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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-02-97 COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA SEPTEMBER~, 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 9th day of September, 1997. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Thomas R. Galligan, with Clerk and Treasurer C. Richard Spencer Jr. at the desk. Mayor CJatligan welcomed ail 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, Peggy Knight Wilder, Barbara Wilson, Andrew Williams Ill, and Vicky Conlin. Absent: None. Mayor Gailigan presented the minutes of the meeting of August 18, 1997 for consideration by the Council. Councilperson Conlin made the motion to approve the minutes as presented, seconded by Council President Wilson and carried unanimously. Clerk and Treasurer Spencer presented the claim list with two additional claims for consideration by the Council. Council President Wilson made the motion to approve the claims as presented, seconded by Councilperson Williams, passing unanimously. Mr. Jim urban, Planning and Zoning Director, explained the need for passage of Resolution No. 97-R-37, A Resolution To The City Council Of The City Of Jeffersonville, Indiana, Authorizing The Submittal Of The CFF Application To The Indiana Department Of Commerce And Addressing Related Matters. Mr. Urban reviewed the total project cost with the locai match coming fi.om the Department of Redevelopment and Main Street. Councilperson Perkins made the motion to pass Resolution No. 97-R~37, seconded by Councilperson Coniin, passing unanimously. Mayor Gailigan asked the members of the Drainage Board to stand and introduce themselves. Those in attendance were, Mr. Charl/e White, Mr. Grant Morten, Mr. Tom Locke, Mr. Skip Leonard, and Mr. Ken Johnson. Mr. Les Kavanaugh is also a member. There is a need for the Council t° make one additional appointment. Mayor Galligan thanks the members for giving their time. He feels September~, 1997 Page 2 of 5 they will do an excellent job. Pat Larr will serve as a technical advisor. Attorney Sedwick Galligan presented Resolution No. 97-R-38, A Resolution Approving Continued Tax Abatement, explaining a formal Resolution had not been passed when the Statement of Benefits for Amatrol, Inc. were approved per the minutes of the meeting of April 5, 1993. Councilperson Perkins made the motion to approve Resolution No. 97-R-38, seconded by Councilperson Williams, passing unanimously. Mr. Ernest W. "Bill" Smith, Attorney representing Clark Memorial Hospital, appeared before the Council to request passage of Ordinance No. 97-OR-45, An Ordinance Granting Petition To Vacate Portion Of Street. Attorney Smith explained the area and the reason for the request. Proper notice to adjoining property owners has been given. Councilperson Perkins made the motion to suspend the rules for Ordinance No. 97-OR-45, seconded by Councilperson Wilder. The motion carried on a vote of 5-0-2 with Councilpersons Ellis and Conlin abstaining. Councilperson Perkins then made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 97-OR-45 on all three readings, seconded by Councilperson Williams, passing on a vote of 5-0-2 with Councilpersons Ellis and Conlin abstaining. Ms. Joan Smith appeared before the Council seeking a show of support and financial support for Noah's Ark Children's Village. Ms. Smith reviewed the program, saying the requested donation of$7,000would beused for operations. At the conclusion of all discussion, Councilperson wilder made a motion of support to include Noah's Ark in the Common Council budget under special services, seconded by Couneilperson Frantz, passing unanimously, Attorney Sedwick Galligan presented Ordinance No. 97-OR-46, An Ordinance Repealing And Replacing Ordinance No. 93-OR-66 Establishing Retiree's Health Insurance Benefits For City Employees. This is a rewrite of an Ordinance to attempt to more closely follow statutory requirements and make clear other sections. Councilperson Conlin made the motion to suspend the rules for Ordinance No. 93-OR-66, seconded by Councilperson Ellis, passing unanimously. Discussion followed regarding the date and the base rate. Councilperson Conlin then made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 9743R-46 on all three readings, seconded by Councilperson Williams, passing unanimously. Attorney Sedwick Galligan presented and explained resolution No. 97-R-39, A Resolution Finding Failure To Substantially Comply With Statement Of Benefits, (B. Group, Inc., and September:~k 1997 Page 4 of 5 House Services, seconded by Councilperson Conlin. Councilperson Ellis recommends each Councilperson spend a day in the office of Haven House. The motion passed on a vote of 6- t with Council President Wilson voting nay. Ms. Barbara Anderson thanked the Council, presenting a baby that was born the day Councilperson Ellis visited. Attorney Sedwick Galligan presented and explained the need for Ordinance No: 97-OR-47, An Ordinance Transferring Certain Funds Within Same Department (Police). Following discussion, Councilperson Conlin made the motion to suspend the rules for Ordinance No. 97-OR-47, seconded by Councilperson Williams, passing unanimously. Coun¢ilperson Conlin then made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 97-OR-47 on all three readings, seconded by Councilperson Williams, passing unanimously. Council President Wilson presented and explained the need for Ordinance No. 97-OR-48, An Ordinance Transferring Certain Funds Within Same Department (Council). Several Councilpersons spoke in support of attending conferences and the benefits derived. Council President Wilson made the motion to suspend the rules for Ordinance No. 97~OR-48, seconded by Councilperson Perkins, passing unanimously. CouncilpersonPerkins then madethe motion to pass Ordinance No. 97-OR-48 on all three readings seconded by Councilperson Ellis, passing unanimously. Councilperson Perkins wishes there was a way to loan out horseshoes to be used in the Warder Park horseshoe pits. The library was suggested. Councilperson Conlin thanked the Council for passing the Haven House Resolution. She does understand Council President Witson's position. Council President Wilson reminded the Council of the Steamboat Parade. They wilt ride the fire truck. The candy was purchased by the Council, not with tax dollars. Mr, Charles Kenneth White warned the Council to watch their spending referring to a problem the County Council has with their budget. Councilperson Wilder explained the City Council has had lengthy budget sessions and he is welcome to attend. She for one does not deal with this lightly. Councitperson Perkins explained the County Council and City Council budgets have nothing to do with each other. He further explained the City budget will go up less than the rate of inflation. Mayor Galligan thanked Phil MeCauley and all the depa~hnent heads for the work on the budgets. An excellent job has been done. All are trying to work for the best interest of the City. September~ 1997 Page 3 of 5 Environmental Equipment Service Corp.). Notice of this meeting were sent to each and came back unclaimed. Attorney Sedwick Galligan announced this is a public hearing on this matter asking for any comment. There being no comment, Councilperson Perkins made the motion to pass Resolution No. 97-R-39, seconded by Councilperson Conlin, passing unanimously. Councilperson Wilder feels like she owes Councilperson Perkins an apology for statements made at the last meeting regarding Haven House. She feels all can have a change of heart and all can learn lessons. Councilperson Perkins feels there may be some problem with the wording as he would like the Resolution to pass unanimously. Councilperson W'flder then read aloud Resolution No. 97-R- 40, A Resolution In Support Of Haven House Services, Inc. Councilperson Wilder said she should not have been critical and there is a need to make amends and move forward. She would recommend the Council put forward $5,000 in financial suppor~ to show this is not lip service. Council President Wilson, saying the Haven House project on Colonial Park Drive is in her district, feds five homes is way too tnuch to put in one area. The people in her district are against this and she cannot vote for this. Councilperson Wilder made the motion to pass Resolution No. 9%R-40, seconded by Councilperson Conlin. Councilperson Ellis commented he spent a day at Haven House Services to determine need for these services. He saw an overwhelming need. He cannot say he is 100% behind the way all services are conducted but feels the Council has an obligation to look out for those less fortunate. Councilperson Perkins appreciates the fact the Council will come to some sort of agreement. His position was never against Haven House Services, his position was about spacing, but more important was the fact the City could have been in a position to pay funds. Couneilperson Perkins appreciates Councilpersons Wilder's move to go ahead. Councilperson Wilder feels the 2500 foot Ordinance does not apply as this is transitional housing. Councilperson Williams commented he will abstain from this vote as he has concerns for the perception as he does feel this is "lip service and back peddling". He feels all Conncil agree with the concept of Haven House. He is in support of the $5,000. Councilperson Conlin understands the position of others. There is a need to stand behind Haven House and show Barbara Anderson and her Board support. The motion to pass Resolution No. 97-R-40 passed on a vote of 5-1-1. Council President Wilson voted nay, with Coundlperson Williams ahsta'nn'ng. Conncilperson Wilder made the motion to put $5,000 in special projects line item for Haven September ~-e 1997 Page 5 of 5 Mayor Galligan commented on the death of City employee Rosetta Towns. He stated he did not hire Rosetta but had to deal with her. tn all his dealings when she knew the outcome she was a first-class individual. She showed class beyond anything Mayor Galligan had ever seen. Her loss will be significant. Meier will start construction after the first of the year. It is hoped to start the Inter City Road next year. This will be a major improvement to the community. Eighth Street will be blocked in order to fix a sewer at Eighth and Howard. It is hoped to finish this fast. Mayor Galligan thanks the members on the storm water board. He looks forward to working with them. There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilperson Perkins made the motion to adjourn at 8:20 P.M., seconded by Cotmcitperson Ellis, passing unanimously. ATTEST: