Vote Delayed for Ordinance 1113

(posted May 29)

The Speedway Town Council decided to continue proposed Ordinance 1113 concerning the pretreatment of fats, oil and grease until an economic analysis is conducted by the town manager.

Joyce Bishop asked the council to delay the May 28 vote because the ordinance does not provide grandfathering for existing businesses.  She stated that implementation could cost as much as $7,000 to $10,000.
She said it would include the St. Christopher Fish Fry, race vendors, Speedway Schools, American Legion, and Allison Transmission's cafeteria. "We need our local businesses to stay in business."

John Hanna, representing himself and American Legion 500 Post, opposed the ordinance, calling it ridiculous that businesses should be forced to spend $10,000 to $12,000. He said it would affect over 40 businesses. He said it was an additional tax, and would impose quarterly maintenance and record keeping on businesses, and additional time and effort for town employees to enforce. He said it would drive businesses out, not in. He wanted to know why all the effected businesses were not contacted about the ordinance.

President Gary Raikes said the ordinance was generated by engineer Tom Hutka.

Town Manager Barbara Lawrence said the grease build up is decreasing the sewer lines and plant capacity. Lawrence said it is becoming more of a problem.

Councilor William Suffel asked Lawrence to investigate the cost analysis to find out where the proposed costs were coming from.

Councilor Lu Hillmer asked Clerk Treasurer Sharon Zishka to investigate the costs that were incurred by businesses along 10th Street and Girl Schools Road that had to comply with the town's previous ordinance because of the grease problem in that area. Hillmer said that ordinance involved businesses installing grease traps.

Susan Luebbert of the Speedway Promoters Club announced the Speedway Main Street Parade is back with a new partner, American Legion 500 Post. This the second year for the parade. Allison Transmission has given approval to start the parade at Gilman Street. Pending a Speedway Trail Association board of directors vote, the STA plans to have a walk, run, and ride prior to the 2 pm parade.

Other pending events include a balloon launch and fly over. Coca-Cola also agreed to return for the second year. Luebbert requested a waiver of permits, so vendors are not charged a town permit to participate, nor the organizers who would be required to pay $1,000 for the event.

Jo Ellen Dotlich expressed her concern about the passage of the master lease rental agreement that included a maximum bond amount of $62,755,000 due incomplete financial analysis that the redevelopment authority, commission and town council relied on when voting. The financial plan is expected by late June.

Dotlich offered to work the council and commission to prevent SIP from losing its property by eminent domain.

"The Speedway Industrial Park will be willing to work with the SRC and the town for any public institution, such as universities, libraries, hospitals and utilities, to locate on the industrial park's property. There is no need to go behind our back as you have been doing to speak to these institutions without our knowledge. There will be no need to try to eminent domain us so you can use the term public use to build these facilities just to steal our property. Speedway Industrial Park will be glad to build and lease the buildings." She said the SRC has not been in contact with SIP since 2007.

Scott Harris, executive director, argued that Ms. Dotlich had not been at the three 2008 meetings they have had with SIP. He said the SRC has had numerous public meetings seeking input. He stated the first big public meeting started with Carburetion Day in November 2006 that was followed by a three-day charette that included 200 people giving input. He said that the community was involved with the planning through focus groups and the steering committee. The master plan was selected by a voting process and was finally unveiled in July 2007 before approximately 1,000 people .

Harris also mentioned that Dotlich does not live in Speedway. Dotlich rebutted that she owned two homes on 10th Street where her children reside. When Councilor Suffel asked if the homes were income rental, she said "no."

She said that the Speedway Industrial Park is owned by a family limited liability corporation and that a quorum was not present at the 2008 meetings mentioned by Harris.