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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. PAGE 2 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.