HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-03-1989COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS OF THE
COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA
APRIL 3, 1989
The Common Council of the
in regular session
in Jeffersonville,
o'clock P.M.
The meeting was called
Richard Spencer Jr. at the desk.
Mayor Orem asked all
allegiance to the flag.
Carter,
City of Jeffersonville, Indiana met
in City Council Chambers in the City-County Building
Indiana, on the 3rd day of April 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 20,
1989 for consideration by the Council. Councilman~ Perkins made the
motion to approve the minutes as presented, seconded by Councilman
Waiz and carried unanimously.
Clerk and Treasurer Spencer presented the register of claims
along with one additional $250 claim for deed preparation. Councilman
Perkins made the motion to approve the claims as presented including the
additional claim, seconded by Councilman Waiz and carried unanimously.
Mr. Grant Oakes of Oakshire Classics appealed to the Council
for an exclusive license. Councilman Perkins suggested giving Oakshire
a three-year exclusive license. Attorney Fifer asked to research the
situation as he is concerned about litigation. Councilman Grooms feels
that a bid procedure could be used. Following all discussion Councilman
Perkins made the motion to have Attorney Fifer prepare the necessary
documents and advertisments necessary so that this question
could be
in May, seconded by Council
decided at the first Council meeting
President Harrod and unanimously carried.
Councilman Williams introduced Ordinance No. 89-OR-13, An
Ordinance Rezoning Certain Property From M-i, Industrial (County), to
R-1 and R-2, Residential, in Buttonwood Subdivision. Attorney David
Nachand presented a map and spoke on behalf of this ordinance.
Councilman Perkins made the motion to Suspend the rules on Ordinance No.
89-OR-13, seconded by Councilman Waiz and carried unanimously.
PAGE 2
APRIL 3, 1989
to pass Ordinance No.
Councilman Williams
Councilman Perkins made the motion
all three readings, seconded by
unanimously.
Council President Harrod introduced Ordinance No.
89-OR-13 on
and carried
89-OR-14, A
Special Appropriation
fire house roof. Following all
made the motion to suspend the
seconded by Councilman Perkins
President Harrod made the motion to
three readings, seconded by Councilman Perkins with
call vote being recorded:
Ayes: Councilmen Grooms, Williams, Harrod,
Waiz, and Perkins.
Nays: None.
Council President Harrod introduced Ordinance No.
Ordinance for police vehicles, equipment and the
discussion, Council President Harrod
rules on Ordinance No. 89-OR-14,
and carried unanimously. Council
pass Ordinance No. 89-OR-14 on all
the following roll
Carter, Caldwell,
An Ordinance Transferring Certain Funds Within
89-OR-15,
Same Department.
Councilman Grooms presented a letter to the Council explaining the
transfer should bring the Vehicle Maintenance Department up to basic
needs. Councilman Williams questioned Vehicle Maintenance Department
Manager Wathen if the garage will be set up to handle all the take-home
vehicles following this transfer. Manager Wathen explained he will be
limited some in equipment and he does not have enough manpower at this
point. Councilman Williams asked the Council to remember this at budget
time. Councilman Perkins explained the department is getting more
manageable. Councilman Williams made the motion to suspend the rules on
Ordinance No. 89-OR-15, seconded by Councilman Waiz and carried
unanimously. Councilman Williams made the motion to pass Ordinance No.
89-OR-15 on all three readings, seconded by Councilman
following roll call vote being recorded:
Ayes: Councilman Carter, Harrod, Williams,
Waiz, and Caldwelt.
Nays: None:
Councilman Perkins introduced
Resolution to Advertise
Probation Officer,
Council packet and
Resolution
For a Special Appropriation.
Grooms with the
Grooms, Perkins,
No. 89-R-8, a
Ms. Denise Ware,
explained the information that was included in the
the need for an additional employee. Following all
questions from the Council, Council
pass Resolution No.
unanimously.
Councilman
PAGE 3
APRIL 3, 1989
President Harrod made the motion to
89-R-8, seconded by Councilman Williams and carried
Caldwell introduced Mr. Kevin Wiggam a
representative of Metal Sales Manufacturing Corporation who spoke to the
Council asking that Ordinance No. 87-OR-72 be reconsidered. Mr. Wiggam
presented pictures comparing metal buildings with other buildings
showing metal buildings can be attractive. Metal buildings are good for
residential areas and even better for commercial areas. Mr. Wiggam asks
that each individual building and its use be looked at and considered
rather than the blanket restrictions of this Ordinance. The Council
agreed to look at and study this situation. Mr. Wiggam will submit to
Attorney Filer a rough outline of guidelines that would satisfy his
needs.
Mayor Orem presented a Statement of Benefits for Sunrise
Properties to the Council for their consideration. Sunrise Properties
are expanding to a 90,000 square foot building and have received an IIP
loan from the State. Councilman Perkins stated he is getting "gun shy"
and does not want to rush into this as this is the first he has seen of
any papers on Sunrise Properties. Councilman Grooms feels this is in
line and consistant with others. Mayor Orem told the Council this is a
wood veneer business that will be hiring an additional 50 employees.
Councilman Perkins asked if there was a way to assure that Hoosiers are
hired into these new jobs. Mayor Orem said some of the jobs carry
stipulations along this line. This tax abatement is for 10 years
starting at no taxes the first year and increasing 10% each year to 100%
on the real estate while the equipment will be on a five year schedule.
Councilman Grooms made the motion to allow the tax abatement, seconded
by Councilman Waiz and passed on a vote of 6-0-1. Councilman Perkins
abstained stating tonight was the first time he was informed and he
feels the Council should be informed when there are negotiations to
bring new business to Jeffersonville. Mayor Orem explained that if a
City does not offer tax abatements it will not be in the market and
those areas giving tax "forgiveness" are now the hottest spots in the
nation.
PAGE 4
APRIL 3, 1989
Council President
John Gilkey,
of April 3,
Councilmen,
Harrod addressed his next comments to Mr.
Editor of The Evening News, where he states in the Opinion
1989, "I can't help but wonder why the Jeffersonville City
who are supposed to be representing the interest of the
residents of the City, feel so intent on negotiating behind closed doors
with the E. H. Hughes Company.", asking how many Councilmen he talked
with to get this opinion. Mr. Gilkey answered he did not talk to any
Councilmen, however a reporter from the Evening News told him that was
his opinion from the last Council meeting. Council President Harrod
further asked what was meant by the statement, "The people of the City
of Jeffersonville lose in those negotiations, (referring to closed door)
and I can't help but wonder what the City Councilmen gain". Council
President Harrod asked what is next when he can hide behind his right to
an opinion and not base it on fact or contact any Councilmen. A
previous article referred to the City Attorney as representing the
Council. The Council does not have an attorney at this time and City
Attorney Filer is not the Council spokesman to the Evening News or the
Courier Journal. Council President Harrod does not understand the kind
of writing that is not based on fact. Mr. Gilkey was asked to "please
call one of us before stating an opinion". The Council has not turned
one person away from meetings and the doors are wide open. Councilman
Perkins said he is also tired of what the paper states he says when only
half the time he has and half the time he has not, however he does have
a right to have opinions and vote the way he feels best. He has been
elected to the Council three times and feels more people should run for
this office. Councilman Perkins also informed Mr. Gilkey the Council
has no spokesman or attorney. Councilman Perkins said no vote has been
taken to meet behind closed doors and no State statutes will be broken.
The only thing that can be gained by negotiating behind closed doors
would be to drive harder bargains and negotiate harder. Some people
don't like to air their feelings, however State law will be complied
with. The next meeting regarding the Riverfront will be April 10, 1989
at 7:30 P.M. in the Mayor's Conference Room. A citizen in the audience
inquired why the newspaper did not give notification of each meeting.
Councilman Caldwell asked Mr. Gilkey to try to get a notice in the paper
for each meeting.
PAGE 5
APRIL 3, 1989
Councilman Perkins referred to an article in the newspaper
that the Department of Redevelopment will be requesting proposals for
the development of the "Piggyback Yard". This article made it sound
like the City Council would have no voice in this matter. Councilmen
Perkins and Waiz feel strongly that the Council should be involved.
Attorney Fifer indicated that Council input would be invited.
Councilman Carter asked if cold patching was being done could
the hole at the floodwall at Spring Street be taken care of. Councilman
Waiz asked if something could be done about the standing water on Utica
Pike near Brighton Avenue as it is eating the road away.
Councilman Williams informed the Council he will be on
temporary assignment out of the State and will have to miss the April 15
and May i meetings. He asked Building Commissioner Scales to see what
could be done about the metal plates at the railroad crossing at 12th
Street and Pennsylvania. When these are wet they are dangerous.
Commissioner Scales agreed to check this matter. Councilman Williams
said he has been asked by his constituents to give an explanation why
the meeting are not started on time. This pertains to those occassions
when the Council has held an executive session before the meeting.
Councilman Grooms
Harrod, the SWAT Team and
problems. This problem is
congratulated the Police Department, Kelly
the detectives on the work with the drug
a concern of his and is good to see that it
has the attention of the Police. Councilman Grooms asked when the large
dumpsters would be available to City residents for the annual spring
cleanup. Mayor Orem stated this will be April 21, 22, and 23 and there
will be additional locations and some locations will be changed. The
Evening News will be notified of this program. Councilman Grooms
to 4:30
announced the Vehicle Maintenance Garage is open from 8:00 A.M.
P.M.
Mayor Orem announced that Clifton "Pee Wee" James will be
retiring effective May 1, 1989 after 38 years of service to the City.
Mr. James has been a very dedicated employee and will be recognized in
the best fashion.
Councilman Perkins asked Attorney Filer to draw up an
ordinance declaring the Council as purchasing agent for the City.
PAGE 6
APRIL 3, 1989
The
conclusion that this is an emergency situation.
the motion to suspend the rules on Ordinance No.
Declaring The Fieldhouse Roof An Emergency
situation of the Fieldhouse roof was discussed with the
Councilman Perkins made
89-OR-16, An Ordinance
Situation, seconded by
Councilman Grooms and carried unanimously. Councilman Perkins made the
motion to pass Ordinance No. 89-OR-16 on all three readings, seconded
by Councilman Waiz, and passed on a vote of 6-0-1. Councilman Caldwell
abstained from the vote. Councilman Perkins asked that Mayor Orem
confer with the Council before awarding the repair of the roof.
There being no further business to come before the Council
Councilman Perkins made the motion to adjourn at 9:05 o'clock P.M.,
seconded by Councilman Waiz and carried unanimously.
DALE L. OREM, MAYOR ~
ATTEST:
C. RICHARD SPENCEt .,~t~E~K AND TREASURER