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January 16, 2012 - Approved
February 2, 2012 by aeck
Present:
Ron Walter, Mayor
Jerry Eldridge, Common Council District 1
Ron Baker, Common Council District 2
Tammy Davis, Common Council District 3
Eric Johnson, Common Council District 4
Larry Moore, Common Council at Large
Angela Eck, Clerk-Treasurer
Steve Bingham, City Planner
Gerald McNerney, City Attorney
Jim Nichols, Police Chief
Jeff Shultz, Fire Chief
Mayor Walter opened the regular session of the Common Council at 120 West Main Street at 7:30 pm.
The minutes from the January 3rd meeting were presented. Council Member Eldridge made a motion to approve the minutes and Council Member Moore seconded the motion. The motion passed with all in favor.
Police Chief Nichols reported 135 incidents since the last meeting. He also reported that progress is being made on the new tornado sirens; they are getting close to installing the poles. The final locations will not be decided until locates for current utilities have been completed.
Council Member Eldridge asked about problems with dogs on the sidewalks uptown. Chief Nichols reported that it is hard to do anything about it unless an officer actually sees a dog doing a prohibited act. Chief Nichols stated that it would be easier to do something about dogs if they were totally banned from the area. He did state that there is already an ordinance in place that says if you live in one of the apartments, you cannot have a dog.
Mayor Walter asked the Council if they would like Mr. McNerney to create something to ban dogs from the uptown area. They replied that they would. Mayor Walter also asked that a current copy of what the city has on dogs be distributed to the council.
Fire Chief Shultz thanked the citizens and employees of the City for their assistance last year. His department had 730 hours of call time for 2011. He reported that he plans on doing a lot of firefighter safety training this year, including physical fitness and healthy eating. He already has six different outside trainings scheduled for the next couple of months.
Chief Shultz reported that the fire officers for the year are: Jimmie Eck, Assistant Chief; Brent Miller and Mitchell Beard, Captains; Brandon Collins and Paul Bowsher, Lieutenants. There are 25 people currently on the department.
City Planner Steve Bingham reported that the Plan Commission held a public hearing last Monday about rezoning several different pieces of land.
Mayor Walter read aloud Ordinance 1559, An Ordinance to Amend the City of Butler, Indiana Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map. Council Member Moore made a motion to approve Ordinance 1559 on its first reading and Council Member Davis seconded the motion. The motion passed with all in favor. Council Member Davis made a motion to approve Ordinance 1559 on its second reading by title and Council Member Eldridge seconded the motion. The motion passed with all in favor.
City Planner Steve Bingham passed out proposed Ordinance 1558, An Ordinance Amending Chapter 157 of the Butler, Indiana City Code. He asked that everyone look it over and let him know if they have any questions. He does not want to have the first reading of it tonight. Mr. Bingham reported that this proposed ordinance will be an update in the city code to allow for the proper demolition of structures within the city.
City Attorney McNerney reported that he is still working with Mr. Evans on closing the sale of the lot behind the Utility Office. He hopes to have it completed at the end of this week or next. Mr. McNerney also expects to have appraisals completed on 201 North Broadway, 201 South Broadway and 120 West Main for the next meeting.
Council Member Johnson made a motion to adjourn and Council Member Davis seconded the motion. The motion passed with all in favor.