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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-25-1989COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA FEBRUARY 25, 1989 The Common Council of the in regular session in the Building in Jeffersonville, at 9:30 o'clock A.M. The meeting was called to Richard Spencer Jr. at the desk. Mayor Orem asked all allegiance to the flag. Catdwell, 1989 for consideration motion Carter City of Jeffersonville, Indiana met Mayor's Conference Room, in the City-County Indiana, on the 25th day of February 1989, order by Mayor Dale Orem with C. those present to stand and pledge The roll was called and those present were: Councilmen Carter, Grooms, Hatred, Perkins, Waiz, and Williams. Mayor Orem presented the minutes of the meeting of February 6, by the Council. Councilman Hatred made the to approve the minutes as presented, seconded by Councilman and carried unanimously. Mayor Orem offered his congratulations and welcomed James Carter who vacated by William Shrewsberry. Clerk and Treasurer Spencer Council President Harrod made the presented, seconded by Councilman was recently elected to complete the council term recently presented the register of claims. motion to approve the claims as Waiz, passing on a 6-1 vote. Councilman Perkins voted no stating he would provide a written statement for his no vote. Mayor Orem acknowledged a large group of people in attendance ese interest was the riverfront development, stating this was not on the agenda however he would open the meeting to comments. Councilman Waiz and Councilman Grooms asked that the people be informed it was not the Council that distributed the post card questionaires and that no taxpayer money was used on these cards. Councilman Perkins stated he has never seen one issue stimulate such interest as this has, indicating he estimated 1,500 responses would be received by the Council. Mayor Orem said a copy of the proposal from the Hughes Group will be available PAGE 2 FEBRUARY 25, 1989 in the Clerk and Treasurer's Office this next week, and he hopes to hold a public meeting before a final decision is made. The procedure for accepting or rejecting the proposal was discussed after which Councilman Perkins made the motion to amend the resolution concerning this project to say the City Council will make the final decision, seconded by Councilman Waiz and carried unanimously. The R.F.P.'s are an answer to a concept and there will be a negotiation period for all points. Mayor Orem said this is probably the largest project in this city's history and there are many people for it and many against it, however it has become evident the City could enhance the tax roles by $20,000,000. The tax abatement that has been requested will not be granted as it is against the law. Following this question and answer period a five minute recess was called. Mayor Orem reconvened %he meeting. Council President Hatred made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 89-OR-7, An Ordinance Vacating A Portion of Indiana Avenue, City of Jeffersonville, Indiana, on the third and final reading, seconded by Councilman Caldwell, and passed unanimously. Council President Hatred introduced Ordinance No. 89-OR-9, An Ordinance Loaning the City Cumulative Capital Development Fund $40,000 From the Sewer Operating and Maintenance Fund. Councilman Grooms made the motion to suspend the rules on Ordinance No. 89-OR-9, seconded by Councilman Williams, and carried unanimously. Councilman Carter then made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 89-OR-9 on all three readings, and seconded by Councilman Grooms. At this time Councilman Perkins asked there be better communications in the future stating the Council should have purchases of this magnitude brought before them before the fact. Councilman Perkins further stated, just because the money is in a fun~ procedure should dictate prior approval be obtained for all funds of the City. Councilman Waiz also feels that the Council should have a say in expenditures of this size. Mayor Orem apologized stating the situation was an oversight on all parts and that planning should be done together. He also stated an opinion that when the Cumulative Capital PAGE 3 FEBRUARY 25, 1989 Development Fund has a $.12 tax rate in 1990, $.04 be designated for the Fire Department, $.04 for the Police Department, and $.04 for the remaining departments. At this point the following roll call vote on Ordinance No. 89-0R-9 was taken: Ayes: Councilman Grooms, Carter, Harrod, Williams, Caldwell, Waiz, and Perkins. Nays: None. Mayor Orem asked that the next item on the agenda, A Resolution Establishing A Deed not be brought before the Council for a vote. Councilman Perkins asked that there be discussion regarding the need for this resolution. Attorney Filer indicated it would be necessary for the Parks Department to hold a deed to be able to enter into a contract for a valid lease. has soverign powers as set by State has no power to deal with property He continued the Parks Department Law to deal with Parks property but owned by the City. The concern of Councilman Perkins is that if the current R.F.P. is turned down, the Parks Department could, in the future, do what they want to with the property with or without the input of the City Council. Mayor Orem asked attention be focused on a letter from the Jeffersonville Downtown Business Association urging a public meeting be held "to help our community become knowledgeable about the potential of our riverfront and the proposed plans for its improvement". Mayor Orem appreciates the willingness of this organization to get involved noting there are close to 100 retail businesses in downtown Jeffersonville. Mayor Orem presented Police Chief Mike Harrod, Assistant Police Chief Walter Johnson, and Officers John Monihon and Dan Rodden, to speak on behalf of the Police Department 24 Hour Go Home Car Program. Assistant Chief Johnson presented the contents. Councilman Perkins program as a benefit to those that a written report briefly explaining indicated he is in favor of the live in the City, however the main advantage is visibility and therefore there would be no advantage to those that live in Borden etc. Councilman Waiz feels the take-home car is a privilege that should be for those that live in the City. Councilman Williams feels the line should be drawn as to how the program PAGE 4 FEBRUARY 25, 1989 should be run saying the Department Head should set up a program and be able to run it. Councilman Caldwell agreed with this point 100%. Following all discussion Councilman Williams made the motion to pass Resolution No. 89-R-2, which would allow for the advertising of a special appropriation of $60,000 from the Cumulative Capital Improvement fund for police vehicles and equipment, seconded by Councilman Carter and carried unanimously. Councilman Carter thanked Assistant Chief Johnson for the fine report. Councilman Caldwell asked the Council to review the proposed amendments to Ordinance No. 8§-OR-§l and to contact Building Commissioner Scales with any requests for changes indicating the proposed sewer fees are more reasonable for the times. Councilman Grooms asked to have the street sweeper out more. He also asked the Council to review the proposed adjustments in building permits from Building Commissioner Scales. Councilman Grooms third concern was to bring up the proposed resolution to adopt COIT asking what the time schedule for passing it this year would be. Attorney Fifer explained this must be passed by April 1 or the issue is dead for this year. Councilman Harrod has been unsuccessful in getting a meeting set up with the City Council, County Council, and Tax Commission. Mayor Orem stated we are looking at the County taxes to increase from $2.20 to $2.90 next year. Councilman Perkins stated his concern for the abuse the City Council may take, and concern that future councils would use the money from COIT other than to lower property taxes. Councilman Groom then made a motion to pass Resolution No. 89-R-3, A Resolution In Favor Of The Imposition Of County Option Income Tax (COIT). This motion was seconded by Councilman Williams. Resolution No. 89-R-3 passed with the following 4-3 vote. Ayes: Councilmen Grooms, Carter, Williams, and Waiz. Nayes: Councilmen Harrod, Caldwell, and Perkins. Councilman Grooms mentioned the Nachand Fieldhouse Roof repair has been advertised for bidding, and bids will be opened March 13, 1989. Councilman Grooms also asked Commissioner Scales to make some attempt to have the railroad bridge at 10th and Spring removed. This is being worked on. His next concern was to say the subject of police radios must be addressed. Councilman Carter brought at Firehouse No. ~. Two quotes to PAGE 5 FEBRUARY 25, 1989 up the subject of the leaking roof repair this roof and one to retruss the roof have been received. Following all discussion Councilman Carter made the motion to make an addition to Resolution 89-R-2 to advertise a special appropriation in the amount of $30,000 from the Cumulative Capital Improvement fund for the repair of the roof at Firehouse No. 2 by trussing the whole building and to also advertise the same amount for the same repair from the General Special Non-Reverting Fund, seconded by Councilman Perkins and carried unanimously. Councilman Caldwell asked put the current roof on not be allowed to do this that the roofer that work. Councilman questioned Williams the February 6, 1989 Board Of Works a letter of extra expenditures and mentioned in the explained this was necessary to complete the financing. Councilman Gardenside Terrace Commissioner Scales letter of transmittal minutes. It was credits that was Williams has received calls from residents of in reference to trash collection. Building stated he has been informed proper funding is in order for Gardenside to contract their own private hauler as of April 1, 1989. The last City pick up will be March 30, and they will be on their own starting April 3, 1989. Councilman Williams questioned the length of the contract between the City and B.F.I. It was explained the original contract was for one year with two one year options. The City is currently in the second year while the third year will end in May, 1990. Councilman Williams also questioned how the Bi-Co contract that expired December 31, 1988 was handled. It was explained the contract was extended for two months at the same rate. Councilman Waiz asked if B.F.I. would be picking up the whole ' d City as of March 1. Mayor Orem explazne that as of the first Monday in March, which is March 6, all homes and all commercial pick up of six 30 gallon containers or less would be done by B.F.I, the residential trash pick up business. When employees in this department would be doing, Mayor would be four employees retiring between now and would be reassigned. The tree limbs and "white as the City is out of quesioned what the Orem explained there May and the others goods" pick up will PAGE 6 FEBRU~RY 25, 1989 continue. Councilman Perkins stated he was not sure the Council is in favor of getting o~t of the garbage business, and would have liked some discussion at a Council meeting before the Board of Works approval. Mayor Orem indicated this has been in the newspaper and discussed for some 30 months. Councilman Perkins feels it is not fair to the small businessman that pays property taxes to have to contract with a private hauler when he is paying into the sanitation budget. Mayor Orem explained that normal pick up will be made to the small businessman, however no by-product of profit will be picked up. These businesses were notified two years ago of this action. Councilman Waiz feels the contract with B.F.I. should have been rebid due to the increase in the number of homes. Councilman Perkins stated he had some other items but would hold them for another meeting as this meeting has gone on for a long period of time and Councilmen Caldwell and Grooms did leave during the previous discussion. Councilman Williams, stating he is a believer in planning, would like to see a portion of the Saturday meeting more of a "workshop" where expenditures and procedures are discussed following notification of such discussion. Councilman Williams feels one example of poor planning is the Vehicle Maintenance Program that has been started but not properly funded. Councilman Harrod feels a workshop after the Saturday meeting would be beneficial. Councilman Waiz said it will be necessary for the Vehicle Maintenance Department to be expanded due to the increase in police vehicles alone. Council President Harrod made No. 89-R-4, A Resolution Approving A the motion to pass Resolution Credit Card For the City Of Jeffersonville Fire Department, seconded by Councilman Williams and unanicmously approved. Fire Chief Collins and Assistant Chief Kircher will be able to sign this card and a limit of $2,500 will be requested. Fire Chief Collins, as department head, will assume full responsibility for this card. Council President Harrod indicated he is in the process of procuring a credit card for the Council. PAGE 7 FEBRUARY 25, 1989 Mayor Orem has been negotiating for the sale of Firehouse $3 in the Industrial Park as well as a location for a new Firehouse. Mr. Dan Robertson has made an offer of $90,000 for Firehouse $3. This offer does contain a 7% real estate commission. In another negotiation, S & R Truck has offered to donate 3/4 acre of land off Hamburg Pike at Trucker's Boulevard, providing the City build the first 200 feet of road and provide the engineering for the rest of the road. The approximate cost to the City for this would be $25,000. Following all discussion of all options Council President Harrod made the motion to accept the real estate proposal of $90,000 from Dan Robertson for the purchase of Firehouse ~3 in Industrial Park, seconded by Counciman Williams and carried with 4 ayes and 1 abstention. Councilman Perkins cast the abstention vote stating he has not had anything in writing on this proposal. There being no further business to come before the Council, Council President Harrod made the motion to adjourn at 1:40 o'clock P.M., seconded by Councilman Perkins and carried unanimously. DALES. 0REM, MAYOR - ~- ATTEST: