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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-03-97 COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA NOVEMBER 3, 1997 The Common Council of the City of Jeffersonville met in regular session in the Multi-Purpose 3/leering Room in the City-County Building, Jeffersonville, Indiana, at 7:00 P.M. on the 3rd day of November, 1997. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Thomas R. Galligen, with Clerk and Treasurer C. Richard Spencer Jr. at the desk. Mayor Galligen welcomed all in attendance, asking ail those present to stand as Councilperson Ron Ellis gave the invocation. He then asked all those present to join him in the pledge of allegiance to the flag. Mayor Galligan welcomed Cub Scout Pack 49. The Scouts are working on their Citizen Badge. The roll was called and those present were Councilpersons John Perkins, Ron Ellis, Donna M. Frantz, Peggy Knight Wilder, Barbara Wilson, Andrew Williams III, and Vicky Conlin. Absent: None. Mayor Galligan presented the minutes of the meeting of October 20, 1997 for consideration by the Council. Council President Wilson made the motion to approve the minutes as presented, seconded by Councilperson Wilder and carded unanimously. Clerk and Treasurer Spencer presented the claim list for consideration by the Council explaining two additional claims. Councilperson Conlin aiso presented a claim for consideration. Counc'flperson Perkins noted there are claims paid from the Animal Shelter Spay/Neuter program for services outside of Jeff Township and Clark County. Attorney Sedwick Galligan will review the Ordinance. Following all discussion, Councilperson Wilder made the motion to approve the claims and the additionai as presented, seconded by Councilperson Conlin, passing unanimously. The meeting was open for public comment at this time: Mr. Grant Morten questioned if the proposed 2% food and beverage tax would include groceries. Attorney Sedwick Galligan explained this would not be on groceries: Mr. Morten would rather see an occupational tax. Attorney Sedwick Galligan ?xplained the city cannot impose an occupational tax, the county has to do that. Counc'flperson Frantz explained she asked to have the November 3, 1997 Page 2 of 6 Resolution in support ora 2% food and beverage tax to be included on the agenda for discussion only. Mr. Morten said the City is talking about two different projects, the road and the sport center. He agrees with th, road but has reservations regarding the sport center. He would like to see some of the projects that have been started complete before taking on more. Mayor Gailigan explained the 'problems with removing the head wails at the 10* Street entrance to the City, he said the curb cuts are getting done and he is working diligently on progress. Ms. Pat VanGilder asked how much longer will it take to complete Louise Street. There has been equipment on the street and the street has been in bad shape for seven months. Mayor Gailigan said a curb line has to be put in and he reaiizes this has been an inconvenience. Ms. VanGilder does not understand why it takes seven months to do two blocks. Mayor Gailigan understands. This has been contracted out and they are t~fing to get it done fast. He is sorry it is taking so long. Mr. Ray Parella asked what he can tell his customers regarding a 2% tax as 70% of his customers come from out of town. Councilperson Franm asked if 1% would make a difference? Mr. Parella said it would not. Mr. Mike Moore would like to see the City spend the money it brings in. He doesn't believe you gain growth from an added tax. There was much discussion on funding sources. Councilperson Perkins read a letter from John Fry Sr objecting to the tax. Mr. Mike Hutt asked where the T.I.F. collections go. Mayor Gailigan said there is currently only one building in the district. Jeffersonville lost I.U.S. as the City did not want to invest in the furore. There is a need for growth. Mr. Hutt said the City needs the road but does not need a luxury item, and feels the proposed sport complex land is prime land for development. Councilperson Wilder feels growth in a community is about quality of life. Ifa community has things like good schools, parks, a sports complex and so on it will bring industriai and residential growth. Mayor Galligan invited Mr. Moore to be on a committee to find ways to pay for a sport complex. The Cub Scouts leave at 8:25. November 3, 1997 Page 3 of 6 Ms. Nellie Nolan hopes if there is a sports complex the fees will be set for all to be able to afford. Attorney Sedwick Galligan presented Ordinance No. 97-OR-63, An Ordinance Establishing A Non-Reverting Automobile Fund For The Jeffersonville City Police Department. This. was 'discussed in a Council workshop. Following discussion of some of the wording, Councilperson Frantz made the motion to suspend the rules for Ordinance No. 97-OR-63, with the word any deleted, seconded by Councilperson Conlin. The motion failed on a vote of 5-2 with Councilpersons Perkins and Ellis voting nay. Councilperson Frantz then made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 97- OR-63 on the first and second reading, seconded by Councilperson Conlin, passing on a vote of 5-2. Councilpersons Perkins and Ellis voted nay. Mayor GalIigan presented Resolution No. 97-R-44, A Resolution For The Establishment Of Deferred Compensation Plan Section 457 For The City Of Jeffersonville. Councilperson Perkins made the motion to pass Resolution No. 97-R-44, seconded by Councilperson Conlin, passing on a vote of5-1-t. Councilperson Ellis voted nay with Councilperson Frantz abstaining. Attorney Sedwick Galligan presented Ordinance No. 97-OR-64, An Ordinance Fixing Basic Salaries Of Elected Officials Of The City Of Jeffersonville, Indiana For The Year 1998. This has been prepared with an increase of $1,000 for the Mayor, Clerk and Treasurer and City Court Judge and $500 per Councilperson. Attorney Sedwick Galligan informed the Council this Ordinance needs to be passed in enough time that a 30 day publication notice can be done before the end of the year. Councilperson Perkins made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 97-OR-64 on the first reading. As there was no second to his motion, Councilperson Perkins withdrew his motion. Councilperson Conlin stated she will not vote for the Council to receive a raise. Councilperson Williams concurs with Councilperson Conlin as he has concerns for the benefits and giving a raise. He feels the pay is adequate for pm-time public officials. Councilperson Perkins said some are part-time, others are not. He feels coition is necessary to get qualified candidates to serve. Councilperson Wilder said she is not ashamed of the compensation. The Councilpersons do have an opportunity to work other full-time jobs. Councilperson Conlin made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 97-OR-64 on the first reading amending Council salary to $52,920, seconded by Councilperson Williams. Clerk and Treasurer Spencer appreciated the increase of $I,000 but he does want the public to know this November 3, 1997 Page 4 of 6 does not reflect on the salary that was taken away last year. This increase will not bring him back to where he was. Ordinance 97-OR-64 passed unanimously on the first reading. Clerk and Treasurer Spencer presented Ordinance No. 97-OR-65, An Ordinance Transferring Certain Funds Within Same Department (Local Roads and Streets), as requested by. Street 'Commissioner Trembly. Following discussion Councilperson Conlin made the motion to suspend the rules for Ordinance No. 97-OR-65, seconded by Councilperson Williams, passing unanimously. Councilperson Conlin then made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 97-OR-65 on all three readings, seconded by Councilperson Williams, passing unanimously. Clerk and Treasurer Spencer presented Ordinance No. 97-OR-66, An Ordinance Transferring Certain Funds Within same Department (Building Commission) as requested by the Department. Building Commissioner Pinkston spoke in support of the transfer. Councilperson Williams made the motion to suspend the rules for Ordinance No. 97-OR-66, seconded by Councilperson Frantz, passing unanimously. Councilperson Williams then made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 97-OR-66 on all three, readings, seconded by Councilperson Frantz, passing unanimously. Attorney Sedwick Galligan presented Ordinance No. 97-OR-67, An Ordinance Amending Certain Portions Of Section 1 Of Ordinance No. 96-OR-53 (Sewage Department), as discussed at the workshop. Mayor Galligan requested the starting hourly rate be changed to $10.00 for Heavy Equipment Operator and $8.00 for Laborer. Councilperson Perkins made the motion to suspend the rules for Ordinance No. 97-OR-67, seconded by Councilperson Conlin, passing unanimously. Councilperson Perkins then made the motion to pass Ordinance No. 97-OR-67 as amended on all three readings, seconded by Councilperson Conlin, passing unanimously. Mayor C_ralligan explained these employees will be paid from the Sewage funds as they will be working on catch basins and manholes. Ordinance No. 97-OR-68, An Ordinance Amending Certain Portions Of Section 1 Of Ordinance No. 97-OR-33, (Sewage Department). Mayor Galligan requested the stating hourly rate be changed to $10.00 for heavy equipment operator and $8.00 for laborer. Councilperson Perkins made the motion to suspend the roles for Ordinance No. 97-OR-69, seconded by Councilperson Ellis, passing unaiiiniously. Councilperson Perkins then made the motion to pass ordinance No. 97-OR-68 as amended on all three readings, seconded by Councilperson Ellis, passing unanimously. November 3, 1997 Page 5 of 6 Attorney Sedwick Galligan presented Ordinance No. 97-OR-69, An Ordinance Establishing A Vehicle Tow-ha Fee For The Jeffersonville City Police Department. This was also discussed at the workshop. Councilperson Perldns asked ifthe guidelines for the bids for towing had been established. Attorney Sedwick Galligan replied they have not. Councilperson Perkins made the motion to suspend · the rules for Ordinance No.97-OR-69, seconded by Councitperson Ellis, passing unanimously. Councilperson Perkins then made the motion to pass Ordinance 97-OR-69 on all three readings, seconded by Councilperson Ellis, passing unanimously. Councilperson Perkins requests a copy of the towing bid specs. Councilperson Perkins would like to look at "new" revenues over the next 10 years. There may be additional revenues as tax abatements come off. He would like to look at general obligation bonds to be paid with new revenues. Councilperson Perkins is not "real comfortable" with the proposed 2% food and beverage tax. Mayor Galligan did not feel there was an intent to pass the 2% food and beverage tax resolution at this meeting. The intent was for discussion. He would like to look at other ways. Mayor Galligan has talked to some restaurant owners in Jeffersonvitle. He is not trying to hurt the restaurant owners. Councilperson Wilder is concerned the additional tax will give the incentive to go out of town to eat. Councilperson Perkins does not feel 2% would force him to go to Clarksville. His concern is for combining the funding of the intercity road and the sports complex. Mayor Galligan is t~3~ing to build both projects without putting them on property tax. Sources of funding from grants were discussed. Councilperson Conlin noted that when any grant money is requested the question is always raised that Clark County does not have COIT, GAGIT or EDIT. A decision does need to be made on the food and beverage tax soon as the legislative session coming up is a short session. Councilperson Ellis stated he is opposed to a food and beverage tax. Councilperson Wilson is also opposed. Councilperson Williams is in support of the projects but does question the funding. A hotel/motel tax was discussed. At the conclusion of all discussion Councilperson Frantz said she will talk with Deputy Mayor McCautey to get more numbers together. The Council is pressed for time and she asks all to think about it. She does appreciate the input and she is open to all suggestions for funding. Councilperson Frantz inquired if the money from the sale of the bricks will go into the Riverside development fund. She was told it will. Councilperso~ Frantz would like to recognize Mr. November 3, 1997 Page 6 of 6 George Trembly as one of the best people she has ever known, and one of the best employees the City has ever had. He has given the Street Department respect. He is retiring and his last day was last Friday. Councilperson Conlin has heard good comments regarding the gang program. Four ex,gang · members approached the speaker following the talk and they are interested in starting a group for gang members. She has had good response fi.om the prosecutor's office, probation department, police department and the teachers. She thanks all for the support. Council President Wilson announced an executive session to discuss law suits will be held at 6:00 P.M. before the next meeting. Mayor Galligan spoke about the 5 week study circle on racism. He feels good strides have been made but there is a lot farther to go. We need to help all in the community. The gang program emphasized community, economics, and equality. Equality in all areas needs to be worked on. Gang members join gangs so they can be a part of something. They lack self esteem. This needs to be worked.on. Mayor Galligan said there is a magazine called "Jane", and in the center is an article featuring an Evening News reporter. This needs to be read. Part of the problem is that not all the facts are received. Mayor Galligan appreciates Grant Morten for coming, Mr. Moore for coming, and Mr. Hutt for coming. He does not always agree but he does appreciate the input and wants them to be involved. Planning and Zoning has established a plat review committee and Mayor Galligan feels this is a major step forward. There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilperson Perkins made the motion to adjourn at 9:35 P.M., seconded by Councilperson Conlin, passing unanimously. ATTEST}~) // CLERK AND TREASUREI~/~. RICHA~SPEN .