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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-06-2000COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA NOVEMBER 6, 2000 The Common Council of the City of Jeffersonville, Indiana met in regular session in the Multi-Purpose Meeting Room in the City-County Building, Jeffersonville, Indiana, at 7:00 P.M. on the 6th day of November 2000 The meeting was called to order by Mayor Thomas R. Galligan, with Clerk and Treasurer Peggy Wilder at the desk. Also present were City Attorney Anne Made Galligan, Council Attorney Shun Leverett, and Deputy Clerk Barbara Hollis. Mayor Galligan welcomed all in attendance, asking all those present to stand as Councilperson Vicki Conlin gave the invocation. Mayor Galligan then asked all those present to join him in the pledge of allegiance to the flag. The roll was called and those present were; Councilpersons Ron Ellis, Les Merkley, Denny Frantz, Rob Waiz, Barbara Wilson, Ron Grooms, and Vicki Conlin. Absent: None The minutes of the meeting of October 16, 2000 were presented for approval. Following notation of spelling errors, Councilperson Wilson made the motion to approve the minutes as corrected, seconded by Councilperson Merkley, passing unanimously. The minutes of the meeting of October 10, 2000 were presented for approval. Councilperson Wilson made the motion to approve the minutes as presented, seconded by Councilperson Merkley, passing unanimously. Councilperson Merkley made the motion to approve the agenda as presented, 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 Cmmcilperson Merkley, passing unanimously. PUBLIC COMMENT: There was no public comment. 2 AGENDA ITEMS: Councilperson Merkley introduced Ordinance No. 2000-OR-59, An Ordinance Establishing Street Tree Planting Program And Non-Reverting Fund. Councilperson Merkley made the motion to amend Ordinance No. 2000-OR-59 adding one tree per parcel per year on line 35, seconded by Councilperson Conlin, passing on a vote of 6-1. Council President Ellis voted nay. Councilperson Merkley next made the motion to amend lines 34-36 regarding advertising, and property owners, seconded by Councilperson Conlin, passing on a vote of 6-1. Council President Ellis voted nay. Councilperson Merkley then made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2000-OR-59 as amended on the second and third readings, seconded by Councilperson Conlin, passing on a vote of 6~1. Council President Ellis voted nay. Councilperson Merkley then made a motion to approve a claim for $5,000 from Council Special Projects to the new non- reverting fund, seconded by Councilperson Grooms, passing on a vote of 5-2. Councilpersons Ellis and Frantz voted nay. Ordinance No. 2000-OR-60, An Ordinance Transferring Certain Funds Within The Same Department (Mayor) was presented. Councilperson Conlin made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2000-OR-60 on the second and third readings, seconded by Councilperson Merkley, passing on a vote of 6-1. Council President Ellis voted nay. Ms. Jana Ecker, Director of Planning, reviewed information presented to the Council regarding the revised zoning ordinance. Director Ecker reviewed the history to date of the committee makeup, the procedures used, and explained the biggest changes. She answered questions. Mayor Galligan thanked Director Ecker, Attorney Galligan, Brad Johnson, Betty Ogden, Mrs. Mater, and all those who have worked on this. He further stated the award the City recently received was due to leaders such as Director Ecker. Following all discussion, Councilperson Merkley made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2000-OR- 61, City Of Jeffersonville Zoning Ordinance on the first reading, seconded by Council President Ellis, passing unanimously. Director Ecker presented the final invoice for the lawn terrace project in the amount of $29,060. Following explanation, Councilperson Merkley made the motion to approve payment of the claim from Cumulative Capital Improvement, seconded by Councilperson Conlin, passing unanimously. Director Ecker presented and explained the need for Ordinance No. 2000-OR-62, An Ordinance Transferring Certain Funds Within The Same Department, (Planning and Zoning). Councilperson Conlin made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2000-OR-62 on the first reading, seconded by Councilperson Grooms, passing unanimously. Clerk and Treasurer Wilder presented Ordinance No. 2000-OR-63, An Ordinance Of Additional Appropriation (General Fund-Fire Department), explaining the previous request had not been advertised properly so is therefore null and void. Council President Ellis made the motion to amend the request to $50,000, seconded by Councilperson Merkley. Following review of the current financial status and explanations from Fire Chief Mike Smith, Councilperson Merkley withdrew his second and Council P)esident Ellis withdrew his motion. Councilperson Conlin then made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2000-OR-63 on the first reading, seconded by Councilperson Grooms, passing unanimously. Clerk and Treasurer Wilder presented Ordinance No. 2000-OR-64, An Ordinance Of Additional Appropriation (General Fund-Common Council) explaining this also had not been advertised correctly prior to the previous approval. Councilperson Merkley made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2000-OR-64 on the first reading, seconded by Councilperson Wilson, passing unanimously. Councilperson Merkley read aloud Resolution No. 2000-R-31, A Resolution For Placement Of Welcome Signs Marking Jeffersonville As Community Of the Year. Councilperson Merkley made the motion to pass Resolution No. 2000-R-31, seconded by Councilperson Grooms. Mayor Galligan asked for comments. Council President Ellis said it is a great honor to all who work and live in Jeffersonville that the City got this award. Council President Ellis is concerned that the Mayor took a bus of people to the Chamber Community Of The Year Ceremony in Indianapolis and stated two people on the City Council were not welcome on the bus. Council President Ellis would like an explanation of this statement from Mayor Galligan. Mayor Galligan explained Council President Ellis has stated publicly in the paper that he did not trust Mayor Galligan and the last thing he wanted to do was put him on a bus with him with him not trusting the Mayor as he did not want him to feel uncomfortable. If he would have been in town he would have had a ticket. Council President Ellis said the Mayor did not knoxv he would be out of town and that gives him further reason not to ever trust him. He calls it like he sees it and he has plenty of reason not to trust Mayor Galligan now, or in the future. Mayor Galligan said he understands that and Council President Ellis is entitled to his opinion and he appreciates his opinion as he makes it well known to everyone every time he gets a chance. Mayor Galligan continued saying Mrs. Wilson stated he got her fired from her job. Mayor Galligan did not get her fired from her job, he had nothing to do with it. Mayor Galligan did not want to cause Mrs. Wilson any inconvenience or and consternation of being on the bus with him. Being that the case he offered her a ticket but did not offer her a r/de because he did not want her to feel uncomfortable. Mayor Galligan said that is the case and that is what he said. Neither was asked to go on the bus and if it happened again next year he would not ask again because that is the way he feels. Mayor Galligan feels that way and he is sorry Council President Ellis feels he should have been invited when he has stated unequivably that he does not trust him and that he has done things against him. Council President Ellis does not think Mayor Galligan is ever sorry or cares who he makes feel bad. Council President Ellis said he not only said he didn't trust Mayor Galligan, he thinks he is a thief and he publicly says that at this meeting. Councilperson Grooms has a question of funding for the signs. The Motor Vehicle Fund will provide the funds for the signs. Resolution No. 2000-R-31 passed unanimously. Clerk and Treasurer Wilder has prepared Ordinance No. 2000-OR-65, An Ordinance Replacing Ordinance No. 93-OR-62, An Ordinance Establishing A Non- Reverting Fund For The Purpose Of Repair And Replacement Of City Property. upon the request of Street Commissioner Marvin Grant. The changes and the reasons for the changes were reviewed. Following all discussion, Councilperson Grooms made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2000-OR-65, seconded by Councilperson Waiz, passing unanimously. Ms. Nellie Knowland reported cars are not stopping for school buses on Hamburg Pike at Fairview and Frank Streets. Mayor Galligan said this is a misdemeanor and he will have officers checking. Ms. Barbara Anderson hopes there will never be a display like the one that just occurred, heating the Mayor called names. She feels elected officials should act professional. She doesn't want to hear name calling. She directs officials to leave their personal stuff at home. What has been said here tonight is unnecessary to hear in this room. Elected officials should be reasonable and rational and willing to work together. Councilperson Grooms encourages Mayor Galligan to activate the committee on the fire department expansion and fire safety headquarters. He would like a preliminary report in 90 days as this will be important for the 2002 budget. Councilperson Grooms cormmends Director Ecker and the steering committee for the fantastic job. Councilperson Grooms pointed out to Ms. Anderson the three Councilpersons that represent her district had no part of any comments or any part of the debate heard here tonight. Councilperson Frantz said he attended the award ceremony and Mayor Galligan should be proud. He congratulates ail. Councilperson Frantz said some people have strong wills and he understands frustration. Council President Ellis and Mayor Galligan are both good members. Both have the best interest of the City at heart. He does not agree with the way things were handled. Councilperson Merkley received a call from E.M.C. employees regarding the City employee's longevity policy. He called Mayor Galligan and was told E.M.C. employees have received different benefits than City employees. Council President Ellis said it is unfortunate when some statements are made. He does have information that he does believe is right. He is not one to bite his tongue. He stated what he believes and he will always speak that way. Attorney Galligan said Council President Ellis needs to go see the Clark County Prosecutor if he has information that the Mayor is a thief. He has a legal duty to report that and if he does know and does not report it Council President Ellis may be an accessory. Attorney Galligan also wants Council President Ellis to learn that accusing a public official of criminal actions is called slander and is actionable. Mayor Galligan said the award was special and the community needs to look at it as special. All need to feel a part of the award. All should take pride in this award. Jeffersonville is the first to receive the award south of Columbus. All should pat themselves on the back. Jeffersonville is a first-class community and leadership did it. Leadership is all departments of the City. All should be proud as this is just a beginning. There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 P.M. ~ ~._.///~ THOMAS R. GALLIC, MAYOR ATTEST: PEGGY WILDER, CLERK AND TREASURER