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Last updated on Tuesday, September 11, 2012
(MITCHELL) - Mitchell City Council approved a 2 percent salary increase for all full-time employees.
According to Clerk Treasurer George James, city employees have not had a raise since 2008.
He says the raises will cost Mitchell an estimated $17,500 a year.
To employees, that means a 22 cent increase an hour or about $500 a year.
The council did an overview of the 2013 budget during the public hearing on the budget. No one spoke against the budget.
The budget will be approved at the council's October 1st meeting.
James says the budget will increase by 7 percent, because of the cost of health and liability insurance rate increases and because of an additional appropriation for the Safe Routes To Schools project.
In other business:
* Rodney Harper asked the council to vacate the alley that runs behind his property at 452 East Vine Street. And Lee Karr asked the council to vacate the alley that runs behind his property at 130 State Road 60 East.
City Attorney Bryon Steele told the council that the procedure is for the resident to file a petition with the legal description of the property being vacated. Steele says he will work with both men to see those forms are filled out properly and will leave petitions at the city clerk's office for future use.
* The council approved road blocks for Burris Hatfield RPO: Blessing in a Backpack on November 3rd, and Legion Riders Clothe-a-Child on October 20th.
Councilwoman Vicky Schlegel says the council must enforce the rules for the roadblocks. She says some groups are not wearing the reflective clothing and do not have the required signs needed to protect those collecting and motorist. She says it is a safety issue and needs to be enforced.
* James presented a list of uncashed checks to the council. James says the funds will be put back into the accounts they were drawn from.
* The council approved the additional appropriations of $43,856 to pay First Group Engineering for work on the ADA Inventory Compliance Plan for the city.
* Mitchell resident, Perry Reynolds, asked the council if there was anything that could be done about pet owners allowing their dogs, who are on leashes or chains, but still reach the sidewalks. He says the dogs are making it difficult for walkers to pass without being attacked or frightened.
He also addressed the council about door-to-door salesmen. The council says those that sell items for profit must have a permit to do so. Residents who are bothered by solicitors are asked to notify the police department.
* Councilwoman Nancy Miller raised concerns about the intersection at Hamilton Boulevard and Ind. 37. She aked if there was something that could be done because semi tractor-trailers are not stopping at the stop sign, but rolling through making the intersection dangerous.
Mayor Gary Pruitt says INDOT did a number count at the intersection and says nothing can be done. Pruitt says INDOT says the intersection is safe with just the stop sign. Pruitt disagrees with INDOT's findings, but says nothing can be done at this time.
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