Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril 6, 2009COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA April 6, 2009 The Common Council of the 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 April 6, 2009. Mayor Tom Galligan, with Deputy Clerk Treasurer Barbara Hollis at the desk, called the meeting to order. Also present were City Attorney Darren Wilder, Council Attorney Larry Wilder, and Administrative Assistant Tiffany Timberlake. Mayor Galligan welcomed all in attendance, asking all those present to stand as Reverend 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 Zastawny, Keith Fetz, Connie Sellers, Barbara Wilson, Nathan Samuel, and Ron Grooms. Absent: None. Following discussion Councilperson Samuel made the motion to approve the agenda with the addition of #13A - Umbaugh Presentation, the removal of Agenda Item # 16, adding Ordinance No. 2009-OR-16, adding # 18A Thunder Non-Reverting Ordinance, and 10A, Fire Department Merit Board Appointment, second Councilperson Grooms passing on a vote of 6-0-1. Council President Sellers abstained. Mayor Galligan presented the minutes for consideration. Councilperson Wilson made the motion to approve the minutes of March 16, 2009 (6:30 P.M.), second by Councilperson Grooms, passing on a vote of 7-0. Deputy Clerk Hollis presented the claim list for consideration by the Council, noting a change in vendor from Sam's Club to Joe Lee in the Fire Department. Councilperson Zastawny made the motion to approve the claims as presented, second by Councilperson Wilson, passing on a vote of 7-0. Councilperson Grooms made the motion to preapprove the Parks Department claims dated April 1, 2009 asking the claims to Super Z Lawn Service and Jim O'Neil be tabled, second by Councilperson Zastawny, passing on a vote of 7-0. Apri16, 2009 PUBLIC COMMENT: 2 Ms Barbara Anderson commented that the area in the back of Frank's Steak House is a haven for street people and is dangerous. She applauds the City's efforts to buy and clean up the property. There is a need to deal with homelessness and poverty. COUNCIL COMMENT: There was no Council comment. DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS: Animal Shelter Director Harry Wilder gave an update on the operations of the Animal Shelter. He issued an open invitation for all to visit. There is a lot of demand from the annexed areas. The adoption rates have been good this year. Councilperson Wilson said the Shelter is running smooth and Director Wilder is doing a great job. The hours of operations were discussed. Councilperson Grooms asked if there are any out-of- ordinary expenses. Director Wilder replied, no. Mr. Jeff Fry said he has been asked to be a Fire Department Merit Board Member. He believes this new board is a good idea. He appreciates the Council asking him to be their representative. Councilperson Smith made the motion to appoint Mr. Jeff Fry to a four-year term on the Fire Department Merit Board, second by Councilperson Wilson, passing on a vote of 7-0. AGENDA ITEMS: Mayor Galligan presented and read a proclamation declaring April 6, 2009 Ricky Decker Day in the City of Jeffersonville. Councilperson Smith noted Mr. Decker is the National Hot Rod Association champion, noting this a family commitment. The City of Jeffersonville is proud. Mayor Galligan said this is excellent and is appreciated. Councilperson Samuel explained the Police Merit Board. City of Jeffersonville Court Judge Ken Pearce then administered the oath of office to Board Members, Judy DeSimone, Monty Snelling, Tom Bodine, and Stuart Robertson, M.D. Ms. Patricia S. Fletcher, 603 Princeton Drive, #6, Clarksville, IN, informed the Council she works with Williams Emergency Housing and is owed for 183 hours of pay. There are others that are owed pay. Ms. Fletcher reviewed areas of concern regarding the selling of drugs, the use of food cards and the selling of meat. Council President Sellers suggested she take her concerns to the Board of Directors. April 6, 2009 3 Mayor Galligan introduced Mr. John Seever of Umbaugh and Mr. Jorge Lanz of Jacobi, Toombs, and Lanz, to explain the Sewer problems and the solution. Mr. Seever presented a project overview dated April 6, 2009 (attached), explaining the contents. There is a need for a Bond Ordinance and a Rate Ordinance. The Sewer Department has a need to generate $13,600,000 per year. This would cause the rates to roughly double. It is possible to "ramp up" the rates. The rates have to be in place before the bonds are issued. Mayor Galligan noted this is not an option, it is demanded by the consent decree. Fines are $4,000 per event when sewers back up into homes. Mayor's Assistant Dana Young gave an update on the City Partnership Program. Club Marketing Concepts is work well, giving examples. Assistant Young announced a new organization called Grow Jeffersonville headed by Becky Hutchins. An event is planned for May 19 at 300 Spring. There will be a public meeting to support amulti- sport indoor facility. Mayor Galligan feels this will be a positive impact. He also noted Becky Hutchins is doing a great job. Mayor Galligan reviewed the census program noting the need for all to be counted. Council Attorney Larry Wilder read the changes to Ordinance No. 2009-OR-8, An Ordinance Creating A Special Riverfront Business Overlay District And Creating Specific Requirements For Parking Within The Riverfront Business District. Following discussion, Councilperson Zastawny made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2009-OR-8 as corrected on the third reading, second by Councilperson Sellers, passing on a vote of 7-0. Councilperson Grooms explained the highlighted amendments to Resolution No. 2009-R-2, A Resolution Amending Resolution No. 2008-R-35, A Resolution Advocating A Hiring Freeze For The City Of Jeffersonville, Indiana. The amended areas were compared with the original. Council President Sellers questioned if the Council is overstepping their authority. A general discussion of a range was held. Mayor Galligan reviewed the need for a range. Councilperson Grooms made the motion to pass Resolution No. 2009-R-2, second by Councilperson Samuel, passing on a vote of 7-0. Following explanation of Ordinance No. 2009-OR-16, An Ordinance Amending 2009-OR-9, Which Amends 2009-OR-7, Which Amends 2009-OR-2, Which Amends 2008-OR-79, An Ordinance Fixing Basic Salaries Of Appointed Officers And Employees April 6, 2009 4 Of The City Of Jeffersonville, Indiana, For The Year 2009, Councilperson Grooms made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2009-OR-16 on the second and third readings, second by Councilperson Fetz, passing on a vote of 7-0. Councilperson Grooms reviewed Ordinance No. 2009-OR17, An Ordinance Of Appropriation Reductions. Following discussion, Councilperson Grooms made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2009-OR-17 on the first reading, second by Councilperson Samuel, passing on a vote of 7-0. Councilperson Grooms next explained the need for passage of Ordinance No. 2009-OR-17, An Ordinance Transferring Certain Funds Within Same Department (Annexation Fund), making the motion to pass on the first reading, second by Councilperson Samuel, passing on a vote of 7-0. Council President Sellers made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2009-OR-15, An Ordinance Establishing A Thunder Committee Non-Reverting Fund, on the second and third readings, second by Councilperson Grooms, passing on a vote of 7-0. CLERK TREASURER COMMENTS: There were no Clerk Treasurer Comments. COMMITTEE REPORTS, COUNCIL AND MAYOR COMMENTS: Councilperson Grooms spoke of a letter from the University of Louisville. Councilperson Grooms thanked Information Technology Director Roger Hardy for filling in tonight. Councilperson Samuel questioned what is to be done with the vehicles that are being replaced. Mayor Galligan some are being taken to an auto auction. The Police software is scheduled to be live in house for dispatch and records by June 1 and in the cars by September 1. Council President Sellers thanked all for the calls, letters, and visits relating to the death of her Father. Mayor Galligan reported the area on 9th Street by the VFW is being cleaned up. The Railroad track in the area is in the process of being purchased. He explained the cleanup plans saying it will be made more user friendly. Mr. Michael Williams asked to speak to the Council. Mr. Williams said he works at Haven House and is here to defend himself. He has been sober for 21 years. He does Apri16, 2009 5 not sell drugs. He works to get people off drugs and that is the reason he works at the shelter. As there was no further business to come before the Council, the meeting adjourned at 9:30 P.M. THOMAS R. GALLIGA MAYOR A TEST: PEGGY ILDER, CLERK AND TREASURER