Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutJanuary 7, 2025 Council Minutes COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA January 7,2025 Regular Meeting Minutes The Common Council of the City of Jeffersonville, Indiana met for the Regular Meeting on January 7, 2025. Councilperson White along with City Clerk Gill called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.The meeting was open to the public in person as well as live streamed via the City Website using Zoom. INVOCATION: Councilperson White asked for a moment of silence. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: ROLL CALL: The roll call was conducted by City Clerk Lisa Gill and present in Council Chambers Councilperson Semones, Councilperson Reed, Councilperson White, Councilperson Webb, Councilperson Hawkins, and Councilperson Stoner. Councilperson Burns was present by remote participation and it was noted that and Councilperson Anderson was trying to connect to participate remotely. Councilperson Snelling was absent from the Proceedings. 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 December 16, 2024, seconded by Councilperson Stoner; roll call vote: Councilperson Burns-Yes Councilperson Semones-Yes Councilperson Anderson—Not Present Councilperson Reed -Yes Councilperson White -Yes Councilperson Webb-Yes Councilperson Hawkins-Yes Councilperson Snelling-Absent Councilperson Stoner-Yes; motion passed, 7-0. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Councilperson Stoner made a motion approve the agenda, seconded by Councilperson Semones; roll call vote: Councilperson Burns-Yes Councilperson Semones-Yes Councilperson Anderson—Not Present Councilperson Reed -Yes Councilperson White -Yes Councilperson Webb -Yes Councilperson Hawkins-Yes Councilperson Snelling-Absent Councilperson Stoner-Yes; motion passed, 7-0. CLAIMS TO APPROVE: Civil City$ 1,208,956.84 Controller Metcalf stated there is a hand carried claim needed to Life Springs in the amount of$10,000 for the Clark County CARES making the new total$1,218,956.84. Council President White advised the fiscal agent that Clark County CARES usually uses is no longer able to be used so now Lifesprings is going to be the fiscal agent. Councilperson Reed made a motion approve the Civil City Claims, seconded by Councilperson Stoner; roll call vote: Councilperson Burns-Yes Councilperson Semones-Yes Councilperson Anderson—Not Present Councilperson Reed -Yes Councilperson White-Yes Councilperson Webb-Yes Councilperson Hawkins-Yes Councilperson Snelling-Absent Councilperson Stoner-Yes; motion passed, 7-0. Parks$$537,362.13 Controller Metcalf stated there were no changes. Councilperson Semones made a motion approve the Parks Claims, seconded by Councilperson Reed; roll call vote: Councilperson Burns-Yes Councilperson Semones-Yes Councilperson Anderson—Not Present Councilperson Reed -Yes Councilperson White -Yes Councilperson Webb-Yes Councilperson Hawkins-Yes Councilperson Snelling-Absent Councilperson Stoner-Yes; motion passed, 7-0. Due to technical difficulties the Council took a recess. Councilperson Hawkins made a motion to recess at 6:21 pm. The meeting was called back to order at 6:30 pm and Councilperson Anderson was present by remote participation. ELECTION OF OFFICERS: Council President: Councilperson Semones made a motion to nominate Councilperson Stoner as President, seconded by Councilperson Webb; roll call vote: Councilperson Burns-Yes Councilperson Semones-Yes Councilperson Anderson—Yes Councilperson Reed -Yes Councilperson White-Yes Councilperson Webb-Yes Councilperson Hawkins-Yes Councilperson Snelling-Absent Councilperson Stoner-Yes; motion passed,8-0. Council Vice President: Councilperson Hawkins made a motion to nominate Councilperson Burns as Vice President, seconded by Councilperson Webb; roll call vote: Councilperson Burns-Yes Councilperson Semones-Yes Councilperson Anderson—Yes Councilperson Reed -Yes Councilperson White-Yes Councilperson Webb-Yes Councilperson Hawkins-Yes Councilperson Snelling-Absent Council President Stoner-Yes; motion passed, 8-0. REPORT OF THE CLERK: Clerk Gill reminded the Council due to the Martin Luther King holiday the next Council Meeting will be on January 21, 2025 at 6:00 pm. The Council did purchase a table at the Martin Luther King breakfast and those tickets will be waiting for them at the door. Also please sign and return the local and State Nepotism documents so she can get those uploaded. REPORT OF THE YOUTH ADVISOR: Youth Advisor Heaven Williams thanked Councilperson White and Councilperson Hawkins for serving as Council President and Vice President and congratulated Council President Stoner and Council Vice President Burns. She will be sending out survey results soon for the Council to review. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 1. Ed Siewart 2024-OR-79 Ordinance Establishing the Stormwater Ordinance for the City of Jeffersonville Mr. Siewart advised there were no changes and requested it be approved on the third readings. Councilperson Hawkins made a motion to approve Ordinance 2024-OR-79 on the third and final reading, seconded by Councilperson Semones; roll call vote: Council Vice President Burns-Yes Councilperson Semones-Yes Councilperson Anderson—Yes Councilperson Reed -Yes Councilperson White -Yes Councilperson Webb-Yes Councilperson Hawkins-Yes Councilperson Snelling-Absent Council President Stoner-Yes; motion passed, 8-0. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Public Comment: No comments 2. Selection of Council Attorney— Councilperson Semones nominated Amy Wheatley as the Council Attorney and Councilperson White seconded the motion; roll call vote: Council Vice President Burns- No Councilperson Semones-Yes Councilperson Anderson—No Councilperson Reed - No Councilperson White-Yes Councilperson Webb- No Councilperson Hawkins- No Councilperson Snelling-Absent Council President Stoner- No; motion failed, 2-6. Councilperson Webb nominated Larry Wilder as the Council Attorney and Councilperson Anderson seconded the motion; roll call vote: Council Vice President Burns-Yes Councilperson Semones- No Councilperson Anderson—Yes Councilperson Reed -Yes Councilperson White- No Councilperson Webb-Yes Councilperson Hawkins-Yes Councilperson Snelling-Absent Council President Stoner-Yes; motion passed, 6-2. 3. Council Appointments for 2025 Discussion Council President Stoner advised the Council was provided a list with expiring appointments. Councilperson Reed motioned to appoint Meredith Cliff Rodriguez, Kimberly Freeman and Amy Semones to the Public Arts Commission and Councilperson Hawkins seconded the motion;roll call vote: Council Vice President Burns-Yes Councilperson Semones-Yes Councilperson Anderson—Yes Councilperson Reed -Yes Councilperson White-Yes Councilperson Webb-Yes Councilperson Hawkins-Yes Councilperson Snelling-Absent Council President Stoner-Yes; motion passed, 8-0. Councilperson Hawkins asked if there were any other changes that needed to be discussed. Councilperson Semones advised the Tree Board has two appointments and she would like to nominate Jeff Cover and Bob Hill for that board. Councilperson Reed said she would be in support of those appointments. Council Vice President Burns asked if they could hold off on the appointments for the Building Authority until the next meeting. Councilperson White said he would like to come off of the Finance Committee. Council President Stoner said he would serve in that open spot. Councilperson Semones made a motion to approve all of existing appointments except the Building Authority which will be done at the next meetings; Council President Stoner will replace Councilperson White on the Finance Committee and Bob Hill and Jeff Cover will be appointed to the Tree Board. Councilperson Reed seconded the motion; roll call vote: Council Vice President Burns-Yes Councilperson Semones-Yes Councilperson Anderson—Yes Councilperson Reed -Yes Councilperson White -Yes Councilperson Webb-Yes Councilperson Hawkins-Yes Councilperson Snelling-Absent Council President Stoner-Yes; motion passed, 8-0. 4. Donna Reed—SI Works Update Councilperson Reed gave an update from the SI Works Program that received$10,000 from the City last year. The program was a success and the City had seven youth that worked a six week term with the City which offset the cost to some of the Departments. Last year they were in Parks and Animal Control. This year they are looking for additional sites. Southern Indiana Works pays their compensation and does the recruiting for the participants. Councilperson Reed said they do have this put in the budget so they will submit an invoice for this year. Clerk Gill advised they will also need to submit a W9 and Councilperson Reed said she would have them submit that. 5. Donna Reed,Stan Moore Board President—Community Kitchen Donation Discussion Mr. Moore gave an overview of their program and discussed the history of their organization. They have received two grants totaling$15,000 to go towards the stove and they still need$7,500 to purchase the needed equipment. Councilperson Reed said she would like to see the money come out of the line designated for houseless needs. Councilperson White asked if they reached out to the Trustee's Office. The Trustee's Office has funded other items for them this year and they have not reached out for this specific request. Councilperson Reed made a motion to approve$7500 to the Community Kitchen for a new stove and cooking facilities to come out of the Riverboat Fund,the$50,000 allotment for the unhoused population. Councilperson Semones seconded the motion;roll call vote: Council Vice President Burns-Yes Councilperson Semones-Yes Councilperson Anderson—Yes Councilperson Reed-Yes Councilperson White-No Councilperson Webb-Yes Councilperson Hawkins-Yes Councilperson Snelling-Absent Council President Stoner-Yes; motion passed,7-1. Councilperson White requested they do not expand anymore days of their services because it creates an additional burden on the people who live in that community. Mr. Moore said he would be happy to meeting with Councilperson White to discuss and address any concerns to the best of their ability. COMMITTEE REPORTS: ATTORNEY COMMENTS: Larry Wilder— Mr. Wilder thanked the Council for the opportunity to serve in the position of Council Attorney. Les Merkley—Not present DEPARTMENT HEADS: Chief Kavanaugh—Chief Kavanaugh said he would be happy to attend or have a District Captain attend the meeting between Councilperson White and Mr. Moore when that discussion happen to discuss some of the challenges they are facing. COUNCIL COMMENTS: • Councilperson White—Councilperson White said the Workshop for the Fire Territory is January 15, 2025 at 4:30 pm. Mrs. Metcalf advised Susan from Baker Tilly would be present by Zoom at that workshop. Mrs. Metcalf requested Mr.Wilder advertise for the Council Workshop. Councilperson White thanked the Street and Sanitation Workers. Thanks to the Department Heads, Administration, and Police and Fire that were all involved in making sure there was a sufficient emergency action plan in place to continue government services. He is proud of this City and the workers they have in it. It was an honor to serve as President last year and he wished Council President Stoner luck for this upcoming year. • Councilperson Semones—Councilperson Semones thanked the Administration, Department Heads, and City Workers. City workers make cities work and our City is working due to all of the hard work of the works. • Council Vice President Burns—Council Vice President Burns thanked everyone for their hard work during the snow and said he is looking forward to 2025. Also thanks for the support as Vice President of the Council this year. • Councilperson Anderson—Councilperson Anderson congratulated Council President Stoner and Council Vice President Burns. Councilperson Anderson apologized for needing to participate remotely and thanked the staff for fixing the technical difficulties so they could have their votes this evening. Thanks to everyone who has been working on clearing the streets. Happy New Year to everyone. • Councilperson Reed—Councilperson Reed expressed her condolences to former President Jimmy Carter and his family. She thinks he is a true representation of service leadership. Councilperson Reed thanked the Police and Fire, she had two constituents who contacted her where there was a medical issued and the Police and Fire Departments got everyone where they needed to be. They will be accepting new applications for the Youth Advisor position for next year as Heaven will be graduating this spring. Councilperson Reed thanked the Street Department and the Clerk's Office for making everything work tonight. • Councilperson Webb—Councilperson Webb thanked the Street Department for all of their hard work and congratulated Council President Stoner and Council Vice President Burns and Larry Wilder. Councilperson Webb thanked past Council President White and past Council Vice President Hawkins for the work they did last year. • Councilperson Hawkins—Councilperson wished everyone a happy new year. This weather is off to a bad start but it shows how competent everyone is. • Councilperson Snelling—Absent • Council President Stoner—. Council President Stoner said he agreed with previous statements and thanked all of the Departments for their hard work. He thanked Councilperson Reed for getting out crucial information to the public and to Council Vice President Burns for feeding the Street Department during the storm. Also thanks to the Administration as they declared the State of Emergency. Council President Stoner said they have a lot of work to accomplish this year. Jeffersonville's future has never been brighter but he realizes that people are still facing struggles. Council President Stoner said he is committed to being efficient and accessible as the City Council President. ADJOURNMENT: Councilperson White made the motion to ADJOURN the meeting at 7:17 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. APPROVED BY: ‘ il'EtXk , Evan Stoner,Council President ATTEST: Lisa Gill,Clerk