HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-26-2007
COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS OF THE
COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA
February 26,2007
The Common Council ofthe 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 February 26, 2007.
Mayor Rob Waiz, with Deputy Clerk Treasurer Peggy Wilder at the desk, called
the meeting to order. Also present were City Attorney Les Merkley and Deputy Clerk
Treasurer Barbara Hollis. Mayor Waiz welcomed all in attendance, asking all those
present to stand as Councilperson John Perkins 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, Phil McCauley, and Ron Grooms.
Absent: None.
Following discussion, Councilperson Perkins made the motion to approve the
agenda with the removal of SOP Proposal and Job Description Proposal, replacing with
One Southern IN update and Resolution regarding supplemental revenue, second by
Councilperson Zastawny, passing on a vote of7-0.
Mayor Waiz presented the minutes of February 5, 2007 for consideration by the
Council. Councilperson Wilson made the motion to approve the minutes as presented,
second by Councilperson Sellers, passing on a vote of7-0.
Clerk Treasurer Wilder presented the claim list for consideration by the Council,
explaining a correction to IIMC total, and additional claims to Cousins Cleaning,
Vectren, Jacobi Toombs and Lanz, Micro-Analytics and AT&T. Councilperson
McCauley made the motion to approve the claims on the list including the correction as
well as the additional with the exception of AT&T, second by Councilperson Perkins,
passing on a vote of 6-0-1. Councilperson Grooms abstained. The Clerk Treasurer was
directed to forward the AT&T claim to the Department of Redevelopment. Council
President Fetz would like to look into the City Departments using the Sewage postage
machine rather than buying stamps.
February 26, 2007
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PUBLIC COMMENT:
Mr. Paul Fetter of Clark County Auto Auction appeared before the Council
presenting a letter and a petition regarding proposed zoning changes regarding used car
lots. He is concerned for the loss of revenue, jobs, parts stores, repair business, restaurant
business this may have an effect on. <:ouncilperson Zastawny asked if Mr. Fetter had
read the Ordinance. Mr. Fetter replied he had. Councilperson Zastawny feels it will
work through the process.
Mr. Dale Bagshaw is in support of Mr. Fetter's comments.
Mr. Scott Higgs also is in support of Mr. Fetter's comments. He also is concerned
with the value of his property should he wish to sell. He will take his concerns to
Planning and Zoning.
Mr. Edward Flank introduced himself as the UA W Community Action
representative. He feels the proposed zoning Ordinance denies opportunity for business.
There is a need for affirmative action to put kids in business. This is an infringement on
the rights of the working poor. There is a need to put kids in business, not in jails.
Mr. John Lockard supports Mr. Fetter's comments.
Mr. Mike Campbell stated he knows about representative government. He does
not feel it is fair is he is annexed and is not able to vote for those that represent him for
four years. He feels annexation is not fair. Annexation will affect the poor as in renters..
He asks to be left out of annexation.
Mr. R. Summers compared the first annexation financial plan and the updated..
He believes the price of annexation will continue to rise. Property tax reduction will not
happen. The costs have increased in five months. He asks the Council to put annexation
on hold.
Mr. Tim Harbin is in support ofMr. Fetter's comments.
COUNCIL COMMENTS:
Councilperson Perkins noted a professional company conducted the annexation
survey. Three to one are in favor of annexation in his district. He intends to introduce the
annexation ordinance at the next meeting.
Councilperson McCauley acknowledged the cost mcreases. Amendments are
anticipated.
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Councilperson Grooms stated the three bills in the House of Representatives
regarding annexation have been defeated. Referring to Mr. Campbell's point regarding
taxation without representation, Councilperson Grooms noted when a citizen is 17 years
old and working taxes must be paid that the citizen had no representative vote. Taxation
without representation is not unprecedented.
Councilperson McCauley agrees with Mr. Campbell's comment that renters could
be affected.
AGENDA ITEMS - OLD BUSINESS:
Clerk Treasurer Wilder presented Ordinance No. 2007-0R-3, An Ordinance of
Additional Appropriation (EDIT Fund - Building Commission Vehicle). Council
President Fetz asked that used vehicles be considered, as the department is not a high
mileage department. He suggests looking at a one or two-year old vehicle or a hybrid.
Clerk Treasurer Wilder noted Building Commissioner Segraves has worked with Deputy
Blair in getting a good price. Councilperson Perkins said Building Commissioner
Segraves is the first Department Head to embrace the purchase order system. Clerk
Treasurer Wilder noted IT Director Hardy and also worked within the purchase order
system. Councilperson Perkins made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2007-0R-3 on
the second and third readings, second by Councilperson Sellers passing on a vote of 7 -0.
Council President Fetz made the motion to approve the purchase order policy,
second by Councilperson Perkins, passing on a vote of7-0.
AGENDA ITEMS - NEW BUSINESS
Mr. Michael Dalby of One Southern Indiana appeared before the Council to give
an update and discuss the goals and purpose of One Southern Indiana. Councilperson
McCauley is pleased about the new property tax deduction for existing business and the:
fact that One Southern Indiana is providing the information. Councilperson McCauley
requests Mr. Dalby single out Jeffersonville in his next report.
Councilperson Grooms presented and explained Resolution No. 2007-R-7, A
Resolution Of The City Council Of The City Of Jeffersonville Indiana, Directing
Distribution Of Supplemental Revenues. This commits the City to set aside funds.
Councilperson Perkins stated it is important to have the Rainy Day Fund due to the
negative fiscal impact of the 2% circuit breaker. At the conclusion of all discussion,
"
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Councilperson Grooms made the motion to pass Resolution No. 2007-R-7, second by
Councilperson Zastawny, passing on a vote of7-0.
City Attorney Merkley presented and explained Ordinance No. 2007-0R-6, An
Ordinance Authorizing Jeffersonville Parks And Recreation Department To Receive
Debit And Credit Card Payments For Services And Fees. Councilperson Perkins made
the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2007-0R-6 on the first reading, second by
Councilperson Wilson, passing on a vote of 7-0. Councilperson Fetz noted the bid
process must be used in choosing a vendor.
City Attorney Merkley presented and explained Ordinance No. 2007-0R-7, An
Ordinance Amending Ordinance 99-0R-29, An Ordinance To Control The Growth Of
Weeds And Noxious Plants. Councilperson Perkins would like to add poison ivy, poison
sumac, and poison oak to #7. Building Commissioner Segraves explained the reason for
the Ordinance is to cut, note get rid of. Councilperson Perkins believes this would be a
tool to force property owners to take responsibility. Councilperson Perkins made the
motion to suspend the rules for Ordinance No. 2007-0R-7, second by Council President
Fetz, passing on a vote of 7-0. Councilperson Perkins then made the motion to pass
Ordinance No. 2007-0R-7 on all three readings with the inclusion of poison ivy, poison
sumac, and poison oak, second by Councilperson Wilson, passing on a vote of7-0.
Council President Fetz made the motion to pass Resolution No. 2007-R-8, A
Resolution To Advertise For An Additional Appropriation (EDIT Fund-IT), second by
Councilperson Sellers, passing on a vote of 7-0. Councilperson Zastawny noted his is a
good investment for the City.
Councilperson Perkins said he has been conferring with Sewer Board Member
Jeffrey Caldwell regarding the sewer billing office software. He is sorry he has not
spoken with Mayor Waiz. He is recommending a change in software to Keystone so that
is would be compatible with the Clerk Treasurer's Office. The Clerk Treasurer is
ultimately responsible to the State Board Of Accounts for assets and claims. Mayor Waiz
said Keystone made a presentation at the last Sewer Board meeting. It will be discussed
at the next meeting. The present system (Greentree) can offer on-line payments and will
work with Building Commission and Parks. The cost to switch is $85,000 for the
complete system and $50,000 without the billing system. Sewer Billing Officer Manager
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Kim Johnson noted the maintenance fee for Greentree is $1,000 a year. Clerk Treasurer
Wilder noted the problems with Greentree. Council President Fetz aid he will not pay on
line if there is a fee or service charge. Clerk Treasurer Wilder said a compatible system
would save time and there would be less errors. Council President Fetz asked about a
walk-up debit or credit system. Clerk Treasurer Wilder further noted the savings in
manpower and cost of materials. The Keystone system would allow for messages.
Councilperson Perkins said with a more economical system there would be less chance of
a raise in sewer rates. Manager Johnson said the Keystone system would not allow for
inserts.
COMMITTEE REPORTS AND COUNCIL COMMENTS:
Councilperson McCauley said there has been a lot of actIVIty regarding
annexation. There have been information sessions. The fiscal plan is coming along.
There will be changes. He has talked to many groups. There are major issues in the area
of drainage. There would be chance ofthese being addressed if in the County. He hopes
drainage issues will be included in the plan. There are problems that need to be fixed.
Funds will be available. The City is the only hope. This will not affect the tax rate, as
this is a user fee. Councilperson Perkins said it is important to realize priority drainage
areas. Councilperson McCauley said the Drainage Board would be expanded to include
representation from the annexed areas.
Councilperson Grooms asked if the fees would be captured? Council person
McCauley said no. There will be representation on the committee. Councilperson
Grooms noted the next workshop agenda would include Insurance Agent of Record Larry
Lynn and Redevelopment Director Barry Cahill with a list of tax abatements.
Councilperson Grooms thanks Officer Grimes for his attendance.
Council President Fetz called on Ethics Board Chairman Derek Spence for a
report. Chairman Spence said there are two referenced to the 1994 Ordinance that need
to be looked into. Council President Fetz announced an economic summit to be held on
March 1 at 6:30 P.M. He encourages all to come.
Councilperson Zastawny noted standards do need to be addressed regarding car
lots and repair lots. The proposed zoning changes will not affect current business, does
not stop business from coming in, it does make it a little more difficult. He encourages
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attendance at the Plan Commission meeting. Other changes are coming. He appreciates
all for coming and staying for the meeting.
CLERK TREASURER COMMENTS:
Clerk Treasurer Wilder does not have the records for the building of the Fire
Stations. She is required to have these records. Attorney Merkley said Clerk Treasurer
Wilder should be getting those. Clerk Treasurer Wilder said this should be automatic.
MA YOR COMMENTS:
Mayor Waiz said for all to have a pleasant eve
As there was no further business to com
o ncil, the meeting was
adjourned 9:00 P.M.
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PEGGY ~, C-LERK AND TREASURER