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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. t, M~YbR THOMAg R-. G)/LLIG/~ ATTES T: V CLE~I~ AND TREASU~R C. RI~ SPENCER JR.