City Council

MINUTES OF THE LAFAYETTE COMMON COUNCIL January 6, 2014 REGULAR MEETING The Common Council of the City of Lafayette, Indiana met in regular session on Monday January 6, 2014 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: Heide, Klinker, Meyer, Brown, Ahlersmeyer, Weast-Williamson, Downing and Campbell. Absent- Reynolds City Clerk Cindy Murray and Deputy City Attorney Chris Hobson were present. The City Clerk stated that there was a quorum present. Councilman Heide moved to nominate Councilman Meyer as President of the Common Council for the year 2014, Councilman Klinker seconded. The motion passed on 8-0 on a roll call vote. Thereafter, Councilman Meyer presided over the meeting. President Meyer thanked Councilman Campbell for his service during the last year and noted his last most important decision was to have this meeting tonight. (10+inches of snow on the ground, temperature -14° and wind chill -40°) Councilman Campbell moved to nominate Councilwoman Ahlersmeyer as President Pro- Tem for the year 2014, Councilman Klinker seconded. The motion passed 8-0 on a roll call vote. President Meyer praised and thanked the City of Lafayette Departments for their hard work and dedication in cleaning the streets and keeping the City going during this historical storm. Councilman Campbell moved to recess for a Public Hearing on Resolution 2014-03 (A Resolution Confirming the Designation of Certain Real Estate as an Economic Revitalization Area (ERA) and Approval of an Application by Worwag Coatings LLC for Property Tax Abatement) Worwag Coatings LLC, Councilman Brown seconded. No public comment was heard. Councilman Klinker moved to reconvene the regular meeting. Councilman Campbell seconded. The motion passed by unanimous voice vote. Councilman Campbell moved to approve the minutes of December 2, 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-November Water Works Department Monthly-November Water Pollution Control Department Monthly-November Fleet Maintenance/Motor Vehicle Department Monthly-November Ordinances for Second Reading: The Clerk read Ordinance 2013-42 (An Ordinance to Establish Fund No. 214 “Wellness Fund” by title only on second and final reading.) Councilwoman Weast-Williamson moved for passage, Councilman Downing seconded. Mike Jones, Controller spoke regarding the Ordinance. Ordinance 2013-42 passed 7- 0 on a roll call vote on second and final reading. Ordinances for First Reading: The Clerk read Ordinance 2014-01 (An Ordinance to Transfer Money from Cumulative Capitol Development Fund to Rainey Day Fund) by title only on first reading. Councilman Brown moved for passage, Councilwoman Ahlersmeyer seconded. Mike Jones, Controller spoke regarding the Ordinance. Ordinance 2014-01passed 7-0 on a roll call vote on first reading. Resolutions: The Clerk read Resolution 2014-01 (A Resolution Approving the Detail of the 2014 Water and Wastewater Department Budget) by title only on first and final reading. Councilman Campbell moved for passage, Councilman Heide seconded. Mike Jones, Controller spoke regarding the Resolution. Resolution passed 7-0 on a roll call vote on first and final reading. The Clerk read Resolution 2014-02 (A Resolution Confirming the Designation of Certain Real Estate as an Economic Revitalization (ERA) and Approval of an Application by Worwag Coatings LLC for Property Tax Abatement) by title only on first and final reading. Councilwoman Weast-Williamson moved for passage, Councilman Downing seconded. Dennis Carson, Economic Development Director and Mayor Roswarski spoke in support of the Resolution. Resolution 2014-02 passed 7-0 on a roll call vote on first and final reading. The Clerk read Resolution 2014-03 (A Resolution Declaring the Designation of Certain Real Estate as an Economic Revitalization (ERA) and Approval of an Application by Tate & Lyle Americas LLC for Property Tax Abatement) by title only on first and final reading. Councilwoman Ahlersmeyer moved for passage, Councilwoman Weast-Williamson seconded. Dennis Carson, Economic Development Director spoke regarding the Abatement. Chris Olsen, Tate & Lyle Representative spoke regarding the planned improvements. Resolution 2014-03 passed 7-0 on a roll call vote on first and final reading. Councilman Brown moved to set a public hearing for Monday, February 3, 2014 at 7:01 pm, Councilwoman Weast-Williamson seconded. The motion passed by unanimous voice vote. Reports of Standing Committees: Councilman Campbell moved to reappoint to Don Teder and John Thieme, Jr. to the Redevelopment Commission for one year terms. Councilman Klinker seconded. The motion passed by unanimous voice vote. Reports of Special Committees: President Meyer requested all Council Members look over their current committee assignments and notify him of change requests. Report by the Mayor: Mayor Roswarski praised the various departments involved in the plowing and cleaning of the City Streets during this storm. Mayor Roswarski also thanked the citizens that complied with getting their vehicles off the road, so the plowing crews could clean the streets quickly and efficiently. Miscellaneous or New Business: Brad Talley, Water Pollution Control Superintendent gave the following Departmental Update. The Durkees Run/Earl Avenue Stormwater Park is nearly complete. The Durkees Run Stormwater Park may be the most innovative stormwater park in the state. From a technical standpoint, the park utilizes Green Infrastructure to manage peak flows in Durkees Run, reducing the number of Combined Sewer Overflow occurrences downstream. From a social aspect, the park is an open space and public venue that allows citizens at large to gather, learn, and share within their community. Where this park stands out the most is in its educational impact, the park’s unique location adjacent to Lafayette Jefferson High School provides an excellent opportunity as an outdoor learning center with several unique educational opportunities that will benefit the Lafayette community for generations. The Durkees Run/Earl Avenue Storm Sewer Project remains under construction. A large diameter storm pipe has been installed from the intersection of Main Street and Earl Avenue to the intersection of Kossuth Street and Earl Avenue. The intersection at Kossuth Street is currently closed for final installation of the storm pipe and the construction of several large structures as well as utility relocation. This intersection is scheduled to reopen by March of 2014. Beginning in February 2014 the next phase of the project will commence. This involves large diameter pipe installation from State Street to Main Street along Earl Avenue. During the same period, Earl Avenue road reconstruction will begin at South Street and work to the south towards Jefferson High School. The entire project is scheduled to be complete by the fall of 2014. This Project is a phase of the City’s CSO Long Term Control Plan and will separate nearly 1000 acres of Combined Sewers. By separating this area the City will not only reduce the amount of combined sewage that flows to the Wabash River during a rain event, it will also reduce the amount of flow to the wastewater treatment plant by over 100 million gallons annually. The North 27th and Elmwood project is nearing completion. This project separated stormwater from a combined sewer system that was surcharging onto 27th Street during very heavy rain events. It also involved installation of new sewer to correct a grade issue that was also contributing to the surcharging. This project is scheduled to be complete by March of 2014. In August 2013 the City was issued a new discharge permit for the wastewater treatment plant. This permit requires the City to meet new phosphorus limits by August 2016. The  treatment plant does not currently have the capability to treat phosphorus so meeting these new limits is a complicated undertaking. The department has hired consultants to assist with industrial user contributions of phosphorus and to design facilities at the treatment plant to treat phosphorus to meet the limits within the required compliance schedule. The Stormwater Department continues to grow and evolve. The department has developed brochures and videos to assist in water quality education and awareness. The department has been very involved with the Wabash River Enhancement Corporation in a variety of projects. The “Paint the Rain” rainbarrel event was a new and exciting project that stormwater worked on. Rainbarrels were purchased and painted by nearly 100 groups throughout the year and sold by auction at the Paint the Rain Gala. The event raised enough money to fund a rain garden at the Battleground Middle School, provide funding for a rain garden for the North 27th and Elmwood Project and funding for additional green space at the West Lafayette Farmers Market. This year’s Paint the Rain event has been developed to be a school competition that includes art, science and community involvement. The stormwater department is also heavily involved in the Wabash Riverfest event and is working on expanding this community event. There were no Reports by Council. Public Comment: Antioun Butler, 2756 Chilton Dr. spoke regarding his interest in changing some language in the Lafayette City Code regarding the definition of person. Councilman Campbell moved to adjourn, Councilman Klinker seconded. Meeting was adjourned at 7:40 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