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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDecember 2, 2024 Council Minutes COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA December 2,2024 Regular Meeting Minutes The Common Council of the City of Jeffersonville, Indiana met for the Regular Meeting on December 2, 2024. Council President White along with City Clerk Gill called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m.The meeting was open to the public in person as well as live streamed via the City Website using Zoom. INVOCATION: Dr. Marion Miller, Pastor of Wesley United Methodist Church 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 Anderson, Councilperson Reed,Council President White, Councilperson Webb,Council Vice President Hawkins,Councilperson Snelling, and Councilperson Stoner. Let the record reflect that 9 Council Members were present in Council Chambers. Heaven Williams, Council Youth Advisor was present for the proceedings. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Councilperson Reed made a motion to approve the Minutes for Regular Proceedings on November 18,2024, seconded by Councilperson Semones; motion passed,9-0. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Councilperson Reed said she was the sponsor for item number 17,the Housing Authority,and they have found the funds they were going to request in their budget so she is requesting that item be removed from the agenda. Councilperson Reed made a motion amend the agenda removing item number 17,seconded by Councilperson Stoner; motion passed, 9-0. Council President White asked Mrs. Metcalf is there was an addition that was needed by the Administration. Mrs. Metcalf advised there was an addition needed for an Ordinance of Additional Appropriation for overtime. Councilperson Stoner made a motion amend the agenda adding an agenda item for the Police Department for additional overtime,seconded by Councilperson Reed; motion passed,8-1 with Councilperson Semones voting no. Councilperson Semones made a motion approve the agenda as amended,seconded by Councilperson Burns; motion passed, 9-0. Council President White said the Police Appropriation would be item 17. CLAIMS TO APPROVE: Civil City$774,063.36 Controller Metcalf stated there were no changes. Councilperson Reed made a motion approve the Civil City Claims,seconded by Councilperson Burns; motion passed,9-0. Parks$31,336.25 Controller Metcalf stated there were no changes. Councilperson Semones made a motion approve the Parks Claims,seconded by Councilperson Stoner; motion passed, 9-0. REPORT OF THE CLERK: Clerk Gill reminded the Council that she put the tickets for the Celebrity Waiter event on their desks. Please do not forget to take those tonight. REPORT OF THE YOUTH ADVISOR: Miss Williams advised the City Council visit to Jeff High would be on Friday and would be from 8:00-9:00 am and would last until 9:30 am at the latest. The principal will do a brief tour and show all of the things they have to offer. The survey answers have gone through and will be separated by each of the commission and board appointments. Miss Williams also recognized Judge Jacobs being present at the proceedings. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 1. Chad Reischl 2024-OR-72 Ordinance Renewing&Extending the Term of the Jeffersonville Urban Enterprise Zone(JUEZ) Mr. Reischl advised there were no changes to the ordinance from the last meeting. Councilperson Reed requested they report back on a quarterly basis for financial transparency and Councilperson Stoner said he would like to see them report back as well. , Councilperson Semones made a motion to approve Ordinance 2024-OR-72 on the third reading, seconded by Councilperson Snelling; motion passed, 9-0. 2. Len Ashack (PUBLIC HEARING) 2024-OR-73 Ordinance Repealing 2011-OR-73 and Establishing Sewer Rates and Sewer Capacity Fees Mr.Ashack advised there were no changes to the original ordinance. At the request of several Council members they did prepare an implementation that would implement the capacity fees over time however it would be an implementation nightmare for him and his staff so he is requesting they pass the original ordinance that was presented at the last Council Meeting. Councilperson Burns asked how this would be an implementation nightmare. Mr.Ashack said if it was phased in a schedule it would be difficult to track if a neighborhood had different phases approved at different times and therefore had different capacity fees because of the implementation schedule. It would be difficult to track which lot pays which fee. Councilperson Webb said when he and Councilperson Burns met with the Sewer Board to discuss this and discussed a tier shape as a compromise to not have to look at a sewer rate increase and instead roll this out over a 26 month period he felt they seemed very obliged to do this. This way does not penalize developers which more or less penalizes property owners. He was under the impression they had this worked out. Councilperson Webb said if they were not in agreement he would like to table this until the next meeting so they can further discuss the concerns. Mr.Ashack said he didn't know that the Board was in total agreement with the plan. Councilperson Burns asked why the Board didn't speak up if they weren't in agreement and when they asked they were told the plan they presented would not affect future projects. Councilperson Stoner asked for confirmation that the capacity fees that are being discussed right now were last raised in 2009 and Mr.Ashack confirmed that was correct. Councilperson Stoner said he feels that anybody within reason would understand that all aspects of business and development have increased since 2009. In order for the City to ensure that they can provide excellent City services, in this case wastewater,they have to establish these fees in order to ensure the services can be provided. Councilperson Reed said she agrees that they are behind the times and they need to catch up and build reserves for the City however she is in support of compromising by doing it over time and allowing people to catch up gradually and then by continuing to make future adjustments in a timely fashion. She is in support of the tier step to get them where they need to be. Councilperson Semones said it was her understanding that adjustments similar to this were requested during the last Council term so she feels that developers knew that this was coming. The time from the last time this was presented until now would have been the time to prepare for the increase. This is a crucial adjustment for the health of the City. She thinks approving these adjustments is well past due. Councilperson Webb said he wants businesses in River Ridge but the capacity was sold out due to business growth and now they are giving a huge increase on the tap-in fees to the future residents of Jeffersonville. Mr.Ashack said at the current tap-in fee of$3,300 they are losing$1,500 every time they charge that amount because it costs around$4,871 based on the current cost of the treatment plant that is being built. They did not raise sewer rates to fund the expansion. Councilperson Anderson said he is in support of approving a tiered system. Councilperson Hawkins said he was unable to make it to the meeting with the Sewer Board and asked Mr.Ashack what amount they would miss in the first two years if they approve the tiered approach. Mr. Ashack said he does not know the answer to that because he doesn't know when developers are going to have the developments approved. Any development that has already been approved will continue to pay the$3,300 amount. Council President White opened the Public Hearing at 6:39 PM Jeff Corbet—Premier Homes—He has talked with almost all of the developers and everybody understands the rate increase but the biggest issue is doing it all at one time. It is getting cheaper to build out in Henryville and Memphis so developments will go out that way. They have to stay competitive and the affordability of homes is getting extremely difficult. What is being proposed is a 50% increase. It is a burden on the buyers because they will have to pay that additional amount but it is also a burden on the developers because they will have to convince the appraiser why the exact house is$1600 cheaper because the fee increased. The surrounding towns are all cheaper and there was no preparation for this. If everyone moves developments to the surrounding areas then the City would be losing money. They need to increase over time to level the field somewhat. Smart growth and affordability is everything. He is in favor of the compromise to tier step the increase over 26 months. Heaven Williams—Miss Williams said she agrees with compromising to a tier step but also agrees with Councilperson Semones that the developers should have been preparing for this when it was last introduced a few years ago. She would like to see the issue resolved. Council President White closed the Public Hearing at 6:53 PM. Councilperson Stoner made a motion approve Ordinance 2024-OR-73 on the third and final reading, seconded by Councilperson Snelling;Councilperson Stoner requested a roll call vote: Council Vice President Hawkins asked if this did not pass could someone who voted no bring the issue back before the Council. Council Attorney Wilder confirmed that was correct and it would have to be advertised for another Public Hearing. Roll Call vote: Councilperson Burns—No Councilperson Semones—Yes Councilperson Anderson—No Councilperson Reed—No Council President White—Yes Councilperson Webb—No Council Vice President Hawkins—No Councilperson Snelling—Yes Councilperson Stoner—Yes; motion failed,4-5. 3. Heather Metcalf (PUBLIC HEARING)2024-OR-74 Ordinance of Additional Appropriation Mrs. Metcalf stated there were no changes from the last meeting;this is appropriating money that is already in the fund. Council President White opened the Public Hearing at 7:11 pm and as no members of the community came forward to speak for or against the matter the Public Hearing was closed. Councilperson Snelling made a motion approve Ordinance 2024-OR-74 on the third and final reading, seconded by Councilperson Reed; motion passed,9-0. 4. Heather Metcalf (PUBLIC HEARING)2024-OR-75 Ordinance of Additional Appropriation Mrs. Metcalf stated there were no changes from the last meeting. Council President White 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. Councilperson Semones made a motion approve Ordinance 2024-OR-75 on the third and final reading,seconded by Councilperson Burns; motion passed,9-0. 5. Heather Metcalf 2024-OR-76 Ordinance Transferring Certain Funds Within the Same Department Mrs. Metcalf requested they remove the police department request for transfer and keep the others the same. Councilperson Stoner made a motion amend Ordinance 2024-OR-76 removing the LIT Public Safety Police Items,seconded by Councilperson Burns; motion passed, 9-0. Councilperson Stoner made a motion approve as amended Ordinance 2024-OR-76 on the final reading,seconded by Councilperson Anderson; motion passed,9-0. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Public Comment: James McClure—Mr. McClure wished everyone a Merry Christmas. He is thankful for the hard work that the Council is doing. Mr. McClure said he concurred with Council President White and $250,000 is not an affordable home. Trying to get developers to build more reasonable housing in the mid $100,000 range is an excellent idea and he appreciates Council President White for advocating for that. Mr. McClure said he believes a fee cannot be left for 14 years without being adjusted and then not be sticker shocked. This is the worst inflation in his lifetime. He realizes the proposed fee was a 50%increase but that's because it has not been increased in a long time. Mr. McClure also thanked the Council for lengthening the amount of time allowed for Public Comment. 2. Bill Burns Josh Seabold and Malinda Mackenzie with Clark County Cares for Drug Facts Week Request for Support-$10,000. Councilperson Burns introduced Josh Seabold and Malinda Mackenzie with Clark County Cares. Mr. Seabold advised several members of Clark County Cares was present this evening and they are requesting support in the amount of$10,000 to help support their Drug Facts Week this year. They plan to increase their presence with social media advertising the promotion of Drug Facts Week as well as the providing the opportunity for those who cannot attend in person to be able to attend virtually. The Town of Clarksville has pledged $5,000 so far. Drug Facts Week allows them to go to the community to promote education about substance dependency and reduce the stigma of addiction and drug abuse. Whenever recovery is made easier, more people achieve it. Councilperson Reed commended them on the use of local speakers who have faced addiction and came out of it. Councilperson Snelling asked how much was given last year and Clerk Gill advised it was$7,500. Substance Dependency. Recovery easier means it is more achievable. Councilperson Stoner said he would be in support of approving the$10,000 sponsorship to come out of the Special Projects line inside of the LIT Economic Development line. Miss Williams said she would love to get in contact with them to further discuss how this can be applied to Jeffersonville's youth population. Councilperson Stoner made a motion to approve$10,000 LIT Economic Development to Clark County Cares,seconded by Councilperson Reed; motion passed,9-0. 3. Donna Reed Roxanna Whipple Ross Program Manager,Jeffersonville Housing Authority Request for Support—removed during approval of agenda. 4. Heather Metcalf 2024-OR-77 An Ordinance of Additional Appropriation Mrs. Metcalf advised the Chief sent an email about his overtime needs and this represents that request. Council Vice President Hawkins advised they have been in discussion with the Chief and the FOP regarding overtime and the Negotiating Committee has a meeting scheduled for tomorrow. Councilperson Stoner said he appreciates Chief Kavanaugh's communication and explanation of some of the recent challenges. Chief Kavanaugh advised he has not requested an additional for overtime since 2016,this is the first year he has had to make that request. This was brought up during the negotiations that they may have to revisit this due to the changes approved with the last contract. Council Vice President Hawkins made a motion to approve to approve Ordinance 2024-OR-77 seconded by Councilperson Burns; motion passed, 9-0. 5. Evan Stoner Katie Evans with the YMCA Requesting Support for Creating a Safe Space for Teens at the YMCA Councilperson Stoner introduced Katie Evans with the YMCA to discuss a new project they are starting(See attached presentation). Councilperson Stoner made a motion to support a$3000 sponsorship to the Clark County YMCA out of Special Projects in LIT Economic Development,seconded by Council Vice President Hawkins; motion passed, 9-0. COMMITTEE REPORTS: City Council Attorney Search Committee—Councilperson Semones said they received two applications for the City Council Attorney position. They have two interviews set up for Decembers 11th and she is budgeting 30 minutes for each interview. She will send out the Zoom link for those interviews to the committee members. Negotiating Committee—Councilperson Semones advised the Police Negotiating Committee is meeting tomorrow with administration and the Fire Union has passed the Collective Bargaining Agreement that was negotiated. That will need to go before the full council and she is recommending it be placed on the agenda at the next meeting. This will be added to the agenda for the Executive Session as well on 12/16. ATTORNEY COMMENTS: Larry Wilder—Mr. Wilder said the book he provided to the council is something he reads every year and he encourages them to read it as well. Les Merkley—Not present DEPARTMENT HEADS: No Comments COUNCIL COMMENTS: • Councilperson Burns—No comment. • Councilperson Semones—No comment. • Councilperson Anderson—No comment. • Councilperson Reed—Councilperson Reed gave condolences to the family who lost their child unexpectedly. Please check in on mental health on everyone around you, especially this time of year. • Councilperson Webb—No comment. • Council Vice President Hawkins—No comment • Councilperson Snelling—No comment. • Councilperson Stoner—Councilperson Stoner said he is appreciative of all the council members; he has learned a lot. As they head into the new year there has been conversation at the State level regarding property taxes and he would urge everyone to think about that carefully because that would affect our City services as well. • Council President White—Council President White recognized Mr. Hurt and Emerson and Mr.Tetley for being at the meeting. Also welcome back to Mr. McClure. ADJOURNMENT: Council Vice President Hawkins made the motion to ADJOURN the meeting at 7:53 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 BY: 0.--- / 1 4 b;) ._. ....— Dustin White,Council President ATTEST: Lisa Gill,Clerk the Creating a Safe Space for Teens at the YMCA CLARK COUNTY FAMILY YMCA Current State of Teen V. the ProgrammingtheYMCA at We are currently rebuilding our teen programming after having a lack of it since coming back from COVID. Currently, we have monthly programs specifically geared towards middle school and high school students and are starting biweekly programs in 2025. Due to the nature of our new program and not having a space dedicated to teens, we are lacking high participation rates. Whya Teen S ace Matters theYrs Having a dedicated teen space... • Provides a safe, supervised environment, reducing exposure to risky behaviors • Provides opportunities for social-emotional learning, leadership development, and academic support • Allows connection to positive role models and encourages healthy peer relationships • Brings teens into the YMCA where they can utilize the facility and get involved with more programming *Research suggests structured after-school programs can significantly decrease risky behavior in teens Statistics on Drugand Alcohol the Q Use Among Teens in Indiana • 15.2% of Indiana high school students reported using substances other than alcohol in the past month, 6% using substances beyond marijuana, tobacco, or alcohol • In 2022, 46.5% of Hoosiers 12+ reported current alcohol use • During the 2022-23 school year, 489 students were suspended or expelled due to alcohol and drug use Vision for the Space T the C The dedicated teen space, "Teen Scene", will include the following: • Areas for relaxation and homework • Space to play nonviolent video games with peers • Programming focused on mental health, substance abuse prevention, life skills, etc. • Board games and cards for encouraging new peer relationships Projected Cost for the Space the )1r: Item Price Amount Total Cost Big Joe Bean Bag Chair $54.43 3 $163.29 Wicker Egg Chair(Grey) $239.90 1 $239.90 Sofa 1 $199.99 Breakdown: Insignia 50 in TV 229.99 1 $229.99 Nintendo Switch 299.99 1 $29999 • Supply Costs MarioKart8(Switch) 51.93 1 $51.93 • Furniture Super Smash Bros(Switch) 49.82 1 $49.82 • GamingSystem and Accessories Just Dance 2023(Switch) 17.99 1 $17.99 y Just Dance2022(Switch) 25.08 1 $25.08 • Board Games Nintendo Joy-Con(UR) 79 1 $79 Gaming System Lock Box 39.89 1 $39.89 Playstation 4 365.31 1 $365.31 `Other supplies such as craft materials and tables are already available in the Chamelon Board Game 24.99 1 $24.99 Battleship 16.99 1 $16.99 branch Kanoodle 9.99 3 $29.97 Sorry 19.59 1 $19.59 Connect 4 9.99 1 $9.99 various 1000 piece puzzles about$20 5 $100 Carpetball Table 1000 1 $1,000 Total Cost $2,964 How Jeff CityCouncilCan the �Q Help • Assist with funding for the Teen Scene at Clark County Family YMCA • Volunteer support for programs regarding mental health, life skills, etc • Help spread awareness of our goal with community members -m the r F Thank youi Katie Evans, Teen Program Director Clark County Family YMCA November 15, 2024 -® the Sources ,�s • Drug Fact Sheet: - Substance Use in Indiana, www.in.gov/fssa/dmha/files/Drug-Fact- Sheet_2023_ADA_final.pdf. Accessed 18 Nov. 2024. • Explore Illicit Drug Use - Youth in Indiana I A HR, www.americashealthrankings.org/explore/measures/youth_IDUM/IN. Accessed 18 Nov. 2024.