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