HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-04-99COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS OF TIlE
COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA
OCTOBER 4, 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 4th day of
October, 1999.
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Thomas R. Galtigan, 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, Barbara Wilson, Andrew Williams III, and Vicki Conlin.
Absent: Peggy Knight Wilder.
Mayor Galligan presented the minutes of the meetings of September 7, and September 20,
1999 for consideration by the Council. Councilperson Wilson made the motion to approve the
minutes as presented, seconded by Councilperson Williams and carried unanimously.
Clerk and Treasurer Spencer presented the claim list for consideration by the Council,
explaining additional claims. Following all discussion, Councilperson Williams made the motion to
approve the claims as presented as well as the additional, seconded by Council President Conlin,
passing unanimously.
Ms. Jean Arnold appeared before the Council to ask what could be done about the sewer bills
during the current drought. Mayor Galligan said there would be a press conference tomorrow
announcing a sewer bill adjustment program.
Mr. Larry Wilder, Attorney representing the Town of Utica, appeared before the Council
presenting a request for voluntary annexation by Clark W. Nickles to the Town of Utica. Attorney
Wilder explained the area. Councilperson Perkins has a concern as the property borders Jeffersonville
property. He would rather have Jeffersonville annex this property as it would be in the best interest
of Jeffersonville taxpayers. At the conclusion of all discussion, Councilperson Perkins made the
October 4, 1999 Page 2 of 5
motion to deny the petition, seconded by Council President Conlin. Attorney Wilder would guess
this will involve litigation. The motion to deny passed unanimously.
Mr. David Duggins, on behalf of the Department of Redevelopment, presented Resolution
No. 99-R-29, A Resolution Approving Statement Of Benefits For Purposes Of Property Tax
Abatement (Badd, Inc.) and Resolution No. 99-R-30, A Resolution Approving Statement Of Benefits
For Purposes Of Property Tax Abatement (JPMC, LLC). Mr. Duggins explained the company,
location, number of employees, pay, and the internship the company has with Jeffersonville High
School. Mr. Duggins also explained the reason for the move. At the conclusion of alt discussion,
Council President Conlin made the motion to pass Resolution No. 99-R-29 and 99-R-30, seconded
by Councilperson Frantz, passing unanimously.
Councilperson Wilder arrives at 7:30 P.M.
Mr. David Duggins, explained Resolution No. 99-R-31, A Resolution Approving Park III-
Strategic Plan Of The Urban Enterprise Zone Application To The Indiana Department Of Commerce.
Mr. Duggins explained the goals and accomplishments of an Urban Enterprise Zone. Councilperson
Perkins is in favor of this as it has been talked about for 20 years. Councilperson Perkins made the
motion to pass Resolution No. 99-R-31, seconded by Councilperson Frantz, passing unanimously.
Mr. David Duggins explained the Council has four appointments to the Urban Enterprise
Board that need to be in Indianapolis by October 15, 1999. These appointments were explained in
a letter dated September 3 recommending the Council appoint Councilperson Vicki Conlin, Rita
Fleming, Tonya Neal and Billie Sue Smith. Councilpersons Perkins and Ellis would like to discuss
these appointment in a workshop. Councilperson Wilder made the motion to pass Resolution No.99-
R-32, A Resolution Accepting Recommended Nomination To the Urban Enterprise Board, seconded
by Councilperson Williams. Councilperson Wilson stated she would like to have a discussion during
a workshop. Councilperson Ellis has concerns for the lack of minority representation, and is also
concerned the Council representative is not from the district. Mr. Duggins apologized for not
following up with the Council regarding the September 3 letter, but felt there were no problems with
the appointments as he was not contacted by the council. The motion to pass Resolution No. 99-R-
32 passed on a vote of 4-2-1. Councilpersons Perkins and Ellis voted nay with Councilperson Wilson
abstaining.
October 4, 1999 Page 3 of 5
Ordinance No. 99-OR-56, An Ordinance Transferring Certain Funds Within Same Department
(City Engineer) was presented for consideration. City Engineer Bob Miller explained the need for
the transfer. Councilperson Frantz made the motion to suspend the rules for Ordinance No. 99-OR-
56, seconded by Councilperson Williams, failing on a vote of 6-1 with Councilperson Ellis voting nay.
Councilperson Frantz then made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 99-OR-56 on the first and second
readings, seconded by Council President Conlin, passing on a vote of 6-1. Councilperson Ellis voted
nay.
Ordinance No. 99-OR-57, An Ordinance Transferring Certain Funds Within Same Department
(Motor Vehicle) was presented for consideration. En 'gmeer Miller explained the need for the transfer.
Councilperson Frantz made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 9%OR-57 on the first and second
readings, seconded by Councilperson Williams, passing on a vote of 6-1 with Councilperson Ellis
voting nay.
Mayor Galligan presented Ordinance No. 99-OR-54, An Ordinance Amending Certain
Portions Of Section 1 Of Ordinance No. 99-OR-47 (Sewage Department) for the third and final
reading. Council President Conlin made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 99-OR-54 on the third
and final reading, seconded by Councilperson Williams, passing on a vote of 5-2. Councilperson
Perkins and Ellis voted in opposition to passage.
Mayor Galligan presented Ordinance No. 99-OR-55, An Ordinance Amending Certain
Portions Of Section 1 Of Ordinance No. 99-OR-49 (Sewage Department) for the third and final
reading. Council President Conlin made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 99-OR-55 on the third
and final reading, seconded by Councilperson Williams, passing on a vote of 5-2 with Councilperson
Perkins and Ellis voting nay.
Attorney Galligan explained the need for Ordinance No. 99-OR-58, An Ordinance Amending
Certain Portions Of Section 1 Of Ordinance No. 98-OR-47 (Sewage Department). Councilperson
Wilder made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 99-OR-58 on the first and second readings, seconded
by Council President Conlin, passing on a vote of 4-3. Councilpersons Perkins, Ellis, and Wilson
voted nay.
Council President Conlin has distributed a copy of the Firefighter's Contract to the Council,
asking they review the contract for the October 18, 1999 meeting. The City has received a Certificate
October 4, 1999 Page 4 of 5
of Membership for Step Ahead In Clark County. With regard to retirees insurance, the Council is
waiting for the actuarial study. Council President Conlin thanks Councilperson Frantz for organizing
the No Violence Tour this past Saturday.
Councilperson Perkins has concerns for the sewer bills, asking the Mayor to explain the
adjustment program. Mayor Galligan explained sewer bills will be looked at over the last 2 actual
readings during the drought and averaged with the readings from a non-drought period. Customers
will receive a credit for the overage. Each customer will be allowed only one adjustment.
Councilperson Perkins has received calls from two retirees with regard for the increase in the health
insurance rates.
Councilperson Ellis has been asked to remind Mayor Galligan about Reverent Martin.
Councilperson Wilder apologized for being late this evening and for not being able to attend
the No Violence Tour on Saturday. She would like any information from that tour. Councilperson
Wilder knows the sewer bill adjustments will be a lot of work for the sewer office employees, but
knows the constituents will appreciate the effort. Mayor Galligan explained the use of a hose meter
and also said the water company will be hiring another meter reader so readings can be done monthly.
Councilperson Wilder questions when the street lights will be up downtown. Mayor Galligan
explained the wiring problems due to Public Service. The poles are due to be in tomorrow.
Councilperson Wilson is sorry she was out of town on Saturday and was not able to attend
theNo Violence Tour. She has also received calls about the sewer bills. She asks if the leaf pick up
program could be started sooner than scheduled. Mayor Galligan said this will happen.
Councilperson Frantz would like to start a recognition program for the youth. She told of a
Parkview Middle School project to help the families of the recent fire on Colonial Park Drive.
Students at River Valley Middle School also participated, There is a need for recognition for both
middle schools. She would like to see a program recognizing outstanding youth each year.
Mayor Galligan reported he attended the No Violence Tour this past Saturday explaining it
was very enlightening. The tour included an arcade, a comic book store and a park. Mayor Galligan
said it is amazing what you find when you look. It is amazing ~vhat kids are reading. It is
documented the day after a WWF event there is more aggressive behavior. We are teaching by what
we let the youth see or read. He recommends not letting children watch television with, ut
October 4, 1999 Page 5 of 5
supervision. The intemet is open season. Mayor Galligan next reported on the paving projects. The
City now has two banners honoring Ms. Margaret Read a recent recipient of the Bell Award. Ms.
Read represents our community very well. There are a lot of good citizens that do good things,
caring things. If any see Ms. Read he asks they thank her for her good work.
Council President Conlin said the folders received on the No Violence Tour be available at
the Community Center and the Library. Information may also be found at www.noviolence.com.
There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilperson Perkins made the
motion to adjourn at 8:10 P.M., seconded by Councilperson Williams, passing unanimously.
' 5/gAYOR THOMAS R. GALI~AN
ATTEST:
CLE~J2~ AND TREASURER C~I-~uRD SPENCER JR.