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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