HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-27-2000 WorkshopWORKSHOP PROCEEDINGS OF THE
COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA
DECEMBER 27, 2000
The Common Council of the City of Jeffersonville met in workshop session in the Mayor's
Conference Room in the City-County Building, Jeffersonville, Indiana, at 5:30 P.M. on the 27th day
of December 2000.
The session was called to order by Council President Run Ellis. Also present were
Councilpersons Les Merkley, Denny Frantz, Rob Waiz, Barbara Wilson, Ron Grooms, Vicki Conlin,
and Deputy Clerk Barbara Hollis.
Deputy Hollis presented three claims for approval. Following all discussion, Councilperson
Grooms made the motion to pay the claims, seconded by Councilperson Frantz, passing on a vote of
6-0. Council President Ellis did not vote.
Council President Ellis initiated discussion regarding the election of Council President and
Vice President for 2001. It has been the practice for the Vice President to move up to President.
Councilperson Conlin said she would liketo see Councilperson Merkley serve as Council President
and Councilperson Waiz serve as Vice President for 2001. Stating his eight years previous experience
on the Council, Councilperson Grooms said he would like to serve in a leadership role and would like
to be Council Vice President in 2001. Councilperson Conlin made the motion to nominate
Councilperson Merkley as Council President and Councilperson Waiz as Council Vice President,
seconded by Councilperson Frantz. Councilperson Grooms made the motion that nominations be
closed, seconded by Councilperson Conlin, passing on a vote of 6-0. Council President Ellis did not
vote.
Council appointments were then discussed. It was the consensus of the Council to appoint
Councilperson Conlin to the Solid Waste Board, Councilperson Wilson to the Economic
Development Commission, Councilperson Waiz to the Plan Commission, Councilperson Merkley to
SIEDC. Councilperson Conlin made the motion to reappoint Councilperson Frantz as Council
representative to the Board Of Public Works, seconded by Councilperson Merkley, passing on a vote
of 6-0. Council President Ellis did not vote. Following a discussion, Councilperson Merkley made
the motion to appoint a Councilperson to the Redevelopment Board, s~conded by Councilperson
Page 2 of 3
December 27, 2000
Wilson, failing on the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Councilpersons Wilson and Merkley.
Nays: Councilpersons Conlin, Waiz, Frantz, and Grooms.
Councilperson Cordin feels there should be a Council representative for the Housing
Authority. Following discussion, it was decided to ask Mayor Galligan.
The position of Council Attorney was then discussed. Suggested guidelines were discussed.
Councilperson Grooms made the motion that Council Attorney Shon Leveritt's contract not be
renewed and a committee of Councilpersons Ellis, Wilson, and Conlin research an attorney to be
retained, seconded by Councilperson Merkley, passing on a vote of 6-0. Council President Ellis did
not vote.
The January meeting dates were discussed. It was agreed that as the first and third Mondays
in January are holidays, the Council will meet the second and fourth Mondays.
Councilperson Conlin suggested the seating in Council Chambers be changed so that all seven
members sit together.
Councilperson Grooms reviewed some notes he had made for the new year. He would like
to see the Council's relationship with the Mayor improved. Councilperson Grooms feels the most
important functions of the Council are the budget, the claims, and Board of Works attendance. He
would like to see each Councilperson meet individually with the Clerk Treasurer at least once each
quarter to review reports. He would like to see a purchase order system implemented.
Councilperson Grooms would like to see Council supervisors or liaisons for each Department. He
would like to increase the social atmosphere of the Council such as an annual gathering. He would
lflce to expand and improve the employee newsletter. He would like to see an employee of the month
program with the employee attending, and being honored at a Council meeting. Councilperson
Grooms would like to see better communication with citizens via the newspaper. He would like to
see more citizen committees. He would like to see improved communications with special interest
groups, businesses, religious organizations, etc. so the Council can reach out and learn.
Councilperson Grooms would like to see Council committees and change the agenda to include
committee reports and citizens groups. Councilperson Grooms feels this would serve as a stimulus
to make all think more about departments, groups, citizens, and increase communications.
December 27, 2000 Page 3 of 3
Councilperson Merkley said the Council needs to trust each other, agree and work towards
goals. The Council needs to start thinking about the police and fire contracts, and redistricting. He
does feel committees are important. He would like to see the Council adopt a committee structure.
Council President Ellis fully agrees with Councilperson Grooms. He hopes a level of trust
can be developed with the Council and the administration. He hopes all will respect the new Council
President enough to not go behind his back, but get behind the President and be unified. He hopes
an effort is made to get the Mayor to understand the Council wants to be part of what is going on in
the City of Jeffersonville, to stand behind the President, and compromise to do a good job
representing the citizens of Jeffersonville.
There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilperson Merkley made
the motion to adjourn at 7:00 P.M., seconded by Councilperson Frantz, passing unanimously.
ATTEST:
CLERK A-~Dt"~REASURER PEGGY WILDER