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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-03-2004COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA May 3, 2004 The Common Council of the City of Jeffersonville, Indiana met in regular session in the Multi-Purpose Meeting Room in the City-County Building, Jeffersonville, Indiana, at 7:30 P.M. on Monday, May 3, 2004. Mayor Rob Waiz, with Clerk Treasurer Peggy Wilder at the desk, called the meeting to order. Also present were City Attorney Les Merkley, and Deputy Clerk Barbara Hollis. Mayor Waiz welcomed all in attendance, asking all those present to stand as Councilperson Ron Grooms gave the invocation. Mayor Waiz then 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, Ed Zastawny, Keith Fetz, Connie Sellers, Barbara Wilson, Ron Grooms, and Phil McCauley. Absent: None Council President McCauley made the motion to approve the agenda with the addition of agenda item #17A, Ordinance Extending Tax Anticipation Warrants, second by Councilperson Sellers, passing on a vote of 7-0. Mayor Waiz presented the minutes of the meetings of April 19, 2004 for approval. Conncilperson Sellers asked to have a correction noted on page 5, first paragraph, to read Trevillion Way in Northaven, not Suburban Court. Conncilperson Wilson then made the motion to approve the minutes as corrected, second by Council President McCauley, passing on a vote of 7-0. Clerk Treasurer Wilder presented the claim list for consideration by the Council, calling attention to the request for a donation from Howard Steamboat Museum. Councilperson Grooms made the motion to approve the claims as presented, adding $1,000 for Howard Steamboat Museum, second by Councilperson Perkins, passing on a vote of 7-0. PUBLIC COMMENT: Mr. Michael Him, Attorney representing the Courier Journal, appeared before the Council regarding Ordinance 2004-OR-22, An Ordinance Regulating News Racks. He May 3, 2004 2 did send a letter to Attorney Merkley and Councilperson Perkins. Mr. Him's concern has to do with first amendment rights. Attorney Merkley said 2004-OR-22 was drafted from a model ordinance that has been upheld when tested and challenged. Councilperson Perkins said he would never try to abridge freedom of speech. AGENDA ITEMS: Ms. Judy Travis, President of Rose Hill Association appeared before the Council to request matching funds in the amount of $1,500 for barmers in Rose Hill. Ms. Travis presented a design and location map. Councilperson Perkins said the association does a lot of cleanup, fix up, etc, and has raised money to put back in the neighborhood. Councilperson Perkins suggests the Council give $750 from their donation fund and Mayor Waiz give $750 from his promotion fund. Councilperson Fetz said he would prefer the group look into obtaining a grant first. Most of the Council said they are in support as it is a great project but they ask that a grant be applied for first. Mr. David Duggins, and Mr. Mike Shannon appeared before the Council to request passage of Resolution No. 2004-R-15, A Resolution Of Tax Abatement (Metropolitan Urology, P.S.C.). Councilperson Perkins made the motion to pass Resolution No. 2004-R-15, second by Councilperson Fetz, passing on a vote of 7-0. Councilperson Fetz made the motion to pass Resolution No. 2004-R-16, A Resolution Authorizing The Submittal Of A Cops In Schools (CIS) Grant To Department Of Justice And Authorizing The Police Chief To Execute Documents, second by Councilperson Sellers, passing on a vote of 7-0. Ordinance No. 2004-OR-20, An Ordinance Authorizing City To Remove Debris, Trash, Garbage, Rubbish, Litter, Refuse, Junk And Tires was presented for consideration. Attorney Merkley and Building Commissioner Seagraves have worked on this. Commissioner Seagraves answered questions. Mayor Waiz said this does need to be done. Council President McCanley asked that the word "may" on page 2, line 6, be changed to "shall". All agreed. Councilperson Perkins made the motion to suspend the rules for Ordinance No. 2004-OR-20, second by Councilperson Sellers. Councilperson Grooms asked if this ordinance would apply if the offending items are out of sight from public view. He was informed it would not apply. The motion to suspend the rules passed on a vote of 7-0. Councilperson Perkins then made the motion to pass Ordinance May 3, 2004 3 No. 2004-OR-20 on all three readings, second by Councilperson Sellers, passing on a vote of 7-0. Councilperson Perkins made the motion to table 2004-OR-22, An Ordinance Regulating News Racks, second by Councilperson Zastawny, passing on a vote of 7-0. Ordinance No. 2004-OR-25, An Ordinance Amending 88-OR-16 (Regulating The Disposition Of Abandoned Vehicles) was presented for consideration. Building Commissioner Seagraves answered questions. Councilperson Zastawny asked Commissioner Seagraves if this would cause any staffing problems, to which he answered it would not. Councilperson Perkins made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2004-OR-25 on the first reading, second by Councilperson Wilson, passing on a vote of 7-0. Mr. Doug Toland, Mr. John Smith Jr., Mr. David Smith, and J.J. Smith of Dominion Media appeared before the Council to announce the creation of a new TV station serving 5 Southern Indiana counties. Mr. Toland explained the station would be a family friendly TV station that will sign on June 1, 2004 at 7:00 A.M. Mr. Toland expressed gratitude to Insight for their help. Councilperson Fetz presented an updated version of Ordinance No. 2004-OR-21, An Ordinance Establishing City Tree Board, making the motion to pass on the third reading, second by Councilperson Perkins. Councilperson Sellers expressed concern for a fee of $2 per capita she saw on the intemet. Councilperson Grooms asked if Councilperson Fetz anticipated asking the council for funding in a separate budget. Councilperson Fetz answered no. Councilperson Zastawny anticipated only expenses for advertising and minutes. It is anticipated the operation of this program will be absorbed by the Street Department and the Parks Department. The motion to pass Ordinance No. 2004-OR-21 passed on the third reading on a vote of 7-0. ' Attorney Merkley explained Ordinance No. 2004-OR-26, An Ordinance Extending Tax Anticipation Warrants. Council President McCauley made the motion to suspend the rules for Ordinance No. 2004-R-26, second by Councilperson Fetz, passing on a vote of %0. Council President McCauley then made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2004-OR-26 on all three readings, second by Councilperson Grooms, passing on a vote of 7-0. May 3, 2004 4 COUNCIL COMMENTS: Councilperson Perkins reported on the Enterprise Board meeting. Improvements are to be made to the parking lot at Market and Spring. Redevelopment Director Jim Becker will be asked to attend the next meeting to give a report on revolving loan funds and any delinquencies. Councilperson Perkins asked what the status is of the City Code Book. Attorney Merkley said he hopes to get with the publisher. Councilperson Zastawny said he is glad to see passage of the trash removal ordinance, as it was overdue. There was no Redevelopment meeting this month. Councilperson Zastawny asked that he be replaced on the beautification board as he cannot attend the meetings. Councilperson Wilson offered to fill in. Councilperson Fetz thanked the Council for passing the tree ordinance. He asks for board recommendations. Councilperson Wilson said the concerts in the park will be starting soon. She also is happy to see the tree ordinance passed. Councilperson Grooms said there will be a Solid Waste Board meeting on May 6. 2004 at 4:30 P.M. He made note of points made in the workshop regarding mandatory recycling. He does feel it should be mandatory to protect and preserve the environment. Mandatory recycling is the only way to make a difference. Councilperson Grooms then reviewed a list of the top 15 streets to pave that he received from Street Commissioner Ellis. Mayor Waiz commented on the list. Councilperson Grooms will meet with City Engineer Miller. Councilpflr~on.Grooms has been asked to replace Attorney Merkley on the Ho~,~al~,e~t~Z~rhere were no objections. Council President McCauley noted there is a lot of work ahead for the Council. He has been contacted regarding negotiations with the police. He will consult with the fire department to see if they mind that the Council work with the police first. There are a lot of issues ahead. Council President McCauley did receive 4 complimentary calls regarding the hard work of Council members. It was nice to get positive calls. Mayor Waiz was involved with a Habitat For Humanity program and he would like to look into the City helping with this. Mayor's Night In went well with KIPDA May 3, 2004 5 discussing road projects. He wishes all a good night. The next meeting will be at River Valley School at 1:30 P.M.,May 17. ~ "' ~/~ As there was no further business to com/before yf/~gncil, the meeting was adjourned 9:05 P.M. ROBERT L.-WAIZ, I~AYOR ATTEST: PEGGY WILDER, CLERK AND TREASURER