to be added by the Ordinance Committee. Motion by Mr. Brezik, seconded by Mr. Maggio, to approve the agenda with the additions. All aye, motion carried. (5-0) Common Council Minutes: February 6, 2013 1 Unfinished Business: Tabled: Consideration of Hobart Marsh Plan: Recommended by Hobart Plan Commission: Mr. Vinzant stated this item should be left on the table. Resolution 2013-02: A Resolution Returning the Hobart Marsh Plan to the City Plan Commission for Further Proceedings: The Resolution was read. Motion by Mr. Vinzant, seconded by Mr. Maggio, to approve Resolution 2013-02 as presented. All aye, motion carried. (5-0) New Business: Ordinance 2013-04: An Ordinance Transferring Appropriations within the 2013 Budget of the General Fund, Plan Commission Department, in the City of Hobart: The Ordinance was read. Motion by Mr. Maggio, seconded by Mr. Brezik, to approve Ordinance 2013-04 on first reading. Roll Call Vote taken. All aye, motion carried. (5-0) Motion by Mr. Vinzant, seconded by Mr. Maggio, to suspend the rules, declare an emergency and proceed with the second reading of Ordinance 2013-04. All aye, motion carried. (5-0) Ordinance 2013-04: An Ordinance Transferring Appropriations within the 2013 Budget of the General Fund, Plan Commission Department, in the City of Hobart: The second reading of the Ordinance was held. Motion by Mr. Brezik, seconded by Mr. Maggio, to adopt Ordinance 2013-04 as presented. Roll Call Vote taken. All aye, motion carried. (5-0) Ordinance 2013-05: An Ordinance to Provide for Authorized Staff Levels by Rank in the Hobart Fire Department: The Ordinance was read. Chief Taylor was present and explained that the staff levels would be met through attrition. Motion by Mr. Herzog, seconded by Mr. Maggio, to approve Ordinance 2013- 05 on first reading. Roll Call Vote taken. All aye, motion carried. (5-0) Motion by Mr. Vinzant, seconded by Mr. Herzog, to suspend the rules, declare an emergency and proceed with the second reading of Ordinance 2013-05. All aye, motion carried. (5-0) Ordinance 2013-05: An Ordinance to Provide for Authorized Staff Levels by Rank in the Hobart Fire Department: The second reading of the Ordinance was held. Motion by Mr. Herzog, seconded by Mr. Maggio, to adopt Ordinance 2013-05 as presented. Roll Call Vote taken. All aye, motion carried. (5-0) Review of Ethics Ordinance 2003-41 (as Amended): Mrs. Longer noted the Ordinance requires review by the Council at least once every four years. The ordinance had been considered by the Ordinance Committee at their meetings. Motion by Mr. Vinzant, seconded by Mr. Herzog, to approve the Ethics Ordinance 2003-41 (as Amended) as it stands. All aye, motion carried. (5-0) Announcements: Larry Brown questioned why the compactor garbage trucks are not yet in service. Mr. Snedecor explained that the trucks came from Canada and we are waiting until the registration and plating can be completed by the State. He noted that the employees are being trained on the use of the trucks within the yard. Sandy O’Brien, Friends of Robinson Lake, thanked the Council for their work toward formulating the Marsh Plan and stated this plan alleviates many of the concerns some citizens have regarding the Hobart Marsh areas. Denarie Kane stated this plan is a beginning point and will be used for future land use and Common Council Minutes: February 6, 2013 2 comprehensive planning guidelines but is essential at this time to facilitate the closing out of a current grant the City has. Bob Krebes stated the Marsh Plan will be an asset to the City and also commended the Council and the Plan Commission on their work on the Plan. Mr. Krebes also asked about the status of discussions regarding the Ambulance service in the City. Mr. Snedecor stated the City will have a consultant look at the existing Fire Department/Ambulance Service to assess the situation. Dave Mayer stated the City had a private ambulance service in 1979 and it did not work and it cost the City a great deal of money to bring the ambulance service into the Fire Department. He asked the Council not to privatize the service and recommended the City reopen the Old Ridge Road firehouse to provide services to the area west of Wisconsin Street. Mike Stulac questioned whether there would be any public forum before decisions were made regarding the ambulance services. Mr. Snedecor stated the City Officials would keep the process transparent and the Council considers possibilities. Mr. Snedecor asked if there was anyone who wished to address the Council and there was no further response. Adjournment: Motion by Mr. Vinzant, seconded by Mr. Herzog, to adjourn the meeting. All aye, motion carried. (5-0) The meeting adjourned at 6:36 p.m. SECRETARY PRESIDING OFFICER Common Council Minutes: February 6, 2013 3