HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-03-1992COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS OF THE
COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA
AUGUST 3~ 1992
The Common Council of the City of Jeffersonville met in
regular session in Council Chambers in the City-County Buildlng~
Jeffersonville, Indiana, at 9:30 P.M. on the 3rd day of August, 199G.
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Raymond J. Parker
Jr., with Clerk and Treasurer C. Richard .Spencer Jr.~ at the desk.
Mayor Parker welcomed all in attendance~ asking all those present to
stand as Councilperson Steven Stemler gave the invocation. He then
asked all those present to join him in the pledge of allegiance to the
flag.
Blll
The roll was called
Wolpert, Andrew Williams
and those present were Councilpersons
III, Donna M. Frantz~ Peggy Knight
Wilder, Robert L. Potter, and Steven R. Stemler.
Absent: L. Marie Clapp.
Mayor Parker presented the minutes of the meetings of July
BO, and July 30, 1992 for consideration by the Council. Councilpereon
Potter made the motion to approve the minutes as presented, seconded
by Council President Williams~ and carried unanimously.
Clerk and Treasurer Spencer pre~ented the claim list for
consideration by the Council along with additional storm damage
related claims and the claims to the Indiana Bond Bank. A claim to
Mr. Kleanitz under the Police Department has been pulled and will not
be paid. Following all discussion, Councilperson Potter made the
motion to approve the claims as presented, as well as the additional~
seconded by Council President Williams and carried unanimously.
Mayor Parker introduced Ordinance No. 92-0R-42~ An
Ordinance Authorizing The Withholding Of City Funds For Payment Of
Assessments And Debts To The City Of Jeffersonville, for the third and
final reading. Attorney Gillenwater explained this Ordinance.
Following all discussion, Councilperson Wilder made the motion to pass
Ordinance No. 92-0R-42 on the third and final reading, seconded by
Councilperson Frantz~ passing o2 the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Councilpersons Stemler, Potter, Wolpert, Williams~
Frantz, and Wilder.
Nays: None.
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AUGUST 3~ 1992
Resolution No. 92-R-19~ A Resolution Authorizing
Advertisement For An Additional Appropriation (General Fund) was
introduced. Clerk and Treasurer Spencer explained the funds have been
received by the City for Warder Park Building and this begins the
necessary steps to allow the payment. Council President Williams made
the motion to pass Resolution No. 92-R-19, seconded by Councilperson
Wolpert and carried unanimously.
Council President Williams introduced Ordinance No.
91-OR-44~ An Ordinance
(Sanitation). Following
the motion to suspend the
Transferring Funds Within Same Department
discussion~ Council President Williams made
rules for Ordinance No. 91-0R-44, seconded
by Councilperson Potter and carried unanimously. Council President
Williams then made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 91~OR-44 on all
three readings~ seconded by Councilperson Potter~ passing on the
following roll call vote:
Ayes: Councilpersons
Potter, and Stemler.
Council President Williams
Wilder~ Frantz, Williams, Wolpert,
introduced Ordinance No.
92-DR-45, An Ordinance Transferring
Capital Improvement Fund To The General
Williams made the motion to suspend the
92-0R-45~ seconded by Councilperson Frantz
Surplus Funds From The Cumulative
Fund. Council President
rules for Ordinance No.
and carried unanimously.
Council President Williams then made the motion to pass Ordiance No.
92-0R-45 on all three readings, seconded by Councilperson Frantz and
opened for discussion. Council Presiden.t Williams explained this
transfer will allow the tax rate to get to the $.?0 maximum, which
translates to $?0.00 per $10~000 assessed valuation. Other areas are
still under consideration. Councilperson Wilder asked that all
realize the seriouness of the situation and keep in mind that over the
next 18 months be positive on everything voted for on additional
funding and positions. A consideration .for a hiring and spending
freeze should also be looked into. Firefighter Jimmy Carter asked the
Council if they can take $500~000 to reduce the rate why not take
$600,000 and give back the $500 reduction or take $?00~000 and give
back the $500 reduction and give a $500 raise. Ordinance No.
9B-OR-d5 passed on ail three readings on the following roll call vote:
PAGE 3
AUGUST 3~ 1992
Ayes: Councilpersons Williams,
Potter, and Wolpert.
Frantz, Wilder~ Stemler~
Mayor Parker opened the meeting to comments from those in
the audience asking each to state their names the group they represent
and to limit comments to five or seven minu~es.
Police Officer Joe Grant opened! his comments by thanking
Council President Williams for speaking to a group of employees the
previous Friday night. He asked the Council
before taking money out of the pockets and
those individuals that give service and risk
Firefighter
taken by the elected
asked if any thought
to consider all options
food from the mouths of
their lives.
Phil Lovan asked if the $500 reduction will be
officials. The answer to this is yes. Mr. Lovan
had been given to trying to make up $100~000 in
the current year budget~ feeling with cooperation between employees
and department heads this could be done. Councilperson Wilder
explained she will be happy to sit down and discuss budgets. Council
President Williams stated there is need to make further cuts~ and
consideration has to be given to the hardship on the taxpayers as well
felt had to be
as the employees. This is something that the Council
done and it does not sit well with any.
Firefighter Tony Harrod said the first cut on the budgets
was in salaries. Council President Williams explained many cuts in
the budgets were made before cutting salaries. There followed
discussion regarding the maximum tax rate following which Mr. Harrod
stated when he was on the Council he never got the first call
regarding the tax rate. Councilperson Potter stated many hours and
many nights were spent on the budgets before coming to the decision to
this was not an easy decision to make.
regarding what has been cut and what
reduce salaries and
discussion continued
necessary to be cut.
Firefighter
Street, howevers he
Further
is still
Jimmy Carter stated he has nothing against Main
asks if this is being funded for 1993.
Councilperson Potter explained that this is by Ordinance to fund this
for 1993. Mr. Carter explained other Ordinances have been repealed,
why not this one? Councilperson Wilder explained the budgets are not
final as yet.~ Mr. Carter explained when he was on the Council the
salary ordinance was passed and then the budgets were worked.
PAGE
AUGUST 3~1998
Councilperson Wilder
stated this Council had
to start somewhere and it
as they are taking a
it is the Council's
employees are going to take it
is this Council's turn to do it their way
different approach. This is not easy and
responsibility to the taxpayer.
Mr. Tony Hotrod feels the
in the tax rate.
twice as they have a cut in pay and a raise
Firefighter Mike
Police and Fire will have
longevity. He then made
regarding the $80~000
creation of a State
cutting additional spending and
and getting to work.
Smith asked if the Council was aware the
more then a $500 reduction due to the
note of an article in the Evening News
given to Main Street. He then suggested a
of Emergency and get priorities straight by
transfers by rolling up sleeves as one
Mr. Terry Homeister asked why the City is in such bad
shape? He suggests getting the house in order. Council President
Williams explained the 1998 budget was designed for 1991. There has
been a turnaround of approximately $816~000 in hospitalization alone.
Mr. Homeister asked how much has been spent on River Harbors? How
much has been spent on studies and the riverfront? Mr. Homeister
feels mistakes have been made in the past. Council President Williams
requests Mr. Homeister put these questions in writing and he will do
his best to find the answers. Council Prsident Williams wants all
citizens to hold elected officals accountable for their actions.
Mr. Marvin Grant asked if there was no budget for 19987
Council President Williams stated this was an option the previous
Council did was revert to the previous budget.
Firefighter Jim Johns stated he had gone to Clarksville and
New Albany and found they are receiving a 5~ increase. The building
permits are up in Jeffersonville and he asks where has the money
gone? Are we wasting that much money? Why are the surrounding cities
is growing faster? Council President
is due to abatements and appeals. The
only up $1,000,000 over the previous
draw business.
is working to
prospering when our community
Williams explained some of this
current assessed valuation is
year. Clarksville does not have to give abatements to
Council President Williams explained this Council
minimize waste.
PAGE 5
AUGUST 3, 1992
budget.
operating budget as
Main Street funding
citizens should come
Mrs. Copeland asked how it could be justified
It was explained there was
to not pass a
a budget for 1992 with the same
1991 with a $?50 raise for the employees. The
was again discussed. Mrs. Copeland thinks all
to the Council meetings. A survey of taxpayers
see the employees not take a reduction in pay may be conducted.
Mr. Kenneth Gumer, as a citizen, does not appreciate the
cuts made for the employees.
Ms. Diane Kircher, as a citizen, would
? additional employees have been hired in the
Mayor Parker explained only two additional~employees
to the tax rate and they are firemen. She asked each
there was foresight that the employees would have to
they were hired? The two firemen were hired to reduce overtime.
Clerk and Treasurer Spencer said he has be~n warning the Council for
years that the City has been spending more money than it was taking
in.
City employee Chuck Carter asked if the insurance would be
raised? Council President Williams explained this has been discussed,
however, he is not in favor of this. Councilperson Frantz asked to
hear from the employees if they feel the insurance is working as she
is not sure it is.
Mr. Rick VanGilder questioned the required dates for the
budgets. Clerk and Treasurer Spencer explained the salary ordinance
has to be passed by August 1. There are some gray areas as to
changing this. Mr. VanGilder asked all to work on the budgets to see
the employees do not have to take the reduction.
Mayor Parker thanked all for coming to the meeting. Council
President Williams thanked them also.
Council President Williams announced the Council has agreed
to postpone the August 17 meeting to August 84~ 1992.
if they would be willing to pay $.08 more on the tax rate to
like to know if 6 or
last seven months.
have been added
Councilperson if
take a cut when
PAGE 6
AUGUST 37 1992
There being no further business to come before the Council~
Counc~lperson Potter moved to adjourn at 8:45 o'clock P.M. seconded by
Council President Williams and unanimously carried.
M~YOR/~'A~f~OAD 3. PARKER JR.
ATTEST:
CLERK ~lD TREASURER
R~I CHA~E's
JR.