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