HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-16-01 COUNCIL PROCEEDiNGS OF THE
COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA
JULY 16, 2001
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 7:00 P.M. on the 16th day of July, 2001.
Council President Les Merkley called the meeting to order, with Clerk and
Treasurer Peggy Wilder at the desk. Also present was City Attorney Anne Marie
Galligan. Council President Merkley welcomed all in attendance, asking all those present
to stand as Councilperson Ron Ellis gave the invocation. Council President Merkley 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, Rob Waiz, Barbara Wilson, Ron Grooms, and Vicki Conlin.
Absent: Councilperson Dermy Frantz
Council President Merkley presented the minutes of the meeting of July 2, 2001
for consideration by the Council. Councilperson Conlin made the motion to approve the
minutes as presented, seconded by Councilperson Ellis, passing on a vote of 5-0. Council
President Merkley did not vote.
Councilperson Ellis then made the motion to approve the agenda as presented,
seconded by Councilperson Conlin, passing on a vote of 5-0. Council President Merkley
did not vote.
Clerk Treasurer Wilder presented the claim list for consideration by the Council.
Councilperson Waiz made the motion to approve the claims as presented, seconded by
Councilperson Grooms, passing on a vote of 4-1. Councilperson Ellis voted against
passage and Council President Merkley did not vote.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
There was no public comment.
AGENDA ITEMS:
City Attorney Anne Marie Galligan presented Resolution No. 2001-R-14,
Resolution Approving Real Estate Purchase Agreement With Hoosier Valley Enterprises.
July '16, 2001 2
Attorney Galligan has received the second appraisal and suggests a Council Executive
Session. Councilperson Grooms gave the Land and Traffic Committee meeting report.
The committee did review two appraisal summaries. The Committee recommends
passage of the lease agffeement subject to a satisfactory lease prior to closing between the
City of Jeffersonville and Hoosier Valley Enterprise Corp. Councilperson Grooms made
the motion to continue to table Resolution No. 2001-R-14 until an executive session can
be held, seconded by Councilperson Conlin, passing on a vote of 5-0. Council President
Merkley did not vote. There will be an executive session on Monday, July 23, 2001 prior
to the budget session. Councilperson Ellis questioned if there was an urgency with this
matter. Attorney Galligan feels if the matter is moving forward there should not be a
problem.
Council President Merkley presented Ordinance No. 2001-Or-19, An Ordinance
Amending Ordinance No. 90-OR-9 Establishing A Spay-Neuter Program For Animals
Adopted From The Josephine B. Ogle Animal Shelter that has passed the first reading.
Attorney Galligan reviewed the Ordinance, explaining the amendments. Councilperson
Waiz made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2001-OR-19 on the second and third
reading, seconded by Councilperson Grooms. Councilperson Ellis distributed a letter
from Animal Shelter employees. He feels this letter should be investigated prior to
passing any new funds for the Animal Shelter. Councilperson Ellis feels the Animal
Shelter needs to be brought under control and the problems straightened out. There has
been a turnover of 10 employees in a year. He has received many complaints regarding
the Animal Shelter. Attorney Galligan received a copy of the letter late this afternoon
and has not had an opportunity to investigate the letter. She will bring the letter to the
attention of the Mayor. Further discussion followed. No action was taken on Ordinance
No. 2001-OR-19 on the following roll call vote.
Ayes: Councilpersons Waiz, Grooms, and Conlin.
Nays: Councilpersons Ellis and Wilson.
Council President Merkley did not vote, as it is his policy not to vote when he
chairs the meeting.
Ordinance No. 2001-OR-20, An Ordinance Amending Certain Portions Of
Ordinance No. 2000-or-39 (Salary Ordinance) was presented for consideration. City
July ~16, 2001 3
Court Judge Vicki Carmichael explained the need for the changes. Councilperson
Wilson would like to have this proposed at budget time. Following discussion,
Councilperson Conlin made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2001-OR-20 on the first
reading, seconded by Councilperson Waiz. No action was taken as the vote was 3-2.
Councilpersons Ellis and Wilson voted against passage. Council President Merkley did
not vote.
Council President Merkley introduced Resolution No. 2001-R-16, A Resolution
Approving Tax Abatement (Child Care Center). Attorney Greg Fifer addressed the
request introducing Ms. Becky Corbett and Ms. Dana Schowe who reviewed the
proposed center. Attorney Filer distributed letters from companies in favor of the
facility. Councilperson Grooms made the motion to pass Resolution No. 2001-R.-16 for a
seven-year abatement, seconded by Councilperson Conlin, passing on a vote of 5-0.
Council President Merkley did not vote.
COUNCIL AND MAYOR COMMENTS:
Councilperson Grooms reminded all of the employee picnic on August 19, 2001
at Warder Park. He would like door prizes donated. He announced a meeting Friday,
July 20, 2001 at 7:30 A.M. at Ann's with the Mayor and downtown merchants regarding
trash collection. All are welcome to attend.
Councilperson Conlin reminds all to mark their calendars for the budget sessions,
reviewing the dates and times. She feels it would be great to have the community there
and have their input.
Clerk Treasurer Wilder has provided the budget requests for the Council. Council
President Merkley did not prepare a Council budget. Last year's budget is included for
the Council to review. He thanks Clerk Treasurer Wilder for preparing the budget
binders.
Council President Merkley announced a tentative agreement has been reached on
the F.O.P. contract. The F.O.P. has approved the contract. He ~vould like to have the
contract on the agenda for the first meeting in August. Council President Merkley
clarified his position on voting as chair of the meeting. Robert's Rules Of Order does not
say he cannot vote, or that he has to vote. His opinion is that as the chair of the meeting
he should remain objective and unbiased.
July i6, 2001 4
There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilperson
Grooms made the motion to adjourn at 8:00 P.M., seconded by Councilperson Conlin,
passing unanimously.
ATTEST:
PEGGY WILDER, CLERK AND TREASURER