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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-15-97COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA DECEMBER 15, 1997 The Common Council of the City of Jeffersonville met in regular session in the Multi-Purpose Meeting Room in the City-County Building, Jeffersonville, Indiana, at 7:00 P.M. on the 15th day of December, 1997. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Thomas R. Galligan, with Deputy Clerk Barbara Hollis at the desk. Mayor Galligan welcomed all in attendance, asking all those present to stand as Councilperson Williams gave the invocation. Mayor Galligan asked all those present to join him in the pledge of allegiance to the flag. The roll was called and those present were Coun¢ilpersons John Perkins, Ron Ellis, Donna M. Frantz, Peggy Knight Wilder, Barbara Wilson, Andrew Williams III, and Vicky Conlin. Absent: None. Mayor Gatligan presented the minutes ofthe meeth~g of December 1, 1997 for consideration by the Council. Council President Wilson made the motion to approve the minutes as presented, seconded by Councilperson Williams and carried unanimously. Mayor Galligan asked for public comment. Mr. Thomas Cocbran, a resident of Martin Circle, told the Mayor and Council of the parking problems of the neighborhood involving the parking of vehicles some consider co~cial. Councilperson Ellis has talked with the Building Commissioner about this problem. Mayor Galligan said the offender has been cited to come before the Board of Public Works. Mayor Galligan explained that parking on City streets is open, however it is common courtesy to park in front of your own residence. Ms. Mattie Simpson spoke of similar parking problems in the same neighborhood. Mayor Galligan promised he will address the issue. Mr. David Lewis, Attorney representing Noah's Ark, appeared before the Council to request passage of Ordinance No. 97-OR-79, An Ordinance Changing The Zoning Map Designation Of A Certain Tract Of Property From R-1 To Planned Unit Development. This issue has been to the Plan Commission. The area is within the 2-mile fringe and the plan is for 14 homes at approximately $200,000 per home. Ms. Joan Smith, Executive Director of Noah's Ark said she does not expect any funding problems following the development. This program is an entry level foster care program and Page 2 of 6 will not be used as correction. Attorney Sedwick Cratligan explained what a planned unit development includes and also explained the procedures. Councilperson Perkins made the motion to suspend the roles for Ordinance No. 97-OR-79, seconded by Councilperson Frantz, failing on a vote of 6-1. Councilperson Conlin voted against suspension. Councilperson Perkins then made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 97-OR-79 on the first and second readings, seconded by Councilperson Frantz, passing unanimously. Mr. Mike Gillenwater appeared before the Council requesting passage of Resolution No. 97- R-47, A Resolution Accepting Grant Funds From The Paul Ogle Foundation, Inc. Attorney Gillenwater reviewed the grant and the intentions to build an animal shelter. Fund raising has begun and some surrounding entities have indicated they will help. The proposed shelter was described. Mayor Galligan feels this is a "can do" project and he commends Shelter Director Jim Gillenwater and Attorney Mike Gillenwater for their work on the project. Following all discussion, Councilperson Frantz made the motion to pass Resolution No. 97-R-47, seconded by Councilperson Ellis, passing unanimously. Attorney Sedwick Galligan presented Ordinance No. 97-OR-64, An Ordinance Fixing Basic Salaries Of Elected Officials Of The City Of Jeffersonville, Indiana For The Year 1998 for the second and third readings. Attorney Sedwick Galligan explained this is a public hearing and has been published. Councilperson Perkins said he will not vote for a salary of $47,000 for a "part-time" position. Councilperson Williams made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 97-OR-64 on the second and third readings, seconded by Council President Wilson. Councilperson Perkins said he can not justify the proposed salary for the City Court Judge and he does intend to vote against the Ordinance. Councilperson Wilder believes the salary is justified based on the position and the case load. Following continued discussion, the vote to pass Ordinance No. 97-OR-64 passed on a vote of 5-2, with Councilpersons Perkins and Frantz voting in opposition. Deputy Mayor Phil McCauley appeared before the Council to request passage of Resolution No. 97-R-48, A Resolution Approving Statement Of Benefits For Purposes Of Property Tax Abatement (Galvstar L.P.). This has been reviewed by the Council during a workshop. This will be in a T.I.F. District. Deputy McCauley reviewed the benefits, adding the project will pay approximately $459,000 per year after the 10 years. This is an important project that fits in well with Page 3 of 6 the Maritime Center. Councilperson Perkins is concerned for the cost to the taxpayers. Mayor Galligan feels this is a good investment in the future. Councilperson Perkins said this project is far outside the perimeters set by the Council but feels it will pass as the Council has a history of passing tax abatement requests. Councilperson Conlin made the motion to pass Resolution No. 97-R-48, seconded by Councilperson Frantz. Councitperson Wilder said the reason this Council has a history of passing tax ahatement requests is that Deputy McCauley does not present frivolous requests. The motion to pass Resolution No. 97-R-48 passed on a vote of 6-1 with Councilperson Perkins voting nay. Ordinance No. 97-OR-76, An Ordinance Transferring Certain Funds Within The Same Department (Mayor) was presented for the third and final reading. Councilperson Frantz made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 97-OR-76 on the third and final reading, seconded by Councilperson Wilder, passing unanimously. Ordinance No. 97-OR-78, An Ordinance Transferring Certain Funds Within Same Department (Fire Department) was presented for the third and final reading. Councilperson Frantz made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 97-OR-78 on the third and final reading, seconded by Councilperson Wilder, passing unanimously. City Attorney Sedwick Galligan presented and explained Ordinance No. 97-OR-80, An Ordinance Transferring Certain Funds Within Same Department (City Attorney). Coun¢ilperson Conlin made the motion to suspend the rules for Ordinance No. 97-OR-80, seconded by Councilperson Williams, failing on a vote of 6-1 with Councilperson Perkins voting no. Mayor Gailigan presented and explained Ordinance No. 97-OR~81, An Ordinance Transferring Certain Funds Within The Same Deparmaent (Mayor). Councilperson Perkins made the motion to suspend the roles for Ordinance No. 97-OR-81, seconded by Councilperson Ellis, passing unanimously. Councilperson Perkins made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 97-OR-81 on all three readings, seconded by Councilperson Williams, passing unanimously. Ordinance No. 97-OR-82, An Ordinance Transferring Certain funds Within Same Department (Vehicle Maintenance) was presented and discussedi Councilperson Conlin made the motion to suspend the rules for Ordinance No. 97-OR-82, seconded by Councilperson Williams, passing unanimously. Councilperson Conlin then made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 97-OR-82 on all Page 4 of 6 three readings, seconded by Councilperson Williams, passing unanimously. Resolution No. 97-R-49, A Resolution Of Annexation By Town Of Utica, was presented for consideration by the Council. Mr. Alan Hoffer explained the area and the need. The area will be developed to relocate families dislocated during the 1997 flood. Following all discussion, Councilperson Perkins made the motion to pass Resolution No.97-R-49, seconded by Councilperson Frantz. The motion to pass Resolution No. 97-R-49 passed on a vote of 6-0-1. Councilperson Wilder abstained from the vote. Mayor Gatligan presented and explained Ordinance No. 97-OR-83, An Ordinance Amending Certain Portion_s Of Section 1 Of Ordinance No. 97-OR-33 (Sanitation) Councilperson Perkins made the motion to suspend the rules for Ordinance No. 97-OR-83, seconded by Councilperson Ellis, passing unanimously. Coundlperson Perkins made the motion to pass Ordinance Nol 97-OR-83 on all three re.~dJngs, seconded by Councilperson Ellis. Councilperson Conlin stated the City going back into the garbage business makes her nervous. Councilperson Perkins stated he is glad. The vote to pass Ordinance No. 97-OR-$3 passed on a vote of 6-I with Councilperson Frantz voting in opposition. Mayor Gatligan presented Ordinance No. 97-OR-84, An Ordinance Transferring Certain Funds Within Same Depaxtmem (1998 Sanitation). Mayor Galligan noted in the past, payments for garbage collection have been carded over at the end of each year to the next year's budget. It will be necessary to make two months payments (approximately $94,000) for 1997 collections out of the 1998 budget. There will be no problem making these payment, however there will be no cushion in the budget. Following all discussion, Councilperson Perkins made the motion to suspend the rules for Ordinance No. 97-OR-84, seconded by Councilperson Williams, passing unanimously. Councilperson Perkins then made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 97-OR-84 on all three readings, seconded by Councilperson Williams, passing unanimously. Planning and Zoning Director Tun Urban explained the need for passage of Ordinance No. 97- OR45, An Ordinance Transferdng Certain Funds Within Same Department (Planning and Zoning). Following all discussion, Councilperson Conlin made the motion to suspend the rules for Ordinance No. 97-OR-85, seconded by Council President Wilson, passing unmfimousty. Councilperson Conlin then made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 97-OR-85 on all three readings, seconded by Page 5 of 6 Councilperson Williams, passing unanimously. Ordinance No. 97-OR-86, An Ordinance Transfe~g Certain Funds Within Same Department (Common Council) was presented. Following all discussion, Council President Wilson made the motion to suspend the rules for Ordinance No. 97-OR-86, seconded by Councilperson Williams, passing unanimously. Council President Wilson then made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 97-OR- 86 on ail three readings, seconded by Councilperson Williams, passing unanimously. Ordinance No. 97-OR-87, An Ordinance Transferring Certain funds Within Same Department (City Engineer) was presented for consideration. Following all discussion, Councilperson Conlin made the motion to suspend the vales for Ordinance No. 97-OR-87, seconded by Councilperson Williams passing unanimously. Councilperson Contin then made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 97-OR-87 on all three readings, seconded by Councilperson Williams, passing unanimously. Deputy Clerk Hollis presented the claim list with seven additional claims for consideration by the Council. Discussion followed regarding a payment for the purchase of dumpsters. Mayor Gailigan said the City will pick up refuse at condos but not at apartments. Following all discussion, Councilperson Perkins made the motion to approve the claims with the additions, deleting the claim to Successful Saies, seconded by Councitperson Coniin passing on a vote of 6-I. Councilperson Ellis voted nay. Councilperson Ellis reported he will be giving a detailed report on a workshop he attended during the National League of Cities conference in Philadelphia. Councilperson Ellis stated that in 1998 he will see that Ordinances are not passed on three readings in one meeting. He feels the public does not have an opportunity to voice an opinion. Councilperson Frantz has copies of the public comment ordinance she will distribute to the Council. She asks ail to be prepared to work on this at the next workshop. She is not in favor of public comment lime being at the beginning of the meeting Councilperson Frantz is concerned with the possibility the City-County Building is an unsafe building. Mayor Galligan has taiked with Mark VanGilder and the building has been tested. Mayor Gailigan feels there is something wrong. More testing will be done. Councilperson Frantz feels the need to stay on top of the situation. Councilperson Frantz said the Parks Depamnent senior citizen dinner was very nice and a lot of seniors were made happy. She wants to thank the Parks Department. Page 6 of 6 Councilperson Conlin wishes to thank the City employees for all they have done this year. She wishes to thank Deputy McCauley for his work on Economic Development. Council President Wilson announced the next Council workshop will be January 8, 1998 at 6:30 P.M. She wishes to thank all the citizens for attending the meeting. She would like more people to attend as there is a need for more public input. She wishes all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Mayor Gatligan wishes to thank all Department Heads for a very successful year. He wishes to thank Deputy McCanley, Director Urban and Attorney Sedwick Galligan for their outstanding work. He thanks Engineer Miller for the drainage work. He also thanks Chief Smith, ChiefPavey, Commissioner Trembly and all departments for doing an excellent job. Mayor Galligan is trying to be innovative and he feels he is heading in the fight direction. He thanks Director Urban for taking his place at the KIPDA meeting. Mayor Galligan has been told he is lucky to have Deputy McCauley. He feels he is the most underpaid person and he wants to remedy that after the first of the year. He adds a tremendous aspect to the administration. Mayor Galligan thanks all. There being no further business to come before the Council, Couucilperson Perkins made the motion to adjourn at 9:00 P.M., seconded by Councilpersun Ellis, passing unanimously. ATTEST: ] ~ CrEPX TREAS C.glC .Xa SPENCER JR.