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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-04-2002November 4, 2002 1 COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE, iNDIANA NOVEMBER 4, 2002 The Common Council of the City of Jeffersonville, Indiana met in regular session in the Multi-Purpose Meeting Room in the City-County Building, Jeffersonville, Indiana at 7:30 P.M. on the 4th day of November 2002. Council President Denny Frantz, with Clerk Treasurer Peggy Wilder at the desk, called the meeting to order. Also present was Deputy Clerk Barbara Hollis. Council President Frantz welcomed all in attendance, asking all those present to stand as Councilperson Ron Grooms gave the invocation. Council President Frantz then asked all those present to join him in the pledge of allegiance to the flag. The roll was called and those present were; Conncilpersons Les Merkley, Ron Ellis, Denny Frantz, Rob Waiz, Barbara Wilson, Ron Grooms, and Vicki Conlin. Absent: None. Councilperson Merkley made the motion to approve the agenda as presented, seconded by Councilperson Waiz, passing on a vote of 5-1. Councilperson Ellis voted against passage as he objects to Item #15 (Ordinance Regarding Redistricting) stating this subject has been discussed a number of times and he sees no need to go over it again. Council President Frantz did not vote. Councilperson Ellis made the motion to delete Item #15 (Ordinance Regarding Redistricting) from the agenda, seconded by Councilperson Conlin. The motion failed, due to a lack ora unanimous vote, on the following roll call vote: Ayes: Councilpersons Ellis, Wilson, and Conlin. Nays: Councilpersons Merkley, Waiz, and Grooms. Council President Frantz presented the minutes of the workshop of October 17, 2002 and the meetings of October 17 and 21, 2002 for consideration by the Council. Councilperson Conlin made the motion to approve the minutes of the October 17, 2002 minutes as presented, seconded by Councilperson Wilson, passing on a vote of 6-0. Council President Frantz did not vote. Councilperson Wilson made the motion to approve the minutes of the October 21, 2002 meeting as presented, seconded by Councilperson Conlin, passing on a vote of 6-0. Council President Frantz did not vote. Councilperson Grooms made the motion to approve the workshop November 4, 2002 2 minutes of October 17, 2002, seconded by Councilperson Conlin, passing on a vote of 6-0. Council President Frantz did not vote. Clerk Treasurer Wilder presented the claim list, explaining one additional claim for an additional payment to IACT, for consideration by the Council. Councilperson Ellis stated the City has a financial crisis itself and has not been able to fund proper raises and operations. He will not vote for the additional payment. Councilperson Conlin said she would like to see how much dues are paid suggesting the claim be included on the next claim list. Councilperson Merkley then made the motion to approve the claims as presented, without the additional claim, seconded by Councilperson Wilson, passing on a vote of 6-0. Council President Frantz did not vote. PUBLIC COMMENT: Agent of Record Culpepper Cooper appeared before the Council to publicly apologize for a mistake made in 2001 on a spreadsheet. He explained the formula was incorrect on fixed costs. Agent Cooper said this would not have changed his recommendation. His goal is to protect employee bcmefits at the lowest possible cost. He has met with Mayor Galligan, and Councilpersons Frantz and Waiz. He has submitted current information to Humana, Anthem, and Stewart Miller. The first possible date for a change would be January 1. If this is bad it will be looked at again for April 1. Mr. Gary Leavell appeared before the Council to say it was an insult that a meeting was held on redistricting and not all members were present. Mr. Leavell is out fighting to get the vote out and he expects those elected to attend meetings. Ms. Dottie Ellis stated she has always respected Councilperson Grooms. She came to the meeting last week and redistricting did not pass. She questions who put this back on the agenda. To Ms. Ellis it seems a minority is not wanted on the Council when Precinct 15 is put in District 3. AGENDA ITEMS: Redevelopment Director Dustin White appeared before the Council to request passage of Resolution No. 2002-R-32, A Resolution Approving Statement Of Benefits For Purposes Of Property Tax Abatement (Amatrol, Inc.). Councilperson Conlin made the motion to pass Resolution No. 2002-R-32, seconded by Councilperson Merkley. Councilperson Waiz noted this is a move within Jeffersonville suggesting the number of years be reduced. Councilperson November 4, 2002 3 Conlin spoke in support of the original request, noting the loyalty of the company. Mr. Perkins said the company's first abatement was in 1995. They would like to stay in Jeffersonville, however it does need to be economically feasible. Councilperson Waiz made the motion to allow 5 years on building and 3 years on machinery, second by Councilperson Merkley. Mrs. Perkins stated she feels the loan will not be made by the bank if the tax abatement is not granted as requested. Council President Frantz said he agrees with Councilperson Conlin's comments noting too many companies have left the area. Mr. Leavell said there is a problem if Jeffersonville can't keep this kind of business in the community. The motion to amend failed on a vote of 2-4. Councilpersons Ellis, Wilson, Conlin, and Grooms voted against the amendment. Council President Frantz did not vote. The motion to pass Resolution No. 2002-OR-32 passed on a vote of 6-0. Council President Frantz did not vote. Redevelopment Director White next requested the passage of Resolution No. 2002-R-33, A Resolution Approving Statement Of Benefits For Purposes Of Property Tax Abatement (Dallmann Systems, Inc.). Councilperson Conlin made the motion to pass Resolution No. 2002- R-33, second by Councilperson Ellis, passing on a vote of 6-0. Council President Frantz did not vote. Redevelopment Director White then requested passage of Resolution No. 2002-R-34, A Resolution Approving Statement Of Benefits For Purposes Of Property Tax Abatement (FedX Ground Package Systems, Inc.). Councilperson Conlin made the motion to pass Resolution No. 2002-R-34, second by Councilperson Merkley. Councilperson Waiz questioned what had been done a previous expansion. Councilperson Ellis said it would be helpful if this type of request was presented at a workshop to go over as there is a need to be fair. Clerk Treasurer Wilder reminded the Council that guidelines have been passed by Ordinance. Wages for hourly and full-time employees were reviewed. Following all discussion and review Resolution No. 2002- R-34 passed on a vote of 6-0. Council President Frantz did not vote. Mr. Keith Mull, Attorney representing James Hack, appeared before the Council to request passage of Ordinance No. 2002-OR-34, Petition To Vacate Public Way. Mr. Mull described the area and the intended use. Councilperson Conlin asked if the project would be tax exempt. Mr. Mull answered no. Councilperson Waiz made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2002-OR-34 on the first reading. Mr. Mull left the meeting. Following further discussion, Councilperson Waiz made the motion to suspend the rules for Ordinance No. 2002-OR-34, November4,2002 4 seconded by Councilperson Grooms. Mr. Gary Leavell feels the public needs to be informed of any possible impact. Councilperson Conlin said these projects should pass through Drainage, and the Plan Commission. The motion and second to suspend were withdrawn. Mr. Leavell suggests the residents of the area be made aware of the project. Councilperson Conlin voiced her concerns regarding procedures. Mr. Toby Wolcott, a representative of Full Cimle Registry, distributed materials and explained his program. Councilperson Grooms suggests the Council appoint a committee to review the program. Councilperson Grooms made the motion that a committee of 3 be appointed by the Council President to meet with Mr. Wolcott to investigate Full Circle Registry, seconded by Councilperson Conlin, passing on a vote of 6-0. Council President Frantz did not vote. Council President Frantz appointed Councilpersons Groom, Frantz and Conlin to the committee asking that Clerk Treasure Wilder be involved. Councilperson Grooms noted the Council made a commitment late in the summer to redistrict this year. Councilperson Grooms said his absence from the redistricting meeting was not intc~ntional. He has never backed off an issue. He explained he wrote in his diary the wrong date for the meeting. He made a mistake and was out of town. The districts are out of line and this is a fairness and equality issue. Councilperson Grooms said Mr. Leavell indicated he would not accept less than 24%; this plan is 23.8%. Councilperson Grooms then made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2002-OR-35, An Ordinance Regarding Redistricting on the first reading, second by Councilperson Waiz. Mr. Sylvester Tutt said he is sincere about what has been recommended and action will be taken. Ms. Ethel Ellis, precinct #3 is concerned that Councilperson Ellis will not get reelected. Mr. Leavell is concerned that Councilperson Grooms was not presc~nt when the proposal from the community was presented. Councilperson Grooms said he does not play politics. CouncilperS°n Ellis told Councilperson Grooms he is lying when he says he doesn't play politics. He further feels that Councilpersons Grooms sees an opportunity to get rid of Councilperson Ellis with an influx of money. There is no relationship to Buttonwood, Golf View, and upper Northaven with Claysburg. Mr. Leavell stated Northaven residents are not concerned about the Claysburg pool. Mr. Leavell said we need to get this in order and inform the Commissions to do their job. Ms. Judy Sapp feels race is being made to much of an interest, it should be the best interest of the community. At the conclusion of all discussion, the motion failed on the following roll call vote. November 4, 2002 5 Ayes: Councilpersons Waiz and Grooms. Nays: Councilpersons Merkley, Ellis, Wilson, and Conlin. Clerk Treasurer Wilder explained the need for passage of Ordinance No. 2002-OR-36, An Ordinance Authorizing The City Of Jeffersonville Health Insurance Fund To Borrow Funds From The City Of Jeffersonville Sewage Funds. Councilperson Conlin made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2002-OR-36 on the first and second readings, second by Councilperson Grooms. Councilperson Grooms made the motion to amend the date to June 30, 2003, second by Councilperson Conlin passing on a vote of 5-I. Councilperson Ellis voted no. Council President Frantz did not vote. The motion to pass Ordinance No. 2002-OR-36 as amended passed on a vote of 5-1. Councilperson Merkley voted no, with Council President Frantz not voting. COUNCIL AND MAYOR COMMENTS: Councilperson Waiz made comments regarding his vote for redistricting, noting Mr. Leavell had made the statement that no way did he want the minority diluted. Councilperson Ellis stated Mr. Leavell is just one representative of the minority community as a whole.. Councilperson Conlin noted the building at 1601 Spring Street is gone. Mr. Stephenson said Dr. Hussain is the primary owner and is going to build on the lot. As there was no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned ATTEST: ~---~ .~\ t '~ ,Lc_O.--.._., PEGG9 1,~Pf'L'I)ERj CLERK AND TREASURER