City Council

MINUTES OF THE LAFAYETTE COMMON COUNCIL February 6, 2017 REGULAR MEETING The Common Council of the City of Lafayette, Indiana met in regular session on Monday, February 6, 2017 at 6:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, 20 North 6th Street, Lafayette, Indiana. President Nargi called the meeting to order at 6:30pm. The Pledge of Allegiance was given to the flag of our Country. The following members were present: Present: Heide, Klinker, Reynolds, Campbell, Brown , Ahlersmeyer, Weast-Williamson, Downing and Nargi City Clerk Cindy Murray and City Attorney Ed Chosnek were present. Councilman Campbell moved to recess for a public hearing on Ordinance 2017-01 (An Ordinance to Vacate A Portion of the Public Way in the City of Lafayette, Indiana-Lafayette Pentecostal Church, Petitioner) and Ordinance 2017-03 (Amendment to Ordinance No. 85-12, As Last Amended by Ordinance in 2012-32, Concerning Charges For Sewerage Services), Councilman Reynolds seconded. There was no public comment. Councilman Campbell moved to reconvene the regular meeting, Councilman Klinker seconded. Motion passed by unanimous voice vote. Councilman Campbell moved to approve the minutes of the January 3, 2017 Council Meeting. Councilman Reynolds seconded. Motion passed on a roll call vote. There were no Claims, Petitions or Communications: The Clerk stated the following reports are available in the City Clerk’s Office: Water Pollution Control Department Monthly-December Water Works Department Monthly- December Fleet Maintenance Department Monthly- December Police Department Monthly-December Ordinances for Second Reading The Clerk read Ordinance 2017-01 (An Ordinance to Vacate A Portion of the Public Way in the City of Lafayette, Indiana-Lafayette Pentecostal Church, Petitioner) by title only on second and final reading. Councilman Brown moved for passage, Councilwoman Ahlersmeyer seconded. Lloyd Wells, 3717 Rawlings Drive requested explanation of the ordinance. Jason Ramsland, Attorney for the petitioner spoke regarding the Ordinance. Ordinance 2017-01 passed 8-0 on a roll call vote on second and final reading. The Clerk read Ordinance 2017-02 (An Ordinance Fixing the Salaries of the Sworn Protective Occupation and Law Enforcement (POLE) Members of the Police and Fire Departments of the City of Lafayette, for the Year 2017) by title only on second and final reading. Councilman Downing moved for passage, Councilwoman Weast-Williamson seconded. Mayor Roswarski spoke regarding the Ordinance. Ordinance 2017-02 passed 8-0 on a roll call vote on second and final reading. The Clerk read Ordinance 2017-03 (Amendment to Ordinance No. 85-12, As Last Amended by Ordinance in 2012-32, Concerning Charges For Sewerage Services) by title only on second and final reading. Councilwoman Ahlersmeyer moved for passage, Councilman Brown seconded. Ed Chosnek, City Attorney stated motion is needed to Amend title of Ordinance 2017-03 by deleting Ordinance 2012- 32 and replacing it with Ordinance 2016-09, Councilman Klinker moved to amend, Councilman Reynolds seconded. Amendment passed 8-0 on roll call vote. Mayor Roswarski spoke regarding the CSO requirements that will be funded with the increase. Brad Talley, Water Pollution Control Superintendent, spoke regarding the projects. Jennifer Wilson, Crowe Howarth went over how the rate increase was established. Jenny Leshney, City Engineer stated the average homeowner’s monthly bill would increase approximately $9.60. Amended Ordinance 2017-03 passed 8-0 on a roll call vote on second and final reading. The Clerk read Ordinance 2017-04 (An Ordinance Authorizing the Acquisition Construction, Installation and Equipping by The City of Lafayette, Indiana of Certain Improvements and Extensions to the Sewage Works of the City, the Issuance and Sale of Revenue Bonds to Provide Funds for the Payment of the Costs Thereof, the Issuance and Sale of Bond Anticipation Notes in Anticipation of the Issuance and Sale of Such Bonds, and the Collection, Segregation and Distribution of the Revenues of Such Sewage Works, The Safeguarding of the Interests of the Owners of the Revenue Bonds, and Other Related Matters, including Repealing Ordinances Inconsistent Herewith) by title only on second and final reading. Councilman Brown moved for passage, Councilwoman Ahlersmeyer seconded. Mayor Roswarski spoke regarding the Ordinance. Brenda Defries, Bingham, Greenebaum and Doll Bond Counsel, spoke regarding the timeline for the sale of the Bonds. Ordinance 2017-04 passed 8-0 on a roll call vote on second and final reading. Ordinances for First Reading: The Clerk read Ordinance 2017-07 (An Ordinance To Add New Section 7.06.360 And Amend Section 7.06.990 To Prohibit Parking Outside On Street Parking Space Markings) by title only on first reading. Councilman Heide moved for passage, Councilman Klinker seconded. Ed Chosnek, City Attorney spoke regarding the changes and the need to define spaces for parking enforcement. Ordinance 2017-07 passed 8-0 on a roll call vote on first reading. The Clerk read Ordinance 2017-08 (An Ordinance to Amend the Zoning Ordinance of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, To Rezone Certain Real Estate from R1U to PDRS (Historic Peirce House) -538 S 7th St-538 LLC, Petitioner) by title only on first and final reading. Councilman Reynolds moved for passage, Councilman Campbell seconded. Jason Ramsland, Attorney for the Petitioner spoke regarding the Ordinance. Ordinance 2017-08 passed 8-0 on a roll call vote on first and final reading. The Clerk read Ordinance 2017-09 (An Ordinance to Amend the Zoning Ordinance of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, To Rezone Certain Real Estate From R1 To GB-20.75 Acres At 141 Point East Mobile Home Park-YMCA Of Lafayette, Petitioner) by title only on first and final reading. Councilman Downing moved for passage, Councilwoman Weast-Williamson seconded. Kevin Riley Attorney for the Petitioner, Ordinance 2017-09 passed 8-0 on a roll call vote on first and final reading. The Clerk read Ordinance 2017-09 (An Ordinance to Transfer Money from General Fund to Rainy Day Fund) by title only on first reading. Councilwoman Ahlersmeyer moved for passage, Councilman Brown seconded. Mike Jones, Controller spoke regarding the Ordinance. Ordinance 2017-09 passed 8-0 on a roll call vote on first and final reading. Resolutions The Clerk read Resolution 2017-04 (A Resolution of the Lafayette Common Council Approving the Alexander Ross Regulate Drain 2016 Master Plan Report) by title only on first and final reading. Councilman Campbell moved for passage, Councilman Reynolds seconded. Jenny Leshney, City Engineer spoke regarding the planned use of the area. David Eichelberger, Christopher Burke Engineering gave a brief presentation on the Master Plan Report. Resolution 2017-04 passed 8-0 on a roll call vote on first and final reading. The Clerk read Resolution 2017-05 (A Resolution of the Common Council of the City of Lafayette, Indiana Approving and Authorizing Certain Actions and Proceedings With Respect To Certain Proposed Economic Development Revenue Bonds and Related Matters) by title only on first and final reading. Councilman Klinker moved for passage, Councilman Heide seconded. Mayor Roswarski spoke in support of the Resolution. Dave Cooper, President of CRF Affordable Housing, gave a brief explanation of the planned use and what the requirements would be to qualify for residency. Councilman Campbell asked for clarification that the City has no indebtedness or responsibility that this is just a government requirement for the company to get financing. Randy Rompella, Bond Council with Faegre Baker Daniels confirmed this is correct and noted this is stated in sections 5, 6 and 7 of the Resolution. Resolution 2017- 05 passed 8-0 on a roll call vote on first and final reading. There were Reports of Standing Committees There were no Reports of Special Committees. Miscellaneous or New Business Councilman Campbell moved to appoint Don Teder-term 01/01/17-01/01/18 and T.J. Thieme-term 01/01/17-01/01/18 to the Redevelopment Commission, Councilman Reynolds seconded. Motion passed by unanimous voice vote. Report by the Mayor. Mike Roush, Operations Manager Street/Sanitation Department announced that a three (3) of the Street Department employees were out working then they came across a citizen who had a fire in his yard along within the building. The Street Department employees put out the fire, called the Fire Department and got all of the other people out of the building to safety. Mr. Roush introduced Charlie Barry, Danny Conn, Audie Rice and their foreman Darren Woods. Mayor Roswarski thanked the three gentlemen and presented them each with a Certificate of Appreciation from the City of Lafayette. Mayor Roswarski gave the following State of the City Address for 2017 STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS – 2017 Madam President, members of the City Council, and all the citizens of Lafayette. It is my honor to deliver to you my State of the City address.  I would like to begin with what I believe is most important, to thank all our citizens, who are committed, engaged and the cornerstone of our community. I would also like to thank the Department Heads, Team Members, other governments units, Purdue University and Ivy Tech for their collaborative efforts. One of the main responsibilities of the Council is to ensure the wise use of our tax dollars and fiscal responsibility. I am pleased to report that with all of us working together, we are doing just that. We continue to provide outstanding cost effective services, and strive to meet the benchmarks for financial standards that the investment banking world and the bond rating firms require. As you have heard, the Governmental Finance Officers Association recommends that a City have a 15% emergency operating fund. Earlier this evening you approved the ordinance that transferred $200,000.00 to the rainy day fund bringing that total to just slightly over 4 million dollars, representing 10.5% in emergency operating funds. This is significant in the fact that the rainy day fund when my administration started in 2004 was $11,200.00. Our cash operating balances have increased toward the levels recommended by the GFOA. The City Departments adherence to Council approved budgets and the improved operating efficiencies of all our team members have produced sufficient cash balances. We also have $1.1 million dollars in reserve in our EDIT funds. When you combine the rainy day fund with the EDIT reserve, we have $5.1 million dollars in an emergency fund, which brings us to 13.8%. That is a significant accomplishment from where we started. PUBLIC SAFETY As this Council and our community knows our commitment to public safety never waivers, and that effort continues. The Heroin and drug epidemic that is sweeping the United States continues to make headlines in large cities and small towns all across America. Back in September of 2015, we held a press conference to not only announce our initiatives, but to help start the community conversation, knowing full well that Law Enforcement cannot solve this problem alone, and the need for access to addiction services, mental health counseling, support from the medical community and the community as a whole was critical. Since September, the Lafayette Police Department has worked diligently to implement those initiatives and others, as well as work beyond law enforcement to involve other local entities focused on crime prevention and neighborhood safety. Our take home patrol car program has been implemented and we currently have 42 Police vehicles in our neighborhoods. 16 of them have been achieved through the new program. We estimate over the next year we will add 6 patrol cars to that number, and up to 11 in 2018.From a manpower standpoint it has been a very busy 24 months, but very productive. The Lafayette Police Department is currently at full staff of 142. This now allows two positions to be filled in the Street Crimes Unit, which made 818 arrests last year with just 5 members and will now have 7 members in that unit. We have filled a vacant position in the Drug Task Force and filled the new position, and two additional Officers will go to the Crime Prevention Unit. We discussed using the new state law regarding abandoned houses. In February 2016, the Lafayette Hearing Authority utilized that law to declare seven properties abandoned. Five of those properties became eligible for an abandoned property tax sale. Those five properties were certified to Tippecanoe County and in October 2016, the County conducted an abandoned property tax sale. All five properties were sold at that sale. The purchasers obtained a deed to the property at that time and the new owners have been able to start clean up and rehabilitation of those properties. If those properties had not been declared abandoned and had been sold at the traditional tax sale, purchasers would not receive a deed until 2018. In January 2017, the process began again, seeking to declare eight properties abandoned. Four of those properties were declared and if the property taxes are delinquent after May 2017, they will be eligible to be certified. The remaining properties were not declared abandoned because after receiving the notice the City was seeking to declare the properties abandoned, several property owners contacted the City. Those owners advised they were taking steps to correct the deficiencies, and make necessary repairs. We are pleased with the progress. We are now enforcing the maintenance portion of the BOCCA Code and have started in the Romig-Ellsworth neighborhood. The Police Department continued its efforts on Community Outreach, building relationships and empowering our citizens. Our Nextdoor platform continues to grow. We now reach 7,475 households, which represents 21% of all homes in Lafayette and we have 9353 individual members. Officers are attending neighborhood meetings and interacting with community groups. At our Training Center, we offer the Citizen’s Police Academy, R.AD. for adults and for kids, a Junior Police Academy, and safety awareness classes for employees. Sgt. Scott Galloway and Lt. Brian Gossard hosted numerous community meetings and awareness classes, discussing a variety of topics and engaging with residents and neighborhoods on many levels. We also understand it’s about people and opportunity, so the City partnered with Faith Church to develop the Heartford Hub in the Lincoln neighborhood, which has exceeded all our expectations in reaching out to children and families. Creating a new sense of community, hope and opportunity. It’s about the role the City is playing in developing the new YMCA on the Ivy Tech campus. It’s about working with the new owners of Romney Meadows (formerly Claystone) to create a new community and CDBG funds being used to establish a Head Start program at Romney Meadows to help the children, and working with Faith and several other agencies to create the Northend Community Center. Partnering with the Centennial Neighborhood group, we removed a blighted City block and replaced it with townhomes. We work closely with and help financially support Habitat for Humanity to create new homeownership opportunities. Recently you saw us announce the partnership with Drury Inc. to replace the Knights Inn with a beautiful new seven story hotel, which is not only an economic benefit, but willsolve some community safety concerns. I am pleased to inform the Council that crime did decrease in Lafayette in 2016. We had a tremendous response from our citizens, when we asked them to help be our eyes and ears and to engage with us in making our community safer. The outpouring of support was remarkable and impactful. Property crimes were down in every category and there were 315 less incidents, which was a 9% decrease. Crimes against a person (violent crimes) were down in every category except robbery. There were 81 less incidents, which was a 20% decrease. The total number of incidents of all crimes were down by 396, representing a 11% decrease in crime overall. This is good news, but we know we have significant work ahead of us. Yet, we do believe that with the support and response from the community, the initiatives we are implementing and the community discussion on increasing access to addiction and mental health services, we are doing the right things and moving in the right direction. Fire Department The Lafayette Fire Department continues on a very positive path. As you know, we implemented a seven year apparatus replacement plan. I wanted to bring you up to date on where we are: in 2013 we purchased a new Pierce Engine; in 2014 a Pierce 102 foot aerial ladder truck; in 2016 a Marion squad truck; and in 2017, we will receive a new Pierce Engine. We have purchased 8 new thermal imaging cameras over the last three years, and we recently upgraded 140 radios to a new digital format. In addition, we replaced all MSA self-contained breathing apparatus with the most advanced technology system available. The Lafayette Fire Department also improved their ISO (Insurance Services Office) rating from a 3 to a 2. The scale that is used is 1-10, with 1 being the best score. I want to put that in perspective for you. There were 48,000 Fire Departments rated. Only 132 of those received a 1 and only 1059 received a 2 out of that 48,000. That puts L.F.D. in the top 0.023% of all fire departments in the United States. That is phenomenal and has a very real benefit of effecting insurance rates in a positive way for our citizens and the businesses in our community. 2016 was another year of preserving and expanding our infrastructure. The Nothern and Southern Phases of Sagamore Parkway were completed, along with improvements to Greenbush Street, the Meyers bridge, renovations to Riehle Plaza, and South 18th Street. Four miles of roads in our neighborhoods were paved. We also completed the renovations to the Long Center, and improvements to the City Parking Garage. Our main project downtown, Streetscape, will be finished this spring. The new Marq building continues to take shape and in 2016 we broke ground on our first major project through the Wabash River Enhancement Corporation – our Riverfront Promenade, which was made possible by a generous grant from North Central Health Services. We are also nearing full installation of our Bicentennial art piece at Second and Main Street. Improvements were made on Memorial Island and the installation of a monument to honor our Veterans from the Vietnam War was completed last summer. We thank everyone who helped make that possible.Loeb Stadium hosted the first season of the Lafayette Aviators, which was a success. We opened a completely renovated and expanded park in Sterling Heights, and created new pickle ball courts at McCaw, and with the recent completion of several projects, the City has slightly over 26 miles of paved trails. 2016 was another strong year for economic development. S.I.A. completed the hiring of the 1200 new associates. G.E. started their new maintenance repair and overhaul project and the first new engines were shipped. Sanoh America, Inc., a S.I.A. supplier, opened a facility in Lafayette. Arconic, formerly Alcoa, announced they would be adding a new $30 million dollar press and hiring 26 new employees. Passageways announced the hiring of 25 new employees in downtown Lafayette. Caterpillar Logistics started construction on their new facility. Alorica also announced the hiring of new associates. The City of Lafayette supported Workforce Development efforts through Greater Lafayette Commerce including a talent attraction strategy focusing on veterans, a manufacturing expo that focused on careers and manufacturing processes which was attended by 600 middle and high school students, and manufacturing tours which was attended by 700 students. Our Engineering Department processed 2,364 permits, which is a record number. The total capital investment for our area was approximately $600 million dollars. CONCLUSION: The good news – we are starting off 2017 in a very positive way. The third and final phase of Sagamore Parkway is out to bid. The Brown Street C.S.O. project and the 4.7 million gallon underground storage tank will begin this year. We will continue work on Memorial Island and install a new layground at McCaw Park. Planning continues for the new stadium. Together, we continue to move Lafayette forward. We are financially stable. Crime is down. Economic Development is strong. Private investment is strong. We continue to provide outstanding City services. Our School Corporation is growing, and most importantly, our citizens are engaged and committed. Because of the unwavering commitment of our community members, our future is very bright. No Reports of Council. Public Comment: Lloyd Wells, 3717 Rawlings Drive spoke regarding the next phase of Restore Sagamore and how to better assist business owners. Councilman Campbell moved to adjourn, Councilman Heide seconded. Meeting was adjourned at 7:52PM Minutes prepared by Cindy Murray, City Clerk Complete audio of meeting available in the City Clerk’s office or at www.lafayette.in.gov