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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMAY 15, 2017 PG 2 CORRECTION COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA MAY 15, 2017 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, May 15, 2017. Council President Gill along with City Clerk Conlin called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Councilperson Ellis gave the Invocation and Council President Gill asked 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 Hawkins, Council President Gill, Councilperson Owen, Councilperson Ellis, and Council Vice President Samuel. Councilperson Maples was absent from the proceedings. MINUTES TO BE APPROVED: Minutes from the Council Regular Proceedings May 1, 2017—Councilperson Jahn made a motion to APPROVE the minutes with Councilperson Samuel seconding, PASSING on a vote, 7-0-1 with Councilperson Owen abstaining as he was absent from the May 1, 2017 meeting. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA: Council President Gill stated #13 would need to be removed. Councilperson Owen made a motion to REMOVE 2017-OR-24 with Councilperson Samuel seconding, PASSING on a vote 8-0. Councilperson Owen made a motion to APPROVE the agenda as amended with Councilperson Samuel seconding, PASSING on a vote, 8-0. CLAIMS TO BE APPROVED: Heather Metcalf, Controller presented the General Claims List. Council President Gill asked when was the line Business Meals and Entertainment added? This is for local stuff within 50 miles such as when the Street Department purchases holiday turkeys or breakfast for the employees that get called in. This was done in lieu of a promotional fund for each department. Council President Gill stated in regards to the Credit Card Claims, these have to start being watched for sales tax. Also those traveling have to follow the travel ordinance, people are going over and the ordinance states a tip is only in the amount of 20%. If someone wants to tip over that amount they will need to do so with their own money and not at the City's expense. The Policy is no more than 20%. Controller Metcalf stated that some of the ones that were over$50 were being reimbursed by the employee. Councilperson Samuel asked if the Travel Ordinance is being followed, for the most part it is. Councilperson Samuel asked if there could be a house account at places instead of different departments holding different accounts. It is a little difficult to track that way that's why it has been departmentalized. Councilperson Gill reminded Controller Metcalf that a couple of claims did not have the original invoice with them and that they would need to be obtained. Councilperson Samuel made a motion to APPROVE the General Claims with Councilperson Owen seconding, PASSING on a vote, 8-0. Heather Metcalf, Controller presented the Parks Claims List. Councilperson Owen made a motion to APPROVE the Parks Claims with Councilperson Jahn seconding, PASSING on a vote, 8-0. REPORT OF THE CLERK: Clerk Conlin received a letter concerning a lawsuit. She has turned this over to the Legal Department but has not yet received a response. City Attorney Merkley stated he has turned all of the information over to the City's Insurance and is awaiting a status update. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 1. LISA GILL- Heather Metcalf—2017-OR-20(PUBLIC HEARING) An Ordinance of Additional Appropriation (Passed 1st and 2nd reading 5/1/17)—City Controller Metcalf presented 2017- OR-20. There have been no changes since the last reading. Council President Gill opened the Public Hearing at 7:12 PM and as no members of the community came forward to speak for or against the matter the Public Hearing was closed at 7:13 PM. Councilperson Owen reiterated that he would expect to see these numbers proposed in future budgets as opposed to coming later in the year for additional appropriations. Councilperson Jahn made a motion to APPROVE 2017-OR-20 on the third and final reading with Councilperson White seconding, PASSING on a vote, 8-0. 2. Lisa Gill -TABLED 2017-R-4 A Resolution Approving the Collective Bargaining Agreement Between the City of Jeffersonville and the Jeffersonville Firefighters I.A.F.F. Local 558—Local 558 President Joe Hurt is present to answer any questions that the Council may have. Council Attorney Larry Wilder informed the Council they have a few options, they can vote to adopt the resolution, or they can vote not to accept the contract and then it will go back for negotiations. The Mayor still has the final opportunity to sign the contract. Councilperson Owen asked if the Administration has been pretty involved in the process, they have from the beginning. Mr. Hurt worked with the Chief alongside of the Council and everyone has worked very well together. Councilperson Zastawny passed out some information regarding healthcare. The Police and Fire contracts set the stage for the health insurance for the rest of the City. Long term what the City is doing now is not going to be sustainable. We have a growing workforce and an aging workforce. Councilperson Samuel pointed out that while we have the money in our budget and reserves now, we may not always have those funds. Our City is growing which is great but that also means that we have a growing workforce and growing costs associated with the workforce. Council President Gill said she understood all of the concerns and appreciated the information the Local 558 gathered concerning these matters. Mr. Hurt stated he looked at the numbers and met with Humana. The HSA is a good option for them and overall it is good for the City. Councilperson Hawkins stated this contract is good until after the next election. He stands by previous statements that he has made that the Council should not be negotiating contracts. He said he knows nothing of being a firefighter and he is very thankful they worked with such informative individuals in this process who could answer the Council's questions. He will recommend to the next Council that they should not take this matter on. Councilperson Owen stated it is rare that this many of the firefighters are present at a meeting and thanked them for their services. They are appreciated and what they do is appreciated by the community. Councilperson White thanked the negotiation teams, public safety is the fundamental reason why cities exist. It is reasonable and right to continue to insure these retirees. They don't want to hurt the City. Councilperson Owen made a motion to APPROVE 2017-R-4 with Councilperson Jahn seconding, PASSING on a vote, 6-1-1 with Councilperson Samuel voting against and Councilperson Ellis abstaining. Councilperson Ellis stated this is only his third meeting and he was not in the process enough and felt it was better for him to abstain. Clerk Conlin received a letter concerning a lawsuit. She has turned this over to the Legal Department but has not yet received a response. City Attorney Merkley stated he has turned all of the information over to the City's Insurance and is awaiting a status update. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 1. LISA GILL-Heather Metcalf—2017-OR-20(PUBLIC HEARING) An Ordinance of Additional Appropriation (Passed 1st and 2nd reading 5/1/17)—City Controller Metcalf presented 2017- OR-20. There have been no changes since the last reading. Council President Gill opened the Public Hearing at 7:12 PM and as no members of the community came forward to speak for or against the matter the Public Hearing was closed at 7:13 PM. Councilperson Owen reiterated that he would expect to see these numbers proposed in future budgets as opposed to coming later in the year for additional appropriations. Councilperson Jahn made a motion to APPROVE 2017-OR-20 on the third and final reading with Councilperson White seconding, PASSING on a vote,8-0. 2. Lis#Gill-TABLED 2017-R-4 A Resolution Approving the Collective Bargaining Agreement Between the City of Jeffersonville and the Jeffersonville Firefighters I.A.F.F. Local 558—Local 558 President Joe Hurt is present to answer any questions that the Council may have. Council Attorney Larry Wilder informed the Council they have a few options, they can vote to adopt the resolution, or they can vote not to accept the contract and then it will go back for negotiations. The Mayor still has the final opportunity to sign the contract. Councilperson Owen asked if the Administration has been pretty involved in the process, they have from the beginning. Mr. Hurt worked with the Chief alongside of the Council and everyone has worked very well together. Councilperson Zastawny passed out some information regarding healthcare. The Police and Fire contracts set the stage for the health insurance for the rest of the City. Long term what the City is doing now is not going to be sustainable. We have a growing workforce and an aging workforce. Councilperson Samuel pointed out that while we have the money in our budget and reserves now, we may not always have those funds. Our City is growing which is great but that also means that we have a growing workforce and growing costs associated with the workforce. Council President Gill said she understood all of the concerns and appreciated the information the Local 558 gathered concerning these matters. Mr. Hurt stated he looked at the numbers and met with Humana. The HSA is a good option for them and overall it is good for the City. Councilperson Hawkins stated this contract is good until after the next election. He stands by previous statements that he has made that the Council should not be negotiating contracts. He said he knows nothing of being a firefighter and he is very thankful they worked with such informative individuals in this process who could answer the Council's questions. He will recommend to the next Council that they should not take this matter on. Councilperson Owen stated it is rare that this many of the firefighters are present at a meeting and thanked them for their services.They are appreciated and what they do is appreciated by the community. Councilperson White thanked the negotiation teams, public safety is the fundamental reason why cities exist. It is reasonable and right to continue to insure these retirees. They don't want to hurt the City. Councilperson Owen made a motion to APPROVE 2017-R-4 with Councilperson Jahn seconding, PASSING on a vote, 6-1-1 with Councilperson Samuel voting against and Councilperson Ellis abstaining. Councilperson Ellis stated this is only his third meeting and he was not in the process enough and felt it was better for him to abstain. 3. Lisa Gill -Sarah Green—2017-OR-23 An Ordinance Amending Ordinance 2016-OR-11 Which Amends Ordinance 2006-OR-14 The Ordinance Regulating the Treatment and Keeping of Domestic, Dangerous, and/or Vicious Animals within the City Limits of the City of Jeffersonville (Passed on 1st Reading 5/1/17)—Animal Shelter Director Sarah Green presented 2017-OR-23. Again this would limit the number of chickens to 5. Peacocks could go under foul. They are beautiful but noisy birds. Councilperson Owen made a motion to APPROVE 2017-011- 23 on the second reading with Councilperson Samuel seconding, PASSING on a vote, 7-1 with Councilperson Jahn voting against the matter. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Lisa Gill—Heather Metcalf-2017-OR-25 An Ordinance Transferring Certain Funds Within the Same Department—City Controller Heather Metcalf presented 2017-OR-25. This is for the Parks Department. Councilperson Owen made a motion to APPROVE 2017-OR-25 on the first and second reading with Councilperson Jahn seconding, PASSING on a vote, 8-0. 2. Lisa Gill—Heather Metcalf-2017—OR-26 An Ordinance of Additional Appropriation (Public Hearing 6/5/17)—City Controller Metcalf presented 2017-OR-26. This is for Safety Improvements at the Animal Shelter. Councilperson Owen made a motion to APPROVE 2017- OR-26 with Councilperson Zastawny seconding, PASSING on a vote, 8-0. REPORT OF THE COUNCIL ATTORNEY Thank you again for the opportunity to be here and assist you all. He works with the Clarksville FOP and he appreciated the amount of work that went into these negotiations. The Chief of Police is present tonight and he would guess that the Police Contract will be coming up shortly. DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS: None at this time PUBLIC COMMENTS: None COUNCIL COMMENTS: Councilperson White—Nothing at this time Councilperson Zastawny—His son, Ethan is present. He is a soon to be graduate from Jeffersonville High School and will be attending IU Bloomington at the Kelley School of Business. Councilperson Jahn—She hopes everyone enjoys Memorial Day. Her thoughts are with Councilperson Maples as he is still recovering. She is excited about the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Councilperson Hawkins—Councilperson Hawkins thanked everyone who was a part of the negotiations. He also hopes that Councilperson Maples recovers soon. There is an invitation to an event at the Fieldhouse, there are high expectations for this event. Councilperson Owen—There will be an Open House at the Fieldhouse on Wednesday from 4-7. June 3 Hoopsters will commit 20%of their sales. Councilperson Ellis—It took a lot of thought for him regarding the vote for the Fire Department, but not knowing what the committee went through he felt it was better to abstain. Council Vice President Samuel—Shakespeare in the Park is coming up. June 15L there is an Arts and Cultural District meeting. 13 Utility Boxes are being painted. Council President Gill—She has been contacted by the Jeffersonville Township Library. They are looking to take out a 3 Million Dollar bond. A"maker space" will be made at the Library. Council President Gill asked City Attorney Merkley if the Council should have an Executive Session regarding Law Suits. ADJOURNMENT: Councilperson Samuel made the motion to ADJOURN and the meeting adjourned at 8:04 P.M. APPROVED BY: Lisa ill President A ST: IA41,f- lz�L Vicki Conlin, Clerk