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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-02-97COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA JUNE 2, 1997 The Common Council of the City of Jeffersonville met in regular session in the Multi- Purpose Meeting Room in the City-County Building, Jeffersonvilte, Indiana at 7:00 P.M. on the 2nd day of June, 1997. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Thomas R. Galligan, with Clerk and Treasurer C. Richard Spencer Jr. at the desk. Mayor Galligan asked Councilperson Ellis to give the invocation. Mayor Galligan then asked all to join him in the pledge of allegSance to the flag. The roll was called and those present were Councilpersons John Perkins, Ron Ellis, Donna M. Frantz, Barbara Wilson, Peggy Knight Wilder, Andrew Williams III, and Vicky Conlin. Absent: None. Mayor Galligan presented the minutes of the meeting of May 19, 1997, for consideration by the Council. Councilperson Perkins made the motion to approve the minutes as presented, seconded by Council President Wilson, passing unanimously. Clerk and Treasurer Spencer presented the claim list for consideration by the Council. Councilperson Ellis made the motion to approve the claims as presented, seconded by Councilperson Perkins, passing unanimously. City Attorney Anne Made Sedwick presented Ordinance No. 97-OR-19, An Ordinance Changing The Zoning Map Designation Of A Certain Tract Of Property Located At 712 Short Jackson From R-1 TO R-2, for the third and fmal reading. Councilperson Williams made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 97-OR-19 on the third and final reading, seconded by Councilperson Conlin, passing on a vote of 5-1-1. Councilperson Perkins voted nay, with Councilperson Ellis abstaining. June 2,1997 Page -2- Councilperson Perkins introduced Ordinance No. 97-OR-30, An Ordinance To Establish The Quartermaster Depot .As A Conservation District on the first and second reading. Attorney Mike IVmschme~er, Executor of the Connor Estate asked to speak. Attomey Maschmeyer reviewed the d/splay/boards presented at the last meeting, revieWing the advantages of marketing the property without the constraints of a conservation district, and the disadvantage with the conservation district restraints. Attorney Maschmeyer concluded by asking the Council to look to the future of Jeffersonville and be against the Ordinance. Mr. David Nachand, A~tomey for the Connor Estate presented a Solution to make all happy. The solution was ~n, the form of a letter from Dr. Carl Kamer, a local historian. (attached) Attorney Nachand promised a list of developers would be obtained from the National Trust For Historic Pla~es and at least 250 from this list will be notified and given the oppommity to purchase the propexty. Attorney Nachand also urged the Council to vote against the Ordinance~ Mr. John Paquette of the Historic Landmarks Association of Indiana asked to clear a few things up. Mr. Paquette stated there is no protection against demolition, and there is no troth to any of the issues on the display boards. The Association has been trying to work With Mr: Maschmeyer's organization and no calls have been returned. He feels with the City's help and all working together the property can be marketed. Mr. BOb Bates of the Mansur Group of Indianapolis removed the Mansard Group from the list of potential developers and pledged free support to any developer. Historic buildings and heritage are lost every day. He asks the Council to consider very carefully this Ordinance. Ordinance 97-OR-30 passed on the first and second reading on a vote of 4-3, with Councilpersons Wilder, Wilson and Williams voting in opposition. Councilperson Perkins introduced and explained Ordinance No. 97-OR-31, An Ordinance To Define And Regulate Nuisance Behavior And Public Nuisance LOcations. Several areas of the Ordinance were discussed. Mayor Galligan hopes not to collect any fines under this Ordinance, it is the hope it Will be a deterrent. He would like to include grass cutting, parked cars, and other areas of upkeep. At the conclusion of all discussion, June 2, 1997 Page -3- Councilperson Perkins made the motion to suspend the rules for Ordinance No. 97-OR-31, seconded by Councilperson Williams, passing unanimously. Councilperson Perkins then made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 97-OR-31 on all three readings, seconded by Councilperson Ellis, passing unanimously. Clerk and Treasurer Spencer asked the Council to pass Ordinance No. 97-OR-32, An Ordinance Of Additional Appropriation (Clerk and Treasurer - Contracted Payroll and Related Equipment), as advertised for-a public bearing~ Following all discussion, Councilp~rson Perkins made the motion to suspend the rules for Ordinance No. 97-OR-32, seconded by Councilperson Conlin, passing unanimously. Councilperson Perkins then made the motion to pass Ordinance No~ 97-OR-32 on all three readings, seconded by Councilperson Conlin, passing unanimously. Councilperson Perkins thanked the Council for passing the nuisance ordinance as this will help problem areas. Cotmcilperson Ellis stated he had done a lot of soul searching before voting for the conservation district for the Connor Estate~ This area is in his district and he talked to a lot of citizens. He hopes his vote will help improve the area. Mayor Galligan informed the Council the Walnut Street sewer project should be done tomorrow and the Louise Street sewer renovation should start tomorrow. He will be appointing the seven member Drainage Board tomorrow also. Work is being done in the Meadows to eliminate sump pumps. The Wind Symphony Concert held this past weekend was both humorous and enjoyable. He feels all enjoyed. Mayor Galligan thanks all the businesses that participated, he commends Main Street and all that were involvedl Councflperson Perkins announced the Jeffersonvilte Family Fest will be held August 9, 1997. There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilperson Perkins made the motion to adjourn at 7:55 P,M., seconded by Councilperson Conlin, passing unanimously. June 2, 1997 Page -4- ATTEST: CLERK AND TREASURER C. t[.ICHARD SPENCER JR. HOSPICE of Southern Indiana Enhancing the quality of life for the terminally ill and their families since 1978 624 East Market New Albany, IN 47150-2914 Mailin~ Address: P.O. Box 17 New Albany, IN 47151~0017 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Ronald E. McKulick President Donald L. Scdrel Vice-President Susan Miller Secretary Roger A. Harbeson Treasurer J.D. Abbott, dr., M.Div. Dennis W. Alstott Juergen H. Bertram, M.D. Sue Bline, R.N. Jim Brock, M.Div., C.S.W. Gregory J. Gapsis Ann Haw, M.Div. Allen Howie Betty Anne Lenfer~ Barbara Ann Maxwell, M.S. LaVerne Pope Michael W. Schreiweis D. Mark Seabrook Elois Sims, A.C.S.W. Sam Sloss, Ph.D. Tom Sowash, O.D. MEDICAL DIRECTORS William Croft, M.D. Martin Brooks, M.D. CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Paul Elzer May 30,1997 Councilmembers: John Perkins Ron Ellis Donna Frantz Peggy Wilder Barbara Wilson Vickie Conlin Andrew Williams III Jeffersonviile City Council City-County Building Jeffersonville IN 47130 Dear Councilmembers: Recent newspaper articles have brought to our attention the dilemma of redesignation of the Quadrangle property in the Connors Estate and how this decision will affect monies available for Metro United Way Agencies. The citizens most in need of services would benefit greatly from a decision generating the most income from this property. As a United Way agency since 1979, Hospice of Southern Indiana uses a team approach of physicians, nurses, home health aids, social workers, therapists, spiritual care counselor, bereavement counselor and trained volunteers to provide hospice service to terminally ill persons in Clark and surrounding counties, regardless of their ability to pay. Hospice support generally addresses the physical, emotional, social, spiritual and practical needs of patient and family as identified by and/or agreed upon by those involved and Hospice. The purpose of such care is to assist families and individuals in meeting the major life crises of terminal illness, death and personal loss; thus Hospice services place priority upon supporting families and individuals as they make informed personal choices. Of those we serve, 35% to 50% do not qualify for Medicare or have insurance or other funds to pay for hospice services. They are A United Way Agency Serving Clark · Crawford · Floyd · Harrison- Scott and Washington Counties. (812) 945-4596 · Toll Free 1-800-895-5633 · Fax (812) 945-4733 24 Hours On Call dependent upon United Way funds and general contributions. There is a constant need for more United Way and donated funds to better serve all patients. We serve approximately 350 patients annually. With additional funding, we could be of service to more clients. Hospice of Southern Indiana appreciates the careful evaluation that each Councilperson is giving to the redesignation of this property. Our concern is that the decision made will allow the optimum value of this property to be realized and, thereby, make a greater contribution to directly serving the needy people in our community. We feel confident that you will review the situation carefully and make a decision that will benefit the most needy persons in our community. Thank you for this opportunity to express our thoughts. Sincerely, Chief Executive Officer cc: Ron McKulick Chairperson Board of Directors Ksasmer. octates, Inc. Mary Kagin Kramer, MS. President Cad E. Kramer, Ph.D. ~ice President June 2, 1997 Mr. Michael M. Maschmeyer Mr. David D. Nachand Attorneys at Law 426 East Court Avenue Jeffersonville, IN 47130 Dear Mr. Maschmeyer&Mr. Nachand: In response to the questions you raised to me regarding the advisability of and possible alternatives to proposals by the City of Jeffersonville to create a local Conservation District at the Quadrangle, I have the following observations: First, it is important to recognize that this is a conflict between two "goods" rather than one between good and evil or the lesser of two evils. The Quadrangle is an important element in Jeffersonville's historic fabric: it helps define a sense of place and gives us a sense of who we are. By the same token, the United Way agencies who stand to benefit fi.om the sale and prospective redevelopment of the Quadrangle help define us as a caring, humanitarian community. To damage either tends to weaken the whole, thus the need for a win-win solution to the dilemma. Second, in an ideal situation where the affected structure or area has a high degree of historical and architectural integrity, a Conservation District would likely be a highly effective strategy for protecting it fi.om demolition or inappropriate redevelopment. But the Quadrangle does not fit this description. It hasa rich history, which certainly needs to be documented and made accessible to the public, and it was once an excellent example of utilitarian architecture. However, its architectural fabric has been seriously compromised, not only by the fire that destroyed the southeast comer several years ago, but also by continual destruction of much of the original structure and detail of the interior and northern sections by the Quartermaster Department and various private tenants over the years. This damage is not apparent from the street and few people other than tenants and others who do business there are aware of the extent of the damage. Third, given the Quadrangle's existing state, one must ask as objectively as possible whether a Conservation District will promote or prevent its future development an appropriate manner. What is clear is that a Conservation District alone will not nail two boards together nor restore a single architectural detail. That can be accomplished only by a developer who has the resources to invest in such a challenge. While my historic preservationist's impulse is nearly always to favor local district designation. I am also concerned that designating a Conservation District at this point poses the possibility of creating a structure that can be neither 38 Forest Drive * Jeffersonville, Indiana 47130 * (812)284-3830 rehabilitated in an economically feasible manner nor demolished or significantly altered. In either case, the long-term result could be a dereiiet structure on a major artery near the heart of the city and on the edge of its expanding health services district. Fourth, the feasibility of rehabilitating and redeveloping the Quadrangle depends not only on the condition of the structure itself, but also on the condition of the surrounding area. The complex is impacted by adjoining residential and industrial areas and cannot be redeveloped in a vacuum. I believe it is imperative that the future of the Quadrangle be considered in its total context, not as a single structure. Conclusion Based upon these observations, it is my judgment that the successful redevelopment of the Quadrangle depends not so much on designation as a local Conservation District but on attracting a developer who has a significant, successful track record in rehabilitating large historic structures. Since the Quadrangle is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places, it is also eligible for a 20 percent federal tax credit if redeveloped according to the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation--with or without either local Conservation District or National Register status. I strongly suggest that you contact the National Trust for Historic Places for assistance in identifying regional and national developers who have extensive experience in certified historic rehabilitation as well as the other necessary resources who might have an interest in taking on the challenge of the Quadrangle. Indeed, such a developer may desire a Conservation District, and at that time it would be entirely appropriate. At the beginning of this letter I suggested the need for a win-win solution to the dilemma of choosing between conflicting goods. As a professional preservationist and as a leadership volunteer in several United Way agencies over the past two decades~ I believe this recommendation provides a point of departure for resolving this dilemma. Sincerely yours, Carl E. Kramer, Ph.D. Vice President