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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-21-2002COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA OCTOBER 21, 2002 The Common Council of the City of Jeffersonville, Indiana met in regular session in the Multi-Purpose Meeting Room in the City-County Building, Jeffersonville, Indiana, at 7:30 P.M. on the 21st day of October, 2002. Council President Denny Frantz, with Clerk Treasurer Peggy Wilder at the desk, called the meeting to order. Also present was Deputy Clerk Barbara Hollis. Council President Frantz welcomed all in attendance, asking all those present to stand as Gary Leavell gave the invocation. Council President Frantz 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 Ron Ellis, Les Merkley, Denny Frantz, Rob Waiz, Barbara Wilson, Ron Grooms, and Vicki Conlin. Absent: None Following discussion, Councilperson Merkley made the motion to approve the agenda, adding an amendment to the Redistricting Ordinance by Councilperson Grooms and a second amendment by Councilperson Ellis, seconded by Councilperson Waiz, passing on a vote of 6-0. Council President Frantz did not vote. Council President Frantz presented the minutes of the meetings of September 23, and October 7 2002, and the minutes of the workshop for October 7, 2002 for consideration by the Council. Councilperson Wilson made the motion to approve the September 23, 2002 minutes as presented, seconded by Councilperson Merkley, passing on a vote of 6-0. Council President Frantz did not vote. Councilperson Wilson then made the motion to approve the minutes of October 7, 2002 as presented, seconded by Councilperson Conlin, passing on a vote of 6-0. Council President Frantz did not vote. Councilperson Wilson made the motion to approve the minutes of the October 7, 2002 workshop, seconded by Councilperson Waiz, passing on a vote of 6-0. Council President Frantz did not vote. Clerk Treasurer Wilder presented the claim list for consideration by the Council. Councilperson Waiz made the motion to approve the claims as presented, seconded by October 21, 2002 2 Conlin, passing on a vote of 5-1. Councilpersons Ellis voted against passage. Council President Frantz did not vote. PUBLIC COMMENT: Mr. Gary L. Leavell, President of the local N.A.A.C.P. Chapter, appeared before the Council expressing his concern for the plan for redistricting. Mr. Leavell feels the plan dilutes the minority representation. Mr. Leavell asks the Council to postpone their vote to allow for a plan that would bring districts into compliance. Mr. Leavell is willing to meet with the Council as soon as possible as he understands the Council is under a short time schedule. Mr. Richard Hughes, a 72-year resident of Jeffersonville, also voices his concern about redistricting. He is concerned there is no more concern by the Council and he does not think the current plan is fair. Mr. Hughes also requests the Council not vote tonight AGENDA ITEMS: Fire Chief Mike Smith appeared before the Council to request passage of Resolution No. 2002-R-30, Amended Resolution Approving Lease Financing Agreement For Purchase Of Fire Truck. Following discussion, Councilperson Conlin made the motion to pass Resolution No. 2002-R-30, seconded by Councilperson Merkley, passing on a vote of 6-0. Council President Frantz did not vote. Council President Frantz and Councilperson Merkley explained a request by letter from Carroll Gowens, Secretary/Treasurer, Jeffersonville Housing Services Corporation, requesting a donation to provide 25% of a grant as a required match for the construction of five new homes in the Jeffersonville area. Following discussion, Councitperson Merkley made a motion of support for the request, seconded by Councilperson Grooms, passing on a vote of 6-0. Council President Frantz did not vote. Police Chief Mike Pavey appeared before the Council requesting passage of Resolution No. 2002-R-31, A Resolution Of Financial Commitment Of Six Additional Police Officers Over A 3-Year Period. Chief Pavey informed the Council the Urban Enterprise Zone has committed to supply the match required for the first three years. He is requesting support for the 4th year. No money will be required from the City for the first three years. Councilperson Conlin made the motion to approve Resolution No. 2002-R-31, second by Councilperson Grooms. Councilperson Grooms asked Chief October 21, 2002 3 Pavey about provisions for vehicles. Chief Pavey explained he does not anticipate hiring until the first of the year, it will take about 4 months to test and then they will have to go to the academy, which should be June or July, then they will be with a training officer. The current vehicle program will be extended to allow the current program to work; He does have a plan for a 4th shift. Councilperson Merkley asked if tax restructuring would affect income to the Urban Enterprise Zone. David Duggins said it should be fine as these monies will be dedicated first, so there should be no problem. Mr. Duggins also explained this type of funding is what the Enterprise Zone has been set up to do. As Mr. Duggins is no longer the Director he carmot comment on other future plans. Councilperson Merkley made the motion to amend Resolution 2002-R-31 to reflect approval of the 4th year commitment, and replace Urban Enterprise Association with Common Council, second by Councilperson Grooms, passing on a vote of 6-0. Council President Frantz did not vote. The motion to pass Resolution 2002-R-31 as amended passed on a vote of 6-0. Council President Frantz did not vote. Councilperson Grooms announced Mr. Toby Woolcott of Paradigm will be at the next meeting. Councilperson Ellis has received a letter fi.om the attorney hired to review Ordinance 2002-OR-20, An Ordinance Establishing An Animal Control Authority. The letter was not positive; therefore, Councilperson Ellis feels the issue is dead. Councilperson Merkley reviewed the proposals for redistricting that have been discussed, offering to support the proposal made by Councilperson Ellis. Councilperson Merkley made the motion to pass Ordinance 2002-OR-33 on the second and third reading. Council President Frantz said he did not take into consideration the minority representation in his proposal. He does agree the Council should sit down with the minority representation and talk. Councilperson Merkley withdrew his motion. Councilperson Merkley then made the motion to pass Ordinance 2002-OR-33 on the second reading, seconded by Councilperson Grooms. Councilperson Merkley explained the statute requirements. Districts must be "equal as possible". He also explained deviation. Councilperson Ellis explained how population deviation is decided. Councilperson Ellis made the motion to amend Ordinance No. 2002-OR-33; District 1 to include precincts 1, 2, 4, & 7; District 2 would include precincts 3, 5, 6, & 14. District 3 October 21, 2002 4 would consist of precincts, 8, 9, 12, & 15. District 4 would consist of precincts 16, 16A, 17, & 18. District 5 would consist of precincts, 10, 11, llA, 13, & 19, explaining the deviation. Councilperson Conlin made the second to amend. Councilperson Conlin proposed a plan similar to this 5 or 6 years ago. Councilperson Merkley expressed his concerns. Councilperson Ellis is concerned for the size of the precincts and feels the Commissioners have failed in not redrawing precinct lines. Some precincts are totally out of the recommended size. Councilperson Merkley does not feel it meets the 10% rule. Councilperson Conlin feels the Council should vote on the second reading and then have a workshop with Mr. Leavell and others. Councilperson Grooms made the motion and explained an amendment to Ordinance No. 2002-OR-33, second by Councilperson Conlin. Following further discussion, Councilperson Conlin made the motion to table Ordinance No. 2002-OR-33, second by Councilperson Ellis, failing on the following roll call vote: Ayes: Councilpersons Conlin and Ellis. Nays: Councilpersons Grooms, Wilson, Waiz, and Ellis. Mr. Leavell said this is a serious matter asking the Council not to violate minority representation. Mr. Leavell again is willing to sit down and go over the numbers. Mr. Hughes feels others than N.A.A.C.P. members should be given respect. Council President Frantz said all meetings are open to the public. Mr. Hughes does not feel he has been given respect. The following roll call vote was taken for the amendment proposed by Councilperson Ellis: Ayes: Councilpersons Ellis, Wilson, and Conlin Nays: Councilpersons Merkley, Waiz, and Grooms. The result being a tie vote, Council President Frantz voted nay. The amendment failed. The following roll call vote was taken for the amendment proposed by Councilperson Grooms: Ayes: Councilpersons Merkley, Waiz, Grooms, and Conlin. Nays: Councilpersons Ellis and Wilson. October 21, 2002 5 The following roll call vote was then taken for the second reading of Ordinance No. 2002-OR-33 as amended: Ayes: Councilpersons Merkley, Waiz, and Grooms. Nays: Councilpersons Ellis, Wilson, and Conlin. This being a tie vote, Council President Frantz voted nay. Ordinance No. 2002- OR-33 failed on the second reading. Following discussion, a special meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, October 29, 2002 at 7:30 P.M. Mr. Leavell is concerned that District 2 have no less than 24% minority representation. COUNCIL AND MAYOR COMMENTS: Councilperson Grooms feels the Council should have an insurance audit. He will investigate this and may come back to the Council with a proposal. Councilperson Grooms said there would be expenses involved, asking for any objection. No objections were voiced. Councilperson Conlin feels other insurance companies should be pursued. There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 9:00 P.M. ATTEST: bOO - PEGGY WILDER, CLERK AND TREASURER