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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSeptember 14, 2009COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA September 14, 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 September 14, 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 Greg Clark, and Administrative Assistant Laura Boone. Mayor Galligan welcomed all in attendance, asking all those present to stand as Councilperson Ron Grooms 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 addition of Josh Hillman regarding sidewalks, and the 2010 Budget Public Hearing, 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 August 31, 2009 (6:30 P.M.) second by Councilperson Zastawny, passing on a vote of 7-0. Councilperson Wilson then made the motion to approve the minutes of August 31, 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, requesting consideration of three additional claims (Beautification $14,000.00, Adrienne & Co. $2,500.00 and Tony Decker $283.29). Following discussion, Councilperson Wilson made the motion to approve the claims as presented, second by Councilperson Zastawny, passing on a vote of 4-3. Voting against passage are Councilpersons Smith, Samuel, and Sellers. Councilpersons Smith and Samuel noted their objection to the hand-carried claims. September 14, 2009 PUBLIC COMMENT: 2 Mr. Steve Mason, a resident of Whispering Oaks, reported Mr. Furnish has made significant progress. He requests inspection by the city Engineer. Mr. Mason does request enforcement of Ordinance No. 2007-OR-7 and Ordinance no. 2009-OR-23, regarding overgrown grass on empty lots. Mr. Mason also informed the Council Mr. Furnish has quit paying for the streetlights. Mayor Galligan will look into this. Mr. Mason requests that stop lines be pained at all stop signs. Mr. Greg Furnish, 4004 Murphy Road, Memphis, IN reported the curbs are complete. A couple of the empty lots are not in his name. The removed curbs will be hauled off. Mr. Furnish is not sure about the streetlights. He is not sure why the City put in additional streetlights as this opens up a Pandora's box. Mr. Furnish promises paving in about two weeks. Within a week he will mow the empty lots that he owns. He does want to know why additional lights were put in. He asks if additional lights will be put in on the other side. Ms. Darienne Arcuri, a 20 year resident of Myrtle Street, appeared before the Council expressing concern for the Mac Asphalt Plant odors. She has chronic sinus and throat problems. She experiences dust inside and outside her home. She is concerned for the chemical compounds in the dust from the plant. Ms. Jean Hale, a resident of Jefferson Mobile Home Park, noted that due to the Mac Asphalt Plant there are times she cannot go walking. She has experienced carbon monoxide poisoning in the past. She said this is serious. Ms. Hale then read an article (attached). She noted she gets weak and has trembling spells when working in her yard. She feels these are cancer-causing ingredients. Ms. Pat Barrow, 1800 Dutch Lane, presented and reviewed City of Jeffersonville Indiana Galligan's Administration Report Card 10/06/08-09/14/2009 (attached). Ms. Barrow holds Mayor Galligan responsible. COUNCIL COMMENT: Council President Sellers has been called out several time to "come and smell". She encourages the residents to call IDEM as the City has no control. Planning and Zoning Director Jim Urban said he is bothered that Mayor Galligan gets blamed, noting that from July 22 to September 3, there was no notification of smells. September 14, 2009 3 Mayor Galligan noted Mac Construction has been awarded contracts thru proper bidding as prescribed by State law. DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS: There were no Department Head reports. AGENDA ITEMS: Mayor Galligan announced the public hearing to accept comments regarding the proposed 2010 City of Jeffersonville budget as advertised. Mayor Galligan asked for comments. No comments were voiced. Mayor Galligan noted there will be another public hearing on September 28, 2009. Mr. Josh Hillman of Jacobi, Toombs and Lanz, explained the area for the Charlestown Pike sidewalk extension. The engineering plans are complete with an estimated cost of $325,000. The sidewalk is to be 4,000 in length. Councilperson Zastawny noted this is a key stretch connecting schools and a park. Councilperson Grooms said this is a great project, asking about grants. Mr. Hillman noted some grants are still available. They will be opened in March and have many requirements. There are options if the sidewalk is made wider to accommodate bicycles. Ms. Peggy Duffy representing City Pride and Ms. Deb Ashack, Stormwater Coordinator, appeared before the Council regarding Green Infrastructure. Ms. Duffy explained point source replacement. She noted rain barrels are designed not to be mosquito-breeding areas. Soil types are important. Attorney Clark reviewed the Drainage Ordinance history. An encompassing Ordinance is being worked toward. Coordinator Ashack noted trees are important. She is looking into Jeffersonville becoming a Tree City USA. Councilperson Zastawny noted the need for education. Following discussion, Councilperson Fetz made the motion to appoint Councilperson Fetz, Rita Fleming, and Steven Fetter to the committee, second by Councilperson Grooms, passing on a vote of 7-0. City Attorney Darren Wilder reviewed Ordinance No. 2009-OR-31, An Ordinance Amending Ordinance 2009-OR-51, An Ordinance Regarding Refuse/Garbage Collections. Following discussion, Councilperson Fetz made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2009-OR-31 on the third reading, second by Council President Sellers, passing on a vote of 7-0. September 14, 2009 4 Wastewater Treatment Plant Director Len Ashack, presented and reviewed a packet of information in support of Ordinance No. 2009-OR-34, An Ordinance Amending 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 2009OR-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. Following discussion, Councilperson Smith made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2009-OR-34 on the first reading, second by Council President Sellers, passing on the following roll call vote: Ayes: Councilpersons Smith, Zastawny, Fetz, Sellers, and Wilson. Nays: Councilpersons Grooms and Samuel. Councilperson Grooms presented Ordinance No. 2009-OR-35, An Ordinance Fixing Basic Salaries Of Appointed Officers And Employees Of The City Of Jeffersonville, Indiana For The Year 2010. Mayor Galligan has recommended a 3.8% increase for 2010. Following discussion, Councilperson Grooms made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2009-OR-34 on the first reading, second by Councilperson Samuel, passing on a vote of 6-0-1. Council President Sellers abstained. CLERK TREASURER COMMENTS: There were no Clerk Treasurer comments COMMITTEE REPORTS, COUNCIL AND MAYOR COMMENTS: Councilperson Samuel is sympathetic with those speaking about the asphalt plant. He is also sympathetic with the plant. He is stuck in the middle. Councilperson Samuel is concerned about a citizen that is in disagreement with a claim against the Police Department. He feels the City may be sued. He would like to have an insurance adjuster review the claim. City Attorney Wilder reviewed the procedures that have occurred. The City has made an offer that has been rejected. Councilperson Samuel said he hates to see this go to court. Councilperson Samuel is proud to announced a guest here this evening. His daughter Alexis who turned 18 years old on Friday is here. Councilperson Grooms says thank you to Mat and the Police. He asks the Mayor to comment regard the Mac Construction Ordinance. Councilperson Fetz reviewed what September 14, 2009 5 was written. Councilperson Grooms noted two Boy Scouts are doing -Eagle Scout projects, and there will be one more. Councilperson Wilson noted there is one more Concert In the Park this season. It has been a tremendous year. The bands have been fantastic. There were 900 in attendance last Friday. Councilperson Zastawny thanked Peggy Duffy and Deb Ashack for the presentation. He supports their efforts, as there is a need to get control of water. Councilperson Grooms noted Halloween Downtown has been approved. Mayor Galligan noted there had been a report of a car in the River at Duffy's Landing. Nothing was found. Riverbreeze was a wonderful event. A lot of money was raised. Peggy Duffy and The Beautification Committee need to be commended. Mayor Galligan said Street Commissioner David Hosea has had a problem with his heart. He does a great job. He asks all to pray for him. The Monarchs performed Saturday night at Riverstage. The Council needs to be commended for the sound system. The Monarchs asked to be invited back. Deb Ashack has had pet waste stations installed. Mayor Galligan asked all to pick up after your dogs. As there was no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 9:35 P.M. 1 THOMAS R. GALLIGA AYOR ~: J TEST: ~, PEGG I ER, CLERK AND TREASURER