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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDecember 15, 2014COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA December 15, 2014 The Common Council of the City of Jeffersonville, Indiana met in regular session in Room 101, 500 Quartermaster Court, Jeffersonville, Indiana at 7:00pm, on Monday, December 15, 2014. Council President Julius, with Vicki Conlin, City Clerk, called the meeting to order at 7:00pm. President Julius asked those in attendance to stand as Councilperson Samuel 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 Payne, Councilperson Zastawny, Councilperson Sellers, Council Vice President Gill, Council President Julius, Councilperson Glover and Councilperson Samuel_ Absent was Councilperson Owen_ MINUTES TO BE APPROVED: Councilperson Samuel made a motion to APPROVE the December 1, 2014, minutes, with Councilperson Glover seconding, PASSING on a vote of 8-0. APPROVAL OF THE AGEN D,A: President Julius asked that Dr. Melissa Fry with the Homeless Task Force, be added to the agenda under UNFINISHED BUSINESS #1, moving Kim Calabro to #2. Councilperson Glover made a motion to APPROVE the agenda with the changes, with Councilperson Payne seconding, 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 $2,095,199.84 but made the following changes: Fire lease payoff #1 for $265,802.62, Fire lease payoff #2 for $374,576.55, ($500,768.57) TIF claims to be removed, and a utility claim from the Animal Shelter for $526.08 creating a new general claims list total of $2,235,336_52. Vice President Gill made a motion to APPROVE the general claims list with the changes, with Councilperson Zastawny seconding, PASSING on a vote of 7-0-1 with President Julius abstaining_ REPORT OF THE CLERK: None at this time_ A_ UNFINISHED, BUSINESS: 1. Or_ Melissa Fry— Homeless Task Force Update: Dr_ Fry stated that since the last time she met with the Council, they have had 6 community forums — 3 in Jeffersonville and 3 in New Albany. The people who attended expressed a strong support for a day shelter and case management for those who don't fall into the population already being served by the programs currently in place_ There was also interest in sheltering the families in areas other than in the general population shelters. The Planning Committee met last week to discuss the feedback from the forums and are processing all of the revisions_ Dr. Fry stated that after the holiday, she will post different pieces of the plan on the website providing one last opportunity for public comment and will also have one more community forum each in Jeffersonville and New Albany. The dates for this final comment period won't be decided 1 until the beginning of January. Dr. Fry stated that they will do their best to schedule the public forums around all the monthly governmental meetings that the communities have. Subgroups of providers will start to convene in January and February with responsibility for different pieces of the plan to determine feasibility and cost and will still target a March release. Vice President Gill stated that at the forum she attended there were a lot of questions about the "White Flag" and the possibility of reaching out to some of the churches to help with this and was wondering if there had been any more discussion concerning it. Dr. Fry explained that one of the key concerns churches have with opening up their church for a "White Flag" night is the cost of insurance, which is necessary and costly. Dr. Fry stated that she will direct the Task Force to get back with Council on where they stand on this issue for this winter. Councilperson Glover asked if there was a final date of the implementation of the plan and Dr. Fry explained that it is a ten year plan and they try to sketch out what things they need to move on in the first 6 months, 1 to 2 years, 2 to 5 years, 5 to 7 years, and then the longer range concerns. Dr. Fry stated that they will get a better feel for that when they sit down with providers in January because they know more on how long it will take to get implementation on some of these pieces. 2. Kim Calabro — 2014 -OR -60 An Ordinance Fixing the Salaries of Elected Officials of the City of Jeffersonville, Clark County Indiana, Commencing January 1, 2015: Vice President Gill stated that since there are no changes to this ordinance, she makes a motion to APPROVE 2014 -OR -60 on the Third and Final Reading, with Councilperson Sellers seconding, PASSING on a vote of 8-0. 3. Amy Deering — 2014 -OR -61 An Ordinance Transferring Certain Funds within the Same Department: Ms. Deering explained that this ordinance was approved on the first reading, however, some requests have since come through. The first three items were approved, but all the other items are new requests since the last meeting. Ms. Deering is requesting that Council approve these amendments to the ordinance. Councilperson Samuel made the motion to APPROVE 2014 -OR -61 on the Third and Final Reading with Councilperson Zastawny seconding. President Julius stated that Judge K. Pierce requested to speak. Judge Pierce stated that he just wanted to be sure that what they had previously discussed was on there and Vice President Gill stated that it has already been approved. 2014 -OR -61 PASSED on a vote of 8-0. B. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Kent Lanum — Greenway 2040 Overview: Mr. Lanum shared with Council an overview of a private -sector effort led by the Ogle Foundation to assist the Ohio River Greenway Commission in refreshing its 2002 Master Plan. The Ogle Foundation received a memorandum of understanding from the Greenway Commission to proceed with the project. Mr. Lanum explained that their goal is to be "transparent" in that every municipality and county understands what they are doing — no hidden agendas. Their goal is to try to help move this project along. Mr. Lanum suggested Council members look at their website that has been created (Greenway2040.org). Mr. Vern Eswine of the Marketing Company has been hired and they created the website and drone video. They have also contracted with a group called MindMixer.com who is a virtual on-line town hall that is taking input from the community. They have hired two consultants for this project — 215t Century Parks (Dan 2 Jones) who decides how to sustain it. A Steering Committee was selected to aid in the process with advice as well as communications with the various parties involved. Mr. Lanum stated that two companies, Rundell Ernstberger Associates and Bravura have been contracted to partner together on leading the design effort. Mr. Lanum estimates that some preliminary drafts could be ready by February to share with Council and other entities, and the goal is to have it completed by April 1, 2015. Ogle is also funding the Regional Cities Initiative with One Southern Indiana and they feel that this would be a natural fit for the $1 billion (over ten years) potential investment. Councilperson Glover asked what has been the foundation's success rate with receiving endowments to move this project forward and Mr. Lanum stated that it's speculative, because he isn't sure where the funding will come from. Councilperson Samuel stated that Greenway is an awesome project and appreciates the Ogle Foundation coming in and making it even more professional by bringing in other folks to enhance what they're doing. They need that support. Mr. Lanum stated that this project will be transformative by the time everything is said and done and that's one of the reasons they got involved in it. 2. Larry Wallace — 2014 -OR -63 An Ordinance Amending 2004 -OR -68 Amending Building Permit Fees: Building Commissioner Wallace requests that this ordinance include the installation of generators on the commercial electrical permit and the residential permits. Mr. Wallace explained that they have always charged for it under "alterations" and they got feedback from a couple of electricians stating that they were having trouble finding it on line so the word "generators" needs to be added for clarity. Councilperson Samuel asked Mr. Wallace if his office inspects water heater replacements and charges a fee for doing so and Mr. Wallace stated that they do. Councilperson Samuel asked if this was an increase in fees and Mr. Wallace stated no, this ordinance change is just for clarification. Vice President Gill made a motion to PASS 2014 -OR -63 on the First and Second Reading, with Councilperson Sellers 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: None at this time. Councilperson Zastawny: Stated that this would be the last City Council meeting for Councilpersons Payne and Glover and thanked them both for their service to the City and wished them good luck in their service to the County. Enjoyed working with them. Councilperson Payne: Stated that this is his last City Council meeting and it has been a pleasure serving the Jeff City Council the past 3 years and it has been a pleasure working with everyone. It is an experience most people don't get to have, and he is thankful for it. Councilperson Sellers: Wants to echo Ed's sentiments about Bryan and Zach and thank you both for your service and I know you are going to do very well in your new positions. 3 Vice President Gill: Stated good luck to Bryan and Zach and wishes them both the best of luck. Stated that a comment was brought up with City Court (at the last meeting) about an employee not clocking in and out. After looking into this a little closer, discovered that there is a salaried employee in the court who also teaches at Ivy Tech along with other City employees who also teach at area colleges. Salaried attorneys and judges also teach. Vice President Gill stated that she asked for specific dates that the judge was questioning whether or not the employee was actually here and every one of those dates were verified: on 1/21/14 Ivy Tech was closed, on 2/27/13 Ivy Tech was on a 2 -hour delay so that class was cancelled, 3/4/14 Ivy Tech cancelled due to bad weather, 3/25/14 and 3/27/14 Ivy Tech was on Spring Break, 4/4/14 and 4/24/14 classes were cancelled and also 5/13/14 there were no classes. These were all the dates the judge questioned and wanted to verify that everything was done as it should have been. Councilperson Glover: Wants to echo what Zach said. Appreciates everybody and has learned a lot from this Council. There are a lot of different personalities and you learn a lot of different things from each and every one of them. After working with Council, knows that he is leaving the City of Jeff in great hands. Stated that he will be in contact with the Council in his new position with the County and hope you extend the same courtesy as you did the last three years that he served on the Council. Thank you all very much, appreciates it. Councilperson Samuel: Asked to publically acknowledge the Scout Troop that is present at tonight's meeting at the end of the meeting. Greenway signage and the way it jives with the Public Arts Commission as well as who controls the signage is an issue that has been brought up in the past. Attorney Scott Lewis has sent something to the Greenway and their board is digesting that as they will need to vote on that. Wanted Council to know it is in the works and the ball is now in their court. Earlier in the year, the contract for the Public Arts Administrator was cancelled because they weren't producing like they had expected and he is happy to announce that Dawn Spyker has agreed to contract with them in 2015. Someone will have to replace her on the Arts Commission, but doesn't have a recommendation for Council tonight but will make them aware of his suggestions ahead of time. Councilperson Samuel stated that he appreciates working with both Zach and Bryan and wishes them good luck. City Clerk Vicki Conlin: Wishes Zach and Bryan good luck. Stated that it has been a pleasure working with them and they have done a wonderful job for the City and appreciates their support on certain issues and their support for the Council. Also stated that she appreciates their friendship. As a Clerk and speaking for her staff, we really appreciate you all. President Julius: A few weeks ago, Council approved $30,000 for the Tourism Bureau and is going to get on the UEZ and Redevelopment agendas in January and try to get $10,000 from each one of them. President Julius invited Scout Troop #1 to the podium to introduce themselves: Michael Begin, Maxwell Begin, Matthew Begin, Chris Murrell, and Brandon Deaton. President Julius thanked the troop for coming to tonight's Council meeting and introducing themselves. 4 ADJOURNMENT: Councilperson Smith made a motion to ADJOURN at 7:41pm, with Councilperson Zastawny seconding, PASSING on a vote of 8-0. Vicki Conlin, City Clerk APPROVED BY: Dennis• ' us, President 5