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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-01-1993COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA MARCH 1, 1993 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 1st day of March~ 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 stand as Councilperson Steven Stemler gave the invocation. He 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 Bill Wolpert, Andrew Williams III, Donna M. Frantz, Peggy Knight Wilder~ L. Marie Clapp, Robert L. Potter~ and Steven R. Stemler. Absent: None. Mayor Parker presented the minutes of the meeting of February 167 1993 for consideration by the Council. Councilperson Wolpert made the motion to approve the minutes ~ith one name correction on the last page, seconded by Councilperson Clapp~ and carried unanimously. Clerk and one additional claim discussion~ Council Treasurer Spencer presented the claim list with for consideration by the Council. Following all President Potter made the motion to approve the presented, seconded by claims along with the additional as Councilperson Clapp and carried unanimously. Ordinance No. 93-0R-11, An Ordinance Transferring Certain Funds Within Same Department (Common Council) was presented for the third and final reading. Following discussion, Councilperson Wolpert 93-0R-11 on the third and final Frantz, passing on the following made the motion to pass Ordinance No. reading, seconded by Councilperson roll call vote: Ayes: Councilpersons and Wilder. Nays: None. Abstain: Councilperson Clapp. Stemler: Potter, Wolpert, Williams, PAGE 2 MARCH 1, 1993 City blasting Ordinance, reviewing and answering questions. representatives from Liter's Attorney Gillenwter presented the third draft of a the changes made from the previous draft Attorney Gillenwater explained Quarry would like to meet with small groups of the Council. Mr. Mockabee asked the Council to seriously consider exceptions to early morning blasting when children are asleep as he feels his grandchild has been affected due to being awakened by a blast. At the conclusion of all discussion, Council President Potter made the motion to pass Ordinance No. ~3-0R-12 with the change of the word explosion to hole on page 4: on the first reading only, seconded by Councilperson Williams and carried unanimously. Council President Potter thanked Councilperson Stemler for being included in the opening prayer explaining he had received 55 baskets of flowers and over 600 cards following his recent surgery. He thanked all those for their prayers~ thoughts, flowers, and cards, explaining he will be sending thank you cards but it will take some time to get them all done. Council President Potter introduced Resolution No. 93-R-5, A Resolution Authorizing Advertising For An Additional Appropriation explaining this will provide for salaries to remain the same as they have the last two years. pass Resolution No. Councilperson Wilder officials are paid more she does not feel this Council 9B-R-5, explained than any other third class city in is justified. Council President President Potter made the motion to seconded by Councilperson Clapp. City of Jeffersonville elected Indiana and Potter gave examples of elected officials that explaining those that so desire, feels this would allow for public Clarence Keys asked if this budget short again. Council the Departments turned back $106,000 to the City the conclusion of all discussion, Resolution No. the following roll call vote: Ayes: Councilpersons Stemler~ Potter, Wolpert, Clapp. donate their salaries to charaties may do so. Councilperson Stemler comment if it is advertised. Mr. will raise the tax bracket and make the President Potter reminded the audience this past year. At ~3-R-5~ passed on Nays: Councilpersons Frantz and Wilder. Williams, and PAGE 3 MARCH I7 1993 Ordinance No. 93-0R-13, An Ordinance Transferring Certain Funds Within Same Department (Animal Shelter) was introduced. Councilperson Williams read the transfer aloud, line by line. Animal Shelter Director Jan Wheatley explained the transfers will allow and ceramic flooring. Councilperson Wilder asked need for an additional appropritaion at a later to these transfers. Director Wheatley there have been donations of food and a payment for fencing if there will be a date due been made at suspend the rules Councilperson C!app then made readings~ roll call the motion seconded by vote: Ayes: Councilpersons Wilder~ and Clapp. Nays: None. Attorney Gillenwater a discount. Councilperson Williams for Ordinance No. and carried unanimously. to pass Ordinance No. Councilperson Clapp, answered "hopefully large purchase has made the motion to 93-0R-13, seconded by Councilperson Williams 93-0R-13 on all three passing on the following Stemler, Potter, Wolpert~ Williams: explained Ordinance No. 93-0R-14~ An Ordinance Modifying The City Animal Control Ordinances. Director Wheatley explained the need for a stronger Ordinance regarding vicious animals~ the humane treatment of animals~ the rabies problem~ and the increase in some fees. Councilperson Williams asked if the employees would agressively go out to enforce this Ordinance and was told this would be for some consistant violators. She does not have the staff to go out looking for violators. Councilperson Frantz made the motion to pass OrdinanCe No. 93-0R-14 on the first two readings~ seconded by Councilperson Wilder and passed unanimously. Attorney Gitlenwater explained Resolution No. 93-R-6, A Resolution To Place $40~000 In An Interest Bearing Account As Required By The Consent Decree Entered Into Between The United States Of America And The City Of Jeffersonville~ Indiana. Discussion followed regarding where these funds should come from which led to a discussion regarding the possible sale of the old ~Wastewater Treatment Plant. A request has been made for a permit to remove the asbestos as the building cannot be sold until this is done. This must be sold for at PAGE 4 MARCH 1~ 1993 least 90~ of the appraised value. Counilperson Stemler expressed concern about selling this property as it is a gateway to the City and once it is gone, it is gone. The selling of the property will be taken under advisement. Following further discussion, Council President Potter made the motin to pass Resolutin No. 93-R-&~ seconded by Councilperson Williams, passing on the following roll call vote: Ayes: Councilperson Frantz~ Wilder~ and Clapp. Nays: None. Stemler, Potter, Wolpert, Williams~ Councilperson Wilder presented Resolution resolution Supporting The Jeffersonville Department Proposed Riverfront Development Plan, reading and Resoluiton. Following all comments~ Councilperson motion Potter to pass Resolution No. 93-R-9, seconded and carried unanimously. Council President Potter explained the No. 93-R-7, A Of Redevelopment explaining the Wilder made the by Council President to the Department expired. He further Councilperson the Department carried unanimously Mayor Parker the Rotary Club asking Council appointment from 1993 to 1999 for the upkeep of the median. This will be discussed further at the Council Workshop to be held on Saturday. Mayor Parker responded to recent comments made to the press regarding his leadership by reminding all of efforts made two years ago during the vigorous campaign to sit in the seats they are sitting in now. A fellowship or team effort was formed at that time. · In the early stages of the administration there may have been a misunderstaing or misconception as what jobs or duties the Council and the Mayor had. Mayor Parker feels some Council in the early part have been been overzealous in taking over some of the executive authority. He does take fault with this to some degree. He has always had an open door policy as he has wanted input. Perhaps this is where he was of Redevelopment held by Mr. Bob Campbell has explained Mr. Campbell has done an excellent job. Stemler made the motion to reappoint Mr. Bob Campbell to of Redevelopment~ seconded by Councilperson Clapp and has received a letter from Mr. Ken Peters of if the Council would be donating $3~500 a year wrong to some degree- leadership' Mayor parker trying to please everyone, pAGE 5 MARCH 1, 1993 He disagrees with the perception of no relayed a quote of "if you go through life you please no one." To come degree this may be where he was the first year. He then reviewed some of his goals and objectives as Mayor, reviewing the progress that ham been made- What has been done haS bWen positive- Some look only on the negatiVeS when there have been so many positives- Some of the positives have been the progress made on the Riverfront, the Wastewater Treatment collections and grantS, the $100,000 plus returned at the end of the year, the major fire, the snOW removal~ and litigatiOnS that have been settled. A set of goals and objectives have been presented to the Chamber of Commerce, the Department Heads and the Council. The Mayor and Council owe it to the City of jeffersonville to run a good government- Mayor Parker feels that rather than washing the laundry to the newspapers to open doors to input. The City does not deserve negative talk - there is too much positive talk. He urges the Council to work together for the positive. These comments are his personal opinions and feelings that he had to get off his chest. Council President Potter agrees with and thanks the Mayor for his comments to become stronger and work together. When there are problems they should work together and not run to the media. Councilperson Wolpert has received a letter from Ms. Becky Christian of the Downtown Merchants supporting the Council and community growth. Councilperson Williams suggests a microphone be provided for speakers from the audience. He has been asked by Ms. Nolan for a meeting with Building Commissioner Gavin regarding building on Fairview. Ms. Nolan stated there is no room for growth and she is tired of taking care of the neighborhood. Commissioner Gavin informed Ms. Nolan she will be notified of the Zoning meeting. Councilperson Williams also suggests the time for audience input be added to the agenda. He also reminded the Council of the March 6, workshop. Councilperson Frantz explained there was a misunderstanding regarding the October letter for the workshops. PAGE 6 MARCH !, 1993 Councilperson Wilder during the last workshop requests the Mayor, or department describe their each department. Councilperson Frantz explained one of the areas discussed was to develop a marketing strategy. She his Administrative Assitant, have each duties to show the taxpayers what is done by Trembly and the Street Department for the 2R hours recent snowstorm. Councilperson Wilder would like to add to to Tom Galligan for salt. Mayor Parker explained the Wastewater employees assisted the Street Department thanked Street Commissioner George worked during the that a thank you Treatment Plant in obtaining salt. A lot of help was given as there are 5 C.D.L. drivers~ and 5 trucks and they ran almost continuously for 28 hours. Councilperson Clapp feels it is necessary to reflect back on being a unity team as it does not matter what the Mayor's goals are or what the Council's goals are as they have to work together to accomplish anything. She appreciates Mayor Parker's "open door policy". He is owed the Council's respect as he is the leader. Councilperson Stemler also appreciates the work done by George Trembly and the Street Department. Councilperson Stemler then read a letter of appreciation from Mr. Dick Scott explaining he will not accept any financial assistance as he feels the accident was "his own fault". Councilperson Stemler feels we could use more citizens with this type of attitude. He explained we ~will be hearing more regarding curbside recycling from the Solid Waste District Board. Councilperson Stemler appreciates the show of leadership shown tonight by Mayor Parker. He was taught as a child to show respect and he has always had respect for the Mayor whatever part it has been. He challenges the Council and the Mayor that from this day forward to resolve collectively to roll up sleeves~ stand shoulder to shoulder, to help address all the needs and opportunities this City has to address the potential of the City. Therein lies the secret to PAGE ? MARCH i7 !993 Council President Potter thanked Councilperson Wilder -for the Red Devils bumper sticker wishing the Red Devils good luck in the tournament. He thanked all for a good meeting as he is happy to be alive and back. Mr. Clarence Keys thanked the Mayor and the Council for the "best open meeting in years". Mr. John Ralmer asked that the agenda be published. This is being done. Mr. Mockabee thanked Councilpersons Frantz, and Stemler for the time and work on the quarry problems. There being no further business to come before the Council, Council President Potter moved to adjourn at 9:00 o'clock seconded by Councilperson Stemler and unanimously carried. ATTEST: