Raikes Concurs with School Board Appointment

(posted July 30)

Speedway Town Council President Gary Raikes concurred at the July 28 meeting with the school board's appointment of Dr. Terry Reed to serve as a non-voting adviser to the redevelopment commission.

The Speedway Navigator questioned Dr. Reed’s appointment at July 21 redevelopment meeting after commission President Vince Noblet announced the School Board’s decision.

Superintendent Ken Hull explained the redevelopment commission asked the board to make the appointment.

According to IC Code 36-7-14 6.1, the municipal executive makes the appointment for a non-voting adviser member. According to a cursory review of the relevant statutes by a local attorney, it would appear that Speedway Redevelopment Commission does not have the authority to make appointments or delegate the authority for the selection of the non-voting adviser.

Barnes and Thornburg Attorney Jim Gutting, representing the SRC at the July 21 meeting, said “I don't know how the appointment was made.”

The Council also eliminated the closing public comment session at council meetings. The public will still be able to address the council with their comments and concerns at the beginning of the meeting. Raikes said after a year of having public comments section twice per meeting the council decided to end the second comment section. “We believe the comments in the first public session time and second public session time were virtually same topic.”

Jo Ellen Dotlich asked the council to “watch” the redevelopment commission because of their “tactics.” She was upset that commissioners have been in contact with Speedway Industrial Park tenants, which could be an impairment to lease. She said that the redevelopment commission attorney advised the commissioners at the last meeting not to contact tenants.

She said she would not “tone this down” because the redevelopment commission is taking away “fifty years of a family history.” The Speedway Industrial Park is on the acquisition list. She requested the redevelopment authority members Jerry Urick and Ernest Williams to have the “dignity” to identify themselves as authority members and not as residents when endorsing the plan. She said they would be shooting themselves in the foot if they disagreed with the plan because they will own 16th Street in the lease rental arrangement with the SRC.

The council also passed a resolution that requires the public to fill out a form to request information. Clerk Treasurer Sharon Zishka said an increase in requests for public information has placed an extra work load on her staff and the form will help to accommodate the requests in a more timely manner.

The Speedway Solid Waste Commission will have a heavy trash drop off on October 11 at the former American Art Clay site. The IMS gave permission to use the site to relieve the growing traffic congestion due to the high participation to drop off the heavy trash.

Solid Waste Commissioner Christie Manion said she has been in discussion with Recycling Bank, www.recyclingbank.com, to increase recycling participation. She said the organization encourages recycling by rewarding participants with points or redeemable coupons at stores. Sandra Ellwanger and Wanda Smith were reappointed to the solid waste commission.

The council gave a preliminary passing of several ordinances on first reading. Ordinance 1119 will prohibit revving engines. The need for the ordinance was prompted by the upcoming Moto GP motorcycle race. The IMS expects 100,000 motorcycle fans to attend. The council also passed on first reading the prohibition of motorcycle trailers parking on public streets.

Ordinance 1121 will amend existing code section 5.24.010 that requires landowners or tenants that park cars on property over 7/8 of an acre to obtain a parking permit. The fee is based on 30 cents per 100 square feet. The council will contemplate whether not to raise the fee by the August 11 vote.

The ordinance also discussed the need to provide at least one portable sanitary unit for every 75 cars parked. The ordinance also includes a nuisance provision that holds the licensee responsible as if he has committed the nuisance by allowing persons to act in disorderly, riotous, or noisy behavior.

Councilor Jeff Hartman requested the council look into prohibit parking at Auburn and 20th Street and Meyer Avenue and McCray Street. He said people line up in the streets Wednesday night waiting for the IMS parking lots to open at 8 am on Thursday. He thinks on street camping should be banned .

He thinks it is inappropriate that a fifth wheel parked along St. Christopher. “If I had parking in front of my house and I didn't block it off with cones, someone could put an RV there and camp.”

Hartman thanked the constables for their hard work of patrolling Main Street.

Councilors Bill Suffel and Lu Hillmer were absent.