HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995 STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS1995 STATE OF TIlE CITY ADDRESS
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Council, Mr. Spencer and concerned
citizens of Jeffersonville. This is the "State of the City" address to inform
each of you of the progress and condition of our City in 1994 and a small
preview of some things I believe should be accomplished in 1995.
First, I would like to personally thank the members of the City
Council, my department heads, every City employee and all of the citizens
who serve as appointed members of the various boards and commissions of
the City, who have all helped me and the City throughout the last year.
STREET DEPARTMENT
It would seem to me that the biggest and most notable change in the
City of Jeffersonville in the last year has been the streets. When I took
office I promised to try and address some of the basics, including the roads,
which seemed to have decayed over the years prior to my election as Mayor.
Due to the winter storm that paralyzed Louisville for nearly a week, with
its record breaking low temperatures and icy conditions, the fulfillment of
that campaign promise became as much a matter of necessity as it was the
right thing to do.
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Thanks to a payment in lieu of taxes from the Sewage Utility, and
some other creative budgeting from our City Clerk Treasurer, Dick
Spencer, the City was able to pave many of the decaying streets in town.
At this time I feel confident in saying the streets are in better condition than
at anytime in recent memory. In 1995 we hope to continue to pave streets
on an as needed basis.
In June 1994 the State let a contract for the second phase of Market
Street. Because of the extensive repair work, it has been a major
inconvenience to residents and businesses who live in that area and travel
Market Street and Utica Pike. Fortunately, the project is nearing
completion and, whether permitting, should be opened to traffic in less than
a month. The new sidewalks, curbs, gutters and drainage systems which
have been installed are a dramatic improvement to what is one of the most
heavily travelled roads in Jeffersonville.
In an effort to continually improve the health and appearance of our
community, the City has recently purchased another vacuum type street
sweeper. Now we have two highly functional sweepers to keep our streets
cleaner than ever before.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
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1994 saw a few face changes in the Police Department.
In 1994 Police Chief Rick Elliott retired from the department after
many years of dedicated and exemplary service to Jeffersonville. Under his
leadership, progress was achieved and the professionalism of our Police
Department was enhanced. Fortunately, when Chief Elliott retired to take
a position with the Parks Department, a young, well trained and able
Assistant Chief was ready to succeed him. Our new Chief, Charles Elder,
has been at the helm of the department for nearly five months and already
is becoming comfortable with the duties and responsibilities expected of him.
Although Chief Elder is not the oldest or most experienced officer on the
department, he is among the best trained, having graduated from the FBI
National Academy. With the promotion of Charles Elder to Chief, Major
Charles Thompson became the new Assistant Chief of Police.
Due to retirement of some of the older officers, two new officers have
been hired for the Police Department. The abundance of well-qualified
applicants made the task of finding suitable replacements easy. The biggest
problem was to narrow the final choices from among the applicants. The
new officers are a welcome addition to the department and will no doubt
maintain or improve the high standards which the police department has set
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for itself.
For 1995 1 feel it is important to continue to upgrade the aging fleet
of police cruisers. Several new vehicles were brought on line in 1994. It is
my intention to continue to upgrade the fleet to insure the standards we
expect our officers to maintain. Administratively, I have asked Chief Elder
to develop a better system for providing officers with comp-time in a timely
manner, rather than allow the accumulation of hours and hours of overtime.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
1994 was another progressive year in the Fire Department because
Jeffersonville developed a HAZMAT response vehicle in conjunction with
the Town of Clarksville. It is one of those things you hope you never have
to use but feel assured knowing that in case of a chemical accident or
disaster, it is ready to perform. The City has never been better equipped
to handle emergencies as it is now. Chief Dooley and Assistant Chief James
have done an excellent job on this project, in addition to handling their
other day to day responsibilities.
In 1995 the Fire Department needs to take stock of its equipment and
develop a long term plan for replacement of the aging fleet of trucks and
other vehicles. We also need to consider the growth of the eastern end of
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town due to the continued development of the Clark Maritime Centre, the
Northport project and the opening of 1-265 to Highway 62.
ANIMAL SHELTER
In 1994 our Animal Shelter, under the new leadership of Ed Voyles,
continued to perform their function well by controlling the population of
stray and loose animals and providing an adoption program for those people
from our community who were seeking a pet. In fact, the adoption rate is
up -- meaning the number of animals which must be destroyed is down.
Director Voyles is a seasoned administrator who stepped in as temporary
director on short notice when an internal investigation and State Board of
Accounts audit investigation indicated some irregularities in the payroll
records. Recently I named Mr. Voyles as the permanent director of the
shelter, based upon the fine work that he has demonstrated to date.
Hopefully he will continue to maintain the high standards for the treatment
of animals which has been the trademark of Jeffersonville in recent years.
RECYCLING
The Board of Public Works, with the assistance of Les Kavanaugh and
with strong support from the Council, has been able to advance to the
forefront of the governments in Clark County when it comes to
environmental issues.
In 1994 a contract for pick up of yard waste was signed and a contract
was recently executed with the Clark County Solid Waste Management
District for the composting of that yard waste. This year I expect to further
refine the composting program and to attempt to make it self-supporting.
This should encourage alternative uses of yard waste materials the way the
law intended.
Full scale recycling of household waste was also initiated in 1994, again
in conjunction with the Clark County Solid Waste Management District.
This has been funded through the increased tipping fees at the Clark/Floyd
Landfill and has been achieved at no additional cost to the City.
SEWAGE DEPARTMENT
In 1994 the City had its first full year at the new wastewater plant
location. Because of the new treatment techniques and efficient
management of the facility, offensive odors are practically non-existent.
Complaints are at a record low and are hardly ever received.
One of the most exciting things with regard to the Sewage Department
started in May 1994. That was the awarding of a contract for Operations
and Management Services. The City hired EMC (Environmental
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Management Corporation) to operate the collection system and plant. In
turn this is saving the City hundreds of thousands of dollars which are being
spent on maintenance and infrastructure improvements which makes our
system better for our current users and more attractive to potential
businesses and developers. The transition to EMC operating the system has
gone smoothly.
In addition to the treatment aspect of the wastewater treatment plant,
the sewage collection office, which is managed by Jim Marra, has continued
doing an excellent job collecting delinquent sewer fees. Literally tens of
thousands of dollars have been collected again this year. These collections,
in addition to the monies saved by hiring EMC, make it unlikely that a
sewage rate increase will be necessary, unless revenues are reduced for some
reason.
PARKS DEPARTMENT
The Parks Department is now being headed by Donnie Poole after
former director Roger Caldwell resigned in May. Donnie is a long time
employee who has worked his way to the directors position after performing
nearly every job in the department at one time or another. Donnie's
experience in parks, along with Rick Elliott's administrative skills and
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experience, make for a great combination. The Parks Department has
continued to surpass previous attendance records at its public events such
as Halloween in Warder Park and Christmas in the Park. Recently the
Parks Board renamed the old Ingramville Park to honor Mr. Bob Hedge,
a local businessman who has given thousands of hours and raised thousands
of dollars for the sick, disadvantaged and handicapped members of this
community.
PLANNING AND ZONING
In 1994 the City worked more closely with developers to attempt and
prevent the onset of new drainage problems and to help correct old
problems. One major issue which needs to be decided this year is the
decision whether or not to complete the Inter City Road. Something must
be done to help ease the congested roads and problem access of
Jeffersonville's fastest growing residential area. As leaders we owe it to the
community to find a way to finance a solution to the problems which are
developing on those residential areas if growth is to continue. The needs of
the community outweigh the desires of the few who are opposed to the
development of the Inter City Road. I encourage swift and decisive action
on this project.
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(I-265 and Northport)
1-265 finally opened, creating easier access to the far eastern areas of
the City. The Northport project is getting underway, thanks to the
continued efforts on the part of developers and thanks to the securing of a
2.8 million dollar economic development grant which was applied for by the
City of Jeffersonville through its Department of Redevelopment. With the
completion of the infrastructure for that project and the anticipated
annexation of that property this year, Jeffersonville should continue to be
a prime spot for economic development and the east end of Jeffersonville
should continue to show a surge of growth.
(Maritime Centre)
Several new businesses have finished construction of new facilities at
the Maritime Centre and at least two others are currently under
construction. There are numerous new jobs which are coming to
Jeffersonville this year as a result of the incentives in the form of temporary
tax abatements supported by the administration and the Council. Several
other businesses are inquiring about moving to the Maritime Centre and
several companies presently located there are seeking to expand. Again, for
anyone who has not been to the Maritime Centre in the last year, you need
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happened there to appreciate the progress which is
to see what has
occurring.
(Youngstown)
In the business district, Mr. Jeff Agan has continued his renovation
of the Youngstown Shopping Center and has located several new businesses
there. Nearby, Winn-Dixie has constructed a new store and recently held
its grand opening celebration. A new business has already located in the
spot vacated by Winn Dixie.
(Downtown)
Downtown has continued to see growth as the old Jeffersonville sewer
plant has come on line as a tax paying business entity. Likewise several new
professional offices have been constructed and the Clark Memorial Hospital
is preparing for a major addition to its rehabilitation center.
Thanks to Jeff. Mainstreet, local businesses and interested citizens, the
intersection of Spring Street and Chestnut Street has been renovated to
match the intersection of Spring and Market Streets. Perhaps the most
exciting thing occurring downtown is along Riverside Drive. A lease
agreement has been executed with Ogden Entertainment for 500 feet of the
riverfront at the foot of Spring Street. The Overlook is currently under
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renovation and some major sewer and road work is occurring along that
area which will include the addition of curbs, gutters and sidewalks along
the south side of Riverside Drive. The Department of Redevelopment and
its director, Mr. Carroll Gowens, have been instrumental in helping develop
and implement that project. This year I hope to find other revenue sources
to continue financing other improvements in this area.
COOPERATION_
With three years experience as Mayor and City Council members, we
are becoming much more effective at managing the City. I would like to
thank Mr. Stemler for his fine leadership as Council President this past year
and I look forward to working with the new Council President, Peggy
Wilder. It is my hope that 1995 can be another year marked by progress
and cooperation. The City is at a turning point. There are many economic
opportunities available at this time. The City has an energetic and
ambitious Council who have demonstrated that they are willing to work
hard to try and accomplish the things they feel are important.
Like I said last year, if there is a problem with the way the City is
operating, the Buck Stops Here. I want the chance to solve problems.
That's why I ran for Mayor and that's why I was elected. My door is open
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and my telephone number is listed. I want to continue to be able to speak
with an open mind with each citizen or councilperson.