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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-03-2003 COUNCIL PROCEEDiNGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE, iNDIANA MARCH 3, 2003 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 Monday, March 3, 2002. Mayor Tom Galligan, with Clerk Treasurer Peggy Wilder at the desk, called the meeting to order. Also present were City Attorney Anne Made Galligan and Deputy Clerk Barbara Hollis. Mayor Galligan welcomed all in attendance, asking all those present to stand as Councilperson Ron Grooms gave the invocation. Mayor Galligan then asked all those present to join him in the pledge of allegiance to the flag. The roll was called and those present were; Councilpersons Ron Ellis, Les Merkley, Denny Frantz, Rob Waiz, Barbara Wilson, Ron Grooms, and Vicki Conlin. Absent: None Councilperson Grooms asked that Agenda Item #19 be moved to Item #10 and Item #10 be moved to Item #19. Councilperson Ellis asked to add An Ordinance Establishing A Purchasing Agent to the Agenda. Councilperson Conlin asked to table Items #12, #13, #14, #15, #16, #17, and #18. Councilperson Conlin then made the motion to approve the agenda as amended, seconded by Councilperson Grooms, passing unanimously. Mayor Galligan presented the minutes of the meeting of February 24, 2003 for consideration by the Council. Councilperson Wilson made the motion to approve the February 24, 2003 minutes as presented, seconded by Council President Waiz, passing unanimously. Clerk Treasurer Wilder presented the claim list for consideration by the Council. Councilperson Grooms made the motion to table the claim for 7 police cars and associated claims until the March 17, 2003 meeting, second by Councilperson Ellis. Councilperson Grooms said this would allow more time to evaluate funding. Mayor Galligan explained money was left in the 2002 Ctmaulative Capital Development Fund that cannot be additionally appropriated until reassessment has been completed. March 3, 2002 2 Councilperson Conlin said there is a need to work hand in hand on claims and appropriations. Mayor Galligan said he was trying to help out. Councilperson Grooms asked Mayor Galligan if there is enough money for the Court Avenue Project. Mayor Galligan asked the money be taken from Local Roads and Streets and Cumulative Capital Improvement. When more money comes in to the Cumulative Capital Improvement Fund it will pay back Local Roads and Streets. Council President Waiz made the motion to pay the entire claim for the Court Avenue Project from Local Roads and Streets, second by Councilperson Merkley, passing on a vote of 6-1. Councilperson Frantz voted no. The vote to table the police cars passed unanimously. Councilperson Merkley then made the motion to approve the claims as amended, seconded by Councilperson Conlin, passing unanimously PUBLIC COMMENT: Mr. Mike Keller appeared before the Council to ask if the Court Avenue Extension Project is necessary. Engineer Miller explained it would be much safer. Mr. Keller asks why do this project if there is not enough money to repair roads? Mr. Keller also inquired about the property at the comer of 10th & Spring. City Attorney Galligan explained this is in court and she is confident the case will be dismissed. Councilperson Frantz told Mr. Keller he does not believe the Court Avenue Extension Project is necessary as a new bridge may change everything. Mr. Keller agrees and does not see the need at this time. AGENDA ITEMS: Mr. Bill Skees, Bond Counsel for Amatrol, Inc. appeared before the Council to request passage of Ordinance No. 2003-OR-13, An Authorizing The Issuance Of Not To Exceed $6,000,000 Aggregate Principal Amount Of Variable Rate Demand Economic Development Revenue Bonds, Series 2003 (Amatrol, Inc. Project) Of The City Of Jeffersonville, Indiana, Etc. Councilperson Cunlin made the motion to suspend the roles for Ordinance No. 2003-OR-13, second by Councilpersun Wilson, passing unanimously. Councilperson Conlin then made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2003-OR-13 on all three readings, second by Councilperson Wilson, passing unanimously. Mr. Perkins thanked the Council. Mayor Galligan said Amatrol has been a good corporate citizen. March 3, 2002 3 Clerk Treasurer Wilder presented and explained Ordinance No. 2003-OR-4, An Ordinance Amending Ordinance 2002-OR-51, Fixing Basic Salaries Of Appointed Officers And Employees Of The City Of Jeffersonville, Indiana For the Year 2003 (City Court Non-Reverting Fund). Council President Waiz made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2003-OR-4 on the third reading, second by Councilperson Wilson, passing on a vote of 6-0-1. Councilperson Merkley abstained. Clerk Treasurer Wilder next presented Ordinance No. 2003-OR-5, An Ordinance Transferring Certain Funds Within Same Department (Motor Vehicle). Clerk Treasurer Wilder informed the Council of the current overtime balance. Councilperson Merkley made the motion to amend Ordinance No. 2003-OR-5 (Motor Vehicle - Overtime) to reflect the amount remaining after overtime has been paid. Councilperson Frantz voiced his concern for the overtime necessary for the rest of the year. Mayor Galtigan voiced his concern for the amount of fuel tax received by the City, saying nothing has been done in 15 years. He is trying to get a gas tax increase passed. The City is trying to repair more roads with less money. Councilperson Merkley made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2003-OR-5 as amended on the second and third readings, second by Councilperson Conlin, passing unanimously. Councilperson Ellis introduced and read aloud Ordinance No. 2003-OR-14, An Ordinance Establishing The Purchasing Agent For The City Of Jeffersonville. City Attorney Galligan stated having the Council, or a committee of the Council, act as purchasing agent is unconstitutional. She would be glad to review the taw. Councilperson Frantz said Councilperson Ellis does not like receiving agenda items at the last minute and he is presenting this tonight and Councilperson Frantz knew nothing about it. Councilperson Ellis made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2003-OR-14 on the first reading, second by Councilperson Grooms. Councilperson Grooms is not opposed to having a purchasing agent for the City, he does not feel it should be the Council as it would be difficult. He does applaud Councilperson Ellis for his work. Councilperson Ellis feels this would be an opportunity for a workshop. Councilperson Merkley made the motion to table Ordinance No. 2003-OR-14 and take it to a workshop, second by Councilperson Frantz. The motion passed on the following roll call vote: Ayes: Councilpersons Merkley, Ellis, Waiz, Wilson, and Conlin. March 3, 2002 4 Nays: Councilpersons Frantz and Grooms. COUNCIL AND MAYOR COMMENTS: Councilperson Ellis stated his concerns for the State Board of Accounts findings with regard to fixed assets, asking Mayor Galligan if the Department Heads would cooperate. Mayor Galligan said the City is in the process of obtaining two proposals. Clerk Treasurer Wilder would like to look at the proposals. Mayor Galligan explained valuation is difficult to do "in house". Having this done will put the City in a position to fall in line with the upcoming federal regulations. Councilperson Ellis then asked Mayor Galligan to provide a list of all projects over $10,000. Mayor Galligan will do this. Councilperson Frantz asked about the plans to widen Hamburg Pike. Mayor Galligan said the City is in the process of making right-of-way purchases. The work will be done in three phases starting next year. This is a $4 million dollar project that the City will have to provide 20% of the funding. Council President Waiz announced a workshop would be held Monday, March 17, 2003 at 6:30 P.M. Topics discussed will be tax warrants, and purchasing agent. Councilperson Grooms requests the subject of anticipated income from Riverboat tax be added for discussion at the workshop. Councilperson Grooms then asked about the plans for a floating barge. Mayor Galligan said he is talking to some people about a barge. The Tourism Bureau will pay for a barge with the upkeep being paid by the City. Councilperson Grooms also asked about any upcoming celebrations. Mayor Galligan explained Jeff Fest will be in June, Taste of Jeffersonville will be in May, LST in July, and Lewis & Clark will be in the fall. Mayor Galligan noted there are a tot of positive things being done. Mayor Galligan reviewed some of the history of the LST memorial. Councilperson Conlin asked if Louisville will be assisting with the LST? Mayor Galligan said Louisville will be involved as all the VFWs and Legions in the Metropolitan area will be invited to participate. Councilperson Conlin asked that Mayor Galligan give a legislative update at the March 17, 2003 meeting. Mayor Galligan agreed to do this. Councilperson Conlin would like to honor the Jeff High School Girls Basketball team at the March 17, 2003 meeting. She will contact the school. Honoring Ben Hesson also was discussed. March 3, 2002 5 A representative of the Downtown Merchants Association armounced there will be a walking tour on March 18 and the GRC Little League parade will be on May 10. Mayor Galligan noted Galvpro has been sold and a new company (SDI, Inc.) will be coming in and providing 50 jobs. Another steel company is coming in. They have hired a contractor. Another company is looking at buying Vogt Valve. Mayor Galligan said economic development is alive and well in Jeffersonville creating good paying jobs. Councilperson Conlin asked if the City will benefit if the County Council passes an EDIT and what can it be used for. Mayor Galligan said the City will benefit and the money is to be used for capital expenditures. Councilperson Ellis said Steel Dynamics Inc. will be hiring in the near future and they will be good jobs. Ms. Barbara Anderson asked the Council to recognize Mr. Bobby Campbell and Mr. Nathan Samuels for their years of service on the Redevelopment Commission. Councilperson Ellis said the Redevelopment Commission is working on something. There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 8:55 P.M. ATTEST: PEGGY~LDER, CLE~ANDT~ASURER