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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJuly 21, 2014COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA July 21, 2014 The Common Council of the City of Jeffersonville, Indiana met in regular session in Room 101, 500 Quartermaster Court, Jeffersonville, Indiana at 7:OOpm, on Monday July 21, 2014. Council President Julius with Vicki Conlin, City Clerk, called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. President Julius asked those in attendance to stand as Mr. Bobby Campbell gave the Invocation. President Julius then led all those present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. The roll call and those present were: Councilperson Smith, Councilperson Zastawny, Councilperson Payne, Councilperson Sellers, Councilperson Gill, Councilperson Samuel, President Julius, and Councilperson Owen. Absent: Councilperson Glover. MINUTES TO BE APPROVED: Councilperson Owen made a motion to APPROVE the minutes from the regular Council meeting on July 7, 2014, with Vice President Gill seconding, PASSING on a vote of 8-0. Vice President Gill made a request to add the workshop minutes from July 17, 2014, and made a motion to APPROVE the minutes with Councilperson Payne seconding, PASSING on a vote of 7-0-1 with Councilperson Owen abstaining. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA: Councilperson Owen made a motion to APPROVE the agenda, with Councilperson Sellers seconding. Vice President Gill requested adding the appreciation certificates for UEZ after Report of the Clerk, PASSING on a vote of 8-0. CLAIMS TO BE APPROVED: General Claims: Controller Amy Deering presented the general claims list in the amount of $331,144.53 for approval. Councilperson Owen made the motion to APPROVE the claims, with Vice President Gill seconding, PASSING on a vote of 7-0-1 with President Julius abstaining. REPORT OF THE CLERK: None at this time. President Julius handed out the certificates of appreciation to the Council appointed board members serving on the UEZ and thanked them for their service. A. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 1. Amy Deering — PUBLIC HEARING on 2014 -OR -30 An Ordinance for Additional Appropriation, Passed on 15t and 2nd Reading, Amended Motion by Connie Sellers, seconded by Matt Owen to add Paving: Council President Julius opened the Public Hearing at 7:07PM and without further comment, closed the hearing at 7:08PM. 1 Ms. Deering requested approval of this ordinance with no additional changes. Councilperson Owen made a motion to APPROVE 2014 -OR -30 with Vice President Gill seconding, PASSING on a vote of 8-0. 2. Amy Deering — 2014 -OR -31 An Ordinance Transferring Certain Funds Within the Same Department (Passed on 1st and 2nd Reading): Ms. Deering explained that there were a few additions to this transfer ordinance since the last Council meeting starting with the Engineer — Other Supplies for $1,000 and everything below it. There were requests from City Engineer Andy Crouch and Animal Shelter Director Charlie Heavrin to do a couple of transfers. Councilperson Owen made a motion to APPROVE 2014 -OR -31 on the final reading, with Councilperson Payne seconding, PASSING on a vote of 8-0. B. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Jeff Frey — Fire Merit Board Update: Mr. Frey, President of the Fire Merit Board Commission, came before the Council to give an update. Mr. Frey stated that (per statute) they have a new list of names that they will choose from over the next two years for new hires for the Fire Department. They will be taking two off of the top of this list right away. All of these candidates have passed their physical ability test prior to taking any testing which saves the City money. Councilperson Samuel asked if the old list of names is tossed out and Mr. Frey stated yes it is, but a couple of applicants off of the old list have reapplied. Councilperson Samuel asked how many were hired off of the old list and Mr. Frey stated only one or two will be hired off of the new list unless Council decides to hire a lot more firefighters. Councilperson Owen remarked that it was a good idea to have individuals on the list to have their physical fitness certification before they applied stating this will save the City a lot of time and money. Mr. Frey stated that the Merit Board will have their two year promotional list by the end of October and they have a lot of things to work out between now and then. Mr. Frey remarked that it is going to take years to get the rank situation where it ought to be. Council thanked Mr. Frey for coming to tonight's meeting and giving them an update on the Fire Merit Board. 2. Jerry Acy — River Ridge Update: Mr. Acy introduced Mr. Ned Pfau, Board President, Mr. David Lewis, Board Attorney and Mr. Paul Wheatley, Director of Finance and Marketing. Mr. Acy stated that they appreciate all the cooperation and support they get from the City. River Ridge encompasses about 6,000 acres and approximately three quarters of the acreage is in the Jeffersonville City limits and the remaining is in the City of Charlestown. Mr. Acy explained that there is currently a confidential economic development project that is underway with a pending land sale. This area is encumbered by approximately 900 feet of railroad track on River Ridge property, but they have a company that has rights to use the rail and they need to secure that site and have a piece of rail vacated to accommodate this new economic development project. In order to insure that they are able to do that in a timely manner, they are requesting to proceed with an imminent domain proceeding, but since the location is within the City of Jeffersonville, they need a resolution to be passed by the City to authorize it. Councilperson Owen made a motion to APPROVE 2014-R-16, with Vice President Gill seconding, PASSING on a vote of 8-0. President Julius thanked everyone from River Ridge for all that they do. 3. Shauna Graf — Greenway Update: Mr. Jay Conner, the Governor's appointee to the Clark County Ohio Greenway Commission introduced Jeffersonville Commission Chair Phillip Hendershot and Vice Chair David Boome. Greenway Project Director Shauna Graf presented an overview of the Greenway — what has taken place and what still needs to be done. Ms. Graf stated that 2 Jeffersonville used the TE (INDOT) Grant for the approach to the Big 4 and some new funding came through the Redevelopment Commission by way of grants for the marina and the Big 4 landing. Mr. Boome, the Jeffersonville representative for the Greenway, stated that they were able to work very closely with the City's consultants to bring the features of the Greenway to the marina such as the multi -use path, the limestone retaining wall and a handicap access ramp from Riverside Drive down to the Greenway. Ms. Graf stated that they received a Local • Technical Assistance Program Grant through INDOT for $32,000 to develop a maintenance plan for the Greenway. $50,000 was donated from Duke Energy to work on the Jeffersonville/Clarksville connector which will be delayed due to the 1-65 construction. Ms. Graf stated that Clarksville has been working hard on the erosion problems at the riverbank and is working on a master plan for the development of their west riverfront. The Commission is working on a K&I Bridge/Bicycle/Pedestrian Access and are attempting to change the Indiana Code to at least match Kentucky statues concerning recreational immunity. Ms. Graf stated that the Directors of the "Friends of the Greenway" are working hard on Jeffersonville's behalf to try to make the Greenway something we can all use as a community. Mr. Hendershot stated that he has been preaching for years that trails and greenways and non -vehicular infrastructure is a catalyst to economic development. Mr. Hendershot stated that the members of the Greenway Commission are thrilled with the success of the Big 4 and want to thank everyone for their support and overall commitment to the project. President Julius questioned where the funding for maintenance comes from for the Greenway and Ms. Graf explained that the Ohio River Greenway Commission is trying to do what they can to help establish a State Trails Fund that would allow for maintenance of certain issues, but at this time, it is up to the communities to maintain what has been built. Ms. Graf stated that the Commission will keep them updated on any developments. President Julius thanked them for all they do. 4. Larry Wilder — Explanation of Annex Lawsuit: Attorney Larry Wilder stated that he was asked to attend tonight's meeting to discuss the City's obligations as a result of the 2008 annexation and whether or not there was some kind of promise made in a Fiscal Plan during the process for annexation. Mr. Wilder stated that Jacobi, Toombs and Lanz created the Fiscal Plan with the exception of the finances for the City. Mr. Wilder referenced the Indiana State Statute that says "....services will be provided in a manner equivalent in standard and scope to those non -capitol services provided to the areas within the corporate boundaries regardless of similar topography, patterns of land use and population density." Mr. Wilder explained that this basically demonstrates that by annexing, the City isn't going to diminish or liquidate the services of the existing residents and the newly annexed areas will receive the same services. The Fiscal Plan states nothing about hiring two police officers for every 1,000 residents in Jeffersonville. Mr. Wilder stated that there was never an affirmative promise equating a number of police, fire, etc. with the population. Mr. Wilder explained that the FBI standard is 2.2 police officers per 1000 residents in a document they published is 2011, but it states " the use of officers per 1000 for police and fire is an ineffective performance measure. Instead, the determination should be made by what time is required to perform the given task on a daily, monthly and seasonal basis and to employ the appropriate resources to manage the workload." Mr. Wilder quoted an FBI statistical breakdown of a typical city in the Midwest with a population equivalent to Jeffersonville's which states there should be 1.6 police officers per 1000 residents. President Julius and the Council members thanked Mr. Wilder for coming to tonight's meeting and presenting this information. 3 5. Nathan Samuel — 2014 -OR -35 An Ordinance Initiating Additional Appropriation for Sidewalk Projects: Councilperson Samuel stated that Council Attorney Scott Lewis has prepared this ordinance so they can tie the money to the sidewalk projects. Councilperson Samuel stated that City Engineer Andy Crouch said he might come under budget and there may be extra money that they won't use. Before that money can be used for anything else, it will have to come back to Council for approval. Councilperson Samuel stated that Mr. Crouch wasn't sure if he could get all these projects done this year, but will try to be aggressive in getting them completed. Councilperson Samuel stated that Mr. Crouch will have to do his due -diligence and speak to the neighborhoods to be sure of what they want. If they say no to the sidewalks, the money goes back. Councilperson Samuel made a motion to APPROVE 2014 -OR -35 on the first and second reading, with Councilperson Zastawny seconding, PASSING on a vote of 8-0. 6. Dennis Julius — Security Contract Proposal for Big 4 Pedway: President Julius stated that he and Councilpersons Smith and Gill met with Kenny Kavanaugh and Scott McVoy and requested that they get them a security contract for 12 weeks so that when the 10 week contract ends, this one would take it through the end of October. President Julius stated that the 12 week security contract is virtually identical to the 10 week contract. President Julius suggested talking to Police Chief Grimm around the first of October to see how much more protection will be needed through the winter months. Vice President Gill stated that she spoke to Chief Grimm and he is in support of this contract. Councilperson Smith made a motion to RECOMMEND to the Parks Authority to approve the agreement for security at the base of the Big 4 Landing, with Vice President Gill seconding, PASSING on a vote of 8-0. 7. Vicki Conlin — 2014-R-17 Resolution Requiring Filing of Documents with the City Clerk: Ms. Conlin explained that since she has been City Clerk it has been very difficult for the Clerk's Office to get minutes and other pertinent information turned into the Clerk's Office so they can be scanned and retained for record keeping purposes. Ms. Conlin stated that 2014-R-17 will require the stenographer who takes the minutes for a board or commission to bring the minutes to her within three days of having them approved and she will then process a meeting stipend claim for payment every two weeks when payroll is turned in. Ms. Conlin stated that she has • knowledge that stenographers have received payment for minutes that they have never turned in to the Clerk's Office. This resolution will help keep the Clerk's Office up-to-date on all the documents that need to be made available for the public. Vice President Gill made the motion to APPROVE 2014-R-17, with Councilperson Owen seconding, PASSING on a vote of 8-0. 8. Kim Calabro — 2014 -OR -36 Fixing the Salaries of Appointed Officers and Employees for all the Departments of the City of Jeffersonville for 2014: Ms. Calabro stated that there are changes to the ordinance and they are: Controller's Office, Administrative Assistant would be changed from a I to a II and from a pay grade 2 to a pay grade 3 and is 80% out of Wastewater as is all the other positions in the Controller's Office. These changes were approved at the Sewer Board meeting on April 3, 2014. Shane Corbin in Planning and Zoning has requested to add an additional Zoning Administrator at the same pay grade. The Police Department is requesting a PT Police Dispatcher be placed in the Police Department Civilian line item in the event there will be a need to put someone in that position at the end of the year. Under the Wastewater Department, Administrative Assistant II (from the Finance Department) should have been added under Cash Coordinator and 20% of that person's salary will be paid out of the Wastewater Department per their approval. Lastly, under Section II F, the IDACS Coordinator at $972 annually should be removed since they merged those duties into one of the Administrative 4 Assistant positions. Ms. Calabro also requested permission to move the Administrative Assistant that they have hired, which is an internal candidate, into the position now to start their training rather than waiting until the original date of January, 2015. Ms. Calabro stated that she has met with Ms. Deering, Chief Grimm and Ms. Langley and they agree that there is money to support this. Councilperson Samuel made a request to have a Public Arts Stenographer added to the list of Secretary/Stenographer pay at $100 per meeting and stated that he spoke to Ms. Conlin who agreed to have someone there at those meetings. Councilperson Samuel pointed out the discrepancy in stenographer pay for the various boards and commissions. Ms. Calabro suggested that she, Ms. Deering and Ms. Conlin get together between now and the next Council meeting to review this information and insure that they are all accurate. Councilperson Samuel made a motion to APPROVE 2014 -OR -36 with the changes on the first and second reading, with Councilperson Zastawny seconding, PASSING on a vote of 7-1. 9. Amy Deering — 2014 -OR -37 An Ordinance of Additional Appropriation: Ms. Deering stated that the additional appropriations were approved at the Finance Committee meeting. They include Mr. Corbin's additional Zoning Administrator position for $17,712, a new vehicle for Planning and Zoning for $30,000 and the next three items are to pay a retirement for an employee in the Building Commissioner's Office. Ms. Deering also requested to add the $791,250 for the Sidewalk Projects under Engineering and the $34,000 for the Big 4 Security Package from Parks Department that Council voted on at tonight's meeting. Councilperson Samuel made a motion to APPROVE 2014 -OR -37 as amended on the first and second reading, with Councilperson Sellers seconding, PASSING on a vote of 8-0. 10. Les Merkley — 2014 -OR -28 An Ordinance Amending Ordinance 2006 -OR -28 Regarding Refuse/Garbage Collection: Vice President Gill presented the ordinance to the Council on Mr. Merkley's behalf. Vice President Gill stated that she has been meeting with Street Commissioner Clark Miles and his Assistant Stephanie Miller to update this ordinance. Councilperson Sellers stated that it was her recollection that this ordinance was updated in 2009, and wants to be certain that an updated ordinance isn't already in place. Councilperson Owen made a motion to TABLE 2014 -OR -28, with Councilperson Samuel seconding, PASSING on a vote of 8-0. CITY COUNCIL ATTORNEY REPORT: None at this time. DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS: None at this time. PUBLIC COMMENT: None at this time. COUNCIL COMMENTS: Councilperson Smith: stated that Council approved the purchase of a fire truck and they purchased a chasse and a cab and some Jeff firefighters, along with a mechanic, have gone to New Orleans to adjust and make changes to the fire truck to fit Jeffersonville's needs. Wants to put something together with Paul Northam to allow the elderly and the physically challenged to have the opportunity to go up on the walking bridge. Councilperson Zastawny: thanked the Council for voting no for the rezoning of the Redevelopment project at 10th and Spring because it brought us all to the table to discuss it and in the end, it will be a better development for the community as a whole. Duffy's Landing is not looking too good and will be working with the Parks Department to clean it up. 5 This past weekend there was a high school soccer tournament at the Woehrle Athletic Complex. There were about 100 high school kids from Evansville and areas near Indianapolis in Jeffersonville scrimmaging. Councilperson Payne: None at this time. Councilperson Sellers: None at this time. Vice President Gill: thanked Councilperson Samuel for working with Andy Crouch on the sidewalk project and doing his due diligence. Councilperson Owen: None at this time. Councilperson Samuel: stated that in early August there is going to be an "Art Mixer" in the Council Chambers and everyone will be invited. At this mixer they will present three proposed projects that may go on the berm next year. They are about to put out the RFP on the crosswalk art on four of the intersections in downtown Jeff. They are having the artists do templates and a company will be putting it on a durable poly -type template which the Street Department will keep and be able to refresh it every year. Going to connect the welding club at Jeff High with some artists and give them all metal to create a blitz of bike racks that Gray & Wells will be painting. President Julius: Joe Hubbard received an American Legion Police Officer award in Indianapolis and hopefully, he will get some good local recognition for that. On the news today saw Sara Kraft at the Jeff Aquatic Center having a Kids Triathlon and had 130 kids sign up this year for it. Thanked Council for agreeing to his request to ask Paul Northam to take the restrooms to the Big 4 for the public's use. There have been no problems or abuse of the facilities. ADJOURNMENT: Vice President Gill made a motion to ADJOURN at 8:45pm, with Councilperson Owen seconding, PASSING on a vote of 8-0. ATTESTED BY: k) .(t .r Vicki Conlin, City Clerk APPROVED BY: ennis Juli resident 6