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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-07-02July 15, 2002 COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA, JULY 15,2002 The Common Council of the City of Jeffersonville, Indiana met in regular session in the Multi-Purpose Meeting Room in the City-County Building, ~effersonville, Indiana at 7:30 P.M. on the 15th day of July 2002. Mayor Thomas R. Galligan, with Clerk Treasurer Peggy Wilder at the desk, called the meeting to order. Also present was City Attorney Anne Marie Galligan. Mayor Galligan welcomed all in attendance, asking all those present to stand as Councilperson Ellis gave the invocation. Mayor Galligan 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 Les Merkley, Rob Waiz, Barbara Wilson, Ron Grooms, and Vicki Conlin. Absent; Councilpers0ns Denny Frantz and Ron Ellis., Councilperson Merkley made the motion to approve the agenda with the addition of Morgan Wilder as item 9a, seconded by Councilperson Waiz, passing unanimously. Mayor Galligan presented the minutes of the meeting of July 1, 2002 for consideration by the Council. Councilperson Wilson made the motion to approve the July 1, 2002 minutes as presented, seconded by Councilperson Grooms, passing unanimously. Clerk Treasurer Wilder presented the claim list for consideration by the Council. Councilperson Waiz made the motion to approve the claims as presented, seconded by Councilperson Grooms, passing unanimously. PUBLIC COMMENT: Mr. Ron Smith appeared before the Council to comment as a private citizen. Mr. Smith believes family and single employee health insurance co pay is shameful, as his pay contributes to public official and employee pay checks. He believes no one is paying what they ought to be paying and thinks it is a shame that elected officials allow this to happen and that more taxpayers don't pay attention to this. Mr. Smith believes the burden on the taxpayers is unfair. He would like elected official to be more responsible to taxpayers. .July15,2002 Ms. Sharon King has questions regarding the resolution and want to know if health insurance claims will continue to be paid. Morgan Wilder, son of Clerk Treasurer Peggy Wilder and Larry Wilder appeared before the Council and was recognized as the winner of the Southern Indiana Mayor's Essay Contest. Mr. Larry Wilder was recognized, and presented an award, by the City Council for his role on the Bi-Centennial Committee. AGENDA ITEMS: Councilperson Conlin made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 2002-OR-14, An Ordinance Replacing Ordinance No. 2002-OR-11, An Ordinance Establishing Longevity For City Employees Other Than Police And Fire Officials, on the second and third readings, seconded by Councilperson Waiz and. carried unanimously. Mr. Greg Fifer, attorney representing Tri-Sprig Development, appeared before the Council with a proposal for rezoning of 5206 Utica Sellersburg Road from a R1 to R2. The proposal received an unfavorable recommendation from the Plan Commission, however Mr. Filer believes this project has merit. The property is owned by Delbert and June Gray, who wish to sell it for their retirement. A development similar to Georgia Crossing is proposed and it is believed the project is consistent with adjacent property. Liter's Quarry is opposed to the project but does not want to purchase the property. Tri-Sprig agrees to limit development to no more than 170 homes. Mr. Fifer asks the Council to give this project some merit. It is agreed with the Plan Commission to put notice in property deeds that the home is in proximity to a quarry. Councilperson Conlin said the Plan Commission was concerned with high-tension wires and drainage. Mr. Filer said there are places for detention ponds and there are other neighborhoods built around high-tension wires giving an example. Councilperson Conlin made the motion to table Ordinance No. 2002-OR-15, An Ordinance Rezoning 5206 Utica Sellersburg Road From R1 To R2, until the Drainage Board and Plan Commission review, seconded by Councilperson Merkley. Mayor Galligan asked if the Drainage Board and Plan Commission gave approval would the Council give approval? Councilperson Conlin said she would take it under advisement. Councilperson Conlin then withdrew her motion to table and Councilperson Merkley withdrew his second. Mayor Galligan said he just wants the process to be smooth for Tri-Sprig. Councilperson Conlin then made the motion to uphold the Plan Commission's unfavorable recommendation, seconded by Councilperson Waiz. Councilperson Grooms · uly 2002 believes there should be an avenue for a developer to pursue development. Councilperson Waiz was told a rough copy of the plat is available. Councilperson Conlin said there were people with concerns at the Plan Commission meeting. Mr. Fifer noted the new zoning ordinance has more stringent R1 requirements. He explained the development would have from 120 to 170 nice houses on nice lots. The motion to uphold the unfavorable recommendation passed on a vote of 4-1. Councilperson Grooms voted against. Mr. Edward Culpepper (Pepper) Cooper, Agent of Record, appeared before the Council to show his continued commitment to the City. He would like to communicate freely with the Council as permitted by the Mayor. He would like to discuss the pending ordinance regarding health insurance quotes. He then discussed the various contracts, saying they are the best possible contracts the City could have under a partially self-insured plan. Humana would not disclose discounts or offer lower price. The benefits offered limit the ability to lower costs. He does believe 20% of the people are responsible for 80% of costs. Mayor Galligan does not want to change benefits for other employees if police and fire cannot change. Additional employees are causing higher costs. The employee contribution cannot change. The increase in 2000 went from 1.4 to 2 million as maximum exposure. Stewart Miller did save money in fixed costs. When Phil McCauley consulted him he did give him bad advice to raise the stop loss. Mr. Cooper said he has no problem requesting proposals. Councilperson Conlin said she wants to make sure that the Council does not intend to withhold payment for claims. Mr. Cooper will recommend informational rates for COBRA and retirees to the Board Of Public Works. Mr. Cooper said fully insured costs would be 20% more than they are now. Councilperson Merkley asked if Mr. Cooper believes it is a bad idea to be self insured with the history of bad claims. Mr. Cooper said he believes that in incorrect. Mr. Cooper was asked how many quotes were received in April 2001. Mr. Cooper defined quotes and said Humana gave 3 quotes and Stewart Miller gave quotes from 5 different carriers. Councilperson Merkley asked who those were and Mr. Cooper said he did not know. Anthem, Humana, and Sagamore were the three networks that matched up to employees needs. Anthem would not bid a self-insured plan. Councilperson Merkley then asked how many quotes were received in 2002. Mr. Cooper asked Humana and they did not bid. Four reinsurance quotes were received through Stewart Miller. Anthem was not looked at. Mr. Cooper said Humana did not want to submit a quote, and if they say they were not asked to submit a quote, they are lying. Councilperson Merkley asked how quotes are July 15, 2002 4 obtained. Mr. Cooper said he has no problem quoting in the newspaper. His role as agent of record is to write the requests for proposals. Mr. Cooper is compensated through Stewart Miller. He receives commission on reinsurance and administrative fees, which are flat fees. He is not paid per claim. Councilperson Conlin questioned the rumor of the sales of Mr. Cooper's business. Mr. Cooper said he would not discuss any possibility of a pending sale. He will be agent of record until the Mayor fires him. He does not have a contract. His business has suffered from comments and bad publicity. Mr. Cooper said he would work with as many people as the Council desires to have on a committee. Councilperson Waiz is still in the process of getting a quote from Humana, and he is not convinced that Stewart Miller offered comparable discounts. Mayor Galligan asked if Humana would share discounts. Mr. Cooper said no; that would breach the contract. Councilperson Waiz produced explanation of benefits with Humana discounts vs. Stewart Miller discounts. Mayor Galligan said he went with Stewart Miller because the fixed costs were lower and discounts were not available. Discounts are not guaranteed. Councilperson Conlin said the Council was not told to fund the insurance to the level necessary. She said Mr. Cooper recommended $1,000,000 and she is tired of the finger pointing. Mr. Cooper believes this meeting was good and he hopes this leads to better communication. Councilperson Waiz wants the Council more involved. Mayor Galligan said he has no reason to keep things from the Council. Mr. Cooper thanked the Mayor and Council for working with him. Councilperson Conlin asked if the $75,000 stop loss could be dropped to $45,000. Mr. Cooper said this could be done. Contracts are for one year. He would like to come back at budget time with recommendations for next year. Councilperson Grooms made the motion to instruct Clerk Treasurer Wilder to seek tax anticipation warrants in the amount ora 1.2 Million dollar line of credit to pay insurance claims for the remainder of the year 2002, seconded by Councilperson Wilson, passing on a vote of 4-1. Councilperson Merkley voted no. Councilperson Grooms would like to address several issues. He feels the Council had the number of 1.8 Million and voted for a budget last year knowing that probably wasn't enough; that claims have increased significantly; a 10% increase in employees and a stop-loss increase made a difference. He doesn't apologize for taking a gamble. He hopes this doesn't divide the Council and the community. Councilperson Waiz said he could cope with an 18% increase but not a 200% increase. Councilperson Merkley said he is still not sure the City is getting the best deal. As the Council is the fiscal body, he believes they have an ethical obligation to taxpayers Ju~ 15,2002 introducing Resolution No. 2002-R-22, A Resolution Urging The Mayor To Solicit And Advertise For Quotes For City Health Insurance Before City Funds Are Appropriated, seconded by Councilperson Conlin~ Councilperson Conlin then offered an amendment to take out the last paragraph and remove "appearance of imprOpriety''. Councilperson Waiz would like to get quotes from two other insurance companies and wants approval of the Mayor. Councilperson Grooms seconded the amendment. The motion to amend passed on a vote of 4-1. Councilperson Merkley voted against the amendment. Resolution No. 2002-R-22 passed unanimously. Mr. Cooper asked if the Council wants to get bids now and break contracts. Councilperson Waiz said he would continue to work on what he has been doing. until renewal. He will start January 1. Councilperson Conlin made the motion to table Mr. Cooper will not do anything Ordinance No. 2002-OR-15, An Ordinance Repealing Ordinance No. 2002-OR-8, Which Ordinance Is Entitled Ordinance Of Additional Appropriation, seconded by Councilperson Merkley, passing unanimously. COUNCIL AND MAYOR COMMENTS: Councilperson Conlin said she spoke with Street Commissioner Marvin Grant. He is out of landfill money and needs $20,000 to $25,000 per month more to cover costs. She has asked that he give a report at the next meeting regarding these costs. Councilperson Conlin would like to have an Ordinance so that developers have to go to all committees before coming to the Council. Attorney Galligan said it can not be done that way. Councilperson Conlin said she would like more information. She has discussed this with Planning and Zoning Director Jana Ecker. Mayor Galligan said Vehicle Maintenance Director Mike Drury is running out of money for fuel. He will present year to date information at the next meeting. Ms. Judy Sapp said a lot can be told by facial expressions and she is disappointed in the demeanor of the City Attorney, saying she is unprofessional. Mayor Galligan said Animal Shelter Director Cindy Keller has resigned and he has appointed Harry Wilder as interim director. He said he may have hired the wrong person, but he is appalled at the character assassinhtion. He cannot believe some people would stoop so low, saying it is a miscarriage of justice. He believes someone should be able to express an opinion with criticism. The animals have always been taken care of. Mayor Galligan has had problems 0 0 _o. 0 o_. ~ g 0 --1 0 -1 8. o I r + m IT! ITl 0~0000 Z ~ o ~~ o ~_~ 0 ~:X 0000 Z . ~~ ~o ~ ~ ~ooo ~0000 ~ 0000 ~oooo Z o 0 0 0 I-- I-' m "~ 0 0 o Z rn o ,-I ,-I ? m m z z z zl'~ ~zz~zzzo oo~oo~ z 0 m ~ o~ o g g~ o o o <. 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