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:
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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.
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THOMAS R. GALLIGA AYOR
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PEGG I ER, CLERK AND TREASURER