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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMay 8, 2020 City Council Minutes COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA May 8,2020 Special Meeting The Common Council of the City of Jeffersonville, Indiana met for a Special Meeting via teleconferencing on May 8, 2020. Council President Owen along with City Clerk Gill called the virtual meeting to order at 6:32 p.m. ROLL CALL: The roll call was conducted by City Clerk Lisa Gill and those present were Council President Matt Owen, Councilperson Donnie Croft;those members teleconferencing(Covid-19)were Councilperson Dustin White, Councilperson Bill Burns, Councilperson Joe Paris, Council Vice President Scottie Maples, Councilperson Steve Webb,Councilperson Scott Hawkins, and Councilperson Ron Ellis—all 9 members present. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA: Councilperson Burns made a motion to approve the agenda, seconded by Council Vice President Maples, roll call vote: Councilperson White-yes Councilperson Burns-yes Councilperson Paris-yes Council Vice President Maples-yes Councilperson Croft-yes Councilperson Webb-yes Council President Owen-yes Councilperson Hawkins—yes Councilperson Ellis-yes Motion passes 9-0 REPORT OF THE CLERK: Ms.Gill requested Council Attorney, Mr. Larry Wilder,to state how the public during these times can get something on the record and what the City Clerk is allowed to do. Mr.Wilder—the record of the meeting is the minutes of the meeting. An individual has the right to make a 3 minutes public comment according to the Council Ordinance. Because we are in a weird place and it is not practical it would seem that they would submit a statement that could be read. There is not a concept that the public can send something to the Clerk and it be in the record of the meeting. Council President Owen—should this come through a Council member? Mr. Wilder—yes. We need to figure out how you want to do that now. Council President Owen— read or submit in writing have to be read or add to minutes? Mr.Wilder-you can make anything you want as part of the minutes, but it is not a practical part of the minutes; and you would vote to approve the minutes with that attachment. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Heather Metcalf 2020-OR-24 an Ordinance for Additional Appropriation—Rainy Day Fund/Sustain Covid-19 (small business) Council President Owen—no changes. Mr.Wilder—do we need Exhibit B,the application? Council President Owen—no. Council Vice President Maples made the motion to approve the Ordinance on the third and final reading,seconded by Councilperson Webb; roll call vote: Councilperson White-yes Councilperson Burns-yes Page 1 of 4 Councilperson Paris-yes Council Vice President Maples-yes Councilperson Croft-yes Councilperson Webb-yes Council President Owen-yes Councilperson Hawkins—yes Councilperson Ellis-yes Motion passes 9-0 Heather Metcalf 2020-OR-25 an Ordinance for Additional Appropriation—Rainy Day Fund/Covid 19 Emergency Housing Councilperson Burns made the motion to approve the Ordinance on the third and final reading seconded by Councilperson Croft. Councilperson Hawkins—what is the City's liability? Mr. Wilder—you are only providing funding. Councilperson Hawkins- Is our plan to continue to help if this money runs out? Ms. Laura Lindley, Clark County Health Department, we have learned that we were awarded the grant,funds are not here yet,that funding will take over any additional hotel rental. And according to Catalyst they are liable. Councilperson White—it is outlined in the MOU. Council President Owen—I had a conference call with Pastor Moon, he has a good grasp how to make this work to keep people safe. We all want this out of Claysburg and I applaud everyone working on this matter to stop an outbreak at the shelter. Roll call vote: Councilperson White-yes Councilperson Burns-yes Councilperson Paris-yes Council Vice President Maples-yes Councilperson Croft-yes Councilperson Webb-yes Council President Owen-yes Councilperson Hawkins—yes Councilperson Ellis-yes Motion passes 9-0 Resolution 2020-R-6A an Emergency Ordinance Establishing the Procedure and Process for the Expenditure of Funds Appropriated for the Purpose of Providing Small Business Loans to Contribute to the Sustainability of Local Businesses necessary and directly related to the Covid-19 Pandemic Council President Owen—this resolution explains how to process claims; initially$100,000 will be sent to One Southern Indiana plus 3.5 percent paying One Southern Indiana for managing applications. If necessary, additional claims of$50,000 can be processed when requested. City Attorney, Mr. Les Merkley—will Exhibit A be attached? Mr.Wilder—I will forward Exhibit A. Councilperson White made the motion to approve the resolution, seconded by Councilperson Maples; roll call vote: Councilperson White-yes Councilperson Burns-yes Councilperson Paris-yes Council Vice President Maples-yes Councilperson Croft-yes Councilperson Webb-yes Council President Owen-yes Councilperson Hawkins—yes Councilperson Ellis-yes Motion passes 9-0 Councilperson President Owen—recommendation of appointment to committee to oversee this distribution: Page 2 of 4 Dr.Josh Kornberg, Mr. Don Allen, and Mr. Mark Munzer. Councilperson Hawkins made the motion to approve the appointment of all three named, seconded by Councilperson Webb, roll call vote: Councilperson White-yes Councilperson Burns-yes Councilperson Paris-yes Council Vice President Maples-yes Councilperson Croft-yes Councilperson Webb-yes Council President Owen-yes Councilperson Hawkins—yes Councilperson Ellis-yes Motion passes 9-0 ATTORNEY COMMENTS: Mr.Wilder—questioned if Mr. Merkley knows or anticipated when live public meetings would be allowed again. Mr. Merkley—virtual meetings are allowed through June 4th, but probably longer. Mr.Wilder— something for Council to think about; what type of temporary rule can we adopt to facilitate public comments. Mr. Merkley—Plan Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals is required to have public hearings and is doing so by allowing anyone who would want to speak into the City Building and we have staff available to make that happen, but we strongly encourage them to write a letter or email that can be read and included in the minutes of that meeting. It has worked well. Mr.Wilder—Council also think about how many people to gather in one place in future meetings when we are allowed to hold live meetings again in August and September. Thank you for being accommodating with these pressing needs. Mr. Merkley—nothing at this time. COUNCIL COMMENTS: • Councilperson White—thanked the Council for passing ordinances tonight and thanked Clark County Health Department. Hopeful anything that may arise will be handled efficiently and effectively. • Councilperson Burns—no comment • Councilperson Paris—comment about Jim Moon; I wanted the Clerk to put his statement in the record. He will be on the agenda at our next meeting and address any questions we have for him. He is in a stressful situation; but working well, with no positive cases with their system in place . This will make his job tougher working in multiply places, but he agreed he will do this. That is why I voted yes. They have had fewer clients in the shelter; average was 109 they are down to 72 this week. He puts his life into this; and can hopefully answer information at our next meeting that was put out against him at our last meeting. • Council Vice President Maples—no comment • Councilperson Croft—no comment • Councilperson Webb—no comment • Councilperson Hawkins—no comment • Councilperson Ellis—no comment Councilperson White—asked Councilperson Paris if the misinformation was speaking to his comments or something else? Councilperson Paris-there was things said in this letter that he responded to—did you read the letter? Councilperson White—no. Councilperson Paris—I suggest you read it;we need to communicate,work together and help each other to make the community better. Councilperson White- what was the misinformation? Council President Owen—interrupts Councilperson White stating that this was Council Comment time; if you need to clarify something it can be done after the meeting. Page 3 of 4 • Council President Owen—thanked everyone on Council for unanimously supporting both initiatives, nothing is going to be perfect and hopefully we are working toward positive solutions for the community,something to be proud of,the Council and as a City. Also thanked the Health Department, Catalyst, many others and One Southern Indiana. ADJOURNMENT: Councilperson Burns made the motion to ADJOURN the meeting at 7:02 p.m. APPROVED BY: Matt Owe , President ATTEST: Lisa Gill, lerk Page 4 of 4 Catalyst's Statement Regarding Councilmen White and Councilmen Ellis I only make this written statement because Councilmen White refused several calls and demanded a written statement.The citizens of Jeffersonville have voted in two City Councilmen (Ellis and White) to represent the needs and opinions of our community. Our community has approved taxpayer dollars to pay their salaries to keep the needs of all of our community members in mind and this demonstrates our community's commitment to them as leaders.Today, I am deeply troubled by my observations of City Councilmen Dustin White and City Councilmen Ron Ellis. During the first few weeks of April, both councilmen placed the public health at-risk of COVID-19 by demonizing efforts to safely quarantine individuals that do not have permanent shelter in which to "shelter in place." Our City Councilmen (White and Ellis) publically backed a demonstration in violation of Gov. Holcomb's stay at home order which brought potentially vulnerable people into harm's way. This demonstration also brought trauma to already traumatized residents of Catalyst Rescue Mission. Without thought to the safety of the public this effort contributed to the possible spread of the coronavirus in an at-risk community even when they knowingly shared that the population was disproportionately vulnerable to the virus and death. After arranging a demonstration, at said property, they claimed that the shelter's plans to keep COVID-19 positive person's off the street was outrageous. At the protest conducted at 1727 D.L. Motley Way Paul Stensrud, Shelter Manager, decided to video the event in an effort to protect Pastor Moon in case violence broke out amongst the protesters.The protesters repeatedly made derogatory comments against Pastor Moon that were demeaning to him and offensive to Jeffersonville's tax paying citizens.These remarks were authorized and supported by both City Councilmen and are a slap in the face to the tax payer dollars that are paying their salaries. Paul Stensrud responded to the remarks. His statements in no way reflected the values or commitments of the shelter.The disciplinary response of Catalyst to their employees is protected by law. Our disciplinary process is handled within the disciplinary guidelines of our organization and are handled internally. Councilmen White has been contacted repeatedly by Pastor Moon in order to have a conversation about the facts of Catalyst Rescue Mission's COVID-19 response but he has refused to take the calls from a business in his district. Councilmen Ellis has been communicated with and has said on record through text message, "the only thing that would be helpful to me is for the tents and the shelter to be removed."The citizens of Jeffersonville deserve better than councilmen who act before having conversations and who post to social media before attempts to build consensus and collegiality. Catalyst Rescue Mission has given Councilmen White and Councilmen Ellis sufficient time to help the conversations to occur. It is our belief that elected officials should not leave the job of building community consensus to solve systemic problems to social service agencies who are in the trenches working with clients. Elected officials take the responsibility to help the community in which they serve work toward solutions that are effective for everyone and to not become part of the problem. Councilmen who call out for a local business to fire an employee in a public meeting should be subjected to the same resolution for which they have ask.Any Councilmen who says a citizen of Indiana is not welcome in a city of Indiana far outsteps the boundaries of their position. by our shelter President, he would have known that the shelter passes out food boxes daily at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We serve approximately 35 people from the Claysburg Community per day that are seeking food because they are hungry. Councilmen White asks, "Will Catalyst limit foot traffic to the shelter?"Councilmen White asks, "How we have spent the$50,000 given to us by the Jeffersonville City Council?" Our answer is this: We will always pass out food in a socially distanced way to those that are hungry and we are utilizing the resources provided by the Jeffersonville City Council in the exact manner expressed when we were unanimously approved the dollars requested. Councilmen White asserts that a tent taken from a homeless camper behind Spring Hill Elementary School was provided by Catalyst Rescue Mission. Catalyst Rescue Mission does not give out tents to anyone. I personally called Clark County dispatch on the person who propped up the tent in various locations around Claysburg. I made 4 calls about the squatter. I called Assistant Chief Scott McVoy 2 times, Pastor Darrell Nathan of Guilt Edge Baptist Church 2 times, and spoke with an officer on the scene more than once. When we spoke I insisted that the tent be taken down. Councilmen White insisted that the individual was just recently removed from the shelter. Every assertion by Councilmen White could have easily been abated by responding to the numerous phone calls by our shelter President,the individual in the tent was removed from the shelter in late November 2019 for failing drug tests and not committing to a detox facility. Furthermore,this person was trespassed in late 2019 or early 2020 for threatening our staff and brandishing a meat cleaver. It was reported to the Jeffersonville Police Department that this individual was a threat to public safety on numerous occasions. Catalyst Rescue Mission is proud of the way we've been able to protect the public health of our community.We can joyously report that we have conducted more than 12 COVID-19 tests and all have been negative and that there are no people in our shelter or the tents experiencing any symptoms. It is appalling that Councilmen White and Ellis could justify negative comments in light of the pandemic that is upon us. I am personally disappointed that Ron Ellis, a fellow UMC pastor, wants to throw people out on the street to fend for themselves during an epidemic. He should ask himself, "What would Jesus do?" Jesus said, "Whatever you do for the least of these you do unto me." Pastor Jim Moon III, President Catalyst Rescue Mission