Zionsville Town Council

ZIONSVILLE TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MEMORANDA FOR Tuesday, September 6, 2016 at 7:00 PM Zionsville Town Hall – Beverly Harves Meeting Room 1100 West Oak Street Date of Preparation: September 7, 2016 Members Present: Susana Suarez, Elizabeth Hopper, Jeff Papa, Bryan Traylor, Tom Schuler, Joshua Garrett Also Present: Ed Mitro, Deputy Mayor; Adam Steuerwald, Attorney, Barnes & Thornburg; Amy Lacy, Director of Finance & Records and Town Department Staff 1. OPENING A. Call meeting to order B. Pledge of Allegiance 2. APPROVAL OF THE MEMORANDA OF THE AUGUST 1, 2016 REGULAR MEETING (COPY POSTED). COUNCIL ACTION: Councilor Garrett moved to approve the Memoranda of the August 1, 2016 Town Council Meeting. Councilor Hopper seconded the motion. The Memoranda of the August 1, 2016 meeting was approved by a vote of six in favor, zero opposed. 3. DEPARTMENTAL MONTHLY REPORTS Monthly Reports submitted by the Town Management staff for Council review and posted to the Town’s website (www.zionsville-in.gov). Deputy Mayor Ed Mitro gave a brief update on the Pathway Project on County Road 700, stating that the Town is very close to an agreement with two property owners on the Pathway route for easement/right-of-way acquisition. The Town is making progress with the project and is continuing to move forward. Street and Stormwater Superintendent Lance Lantz reviewed the Community Crossings Grant awarded to Zionsville by the State of Indiana. Superintendent Lantz stated that the Town will receive one million dollars in grant money to fund four priority local road and street projects from the eleven submitted. He then outlined the four specific projects it will be used for. These projects include a roundabout at the intersection of Mulberry Street and Ford Road with a deceleration/stacking lane for southbound drivers entering Zionsville Middle School, reconstruction of the entirety of Village Walk Drive in the Village Walk subdivision, repaving of the former SR 334 corridor through town from Boone Village to Lion’s Park, and the resurfacing of CR 975. Superintendent Lantz also stated that this grant opportunity and the special LOIT distribution will free up other funding to allow for other needed street and road projects. 4. PRESENTATIONS A. State Senator Brandt Hershman President Suarez and Councilor Papa introduced Senator Hershman, sharing the Senator’s bio as well as his accomplishments in the State Senate. Senator Hershman thanked the Councilors for their leadership and service to the community. He discussed at length the needs and funding issues for state and local infrastructure and transportation improvements, pointing out that 75% of the funding for road improvements comes from the state and local level, with only 25% coming from the Federal Government. Senator Hershman emphasized the progress and success by the State of Indiana in this area. B. Public Safety Needs Presentation by Fire Chief James VanGorder and Police Chief Robert Knox. Chief Knox gave an organizational overview of the Zionsville Police Department and reviewed current staffing levels and identified increased staffing needs. He shared comparative statistics per year which demonstrated the growing number of incidents and calls requiring officer response. He highlighted the shortfalls that the agency is experiencing in the face of rising demands from a growing town. He stated that he is unable to staff his officers at the recommended state ratio average under the current budget structure. Chief VanGorder gave an organizational overview of the Zionsville Fire Department and the services provided by the agency, including Emergency Medical Services, Fire Prevention, Public Education and Training in addition to Firefighting. He stressed the need for increased staffing and equipment in his department due to the growth of the town, its businesses, housing developments and population. Chief VanGorder expressed concern that under the current budget his department is unable to comply with the criteria set by the National Fire Protection Association 1710 and the National Institute of Standards and Technology for staffing and safety industry standards.  Both Chief Knox and Chief VanGorder indicated that the proposed one half percent rate increase in the Public Safety Local Income Tax would allow them to bring staffing and equipment up to a standard which would allow them to provide safer and more efficient service to the Town of Zionsville. Questions and discussion followed from the Council. 5. REQUEST TO SPEAK Zionsville Resident Geoff Ruffer spoke of the cell phone tower being placed in the right-of-way on Elm Street and expressed his concern about the project. He also expressed his thanks to Deputy Mayor Mitro and Superintendent Lantz for their response. Deputy Mayor Mitro explained to the Council that this is not a Town project and that it is within a public right-of-way and as such, the Town cannot refuse access to the utility, Zayo. However, Deputy Mayor Mitro also stated that the Town is working with Zayo, to ensure the project is done in a manner more agreeable to town residents. At the Town’s request, Zayo is providing decorative poles and lighting and is considering adjusting the placement of this particular tower. Zionsville Resident Rosemary Means spoke regarding the LIT Public Safety tax. She stated she supported the Zionsville Police and Fire Departments and was in favor of better Police and Fire protection, but questioned why it was not presently budgeted for. She said she felt the additional funds could be obtained through cutting other areas of the current budget such as parks and roads and she is not in favor of the LIT Public Safety tax increase. 6. OLD BUSINESS - None 7. NEW BUSINESS A. Consideration of an Additional Appropriation Resolution from the General Fund ($65,000.00 for Plan Commission Engineering “pass- through” reimbursement).(PUBLIC HEARING) (RESOLUTION #2016-20) Wayne DeLong, Director of Planning and Economic Development reviewed the need for the additional appropriation for pass-through reimbursement for Engineering. With Proof of Publication for a Public Hearing noted, President Suarez opened the Public Hearing for comment. With no public comment, President Suarez closed the Public Hearing and called for discussion or a motion on Resolution #2016-20. COUNCIL ACTION: Councilor Traylor moved to approve Resolution #2016-20 and Councilor Garrett seconded the motion. Resolution #2016-20 was approved by a vote of six in favor, zero opposed. B. Consideration of an Ordinance to rezone 68.6 acres from the R-SF-2 Urban Residential Zoning District to the SU-7 Special Use Zoning District to provide for a residential housing development for seniors. (ORINANANCE #2016-17) Wayne DeLong, Director of Planning and Economic Development reviewed the project and Ordinance #2016-17, stating that it came to the Council’s consideration with a unanimous Favorable Recommendation from the Plan Commission. Discussion followed and Mr. DeLong answered questions from the Council. COUNCIL ACTION: Council introduced the ordinance on first reading. No further action taken. 8. OTHER MATTERS There were no other matters to be discussed. 9. APPROVAL OF CLAIMS COUNCIL ACTION: Councilor Garrett moved to approve the claims as presented and Councilor Traylor seconded the motion. Claims were approved by a vote of six in favor, zero opposed. 10. ADJOURN COUNCIL ACTION: Councilor Hopper moved to adjourn the meeting and Councilor Garrett seconded the motion. The motion was approved by a vote of six in favor, zero opposed. The next regular Town Council meeting is scheduled for Monday September 26, 2016 @ 7:30 AM in the Zionsville Town Hall Community Room. Respectfully submitted, Amelia Anne Lacy, Director Department of Finance and Records