HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC AUGUST 6, 2018 COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA
AUGUST 6, 2018
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, August 6, 2018.
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 stand and 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 Hawkins, Council President Gill,
Councilperson Owen, Councilperson Ellis, and Councilperson Samuel.
MINUTES TO BE APPROVED:
July 16, 2018 Regular Proceedings—Councilperson Owen made a motion to APPROVE the Minutes from
July 16, 2018 with Councilperson Ellis seconding, PASSING on a vote, 9-0.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA:
Councilperson Owen made the motion to APPROVE the agenda with Councilperson Maples seconding,
PASSING on a vote,9-0.
CLAIMS TO BE APPROVED:
Heather Metcalf City Controller presented the General Claims List in the amount of$2,896,997.46.
Council President Gill asked Controller Metcalf on page 14 under Police Non Reverting fund for$10,000
please double check that the expense can come out of there since it is the Non Reverting fund since only
certain things can come out of the Non Reverting fund. Controller Metcalf stated she will double check
and make sure.
Council President Gill said on page 13 the early pay for$400,000 she does not support that and how it
was handled.
Councilperson Samuel agrees with what Council President Gill said regarding the early pay on page 13
and makes a motion to pull that out and vote on it separately. Councilperson Ellis seconded the motion.
Councilperson Owen asked for clarification that they were going to pull the $400,000 claim out and vote
on it separately. Yes,that is the motion on the table.
Councilperson Zastawny asked if the check had already been cut, Controller Metcalf stated it had.
Councilperson Zastawny asked if it had been cashed and Controller Metcalf stated she was unsure and
would have to check the bank for that answer.
Motion PASSES on a vote, 8-1 with Councilperson Owen voting against.
Clerk Conlin asked how it would be pulled out and signed for in regards to the claims, a new document
would need to be produced before the end of the meeting.
City Attorney Les Merkley advised that this money would be reimbursed by Redevelopment.
Councilperson Ellis said that the Council had not been informed that Redevelopment would be
reimbursing for the amount. Controller Metcalf stated it had already been deposited into the account.
Councilperson Zastawny asked why the refund check was not issued from Redevelopment in the first
place. Controller Metcalf advised this is due to the funds originally being put into this fund and
therefore it has to be refunded from this fund.
Councilperson Samuel asked for clarification, he was under the impression that the money was initially
deposited into Redevelopment, is that not correct? No it was initially deposited into the Nachand
Fieldhouse Fund.
Council President Gill said she brought it up because she did not support the procedure. The check was
issued and mailed out that day under an account that is under Civil City and they (the Council) were not
notified. A claim should have been hand carried. A check was asked to be cut and it was cut. She does
not like the fact that it was early paid, it is just her opinion.
Councilperson Samuel said the reason he made the motion is there is a check and balance, whether he
agrees or not what was done with the Nachand fieldhouse that has nothing to do with this but he
doesn't think the Executive should just be able to say cut a check without an invoice and without talking
to the Council.
City Attorney Merkley said that they can deal with the reporters from now on. They can't run the City
by committee, a decision had to be made very quickly.
Councilperson Samuel agreed and said that they can say that it is going to be repaid, but don't cut the
check. Just call a meeting,that's just not the law.
Councilperson Samuel made a motion to add the $400,000 back into the claims with Councilperson Jahn
seconding, PASSING on a vote, 8-1 with Council President Gill voting against.
PARKS-$280,348.37—Council President Gill asked for Sounds Unlimited is that the right appropriation
number and it isn't. We need the signed contract for the river stage. Councilperson Owen made a
motion to APPROVE the Parks Claims with Councilperson Jahn seconding, PASSING on a vote, 8-1 with
Councilperson Ellis voting against.
REPORT OF THE CLERK:
Just a couple of things the new chairs should be in by the next meeting and the equipment has been
ordered and the laptop has been configured. She is submitting the Clerk's salary policy and pay grades
for approval. Councilperson Owen made a motion to APPROVE with Councilperson Jahn seconding,
PASSING on a vote, 9-0.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
1. Lisa Gill/ Heather Metcalf—2018-OR-43 An Ordinance Transferring Certain Funds within the
Same Department—City Controller Heather Metcalf presented 2018-OR-43. There have been
no changed. Councilperson Owen made a motion to APPROVE 2018-OR-43 on the third and
final reading with Councilperson Maples seconding, PASSING on a vote, 9-0.
2. Lisa Gill/Heather Metcalf—Heather Metcalf—PUBLIC HEARING 2018-OR-44 An Ordinance for
Additional Appropriations-City Controller Heather Metcalf presented 2018-OR-44. There have
been no changes since the last reading. Council President Gill opened the Public Hearing at 7:14
PM and as no members of the community came forward to speak for or against the matter the
Public Hearing was closed. Councilperson Ellis said he still does not approve of the Additional
Appropriations, especially seeing as during the last Parks meeting it was approved to purchase a
new$15,000 lawn mower so he will be voting against this. Councilperson Jahn made a motion
to APPROVE 2018-OR-44 with Councilperson Hawkins seconding, PASSING on a vote, 8-1, with
Councilperson Hawkins voting against.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Lisa Gill/Les Merkley—PUBLIC HEARING—2018-OR-46 An Ordinance Changing the Zoning Map
Designation of a Certain Tract of Property Located at 1417 Old Salem Road and Fully Described
in Attached Exhibit A from R1 to C2—City Attorney Les Merkley presented 2018-OR-46. This
comes with a favorable recommendation with the contingency that there will be no
development on the property until there is a PD-2 plan in place and it will have to come back
before the Council. Council President Gill opened the Public Hearing at 7:19 PM and as no
members of the community came forward to speak for or against the matter the Public Hearing
was closed. Brad Benson from Gilmore Construction was present to answer any questions the
Council had. Councilperson Hawkins made a motion to APPROVE 2018-OR-46 with the
contingency discussed by City Attorney Merkley with Councilperson Jahn seconding, PASSING on
a vote, 9-0
2. Lisa Gill/ Les Merkley—Public Hearing—2018-OR-47 An Ordinance Changing the Zoning Map
Designation of a certain Tract of Property Located at 3604-3818 East 10th Street from C2 to C2-
PD—City Attorney Les Merkley presented 2018-OR-47. This is across the street from the new
Kroger. It is currently commercial and comes with a favorable recommendation. Council
President Gill opened the Public Hearing at 7:22 PM and as no members of the community came
forward to speak for or against the matter the Public Hearing was closed at 7:23 PM. Kelly Jones
was present from KDC to answer any questions for the Council. Councilperson Maples made a
motion to APPROVE 2018-OR-47 with Councilperson Owen seconding, PASSING on a vote, 9-0.
3. Lisa Gill/Les Merkley—Public Hearing—2018-OR-48 An Ordinance Changing the Zoning Map
Designation of a certain Tract of Property Located at 3207 Coopers Lane from C2 to R1—City
Attorney Les Merkley presented 2018-OR-48. This will be for a single family residence. No
representatives present. Council President Gill opened the Public Hearing at 7:23 PM and as no
members of the community came forward to speak for or against the matter the public hearing
was closed at 7:24 PM. Councilperson Maples made a motion to APPROVE 2018-OR-47 with
Councilperson Owen seconding, PASSING on a vote, 9-0.
4. Lisa Gill/ Homeless Coalition Update—No representative present for update.
5. Lisa Gill/Larry Wilder—2018-R-7 A Resolution Approving the City of Jeffersonville Wastewater
Treatment System 2018-2025 Capital Improvement Plan—Council Attorney Larry Wilder
presented 2018-R-7. Councilperson White asked if this was a nonbinding resolution. Correct, it
is nonbinding. Councilperson Zastawny made a motion to APPROVE 2018-R-7 with
Councilperson Jahn seconding, PASSING on a vote, 9-0.
6. Lisa Gill/Larry Wilder—2018-OR-49 An Ordinance Establishing An Eighth Street Stormwater
Separation Project Non-Reverting Fund —Council Attorney Larry Wilder presented 2018-OR-49.
Councilperson Jahn made a motion to APPROVE 2018-OR-49 on the first and second reading
with Councilperson Hawkins seconding, PASSING on a vote, 9-0.
7. Lisa Gill/Heather Metcalf—2017 TOP TWENTY SALARY/TOP 40 VENDORS—City Controller
Metcalf presented the list for the record. Councilperson Zastawny thanked Controller Metcalf
for the information. Councilperson Jahn made a motion to ACCEPT into the record with
Councilperson Owen seconding, PASSING on a vote, 9-0.
8. Lisa Gill/Heather Metcalf—2018-OR-49 An Ordinance Transferring Certain Funds within the
Same Department—City Controller Heather Metcalf presented 2018-OR-49. Councilperson
Owen made a motion to APPROVE 2018-OR-49 on the first and second reading with
Councilperson Hawkins seconding, PASSING on a vote, 9-0.
9. Lisa Gill/Heather Metcalf—2018-OR-50 An Ordinance of Additional Appropriation—City
Controller Heather Metcalf presented 2018-OR-50. The first one is for Engineering and the last
one should been for$1,000,000. She will change for the next meeting. Councilperson Owen
pointed out they could have been doing this before and would like the Council to get more of an
update from the Sewer department. He has never seen any type of operational budget.
Councilperson White expressed there are 4 million dollars' worth of projects that the funds
could be used for the 8th street project. We have high sewer rates now. He is not in support of
this appropriation this time as he feels it is premature. The Fire Department could use this to
fund additional firefighters. He does not feel it is fiscally responsible to appropriate this money
at this time. Wastewater Director Len Ashack said that sewer rates are the highest in the state
of Indiana. Raising in the rates beyond what they are already have a $100,000,000 bonded.
These projects are the minimum, they started this process in 2016.
Councilperson Whites said the City was told in the past that if they if they didn't do the canal
project they would be fined and they never received those fines. He doesn't think the hole
exists.
Mr. Ashack said this is the long term control plan and the fines come at the timing of the EPA.
Did get fined in the Consent Decree back in 2010. They can fine us. The City is trying to not raise
rates, people are paying enough.
Councilperson White said just reiterate, nobody is saying to not do the long term plan, and he
just does not support this additional appropriation at this time as he feels it is premature.
Trying to move it off the dime so we can meet the 2025 deadline.
Councilperson Jahn made a motion to APPROVE 2018-OR-50 with the amendment with
Councilperson Samuel seconding, PASSING on a vote, 8-1 with Councilperson White voting
against.
DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS:
Nathan Pruitt—Mr. Pruitt advised the Council that he was accepted into a program and would be
returning to school to further his education. HR Director Kim Calabro helped him to negotiate a
business scholarship and he will be using some of his training budget to cover his education expenses so
he wanted to inform the Council prior to beginning to submit those claims.
Les Merkley and Heather Metcalf—The Administration presented the 2019 Budget. Clerk Conlin said
the Council and the Clerk never got their budget sheets to look over. Council President Gill asked why
they didn't get a Budget worksheet. City Attorney Merkley directed the question to the Controller who
responded that nobody got a worksheet this year. Clerk Conlin said they normally do their own budgets,
all the years she's been involved they do their own budgets. Clerk Conlin requested a budget worksheet
for the Clerk's Office and the Council. City Attorney Merkley said the Clerk and Council can still do their
own budget they did not do those, this is just reflecting the various departments budgets. Clerk Conlin
stated they were in there. Mr. Merkley said they did not change anything, it still needs to be done. Not
sure why they didn't get the form. The only change is for Health Insurance. The bottom line is there is
only going to be 1.2 million dollars in new revenue. The 3% increase accounts for a little of$116,000,
the performance base pay moves to the Mayor's budget, the Health Insurance is increased by$425,000
and $40,000 workman's comp increase, Planning and Zoning is the only department that does not have
an administrative assistant. This will allow for that. There is$30,109 for internal equity employees.
There is a request for 6 new firefighters for 6 months and 3 new police officers for the full year. We
tried to work with River Ridge for assistance for the additional fire protection and will still work on those
efforts. We won't be dipping into any reserves. Other than what is presented tonight,these are the
only changes. Controller Metcalf did say that she estimated conservatively for revenues again this year.
She would like to see the adoption on October 15t this year.
REPORT OF THE COUNCIL ATTORNEY
Council Attorney Larry Wilder presented 2 Fireworks Ordinance to the Council. He would like some
direction from the Council on how they would like to proceed. The Council discussed the difficulty of
getting this one right, discussed limiting the days that fireworks are allowed, and setting a concrete time
which fireworks could be set off. Councilperson Zastawny said some people want to set off the
weekend before, the day of or night before or the weekend after and that was the mindset.
Ms. Gale Parrish—1233 Ridgeway Drive - In her neighborhood they are still setting off fireworks, there is
now a competition. There is a need for peace and quiet, this effects people and pets. This is a lack of
common sense. She used to not use a seat belt but now that it's a law she does because she doesn't
want a fine. Maybe if we fine these people they will stop.
Video is the best evidence for Police to be able to enforce this ordinance. Fireworks to stop at 10:00
PM. Friday before the 4th of July through the Sunday after, through 10:30 PM. Leave midnight in all of
them. 2 hours after sunset is gone.
Councilperson Owen does not like that the fines are as expensive as they are and would like to see them
lower.
Council Attorney Wilder will prepare for the Council review at the next meeting.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Nothing at this time.
COUNCIL COMMENTS:
Councilperson White—Nothing at this time.
Councilperson Zastawny- Nothing at this time.
Councilperson Jahn—To Councilperson White, she knows what it's like to be the lone goat, she
appreciates him standing for his beliefs on that.
Councilperson Maples—Nothing at this time.
Councilperson Hawkins—Thanks again to the Administration for submitting a neutral budget.
Councilperson Owen—Nothing at this time.
Councilperson Ellis—The budget means nothing if we don't get a handle on additional appropriations.
Additionally, are we ever going to pave any roads in Jeffersonville?They are horrible.
Councilperson Samuel—Nothing at this time.
Council President Gill—National Night Out is scheduled for tomorrow night,there is not a rain date
scheduled, she would like to see Council out if they are able to make it.
ADJOURNMENT:
Councilperson Owen made the motion to ADJOURN and the meeting adjourned at 8:57 P.M.
APPROVED BY:
Lisa Gill, President
ATT .
L.! „/l —
Vicki Conlin,Clerk