HomeMy WebLinkAboutJanuary 22, 2013COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS OF THE
COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA
JANUARY 22, 2013
The Common Council of the City of Jeffersonville, Indiana met in regular session in Room 101, 500
Quartermaster Court, Jeffersonville, Indiana at 7:OOpm, on Monday, January 22nd, 2013.
Council President Ed Zastawny, with Vicki Conlin, City Clerk, called the meeting to order at 7:OOpm.
Council President Zastawny welcomed all in attendance, asking those in attendance to stand as Nathan
Samuel gave the invocation. Council President Zastawny then led all those present in the Pledge of
Allegiance to the Flag.
The roll call and those present were: Councilperson Smith, Councilperson Payne, Councilperson Gill,
Councilperson Glover, Councilperson Zastawny, Councilperson Samuel, Council President Sellers, and
Councilperson Owen. Absent: Council Vice President Julius
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA: Councilperson Gill made a motion to APPROVE the agenda with the
changes of removing Councilperson Samuel from New Business, removing Council election of Officers
and adding council appointments as number five under new business. Councilperson Glover seconded,
PASSING on a vote of 8-0.
MINUTES TO BE APPROVED:
Councilperson Owen made a motion to APPROVE the minutes from January 7th, 2013, with
councilperson Glover seconding, PASSING on a vote of 8-0.
CLAIMS TO BE APPROVED:
Parks Claims:
Controller Monica Harmon presented the Parks Claims list in the amount of $29,096.57 to the council
for approval. Councilperson Owen made a motion to APPROVE the Parks claims with Councilperson Gill
seconding, PASSING on a vote of 8-0.
General Claims:
Controller Harmon presented the General Claims list in the amount of $1,192,671.59 to the council for
approval. Councilperson Gill asked Mrs. Harmon if everything was in order that was discussed and Mrs.
Harmon stated yes it is. Councilperson Smith questioned the plumbing contractor on page 11 and Mrs.
Harmon stated that the building authority budget is for the city hall work and there is no conflict.
Councilperson Zastawny made a motion to APPROVE the general claims list with Councilperson Glover
seconding, PASSING on a vote of 8-0.
TIF Claims:
Controller Harmon presented the TIF Claims to the Council for approval in the amount of $782,522.61.
Councilperson Glover made a motion to APPROVE the claims list with Councilperson Samuel seconding,
PASSING on a vote of 8-0.
MAYOR COMMENT:
None at this time.
1
REPORT OF THE CLERK:
Clerk Conlin reported to the Council that she has put in their packet a map showing the budget
certificate status' and stated there was a budget hearing tomorrow at the county building. Ms. Conlin
stated she also sent an email to the council letting them know about an IACT webinar regarding TIF and
if they wish to register for it to let the clerk's office know. Ms. Conlin also reported that everything with
the Court is running well.
DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS:
NONE
A. UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
1.) Tom Lowe -2012-R-28: A Resolution of the Common Council of the City of Jeffersonville Approving
the Issuance of Bonds by the Jeffersonville -Clarksville Flood Control District: Corporate Counsel Tom
Lowe came before the council regarding the resolution that will involve replacing and upgrading the
flood control stations at cane run and mill creek. Councilperson Samuel asked why the mayor voted
against this and would like to find out more from the mayor about this and until then Councilperson
Samuel made a motion to TABLE 2012-R-28. Councilperson Smith seconded, PASSING on a vote of 8-0.
Corporate Counsel Tom Lowe stated he would encourage the mayor to contact the councilmembers to
discuss this further.
B. NEW BUSINESS:
1.) Scott Lewis -2013-R- 1: Resolution Authorizing the Transfer of Certain Real Property to the
Jeffersonville Sanitary Board: City Council Attorney Scott Lewis came before the council requesting
approval of 2013-R-1 that will transfer the title to sewer board where they would then transfer the
property to Mr. Speth. The Property is one of the last properties in part of a property acquisition for a
storm water conveyance system. Amy Burnette from Applegate and Fifer spoke to the council regarding
the transfer referring to the exhibit A attachment that shows the property in detail. Mrs. Burnette
stated she believes the zoning is residential and the property is basically an unusable piece of property
for the city. Mr. Speth is interested in this property because he owns property adjacent to this piece of
real property. Mr. Lewis stated the resolution has his and the Sanitary Sewer Board Resolution.
Councilperson Smith made a motion to APPROVE 2013-R-1 with Councilperson Zastawny seconding,
PASSING on a vote of 8-0.
2.) Tom Lowe- 2013-0R-1: An Ordinance Establishing Fee In Lieu of Required Sidewalk Installation
(Waiver) And The Sidewalk Waiver Non -Reverting Fund: Mr. Lowe came before the board to introduce
a sidewalk waiver fund. The fund has been discussed by the plan commission as a way to accept frees
from certain developments that are unable to place sidewalk in front of the establishment as required
by the city. Councilperson Samuel made a motion to strike paragraph six so that the ordinance will limit
the city to only be able to use the fees towards a sidewalk at the particular development. Councilperson
Owen seconded the motion. After much discussion from the council regarding whether the fund should
be used for that specific sidewalk in front of the development or towards sidewalks in the city as a
whole. Councilperson Owen rescinded his second and Councilperson Samuel rescinded his motion.
Councilperson Owen made a motion to APPROVE on a FIRST READING for further consideration,
seconded by Councilperson Zastawny, PASSING on a vote of 8-0.
2
3.) Rob Waiz — 2013-R-2 Resolution Approving Statement of Benefits for Proposed Real Property Tax
Abatement: Redevelopment Director Rob Waiz introduced representatives from Leo Properties
stating that they are looking to put in a new office building at a cost of 1.2 million and bringing in
27 new employees. Mr. Waiz stated this did go before Redevelopment and passed unanimously.
An attached letter from the CEO stating that they understand that if the company fails to reach
the numbers stated regarding the jobs and wages after the life of the abatement they understand
the council may rescind the abatement. The company agreed to a 10% annual fee per Indiana
Code. Councilperson Smith made a motion to APPROVE 2013-R-2 with Councilperson Owen
seconding, PASSING on a vote of 8-0.
4.) Council Appointments:
UEZ: Councilperson Smith stated that he contacted the appointments since that was the zone he
represents and they would all like to stay on the board. The Appointments remaining are the
following: Warren Schimpf, Peggy Hardaway, and Miguel Hampton. Councilperson Smith made a
motion to REAPPOINT all of the before mentioned persons with Councilperson Samuel seconding,
PASSING on a vote of 8-0.
Drainage: Council President Sellers stated that districts 1,3,5,6 need to reappoint people for
drainage. Councilperson Smith stated that Dan Christensen would like to continue his
appointment. Councilperson Payne stated that he would like to reappoint Rick Madden.
Councilperson Gill stated she would like to reappoint Charlie Bryant and Councilperson Glover
stated he would like to reappoint Kurt Jacobs. Councilperson Samuel made a motion to
REAPPOINT the before mentioned persons with Councilperson Smith seconding, PASSING on a
vote of 8-0.
Planning and Zoning: Councilperson Smith stated he would like reappoint Council President Sellers
for Planning and Zoning board and Councilperson Zastawny stated he would like to appoint
Councilperson Gill for the other appointment on that board. Councilperson Smith made the motion
to APPOINT both Council President Sellers and Councilperson Gill for the board of Planning and
Zoning, with Councilperson Samuel seconding, PASSING on a vote of 8-0.
Drainage: Council President Sellers stated she would like to relinquish her presidential duty of
serving on the drainage board to allow Councilperson Payne to serve on the board. Councilperson
Zastawny made a motion to APPOINT Councilperson Payne to the Drainage board, with
Councilperson Glover seconding, PASSING on a vote of 8-0.
C. REPORTS AND COMMENTS:
1.) PUBLIC COMMENT
None
2.) COUNCIL COMMENTS:
Councilperson Smith — No Comment
Councilperson Payne — No comment
Councilperson Gill — No Comment
Councilperson Glover — No Comment
3
Councilperson Zastawny — Stated that there is always significant flooding on Waverly road when there is
a lot of rainfall and he stated he is currently thinking of ways to help alleviate this problem with the
possibility of a pond to slow the water down. He also thanked Councilperson Gill for being out there in
the rain and for all the work she has done to help.
Councilperson Owen — Asked Chief Deputy Erica Burress about uploading the video of the meeting
regarding the homeless earlier that day. Mrs. Burress stated she is having difficulty uploading that
particular format but is confident she will be able to get it online soon.
Councilperson Samuel — stated there was a lot of positive comments and hopeful traction at the
meeting regarding the homeless situation. He stated he would like to see the private agencies and
churches to deal with this situation more than the government and that the meeting as a whole was
very good.
President Sellers — Read a statement regarding the credit card usage of the Mayor and stated that there
is no investigation and that the council is just doing their due diligence in reviewing the claims they
approve. The statement is as follows:
As the President of the City Council, I would like to clear up some misunderstandings as recently
reported in the media. The City Council has not approved and is not conducting any investigation of the
Mayor's usage of his City -issued credit card and is not accusing the Mayor of any impropriety. Pursuant
to its role as the Fiscal Body, the City Council will continue its normal function in reviewing all city claims,
including credit card claims and other travel claims, to ensure that all such claims are submitted and
approved per the existing rules, regulations and procedures as required by current City Ordinances. If
the City Council determines that a need exists to update the current City policies concerning the usage
of City -issued credit cards and travel expenses, then the Council will work with the Mayor's Office in
developing and implementing any necessary or desired changes to the City Ordinances.
Council President Sellers stated that under the previous administration the receipts for any credit cards
were included in the packet and asked Mrs. Harmon if that could be continued. Mrs. Harmon agreed.
ADJOURNMENT:
Councilperson Owen made the motion to ADJOURN, seconded by Mike Smith, passing on a vote of 8-0.
Meeting ADJOURNED at 7:55 P.M.
Vicki Conlin, City Clerk
4
APP pVED BY:
0,uk,
Connie Sellers, President