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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-07-2003COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE, iNDIANA JULY 7, 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, July 7, 2003. Mayor Tom Galligan, with Clerk Treasurer Peggy Wilder at the desk, called the meeting to order. Also present were City Attorney Anne Marie Galligan and Deputy Clerk Barbara Hollis. Mayor Galligan commented about recent happenings in the community; one that happened to Street Commissioner Marvin Grant and the other to Council President Rob Waiz, saying there is no room for hatred in this community. Mayor Galligan said he is trying to stop this but does not know how. He feels 99 8/10% of the people in this community are good; it is the 2/10% he would like to apologize to the community as the community does not deserve this. He hopes that when we pray we pray for civil and race relations. Mayor Gailigan welcomed ail in attendance, asking all those present to remain seated as Councilperson Run Grooms gave the invocation. Mayor Galligan then asked all those present to join him in the pledge of ailegiance to the flag. The roll was called and those present were; Councilpersuns Ron Ellis, Les Merkley, Denny Frantz, Rob Waiz, Barbara Wilson, Run Grooms, and Vicki Conlin. Absent: None Councilperson Merkley made the motion to approve the agenda as presented, second by Council President Waiz, passing unanimously. Following discussion of several corrections, Council President Waiz made the motion to approve the minutes of June 16, 2003, second by Councilperson Merkley, passing unanimously. Clerk Treasurer Wilder presented the claim list for consideration by the Council. Council President Waiz made the motion to approve the claims as presented, second by Councilperson Merkley. Councilperson Grooms asked if the insurer would pay a claim for damage the City is paying. Councilperson Grooms was informed a claim had been July 7, 2003 2 filed. The motion to approve the claims passed on a vote of 6-1. Councilperson Ellis voted against passage. PUBLIC COMMENT: There was no public comment. AGENDA ITEMS: Mr. Nathan Endris and Mr. Joe Endris, representatives of O B & E Rubber appeared before the Council to request a tax abatement. They informed the Council regarding the business. Redevelopment Director Gayle Robinson reviewed the numbers. Councilperson Conlin made the motion to pass 2003-R-10, A Resolution Of Tax Abatement (O B & E Rubber), second by Councilperson Merkley. Councilperson Conlin is pleased this business would come to the area as they are a small family owned company which is a nice fit for Jeffersonville. Councilperson Frantz does not see the advantages without seeing the paper work. Councilperson Grooms said he has a problem allowing 10 years. Councilperson Wilson is concerned there is no paperwork. Councilperson Ellis is against a 10-year abatement on equipment. The Council needs the information upfront. Councilperson Frantz then made the motion to table Resolution 2003-R-10, second by Councilperson Grooms, passing unanimously. Mr. Carroll Gowens, Executive Director of Jeffersonville Housing Authority, appeared before the Council to request passage of Resolution No. 2003-R-11, A Resolution Of The City Council Of The City Of Jeffersonville Indiana, Authorizing The Submittal Of A Community Focus Fund Proposal To The Indiana Department Of Commerce. Director Gowens reviewed the grant of $500,000 and how it will be used. He also reviewed the plans for the future. Councilperson Conlin made the motion to pass Resolution No. 2003-R-11, second by Councilperson Ellis. Ms. Nellie Nolan noted the need for a pool and playground equipment. Following all discussion, the motion passed unanimously. Councilperson Grooms presented Resolution No. 2003-R-12, a Resolution Endorsing Development Of A New Fire Station In The Eastern Portion Of Jeffersonville. Councilperson Grooms said there is land available off Utica-Sellersburg Road that may be donated. The cost to staffthe new facility is approximately $650,000 per year. This is a good project that needs to be addressed now. There is adequate equipment with the July 7, 2003 3 new track. Councilperson Grooms made the motion to pass Resolution No. 2003-R-12, second by Councilperson Conlin. Councilperson Merkley made the motion to add an amendment which he read aloud, second by Councilperson Ellis. Mayor Galligan noted the plans have been prepared. Fire Chief Mike Smith said he has been talking with Councilperson Waiz regarding the financing. This has been coming together for years. Chief Smith explained the property. Councilperson Conlin said the Resolution looks like it says, "let's move forward". Councilperson Merkley feels that the Board of Public Works can go forward to build if this Resolution is passed. Mayor Galligan said this does need to be done. Attorney Galligan said the Council would have to approve financing. Councilperson Merkley said there is a need to know how it will be financed. Councilperson Conlin said she is not going to sit here for the rest of the year and not vote on anything. The motion to approve the amendment passed on the following roll call vote: Ayes: Councilpersons Merkley, Ellis, Waiz, and Wilson. Nays: Councilpersons Frantz, Grooms, and Conlin. The motion to pass Resolution No. 2003-R-12 as amended passed on the following roll call vote: Ayes: Councilpersons Wilson, Waiz, Ellis, and Merkley. Nays: Councilpersons Conlin, Grooms, and Frantz. Chief Smith said this is a bad decision based on politics. Clerk Treasurer Wilder reviewed the need for passage of Ordinance No. 2003- OR-23, An Ordinance Of Additional Appropriation (General Fund - Clerk Treasurer). Council President Waiz made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2003-OR-23 on the second and third readings, second by Councilperson Merkley passing unanimously. Clerk Treasurer Wilder reviewed the need for passage of Ordinance No. 2003- OR-24, An Ordinance Of Additional Appropriation (General Fund - Council). Following discussion of claims and financing, Council President Waiz made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2003-OR-24 on the second and third readings, second by Councilperson Merkley, passing unanimously. Clerk Treasurer Wilder informed the Council she had distributed the budget form 1 to each department asking they be returned by July 21, 2003. She has not received the July 7, 2003 4 official calendar from the State. She would like to schedule budget workshops. August 12, 13, and 14, 2003 were set for budget workshops. The Council would like to review the salary ordinance first. Resolution No. 2003-R-13, A Resolution Endorsing The Location Of New City Offices In The Quadrangle was presented for consideration. Redevelopment Director Robinson explained two of the proposals for the development of the Quadrangle include City Hall. Councilperson Grooms feels this does not force the City to locate at the Quadrangle. Councilperson Grooms made the motion to pass Resolution No. 2003-R-13. Mayor Galligan read aloud a letter of endorsement from The Rose Hill Neighborhood Association (attached). Councilperson Grooms said he couldn't find a reason why the Council would not support this. Councilperson Frantz seconded the motion to pass Resolution No. 2003-R-13. Mr. Greg Sekula of Historic Landmarks Foundation Of Indiana gave reasons and encouragement. Mayor Galligan said he is willing to do anything to keep moving progress on. Director Robinson reminded the Council there is a cost o£doing nothing. Mayor Galligan noted interest rates are at an all-time low and this is a great opportunity. Councilperson Merkley made the motion to amend Resolution No. 2003-R-13, reading the amendment, second by Council President Waiz. There followed discussion of what this Council should do or not do this year. Councilperson Conlin asked if proposals for development of the Quadrangle were received that did not require the location of City offices. Director Robinson said there is one. The motion to amend Resolution No. 2003-R-13 passed on the following roll call vote: Ayes: Councilpersons Merkley, Ellis, Waiz, and Wilson. Nays: Councilpersons Frantz, Grooms, and Conlin. Councilperson Grooms asked the Council to note Exhibit B, on page 3. The motion to pass Resolution No. 2003-R-13 as amended passed on the following roll call vote: Ayes: Councilpersons Merkley, Ellis, Waiz, and Wilson. Nays: Councilpersons Frantz, Grooms, and Conlin. Ordinance No. 2003-OR-25, An Ordinance Annexing Contiguous Territory By 100% Voluntary Petition was presented for consideration. Attorney Galligan explained the Ordinance. Mr. Steve Kempf explained the area. Councilperson Merkley made the July 7, 2003 5 motion to pass Ordinance No. 2003-OR~25 on the first reading, second by Councilperson Conlin. As this was advertised as a public heating public comment was requested. There being none, the motion passed unanimously. Council President Waiz explained Ordinance No. 2003-OR-26, An Ordinance Amending Ordinance No. 84-OR-19: An Ordinance Designating Penalties For Improper Parking In Handicapped Spaces. Council President Waiz made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2003-OR-26 on the first and second readings, second by Councilperson Conlin. Councilperson Grooms asked if this could be enforced on privately owned parking lots. Attorney Galligan said yes. The motion to pass Ordinance No. 2003-OR- 26 on the first and second readings passed unanimously. COUNCIL AND MAYOR COMMENTS: Councilperson Merkley asked about the recent ADA compliance visit. Attorney Galligan said the City will receive a report that takes at least one month to compile. She explained the minor violations saying there were no major violations. Councilperson Merkley asked that the Council get a copy of this report. Councilperson Ellis said the recent racial letter and painting is an attempt to inflame racial hatred. Councilperson Ellis feels there is not a better City than Jeffersonville. He hopes the person is caught and prosecuted. Councilperson Grooms noted the LST Memorial Vessel is coming to Jeffersonville on July 24, 3003. There will be a committee meeting Wednesday at noon this week and every Wednesday until the visit. Councilperson Grooms explained the activities during the visit, saying there will be good things coming out of this. All proceeds will be going to the vessel. The intent is to raise money to restore this vessel. There will be a Resolution to locate the vessel here each year. Councilperson Conlin requests that amendments be given to Councilpersons before the meeting saying it is not fair to be asked to vote on something that is presented that night. With regard to the recent racial incidents, Councitperson Conlin hopes the person is caught and prosecuted. Councilperson Conlin believes the administration should hold offon auctioning equipment until after the first of the year as the Fall is not a good time as prices are low. Council President Waiz said he appreciated all for coming. July 7, 2003 6 Mayor Galligan said this is a good time for the LST visit, reviewing the trip the vessel made from Greece with a crew whose average age is 72. These are great patriots. There will be a parade on the Saturday of the visit. As there was no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned 9:20 P.M. THOMAS R. GALLIGAN./M~ ('OR ATTEST: PEGGY WILDER, CLERK AND TREASURER THE ROSE HILL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION July 2, 2003 The Honorable Mayor Thomas Galligan Members of the Jeffersonville City Council City'County Building 501 E. Court Avenue Jeffersonville, lin 47130 RE: Resolution of Support for Locating City H~ at the Quartermaster Depot Dear Mayor Galligan and Members of the Jeffersonville City Council: This letter is to acknowledge that the Rose Hill Neighborhood Association supports efforts by the City of Jeffersonville to relocate City Hall to the historic Quartermaster Depot, also known as the Quadrangle. Our neighborhood organization believes that the Quartermaster Depot offers an opportunity to create a truly unique City Hall complex in a building that is nationally significant. We understand that a commitment to locate City Hall at the site will provide the needed momentum to jumpstart the revitalization of this community landmark and serve as a catalyst for attracting additional investment opportunities for the complex. The Rose Hill Neighborhood Assodation urges the Mayor and the City Council to work cooperatively to facilitate a meaningful dialogue with the developers who have expressed an interest in adaptively re-using and rehabilitating the property to ensure a timely redevelopment of this historic community asset. Now is the time to act on this proposal. Deferred maintenance continues to take its toll on the historic Quartermaster Depot. Each day brings further damage to the buildings. Delaying a dedslon will only increase the cost of rehabilitation. The City's leadership is needed to establish a vision for this historic complex on 10th Street. A commitment by the City to invest in the property as the focal point of municipal government will indeed demonstrate that our City fathers believe in community revitalization and historic preservation. Save a historic building. Leave a legacyto be cherished by generations of Jeffersonville residents. Sincerely, Roxanna Whitaker, President