HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-21-98COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS OF THE
COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA
SEPTEMBER 21, 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 21st day of
September, 1998.
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Thomas R. Gailigan, with Clerk and Treasurer C.
Richard Spencer Jr. at the desk. Mayor Galligan welcomed all in attendance, asking ail those present
to stand as Councilperson Ellis gave the invocation. Mayor Galligan 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, Barbara Wilson, Andrew Williams III, and Vicky Conlin.
Absent: Peggy Knight Wilder.
Mayor Galligan presented the minutes of the meeting of September 8, 1998 for consideration
by the Council. Councilperson Wilson made the motion to approve the minutes as presented,
seconded by Councilperson Williams and carded unanimously:
Clerk and Treasurer Spencer presented the claim list for consideration by the Council,
explaining one additional claim. Following all discussion, Councilperson Frantz made the motion to
approve the claims as presented without the additionai, seconded by Council President Conlin,
passing unanimously.
During the public comment time Mr. Geraldo Rivera told the Council he is still here helping
with tenant's rights, that Barbara Anderson is still giving office space and he recently made a trip to
Washington D.C. on behalf of the cause.
Deputy Mayor Phil McCauley appeared before the Council to request passage of Resolution
No. 98-R-26, A Resolution approving Statement Of Benefits For Purposes Of Property Tax
Abatement (Indiana Hotel Associates, LLC). Deputy McCauley said Mr. Tom Musselman, owner
and operator of approximately 25 hotels heads a strong organization that will be able to do what has
been proposed. The proposal is for a "park-like" setting that will include three hotel buildings that
will be a catalyst for future development. This will be a good investment in the area. Councilperson
September 21, 1998 Page 2 of 6
Perkins appreciates the time Deputy McCauley spent meeting with him and Councilperson Ellis. He
agrees 100% with this project. This project will give solvency to this T.I.F. District. Councilperson
Perkins made the motion to pass Resolution 98-R-26, seconded by Councilperson Frantz, passing
unanimously.
Ms. Laura Dreistadt, representing Historic Landmarks Foundations explained a requested
amendment to Ordinance No. 97-OR-20. Following all discussion, Council President Conlin made
the motion to suspend the rules for Ordinance No. 98-OR-55, An Ordinance Amending Ordinance
97-OR-20, "Historic Preservation And Protection Districts", seconded by Councilperson Perkins,
passing unanimously. Council President Conlin then made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 98-OR-
55 on all three readings, seconded by Councilperson Williams, passing unanimously.
Ordinance No. 98-OR-56, An Ordinance Transferring Certain Funds Within Same Department
(Sanitation) was presented for consideration. Discussion followed regarding the original budget and
expenditures. CouncilPresident Conlinmade the motionto table Ordinance No. 98-OR-56, seconded
by Councilperson Frantz. Following further discussion, Councilperson Frantz withdrew her second
and Council President Conlin withdrew her motion. Councilperson Perkins then made the motion
to pass Ordinance No. 98-OR-56 on the first and second readings, seconded by Councilperson Ellis,
passing unanimously.
Ordinance No. 98-OR-57, An Ordinance Transferring Certain Funds Within Same Department
(City Engineer) was presented for consideration. City Engineer Miller answered questions regarding
the requested transfer. Councilperson Perkins made the motion to suspend the rules for Ordinance
No. 98-OR-57, explaining he appreciates Engineer Miller attending the meeting to answer questions,
seconded by Council President Conlin, passing unanimously. Councilperson Perkins then made the
motion to pass Ordinance No. 98-OR-57 on all three readings, seconded by Council President Conlin,
passing unanimously.
Attorney Galligan presented and explained Ordinance No. 98-OR-58, An Ordinance
Transferring Certain Funds Within Same Department (City Attorney). Council President Conlin made
the motion to suspend the rules for Ordinance No. 98-OR-58, seconded by Councilperson Frantz,
passing unanimously. Council President Conlin then made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 98-OR-
58 on all three readings, seconded by Councilperson Williams, passing unanimously.
September 21, 1998 Page 3 of 6
Attorney Galligan presented and explained Ordinance No. 98-OR-59, An Ordinance
Amending Certain Portions Of Section 1 Of Ordinance No. 98-OR-47 (Sewage). The status of the
employees involved was explained. Engineer iWnller said the increase involved only two workers that
are both excellent employees. Councilperson Frantz made the motion to suspend the rules for
Ordinance No. 98-OR-59, seconded by CouncilpersonEllis, passing unanimously. Councilperson
Frantz made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 98-OR-59 on all three readings, seconded by
Councilperson Williams, passing unanimously.
Attorney Galligan presented and explained Ordinance No. 98-OR-60, An Ordinance
Amending Certain Portions Of Section 1 Of Ordinance No. 97-OR-33 (Sewage). Council President
Conlin made the motion to suspend the rules for Ordinance No. 98-OR-60, seconded by
Councilperson Frantz, passing unanimously. Council President Conlin made the motion to pass
Ordinance No. 98-OR-60, on all three readings, seconded by Councilperson Williams, passing
unanimously.
Attorney Galligan presented and explained Ordinance No. 98-OR-61, An Ordinance
Establishing A Department Of Law Non-Reverting Fund. Following discussion, Councilperson
Perkins made the motion to suspend the rules for Ordinance No. 98-OR-61, seconded by
Councilperson Frantz, passing unanimously. Councilperson Perkins made the motion to pass
Ordinance No. 98-OR-61 on all three readings, seconded by Councilperson Williams, passing
unanimously.
Attorney Galligan presented and explained Ordinance No. 98-OR-62, An Ordinance Changing
The Method Of Recovering The Costs Of Providing Water For Public Fire Protection. Following
discussion, Councilperson Frantz made the motion to suspend the roles for Ordinance No. 98-OR-62,
seconded by Councilperson Ellis passing unanimously. Councilperson Frantz made the motion to
pass Ordinance No. 98-OR-62 on all three readings, seconded by Councilperson Williams, passing
on a vote of 5-1. Councilperson Perkins voted in opposition saying he is not opposed to user fees,
but does not feel this Ordinance is in the best interest of those in his district. Mrs. Miller asked if she
will be paying property taxes for the amount and also paying for it on her water bill. She was told
she would not.
Council President Conlin presented Ordinance No. 98-OR-54, A-K for the second and third
September 21, 1998 Page 4 of 6
readings. Councilperson Frantz requests salaries, travel and promotion remain in the Council budget,
moving all the rest to the Board of Public Works. Councilperson Perkins made the motion to pass
Ordinance No. 98-OR-54 A-K, stating the request made by Councilperson Frantz would move the
appropriations from legislative to administrative. He is not saying this is a bad idea or a good idea,
he is concerned with the timing. When asked for his opinion, Deputy McCauley said this would be
a change in terminology. The council would still have to change line items. He does not see much
change. Attorney Galligan said the only difference would be who signs the claims. Councilperson
Perkins would like to have more time to think about this. Council President Conlin called for public
comment on the budgets. Clerk and Treasurer Spencer asked if the funding for the water is in the
1999 budget. Mayor Galligan said it has not been taken out of the budget and will not be until
approved by the State Regulatory Commission. Council President Conlin said the amount will be
taken out if passed. Council President Conlin also stated it is just a formality for the Council
President to sign the claims. Council President Conlin again called for public comment. There being
none she thanked Deputy McCauley, Clerk and Treasurer Spencer and Deputy Hollis for their work
onthe budget. Councilperson Perkins does not know if the Board of Works taldng over part of the
Council budget is a bad idea or not. He would like to look into it further. Attorney Galligan said the
Board of Works does approve all lights, contracts, etc. Councilperson Ellis would like to take more
time on this. This will be discussed at a workshop to be held on October 5 at 5:30 P.M.
Councilperson Perkins made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 98-OR-54 A-K on the second and
third readings, seconded by Councilperson Ellis, passing on a vote of 4-2, with Councilpersons
Williams and Frantz voting against the Ordinance.
Ms. Jo Dufton informed the Council the Mayor's Youth Advisory Council meets the last
Tuesday of each month at 6:00 P.M. at the Jeff Library, inviting all to attend.
Councilperson Perkins would like to develop a portfolio of building plans for suitable house
on small lots, asking a Resolution be sent to the Plan Commission. Mayor Galligan would like to
have a public hearing for the downtown residents. Councilperson Perkins said the Plan Commission
would have a public hearing. He does know some lots cannot be built on. Following all discussion,
Councilperson Perkins made the motion to pass Resolution No. 98-R-27, A Resolution Referring
Proposal To Amend Zoning Ordinance, seconded by Council President Conlin, passing unanimously.
September 21, 1998 Page 5 of 6
Councilperson Perkins would like to sit down and discuss the matter of moving Council budget items
to the Board of Public Works.
Councilperson Frantz would also like to thank Deputy McCauley, Clerk and Treasurer
Spencer, and Deputy Hollis for their work on the budgets. She does want the Department Heads to
know that they did a good job on their budgets. Budgets are not cut without offering a change'to
come back for explanations. All worked hard thru the budgets. There is a need to do things and it
takes money. She also reminds all of the need for a aquatic center. There is a need to think about
families. This project is needed and she begs the Council to consider this as all will be glad when it
is built.
Mayor Galligan told the Council of the trip he and Deputy McCauley took to Amsterdam with
the Lt. Governor. They met with the executives and toured a plant that will be built in the Maritime
Center. They do have an option on the ground next to the proposed plant and their intention is to
bring in another plant. They also met with company officials in Pads of another steel company. All
in all it was a very good trip and he fells it was very worthwhile. They also met the Indiana
Representatives in Europe. Mayor Galligan told the Council there will be no trucks on Spring Street
between Court and Market as the sewers were televised and problems were found. Repairs will be
made. The City is getting a start on hotels on the "piggyback yard", thanks to Deputy McCauley.
Mayor Galligan was surprised at those on the Mayor's Youth Council as the members are very
outspoken with a lot of good ideas. This is a very interesting group and time would be well spent to
interact with the group. Council President Conlin said this is a good group that wants to be involved.
Mayor Galligan attended a meeting in Scottsburg today concerning welfare reform reviewing
decisions made.
Mr. Jay Ellis, representing Jeff`Main Street, requests passage of Resolution No. 98-R-28, A
Resolution Of Support For The 1999 Great American Main Street Award. Following discussion,
Councilperson Perkins made the motion to pass Resolution No. 98-R-28, seconded by Council
President Conlin, passing unanimously.
September 21, 1998
Page 6 of 6
There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilperson Perkins made the
motion to adjourn at 8:30 P.M., seconded by Councilperson Ellis, passing unanimously.
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