Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-20-1991 COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA APRIL 20, 1991 The Common Council of the City of Jeff rs~n~ii~i indi~na ~ in regular session in Council Chambers, in the City-County Building in Jeffersonville, Indiana, on the 20th day of April, 1991 at 9:30 o'clock A.M. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Dale Orem and C. Richard Spencer Jr. at the desk. Mayor Orem asked all those present to stand and join him in the pledge of allegiance to the flag. The roll was called and those present were: Councilpersons Jimmy Carter, Marie Clapp, Ron Grooms, John Perkins, Robert Waiz, and Andrew Williams. Absent: Councilperson Tony Harrod. Mayor Orem presented the minutes of the meeting of April 1, 1991 for consideration by the Cuncil. Council President Carter made the motion to approve the minutes as presented, seconded by Councilperson Grooms and carried unanimously. Clerk and Treasurer Spencer presented the claim register along with several additonal claims for consideration by the Council. Following all discussion, Councilperson Perkins made the motion to approve the claims as presented along with the additional, seconded by Councilperson Clapp and carried unanimously. Mayor Orem introduced Mr. Robison of Robison Foundry who gave an update on the removal of the sand from the Foundry area. He explained this should all be removed by Monday morning April 22, 1991. Equipment on the property has been tampered with or the removal would be complete by this time. He explained he has asked the Evening News to print a retraction stating the sand is not toxic. He says that Councilperson Perkins is taking credit for seeing that the sand is removed, when he feels Councilperson Perkins has in fact held up the removal for two years. Also, being removed to a landfill in He is paying $90 a truck load he would like it clear that the sand is Kentucky, not the Clark County Landfill. in Kentucky and the local landfill wanted $332 and does not have the facilities they have in Kentucky. He also stated the trucks have been harassed by the Police. Councilperson Perkins inquired as to when the sand would be removed from the alley and PAGE 2 APRIL 20, 1991 court yard. Mr. 23, 1991. Mayor Committee. Ms. distributed to Robison stated this should be done by Tuesday, April Orem introduced Ms. Melba Doggett of the J.U.M.P. Doggett explained the contents of a packet she had the Council members, which explained a situation regarding the use of space for Stamboat Days. The J.U.M.P. Committee has sponsored an Arts and Crafts Festival in the same area longer than. Steamboat Days and she is asking the City Council to amend Ordinance No. 87-OR-4, An Ordinance Concerning Steamboat Days Festival and Riverfront Festival, to separate the Steamboat Days Committee from the J.U.M.P. Committee and allow them to continue in the same area of Riverside Drive they have always had. The riverfront area is a draw to these people and they wish to remain apart from the food concessions. Mayor Orem then introduced Mr. John Rose of the Steamboat Days Committee, who asked Mr. Larry Wilder, Attorney for Steamboat Days Committee to speak. Mr. Wilder explained this situation is regrettable as the J.U.M.P. people have been given three alternatives and the problem that exists only involves one half a block. Councilperson Perkins questions the City liability if the Steamboat Days Committee will be operating the Beer Garden. It is Mr. Wilder's opinion that this should not be a problem. Following all comments and questions from the Council, Council President Carter made the motion to form a committee to work with both Mr. Rose and Ms. Doggett, seconded by Councilperson Perkins and carried unanimously. Councilpersons Perkins, Carter, and Clapp, along with Mayor Orem will meet as soon as possible to work this out. The motion for a recess was granted at 10:50 A.M. The meeting was called back to order at 1t:00 A.M. Mayor Orem is working with the Economic Development Commission to develop an Economic Development Target Area in downtown Jeffersonville. He asks for input from the Council. Most agree the area should be from one block on each side of Spring from loth Street to the River, and Court Avenue from 1-65 to Meigs. This will be worked on and brought back to the Council for final approval. each Councilperson a copy of a letter he sent Commission for clarification. Attorney Filer gave asking the State Tax PAGE 3 APRIL 20, 1991 Councilperson Grooms proposes a program similar to the sidewalk renovation program for the improvement of neighborhood drainage problems. He gave his ideas on how this should work and would like to see a cap per project, and per year. He would also consider a tax rate for the correction of drainage problems. He feels there are major problems and this would be a tool is felt the homeowners do have Perkins agrees with and commends however he does feel there are responsibility of the City. Councilperson Grooms will an Ordinance for presentation to the Council. to begin to address the problems. It some responsibility. Councilperson Councilperson Grooms for this idea, some conditions that are the total develop this into Councilperson Grooms introduced Mr. Mike Wathen, Vehicle Maintenance Director, asking if the Council had any questions or comments regarding Mr. Wathen's annual report. Councilperson Clapp thanked Director Wathen for the help he gave with a problem in her District. Mayor Orem thanked Director Wathen for his good record keeping. Councilperson Carter reviewed a plan being looked into by Commissioner Scales to allow for the Vehicle Maintenance Department and garage. Grooms feels the Vehicle Maintenance Department should for all City vehicles, including the Street Department. add on to the new Wastewater Treatment Plant to Councilperson be responsible All agreed with this. Councilperson Perkins commended Director Wathen for the purchase of a boom truck valued at $22,000 for $4,500 through an agreement with Clarksville and the insurance companies. Mayor Orem introduced Ordinance No. 91-OR-27, An Ordinance Transferring Funds From Various Department Budgets To The Special Non-Reverting Employee Health Insurance Fund. Clerk and Treasurer Spencer explained the Ordinance. Councilperson Perkins made the motion to suspend the rules for Ordinance No. 91-OR-27, seconded by Councilperson Waiz and carried unanimously. Councilperson Perkins then made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 91uOR-27 on all three readings, seconded by Councilperson Waiz, passing with the following roll call vote: PAGE 4 APRIL 20, 1991: Ayes: Councilperson Perkins, and Grooms. Nays: None. Councilperson Perkins would like Clapp, Williams, Waiz, Carter, the departments notified not to include hospitalization in their 1992 budgets and for the Council to watch for the reductions. Councilperson Clapp would like to see a budget workshop set up for the departments. Clerk and Treasurer Spencer told the Council additional funding for the Hospitalization Fund will come from Flood Control and the Sewer Department. He then commended Ms. Suzy Nevitt, a deputy in his office, for excess time and effort she has put into this. She has taken work home and had employees call her at home as well as all day long. With Suzy having to spend most of her day with insurance it has been an added burden to the others in the office and he wants the Council to be aware of this fact. Council President Carter inquired as to the status Of the request from Dr. Gulley for tax abatement. Mayor Orem said this is being discussed with the Economic Development Commission. Council President Carter has talked with the County Auditor and was informed Dr. Gulley was, in fact, given the correct forms. Council President Carter then made the motion for the Council to go on record as not being in favor of granting tax abatement to this group, seconded by Councilperson Perkins and carried unanimously. County Auditor Dick Jones feels there are no legal grounds to grant abatement after construction, and he also feels no "bad information" has been given out from the Court House, be it a County or City office. Councilperson Perkins thanked County Auditor Dick Jones for supplying a computation of figures concerning the structure of the Greater Clark County School taxes. Councilperson Perkins pointed out that the City of Jeffersonville is carrying the load financially. He pointed several areas where he feels Jeffersonville is not getting a fair share of consideration and feels this is false economics. Councilperson Perkins then introduced Resolution No. 91-R-16,~ A Resolution Asking The Greater Clark County Schools Keep Rose Hill Elementary School Open. Council President Carter expressed concern for the safety aspect of the Rose Hill students crossing Highway 62 to go to Springhill School. Councilperson Perkins feels the number of "at risk" students will be too high if Rose Hill and Springhill Schools are PAGE 5 APRIL 20, 1991 combined. Councilperson Waiz feels the Council should stay out of the School Board business and the School Board should stay out of the Council business, and is against this Resolution. At the conclusion of all discussion, Councilperson Perkins made the motion to pass Resolution No. 91-R-16~ seconded by Council President Carter and carried on a vote of 5-1, with Councilperson Waiz in oppossition. Councilperson Perkins thanked Commissioner Scales and the Wastewater Treatment Plant employees for their help with a drainage problem. Mayor Orem explained a situation at 1217 Sportsman that is being corrected with the installation of~a man hole. Councilperson Perkins would like to know when the Police Department will have money available from the Cumulative Capital Development Fund for the purchase of additional vehicles. This will be looked into after the tax settlement is received. Other purchases from this fund were discussed with Auditor Jones recommending the City look into the dump truck bids in his office. Councilperson Clapp recommended drainage program. commends Councilperson Williams asks additional money is needed for overtime Councilperson Grooms for the the Council to remember that or. additional help is needed in the Fire Department. Councilperson Williams inquired if the homes behind Walnut Ridge are in compliance with the Building codes. Commissioner Scales shares Councilperson Williams concerns, however he must have a complaint to inspect inside a home. Councilperson Williams feels it is his duty as a Councilperson to address issues affecting his area and it is his duty to address Boards ouside the Council, such as the School Board. Councilperson Grooms informed the sponsored by I.A.C.T. on June 12, 1991. Council of a budget meeting Clerk and Treasurer Spencer encourages the Council to attend this meeting. Councilperson Grooms also informed the Council there will soon be a West-bound turn signal on Highway 62 at Northaven. He announced the Park Board and the Y.M.C.A. will be formalizing a lease for a new park on May 8, 1991. He will be creating a Citizen's Advisory Committee for input into this park. ' PAGE 6 '~ ' APRIL 20, 1991 Council President Carter feels the City will be having to take a serious look at the ambulance service, due to the financial problems Med-Aid is experiencing. Mayor Orem said the County Commissioners are looking at a county-wide service, and asks the Council keep this in the back of their minds. Council President C~rter is upset with a debate held at I.U.S. with the Mayoral and Council-At-Large candidates where the whole Council "took a beating". by Clerk and Treasurer Spencer from the riverfront was not for the full He is concerned the check received the Hughes Group for the lease on amount. Attorney Filer will check the lease. It it noted the riverbank has not been cleaned and cut and this should be done before the Thunder Over Louisville celebration. Mayor Orem has spent time this week with the Corps of Engineers, the Hughes Group, George Lanz, the Riverfront Coalition and a Washington D.C. Historical Society representative. Historic infringement is being looked into and a determination should be received in 30 days. He then announced the bui~lding of a $15,000,000 oil blending facility at the Pert. There willl be 32 employees initially, with -0- pollution, jeffersonville is very fortunate to have had this company come to Jeffersonville. Councilperson Perkins asks if they will be requesting Economic Development Bonds. There has been no discussion regarding this as yet. Councilperson Perkins announced a meeting Wednesday, April 24, 1991 at 7:00 P.M. at Maple Elementary School regarding the Market Street - Utica Pike project. The preservation of the brick sidewalk at the Steamboat Museum is being looked at. Council President Carter would like to see that the posts in the Council Chambers be removed and also that the room be cleaned. Commissioner Scales announced that beginning May 6, 1991 Highway 62 will be closed for one week for the repair of the railroad tracks at 10th and Nachand Lane. Mayor Orem announced the first week in June Highway 62 will be closed at the 1-65 underpass. There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilperson Perkins made the motion to ~adjourn at 12:45 o'clock P.M., seconded by Councilperson Clapp and c_~_E~ied unanimously. DAL~ L. OREM, MAYOR TREASURER