HomeMy WebLinkAboutOctober 3, 2011 COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS OF THE
COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA
October 3, 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 October 3, 2011.
Council President Mike Smith, with Chief Deputy Clerk Treasurer Suzy Bass at
the desk, called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M. Also present was City Council
Attorney Mickey Weber. Council President Smith welcomed all in attendance, asking all
those present to stand as Councilperson Samuel gave the invocation. Council President
Smith 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 informed all present that Mayor Galligan was at the
hospital with a friend who was very ill.
Councilperson Zastawny made the motion to approve the agenda with the change
of moving Melissa Wood from item 7 & 8 to 1, second by Councilperson Sellers, passing
on a vote of 7 -0.
Chief Deputy Clerk Bass presented the claim lists for consideration by the
Council. Councilperson Samuel made the motion to approve the regular claim list as
presented, second by Councilperson Zastawny. Councilperson Samuel questioned the IT
claim for virtualization software. Mr. Hardy was not present to answer so Councilperson
Samuel will speak with him but is ok with approving the claim since there is money in
his budget. The motion passed on a vote of 7 -0. Councilperson Zastawny made the
motion to pre- approve the Park claim as presented, second by Councilperson Wilson,
passing on a vote of 7 -0.
October 3, 2011 2
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Lynda Sylvester thanked the Mayor for the improvements at the Shelter but there
is much more work to be done. She said she is the one who took the previous pictures and
would like it to be on record that they were taken at 11:30 am.
Trish Roehm wanted to thank the Mayor for hiring Sara Green. She questions
why the Animal Shelter uses only Dr. Howard. She also talked about the SNIP program
and the savings the City would receive from utilizing this program.
Katherine Fraze said that she has worked with the Animal Shelter for over 10
years and she feels the Mr. Wilder is not qualified to hold this position. She feels the
City can get a more qualified individual.
Lynn Schwenning feels the City is doing a disservice by limiting their hours of
operation. She said if you compare the Jeffersonville Animal Shelter website to the New
Albany animal shelter you will see that they have so much more to offer.
COUNCIL COMMENT:
Councilperson Fetz said that comments about Mr. Wilder were pretty
harsh. He is not a public official, he is an employee and Fetz does not feel that anyone
has a right to criticize him in a public forum. He also doesn't understand why some
people feel it is ok to attack individuals during the political season. The Council has no
• hiring or firing rights and Mr. Wilder has worked for Mayor Galligan and former Mayor
Waiz so they apparently feel he is qualified. He said positive comments are usually taken
more seriously than critical ones.
DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS:
There were no Department Head reports.
AGENDA ITEMS:
Councilperson Samuel made the motion to remove a proposed Resolution
Establishing The Board Of Directors Of The River Ridge Commerce Center As The
Urban Enterprise Association For The River Ridge Urban Enterprise Zone from the
agenda until further notice, second by Councilperson Sellers, passing on a vote of 7 -0.
City Attorney Weber presented 2011 -R -23 a resolution to support efforts to
immediately commence work on the east end bridge. Councilperson Zastawny said that
October 3, 2011 3
he supports the resolution that adds the last paragraph supporting the Council's previous
resolution to endorse no tolls on existing bridges and he made the motion to approve
2011 -R -23. The motion was seconded by Councilperson Sellers passing on a 6 -1 vote.
Councilperson Samuel said that he voted against because he feels the toll issue has
already been voted on and should not be included in this resolution.
Melissa Woods, River Hills EDD and RPC, presented a resolution authorizing the
submittal of the MSRP application for a grant for the Streetscape improvements on W.
Chestnut Street from Pearl to Spring. The matching funds are contingent upon receipt of
MSRP funding from the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs. The motion
was made by Councilperson Carter to pass 2011 -R -24, seconded by Councilperson
Zastawny passing on a 7 -0 vote.
Melissa Woods, River Hills EDD and RPC, presented a resolution declaring the
Main Street revitalization area a slum and blight area. This wording is necessary for the
above grant application. The motion was made by Councilperson Zastawny to pass
2011 -R -25, second by Councilperson Wilson passing on a vote of 7 -0.
Officer Harmon presented Ordinance No. 2011- OR -52, An Ordinance
Transferring Certain Funds Within The Same Department (EDIT Fund). Councilperson
Samuel made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2011 -OR -52 on the third and final
reading, second by Councilperson Carter, passing on a vote of 7 -0.
Officer Harmon presented Ordinance No. 2011- OR -53, An Ordinance of
Appropriation of Locally Controlled Funds. Councilperson Samuel made the motion to
pass Ordinance No. 2011 -OR -53 on the first and second readings, second by
Councilperson Carter, passing on a vote of 7 -0.
Officer Harmon presented Ordinance No. 2011- OR -54, An Ordinance
Transferring Funds Within The Same Department (General). Councilperson Fetz made
the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2011 -OR -54 on the fast and second readings, second
by Councilperson Sellers, passing on a vote of 7 -0.
Officer Harmon presented Ordinance No. 2011- OR -55, An Ordinance
Transferring Funds Within the Same Department (LOIT). Councilperson Fetz made the
motion to pass Ordinance No 2011 -OR -55 on the first and second readings, second by
Councilperson Sellers, passing on a vote of 7 -0.
October 3, 2011 4
Officer Harmon presented Resolution No. 2011 -R -26, An Ordinance of
Additional Appropriation (General Fund). Councilperson Fetz made the motion to pass
Resolution 2011 -R -26 second by Councilperson Carter, passing on a vote of 7-0.
Officer Hannon presented and explained the need for Ordinance No.
2011- OR -56, An Ordinance Amending 2011 -OR-40 Fixing Basic Salaries of Appointed
Officers and Employees of the City of Jeffersonville. Only the GIS position is changed.
Councilperson Fetz made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2011 -OR -56 on the first and
second readings, second by Councilperson Carter, passing on a vote of 6 -0 -1.
Councilperson Sellers abstained.
Officer Harmon presented Ordinance No. 2011- OR -57, An Ordinance for
Appropriations and Tax Rates. Councilperson Fetz made the motion to pass Ordinance
No. 2011 -OR -57 on the first and second readings, second by Councilperson Sellers,
passing on a vote of 7 -0.
COMMITTEE REPORTS, COUNCIL AND MAYOR COMMENTS:
Councilperson Samuel asked all present to keep Barbara and Todd Hollis,
employees of the City, and family in their prayers. Barbara's daughter -in -law passed
away unexpectedly September 30, 2011. Also Charlie Reisert, a long time realtor in the
City passed away.
Councilperson Carter told the Council to just think about privatizing the animal
shelter. He has had several comments suggesting this so he is just throwing it out so the
Council can think about it.
Council President Smith said he would like to have Attorney Weber send a
letter/email to the County asking for their share of the animal shelter agreed payment.
After that letter/email is sent he would also like to have him send the same to all other
entities who have not paid their agreed payment. The Council agreed to this request.
Council President Smith said a landlord dumping furniture etc. on the curb when a renter
leaves has become a big problem. People stop and go thru the garbage, which scatters
and ends up blowing around the neighborhood. He would like to impose fines to
landlords for doing this and would like the Council to think about it.
As there was no further business to come before the Council, the meeting
was adjourned at 7:30 P.M.
October 3, 2011 5
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THOMAS R. GALLIC MAYOR
ATTEST:
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PEGG �r DER, CLERK AND TREASURER