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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-06-1989 The Common Council of the in regular session in City Council Chambers in Jeffersonville, Indiana, on the 6th day o'clock P.M. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Richard Spencer Jr. at the desk. Mayor Orem asked all allegiance to the flag. The roll was called and those present Caldwell, Grooms, Harrod, Perkins, Waiz, and Williams. Absent: None. COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA FEBRUARY 6, 1989 City of Jeffersonville, Indiana met in the City-County Building of February 1989, at 7:30 Dale Orem and C. those present to stand a~d pledge were: Councilmen Mayor Orem presented the minutes of the meeting of January 21, for consideration by the Council. Councilman Perkins made the 1989 motion to approve the minutes as presented, seconded by Councilman Williams and carried unanimously. Clerk and Treasurer Spencer presented the claim register asking if the Council wished to approve several additional claims. One of the additional claims is for equipment for the Vehicle Maintenance Department. It was agreed that $10,164 would be paid by the Sanitation Department and $10,000 would come from Sewer Operating and Maintenance. Mayor Orem explained the Board of Works has agreed to loan money necessary to pay for recently purchased police and fire vehicles, from the Sewer Operating and Maintenance fund to the Cumulative Capital Development fund. This loan would be repaid when the Cumulative Capital Development fund taxes are collected in June and December. Following all discussion, Councilman Perkins made the motion to allow the claims as presented as well as the additional claims, seconded by Councilman Waiz and unanimously carried. Councilman Perkins asked that Attorney Filer notify all department heads in writing that they should get with the Council before making major purchases. PAGE 2 FEBRUARY 6, 1989 Ordinance No. 89-OR-5, An Ordinance Transferring Funds Within The Same Department was presented to the Council for consideration. This transfer is necessary to allow the Sanitation Department to pay the $10,164 necessary for the vehicle maintenance equipment. Councilman Perkins made the motion to suspend the rules on Ordinance No. 89-OR-5, seconded by Council Councilman Perkins then on all three readings, roll President Harrod and carried unanimously. made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 89-OR-§ seconded by Councilman Waiz, with the following call vote being recorded: Ayes: Councilman Grooms, Williams, Caldwell, Waiz, Harrod, and Perkins. Nays: None. Councilman Williams presented Ordinance No. 89-OR-2, An Ordinance Rezoning Certain Property From R-2, Residential, to B-i, Local Business. Building Commissioner Scales gave the Council car count ~tatics and introduced Attorney Larry Wilder. explained Mr. Sprigler Mr. Sprigler the developer of the area, and Mr. Wilder presented architectural drawings and will put in a deceleration lane. Councilman Orem'$ serve unanimously carried. Perkins made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 89-OR-2 on the third and final reading, seconded by Councilman Waiz and carried unanimously. Mayor Orem thanked Mr. Sprigler for investing in our community. Council President Harrod made the motion to concur with Mayor recommendations that Councilmen Harrod, Caldwell, and Grooms on the Historic Board, seconded by Councilman Williams and Council President Harrod presented Ordinance No. 89-OR-6, An Ordinance Amending the 1989 Salary Ordinance (88-OR-34, Regarding the Police and Fire Departments of the City of Jeffersonville). Councilman Perkins noted that Chief Collins will be able to make up the difference this Ordinance will made by delaying the hiring of a new firefighter, and he hoped the Police Department will do the same. Council President Harrod then made the motion to suspend the rules on Ordinance No. 89-OR-6, seconded by Councilman Perkins and passed unanimously. Council President Harrod then made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 89-OR-6 on all three readings, seconded by Councilman Perkins with the following roll call vote being recorded: Ayes: and Grooms. Councilman Perkins, Waiz, PAGE 3 FEBRUARY 6, 1989 Caldwell, Harrod, Williams, Nays: None. Building Commissioner Scales introduced Mr.'Les Albro of Bales Motors, who explained the need to vacate Indiana Avenue between 6th Street and 7th Street for the expansion of Bales Motors. In 1988 Bales Motors had a 1.8 million dollar payroll and paid in excess of $100,000 in property and inventory taxes. Ms. Sharon Martin a resident of 3719 Hamburg Pike spoke against the vacating of this Street at no charge to Bales Motors. She stated she feels the City should not "give" parcels away. Mayor Orem explained he did not feel this was giving the City away but turning an 5.75 acre area into a nice tax base. Also when the property was put out on bid it was understood this street would be available and was a part of the package. Councilman Perkins stated he has no personal objections to this vacation, however feels obligated to survey the feelings of the residents in the area as this is in his district. Councilman Perkins then made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 89-OR-7, An Ordinance Vacating A Portion Of Indiana Avenue, City of Jeffersonville, Indiana, on the first and second readings, seconded by Councilman Williams and passed unanimously. Ordinance No. 89-OR-8, An Ordinance Vacating A Portion Of Indiana Avenue, City of Jeffersonville, Indiana was presented for the Council's recommendation. Following all discussion, Councilman Perkins made the motion to suspend the rules, seconded by Councilman Harrod and unanimously carried. Councilman Perkins then made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 89-OR-8 on all three readings, seconded by Council President Harrod and passed unanimously. Mayor Orem addressed the Council regarding the passage of a resolution in favor of COIT, explaining his goal was to reduce property taxes. Council President Harrod said he had talked with County Council President Harold Satterly and suggested the City and County Councils meet with the State Tax Commission. Council President Harrod has attended only one meeting regarding COIT and CAGIT and this was with Farm Bureau where CAGIT seemed to be the more favorable. Mayor Orem PAGE 4 FEBRUARY 6, 1989 said that CAGIT does more of what we want this tax to do, that is to lower property tax. COIT can be used as "new money", however his desire would be to use it to lower property taxes. Mayor Orem stated in the last six years of budgets the City tax rate has gone up 5.5% for an average of 1% per year, and during this same time period the county rate has gone up 21%, and the schools have gone up 13%. The City is doing all it can do to keep taxes down and this involves getting the total assessed value up with annexation and new construction. Of the 92 Indiana counties, 70 have adopted either COIT or CAGIT, and Clark County needs to do the same. The Federal and the State governments are paid for out of income tax with the local governments being forced to run on property taxes, which is a regressive tax, not an aggressive tax as income tax. Therefore meaning those people able to pay, pay and those people unable to pay don't pay and that is what this is all about. County Council President Harold Satterly asked to address the Council stating he did not feel Mayor Orem was "comparing apples to apples" on the tax percentages. He stated the 5.5% increase in City taxes equals $.29, and the increase in County taxes includes New Hope and the Hospital. County Auditor Dick Jones stated it was unfair to the County Council to compare percentages while pennies would mean more. Also what these taxes are for should be looked at. County Council President Satterly stated the people of the County cannot stand any more taxes. Mayor Orem said he feels what he has propsed will help those people that cannot stand any more taxes. Council President Harrod and County Council President Satterly will set up a meeting with the State Tax Commission to see how much can be gained versus how much it will cost the taxpayers. Mayor Orem said he hoped no one took this personal, that we need to look to the future with full deliberation and full knowledge of what we are doing. Our initial drive should be to provide a more efficient government with lower taxes. This is why Mayor Orem is asking for proper deliberation before any decision is made. Councilman Caldwell stated his appreciation for the need to look hard at all the facts and suggests Clarksville Town Board President Dickman be included in the meeting. PAGE 5 FEBRUARY 6, 1989 Ms. Betty Moss, a resident of 3808 Hamburg Pike addressed the Council asking if a county-wide taxation with unified services had ever been considered. Councilman Perkins answered township-wide taxes and services had been discussed but not the entire county. Ms. Moss then questioned if the Meadows subdivision Jeffersonville. President Harrod assured Ms. process of taking in the Meadows. Council President Harrod made maximum of $200 per month, per employee, would be annexed by Moss the City is in the the motion the City pay a for hospitalization insurance. Councilman Perkins ayes. Councilman Caldwell abstained from the vote. Councilman Williams spoke on behalf of Mr. Bobby being appointed to the Redevelopment Board saying he felt Mr. seconded the motion which passed with a vote of 5 Campbell Campbell would be a fine addition to the Board, hoping each Councilman would meet Mr. Campbell. Councilman Williams then made a motion to appoint Mr. Bobby Campbell to the Redevelopment Board, seconded by Councilman Perkins. The motion passed with 5 ayes. Councilman Waiz abstained stating he has never met or heard of Mr. Campbell. Councilman Caldwetl recognized the students from Jeffersonville High School attending the meeting. Councilman Perkins also spoke to the students stating the meetings are open and all may speak without signing up ahead of time. Councilman Perkins asked that his request for a street light in the Court Avenue alley be considered again. Councilman Perkins then asked what had been done with the approximately $575,000 received from the County in settlement of the City-County Building. Clerk and Treasurer Spencer said a Certificate of Deposit earning 8.65% had been purchased in the name of City of Jeffersonville Special General Non-Reverting Fund. Clerk and Treasurer Spencer speaking as a taxpayer informed the Council at this rate the money will earn approximately $50,000 a year in interest. This can only be accomplished if expenditures from this fund are scrutinized to the fullest extent. writting a letter to the State Examiner these funds may be handled. He also stated he will be asking for guidelines on how for the Animal Shelter. He then asked Councilman Waiz to serve on a committee Chambers. There were no objections to PAGE 6 FEBRUARY 6, 1989 Councilman Perkins will start proceedings to collect the funds · t Council Preszden Harrod and with him to redesign Council this committee. Councilman Perkins has conferred with a local businessman that wants to expand and needs to get with Mayor Orem and City Attorney Filer. Council President Harrod thanked County Council Preszden Satterly and Auditor Jones for their input to the meeting. Redevelopment Director Gowens has asked Council President Harrod to set up a meeting between a Louisville businessman, Mayor Orem, and the Council. Council President Harrod will set the meeting up. The regularly changed to February 25, March 20 at 7:30 P.M. Mayor Orem invited the legislative meeting in Indianapolis, scheduled meeting for February 18 will be and the March 18 meeting will be changed to Council to attend the annual Wednesday, February 8, 1989. to come before the Council, at 9:05 P.M., There being no further business Council President Harrod made the motion to adjourn seconded by Councilman Perkins and carried unanimously. ATTEST: C. R'ICHARD SPEWER JR.~CLEBK AND TREASURER