HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-11-1993COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS OF THE
COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF JEFFERSONVILLE~ INDIANA
OCTOBER 11, 1993
The Common Council of the City
General Jackson Room, Ramada Inn, 700
Jeffersonville, !ndiana~ at ]7:30 P.M. on the
1993.
of Jeffersonville met in bhe
W. Riverside Drives
llth day of October~
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Raymond J. Parker
Jr., with Deputy Clerk Barbara C~ Hollis at the desk.
welcomed all in attendance~ asking all those present
Councilperson Steven Stemler gave the invocation. He
Mayor Parker
to stand as
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
Andrew Williams III, Donna M. Frantz, Peggy Knight Wilder, Barbara
Wilson~ Robert L. Potter~ and Steven R. Stemler.
Absent: Councilperson Bill Wolpert.
Mayor Parker explained the order of the meeting. Each
proposer will have forty minutes to present the proposal. Each
presentation will be followed by twenty minutes of questions and
answers from city officials and the public. Any number of
representatives from each gaming operation will be allowed to speak
during the presentation period. City Attorney Mike Gillenwater will
be the official timekeeper. The presentation order has again been
drawn at random.
Mr. Brian Zander, President of Ogden Riverboat Associates,
gave a presentation which included a video and introduction of a panel
consisting of Mr. Ray Parrella, Mr. Art Hahn~ Mr. Bill Preston, Mr.
Wayne Estopinal, Mr. Charles Irwin, Mr. David P. Hanlon, Mr. David
Lucas~ Mr. Michael Browning, and Ms. Ngaire Cuneo. The following are
the questions from the Council and the public. All
will be handicap accessible. When questioned as to
the town"~ Mr. ~ander explained the State Legislature does
answers to
facilities
"tearing up
not look at it as "tearing up a town".
up the rules for Riverboat Gambling and
admission. There will be very minimal
is a firm committment to downtown
The State Legislature has set
these include time limits and
displacement involved. There
merchants. There is an ongoing
PAGE 2
OCTOBER i1~ 1993
followed.
Mr. Zander
dialogue with the merchants. The Marble Head apartment building will
stay. There are plans to tear down the duplex on the side of the
"Trolly" lot. Marine safety is set up by the Coast Guard and will be
Mr. Browning explained the steps in economic development.
is willing to submit a proposed contract to the City for
review prior to a grant of a iease. Mr. Zander feels the proposal
from Ogden Riverboat Associates is the best due to the proposed lease
payments and the revitalization of downtown.
Following a ten minutes break, Mayor Parker called the
meeting back to order.
Mr. Tom Meeker, President and C.E.O. of Churchill Downs
explained the relationship of Churchill Downs and Harrah's. A video
was shown and presentations made by Mr. Phil Satre~ Mr. Larry Bunch,
and Mr. Phil McCauley. The first question was for a breakdown of the
proposed 68.3 million. Mr. Satre explained 85 million will be for the
boat and equipment with the balance in land based facilities. The
specifics are in the proposal. To the question of the partnership
with Churchill Downs being a conflict it was explained this has been
found to be a strength. There is confidence a solution will be found
to the border problem. The group is a big supporter of the bridge.
Mr. Satre feels the Gaming Commission will find the Spring Street
location the most logical. Churchill Downs will not control the
Board. There will be nonrecourse financing that will be paid back.
All but one lease for property has been secured. There has been
notification the last one is in agreement. The facilities will be
handicapped accessible. The 2~ of net income desigated for
educational, charitable, and social activities is in addition to the
2.5 million indicated in the proposal. The contributions have not
been discussed beyond the 10 year lease. The 2~ however is committed.
The Marble Head building will stay where it is. The group has had
experience working with the Corps of Engineers and historic
The Corps of
agressively in
demand.
The Promus Group
Engineers has been contacted. The
the market. The cruise schedules will
groups.
group will work
be worked with
was thanked for their presentation and a 10
minute break called for.
PAGE 3
OCTOBER ii~ 1993
Ms. Ann Schmitt Walkers Vice President of Ohio Riverside
Development Corporation gave the proposal along with the following
answers to questions. Ohio Riverside Development Corporation is a
joint venture of Haka of Findland and DeMars. It has taken a number
of years for DeMaks Haka and they have completed the apartment complex
and infrastructure. It is confident docking in the area will not be a
problem. Ohio Riverside has talked with~ and does intend to have
Jeffboat build a vessel. Ms. Walker explained the site will be
developed completely. The specifics of the trolley have not been
addressed however there is a vision to link the greenway. The plans
for the Spring Street site are what the 1992 plan shows. It is hoped
enough boat slips will be provided. Ms. Walker feels the Ohio
Riverside planned location would be better than the Spring Street
location as it would be better to move the people to Spring Street
rather than the cars. It is felt that Spring Street cannot handle the
traffic and parking. A Disneyland friendly kind of off-on experience
is envisioned for the trolley. It is hoped the trolley will be leased
and proposed the City administer the system. Downtown promotion
should be done as a mutual effort between the gamer and the downtown
merchants. Ohio Riverside Development has not prepared an independent
traffic study. They have reviewed other studies that have been done.
The pending litigation on the site has been settleted. Ms. Walker
explained there is a need for a quality gamer and adequate parking.
Both are important for the best total experience. There is a strong
committment to women and minority participation. The goals and system
for this are set up.
Mayor Parker extended his gratitude and thanks to the
audience for their patience. He also thanks all the proposers for
their excellent presentations. All have clearly made strong
committments to the economic growth of the community. The proposals
have been responsive and very professional. The council will now
continue their review of the proposals. Mayor Parker challenges all
citizens to become involved in the process as the decision that will
be made November 2, 1993 will make a significant impact on the
community. The Council will meet again on Monday~ October 19, 1993 at
9:30 P.M. in this same room.
PAGE 4
OCTOBER 11, 1993
Attorney Gillenwater
has passed a resolution requesting municipalities
endorsing gaming operators and gaming sites~ It
Gillenwater's advise to the Council not to endorse
receiving further guidelines from the Commission.
Council
seconded
There being no further business to come before the Council,
President Potter moved to adjourn at 11:00 o~clock P.M.
by Councilperson Stemler and unanimously carried.
MAYOR RAYMOND J. PARKER JR.
explained the State Gaming Commission
refrain from
is Attorney
a gamer until
ATTEST:
CLERK AND TREASU~R C. R~A~ SPENCER JR.