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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-07-2006 COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA August 7, 2006 The Common Council of the City of Jeffersonville, Indiana met in regular session in City Couhcil.Chambers Room 101 at 500 Quartermaster Court, Jeffersonville, Indiana, at 7:30P.M; on Monday August 7,2006. Councilperson Perkins asked that he be permitted to make a presentation prior to the official start of the first meeting at 500 Quartermaster Court. All Councilpersons stood.in front of the desk as Councilperson Perkins. explained a new award developed by 'the Council. This award is entitled The Thomas Jefferson Commitment To Community Award. The first award is given to Former Mayor Tom Galligan for his persistent efforts to save and renovate the building now occupied by City offices. Some of the Council admitted their previous opinion to "bulldoze" the structure. Councilperson Perkins then introduced Mr. Calvin Kavanaugh who was appointed to the Building Authority at the earlier meeting. 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, Phil McCauley, and Ron Grooms. Absent: None. Following discussion, Councilperson Perkins made the motion to approve the agenda with the deletion of agenda items #10, #11, and #13, second by Councilperson Sellers, passing ona vote of7-0. Mayor' Waiz . presented the minutes for consideration by the Council. Councilperson President Wilson made the motion to approve the minutes of July 17, 2006, (5:30 P.M.) as presented, second by Councilperson Grooms, passing on a vote of7- August 7, 2006 2 O. Council President Wilson made the motion to approve the minutes of July 17, 2006 (7:30 P.M.) as presented, second by Councilperson McCauley, passing on a vote of7-0. Clerk Treasurer Wilder presented the claim list for consideration by the Council, explaining three additional claims. Councilperson Perkins made the motion to approve the claims and the three additional as presented, second by Councilperson McCauley. Councilperson Grooms called attention to claims for cell phones totaling $2,176.15 on this list, which does not include Police, Clerk Treasurer, or Mayor. Mayor Waiz is looking into this. The motion to approve the claims passed on a vote of7-0. PUBLIC COMMENT: Mr. Mike Campbell appeared before the Council to speak against being annexed by Jeffersonville. He feels the State requirement of 65% that have to be against annexation is unfair, as many have signed away this right to have City sewers. Mr. Campbell calculates his property taxes would be an additional $700 a year and he will only save $200 for garbage pickup. AGENDA ITEMS: Mayor Waiz noted the health insurance item has been removed from the agenda as it was presented at the prior workshop. Mr. Larry Lynn is present for any questions the Council may have. City Engineer Bob Miller appeared before the Council to explain the need for passage of Ordinance No. 2006-0R-40, An Ordinance Transferring Funds (City Engineer). Councilperson Perkins made the motion to suspend the rules for Ordinance No. 2006-0R-40, second by Councilperson Sellers, passing on a vote of 7-0. Councilperson Perkins then made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2006-0R-40 on all three readings, second by Councilperson Sellers, passing on a vote of7-0. Clerk Treasurer Wilder presented Ordinance No. 2006-0R-41, An Ordinance Amending Ordinance No. 2003-0R-18, An Ordinance Establishing A Fixed Asset Capitalization Policy, explaining the State Board of Accounts has changed the threshold for assets. Councilperson Perkins made the motion to suspend the rules for Ordinance No. 2006-0R-41, second by Council President Wilson, failing on a vote of 6-1. Councilperson Grooms voted against the motion. Councilperson Perkins next made the August 7, 2006 3 motion to pass Ordinance No. 2006-0R-41 on the first and second readings, second by Council President Wilson, passing on a vote of7-0. Councilperson Zastawny presented and explained Ordinance No. 2006-0R-42, An Ordinance Creating The Jeffersonville Major Moves Special Fund. Councilperson Zastawny made the motion to suspend the rules for Ordinance No. 2006-0R-42, second by Councilperson Sellers, failing on a vote of 6-1. Councilperson Grooms voted against passage. Councilperson Zastawny then made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2006- OR-42 on the first and second readings, second by Councilperson Sellers, passing on a vote of7-0. Clerk Treasurer Wilder presented and explained Ordinance No. 2006-0R-43, An Ordinance Amending Ordinance 2006-0R-34, Which Amended Ordinance 2006-0R-19, Which Amended 2006-0R-2, Which Amended 2005-0R-53, Which Amends 2005-0R- 80, An Ordinance Fixing Basic Salaries Of Appointed Officers And Employees Of The City Of Jeffersonville, Indiana For The Year 2006 (Department of Finance). Following discussion, Councilperson Perkins made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2006-0R-43 on the first reading, second by Councilperson McCauley, passing on a vote of7-0. CLERK TREASURER COMMENTS: There were no Clerk Treasurer Comments. COMMITTEE REPORTS: Councilperson McCauley asked City Attorney Merkley about the abatement schedule. Attorney Merkley explained it would be ready for the next meeting. Counci1person Perkins explained annexation is moving forward at a deliberate and through pace. The fiscal plan should be ready in the next 2-4 weeks. Councilperson Fetz scheduled an Ethics Committee meeting for Monday, August 14,2006 at 5:30 P.M. Councilperson Sellers along with the budget committee would like to review the budgets with the full Council on Monday, August 14,2006 at 6:00 P.M. and Wednesday, August 16,2006 at 6:00 P.M. COUNCIL AND MAYOR COMMENTS: Councilperson McCauley informed the Council the Board of Public Works and Safety renewed the property and casualty insurance at $20,000 less. The policy does August 7, 2006 4 include the new building. Councilperson McCauley explained the lease that was approved by the Board of Public Works with the County for lease of space at the Clark County Government Building. Councilperson McCauley is pleased to see the progress on the sidewalks. He commends Tom Galligan for his vision on this building. Councilperson Grooms says thank you to all for being here for this historic day. He thanks all who have been involved, including Councilpersons Perkins and Wilson for the extra hours. Councilperson Perkins said he has never seen so much inter-department cooperation as there was in the move of City office. All went well with very few glitches. The Council chairs are on backorder. City Court bench will be on the back wall. He asked the City Council to think about Barbara Anderson and the Haven House. The City spends $200,000 to take care of animals. Haven House has sewer charges that are hindering a grant application. Councilperson Perkins requests the City clear up these charges. Councilperson Zastawny noted when he was a member of the Redevelopment Commission he was inclined to "knock down" the Quadrangle. He notes it is now the "heart ofthe City" and he thanks former Mayor Tom Galligan. Councilperson Fetz thanks all for being here. He is excited about government offices in this old building. Former Mayor Galligan pushed thru with vision and foresight. Councilperson Fetz encourages nomination for the new Council award. Councilperson Sellers said this is a wonderful building. She says thank you to former Mayor Galligan for persevering, as the building is really beautiful. Councilperson Sellers has a copy of the bond issue on this building that she had a difficult time in acquiring. She notes the cash on hand on page 6. The bond was kept under $3,000,000 so the Council was not involved. Now the City Council is being asked to come up with $266,000. She has requested copies of all bills and has been denied. She is asking for a financial review of the bond funds including furniture and landscaping. She requests Redevelopment be billed for the hours City employees have worked on the building. City Attorney Merkley explained the cash on hand was an estimate that included a grant and funds from Sun Properties. These funds were segregated in a separate account. Councilperson Sellers made the motion to pass Resolution No. 2006-R-36, A Resolution August 7, 2006 5 Authorizing A Financial Review, second by Councilperson Fetz. Councilperson McCauley is opposed to this Resolution as he has reviewed the documents with a fine tooth comb. The information from the Architect was reviewed and he feels the costs are clear, and could not have been handled better. All has been for the betterment of the project and he is satisfied costs will be paid. Councilperson Zastawny is troubled by the information availability. City Attorney Merkley explained the information was in the Redevelopment Office. Clerk Treasurer Wilder stated she is required to have all financial information. Councilperson McCauley has reviewed the AIA statements. At the conclusion of all discussion, Resolution No. 2006-R-36 passed on the following roll call vote: Ayes: Councilperson Grooms, Sellers, Fetz, Zastawny, and Perkins. Nays: Councilpersons McCauley and Wilson. Council President Wilson is happy to be in this building, it is beautiful. She is happy with the progress on the sidewalks. Council President Wilson invites all to the Concerts In The Park. Mayor Waiz noted the successful season for Riverstage. He thanks all for coming. An excellent job has been done on the building. There were no major glitches in the move. He thanks the Police and IT Director Roger Hardy for the excellent job. Councilperson Perkins added about a hundred employees donated time over the weekend to help with the move. This speaks well of City Employee Mayor Waiz commends all. The City now has a place to call home. He app,~~tes all. As there was no further business to lome befor adjourned 8:35 P.M. Council, the meeting was ~~~ PEGGY WI D R, CLERK AND TREASURER