MINUTES OF THE COMMON COUNCIL
BRAZIL, INDIANA
FOR JULY 13, 2016
A meeting of the Common Council was held on July 13, 2016 at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Brazil City Hall. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Brian Wyndham.
ROLL CALL: Mayor Brian Wyndham, Steve Bell, Roy Kellar, Shane Litz, Angela Modesitt.
Brad Deal was absent.
The Pledge to the Flag was lead by Mayor Wyndham
OTHERS PRESENT: City Attorney Traci Orman, Deputy Clerk Melissa Dorsett, Planning and Zoning Administrator Teresa Glenn, Board of Works Member Linda Messmer, Clay Community School Corporation Superintendent Jeff Fritz, Tom Reberger, Brad Emmert of Timberland, Toni Carter, Rogene Morge of Habitat for Humanity, Harvey Roscoe, Tim Skinner, Aaron Kowalksi of Ratio Architects
PRAYER was said by Angie Modesitt
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: June 8, 2016 Shane Litz made a motion to approve; seconded by Steve Bell. The motion passed 4-0.
AUDIENCE COMMENTS: NONE
OLD BUSINESS:
1.) Rogene Morge – Habitat for Humanity – A house was built by Habitat for Humanity on Harrison Street and it has been brought to the City’s attention that the porch has encroached onto City property. Rogene Morge was present to represent Habitat for Humanity, and explained that the house had previously had a fire, and the owners rebuilt the porch bigger than the original design. City Attorney Traci Orman advised that since the porch extends onto the platted street, they will need a Petition to Vacate a portion of Harrison Street.
NEW BUSINESS:
1.) Timberland New Personal Property Tax Abatement (Resolution 2016-8) – Brad Emmert was present to represent Timberland. He explained that Timberland is adding new manufacturing equipment. The Redevelopment Commission on June 13, 2016 reviewed the SB-1 and recommended the abatement to the City Council. Angie Modesitt made a motion to approve Resolution 8-2016, a 3 year Personal Property Tax Abatement with Timberland Home Center, Inc. Roy Kellar seconded. The motion passed 4-0. This is preliminary approval, with final approval at the August Council meeting.
2.) Northview project – Fee Waiver Request – Clay Community Schools Superintendent Jeff Fritz and Tom Reberger were present to discuss renovation projects within the corporation. Total project cost is estimated at $33 million, with the Northview/North Clay portion estimated at $18 million. Estimated Building Permit fees are around $23,000. The corporation is asking for a waiver or reduction in Building Permit fees. Jeff Fritz said the City has previously given a 75% discount on fees for the Clay County School Corporation. Planning and Zoning Administrator Teresa Glenn stated that all fees for Building Trades projects have been waived in past years. Steve Bell asked if the BOW needed an official recommendation from the Council. Mayor Wyndham said that a decision will be made by the Board of Works, but input from the Council will certainly be respected. Roy Kellar is not opposed to a reduction, but would like to make sure the reduction is helping the corporation, and not a contractor.
3.) Downtown Revitilization Planning Grant – Public Hearing and Resolution 9-2016 – Aaron Kowalksi, of RATIO Architects presented the draft plan for the Downtown Revitilization Planning Grant including an analysis of historic buildings, vacant properties, public and private parking lots, walk-ability and façade improvements. The plan has just a few more changes to be finalized so it can be submitted to OCRA.
A Public Hearing was opened at 5:42 p.m. for questions and comments about the Downtown Revitalization Planning Grant. Frank Phillips asked about implementation of the ideas and projects. Aaron Kowalski said that City Council will have to approve all projects. The Public Hearing closed at 5:44 p.m.
Steve Bell made a motion to approve Resolution 9-2016- A Local Resolution Approving the Downtown Revitalization Planning Grant for the City of Brazil; seconded by Angie Modesitt. The motion passed 4-0.
4.) Approval of Britt Aero CF-1 – Shane Litz made a motion to approve CF-1’s for Britt Aero for 2016; seconded by Angie Modesitt. The motion passed 4-0.
5.) Ordinance 2016-12 (Amending Ordinance 5-2008) – Ordinance 2016-12 amends Paragraph 5 of Ordinance 5-2008 stating that the Clay County Redevelopment Commission can charge a filing fee of $1500 for legal expenses. Ordinance 12-2016 amends the language of Paragraph 5, so that the Commission can charge a fee “sufficient to defray its reasonable legal expenses and fees in retaining counsel”, not a set $1500 fee. Angie Modesitt made a motion to suspend rules; seconded by Roy Kellar. The motion passed 4-0. Angie Modesitt made a motion to approve Ordinance 2016-12: An Ordinance Amending Ordinance 5-2008, An Ordinance Concerning Tax Abatement Procedures; seconded by Roy Kellar. The motion passed 4-0.
COUNCIL COMMENTS:
MAYOR COMMENTS: Mayor Wyndham
• The Southwest quadrant paving project is complete. Hopefully we will be able to do more paving in the Fall.
ADJOURNMENT:
Shane Litz made a motion to adjourn meeting, seconded by Roy Kellar. Motion passed 4-0. Meeting adjourned at 5:58 p.m.
