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Home My WebLink About01-08-2007 COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA January 8, 2007 The Common Council of the City of Jeffersonville, Indiana met in regular session in Room 101, City Hall, 500 Quartermaster Court, Jeffersonville, Indiana, at 7:30 P.M. on Monday January 8, 2007. Mayor Rob Waiz, with Deputy Clerk Barbara Hollis at the desk, called the meeting to order. Also present was City Attorney Les Merkley. Mayor Waiz welcomed all in attendance, asking all those present to stand as Councilperson Grooms gave the invocation. MayorWaiz 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, Phil McCauley, and Ron Grooms. Absent: None. Councilperson Perkins made the motion to approve the agenda as presented, second by Councilperson Sellers, passing on a vote of7-0. Mayor Waiz presented the minutes for consideration by the Council. Councilperson Wilson made the motion to approve the minutes of December 18, 2006,' (7:30 P.M.) as presented, second by Councilperson Zastawny, passing on a vote of7-0. Deputy Clerk Treasurer Hollis presented the claim list for consideration by the Council. Councilperson Perkins made the motion to approve the claims as presented, second by Councilperson Zastawny, passing on a vote of7-0. PUBLIC COMMENT: Mr. R. Summers appeared before the Council to ask the Council to consider an amendment to annexation to exempt those from the poverty level. Mr. Summers also asked when the public meetings that were promised would be held. COUNCIL COMMENTS: There were no Council comments as this time. DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS: There were no Department Head reports. January 8, 2007 2 AGENDA ITEMS: Mr. Dennis Julius, representing 300 Spring appeared before the Council to request the City's help with downtown parking. Mr. Julius presented a letter from Mr. Chuck Mattingly, President, Homer Novelty, requesting the City lease the parking lot across the street from his business, (attached). Mr. Julius explained the City leases a lot by Tubby's that is not used much. This lease is up in June. Mr. Julius does appreciate the lot behind his building. The parking problem in downtown is a hooray. There was a time when there was not enough business downtown. Mayor Waiz will meet with the owner of the parking lot later this week. Councilperson Perkins informed Mr. Julius that UEZ is renting the Tubby's lot, suggesting he get with Redevelopment Director Barry Cahill. Councilperson Grooms asked if Mr. Julius knows what the annual lease would cost. Mr. Julius stated he does not know. Councilperson McCauley said his conversation with the owner of the lot was not pleasant. Council President Fetz made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2006-0R-68, An Ordinance Banning Convicted Sex Offenders From Public Property Owned By The City Of Jeffersonville And/Or The City's Subdivisions on the second and third readings. Councilperson Grooms received a call from the Park Board President Kevin LaGrange concerning the sign requirements and the cost. Park Board President LaGrange is concerned the cost of the signs is not in the budget. Councilperson Sellers asked if any rules are posted. President LaGrange replied only three areas have rules posted. Council President F etz suggests this might be time to get and post rules. President LaGrange estimates signage to cost $10,000 to $12,000. Council President Fetz feels it is necessary to post signs to uphold the Ordinance. Councilperson Perkins stated if funding is needed the City Council will provide it. Councilperson Sellers wants to make sure all are on a level playing field. Councilperson Perkins withdrew his second and Council President Fetz withdrew his motion. Council President Fetz then made the motion to change the date for signage to March 1, and pass on the second and third readings, second by Councilperson Perkins. Councilperson McCauley is personally in favor of providing funds asking if the March 1 date is enough time. He would be in favor of changing the date if a good faith effort is made. President LaGrange does not want to put fear in people. Councilperson Fetz feels there may be fear if there are no rules. Attorney Larry . January 8, 2007 3 Wilder said the Ordinance is unenforceable if signs are not up. Notice is key to enforcement. The motion to pass Ordinance No. 2006-0R-68 as amended passed on the second and third readings on a vote of 7 -0. City Attorney Les Merkley presented an amended Ordinance No. 2006-0R-n, An Ordinance Establishing Building Authority Non-Reverting Fund. Councilperson McCauley made the motion to accept the amended current revised Ordinance, second by Council President Fetz, passing on a vote of 7-0. Councilperson Perkins then made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2006-0R-72 on the second and third readings, second by Councilperson Wilson, passing on a vote of 7 -0. Councilperson Perkins introduced Ordinance No. 2007-0R-l, An Ordinance Amending Ordinance 97-0R-73 And Repealing Ordinance 97-0R-74, Councilperson Perkins feels all current Board members are diligent and industrious. All current members will remain members. Councilperson Perkins made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2007-0R-l on the first reading. Mr. Bruce Wright, Drainage Board Chairman, feels the theory sounds good, however he cautions the Council. Chairman Wright reviewed the qualifications of the current Board. He is concerned for next year if continuity is lost as projects are ongoing over years. He feels a change in membership would be damaging. Councilperson Perkins noted the original Ordinance called for annual appointments. The object was for representatives from different areas and the Board would be an overseer. Councilperson McCauley noted the original idea was for each Council member to appoint a member from his or her district. He does not feel there would be any change. He would consider longer terms that are staggered. Chairman Wright noted the role of the Board has changed over the 10 years. ^' ~ Councilperson Perkins made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2007-0R-l on the first reading, second by Councilperson Wilson. Council President Fetz said he is overall pleased with what the Board has done. Chairman Wright said only 19 municipalities in the State are in compliance. Jeffersonville is 1 of the 19. Mayor Waiz commend the Board for what they have done. Councilperson Grooms said this is not an attempt to dismantle the Board. The Council is looking at approving claims and purchasing by all Boards. He notes the need for more communication. The motion to pass Ordinance No. 2007-0R-l on the first reading passed on a vote of7-0. . January 8, 2007 4 CLERK TREASURER COMMENTS: Deputy Clerk Hollis called attention to the claims approved under the Building Authority budget. Councilperson McCauley said the Board of Public Works has approved a lease for City Hall. The lease is for one year so that costs may be determined. COMMITTEE REPORTS, COUNCIL AND MAYOR COMMENTS: Council President Fetz reported the Board Of Public Works and Safety has approved the plans for construction of the fire stations. He understands sprinklers are not included in tlw revised plans. There has been a fire at station #2. He is hard pressed to require business owners to comply with sprinklers when the City does not. Mayor Waiz said sprinklers are not required in all buildings. Councilperson Fetz fells the City has taken a huge step in passing the Sex Offender Ordinance. This will create a safer environment. This may have uncovered another problem regarding the posting of rules. Openness and working together creates a better community. Councilperson Grooms said Street Commissioner Ron Ellis would give his year- end report at the next meeting. Ms. Sharon Marra from Solid Waste will also be on the next meeting agenda. Councilperson Wilson appreciates the work the Drainage Board has done. She has high praise, as there are a lot of good people on the Board. Councilperson Zastawny asked if there has been discussion regarding sidewalks at the Elks Club. Mayor Waiz said there has been. He will let Councilperson Zastawny know when the next meeting will take place. Councilperson Zastawny feels it is appropriate to set up one more annexation meeting. Councilperson McCauley is in the process of setting up one more. He feels Mayor Waiz may also want to have a meeting. There are needs in the annexation area the City may not be able to solve all at once. Councilperson Zastawny is looking at changing the zoning Ordinance regarding used car lots. Councilperson Zastawny reviewed the upcoming Optimist annual fundraiser. Councilperson Perkins yields his time to former Building Commissioner Bill Gavin. Mr. Gavin informed the Council that State law dictates sprinklers. Council President Fetz would like to study the possibility of sidewalks on Hopkins Lane. Councilperson Wilson has received calls regarding sidewalks on Springdale and Hopkins. January 8, 2007 5 Council President Fetz said there would be a workshop at 6:00 P.M. prior to the next Council meeting. He will invite Engineer Jorge Lanz to review sidewalks. Mayor Waiz invited all to the fire station groundbreaking. He will be giving the State of the City address at the Rotary Club tomorrow. adjourned 8:50 P.M. As there was no further business to corne befo ATTEST: ~~O(Q~ PEGGY WI D , CL~RK AND TREASURER iI, the meeting was .. " ., HORNER < NOVELTY~ Party . 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