HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-11-1993COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS OF THE
COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF JEFFERSONVILLE~ INDIANA
SEPTEMBER 11, 1993
The Common Council of the City of Jeffersonville met in
special session in the Mayor's Conference Room in the City-County
Building, Jeffersonville, Indiana, at 8:00 A.M. on the llth day of
September, 1993.
The meeting was
called to order by Mayor
Jr.~ with Deputy Clerk Barbara Hollis, at the desk.
welcomed all in attendance: asking all those present to
the pledge of allegiance to the flag.
Raymond J. Parker
Mayor Parker
join him in
The roll
Bill Wolpert, Andrew Williams
Wilder, Barbara Wilson, Robert L~
Absent: None.
One claim from
Street Commissioner
was called and those present were Councilpersons
III, Donna M. Frantz, Peggy Knight
Potter, and Steven R. Stemler.
the Motor Vehicle Department was presented by
George Trembly. Following discussion
Councilperson Frantz made the motion to pay the claim as presented,
seconded by Councilperson Wolpert and carried unanimously.
Street Commissioner Trembly presented a written report to
the Council on the police vehicles asking the Council to review this.
He will be happy to answer questions or go over the report with any
Councilpersons who may desire to do so.
Council President Potter explained the Mayor has proposed a
gaming revenue sharing plan based on population.
Potter believes this is a fair and equitable plan.
schools do. He asks the Council to have any other
the September 27, 1993 meeting.
Councilperson Frantz is not in favor of
Council President Potter
and the Mayor's proposal
Councilperson
Council President
This is what the
proposals ready for
appropriate to involve the Council in a revenue sharing plan before
announcing to the public, as the financial responsibilty belongs to
opposed to having outside elected officials telling
spend it's money. He has no problem with the concept
the Council, as
the City how to
the 95%-25% share.
explained that by law the City receives 25%
actually figures out to 43% to the City.
Williams feels it would have been more
PAGE 2
SEPTEMBER 11~ 1993
of sharing,
however the means need to be ironed out. He does not feel
it is incumbent to have figures by September 2?. Time needs to be
taken. Councilperson Williams referred to the DeMars project and the
cost to the City. Expenses need to be considered when sharing.
Proportional sharing is fair but other options should be considered
such as using a grant method as is done in Davenport.
Councitperson Frantz suggested adding another dollar to the
three dollar admission tax to be used in a grant-type program.
Attorney Gillenwater explained the gamer may charge anything or
nothing, however the gamer will have to pay three dollars for each
person boarding the boat.
Councilperson Wilder mentioned the admission tax will be
lost if the boats are docked and land based. This will be a loss of
revenue for the City as well as the County. Council President Potter
feels if this does happen there will be about 20~ more in gambling
revenue.
Councilperson Williams feels
to share should be decided first and
should be shared.
Councilperson Stemler feels
regionally so the growth could be collective.
non-elected committee to maybe included the Chamber
Center for Lay Ministries and member of the affected
the percent the City is willing
then consider how the remainder
the Council should think
He suggests a
of Commerce, the
communities. He
does favor the grant concept. He feels the City may want to consider
taking more of a share up front to help cover start-up costs.
County Councilperson Pepper Cooper stated the County
represents all the areas in the County and would be distributing funds
back to the
General Fund,
need for an
whole county.
communities. The funds would not go into the County
but be used for something new. He believes there is a
expanded Redevelopment Commission to help promote the
County Councilperson Cooper wants to make it clear that
is was Mayor Parker's proposal that was talked about at the County
Council meeting. The County Council is open to any ideas but is in
basic agreement. The concept of an ambulance service is a good
consideration. The County Council does need to know something so they
make go out into the different areas to sell the referendum.
PAGE 3
SEPTEMBER ll~ 1993
Counci!person Stemler explained the ambulance service is a
big consideration and a major major cost. Some thinking together
needs to be done and the hospital needs to be involved. The concept
would be to fund the start-up cost and hopefully be self-sufficient at
a point in time.
Councilperson Williams feels one of the advantages of
thinking regionally is that duplication of efforts would be minimized.
Councilperson Stemler~ speaking about the start-up costs,
the revenues as projected by Redevelopment Director
the City. Anything above these projected revenue be
The third and fourth years would be proportioned
would like to see
Gowens go I00~ to
proportioned out.
out by population.
and all
Councilperson Wilson
smaller to start.
Councilperson Frantz
development
Councilperson Williams agrees the start-up will not be free
need to be sensitive to this.
suggests using the Mayor's plan only
feels the areas that need the economic
the most will be getting the smallest portion. County
Councilperson Cooper explained the County Council represents all these
areas. He feels the allowance for start up is reasonalbe but also
feels the referendum will be very hard to sell if the areas do not get
a share. Councilperson Frantz feels someone is telling the areas how
the City was going to share before the City knows how they are going
to do it, as it has never been discussed with this body.
Mayor Parker explained the Council is the fiscal body but in
defense he reminds the Council he was asked to work with Council
President Potter on this. This was discussed~ and he worked with
Council President Potter and different groups in the County and came
up with the proposal which was given to the Council for discussion and
questions for a whole week. He received no calls questioning the
proposal. He felt it was incumbent on him to get things going to
initiate conversation. He did not get any input from the Council. He
emphasized this is only a proposal to be discussed~ add to, or take
away. It took an open meeting to generate conversation.
PAGE 4
SEPTEMBER 11, 1993
Council President Rotter looks at this as a marketing
concept. It must be kept in mind the County has to be sold on this
and a reason for voting yes must be given to the voter.
Councilperson Williams agrees the Mayor and Council
President were asked to work on ~his however he feels it would have
been appropriate for the Mayor to discuss this with the Council before
taking it out to the County.
Councilperson Wilson feels ths body is upset because another
municipality attorney was passing out information before the Council
received it.
Mayor Parker explained this Attorney
Sam Gwinn) was the one that put the proposal
several municipality
had input.
Attorney Gillenwater explained it
revenue can be shared. This is why he did
(Clarksville Attorney
in writing. There were
Mayor and
happen so
plan".
attorneys and elected officials present and ali
is not iOOZ certain if the
not draft the document.
Councilperson Stemler, repeating what has been said that
o'f something is something and 25~ of nothing is nothing, however if
your start up costs are 35~ and you get 85Z, you go in the hole. If
this is going to be marketed he suggests the possibility of sharing
with the areas where the referendum passes. In other words if you
want it go out and work for it.
County Councilperson Simon feels the indecison of the City
Council is causing confusion in the County. He begs the City Council
to make a decision so the areas can start today working toward passing
the referendum.
Mr. Jim Johns feels the Council wants an apology from the
he feels all the Mayor wants is to know what is going to
the concept can be sold. The big questions is "what is the
Councilperson Wolpert feels greed will get you in a lot of
· trouble. He feels the Mayor's proposal is a good one, however he
agrees with Councilperson Stemler regarding start-up costs.
Ms. Sharon Smith agrees the City should make provisions for
start-up costs. A decision needs to be made as she feels the downtown
merchants are selling the bill for the whole County and it is hard.
PAGE 5
SEPTEMBER 11~ 1993
Councilperson Wilson is hearing all the responsibility is
going to the City. The County will receive moneys so the County needs
to have some responsibility in letting the voters know how this money
will be used. The County needs to sell
Simon explained this is being worked on.
agrees~ however they do not
package would be better.
understand this will be used
the City of Jeffersonville.
problem with a Economic
also. County Councilperson
County Councilperson Cooper
want to go out there twice. The whole
They are working hard so the voters
for economic development, which includes
County Councilperson Cooper sees no
Development Council consisting of
representatives from ail areas including Jeffersonville.
Mr. Grant Morton asked how the County could
the City.
money to
County Councilperson Cooper
fund tourism, to fund redevelopment
Morton is concerned of the cost to the City and
off the top.
Mr.
tax reduction
must be dealt
President Potter
example would be
from the budget.
spend money in
explained the County can spend
and many others. Mr.
feels this should come
Billy Tanner feels unless a meaningful statment toward
is made the referendum will not pass. Tax reduction
with or it will end up worse than it is now. Council
explained this has been considered and said an
to purchase capital equipment so that it is removed
Mr. Tanner would like to see percentages designated
to lower
again".
City Council
taxes~ as he has heard it is "just the State lottery all over
Clarksville Town Board
as this is one of
Member Charles King does feel for the
the biggest issues to deal with. He
does not feel there would be objection to allowing for start-up fees
and if not needed redistribute. Clarksville will be directly affected
by having to deal with more traffic and other problems. Mr. King
would like to have something to take to the voters to pass the
referendum. He suggests the percentages be used but on a smaller
basis to allow for start up.
Mayor Parker suggests the City take a larger
first year decreasing each year back down to the 25~.
to make a decision as all eyes are on the City
percentage the
It is necessary
to do so.
PAGE 6
SEPTEMBER 1!~ 1993
Council President Rotter feels much of the start-up costs
are in the R.F.P. He does like the idea of money for start up
provided and then redistributed if not needed.
Mr. Grant Morton recommends the first two years that
Jeffersonville receive 25~ 10~ for tax reduction~ 5% contingency~ 5~
start up (if not used go to the County for redevelopment and tourism)
5% to Jeffersonville for redevelopment and tourism and 50~ distributed
by population. This would not include the admission fee, He feels
He emphasizes committments
the major risks would be covered by this.
are needed.
County Councilperson Cooper feels Mr.
are very viable and would consider the 5~ for
Jeffereonville if needed. Mr.
Mr. Johns supports
help the referendum.
A recess was called for at 9:30 o'clock A.M.
The meeting was reconvened at 9:55 o'clock A.M.
Attorney Gillenwater received a call from Surveyor David
Blankenbaker explaining
less than 100 feet from
these areas.
Potter feels
aware there is a problem.
waterway was discussed.
Kentucky before a license is issued.
Attorney Greg Filer has been concerned
understanding is that there is a document that
Morton's suggestions
the County be used in
Cooper praised Mr. Morton's knowledge.
Mr. Morton's idea and feels this would
there are places where the State boundry is
the shore and the foot of Spring is one of
This may or may not be a problem. Council President
the legislature will deal with this and they are well
The question of the river being a federal
An agreement will have to be made with
with this issue. Mis
settled a case between
Illinois and Kentucky. He read a quote from this case. He does
believe the Spring Street site will have at least 100 feet. Council
President Potter explained there are similiar problems in other areas
so there will be, tremendous pressure on the Indiana Legislature to
allow dock-side gambling.
Attorney Gillenwater read a proposal drafted from Mr.
Morton's ideas. Councilperson Wilder feels the minimum received by
any municipality should be at least 1%. Council President Potter made
the motion to adopt the proposed plan, seconded by Councilperson
PAGE ?
SEPTEMBER 11~ !993
Wolpert. Following further discussion Councilperson Wolpert withdrew
his second and Council President Potter withdrew his motion. It was
agreed to meet Wednesdays September 15~ 1993 at 5:00 o'clock P.M. to
discuss this further. Compensating for the 1~ minimum was discussed
and agreed to take it from the unincorporated areas.
Councilperson Williams questioned if the process being used
is in line. Attorney Gillenwater feels it is O.K. Councilperson
Williams was assured the R.F.P. had been approved by the Council.
Councilperson Wilson explained several members of the
Council would like to hire an attorney to assist Attorney Gillenwater
in selecting a gamer applicant to recommend to the State Gaming
Commission. Councilperson Williams feels this would be a good idea.
Councilperson Frantz agrees and has talked with Attorney Anne Marie
Sedwick who has agreed to represent the City. Council President
Potter explained there is $10~000 in the Council budget for this.
Attorney Gillenwater suggested the Council agree on a contract to
present to an attorney. Mayor Parker asked if the Council did not
want a consultant. It is agreed there is still a need for a numbers
person. Attorney Gil!enwater suggests this not be paid by the hour.
Counci!person Frantz asked if she should contact Attorney Anne Marie
Sedwick. It was suggested and discussed that an Attorney not from
this area be used. Attorney Gillenwater was asked to draw up a
contract and the Council was asked to bring their recommendations to
the next meeting. Attorney John Montgomery asked the Council to keep
in mind that Indianapolis attorney rates will be considerably higher.
Local rates would be $95.00 to $185.00 per hour.
suggested if the Council knows of an attorney that
they propose a contract.
Council
seconded
There being no further business to come before the Councils
President Potter moved to adjourn at 10:30 o~clock A.M.
Attorney Gillwater
is interested that
by Councilperson Stemler and unanimously carried.
ATTEST'.
CLERK AND TREASURE~ C. RICED SPENCE JR.