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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-25-1991 The Common Council of the in regular session in Council Chambers, Jeffersonville, Indiana, on the 25th o'clock P.M. The meeting was called Richard Spencer Jr. at the desk. Mayor Orem asked all those letter from President George Bush COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA FEBRUARY 25, 1991 City of Jeffers~nville, Indiana met in'the City-County Building in daylof February, 1991 at 7:30 to order by Mayor Dale Orem and C. present to stand as he read a thanking the Council for the Resolution in support of his policy in the Persian Gulf. He then asked those present to join in the pledge of allegiance to the flag. The roll was called and those p~esent were: Councilpersons Jimmy Carter, Marie Clapp, Ron Grooms, Tony Harrod, John Perkins, and Andrew Williams. Absent: Robert Waiz. Mayor Orem presented the minutes ~f the meeting of February 4, 1991 for consideration by the Council. Councilperson Perkins made the motion to approve the minutes as presented, seconded by Council President Carter and carried unanimously. Councilperson Grooms asked to hame an addition to the agenda to allow for a Park Department update and annual review. Clerk and Treasurer Spencer asked to add a Transfer Ordinance to the agenda. Clerk and Treasurer Spencer presented the claim register for consideration by the Council. Discussion .followed regarding the Police radio lease payment. As there are not suff[icient funds in the Signal 19 Fund to allow for a full payment, the p~yment will be made from the Council budget as provided for. When the iSignal 19 money is sufficient it will be used. Following all discussion, Council President Carter made the motion to pay the claims las presented, seconded by Councilperson Clapp and carried unanimously. Ordinance No. 91-OR-l§, An Ordinance Transferring Funds Within Same Department was presented and explained. Following all discussion, Council President Carter mad9 the motion to suspend the rules for Ordinance No. 91-OR-15, seconded by Councilperson Grooms and Council President Carter then made the motion to carried unanimously. PAGE 2 FEBRUARY 25, :[991 pass Ordinance No. 91-OR-15 on all t~ree readings, seconded by Councilperson Clapp, passing on the following roll call vote: Ayes: Councilpersons Grooms, Harrod, Carter, Williams, Clapp, Waiz, and Perkins. Nays: None. Mayor Orem introduced Mr. Pepper Cooper, Agent of Record, who explained to the Council the status of the bids for employee health insurance. He is working with 5 companies that are interested in insuring the City. However, the current contract expires at the end of February, and as not all bids are in, he re.quests a one month extension at the new rate of approximately a 19% ratel increase. Council President Carter reviwed a meeting held at Clark County Hospital regarding self-insurance. Following all discussion, Councilperson Perkins made the motion to extend the current hospitalizlation contract for one month, with the rate increase paid from each departmental budget, seconded by Councilperson Grooms and carried unanimously. Mayor Orem informed the Council the Wastewater Treatment Plant recently underwent a E.P.A. and I.D.E.M. audit and received a "clean bill of health". He gives credit to Utility Director Steve Totliver and his employees. Director Tolliver stated, he has been working on the moral of the employees and ~as requested pay raises within the salary Ordinance. He will be requesting salary Ordinance amendments that include a title change, a heavy equipment operator and the addition of a part-time lab person. This will be presented at the next meeting. Councilperson Perkins requests a copy of the current Ordinance with the proposed changes for comparison. Council president Carter would like to see the number of employees able to receive classification increases raised as an incentive to the employees. Director Tolliver feels all should be certified and is working toward a team effort policy. He is seeking certification to do the certifigation training. Mayor Orem stated it appears the salary changes are "free-spending", however it is spending "re-arranged." He credits Director Tolliver for working to get 103% of the flood damage funds back and there is a chance of getting more. PAGE 3 FEBRUARY 25, 199~1 Mayor Orem introduced Resolutio~ No. 91-R-13, Confirming Resolution Declaring An Area To Be An Ec:onomic Revitalization Area declaring this a public hearing and asking for comments from anyone in attendance. There being none, Councilperson Harrod made the motion to pass Resolution No. 91-R-13, seconded iby Councilperson Williams, passing on a vote of 5-1. Councilperso~ Perkins voted against the Resolution, stating he does not believe it ~s a blighted area and feels it would be a contradition if he voted for this. Mayor Orem presented a Statement of Benefits for Bestway Trucking, Inc., and introduced Resolutio~ No. 91-R-14, Resolution Approving Statement of Benefits For Purposes of Real Property Tax Abatement. Councilperson Perkins inquired if any of these Statement of Benefits were audited to see if the results were as stated. Mayor Orem explained of those that had been checked all had met or exceeded the goals stated. There is legislation proposed to provide for penalities for those that do not meet what has been ~tated. Councilperson Grooms made the motion to approve the Statement oflBenefits and pass Resolution No. 91-R-14, seconded by Counczlperso Ciapp passing with a vote of 5-1. Councilperson Perkins voted in oppossition due to the wording in the third paragraph. Councilperson Caldwell report of help in reviewed who presented the Parks Department. recovering funds for the report, pointing Grooms introduce?Park Superintendent Rodger each Counczlperso ~ with a copy of the annual He thanked Director Tolliver for his damage atl Duffy's Landing. He then out the improvements at the Nachand Fieldhouse and many of the parks. Council.President Carter spoke of the Madison Sports Complex. Superintendent Caldwell said the Board is looking at obtaining approximately 50 acres off Middle Road near the · d floodwatl for a sports complex. It was q~estzone if boxing was still taking place at Nachand Fieldhouse, to ~hich Superintendent Caldwell replied it appeared the program had dissolved. Councilperson Grooms thank Superintendent Caldwell for the good.report. Councilperson Grooms presented and reviewed a map showing the proposed 2.23 mile Inner-City Road, saying this would be an estimated $4,176,000 project to be done in 3 phases? With this the economic and be reszdentza development in the Eastern end of the City could controlled. The Council is asked to consider the concept and study the PAGE 4 FEBRUARY 25, 1991 plans. Means of financing need to be considered and Councilperson Grooms would like the Council to consider Tax Increment Financing presenting a tax allocation area map. He requests the Council pass preliminary approval of this, with no ,obligation, to go to the Redevelopment Board for their meeting this week as it is important this be established before March 1. Coun~ilperson Perkins feels a public/private means of funding should be considered and questioned the use of impact fees. Attorney Filer however they are not legal either. concerns for the school tax base as stated impact fees are not illegal, Councilperson Perkins stated his well ~as the City, and feels there are other areas of funding. Mayor Orem feels this gives options for the future without obligation. At the concluslion of all discussion, it was not unanimous to use T.I.F. without all avenues being explored for other financing mechanisms. Council President Carter has beeq informed the Indiana Supreme Court will be in Jeffersonville to conduQt Court on April 30 for the first time in 10 years. He asks if the ~Council would permit this to take place in Council Chambers. Councilperson Perkins made the motion to extend the invitation, seconded by Councilperson Grooms and carried unanimously. Councitpersons Perkins and C!app will serve on a committee for a hospitality room. Councilperson perkins requestes Commissioner Scales to get a locksmith to change the locks on the Judge's Office. Councilperson Harrod introducedI Animal Shelter Director Jan Wheatley to report on the Shelter activities. Director Wheatley stated the Kempf Family has been very generous and the building will be renovated by Steve Kempf. Jacobi, Toombs, and Lanz Engineers have donated services, and Kovert and Hawkins~are helping out for expenses only. She explained the changes to be made. New programs that have been implemented are; Pre-Spring Adoption Procress; Foster Program; Humane Education Program; Pet Therapy at Clark County Hospital and MedCare. She thanked the Council for thei{ support. Councilperson Williams reviewed g meeting he attended with the Hamburg Area residents. These people have some legitimate problems due to benign neglect by the County. This will take time and significant investment by the City to correct. A~torney Filer expressed his appreciation for Councilperson Williams communicating with the residents, hopefully avoiding legal action. PAGE 5 FEBRUARY 25, 19gl Councilperson Grooms noted an invocation was provided for at the start of the meeting, however there was no clergy representative in attendance. He noted the yellow flags on Spring Street, saying they look nice. He also mentioned the needl for a Council photograph. Council president Carter will set a date. Councilperson Grooms inquired if anyone was aware of House Bill 1800 local projects. Mayor Orem feels this approximately $100,000 to the City and which would provide funds for may be a bill that would bring he would like to see this used for the improvement of Spring Street from 14th to Eastern Boulevard. Councilperson Grooms would like to see the sand at the foundry on Market Street removed before the "Thunder Over Louisville" celebration. Mayor Orem stated Mr. Robison has meet with I.D.E.M. regarding this and an agreement is being worked on. It appears fines are being considered. Councilperson Perkins has received word this sand does need to go to a landfill, and he would like the Council to consider a Resolution givzng Mr. Robison 30 days ~o remove the sand and to zmpose local fines after 30 days. The Council had agreed to wait until the results were received before taking action and the results are now in and he would like to have action taken. Councilperson Grooms does not feel this is enough time. Councilperson Perkins would consider giving being made. Mayor Orem asked to which is just one week ~o allow Councilperson Perkins receives feels it necessary to do something continued. Councilperson Perkins the removal and 80 begin fines if not seconded by Council Carter, failing on a vote of 2-4. Councilpersons Clapp, Harrod, and Grooms voted against the motion. Councitperson Perkins called attention to the changes in the Police Department introducing Chief Dan Rodden and Assistant Chief Rick Elliott. He gives credit ~o past Chief Harrod, and past Assistant Chief Johnson, saying the Department is being passed to very capa%le hands and he has every confidence for the running of the Department. Councilperson Perkins will be looking into introducing an Ordinance to amend the sewer rate Ordinance as he has been receiving many calls. Mayor Orem feels there are some problems with the reading of the water an additional 30 days if progress is have this wait until the next meeting Mr. Robison to present his plans. complaint calls on this weekly and he now. Discussion on a time schedule made a motion no allow 30 days for the beginning of days to complete the removal of the sand and to complete at the end of 60 days from today's date, President Williams, meters. PAGE 6 FEBRUARY 25, 1991 Councilperson Perkins relayed an incident of a car accident on Maple Street involving a severe personal zn~u y and the fact it took about 15 minutes for the ambulance to arrive. Central Alarm was called by Assistant Fire Chief Kircher and he was told the Police would have to Mayor Orem asked that Assistant Chief Kircher make Mayor Orem has made a formal complaint himself on Council President Carter explained a City ambulance call the ambulance. a formal complaint. another incident. is still being studied. Councilperson Clapp regarding the intersection at explained this is included in attended a Historical Society plans for Ann's Place. has received severval complaint calls Thomas Jefferson School. Mayor Orem the Hamburg Pike reconstruction- She Meeting and infomed the Council of the Mayor Orem stated Ann's Place the Revolving Loan Fund for facade work. ma~ be asking for money through This is a new business looking building on Pearl Street that may also be applying for Spring to go into a facade work money. Work has started on a new restaurant on Street and the Ivy Tech Building will be remodeled. The status of William Street was discussed as well as the temporary road while the Whelan sewer project is worked on. Commissioner Scales will check this for us~ by the fire trucks. There being no further business to come before the Council, Council President Carter made the motion to adjourn at 9:45 o'clock ' 1 P.M., seconded by Councilperson Clapp and carried unanimous y. ATTEST: ~C.' RICHARD SP~ --or Ore~: ~.j_ resolU.%~°nfd°pted ~or sen~t%'-~ co~On .~ pol~cY ~oal~ti°u Gulf- '~l libera~ parCel%fy to th -~ ~oin~ng ~ounCil ~ sfncerelY '