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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-07-2008COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS OF "I"HE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA April 7, 2008 'the Common Council of the City of Jeffersonville, Indiana met in regular session in Room ]Ol, City Hall, 500 Quartermaster Court, Jeffersonville, Indiana, at 7:30 P.M. on Monday April 7, 2008. Mayor Tom Galligan, with DepuTy Clerk Treasurer Barbara Hollis at the desk, called the meeting to order. Also present was City Attorney Darren Wilder. Mayor Galligan welcomed all in attendance, asking all those present to stand as Chaplain Conrad Moorer gave the invocation. Mayor Galligan 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 Mike Smith, Ed %astawny, Keith Fetz, Connie Sellers, 6arbara Wilson, Nathan Samuel, and Ron Grooms. Absent: None. Following discussion, Councilperson Samuel made the motion to table agenda item #12 (travel ordinance) replace it with Ordinance No. 2008-17 and approve the agenda, sewnd by Councilperson Grooms, passing on a vote of 7-0. Mayor Galligan presented the minutes for consideration. Councilperson Wilson made the motion to approve the minutes of March 3, 2008 (7:00 P.MJ as presented, second by Councilperson Grooms, passing on a vote of 7-0. Councilperson Wilson made the motion to approve the minutes of March 17, 2008 (6:30 P.M J as presented, second by Councilperson Zastawny, passing on a vote of 7-0. Councilperson Wilson then made the motion to approve the minutes of March 17, 2008 (730 P.MJ as presented, second by Councilperson Samuel, passing on a vote of 7-0. Deputy Clerk Treasurer Hollis presented the claim list for consideration by the Council asking that the claim for Greg's Lawn Service in the Fire Department and the claim for Deerfield Seminars in the Clerk Treasurers Department be removed. Councilperson Samuel made the motion to remove the claim to Dell from the Council Department, second by Councilperson Fetz, passing on a vote of 7-0. Councilperson Grooms made [he motion to pay the Dell claim from the EDIT budget, second by April 7, 2008 2 Councilperson Sellers, passing on a vote of 7-0. A sign-out sheet shall be maintained for the use of the computer. Councilperson Fetz made the motion to approve [he claims with the deletions and transfer, second by Councilperson Grooms, passing on a vote of 7-0. PUBLIC COMMENT: Mr. Johnnie Buckman of 43 Louise Street appeared before the Council regarding the $40 chazge for required garbage cans. He said the cost would cause a "hitch in the get along". Mayor Galligan said the cans would be required by the first of 2009. If the cost is a financial burden, the City will work with him. COUNCIL COMMENT: There was no Council comment. DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS: There were no Department Head reports. AGENDA ITEMS: Councilperson Grooms explained the need for passage of Ordinance No. 2008- OR-19, An Ordinance Of Additional Appropriation (EDIT Fund - IT Hardwaze and Sofiwaze). Councilperson Fe[z made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2008-OR-19, on the third and final reading, second by Councilperson Samuel, passing on a vote of 7-0. Mr. Jason Copperwaite, Attorney John Kraft, and Chad Sprigler appeared before the Council to explaine the need for passage of Ordinance No. 2008-OR-18, An Ordinance Changing The Zoning Map Designation Of Certain Tracts Of Property Located Bast Of Woehrle Road From The Intersection Of Veteran's Parkway For 2,300 In A Southerly Direction Be Rezoned From Cl: Small To Medium Scale General Commercial To M2: Multifamily Residential, explaining this is not an attempt to sidestep the issues of multifamily dwellings. Councilperson Fetz commented on the density, saying the proposal is a novel idea. Councilperson Sellers has mixed emotions, as this is an extremely narrow strip. Council President Zastawny feels the same way as Councilperson Sellers. He questions if the property should be commercial or residential. Mr. Copperwaite presented a map saying he feels the property is too narrow for commercial development. Councilperson Sellers said the problem with apartments is they look good when constructed but in ten years they look horrible. Mc Sprigler said the developer is committed to 15 years. There is direct need for this type of development. April 7, 2008 3 Councilperson Fetz asked if there is a potential for tenants to purchase the units. Mr. Sprigler said it is not a part of the early mind set. Councilperson Samuel has met with Mc Sprigler. There has been an investment in the azea. He feels there is a need for senior housing rather than a strip mall. Council President Zastawny has concerns for green space. Mr. Sprigler said the intention is to partner with local churches for activities. Councilperson Grooms understands the property cannot be sold for fifteen years, but would like to know if the use can be changed. Mr. Sprigler said the project would be under contract with the Housing Authority of Indiana. At the conclusion of all discussion, Councilperson Fetz made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2008-OR-17, second by Councilperson Sellers. Mayor Galligan announced this is a public hearing, asking Cor public comment. Chaplain Moorer stated he sees a need for this type of housing and [his is a step in the right direction for the community. Mayor Galligan again asked for public comment. There being no further comment the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2008-OR-17 passed on a vote of 6-1. Council President Z.astawny voted in opposition. Councilperson Petz introduced and explained the need for passage of Ordinance No. 2008-OR-2Q, An Ordinance Which Amends Ordinance No. 007-OR-9Q, Which Amends Ordinance No. 2007-OR-87A, Which Amends Ordinance No. 2007-OR-82, Which Amends Ordinance No. 2007-OR-48, An Ordinance Fixing Basic Salaries Of Appointed Officers And Employees Of The City Of Jeffersonville, Indiana For The Year 2008. The proposed changes reflect an $8,000 positive move. He commends Superintendent Manors for watching the pennies and doing a good job. Councilperson Zastawny made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2008-OR-20 on the first and second readings, second by Councilperson Wilson, passing on a vote of 7-0. Councilperson Smith presented Ordinance No. 2008-OR-21, An Ordinance Of The City Of Jeffersonville, Indiana Authorizing City Officials To Use Ciry Credit Cards For Official Government Purchases Establishing a Credit Limit And Regulating The Number Of Credit Cards Available To Each Department Of City Government. Councilperson Smith said this is a first draft and expects comments and input before final passage. Councilperson Fetz made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2008-OR-21 on the first reading, second by Councilperson Sellers, passing on a vote of 7-0. April 7, 2008 4 Councilperson Wilson presented Ordinance No. 2008-OR-22, An Ordinance Establishing A Purchase Order System For The General Fund Of The City Of Jeffersonville And Rescinding Ordinance 2007-OR-008, Ordinance 2006-OR-005, Ordinance 2006-OR-037 And Ordinance 1998-OR-040, making the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2008-OR-22 on the first reading, second by Councilperson Sellers, passing on a vote of 7-0. Councilperson Grooms summarized a series of three Friday meetings of the Finance Committee oC Councilpersons Grooms, Smith, and Samuel. He commends the dedicated cooperation from the Department Heads. The list of voluntary appropriation reductions is $459,229.87, which represents halfway to the goal. The committee will continue to meet monthly and continue to monitor budgets. Councilperson Samuel presented the reductions in spreadsheet format. He did say the reductions in the SWAT budget have not been included as it is not atax-rate budget. The Council will be asked to formally adopt these reductions. Councilperson Grooms reviewed Ordinance No. 2007-OR-87 An Ordinance Amending Ordinance 2007-OR-63 That Established The Jeffersonville Common Council Special Non-Reverting Fund For Annexation Costs Incurred During 2008, noting no mechanism has been put in place to transfer funds. The Finance Committee met with Mayor Galligan regarding Section L A recommendation will be made to take $250,000 from Hospitalization, $250,000 from the Rainy Day Fund, $600,000 from the Cops Grant, and $200,000 from F,DIT for a total of $1.3 million An amendment to Ordinance No. 2007-OR-87 will be proposed. Councilperson Fetz expressed concerns about reducing the I Icalth Insurance Fund. CLERK TREASURER COMMENTS: There were no Clerk Treasurer Comments. COMMITTEE REPORTS, COUNCIL AND MAYOR COMMENTS: Councilperson Smith reminds all to watch their speed. Councilperson Fetz wishes all to have a safe and happy Thunder. Councilperson Wilson reminded all about parking cars for Thunder to benefit the Spay/Neuter Program. She hopes Cor a pretty day. April 7, 2008 5 Councilperson Grooms announced the Parks Advisory Board meets tomoaow at 3:00 P.M. The Park Board Common Council meeting will beheld April 14 at 7:00 P.M. There are concerns with [he Solid Waste Board he hopes work out. The Rainy Day Fund balance is about $4.5 Million. Councilperson Grooms says thank you to Jeff High Student Sperzel, Officer Grimes, and Chaplain Moorer. Councilperson Samuel gave a Big Four Bridge project update. He asks all to keep police software in mind. Councilperson Samuel has met with Evening News Executive Editor Steve Kozazovich to discuss in idea of developing a column, or display box for passed Ordinance. A template is being worked on. Councilperson Samuel is working with Mayor Galligan on recommendations for Parks Advisory Board Members. He feels this is a positive thing. Councilperson Samuel called attention to Phe Press Release included in the packet regarding Chief Deputy Clerk-Treasurer Suzy Bass becoming the first deputy clerk treasurer in Indian to earn the Master Municipal Clerk designation from the International Institute of Municipal Clerks, saying this is noteworthy. He will work with Mayoc Galligan and Council President Zastawny for honoring Deputy Bass. Council President Zastawny noted trees have been planted. Mayor Galligan is working on a plan. Councilperson Fetz noted the need to appoint two members [o the Board of Zoning Appeals. Mayor Galligan announced Communications Director Lazry Thomas is working on a calendar of events for the website which should be turned on by the end of the week. information "Cechnology Director Roger Hardy is working a website forum. He will be meeting with the Department Heads to make sure all are on the same page. Mayor Galligan visited the Little League Park yesterday. ]t is amazing. It rained Friday and was played on Sunday. This is a nice facility with nice fields. The taxes are worth it. Things are being done in a positive manner. All are trying to move forward. Mayor Galligan noted .fohn and Shirley Woehrle are great people. They are good citizens that give and give. 'T'hey know how to enjoy money. All are working hard to make this the best possible place to live. Mayor Galligan introduced Bill Mattingly who is working in the Sewer Department. Bill feels he has something to contribute. He thanks Bill. Rick April 7, 2008 Lovan is making a difference by meeting with people. The Bristol Restaurant is now open and is a nice addition. Taco Beuno and Our Best Kestaurants will open soon. As there was no Purthec business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned 9:00 P.M. 6 ~ THOMAS IL GALLIGA AYOR ~/A~JTTEST: LJ J PEGG DER, CLERK AND TREASURER