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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-02-98COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA FEBRUARY 2, 1998 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 2nd day of February, 1998. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Thomas R. Galfigan, with Clerk and Treasurer C. Richard Spencer Jr. at the desk. Mayor Galligan welcomed all in attendance, asking all those present to stand as Reverend Joyce Seaman gave the invocation. Mayor G-alligan asked all those present to join him in the pledge of allegiance to the flag. The roll was called and those present were Councilpersons John Perkins, Ron Ellis, Donna M. Frantz, Peggy Knight Wilder, Barbara Wilson, Andrew Williams III, and Vicky Contin. Absent: None. Mayor Galligan presented the minutes of the meeting of January 20, 1998 for consideration by the Council. Councilperson Wilder made the motion to approve the minutes as presented, seconded by Councilperson Wilson and carried unanimously. Clerk and Treasurer Spencer presented the claim list, explaining three additional claims, for consideration by the Council. Councilperson Perkins asked questions regarding a drainage claim which Mayor Galllgan answered. Following all discussion, Council President Contin made the motion to approve the claims as well as the additional as presented, seconded by Councilperson Williams, passing unanimously. Ordinance No. 98-OR-8, An Ordinance Changing The Zoning Map Designation Of A Certain Tract Of Property Located At 4010 Middle Road From R-1 To B-2, was presented. Mrs. Charles Schlosser and her son-in-law answered questions regarding the property. The location of the property was explained. The intended use of the property was explained. Counciiperson Frantz made the motion to suspend the roles for Ordinance No. 98-OR-8, seconded by Council President Conlin, failing on a vote of 6-1, with Councilperson Ellis casting the nay vote. Councilperson Frantz then made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 98-OR-8 on the first and second reading, seconded by Council President Conlin, passing unanimously. February 2, t998 Page 2 of 7 Ms. Barbara Anderson, Haven House Director, appeared before the Council to request passage of Resolufion No. 98-R-4, A Resolution Of The City Of Jeffersonville, Indiana Authorizing The Submittal Of The Housing Development Fund Application To The Indiana Housing Finance Authority And Addressing Related Matters. This is not a new subject to the council, it has been a year and five months in the coming. Approximately 1300 people were served this last year to the tune of $195,000. Ms. Anderson admitted the public comment period should have been held earlier. A waiver has been requested and granted. Both negative and positive public comment will be submitted by February 16. This does have to be submitted today. As of March 1, there will be no more hotel/motel money. Ms. Anderson told the Council they are voting to serve the poor of the community. Ms. Nellie Knowland has lived for 53 years in the area planned for Haven House and says there is not room for another housing unit. She has taken food to Haven House and got no help canying it in. She feels there is work available. Ms. Chantell Frazier said she grew up in Claysburg and feels there is no need for a homeless shelter in the neighborhood. There are two housing projects there. Ms. Frazier feels the homeless can go back to the Charlestown facility. This is not about negativity. There is no need for a homeless shelter in a residential area. Rev. D. L. Motley said he speaks fi.om the community. He explained the Anderson Temple was put up for sale and he sees this as a great potential for extended ministries for the community. Rev. Motley works with, and for, Haven House as an Americorps Vista Volunteer. There is no conspiracy to invade the African American community or spawn the seed of drugs, violence, and prostitution. There are ethical, moral, and spiritual masons why this is a worthy project for the community. The question is: Am 1 my brother's keeper? Ms. Theodora Ellis, a Claysburg resident, does not want Haven House in her community. There is no control of anyone on drugs. There is no program for detox. Many that are homeless are homeless because they used there money to buy drugs. There is enough in Claysburg for the community to suffer. Ms. Ellis would be the last one to refuse a child. She feels the problem is the residents are not monitored. She will fight to keep Ms. Anderson and Haven House out of her community. There are enough problems already. She also feels Haven House should go back to Charlestown. Ms. Barbara Anderson explained the Market Street location burned and the fire was ruled accidental. She explained the Charlestown location was no place for homeless people as it was 16 miles out of town and the people were caged like animals. Last year 1389 people were helped, February 2, 1998 Page 3 of 7 689 of them children. Ms. Anderson said this is my community, please don't make me ashamed. Ms. Carol Moon, representing Claysburg Phase 2, presented a petition with 42 names. Ms. Moon said she has been homeless. There are jobs available, transportation is available, daycare is available. There is help out there. There is a need to work together to build up the positive. She will fight to keep Haven House out ofthe neighborhood. She is upset the neighborhood was not notified sooner. Ms. Brenda Mathews also lives in the neighborhood, and is upset she did not know about this until she received a flyer. Rev. Motley said the flyer was gutless and if anyone should be upset about it, it should be him. Ms. Chanteil Frazier admitted she is responsible for the flyer, He would have preferred public meetings first. Ms. Anderson has admitted the mistake. The homework should have been taken care of first. Ms. Anderson reviewed the dates, times, and locations for the public hearings. All comments will be taped and forwarded to the funding soume before the grant is read. She apologized again saying there will be plenty of time for input. Ms. Brenda Mathews asks what the community can do to get the homeless out of the homeless situation. There should not be a homeless person in the United States with the resoumes available. Rev. Motley said it was hinted in the Evening News he had sent the flyers out and he wishes it understood he did not. Mr. Jim Peterson, 1511 Francis Drive, received a flyer stating Haven House is trying to move into the neighborhood. There has been an office there since March. The flyer stated there would be drugs. He has worked for three months in the Greenwood office and could look out the window at any time and watch drag deals. Mr. Peterson expressed his views on several of the points in the flyer. He does not understand why the people can see the drugs and the police cannot. Mr. Peterson told of some of bis experiences during his 16 years ofhomelessness. Mr. Peterson concluded by saying "How can you worship a homeless man on Sunday and forget him the rest of the week". He urges the Council to support Haven House. MS. Laura Wort'ell stated she has received assistance from Haven House, she does have a job and is not on drugs. She came upon an unfortunate situation. There are solutions and she would support Haven House. Mr. Abdule Rashear, a resident of Claysburg for 20 years, feels what affects the community, affects him. He feels most here feel disrespect. They are asking for respect. This should have been brought to the attention of the community before and a meeting held. He is tired of being used as a dumping ground. He does want to help the homeless. He asks all people to erase the image of racism. Rev. Cleveland stated all are bom for a purpose. He asks all February 2, 1998 Page 4 of 7 sit down and have dialogue. Some have bad attitudes. It would only take three paycheck to make most homeless. Councllperson Ellis, the representative of Claysburg, told Ms. Anderson previously that if no one in the community had complaints he would support her and what she is trying to do. Councilperson Ellis did receive many calls of complaint regarding the "backdoor" method of Ms. Anderson to put Haven House in their community. Counc'flperson Ellis feels it should be known that Rev. Motley's Church, Gilt Edge, does have an interest in Haven House being put in Anderson Temple. He was told Haven House planned to operate for ten years and then give the property to Gilt Edge Church. He asks the people in the community be given a chance for discussion and then bring it back to the Counc'fl. Councilperson Perkins questioned Ms. Anderson's comment regarding a waiver. Ms. Anderson explained there will be public comment fmae. All will get their opportunity. The problem is the grant is due February 2 or there will not be another opportunity until June. March 1 she has 50 people a month she cannot handle. If this fails tonight it cannot be heard at all this time. This is not new, it is one year and five months old, a report has been given to the Council. Ms. Anderson said Gilt Edge was asked to take a back seat as Gilt Edge already had dialogue regarding Anderson Temple. She explained the building and the planned use. If she has to deny help to single men she will. Counc'flperson Perkins said he does want to support this grant. He does question the timing of the situation. He personally wishes he had known before Friday at 11 P.M. that this was going to be on the agenda. Ms. Anderson apologized again. She had talked with some of the Council, but not Councilperson Perkins. The grant can be modified to another location. At this point, Council President Conlin read aloud the Resolution. Councilperson Frantz questioned if during the public comment the people wanted the shelter for women and children only, could the grant be modified. Ms. Anderson wants to accommodate the community. Councilperson Ellis made the motion to table Resolution No. 98-R-4, seconded by Councilperson Wilson, falling on a vote of 2-4- 1. Councilpersons Frantz, Wilder, Williams, and Conlin voted no and Councilperson Perkins abstained. Councilperson Williams made the motiOn to pass Resolution No. 98-R-4, seconded by Council President Conlin, passing on a vote of 4-2-1. Councilpersons Ellis and Wilson voted nay with Councilperson Perkins abstaining. Councilperson Ellis urged those against this to get petitions signed. A recess was called at 8:25 P.M. Febroaty 2, 1998 Page 5 of 7 The meeting reconvened at 8:40 P.M. Mr. John Walling of Koetter Construction, appeared before the Council representing Mr. Ellingsworth, to answer questions regarding Ordinance No. 98-OR-9, An Ordinance Annexing Contiguous Territory By Voluntary Petition. There is potential for industrial use of the ground with no intent of residential development. The sewers do border the property. This property would come into the City zoned as R-1. The intention would be to have it rezoned Industrial. There would be no additional cost to the City. The area was explained. At the conclusion of all discussion, Councilperson Perkins made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 98-OK~9 on the first and second reading, seconded by Councilperson Frantz, passing unanimously. Ms. Kathy Hailer and Mr. Phil McCauley of the Department of Redevelopment, appeared before the Council to answer questions regarding Resolution No. 98-R-5, A Resolution Of The Jeffersonville Common Council Approving A Declaratory Resolution And Economic Development Plan Of The Redevelopment Commission Of Jett~rsonville, Indiana, And Approving An Order Of The Jeffersonville Plan Commission. Director McCauley explained the procedure. There is no guarantee that Jeffersonville will land this project. However the project will not locate in Jeffersonville if the this Resolution is not approved. He then listed the advantages saying thero will be no risk on the bonds. This has been discussed in workshop. The advantages to Jeffersonville are substantial. He does believe other industry will follow this company to the area. This is a world class operation and the numbers are solid. Following all discussion, Councilperson Perkins made the motion to pass Resolution No. 98-R-5, seconded by Council President Conlin, passing unanimously. Councilperson Perkins introduced Ordinance No. 98-OR-10, An Ordinance Regulating The Extension Of Sanitary Sewers To Areas Not Within The Corporate Limits Of The City Of Jeffersonville. He reviewed the information that was included in the Council packet. Councilperson Perkins cannot find anything that says Jefferson~e has to provide sewer service to those outside the corporate limits. He feds the taxpayers of Jeffersonville do not favor the extension of sewers to those not incorporated. Mayor Galligan stated the sewer plant does not have a gallons problem. It does have a concentration problemi There is a need to keep upgrading the system. Mayor Galligan feels it will not be good for Jeffersonville if limited. Councilperson Perkins is not trying to resist growth. It is hard to justify an increase in rates to expand the sewers outside the City. Mayor Galligan said February 2, 1998 Page 6 of 7 Jefersonville has not grown in the past 30 years and there is now an opportunity to grow. His worst nightmare would be a tap-in ban. Council President Conlin made the motion to table Ordinance No. 98-OR-10 and take it to workshop~ seconded by Couneilperson Williams, passing on a vote of 5-2. Councilperson Ellis and Perkins voted nay. Clerk and Treasure Spencer presented and explained Ordinance No. 98-OR-1 I, An Ordinance Of Additional Appropriation (Probation User Fund). Council President Conlin made the motion to suspend the roles for Ordinance No. 98-OR-1 l, seconded by Councilperson Williams, falling on a vote of 6-1 with Councilperson Ellis voting nay. Council President Conlin made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 98-OR-11 on the first and second reading, seconded by Councilperson Williams, passing unanimously. Attorney Sedwick Galligan presented Ordinance No. 98-OR-7, An Ordinance Transferring Certain Funds Within Same Department (City Attorney) for the third reading. Council President Conlin made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 98-OR-7 on the third and final reading, seconded by Councilperson Williams, passing unanimously. Council President Conlin stated the Council appointments were discussed at the last Council workshop and it has been agreed that these will stay the same for the third year. There will be a Council workshop February 23, at 5:30 P.M. in the Mayor's Conference Room. She has asked Attorney Sedwick Galligan to prepare a salary ordinance amendment for the Clerk Treasurer's salary for the next meeting. CounCilperson Frantz is still receiving complaints regarding Hoke's on Reeds Lane. The neighbors have fought this problem for years and years and it is getting worse. It has become a junkyard and she does not know what to do about it. Council President Conlin agrees something has to be done. Mayor Galligan will try to get the grass cut. Councilperson Wilson would like to receive the Council packets by Wednesday before the meeting. Open discussion was held on this subject. Council President Conlin will relay this message. Councilperson Frantz does not want to be asked to vote on an item not on the agenda. Councilperson Perkins reminds all that February is African American History Month. In 1952 Jeffersonville schools integrated. A committee is getting together to see there is a historic marker for Taylor High School. February 2, 1998 Councilperson Ellis understands the mood of the people in Claysburg. been "back doored" and they just want to know what is going on. Page 7 of 7 They feel they have Councilperson Williams agrees with Councilperson Ellis, adding "but for the grace of God, go I". There is a ministry. He does understand the position of Councilperson Ellis. The community in general has allowed itself to be a haven for those who are in need. The grant process is not a "done deal". He urges those on both sides of the issue to attend the meetings. Council President Conlin will make sure the Council receives copies of everything she receives. Mayor Galligan said the two big pieces of concrete at the t0t~ Street entrance will soon be manholes. They are being worked on. There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilperson Perkins made the motion to adjourn at 9:35 P.M., seconded by Councilperson Wilson, passing unanimously. ^TTES¢) I , O! CLERK AND TREAS~R C. I~[C'TIARD SPENCER JR.