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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFeburary 22, 2010COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA FEBRUARY 22, 2010 The Common Council of the City of Jeffersonville, Indiana met in regular session in Room 101, City Hall, 500 Quartermaster Court, Jeffersonville, Indiana, at 6:30 P.M. on Monday February 22, 2010. Mayor Tom Galligan, with Deputy Clerk Treasurer Barbara Hollis at the desk, called the meeting to order at 6:35 P.M. 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 Reverend Steve Benner gave the invocation. Mayor Galligan then asked all those present to join him in the pledge of allegiance to the flag. Reverend Benner informed the Council of the St. Paul's Food Pantry. Last week, in conjunction with Dare To Care, 69 households were helped. 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, second by Councilperson Fetz, passing on a vote of 7-0. Mayor Galligan presented the minutes for consideration. Councilperson Wilson made the motion to approve the minutes of January 25, 2010 (6:00 P.M.) second by Council President Samuel, passing on a vote of 7-0. Councilperson Wilson then made the motion to approve the minutes of February 1, 2010 (7:30 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. Following discussion, Council President Samuel made the motion to approve the claims with the correction of the appropriation number for the OMP claim, second by Councilperson Sellers, passing on a vote of 6-l. Councilperson Zastawny voted against passage. Council President Samuel noted a Fire Department claim to AT&T would be paid early. Councilperson Grooms made the motion to preapprove the Park claims in the February 22, 2010 2 amount of $7,614.79, second by Councilperson Zastawny, passing on a vote of 7-0. Council President Samuel then made the motion to approve the Early Paid Claims as presented, second by Councilperson Sellers, passing on a vote of 7-0. PUBLIC COMMENT: There was no public comment. COUNCIL COMMENT: There was no Council comment. DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS: Assistant City Engineer Andy Crouch appeared before the Council requesting a pay increase for WWTP employee Bruce DeArk. The Sanitary Sewer Board has recommended the increase. Councilperson Grooms noted the finance committee gave a negative recommendation to this request. It was felt the increase was considerable. Council President Samuel said the decision has nothing to do with the employee. There have been multiple requests and the concern is that precedence would be set. Assistant Crouch said the requested increase would bring the employee up to the other operator. Mayor Galligan noted this employee goes over and above.. Assistant Crouch said the employee is a definite asset. Councilperson Grooms noted there is no policy or program in place. Mayor Galligan feels if the City looses this employee, a considerable amount would have to be spent to replace him. His object is to keep people. Councilperson Zastawny noted this is a perfect example of the need to move forward with a performance based plan. Assistant Crouch said this request is performance based. Information Technology Roger Hardy explained disaster recovery needs. The proposed cost is $47,000. Council President Samuel presented a chart of users, suggesting non-tax departments share in the fund. Following all discussion, Council President Samuel made the motion to allow up to $47,000 of EDIT Fund for IT Disaster Recovery, second by Councilperson Wilson, passing on a vote of 7-0. AGENDA ITEMS: Ms. Kathleen Crowley of One Southern Indiana appeared before the Council in support of a tax abatement request for Heartland Payment. The request has been approved by Redevelopment. Mr. Scott Hudson of Heartland explained the growth. Mayor Galligan noted Heartland is an excellent corporate citizen. Mr. Hudson reviewed February 22, 2010 3 the growth in employees. A Resolution will be submitted for consideration at the next meeting. Recently retired Firefighter Charles Havens was given a certificate of appreciation for 32 and'/Z years of service by Mayor Galligan and Fire Chief Tony Harrod. Ms. Shaunna Graf, Project Coordinator, presented and reviewed the Ohio River Greenway annual report, presenting a slide show. The total annual budget is $54,000. Mr. Jay Ellis presented and reviewed Downtown Jeffersonville Revitalization Highlights 2009 -Projects of the nonprofit organization Jeffersonville Main Street Inc. Council President Samuel asked about the idea of closing Spring Street from Court Avenue to The Overlook to traffic. Mr. Ellis will take the idea to the Merchant's meeting. Councilperson Fetz asked about the Farmers' Market, suggesting the City parking lot next to Tubby's, with a tent. Mr. Ellis noted the need for shade. Mayor Galligan is looking at several locations. There are a lot of possibilities. Councilperson Grooms reviewed the need for passage of Ordinance No. 2010- OR-5, An Ordinance Transferring Certain Funds Within Same Department (Annexation). Councilperson Grooms made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2010-OR-5 on the second and third readings, second by Councilperson Samuel, passing on a vote of 7-0. Council President Samuel reviewed Ordinance No. 2010-OR-6, An Ordinance Amending 2009-OR-61 Which Amends 2009-OR-41, An Ordinance Fixing Basic Salaries Of Appointed Officers And Employees Of The City Of Jeffersonville, IN for the Year 2010. The addition since the first reading is for a second lead operator/lab tech that will be needed if the second plant is acquired. Councilperson Zastawny made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2010-OR-6 on the second and third readings. The motion failed on the following roll call vote. Ayes: Councilpersons Sellers, Fetz, and Zastawny. Nays: Councilpersons Samuel, Grooms, Wilson and Smith. Councilperson Smith supports the second lead operator; he is against hiring outside the range and the increase in range. Council President Samuel reviewed and made the motion to approve the Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana Circuit Rider Contract, second by Councilperson Wilson, passing on a vote of 7-0. February 22, 2010 4 Council President Samuel made the motion to amend Ordinance No. 2010-OR-6, second by Councilperson Zastawny. Following discussion, Councilperson Zastawny withdrew his second and Council President Samuel withdrew his motion. Council President Samuel then made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2010-OR-6 on the second and third readings with no range increases in Supervisors, second by Councilperson Zastawny, passing on a vote of 7-0. COMMITTEE REPORTS, COUNCIL AND MAYOR COMMENTS: Councilperson Smith voiced commendation to the Street and Sanitation Departments during the recent storm. Councilperson Zastawny asked about the status of the Glen Muncy request. He was told the roof money has been approved. Councilperson Zastawny then asked about redistricting, and was informed it is being finalized and will be back soon. Councilperson Fetz announced a meeting at Park Place Church regarding break- ins in his district. He will make a proposal at the next meeting to develop a committee to review the dependency on property taxes. This would be more of a "think tank". Councilperson Wilson commended the Street Department, Fire Department and the Police for handling the recent storm. All did a fantastic job. Councilperson Grooms reported the Finance Committee recommends the expenditure of $9,000 for safety glasses and other safety items. Also recommended is an expenditure of $14,000 to develop a template for promotion every two years, the lead operator, and disaster recovery. Councilperson Grooms presented an invoice for $12,000 for the Greenway, making the motion to approve the claim from EDIT, second by Councilperson Fetz, passing on a vote of 7-0. Council President Samuel announced a workshop at 5:45 P.M. on March 1 to hear an American Legal Publishing presentation for codification. Council President Samuel said the Greenway and Main Street presentations were excellent. The airport committee is waiting to hear from Alan Conner. Mayor Galligan said the coffee mugs are compliments of the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Regarding the salary session, Mayor Galligan said it is important to go into a performance based evaluation. There was a canal meeting last Thursday that went well. The canal is feasible. A pipe would cost $36 million and last for 100 years. The February 22, 2010 5 canal would last 250 years with $20 to $30 million in savings and allow for economic development. Not one drop of sewage will run thru the canal. Bio swales with filters will be seen. The water put in the canal will be dealt with and cleaned before going into the river. Mayor Galligan noted a meeting held today with Secretary of Transportation LaHood, Congressmen Hill and Yarmouth talking about a lot of issues. It was noted the bridge needs to be built and built quick. Mayor Galligan has also talked with Governor Daniels regarding the canal and looking at ways to help. All would benefit from half the sales tax from the district. The Street Department did a good job as well as the Police and Fire during the storm. The City did not shut down. Mayor Galligan has a great staff and great Department Heads. As there was no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 8:38 P.M. `-t THOMAS R. GALLIG ,MAYOR ATTEST: PEGG~ WILDER, CLERK AND TREASURER