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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-07-97COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA JLrLY 7, 1997 The Common Council of the City of Jeffersonville met in regular session in the Multi-Purpose Meeting Room in the City-County Building, Jeffersonville, Indiana, at 7:00 P.M. on the 7~ day of July 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 welcomed all in attendance, asking all those present to stand as Councilperson Andrew Williams III gave the invocation. He 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, Ron Ellis, Donna M. Frantz, Barbara Wilson, Andrew Williams III, and Vicky Conlin. Absent: Councilperson Peggy Knight Wilder. MayOr Galligan presented the minutes of the meeting of June 16, 1997 for consideration by the Council. Councilperson Wilson made the motion to approve the minutes as presented, seconded by Councitperson Williams and carded unanimously. Ms. Jennifer Wilcox, Assistant Director of the Department of Redevelopment, presented Resolution No. 97-OR-34, A Resolution Of The Jeffersonville Common Council Approving A Declaratory Resolution And Economic Development Plan Of The Redevelopment Commission Of Jeffersonville, Indiana, And Approving An Order Of The Jeffersonville Plan Commission. Ms. Wilcox explained the five steps necessary to establish a T.I.F. District. Deputy Mayor McCauley stated this is a specific endeavor to lure a company that will stay 25 years, have a large payroll, and high wages. The returns to the City will be many-fold. The agreement will include free land and a tax abatement. The City will not be exposed to any personal debt and there will be no bonds. This is a very competitive project and the State is putting in more than the City. The City stands to collect several million in net taxes with no risk. The company insists on no publicity. At the conclusion of all discussion, Councilperson Conlin made the motion to pass Resolution No. 97-R-34, seconded by Councilperson Williams, passing on a vote of 5-1. Councilperson Perkins votes nay, stating he could not vote in favor as he does not have full information. July 7, 1997 Page 2 Clerk and Treasurer Spencer presented the claim list for consideration by the Council explaining one addit!gnal claim. Councilperson Conlin questioned how the donation to the ][eft Family Fest would be handled. Councilperson Perkins explained a checking account will be opened and there will be a relationship with Main Street. Councilperson Perkins made the motion to approve the claims as presented, seconded by Councilperson Conlin, passing unanimously. Deputy Mayor McCauley presented Ordinance No. 97-OR-33, An Ordinance Fixing Basic Salaries Of Appointed Officers And Employees Of The City Of Jeffersonville, Indiana For The Year 1998, explaining the Ordinance represents an across the board increase of two and one half percent. The Ordinance does include three additional police in anticipation of receiving a grant. The amount in the Fire Department for Hazmat is up. However, the amount for retirement is down. There are three additional positions in the Sewer Department. There is an additional increase for the Animal Shelter Director to bring that position in line with other department heads. The two and one half percent represents a raise to keep up with the cost of living. Deputy McCauley said this is a starting point as the salary ordinance is due before the budgets. Attorney Sedwick Galligan did say the employees' salary ordinance may be changed at any time. She further stated that if the amount passed in the salary ordinance is not put in the budget it cannot be paid. Fire Chief Smith answered questions regarding the increase in Hazmat funding. This does include EMS. Council President Wilson feels the two and one half percent at $15,000 to $18,000 is less than the two and one half percent for those at $30,000 or more and she would like to see it more equal. Councilperson Perkins is concerned about the cost to the City of hiring three new police after the three-year grant. Deputy McCauley has talked with Police ChiefPavey about the police being pushed due to the increase in area. Councilperson Frantz made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 97-OR-33 on the first reading, seconded by Councilpersen Conlin. Councilpersons Williams, Frantz, and Conlin voted yes, with Councilpersons Perkins, Wilson, and Ellis voting no. Mayor Galligan voted in favor, passing Ordinance No. 97-OR-33 on the first reading. Councilperson Perkins made the motion to table An Ordinance Kepealing Ordinance Number 96-OK-82, Regulating Distance Between Premises Used For Certain Charitable Purposes, seconded by Councilperson Williams, passing on a vote of S-1. Council President Wilson voted nay. July 7, 1997 Page 3 Attomey Sedwick Galligan presented and explained Ordinance No. 97-OR-34, An Ordinance Transferring Certain. Funds Within The Same Department (Mayor). Following discussion, Councilperson Perkins made the motion to suspend the roles for Ordinance No. 97-OR-34, seconded by Councilperson Williams, passing unanimously. Councitperson Perkins then made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 97-OR-34 on ail three readings, seconded by Councilpersons Williams, passing unanimously. Councitperson Perkins announced a meeting at 10:00 A.M. on Wednesday with residents on Pearl Street that are concerned with police presence. The Council will hold budget workshops Monday, July 14, 1997 at 5:00 P.M. and Thursday, July 17, 1997 at 5:00 P.M. Councilperson Perkins would like to see these advertised as regular meetings so votes may be taken. Mayor Galligan announced the wails on 10th Street should be down next week. Also the "Pool King" building will be torn down in the next day or two. The lease with Buckheads has been signed and they are looking to open in January or March. Attorney Sedwick Galligan told of the trip she and Mayor Galligan took to Finland to try to resolve the Riverpoint Apartments situation. The local Haka group paid for the trip to Finland so they could attend a creditors meeting in the bankruptcy, and to have a press conference. It is felt substantial progress was made. Attomey Sedwick Gailigan feels they are much more willing to talk settlement due to the press conference. More good news is expected. Deputy McCauley noted this administration has fought this case for 18 months and in that eighteen months a lot of time and energy have been spent in legal maneuvering. Title to the property has been received and has since been leased out. In this time period the City has been up against many high-powered attorneys. Before this administration came in 18 months ago the Department of Redevelopment was spending a considerable amount of money on legal fees. In the last 18 months no outside legai fees have been incurred. Attorney Sedwick Galligan is looking toward the end of August to have some sort of resolution. Councilperson Perkins asked if the City has considered rescinding the tax abatement on the Harbours itself. Attorney Sedwick Gailigan said there is a specific statute that any abatement granted before July 1, 1991 cannot be revoked for failure to comply. It was also stated in the record July 7, 1997 Page 4 that the City would not revoke the abatement. Councilperso~ Frantz left at 8:10 P.M. Mr. Charles Kenneth White asked if the Police were no longer receiving comp. time. May~or Galligan explained the Police are now given overtime. Councilperson Perkins said the Police have unlimited sick time. Mr. White said it appears something needs to be done with the Police Department. Mayor Galligan said the problems did not get this way in a short time and it will take work to get it back as the department cannot be destroyed in the process. There is a good faith effort on both sides. The 12 hour shifts will last one year. Alternatives will be looked into. Mr. White stated we do have a fine police department. Mayor Galligan said he represents the citizens and does it intensely. All are tDdng to arrive at an equitable situation for both parties that puts the manpower on the streets, giving the police a living wage with the fight amount of equipment. He desires to put cameras in the cars. Mr. John VanBinsbergen understands the reasons for the Ordinance regarding landlords and nuisance. Help is needed for the landlords to handle nuisances. There is a need to look at the Ordinance a little closer. Mr. Bob Cook said he is in full accord with Mr. White on the Police situation. He feels the 12-hour shift will bum the Police out. Mr. Cook does not feel the coverage area is any different from 10 years agb. Mayor Galligan explained the areas that have been annexed. Mr. Cook congratulated the Mayor and Attorney on their marriage. There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilperson Perkins made the motion to adjourn at 8:20 P.M., seconded by Cou:¢qilperson Ellis, ~ssin~nanlmously. MAYOR THOMAS R. GA ~GAN ATTEST: