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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-07-2000COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF IEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA FEBRUARY 7, 2000 The Common Council of the City of Jeffersonville met in regular session in the Multi-Purpose Meeting Room in the City-County Building, Jeffersonville, Indiana, at 7:00 P.M. on the 7th day of February, 2000. The meeting was called to order by Council President Ron Ellis in the absence of Mayor Thomas R. Galligan, with Clerk and Treasurer Peggy Wilder at the desk. Council President Ellis welcomed all in attendance, asking all those present to stand as Council President Ellis gave the invocation. Council President Ellis asked all those present to join him in the pledge of allegiance to the flag. The roll was called and those present were Councilpersons Les Merkley, Ron Ellis, Denny Frantz, Rob Walz, Barbara Wilson, Ron Grooms, and Vicki Conlin. Absent: None. Council President Ellis presented the minutes of the meeting of January 19, 2000 for consideration by the Council. Councilperson Wilson made the motion to approve the minutes as presented, seconded by Councilperson Conlin and carded unanimously. Councilperson Conlin made the motion to approve the agenda with one change of combining item #5 and #11 presented by Jana Ecker, seconded by Councilperson Grooms, passing unanimously. Clerk and Treasurer Wilder presented the claim list for consideration by the Council. Councilperson Conlin made the motion to approve the claims as presented, seconded by Council Merkley, passing unanimously. There was no public comment. Councilperson Wilson made the motion to table the third reading of Ordinance No. 00-OR- 03, An Ordinance Amending Certain Portions Of Section 1 Of Ordinance No. 99-OR-49, to allow time for discussion at a workshop, seconded by Councilperson Merkley, passing unanimously. Mr. Darren Wilder, Attorney appearing for Mr. Larry Wilder, Utica Town Attorney, requested passage of Resolution No. 00~R-1 t, Town Of Utica's Request For Authorization For Voluntary Annexation Of The Property Of James VanGilder and Roxanna VanGilder, Husband and February 7, 2000 Page 2 of 4 Wife Located In Utica Township, Indiana. Following discussion, Councilperson Conlin made the motion to pass Resolution No. 00-R- 11, seconded by Councilperson Merkley, passing unanimously. Mr. David Coyte of CARTE Transportation appeared before the Council requesting they consider the issues of light rail, encouraging they take a stand in favor of a light rail system, and speaking against a downtown bridge. Mr. Coyte answered questions and concerns of the Council. Councilperson Grooms explained the procedure implemented by the council attorney selection committee. Councilperson Grooms then made the motion to appoint Mr. Shon Leveritt to serve as Council Attorney for one year, seconded by Councilperson Walz, passing unanimously. Councilperson Grooms presented a sample agreement to furnish legal services to the Council. Ms. Jana Ecker, Director of Planning & Zoning, appeared before the Council to explain the need for passage of Resolution No. 00-R-12, A Resolution To Initiate Special Appropriation (General Fund). Councilperson Merkley made the motion to pass Resolution No. 00-R-12, seconded by Councilperson Wilson, passing unanimously. Ms. Jana Ecker, Director of Planning & Zoning, next explained the need for passage of Resolution No. 00-R-13, A Resolution To Initiate Special Appropriation (Cumulative Capital Improvement Fund). Councilperson Merkley made the motion to pass Resolution No. 00-R-13, seconded by Councilperson Conlin, passing unanimously. Clerk and Treasurer Peggy Wilder explained the need for passage of Ordinance No. 00-OR-5, Ordinance Of Additional Appropriation (General Fund - Common Council). Councilperson Conlin made the motion to suspend the rules for Ordinance No. 00-OR-5, seconded by Councilperson Grooms, falling on a vote of 6-1, with Councilperson Ellis voting in opposition. Councilperson Conlin then made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 00-OR-5 on the first and second readings, seconded by Councilperson Merkley, passing unanimously. Clerk and Treasurer W'flder then explained the need for passage of Ordinance No. 00-OR-6, An Ordinance Of Additionai Appropriation (Sanitation). Councilperson Merkley made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 00-OR-6 on the first and second readings, seconded by Councilperson Grooms, passing unanimously. Mr. Phil McCauley and Mr. Dave Duggins of the Department of Redevelopment appeared before the Council with regard to Resolution No. 00-R-14, A Resolution Approving Statement Of February 7, 2000 Page 3 of 4 Benefits For Purposes Of Property Tax Abatement (Chemtmsion, Inc. - real property) and Resolution No. O0-R-15, A Resolution Approving Statement Of Benefits For Purposes Of Property Tax Abatement (Chemtrusion, Inc. - equipment and machinery). Director McCauley explained the company, investment made, jobs, and salaries. Mr. Bob Lanum, Attorney representing Chemtrusion, Inc. reviewed the history of the company locating in Jeffersonville. Almost $20,000,000 has been invested in the community with $7,000,000 expected in the next year. Councilperson Grooms stated he had toured the company and has no concerns for environmental problems. Councilperson Conlin made the motion to amend Resolution No. 00-R-14 to a period of 5 years, seconded by Councilperson Merkley, passing on a vote of 6-1, with Councilperson Frantz voting nay. Councilperson Grooms then made the motion to pass Resolution No. 00-R-14 as amended, seconded by Councitperson Merktey, passing unanimouslyl Councilperson Grooms made the motion to amend Resolution No. 00-R-15 to a period of 3 years, seconded by Councilperson Merkley, passing on a vote of 6-1 with Councilperson Frantz voting nay. Councilperson Merkley then made the motion to pass Resolution No. 00-R-15 as amended, seconded by Councilperson Wilson, passing unanimously. Ordinance No. 00-OR-7, An Ordinance Authorizing The Jeffersonville Department Of Redevelopment To Borrow Funds From The City Of Jeffersonvitle Municipal Sewer Fund, was introduced for consideration. Mr. David Duggins of the Department of Redevelopment explained the need for funding is to purchase properties on Pearl Street. This area is in the Urban Enterprise Zone and the City Administration wishes to partner with this zone and the Rose Hill Neighborhood Association to develop the area. One piece of property is available now. It will be 18 months before the Urban Enterprise Zone will receive funding. Director McCauley explained the housing in the area saying it is essential to the future of the City to maintain this area. He further explained the funding. Six to eight developers have been approached to partner in this. At least three have shown interest, with a variety of financial participation. There is an anticipated loss of $18,000 per lot in order to renovate the area. Director McCauley reviewed the anticipated financial picture. The motivation is to bring the property in the area up to standard. Councilperson Merkley inquired if there were funds available in Redevelopment to purchase the piece of property currently for sale. Director McCauley answered the only funds available would be through the Revolving Loan Fund. Councilperson Merkley feels this program would be a good investment and would benefit Spring Street. This is a February 7, 2000 Page 4 of 4 great opportunity and he commends the Rose Hill Neighborhood Association for their efforts. Councilperson Merkley then made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 00-OR-7 on the first reading, seconded by Councilperson Conlin. Councilperson Grooms questioned when the repayment could be expected. Director McCauley replied June 200t, T.I:F. funding could not be considered as T.I.F. does not include residential properties. The motion to pass Ordinance No. 00-OR-7 passed unanimously on the first reading. Councilperson Conlin thanked the employees of the Sewer Collection Office for their work in correcting the errors in billing. Councilperson Conlin requests all show the courtesy of turning oft' all cell phone and pagers during the meeting. Councilperson Grooms requests a workshop for February 28, 2000 at 7:00 P.M. to hear from the Housing Authority, Haven House and any housing groups. Up to 15 minutes will be allotted per group. Council President Ellis would like to include Mr. Rick Dickman regarding the Ohio River Greenway. Councilperson Grooms asks the Council to think about recreating the cablevision committee. Council President Ellis announced a workshop to consider agenda issues to be held Wednesday, February 16, 2000 at 5:00 P.M. in the Mayor's Conference Room. Due to the holiday, the next regular Council meeting will be Wednesday, February 23, at 7:00 P.M. Council President Ellis announced an information tour of INAAP for Tuesday, February 15, at 10:00 A.M. Retreat information including the cost of a facilitator has been distributed to the Council. This will be discussed at the workshop. There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilperson Wilson made the motion to adjourn at 8:30 P.M., seconded by Councilperson Merkley, passing unanimously. O~~C~ p~ID~ELLIS ATTEST: CLERK ~TREASURER PEGGY WILDER