Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutJune 1, 2009COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA June 1, 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 June 1, 2009. Mayor Tom Galligan, with Deputy Clerk Treasurer Barbara Hollis at the desk, called the meeting to order t 7:35 P.M. Also present were City Attorney Darren Wilder, Council Attorney Larry Wilder, and Administrative Assistant Laura Boone. 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. Councilperson Grooms made the motion to approve the agenda with the tabling of item # 14 and replacing it with Andrea Stevens regarding JAG Program and the addition of # 18A, update of incident report fees, second Councilperson Zastawny, passing on a vote of 7-0. Mayor Galligan presented the minutes for consideration. Councilperson Wilson made the motion to approve the minutes of May 18, 2009 (7:30 P.M.), second by Councilperson Samuel, passing on a vote of 7-0. Deputy Clerk Hollis presented the claim list for consideration by the Council. Following discussion, Councilperson Grooms made the motion to approve the claims with the change of appropriations for the Fire Department Non Reverting claims and the tabling of the claim to Smoke Screen Printing under Annexation, second by Council President Sellers, passing on a vote of 7-0. Councilperson Grooms then made the motion to approve the Parks claims in the amount of $25,589.17, second by Council President Sellers, passing on a vote of 7-0. June 1, 2009 PUBLIC COMMENT: 2 Ms. Pat Barrow commented on the beautiful trees that have been planted, saying they are awesome. She appreciates Councilperson Fetz working on something. Fumes and banging are still being experienced. She did see Councilperson Samuel out there. Ms Barrow asked where the City is on the road. Mayor Galligan said the wetlands are still being mitigated. The plan for the road does continue. COUNCIL COMMENT: There was no Council comment. DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS: City Engineer Bob Miller explained he is responsible to check all blueprints. He appreciates the hiring of Andy Crouch. He takes care of all signal lights. He praised the City electricians. He takes care of complaints. He tries to keep calls from Mayor Galligan and the Council. He tries to do something about every complaint. He meets with KIPDA. He is proud he got $5.5 million to do Hamburg Pike. He works with the Sewer and Drainage Boards. He works with the Sewer and Drainage crews. Councilperson Zastawny asked about the status of Hamburg Pike. Engineer Miller said land acquisition is to take place this year and hopes to start construction next year. Councilperson Samuel inquired about the construction at Springdale and 10th Street. Mayor Galligan explained there are four houses on Springdale that experience sewer backup. The sewer line is being repaired. Councilperson Grooms asked for an update regarding the schools. Planning and Zoning Director Jim Urban said Assistant Crouch is working on the Thompson Lane project. Final approval from the school is anticipated. It is anticipated to start the project late this year or early next year. He met with Acting Superintendent Travis Haire regarding the Wilson School project. The reason for this plan is safety. Jorge Lanz is looking at alternatives. Thomas Jefferson School is part of the Hamburg Pike project. AGENDA ITEMS: Redevelopment Director Gayle Robinson presented and explained the need for passage of Resolution No. 2009-R-7, A Resolution Amending Resolution No. 2009-R-4, A Resolution Approving Statement Of Benefits For Purposes Of Personal Property Tax Abatement (Flow International Corporation). Councilperson Zastawny made the motion June 1, 2009 3 to approve Resolution No. 2009-R-7, second by Councilperson Samuel, passing on a vote of 7-0. Director Robinson explained the need to upgrade a data transmission line for Flow International. Flow has asked the City to split the cost of $14,500, as others will be able to use the line. Councilperson Zastawny asked if the City could charge for others to hook up. Mayor Galligan said Flow is very impressive and very high tech and growing. Director Robinson invites the Council to tour. Councilperson Zastawny made the motion to pay one half the cost of the transmission line upgrade from Edit with the consideration to recoup by charging others, second by Councilperson Samuel, passing on a vote of 7-0. Director Robinson requested the reimbursement to the Redevelopment Department of up to $330,000 from the Falls Landing TIF Fund. Following discussion, Councilperson Zastawny made the motion to approve the reimbursement of up to $330,000 from Falls Landing TIF, second by Councilperson Wilson, passing on a vote of 7-0. Ms. Melissa Woods of River Hills explained the need for passage of Resolution No. 2009-R-8, A Resolution Of The City Council Of The City Of Jeffersonville, Clark County, Indiana, Authorizing The Submittal Of The Disaster Application To the Indiana Office Of Community And Rural Affairs And Addressing Related Matters. Ms. Woods explained this is not stimulus money. The City will have to put in $584,320 from the Drainage Fund. Councilperson Samuel made the motion to pass Resolution No. 2009-R- 8, second by Councilperson Grooms, passing on a vote of 7-0. Ms. Andrea Stevens, Grant Writer, explained the funding for a JAG Grant. Jeffersonville is to be the lead fiscal agent. Ms Stevens requests endorsement and support to apply for the grant. Councilperson Grooms made the motion to endorse and support the application for a JAG Grant, second by Councilperson Zastawny, passing on a vote of 7-0. Council President Sellers presented and explained the need for passage of Ordinance No. 2009-OR-23, An Ordinance Amending City Ordinance 2004-OR-20, An Ordinance Authorizing The City To Remove Debris, Trash, Garbage, Rubbish, Litter, Refuse, Junk And Trees. Councilperson Smith made the motion to suspend the rules for Ordinance 2009-OR-23, second by Councilperson Zastawny, passing on a vote of 7-0. June 1, 2009 4 Councilperson Smith then made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2009-OR-23 on all three readings, second by Councilperson Zastawny, passing on a vote of 3-0. Council President Sellers has given each Councilperson a copy of Ordinance No. 2009-OR-22, An Ordinance To Amend Ordinance No. 2008-OR-43, An Ordinance To Control The Growth Of Weeds And Noxious Plants, passed at the last meeting. City Growth Coordinator Rick Lovan presented information regarding the placement of streetlights in Whispering Oaks. Payment is required before the work is done. Councilperson Samuel made the motion to approve payment of $5,246.69 to REMC for the installation of streetlights, second by Council President Sellers, passing on a vote of 7-0. Councilperson Samuel reviewed the history of incident report charges by the Police Department. He has discussed this with Assistant Chief Pavey. Councilperson Samuel thanks the Evening News for pointing out the overcharge. The Police Department has stopped charging for case and/or incident reports. The Police Department is working on putting summary reports on line. They are also looking at a computer terminal for use in the lobby. Councilperson Grooms explained Ordinance No. 2009-OR-24, An Ordinance Amending 2009-OR-16, Which Amends 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 Of The City Of Jeffersonville, Indiana For The Year 2009. This amendment reflects the FOP contract and adds Merit Board Stenographer. Mayor Galligan requested the Engineer Coordinator title be changed to Drainage Utility Coordinator in the Department of Engineering. Conrad Moorer explained the need for a secretary for the Merit Board. Following discussion, it was agreed to change the title from Merit Board Stenographer to Merit Board Secretary. Councilperson Grooms made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2009-OR-24 on the first reading, second by Councilperson Zastawny, passing on a vote of 7-0. Councilperson Grooms presented Jeffersonville City Council Finance Review City Budgets May 30, 2009 (attached). Each page was reviewed. Mayor Galligan asked for funding to repair the Nachand Fieldhouse roof. The Council may consider Cumulative Capital Development Fund. Councilperson Grooms noted the need to June 1, 2009 5 consider leaving 3% in every budget. He noted positive balances in Annexation, EDIT and Cumulative Capital Development. The Beautification appropriation is to be transferred to the non-reverting fund. Councilperson Grooms is trying to keep track for the end of the year. Mayor Galligan has curtailed any excess spending in anticipation of not collecting 100% of the property tax. CLERK TREASURER COMMENTS: There were no Clerk Treasurer Comments. COMMITTEE REPORTS, COUNCIL AND MAYOR COMMENTS: Councilperson Samuel introduced visitors attending this evening; his wife Kim, his son Tyler who is home from college, and his nephew Brayden Edwards. Councilperson Grooms says thank you to the Police in attendance. Councilperson Wilson said the Concerts In The Park are having a very good turnout. She invites all to come. Several veterans told her they are upset with the condition of the flags. Contact will be made to the building owner. Councilperson Wilson noted Don and Sammy Dooley, regular attendees at the Council meetings, are both in bad health and ask all to keep them in their prayers. Councilperson Smith announced retired Firefighter Charles DeArk passed away, asking all to keep the family in their prayers. Councilperson Smith said additional money might be needed for mowing lawns and boarding structures due to vacant properties. Noting the proposed increase in sewer bills for sewer projects Councilperson Smith said the "sooner the better". The approach to the Big 4 Bridge will be discussed Saturday at Sprigler Design. More concrete may be necessary if RiverStage is moved down. Councilperson Smith would like to visit the asphalt plant when it is operating. Director Urban will set this up for all the Council. Councilperson Zastawny reminds all that redistricting needs to be done. The advantages and disadvantages need to be discussed with regard to a vote to become a second-class city. Councilperson Fetz would like to schedule a workshop to discuss an Ordinance regarding the asphalt plant asking the Council to look at the proposed Ordinance. The workshop will be held June 15, 2009 at 5:30 P.M. June 1, 2009 Council President Sellers has talked with Jacobi Toombs and Lanz about the redistricting map. Council President Sellers has emailed Jodie Woods of IACT regarding second-class city status. Mayor Galligan reported he visited the tombstone of Richard Pyle at Eastern Cemetery. Richard Pyle helped lay out Jeffersonville and fathered the first two Caucasians born in Clark County in 1802 and 1805. Mayor Galligan has attended several DARE graduations. There is a gang problem in Jeffersonville and DARE is helping this. He signed 125 graduations certificates today. He never knew how kids looked up to elected officials. It is important to support and give a helping hand. Mayor Galligan explained the sewer construction on Springdale. This will help the CSO exposure. The City got off cheap with the fines. In order to have a quality community money needs to be spent. Mayor Galligan has received complaints of streetlights being too bright. Some will be domed. The use of LED lights causes dark spots and need to be placed closer. As there was no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 9:30 P.M. THOMAS R. GALLIG N MAYOR A~T.T~EST: ._ PEGGY WILDER, CLERK AND TREASURER