City council delays projects position decision

The third time was not the charm for a city position proposed by Delphi Mayor Randy Strasser. The majority of the Delphi City Council declined to agree to allow Strasser to hire a special projects coordinator for the city, although the matter was on the agenda for consideration at Monday night's meeting.

"I am not in favor of a special projects position," said council president Carolyn Pearson. "It seems like a lot of money to spend."

Kyle Germond disagreed with Pearson. He said the position would not cost a significant amount of money and it was worth the expense.

"We owe it to everybody to improve our community," he said.

Brian Garrison said council members received a letter from Strasser which suggested a part-time position be created. He said the compromise could be worthwhile to explore. He continued to explain that he thought it would be difficult to find a person to perform all of the duties listed on the job description distributed to council members.

Strasser admitted the list of job duties was "hodge podge" but maintained the duties listed are essential.

"All of those things need to be completed," he said.

Garrison said positions were eliminated to save taxpayers dollars. He explained that it did not make sense to add another position to the payroll at this time. He indicated it was up to police to perform code and ordinance enforcement.

Council members did not dismiss the issue altogether. A committee with Garrison, Germond and Dan Sterrett was formed and approved by council member consensus to examine the needs and costs of the position and report to the council at the September meeting. Transportation Enhancement Grant

Strasser announced the grant awarded to the canal association for a boat house and not used due to replacement federal stimulus money is now "orphaned."

He said although it was decided the Delphi Opera House would receive the funding, the criteria was not met for that to happen.

Strasser said a transportation related plan is needed to utilize the funding or it will be returned to the grantor agency. He said a proposal to use the money for a streetscape on N. Washington St. near or north of canal park and one to do work on the trails were proposed.

The mayor said the funding is for a 2012 project and a project decision is needed by the September meeting. He further explained an $80,000 match would be a requirement of the grant recipient.

Fire Territory

Strasser reported that clerktreasurer Janice Roe, Tippecanoe Township Trustee Joann Vianco and he met with the city financial advisor for clarification about the tax rate for the cumulative fire fund and the fire territory.

The mayor said he is working with the Kankakee-Iroquois Regional Planning Commission about a fire department grant for a project. No additional information about the project was provided.

The department responded to six structure fires in June and July which brought the total to 20 for the year. Volunteers responded to two vehicle crashes for the two-month period, one hazardous materials call, two medical assistance situations, and spent eight hours in public education.

Other business

A special budget workshop was set for Aug. 17 at 5:30 p.m. Roe announced the first publication date for the 2010 budget is Sept. 2.

Resolution 2009R-1 for an additional appropriation from the general fund for $16,270 for the airport was approved in a four-to-one vote. Garrison voted against the appropriation.

Ordinance 2009-3, restricting the use of "jake brakes" in city limits, was adopted after rules were suspended and passed on the second and third readings.

An additional appropriation for $22,934 from the general fund for a new truck, two mowers and payroll expenses request was approved. Park superintendent Anita Force reported that encumbrances from 2008 were not processed and the money was not available for use in 2009.

Roe explained that although the council approved the encumbrances at the end of 2008, appropriate documentation was not provided to allow her to legally withhold the money from the 2008 budget for use in 2009.

Two collection policies for city utilities were amended. Ordinances 2009-4 and 2009- 5 were approved on first reading to update fines charged for bad checks and reconnection charges.

A $25 reconnection charge will be levied as well as a $25 bad check charge. The complete policy and fines can be seen at the city building.

An amended delinquent accounts policy was also adopted requiring water bills to be paid by the fifth working day following the due date on the statement. Failure to pay by the due date will result with the water turned off until payment is made. A reconnection charge will be imposed for the water to be turned on again.

The land owned by the city on the site of the former Whiteman Brothers Elevator was found to have a small amount of underground contamination. Strasser said a remediation program is necessary to bring the property to acceptable residential standards.

Police Chief Justin Darling reported the department recorded 20 traffic summons and 26 warnings in July. Officers made four felony and one misdemeanor arrests, took 19 felony and 16 misdemeanor reports. Three parking tickets were issued and one letter requiring a property owner to cut weeds on the property was sent.

Downtown streets will be blocked for a car show Sept. 5. Washington St. from Monroe to Main streets, Market St. from Franklin to Main streets and Franklin St. from Market St. to the alley to the west of N. Union St. will be traffic free during the show.

The next monthly council meeting will be Tuesday, Sept. 8 at 7 p.m. A special budget workshop will be Aug. 17 at 5:30 p.m.

Delphi Board of Works

Board of works members Garrison, Strasser and Bob Conner approved the federal Red Flag Policy designed to hinder identity theft issues when application for city utilities is made.

The limit of adjustments for sewage bills was increased from one to two per year. Residents are now limited to one adjustment for filling swimming pools and one for other water leak issues. The revised policy is effective retroactive to July 15, 2009.

The alcohol and drug free policy was amended to include the following - "The city may contract with other entities to assist in the administration of its duties…employees must cooperate with said entities and their agents and employees in carrying out the provisions…failure to cooperate will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including discharge."

The smoking policy was amended to read - "…Employees may only smoke in designated areas or ten (10) feet from any open door or window. Employees may not smoke in any municipallyowned building or vehicle.

The police 1997 Ford Crown Victoria cruiser was determined to be surplus equipment and will be eliminated from the pool of police cars.

Approval to conditionally offer employment to a new police officer was granted to Darling. The proposed new hire is 24 years old and lives in Lafayette. The candidate will be offered the position vacated by former officer David Yeager.

An issue with trash removal at Chamber Estates was tabled until attorney Kurtis Fouts provides a recommendation. Strasser reported the owners of the apartment complex chose to have a dumpster at the complex rather than pay the mandatory $10 per month fee for city trash removal after the first of the year. Street commissioner Aaron Lyons reported the city collected trash twice from the site and then stopped when the dumpster appeared. The owners have been billed for the city service since the beginning of the year, however the city has not been paid.

The next board of works meeting will be Aug. 17 at 4:30 p.m.