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HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril 4, 2011 COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA APRIL 4, 2011 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 April 4, 2011. Mayor Tom Galligan, with Deputy Clerk Treasurer Barbara Hollis at the desk, called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M. Also present were City Attorney Darren Wilder and Council Attomey Mickey Weber. Mayor Galligan welcomed all in attendance, asking all those present to stand as Councilperson Samuel gave the invocation. Mayor Galligan then led all those present 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, Wayne Carter and Nathan Samuel. Absent: None. Councilperson Samuel made the motion to approve the agenda as presented, second by Councilperson Carter, passing on a vote of 7 -0. Deputy Clerk Hollis presented the claim lists for consideration by the Council, Following all discussion, Councilperson Samuel made the motion to approve the claim list as presented, second by Councilperson Carter, passing on a vote of 6 -1. Councilperson Zastawny voted against passage. Councilperson Zastawny made the motion to preapprove the Park claims as presented, second by Councilperson Sellers, passing on a vote of 7 -0. Councilperson Carter made the motion to approve the additional claim list in the amount of $440.00 as presented, second by Councilperson Fetz passing on a vote of 7 -0. PUBLIC COMMLNT: Mr. Mat Owen. a resident of 3924 Charlestown Pike, appeared before the Council to question the policy for City vehicles. He reported he saw a dark blue Ford with a City logo with unlocked doors and keys left in the ignition in a parking lot. Mayor Galligan said this is not policy, taking the information and saying he will look into the matter. Mr. • April 4, 2011 2 Owen next commended the work of City Pride. He does like the idea of using pipe and making flower pots. He asked about the plans for painting, suggesting making use of area students or residents. Councilperson Wilson said City Pride has been discussing this and has found the pipe is too porous for regular paint. Mr. Owen noted City Pride has done a good job. COUNCIL COMMENT: Councilperson Samuel noted, on a recent trip to Ohio he saw stucco used on planters. DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS: There were no Department Head reports. AGENDA ITEMS: Councilperson Samuel made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2011- OR -17, An Ordinance Of Additional Appropriations (General Fund - Animal Shelter) on the third reading, second by Councilperson Sellers, passing on a vote of 7 -0. Councilperson Wilson made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2011- OR -18, an Ordinance Of Additional Appropriation (EDIT Fund), second by Councilperson Samuel, passing on a vote of 7 -0. Councilperson Wilson made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2011- OR -19, An Ordinance Of Additional Appropriation (LOIT Fund) on the third reading, second by Councilperson Sellers, passing on a vote of 7 -0. COMMITTEE REPORTS COUNCIL AND MAYOR COMMENTS: �enai perdoq amue ettrult Stith said he had met with some residents of Skyline Acres. They would like to have their addresses changed to Jeffersonville from Charlestown as they have been annexed by Jeffersonville. A Resolution was discussed. This may involve the Post Office. A written request was suggested. Councilperson Sellers noted there may be many that do not want the change. Councilperson Zastawny said this has been talked about with mixed feelings. A gentleman in the audience said the address is dictated by the Post Office serving the area. Councilperson Samuel will draft a Resolution for the next meeting. Councilperson Smith next gave an update on the 7 and Ohio Bioswale. He has been measuring rain. The Bioswale is doing a good job. The April 4, 2011 3 main flooding is not taken care of Councilperson Smith then noted the circuit breaker has been "tripped" and will have to be dealt with. The City will have to trim the budget. Councilperson Zastawny noted Riverstage has a budget with no funding. A realistic budget has been submitted. Councilperson Fetz asked about a street light for the Cast Iron Steakhouse area. Councilperson Sellers, as a member of the Wellness Committee, announced a walk/run will be held April 20, 2011 at 6:00 P.M. at Perrin Park. The entry fee is $10. Councilperson Wilson noted the Concerts in the Park will start in May. Councilperson Carter noted the opening of Rural King, a new business in Jeffersonville. The business is thrilled. Councilperson Samuel noted the need for budget reductions. Mayor Galligan is working on recommendations. Councilperson Samuel requests an update on the Big 4 Bridge project in the near future. He noted 10 and Spring is looking great. The Police arbitration will take place in two weeks. Council Attorney Weber announced there will be a hearing on Friday, April 8, 2011 at 9:00 A.M. regarding the annexation lawsuit. Alt may attend however there will be no witnesses or testimony. Mayor Galligan received a letter from George Chamberlain who moved to Jeffersonville from Cape Cod. The letter praises Jeffersonville for all there is to do here. Mayor Galligan said Rural King is a much needed welcome addition to Jeffersonville. The City has received a grant in the amount of $900,000 for the sewer separation on 8 Street. There will be more bioswales as well as other improvements. He explained the catch basin problems. Mayor Galligan said he is trying to make 10` and Spring look a little better. There are a lot of good thing happening. He then made mention of' the Mayoral debate held last Friday. This was a good thing. The circuit breaker notice said the City will receive nearly $1,800,000 less in property taxes than expected. He plans to have a meeting with the department to cut the budgets. This will have to be done. The City will be fine, but will have to tighten belts. He is talking to a solar company about putting solar panels in to generate a revenue stream. This would be a way to offset costs at the sewer plant. He is also looking at composting at the sew plant. He is trying to do all that can be done to stay in budget. April 4, 2011 4 CouncilpersonZastawny gives kudos to Councilperson Fetz for his foresight regarding the circuit breaker. He is happy to know we are fine. Mayor Galligan noted the need to say on top of this. There is a need to increase employment by bringing in business. Mayor Galligan also noted there will be reductions in LOIT, EDIT, and CAGIT revenue. It will be work to stay on top of this. The City has managed to stay lean. Councilperson Sellers said there is a need to reappoint Building Authority members. Attomey Weber will look at this. Councilperson Fetz said the Ethics Commission members need to be appointed. Mayor Galligan said the majority of the indebtedness has come from the sewer ' department. Sewer rates have been increased for this. There are people talking about the need to gel a handle on this. They need to get their facts straight. Some are telling "bold- face lies ". The sewer rates are paying for the debt as the City is under a mandate. DDEM is coming for a visit. They are happy the City is being proactive and building for the future. As there was no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 7:20 P.M. // a / /// THOMAS R. GALL!GAIf AYOR TTEST: !.area PEGGY ILDER, CLERK AND TREASURER