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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-04-1993COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA JANUARY 4, 1993 stand as asked all flag. The Common Council of the City of Jeffersonville met in regular session in Council Chambers in the City-County Building, Jeffersonville, Indiana, at 9:30 P.M. on the 4rd day of January, 1993. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Raymond J. Parker Jr., with Clerk and Treasurer C. Richard Spencer Jr., at the desk. Mayor Parker welcomed all in attendance, asking all those present to Councilperson Steven Stemler gave the invocation. He then those present to join him in the pledge of allegiance to the The roll was called and those present were Councilpersons Bill Wolpert, Andrew Williams III, Donna M. Frantz, Peggy Knight Wilder~ L. Marie Clapp, Robert L. Potter, and Steven R. Stemier. Absent: None. Mayor Parker presented the minutes of the meetings of December 14, 1992, and December 21, 1992, for consideration by the Council. Councilperson Clapp made the motion to approve the minutes of both meetings as presented, seconded by Councilperson Potter, and carried unanimously. Clerk and Treasurer Spencer presented the claim list along with one additional claim for consideration by the Council. Following all discussion, Councilperson Potter made the motion to approve the claims, along with the additional~ as presented, seconded by Councilperson Clapp and carried unanimously. Council President Williams quoted from the Handbook regarding the Council President, opening the nominations for the Council President for 1993. nominated Councilperson Potter to serve as seconded by Councilperson Wolpert. Following nominations, Council President Williams made nominations, seconded by Councilperson Council President Potter was congratulated. Municipal floor to Councilperson Stemler President for 1993~ calls for additional the motion to close Clapp and carried unanimously. PAGE 2 JANUARY 4, 1993 Clerk and Treasurer Spencer presented Resolution No. 93-R-1~ A Resolution Authorizing The Investment Of Temporarily Surplus Funds, explaining this is done yearly to allow the Clerk and Treasurer to earn interest for the City. Coucilperson Frantz questioned the operation of the Finance Board. Clerk and Treasuer Spencer acknowledged this procedure has been follpwed during his tenure in office. Council President Potter explained this will be taken care of during a seperate meeting and will be complied with per State Statute. Councilperson Williams made the motion to pass Resolution No. 93-R-1~ seconded by Council President Rotter and carried unanimously. Attorney Gillenwater explained there have been numerous complaints from residents surrounding Liter's Quarry. He has been in contact with Mrs. Blau who is the attorney for Liter's Quarry and has scheduled a meeting for January 13, 1993. Council President Potter asked what the life expectancy of the Quarry is and if it is necessary to operate two. Mr. Hamm, General Manager, explained both will operate for another 2© to 35 years. Court, explained at 1:15 P.M. on intense blast that propelled a four Mr. Berry, a resident at 1803 Ash December 28~ 1992 there was an pound rock through the roof of his residence hitting just 6 feet away from a friend of his son's who was in the living room. Mrs. Berry explained this senior in high school was covered with insulation and dry wall and was visually shaken by the incident. Mayor Parker explained a complete police investigation has been done on this incident. Mr. Mockabee, who lives near the Quarry~ explained he has a thick file of letters that have helped some in the past, however the problem has now increased again. He further explained his visiting 8 year old grandchild was awakened shaking and screaming by a strong blast this past month. He questions why matting is not used. Mr. Mockabee strongly urged something be done. Mr. Hamm explained there is a dust system in operation, however there was a water pump problem that required two days to repair. Coucilperson Frantz had been told the blasting would be complete in the Northhaven area of the Quarry. Mr. Hamm explained there is a 81 foot section remaining. Mr. Hamm further explained blasting has never exceeded the limits, however as there are 100 foot walls~ echoes are heard. PAGE 3 JANUARY 4~ 1993 Blasting depths were in the area was discussed. Mayor Potter to appoint citizens to serve attorneys on January 13, 1993. Mr. Councilpersons Frantz, Potter, and Councilperson Frantz representative of the four other mmembers identified~ saying he questions. Mr. Bowles explained. The problem of damage to the sewers Parker asked Council President on the committee to meet with the and Mrs. Berry~ Mr. Mockabee and Wilder will attend this meeting. introduced Mr. Mike Bowies, "Save Rose Hill Coalition". Mr. Bowles asked of the steering committee to stand and be and these members would be happy to answer then read a proposed Resolution in support of keeping Rose Hill School open. He has the support of the school faculty~ the P.T.A.~ Jeff-Clark Preservation, and Jeffersonville Main Street Incorporated. He attended a school board meeting and asked to have a committee set up to study the situtaion and was turned down 5-2. The closing of downtown institutions, including schools, leads to the decline of a downtown area. He has lived in the downtown area for 10 years and believes it to be a safe place to be. There will be a vote to close the school a week from Tuesday and he asks if the Council will not pass the Resolution, they individually write letters and make phone calls to the school board. Councilpersons Frantz and Williams indicated they have written letters in support of keeping the school open. Attorney Gillenwater explained the City has no effect on the school board and feels it is unfair to ask the Council to vote on something after hearing only one side. Mr. Bowles encourages the Council to "get the other side of the story". Councilperson Clapp introduced Ordinance No. 93-0R-1, An Ordinance Amending Certain Portions Of Section 1 of Ordinance No. 91-0R-44 and Ordinance No. 92-0R-48 with regard to the Parks and Recreation Department. Superintendent Caldwell explained the action comes from money withen the salary portion of his budget and is due to the increase in activity at the fieldhouse. Following all discussion, Councilperson Clapp made the motion to suspend the rules for Ordinance No. 93-0R-1~ seconded by Councilperson Williams, failing on a vote of 5-I-1. Councilperson Wilder voted nay, and Councilperson Frantz abstained. Councilperson Clapp then made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 93-0R-1 on the first and second readings~ seconded by Councilperson Williams and carried unanimously. PAGE A JANUARY 4~ 199B Mayor Parker introduced Resolution No. 93-R-2, A Resolution Of The City Of Jeffersonville, Indiana, Approving A Master Plan For The Jeffersonville Riverfront. Mayor Parker then introduced Mr. Carroll Gowens~ Director of the Department of Redevelopment who presented an architect's map of the proposed plan~ and gave a general overview of the total plan in phases. This Resolution gives approval for the Jeffersonville Riverfront Master Plan Map only. Mr. Gowens introduced Mr. Ron Stiller of Browning~ Days Mullins and Dierdorf Inc. who further explained the map. Unless other arrangements are made the Park Department wiii be in charge of maintenance and upkeep. Questions were asked regarding financing a~d revenue bonds and if the City would be ultimately responsible if the project were to fail. Director Gowens recommends the hiring of a financial advisor. As parking will be of major concern the subject of the two lots at the end of Spring Street owned by lots are being appraised. Downtown Merchants support this plan. This Mr. Johns stated, and Wolpert and Frantz will the Hughes Group were discussed. These Mr. Jim Johns spoke on behalf of the indicating the group had voted unanimously to is not a commercial plan but a community plan it is time to get positive. Councilperson serve on a committee to address the question of T.I.F. Mr. Rick VanGilder asked why an out-of-town firm was selected to do the architect work when there are two reputable firms locally. Director Gowens explained he felt it would be good to use the same firm the developer of the 80 million dollar project on the Riverfront used. This subject was discussed extensively. Requests For Proposals will be issued for the work on the Riverfront. Mr. Tom Galligan urged the Council to implement the plan as he believes it can be done and it will work. Park Superintendent Caldwell feels this is a golden opportunity and the City should go with it. A resident of Clark Street urged the City to gain control of the vacant lots at the end of Spring as he feels this can be like a shrine. At the conclusion of all discussion Council President Potter made the motion to pass Resolution No. 93-R-2, seconded by Councilperson Clapp~ passing on a vote of 6-1~ with Councilperson Frantz voting against the Resolution. PAGE 5 JANUARY ~ 1993 Attorney Gillenwater has been asked by Police Chief Elliott to draft Ordinance No. 93-0R-2~ An Ordinance Establishing Service Charges For False Alarms Reported To Jeffersonville Police Department. Assistant Chief Elder explained the problems the Department has been experiencing with false alarms, further stating the false alarms in Clarkville went down drastically following passage of a similar Ordinance. Attorney Gillenwater feels this will increase the safety and efficiency of the Police Department. There will be room for exceptions. Notice will be given prior to issuing any fines. Council President Potter made the motion to suspend the rules for Ordinance No. 93-0R-2, seconded by Councilperson Frantz and carried unanimously. Council President Potter then made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 93-0R-~ on all three readings, seconded by Councilperson Frantz, passing on the following roll call vote: Ayes: Councilpersons Stemler, Potter, Wolpert, Williams~ Frantz~ Wilder, and Clapp. Nays: None. Mayor Parker Amending Gillenwater read the Ordinance as is in disucssion, Councilperson Stemler made No. 93-0R-3 on the first and second introduced Ordinance No. Established Holidays For 93-0R-3, An Ordinance City Employees. Attorney effect currently. Following the motion to pass Ordinance reading~ seconded by Council President Potter and carried unanimously. Clerk and Treasurer Spencer informed the Council the Police Officers and Fire Fighters ~ill be paid for 14 Holidays in 1993. Mayor Parker announced Department Supervisors have returned $106,000 to the General Fund. The Sewer Collection Office, under the direction of Mr. Jim Marra, is $100,000 ahead of where they were at this time last year and delinquents are catching up. There will be a meeting of the Board of Finance, Thursday, January ?~ 1993 in the Mayor's Conference Room. The Council is urged to attend the I.A.C.T. meeting on February 107 1993. The Council is asked to bring their suggestions for Council appointments to the next meeting. Councilpersons Wolpert and Wilder are wished well while attending the inaguaration of President Clinton in Washington D.C. PAGE 6 JANUARY ~ 1993 There being no further business to come before the Council~ Council President Potter moved to adjourn at 10:00 o'clock P.M. seconded by Councilperson Stemier and unanimously carried. ATTEST: