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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-03-01COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE, iNDIANA DECEMBER 3, 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 3rd day of December, 2001. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Thomas R. Galligan, with Deputy Clerk Barbara Hollis at the desk. Also present was City Attorney Anne Marie Galligan. 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 Pon Ellis, Les Merkley, Denny Frantz, Rob Waiz, Barbara Wilson, Ron Grooms, and Vicki Conlin. Absent: None. Police Officer Ashabrarmer introduced Ms. Stephanie Garcia and her mother · Kathy, explaining Stephanie is a member of a Jefferson County 4-H Club. Stephanie presented Officer Hubbard with a vest for his dog Nitro, Officer Jackson with a vest for his dog Gyro, and Officer Levefitt ~vith a vest for his dog Dutch. Stephanie had a goal to buy bulletproof vests for seven police dogs in Jefferson County. Stephanie has raised the funds to vest 18 dogs so far. There are eleven on the waiting list. Officer Ashabranner expressed his appreciation on behalf of the City, explaining each dog is valued at $10,000. Mayor Galligan told Stephanie he admired her tenacity and her desire to make a difference. He told her to keep up the good work. Mayor Galligan noted the roll of the dogs during the tragedy in New York on September 11, 2001, saying there was an emergency room to treat the dogs. Dogs perform dangerous work and what Stephanie has done is a positive thing. Council President Merkley made the motion to amend the agenda to remove Item #10, (Elected Officials Salary Ordinance for 2001) seconded by Councilperson Grooms. The following roll call vote was taken: Ayes: Councilpersons Merkley, Wilson, and Grooms. December 3, 2001 Nays: Councilpersons Frantz, Waiz, and Conlin. Present: Councilperson Ellis Mayor Galligan broke the tie with a no vote. Councilperson Conlin made the motion to approve the agenda as presented, seconded by Council President Merkley, passing unanimously. Mayor Galligan presented the minutes of the meeting of November 5, 2001 for consideration by the Council. Councilperson Wilson made the motion to approve the minutes as presented, seconded by Councilperson Grooms, passing unanimously. Clerk and Treasurer Wilder presented the claim list, with one additional claim for consideration by the Council. Councilperson Waiz made the motion to approve the claims with the addition as presented, seconded by Councilperson Conlin, passing on the following roll call vote: Ayes: Councilpersons Frantz, Waiz, Wilson, and Conlin. Nays: Councilpersons, Merkley, Ellis, and Grooms. PUBLIC COMMENT: Ms. Ethel Ellis, a resident of 206 King Cimle appeared before the Council to · report two incidents that have occurred in the last 6 months. These incidents involve drunken men in her yard she feels come from the homeless shelter. Mayor Galligan asked Ms. Ellis if there Was a way for people to cut thru from the homeless shelter. She replied yes. Mayor Galligan will ask the police to patrol the area. AGENDA ITEMS: Mayor Galligan introduced Ordinance No. 2001-OR-38, An Ordinance Fixing Basic Salaries Of Elected Officials Of The City Of Jeffersonville, Indiana For The Year 2001. Councitperson Conlin made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2001-OR-38 on the first reading, saying the Mayor, Clerk Treasurer, and Judge do an excellent job, the employees were given 3.5% increase and it is important to compliment these people as they give of themselves to the City, seconded by Councilperson Frantz. Councilperson Frantz made a motion to amend Ordinance No. 2001~OR-38 to exclude the Council, seconded by Councilperson Colin. The motion to amend passed on the following roll call vote: Ayes: Councilpersons Merkley, Frantz, Waiz, Wilson, Grooms, and Conlin. December 3, 2001 3 Nay: Councilperson Ellis. Councilperson Ellis commented if the Council is looking at saving money they should look at take-home cars for non-emergency employees. He asks the Clerk Treasurer to attempt to calculate the cost for the Council. Mayor Galligan thanked Councilperson Frantz for his comments. Mayor Galligan said the Clerk Treasurer's Office represents the difference between day and night as investments have been made to get the maximum return on the dollar. Mayor Galligan feels he has done enough to warrant a raise. The motion to pass Ordinance No. 2001-OR-38 failed on the following roll call vote: Ayes: Councilpersons Frantz, Waiz, and Conlin. Nays: Councilpersons Merkley, Ellis, Wilson, and Grooms. Council President Merkley explained Ordinance No. 2001-OR-39, An Ordinance Transferring Surplus Funds From The Cumulative Capital Improvement Fund To The General Fund. Council President Merkley then made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2001-OR-39 on the second and third readings, seconded by Councilperson Ellis, passing unanimously. Council President Merkley presented Ordinance No. 2001-OR-40, An Ordinance Establishing A Non-Reverting Fund For The Jeffersonville Bi-Centennial Committee, reviewing the proposed calendar of events. Committee member Larry Wilder stressed the need for a non-reverting fund so the committee can raise funds. Mr. Wilder said Jeff Fest will be combined with this celebration. The committee meets each Friday at noon and all are welcomed and encouraged to attend. The committee will be looking to the Council and Mayor for money. Mr. Wilder further stated this is an opportunity as there is only one 200-year birthday, and it is an important footprint in history. Councilperson Conlin made the motion to amend Ordinance No. 2001-OR-39 to dedicate $30,000 for this fund, seconded by Council President Merkley, passing on the following roll call vote: Ayes: Councilpersons Merkley, Wilson, Grooms, and Conlin. Nays: Councilpersons Ellis, Frantz, and Waiz. Council President Merkley then made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2001- OR-40 as amended on the second and third readings, seconded by Councilperson Conlin. Councilperson Grooms is not sure $30,000 is realistic and suggests the Ordinance be December 3, 2001 passed on the second reading and wait to see how much money remains in the 2001 budget. Councilperson Waiz is willing to help financially, however he is not sure of the amount. Councilperson Ellis said he does support the committee and funding but would like to know ~vhere the money will come from. Committee member Wilder stated the committee will raise as much as possible with the goal being $60,000. The committee is not thinking small. He does understand the concerns and will be happy with what is given. Council President Merkley also understands the concerns, however this does need to be a first-class celebration and $30,000 does show a commitment. Mayor Galligan suggests adding the wording "up to $30,000". Council President Merkley made the motion to ame~nd Ord_i~an?e No. 2001-OR-40 to state up to $30,000, seconded by Councilperson Conlin, passing unanimously Ordinance No. 2001-OR-41, An Ordinance Transferring Certain Funds Within Same Department (City Probation User Fund) was presented for consideration. Council President Merkley made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2001-OR-41 on the second and third readings, seconded by Councilperson Waiz, passing unanimously. Resolution 2001-R-31, A Resolution Approving Statement of Benefits For · Purposes Of Property Tax Abatement (Eagle Steel Products, Inc.) was presented for consideration. Mr. Bob Lanum, Attorney representing Eagle Steel, explained the expansion program. Councilperson Conlin made the motion to pass Resolution No. 200 l-R-31, seconded by Council President Merkley. Councilperson Ellis stated he does support the abatement for Eagle Steel, however he does feel there is a need to evaluate the program. He does ask the Council to address this issue. Councilperson Frantz feels Eagle Steel is a good corporate citizen and this company has stayed in Jeffersonville and is working to employ more. Attorney Lanum said the intent of the State Legislature is to promote employment. Mayor Galligan said the abatement program has been used very well and the property assessment has been increased. An excellent job of promoting the community has been done. He continued by saying Mr. Moore is an asset to the community and promoted other businesses. Jeffersonville needs to help Eagle Steel keep going. Councilperson Conlin also noted Eagle Steele has enticed other companies to come here. Resolution No. 2001-R-31 passed unanimously. December 3, 2001 COUNCIL AND MAYOR COMMENTS: Councilperson Wilson noted "Light Up Jeffersonville" was nice, however the weather was not good. Better weather is hoped for for next year. Councilperson Ellis said Mainstream Transportation is moving from Jeffersonville to Louisville, as they have received no help with traffic control. He notes this is an African American business that has been "run out of town". Council President Merkley said the setting up of a rainy day fund has been put on hold a~ the State Legislature has proposed amendments. He has distributed a copy of these proposed amendments. Mayor Galligan, in response to Councilperson Ellis' comments, said he met on three occasions with the owner of Mainstream Transportation. He explained to him there was no money for a traffic signal. He requested Mainstream provide 20% of the funding and he received no response. Mainstream Transportation received a contract with Louisville and one of the stipulations is to have an office in Louisville. Mayor Galligan resents the statement that African Americans will not get anything from him. This is as far from the truth as can be. He is tried of having the race card thrown in his face. There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 8:10 P.M. ATTEST: PEGGY WILDER, CLERK AND TREASURER