HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-10-2005COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS OF THE
COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA
January 10, 2005
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 January 10, 2005.
Mayor Rob Waiz, with Clerk Treasurer Peggy Wilder at the desk, called the
meeting to order. Also present were City Attorney Les Merkley, and Deputy Clerk
Barbara Hollis. Mayor Waiz welcomed all in attendance, asking all those present to stand
as Street Commissioner Ron Ellis gave the invocation. Mayor Waiz 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 John Perkins, Ed
Zastawny, Keith Fetz, Connie Sellers, Barbara Wilson, Ron Grooms, and Phil McCauley.
Absent: None
Councilperson Grooms made the motion to approve the agenda with the deletion
of agenda item #13, replacing it with Tax Abatement Discussion, table agenda item #15,
replacing it with Revolving Loan Fund Discussion, second by Councilperson Fetz,
passing on a vote of 7-0.
Mayor Waiz presented the minutes of the meeting of December 20, 2004 for
approval. Councilperson Wilson made the motion to approve the minutes of as
presented, second by Councilperson Fetz, passing on a vote of 7-0.
Clerk Treasurer Wilder presented the claim list for consideration by the Council.
Councilperson Grooms made the motion to approve the claims as presented, seconded by
Councilperson Zastawny passing on a vote of 7-0.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Ms Patricia Lowery is concerned that following floods the Greenway project will
be a mess. Mayor Waiz explained the plan for a walkway on top o£the riverbank, saying
it will be a nice project.
January 10, 2005 2
Mr. Derek Spence urged Mayor Waiz and Councilperson Grooms who are
members of the Solid Waste Board, to keep the program going. Recycling records have
been set in this County.
DEPARTMENT HEARD REPORTS:
Ms. Peggy Duffy, Beautification Committee chair, explained the group has big
plans for this year. She is looking for a means to take in donations and make purchases.
She urges all to participate.
Ms. Kathy Hailer, Department of Redevelopment Consultant, presented the City
of Jeffersonville Department of Redevelopment Annual Report 2004, asking all to review
this and call if there are questions.
AGENDA ITEMS:
Clerk Treasurer Wilder presented and explained the need for passage of
Ordinance No. 2005-OR-1, An Ordinance Amending Ordinance No. 2004-OR-64, Fixing
Basic Salaries Of Appointed Officers And Employees Of The City Of Jef£ersonville,
Indiana For The Year 2005. Planning and Zoning Director Chester Hicks spoke of the
need for the change in his department. Clerk Treasurer Wilder said the Youth
Commission Director had previously been paid from two areas and is now paid from one.
Following all discussion, Councilperson Perkins made the motion to pass Ordinance No.
2005-OR-1 on the first reading, second by Councilperson Zastawny, passing on a vote of
7-0.
Planning and Zoning Director Chester Hicks explained the need for passage of
Resolution no. 2005-R-1, Resolution To Advertise For Additional Appropriation.
Councilperson Perkins made the motion to pass Resolution 2005-R-1, second by
Councilperson Sellers, passing on a vote of 7-0.
City Attorney Merkley presented Ordinance No. 2004-OR-80, An Ordinance
Establishing A Non-Reverting Fund For The Jeffersonville City Fire Department For The
Purchase Of Equipment. Firefighter Tony Decker explained the plans for the usage of
this fund. The supplies would be fire prevention materials. Councilperson Grooms made
the motion to amend the Ordinance with "supplies for programs and said equipment",
second by Councilperson Perkins, passing on a vote ofT-0. Councilperson Grooms then
January 10, 2005 3
made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2004-OR-80 as amended on the second and third
readings, second by Councilperson Wilson, passing on a vote of 7-0.
Council President McCauley reviewed the tax abatements that had been discussed
during the workshop. Council President McCauley then made the motion to reaffirm the
tax abatement for Roll Forming in its original form and amount, second by Councilperson
Wilson, passing on a vote of 7-0. Council President McCauley made the motion to
establish a committee of Councilperson Grooms, and Perkins, to study the policy for new
conditions for granting tax abatements and review abatements previously given, second
by Councilperson Fetz. Councilperson Grooms asks that Councilperson Perkins be
named chairman. The motion passed on a vote of 7-0. Council President McCauley then
made the motion to include Redevelopment Director Barry Cahill in the committee,
second by Councilperson Grooms, passing on a vote of 7-0. Council President
McCauley then made the motion to appoint a committee to include Redevelopment
Director Cahill, Councilperson Zastawny, Chair, Council President McCauley, and
Councilperson Sellers, to examine debt, revenue, obligations, general solvency of the
T.I.F. districts, second by Councilperson Perkins, passing on a vote of 7-0.
Councilperson Perkins made the motion to authorize Redevelopment Director Cahill to
notify the Clark County Auditor and Prestwick Square that action may be taken, second
by Council President McCauley, passing on a vote of 7-0.
City Attorney Les Merkley explained Ordinance No. 2005-OR-2, An Ordinance
Amending Section 35.08 Of The Jeffersonville Municipal Code Regulating Holiday Pay
For City Employees, Excluding Police Officers And Firefighters. Councilperson Perkins
made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2005-OR-2 on the first reading, second by
Councilperson Grooms. Councilperson Fetz asked if FEMA money is available for the
recent storm. Mayor Waiz said Safety Director George Trembly is working on this as
well as talking to Emergency Management Director Harold Plummer. Councilperson
Grooms asked if there might be areas where this could become a financial burden on
departments. Mayor Waiz said this has been reviewed. Following al! discussion, the
motion to pass Ordinance No. 2005-OR-2 on the first reading passed on a vote of 7-0.
Council President McCauley made the motion to appoint Redevelopment Director
Barry Cahill, Councilpersons Fetz, McCauley, and Grooms, to a committee to study the
January 10, 2005 4
five outstanding RevoIving Loans of $438,000, the loan to Haven House, and recommend
to the Council how they should be handled, second by Councilperson Perkins, passing on
a vote of 7-0.
Councilperson Fetz made the motion to elect Councilperson Grooms as President
of the Council for 2005, second by Councilperson Perkins, passing on a vote of 7-0.
Councilperson McCanley made the motion to elect Councilperson Wilson as Vice
President of the Council for 2005, second by Council President Grooms, passing on a
vote of 7-0.
Councilperson Perkins made the motion to appoint Council President Grooms to
the Solid Waste Board for 2005, second by Councitperson Sellers, passing on a vote of 7-
0.
Councilperson Zastawny made the motion to appoint Councilperson Perkins, to
the Redevelopment Board for 2005, second by Councilperson Wilson, passing on a vote
of 7-0.
CouncilpersonoWilson made the motion to appoint Nathan Samuels for the
Redevelopment Board for 2005, second by Councilperson Zastawny, passing on a vote of
7-0.
Councilperson Perkins made the motion to appoint Councilperson Fetz to the Plan
Commission for 2005, second by Councilperson Grooms, passing on a vote of 7-0
Councilperson Fetz made the motion to appoint Councilperson Wilson to serve as
a member of SIEDC, second by Councilperson Zastawny, passing on a vote of 7-0
Councilperson Perkins made the motion to appoint Councilperson McCauley as a
member of the Ethics Commission, second by Councilperson Wilson, passing on a vote
of 7-0.
Councilperson Perkins made the motion to appoint Councilperson Wilson to a
four-year term on the E.D.C. Board, second by Councilperson Fetz, passing a vote of 7-0.
Councilperson Perkins made the motion to appoint Councilperson Sellers to the
Board of Public Works for 2005, second by Councilperson Wilson, passing on a vote of
7-0.
Councilperson Fetz made the motion to appoint Mac Kircher to the Tree Board
for 2005, second by Councilperson Wilson, passing on a vote of 7-0.
January 10, 2005 5
Council President Grooms asked the Council to be prepared to appoint liaisons at
the next meeting.
Council President Grooms has been informed that Councilperson McCauley
cannot serve on the Ethics Commission. Councilperson Perkins made the motion to fill
the vacancy at the next meeting, second by Councilperson Zastawny, passing on a vote of
7-0.
Councilperson Perkins announced a workshop to discuss, review, and study
annexation Thursday at 10:00 A.M. He invites all Council to attend as well as
Redevelopment Director Cahill, Planning and Zoning Director Chester Hicks, and Street
Commissioner Ron Ellis. City Attorney Merkley will post the notice.
Clerk Treasurer Wilder explained the need for passage of Ordinance No. 2004-
OR-3, Tax Anticipation Warrants. Councilperson McCauley made the motion to suspend
the rules for Ordinance No. 2004-OR-3, second by Council President Grooms, passing on
a vote of 7-0. Councilperson McCauley then made the motion to pass Ordinance No.
2004-OR-3 on all three reaodings, second by Councilperson Grooms, passing on a vote of
7-0.
CLERK TREASURER COMMENTS:
There were no further comments.
COUNCIL AND MAYOR COMMENTS:
Council President Grooms announced the Council meetings in February will be
February 7 and 28.
Councilperson Wilson welcomed Councilperson Grooms as President. She is
looking forward to a productive year.
Councilperson Perkins congratulated Council President Grooms on his election to
the Council Presidency. Councilperson Perkins asked that claims be paid only from the
appropriate lines. Council President Grooms said he is in favor of stricter rules. Clerk
Treasurer Wilder said this will create more paperwork as transfer ordinances, noting the
Council approves all transfers. This will be discussed in workshop.
Councilperson Zastawny thanked Councilperson McCauley for serving as Council
President in 2004. He also congratulates Council President Grooms on his election.
Councilperson Zastawny said he spent a day with the fire department. He encourages all
January 10, 2005 6
to do the same. He wishes his best to Coupcilperson Perkins as a member of the
Redevelopment Commission. There will be a-bmak-f-a~t put on by the Breakfast Optimists,
Saturday, at St. Augustine's Halt starting at 7:30 ~;:1~[."-'~. ~.k.
Councilperson Fetz said there is another appointment to the Tree Board.
Councilperson McCauley will serve. Councilperson Fetz announced the Firefighters
Union has a union hall/community center in the old Quadrangle Fire House. The
International Firefighters Union meeting will be in Jeffersonville in March. Donations
will be requested.
Councilperson Sellers thanks Councilperson McCauley for his year as Council
President. She is looking forward to working with Council President Grooms.
Councilperson McCanley congratulates Council President Grooms saying it will
be more challenging and take more time then he thinks and he will be glad when it is
over. Councilperson McCauley will give the State of the City Council address at the next
meeting. The first Friday with the Mayor was last Friday. It is a good step forward and
will be very useful.
Council President Grooms reviewed the workshop agenda. The workshop will
start at 5:30 with an Executive Meeting at 7:00 P.M. on Monday, January 24, 2005.
Council President Grooms thanked Councilperson McCauley for a job well done.
Extraordinary leadership was shown. He then told Mayor Waiz it was a very good year.
He has taken the lead in opening his door to the Council on the Friday before the
meetings. This environment is working very well and we all need to applaud ourselves.
It has been a debate, not hate atmosphere. Committees and liaisons should work well for
this group. Mayor Waiz and the Council have taken the lead in their respective strengths.
The theme is all to take a lead as alt have skills. He pledges to the Mayor to conduct
meetings in a manner to be proud of. Council President Grooms pledges cooperation,
saying he is honored by the vote and confidence.
Mayor Waiz expressed his appreciation for the leadership shown by
Councilperson McCauley in 2004. He is looking forward to working with Council
President Grooms in 2005. Mayor Waiz will be giving the State of the City address to
the Rotary a week from tomorrow. He then noted Nellie Knowland celebrated her 60th
January 10, 2005 7
wedding anniversary last month and this month is the 60th wedding anniversary of Mr.
and Mrs. Don Dooley.
As there was no further business to
/
adjourned 9:15 P.M.
Council, the meeting was
ATTEST:
MAYOR