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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-19-99COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA JULY 19,1999 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 19th day of July, 1999. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Thomas R. Galligan, with Clerk and Treasurer C. Richard Spencer Jr. at the desk. Mayor Galligan welcomed all in attendance, asking all those present to stand as Councilperson Williams 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, Peggy Knight Wilder, Barbara Wilson, Andrew Williams III, and Vicki Conlin. Absent: None. Mayor Galligan presented the minutes of the meetings of June 21, June 24, and July 6, 1999 for consideration by the Council. Councilperson Ellis made the motion to approve the minutes as presented, seconded by Councilperson Wilson and carried unanimously. Clerk and Treasurer Spencer presented the claim list for consideration by the Council, explaining additional claims~ FOllowing all discussion, Council P~esident Conlin made the motion to approve the claims as presented as well as the additional, seconded by Councilperson Williams, passing unanimously. Mayor Galligan presented Ordinance No. 99-OR~41, An Ordinance To Establish The Quartermaster Depot As A Conservation District. Councilperson Perkins made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 99-OR-41 on the first and second readings, seconded by Council President Conlin. Mr. Mike Maschmeyer, an attorney representing the owners of the Quartermaster Depot, told the Council he is opposed to the Ordinance. He assured the Council ~here are no negotiations with Walmart or K-Mart regarding the property and that United Way will receive all of its money. The environmental cleanup will be complete by the end of the year. Attorney Maschmeyer presented a letter from Attorney Bob Lanum that supports these statements. He then presented pictures of the July 19, 1999 Page 2 of 4 property as it is today. Attorney Maschmeyer said passage of this Ordinance exposes the City to litigation and damages. There is a sale pending. Council President Conlin called for the question. The following roll call vote for the passage of Ordinance No. 99-OR-41 on the first and second reading is recorded as follows: Ayes: Councilpersons Perkins, Ellis, and Conlin. Nays: Councilpersons Williams and Frantz. Abstain: Councilpersons Wilder and Wilson. Councilperson Ellis stated he supports the Ordinance at this time in order to get the owners, the Historic Board and the Counc'fl together. Attorney Galligan said there will be interim protection as long as the Ordinance is under consideration by the Council. The vote taken tonight is considered a "no action" vote as there were not 4 votes on either side. Attorney Maschmeyer is more than happy to discuss the issue. The owners are present. They were no notified of the Historic Board meeting, and did not know the Quartermaster Depot was being considered: Mayor Galligan said the fear is the buildings would be torn down and the property sold as outlots and the City does not have the infrastructure to handle the traffic. This would be a burden to the taxpayer. He feels there is a nice buitding and he wants to work with the owners. He feels both sides can work together. He does not feel all avenues have been explored. Attorney Maschmeyer feels the Ordinance is premature. There is an offer of $450,000 pending for one acre that does not contain any structures. Councilperson Perkins said there is a need to restore pride in Jeffersonv'flle giving examples of other historic build'mgs that were in worse shape that have been saved. Attorney for the owners, David Nachand, reviewed points from two years ago when this was considered and not passed, saying they are 100% valid tonight, making reference to the economics of the situation. Mayor Galligart, stating the importance of the Quadrangle, said he doesn't want to keep the owners from making a profit. There is a need for cooperation as this is our history. Mayor Galligan feels there are ways to remedy this situation that have not been explored. He is personally not ready to give up even if it means getting sued. A review of the groups notified at the time of the sale of the property was given indicating the effort that was made before the sale of the property two years ago. No historic developer came to buy the property. Mr. John Frey said he has been involved in properties in the existing historic district and has July 19, 1999 Page 3 of 4 never found it to be a handicap in any way. He feds the property could be worth more by not selling it piecemeal. Ms. Laura Dreistadt, Field Coordinator, Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana apologies for not nofffying the owners of the meefmg. There was public notice given. Ms. Dreistadt said the building is irreplaceable and time is needed to find developers. Mr. David Renwer, Dkector, Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana feels the Quadrangle is every bit as important to Jeffersonville as the White House is to Washington D.C. He does understand the economics. Mr. Renwer also feels the building is irreplaceable. He gave examples of projects in West Baden and Bloomington, saying let's exhaust all remedies first. He stands ready to assist. There is a public trust here. Councilperson Perkins would like to continue to work with all groups. Hoping the comments would sway opinions, he asks to reconsider the motion to pass Ordinance No. 99-OR-41 on the first and second readings. Councilperson Ellis would like to see all get together and then bring it back to a vote. Councilperson Perkins is concerned something will happen in the interim. Attorney Galligan explained there is interim protection for 60 to 90 days. The Council should not fear litigation as she is sure it would be upheld by both the Indiana and Federal Supreme Courts. Counc'dperson Frantz noted the Council voted to protect the Carnegie Building and she would like to know what has been done. She was told the building has been stabilized and there is a need to get the current tenants out before anything else can be done. The plan is to make it a museum. One of the owners, said lhe wrecking ball is not coming. Another owner, Dr. Hussain said there are no plans for a "big user". He does not feel a Dairy Mart is high volume. A meeting will be set up with three Council members, Mayor Galligan, the owners and their attorney. Attorney Galligan said that in the mean time the property is safe for 30 to 90 days. The meeting will be at 1:30 P.M. on Friday, July 23. Councilperson Perkins withdrew his motion. Attorney Galligan explained Ordinance No. 99~OR-43, An Ordinance Regard'mg Removal And Disposal Of Abandoned Vehicles. There is a current Ordinance, however this will comply better with state statutes. Following all discussion, Councilperson Perkins made the motion to suspend the rules for Ordinance No. 99-OR-43, seconded by Council President Conlin, passing unanimously. Counc'dperson Perkins then made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 99-OR-43 on all three readings, July 19, 1999 Page 4 of 4 seconded by Council President Conlin, passing unanimously. Council President Conlin read an announcement of an open house at the Indiana Department of Transportation. Councilperson Frantz suggests photos be taken of the Hoke's and Reeds Land situations. Mayor Galligan introduced Mr. Dave Duggins who has been hired as an assistant to Phil McCauley. Mayor Galligan said the concert last Friday was nice. He reviewed the Spring Street progress, the Ewing Lane drainage project, and the road project to keep trucks offAugusta Drive. Mayor Galligan announced a program to correct drainage at driveways on Sportsman Drive. There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilperson Perkins made the motion to adjourn at 8:35 P.M., seconded by Council President Conlin, passing unanimously. ATTEST: CLEI~'AI~rD TREXsI~LER ~zz_~ SPENCER JR.