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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMARCH 21, 2016COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA MARCH 21, 2016 The Common Council of the City of Jeffersonville, Indiana met in regular session in Room 101, 500 Quartermaster Court, Jeffersonville, Indiana at 7:00 pm, on Monday, March 21, 2016. Council President Owen along with City Clerk Conlin called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Mr. Campbell gave the Invocation and Council President Owen asked those in attendance to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. The roll call was conducted and those present were: Councilperson White, Councilperson Zastawny, Councilperson Jahn, Councilperson Maples, Councilperson Gill, Council President Owen, and Councilperson Webb. Councilperson Samuel and Councilperson Hawkins were both absent from the meeting as they were out of town. MINUTES TO BE APPROVED: Minutes from the Council Regular Proceedings March 7, 2016 — Councilperson Gill made a recommendation to APPROVE the minutes with Councilperson Zastawny seconding, PASSING on a vote, 7-0. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA: Councilperson Gill made a motion to APPROVE the agenda with Councilperson Zastawny seconding, PASSING on a vote, 7-0. CLAIMS TO BE APPROVED: $1,371,396.75 It was initially discussed that a claim under Parks & Recreation would be pulled to vote on separately due to the Department not coming and requesting approval prior to the claim for $83,205 (greater than the $5000.00 limit that is in place until after Circuit Breakers). Parks Department Head Paul Northam came forward to speak on the matter. Mr. Northam stated he did not come before the Council before submitting this claim due to time restriction and the need to have it ordered and installed before opening weekend (Memorial Day weekend). This is a sign that will be behind the stage and will be used for concerts. Additionally the current screen used for the movies requires that the movies start after dark and this will allow them to start earlier for the public as you will be able to see it during the daytime. This cost includes the maintenance for the screen this year and to be stored this winter. The money is in the Open Space Line and will just be transferred to cover this cost. Additionally the Parks Department is looking into having a sponsor cover a portion of the cost. This could cover up to $58,000 of the cost. Mr. Northam will keep the Council posted if that sponsorship comes through. 1 Councilperson Gill asked if this was a new thing. Mr. Northam stated it is and they looked into it about 2 years ago and it was 3 times the cost of what it is now. It used to be over $200,000 and was not obtainable at that cost level. Councilperson Zastawny stated for the record he thinks this is a great idea. It could be used to televise national events as well such as the Olympics, and that was not possible with the previous screen that is there now. Councilperson White asked if the City will own this screen and Mr. Northam stated they would. It is 10 ft. tall and about 17.5 ft. wide. Council President Owen asked City Council Attorney Lewis if this required to do a request for bid. Mr. Lewis stated it is under the $150,000 limit but technically since it is over $75,000 at least three quotes should be obtained unless the Parks Authority finds that this is a unique item and 3 bids can't be obtained. Councilperson Zastawny made a motion to APPROVE the claims pending that the Parks Authority deems this a unique product and no further quotes are required, Councilperson Webb seconded, PASSING on a vote, 7-0. Mr. Northam asked additionally for the approval to purchase pool chairs for $16,295 and to repave a concrete lot which will cost about $46,500. Councilperson Zastawny made a motion to APPROVE the chairs but the repaving needs to wait until after Circuit Breakers with Councilperson Gill seconding, PASSING on a vote, 7-0. REPORT OF THE CLERK: Nothing at this time. AGENDA ITMES: UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 1. Les Merkely — 2016 -OR -6 An Ordinance Adopting an Ordinance Violation Bureau (Passed on 1St reading 1/25/16, Tabled 2/1/16, Table 3/7/16) — Mr. Merkley requested that this Ordinance be voted down as there is a new ordinance being presented under New Business that addresses this matter. Councilperson Gill made a motion to VOTE DOWN 2016 -OR -6 anticipating that a new ordinance would be introduced under new business with Councilperson Zastawny seconding, PASSING on vote 7-0. 2. Les Merkley- 2016 -OR -11 Proposed Ordinance to Amend Animal Shelter Ordinance Regulation the Treatment and Keeping of Domestic, Dangerous and/or Vicious Animals within the City of Jeffersonville (Passed on 1St reading 2/15/16, Passed on 2nd reading 3/7/16) — The Ordinance that is in the packet is the same ordinance as the last reading except for one change that was made in regards to adding an appeals board when an animal is deemed vicious. This is under section two paragraph A. Council Attorney Lewis stated Council President Owen asked him to make some changes and passed out an amended version of the ordinance. This adds the appeals process, and also changes the time regarding the tethering and changes some of the wording from "shall" to may. This is only in regards to what the consequences for the ordinance violation are and is 2 meant to give the Animal Control Officers more discretion. The change of the tethering changed the time frame to 8 hours in a 24 hour period. Councilperson Gill asked why that was changed without it being voted one. Animal Shelter Director Sarah Green stated this is the first that she has heard of any of these changes. Council President Owen said it had not been changed, it would need to be voted on now to change it. Ms. Green said she did not understand why the time frame was being extended to 8 hours. Council President Owen said he gathered that was going to be the proposed change after the last Council Meeting so he asked Mr. Lewis to write it up that way. Ms. Green asked that in the future she be included in any changes that directly affect her department and said she was blindsided by this. Councilperson Gill said she is confused as well, during the last Council Meeting the Mayor came up and then it was approved on the second reading and she wasn't aware there were going to be any additional changes as well. Ms. Green said the only problem last week was with the Appeals Process and that was added. Council President Owen said he did not think that was true and that Councilperson Samuel and Councilperson Hawkins were both frustrated because the changes that were outlined and presented did not reflect the changes that were discussed when meeting with Ms. Green. Councilperson Zastawny said he too felt they had additional concerns and part of the confusion is when the Mayor came up and said this is my Department Head and I'm not going to ask her to make any changes, if you want changes you need to change it yourself so that is what you are seeing here. Councilperson Zastawny agreed that there needs to be open communication about these things. Councilperson Gill stated she did not know or else she would have told Ms. Green. Council President Owen said this is just a proposal for an amendment. Councilperson Zastawny said that with the lack of communication he does not feel this should be voted on tonight, there needs to be direct communication regarding the issues with the Council Members that are not present to have it worked out. He would rather table it in his opinion. Ms. Green agreed that it would be best to table it. Councilperson Gill said she was unaware that any additional changes were being made. Ms. Green said she would go back through the video but she was pretty sure the only thing that was contingent was the Vicious Dogs appeals process and she was aware that there were changes made on her behalf and there were Council Members who were upset about that but she had went to Council President Owen and discussed those changes prior to the Council Meeting. There are some legitimate concerns. Ms. Green said this is the only thing that didn't go the way of the meeting. Councilperson White asked if Ms. Green would like to meet to discuss the changes again because he was under the impression that the Mayor did not want her to have to meet to talk about the changes. 3 Ms. Green said she feels as though she shouldn't have to change anything else, that she has already changed a lot and the things that are being discussed now should stay as they were originally proposed. City Attorney Merkley said at the end of the day this is the Council's decision, this is the ordinance that the administration feels is correct, but at the end of the day the Council decides. Councilperson Zastawny made a motion to TABLE 2016 -OR -11 with Councilperson White seconding, PASSING on a vote, 6-1 with Councilperson Gill against the motion. 3. Kim Calabro — 2016 -OR -18 An Ordinance Amending Ordinance 2016 -OR -3 An Ordinance Amending 2015 -OR -57 An Ordinance Fixing the Salaries of Appointed Officers and Employees for All the Departments of the City of Jeffersonville, Clark County, Indiana for the Year 2016 (Passed on 1St reading 3/7/16) — Human Resources Director stated this has been changed in one place, under the Wastewater Department, they had decided to keep the Administrative Assistant I that is a fulltime position. Everything else has remained the same Councilperson White made a motion to AMEND 2016 -OR -18 adding the Administrative Assistant I back under the Wastewater Department with Councilperson Gill seconding, PASSING on a vote, 7-0. City Clerk Conlin asked that moving forward if any changes are made to send a copy to the Clerk's Office so it can be put in the packet. Councilperson Zastawny stated he called New Albany and asked how many people they have in their Finance Department and currently they have 6. Councilperson White made a motion to APPROVE 2016 -OR -18 on the second and third reading, however a second was not made. Council President Owen asked if there was another motion since there was not support of the first. Councilperson Gill made a motion to APPROVE 2016 -OR -18 as amended on the second reading, with Councilperson Maples seconding, PASSING on a vote, 7-0. 4. Heather Metcalf- PUBLIC HEARING - 2016 -OR -19 An Ordinance of Additional Appropriation (Passed on 1St and 2nd reading 3/7/16) — City Controller Heather Metcalf presented 2016 -OR -19. This has not changed since the last reading. Council President Owen opened the public hearing at 7:44 PM and as no members of the Community came forward to speak for or against this matter the public hearing was closed. Councilperson Gill made a motion to APPROVE 2016 -OR -19 on the third and final reading with Councilperson Zastawny seconding, PASSING on a vote, 7-0. 5. Heather Metcalf — PUBLIC HEARING- 2016 -OR -20 An Ordinance of Additional Appropriation (Passed on 1St reading 3/7/16) — City Controller Heather Metcalf presented 2016 -OR -20. This has not changed since the last reading. Council President Owen opened the public hearing at 7:45 PM and as no members of the Community came forward to speak for or against this matter the public hearing was closed. Councilperson Gill stated she felt this needed more discussion as the total amount was over $125,000 from LOIT and recommended to set up a meeting with the Police Chief 4 during the next Finance Committee Meeting. Councilperson Gill made a motion to APPROVE 2016 -OR -20 on the second reading with Councilperson Zastawny seconding, PASSING on a vote, 7-0. 6. Heather Metcalf — PUBLIC HEARING — 2016 -OR -21 An Ordinance of Additional Appropriation (Passed on 1st reading 3/7/16) — City Controller Heather Metcalf presented 2016 -OR -21. This has not changed since the last reading. Council President Owen opened the public hearing at 7:48 PM and as no members of the Community came forward to speak for or against this matter the public hearing was closed. Councilperson Gill stated since this total was under the $125,000 from LOIT. C Councilperson Webb made a motion to APPROVE 2016 -OR -21 on the second reading with Councilperson Gill seconding, PASSING on a vote, 7-0. 7. Heather Metcalf — PUBLIC HEARING -2016-OR-22 An Ordinance of Additional Appropriation (Passed on 1St reading 3/7/16) — City Controller Heather Metcalf presented 2016 -OR -22. This would need to be amended. Remove the follow Appropriations: 101-007-411.113 General — Fire — Administrative Assistant (PT) - $20,000.00 101-007-413.098 General — Fire — Social Security - $1,600.00 101-075-411.126 General — Safety — Director of Safety & Risk Management - $8,620.00 101-075-411.241 General — Safety — Safety Specialist - $20,000.00 101-075-413.098 General — Safety — Social Security - $2,200.00 101-075-413.099 General — Safety — INPRS - $4,100.00 Councilperson Gill made a motion to AMEND 2016 -OR -22 reflecting the changes listed by City Controller Metcalf with Councilperson Maples seconding, PASSING on a vote, 7- 0. Council President Owen opened the public hearing at 7:50 PM and as no members of the Community came forward to speak for or against this matter the public hearing was closed. Councilperson Gill made a motion to APPROVE 2016 -OR -22 as amended on the second reading in anticipation that a clean copy will be provided reflecting all of the changes with Councilperson Webb seconding, PASSING on a vote, 7-0. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Les Merkely — 2016 -OR -23 An Ordinance Establishing an Ordinance Violation Bureau — City Attorney Les Merkley presented this. This is an Ordinance that establishes the Bureau. This is the best way to proceed if we are going to move forward with this and collect the fees associated with these ordinances. Recommended to adopt this on the first reading as there is still some work to be done. Councilperson Gill made a motion to APPROVE on the first reading with Councilperson Zastawny seconding, PASSING on a vote, 7-0. CITY COUNCIL ATTORNEY REPORT: Nothing at this time. 5 DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS: Parks Department Paul Northam said that there was a press release that Abby Road on the River is moving from Louisville to Jeffersonville in 2017. This is a great event and brings about 20,000 people. PUBLIC COMMENT: COUNCIL COMMENT: Councilperson White — Nothing at this time. Councilperson Zastawny — A couple of years ago the Council worked with a few Home Owners Associations and gave money to improve the appearance of certain subdivisions. It had to be a nonprofit, had to get attorneys involved. Williamsburg station has approached him and is requesting assistance with replacing a few lights. Money has not been given to them in the past. Not sure if we have the money to help, but may work with the attorney to see if it is something that can be worked out. They do not use our street services, garbage pick-up, and use their own resources for those items. May be a way that we can help them out. Councilperson Jahn — Nothing at this time. Councilperson Maples — Nothing at this time. Councilperson Gill — Nothing at this time. Councilperson Hawkins — Nothing at this time. Councilperson Webb — Nothing at this time. Councilperson Samuel — Nothing at this time. Council President Owen — Nothing at this time. ADJOURNMENT: Council President Owen asked for a motion to ADJOURN and Councilperson White made the motion at 7:58 PM. APPROVED B Matt 0venf'resi.e Vicki Conlin, Clerk 6