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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAugust 3, 2009COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA August 3, 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 August 3, 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, and Administrative Assistant Tiffany Timberlake. Mayor Galligan welcomed all in attendance, asking all those present to stand as Councilperson Samuel 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, and Nathan Samuel. Absent: Councilperson Ron Grooms. Councilperson Samuel made the motion to approve the agenda with the addition of preapproval of Park claims and moving agenda item #13 to #10A, second by Councilperson Wilson, passing on a vote of 6-0. Mayor Galligan presented the minutes for consideration. Councilperson Wilson made the motion to approve the minutes of June 15, 2009 (5:30 P.M.) as presented, second by Councilperson Samuel, passing on a vote of 6-0. Councilperson Samuel made the motion to approve the minutes of July 20, 2009 (5:30 P.M.), second by Councilperson Sellers, passing on a vote of 6-0. Deputy Clerk Hollis presented the claim list for consideration by the Council. Following discussion, Councilperson Samuel made the motion to approve the claims as presented, second by Councilperson Wilson, passing on a vote of 6-0. Councilperson Samuel next made the motion to approve the Park claims in the amount of $52,245.87, second by Councilperson Fetz, passing on a vote of 6-0. August 3, 2009 PUBLIC COMMENT: 2 Mr. Steve Mason, a resident of 6202 Westwood Drive, appeared before the Council on behalf of Whispering Oaks Homeowners Association, thanking the Council for the street lights. Mr. Mason now asks that the City force Mr. Furnish to finish the neighborhood. Mr. Mason presented pictures and reviewed the problems. His request is to give a date of October 1 to have the work complete and then revoke the bond. Problems include empty lots not being mowed on a regular schedule, drainage problems, unfinished streets and curbs as well as debris. He is concerned for the property values and the ability to sell homes. There are safety issues. He also questions the loan for the streetlights. Mr. Greg Furnish, President of 21St Century Developers, owners of Whispering Oaks, appeared before the Council. Mr. Furnish said the paving would be done by the end of the paving season. He has had problems with the people doing the pouring of the curbs. The Home Owners Association is to take over the streetlights loan. He will continue to pave streets. He will respond in any way requested. Mayor Galligan said the dug out curbs need to have barricades. He needs to pour curbs the same day they are dug. The curbs have got to get done. Mr. Furnish said he now has a new contractor. Mayor Galligan asked Mr. Furnish to have the new curb contractor contact Assistant Engineer Andy Crouch. Mr. Furnish was requested to come to the meeting the second Monday of September with a report. Planning and Zoning Director Jim Urban said the City does not enforce private deed restrictions. He does not feel the bond money can be used to pay for streetlights. COUNCIL COMMENT: There was no Council comment. DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS: City Growth Coordinator Rick Lovan told the Council he appreciates working at City Hall. Coordinator Lovan reviewed his duties. AGENDA ITEMS: Planning and Zoning Director Jim Urban, explaining Cook Compression, requests passage of Resolution No. 2009-R-11, A Resolution Approving Statement Of Benefits For Purposes Of Real And Personal Property Tax Abatement. Mr. Ernest McGurty of August 3, 2009 3 Cook Compression explained what the business does. Mayor Galligan said welcome to Jeffersonville and thank you for coming. Councilperson Samuel made the motion to pass Resolution No. 2009-R-11 with the addition of the word years following TEN (10) on page 2, second by Councilperson Zastawny, passing on a vote of 6-0. Councilperson Fetz explained Resolution No. 2009-R-9, A Resolution Replacing 2008-R-39 Requiring The City Of Jeffersonville, Indiana To Undertake Steps To Operate Executive And Legislative Government In An "Earth Friendly, Responsible" Manner And Fashion. Councilperson Zastawny would like to change the date to January 1, 2012 to coordinate with a new Council. Mayor Galligan would like to use this as a goal. He will be coming back with a lot of Ordinance to become "green". Councilperson Samuel is supportive in theory. He does not want to be set up to fail. Councilperson Fetz noted the Council has the ability to budget for this. The intent is to use this as a guideline. Councilperson Zastawny said he is working for a corporation that has tried to become paperless; they are not there yet. He feels this is the right direction. Mayor Galligan noted the need to start somewhere, and he is in support of this Resolution. There is a need to change the mentality of the community. Council President Sellers called attention to the cost of recycled paper. Councilperson Fetz suggests Coordinator Lovan look into group purchases. Councilperson Wilson feels having the computer in front of her during meetings is distracting. Councilperson Samuel suggests changing the words require, to suggest. Mayor Galligan said he wants to strongly encourage this, as his goal is to be a "green city". Councilperson Zastawny feels a need for a transition period. Councilperson Wilson made the motion to table Resolution No. 2009-R-9, second by Councilperson Samuel, passing on a vote of 6-0. Councilperson Fetz requests all to send him suggestions before the next meeting. Councilperson Fetz next explained Resolution No. 2009-R-12, A Resolution Establishing "A Sustainable Jeffersonville" Committee. It should be changed to allow for the Mayor to have two appointments to make five members. Councilperson Samuel would like to add a sunset clause of December 31, 2011. At the conclusion of all discussion, Council President Fetz made the motion to pass Resolution 2009-R-12, second by Councilperson Samuel, passing on a vote of 6-0. Councilperson Fetz asks for suggestions for the appointments. Council President Sellers made the motion to appoint August 3, 2009 4 Councilperson Fetz to the committee, second by Councilperson Samuel, passing on a vote of 6-0. CLERK TREASURER COMMENTS: There were no Clerk Treasurer Comments. COMMITTEE REPORTS, COUNCIL AND MAYOR COMMENTS: Councilperson Samuel thanked Director Urban for the fencing on the Riverstage Barge. Councilperson Samuel said first impressions are critical and have a ripple effect and we should expect more from ourselves. He requests a berm or barrier to block the Street Department area on 10th Street next to City Hall. He questions if there is an interest to focus on "clean-up Jeff '. He has two ideas for control of the illegal signs. One is to pay people to turn in signs; the other is to pay part-time workers during rainy days. He encourages neighborhood associations to police their own neighborhoods for signs in the rite-of--ways and on light poles. He would like to see self-defense classes open to the public. Police Officer Grimes will look into this. Councilperson Wilson noted City Pride has consisted of 20 to 25 people for several years. She suggests more people get involved. The Concerts In The Park are doing well. Councilperson Smith would like to see that the sign regulations are enforced and fines made. Director Urban explained the practices. Councilperson Zastawny noted code enforcement overall needs to be enforced. The multi-family code needs to be updated. Director Urban said he is working on this. Councilperson Fetz had two calls asking if there was a limit of how many vehicles are allowed per residence. Council President Sellers explained the law. Council President Sellers received a letter from Home Depot regarding bulk buying. Coordinator Lovan will look into it. Mayor Galligan noted the grand opening for the LST is to be held on August 21 at 7:30 P.M. The streetlights on Spring Street are done; the papers will be signed tomorrow. He explained the 4-wire process. August 3, 2009 5 As there was no further business to come efore the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 9:00 P.M. THOMAS R. GALLIGAN YOR A to PEGGY WILDER, CLERK AND TREASURER