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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-02-2003COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA June 2, 2003 The Common Council of the City of Jeffersonville, Indiana met in regular session in the Multi-Purpose Meeting Room in the City-County Building, Jeffersonville, Indiana, at 7:30 P.M. on Monday, June 2, 2003. Mayor Tom Galligan, with Deputy Clerk Barbara Hollis at the desk, called the meeting to order. Also present was City Attorney Anne Marie Galligan. Mayor Galligan welcomed all in attendance, asking all those present to remain seated as Councilperson Ron Grooms gave the invocation. Mayor Galligan 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 Les Merkley, Denny Frantz, Rob Waiz, Barbara Wilson, Ron Grooms, and Vicki Conlin. Absent: Ron Ellis. Councilperson Grooms made the motion to add to the agenda the petition of KasIe Steel as item #9, second by Councilperson Conlin, passing unanimously. Councilpersen Merkley made the motion to add the sewer board appointment to the agenda as item #14A, second by Council President Waiz, passing unanimously. Councilperson Grooms made the motion to a discussion of EDIT taxes as item #14B, second by councilperson Merkley, passing unanimously. Councilperson Merkley made the motion to add the Laserfische demonstration as agenda item #9A, second by Councilperson Conlin passing unanimously. Councilperson Merkley made the motion to approve the agenda as amended, second by Councilperson Grooms, passing unanimously. Mayor Galligan presented the minutes of the meetings of May 12, 2003, and May 19, 2003 for consideration by the council. Councilperson Conlin made the motion to approve the Mayl2, 2003 minutes and the May 19, 2003 minutes as presented, second by Councilperson Wilson passing unanimously. Deputy Clerk Hollis presented the claim list for consideration by the Council, asking that one additional claim be added. Councilperson Conlin made the motion to June 2, 2003 2 approve the claims, including the additional, as presented, second by Councilperson Grooms passing unanimously. PUBLIC COMMENT: Ms. Judy Sapp appeared before the Council to ask why she is being denied equal access. Ms. Sapp said the City Attorney will not return her phone calls and she would like to be equal. Attorney Galligan said Ms. Sapp has filed a complaint with the Justice Department; therefore she is a litigant and would like Ms. Sapp to present her questions in writing. Ms. Sapp said she is not a litigant. Following further comments Mayor Galligan asked if Ms. Sapp was finished. Ms. Sapp said she will be finished when she has equal access. Mayor Galligan asked Ms. Sapp to sit down, explaining all she is being asked to do is put her questions in wri!ing. Ms. Sapp said she is being treated different. Attorney Galligan said she is being treated differently as she has filed a complaint with the Justice Department. Mayor Galligan said Ms. Sapp does have equal access. Following all discussion, Ms. Sapp apologized to the audience saying she is willing to sit down out of respect for the audience. AGENDA ITEMS: Mr. Bob Lanum, Attorney representing Kasle Metal Processing, appeared before the Council to request passage of Resolution No. 2003-R-6, A Resolution Approving Statement Of Benefits For Purposes Of Property Tax Abatement. Attorney Lanum reviewed the company and their hiring intentions. Mr. Dennis Balla of Kasle further explained the business and answered questions. Following all discussion, Councilperson Conlin made the motion to pass Resolution No. 2003-R-6, second by Council President Waiz, passing unanimously. Mr. Bill Kimmel, representin~ Laserfische, made a presentation for a website. Mr. Kimmel explained City Court, Clerk Treasurer, and Sewer departments presently have the Laserfische system. Following the demonstration Mr. Kimmel said the cost for the basic system would be about $10,000 and to tie all together, add G.I.S. and more scarmers would be about $38,000. Mr. Jim Gutting of Barnes and Thornburg, appeared before the Council to request passage of Ordinance No. 2003-OR-21, An Ordinance Of The City Of Jeffersonville, Indiana, Authorizing The Issuance Of Its Capital Development Tourism Fund Revenue June 2, 2003 3 Bond, Series Of 2003 (Floating Stage Project). Mr. Gutting explained the terms. Councilperson Grooms made the motion to suspend the rules for Ordinance No. 2003- OR-21, second by Councilperson Merkley, failing on a vote of 5-1. Councilperson Conlin voted in opposition. Councilperson Grooms made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2003-OR-21 on the first reading, second by Councilperson Merkley. Councilperson Conlin explained she is not against the floating barge. She would like to know what department will represent the barge, how much it will cost and where the money will come from. Mr. Gale Robinson, Director of Redevelopment, distributed and explained a fact sheet (attached). Mr. Robinson~ feels the expenses will be offset by revenue. Councilperson Wilson asked if there would be a need for storage. Mr. Robinson said that would be an option. Councilperson COnlin questioned if the Parks Department had been consulted. Director Robinson answered yes. Councilperson Conlin is also concerned about the liability costs and training of employees. She feels a lot of questions need to be looked at. Director Robinson said this would be a natural draw to downtown. The motion to pass Ordinance No. 2003-OR-21 passed unanimously on the first reading. Mr. Robert Lynn appeared before the Council to request passage of Ordinance No. 2003-OR-20, an Ordinance Changing The Zoning Map Designation Of A Certain Tract Of Property Being Part Of Survey No. 37 Of The Illinois Grant From C2: Medium To Large General Commercial To CI: Small To Medium Scale General Commercial. Mr. Lynn explained the area. This request received unanimous approval from the Plan Commission. Councilperson Wilson made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2003-OR- 20, second by Councilperson MerkleyI passing on a vote of 5-1. Councilperson Conlin voted against passage. Mr. Lynn invitfid all to the VIP luncheon for the Home Show. Councilperson Merkley proposed funding of the fixed asset program of approximately $17,000 as follows: $5,000 from Sewer, $6,000 from Council Special Projects, $6,000 from Mayor PromotiOn. Councilperson Conlin asked if the SIEDC bill has been paid. Mayor Galligan said he has obligations for his promotion fired. Mayor Galligan will meet with Councilpersun Merkley and the Sewer Board regarding the fimding. Deputy Hollis explained the need for passage of Resolution No. 2003-R-7, A Resolution To Advertise For An Additional Appropriation (General Fund - Common June 2, 2003 4 Council), and Resolution No. 2003-R~8, A Resolution to Advertise For An Additional Appropriation (General Fund - Clerk Treasurer). Following all discussion, Councilperson Merkley made the motion to pass Resolution No. 2003-R-7, second by Council President Waiz passing unanimously. Councilperson Merkley made the motion to pass Resolution No. 2003-R-8, second by Councilperson Conlin, passing on a vote of 5-1. Councilperson Grooms voted against passage. Councilperson Merkley made the motion to reappoint Jeffrey Caldwell for the Sanitary Sewer Board, second by Councilperson Conlin, passing on a vote of 5-0-1. Councilperson Grooms abstained. Attorney Galligan reminded the Council their Ordinance requires a member of the Sanitary Sewer Board to live in the City or be on City sewers. Councilperson Merkley said Mr. Caldwell owns property in the City. Mr. John Uhl, President of the Clark County Council appeared before the Council to appeal for a share of the construction costs for retirement of corrections debt from the recently imposed EDIT tax. All communities will be asked to participate. Mr. Uhl reviewed the project and presented a proposal sheet (attached). He does not want to see the cost be put on property tax. May~r Galligan feels there is a need to share with all participating communities. Mr. Uhl asked for a commitment of intent. Attorney Galligan said there is a need for an inteflocal agreement containing all the comniunity numbers. Mayor Galligan said he agrees in principle, there is a need to work out the facts. Councilperson Grooms asked when the plans would be final. Mr. Uhl said he expects them at the next County Council meeting. Following further discussion, Attorney Galligan said she does not see how the, council can vote on anything that is not in front of them. Mr. Uhl said he felt the tax restructuring is necessary to spread the burden. COUNCIL AND MAYOR COMIVlENTS: Councilperson Merkley asked about the grass at Thornton's. Mayor Galligan said there is a need to put funds in the budget next year for grass cutting and an Ordinance needs to be passed. Attorney Galligan explained notice has to be given. Councilperson Conlin is concerned with the grass at the old Sonic on Spring Street. Councilperson Merkley asked what actions are being taken for the City Offices. Mayor Galligan said they would remain where they are for now. June 2, 2003 5 Councilperson Wilson said JeffFest will be held June 14, and 15 and will include bar-b-que, a flag ceremony, and entertairunent for children. The Concerts In The Park have been in session for three weeks, she invites ail to come, and spread the word. Councilperson Grooms asked What work is being done at 8th and Meigs. Mayor Galligan said a water line was put ovei the sewer line and a cavity opened. He is hoping to patch the area tomorrow. Councilpefson Grooms asked if the 10th Street project would be finished this year. Mayor Gailigan Said the first phase will be. Councilperson Conlin said the SIEDC dues need to be paid. Councilperson Conlin then asked when the Court .Avenue extension would be complete. Mayor Galligan anticipates it will be complete by August. The rain has slowed the project. Mayor Gailigan said the contractor working on the project is amazed nobody has been killed. Councilperson Conlin asked about the negotiation with CSX. Attorney Galligan has taiked to CSX and will get a letter to the Police to allow enforcement of trespassing. She hopes to get more information on the property as good communication has been opened. Council President Waiz said he appreciates ail who came out tonight. Mayor Galligan said the GreenWay agreement was signed today. The Clarksville part will be done by October. There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was THOMAS R. ATTEST: ~ kJOD- PEGGY WILDER, CLERK AND TREASURER ORCHESTRA DECK BARGE FL( )XTING STAGE HISTORY: Built for 1988 Work's Fair in Knoxville, TN. Toured after World's Fair various ports on the Ohio River with Pictorial Display of the history of the Ohio River System. COST: · Grant from Convention and TOurism Bureau for $325K · Cost of Barge- $275K · $50k ($325K gl'ant - $275K Barge Cost) Use for dock preparation at Terrace Lawn location and miscellaneous expense. MAINTENANCE: Yearly maintenance project~on~, ~$$2~K_.~'AVould include normal: · Clean-up · Painting and Repair · High water storage Propose yearly maintenance and marketing expense be budget line item with Parks and Recreation Department.