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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-20-1989COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA MARCH 20, 1989 The in regular session in City in Jeffersonville, Indiana, o'clock P.M. The meeting was called Richard Spencer Jr. at the desk. Mayor Orem asked all allegiance to the flag. Carter, Common Council of the City of Jeffersonville, Indiana met Council Chambers in the City-County Building on the 20th day of March 1989, at 7:30 to order by Mayor Dale Orem and C. those present to stand and pledge The roll was called and those present were: Councilmen Caldwell, Grooms, Harrod, Perkins, Waiz, and Williams. Mayor Orem presented the minutes of the meeting of March 6, 1989 for consideration by the Council. Councilman Perkins made the motion to approve the minutes as presented, seconded by Council President Harrod and carried unanimously. Clerk and Treasurer Spencer presented the register of claims along with several additional claims for the Council's consideration. Councilman Perkins made the motion including the additional, seconded unanimously. Councilman Caldwell introduced Ordinance Ordinance Amending Certain Portions Of Ordinance No. to approve the claims as presented by Councilman Carter and carried No. 89-OR-12, An 87-OR-53, Section 10, Of The City Of Jeffersonville. Building Commissioner Scales spoke on behalf of the Ordinance stating this is the first raise in fees in five years. Councilman Perkins stated his appreciation for the breakdown contained in the Ordinance. Councilman Perkins then made the motion to suspend the rules on Ordinance No. 89-OR-12, seconded by Councilman Waiz, and unanimously passed. Councilman Perkins made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 89-OR-12 on all three readings, seconded by Councilman Waiz passing with the following roll call vote: Ayes: Councilmen, Perkins, Waiz, Caldwell, Carter, Harrod, Williams, and Grooms. Nays: None. Ordinance No. 89-OR-12 passed with a vote of 7-0. PAGE 2 MARCH 20, ~989 Councilman Grooms Introduced Resolution No. 89-R-5, A Resolution Of The Common Council Of The City Of Jeffersonville, Indiana, Approving Thereof and Filing Of An Application For The Federal Section 8 Housing Provisions (Vouchers Program) Authority. Councilman Grooms also explained this Resolution will allow families respresenting $250,000 in By The Jeffersonville Housing introuded Mr. Phil Bates who an increase of 50 additional rent subsidies. Following a short question and answer Resolution No. 89-R-5, vote of 6 ayes, with involved in the program. period, Councilman Perkins made the motion to pass seconded by Councilman Grooms, and passed on a Councilman Waiz abstaining explaining he is Councilman Grooms, as the Parks Department liaison, introduced Resolution No. 89-R-6, A Resolution Accepting Proposal Of Hughes Group For Riverfront Development, explaing the get to this point. Councilman Waiz made No. 89-R-6, seconded by Councilman procedures that were used to the motion to pass Resolution Caldwell. Councilman Carter expressed concern for the provision on page 2 of the Resolution which calls for two Council representatives saying he feels all seven members should be involved in the negotiations. As the growth of the City depends on what is done on the riverfront he has too many questions and would llke to see this tabled as we have one shot and if it is done wrong we suffer. Councilman Waiz stated there is much more involved than this Resolution and we need to move on. Councilman Perkins agreed with Councilman Caldwell saying he feels this Resolution is a little premature. Council President Harrod asked if this Resolution is passed and all parties involved fail to come to an agreement would the Resolution be null and void? Attorney Filer answered the proposal must be accepted by April 20. Councilman Grooms said this project is not guaranteed by the passing of this Resolution, however, we owe it to the developer to let then know we are serious. There are enough stipulations for our protection. Councilman Perkins concern is that we will never be able to "buy" back the improvements and sees no need to run into this when the decision is forever. He feels an outside attorney and C.P.A. should be consulted. Mayor Orem said this Resolution is to accept or not accept a concept, and from this point on the Council will be in control. Delays only cost money and accomplish nothing. PAGE 3 MARCH 20, 1989 should be sent to the of "in concept" of the Councilman Williams feels a positive message developer, however he would like the addition proposal be added to the Resolution. Council President Harrod called for public discussion on this Resolution. Mike Smith speaking as a City employee, City taxpayer, and boat docker spoke in favor of the project saying he thinks the City should move on and should not jeopardize a multi-million dollar project. Mickey Rose a downtown Jeffersonville business owner urged the Council to send a positive message to Hughes and work out the details later. Ed McVeety asked that the Riverfront be treated with great respect and not defaced. Susan Fry a life-long resident of Riverside Drive applauded the Evening News article titled "Where's The Master Plan". Mrs. Fredericks spoke for the Riverfront Coalition asking for open and careful deliberation, for more public hearings~ and that control remain in the hands of elected officials. (Her printed statement is attached to the minutes.) Ms. Sharon Martin aked that the growth of the riverbank not be stifled, but to forge ahead as a pioneer. Jerry Murphy asked that the riverfront not be turned into a "pile of rock". Councilman Perkins called for the vote which passed 6-1 with the following roll call vote recorded: Ayes: Councilmen Harrod, Williams, Grooms, Waiz, Caldwell and Carter. Nays: Councilman Perkins.~ Councilman Grooms introduced Resolution No. 89-R-7, A Resolution Regarding Exchange Of Property With The Jeffersonville Board Of Parks And Recreation Department asking that this be tabled. Councilman Perkins asked that it go on the record that he will not turn this over to the Parks Department saying action should be taken yay or nay. Mayor Orem explained the Parks Department has taken care of the Riverfront for 35 years and the Council has never taken an issue. Councilman Perkins again called for a vote. Attorney Filer presented each Councilman with a memorandum issued by him as City Attorney, calling attention to Exhibit C entitled Riverfront Development Property - Necessity To Deed Property To The Parks Department. The property has always been public property however there has never been a deed. He PAGE 4 MARCH 20, 1989 does believe an agreement can be made with or without a~ deed. Along with this memorandum is a copy of a Parks Board Resolution which states if the Hughes Proposal is not accepted the deed would go back to the City. He concluded by offering funds from the City Attorney budget for a second legal opinion. Councilman Perkins made the motion to pass Resolution 89-R-7, seconded by Councilman Carter. Councilman Harrod was informed negotiations could continue if this is defeated and the matter could come up again at any time during negotiatons. Mayor Orem told the Council this issue is beyond Jeffersonvzlt , that State law says that when a Parks Department is set up they have control over their land. tax rate. The Parks Department is under public domain with their own The following roll call vote was then taken: Williams. Ayes: Councilman Grooms. Nays: Councilmen Perkins, Waiz, Caldwell, Carter, Harrod, and Resolution 89-R-7 was defeated by a vote of 1-6. Recess was called at 8:55 o'clock P.M. Mayor Orem reconvened the meeting at 9:10 o'clock P.M. Councilman Caldwell again introduced Building Commissioner Scales who presented the Council with a written proposal for a computer program for his office. Commissioner Scales asked the Council to review the proposal and also to consider allowing one part-time employee in his office to go on full time. Councilman Grooms informed the Council the Vehicle Maintenance Department will be submitting a request for additional equipment. He also stated many improvements had been made at the facility and invited the Councilmen to stop by to see them. Councilman Perkins asked if it would be possible in the future to have this department service the take-home police vehicles at a reduced rate. This will be studied. Councilman Grooms also informed the Council he will be asking the Board of Works for additional Stop signs on Sportsman Drive, and that the County Council will be meeting March 31, 1989 on COIT and CAGIT. Councilman Williams presented a letter from the Jeffersonville Fire Fighters Association Local No. 558 in support of the riverfront project. Council President going to be involved in the the Parks Board Members have to be included? least some members should be included. After decided the first negotiation meeting would PAGE 5 MARCH 20, 1989 Harrod asked, if all seven Councilmen are negotiations with the Hughes group will all Attorney Filer feels at much discussion it was be held March 27 at 6 o'clock P.M. in the Mayor's Conference Room. As it will be difficult to schedule the number of necessary meetings where all those involved can attend, it was decided that at least 4 Councilmen should be available in order to meet. Councilman Caldwetl stated he has repeatedly asked Mayor Orem for a list of the street and/or strip paving that was done in 1988 and he has yet to receive this. He does need this information to answer to his constiuency. He also wants to know when to turn in his requests for paving for this year. Mayor Orem will accept the lists anytime asking the streets be listed in order of priority. Councilman Perkins would like to have a meeting when all lists are received. Councilman Caldwell did thank Commissioner Scales for taking care of Hopkins Lane, and also for the Historic Board information. Councilman Caldwell is also looking for his copy of the Sanitation study. Mayor Orem has the majority of this complete. Councilman Perkins would like to work with Council President Harrod to find a C.P.A. and Attorney for the Riverfront Project. Councilman Waiz asked to be included in this. Councilman Perkins is still receiving calls from employees regarding the hospitalization cards will solve the Clerk and Treasurer be delivered to his majority of problems. Spencer has been told the Blue Cross office this Thursday and this should Councilman Perkins then asked if Attorney Filer would write received on Thursday. Mayor Orem noted a letter to Blue Cross if the cards are not there will be a pre-application meeting for the Waste Water Treatment Plant March 30. The State comments are in the final process, and he is looking for final approval in May. Some new areas will be included to possibly substantiate a larger plant. Councilman Grooms offered his sincere apology to Councilman Perkins for statements that were made in the newspaper. PAGE 6 MARCH 20, 1989 There being no further business to come before the Council Council President Harrod made the motion to adjourn at 10:05 o'clock P.M., seconded by Councilman Perkins and carried unanimously. DALE L. OREM, MAYOR ATTEST: C. ~CHARD SPEN~RJR.,/.6'LER~ AND TREASURER JeffersonvJlle Fire Fighters Association LOCAL NO. 558, IAFF, AFL-CIO-CLC Jeffersonville, Indiana 47130 The Jeffersonville Firefighters Local # 558 have cc~e to the City Council of Jeffersonville to give its support for a riverfront project. We feel that any riverfront project is the first big step to revitalizing downtown Jeffersonville. Several hundred jobs will be created during the construction phase and several h~ndred more when the project is cc~pleted. Any riverfront project will allow the Parks Department and Street Department more time and money to maintain other areas of the City, instead of the riverfront. When you have a malti-million dollar project added to the other construction in the city it will help relieve the tax burden on all city taxpayers. With the added revenue frc~ the project the city will be able to provide better quality services for all city taxpayers that they deserve. We the firefighters of Local # 558 give our total support to this nuch needed i~provsment to our city. Sincer~y Jeffersonville Firefighters Local # 558 THE RIVERFRONT COALITION March 20, 1989 For the Public ~ WHO IS THE RIVERFRONT COALITION? WE ARE A NEWLY FORMING GROUP OF CIT~7~NS WITH MANY DIFFERENT POINTS OF VIEW BUT A SHARED CONCERN FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF ~EFFERSONVILLE'S RIVERFRONT. WE ARE CREATING A NONPARTISAN FORUM FOR DISCUSSING THE VALUES AND VISIONS THAT WILL SHAPE DECISIONS ABOUT OUR RIVERFRONT. WHAT ROLE DO WE WANT TO PLAY? THE RIVERFRONT COALITION IS DEDICATED TO OPEN AND CAREFUL DELIBERATION OF THESE ISSUES. WE SEEK COMPROMISES THAT WILL SATISFY THE VARIOUS INTERESTS OF THE BUSINESS, RESIDENTIAL AND RECREATIONAL COMMUNITIES. WE WANT TO WORK CLOSELY WITH CITY GOVERNMENT AND DEVELOPERS -- TO CONTRIBUTE OUR VOICES TO THE CHECKS AND BALANCES OF A PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP. WE CAN COMMUNICATE IMPORTANT FACTS AND INFORMATION AMONG THESE PARTIES, SO THAT PROGRESSIVE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT MAY BE CONDUCTED IN AN ATMOSPHERE OF MUTUAL RESPECT AND TRUST. ABOVE ALL, WE WANT TO ENSURE THAT JEFFERSONVILLE'S RIVERFRONT IS ALWAYS, FIRST AND FOREMOST, A SPECIAL PLACE THAT'S DEDICATED TO ALL THE PEOPLE OF ~EFFERSONVILLE. WHY NOW? THE HUGHES PROPOSAL IS COMPLEX AND FAR-REACHING. SINCE THE RECENT PUBLIC HEARING, PEOPLE HAVE BEGUN TO FORMULATE MANY SPECIFIC QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS. IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT THAT THESE VOICES BE HEARD AND TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT AS THE CITY COUNCIL MAKES THE DECISIONS THAT LIE AHEAD. Rentuehiana Historieal Serviee$ 210 Ettles Lane, No. l12 Clarksville, Indiana 47130 (812)282-5108 March 20, 1989 Mr. Tony Harrod, President Jeffersonville City Council City-County Building Jeffersonville, Indiana 47130 Dear Mr. Harrod: I wish to go on record in support of the Hughes Group's proposal for the development of the Jeffersonville riverfron% and urge the city council to approve it. For professional reasons, I don't normally take public stances on such issues, and because I am a Clarksville resident, I usually don't take positions on Jeffersonville matters. However, because an issue of this magni- tude affects the entire community, and because there are signifi- cant historical questions involved, I feel it is both necessary and appropriate to make my opinion known to the council. My reasons for supporting this project as as follows: 1. It will be a major economic stimulus to Jeffersonville and Clark County. Not only will it bring more people to the river- front, stimulating growth of downtown business, it will create an environment conducive %o further downtown and riverfront develop- ment. Such development will expand the tax base, create new em- ployment opportunities, and possibly increase the market for down- town housing, both new construction and rehabilitation of existing structures. 2. The Hughes's proposal will not only expand but upgrade the quality of dock facilities available to area boaters. There has been widespread comment that the Hughes proposal, by raising the price of slip space, will reduce public access to the riverfront. I question the validity of that notion. At the present time, the docks are controlled by a relative handful of boat owners who block access to the river for those who don't own boats. Moreover, many of the existing docks are in poor repair, opening the city to serious liability problems. The Hughes proposal will create new, high quality dock space and increase public access for non-boaters at the same time. Harrod, p. 2 3. The Hughes plan is consistent with Jeffersonville's maritime heritage. Jeffersonville ms traditionally associated with ship- building and recreational boating, and the Hughes Group's proposal is built on that history. I am particularly pleased by the Hughes Group's sound judgement in the selection of an architect. K. Norman Berry was a pioneer in Louisville's preservation movement long be- fore preservation became profitable. His reputation for sensltlv - ty to historic environments is well established, and I am confi- dent that that sensitivity will be apparent in his design for the Jefferscnville riverfront- This endorsement does not mean, however, that the Hughes Group should be given a blank check. The city should enter lease nego- tiations with a tough-minded attitude, determined to protect the best interests of the city and its residents. The city has every right to insist that the design and execution of the project the surrounding environment. Elements that cut off public access or block scenic vistas need not be accepted. It is precisely because I am confident in Norman Berry's ability to respect these conditions that I support this proposal. I recognize that ~ pro2ect of this magnitude generates a lot of diverse feelings, and I urge the council to give all positions the fullest possible consideration. But it is my considered judg- ment, as a professional in the areas of urban history,community development, and historic preservation, this proposal is good for for the riYerfront, the city, and the community as a whole. I urge its approval. Sincerely yours, Carl E. Kramer, Ph.D. President cc: Mayor Dale Orem Lewis Newlan PAOB 2: ~ RIVBRFRONT COALITIO~ WHAT DO WE WANT AT THIS POINT? FIRST, WE ASK FOR MORE PUBLIC HEARINGS ON TH~ HUGHES PROPOSAL IN CONCEPT AND DESIGN DEVELOPMENT. PEOP! .R WANT THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS THE ~, POSE NEW QUF. STIONS AND OFFER SPECIFIC IDEAS FOR IMPROVINO OR REVISING THE CONCEFr. ~ECOND, WE MUST BE ASSURED THAT THIS AND FUTURE DEVELOPMENT DECISIONS REMAIN IN THE HANDS OF THE PEOPLE, THROUGH THEIR ~.LRCTED OFFICIALS. IT HAS BRRN SAID THAT THE CITY MUST DEED THE RIVERFRONT FROM THE PUBLIC DOMAIN TO TH~ DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION IN ORDER TO ~TE WITH DEVELOPERS. THE ~ DANOER OF TAKINO PROPERTY OUT OF THE PUBLIC DOMAIN IS LOSS OF LONO-TERM CONTROL TO PRIVATE INTERF_,STS. IN NO WAY ARE THESE REMARKS INTE~IDED AS A REFLECTION ON THE INTEOR1TY OR ABILITIES OF THE M~MBERS OF THE BOARD OF PARKS AND RECREATION, BUT WE STRONGLY BBLmVE THAT THOSE WHO WILL BEAR RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE RIVERFRONT SHOULD BE OBLIOATED TO REPRESENT THE WILL OF THE PEOPL~ WE ASK THE CITY CDUNCIL TO CAREFULLY CONSIDER THE CONSEQUENCF~ AND TO TAKE ALL NEC~ARY STEPS TO ASSURE THAT THEY ARE FULLY ACCOUNTABLE FOR ALL ~ CHANOES TO OUR RIVERFRONT. WE I~-~PEC'TFULLY RF.~ THAT THIS STATEMENT BE INCORPORATED INTO THE MINUTES OF THIS MEETING. THANK YOU.