HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril 17, 2013 workshopJEFFERSONVILLE CITY COUNCIL/REDEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP
Wednesday April 17, 2013
City Council Chambers Room
The Common Council of the City of Jeffersonville met in a workshop on Wednesday April 17th, 2013.
Council President Sellers called the workshop to order at 6:00 P.M. and on the roll call members present
was: Councilpersons Mike Smith, Dennis Julius, President Connie Sellers, Lisa Gill, Matthew Owen and
Zach Payne who arrived at 6:19 P.M. Councilpersons Absent were Councilperson Edward Zastawny,
Bryan Glover, Nathan Samuel. Redevelopment Board members present were Jamie Lake and Jack
Vissing with members absent including Rob Stevens, Monty Snelling, and Kevin Lagrange.
Guests present: Jorge Lanz with JTL, Curt Peters with the Fire museum, Mayor Mike Moore,
Redevelopment Director Rob Waiz, UEZ Director Kelly Phillips, and Grant Writer Delynn Rutherford.
FIRE MUSEUM
Curt Peters with the Vintage Fire Museum gave a brief overview of what exhibits and pieces the vintage
Fire museum will hold in the proposed location of 723 Spring Street. Mr. Peters stated that the fire
museum is currently being housed in the old Coyle building in New Albany and they are selling the
property and would like to see the exhibits in a home building placed on display in downtown
Jeffersonville. The pieces they house bring in over a 100 firefighters and families to town to see the
displays for a convention that will be held again in November 2014. The plan would be in this building to
be open 6 days a week with 1/2 hour tours, safety demonstrations, and enough room to house trainings,
meetings, and luncheons or birthdays. There is no funding required. The Council thanked him for coming
and for his presentation.
CLARK COUNTY MUSEUM
Dawn Struck spoke on behalf of the proposed Clark County Museum stating they are looking at 721
Michigan Ave, with no funding required to purchase the building. Ms. Struck stated they have many
exhibits planned, with one being the Henryville exhibit showcases the tornado that struck over a year
ago. Ms. Struck stated that there are a lot of partners that are anxious to be involved in this museum.
ARTIST INCUBATOR
Ms. Struck stated that there is also no funding required for the artist incubator that they are hoping to
have located in the old gray and wells building. Ms. Struck stated she has been hosting JAM sessions
monthly as part of the Jeffersonville Art Movement and having this space would really give the
opportunity for that to grow. Mr. Waiz suggested moving them to into a property previously purchased
for the Canal project. Mayor Moore stated using these city owned property's as part of his vision for
Jeffersonville. Mayor Moore suggested gathering the council and other city officials on the city trolley to
tour these proposed sites. Councilperson Owen stated he personally supports the cultural district. Mr.
Waiz added that if a large developer was to come in and want to purchase these properties the
individuals would have 80-90 days to vacate the property.
10TH STREET WIDENING PROJECT
Council President Sellers, speaking for herself, stated that she is willing to approve funding for the first
few years so that the city could possibly get more money from KIPDA. Council President Sellers stated
that the project will go forward either way, but they could reevaluate in a few years to try to get more
funding from KIPDA. Mayor Moore expressed concerns about the council support for the project.
Councilperson Gill and Council President Sellers both stated they support the project and it will move
forward. Mayor Moore stated that Umbaugh Associates has said the money is there to complete the
project. Councilperson Julius stated that he spoke to KIPDA and if the city is prepared to pay cash then
KIPDA will give extra money to a different city for a different project instead of looking at giving more
money to Jeffersonville for this project. Mr. Lewis reminded the Mayor that there is no vote on this
tonight and the council is speaking their personal opinions and thoughts. Mayor Moore asked for the
10th street business owners to speak. David Strong from Eastside Animal Hospital spoke before the
Council stated that they have waited a long time for this to happen and however it gets done, he asks
that it be a priority. Miguel Hampton also spoke stating his support for the project and asking for a
timeline of completion. The council stated that information will have to come from City Engineer Andy
Crouch. Councilperson Gill stated that she supports this project and communication will be open with
KIPDA for 3 years for more dollars, but either way construction will happen. Mr. Lake stated he fully
supports this project and is weary about committing cash due to other projects in the future and would
like to try to get more money from KIPDA in the future. Mr. Lake stated that more money from KIPDA is
just more money in Jeffersonville's pocket. Mr. Lake stated that Mr. Crouch is an unbelievable asset to
the city and he knows how to work with KIPDA. Mr. Lake stated that he believes the city will find huge
support from Redevelopment. Councilperson Owen stated that he personally believes the council plans
to stick to the timeline that the mayor has presented, but would like to approve in phases due to hope
of more KIPDA funds.
JEFFERSONVILLE MARINA
Mayor Moore stated that they decided there would be65 slips with 8 transient docks and are permitting
with the Corps of Engineers to have the River stage moved up fifty feet. Council President Sellers
expressed concern about debris and the effectiveness and maintenance of the deflector. Mr. Lanz stated
that the max projection is 200 feet from shore and will protect the docks from about two thirds of the
debris. Maintenance will include pulling that debris off the deflector, but he doesn't see it able to be
damaged because they are steel pieces from barges. It will not be 100%, but it will be a good effort to
catch the debris. The public will be able to walk out on the deflector, allowing the public to access the
marina, but stay a distance from the docked boats. Mayor Moore stated the price will increase so the
marina will be able to sustain itself. Mayor Moore stated the docks will be floating docks and they are
more appealing. Mr. Lanz stated the permitting process is a long process, but as long as construction has
begun, Mrs. Rutherford believes they will be able to ask for an extension on the grant timeframe
requirement.
Council President Sellers stated that she had to leave but quickly stated her stance on the following
projects left to discuss. Council President Sellers stated she is personally supportive of the town center
South Road and traffic signal and she would like to educate the community before committing money to
the Bike -n -Hike. Council President Sellers stated she is personally supportive as well of the Charlestown-
Holmans Lane improvements to the intersections, and is currently conflicted on Alison Brooke Park.
Council President Sellers and Councilperson Gill stated they need to leave for another meeting and
exited at 7:20 P.M.
ALLISON BROOKE PARK
Council Vice -President Julius stated that the only concern is the pond that is being given to the city
stating that it will take maintenance and the parks department is already beginning to become loaded
down with maintenance. Mayor Moore stated that city engineer Andy Crouch is very comfortable with
it. Mrs. Rutherford stated she would ask Mr. Crouch to send out an email regarding the pond and
provide information about maintenance.
HOLMANS LANE/CHARLESTOWN PIKE INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS
Mr. Lanz stated that they have identified a project to improve the intersection and a short term solution
is to put in a right turn lane which would require obtaining a piece of right -a -way from the adjacent
property owner. Mayor Moore stated the turn lane is urgent after having spoken with the School
Superintendent, in order to help assist Wilson Elementary School traffic. Mr. Lake stated the he believes
that would be a huge help and currently it is a big safety issue.
TOWN CENTER ROAD -TRAFFIC SIGNAL
Mr. Lanz stated this project will connect town center road from Veterans Parkway to Charlestown Pike
and will be ready for bids in May. Mr. Lake stated that there are three major churches there and will
really help with that traffic. Mr. Lanz stated they will need Redevelopment approval before sending out
bids. Council Vice President stated he personally doesn't believe there will be much opposition with this
project.
BROWNFIELD GRANT
Mrs. Rutherford stated that they are still waiting on the award to come in and it should be May 2013.
Mrs. Rutherford stated that there is a $10,000 match and the grant is for up to $400,000. The grant can
be used for phase 1 and phase 2 for any property the city wants to develop. Mr. Lake stated he believes
it is a fantastic opportunity.
Mayor Moore asked the Council what their plans were regarding Colston Park. Council Vice President
Julius stated that the Council thought the park would be in the RFP. Mayor Moore stated he would love
the council to deed it property over to Redevelopment so they can market it. Council Vice President
Julius stated he doesn't see it being deeded over. Mr. Lewis stated they agreed to have it deeded over if
it was in the RFP and that agreement was put in writing to both of the Mayor's attorneys. Mayor Moore
asked if the council is willing to do the phase 2 and phase 3 studies and Council Vice President Julius
stated it wasn't in the RFP. Mayor Moore asked if the Council is going to market it. Mr. Lewis stated the
whole agreement was that the council would deed it over if there was a project in mind and if it was in
the RFP. There was discussion regarding the possibility of putting out an addendum to the RFP to include
the Colston Park area.
Councilperson Owen made a motion to adjourn at 7:39 P.M. with Councilperson Payne seconding,
passing unanimously.
Connie Sellers, President
ATTEST BY:
Vicki Conlin, City Clerk