HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-08-1990 Special Session The Common Council of the
in special session in the
Building in Jeffersonville,
7:30 o'clock P.M.
SPECIAL SESSION OF THE
COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA
JANUARY 8, 1990
City of Jeffersonville, Indiana met
Mayor's Conference Room, in the City-County
Indiana on the 8th day of January 1990, at
The meeting was called to order by Council
and C. Richard Spencer Jr.
The roll was
Representatives Caldwell,
Waiz.
Absent:
previous
President Harrod
at the desk.
called and those present were: Counczl
Carter, Grooms, Harrod, Perkins, Williams, and
Council
Council
None.
President Harrod opened with remarks regarding the
meeting stating mistakes were made and he would take
the blame. He expressed sorrow and promised it was a side of the
Council that would not be seen again. He then mentioned the Council
appointment to the Department of Redevelopment that was made at the last
meeting saying "replacement was a bad word to use", that Keith Groth is
a "good guy", however he upholds the appointment of Jim Paris and hopes
it stands and is no reflection on Keith Groth. At
President Harrod turned the meeting over
Caldwell and Grooms.
Councilperson Caldwell thanked
the opening remarks stating the purpose
feelings on the table, and
taxpayer.
this point Council
to Councilpersons
Council President
for the meeting
hopefully get response
Harrod for
is to lay
from the
is to evaluate, study, and discuss, the appointments, and elections of
the last meeting. He then expressed his feelings as to what the Council
Presidency involves, saying it is primarily ceremonial and would like to
abolish the office of Vice President. The President, however, should be
a neutralizer. Although Council President Harrod has served the Council
well, Councilperson Grooms feels the previous election should be
reconsidered to give all the Council and the public an opportunity to be
heard. Councilperson Grooms then made the motion to rescind the
Councilperson Grooms stated his reason for calling the meeting
PAGE 2
JANUARY 8, 1990
election of Council President and Council Vice President as held on
January 2, 1990. Councilperson Perkins asked City Attorney Filer to
give his legal opinion cf this action. City Attorney Filer read from
the statute. With that, Council President Barrod made the second to the
motion, stating he hoped the office of Vice President would not be
eliminated. On the call for the question~ the motion carried
unanimously.
The nominations for President were opened. Councilperson
Caldwell nominated Councilperson Waiz for the office of President,
seconded by Councilperson Grooms. Following all discussion,
Councilperson Waiz was elected Council President by a unanimous
vote.
for
Resolution eliminating the
discusion regarding the reasons
Councilperson Grooms made the motion,
a Vice President of the Council
Williams, passing on a vote of 4-3.
Carter voted no.
Councilperson Barrod opened the nominations for Vice President
discussion. Councilperson Grooms asked the Council consider a
office of Vice President. There followed
for and against the office.
without a Resolution, to not elect
in 1990, seconded by Councilperson
Councilpersons Perkins, Harrod, and
Councilperson Grooms thanked the Council for attending the
meeting saying there are tremendous challenges ahead. He then stated
his views regarding some of the media coverage thanking the papers for
reporting the news and asking them not to write the news. He then asked
the meeting be open to questions from the audience.
Councilperson Harrod would like to know if the appointment of
Jim Paris to the Redevelopment Board will stand. Councilperson Perkins
then made the motion to reaffirm the appointment of Mr. Paris, seconded
by Councilperson Harrod. Councilperson Carter asked to explain his
postion, saying he feels there is a need for people from the private
sector to serve. Councilperson Caldwell stated his reasons for wanting
Keith Groth to retain the appointment. Council President Waiz feels Mr.
Paris has been elected and that should stand. Upon the call for the
vote, Mr. Paris' appointment to the Redevelopment Board was reaffirmed
on a vote of 5-2. Councilpersons Caldwell and Grooms voted in the
negative.
PAGE 3
JANUARY 8, 1990
Clerk and Treasurer Spencer presented and explained a claim
for work done by an individual at the Animal Shelter. Council President
Waiz made the motion to pay the claim as presented by Clerk and
Treasurer Spencer, seconded by Councilperson Caldwell and carried
unanimously.
City Attorney Filer has
been approached regarding the Council
agenda format.
meeting that the agenda be adopted.
all discussion, Councilperson Grooms
future disucssion.
Councilperson Grooms asked that after the roll call of a
Views were expressed and following
asked all to think about this for
Councilperson Perkins then read a prepared statement on his
feelings toward the media, particualarly The Evening News, commenting on
recent actions by members of the Council and the news coverage.
The meeting was then open to quetions. There is a concern for
the legal aspect of a Council caucus, or executive session, during a
meeting. Attorney Filer told those in attendance a meeting must be
adjourned immediately following a caucus or an executive session except
in the instance of litigation. The Indiana Open Door Law is very strict
and a copy of this may be obtained at The Evening News. Questions and
comments from the audience followed and they were told this would not be
a practice in 1990. The Council was in agreement that the attendance at
this meeting was good and they would like to see more of this. The
Council does need input from the citizens.
Councilperson Williams asked there be compassion for
other, that there have been unfornated incidents and
won't happen again. Jeffersonville deserves better
should now move on.
There being no
Councilperson Harrod made the motion to adjourn at 8:30 P.M.,
by Councilperson Carter and carried unanimously.
ATTEST:DALE ~ OREM, MAYOR
c. SPE CERf .,
each
hopefully these
and the Council
further business to come before the Council,
seconded