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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJuly 20, 2009COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA July 20, 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 July 20, 2009. Mayor Tom Galligan, with Deputy Clerk Treasurer Barbara Hollis at the desk, called the meeting to order at 7:40 P.M. Also present were City Attorney Darren 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 Fetz made the motion to approve the agenda, second by 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 June 29, 2009 (6:00 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, requesting claims to RDK Truck Sales in the amounts of $16,000, and $69,000, be considered in addition to the list. Following discussion, Councilperson Samuel made the motion to approve the claims as presented as well as the additional, second by Councilperson Smith, passing on a vote of 7-0. PUBLIC COMMENT: Ms. Pat Barrow appeared before the Council to explain the fumes and noise she has previously voiced concern about, continue. She asks, who from the City goes to the company. Planning and Zoning Director Jim Urban has gone to Chad. Councilperson Samuel asked if zoning laws are being broken. Director Urban replies no to zoning laws, nuisance odor and noise, yes. He stated independent trucks are doing the banging. July 20, 2009 2 Mayor Galligan will inform the trucking companies there will be fines. Director Urban will work with Chad. He will suggest cameras be set up. Councilperson Grooms asked about the shrubs and plants, as he cannot tell the weeds from the plants. Mayor Galligan will get it cleaned out. Mr. Walt Manka, 3017 Beech Grove, said people are upset with the sidewalk on Allison Lane. He is concerned for the increased traffic on Allison Lane. He is also concerned it is not wide enough for emergency vehicles. He asks what the plan is. Mayor Galligan said he understands the curb and sidewalks are put in place so when the road is widened it will be on the other side. The turning lanes will "bubble". Mr. Manka asked if there would be sidewalks on both sides. Mayor Galligan said that is the plan. Councilperson Wilson has said it is the Beech Grove residents that want the sidewalks. Mr. Manka said the amount of traffic is the problem. Councilperson Grooms noted money and funding is the problem. Mayor Galligan said he couldn't commit, as the area is not in the City. COUNCIL COMMENT: There was no Council comment. DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS: Building Commissioner Russ Seagraves explained the structure and purpose of the Building Commission Department (outline attached). There will be a new code enforcement Ordinance. AGENDA ITEMS: Director Urban gave a background of the housing study conducted by a University of Louisville student. An inventory of core historic housing was done. This is an excellent report, done with the objective eye of one student. This is valuable information. Assistant Fire Chief Tony Decker explained the need for passage of Ordinance No. 2009-OR-27, An Ordinance Transferring Certain Funds Within Same Department (Fire). Councilperson Samuel made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2009-OR-27 on the third reading, second by Councilperson Smith, passing on a vote of 7-0. Councilperson Fetz initiated discussion with regard to Resolution No. 2009-R-9, A Resolution Replacing 2008-R-39 Requiring The City Of Jeffersonville, Indiana To July 20, 2009 3 Undertake Steps To Operate Executive And Legislative Government In An "Earth Friendly, Responsible" Manner And Fashion, noting the substantial savings in the use of paper. Councilperson Samuel said he is supportive of most of the Resolution, he does not feel he can support Section A. Councilperson Grooms feels this is great as a part of Solid Waste, however he is not comfortable putting this in action. Councilperson Zastawny feels paper is a cost of doing business and is counterproductive if printing is done at home. Councilperson Grooms made the motion to table Resolution No. 2009-OR-9 for further study, second by Councilperson Fetz, passing on a vote of 7-0. City Attorney Darren Wilder introduced Resolution No. 2009-R-10, A Resolution Vacating Interest In Alley Ways In Block 118, explained the area. The Board of Public Works has given approval. Councilperson Samuel made the motion to pass Resolution No. 2009-R-10, second by Councilperson Fetz, passing on a vote of 7-0. Council President Sellers explained the need for passage of Ordinance No. 2009- OR-29, An Ordinance Amending Ordinance No. 2009-OR-25, An Ordinance Authorizing City Officials To Use City Credit Cards For Official Government Purchases. Following discussion, Councilperson Grooms made the motion to suspend the rules for Ordinance No. 2009-OR-29, second by Councilperson Samuel, passing on a vote of 7-0. Councilperson Grooms then made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2009-OR-29 on all three readings, second by Councilperson Fetz, passing on a vote of 6-1. Councilperson Smith voted against passage. Councilperson Grooms explained three changes to Ordinance No. 2009-OR-28, An Ordinance Amending 2009-OR-24, Which Amends 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. Councilperson Grooms made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2009-OR-28 on the third reading, second by Councilperson Fetz, passing on a vote of 7-0. Councilperson Smith explained the contract negotiations and civilian clothing allowance. CLERK TREASURER COMMENTS: There were no Clerk Treasurer Comments. July 20, 2009 4 COMMITTEE REPORTS, COUNCIL AND MAYOR COMMENTS: Councilperson Samuel explained two weeks ago his house was deliberately set on fire. This has been upsetting. The firefighters, investigators, and detectives have been very professional. No cause, or who, has been found as yet. On behalf of his family he wishes to thank the Mayor, Fire, and Police. The quick response saved the house. He does appreciate what has been done. Councilperson Samuel asked for an update on the new Police hardware and software. Mayor Galligan said this would be presented at the next meeting. Councilperson Samuel expressed appreciation to Assistant Boone for the use of technology equipment. Councilperson Grooms hopes to receive the 2009 budget order within the next three weeks. This should coincide with the Mayor presenting the proposed 2010 budget to the Council. The Council will probably not receive the detail of years past. Councilperson Smith met briefly with the Mayor and feels all are on the same page. Councilperson Grooms announced Solid Waste has a new director, Luke Etheridge. He has discovered a terminology problem regarding calls between the Street Department and Solid Waste. Councilperson Grooms hopes the taping of the meetings by Jeff High will resume in August. Councilperson Wilson noted there have been huge crowds the last two weeks at the Concerts in the Park. She encourages all to come. Councilperson Wilson said the Spay/Neuter Golf Scramble went real well. It was a great time and a good meal. Following discussion, Councilperson Samuel made the motion to approve $500 from Council Special Projects, to each Little League Team going to State, second by Councilperson Zastawny, passing on a vote of 7-0. Councilperson Zastawny noted the Louisville Orchestra performance at River Stage was phenomenal. Councilperson Fetz has distributed a Resolution Establishing "A Sustainable Jeffersonville" Committee, asking it to be placed on the agenda for the next meeting. Councilperson Fetz noted there was a regional swim meet held at the Aquatic Center on Saturday. This is a great facility. Parking is a problem. It is a top-notch facility. Council President Sellers thanked Director Urban for providing the funding for the study of downtown Jeffersonville. It is great information. She attended a meeting at July 20, 2009 5 Preservation Station that was very impressive. There is a need to implement these ideas. She is all for being able to do some of these things. Mayor Galligan agrees with President Sellers. Deb Ashack and Peggy Duffy did a great job. He reviewed how some of the ideas work. The goal is to clean up the waterways. As there was no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 9:15 P.M. T OMAS R. GALLIGAN AYOR EST: PEGGY I DER, CLERK AND TREASURER