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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-21-1992COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA JANUAKY 21, 1992 The Common Council of the City of Jeffersonville met in regular session in Council Chambers ini the City-County Building~ Jef~ersonvilie Indiana at 7:30 P.M. on the~21st day of January 1992. - ' The meeting was called to orderib¥ Mayer Raymond J· Parker Jr.~ with Clerk and Treasurer C. Richardi Spencer Jr., at the desk. Mayor Parker welcomed all in attendance~asking that they stand· as Councilperson Stemler gave the invocationI 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. 5~a~tz, Peggy Knight Wilder, L Marie Clapp, Robert L. Potter, and St. even Ri Stemler. Absent: None. Mayor Parker presented the minutes of the meeting of January 6, 1992 for consideration 'by the Council Councilperson Wolpert made the motion to approve the minutes as presented, seconded by Council President Williams and carried unanimously. The claim list was presented for gonsideration by the Council· Councilperson Clapp made the motion to approve the claims as presented, seconded by Councilperson Potter and carrie~ unanimously. Ordinance No. 92-OR-3, An Ordinance Amending Certain Portions Of Section I Of Ordinance No. 91-OR-44 (M~yor~s Office), was presented for the third and final reading. Counciip%rson Potter made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 92-OR-3 on the i third reading, seconded by Councilperson Williams and opened for discussion. Councilperson Stemler asked Mayor Parker to explain the need for ,'the proposed· position. Mayor Parker explained his plans for the Admzinzstrat-zve Assistant in his office to work as a liason between the Council and. the Department Heads so that spending could be scrutinized ~nd consolidated. The basic reason is to save and conserve money. CoUncilperson Wilder feels this should be the responsibility'of the Department Heads and she would prefer %o wait until budget time on this ilSSUe- Councilperson Potter feels that due to the end-of-year s~endirig habits in the departments~ this position could pay for itself. Counc]il President Williams read a letter sent to him by Ms. Florence Su~sman and signed by several PAGE '~ JANUA1{Y 21, 1992 J.U.M.P. members oppossing the addition ~f the position. Ms. Melba Doggett, a member of J.U.M.P. and presentlat the meeting, feels a new position is not warranted. She feels there is a real concern for any increases in taxes, all taxes, City, Cou~ty, Schools, etc., and she feels the job can be done without the ~ddition. Council President Williams feels the citizens have given. Mayo~ Parker a mandate 'to run the City, and he fully supports a functional Administrative Assistant in the Mayor's Office. The vote on Ordinance N~. 92-OR-3 was called for, passing on the following 4-3 vote: Ayes: Councilpersons Wolpert~ Wiiliams, Frantz, and Potter. Nays: Councilpersons Wilder, Cla~p, and Stemler. Ordinance No. 92-OR-6, An Ordinance Amending Certain Portions of Section 1 Of Ordinance No. 91-OR~44, (Park Department ) was introduced. Following explanation that th~s did not involve additional money, and was not an additional position, Councilperson Clapp moved to suspend the rules for Ordinance No. 92-O1{,~8, seconded, by Councilperson Frantz, and carried unanimously. Councilperson Cl~pp then made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 92-O1{-8 on al~l three readings, seconded by Councilperson Frantz passing on the following roll call vote: Ayes: Councilpersons Potter, Ste~ler, Clapp, Wilder, Frantz. Williams and Wolpert. Nays: None. Ordinance No. 92-0R-7, An Ordnance Transferr~.ng Cer~,aln Funds Within Same Department was presented ~nd explained. Councilperson Clapp made the motion to suspend the rules~ seconded bM Councilperson Potter and carried unanimously. Councilperson Clapp then made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 92-O1{-7 on alll three readings, seconded by Council President Williams~ passing on the 'following roll call vote: Ayes: Councilpersons Potter, Cilapp, Frantz, Williams~ and Wolpert: Nays: Councilpersons Stemler andI Wilder. Mayor Parker introducted Mr. Ge?rge Bowles of 1{umpke. Mr. Bowles stated he was on a "mission of me~rcy~ begging" the Council to find a way to allow for an. increase abov~ the allowed 5% in the trash collection contract. Mr~ Bowles justifiedI his request by reviewing the increases at the Landfill. Councilpers~n Wilder asked if a longer PAGE 3 JANUARY 21, 1992 contract period would be considered if an ~dditional increase was given at this time. Mr. Bowles replied yes it w~uld. Recycling and curbside recycling and the economics of both were discussed. Mayor Parker asked if Rumpke was asking the same in Clarksville, which Mr. Bowles replied they hadpresented a proposal, and received a counter proposal. Mr. Bowles will present a formal proposal at the next Council meeting. Councilperson Williams explained the Council is under budget restraints and does not have much flexibility. Councilperson Clapp commended Mr. Bowles for the super job Rumpke is doing, i Councilperson Potter agrees with this..~ Council President Williams lntrodUced~ pass on the third reading, Ordinance No. and made the motion to 92-OR-5, An Ordinance Repealing Ordinance N'o. 91-OR-67, Which O~dinance Is Entitled "Health Care Benefit Ordinance For Retired City Employees And/Or City Elected Officials", seconded by Councilperson Stemler, and opened for discussion. There is a committee working on a new Ordinance to replace Ordinance 91-OR-67. At the conclusion of!all discussion the vote was taken with Ordinance 92-OR-5, passing on th~ following roll call vote: Ayes: Councilpersons Williams, and Wolpert. Nays: None. Ordinance No. Money To Refurbish City Fire Potter, St~mler, Clapp, Wilder Frantz, 92-0R-8, An Ordinance Autherizing Borrowing Of Fighting Equipment, was introduced. Clerk and Treasurer Spencer reviewed the need f~r this Ordinance. Bids are being reviewed for the borrowing of the money to refurbish the 1971 Mac Quad Pumper Fire Truck. This truck will b~ completed any' day and it is necessary to arrange for the payments.' Ms. Melba Doggett asked questions regarding borrowing money which Clerk and Treasurer Spencer answered. Councilperson Clapp made the mo~ion to suspend the rules for Ordinance No. 92-OR-8, seconded by Council President Williams and carried unanimously. Councilperson Potter then. made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 92-OR-8 on all three readings, seconded by Councilperson Clapp, passing on the following roll call vote: Ayes: Councilpersons Clapp, Wilde~ Frants, Williams~ Wolpert, Stemler, and Potter. PAGE JANUARY 2 Nays: None. suggestion and asked for meetings on cable Cablevision Board Clerk and Treasurer Spencer made ithe comments regarding the televising of theI Council television, Councilperson Potter, a member of the introduced Mr. Bill Tolliver, General Manager, and Mr. David Brown, Chief Engineer of Insight Cablevision. Mrl Tolliver explained he would be in support of, and looks forward to ~elping with this on a tape delay. Attorney Gillenwater asked if any improvments would be necessary in Council Chambers to make this possibl~. It is not believed this would be necessary for a tape delay. Live broadcast would not be possible at this time. Councilperson Potter reported he is checking on microphones and speakers and will have ~rices at the next meeting~ Questions were asked regarding the cost tQ the City and .just how many people would watch. Mr. Tolliver said Insight Cablevision would likely pick up the cost. Ms. Melba Doggett said this would not be a service to the whole community as not all residents have cablevision. Mr. Harry Wilder inquired if 'the Council controlled the rates charged by cablevision and was told they do not. Mayor Parker commended the Fire ' ,t . [)~paz ~ment, Police Department, Street Department City Engineer, and Sewer Department for their work above and beyond the call of duty during the fire at the Quadrangle Shopping Center. He also commends the cl~rksvllle, Utica~ McCultoch and New Albany Fire Departments. A remarkable job was done by all. Calls of thank you have been made and letti~rs will follow. This could have been a major disaster and he does not have enough praise for City employees and all that helped. He is compliling a list of organizations such as the Knights of Columbus, Double !r Tavern~ Hamm~s PB Station, etc.~ that helped also. A lot of aid was g!iven and he feels proud to be a part of Jeffersonville. Mayor Parker als~ thanked the Council for the decisions made during this meeting. Councilperson Stemler agrees with Mayor Parker in commending the City Departments for their work during the fire. Councilperson Stemler then reported on meeting with M~.r. Hughes and Mr. Shotwell regarding the riverfront development. Thel Hughes Group is waiting for issuance of the Corps of Engineers permit. ~ouncllperoon Frantz has been asked by many citizens about the time ~limit. Councilperson Stemler PAGE 5 JANUARY 1992 feels the Hughes Group is very open and willing to move forward. Councilperson Frants said many people b~lieve the Hughes Group is waiting for a decision regarding riverbdat gambling. Councilperson Stemler encourages each to call Mr. Hughes or Mr. Dan Shotwell. Councilperson Stemler reported on the meeting he attended, distributing a cost sheet. this is an issue that must be addressed, however Solid Waste District Mayor Parker commented Clark County is leaps and bounds ahead of others. resident Stemler Council President Councmlp~r=on Stemler read a ±etter from J E~ of Jeffersonville regarding tax! abatements. Councilperson inquired, if there is a policy f~r awarding tax abatements. Williams explained bhis ~has been done on a case by case basis. Councilperson Clapp feels there should be a written policy. Councilperson Wilder agrees there is a definite need, as does Council President Williams. i Councilperson Stemler asked Animal Shelter Director Wheatley to give the Council an update on the Shelter renovations. Director financial shortage of hopes something can be owners of the quarry~ Councilperson Potter explained the Councilperson Stemler he will contact the Potter has previously corresponded with the other Councilpersons regarding the Council appointment to the City-County Building Authority. Having received no names~ Councilperson Potter made the motion to reappoint Mr. Ed Dully to the City-County Building Authority, seconded bM Council P~esident Williams and carried unanimously. I Councilperson Potter has also corresponded with the other Councilpersons regarding the Council appointments to the Department of Wheatley explained at this point there ms a approximately $~O~ Councilperson Stemler extends ~he invitation from Utility Director Toliver 'to tour the new Wastewater Treatment Plant. Councilperson Stemler has had concerns expressed to him from Mike Howard and Gordon ellis of Northaven Subdivision regarding the blasting in the nearby quarry~ Councilperson technical regulations this blasting is done by. done out of courtesy and PAGE 6 . JANUARY 21, 199~ Redevelopment. Councilperson Potter made Bob Campbell and Mr. Bill Aldridge to the seconded by Councilperson Clapp and carried motion to reappoint Mr. iDepartment of Redevelopment, iunanimously. Councilperson Clapp explained ithat when the City-County Building installed a new phone system the Parks Department was not upgraded. It will cost $1,900 to update t~e Park phone system and she recommends this be paid from the Park Department utilites. She does ask that this be kept in mind if the Park Department budget runs short toward the end of the year. Councilperso~ Clapp distributed the Park Department brochure. Council President Williams again ~uestioned the possibility of publishing the Council agenda in the Evenin~ News. Councilperson Frantz will check the prices for this~ ' 7' . for Councilperson Wilder ]~nq~zred how to answer requests street lights. She was informed this was h~ndled in the City Engineer's Office. Councilperson Wolpert inquired ~ow to answer questions on parking on Market Street. He was told thi~ is handled by the Board Of Public Works And Safety. ~ Council President Williams encourages the Council to visit the Animal Shelter to be more aware of what j needs to be done. He then thanked the Council for the spirit of i cooperation that is being exhibited as this is a definite asset to th~ City. Ms. Melba Doggett thanked the Council for opening 'the me~tzng with a prayer. A member of the audience asked the Council to please as some Councilpersons are very hard to hea[r. There being no furthr business ~o come before Councilperson Stemler moved to adjourn at 9[:25 o'clock P.M., Councilperson Potter and carried unanimousl,y, ATTEST: speak up the Council, seconded, by