HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-07-1993 The Common Council of the
special session in the Mayor:s Conference
Building~ Jeffersonville, Indiana at 6:30
September, 1993.
The special session was called
Parker Jr., with Clerk and Treasurer C.
desk.
All present were asked to stand and
allegiange to the flag..
All Councilpersons were present.
Mayor Parker explained the purpose of the
was to have an informaal exchange of information on
COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS OF THE
COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA
SEPTEMBER ?~ 1993
City of Jeffersonville met in
Room, in the City-County
P.M. on the ?th day of
to order by Mayor Raymond J.
Richard Spencer Jr, at the
repeat the pledge of
special session
gaming issues as
there is a need for some semblance of a plan. He has heard other
Councilpersons have proposals and this would be an opportunity for all
to discuss ideas. Mayor Parker then read a statement of those things
necessary and the deadline dates. He then asked for discussion.
Councilperson Frantz asked what actions are underway? Mayor
Parker explained he does not know for a fact, but has been lead to
believe the money necessary to conduct a referendum vote will be paid.
Councilperson Frantz then inquired who would hire a consultant? Mayor
Parker explained that he would.
Council President Potter explained he will introduce a
Resolution in regular session to
He feels~ as the Mayor does,
forthcoming.
Councilperson Wilder
an application is made.
override the Parks Department lease.
the money for the referendum is
explained payment cannot be made until
the gaming commission as of today, established a procedure
applicants. This will be in two parts. He believes rules
procedures were established at the meeting in Indianapolis today.
payment procedure was explained.
Carroll Gowens~ Director of Redevelopment~ explained
for
and
The
Mayor Parker explained other sites will be considered as he
does not want to be "short changed". Councilperson Wilder explained
PAGE 2
SEPTEMBER ?~ 1993
it is a good idea to amend the R.F.P. to accept other locations~
giving more credit to the Spring Street site.
Ms. Sharon Smith aeked if the Council
riverboat gambling sites and if they
enjoyed the visit to
found improvements.
Councilperson Stemler explained it was a positive visit and he will be
presenting a report to the Mayor. Council President Potter also found
it all to be positive with the only negative being traffic problems.
Mayor Parker will be making a report available done by the Police
Department on 15 locations concerning crime.
Questions were answered from the audience regarding the
selection of an operator and the deadline dates.
The Council agreen to change the meeting scheduled for
September 20~ 1993 tg September ~?~ 1993. Mayor Parker will be
inquiring with various agencies regarding a consultant.
The special session was adjourned at 9:05 P.M.
PAGE 3
SEPTEMBER ?~ 1993
COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS OF THE
COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF JEFFERSONVILLE~ INDIANA
SEPTEMBER ?, 1993
regular
Jeffersonville,
1993.
The Common Council of the City of Jeffersonville met in
session in Council Chambers in the City-County Building,
Indiana, at 9:30 P.M. on the 9th day of September,
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
asked all
flag.
Bill
Wilder~
Councilperson Steven Stemler
those present to join him in
The roll was called
Wolpert~ Andrew Williams
Barbara Wilson, Robert L.
Absent: None.
Mayor Parker presented
gave the invocation. He then
the pledge of allegiance to the
and those present were Councilpersons
III, Donna M. Frantz~ Peggy Knight
Potter, and Steven R. Stemler.
the minutes of the meetings of August
B3, and August 30,
President Potter made
meetings as presented,
unanimously.
Clerk and Treasurer
consideration by the
President Potter made
1993 for consideration by the Council. Council
the motion to approve the minutes of both
seconded by Councilperson Wolpert, and carried
Spencer presented the claim list for
Council. Following all discussion, Council
the motion to approve the claims as presented,
seconded by Councilperson Wolpert and carried unanimouely.
Ms. Sharon Smith of the Downtown Merchants
again thanked the Council and expressed appreciation to
for taking the time to gather information and endorse
Association
the Council
the Spring
Street location. Ms. Smith believes there is new excitement in
downtown as Riverboat Gambling will only add to the City.
Ordinance No. 93-0R-55, An Ordinance Transferring Funds
Within Same Department (City Engineer, Clerk and Treasurer, and Common
Council) was introduced for discussion. City Engineer Miller
explained the need for money to repair traffic signals. Following all
PAGE ~
SEPTEMBER ?, 1993
discussion, Council President Potter made the motion to suspend the
rules for Ordinance No. 93-0R-55, seconded by Councilperson Stemler
and carried unanimously. Council President Potter then made the
motion to pass Ordinance No. 93-0R-55 on all three readings, seconded
by Councilperson Stemler, passing on the following roil call vote:
Ayes: Councilpersons Stemler, Potter, Wolpert, Williams~
Frantz, Wilder, and Wilson.
Nays: None.
Council President Potter introduced and explained Resolution
No. 93-R-R4~ a Resolution overriding the Parks Department agreement
regarding a proposed lease between the City and the Star of
Louisville. Council President Potter further explained this will
allow all riverboat gaming applicants to bid on the Spring Street
site. At the conclusion of all discussion Council President Potter
93-R-R4, seconded by
made the motion to pass Resolution No.
Councilperson Stemler and carried unanimously.
Mayor Parker explained that if the gaming referendum will
have to be passed by the County it is of vital concern to the City of
Jeffersonvilie to share in the revenues. He has distributed a
proposal to share the revenue based on population. Mayor Parker then
read a letter in support of sharing in the revenue from Mayor
Braswell~ Mayor of Charlestown. Mr. Richard Dickman, President of the
Clarksville Town Board, explained the legislation allows~ but does not
require, sharing in the gaming revenues. Mr. Dickman needs to have
something to take back to the voters. Jeffersonville is not an
island, a vote of ali of Clark County will be necessary to pass this
referendum. Mr. Dickman will not work against the passage but would
like to have a reason to work for the passage. Mr. Dennis Simon~
President of the Clark County Council has personally been working for
passage of the referendum. He hopes the Council will work
expendiently on a proposal of sharing. Mr. Simon encourages the
Council to pass the Mayor's proposal of sharing the revenue. Mr. Karl
Truman, Sellersburg Town Council Member spoke personally that he
supports Mayor Parker's proposal and he will encourage the Sellersburg
Council to support it also. Mr. Rick Reynolds, Utica Town Council
PAGE 5
SEPTEMBER 9~ 1993
Member explained he also is personally in support of this for
Jeffersonville and Clark County. He does feel that support of the
referendum may be rather soft in the County. A selling point is
needed. Mr. Reynolds will help to get the ~ob done. Mr. Grant Morton
believes there will be additional costs to Jeffersonville and feels
Jeffersonvitie should receive a higher percentage for the risk taken.
At this time. Mr. Carroll Gowens presented and reviewed a formula for
distribution of tax revenues. He has talked with gamers and feels his
figures are very conservative. Councilperson Frantz believes the
economic needs of areas like Borden and Utica are great and should
receive more. Mayor Parker explained many worked on this formula and
it is believed the fairest division is by population. When questioned
Mayor Parker explained several attorneys worked on the formula,
however Attorney Sam Gwinn put it in written form. Mr. David Mosley~
on behalf of the Town of Utica, explained opening the riverfront to
development will help all of Clark County.
reveneu is appropriate. Ms. Sharon Smith
should be shared. Mayor Parker will not
He feels sharing the
also feels the revenue
ask for a vote on his
is total support. He
Mayor Parker intends
wants it to happen.
as a whole~ to be
proposal at this time as he does not feel there
does ask the Council endorse sharing in concept.
to do his best to sell this in the County and he
Councilperson Frantz would like the Council,
involved in a revenue sharing formula. Councilperson Wilder is in
favor of sharing the revenue however has concerns for plans for
economic development in the other communities. The Council will meet
Saturday, September 11, 1993
Potter then made the motion
manner, seconded
roll call vote:
Ayes: Councilpersons
Frantz, Wilder, and Wilson.
Nays: None.
Councilperson Wilder
Councilpersons describing a
to work on a formula. Council President
to share riverboat gaming revenues in some
by Councilperson Wolpert, passing on the following
Stemler~ Potter Wolpert, Williams,
reviewed a letter she distributed to
proposal to correct drainage problems.
She asks the Council to review this and be prepared for further
discussion, suggesting approximately $125,000 in revenue from the sale
PAGE 6
SEPTEMBER 77 1993
of the sewer plant be dedicated to this project. She explained some
of her ideas for the proposal. Councilperson Wilder requests the
Council's permission to work on an overview and priority list. The
Council has no objections to this. Council President Potter wants to
make sure the developers are responsible.
closely a
Jacob's Court
the taxpayer.
September 87~
Mayor Parker hopes a workable formula for sharing the
can be worked out as he feels something is better than
Council President
Potter presented a Request For Proposals
To Lease
Facility~
gone into
Property For Development and Operation Of Riverboat Gaming
City of Jeffersonville, Indiana explaining the work that has
it. Counciiperson Wilder proposes an amendment to include
other sites, giving specific preference to the Spring Street site on
page 2, and to amend page 11 to reflect that site one will receive
preference. There are no problems with these amendments. Council
President Potter will make this R.F.P. available to all that want
them.
Council President Potter asks the Council to look over
letter from the County Commissioners regarding moving Judge
to the main building. This will reflect a savings to
He asks the Council be prepared to vote on this at the
1993 meeting.
Councilperson Frantz asked if there would be a City Float
for the Steamboat Parade. Park Superintendent Caldwell was not
notified there was money in place. It was suggested local car dealers
provide convertables for the elected officials to ride in.
Councilperson Wilder does believes a workshop should be set
up to work on the gaming revenue sharing. This will be Saturday,
September 11~ 1993 at 8:00 o'clock A.M.
Councilperson Stemler would like to follow through on the
money designated for a float.
Mr. Billy Tanner, as a concerned citizen whose taxes are
too high, urges the Council to look at specific ways and definitive
statements on how gaming revenue can be used to reduce property taxes.
The voters must be told what will be done with the money.
nothing.
PAGE ?
SEPTEMBEB ?, 1993
Mr. Ted Rajchel would like to
cleaned up to make Jeffersonville attractive
Rajchel would also like to see Steamboat Days
not to inconvenience the downtown businesses.
Answers were given to questions from the audience regarding
the R.F.P., the Parks
Attorney Gillenwater
R.F.P. 's.
see Jeffersonville downtown
to new business. Mr.
moved to an area so as
presented
passing on the following roll call
Ayes:
Frantz, Wilder,
vote:
Councilperson Stemler,
Wilson.
Nays: None.
Mr. Carroll Gowens will advertise
There being no further business
Council President Potter moved to adjourn
seconded by Councilperson Stemler and unanimously carried.
MAYOR'~YhO~D J. PARKER'J~.
ATTEST:
the R.F.P.
to come before the Council,
at 8:45 o~clock P.M.
Councilperson Wilder made the motion to accept the R.F.P. as
with the amendments~ seconded by Council President Potter~
Potter, Wolpert, Williams,
Department lease, the site, and deadline dates.
explained there is no harm in handing out the