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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-23-1993COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE~ INDIANA AUGUST 23, 1993 The meeting Jr.~ with Clerk and Mayor Parker welcomed stand as asked all flag. The Common Council of the City of Jeffersonville met in regular session in Council Chambers in the City-County Building, Jeffersonville~ Indiana, at 7:30 P.M. on the 23rd day of August~ 1993. was called to order by Mayor Raymond J. Parker Treasurer C. Richard Spencer Jr, at the desk. all in attendance, asking all those present to Councilperson Steven Stemler gave the invocation. He then those present to join him in the pledge of allegiance to the The roll was called and those present were Councilpersons Bill Wolpert, Andrew Williams III, Peggy Knight Wilder~ Barbara Wilsons Robert L. Potter~ and Steven R. Stemler. Absent: Donna M. Frantz. Mayor Parker presented the minutes 1993 for consideration by the Council. of the meeting of August Council President Potter made the motion to approve the minutes as presented, seconded by Councilperson Wolpert, and carried unanimously. Clerk and Treasurer Spencer presented the claim list with one additional claim and one correction~ for consideration by the Council. Following ail discussion~ Council President Potter made the motion to approve the claims as corrected along with the additional claims seconded by Councilperson Wolpert and carried unanimously Ms. Sharon Smith of the Downtown Merchants Association asked all the downtonwn merchants in attendance to stand as she thanked the Council for their help and consideration. She hopes the Council will endorse a site tonight. Mr. Jim Johns also thanked the council asking them to move forward tonight. Ms. Betty Moore thanked the Council for their consideration and effort. She Council to please~ please, choose the Spring Street Coomer thanks everyone explaining it has been a task. Clerk and Treasurer Spencer introduced 93-0R-49, explaining petitions the location. Mr. An Ordinance Transferring Funds the transfers. Following ali Ordinance No. Within Same Departments discussion Councilperson PAGE 2 AUGUST 23, 1993 Wilder made the motion to suspend the rules 93-0R-49, seconded by Councilperson Williams and Councilperson Wilder made the motion, to pass Ordinance No. on all three readings, seconded by Councilperson Williams, the following roll call vote: Ayes: Councilpersons Stemler, Potter, Wolpert, Wilder~ and Wilson. Nays: None. Clerk and Treasurer Spencer 93-0R-50~ for Ordinance No. carried unanimously. 93-0R-49 passing on Williams, explained Ordinance No. An Ordinance Of Additional Appropriation (Cumulative Capital Development - Chipper), announcing this is a public hearing. There being no comments: Councilperson Wilder made the motion to suspend the rules for Ordinance No. 93-0R-50, seconded by Councilperson Williams and carried unanimously. Councilperson Wilder then made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 93-0R-50 on ali three readings, seconded by Cuoncilperson Williams, passing on the following roll call vote: Ayes: Councilpersons Stemler, Potter, Wolpert, Williams, Wilder~ and Wilson. Nays: None. Clerk and Treasurer Spencer presented Ordinance No. 93-0R-51, A-K, Ordinance of Budget Appropriations, (A-General Fund~ B-Fire Pension~ C-Police Pension, D-Parks and Recreation, E-City-County Building Rental, F3Cumulative Capital Development, G-Sanitation~ H-Local Roads, and Street, I-Motor Vehicle, J-Adult Probation User, K-Economic Development Commission) explaining this was advertised as a public hearing and the budgets cannot be passed on all three readings until August 30, 1993 as advertised. Council President Potter explained the budgets and made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 93-0R-51~ A-K, on the first and second reading only, seconded by Councilperson Williams passing on the following roll call vote: Wilder, Ayes: Councilpersons and Wilson. Nays: None. Mr. Tom Popp~ appeared easement. Stemler, Pottery Wolpert, property owner in Buttonwood before the Council to request Mr. Popp has letters of approval Williams, Subdivision: a vacation of a utility from all utilities and the PAGE 3 AUGUST 23, 1993 Board of Works. Attorney Gillenwater explained Mr. Popp has taken ali the proper steps. Two lots have been purchased and Mr. Popp wishes to build in the middle of the two. would cause a drainage problem. and does not believe it will. President Potter made the motion Resolution To Vacate A Utility Wilder and carried unanimously. Councilperson Williams Ordinance on the agenda for Councilperson Wilder asked if this Commissioner Gavin has checked this Following all discussion, Council to pass Resolution No. 93-R-~, A Easement~ seconded by Councilperson asked that the Take Home Car the meeting be tabled due to Councilperson Frantz being iii. The Council is asked to review the take-home car policy passed previously by the Board of Works. Mayor Parker would tike to sit down with Councilperson Frantz~ and the Police and Fire Chiefs to discuss the discrepancies. Mayor Maintenance has Parker's plan to Parker announced Mike Wathen, Director of Vehicle resigned to accept other employment. It is Mayor increase the Street Commissioner's salary by $4,000 a year, the Personnnel and Safety Secretary by $3,000 a year,and Vehicle Maintenance Mechanic M1 by SR,O00 a year. He would then like to hire a mechanic at $9.50 an hour. He requests the Council discuss this plan with him as he wilt be requesting a formal vote at the next meeting. Mayor Parker has been working on an interlocal agreement to share any gaming proceeds with the County and other communities. Mayor Parker feels if the City does not share in the prceeds the referendum may not pass. He is 100~ for riverboat gaming, explaining this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for the community to go forward. This will be presented at another meeting. Council President Potter explained there is a small window of time to prepare for the referendum. Council President Potter believes in his lifetime there will never be another opportunity to revive downtown Jeffersonville. He has visited other cities and talked to other Mayors and found there had been no increase in crime, only an increase in traffic problems. Council President Potter then read aloud Resolution No. 93-R-83, A Resolution Designating The Foot PAGE 4 AUGUST B3~ 1995 Of Spring Street As The Location For A Proposed Riverboat Casino Operation. Council President Potter than made the motion to pass Resolution No. 93-R-83~ seconded by Councilperson Wolpert. Mayor Parker~ as Chief Executive Officer, explained he is not against having a casino boat at the foot of Spring, however he feels a need to wait to get ali the cards on the table. As much evaluation as buying a car or house should be done. He asks the Council to make sure this is right. A resident of SO1 Riverside Drive, stated he lives one block from this location and he is against it. He hopes each one will think about the impact of life on Riverside Drive one block from a residence. Mr. Jim Johns thanked the Council and explained time is of the essence. Ms. Sharon Smith thanked the Council and explained that no matter where a casino boat is located it will be near where someone lives. She asks for support in this historic venture. Ms. Betty Neff of 201 Riverside Drive explained this will have an impact on her life and asks where the people will park. There will be no quality of life due to noise. She requests the Council think about this. Mr. Pat Hoehn a former City Counciiperson explained this is a golden opportunity for new revenue. He does not see the need to rush into a decision on a location. There is a need to study the impact on the economics, the environment, and the traffic. All potential locations need to be considered. Mr. Jim Urban, Project Manager for Jeffersonville Main Street read a letter from the JMI Board in support of the foot of Spring Street location. He asks for an endorsement on this and offers support and help. explained a parking/circulation stated some have suggested to wait Mr. Wayne Estopinal distributed and study. Council President Potter and see~ however voting could start as early as October 37 1993 and there is a need to know where a casino boat would be before voting. Attorney Gillenwater expalined that Hughes has tried twice to develop in this this area which is a historic district. Approval will be necessary from the State and from Washington D.C. and this could stop the project. Discussion followed regarding the lease proposal for a restaurant at the foot of Spring. Mayor Parker explained the Park Department has the opportunity to vote on the lease. He does expect this to be turned down by the Park Department, however the Council does have the final vote. Mr. Ted PAGE 5 AUGUST 23, 1993 Rajchel asked if the City is the buyer or the seller? He believes the City should buy and move forward as it is time to look and see what can be done for downtown Jeffersonville. Mr. Billy Tanner is upset to see Indiana University Southeast in Floyd County and asked the Council to make Spring Stree the place to be. Mr. Dave Carley of DeMars Haka stated he has a personal interest in the selling process. He has 200 hours in meetings~ explaining there will be no license until September 1, 1994. Therefore, there is no need to take anything but the best. Jeffersonville is the best site on the Ohio. Mr. Larry Munch of Harrah's explained that no matter where, not all wilt be pleased. Mr. Jim Johns Sr. agreed this will not make the residents happy~ however it is time to bite the bullet. The Council was elected to make decisions. At the conclusion of all discussion, Resolution 93-R-23 passed on the following roll call vote: Ayes: Councilpersons Potter, Wolpert, Williams, and Wilson. Nays: Councilperson Stemler. Abstain: Councilperson Wilder. Mayor Parker thanked the Council and the audience for the imput. Councilperson Williams appreciates the presentation of Mr. Estopinal. He encourages the expansion of the tax base beyond gaming. He wishes to see a feasibility study for the City. Councilperson Stemler explained his negative vote does not mean he has a preference. He believes education is the key. There is a trip planned and he has many questions. He asks that this issue not divide the community as then no one will win. He commends the Ogden Group for the organization. He also commends Mr. Estopinal for the quality presentation. Mayor Parer will campaign hard to pass the referendum no matter where the location will be. explained A citizen asked what the advertised tax rate is. It was the advertised rate was $5.42?, however this will not be the final rate. PAGE 6 AUGUST 83~ 1993 There being no further bus~nees to come before the Council President Potter moved to adjourn at 8:50 o'clock seconded by Councilperson Wolpert and unanimously carried. ATTEST: Council, P.M.