Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMay 20, 2024 Council Minutes Special Council Meeting/Workshop Minutes COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA May20, 2024 COMMON COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING/WORKSHOP The Common Council of the City of Jeffersonville, Indiana met for the Common Council Special Meeting/Workshop on May 6, 2024. Council President White along with City Clerk Gill called the meeting to order at 5:02 p.m.The meeting was open to the public in person as well as live streamed via the City Website using Zoom. ROLL CALL: The roll call was conducted by City Clerk Lisa Gill and present in Council Chambers were Councilperson Burns, Councilperson Semones, Councilperson Anderson, Councilperson Reed, Council President White, Councilperson Webb, Council Vice President Hawkins, Councilperson Snelling and Councilperson Stoner. Let the record reflect that all 9 Council Members were present in Council Chambers. NEW BUSINESS: Heather Metcalf-Capital Plan Mrs. Metcalf gave a Capital Plan packet to each Council Member and explained the breakdown of the Capital Plan. Police Department-Assist Police Chief McVoy JPD Assistant Chief McVoy advised their most important need would be for Tasers that are old and out dated. The cost is broken down over the course of 5 years. He advised that throughout their list is the typical stuff with the exception of the Crisis Negotiation Vehicle. Some people have asked why this vehicle is not part of the Command Center. Negotiators need to be in a dedicated space away from the Command Center. JPD recently replaced mobile radios, however, that will be a future cost that is needed. At some point the technology will need to be replaced due to vendors not being able to offer software updates for the current radios. The last request is to dedicate funds to their Wellness Unit which was started this year and has done great. They received a grant for$192,000.00 which will last them this year and part of next year, but will not allow them to buy equipment, it is only for services. Councilperson Reed asked Assistant Chief McVoy to explain what the radar and sign boards are. He advised they have some smaller signs that mount on polls instead of the radar trailers, and they are in need of a couple more. Some are signs and some are radar only. The smaller signs that hang on the mounts are usually around $4,500.00 to $5,000.00 and the software for those is $1,500.00.The trailer radars cost anywhere between $7,000-$10,000. Planning&Zoning Director-Chad Reischl Mr. Reischl advised that almost 6,000 residents have joined Jeffersonville over the past decade. Jeffersonville has added over 10 million square feet of new warehousing and manufacturing added in River Ridge with 10,000 new jobs in the City of Jeffersonville and constructed new commercial properties as well in order to accommodate the growth. We have increased the miles of street and pipe that the City maintains and have added several new park,spaces to support the growing population.The 1 City has added employees, however, with a few exceptions, not many of the maintenance facilities in the City have been expanded. About a year ago, Department Heads tried to figure out the best plan to accommodate the growth but was having a hard time figuring it out. Mr. Reischl advised that many communities have created facility master plans by hiring an architect to speak with Department Head to find out what their needs are over the next several years and figure out what kind of space was available to work with. Mr. Reischl presented the Council with the Master Plan that outlined each of the Departments needs and desires starting with the greatest needs.They have put together a framework for implementing the requests from the staff. This is a plan with about 20 projects with a cost of approximately 20 million dollars. This plan is not set in stone. Mr. Reischl feels like this plan involves much prioritization of funds, infrastructure and development within the City and within the properties that the City currently owns. This document is a great guide to which direction the City needs to go in in the next several years. Councilperson Reed advised she thinks this is a great plan, forward thinking, it is set out for consistent growth, but also it gives us kind of a roadmap for what that growth can look like in a responsible way and thanked Mr. Reischl for all of the hard work that was presented today. Fire Chief-Shawn Grant Chief Grant advised the number 1 needed thing currently needed at this time is to replace Turnout Gear. They have 50 sets of Turnout Gear that have expired. It would cost$225,000.00 to replace all 50 sets. After replacing those set they will replace 15 sets per year to keep them where they need to be with the turnout gear.Turnout gear consists of the coat and jacket the firemen wear and has a shelf life of about 6 years. The next item needed would be the motor equipment and supplies with the aging fleet. Having their own mechanic now will save them approximately $150,000.00 to $200,000.00 a year in labor cost. The next item is for fire hoses. Hoses have not been changed out since the last new Fire truck, which has been a while. When a new apparatus is purchased, enough money is added in for equipment and then hoses and anything else needed is purchased. The next line is for the TEG study for the repairs to Station One. Next is for repairs to the Crestview Station, which is not currently being used by JFD, but is being used by New Chapel EMS. Chief Grant said he hoped to man that station with one of the trucks by the end of this year. It would have to be inspected to see what kind of repairs are needed.The next thing is for training. Their training room currently holds about 25-30 people but they now have 92 employees and that building wasn't built for the future. He had some plans drawn up to expand the training facility which would roughly cost $450,000.00 to expand it approximately 20 feet which would allow enough space for an additional 20-30 people.There is a need for training props which will stimulate ventilation and trainings for confined space rescue. They also are in need of a storage barn to store the training props. The last thing on the list is the renovation for Station One and he does not currently have the final cost of that. Councilperson Reed asked regarding the turn-out gear if the intention was to replace the majority this year and then smaller portions throughout the years. Chief Grant advised that was correct and they would replace 15 sets each year. Vehicle Maintenance Director-Michael O'Brien Mr. O'Brien advised they do have an in house mechanic that services the Fire Trucks, however there is only one bay that can be used to work on those vehicles. He is requesting for two extra additional bays on the end of the current facility, which there is plenty of real estate for. The cost to add those 2 bays with an additional 10 feet of height would cost approximately$800,000.00. The next thing would be an undercarriage wash system for the heavy equipment as well as refuge trucks. This would help to prolong the life of those vehicle and has an estimated cost of$120,000.00. He would like to replace 4 vehicles. The Fire Department mechanical vehicle is a 2018 model in need of being replaced in the near future.The estimate for that vehicle replacement is approximately$165,000.00. Humana Resources currently has a 2012 Chevy Traverse with a hundred thousand miles and many issues and has been in fleet for many years. Three estimates to replace that vehicle average out to $33,000.00 for a small, more fuel efficiency car. The next one would be for engineering to replace the electrician vehicle that is currently a 2012 Chevy Cargo Van that has a lot of safety issues and 150,000 miles with an estimated cost to replace of$85,000.00. The last one would be for IT. They currently have a 2007 Dodge Durango, over 235,000 miles. The estimated cost to replace that vehicle with something more cost efficient would be $45,000.00. Councilperson Semones asked Mr. O'Brien to explain the safety issues with the cargo van. Mr. O'Brien advised there are some electrical issues, they have trouble getting it to start, and it needs more emergency lights. Councilperson Snelling asked if that was three vehicles for back and forth to work and one for the fire department, a specialty truck. Mr. O'Brien advised that is a specialty truck and is a take home vehicle due to the mechanic always being on call. Councilperson Snelling asked what the process is to purchase those vehicles. Mr. O'Brien advised he requests 3 bids from local auto dealers. Councilperson Snelling asked if they would be buying regionally or locally. Mr. O'Brien advised it just depends on the turn- around times and availability, the one that was purchased in 2018 came from Northern Kentucky. Councilperson Reed asked with the expansion of the garage bays if it would be able to accommodate the new Police Mobile Command Center and have we looked at any costs that we might be recouping from those older vehicles and how that will affect the budget. Mr. O'Brien advised that sometimes they trade the old vehicles in or may hold on to them as back up for anyone that is having their vehicle serviced and sometimes they are sold at government auctions and the money goes back into the General Fund. Councilperson Stoner asked if the $800,000.00 was an estimate for the building. Mr. O'Brian advised yes, it was an estimate and did not include the electric or plumbing. Parks Director-Paul Northam Mr. Northam advised they have many requests and he has listed the top 7 with the exception of Chapel Lake. They have several things on their wish list. There are safety issues to be concerned about. The number one priority is the Big Four Park due to the play surface. Even though the park is only 8-9 years old, there is a lot of wear and tear and the rubber tiles are shrinking and leaving gaps. The rubber tiles need to be removed and replaced with liquid rubber that hardens over time. They have used that material at Bob Hedge Park and Chapel Lake and it works great. The other option that is being looked at is a turf, like a soccer turf field. The second need is a new floor in the café at the Field House that is chipping away. It will need to be leveled, resurfaced and then carpeted. There has been discussion with Greater Clark County Schools about a chance that they would do a 50/50 match because they use this gymnasium. The third item on the list is Highland Dog Park. It was built about 12 years ago and some of the products that were put in there have faded and rotted. They are looking to get some prefabbed materials like what would be see at playgrounds, but it would be dog park items. People pay a membership to use the dog park and they are asking for some play features, benches, and picnic tables. He would like to start out with the play features however the $25,000.00 amount should include a picnic table or two and some benches. The next item on the list would be curbs for Woehrle Athletic Park. When it was built there was mulch put around the island and when a heavy rain comes through it gets washed out into the parking lot and has to be swept back into the island. The curbing would be put around all of the islands. Kyle Vissing Park in the Oak Park area has a basketball court that needs resurfacing and striping. Chapel Lake, even though it is only 6-7 years old, is one of the heavier used parks and is in need of striping for the parking lot and seal coating. Most of the parks are in need of these items. The Parks Department does have some money in their budget for some of the smaller projects. The last request is for the Envision Center and is a cosmetic thing. They have a dumpster for the Ken Ellis Center and the Envision Center to put their trash in, but it fills up in 1-2 days due to the outsiders using it including contractors. The request is to put an enclosure around it so the public would not have access to it. Over the next five years, the total would be 4.1 million for these projects. What they are asking for this year is about$310,000.00. If money for the Highland Dog features or the curbs are not granted, the Parks department may have enough in their current budget to cover those. Mr. Northam thanked the Council and said they appreciate anything they can do to help out. Councilperson Reed asked if the Big 4 Park is an ADA accessibility issue. Mr. Northam advised yes, with the way everything is currently breaking up, the park is not currently ADA accessible. It is a trip hazard, children could get their toes caught in the cracks, and wheel chair wheels could get stuck. Councilperson Reed asked where Allison Brooke Park is located. Mr. Northam advised it is at the corner of Middle Road and Allison Lane and when he drives by there it is usually busy. He would like to put a jungle gym or something bigger than what is currently there for the residents who use that park. Councilperson Reed asked about the skate park renovations. Mr. Northam advised there are skaters who have been using that park for the last 15 years who would like to see it updated. It is not in bad shape,just outdated, and there are a lot of graffiti and police issues. There is not a fence around it and most people that go there after midnight are up to no good. Council Vice President Hawkins asked what a bollard is. Mr. Northam advised bollards are lights along walking trails and the ones that are currently in Big 4 Park break so easy, they have to keep replacing them. New ones need to be installed. Councilperson Burns asked if the Pavilion at Shirley's Arbor was being put on the back burner now and if it was because of the cost? Mr. Northam advised they are reevaluating how it can be done to reduce some of the cost. Councilperson Burns stated regarding the Field House, according to the agreement, the Council entered in an Interlocal agreement with Greater Clark County Schools for them to use the facility and in that agreement it says at the Parks discretion,they can present the bill to GCCS and inform them this work will be done and GCCS is responsible for 50% of it. Mr. Northam advised that he has been in contact with their financial representative and gave her the quotes and he is waiting for her to respond. Councilperson Stoner asked with the disc golf going in at Chapel Lake if there were parking concerns. Mr. Northam advised there was. On the 5 year plan before the Council under Maintenance Building there is $100,000.00 in year 3. They have purchased a shed to store all of the equipment and in addition to that they would like to add a restroom building and new parking which will take care of 3 issues. Councilperson Stoner advised some of the residents had mentioned about some parking out there and then with the disk golf coming in as well, that it might get worse. Mr. Northam advised there is a grass area that is not being used for the disc golf to the east of the park that has been identified as a good place for a parking lot. Councilperson Stoner asked if this is the one that is owned by Chapel Lake or Crystal Springs. Mr. Northam advised it is owned by the City of Jeffersonville. Chapel Lake has 2 sections. The front section with the lake and the pavilion, that is phase one which is complete. Phase 2 is in the back near to the wastewater plant off Lumen Lane. The plan was to eventually put more playground equipment in, shelter, restrooms and kind of duplicating phase 1,then the discussion about disc golf came up, so now a man from Kentucky is designing the course and there will be room for another 50-60 parking spaces. Councilperson Snelling asked if the Clark County Soccer Association was also using that parking lot at the Woehrle Park, and if they are, could they help pay for the curbs that need to be installed. Mr. Northam advised they do not maintain the parking lot; they own the back part of the property and the City owns the front part.There is a 25 year contract and they are at 10 years now. Councilperson Semones asked about the green column that has$135,000.00 listed in the 2024 column for the request at Big Four Park. Mr. Northam advised that Redevelopment committed $45,000.00 of the $135,000.00 it would cost. The $135,000.00 was to do the pour in place.They got 3 bids and that was the best of the 3. If they go with turf, that would save some money, but they are not sold on it yet. They are going to look at some parks that have already had the turf done. Ninety (90) thousand would be the max right now unless they go with turf and that would save more. Sanitation Director-Clark Miles Mr. Miles advised that the main thing the Sanitation Department needs is a roll off truck that would cost somewhere around $300,000.00 for moving dumpsters; the last ones were bought in 2001 and 2016 and are wearing out. Another thing is trash cans, they sell a lot of them.They order them twice a year sometimes 3 due to the growth in the community. The building down need some maintenance such as the outside needs to be painted and the roof needs to be replaced. Sanitation Administrative Assistant-Stephanie Miller Ms. Miller advised she was filling in for Kevin Morlan. He has a brine truck on the list. His request is for a new dump truck this year, possibly 2.The barn by the gas pumps is in bad shape and the insurance company told them several years ago that it needed to be torn down, everything in it is rotten. There are a couple of trucks that need to be replaced for the next few years. Ms. Miller said Mr. Morlan has talked about adding a salt barn out in the East End because when the trucks go out they have to drive back to Plank road to refill, that is in the column for 2029. He also wanted to get a new brine machine since right now they make it by hand. Council President White advised that he would get with Kevin Morlan to further discuss his list due to time constraints. ADJOURNMENT: Councilperson Stoner made a motion to adjourn at 5:55 pm • Councilperson Stoner—Thanks to the entire Police Department for everything they do. The mission of the Jeffersonville Police Department is professionally and ethically to serve all citizens while delivering fair and impartial quality services and priorities are ensuring public safety for all by striving to build upon the public partnerships with active and focused community engagement, and they have knocked it out of the park every single day. You all are so appreciated. Thanks to the negotiating committee also. • Council President White—we will be working on finalizing a four(4) year contract for the Police Department. Some of you may be aware, some may not be, however, I just want to confirm with everyone that together with the administration and with Heather's assistance, we have signed a contract with Baker Tilly, passed by the Board of Public Works to do a study on the Levy Appeal as well as well as establishing a Fire Territory with the town of Utica. When that information comes back and we work through that and analyze it, I will definitely get back to the Council to see if we want to move forward. These are some big steps ahead of us, but if we work together a lot can be accomplished and to move the City forward by leaps and bounds. We have an average assessed value of 12% because of all the businesses moving in, all the neighborhoods being built. The statewide average is 7%, so we are doing a very good job as a city of moving forward. We need to make sure that the services we provide keep up with the growth, and to do that,that takes money.These are tools at our disposal,for example,the fire territory, we are surrounded by them,we do not have one, I will explain why once we have the numbers in,why that's the case. With that growth and not allowing our levy to keep up with that growth,then we are not having the funds we need to provide services that are required. Our staff in all departments hasn't really grown, but the number of households and businesses they serve has grown. So we need to keep up with that so not to over tax our employees. We want to make sure we have good morals and keep providing the top-notch service that has been provided. ADJOURNMENT: Councilperson Burns made the motion to ADJOURN the meeting at 6:38 p.m. DISCLAIMER: These minutes are a summary of actions taken at the Jeffersonville City Council meetings. The full video archive of the meeting is available for viewing at www.cityofjeff.net for as long as this media is supported. APROVED BY: JO G J blfiX ����� �Dustin White, Council President ATTEST: Lisa Gill, Clerk