Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-17-98COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA FEBRUARY 17, 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 17th day of February, 1998. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Thomas R. Galligan, with Clerk and Treasurer C. Richard Spencer Jr. at the desk. Mayor Galligan welcomed all in attendance, asking ail those present to stand as Council President Conlin gave the invocation. Mayor Gailigan 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 Conlin. Absent: None. Mayor Galligan welcomed Wall Street Methodist Church Boy Scout Troop 1 to the meeting asking they join the Council at the desk. Mayor Galligan encourages more young people to come and get involved. Mayor Galligan presented the minutes of the meeting of February 2, 1998 for consideration by the Council. Councilperson Wilder made the motion to approve the minutes as presented, seconded by Council President Conlin, and carried unanimously. Clerk and Treasurer Spencer presented two claim lists, for consideration by the Council. Council President Conlin made the motion to approve the claims on both lists as presented, seconded by Councilperson Williams, passing unanimously. Councilperson Perkins questioned two previous claims for sidewalk curb cut, asking if the City had any liability if a subcontractor was not paid. Mayor Gailigan is unaware of any problem but will check on it immediately. Councilperson Perkins, noting two claims had been paid to Jacobi, Toombs, and Lanz for work in Ole Stoner Place, inquired if sewer were going to be put in Ole Stoner Place. Mayor Galligan replied the payments were for work on a lffi station and forced main in Ole Stoner Place. Councilperson Perkins asked if there are plans to annex Ole Stoner Place. Mayor Gatligan replied there were not. Councilperson Perkins has a problem with this as there are sewers in the City that have not been instailed. February 17, 1998 Page 2 of 6 Ms. Sandra Riley, a resident of 814 Sandra for 31 years, said she works eye. day and feels the homeless are able to work also. She doesn't want a homeless shelter in her backyard. Jeffersonville NAACP Director Gary Leavall requests the Council watch and listen to the residents of Claysburg pro and con regarding the locating of Haven House in Claysburg. ~ It is 'apparent the majority of Claysburg residents do not want Haven House in their community. He feels Ordinance 96-OR-82 is unfair and has become divisive, has created chaos and confusion. He urges the Council to repeal the Ordinance and make the playing field level. The people of Claysburg do believe inthe mission of Haven House. Mr. Leavell would like to see Clark County, Floyd County, and Harrison County get together to come up with a solution for the homeless. He suggests usin, the ICI property. He asks why put at-risk people in an at-risk community? Children desire community in which they can prosper. Reverend Clifford Leavell agrees with most of what Mr. Gary Leavell said. He would lik~ to make an appeal to the people that have been elected not to make deals with one another. This Ordinance deals with people's lives, and ties a hole in a situation that could be open. Open it up to other options such as the ICI land. People are tired of being pushed around. Reverend Leavell asks the Council to have a backbone and repeal the Ordinance. Mr. Joel Welch stated he is not against a homeless shelter as a lot of us are one paycheck away from being homeless. It is not a good idea to have a homeless shelter across the street from a project. He said Barbara Anderson works and he is for Barbara Anderson. He would like the Ordinance repealed. He wants Councilperson Ellis to back him on this. Barbara Anderson's work is needed. Ms. Nellie Knowland said she is a~ainst putting a homeless shelter in the Claysburg area. The Church is not big enough. She does understand that Eastlawn School is being sold and this would be ideal. She feels the homeless should work and do for themselves. Councilperson Perkins made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 98-OR-8, An Ordinance Changing The Zoning Map Designation OrA Certain Tract of Property Located At 4010 Middle Road From R-1 To 13-2 on the third and final reading, seconded by Council President Conlin, passing unanimously. Council President Conlin made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 98-OR-9, An Ordinance February 17, 1998 Page 3 of 6 Annexing Contiguous Territory By Voluntary Petition on the third and final reading, seconded by Councilperson Wilder, passing unanimously. Council President Conlin made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 98~OR-1 l, An Ordinance Of Additional Appropriation (Probation User Fund) on the third and final reading, seconded by i2ouneilperson Williams, passing unanimously. Councilperson Wilder introduced Resolution No. 98-R-6, A Resolution Referring Proposal To Amend Zoning Ordinance, stating, in light of recent events having to do with a mass shelter location, she would recommend that Ordinance No. 96-OR-82 be repealed. Councilperson Wilder would like to have the options open so the best place can be picked. Attorney Sedwick Galligan explained the Plan Commission would have a public heating and the Ordinance would come back to the Council with the Plan Commission recommendation. Councitperson Wilder explained many have challenged the constitutionality of the Ordinance. Councilperson Perkins thinks maybe 2500 feet is too restrictive. He does live in a district with 6 or more service facilities, either shelter, soup kitchens, and others. A lot of the residents in his district have come to him and asked that these services be spread out. He agrees a shelter is not needed in a troubled area. There are more liquor licenses in his district than any other district. Councilperson Perkins said if 2500 feet is too restrictive, consider amending the Ordinance. Councilperson Perkins responded to his constituents not to prohibit, but to restrict. He is willing to discuss amending the Ordinance. Councilperson Wilson has received a number of phone calls from residents afraid if this Ordinance is repealed it will bring the homeless back to the Colonial Park area. This also is a troubled area. She feels the Ordinance is good. It may be possible to extend it. Couneilperson Ellis was in support of the original Ordinance when it was passed. He still does not feel there is a need for a mass shelter in the City of Jeffersonville until he can be shown figures from an independent organization, not Haven House Services, Inc. that there is a need. Ms. Chantell Frazier asks why the shelter has to be in the City of Seffersonville. She also asks why, if Barbara Anderson knew a year and a half ago, why a shelter hasn't been built. Ms. Frazier feels if there is a homeless problem in Jeffersonville the City should build another housing project so the City can control the environment. Mr. Gary Leavell said the problem has never been taken care of. The homeless problem will not go away. There is a need to come up with a solution to a serious problem. He suggests three counties go together and build a February 17, 1998 Page 4 of 6 nice shelter on the ICI property. Councilperson Perkins agrees. It does seem Jeffersonville does come out on the short end of any deals with the County or surrounding communities. He doesn't feel there is much debate on the need for an effective new shelter. It seems the only debate has been location. He would like to see various groups get together to come up with a location to support. 'Councilperson Perkins feels this would put 90% of the controversy to rest. Ms. Barbara Anderson submitted numbers from Congressional Hunger Center in Washington D.C. documenting homeless. She does have a group of people that need a place to go. She received a call from the welfare department today telling her to be prepared for 20 new families a week. Ms. Anderson wants it understood that Haven House Services is on record tonight telling the City of Jeffersonville it is their responsibility to do their job. Councilperson Conlin said that New Albany does have many shelters, as does Clarksville. There is a group looking at property at ICI. This property has not been released. There is not a one of us that has not been affected by homelessness, mental illness, or substance abuse. She urges all to work together as a community to solve this problem. Mr. Chartie Ruck said you cannot solve a problem without getting to the cause. He urges the Council and the Clergy to get together and work to decide what the problem is and where to go. Councilperson Wilder made the motion to pass Resolution 98-R-6, seconded by Councilperson Williams, passing on a vote of 4-3. Councitpersons Perkins, Ellis, and W'flson voted in opposition. Attorney Sedwick Galligan explained the Resolution and the procedure. Mayor Galligan explained them is a problem in this community and a lot of people need help. He sees it every day. He then revealed an incident of responding to a police call and the conditions that were found and the solution. It is a fact of life that we have problems in Jeffersonville. He is not tough enough to tell anyone they are not worthy to have a house, or tell children they don't have a right to food and shelter. There are a lot of masons why some can't work. The whole community has to work to solve the problems. All must work to get the hate out. Until this is resolved, this will never be a very good community. This community suffers from a real lack of self esteem, and this needs to be changed. The community needs to work to solve these problems. A member of the audience said some feel they have been "back doored". Mayor Galligan said the Claysburg opportunity arose from a Church leaving and a building became available. Mistakes were made and Mayor Galligan will be the first to admit it and will take responsibility for it. A location is need to get a grant. Reverend Leavell said there needs to be February 17, 1998 Page 5 of 6 healing in the community. He wants to help Barbara Anderson. The community needs to get together and get the healing started. We need to trust those we elected and those we live by. Reverend Leavell said "Let us trust in God". Mr. Ga~ Leavell feels the three Counties should get together and ask Congressman Hamilton to get money. Homeless and poverty are regional problems. Leadership from elected officials is needed. There is still a need to solve the short term problem. Councilperson Wilder feels this is a good suggestion and asks all to contact the County Commissioners, Congressman Hamilton, State Representatives and others. Mayor Galligan agrees. Ordinance No. 98-OR-12, An Ordinance Amending Certain Portions Of Section 1 Of Ordinance No. 97-OR-64 (Sewage Department) was introduced. Councilperson Perkins made the motion to suspend the rules for Ordinance No. 98-OR-12, seconded by Councilperson Conlin, passing unanimously. Councilperson Perkins then made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 98-OR- 12 on all three readings, seconded by Councilperson Conlin, passing unanimously. Ordinance No. 98-OR-13, An Ordinance Transferring Certain Funds Within Same Department (Common Council) was introduced. Councilperson Wilson made the motion to suspend the rules for Ordinance No. 98-OR-13, seconded by Councilperson Conlin, failing on a vote of 6-1, with Councilperson Ellis voting no. Councilperson Wilson then made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 98-OR-13 on the first and second reading, seconded by Councilperson Conlin, passing unanimously. Mayor Galligan commends the Street Department and the Construction crew for the work during the recent snow. They did an excellent job. Many long hours were worked. The garbage was even picked up. This shows the dedication of the employees, their supervisors, and all in the community to get a job done. An emergency was called, but they did not say they would give tickets. Clearing snow is a problem and what was wanted was for people to try and keep things open. Councilperson Conlin read a note from the Street Department thanking those that helped. Mayor Galligan asked all to tell the employees they did a good job. A little pat on the back never hurt. Councilperson Perkins said there was a lot of differences between leffersonville and Louisville. He feels is was a good idea to call in extra emergency workers. Councilperson Coniin noted the Parks Department worked a lot to help. Mayor Galligan said an employee of the sewer billing department was out calling in trouble spots. All City employees worked together to do an excellent job. Mayor Galligan said now when you go down 10~ Street to get on the freeway you get to see the place before February 17, 1998 Page 6 of 6 you get there. Landscaping will start shortly. The City has a lot to be proud of, Ieffersonville is looking good. Councilperson Conlin told the Council that Representative Jim Bottorffwas in town this past Friday and presented the Clerk Treasurer with the first installment of the Build Indiana Grant money. 'She has passed out the Hunger Free report to the Council. There will be a workshop Monday, February 23, 1998. There will be an executive session at 5:30 and the workshop will be at 6:00. She appreciates all who came tonight and she thanked the Scouts for coming. Councilperson Frantz distributed the survey results regarding the Family Sport and Recreation Center. Assistant Park Superintendent Poole is here to answer any questions. Councilperson Williams did attend the three public heatings regarding Haven House. Our community does have social problems. He hopes the activism will stay at this level. There is a need for all to be proactive. Councilperson Perkins understands there is a new Building Commissioner. Mayor Galligan said the new Building Commissioner is Larry Decker. Mayor Galligan thanks the Boy Scouts for sitting through the meeting. It is a different perspective sitting up front to see the meeting from the other side. He likes to see people at meetings as he wants everybody involved. Mayor Galligan informed the Council the Police Department has a new van they will take around for the DARE program and to the community. This is for kids and adults to get to know the police. There is a need to see police on a friendly basis. A police officer went out on a domestic call and found a minister was needed. A chaplain was called. Mayor Galligan said that is the kind of people we have working in Jeffersonville, they care. He wants people to feel comfortable with all of the employees of Jeffersonville. motion tTohaer;ob~nga~; 3fi~hs~rbM~me:S~tn~ come before the ~a~ncil, Councilperson Perkins single the