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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-07-2004COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JEFFERSONV[LLE, INDIANA June 7, 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, June 7, 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 Reverend Chambers 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 Councilperson Zastawny made the motion to approve the agenda with the addition of consideration of a State Of The City Address, second by Councilperson Perkins, passing on a vote of 7-0. Mayor Waiz presented the minutes of the meetings of March 17, 2004 (afternoon meeting) and March 17, 2004, (evening nSeeting) for approval. Councilperson Fetz made the motion to approve the minutes of March 17, 2004 (afternoon meeting) as presented, second by Councilperson Wilson, passing on a vote of 7-0. Councilperson Perkins made the motion to approve the minutes of March 17, 2004 (evening meeting) as presented, second by Councilperson Wilson, passing on a vote of 7-0. PUBLIC COMMENT: Mr. Mike Him, Attorney representing The Courier Journal, addressed the Council regarding the news rack ordinance. Mr. Him expressed his concern of a constitutional problem with section 3 having to do with the Building Commission. He believes there is too much unfettered discretion. He asks the Council to reject the proposed ordinance. June 7, 2004 2 DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORT: Mr. Ron Ellis, Street Commissioner, appeared before the Council regarding the continuous break down of the garbage trucks. They are becoming hard to maintain, as parts are hard to find. It is getting to a critical stage and overtime is required. Following discussion, Councilpersou Grooms made the motion to lease 2 sanitation packers to the specifications submitted by Street Commissioner Ellis, second by Councilperson Perkins. Councilperson Grooms said he was on the Council during the time the City had a private concern and said two good packers are needed if the City would decide to go private again. Council President McCanley has done some research and found the City is beating the private price. He concludes the City is better off doing its own collection. Following all discussion the motion to lease two packers passed on a vote of 7-0. Clerk Treasurer Wilder presented the claim list for consideration. Councilperson Perkins made the motion to approve the claims as submitted, second by Councilperson Wilson. Following discussion regarding trash cans the motion passed 7-0. AGENDA ITEMS: Mr. Greg Filer, Attorney representing Highland Trace LLC, appeared before the Council to request passage of Ordinance No. 2004-OR-30, An Ordinance Vacating An Unimproved Portion Of Reed's Lane, A Public Way In The City of Jeffersonville, Indiana. The adjacent property owners have been notified and the public heating has been noticed. No objections have been rec'eived. Public comment was requested. As there was no comment, Councilperson Grooms made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2004-OR-30 on the first reading, second by Councilperson Fetz, passing on a vote of 7-0. Councilperson Fetz initiated discussion regarding the increase in retiree health insurance rates. Councilperson Wilson made the motion to schedule a workshop on this matter. Mayor Waiz explained increases have not been done per the ordinance. This adjustment is according to ordinance. Councilperson Grooms explained the percentage. Mayor Waiz has talked with Humana regarding options. Councilperson Fetz said some of the employees have indicated they would share the cost. Councilperson McCauley reviewed the history saying Mayor Waiz has enforced the Ordinance. Councilperson Grooms agrees. As the police and fire liaison, Councilperson Fetz felt obligated to bring this to a discussion. Councilperson Perkins said Mayor Waiz has done what was needed. June 7, 2004 3 The previous administration should have done so. Councilperson Perkins suggested amending the ordinance to absorb half of the increase until the end of the year. The retirees have received a deal in the past. Council President McCauley said today's health insurance is a serious fiscal problem. Councilperson Zastawny made the second to the motion to hold a workshop, passing on a vote of 7-0. The workshop will be June 21 at 6:30 P.M. Councilperson Perkins presented Ordinance No. 2004-OR-22, An Ordinance Regarding Newsracks And Private Package Delivery Boxes. Attorney Merkley suggested adding "excluding Saturday, Sunday, and Holidays", to Section 12. Attorney Merkley has received a letter from Trader Distribution Services stating their concerns. Council President McCanley said he does not feel fxee speech is hampered by regulating newsracks. Attorney Merkley suggests tabling this ordinance to review the issues raised by Trader Distribution Services. Councilperson Perkins feels there is no reason to table the ordinance as it can be amended. Councilperson Perkins made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2004-OR-22 on the third reading, second by Council President McCauley, passing on a vote of 7-0. Councilperson Zastawny read aloud a motion to adopt a standing rule. He is concerned with communicating Council actions. He brings this up for discussion and would like to make it formal at the next meeting. Ideas were discussed. CLERK TREASURER COMMENTS: Clerk Treasurer Wilder informed the Council the City has received an extension on the $10,000,000 tax anticipation warrant and is in the process of obtaining a $7,000,000 tax anticipation warrant. She said it would take time to collect two years of taxes. Once this is caught up the city should be in great shape. COUNCIL AND MAYOR COMMENTS: Councilperson Perkins said Jeff Fest will be June 19, 2004. This will be family oriented. Councilperson Zastawny expressed concern for the drainage in Summeflin Place with the recent rain. Councilperson Sellers will take the matter to the drainage board. June 7, 2004 4 Councilperson Fetz said there will be a K-9 workshop and demonstration in Jeffersonville. Sponsors are need. He compliments the Police Department, the Fire Department, and the Street Department for their work during the recent storms. Councilperson Sell~s said there is a need for more volunteers at the Animal Shelter. A television station is going to do a pet of the week. The Animal Shelter will be at JeffFest. Councilperson Wilson will get copies of the minutes of the SIEDC meeting to the council. She reported the Animal Shelter open house went well. Councilperson Grooms echoes Councilperson Fetz's comments regarding he Police, Fire, and Street Department during the storm. Councilperson Grooms called attention to the Nachand Fieldhouse open house. Councilperson Grooms feel the $50 fee to inspect a newsrack seem high. The Council may want to look at regulating the color of Newsracks. He is also concerned for content in the boxes on private property. Council President McCauley said there is a need to establish dates for contract negations. The attorney selection packet is ready. Council President McCauley said Commissioner Ellis has been helpful with visions for Jeffersonville. He is excited to have a department head with energy and vision. He asks the Council to look at a packet of information regarding the bonds calling attention to the financial reports. Attorney Merkley announced the codebook should be ready within the next couple of months. Mayor Waiz said the Sellersburg water tower should be painted by October. He will stay on top of this. He congratulated the Fire Department on raising $22,000 for the Crusade. Repair Affair went great. The Fire Department had a team. Mayor's night in Northaven was held by knocking on doors. The next Mayor's night will be at the Aquatic Center on June 23. The sewer bonds are being refinanced at a better interest rate. Attorney Merkley is still trying to close on the Redevelopment Bonds. The beautification committee meeting will be June 8 at 11:00 A.M. June 7, 2004 5 adjoume~ ~le~;.w3~Y n° further business t° c~°~Ik. ROBER~.. WI~ ?~A ATTEST: le Council, the meeting was MAYOR