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
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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
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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
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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.
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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