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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 2 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. February 26, 2007 3 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, " February 26, 2007 4 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 February 26, 2007 5 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 February 26, 2007 6 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. ~T: -. , ~0.~(l PEGGY ~, C-LERK AND TREASURER