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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-12-2005COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA September 12, 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 September 12, 2005. 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 Morley 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, Phil McCauley, and Ron Grooms. Absent: None. Councilperson Fetz made the motion to table agenda item 4/17, second by Councilperson Wilson, passing on a vote of 7-0. Councilperson Sellers then made the motion to approve the agenda as amended, second by Councilperson Wilson, passing on a vote of 7-0. There were no minutes presented for approval Clerk Treasurer Wilder presented the claim list for consideration by the Council, explaining additional claims. Following discussion, Council President Grooms made the motion to table the additional claims, approving those presented, second by Councilperson McCauley, passing on a vote of 7-0. PUBLIC COMMENT: Mr. Derek Spence appeared before the Council in support of the Haven House Resolution. Mr. Ron Smith commended Councilpersons Perkins, Wilson, and particularly Sellers for their work resulting in savings on the sewer bond. Mr. Smith does not disagree there is a need for a firehouse in the East End. He does feel a study on the September 12, 2005 2 location of all the firehouses is needed. He feels this is the most honest Council, and they stand up for the taxpayer. DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS: There were no department head reports. AGENDA ITEMS: Councilperson Perkins presented and read aloud Resolution No. 2005-R-31, A Resolution Concerning The Haven House Loan From The Revolving Loan Fund. Councilperson Perkins then made the motion to pass Resolution No. 2005~R-31, second by Council President Grooms, passing on a vote of 7-0. Mr. Steve Oliver appeared before the Council explaining the need for passage of Ordinance No. 2005-OR-53A, "An Ordinance Changing The Zoning Map Designation Of A Certain Tract Of Property Described As Being A Part Of Survey No. 35 Of The Illinois Grant Located At 3212 And 3216 Charlestown Pike From Ri: Low Density Residential To R2: Medium Density Residential. The Plan Commission gave the request a unanimous approval. There followed a discussion regarding density. Planning and Zoning Director Hicks explained the plans have not received final approval. Councilperson McCauley made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2005-OR-53A, second by Councilperson Sellers. Mayor Waiz requested public comment. No comment was voiced. The motion then passed on a vote of 7-0. Ordinance No. 2005-OR-54, An Ordinance Changing The Zoning Map Designation Of Certain Tract Of Property Described As A 4.0 Acre Tract Being Part Of Survey 10 Of The Illinois Grant Located At 1640 Kehoe Lane From RI: Low Density Residential To R3: Old City Residential was presented for consideration. Councilperson Perkins made the motion to open the hearing for public comments and table until October 3, 2005, second by Councilperson Wilson. Mayor Waiz requested public comment. No comment was presented. The motion passed 7-0. Mr. Steve Kemp£ appeared before the Council on behalf of Brian Chinn, explaining the need and requesting passage of Ordinance No. 2005-OR-55, An Ordinance changing The Zoning Map Designation Of A Certain Tract Of Property Described As The Northwest Comer Of Tenth And Walnut Streets (3211-323 & 325 E. Tenth Street & The Parcel Directly Behind Tenth St.) From R3: Old City Residential To CI: Small To 3 September 12, 2005 Medium Scale General Commercial. Following discussion, Councilperson Perkins made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2005-OR-55, second by Councilperson Zastawny. Mayor Waiz requested public comment. No comments were voiced. The motion passed on a vote of 7-0. Resolution No. 2005-R-32, A Resolution Approving Statement Of Benefits For Purposes Of Property Tax Abatement (WBW Real Estate LLC) was presented for consideration. Redevelopment Director Barry Cahill made it clear the abatement will remain in effect for 10 years only if MedVenture is in the building and the number ef employees does not go down. Following all discussion, Councilperson McCauley made the motion to pass Resolution No. 2005-R-32, second by Council President Grooms, passing on a vote of 7-0. Council President Grooms presented Ordinance No. 2005-OR-53, An Ordinance Fixing Basic Salaries Of Appointed Officers And Employees Of The City Of Jeffersonville, Indiana For The Year 2006. Discussion followed regarding the council assistant in the Department of Finance. Clerk Treasurer Wilder put this in at the request of the Council. Following further discussion, Councilperson Perkins made the motion to delete Council Assistant, second by Councilperson McCauley, passing on a vote of 7-0. Council President Grooms then made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2005-OR-53 as amended, on the second reading, second by Councilperson Wilson, passing on a vote of 7-0. Councilperson McCauley made the motion to change Ordinance No. 2005-OR-53 regarding a zoning change, to Ordinance No. 2005-OR-53A, second by Councilperson Fetz, passing on a vote of 7-0. City Attorney Les Merkley reviewed the status of Ordinance No. 2005-OR-21, Ordinance Approving The 2005 Animal Shelter Agreement. Clarksville and Charlestown have met with the committee. Councilpersun McCauley feels the time should be limited. Council President Grooms proposes 3 years. Councilperson Perkins then made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2005-OR-21 on the second reading, second by Councilperson Wilson, passing on a vote of 7-0. Following discussion of Ordinance No. 2005-OR-40, An Ordinance To Prohibit Basketball Goals In Public Street Right-Of-Way, Council President Grooms made the 4 September 12, 2005 motion to table Ordinance No. 2005-OR-40, second by Councilperson Zastawny, passing on a vote of 7-0. Council President Grooms introduced and explained Resolution No. 2005-R-33, A Resolution Regarding Racial Equality Week. He explained an upcoming celebration that will tie in with the influx of evacuees from Hun/cane Katrina. Council President Grooms made the motion to pass Resolution No. 2005-R-33, second by Councilperson Perkins, passing on a vote of 7-0. Council President Grooms initiated discussion regarding an appropriation of $20,000 for Flood Wall Art from the EDIT budget. A Resolution to advertise will be on the agenda for the next meeting. Councilperson Perkins initiated discussion regarding the use of take-home cars due to the increase in the cost of gasoline. Mayor Waiz has talked with Department Heads asking that each vehicle be allowed one fill of gasoline per week. If this does not make a difference, he may consider one every other week. Assistant Police Chief Mark Ix)van said a take-hone car is a perk. Police cars are tools for special teams. Officers need to have them at home to save time. The police department is too busy to have cars sit. Administrative officers will only fill once a week, with patrol officers filling up twice a week. Police cars are a deterrent. Officers do a lot when they are not getting paid. This is a safety and time issue. The department will make a conscientious effort, and will try to monitor gasoline usage. Councilperson McCauley supports the Police take-home car policy. He would like to address personal use. He is concerned for the benefit if an officer lives too far from the City. Councilperson Perkins voted for and helped start the take-home car policy. At that time the majority of the officers lived in the City. He is now concerned for the benefit of those that live in Charlestown, Henryville, and so on. Council President Grooms asked what policy is in place. Assistant Chief Lovan will bring the policy. Councilperson Fetz feels gasoline does have to be addressed. It is crucial for special teams to assemble as quickly as possible. Exceptions do need to be made. Councilperson Sellers feels the Council should give the Mayor's plan 30 days to see if it works. Councilperson Perkins said the Council should be serious and restrict use to Jeffersonville Township. Councilperson McCauley understood compensation would September 12, 2005 be required. Councilperson Sellers asked for a gas printout. Mayor Waiz said Vehicle Maintenance Director Drury would provide one. Councilperson Fetz said all are concerned for public safety. There is a need to look at the $300,000 in the Council budget for funding additional personnel. Three recent fire calls to the East end took 8, 9, & 9 minutes. There was a reference to a cost of $3 million dollars. A price cannot be put on a life. The problem is staffing more than building. Mayor Waiz agreed a department is needed in the East End. Fire Chief Miles is working with the committee. He needs personnel funding to get started. He is doing his job to protect the citizens of Jeffersonville. Studies have been done. The committee is working well. Chief Miles stated, "If the ISO comes now, we are in trouble". Council President Grooms said the committee has met three times and there is another scheduled for this Wednesday. He reviewed the last meeting saying it was very informative. Councilperson McCauley said the Mayor did not have the benefit of all of the budget sessions, explaining the proposed budget is over the maximum levy to allow for the DROP program. He feels it is not likely $300,000 would be approved. Mr. Bob Zickler, a Fire Chief from Ohio has been recommended to do a study. Mayor Waiz feels the increase in the maximum levy for the DROP program will not be a problem. Councilperson Fetz feels there is a need to phase in additional firefighters before a new house is opened. Councilperson McCauley feels that process is underway. Council President Grooms said the committee has one more meeting and he feels there will be good results. Councilperson Fetz stressed there is a staffing problem now without consideration of a 4th house. CLERK TREASURER COMMENTS: There were no Clerk Treasurer comments. COMMITTEE REPORTS: Councilperson McCauley said the abatement committee has met with Redevelopment Director Barry Cahill. There will be a review ready for the next meeting with a list for approval. Progress is being made on the TIF committee. Councilperson Wilson said the Fire Committee meetings have been productive. 6 September 12, 2005 COUNCIL AND MAYOR COMMENTS: Councilperson Wilson has distributed a Park list. The Aquatic Center is working well, and the Bob Hedge Park project is moving well. Councilperson Sellers said Ms. Margaret Morton has requested a donation for a spay/neuter program. Councilperson Perkins reviewed the progress with the Tubby's Pizza building on Spring Street. He then asked Mayor Waiz the status of the annexation letter. Mayor Waiz said he had called and was told it should be ready next Friday. Councilperson Perkins then asked Director Hicks about the status of the comprehensive plan. Director Hicks stated there would be a meeting Wednesday at 4:00 P.M. to send out a survey. Councilperson McCauley said there is a need to look at the City finances for the future. He would like to do a public forum. Council President Grooms reviewed several upcoming events. He thanked Officer Grimes for his attendance. The Council decided on a Special Session for September 19, 2005 at 5:30 P.M. Council President Grooms asked if Jeffersonville has a form of a disaster plan. Mayor Waiz said there is a plan. Council President Grooms asked about evacuees from Hurricane Katrina. Mayor Waiz said he has been meeting with several agencies. Mayor Waiz reported that River Breeze was successful. The last Concert In The Park for the year is Friday. The movie Rudy is scheduled. Mayor Waiz said the Sewer Board has not passed the removal of the River Falls Motel sewer lien. Mayor Waiz does not want to loose the purchase. Councilperson McCauley said the risk is not worth $6,000. Mayor Waiz said R.F.P.'s will be requested~~)cquired' As there was no further business to c°m?/~2re t~ff~il' the meeting was adjourned at 10:00 P.M. ,~"~ /_~ ROBERT L. WAIZ, M?YOR ATTEST' -- ~ PEG~~LDER, CLERK AND TREASURER