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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFebruary 3, 2014COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA February 3, 2014 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, February 3, 2014. Council President Julius with City Clerk Vicki Conlin called the meeting to order at 7:01PM. President Julius asked those in attendance to stand as Councilperson Samuel gave the Invocation. President Julius then led all those present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. The roll call and those present were:, Councilperson Smith, Councilperson Payne, Councilperson Gill, Councilperson Sellers, Councilperson Glover, President Julius, Councilperson Samuel, and Councilperson Owen. Absent: Councilperson Zastawny. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA: Councilperson Sellers made a motion to APPROVE the agenda with Councilperson Glover seconding, PASSING on a vote of 8-0. MINUTES TO BE APPROVED: Councilperson Samuel made a motion to APPROVE the minutes from the January 27, 2014, Regular Council meeting with Councilperson Sellers seconding, PASSING on a vote of 6-0-2 with Councilperson Payne and President Julius abstaining. CLAIMS TO BE APPROVED: General Claims: Controller Amy Deering presented the General Claims list in the amount of $746,021.34 for approval. Councilperson Samuel asked Ms. Deering if she had the information he asked her for regarding insurance. Ms. Deering explained that she researched his request and found that there were six or seven claims that had to do with a Fire Department vehicle that was involved in an accident and since it was under the city's deductible, Vehicle Maintenance fixed the vehicle and didn't turn it in to insurance. Councilperson Samuel stated that the council's insurance line item on the claims list doesn't contain details of which vehicle has been in an accident and requests that explanation be added in the future. Ms. Conlin also requested that Ms. Deering send a copy of all council claims to Ms. Stewart for her records. Council Vice President Gill made a motion to APPROVE the General Claims list with Councilperson Payne seconding, PASSING on a vote of 8-0. REPORT OF THE CLERK: None at this time DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORT: Shane Corbin — Comprehensive Plan Update: Mr. Corbin came before the board to discuss his decision to update the Comprehensive Plan and the Zoning Ordinance. Mr. Corbin stated that doing both at the same time is too big of a task so he has decided to update the Zoning Ordinance first. Mr. Corbin explained to the board that there is a need to add a mixed-use zoning code classification and clean up the inconsistencies in the codes. Mr. Corbin stated that he would like to hire a consultant to manage this 1 project and estimates a minimum of six public meetings as well as several small meetings with developers, engineers, architects, etc. who would give input as to what they would like to see change in the codes. Councilperson Gill asked what the estimated timetable would be to complete this project and Mr. Corbin stated a few months. Mr. Corbin stated that he has a draft RFP which he will email to council for review. Mr. Corbin stated that River Ridge is interested in partnering with him on this project. Mr. Corbin explained that he is not requesting funding from the council at this time, he just wanted to inform them of his plans. Councilperson Owen asked when he will be able to come back with a specific dollar amount and Mr. Corbin stated approximately six to eight weeks. A. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 1. Amy Deering —presented an ordinance to the council for additional appropriation. PUBLIC HEARING - 2014 -OR -4 An Ordinance of Additional Appropriation (Passed on 1St and ed Reading): Council President Julius opened up the public hearing at 7:13pm and without further comment closed the public hearing at 7:14pm. Councilperson Owen made a motion to APPROVE 2014 -OR -1 on the 3rd and final reading with Councilperson Glover seconding, PASSING on a vote of 8-0. 2. Council Appointment — Police Merit Commission (Tabled 1-27-14): President Julius stated that he spoke to Scott Aldridge and he is willing to sit on the board. Councilperson Samuel made a motion to APPROVE appointing Scott Aldridge to the Police Merit Commission with Councilperson Owen seconding, PASSING on a vote of 8-0. B. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Les Merkley — 2014-R-2 A Resolution Approving Statement of Benefits for Proposed Personal Property Tax Abatement Voss Clark: Corporate Attorney Les Merkley stated that Voss Clark is requesting a tax abatement to expand its existing operations at Clark Maritime Center. Redevelopment Director Rob Waiz introduced Kathleen Crawley from One Southern Indiana and Joe Rhodea from Voss Clark. Mr. Waiz stated that Voss Clark has been part of the port since its inception and they are looking to do a $12,000,000 renovation in order to stay viable in the industry. Mr. Rhodea, President of Voss Clark, stepped forward to discuss his need for expansion of his steel processing company. Mr. Rhodea explained that the automotive industry is going to an advanced high-strength steels and in order for Voss Clark to do that, they will need to upgrade their pickling operation which means larger motors, new steering equipment and new recoiler to recoil the steel. They are looking at a $12,000,000 investment and hope to have it completed no later than next year. Mr. Rhodea stated that the company has 132 employees and 95% of them are from this area. Councilperson Smith asked what the pay scale was at Voss Clark and Mr. Rhodea stated the average salary is from $50,000 to $65,000 per year which includes overtime and the incentive program. The company's total payroll for the year is $8.5 million. Councilperson Samuel made a motion to APPROVE 2014-R-2 with Councilperson Owen seconding, PASSING on a vote of 8-0. 2. Les Merkley — 2014-R-3 A Resolution Amending Statement of Benefit for Proposed Real and Personal Property Tax Abatement Rivera Consulting Group, LLC: Mr. Merkley explained that they have been made aware that the statement of benefits form that was submitted to the city and Redevelopment and approved by the council did not correctly identify the name of the entity that is actually going to own the property. It was listed as Rivera Consulting Group, Inc. and should have been listed as Rivera HQ Holdings, LLC. Mr. Merkley stated that all this resolution does is amend the resolution that council approved granting the abatement 2 the terms of the abatement are the same. Councilperson Owen made a motion to APPROVE 2014-R-3 with Councilperson Payne seconding, PASSING on a vote of 8-0. CITY COUNCIL ATTORNEY REPORT: Mr. Lewis made the council aware that the Fire Department approved their contract. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Ms. Terri Hicks, Crystal Springs Subdivision, stated that there was a house fire on Timberlake Drive yesterday evening around 9:15pm that was a total loss. Ms. Hicks stated that the response time for the fire trucks to arrive was 8:11 minutes and felt that it was too long, especially since the fire department is only 2.5 miles from the subdivision. Ms. Hicks explained that fire fighters told the homeowner that the hazardous road conditions caused by the bad weather forced them to drive slower. Ms. Hicks stated that she was later told that it had nothing to do with the street conditions, it was because the street was not locatable on their GPS. Ms. Hicks stated that Timberlake Drive is a three year old street which she can find it on her own GPS, her computer GPS and her phone GPS. Ms. Hicks suggested if the Fire Department's GPS is so outdated that it can't find a three year old street, then maybe they need to hold a public fundraiser to buy them new GPS systems. Ms. Hicks stated that the way that the streets have been handled this winter is not appropriate and cannot continue. Ms. Hicks explained that she doesn't have the answers, she is looking to the council for answers. COUNCIL COMMENTS: Councilperson Smith — asked Ms. Hicks to announce the information about the collection of clothes and other items that is taking place for the family whose house was destroyed in the fire. Ms. Hicks stated that the Greater Clark County Schools are collecting for the family and Crystal Springs is also collecting at the Clubhouse. Councilperson Payne — None at this time Councilperson Sellers — None at this time Councilperson Gill — asked Mr. Merkley to give an update on the street salt. Mr. Merkley explained that there is a salt shortage. In July of last year the Street Department purchased 3,000 tons from a company in Louisville and have received only 2,000 tons of it. Not sure if we are going to get the other 1,000 tons due to the salt shortage and the state governments in Indiana and Kentucky have commandeered a lot of salt that is on the private market. The Jeff Street Department had 2,000 tons to start off the winter season and has 1,000 tons remaining which is enough for two more winter events. The city is looking into other options to acquire more salt. Councilperson Glover — on Facebook you can go to Greater Clark County Schools and it lists all the clothes sizes of the family of five whose house burned down in Crystal Springs Subdivision. Twist and Turn Comets where the youngest girl cheered is also taking donations — they need everything. Councilperson Owen: heard the call go out last night for the fire at Crystal Springs and drove to the scene. This fire is definitely a tragedy, but from what he observed the fire department did an exceptional job and asked the fire chief to thank the fire fighters for their efforts. Although the house was a total loss, thinks that the fire must have been out of control when the 911 call went out. 3 Councilperson Samuel — attended a meeting with River Ridge concerning the emergency exit Ms. Hicks requested at the last City Council meeting. Mr. Paul Wheatley is working with Mr. Jerry Acy at River Ridge to hopefully get a timely resolution to this matter. Councilperson Samuel cautioned Controller Deering to hold tight on the budget until the city knows what the circuit breakers are and encouraged President Julius to get the Finance Committee on that because it is critical to catch them at the beginning of the year. Councilperson Samuel stated that he had made a comment a couple of meetings ago that he would like to express appreciation to folks who serve on our boards and has certificates of appreciation being printed. The certificates are to be signed by both the Mayor and the City Council President and said that he will bring them in to show the council once they are printed. President Julius: took a couple of calls this week from residents around Maple Elementary School concerning cars cutting in front of buses. One resident stated that she called the police and President Julius told her that he would mention this issue at tonight's City Council meeting. President Julius stated that he was told that the crossing guard has also witnessed this happening three or four times as well and President Julius wanted to call this to Major Lynch's attention. Very happy to have the fire contract done. Also went out to Crystal Spring Subdivision and saw the devastation of the house fire and we need to learn different things from this. ADJOURNMENT: Councilperson Smith made a motion to ADJOURN with Councilperson Owen seconding, PASSING on a vote of 8-0. Meeting ADJOURNED at 7:51PM. APPROVED BY: Dennis Julius, Pr STED BY: Vicki Conlin, City Clerk :'dent 4