MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS AND SAFETY
BRAZIL, INDIANA
FOR JANUARY 27, 2016
A meeting with the Board of Public Works was held on January 27, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. in the Council Chambers of the Brazil City Hall. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Wyndham.
ROLL CALL: Mayor Wyndham, Linda Messmer, Ruthann Jeffries, City Attorney Traci Orman, Deputy Clerk Melissa Dorsett
OTHERS PRESENT: Planning and Zoning Administrator Teresa Glenn, Fire Chief Jake Bennett, Police Chief Clint McQueen, Tom Graverson, Daniel Rose, Brazil Times Representative Frank Phillips
PLEDGE: The pledge to the Flag was lead by Mayor Wyndham.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Linda Messmer made a motion to approve January 13, 2016 minutes; seconded by Ruthann Jeffries. The motion passed 3-0.
AUDIENCE COMMENTS: NONE
POLICE CHIEF REPORT: Chief Clint McQueen
- The Brazil City Police Department received 312 calls in January with vehicle crashes and animal complaints at the top.
- Ruthann Jeffries asked if any of our dispatchers took a job with the County. Chief McQueen stated that they all pursued other jobs.
- Ruthann Jeffries asked if we have an ordinance for multiple calls on alarm systems. Chief McQueen said that it has been discussed but there is currently no violation for it, and that it’s not a frequent issue.
- The City of Brazil Police Department is getting ready to hire their 13 th officer
OLD BUSINESS: Mayor Wyndham gave an update on the house on 726/728 N. Meridian Street. He stated that bid packets went out and that we will open up bids during the next BOW meeting in February.
NEW BUSINESS:
1.) Tom Graverson Sewage Discount – Tom Graverson has recently purchased the property on Depot and West Central Ave. Tom stated that the only water on the property is outside and that nothing is connected to the inside of the building. Tom is requesting that the sewer fees be waived. Linda Messmer made a motion to waive the sewer fees for Tom Graverson at 240 N. Depot St. until July 2016. Ruthann Jeffries seconded. The motion passed 3-0. The issue will be revisited in July 2016.
2.) Contract with Ratio Architect for Downtown Revitalization Planning Grant – The Agreement has been approve through OCRA and they have given us permission to proceed with funds. Ruthann Jeffries made a motion to approve contract and appoint Mayor Wyndham as signatory to sign the Contract. Linda Messmer seconded. The motion passed 3-0.
3.) Recommendation – Ordinance 3-2016: An Ordinance Establishing Rates and Charges for the Use of and Services Rendered by the Waterworks Utility of the City of Brazil, Indiana. Mayor Wyndham stated that it has been 4 years since a water rate increase for the City. The water rate increase is designed to cover the cost of future Capital Improvement projects. The City of Brazil has had a financial study of the Waterworks done by H.J. Umbaugh & Associates. A proposal has already gone through Council approval and needs to be recommended by the Board of Works. Ordinance 3-2016 will allow for an increase of rates by 20% in 2016, 10% in 2017 and 6% in 2018, to allow for funding for projects and improvements. This tiered raise will be an increase of approximately $6/month per household. This rate increase will not affect wastewater fees since they are based on consumption.
City Attorney Traci Orman stated that a Public Hearing will be held at the Council meeting on February 10th, and that the rate increase is set to take place for the March water bill which is due in April.
Mr. Rose asked if we can have an itemized list of where the funds from the rate increase will go. Mayor Wyndham stated that the City has a list of Capital Improvement projects that can be made available.
Linda Messmer made a motion to recommend Ordinance 3-2016: An Ordinance Establishing Rates and Charges for the Use of and Services Rendered by the Waterworks Utility of the City of Brazil, Indiana. Ruthann Jeffries seconded. The motion passed 3-0.
CLAIMS:
- Clerk’s Office – Ruthann Jeffries made a motion to approve. Linda Messmer The motion passed 3-0.
- Utilities’ Office –Ruthann Jeffries made a motion to approve. Linda Messmer The motion passed 3-0.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: NONE
ADJOURNMENT: A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Ruthann Jeffries; seconded by Linda Messmer. Meeting adjourned at 10:30 a.m. The motion passed 3-0.
