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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-21-97COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JEFFERSONV[LLE, INDIANA JULY 21, 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 21st day of July, 1997. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Thomas R. Gatligan, with Clerk and Treasurer C. Richard Spencer Jr. at the desk. Mayor Gailigan welcomed all in attendance, asking ail those present to stand as Councilperson Andrew Williams III gave the invocation. He then asked ail those present to join him in the pledge of ailegiance to the flag: The roll was cailed and those present were Councilpersons John Perkins, Ron Ellis, Donna M. Frantz, Peggy Knight Wilder, Barbara Wilson, Andrew Williams III, and Vicky Coniin. Absent: None. Mayor Galtigan presented the minutes of the meeting of July 7, t997 for consideration by the Council. Council President Wilson made the motion to approve the minutes as presented, seconded by Councilperson Williams and carried unanimously. Clerk and Treasurer Spencer presented the claim list for consideration by the Council explaining four additional claims. Councilperson Conlin made the motion to approve the claims as presented, seconded by Councilperson Williams, passing unanimously. Councilperson Conlin, having been asked by City employees, presented a package to Mayor Galtigan. Upon opening Mayor Gailigan found an oversized gavel. City Attorney Sedwick Gailigan presented and explained Ordinance No. 97-OR-35, An Ordinance Transferring Certain Funds Within Same Department (City Attorney). Councilperson Perkins made the motion to suspend the rules for Ordinance No. 97-OR-35 seconded by Councilperson Williams, passing unanimously. Councilperson Perkins then made the motion to pass Ordinance No.97-OR-35 on all three readings, seconded by Councilperson Williams, passing unanimously. City Attorney Sedwick Gailigan presented Ordinance No. 97-OR-36, An Ordinance Repeaiing JULY 21, 1997 Page 2 of 5 Ordinance Number 96-OR-82 Regulating Distance Between Premises Used For Certain Charitable Purposes, explaining the Plan Commission, which is an advisory commission, at the June meeting recommended that the Council not pass the Ordinance repealing. Councilperson Wilder made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 97-OR-36 on the first and second reading, seconded by Councilperson Conlin. The vote to pass Ordinance No. 97-OR-36 on the first and second reading failed on a vote of 3-4. CouncilpersonsPerkins, Ellis, Wilson, and Williams voted nay. Clerk and Treasurer Spencer presented and explained Ordinance No. 97-OR-37, An ordinance Transferring Certain Funds Within Same Department (Animal Shelter). Following discussion, Councilperson Frantz made the motion to table Ordinance No. 97-OR-37, seconded by Councilperson Wilder, passing unanimously. City Attorney Sedwick CJalligan 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. This Ordinance was passed on the first reading at the previous Council meeting. Councitperson Perkins proposes adding a flat $1,000 to last year's salary ordinance for all City employees as opposed to a percentage as a "loaf of bread costs everybody the same amount of money". Councitperson Contin is in favor ora three and one half percent increase. Councitperson Wilder feels strongly about a percentage raise as well. This would be fair and just as well as progressive. She agrees with a three and one half percent increase. Councilperson Ellis has a problem with the percentage. He feels those at the bottom of the pay scale deserve a fair and equitable raise. Council President Wilson would like to give a flat raise as this does give those paid less, more money. Councilperson Perkins made the motion to amend Ordinance No. 97-OR-33 and passed on the second and third readings to allow for a $1,000 across the board pay raise added to the base salaries of those full- time employees, seconded by Councilperson Frantz. Mayor Galligan understands other changes in this Ordinance will remain. This is agreed. Councilperson Williams is concerned that there is a guarantee of a raise just for being employed without regard for an evaluation. There is no system to deal with this. Councitperson Perkins agrees. The motion to pass Ordinance No. 97-OR-33 as amended in the motion on the second and third reading passed on a vote of 5-2. Councitpersons Wilder and Conlin voted nay. City Attorney Sedwick Galligan presented Ordinance No. 97-OR-38, An Ordinance JULY 21, 1997 Page 3 of 5 Approving The Preliminary Determination To Enter A Lease With The Jeffersonville-Clark County Building Authority For Renovations To The City-County Building. The Council has been asked to pass this Ordinance on the first reading only so that the Building Authority can do the proper advertising for a public hearing. Passage on the first reading will not bind the Council. Councilperson Frantz inquired if a study had been done. Councilperson Perkins feels this is time the City gets serious in their discussions regarding moving from the building. He also feels the City taxpayer pays as a City taxpayer and a County taxpayer and feels this should be funded county wide and not ask the City taxpayer to pay twice. Mayor Galligan does not disagree with Councilperson Perkins. He is saying the fourth floor leaks, and the wall needs to be fixed. Councilperson Frantz does not want to send a signal that the Council will support this. Attorney Sedwick Galligan has informed the Building Authority of this. Mayor Galligan explained all this does is allow for a public hearing. At the conclusion of all discussion, Councilperson Frantz made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 97-OR-38 on the first reading only, seconded by Councilperson Conlin, passing unanimously. Mr. Ken Reiter, Chief of McCulloch Volunteer Fire Department asked to address the Council regarding the proposal for Jeffersonvilte to take over McCulloch. ChiefReiter presented a map and gave many statistics. Chief Reiter and others in the audience made comments on response time, taxation, fire stations, equipment, firefighters, location, and others. Councilperson Frantz would like to have an unbiased opinion and would like to hire a consultant as she feels Highway 62 would be a better location than Allison Lane. Councilperson Wilson agrees Highway 62 would be a better location. Councilperson Frantz left the meeting at 8:15 P.M. Chief Reiter proposes a three year contract for $65,000 per year. Councilperson Ellis proposes the township pay for a consultant. Mayor Galligan was asked why he would want to go from 4 to 3 fire houses, eliminate 26 people, and pay more for less, and if he would honestly build there (Allison Lane). Mayor Galligan answered yes as he is trying to do the best he can~for the City. There are differences of opinion on both sides. At the conclusion of all discussion, Mayor Galligan thanked all for coming. ChiefReiter is willing to come to any workshop with the Council. JULY 21, 1997 Page 4 of 5 Councilperson Perkins stated that a week or so ago the Council, in a workshop, came to a consensus of opinion that they did not want any more sewer taps outside the City limits without Council approval. He has a problem with the approval of tap ins for Old Stoner Place. It is his understanding that the Department of Redevelopment is screening potential industrial clients (businesses) based on necessary usage of the collection system. He also understands the plant is approaching capacity. Counc'flperson Perkins has a real serious problem with allowing people in Old Stoner Place to connect to the sewer system when some of the annexed areas are not on City sewers. He does not know of any plans to annex Old Stoner Place, and he does not understand why the City is providing sewers. Mayor Galligan said that number 1 they need them, number 2 there is a lo~ of economic development in the area, and there is a need to facilitate that as the growth is in the East end. Heritage Bank needs to have sewers out there. This is an important issue and Mayor Galligan understands what Councilperson Perkins is saying. The plant is not in any trouble. This is a revenue generator and there is a need for this. They will also have to sign a non-remonstrance agreement. There has been talk of an industrial park. Mayor Galligan feels this is a good move for the City of Jeff. Councilperson Perkins asked who will pay to tap those people on and mn the lines? Mayor Galligan replied '~they are". Lentzier Creek is being polluted. This is a good thing to do environmentally, bus'mess wise, and for future growth. Councilperson Wilder feels when services are provided outside the City there is no incentive to come into the City. Councilperson Perkins still comes back to the thought that is was a consensus of opinion not to allow anymore tap ins outside the City limits. Councilperson Conlin did agree but has checked and feels this would be a decision of the Board of Works. Mayor Galligan stated "sewers are the life-tine of economic development". He wants to increase the assessed valuation. He is trying to mn this like a business. Those outside the City pay one and one-half times the sewer rate and tap fees. Council President Wilson feels those who have been annexed should be taken care of. Attorney Sedwick Galligan explained we are trying to get a bond to run a trunk line up Highway 62. Mayor Galligan feels it is a good business deal, it will he good for Jeffersonville, it will encourage growth and we will he able to deal with any problems because we will have the money. If nothing else it is good for the environment. Mayor Galligan has given up terrilory so this can happen. It is not in his best interest but the best interest for Jeffersonville. Attorney Sedwick Galligan feels if Jeffersonville does not provide this service the IU1,Y 21, 1997 Page 5 of 5 business will go to a private entity. Councilperson Ellis requests the City cut the weeds on property on Watt Street. Mayor Galligan will take care of this tomorrow. Councilperson Conlin stated some have met with University of Louisville Professor Dr. Schwannter and he is willing to work with the Council to do an education series for the community regarding gang relations. This would be a two hour workshop. Councilperson Wilder said we should all be thankful that Councilperson Conlin has worked aggressively for this. The cost is about $1,500 and they are looking for corporate sponsors. The desire is to hold this at Jeffersonville High School. They wilt meet again with Dr. Schwannter. Council President Wilson thanked all for coming. She asked when the budgets would be available and was told the first of the next week. The Council will meet in workshop session August 11, 1997 at 5:30 P.M. to start on budgets. There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilperson Ellis made the seconded by Councilperson Perkins, passing unanimously. motion to adjourn at 8:55 P.M., (~~ /~LII~ MAYOR THOMAS R. GAL ,IG~ ATTEST: