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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-23-2002 COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA SEPTEMBER 23, 2002 The Common Council of the City of Jeffersonville, Indiana met in regular session in the Multi-Propose Meeting Room in the City-County Building, Jeffersonville, Indiana, at 7:00 P.M. on the 23rd day of September, 2002. Council President Denny Frantz called the meeting to order with Clerk Treasurer Peggy Wilder at the desk. Council President Frantz welcomed all in attendance, asking all those present to stand as Councilperson Ron Ellis gave the invocation. Council President Frantz then asked all those present to join him in the pledge of allegiance to the flag. The roll was called and those present were; Councilpersons Ron Ellis, Les Merkley, Denny Frantz, Rob Waiz, Barbara Wilson, Ron Grooms, and Vicki ConIin. Absent: None Councilperson Merkley asked that the override of Ordinance 2002-OR-30, and the override of Resolution No. 2002-R-27 be added to the agenda. Councilperson Ellis then asked that a discussion of the tax rate ordinance be added. Councilperson Ellis then made the motion to approve the agenda as amended, seconded by Councilperson Conlin, passing on a vote of 6-0. Council President Frantz did not vote. Councilperson Wilson made the motion to approve the minutes of the September 5, 2002 workshop, second by councilperson Merkley, passing on a vote of 5-0-1. Councilperson Conlin abstained and Council President Frantz did not vote. Councilperson Wilson then made the motion to approve the minutes of the meeting of September 9, 2002, second by Councilperson Conlin, passing on a vote of 6-0. Council President Frantz did not vote. Clerk Treasurer Wilder presented the claim list for consideration by the Council. Councilperson Waiz made the motion to approve the claims as presented, seconded by Councilperson Merkley. Following discussion, the motion to approve the claims passed on a vote of 5-1. Councilperson Ellis voted against passage. Council President Frantz did not vote. September 23, 2002 2 PUBLIC COMMENT: Ms. Judy Sapp appeared before the Council to advise of a meeting to be held October 9, 2002 at 10:30 A.M. in the New Albany Building Commissioner's Office. The State Building Commissioner will be in attendance. Ms. Sapp is inviting building commission officials from Jeffersonville, Clarksville, and New Albany. As Ms. Sapp gets conflicting information regarding state rules and state guidelines from each area, she hopes that all will attend. Ms. Sapp said there is need for a better system of following up on violations. Ms. Sapp also reminded all of the A.D.A. training for next Monday. Ms. Sapp acknowledged the blacktop area by Northside Christian Church has been striped. AGENDA ITEMS: Councilperson Merkley spoke on behalf of Attorney Jack Vissing, who could not attend the meeting, on Ordinance No. 2002-OR-33. An Ordinance Changing The Zoning Map Designation Of A Certain Tract Of Property Described As 5016 & 5020 Hwy. 62, Key Nos. 11-24-0310, 11-24-0320, 11-24-0380 and 11-24-0390 From M2; Multifamilty Residential And C2; Medium To Large General Commercial To Entirely C2. Councilperson Merkley explained the need, noting this is a public hearing. Mr. Keller answered questions. Councilperson Ellis questioned the possibility of a truck stop being built in the area. Mr. Keller explained it is his intention to put in a lighting store. Councilperson Grooms made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2002-OR-33, seconded by Councilperson Conlin. Council President Frantz then asked for public comment. There being no comment, the motion passed on a vote of 6-0. Council President Frantz did not vote. Councilperson Ellis asked that Ordinance No. 2002-OR-20, An Ordinance Establishing An Animal Control Authority be put on the agenda for the next meeting. Councilperson Conlin made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2002-OR-32, An Ordinance Authorizing The Issuance Of Not To Exceed $2,580,000 Aggregate Principal Amount Of City Of Jeffersonville, Indiana Variable Rate Demand Economic Development Revenue Bonds, Series 2002 (Southern Indiana Mental Health And Guidance Center, Inc., D/B/A/ Lifespring Project) on the third and final reading, seconded by Councilperson Merkley, passing on a vote of 6-0. Council President Frantz did not vote. September 23, 2002 3 Councilperson Merkley explained Resolution No. 2002-R-27, A Resolution Opposing Funding And Construction Of New City Hall has not been signed by Mayor Galligan 10 days after passage by the Council. The no action by Mayor Galligan is considered a veto of the Resolution. This being the next regular scheduled meeting following the 10 days after passage, Councilperson Merkley made the motion to override the Mayor's veto of Resolution No. 2002-R-27, seconded by Councilperson Conlin, passing on a vote of 6-0. Council President Frantz did not vote. Councilperson Merkley explained Ordinance No. 2002-OR-30, An Ordinance Amending Ordinance 2001-OR-30, An Ordinance Fixing Basic Salaries Of Appointed Officers And Employees Of The City Of Jeffersonville, Indiana For The Year 2002, has been vetoed by Mayor Galligan. Councilperson Merkley further explained this ordinance eliminates 5 positions for this year that are currently vacant. Councilperson Merkley then made the motion to override Mayor Galligan's veto of Ordinance No. 2002-OR-30, seconded by Councilperson Ellis. The motion failed on the following roll call vote: Ayes: Councilpersons Merkley, Ellis, Waiz, and Wilson. Nays: Councilpersons Grooms and Conlin. Councilperson Ellis requested Clerk Treasurer Wilder explain the changes Mayor Galligan has made to Ordinance No. 2002-OR-26, An Ordinance Of Appropriations And Tax Rates. Clerk Treasurer Wilder explained Mayor Galligan exercised his ability to line-item veto certain portions of the ordinance, explaining the changes made in each budget. Clerk Treasurer Wilder explained the amount under the maximum levy was $443,813 as the Council passed the Ordinance and is now $300,004, a difference of about $.05 on the tax rate. Clerk Treasurer Wilder has provided copies to the Council. Councilperson Ellis said it is a shame when one person can take a budget the Council has spent a lot of time working on and arbitrarily add another $143,773 to that budget; it is not fair to the people of Jeffersonville. Councilperson Ellis then read a prepared statement (attached). Ms. Sapp made comments in agreement with Councilperson Ellis. Councilperson Ellis hopes his statement is printed in the newspaper in the way he has submitted it. Mr. Charles K. White commented if the City is broke why was the bond approved earlier this evening. Councilperson Conlin explained Lifespring is responsible for those bonds. Mr. White then commented on the Hoosier Valley situation. Mr. White September 23, 2002 4 then said he does not understand Councilperson Ellis's comments. Mr. White voiced his opinion regarding other comments. Councilperson Grooms also made comments regarding Councilperson Ellis's statement. Councilperson Ellis said all have their own opinions and he has just spoken his opinion. Councilperson Ellis will continue to speak his opinions in the best interest of the citizens of Jeffersonville. COUNCIL AND MAYOR COMMENTS: Council President Frantz stated he does not feel Councilperson Ellis's letter is appropriate. He feels there are ways of disagreeing with a person without comparing them to Nazi, Germany or Afghanistan. There is nothing wrong with disagreeing or having an opinion it is the comparison he feels is wrong. Councilperson Merkley does understand the frastration and may not agree with what the Mayor has done, but it does fall short of being a government like Afghanistan, or Nazi Germany. It is still the best system we have. There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 9:00 P.M. THOI~AS R. GAL~G~A~N,~OR~ ATTEST: PEGGY WILDER, CLERK AND TREASURER As a member of Jeffersonville city government, I have to say that I am truly ashamed of the outcome of our city budget. This unwarranted increase that has been added to a budget that was passed by the majority of elected council members is reflective of an attitude that says "I can do anything I want to because I don't care about anyone except myself and my selfish needs. The city of Jeffersonville is no longer being operated as. a place of democracy. The people of Nazi Germany, Iran, Afganistan, or Russia have about as much representation in their government as we the people of Jeffersonville. I think it is a shame when the overseers in state government refuse to act and let a mayor and his wife, (the city attorney) get away with things such as changing the wording of an ordinance after it has been passed by the council, editing and changing the minutes of meetings, such as the board of works minutes, ghost employment, by hiring an employee to be a sewer inspector, and then using the person as a so called assistant to the mayor, when no such job was ever created by ordinance. It is time for the people of our city to arise with such an outcry, that the sound will be heard as far away as Washington D.C. People of Jeffersonville take a stand now and not let this dictatorship flourish because the quality of your life depends on freedom. Ron Ellis City Council, District II