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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-19-2004 COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA July 19, 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 Tuesday, July 19, 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 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, Kelth Fetz, Connie Sellers, Barbara Wilson, Run Grooms, and Phil McCauley. Absent: None Councilperson Perkins made the motion to approve the agenda w/th the deletion of agenda item #10 and agenda item #17, second by Council President McCauley, passing on a vote of 7-0. Mayor Waiz presented the minutes of the workshops of June 21, 2004, and July 6, 2004, along with the minutes of the~meeting of July 6, 2004 for approval. Councilperson Wilson made the motion to approve the workshop minutes of June 21, 2003 as presented, second by Councilperson Fetz, passing on a vote of 7-0. Councilperson Wilson then made the motion to approve the workshop minutes of July 6, 2004 as presented, second by Councilperson Sellers, passing on a vote of 7-0. Councilperson Wilson, next made the motion to approve the minutes of the meeting of July 6, 2004, second by Councilperson Grooms, passing on a vote of 7-0. Clerk Treasurer Wilder presented the claim list for consideration by the Council, explaining one additional claim payable to Ohio River Greenway. Councilperson Fetz made the motion to approve the claims along with the additional as presented, seconded by Councilperson Sellers passing on a vote of 7-0. July 19, 2004 2 PUBLIC COMMENT: Ms. Yvonne Knight, representing the Howard Steamboat Museum, appeared before the Council to request consideration for a donation from the 2005 budget. Ms. Knight said the Museum Board is in support of the City's proposal for the LST. Mr. Chris Durbin, a resident of Charlestown Pike, questioned what the Ordinance regulating gravel driveways has to do with public health and safety. He feels the gravel trucks traveling Charlestown Pike are a threat to public health and safety. He asks that current gravel drives be "grand fathered". Mr. Durbin said a six-foot hole was left in his yard in 1996 when the City widened the road. He called on this until 1999. Mr. Eugene Ballew, a resident of Charlestown Pike, said the proposed driveway ordinance is the most idiotic thing he ever heard of. He is unhappy with it. Mr. Michael Hutt, a resident of Highway 62, commended the City for the tree cleanup following the recent storm. Mr. Hutt asks if there has been a gravel driveway ordinance on the books for 30 years and it has been unenforceable, how can one be enforced now. He is concerned property taxes will go up if driveways are paved. He also has done some research and has found the City has gravel lots. Mr. Hutt noted the old sewer plant is an eyesore. He sees no sense in the driveway ordinance. Mr. Ron Smith, a resident of Holman's Lane said the driveway ordinance is grossly unfair, and will create a hardship on residents. He appeals to the common sense of the Council to at least make the effedtive date up to today. Mr. Jay Ruff, a resident that lives across from River Valley Middle School, said the City stole most of his driveway when the road was widened and now he is getting all the water run-off. If his driveway was paved he would flood. He wants the road back the way it was. He asks the Council to come and take a look at his driveway. Mr. Leland Creech, a resident of Holman's Lane sees no problem with rock driveways. He would love it if the City would pave his driveway. He was told he would be grand fathered in regard to sewers and now he is required to be on the sewer line. He counted 43 rock drives on his way to this meeting tonight. He sees nothing wrong with a rock drive if it is maintained in a suitable manner. Mr. Gordon Gessner, a resident of Sellers Court, said all in his area have gravel drives. The area will be getting sewers and he would not like it if he paves his drive and July 19, 2004 3 then has it torn up to install sewers. He asks when Holman's Lane will be widened. Mr. Gessner was told that is phase 3 of the Veteran's Parkway project. Phase 1 is being worked on now. AGENDA ITEMS: Mr. Doug Abney of P I Louisville, appeared before the Council to request a tax abatement. Mr. Abney introduced his parmers and explained the company. They are interested in relocating to 1600 Dutch Lane. Council President McCauley said this procedure requires analysis that has not been provided and he would like to follow the guidelines. Following discussion, Councilperson Perkins made the motion to table the request, second by Councilperson Sellers, passing on a vote of 7-0. Councilperson Fetz presented Ordinance No. 2004-OR-39, An Ordinance Repealing And Replacing Ordinance No. 2000-OR-47 (An Ordinance Replacing Ordinance No. 97-OR-46) Establishing Retiree's Health Insurance Benefits For City Employees. Councilperson Fetz presented letters from the Police and Fire representatives stating no objections. Councilperson Fetz then made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2004-OR-39 on the second and third readings, second by Councilperson Sellers, passing on the following roll call vote: Ayes: Councilpersons Perkins, Fetz, Sellers, Wilson, and Grooms. Nays: Councilpersons Zastawny and McCauley. City Attorney Merkley explained Ordinance No. 2004-OR-42, An Ordinance Regulating Portable Private Family Swimming Pools. Councilperson Perkins made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2004-OR-42 on the second and third readings, second by Councilperson Grooms, passing on a vote of 7-0. City Attorney Merkley said the reason for the introduction of Ordinance No. 2004-OR-43, An Ordinance Regulating Off Street Parking In Residential Districts, was due to complaints. Attorney Merkley then read and explained an amendment. The intent is to prohibit parking on grass in front yards. Zoning Director Chris Padgett explained not one speaker would have to pave their gravel drive. This would allow no new gravel drives. Council President McCauley said it helps when the public speaks. The changes make the ordinance enfomeable. He does urge the City to abide with it's own property. Councilperson Grooms said he is the one that introduced this at the suggestion of the City July 19, 2004 4 Attorney. He felt the point is good. The intent is to control parking of vehicles in front yards. This is a threat to public health and safety if traffic view is obstructed. As for the complaint of quarry dust, he would love to do something about this. It is controlled by the State Department of Mining. Councilperson Grooms made the motion to amend Ordinance No. 2004-OR-43 as explained by Attorney Merkley and change the effective date to September 2, 2004, second by Councilperson Zastawny, passing on a vote of 7-0. Councilperson Grooms then made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2004-OR-43 as amended on the second reading, second by Councilperson Zastawny, passing on a vote of 7-0. Clerk Treasurer Wilder reviewed Ordinance No. 2004-OR-44, An Ordinance Transferring Certain Funds Within Same Department (Motor Vehicle). Councilperson Perkins made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2004-OR-44 on the second and third readings, second by Councilperson Wilson, passing on a vote of 7-0. CLERK TREASURER COMMENTS: No comments. COUNCIL AND MAYOR COMMENTS: Councilperson Zastawny asked if the request by Key Communications was ongoing. He was informed the company is in property negotiations. He thanks all for coming tonight as the best form of government is when people speak. Councilperson Grooms asked those that wanted to speak use some of his time. Mr. Leland Creech asked if they had to come back for the third reading of the driveway ordinance. The Council joked that if he did'not trust the Council he should come back. Mr. Brian Shuck, 2519 Coopers Lane, asked the Council to consider having sewers put in his area. He also would also like to have the gravel tracks slowed down. Mayor Waiz is looking into sewer for the area. Mr. Shuck was told to contact the County regarding the speeding. Mr. Gordy Gessner, 2822 Sellers Court, stated his concern for the pond and the mosquitoes, mowing in the area, the end of the road where sewers were put in and is gravel is dangerous, a hidden drive sign is needed on the curve as are street lights. Councilperson Grooms spoke with a Park Board member who has agreed to supply a list of paid claims to Councilperson Wilson who will famish the information to the Council. July 19, 2004 5 Council President McCauley invites the public to the budget sessions and the State of the City Address, Tuesday, July 20, at 7:00 P.M. He does appreciate seeing the crowd. Mayor Waiz noted several significant events this past weekend; Jeff Boat had their 10,000th launch; the 3 on 3 basketball, the Farmer's Market, the beautification committee out working, and Mayor's Night-In at the Aquatic Center. He commends the Street Depamnent on the storm cleanup. He appreciates all for coming. there was no fttn~er business~ r~e Council, Councilperson As Perkins made the motion to adjourn at jg:45 P.M.,/~ Councilperson Wilson, passing on a vote of 7-0. ////~// ~Y ROBERT L. W~(IZ, MAYOR ATTEST: PEGGY WILDER, CLERK AND TREASURER