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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-26-01COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA FEBRUARY 26, 2001 The Common Council of the City of Jeffersonville met in regular session in the Multi-Purpose Meeting Room in the City-County Building, Jeffersonville, Indiana, at 7:00 P.M. on the 26th day of Februa~, 2001· The meeting was called to order by Mayor Thomas R. Galligan, with Clerk and Treasure~ Peggy W'flder at the desk. Also present were City Attorney Anne Marie Galligan, and Deputy Clerk Barbara Hollis. Mayor Galligan welcomed all in attendance, asking all those present to stand as Nathan Samuals gave the invocation. Mayor Galligan asked all those present to join him in the pledg! of allegiance to the flag. The roll was called and those present were Councilpersons Les Merkley, Ron Ellis, Denny Frantz, Rob Waiz, Barbara Wilson, Ron Grooms, and Vicki Conlin. Absent: None. Mayor Galligan presented the minutes of the meeting of February 5, 2001 for consideration by the Council. Councilperson Wilson made the motion to approve the minutes as presented, seconded by Council President Merkley, passing unanimously. Council President Merkley made the motion to amend the revised agenda to remove item # 1 Sanitary Sewer Board Members Jack Jordan and Jeffi:ey Caldwell, seconded by Councilperson Ellis, passing unanimously. Council President Merkley then made the motion to approve the amended and revised agenda, seconded by Councilperson Conlin, passing unanimously. Clerk and Treasurer Wilder presented the claim list for consideration by the Council. Council President Merkley made the motion to approve the claims as presented, seconded by Councilperson Waiz, passing on a vote of 6 to 1. Councilperson Grooms voted nay. PUBLIC COMMENT: Ms. Donna Cain, a resident of William Street, appeared before the Council regarding several problems she has had with the Animal Shelter. Mayor Galligan said he will deal with the Animal Shelter, however cats should not be loose· Mayor Galligan does apologize for what has happened. February 26, 2001 Page 2 of 5 Pictures may be used for identification in the future, coUnCilperson Ellis said he has received an unusually large amount of complaints regarding the Animal Shelter. He has also received complaint~ t~om Dr. Gough. Mayor Galligan does know there is a conflict between Dr. Gough and Dr. Kelle~. Councilperson Ellis also said there has been an unusual number of firings and believes a City vehicl~ is being driven to Washington County. Mayor Galligan takes responsibility for the operation ofth~ Animal Shelter. He has been dealing with problems and there has been a lot going on that should no~ be going on. Mayor Galligan will deal with the problems and the public will be treated bette~. Councilperson Grooms said he has been getting calls also. He has talked with others, including an organization on Meigs Avenue with some of the same concerns as Ms. Cain. Mayor Galligan believe~ this is the organization that is putting traps out. Councilperson Grooms has also been told donations are not being accepted. Mayor Galligan does not believe this. There are ~things that do need to b~ changed. Some people are upset the Shelter has a veterinariam Councilperson Grooms said not all professional people make good managers. Mayor Galligan said he will get things straightened out or he will run the Shelter. Mayor Galligan thanked Ms. Cain for coming and asks if she has any more problems to call. AGENDA ITEMS: I Councilperson Conlin made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2001-OR-5, An Ordinanc~ Amending Ordinance No. 2000-OR-04, on the second and third readings, seconded by Councilperson Merkley. Councilperson Merkley made the motion to amend Ordinance No. 2001-OR-5, reading the amendments, seconded by Councilperson Conlin. The motion to amend passed on a vote of 6-1 wit~ Councilperson Ellis voting nay. The motion to pass passed on a vote of 6-1, with Councilperson Ellii voting nay. , Mr. Joey Rivem of Venusoft presented a network solution proposal. Councilperson Grooms said he has not had the time to review the proposal. Clerk Treasurer Wilder apologized for nolt getting the information distributed earlier. Mr. Rivera explained the program offering to sit down with each Councilperson and review the program. Councilperson Conlin has worked with Mr. River~ and and his company. They do a lot of discounting for non-profits and municipalities and they st behind what they do. Mr. Rivera said the desire is to invest back into the community. Mr. River~ said the estimated life of the server is 3-5 years. Council President Merkley would like to bring this February 26, 2001 Page 3 of 5 back up at the last meeting in March. Councilperson Conlin made the motion to refer the proposa~ to the Finance Committee, seconded by Council President Merkley, passing unanimously. Clerk Treasurer Wilder presented Ordinance No. 2001-OR-6, An Ordinance Amending CertainPortioris OfSection 10fOrdinance No. 2001-OR-01. Clerk Treasurer Wilder met w~thDr. / Keller and changes were made. Councilperson Coalin made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2001 } OR-6 on the first reading, seconded by Councilperson Frantz. The motion failed on the followin~ roll call vote: ~ Ayes: Councilpersons Conlin Waiz, and Frantz. Nays: C0uncilpersons Grooms, Wilson, Ellis, and Merkley. Councilperson Conlin made the motion to send Ordinance No. 2001-OR-6 to the Financ&, Committee, seconded by Council President Merkley, passing on a vote of 6-1 with Councilperson Ellis voting nay. Clerk Treasurer Wilder presented and explained Resolution No. 2001-R-3, A Resolution Fo! Payment Of Benefits Directly To Estate Of Deceased Employee From The 1925 Police And Fir; Pension Fund When There Is No Qualified Or Named Beneficiary. Council President Merkley mad& the motion to pass Resolution No. 2001-R-3, seconded by Councilperson Ellis, passing unammously. Councllperson Conlin made the motion to pass Resolution No. 2001-R-4, A Resolution T; Advertise For An Additional Appropriation (General Fund-Common Council), seconded by Councilperson Grooms, passing unanimously. , Councilperson Ellis gave the Council Attorney Committee Report. Four attorneys were interviewed on February 14. The Committee unanimously recommends Attorney Dawn Elstofi. Councilperson Ellis made the motion to approve Ms. Dawn Elston for Council Attorney sayin~ experience and residency were considered. Councilperson Grooms seconded the motion. The terms of the contract were discussed Councilperson Ellis would like to be removed from the Committe~ hdreI for negotiating. Councilpersun Grooms then withdrew his second and Councilperson Ellis wit w his motion. Councilperson Ellis feels the Finance Committee should negotiate the contract. Councilperson Merkley made the motion that the Council Attorney Committee negotiate a contra~t based on $375 per month based on 5 hours and $75 per hour after the 5 hours, on an as,needed basis with attendance at meetings not required, seconded by Councilperson Grooms, passing on a vote ~f February 26, 2001 Page 4 of 5 6-1 with Councilperson Ellis voting nay. Councilperson Ellis asked to be removed fi:om the Committee. CouncJlperson Waiz was appointed to the Committee. Councilperson Merkley presented and explained Resolution No. 2001-R-5, A Resolution T~ Study The Feasibility Of Locating City Hall In The Old Citizens Bank Building, seconded b~ Councilperson Conlin, passing unanimously.~l Mayor Galligan presented Ordinance No. 2001-OR-7, An Ordinance Changing The Zonin~ Map Designation Of A Certain Tract Of Property Being Part Of Survey No. 12 Of The Illinois Grant From C-1 (Small To Medium Scale General Commemial) and M2 (Multi-Family Residential) To PD3 Ci (Planned Development Small To Medium Scale General Commercial) And PD-M2 (Planned Development Multi-Family Residential), introducing Mr. David Blankenbaker. Mr. Blankenbake/ who is a surveyor with a business located at 422 Meigs Avenue, representing Developer Bob Lynn, presented and explained the plans and the development procedure. Councilperson Wilson has had calls from those who are wary of drainage. Mr. Blankenbaker said the plans will have to go to th~ Drainage Board. There is a lake that will serve as a retention area~ He feels this will be an advantage. Mayor Galligan explained there is another project in the area that will help drainage in this are~. There will be a litt station that will be able to serve the area. Councilperson Conlin would like to seI a park area. Councilperson Frantz has a concern with there being only one way in and out for emergency vehicles. Surveyor Blankenbaker said the Plan Commission has suggested a gated entrance at the other end of the project· Councilperson Waiz made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2001-OR-7, seconded by Councilperson Wilson, passing on a vote of 5-2. CouncJlperson Grooms and Conlin voted nay. COUNCIL COMMENTS: I Councilperson Merkley announced there will be a public hearing on the proposed drainage fee at Jeffersonville High School on Monday, March 26, at 7:00 P.M. The committee to study the feasibility of using the "Old Bank Building will be Councilpersons Merkley, Wa[z, and Grooms. Councilperson Grooms said the Jeffersonville Parks Department web site is nic~. Councilperson Grooms said he votes no on claims to show his frustration with the way certain money is spent. He will propose an Ordinance to make it unlawful to borrow fi:om the Sewer Utility ~r transfer money. He does not believe this is a good practice· He gives a reminder that the lease oja February26,2001 Page 5 of ~ the Quadrangle is a lease/option that expires in June. He assumes the money will be repaid when the property is sold. Councilperson Conlin said she may be late for the next Council meeting due to an engagement. There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilperson Merkley mad~ the motion to adjourn at 8:20 P.M., seconded by Councilperson Wilson, passing unanimously. ATTEST: CLERK AND TREASURER PEGGY WILDER