Zionsville Town Council

ZIONSVILLE TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MEMORANDA FOR Monday, October 3, 2016 at 7:00 PM Zionsville Town Hall – Bev Harves Meeting Room 1100 West Oak Street Date of Preparation: October 4, 2016 Members Present: Susana Suarez, President; Elizabeth Hopper, Vice-President; Bryan Traylor, Tom Schuler, Jeff Papa, Kevin Spees, Joshua Garrett Also Present: Tim Haak, Mayor; Ed Mitro, Deputy Mayor; Heather Willey, Town Attorney; Amy Lacy, Director of Finance & Records; Town Department Staff, members of Zionsville Police and Fire Departments, and Boone County Sheriff Mike Nielsen 1. OPENING A. Call meeting to order B. Pledge of Allegiance 2. APPROVAL OF THE MEMORANDA OF THE SEPTEMBER 26, 2016 REGULAR MEETING (COPY POSTED). COUNCIL ACTION: Councilor Hopper moved to approve the Memoranda of the September 26, 2016 Town Council Meeting. Councilor Traylor seconded the motion. The Memoranda of the September 26, 2016 meeting was approved by a vote of seven 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) 4. REQUEST TO SPEAK There were several audience members wishing to speak regarding item 5B, Public Safety LIT/Public Safety Needs: Speaking in favor of the Public Safety income tax increase: Lt. Steve Hayes David Plummer Walter Leverich Steve Snider Eddie Frank Dustin Campins Mitch Young Lt. Brian Miller Charles Willig Harley Griswold James Stiles Marshal Joshua Frost Lt. Ryan Sparks Kendrick Davis Chief James VanGorder Benni L. Weldy Tom Santelli Speaking in opposition to the Public Safety income tax Increase: Gene Thompson  Robert Green Tom Hoagland Ralph Stacy also spoke, questioning tax rate increases, specifically newspaper notices he had seen regarding the Cumulative Capital Development Fund and the Cumulative Firefighting Building Equipment Fund. Attorney Heather Willey clarified that these pertained to a reestablishment of rates, not an additional appropriation or additional tax. Mr. Stacy also expressed his concerns regarding what he feels is the need for more managed residential growth in the Town of Zionsville. 5. OLD BUSINESS A. 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. (Ordinance #2016-17) Councilor Garrett expressed concern that because BHI is set up as non-profit, residents of the townhomes will utilize town services such as parks, streets, library, fire and police, yet no tax revenue will be generated to pay for these services. Tim Ochs, representing attorney for BHI, explained that all streets in Hoosier Village are privately owned and maintained by BHI, the sewer systems are the responsibility of BHI, BHI maintains private parks within the community for its residents and police runs are typically minimal. He also explained that regarding fire services, ambulance services are fee based. Mr. Ochs then introduced John Dattilo, President and CEO of BHI Senior Living who gave a broader overview of BHI, Hoosier Village, the project in question and what he believes are the benefits to the Town. Further discussion followed. President Suarez requested input from Wayne DeLong, Director of Planning and Economic Development. Mr. DeLong discussed the Planning Commission’s review and conversation regarding the project. The representatives from BHI also answered additional questions and addressed concerns from the Council. COUNCIL ACTION: Councilor Schuler moved to adopt Ordinance #2016-17 on second reading. Councilor Spees seconded the motion. Ordinance #2016-17 was adopted on final reading by a vote of six in favor, one opposed, with Councilor Garrett opposing. B. Continued discussion about Public Safety LIT/Public Safety Needs. President Suarez introduced the item and invited Mayor Haak to address the subject. Mayor Haak stated his support of the LIT/Public Safety Tax and offered his appreciation to all those who came and offered their statements and comments both for and against. He reiterated that he, public safety officials, and other staff members are available to answer any questions that are not able to be sufficiently answered in public forums. President Suarez then invited Boone County Attorney Bob Clutter to walk the Council through the process for the joint public hearing scheduled for October 11, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. at Lebanon High School involving seven Boone County municipalities. Mr. Clutter explained the process and procedure. Town Attorney Heather Willy gave a further overview of the procedures for the consideration of the Resolution at the joint public hearing. Mr. Clutter answered further questions from the audience and the Council. Councilor Schuler expressed strong concerns about the tax as well as issues regarding the new Town Hall project. He also expressed his disappointment that the public had not been better informed and educated in regards to the LIT/Public Safety Tax. He stated that he is opposed to the tax increase as presented, but will be unable to attend the joint public hearing on October 11th to register his vote in opposition. 6. NEW BUSINESS A. Introduction/First Reading of the Proposed 2017 Budget for the Town of Zionsville (PUBLIC HEARING). (Ordinance #2016-18) Ed Mitro gave a broad overview of the budget, explaining the budget takes into account a LIT/Public Safety tax being passed. He stated that the largest percentage of the increase to the 2017 budget was due to staffing in Fire, Police and Planning and Economic Development, He also stated that a budget had also been submitted without the LIT/Public Safety tax and that if it did not pass there would be no new hires in the Fire or Police Departments. He also explained that the 2.5% salary increase in the budget would be based on performance reviews with the same formula used in the previous year. Councilor Schuler questioned if the 2.5% salary increase was available to all employees across the board. Deputy Mayor Mitro responded that was true with the one exception being the Mayor who stated he would not accept a salary increase and as a result it was taken out of the budget. Deputy Mayor Mitro also addressed Councilor Schuler’s question regarding the increase in Public Safety spending. 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 a motion to introduce Ordinance #2016-18 on first reading.  COUNCIL ACTION: Councilor Traylor moved to introduce Ordinance # 2016-18 on first reading and Councilor Garrett seconded the motion. The motion passed with a vote of seven in favor, zero opposed. Ordinance 2016-18 was introduced on first reading. No further action taken. B. Consideration of an Excess Levy Appeal Resolution. (Resolution #2016-21) Mark Adam of Crowe-Horwath reviewed Resolution #2016-21, explaining that this Excess Levy Appeal was due to the reorganization with Perry Township and the responsibilities taken over by the Town and was not an increase in taxes but rather a reallocation from the Township to the Town. COUNCIL ACTION: Councilor Traylor moved to approve Resolution #2016-21 and Councilor Garrett seconded the motion. Resolution #2016-21 was approved by a vote of six in favor, zero opposed. C. Consideration of an Additional Appropriation Resolution from the LOIT Special Distribution Fund ($100,000.00) to pay for the Town’s matching grant portion of street projects funded by the Community Crossings Grant (PUBLIC HEARING). (Resolution #2016-22) Street and Stormwater Superintendent Lance Lantz reviewed the need for the appropriation in order to take advantage of the Community Crossings Grant, stating that the LOIT Special Distribution Fund was the only Town money eligible to be used for this purpose. 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 a motion. COUNCIL ACTION: Councilor Hopper moved to approve Resolution # 2016-22 and Councilor Garrett seconded the motion. Resolution #2016-22 was approved by a vote of seven in favor, zero opposed. 7. OTHER MATTERS There were no other matters to be discussed. 8. APPROVAL OF CLAIMS COUNCIL ACTION: Councilor Traylor moved to approve the claims as presented and Councilor Garrett seconded the motion. Claims were approved by a vote of seven in favor, zero opposed. 9. ADJOURN COUNCIL ACTION: Councilor Garrett moved to adjourn the meeting and Councilor Hopper seconded the motion. The motion was approved by a vote of seven in favor, zero opposed. The next regular Town Council meeting is scheduled for Monday October 31, 2016 @ 7:30 AM in the Zionsville Town Hall Community Room. Respectfully Submitted, Amelia Lacy, Director of Finance and Records Town of Zionsville