The Westfield City Council met Oct. 9. The next city council meeting is 7 p.m. Oct. 23 at City Hall, 130 Penn St. For more, visit westfield.in.gov.
What happened: The council approved the 2018 budget, 7-0.
What it means: Chief of Staff Todd Burtron presented the budget with minimal changes from when the budget was originally introduced to council. A bond payment decreased from the original presentation, providing for an overall lower budget. The 2018 budget is $36,211,479. Burtron said he believed the budget was balanced, although it was over by approximately $100,000.
“We underestimated revenue and overestimated expenses,” he said. “We are within $100,000.”
What happened: Two special presentations were given to the council regarding Westfield High School Shamrock Green club and Girls on the Run.
What it means: The Shamrock Green club consists of WHS students who have completed the environmental science class and are interested in implementing environmentally green practices into the community. Some projects include creating reusable grocery backs out of T-shirts, marker recycling and more. Girls on the Run has served 224 girls in Westfield since 2014 by using running as a tool to teach self-love, responsibility and more. Mayor Andy Cook proclaimed the month of October as Girls on the Run Appreciation Month.
What happened: Council approves Spring Mill Grand Station PUD District, 4-3.
What it means: This item was a change of zoning request for 4.9 acres on the northwest side of Spring Mill Road and 161st Street. It would allow for office, retail and self-storage space. Since its introduction, more tree buffering has been introduced, as well as a bike path. Council members Bob Horkay, Joe Edwards and Cindy Spoljaric voted against the project.
“While this is a good development for what it is – the office use and the components along Spring Mill are desirable for the Spring Mill Station area, I feel very strongly that self-storage has just never been envisioned on that corner,” Horkay said.
What happened: Council approves Grassy Branch at Bridgewater, 7-0.
What it means: Previously known as Oak Hollow at Bridgewater, the residential development encompasses 72.5 acres with 60 lots on the northwest corner of 151st Street and Carey Road.
What happened: Council approves a 100 percent voluntary annexation of for Chatham Hills phase 12, 7-0.
What it means: The area includes 12 acres to be annexed into the Chatham Hills development at the southwest corner of Ind. 38 and U.S. 31.
What happened: Council approves 2018 salary ordinance, 6-1.
What it means: Burtron presented a minimum/maximum salary ordinance for non-elected city employees. It would be no more than 2 percent. Cook commented on the pressure for retaining talented employees.
“We are beginning to feel a lot of pressure from the private sector to keep employees,” Cook said. “We have to factor for what competing cities in Hamilton County are paying and if you look at it, we’re behind. If we want to continue to provide a high-quality level of service, I don’t think this ordinance here allows us to go where we need to go even and it is something we will have to address very quickly.”
Spoljaric voted against the ordinance, saying she felt uncomfortable voting for it unless a salary study was completed.
What happened: A change of zoning request was introduced to council for 231 Park St.
What it means: In order to acquire a larger kitchen space and better accommodate large parties, Greek’s Pizzeria, 205 Park St., requests the change of zoning. The request includes renovation to the interior and exterior as well as new landscaping. Since it was an introduction, no vote was taken.
