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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOCTOBER 17, 2016 COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA OCTOBER 17, 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, October 17, 2016. Council President Owen along with City Clerk Conlin called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Councilperson Samuel gave the Invocation and Council President Owen those in attendance to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL:The roll call was conducted and those present were: Councilperson White, Councilperson Zastawny, Councilperson Jahn, Councilperson Maples, Councilperson Gill, Council President Owen, Councilperson Hawkins, Councilperson Samuel, and Councilperson Rodriquez. MINUTES TO BE APPROVED: Minutes from the Council Regular Proceedings October 3, 2016—Councilperson Hawkins stated he did have one change. Under his Council Comment it reads that he was a part of that process (with the recent threats to the school). He was not a part of that process and he does not want it to seem like he is misrepresenting that. He was with the people who was part of that process. Councilperson Gill made a motion to APPROVE the minutes with the changes, with Councilperson Jahn seconding, PASSING on a vote, 9-0. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA: Council President Owen stated under Old Business number 4 needs to be removed. That will not be considered and will not need to come back before the Council. Barbara Anderson will not be here and Barbara Haas will be taking her spot. Councilperson Gill made a motion to APPROVE the agenda with removing number 4 under Old Business and changing the present to Barbara Haas for item 1 under New Business. Councilperson White seconded the motion, PASSING on a vote, 9-0. CLAIMS TO BE APPROVED: City Controller Heather Metcalf presented the Claims. On page 1 there was an account number that was incorrect that was changed for the copy that is being signed. On Pg. 9 the Sams Club membership needs to be increased to$45.00. There is one hand carried claim in the amount of$482.00. Clerk Conlin just received this last night via email, it is for Property and Casualty for the new Fire Truck. Councilperson Gill stated on pg. 19 there is a claim for Security Pros for the amount of$22,000. The City gets a discount to lump all of the invoices together. Clerk Conlin stated she is still in need of a copy of that contract. The new total to be approved is$483,517.87. Councilperson Gill made a motion to APPROVE the claims with Councilperson Jahn seconding, PASSING on a vote, 9-0. REPORT OF THE CLERK: Clerk Conlin attended the IACT Workshop along with some of the Council Members. It was very informative and it looks like there will be some big changes to come down from this. 1 AGENDA ITEMS: UNFINSHED BUSINESS: 1. Rob Waiz—2016- R-17 Resolution Finding Substantial Compliance with Statement of Benefits for Tax Abatement For 2016 (Tabled 9/6/16, Tabled 9/19/16, Tabled 10/3/16) —City Attorney Les Merkley presented 2016-R-17. It is a requirement that we do this once a year and we have to adopt a Resolution showing that we are accepting those with Tax Abatements are in compliance with the terms set forth in their Abatement and that these companies are actually doing what they said they would. Mr. Merkley stated with Startek there is a large difference in their salaries. It is believed that the original 17.1 figure was a mistake and it should have been 7.1. Councilperson Gill said that Artic Minerals stands out to her. Mr. Merkley stated he thinks the market for their product was slower than they originally anticipated. Councilperson Zastawny pointed out that it appears that Freudenberg Medical did not employ as many people as they anticipated and Mr. Merkley stated he thinks they ended up producing higher paying jobs looking at their salary numbers. Councilperson Samuel made a motion to APPROVE 2016-R-17 with Councilperson Gill seconding, PASSING on a vote, 9-0. 2. Kim Calabro—2016-OR-63 An Ordinance Amending 2016-OR-18 Which Amends 2016-OR-3 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 111 and 2nd reading 10/3/16) — Human Resources Director Kim Calabro presented 2016-OR- 63. Ms. Calabro reminded the Council that this is for the positions of the Greenspace Manager and the Traffic Bureau Clerk. Councilperson Jahn made a motion to APPROVE 2016-OR-63 on the third and final reading with Councilperson Rodriquez seconding, PASSING on a vote, 9-0. 3. Kim Calabro—2016-OR-64 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 2017(Passed on 111 and 2nd reading 10/3/16) — Human Resources Director Kim Calabro presented 2016-OR-64. There have been no changes from the previous reading. Councilperson Jahn made a motion to APPROVE 2016-OR-64 on the third and final reading with Councilperson Gill seconding, PASSING on a vote, 9-0. 4. Les Merkley—2016-R- Resolution of the Jeffersonville Common Council Regarding Approval of Expansion of Economic Development Area (Tabled 10/3/16) —This matter was REMOVED from the agenda during the Approval of the Agenda. 5. Heather Metcalf—2016-OR-65 An Ordinance for Appropriations and Tax Rates (Passed on 11t and 2nd reading 10/3/16) —City Controller Heather Metcalf presented 2016-OR-65. On page 2 19 the Public Arts Administrator was changed to reflect the changed salary to $50,000. Councilperson White passed out 2013-OR-10. Last meeting a motion was made and passed to raise a salary that is above the 25%that is listed in the Salary Ordinance. Based on Federal Law we are now required to exceed that amount, but since a motion was made of raised it beyond what the Parks Authority voted on he feels as though the Council was not in compliance with 2013-OR-10. The proper procedure would be to notify the President and he would have to recommend that to the Administration. He feels as though this issue needs to be revisited. Councilperson Gill stated she feels that the correct procedures were followed and the Council is in compliance with the Ordinance. Council Attorney Scott Lewis stated in his opinion the policies were met appropriately. Councilperson Samuel made a motion to APPROVE 2016-OR-65 on the third and final reading with Councilperson Zastawny seconding, PASSING on a vote, 9-0. 6. Nathan Pruitt—2016-OR-66 An Ordinance Establishing a Non-Reverting Fund for Planning and Place—Making Improvements (Passed on 151 and 2nd reading revisions requested by Counci110/3/16) — Planning and Zoning Director Nathan Pruitt presented 2016-OR-66. Mr. Pruitt asked if there were any questions and stated there had been no changes since the previous meeting. Councilperson Gill asked if the specific fees that would be contributing to this fund were outlined and Mr. Pruitt stated currently this is an unfunded Non-Reverting fund and it will allow the department to apply for grants in the future. Councilperson Gill made a motion to APPROVE 2016-OR-66 on the third and final reading, with Councilperson Zastawny seconding, PASSING on a vote, 9-0. 7. Nathan Pruitt—2016-OR-67 An Ordinance Establishing a Landscaping Fee In -Lieu Program (Passed on 111 reading, request revisions 10/3/16)— Planning and Zoning Director Nathan Pruitt stated 2016-OR-67 needed to be tabled. Councilperson Samuel made a motion to TABLE 2016-OR-67 with Councilperson Gill seconding, PASSING on a vote, 9-0. 8. Heather Metcalf— PUBLIC HEARING 2016-OR-68 An Ordinance of Additional Appropriation (Passed on 1s1 and 2nd reading 10/3/2016) —City Controller Heather Metcalf presented 2016- OR-68. There have been no changes since the previous meeting. Council President Owen opened this matter for Public Hearing at 7:33 PM and seeing as no members of the community came forward the Public Hearing was closed. Councilperson Jahn made a motion to APPROVE 2016-OR-68 on the third and final reading with Councilperson Gill seconding, PASSING on a vote, 9-0. 9. Heather Metcalf—2016-OR-69 An Ordinance Transferring Certain Funds Within the Same Department (Passed on 1s1 and 2nd reading 10/3/16) —City Controller Heather Metcalf presented 2016-OR-69. There have been no changes since the last meeting. Councilperson Gill said she did not receive a response as to why there was additional money needed for the Overtime for the Pool Staff. Ms. Metcalf stated she did request that the Department Head send the information to the Council regarding this matter. 3 Council President Owen said he apologized, the Parks Authority is taking action on how to correct these problems in the future. The Department cut back on the number of staff this year and that meant for overtime was needed for the employees who did work there. Councilperson Gill made a motion to APPROVE 2016-OR-69 on the third and final reading with Councilperson White seconding, PASSING on a vote, 9-0. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Matt Owen— Barbara Anderson, League of Women Voters, Discussion on Resolution to Support Fair and Non-Partisan Redistricting Reform. Ms. Barbara Haas spoke in regards to the Resolution and stressed that she hopes the council will take the time to look at the proposed resolution. The League of Women Voters is in support of having a third party that is independent to redistrict and they are asking local government to support them. They would like for this to start a discussion on this matter and they are not asking for any type of Resolution to be passed tonight. If passed, Jeffersonville will be the 14th municipality to pass a similar Resolution in Indiana. There will be more information on this matter coming forward in December. 2. Nathan Pruitt—2016-OR- 70 An Ordinance Amending Portions of the Zoning Ordinance (2001-OR-61) —Planning and Zoning Director Nathan Pruitt presented 2016-OR-70. Before the Council is a favorable recommendation from the Planning and Zoning Commission to update and amend portions of the Zoning Ordinance. This is specifically in reference to article 12 which outlines fees. One problem that has happened in the past is that owners have not come before the Planning and Zoning Department prior to opening a business to ensure that they are in compliance with the Zoning Ordinance. With this change, they must come and fill out a one page form and then that covers us legally. The cost will be $50 for the form and if the company does not do this prior then it will be a $250.00. Council President Owen stated he can see instances where this would be a useful tool, however he is concerned about the $250.00 fee for noncompliance. How will companies know that they are required to do this. Councilperson Hawkins stated as a small business owner he is also concerned about this. There is no way he would have known of this requirement and the amount of the fine is large to a small business owner who is fronting other costs. Councilperson Jahn asked how this will even be enforced, it seems like it would be difficult to track and enforce if companies do not follow this regulation. Councilperson Zastawny stated he would be more comfortable with a lesser fee of$100.00. City Attorney Merkley stated there are some problematic businesses and this process would assist in future matters that are similar. Councilperson Samuel said that we don't charge anyone to come to our concerts but now we are going to charge people who want to bring businesses to our City. Mr. Pruitt requested to table the matter and take it back before the Planning and Zoning Commission for changes. Councilperson Rodriquez made a motion to TABLE 2016-OR-70 with Councilperson Zastawny seconding, PASSING on a vote, 9-0. 4 3. Heather Metcalf—2016-OR-71 An Ordinance Transferring Certain Funds Within the Same Department—City Controller presented 2016-OR-71. Councilperson Gill made a motion to APPROVE 2016-OR-71 on the first and second reading, with Councilperson Zastawny seconding, PASSING on a vote, 9-0. 4. Heather Metcalf—2016-OR-72 An Ordinance of Additional Appropriation (Public Hearing November 7, 2016)—City Controller presented 2016-OR-72. This is money that has already been receipted in. Councilperson Gill made a motion to APPROVE 2016-OR-72 pm the first and second reading with Councilperson Zastawny seconding, PASSING on a vote, 9-0. City Council Attorney Report: Nothing at this time. Department Head Reports: Public Comment: Brenda Ryan—1510 Cameron Dr.Jeffersonville, IN 47130—Ms. Ryan's brother was hit and killed on Spring Street. From Dutch Lane to Eastern Blvd there are no sidewalks but many people walk up and down there all of the time. She would like to bring attention to this matter hoping that she saves lives doing so. She would like to see this process started. Councilperson Zastawny stated that is his district and he agrees with everything she said. He will meet with the City Engineer to get this started, it may not happen as quickly as she would like, but he will ensure that the process is started as it is a serious need. Council Comment: Councilperson White—Jay Ellis sent Councilperson White some of the tickets for the Oktoberfest if any of the Council would like them. Councilperson White is pleased with the budget that was passed today. It represents what we want to do here which is have a functioning municipality. When the Council passes an Ordinance they are creating law and it is important to follow that. Councilperson Zastawny—Councilperson Zastawny was on the Council when the Salary Ordinance was set up and adding the wording that was in the Ordinance that was discussed today. The intent of that was that the Administration would not hire people at the previous salary that was approved or available. It was more of the Council's responsibility to set salaries. He does not feel like the Council circumvented the Ordinance or didn't follow the Ordinance. Councilperson Jahn—Nothing at this time. Councilperson Maples—Nothing at this time. Councilperson Gill—Nothing at this time. 5 MINUTES COUNCIL REGULAR PROCEEDINGS OCTOBER 16, 2016 Councilperson Hawkins—Councilperson Hawkins was happy to see Ms. Ryan here this evening. Thank you so much for coming. When people attend and voice their concerns, then they see the results that they are looking for. Councilperson Samuel—Nothing at this time. Councilperson Rodriquez—Councilperson Rodriquez would like a ticket for the Oktoberfest. Also the Sugar Skull Shake Shake is Saturday. He too is pleased with the budget process. Council President Owen—There is a claim that needs to be submitted for Steamboat Days that comes out of Gaming. We also need to get together to work on the Internal Controls. There are not official numbers yet but it appears that Steamboat Days did very well and the Woehrle Complex is nearing completion. Next Monday is Trick or Treat at the Big 4 Bridge. Please coordinate with Councilperson Jahn to assist with that. Adjournment: Councilperson Hawkins made a motion to ADJORN at 8:30. APPROVED BY: Matt n, ent ATTEST: Vicki Conlin, Clerk 6