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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-18-98COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA MAY 18, 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 18th day of May, 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 ail those present to stand as Councilperson Ellis gave the invocation. Mayor Gailigan asked ail 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 presented the minutes of the meeting of May 4, 1998 for consideration by the Council. Counc'flperson Perkins made the motion to approve the minutes as presented, seconded by Councilperson Ellis and carried unanimously. Councilperson Perkins asked Mayor Gailigan about the reported pursuit that was questioned at the last Council meeting. Mayor Galligan said it was not the Jeffersonville Police that were involved. Mayor Gailigan explained the non-pursuit policy. Clerk Hollis presented the claim list, explaining additional claims, for consideration by the Council. Discussion followed regarding the claim payable to L.D. Rice that was tabled at the last meeting. The Council agreed this claim should be paid from the sidewalk appropriation in the Council budget. At the conclusion of all discussion, Councilperson Perkins made the motion to approve the claims on the list, the additional claims, the L. D. Rice claim, and to table the claims payable to The Corradino Group, seconded by Council President Conlin, passing unanimously. Mayor Galligan called attention to the Youth Group in attendance this evening, welcoming them to the meeting, recognizing Bev Couts of the Park Department and thanking her for bringing the Teen Volunteer Association. Mayor Galligan stated Ms. Couts does a lot of good things with the youth, telling her to "keep up the good work". There was no public comment. May 18, 1998 Page 2 of 5 Ms. Susan LeMay, Attorney representing Mr. Steve Kempf, appeared before the Council request passage of Ordinance No. 98-OR-32, An Ordinance Vacating A Part Of A Public Way (Broadway between 9~h and l0th Street). Attorney LeMay explained the area and the intended use. This was presented to the Board Of Public Works and Safety where there were no objections. Mr. Kempf was asked what he intended to build in the area. Mr. Kempf answered a meeting hall for Youth Football League. Councilperson Frantz made the motion to suspend the rules for Ordinance No. 98-OR-32, seconded by Council President Conlin, failing on a vote of 6-1, with Councilperson Ellis voting in opposition. Councilperson Frantz then made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 98- OR-32 on the first and second readings, seconded by Council President Conlin, passing unanimously. Ordinance No. 98-OR-31, An Ordinance Amending Certain Portions Of Section 1 Of Ordinance No. 97-OR-33, (Department of Redevelopment) was presented for the third and final reading. Councilperson Perkins made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 98-OR-31 on the third and final reading, seconded by Council President Conlin, passing unanimously. Deputy Mayor Phil McCauley told the Council the tax abatement standards are being raised The average wage has been going up substantially since 1996. It is now more difficult for companies to qualify. Mr. Don Miller, representing the Clark Maritime Centre has been working with Deputy McCauley. Mr. Miller spoke of the importance of bringing ScanSteel to the Clark Maritime Centre. Mr. Tom Scanlon, President of ScanSteel gave a history of the company explaining the need for expansion and the plans for the future. The primary business of ScanSteel is steel processing and distribution. Deputy McCauley explained ScanSteel is relocating to Jeffersonville from Clarksville. Following all discussion, Council President Conlin made the motion to pass Resolution No. 98-R-14, A Resolution Approving Statement Of Benefits For Purposes Of Property Tax Abatement (ScanSteel Serdce Center, Inc.), seconded by Councilperson Frantz, passing unanimously. Deputy McCauley requests approval of Resolution No. 98-R-15, A Resolution Approving Statement Of Benefits For Purposes Of Property Tax Abatement (RPS, Inc.), explaining the company. Mr. Don Miller explained this is a significant company with good paying jobs that will ~tr~gt other business. Deputy McCauley and Mr. Miller have been working on this together. Following all discussion, Councilperson Perkins made the motion to pass Resolution No. 98-R-15, May 18, 1998 Page 3 of 5 seconded by Council President Conlin, passing unanimously. Mayor Galligan complimented Deputy McCauley and Mr. Miller as it takes a lot of negotiating and leadership to attract business. City Attorney Sedwick Galligan presented Ordinance No. 98-OR-33, An ordinance Changing The Zoning Map Designation Of A Certain Tract Of Property Located At 700 Block Of West Market Street, Jeffersonville, IN From B-1 To B-2, explaining the location, the intended use, and the need for rezoning. Following all discussion, Councilperson Ellis made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 98-OR-33 on the first and second readings, seconded by Councilperson Wilson, passing unanimously. Attorney Sedwick Galligan presented and explained Ordinance No. 98-OR-34, An Ordinance Enabling The Common Council Of The City Of Jeffersonville, Clark County, Indiana To establish A Retirement, Savings Or Severance Pay Plan For Employees Of The City Of Jeffersonville. Attorney Sedwick Galligan explained new legislation that would relieve the City's obligation to fund certain Police and Fire Pension Fund members. Councilperson Perkins inquired if a retired firefighter or police officer could work for the City under contract. Attorney Sedwick Galligan will research this. Following all discussion, Councilperson Frantz made the motion to suspend the rules for Ordinance No. 98-OR-34, seconded by Councilperson Ellis, passing unanimously. Councilperson Frantz then made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 98-OR-34 on all three readings, seconded by Councilperson Williams, passing unanimously. Attorney Sedwick Galligan presented and explained Ordinance No. 9-OR-35, An Ordinance Transferring Certain Funds Within Same Department (City Attorney). Council President Conlin made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 98-OR-35 on the first and second reading, seconded by Councilperson Wilson, passing unanimously. Mr. John Toombs of Jacobi, Toombs, and Lanz Engineers explained the events leading up to the presentation of Resolution No. 98-R-16, A Resolution Of Acceptance Of Preliminary Engineering Report, Resolution No. 98-R-17, A Resolution Of Authorized Representative Resolution, and Resolution No. 98-R-18, A resolution Indicating Willingness To Accept Water Quality Management Planning Responsibilities. Following all discussion, Council President Conlin made the motion to pass Resolution No. 98-R-16, seconded by Councilperson Wilder, passing unanimously. Council President Conlin then made the motion to pass Resolution No. 98-R- 17, seconded by Councilperson Wilder, May 18, 1998 Page4 of 5 passing on a vote of 6-1 with Councilperson Perkins voting in opposition. Council President Conlin then made the motion to pass Resolution No. 98-R-18, seconded by Councilperson Wilder, passing unanimously. Council President Conlin announced a workshop will be held Thursday, May 18, 1998 at 5:30 P.M. Councilperson Frantz thanked Bev Counts for her work with the youth and bringing them to the meeting. She encouraged her to keep bringing the youth. Couneilperson Perkins has worked with Street Commissioner Irvin and Engineer Miller on the alley at the end of the 1000 block between Court Avenue and 7~ Street. There is a lot of erosion and there is a need to widen the alley for the garbage trucks. This will be discussed at the workshop. Councilperson Ellis thanked the young people for coming tonight encouraging them to come back as what is done here is also about them as one day they will have the opportunity to serve on the Council. Councilperson Ellis is really concerned about Hamburg Pike from Liter's Quarry to 14~ Street. He feels sorry for the people that live there as there is so much rock, debris, and dust from the trucks. There is a need to clean up the area. Ms. Nellie Knowland stated she followed four trucks today and not one was covered. There is no tap law in Indiana. Mayor Galligan said there is a need to pass a tap Ordinance. He is working on trying to get a road built to reroute to the highway. Council President Conlin requests the speed limit be watched in this area. Mayor Galligan will put an officer on this in the morning. Coundlperson Wilson requests the presence of Animal Shelter Director Jim Gillenwater at the workshop. She related some animal control problems on Allison Lane. Couneilperson Perkins has concerns regarding an area onMaple Street. Councilperson Wilson reminds all ofthe Concerts in the Park. She has schedules and invites all to come. Couneilperson Williams thanks Bev Couts and the teens for their attendance. He has a real appreciation for the youth. He requested the teens to sing. Mayor Galligan suggests the meeting scheduled for June 1 be changed to June 2. All agreed. Councilperson Frantz inquired if the salary survey is available. Arrangements will be made to get copies for the Council. May 18, 1998 Page 5 of 5 Mr. Charlie Ruck feels that tax abatements are a necessary evil. He would like to see more services for the downtown merchants to help them stay in business. Mayor Galligan reviewed the list of benefits available to downtown merchants. Some, such as Schimpf's and Wall Street Cafe have received tax abatements. A lot of things have been done to incubate downtown. Deputy McCauley noted the Courier Journal recently featured downtown Jeffersonville and the renovation work that has been done. Every cent of low interest money has gone to downtown. The City is working hand in hand with Main Street. Downtown has not been abandoned or neglected. Mayor Galligan explained this administration is t~ring to change the tax base from homes to industry. Councilperson Ellis announced there will be a job fair at Spring Hill School on June 6, 1998. Mayor Galligan is looking forward to a call from the State granting the City a one half million dollar Street Scape Grant. This will give the downtown a different look altogether. He feels the City will be the recipient due to the stubbornness of this administration. This is the fourth time the City has applied for this grant. Mayor Galligan is trying to Work with the people that own the building where there is a proposal for a methadone clinic. Other areas are being looked at. There is a need for more communication. There will be a meeting to discuss options. There is a question if there is a need for another methadone clinic. Councilperson Perkins feels this clinic could hurt the whole effort downtown. Council President Conlin said this is a private organization that cannot be stopped legally. Mayor Galligan is trying to work with this group in a positive light. There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilperson Perkins made the motion to adjourn at 8:45 P.M., seconded by Councilperson~)llis, passing unanimously. ATTEST: CLEI(K'AND TKEASL~ER C. ~a'~IAR~ SPENCER JR.