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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-20-2004COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA December 20, 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 December 20, 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, Keith Fetz, Connie Sellers, Barbara Wilson, Ron Grooms, and Phil McCauley. Absent: None Following discussion, Council President McCauley made the motion to approve the agenda with the additions of a transfer Ordinance and a Resolution regarding Police & Fire, to table agenda item //19, discussion regarding sale of property, and moving agenda item #10, tax abatement discussion to a workshop, second by Councilperson Grooms, passing on a vote of 7-0. Mayor Waiz presented the minutes of the meeting of Decembcn' 6, 2004 and the workshop minutes for December 6, 2004 for approval. Councilperson Wilson made the motion to approve the minutes of the December 6, 2004 meeting as presented, second by Councilperson Sellers, passing on a vote of 7-0. Councilperson Wilson then made the motion to approve the minutes of the December 6, 2004 workshop as presented, second by Councilperson Grooms, passing on a vote of 7-01 Clerk Treasurer Wilder presented the claim list for consideration by the Council, asking the claim for Attorney Larry Wilder be removed. Councilperson Perkins then made the motion to approve the claims as presented with the deletion of the Wilder claim, seconded by Councilperson Zastawny, passing on a vote of 7-0. December 20, 2004 2 PUBLIC COMMENT: Mr. Ron Smith told the Council he feels strongly that tax abatements have been abused, and that the taxpayers took a beating on the Prestwick Square abatement. Mr. Smith is also concerned contracts have been made without a bid. Mr. Mike Hutt asked if the contract to design new city offices was bid. Mayor Waiz said there is no requirement to bid professional services. Mr. Hutt then asked about the status of the Market Street aparm~ents. Councilperson Perkins said the financial arrangements are being updated and it is hoped to close in January 2005. Mr. Hutt is concerned the road remains closed for construction and there is no construction. AGENDA ITEMS: Clerk Treasurer Wilder explained the need for passage of Ordinance No. 2004- OR-75, An Ordinance Of Additional Appropriation (Parks and Recreation). Councilperson Perkins made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2004-OR-75 on the second and third readings, second by Councilperson Wilson, passing on a vote of 7-0. Attorney Merkley explained the need for passage of Ordinance No. 2004-OR-47, An Ordinance Replacing Ordinance No. 97-OR-46, Establishing Retiree's Health Insurance Benefits For City Employees. Councilperson Perkins made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2000-OR-74 on the second and third readings, second by Council President McCauley, passing on a vote of 6-1. Councilperson Fetz voted against passage. Councilperson Perkins presented Ordinance No. 2004-OR-77, An Ordinance To Establish Edit Funds, making the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2004-OR-77 on the second and third readings, second by Councilperson Sellers. Councilperson Grooms asked Clerk Treasurer Wilder if this is necessary. Clerk Treasurer Wilder said she would recommend passage. The motion to pass Ordinance No. 2004-OR-77 on the second and third readings passed on a vote of 7-0. Clerk Treasurer Wilder explained the need for passage of Ordinance No. 2004- OR-78, An Ordinance Of Additional Appropriation (General Fund -Hospitalization). As this has been advertised as a public hearing, comments were requested. Councilperson Grooms stated his concern for the General Fund. Clerk Treasurer Wilder said collections have been up and the full amount requested will not be used unless it is necessary. There being no further comments, Councilperson Perkins made the motion to suspend the rules December 20, 2004 3 for Ordinance No. 2004-OR-78, second by Councilperson Sellers, passing on a vote of 7- 0. Councilperson Perkins then made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2004-OR-78 on all three readings, second by Councilperson Wilson, passing on a vote of 7-0. City Attorney Merkley explained the need for passage of Ordinance No. 2004- OR-79, An Ordinance Transfen'ing Certain Funds Within Same Department (City Attorney). Councilperson Perkins made the motion to suspend the roles for Ordinance No. 2004-OR-79, second by Councilperson Grooms, passing on a vote of 7-0. Councilperson Perkins then made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2004-OR-79 on all three readings, second by Councilperson Grooms, passing on a vote of 7-0. City Attorney Merkley next explained the need for passage of Ordinance No. 2004-OR-80, An Ordinance Establishing A Non-Reverting Fund For The Jeffersonville City Fire Department For The Purchase Of Equipment. Firefighter Tony Decker explained the revenue that would go into the fund and the intentions for its use. Following discussion, Councilperson Grooms made the motion to amend the presented Ordinance by adding "and supplies for said equipment", second by Councilperson Sellers, passing on a vote of 7-0. Councilperson Grooms then made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2004-OR-80 on the first reading, second by Councilperson Sellers, passing on a vote of 7-0. City Attorney Merkley presented Resolution No. 2004-R-40, A Resolution Regarding Agreement Between City Of Jeffersonville And Jeffersonville Firefighters I.A.F.F. Local 558. Council President McCauley made the motion to amend Resolution No. 2004-R-40 section 27.1 to read "per year" in place of "each", second by Councilperson Sellers, passing on a vote of 7-0. Council President McCauley then made the motion to pass Resolution No. 2004-R-40 as amended, second by Councilperson Sellers, passing on a vote of 6-1. Councilperson Fetz voted against passage due to the increases in retirees insurance. Resolution No. 2004-R-41, Before The Common Council For The City Of Jeffersonville, State Of Indiana, was presented and explained. Council President McCauley made the motion to pass Resolution No. 2004-R-41, second by Councilperson Zastawny, passing on a vote of 7-0. December 20, 2004 4 City Attorney Merkley introduced Resolution No. 2004-R-42, An Ordinance Approving Increase In Employee Healthcare Insurance Plan, explaining the need for passage. Following discussion, Councilperson Perkins made the motion to pass Resolution No. 2004-R-42, second by Council President McCauley, passing on a vote of 7-0. Clerk Treasurer Wilder informed the Council action will need to be taken at the first meeting in January regarding tax anticipation warrants. She has not received the necessary paperwork. Clerk Treasurer Wilder explained the need for passage of Ordinance No. 2004- OR-81, An Ordinance Transferring Funds (General Fund, Mayor, Clerk Treasurer, City Court, and City Council). Councilperson Perkins made the motion to suspend the rules for Ordinance No. 2004-OR-81, second by Council President McCauley, passing on a vote of 7-0. Councilperson Perkins then made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2004- OR-81 on all three readings, second by Councilperson Wilson, passing on a vote of 7-0. CLERK TREASURER COMMENTS: Clerk Treasurer Wilder had no additional comments. COUNCIL AND MAYOR COMMENTS: Councilperson Perkins called attention to the City 2003 exit audit page 39 regarding a $100,000 loan. The Council needs to get the facts on this. Councilperson Perkins has been informed the Star of Louisville is in arrears $28.000 on their rent. Councilperson Perkins feels the CoUncil and the Mayor need to look seriously at annexations shortly after the first of the new year, suggesting a consultant be hired to look at the status. Councilperson Zastawny requests Clerk Treasurer Wilder provide the Council with the 2005 budget. Councilperson Zastawny thanks the Firefighters and Council President McCauley for all the work on the contract negotiations. Councilperson Wilson wishes all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. She is looking forward to a productive year next year. She commends Council President McCauley for a great job as president. Councilperson Grooms echoes Councilperson Zastawny's comments of praise regarding the contract negotiations. He appreciates all the effort put forth. December 20, 2004 5 Following discussion regarding the meeting dates for 2005, Councilperson Perkins made the motion to hold all meetings on the first and third Mondays with the January meetings on January 10, and 24, 2005 due to the holidays, second by Councilperson Grooms, passing on a vote of %0. Council President McCauley said after reading the minutes he is going to make a New Year's resolution to talk less next year. He is pleased with the contract with the Firefighters. A great deal of trust was shown. Council President McCauley said he is looking forward to three more years of working with the Council and the Mayor. Mayor Waiz said he has meet with the architect for the Greenway project, explaining the walkway. This is a 3 million dollar project with the City portion being $300,000. He is hoping to get the cost down by using land as in-kind. Council President McCauley announced a workshop for January 10, 2005 at 5:30 P.M. in the Mayor's Conference Room. Mayor Waiz has agreed to keep open each Friday before the Monday Council meeting at lunchtime to meet with any on the Council to answer any questions on the agenda. The Council is urged to take advantage. Mayor Waiz says Happy Holidays. ~ /~ As there was no further business to ~6me befor~ ~ ~Council, the meeting was / adjourned 9:00 P.M. / ROBE dAYOR ATTEST: