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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