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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-04-01COUNCIL PROCEEDiNGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA SEPTEMBER 4, 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 4th day of September, 2001. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Thomas R. Galligan, with Clerk and Treasurer Peggy Wilder at the desk. Also present were City Attorney Anne Marie Galtigan, 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 Council President Merkley made the motion to amend the agenda to delete item number 10 and item number 15, seconded by Councilperson Waiz, passing unanimously. Council President Merkley then made the motion to approve the agenda as amended, seconded by Councilperson Waiz, passing unanimously. Mayor Galligan presented the minutes of the meeting of August 6, 2001 for consideration by the Council. Councilperson Wilson asked to have a correction made regarding the petition from Mellwood residents. Councilperson Wilson then made the motion to approve the August 6, 2001 minutes as corrected, seconded by Councilperson Conlin, passing unanimously. Councilperson Wilson made the motion to approve the August 20, 2001 minutes as presented, seconded by Councilperson Conlin, passing unanimously. Council President Merkley made the motion to approve the minutes o£the July 30, August, 7, August 9, August 13, August 14, August 20, August 27, and August 29, 2001 budget meetings, seconded by Councilperson Waiz, passing on a vote of 6-0-1. Councilperson Conlin abstained. September 4, 2001 2 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 Conlin, passing unanimously. PUBLIC COMMENT: Ms. Pat Hecker asked Councilperson Ellis why a copy of the Animal Shelter Advisory Board has not been made available. Dr. Melanie Roberts, a veterinarian with Allison Lane Animal Hospital, appeared before the Council in support of Dr. Cindy Keller. Her comment in regard to the animal shelter advisory board is, "If it is not broken, don't fix it." The high turnover in employment is normal for the type of business. She explained problems that arise with the healing process in animals. The animal shelter needs an overseer that knows the business and Dr. Keller does. She is working in a new building with the old building budget. Dr. Roberts said Dr. Keller is doing an excellent job. Ms. Katrina Lamb appeared before the Council to say she worked in the old shelter as a teenager. The new shelter has no odors uncommon to animals. The voucher system does not work and a committee cannot run a shelter. Mr. Michael Wright appeared before the Council in support of Dr. Keller. Ms. Myra Foster-James raised questions regarding the animal shelter advisory board. Dr. Keller read a statement (attached). Council President Merkley made the motion to remove Ordinance No. 2001-OR- 25, from the table, seconded by Councilperson Grooms, passing unanimously. Council President Merkley explained draft 5 of this Ordinance includes a 3.5% increase and has new employees only in non-tax rate funds. Council President Merkley then made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2001-OR-25, Draf~ 5 on the first reading, seconded by Councilperson Ellis. Councilperson Conlin made the motion to amend the motion to draft 6, seconded by Councilperson Waiz. The motion to amend failed on the following roll call vote: Ayes: Councilpersons Frantz, Conlin, and Waiz. Nays: Councitpersons Merkley Wilson, Ellis, and Grooms. September 4, 2001 3 Mayor Galligan asked the Council why they would not add an employee to save the City money. Council President Merkley made the comment that it seems when changes are made to save money it always costs money. Councilperson Grooms said he did not have enough information. Councilperson Ellis cannot vote in favor as it is was presented the last minute. The motion to pass Ordinance No. 2001-OR-25, Draft 5 on the first reading passed unanimously. Ordinance No. 2001-OR-26, An Ordinance Transferring Certain Funds Within Same Department (City Engineer) was presented. Council President Merkley made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2001-OR-26 on the second and third readings, seconded by Councilperson Waiz, passing unanimously. Discussion of Ordinance No. 2001-OR-27, A Petition Of Voluntary Annexation Of Contiguous Territory was reviewed. Following discussion, Councilperson Conlin made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2001-OR-27 on the second and third readings, seconded by Councilperson Wilson, passing unanimously. Ordinance No. 2001-OR-29, An Ordinance Transferring Certain Funds Within Same Department (Mayor) was presented and explained by Clerk Treasurer Wilder. Council President Merkley made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2001-OR-29 on the first reading, seconded by Councilperson Conlin, passing unanimously. City Attorney Galligan explained the need for passage of Resolution No. 2001-R- 20, A Resolution Of The Common Council Of The City Of Je£fersonville, Indiana Providing Preliminary Approval Of The Issuance Of Bonds For The Purpose Of Providing Financing Of Certain Economic Development Facilities To Be Owned And Operated By Eagle Steel Products, Inc. Council President Merkley made the motion to pass Resolution No. 2001-,R-20, seconded by Councilperson Conlin, passing unanimously. Ordinance No. 2001-OR-30, An Ordinance Of Appropriations And Tax Rates was presented as advertised as a public hearing. Council President Merkley explained the changes from the last meeting. The budget includes a 3.5% salary increase, a reduction of 5% in supplies and services, and capital purchased moved to Cumulative Capital Development. This represents a tax rate of $4.37. Mayor Galligan asked that capital purchases be put back. Clerk Treasurer Wilder explained there is an operations balance September 4, 2001 4 that may be used for capital purchases. Mayor Galligan explained the budget is going backward. The City needs to be run and the budget is two years old. Council President Merkley said the Council worked hard to be financially responsible. Mayor Galligan said he found money that would not be need for the bond payment next year and he is trying to work with the Council. Clerk Treasurer Wilder explained the difference in documents given to her regarding the bond payment for next year. Council President Merkley feels this is a budget with sufficient cushion. Mayor Galligan said it is hard to take a~vay from a two-year old budget and keep operating. Councilperson Waiz asked to be provided with a copy of a signed document from Bank One indicating the maximum bond payment. Council President Merkley made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2001-OR- 30 on the first reading, seconded by Councilperson Ellis. Councilperson Grooms appreciates the job the Mayor is doing. The Council will not arbitrarily refuse requests. Fire Chief Mike Smith said he was not aware of the budget cuts. Following all discussion, the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2001-OR-30 passed on the first reading on the following roll call vote: Ayes: Councilpersons Merkley, Ellis, Wilson, Waiz, and Grooms. Nays: Councilperson Frantz and Conlin. Councilperson Ellis read a statement regarding an animal shelter advisory board (attached). Councilperson Ellis then read aloud Ordinance No. 2001-OR-28, An Ordinance Establishing The Jeffersonville Community Animal Control Board, including amendments. Councilperson Ellis then made the motion to delete Ordinance 2001-OR- 28 as previously presented and replace with the new wording in Ordinance No. 2001-OR- 28, seconded by Council President Merkley. City Attorney Galligan explained there is a Board of Public Works Resolution passed in 1995 for an animal shelter advisory board with few differences. This board met for a few years and then quite meeting. Following all comments the motion to amend Ordinance No. 2001-OR-28 passed on a vote of 6-1. Councilperson Conlin voted against. Councilperson Ellis then made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2001-OR-28 as amended on the second reading, seconded by Councilperson Grooms. Councilperson Grooms stated this ordinance does not delete the Animal Shelter Director, does not delete the Veterinarian, and does not take away jobs. He continued he does not look at the animal shelter like other departments; citizens September 4, 2001 5 should have an opportunity for input. He feels this ordinance is a step to help funnel complaints and concerns. Councilperson Frantz has a problem with other communities having a say. He does not feel this board is necessary. Councilperson Wilson said the Council has seen people with complaints. She would like to hear from prior advisory board members. Mayor Galligan does not feel this board is needed. Improvements are needed and he is trying to do that. He does know that one complainant was set up. The shelter is in a new building and is way ahead of where it was. Mayor Galligan has talked with other entities and the other animal control officers need to stay out. Jeffersonville is the managing entity. The vote to pass Ordinance No. 2001-OR-28 as amended passed on a vote of 4-3. Councilpersons Waiz, Frantz, and Conlin voted against passage. COUNCIL AND MAYOR COMMENTS: Council President Merkley informed the Council he received a thank you letter from Clark County Family Health Center. He also received a letter from NAACP requesting an ad and/or tickets for their annual banquet scheduled for October 13. He suggests the Council purchase an ad and a table. There were no objections. Council President Merkley then asked if the Council would have a float for the Steamboat Days Parade. Councilperson Ellis stated both state and national govermnents create boards and committees to oversee operations. People need representation and the Council is wise to protect the citizens. Councilperson Grooms thanked the Clerk Treasurer, her staff, Mayor Galligan, and all department heads for their assistance in the budget preparation. The Council faced tough decisions and has taken the job seriously. He hopes the decisions made are wise. Councilperson Conlin has been appointed to serve the disabled. Mayor Galligan said $7,942 needs to be added to the budget. Mayor Galligan stated the Mellwood drainage project cost is $300,000. It will take $150,000 to $160,000 for immediate repairs. The Pen'in Lane plan is done and he will be taking it to the neighborhood. This will probably start next year. Warder Park is about finished. Councilperson Wilson noted today is Ms. LaVern Dooley's birthday. September 4, 2001 6 There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 8:50 5 P.M. THOMAS R. GALLI£ ATTEST: PEGGY WILDER, CLERK AND TREASURER