TOWN OF MUNSTER MINUTES OF REGULAR TOWN COUNCIL MEETING SEPTEMBER 25, 2000 The regular meeting of the Munster Town Council convened at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, September 25, 2000. Councilmembers Helen Brown, John M. Hluska, David B. Nellans were present, the president in the chair. Also present were Town Manager Thomas F. DeGiulio, Town Attorney Eugene M. Feingold, Assistant Town Manager Kurt Carroll, Director of Operations James J. Knesek, and Director of Parks & Recreation Charles D. Gardiner. Representing the news media was John Novick of The Times, and Shelly Sepiol of the Post-Tribune. David F. Shafer, Clerk-Treasurer, and Councilmember Steve J. Pestikas were not present at the meeting. The meeting was opened with a moment of silence followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. PUBLIC HEARINGS TAX ABATEMENT REQUEST 12 RIDGE ROAD (KEY MARKET) A Public Hearing was opened for the purpose of receiving comments regarding a request for Tax Abatement for Key Market, 12 Ridge Road. Mr. Dennis Matteo, representing Key Market, informed the Town Council of the pending sale to Strack & VanTil s. Mr. Bob Priesol, the project architect, described the proposed improvements. The store will be expanded by 25% with a new exterior and landscaping. Other improvements include an 8 PVC fence with sound absorbing panels on the north and south side of South Street. New curbing along South Street will be installed. Strack s proposed hours are 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m., 7 days a week. (Currently Key Market s hours are 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m.). Mr. Mike Wachala, 7 Terrace Drive, has spoken to the current and new owners and they have addressed the neighbors questions and concerns. Mr. Chester Bulak, 25 Terrace Drive, asked about when the latest delivery time would be. The representative from Strack s said 10 p.m. or 11 p.m. Trash and litter are a concern. Mr. Hluska felt the fences would help control that problem. There being no further comments from the public, the Public Hearing was closed at 7:20 p.m. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AGENDA ITEMS ONLY The floor was opened to the public for comment on any items on the agenda. No comments were given. GENERAL ORDERS RESOLUTION 1603: CONFIRMATORY RESOLUTION TAX ABATEMENT REQUEST 12 RIDGE ROAD, KEY MARKET/STRACK & VAN TIL RESOLUTION NO. 1603 is A RESOLUTION CONFIRMING RESOLUTION NO. 1600, A RESOLUTION DECLARING AN ADDITIONAL PARTICULAR AREA WITHIN THE TOWN OF MUNSTER AS ECONOMIC REVITALIZATION AREAS FOR THE PURPOSE OF ENCOURAGING DEVELOPMENT AND OCCUPANCY THEREIN BY PROVIDING PROPERTY TAX DEDUCTIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF I.C. 6-1.1-12.1, AS AMENDED (Key Market/Strack & Van Til s, 12 Ridge Road). The Public Hearing was held earlier on this topic. The request was approved as presented for 10 years on improvements.
Mrs. Brown moved to approve Resolution 1603, seconded by Mr. Nellans. Councilmembers Brown, Nellans, Hluska voted in favor of the motion; no one voted against. The motion was approved 3-0. NEW BUSINESS APPOINTMENT TO CITIZEN ADVISORY BOARD MASS TRANSIT COMMITTEE JOINT APPOINTMENT WITH HIGHLAND AND GRIFFITH It was moved by Mr. Nellans, seconded by Mrs. Brown, to appoint Mr. Elwood Chip Witney, 8627 Beech Avenue, Munster, to the Citizen Advisory Board Mass Transit Committee. Councilmembers Brown, Nellans, Hluska voted in favor of the motion; no one voted against. The motion was approved 3-0. APPOINTMENTS TO THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE It was moved by Mrs. Brown to appoint Mrs. Barbara Skinner, 9812 Twin Creek Blvd. as the Democratic Chairman s appointment to the Nominating Committee. Mr. James Kotz, 1722 Thistle Lane will replace Mrs. Jackie Kime s un-expired term. This appointment deferred until application form is completed. Council members Brown, Nellans, Hluska voted in favor of the motion; no one voted against. The motion was approved 3-0. RESOLUTION 1604: TAX ABATEMENT REQUEST PEOPLES BANK NEW BUILDING ON FRAN LIN BOULEVARD RESOLUTION 1604 is A RESOLUTION DECLARING AN ADDITIONAL PARTICULAR AREA WITHIN THE TOWN OF MUNSTER AS ECONOMIC REVITALIZATION AREAS FOR THE PURPOSE OF ENCOURAGING DEVELOPMENT AND OCCUPANCY THEREIN BY PROVIDING PROPERTY TAX DEDUCTIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF I.C. 6-1-12.1, AS AMENDED (Peoples Bank, 9204 Columbia Avenue). Mr. Jon DeGuilio, Peoples Bank Trust Department, made the presentation for Peoples Bank. The request is for a 29,000-square-foot, 4-story corporate office to be connected to the east building on Fran- Lin Parkway by a skywalk. Mrs. Brown moved to approve Resolution 1604, seconded by Mr. Nellans, and set the matter for Public Hearing on October 23, 2000. Council members Brown, Nellans, Hluska voted in favor of the motion; no one voted against. The motion was approved 3-0. PROJECT SUBMISSION FOR NIRPC TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM Presentation was made by James Mandon, Town Engineer. The first three years are fully committed. New projects are being reviewed for 2004-2005. The following projects have are being submitted for Munster: 1. Main Street Sheffield to the Highland/Munster Corporate limits. $6 million 3 phases. 2. Additional turn lane on Calumet Avenue, Fisher to east 45 th. The estimate is still being determined. 3. Phase III of the Bike Path system, construction of 8.26 miles - $900,000. Mrs. Brown moved to submit projects as recommended, seconded by Mr. Nellans. Councilmembers Brown, Nellans, Hluska voted in favor of the motion; none voted against. The motion was approved 3-0.
RESOLUTION 1602: PROPERTY TAX SHORTFALL APPEAL RESOLUTION 1602 is A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AND APPROVING A PETITION FOR A LEVY APPEAL TO BE FILED WITH THE INDIANA STATE BOARD OF TAX COMMISSIONERS. Mr. Nellans moved to approve Resolution 1602, seconded by Mrs. Brown. Council members Brown, Nellans, Hluska voted in favor of the motion; none voted against. The motion was approved 3-0. REPORTS No reports were submitted. CONSENT AGENDA Copies of items on the consent agenda were presented to the press and to the public as follows. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE VOUCHER REGISTERS Confirmation of Accounts Payable Voucher Register #00-9D dated 9/12/00 totaling $186,099.26 Confirmation of Accounts Payable Voucher Register #00-9E dated 9/14/00 totaling $18,697.63 Confirmation of Accounts Payable Voucher Register #00-9F dated 9/19/00 totaling $26,586.35 Confirmation of Accounts Payable Voucher Register #00-9G dated 9/21/00 totaling $3,958.68 Received and placed on file. BUILDING REPORT FOR AUGUST FIRE PREVENTION PROCLAMATION A proclamation declaring October 8-14, 2000, as Fire Prevention Week. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENTSS PROCLAMATION A proclamation declaring the month of October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. PURCHASE AWARD WING MOWER 2000 BOND ISSUE Four quotes were received for the purchase of a riding wing mower to mow the bike path and Town easements. There would also be a trade-in of a 1992 Hustler, Unit #349. It was recommended that the quote from Chester, Inc., for the Hustler Mower for $32,030.00 minus the trade-in for $2,350.00, for a total of $29,680.00. The funds for this equipment will be taken from the 2000 Bond Issue. RELEASE OF TITLE TO REAL ESTATE 1976 EDC LOAN The Town approved an economic development loan in 1976 and held the title to real estate as security for repayment. Bank Calumet notified the Town that the loan was repaid in the early 1990s and requested return of the title. Town Council approval is needed to authorize the President and Clerk-Treasurer to sign a special warranty deed. It was moved by Mrs. Brown, seconded by Mr. Nellans to suspend the rules, waive the readings and adopt the items on the Consent Agenda as presented. Council members Brown, Nellans, Hluska voted in favor of the motion; no one voted against. The motion was approved 3-0.
ITEMS FOR FUTURE DISCUSSIONS REPORT ON THE REPORTS PROJECT STATUS ANNOUNCEMENTS All meetings begin at 7:00 p.m. unless indicated. There will be a Special Town Council Meeting held on October 2 nd for approval of bills and a resolution to reduce the 2000 Budget. At 7:30 on October 2 nd there will be a Work Study Session to discuss the Collective Bargaining Policy and a proposed Salary Study. There will be no Town Council Meeting on October 9 th. A Regular Town Council Meeting will be held on October 23 rd. A new schematic design for the community pool will be presented. A Work Study Session is tentatively scheduled on November 6 th. COUNCIL FORUM (Clerk-Treasurer s Note: Through the council forum, and without taking formal action, the councilmembers are afforded the opportunity to express themselves on a variety of issues. An abstract follows.) Staff reports given on municipal complex and public works maintenance facility. The Council to receive construction schedule when it is prepared. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC Mr. John Ashenbremer, 34 Timrick Drive, spoke in favor of the Town Council s position on all towers. Mr. Mark Grantner, 8722 Oakwood Avenue, spoke in favor of the Town Council s position of cell towers. Mr. Jim Kaspar, 8021 Kooy Drive, asked where the polling places would be for the General Election on November 7, 2000. Mr. Bill Kvasnica, 7832 Jackson Avenue, with reference to public art donations, asked if money could be donated to the Veteran s Memorial. Ms. Idelle Kerzner, 406 Hickory Lane, introduced the Munster Community Watch Dog Board of Directors. Spoke against the cell tower. They will fight the issue. Ms. Alicia Novak, 8524 Elmwood Road, spoke against the aesthetic value of the cell tower on the Ridge Road water tank. Putting the antenna in the middle of the woods is terrible for aesthetics. issues. Ms. Ann Flemming, 1035 Ridge Road, asked about the antenna at Elliott School. Concerned about health
ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Council, and upon a motion by Mrs. Brown, the meeting was adjourned at 9:25 p.m. ATTEST: John M. Hluska, President David F. Shafer, Clerk-Treasurer