City Council

MINUTES OF THE LAFAYETTE COMMON COUNCIL August 5, 2013 REGULAR MEETING The Common Council of the City of Lafayette, Indiana met in regular session on Monday August 5, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, 20 North 6th Street, Lafayette, Indiana. President Campbell called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. The Pledge of Allegiance was given to the flag of our Country. The following members were present: Present: Klinker, Meyer, Reynolds, Brown, Ahlersmeyer, Weast-Williamson, Downing and Campbell. Absent: Heide City Clerk Cindy Murray and City Attorney Ed Chosnek were present. The City Clerk stated that there was a quorum present. Councilman Meyer moved to approve the minutes of July 1, 2013 common council meeting Councilwoman Weast-Williamson seconded. There were no additions or corrections. Minutes approved by unanimous voice vote. The Clerk stated there were no Claims, Petitions or Communications. The Clerk stated the following reports are available in the City Clerk’s Office: Clerk’s Office Monthly-June Water Works Department Monthly-June Water Pollution Control Department Monthly-June Fleet Maintenance/Motor Vehicle Department Monthly-June Ordinances for Second Reading The Clerk read Ordinance 2013-16 (An Ordinance Amending Section 8.07.030 of the Lafayette City Code Weed and Rank Vegetation-Notice to Owner) by title only on second and final reading. Councilman Downing moved for passage, Councilwoman Weast-Williamson seconded. Jacque Chosnek, Deputy City Attorney spoke regarding the changes. Ordinance 2013-16 passed 7-0 on a roll call vote on second and final reading. The Clerk read Ordinance 2013-17 (An Ordinance Repealing Chapter 4.09-Peddlers, Transient Vendors, Solicitors and Beggars and Replacing it with New Chapter 4.09-Peddlers and Solicitors and New Chapter 4.16-Transient Merchants)) by title only on second and final reading. Councilwoman Ahlersmeyer moved for passage, Councilman Brown seconded. Jacque Chosnek, Deputy City Attorney spoke regarding the changes. Ordinance 2013-17 passed 7-0 on a roll call vote on second and final reading. The Clerk read Ordinance 2013-18 (An Ordinance Authorizing the City of Lafayette to Issue its “ [Taxable] Economic Development Revenue Bonds, Series 2013 (LUEA Project)”) by title only on second and final reading. Councilman Klinker moved for passage, Councilman Reynolds seconded. Mayor Roswarski spoke regarding the Ordinance. Ordinance 2013-18 passed 7-0 on a roll call vote on second and final reading. Ordinances for First Reading The Clerk read Ordinance 2013-23 (An Amendment to Ordinance No. 2011-11 Establishing a Local Columbia Street Historic District in the City of Lafayette, Indiana-811 Columbia St) by title only on first reading. Councilman Meyer moved for passage, Councilman Reynolds seconded. Jennie Peterson, Community Development spoke regarding the Ordinance. Ordinance 2013-23 passed 7-0 on a roll call vote on first reading. The Clerk read Ordinance 2013-24 (A Ordinance to Vacate a Portion of the Public Way in the City of Lafayette, Indiana, Bob Rohrman Auto Group, Petitioner) by title only on first reading. Councilman Downing moved for passage, Councilwoman Weast-Williamson seconded. Councilman Meyer left the council chamber due to conflict of interest at 7:10 pm. Joe Bumbleburg, Attorney for the Petitioner explained his client would like to use the small portion of land (with no previous known use) to expand his employee parking and add additional area for customers. Councilmen Downing and Klinker questioned if there were plans to connect this area to a road. Mr. Bumbleburg stated there is no plan for roads on this piece of vacated land, it will be parking. Robert Kelly, Eastland Dr. expressed concern about flooding with the additional parking lot. Jenny Leshney, City Engineer stated city ordinance prohibits anyone from blocking drainage when placing parking lots, so flooding should not be an issue. President Campbell requested Councilwoman Weast-Williamson take the chair as pro-tem pro-tem President. Councilman Campbell expressed concern that the Council gets continued requests for vacation of city property with no monetary compensation in return. Mr. Campbell checked with the County Assessor and was told property of this size would assess for Fifty Eight Thousand Dollars ($58,000.00) however with the current arrangement the City would only receive Four Hundred and Eighty Three Dollars ($483.00) annually from property tax. Mr. Campbell requested his fellow City Council members to review a way to change future vacates so that the City does not just give land away. Council discussion ensued. Jenny Leshney, City Engineer stated there were many different Road and Trail Plan land uses in this area, however there is no definite planned use at this time. President Campbell returned to the chair. Jon Espenes, Construction Manager for the Petitioner spoke explained that the proposed plan is to vacate the section and join the other property to it, they are planning on turning the road to the north and running it along the property line and turning it back and connecting it to Eastland Drive. He stated that meetings were conducted with Bob Foley and the Engineering Department Staff and they have come up with a plan for the width of the street and the trail, incorporating that as part of their construction. Though there is no plan before the Council, the petitioner’s intention is to put the street in, as well as the trail at no cost to the city for that section and the buffer zone, plus sidewalks that the city wanted on both sides. Mr. Espenes asked the Council to please take this into consideration when voting on this ordinance. Further Council discussion ensued. Ordinance 2013-24 passed 6- 0 on a roll call vote on first reading. Councilman Klinker moved to set a public hearing for Ordinance 2013-24 on September 9, 2013 at 7:01 PM, Councilwoman Weast-Williamson seconded. The motion passed by unanimous voice vote. The Clerk read Ordinance 2013-25 (A Ordinance to Vacate a Portion of the Public Way in the City of Lafayette, Purdue Federal Union/City of Lafayette) by title only on first reading. Councilman Brown moved for passage, Councilwoman Ahlersmeyer seconded. Joe Bumbleburg, Attorney for the petitioner spoke regarding the ordinance. Discussion ensued. Bob Fulk, President of Purdue Federal Credit Union explained how the new designs would enhance the area and make traffic flow safer. Ordinance 2013-25 passed 5-0-1 on a roll call vote as follows on first reading. Yays: Reynolds, Brown, Ahlersmeyer, Weast-Williamson and Downing Nays: None Abstention: Klinker Councilman Brown moved to set a public hearing for Ordinance 2013-24 on September 9, 2013 at 7:02 PM, Councilwoman Ahlersmeyer seconded. The motion passed by unanimous voice vote. Councilman Meyer returned to the meeting at 7:55 p.m. Resolutions: The Clerk read Resolution 2013-11 (Resolution Authorizing the Common Council of the City of Lafayette to Forward Proposals to the Ordinance Committee of the Area Plan Commission of Tippecanoe County, Indiana to Amend the Text of the Unified Zoning Ordinance of Tippecanoe County, Indiana) by title only on first and final reading. Councilman Reynolds moved for passage, Councilman Meyer seconded. Kevin Riley, Attorney spoke regarding the resolution. Ed Chosnek, City Attorney spoke regarding the process with Area Plan Commission. Resolution 2013-11 passed 7-0 on a roll call vote on first and final reading. The Clerk read Resolution 2013-12 (A Resolution Acknowledging Receipt of the Fiscal Year 2012 Financial Summary and Directing the Controller to File Required Reports with the Department of Local Government Finance) by title only on first and final reading. Councilman Downing moved for passage, Councilman Klinker seconded. Dennis Carson, Economic Development Director spoke regarding the resolution. Resolution 2013-11 passed 7-0 on a roll call vote on first and final reading. The Clerk read Resolution 2013-13 (Resolution to Approve the Amended Lafayette Housing Consortium Home Program and the City of Lafayette Community Development Block Grant Plan for 2013) by title only on first and final reading. Councilwoman Weast-Williamson moved for passage, Councilwoman Ahlersmeyer seconded. Jennie Peterson, Community Development spoke regarding the resolution. Councilman Brown Resolution 2013-13 passed 7-0 on a roll call vote on first and final reading. There were no Reports of Standing Committees. There were no Reports of Special Committees: Report by the Mayor: Mayor Roswarski presented Carl McQuay recent graduate from Jefferson High School who was named Mr. Indiana in Track and Field for 2013 with a Plaque from the City of Lafayette, honoring him for his accomplishment. (Applause and standing ovation from the audience) Miscellaneous or New Business: Ted Bumbleburg, Park Superintendent informed everyone that Parks Department has two surveys currently available on the website www.lafayettepark.org The surveys’ are seeking public input on the Park Master Plan and Loeb Stadium renovation. Mr. Bumbleburg also announced there will be a public tour of Loeb Stadium on August 21, 2013 at 6:30 p.m. Reports by Council: Councilman Downing expressed concern regarding piles of rubble from the Home Hospital demolition that may be hazardous to children returning to school. Public Comment: Perry Barbee, 3700 Redbud, encouraged everyone to participate in the National Night Out. Councilman Downing moved to adjourn, Councilwoman Ahlersmeyer seconded. Meeting adjourned at 8:16 PM. Minutes prepared by Cindy Murray, City Clerk Complete audio of meeting available in the City Clerk’s office or at www.lafayette.in.gov