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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-04-1996COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA MARCH 4, 1996 The Common Council of the City of regular session in the Multi-Purpose Meeting Room Building, Jeffersonville, Indiana, at 7:30 P.M. March 1996. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Thomas R. Galligan, Jeffersonville met in in the City-County on the 4th day of with Clerk and Treasurer C. Richard Spencer Jr, at the desk. Mayor Galllgan welcomed all in attendance, asking all those present to stand as Councitperson Ron Ellis gave the invocation. He then asked all those present to Join him in the pledge of allegiance to the flag. The roll was called and those present were Councllpersons John Perkins, Ron Ellis, Donna M. Frantz, Peggy Knight Wilder, Barbara Wilson, Andrew Williams III, and Vicky Conlin. Absent= None. Mayor Galligan presented the minutes of the meeting of February 20, 1996, for consideration by the Wilder made the motion to approve the minutes by Councilperson Conlin Perkins made the motion to 1996, Board of Finance Council. Councilperson as presented, seconded and carried unanimously. Councitperson approve the minutes of the February 20, meeting, seconded by Council President Williams, passing unanimously. Clerk and Treasurer Spencer presented the claim list with two additional claims for consideration by the Council. Following all discussion, Councilperson Perkins made the motion to approve the claims as presented as well as the additional, seconded by Councilperson Ellis, passing unanimously. PAGE 2 MARCH 4, 1996 Mr. Pieter Murray appeared before the Council explaining his request for rezoning with a drawing. Councilperson Ellis stated the Plan Commission has approved this request and he personally feels this is in the best interest of the City of Jeffersonvitle. Following all explanations Councilperson Ellis made the motion to suspend the rules for Ordinance No. 96-0R-12, An Ordinance Changing The Zoning Map Designation Of A Certain Tract Of Property Located at 2020 Woodland Court From R-2 to B-l, seconded by Council President Williams, passing unanimously. Councilperson Ellis than made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 96-OR-12 on all three readings, seconded by Councilperson Wilson, passing unanimously. Mr. Greg Fifer, Attorney representing L. R. Inman, Developer of Ashley Square, appeared before the Council requesting a third reading for Ordinance No. 96-OR-10, An Ordinance Changing The Zoning Map Designation Of A Certain 13.038 Acre Tract Of Property From B-3 To R-2, reviewing the explanaiton from the last meeting. Councilperson Perkins stated he has not received any comments on the request. Councilperson Perkins then made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 96-OR-10 for the third and final Councilperson Frantz, passing unanimously. Ms. Hays Hendricks of Historic reading, seconded by Landmarks Foundation of Indiana appeared again before the City Council requesting the City of Jeffersonville's participation in the Circuit Rider Program. Attorney Sedwlck had some questions concerning the sample contract Ms. Hendricks supplied. The contract will run for one year from the PAGE 3 MARCH 4, 1996 hiring date. Councilperson Wilson stated she had hoped the funding for this could be discussed during a workshop. Attorney Sedwick suggested one half of the requested $4,000 be paid with this year's budget and the other half next year. Following all discussion regarding funding, Councilperson Wilder made the motion to agree with the Circuit Rider Program, seconded by Councilperson Perkins, passing unanimously. Mr. Bob Lanum, Attorney representing MKM Machine Tool Co., Inc., and C.C.M. Properties, appeared before the Council for the advertised public hearing regarding Resolution No. 96-R-12, A Resolution By The Common Council Of The City Of Jeffersonville, Indiana, Designating Certain Development Areas As "Economic Revitalization Areas" Within Jeffersonville, Indiana. Councilperson Perkins asked if it is necessary to target an area as an E.R.A. if it is in a T.I.F. District. Mayor Galligan's personal opinion is that he has no problem granting a tax abatement on equipment going into an existing building. He does have a problem with abateing anything else that goes up on that property. This is an old existing building. Attorney Sedwick explained this request sets up the are to allow a vote on any abatements. Councitperson Perkins feels the Council has agreed not to grant abatements in a T.I.F. District and therefore cannot understand why the area should be declared an E.R.A. which sets PAGE 4 MARCH 4, 1996 up the frame work for tax abatments. Mayor Galligan understands this for new buildings, however this is an existing building they wish to refurbish. Attorney Lanum again explained this is not a new building. Attorney Sedwick feels the Council, at the last meeting, agreed to look very closely at requests for tax abatments in the District and the Council needs to stick with that and leave an opening as the funding for the Inner City Road has not been established. It is possible there will not be a need for the bonds. At the least there would be no need for payments within five years. Attorney Lanum said the existing building is on the tax roles and this tax base would stay the same. The abatement request is for the improvements and equipment. Councitperson Ellis said the only way he is in favor of a T.I.F. District is if there are no tax abatements given. Councllperson Perkins concurs with Councilperson Ellis. Councilperson Perkins feels it is the intent not to grant tax abatements in the T.I.F. District. This lesson should have been learned quite well with Haka DeMars. Attorney Sedwick reminded the Council the numbers that were run on the Haka DeMars project included a tax abatement. If things had gone as planned even with the tax abatement there would have been sufficient funds to make the payments. Attorney Sedwick warns against making a flat statement of no tax abatment so far ahead of any bonds in that district. This may hurt the ability to attract business. She does feel it very prudent for the Council to look at each abatement very closely. Councllperson Perkins does not have a problem with tax abatements as an incentive, however he does have a problem when it is a T.I.F. District. Attorney Sedwick suggests PAGE 5 MARCH 4, 1996 looking at the number of years for an abatement. An abatement can be given for three, five, or ten years for an example. Until the bonds have been floated there is no obligation to pay. Councllperson Perkins said he can support one or another. Mayor Galligan asked how this would affect the taxes. Attorney Lanum explained the taxes will remain the same as exist now. Councllperson Wilder does not see this as an Economic Revitalization Area due to the high traffic, location, easy access, etc. She sees this as a prime piece of property. Mayor Galligan again said the amount of taxes will be the same. Attorney Lanum explained this area is surrounded by areas that have been declared Economic Revitaliztion Areas. Councilperson Ellis feels like this is economic black mail if they say they will not relocate if not given a tax abatement. He is not anti-industry or anti-business. Councllperson Wilson does not have a problem as the area is surrounded by E.R.A. particularly if not given for 10 years. Council President Williams has some concern regarding abatements in a T.I.F. District. His concern is for the impact on future companies. This is small in comparison to the Haka DeMars project. He would support declaring the area E.R.A, however he would be a little more remiss in terms of blanketing an approval of abatements as they would come up. He does see problems of discrimation in this. Attorney Lanum further explained when the project was started there was no talk of this being a T.I.F. district, the area was not in the City it was in the County. He reminds the Council of the need to be competitive, and the Council's opportunity to review each year. Councilperson Perkins then PAGE 6 MARCH 4, 1996 made the motion to deny Resolution No. 96-R-12, Councllperson Ellis. Mayor Galtigan said again if this abatements may be denied. He does understand the concern. to deny passed on the following roll call vote: seconded by is passed, The motion Ayes: Councilpersons Perkins, Ellis, Wilder, and Conlin. Nays: Councilpersons Frantz, Wilson, and Williams. Mr. J. Bruce "Corky" Scales, representing Eric Golden dba Golden Lawn and Landscape, 2109 Dutch Lane, appeared before the Council presenting copies of the public notice, also explaining the discrepancies. He further explained the business location, the type of business and the future plans for the business along with the need for the rezoning. Attorney Sedwick explained the zoning type is due to an outside selling area. Planning Director Urban explained this request is in line with the Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Scales explained the drainage plans and the improvement it will make in the drainage in this area. Councilperson Ellis has looked over the property with Mr. Golden and Mr. Golden is willing to plant trees. This will definitely improve the area and he does recommend the change. Mr. Scales said the trucks will use Dutch Lane and not use the alley. Councllperson Wilder inquired if Sharon Wilder was involved in the sale of the property. Sharon Wilder is the listing agent for the sale of the property. Councllperson Wilder explained she will abstain from the vote as Sharon Wilder is her Mother-In-Law. Mayor Galligan questioned storage. Mr. Golden explained storage would be in bins similar to Walnut Ridge. There will be no storage of brush and debris. Mr. Golden intends this to be a showplace for landscaping. Director Urban PAGE 7 MARCH 4, 1996 explained the lighting. Following all discussion, Councilperson Ellis made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 96-OR-13 on the first and second reading, seconded by Councilperson Conlin. The motion carried on a vote of 6-0-1 with Councilperson Wilder abstaining. Mr. John Montgomery, Attorney representing G & G Properties. explained Resolution No. 96-R-13, A Resolution Approving Statement Of Benefits For Street Cafe), providing discussion, Councilperson No. 96-R-13, seconded by Purposes Of Property Tax Abatement (Wall proof of publication. Following all Perkins made the motion to pass Resolution Councllperson Wilson. Public comment was asked passed unanimously. Ms. Jennifer presented and explained Common Council, City Of Establishment Of The Inner public hearing was held by for. There being n© public comment Resolution No. 96-R-13 Mead, Assistant Director of Redevelopment Resolution No. 96-R-14, A Resolution Of The Jeffersonville, Indiana, Regarding The City Road Economic Development Area. A the Redevelopment Commission on February 28, 1996. Following all explanations and discussion, Councllperson Perkins made the motion to pass Resolution No. 96-R-14, seconded by Councilperson Wilson, passing unanimously. Attorney Sedwick introduced Ordinance No. 96-OR-14, Ordinance Establishing A Non-Reverting Fund For Jeffersonville-Clark County following a request from Board of Public Works and An The Animal Shelter. This has been presented Shelter Director Gillenwater through the Safety. Funds from the current Animal PAGE 8 MARCH 4, 1996 Shelter budget cannot be transferred into this fund. Clerk and Treasurer Spencer explained the Council may, at budget time, put money in place to be transferred Wilson questioned the need donation fund was discussed. into this fund next year. Councilperson for an additional donation fund. The Mayor Galligan explained the reason for this is there is a need to build an up-to-date animal shelter. The County Commissioners agree. The desire to start raising funds to specifically build a animal shelter that all can be proud of. Mayor Galligan feels people will donate to this. Councilperson Perkins does feel this is a good idea and he is in support. Councilperson Frantz questioned if the advisory board has been questioned regarding this. Mayor Galligan said it has not been put before them, however he does not have a problem with it. Councilperson Frantz has reviewed a New Albany Ordinance that captures funds from licenses for buidlng. Councilperson Wilder made on the first and second passing unanimously. Mayor Gatligan the motion to pass Ordinance No. 96-OR-14 readings, seconded by Councllperson Conlin, feels quite a bit has been accomplished in the first two months. There may be some kind of resolution to the DeMars Haka situation within the next few months. Everything seems to be running very well. The Department Heads and the Council are doing an excellent Job. The Mayor is looking forward to the next months. Councilperson Wilder suggests the next meeting be held at 5:30 o'clock P.M. rather than at 5:00 o'clock P.M. All agree. PAGE 9 MARCH 4, 1996 Councilperson Frantz announced the Solid Waste Board is meeting the next day at 5:~0 P.M. They do have an award program for recycling for individuals or groups. If any have recommendations for this award, please let Councltperson Frantz know. An award a month will be issued. She reminds the Council to be thinking about yard waste. Beginning April 1 the Sl.00 tags will be available. It may be taken to Clark County Compostlng themselves. Councilperson Perkins compliments the Mayor on his "War On He also commends the detectives, the SWAT team, and Officer He feels the word is out that Jeffersonville is not the place much to Mayor said it, he Birthday. Councilperson Williams recommends action packet that has been distributed regarding goals for the next workshop. He Wilder a Happy Birthday. Mayor Galligan explained the the Council review the and make determinations also wishes Councilperson ditch know as Mill Creek is being cleaned as there have been flooding problems. He has had more phone calls of concern for the trees. The trees must be removed to keep water out of homes. He is sorry, but the cleaning must be done. A forestry program may be started in Jeffersonville. D rugs" . Harrod. to do drugs. Councilperson Perkins said we cannot do too eradicate drugs. Councltperson Perkins said the meant it, and he is here to represent it. Councilperson Conlin announced Mayor Galligan's first community event will be held at Spring Hill, April 16, 1996 at 7:30 P.M. This will feature Coach Ron Cooper. This is the first of many to come. Councilperson Conlin wishes Councllperson Wilder a Happy PAGE 10 MARCH 4, 1996 MS. Nellie Nolin again expressed concern regarding the truck traffic from Wyandotte near Falrview and Hurley as the children board the school bus in this area. There are no sidewalks, curbs, or gutters. She would like consideration for moving the bus stop. Mayor Galligan asked Police Chief Payvey to look into the situation. There will be a Council Workshop at Thursday, March 14, 1996 at 5:30 P.M. in the Mayor's Conference Room. There will an executive session at 5:00 o'clock P.M. There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilperson Perkins moved to adjourn at 9:00 o'clock P.M. seconded by Council President Williams and unanimously carried. M~YOR THOMAS R! GAL~I~AN ATTEST: CLERK AND TREASUP~R C. ~ARD SPENCER JR.