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Home My WebLink About03-07-2005COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA March 7, 2005 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 March 7, 2005. Mayor Rob Waiz, with Deputy Clerk Treasurer Barbara Hollis at the desk, called the meeting to order. Also present was City Attorney Les Merkley. Mayor Waiz welcomed all in attendance, asking all those present to stand as Councilperson McCauley 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 Council President Grooms made the motion to delete Agenda Item # 14, second by Councilperson Fetz, passing on a vote of 7-0. Council President Grooms was asked for help from Vehicle Maintenance Director Mike Dmry. He feels the situation has been resolved and he commends Director Dmry for bringing the situation to the attention of the Council and pleading for the employees. Councilperson Perkins made the motion to remove Agenda Item #11, second by Councilperson Zastawny, passing on a vote of 7-0. Councilperson Perkins then made the motion to approve the agenda as amended, second by Council President Grooms, passing on a vote of 7-0. Mayor Waiz presented the minutes of the meetings of February 7, 2005, and February 28, 2005 along with the minutes of the workshops of February 7, 2005 and February 28, 2005 for approval. Councilperson Wilson made the motion to approve the minutes of the February 7, 2005 workshop as presented, second by Councilperson Fetz, passing on a vote of 7-0. Councilperson Wilson made the motion to approve the minutes of the February 28, 2005 workshop as presented, second by Councilperson Fetz, passing on a vote of 7-0. Councilperson Wilson made the motion to approve the minutes of the February 7, 2005 meeting as presented, second by Councilperson Sellers, passing on a March 7, 2005 2 vote of 7-0. Councilperson Wilson then made the motion to approve the minutes of the February 28, 2005 meeting, second by Council President Grooms, passing on a vote of 7- 0. Deputy Clerk Hollis presented the claim list for consideration by the Council. Councilperson Perkins stated his concern for promotion items paid for by the City with the Mayor's name on the items. Mayor Waiz said this was done last year and there were no voiced problems. ~He is trying to be more active in the school system. Councilperson Perkins said he feel promotion should be from the City with no names. Councilperson McCauley said he does not agree with Councilperson Perkins. Council President Grooms said he has contemplated placing the agenda in the newspaper. Mayor Waiz said this does have a history and he sees nothing wrong. Councilperson Perkins remembered the Council criticized previous Mayor Galligan for having golf balls With his name on them. Council President Grooms made the motion to approve the claims as presented, seconded by Councilperson McCauley passing on a vote of 6-1. PUBLIC COMMENT: There was no public comment. DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS: There were no department head reports. AGENDA ITEMS: Mr. Brent Roberts, P.E. appeared before the Council to present an update on the North approach to the downtown bridge. Mr. Roberts explained this is an extensive project that will dramatically reshape the landscape of downtown inVolving a major reconstruction of Court Avenue and 10th Street. Right of way acquisition should start in 2007-2008 with construction out to 2020. Each Councilperson has been provided with a booklet. By the end of the month Butler Fairman & Seufert will have an office in the Quartermaster. Mr. Roberts answered questions. CoUncil President Grooms presented Resolution No. 2005-R-11, A Resolution Opposing The Expansion Of Alcohol Outlet. He has presented this as a result of a letter he received from the Evansville Common Council. He has been observing locations that have underage clerks selling beer. He feels there are enough outlets. Council President Grooms' made the motion to pass Resolution No. 2005-R-11. Councilperson Fetz said March 7, 2005 3 President Grooms has brought up some good points. There is a need to consider that gas stations are now small grocery stores. There is also a problem with cigarette sales as there may be a problem with underage clerks selling cigarettes. He feels the ABC Board should be the who reviews licenses. He is personally against this as written. Councilperson McCauley seconded the motion to pass Resolution No. 2005-R-11. Council President Grooms called attention to Section 4 aSking that Jeffersonville replace Evansville. Councilperson Perkins feels this may be a trade restriction and protect liquor stores from competition. Councilperson Sellers feels this has been written to protect the underage. Following all discussion, the motion to pass Resolution No. 2005-R-11 passed on the following roll call vote: Ayes' Councilpersons McCauley, Grooms, Wilson, and Sellers. Nays' Councilpersons Fetz, Zastawny, and Perkins. City Attorney Merkley explained the need for passage of Resolution No. 2005-R- 12, A Resolution Approving An Agreement For Professional Services (Historic Landmarks Foundation). Councilperson Perkins made the motion to pass Resolution No. 2005-R-12, second by Councilperson Sellers, passing on a vote of 7-0. CLERK TREASURER COMMENTS' There were no Clerk Treasurer comments. COMMITTEE REPORTS' Councilperson McCauley reported the TIF meeting was very productive. Director Cahill is very active in obtaining information. One of the goals is to separate the TIF funds. Another goal is to obtain maps outlining the TIF districts. They are investigating joining two districts. There have been some technical difficulties working with the County Auditor. Councilperson Perkins reported the Redevelopment Commission met for 5 hours a week ago Saturday. The meeting was very productive. They will be taking on some major projects. Council President Grooms has had concerns voiced by citizens regarding tax abatements, and would like to know about the criteria. Councilperson Perkins feels the criteria are straightforward and he does not anticipate major overall. There are concerns for some. March 7, 2005 4 Councilperson Zastawny said the TIF committee has looked into some abatements. They took a look at Vogt Valve and feels they did qualify. He suggests both committees should get together. Councilperson McCauley would like a procedure to rescind tax abatements. The TIF committee has come across some "unusual situations". The procedures need to be corrected. Council President Grooms asks the committees to bring concerns to him.- ...... COUNCIL AND MAYOR COMMENTS: Councilperson Wilson'thanks all for coming. Councilperson Perkins has discussed the number of counseling services moving into downtown with several people. There is concern for the behavior of some of the clients. This is a growing problem on Spring Street and some merchants are upset. Councilperson Zastawny referred to the concerns he voiced at the last meeting regarding signage for the Police Department. Mayor Waiz is asking for suggestions for locations. Councilperson Zastawny said Charlestown Pike is becoming a danger. There is a need to look at that corridor. Council President Grooms reviewed the letter from Howard Steamboat Museum regarding a donation of $2,000. This will be discussed at the next workshop that will be held on March 21. He is in receipt of a thank you letter from Jeff-Clark Preservation. Council President Grooms attended the IACT Legislative update last Thursday. He is receiving a weekly update from Council Attorney Morris. The Council may want to watch many things that are going on. He also called attention to the NLC Bulletin regarding condemnatiOn. Council President Grooms said Councilperson Wilson will do the invocations for April. He then asked if there is interest in a retreat with a facilitator. Councilperson Fetz said he attended a workshop during the NLC Conference on retreats that was very positive. Council President Grooms said there seems to be tension between the Sewer Board and the Sewer Board Committee. He asks if the Council wants an independent study. There is a need to keep this moving as it is so important. Councilperson Sellers said the Sewer Board will be meeting next Wednesday and Friday and they should have a report 30 days after. Councilperson Perkins said the three on the committee feel that something needs to be done. The Sewer Board did what they had to March 7, 2005 5 do. Council President Grooms has received revolving loan information that may save $11 million. Mayor Waiz wishes all a good night and/~n~~°m,~g. As there was no further business to uncil, the meeting was adjourned 9:00 P.M. ROBERT'L. WAIZ/., MAYOR ATTEST' W,LD R;