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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNovember 18, 2024 Council Minutes COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA November 18, 2024 Regular Meeting Minutes The Common Council of the City of Jeffersonville, Indiana met for the Regular Meeting on November 18, 2024. Council President White along with City Clerk Gill called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m.The meeting was open to the public in person as well as live streamed via the City Website using Zoom. INVOCATION: Councilperson Burns led the invocation. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: ROLL CALL: The roll call was conducted by City Clerk Lisa Gill and present in Council Chambers were Councilperson Burns, Councilperson Semones, Councilperson Reed,Council President White,Councilperson Webb,Council Vice President Hawkins,Councilperson Snelling, and Councilperson Stoner. Let the record reflect that 8 Council Members were present in Council Chambers. Councilperson Anderson was absent from the proceedings. Heaven Williams,Council Youth Advisor was present for the proceedings. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Councilperson Semones made a motion to approve the Minutes for Regular Proceedings on November 6, 2024,seconded by Councilperson Burns; motion passed, 6-0-2 with Councilperson Webb and Council Vice President Hawkins abstaining. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Councilperson Burns made a motion approve the agenda as presented,seconded by Councilperson Snelling; motion passed, 8-0. CLAIMS TO APPROVE: Civil City$2,007,426.02 Controller Metcalf stated there were no changes. Councilperson Snelling made a motion approve the Civil City Claims, seconded by Councilperson Reed; motion passed, 8-0. Parks$92,043.13 Controller Metcalf stated there were no changes. Councilperson Semones made a motion approve the Parks Claims,seconded by Councilperson Burns; motion passed, 8-0. REPORT OF THE CLERK: Nothing tonight. REPORT OF THE YOUTH ADVISOR: Miss Williams said the survey was completed by the students from Jeffersonville High. She will be emailing the results out to the Council in the upcoming week and will briefly review the results at the next meeting. Miss Williams asked the Council to please reach out to her and let her know a time frame they are able to meet on December 6th. This past weekend she attended a Clark County Council Meeting and they made history that night; Miss Williams gave a shout out to Tia Williams Hampton as she is the first black female in history to be on the Clark County Council. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 1. Chad Reischl 2024-OR-67 Text Changes to the UDO(Unified Development Ordinance) Minor Adjustments&Clarifications to the UDO Mr. Reischl advised he had no changes from the last meeting. Council President White asked if there were any stakeholders present and there were not. Councilperson Reed said she has noticed semi- trucks parking in the location since the discussion at the last meeting. Council President White said he would not be in favor of passing this amendment unless he heard from the Food Truck Association. Councilperson Semones said she in support of the other changes but not the standards for the Transient Merchants. Mr. Reischl explained the concern is with multiple food trucks congregating on the same property. Councilperson Stoner said he would like to see Article 8 come out before voting on it. Council Attorney Wilder said he feels the Transient Merchants concerns are covered under the current Ordinance that addresses Transient Merchants. Youth Advisor Williams said she would like to see both Councilperson Stoner and Councilperson Reed's ideas merged so they meet the standards that are being discussed by establishing both new standards for Food Trucks but also establishing a location for the Food Trucks to congregate. Councilperson Stoner made a motion to amend Ordinance 2024-OR-67 removing Article 8,seconded by Councilperson Semones; motion passed, 5-2-1. Councilperson Webb abstained and Councilperson Burns and Councilperson Reed voted no. Councilperson Semones made a motion to approve Ordinance 2024-OR-67 as amended removing Article 8,seconded by Councilperson Stoner; motion passed, 5-2-1. Councilperson Webb abstained and Councilperson Burns and Councilperson Reed voted no. 2. Heather Metcalf 2024-OR-68(PUBLIC HEARING)Ordinance of Additional Appropriation Mrs. Metcalf advised there were no changes from the last meeting. Council President White opened the Public Hearing at 6:30 pm and as no members of the community came forward to speak for or against the matter the public hearing was closed. Councilperson Reed made a motion approve Ordinance 2024-OR-68 on the third and final reading, seconded by Councilperson Snelling; motion passed, 8-0. 3. Heather Metcalf 2024-OR-69(PUBLIC HEARING)Ordinance of Additional Appropriation Mrs. Metcalf advised there were no changes from the last meeting. Council President White opened the Public Hearing at 6:31 pm and as no members of the community came forward to speak for or against the matter the public hearing was closed. Councilperson Burns made a motion approve Ordinance 2024-OR-69 on the third and final reading, seconded by Councilperson Semones; motion passed, 8-0. 4. Heather Metcalf 2024-OR-70 Ordinance of Transfer of Funds Within the Same Department Mrs. Metcalf stated there were no changes from the last meeting. Councilperson Semones made a motion approve Ordinance 2024-OR-70 on the third and final reading,seconded by Councilperson Burns; motion passed, 8-0.. S. Heather Metcalf 2024-OR-71 Ordinance Establishing a Non-Reverting Fund for Tax Disbursements Received from the Utica Township Fire Protection District Mrs. Metcalf stated there were no changes from the last meeting. Councilperson Burns made a motion approve Ordinance 2024-OR-71 on the third and final reading, seconded by Councilperson Snelling; motion passed, 8-0. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Public Comment: No Public Comment 2. Chad Reischl 2024-OR-72 Ordinance Renewing & Extending the Term of the Jeffersonville Urban Enterprise Zone (JUEZ) Mr. Reischl advised he has served on the board of the UEZ for several years and is now the Executive Director of the UEZ. The UEZ was established in 2000 and is a nonprofit organization. Mr. Reischl gave a description of the board and what all they do for the area. Councilperson Reed asked about the transparency of the board and the reporting to the Council and said she would like to see annual reporting to the Council. Councilperson Stoner made a motion to approve Ordinance 2024-OR-72 on the first and second reading, seconded by Councilperson Burns; motion passed, 8-0. 3. Len Ashack/Baker Tilly 2024-OR-73 Ordinance Repealing 2011-OR-73 and Establishing Sewer Rates and Sewer Capacity Fees Mr. Ashack advised Baker Tilly was hired by the Sewer Board to prepare an ordinance that repeals 2011-OR-73. Courtney Holiday with Baker Tilly was present to answer questions. Baker Tilly reviewed the cost of doing business inside the City for new construction and outside the City for new construction (see presentation). New capacity fees that are in place now help fund the wastewater treatment fund. After the presentation the Council discussed the need for the fees to match today's market and pricing instead of the market in 2009. Councilperson Webb expressed concern about increasing the capacity fees and said he would like to see the numbers needed in order to only increase pricing for those outside of City limits. Council President White confirmed with both Ms. Holiday and Mr. Ashack that sewer bills would not be increasing if this ordinance was passed. Mr. Ashack advised only capacity fees for new developments would increase by passing this ordinance. Councilperson Semones made a motion to approve to approve Ordinance 2024-OR-73 seconded by Councilperson Snelling; motion passed, 7-1 with Councilperson Webb voting no. 4. Heather Metcalf 2024-OR-74 Ordinance of Additional Appropriation Council President White stated this additional appropriation was for Local Law—Continuing Education Police Contractual Services in the amount of$19,000. Mrs. Metcalf advised this was appropriating cash that was already in the fund. Councilperson Burns made a motion to approve Ordinance 2024-OR-74 on the first and second reading, seconded by Councilperson Stoner; motion passed, 8-0. 5. Heather Metcalf 2024-OR-75 Ordinance of Additional Appropriation Council President White stated this additional appropriation was for General City Hall Telephone- $7,000 to General HR Property and Casualty Claims - $7,000. Mrs. Metcalf advised this was in essence a transfer but because it is between two different department it needs to be handled like an additional and a reduction. Councilperson Burns made a motion to approve Ordinance 2024-OR-75 on the first and second rea, seconded by Councilperson Semones; motion passed, 8-0. 6. Heather Metcalf 2024-OR-76 Ordinance of Transfer of Funds Within the Same Department Controller Metcalf stated these would be the last transfers of the year and ensures all the funds are in the right category. Councilperson Semones asked if they owed Pool Lifeguards at this stage in the year(November). Controller Metcalf stated yes and Councilperson Burns advised this happens just about every year. Councilperson Burns made a motion to approve Ordinance 2024-OR-76 on the first and second reading,seconded by Councilperson Reed; motion passed, 8-0. COMMITTEE REPORTS: Negotiating Committee—Councilperson Semones gave an update for the Negotiating Committee;they met with representatives from the Police Union today and have another meeting set in December for the ongoing dialogue with collective bargaining. ATTORNEY COMMENTS: Larry Wilder—Mr. Wilder thanked the Council for the opportunity to provide information for them. Les Merkley—Not present DEPARTMENT HEADS: No Comments COUNCIL COMMENTS: • Councilperson Burns—No comment. • Councilperson Semones—Councilperson Semones advised the Clerk marked out the 8 in one of the paragraphs but she would like to remove it from the heading,from the first paragraph, and the ordained paragraph as well. She did not want to make any changes to the document since some Council had already signed it. All Council agreed for the correction to be made and a clean cover page will be printed. Clerk Gill advised she would reach out the Planning and Zoning for a clean cover sheet and she will send it out to the Council once she receives it. Councilperson Semones said the Search and Selection Committee received some advise from Legal Counsel that they should seek clarification as to the purpose of the committee and the committee's authority in regards to the Open Door Law. Councilperson Semones said she is requesting for the Council President to clarify that the Search and Selection Committee is not authorized to take any official action, including providing any recommendations, but instead they will conduct the interviews and report back to the full Council. Council President White confirmed yes, and since it will be with respect to a contract they will be considering the information that is reported back will be done so in an Executive Session. Councilperson Semones requested they set an Executive Session to discuss the results from the Search and Selection Committee prior to the last meeting of the year. The Council will meet in Executive Session on December 16, 2024 at 5:00 PM and Council Attorney Wilder confirmed he would advertise for the Executive Session. Councilperson Semones said she would like to encourage ongoing dialogue and attention to the matter of the food truck issue as well as the Kroger parking lot issue. She sees those as two separate issues that should each be handled in an appropriate and legal fashion as they did with the Short- Term Rental issue. She would like to see deliberate and swift action so these concerns can be addressed. Councilperson Semones said she agrees with Councilperson Webb that someone should reach out to the property owner to discuss the issue. Councilperson Semones said she believes it is critical to invest in the City Utilities especially when they are extending access to City Services outside of City Limits. Nobody wants to raise prices but she does not think that in 2025 they can pay 2009 prices. She thinks the citizens understand that logic and support in investing in our city utilities. • Councilperson Anderson—Not Present • Councilperson Reed—Councilperson Reed encouraged everyone present to participate in the toy drive that is being held at City Hall. She knows each area has been working hard to make sure that the kids in our area are taken care of. This season is hard on a lot of people for their mental health and their family structure and some of the inequities are magnified by the sense of this season. Councilperson Reed congratulated Tia Williams Hampton on her County Council Seat. Councilperson Reed said her thoughts were with the community members that were affected by the explosion in Louisville this week. She is grateful they did not lose more lives that they did. Congratulations to all of the officers and first responders that received awards at the Police Award Ceremony. • Councilperson Webb—No comment. • Council Vice President Hawkins—No comment • Councilperson Snelling—Councilperson Snelling wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. • Councilperson Stoner—Councilperson Stoner thanked JPD Chief Kavanaugh for the invitation to the award ceremony, it was incredible to see and he is so appreciative of everything that they do. • Council President White—Council President White said he had received a sponsorship request regarding the King Holiday Committee. Councilperson Reed said she is on the committee and the event is January 18th at Jeff High at 9:00 am. If the Council would like to be a corporate table sponsor it would cost$250. After discussion it was agreed there was support for the sponsorship. Councilperson Stoner made a motion to support the sponsorship at$250.00 from the Riverboat Special Projects Fund and Councilperson Semones seconded the motion; motion passed,8-0. Council President White wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. ADJOURNMENT: Councilperson Burns made the motion to ADJOURN the meeting at 7:37 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. APPRO ED BY: � , /4.4- 7 &---11)1AP --- C Dustin White,Council President ATTEST: Lisa Gill Clerk Y 4bakertilly �,.f . '. - . MUNICIPAL ADVISORS - 01, "" • ir Jeffersonville ( Indiana / ... .. • .„ . ,,4 . . . .. .... _.,/ ,...f .,,, . Wastewater Depar I ® - ' i .0 , _., .."- / ,./ . Ift,„„,.....r., ......_ . ..,• . •- / / , .. . . , - .,, _// ,,..,_, - :.,,.:- ,i,..„..,..4, .- , _,,-- ..„: .,, / ,,, ,,.. __,.... ............... _____ _ - _:. „.. ... . . 2024 Capacity Fee , ...k_ _:: - A, nal sis and Propose . . . .. �' onversion . _..7.'_,-.- . November 18, 202 . .. .,ram ` °° _, si3O:000; ,_,),", ,, . .., ...7.,0„ Baker Tilly Municipal Advisors,LLC is a registered municipal advisor and controlled subsidiary of Baker Tilly Advisory Group.LP , .,. y ,Y . 4r (Baker Tilly),a tax and advisory firm. Baker Tilly Advisory Group.LP.trading as Baker Tilly,is a member of the global network of - Baker Tilly International Ltd.,the members of which are separate and independent legal entities - Outline • Overview of Capacity Fees • Present and Proposed Rates and Charges Overview of Capacity Fees Capacity Fees • Definition of Capacity Fees • A one--time charge for new customer demand • Fee required of all new customers desiring service or existing customers requesting increased service capacity • Should not be used to fund operations • Purpose of Capacity Fees • Creates equity between existing and new customers • Provides funding for system expansion and can reduce the need for debt • Recover previous expansion costs funded by ratepayers • Can lower metered rates and charges through additional capacity funding • Method of Calculating • Hybrid of current available capacity and planned future capacity projects • A cost per equivalent dwelling unit ("ECU") Capacity Fees (Cont'd) Inside City Outside City* Present Proposed Present Proposed $3,300 $4,900 $3,300 $5,500 *Includes additional capacity projects that benefit outside city users. Present an Proposed Rates and Charges Inside City Monthly Metered Flow Monthly Metered Flow (Per 100 Cubic Feet) Present (Per 1,000 Gallons) Proposed First 1 ,000 cubic feet $10.05 First 7,480 gallons $13.43 Next 10,000 cubic feet 9.36 Next 74,800 gallons 12.51 Over 11 ,000 cubic feet 8.63 Over 82,280 gallons 11 .54 Minimum Monthly Charge 34.87 Minimum Monthly Charge 34.87 Unmetered Single Family Residential 72.76 Unmetered Single Family Residential 72.76 Note: Proposed rates assume no increase to present inside city rates and charges. The proposed rates are converted from a rate per 100 cubic feet to a rate per 1 .000 gallons. Average Residential Bill Present Proposed (Per Approx. 535 Cu. Ft.) (Per 4,000 Gal.) Average Residential Bill $53.72 $53.72 Note: Proposed rates assume no increase to present inside city rates and charges. The proposed rates are converted from a rate per 100 cubic feet to a rate per 1 ,000 gallons Outside City Monthly Metered Flow (Per 1,000 Gallons) Proposed First 7,480 gallons $15.38 Next 74,800 gallons 14.32 Over 82,280 gallons 13.21 Minimum Monthly Charge 39.93 Unmetered Single Family Residential 83.31 Note: Proposed outside City rates assume a 14.5% outside City surcharge based on proposed inside City rates. Excessive Strength Surcharges Proposed Proposed Excessive Strength Surcharges Present Inside City Outside City BOD in excess of 235 mg/I $0.30 $0.30 $0.34 SS in excess of 240 mg/I 0 30 0.30 0.34 NH3N in excess of 15 mg/I 1 .90 1 .90 2.18 P in excess of 2.5 mg/I N/A 0.99 1 13 Note: Proposed outside City rates assume a 14.5% outside City surcharge based on proposed inside City rates. Phosphorus surcharge calculated based on direct expenses per consulting engineers. • Doug Baldessari, CPA Principal +1 (317) 465 1508 doug.baldessari@bakertilly.corn THANK YOU . Comments / Courtney Holliday, CPA questions? Manager er +1 (317) 465 1747 courtney.holliday@bakertilly.com