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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-01-02 COUNCIL PROCEEDiNGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA JULY 1, 2002 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 the 1st day of July, 2002. The meeting was called to order by Council President Denny Frantz, with Clerk and Treasurer Peggy Wilder at the desk. Also present was Deputy Clerk Barbara Hollis. President Frantz welcomed ail in attendance, asking all those present to stand as Councilperson Ron Ellis gave the invocation. 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 Conlin. Absent: None. Councilperson Waiz made the motion to approve the agenda with the addition of 1 IA - Councilperson Conlin regarding City Projection, seconded by Councilperson Ellis, passing on a vote of 6-0. Council President Frantz did not vote. President Frantz presented the minutes of the meeting of June 17, 2002 for consideration by the Council. Councilperson Waiz made the motion to approve the minutes following the correction of a spelling error, seconded by Councilperson Wilson, passing on a vote of 6-0. Council President Frantz did not vote. Clerk and 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, passing on a vote of 6-0. Council President Frantz did not vote. PUBLIC COMMENT: There was no public comment REP ORT S: Councilperson Grooms has requested reports from the Drainage Board and the Redevelopment Commission. July 1, 2002 2 Mr. Tom Locke, Chairman of the Drainage Board, appeared before the Council, saying fees have been collected for about one year. There have been some billing problems, however there is a new software system and billing seems to be going well. There are some questions with some businesses. The only involvement with the Lancassange project has been billing. Mr. Locke personally feels this project should be done. Mr. Locke explained only City residents pay the drainage fee. Mr. Locke cannot say billing is 100% correct for businesses. This is being worked on. Mr. Locke said if there are those that should have been billed and have not been would not have to back pay. Other than the Mellwood project, the first $500,000 will be used for maintenance. Mr. Bobby Campbell, President of the Redevelopment Commission, appeared before the Council, referring to Mr. David Duggins, Redevelopment Director, for an update. Director Duggins said application for Quartermaster tax exempt bonding financing has been applied for. He feels the money that was invested will be received back at no cost to the City. Director Duggins converses daily with the developer. Rental money received from the property goes to Redevelopment for overhead costs. The average monthly income is $15,000, with $5,000 to $7,000 per month in expenses. Closing should take place by the end of December or the first of January. The 10th and Spring Street project is the #1 project. This is a partnership with the Urban Enterprise Zone. Councilperson Ellis said he has received a legal opinion that it is not legal to swap properties. Director Duggins said the swap would be of property only, not structures. Environmental testing has been done, however the report has not been received. The property known as the Pet Paradise property is being held pending acquisition of adjacent property. The adjacent property owners have been approached. All projects are monitored monthly. Buckheads and Rockys do own the property. They do pay rental overage. Next spring the construction of 5 lanes on l0th Street from Spring to Penn will start. An architect has been contracted to design a new City Hall. The closing on the Paddocks Property is in the final stages. Representatives have spoken with Robinson Foundry. A request for environmental testing was denied. Other property owners in the area are being contacted. Councilperson Grooms stated the Pet Paradise and the Wilcox- Westerfield properties could be taken care of better. Councilperson Merkley is concerned for the time the City has to be out of the City-County Building. Director July 1, 2002 3 Duggins understands the City would be able to stay at the cost that is currently being paid. Ordinance No. 2002-OR-12, An Ordinance Transferring Certain Funds Within Same Department (City Engineer) was presented for consideration. Councilperson Merktey made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2002-OR-12 on the second and third readings, seconded by Councilperson Waiz, passing on a vote of 6-0. Council President Frantz did not vote. Clerk Treasurer Wilder presented and explained Ordinance No. 2002-OR-14, An Ordinance Replacing Ordinance #2002-OR-11, An Ordinance Establishing Longevity For City Employees Other Than Police And Fire Officials. Councilperson Merkley made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2002-OR-14 on the first reading, seconded by Councilperson Wilson, passing on a vote of 6-0. Councilperson Frantz did not vote. Councilperson Conlin read aloud a letter (attached) addressed to Mayor Galligan. She then asked for an update from Councilperson Waiz on his investigation into health insurance rates for the City. Councilperson Waiz stated Mayor Galligan had told him it was O.K. to contact Humana regarding the City health insurance. Last Thursday he was told Humana had received a letter from Mayor Galligan stating only the Culpepper Group could be given information. He had asked Diane Swank of the Culpepper Group about Humana and she said she thought they were not interested. Councilperson Conlin then read the letter from Mayor Galligan that Councilperson Waiz referred to. Councilperson Conlin then made the motion to pass Resolution No. 2002-R-21, A Resolution rescinding Ordinance No. 2002-OR-8, seconded by Councilperson Grooms, passing on a vote of 5- 1. Councilperson Merkley voted no and Council President Frantz did not vote. Councilperson Conlin explained this Council does want to see the Court Avenue Extension Project completed, however at this time the City is under a financial crisis. Councilperson Merkley feels the projected does need to be put out for open bids. Councilperson Conlin noted an article in the Evening News about a letter written by County Commissioner David Lewis about the County health insurance. Councilperson Ellis noted his previous requests for project updates and the Resolution passed, and that no updates have been received. Councilperson Grooms questions if there is a statute that gives an Agent of Record authority? Councilperson Merkley said statutes are few. He July 1, 2002 4 feels taxpayers are going to suffer if an Agent of Record is used to monopolize insurance. Councilperson Conlin stated the Council is elected to represent the taxpayers and the employees. COUNCIL AND MAYOR COMMENTS: Councilperson Grooms is glad to see President Frantz here tonight as he has had some health problems. Council P~-esident Frantz said he was in the hospital last Wednesday and Thursday and he appreciates all the calls and good wishes. Councilperson Grooms thanked Chairman Locke, President Campbell, and Director Duggins. Council President Frantz asked all to remember the workshop for tomorrow. There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 P.M THOMAS R. OR ATTEST: PEGGY WILDER, CLERK AND TREASURER THE VERONICA CONLIN Councilperson At Large 1501 Utica Pike Jeffersonville. IN 47130 (812 282-3286 Honie (502~ 291-1838 Mobile The Honorable Thomas R. Galligan Mayor of the City of Jeffersonville 501 E. Court Ave. Jeffersonville, Indiana 47130 July 1, 2002 Dear Ma/yo~rr Galligan, As we both know the City Council and City Administration is facing the problem of how we are going to fund the City Employee's Health Insurance for the remainder of the budget year 2002. At the last Council Meeting on June 17, 2002, I remember stating the Members of the Common Council had requested that the City's Housing Authority and Sewage Department be asked for Payment In Lieu Of Taxes. I also stated that is was the consensus of the Council to halt all Construction projects until we were able to address the issue at hand. At this time, I am asking for a written report on all construction projects presently, and planned for the future. Which City department's are involved and what projects for each specific department. Budgeted line items fi.om those departments that expect to pay the expenditures. Projects from Sewage Department, Local Streets. Roads, and Redevelopment Department and how much is the cost. Although Local Streets and Roads is not tax payer's money per se, the employees health insurance does come out of the City's General Fund. The statement was made regarding that; some projects are funded by non-local agencies. I believe it is also important the Council know which projects are being funded by these agencies. My f'mal request is in regards to the Court Avenue Extension. As you know I have been a strong supporter along with other member of the council. D o you have any thoughts on ,, .) where the $300,000.00 will be coming fi.om and when exactly the match of 20% is needed. AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER THE VERONICA CONLIN Councilperson At Large 150I Utica Pike Jeffersonville. IN 47130 (812 ~ 282-3286 Horfie (502~ 291-1838 Mobile Page Two: Report on Construction Projects: (1) Which City departments are involved and what projects for these specific departments. (2) Budgeted line items from departments expected to pay expenditures. (3) Projects from Sewage. Local Roads. Streets. and Redevelopment Departments and cost. (4) Which projects are funded by non-local agencies? (5) Which accounts will the $300,000.00 for the Courl Avenue Extension be out of and when is money needed. Sincerely, Vicki Conlin, Couneilperson Seffersonville Common Council AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER