City Council

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HOBART LAKE COUNTY, INDIANA April 17, 2013 Call to Order – Moment of Silence: Mayor Snedecor called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and a Moment of Silence, asking the public to remember the victims of the Boston Marathon explosions earlier this week. Roll Call: The following members were present: Mr. Mendez, Mr. Maggio, Mr. Vinzant, Mr. Brezik, Mrs. Wiley and Mr. Claussen. Absent: Mr. Herzog. Also present: City Attorney DeBonis and Clerk- Treasurer Longer. Correspondence: Mr. Snedecor stated the Board of Works earlier today approved a request from Police Chief Zormier to place temporary stop signs at 5th and Center Streets during the construction on Main Street. The letter of recommendation stated there was an increase in the traffic flow and a higher incidence of accidents occurring at the intersection and a 4-way stop will provide additional safety for the public. Reading of Minutes: Motion by Mr. Brezik, seconded by Mrs. Wiley, to accept the minutes of the regular meeting of April 3, 2013, as presented. All aye, motion carried. (6-0) Committee Reports: Mr. Mendez stated he had several calls from residents on Lillian Street and the no parking signs have been installed. He noted the residents in the area say the speeding is still a problem. Mr. Snedecor stated he had also received correspondence from Mr. Kainrath and noted the City will continue to monitor the area for speeding motorists. Mr. Vinzant stated the Ordinance Committee will meet on Wednesday, May 1st at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Approval of Agenda: Mr. Snedecor requested the Council consider the addition of Ordinance 2013-16 regarding the Cable Television Escrow Fund. Motion by Mr. Maggio, seconded by Mrs. Wiley, to approve the agenda as amended. All aye, motion carried. (6-0) Unfinished Business: Ordinance 2013-12 (2nd Reading): An Ordinance Authorizing the Issuance of Economic Development Revenue Bonds in one (1) or more series in the Aggregate Principal Amount not to exceed Five Million Eight Hundred Fifty Thousand and 00/100 Dollars ($5,850,000.00) and Approving and Authorizing Other Actions in respect thereto: ITR America, LLC, re: 6301 Northwind Parkway: The second reading of the Ordinance was held. Christopher Gilleo, CFO of ITR America, LLC was present. Mrs. Longer stated an new version of the Ordinance was presented this evening correcting a reference of “her” to “him” in Section 13 of the ordinance. Motion by Mr. Claussen, seconded by Mr. Vinzant, to adopt Ordinance 2013-12 as presented. Attorney DeBonis noted a motion to amend the Ordinance would be in order to correct the reference of “her” to “him” in Section 13. Motion by Mr. Claussen, seconded by Mr. Mendez, to amend Ordinance 2013-12, Section 13 as stated. All aye, motion carried. (6-0) Mayor Snedecor called for a vote on the original motion to adopt Ordinance 2013-12 as amended. Roll Call Vote taken. All aye, motion carried. (6-0) Common Council Minutes: April 17, 2013 1 Public Hearing / Resolution 2013-06: A Resolution Confirming Resolution 2013-05 designating a certain area within the City as an Economic Revitalization Area for purposes of Personal Property Tax Abatement: ITR America, LLC, re: 6301 Northwind Parkway: The Resolution was read. Mrs. Longer stated the Affidavit had been presented and the notice of the public hearing was in order. Mr. Snedecor opened the public hearing. There being no comments offered, the public hearing was closed. Motion by Mr. Claussen, seconded by Mr. Mendez, to approve Resolution 2013-06 as presented. All aye, motion carried. (6-0) Mr. Gilleo, ITR America LLC, thanked the Council and the City staff for their help with this process and their support of the project. New Business: Ordinance 2013-13: An Ordinance to Provide for Adjustments to the Compensation of Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedic Personnel Employed by the City: The Ordinance was read. Motion by Mr. Maggio, seconded by Mr. Mendez, to table Ordinance 2013-13. 5 Aye: Mendez, Maggio, Vinzant, Brezik, Claussen / 1 Nay: Wiley. Motion Carried. (5-1) Compliance with Statement of Benefits: re: 5441 E. Lincoln Hwy.: Jefferson LLC: 2009 Equipment; Jefferson LLC: Equipment for 2006 Addition; Jefferson LLC: Building Addition 2006; Jefferson LLC: Building Addition 2011; Jefferson LLC: Equipment (2011 & 2012) into 2011 Addition: Mr. Brezik asked the Council to consider all of these compliances as a group as they are all related to Albanese. Mr. Snedecor stated the Director of Development indicated there were no issues with the compliances and there is an exaction fee that will be due and owing from Jefferson LLC in the amount of $65,229.78. Motion by Mr. Mendez, seconded by Mr. Claussen, to approve the Compliance with Statement of Benefits en masse by unanimous consent of the Council, as presented. All aye, motion carried. (6-0) Resolution 2013-08: A Resolution to Approve and Adopt the Hobart Marsh Plan: Attorney DeBonis presented the Resolution stating the Hobart Plan Commission adopted its Resolution No. 2013-01 which amended the Hobart Marsh Plan previously approved by the Commission and recommended approval of this current plan to be added to the Comprehensive Plan. The Resolution was read. Motion by Mr. Vinzant, seconded by Mr. Maggio, to approve Resolution 2013-08 as presented. Discussion followed as to whether this would impede a developer from considering an area within the Plan. Mr. Brezik stated this plan is a guide and a great starting point for consideration of the area described for future land use. Mr. Snedecor called for a vote on the motion. All aye, motion carried. (6-0) Note: See additional information in the “Announcements” section of these minutes. Ordinance 2013-16: An Ordinance to Repeal the Cable Television Escrow Fund of the City: Attorney DeBonis presented this ordinance, explaining that the security deposit being held by the City is no longer required as the Indiana General Assembly terminated the local franchises for cable television and granted State-issued franchises in 2006. The Ordinance was read. Motion by Mr. Vinzant, seconded by Mr. Maggio, to pass Ordinance 2013-16 on first reading. Roll Call Vote taken. All aye, motion carried. (6-0) Motion by Mr. Vinzant, seconded by Mr. Brezik, to suspend the rules, declare an emergency and proceed with the second reading of the Ordinance. All aye, motion carried. (6-0) Ordinance 2013-16: An Ordinance to Repeal the Cable Television Escrow Fund of the City: The second reading of the Ordinance was held. Motion by Mr. Vinzant, seconded by Mr. Maggio, to adopt Ordinance 2013-16 as presented. Roll Call Vote taken. All aye, motion carried. (6-0) Common Council Minutes: April 17, 2013 2 Announcements: Attorney DeBonis stated he has noticed a Scribner’s error in Resolution 2013-08, regarding the Hobart Marsh Plan on page 2, line 31, the reference to the I.C. §36-7-4-506(a) should actually read: I.C. §36-7-4- 509(a). Motion by Mr. Vinzant, seconded by Mr. Brezik, to allow the Scribner’s error to be corrected to show the correct I.C. §36-7-4-509(a). All aye, motion carried. (6-0) The Clerk-Treasurer will correct the error and present the corrected Resolution 2013-08 to the Mayor for signature. Mr. Snedecor discussed his meeting with the Firefighter’s Union representative and noted he will continue to meet and discuss the issues, asking for suggestions from the firefighters as the City deals with limited budgets. Mr. Claussen stated it is important to have some decisions made as the Council works through the budget process for 2014 and especially by the mid-August meeting regarding the 2014 budget. Mr. Mendez expressed concerns about the overtime costs at the Fire Dept. Mr. Vinzant stated the Council should consider where the City is trying to get to as they discuss changes at the Fire Dept. Mrs. Wiley stated the City should also consider other offices where staff is not essential and the City should not rely on a “paid on call” situation to handle public safety. She also expressed concerns about Community Service workers being inappropriately dressed for their community service duties and should be sent home if not appropriate. Mr. Snedecor stated the Fire Committee of the Council will be part of the meetings to find some possible solutions before the budget process begins. Mr. Mendez stated the Fire Department should be complimented with volunteer staffing. Mr. Brezik stated he does not want to compromise safety but all departments and city staff must work together to find a solution. Tom Castle, Firefighters Union representative, thanked the Council and the Mayor for the opportunity to meet with the Fire Committee of the Council to discuss possibilities. Mr. Vinzant noted the Lake County Council will be making a decision on the County Income Tax in the near future and asked the Councilmen to reach out to the County Council and County Commissioners to voice their support on this important decision. Mr. Mendez stated he has paid his property taxes in advance and the Little Cal Fee is on the bills for each lot. If lots are combined you pay only one Little Cal fee. Larry Regan, V-P of the Teamster’s Union in Gary, stated the Income Tax would be a “double whammy” on workers and the Unions need to be aware of what is going on with this important issue. Mr. Snedecor asked if there was anyone who wished to address the Council and there was no further response. Adjournment: Motion by Mr. Claussen, seconded by Mr. Vinzant, to adjourn the meeting. All aye, motion carried. (6-0) The meeting adjourned at 6:38 p.m. SECRETARY PRESIDING OFFICER Common Council Minutes: April 17, 2013 3