Contentious city council meeting
By Debbie Lowe Staff writer

The first item on the agenda for Monday night's Delphi City Council was also nearly the last item on the agenda for the twohour meeting. Ordinance 2007- 04, setting the 2008 salaries for city employees, failed approval on first reading by a vote of two to three. Council president Carolyn Pearson andWilliamMiller voted to approve the ordinance while John Hampton, Carol Dickman and Randy Strasser provided the nay votes.

Section 8 in the ordinance refers to the personnel policies, which are considered outdated and have been in revision for approximately one year.Mayor Lee Hoard said the amended documentwas in final reviewwith the board of works.

However Hampton said he was uncomfortable about approving an ordinance that refers to a document he has not seen and does not knowwhat the contents contain.

"The issue is they (the policies) are going to be changed and we haven't had the opportunity to see the new document," he explained.

"I was under the impression we would have the personnel practices by the beginning of this year," Strasser said.

"I told you it would be done when it was done," Hoard replied.

Hoard explained the Indiana State Board of Accounts expected the salary ordinance to be passed during the September council meeting. He said failure to pass the ordinance Monday night would mean the employee salaries line item in the 2008 budget would go to zero.

"It's going to be your responsibility when there are no city employees to provide services Jan. 1," he said. "The council is shirking its responsibilities."

Hoard stressed that his administration has been fiscally responsible. He cited an increase in the general fund fromapproximately $200,000 to $2.3million since he took office.

Hampton, pushing for an adoption date, noted there would be time to adopt the personnel practices because money existed for additional appropriations after Jan. 1.

"This just seems absurd," Pearson said. "I think it's being real nit-picky."

"I think it's an incompetent thing to do to not pass the salary ordinance," Hoard added.

After a failed vote to adoptOrdinance 2007-05 setting 2008 salaries for elected officials, passing Ordinance 2007-08 for additional appropriations, adopting Ordinance 2007-06 setting the 2008 budget plus listening to department reports, Pearson said she wanted to reconsider the salary ordinance.

She provided a copy of the draft of the personnel practices. City attorney Miriam Robeson explained what amendments and changes were made and answered questions about procedures, including personal use of city-owned cell phones.

Hampton said itwas not fair to taxpayers to pay for unlimited cell phone minutes, which allow for personal use.

Hoard replied the best way to control usage was for city employees to surrender their phones.

"I don't understand what's going on here tonight," he said. "I don't think you have any idea of the ramifications."

"There isn't anything wrong with asking questions,"Hampton said.

For the second time in the meeting, Pearson moved to approve the salary ordinance and Miller gave the second. The measure passed, after suspending the rules, in a four-to-one vote. Strasser held firm in opposition to the lack of amended personnel practices. The elected officials 2008 salary ordinance was approved on first reading only.

Department reports

Clerk-treasurer Janice Roe stressed that her office and the mayor's office are separate entities. She reported the city received FEMA assistance for $5,710.93 for last winter's snow emergency.

Parks

Superintendent Richard Farrer said the skateboard park has been well used.

"It's exciting to see parents down there with their kids," he said. "Usage has been tremendous."

Airport

Manager Brian Stirm reported the runway would be closed one day in September for survey work. Fuel saleswere lower than anticipated inAugust. He said he expected the cost of aviation fuel to be more than $5/gallon soon.

Grants coordinator

Jean Howell announced the city would be one of four to participate in the Ball State Center for Historic Preservation Assistantship Program.

Police

Chief Ed Chapman reported crimewas down during 2007Old Settlers Celebration.

Six traffic summons were issued inAugust compared to 46 in July, and 25 were issued in August 2006. Fifteenwarningswere issued, 64 in July and 91 one year ago. Twenty-one misdemeanor arrests were made in August, nine in July and 14 in August of 2006.Twelve felony reportswere taken with eight last month and nine at this time last year.

The next meeting will be Oct. 1 at 7 p.m. with the board of works at 6:30 p.m. The next board of works meeting will be Sept. 19 at 5:30 p.m.