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