HomeMy WebLinkAboutDecember 2, 2013COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA
December 2, 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 December 2nd, 2013.
Council President Connie Sellers, with Erica Burress, Deputy City Clerk, called the meeting to order at
7:04 pm. President Seller asked those in attendance to stand as Councilperson Samuel gave the
invocation. Council President Sellers then led all those present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
The roll call and those present were: Councilperson Zastawny, Councilperson Glover, Council President
Sellers, Councilperson Gill, Councilperson Payne, Councilperson Julius, Councilperson Owen,
Councilperson Samuel, and Councilperson Smith.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA:
Councilperson Julius made a motion to APPROVE the agenda with the addition of the 911 Fiscal Board
appointment at the end of old business. Councilperson Owen seconded the motion, PASSING on a vote
of 9-0.
MINUTES TO BE APPROVED:
Councilperson Owen made a motion to APPROVE the minutes from the November 18th, 2013 regular
council meeting. Councilperson Samuel seconded, PASSING on a vote of 9-0.
Councilperson Samuel made a motion to APPROVE the minutes from the November 18th, 2013
workshop and Councilperson Gill seconded, PASSING on a vote of 9-0.
CLAIMS TO BE APPROVED:
General Claims: Mrs. Deering presented the general claims stating that there was a duplicate claim on
page 11 in the amount of $45,000. Councilperson Gill made a motion to APPROVE the claims in the
amount of $2,188,922.25, with Councilperson Payne seconding, PASSING on a vote of 9-0.
REPORT OF THE CLERK:
None
DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS:
None
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
1. Scott Lewis- 2013 -OR -49: An Ordinance Repealing Ordinance 85 -OR -35 and Authorizing the
Promotion of City Business (passed rt reading 11/4/13, 2nd reading 11/14/13): Councilperson
Zastawny made a motion to APPROVE on a third and final reading with Councilperson Julius
seconding, PASSING on a vote of 9-0.
2. Amy Deering- 2013 -OR -50: An Ordinance Transferring Certain Funds Within the Same
Department (Passed on 1st and 2"d reading 11/18/13): Councilperson Owen made a motion to
APPROVE 2013 -OR -50 on a third and final reading, with Councilperson Samuel seconding
PASSING on a vote of 9-0.
3. Scott Lewis- 2013 -OR -51: An Ordinance Authorizing the Termination of Water Services to
Delinquent Sewer Users Subject to a Written Agreement Between the Sanitary Sewer Board
and Indiana American Water Company (Passed on 1St and 2nd reading 11/18/13):
Councilperson Owen stated that he would like to know if there was discussion with any other
water companies regarding this agreement and Mr. Lewis stated that at this time Indiana
American is the only one offering this agreement, but the sewer board can reach out to other
smaller companies. Councilperson Payne made a motion to TABLE 2013 -OR -51 until further
contact with other water companies can be made. Councilperson Owen seconded the motion.
Councilperson Smith and Council President Sellers both agreed that this would collect much
needed money right away without dragging it out longer. Roll call vote was as follows:
Councilperson Smith No
Councilperson Zastawny No
Councilperson Payne Yes
Councilperson Gill Yes
Councilperson Glover No
Council President Sellers No
Councilperson Julius No
Councilperson Owen Yes
Councilperson Samuel Yes
Motion to table FAILS on a vote of 4-5.
Councilperson Smith made a motion to APPROVE 2013 -OR -51 on a third and final reading with
Councilperson Julius seconding. Roll call vote was as follows:
Councilperson Smith Yes
Councilperson Zastawny Yes
Councilperson Payne
Councilperson Gill
Councilperson Glover Yes
Council President Sellers Yes
Councilperson Julius Yes
Councilperson Owen
Councilperson Samuel
No
No
No
No
Motion PASSES on a vote of 5-4.
4. 911 Fiscal Board Nomination: Council President Sellers stated that this nomination needs to be
done because the last appointment regarding the 911 Fiscal board was just the steering
committee. Councilperson Samuel NOMINATED Mike Smith and Councilperson Julius seconded
that nomination. Councilperson Glover NOMINATED Councilperson Owen with no second.
Councilperson Smith:
Councilperson Zastawny:
Councilperson Payne:
Councilperson Gill:
Councilperson Glover:
Council President Sellers:
Councilperson Julius:
Councilperson Owen:
Councilperson Samuel:
Mike Smith
Mike Smith
Matt Owen
Mike Smith
Matt Owen
Mike Smith
Mike Smith
Matt Owen
Mike Smith
Councilperson Smith was APPOINTED for the 911 Fiscal Board.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Scott Lewis: 2013-R-34: Resolution Regarding the Amendment of the Falls Landing
Redevelopment Plan and Clarifying Pledge: Mr. Lewis presented this resolution stating that it
goes in conjunction with the next resolution pertaining to the Inner City TIF. This includes
conditions of the project as well as an attachment of the construction plans. This project is
subject to the following conditions including the dollar amount not to exceed 2.2 million, no
work to begin until all permits come through and all funding comes from the TIF funds. Other
conditions of the project are that all maintenance and maintenance cost falls under the
responsibility of the Redevelopment Commission. The Parks Department, the authority and
employees will not be responsible for maintenance cost and activities. If the permit and
constructions plans or scope of the project are substantially changed then the changes must be
brought back before the council for approval or if the cost of the project changes it must be
brought back for approval. Councilperson Owen made a motion to APPROVE 2013-R-34 with
Councilperson Payne seconding, PASSING on a vote of 9-0.
2. Scott Lewis- 2013-R-35 Resolution Regarding the Amendment of the Inner City Road Economic
Development Plan: Councilperson Owen made a motion to APPROVE 2013-R-35 with
Councilperson Payne seconding, PASSING on a vote of 9-0.
3. Amy Deering- 2013 -OR -52: An Ordinance for Additional Appropriation: Mrs. Deering presented
the ordinance to the council stating that most of these additional appropriations are Vissing
Park while some are Woehrle Field. One is for the River Stage to give the fund a positive balance
at the end of the year and the other is for the Animal Shelter to come from their Spay and
Neuter Fund. Mrs. Deering requested all three readings.
Public Hearing- 2013 -OR -52: Council President Sellers OPENED the public hearing at 7:29 P.M.
and with no public comment CLOSED the hearing at 7:29 P.M.
Councilperson Gill made a motion to SUSPEND the rules in anticipation of passing 2013 -OR -52
on all three readings. Councilperson Smith seconded the motion PASSING on a vote of 9-0.
Councilperson Samuel made a motion to APPROVE 2013 -OR -52 on all three readings with
Councilperson Gill seconding, PASSING on a vote of 9-0.
4. Amy Deering- 2013 -OR -53: An Ordinance Fixing the Salaries of Elected Officials of the City of
Jeffersonville, Clark County, Indiana Commencing January 1, 2014: Mrs. Deering presented the
ordinance that sets the salaries for the elected officials for 2014 and stated it only needs to be
approved by the end of the year. Councilperson Samuel asked if there were any increases and
Mrs. Deering stated there was not. Councilperson Glover made a motion to APPROVE 2013 -OR -
53 on a first and second reading with Councilperson Owen seconding. Councilperson Samuel
suggested to the council to consider having the conversation of raising these employees in the
future when the other employees are raised. The motion PASSES on a vote of 9-0.
5. Ed Zastawny- Tax Increment Financing (TIF): Councilperson Zastawny opened the discussion of
the TIF districts and what they mean by giving a little history and sharing his knowledge since
the topic of TIF money has been so popular and controversial lately. Councilperson Zastawny
stated that in the history of Redevelopment TIF money has been used to bring business and
increase the amenities. Every Mayor has done the same thing with TIF money. Councilperson
Zastawny stated that a TIF is a defined area and ideally the money is to be spent within that
district or it can be used outside that district if it will improve that district. Councilperson
Zastawny talks of the rising cost the marina and other projects has taken over the years and this
increase of cost is normal, but the concern is the projects increased amounts since the last
Umbaugh report of about 50 million dollars. Councilperson Zastawny stated he agrees that
every single one of these projects has merit to them, but at some point the council has a fiscal
responsibility to approve those that will improve the TIF district and bring assessed values and
business. Councilperson Smith asked if there is a date. Councilperson Zastawny stated they
have sunset dates. Councilperson Smith stated that the Falls Landing TIF is one of the smallest
TIF's and there is a revenue loss coming with the loss of businesses like McDonald's during the
bridge project. Councilperson Owen asked what the loss revenue was in the canal purchases.
Councilperson Smith stated about 12 million dollars. Council President Sellers stated it would
have been lost anyway because the interceptor is going in there. Mr. Lewis stated to the council
that the Indiana Legislature has been looking at policy sessions to put some legislature in place
that would substantially restrict the way TIF can be used. Councilperson Zastawny stated that
when a TIF is created other entities like the county and school have to sign off on the district
being created. They sign off on it because it will hopefully come back if the assessed value goes
up due to the TIF district.
City Council Attorney Report:
None
PUBLIC COMMENT:
None
COUNCIL COMMENT:
Councilperson Smith: none
Councilperson Zastawny: Board of Zoning Appeals met and approved a use variance to go to the
museums that are to go into the TIF districts. Councilperson Zastawny stated he supports the arts and an
art district. Stated he spoke at the meeting because he believes that they should have to follow the city
zoning ordinances that are in place. Councilperson Zastawny stated the board did not agree with him
and passed the variance.
Councilperson Payne: none
Councilperson Gill: Thanked Councilperson Samuel for taking the initiative to get the construction plans
for the marina to all the council members so that they can vote appropriately.
Councilperson Glover: none
Councilperson Julius: none
Council President Sellers: Thanked Nathan for the work with the Arts and that it looks very nice. Also
thanked the Julius family for the thank you note for the flowers they received from the council.
Councilperson Owen: Two weeks ago attended the first 911 Fiscal Board meeting in the audience and
they asked him to come back to the council to convey that in their transition they are looking to find
funding from the cities and towns. They will not be taking over administrating 911 till 2015 and looking
for money to be set aside from LOIT for funding for next year. Jeffersonville's share is roughly 40% and
the total is about $50,000.
Councilperson Samuel: thanked Wayne Carter for attending the council meeting.
Councilperson Glover made a motion to ADJOURN at 7:52 P.M. with Councilperson Samuel seconding,
PASSING on a vote of 9-0.
ATTESTED BY:
Vicki Conlin, City Clerk
AP OVED BY:
i
onnie Sellers, President