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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-20-98COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA APRIL20,1998 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 20th day of April, 1998. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Thomas R. Galligan, with Deputy Clerk Barbara Hollis at the desk. Mayor Galligan welcomed all in attendance, asking all those present to stand as Reverend Cleveland gave the invocation. Mayor Cralligan 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. Deputy Clerk Hollis presented the claim list, explaining additional claims, for consideration by the Council. Following all discussion, Council President Conlin made the motion to approve the claims as well as the additional as presented, seconded by Councilperson Williams, passing unanimously. Mr. Charlie White thanked the City for the work that has been done at the Ken Ellis Center. Ms. Nellie Knowland asked if Mayor Galligan knows what is being done at Munich on Frank Street as a lot of dirt is being moved. Mayor Galligan is not aware of what may be taking place but will check to see. Ms. Knowland and her neighbors are wondering about the Church that may be housing the homeless. Mayor Galligan explained other alternatives are being looked into. Several things could happen. Ms. Linda Codey, representing the Family Health Center, thanked the Council for their financial support. Ms. Codey presented the Council with a copy of the annual report which includes the financial statement, highlighting the contents. She invites all to an open house at the new building which will be held lune 18, 1998 from 4 P.M. to 7 P.M. Ms. Codey answered questions. Council President Conlin thanked Linda for all her hard work. April 20, 1998 Page 2 of 5 Ordinance No. 98-OR-28, An Ordinance Annexing Contiguous Territory by Voluntary Petition (Port Road) was presented for the third and final reading. Councilperson Perkins made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 98-OR-28 on the third and final reading, seconded by Council President Conlin, passing unanimously. Ordinance No.98-OR-29, An Ordinance Annexing Contiguous Territory by Voluntary Petition (Port Road) was presented for the third and final reading. Councilperson Perkins made the motion to pass Ordinance No, 98-OR-29 on the third and final reading, seconded by Council President Conlin, passing unanimously. Mayor Galligan presented Ordinance No. 98-OR-27, An Ordinance Amending Portions Of Ordinance No. 90-OR-60 Establishing Sewer Rates For The City Of Jeffersonville which has passed on the first reading. Attorney Sedwick Galligan announced this is the time set for the public hearing for this Ordinance, asking for any comments fi.om the public. Mayor Galligan explained the increase. There being no comments, Council President Conlin made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 98-OR- 27 on the second and third readings, seconded by Councilperson Williams. Ordinance 98~OR-27, passed on a vote of 5-2. Councilpersons Perkins and Ellis voted nay. Mayor Galligan presented Ordinance N°. 98-OR-27, An Ordinance Concerning The construction Of Additions And Improvements To The Sewage Works Of The City Of Jeffersonville; Authorizing The Issuance Of Sewage Works Revenue Bonds, For Such Purpose; Addressing Other Matters Connected Therewith, Including The Issuance Of Notes In Anticipation Of Bonds; And Repealing Ordinances Inconsistent Herewith, which has passed on the first reading. Attorney Sedwick Galligan explained this Ordinance will allow the City to borrow money from the State Revolving Loan Fund for sewer improvements. This has been discussed at many previous meetings. Mr. Jim Gutting is the bond attorney for the City and is here to answer any questions. Mr. Gutting briefly summarized the Ordinance. Councilperson Ellis is concerned that when the present plant was built it was to have lasted 20 years and he is concerned that in another five to seven years more will need to be done. Engineer Lanz explained it was not a problem of not being done competently or correctly, there have been changes in standards that have necessitated changes. This is one major item and the other is the repair of the collection system. Councilperson Ellis inquired how close is the 15 million dollar estimate? Engineer Lanz said this is a very conservative estimate. The IDEM April 20, 1998 Page 3 of 5 permit was received today. Councilperson Williams asked what other expenses will be necessary in the next 5 years. Engineer Lanz said there will be a continuing program in rehabilitating the old sewers in the old section of town as these are combination sewers. He feels there is enough built in to maintain the system, unless there is a catastrophe. They are planing for the future. Mayor Galligan did say that if we are very successful with economic development this may change. This will be looked at when trying to attract industry. There will be a need to build a plant in the East end eventually. Councilperson Williams would like to look at the rates annually. Mr. Mike Claytor, financial counselor said there is a State Statute that requires rates be looked at every four years. This does not mean they have to be increased. It is recommend they be looked at every two years. Mayor Galligan said there is a need to keep looking ahead as EPA keeps changing regulations. Attorney Sedwick Galligan explained Ordinance 98-OR-27 requires the rates be looked at every other year. Councilperson Williams asked about financial reserves. Mr. Claytor noted, as this is tax exempt, reserves are limited. The "role of thumb" is 10%. The State does allow this reserve to be built up over 10 years. Councilperson Williams made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 98-OR-27 on the second and third readings, seconded by Council President Conlin. There will be a public hearing on the preliminary engineering report on April 30 at 8 P.M. This is a requisite of the loan. Ordinance No. 98-OR-27 passed on a vote of 6-1, with Councilperson Perkins voting nay. Mayor Galligan presented Ordinance No. 98-OR-30, An Ordinance Authorizing The City Of Jeffersonville General Fund To Borrow Funds From The City Of Jeffersonville Sewage Fund for the third and final reading. Following all discussion, Councilperson Perkins made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 98-OR-30 on the third and final reading, seconded by Councilperson Wilson, passing unanimously. Mayor Galligan presented Ordinance No. 98-OR-25, An Ordinance Repealing Ordinance Number 96-OR-82 Regulating Distance Between Premises Used For Certain Charitable Purposes for the third and final reading. Attorney Sedwick Galligan reviewed the Ordinance. Councilperson Wilder made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 98-OR-25 on the third and final reading, seconded by Councilperson Williams, passing on a vote of 4-3. Councilpersons Perkins, Ellis, and Wilson voted nay. Council President Conlin received several calls commending the Police and Fire Departments April 20, 1998 Page 4 of 5 for their work during "Thunder". She commends the Police Department, Fire Department, Street Department and Jim Urban for all their hard work. She reminds all of the preliminary engineering hearing on April 30 at 8 P.M. Councilperson Perkins commended the Police, Fire, and Street Departments for the excellent job over the weekend. He is concerned for the extreme crowding of people. There would be no way to get any emergency people or vehicles through the crowd. There is a need to somehow limit the numbers of people. He does not know what can be done. Mayor Galligan agrees. There is no way to keep people spaced out. There was a command station under the Kennedy bridge. Fire Chief Smith reported there were three medical runs. These situations were man handled with no problem. Councilperson Perkins asked again about the alley behind Eastern Cemetery at East Court and East 7~. Mayor Galligan said this is on the list. Ms. Nellie Knowland is concerned about the amount of garbage blocking the drainage at Magnolia and Birdside. Mayor Galligan will check this. Attorney Sedwick Galligan has researched a question from a previous meeting and informed the Council that Trustees of the Building Authority cannot be an officer or employee of any entity involved. In other words, no Councilperson may be appointed. Mayor Galligan thanked the Police Department, Fke Department, Street Department, and Jim Urban for an excellent job during Thunder. It did go well. Overall it was as good as it could be. It was a mild crowd and a good event. Mayor Galligan noted that last Friday a good neighbor and photographer, and former police officer was lost as Bill Grant passed away. Mr. Grant was the center of attraction at the last Family Fest. He was a unique individual who contributed a lot to the community. Mayor Galligan has good department heads that make good things happen. A lot of positive things are happening. The inner-city road is the next major thing to work on. Several more announcements will be made about business coming to Jeff. Apdl20, 1998 Page 5 of There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilperson Perkins made th motion to adjourn at 8:00 P.M., seconded by Councilperson Conlin, passing unanimously. OMAS R. ~~ ATTEST: CLERK AND TREAS[/I~ER C~I~CHARD SPENCER JR.