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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFebruary 18, 2025 Council Minutes COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA February 18,2025 Regular Meeting Minutes The Common Council of the City of Jeffersonville, Indiana met for the Regular Meeting on February 18, 2025. Council President Stoner along with City Clerk Gill called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.The meeting was open to the public in person as well as live streamed via the City Website using Zoom. INVOCATION: Former City Councilperson at Large Pastor Ron Ellis 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 White, Council Vice President Burns, Councilperson Semones, Councilperson Anderson, Council President Stoner, Councilperson Reed,Councilperson Webb, Councilperson Hawkins, and Councilperson Snelling. All 9 Council Members were present in Council Chambers. Heaven Williams, Council Youth Advisor was present for the proceedings. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Council Vice President Burns made a motion to approve the Minutes for Regular Proceedings on February 3, 2025, seconded by Councilperson Snelling; motion passed,9-0. Council Vice President Burns made a motion to approve the Minutes for Joint Public Meeting/Hearing on Establishment of Fire Protection Territory of February 6,2025, seconded by Councilperson Reed; motion passed,9-0. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Council President Stoner asked for unanimous consent to remove Public Arts Commission Appointment Discussion until the next meeting. Councilperson Semones advised she has received a resume from her nominee but she would like to be able to forward it to the full Council before moving forward. Council Vice President Burns made a motion to amend the agenda tabling item 10, seconded by Councilperson White; motion passed, 9-0. Council Vice President Burns made a motion to approve the agenda as amended,seconded by Councilperson Reed; motion passed, 9-0. CLAIMS TO APPROVE: Civil City$ 1,085,527.05 Mrs. Metcalf advised there were no changes. Councilperson Snelling made a motion approve the Civil City Claims, seconded by Council Vice President Burns; motion passed, 9-0. Parks$ 117,321.06 Mrs. Metcalf advised there were no changes. Council Vice President Burns made a motion approve the Parks Claims, seconded by Councilperson Anderson; motion passed, 9-0. REPORT OF THE CLERK: Clerk Gill advised the third and final joint public hearing would be this Thursday at 4:00 pm. REPORT OF THE YOUTH ADVISOR: Miss Williams informed the Council that over the weekend the Jeff High School boys' basketball team honored the principal of Taylor High School by wearing the Taylor High School colors and bringing out their principals and families. Taylor High School was the first school for students of color in an abandoned building that originally housed an all white school. Robert Taylor was one of the first four black students to attend this school. He had one of the highest GPA balances in his class and later he returned and became the first black principal of that school. He was the first black principal in Jeffersonville, IN and Miss Williams said she would like to take a minute to honor him. Robert Taylor was a principal from 1886 until the time of his death in 1926. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 1. Public Arts Commission Appointment Discussion (Tabled on February 3,2025)—Tabled during approval of agenda. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Public Comment: Joseph Spurgeon—Pastor of Sovereign King Church 332 East Chestnut St.—Pastor Spurgeon thanked the Council for their services to the City and let them know they are prayed for in their services. If there is any way their church can serve this City please let them know, they would love to be able to do that. Maxwell Malone—1124 Windsor Dr.Jeffersonville, IN—Mr. Malone advised he received a phone call from Council President Stoner on Sunday afternoon about an apartment complex, Allison Circle,that was having drainage issues. Mr. Malone stated he is on the Drainage Board and they got finished with their meeting so he came down to give an update at the request of Council President Stoner. Obviously there was a lot of rain and there was significant standing water on the east and west sides of that property in the parking area in front of the apartments that would presumably impede people from walking from their car to their front door. This was discussed at length at the Drainage Board and all they can do is contact the landlord since it's private property and discuss the issue and offer suggestions on how to potentially resolve the issue. When that property was developed there was a drainage swale that went between two of the apartment buildings and ran from east to west. All of the water from that parking lot would run through that dredge ditch and then run to a catch basin in the City right of way. The last 35-40 years of erosion has changed the natural grade of that to the point where now there is just standing water and there is a high spot in the middle of what was originally a slope. Mr. Malone said the city could contact the County Health Department or could pursue getting code enforcement involved. The drainage board can make a recommendation but they cannot do the work since it is private property. Council President Stoner advised Mr. Malone was his appointee on the Drainage Board and he was contacted along with the full Council from a concerned resident regarding this issue. Councilperson Reed thanked everyone for taking their concerns seriously with their constituents. David Miller—Allison Circle 1545 East 10th Street Jeffersonville, IN—Mr. Miller said he would like to add to the discussion for the drainage issue. When it rains, the water doesn't go away. There are children walking through water that is past their ankles. Residents have to park in their front yard to get to their front door because they can't access their unit without walking through water. This may be private property but it's one of those things where something has to change. There are many code violations that are at this property that do not get fixed. Council President Stoner asked Mr. Miller if he had brought his concerns to the property owner and if they were responsive to the concerns. Mr. Miller stated they were not responsive and instead of addressing the issue they threatened eviction or offered him to be let out of his lease. 2. Greg Fifer 2025-R-3 Resolution Approving Police Services Agreement Between City of Jeffersonville and River Ridge Development Authority— Mr. Fifer advised he has been the attorney for River Ridge for the last two years and a half years and in that time he has noticed a need for increased police presence. The Commerce Center has grown considerably over the last two years and traffic is much heavier. Mr. Fifer went over the scope of police services to be provided by Jeffersonville Police Department. This will provide two 4.5 hours shifts for two officers five days a week to be patrolling in River Ridge. If this agreement is approved at the meeting tonight it will go before the River Ridge board meeting on Thursday and Mr. Fifer anticipates it being approved. Council Vice President Burns asked JPD Assistant Chief McVoy if this will be covered with the current work force. Assistant Chief McVoy advised this would not affect any regular city services, it will actually relieve some of the east end officers from the River Ridge area. The majority of this will be able to be covered with regular staffing however occasionally it may need to be covered by overtime. Council Vice President Burns made a motion to approve 2025-R-3 seconded by Councilperson Webb; motion passed,9-0. 3. Heather Metcalf 2025-OR-6 Ordinance Creating and Establishing the River Ridge Police Non- reverting Fund— Mrs. Metcalf advised this would establish a new fund for the deposits from River Ridge to go into so they are able to pay the police services. Councilperson White made a motion to approve 2025-OR-6 on the first and second reading seconded by Councilperson Webb; motion passed, 9-0. 4. Heather Metcalf 2025-OR-7 Ordinance of Additional Appropriation— Mrs. Metcalf this would pay the overtime rates for the prorated amount of the$332,192. Councilperson White asked if they should approve this now since River Ridge has not approved it yet. Mrs. Metcalf stated this would need to be approved by the Council before the April 1st payout and this is the first reading so by the next meeting they will know if it is approved by River Ridge or not. Councilperson White made a motion to approve 2025-OR-7 on the first and second reading seconded by Council Vice President Burns; motion passed, 9-0. 5. Heather Metcalf 2025-OR-8 Ordinance of Additional Appropriation— Mrs. Metcalf advised this was the annual appropriation for the Special Revenues Funds and it is appropriating cash that is already in the funds. Councilperson Reed made a motion to approve 2025-OR-8 on the first and second reading seconded by Councilperson Semones; motion passed, 9-0. 6. Heather Metcalf 2025-OR-9 Ordinance of Additional Appropriation— Mrs. Metcalf said this is appropriating revenue that was not anticipated. The first one is for the Police Department for and insurance reimbursement and the second is for Parks for the sale of a vehicle and they would like to use that money to purchase a new vehicle. Council Vice President Burns made a motion to approve 2025-OR-9 on the first and second reading seconded by Councilperson Anderson; motion passed, 9-0. 7. Heather Metcalf 2025-OR-10 Ordinance of Transfer of Funds Within the Same Department— Mrs. Metcalf advised this was for City Pride. They had the majority of their budget in "Other Services" and need to have it moved to "Contractual Service". Councilperson Reed made a motion to approve 2025-OR-10 on the first and second reading seconded by Councilperson Anderson; motion passed,9-0. COMMITTEE REPORTS: None ATTORNEY COMMENTS: Larry Wilder— No comment Les Merkley—No comment DEPARTMENT HEADS: No comments COUNCIL COMMENTS: • Councilperson White—Just to talk a little bit more about the statute, it provides River Ridge can contract with the provision of police and fire services. It could be any amount of money for the provision of services. They don't have to talk about whether it's for hiring this person or that person. They can just give the City x amount of dollars and the City agrees to provide the service. He is very happy with what they did tonight in partnership with River Ridge. This is a step in the right direction. He commends River Ridge for being open to this and thanks for all of the Administrations work put into this as well. He looks forward to development more in the future. • Council Vice President Burns—Council Vice President Burns said he would like to discuss having an executive session prior to the next Fire Territory Meeting to discuss pending litigation and the collective bargaining agreement. After further discussion it was decided to have the Executive Session on Monday February 24th at 4:00 pm. Council President Stoner asked Mr. Merkley if they could use the Mayor's Conference Room if not there is the Council Chambers or the Council Conference room. Mr.Wilder will take care of handling the notice for the Executive Session. Council Vice President Burns asked if they could invite Mrs. Metcalf to the Executive Session and there were no objections. • Councilperson Semones—No comment • Councilperson Anderson—No comment • Councilperson Reed—Councilperson Reed thanked Miss Williams for her update on the Taylor High School, she has only heard positive things about the event over the weekend. We lost a big legacy in the City, Donna Leonard, her visitation was today and it was standing room only. It is exciting to see someone leave such an impact and such a footprint in their City. • Councilperson Webb—Councilperson Webb said he would like to echo what Councilperson White said, they have been trying to work with River Ridge for some time now. It's good to see they are reaching out to the City because they need to work together because that has been a huge part of the City. • Councilperson Hawkins—Councilperson Hawkins said he would like to echo that and it bears mentioning that River Ridge has not been being obstinate up until this point. They have had their own economic trouble to work through and now that its developed it is gearing up. It's good to see they are moving in the right direction. • Councilperson Snelling—No comment. • Council President Stoner—Council President Stoner said at the last meeting they approved a $25,000 sponsorship. He believes there was a motion to have that come out of the Parks Surplus Fund. If you look back over the history the sponsorships they make actually come out of the Council's Special Projects typically the Cumulative Capital Development Fund. He thinks the intention was that Parks was not paying for that sponsorship out of their own funds and it was a sponsorship from the Council to the Depot. After discussion Councilperson Semones made a motion to rescind and to allocate the City Council Sponsorship form the appropriate fund and Councilperson Reed seconded the motion; motion passed,9-0. Councilperson Semones made a motion to approve the previously approved sponsorship from the correct fund being the City Council Special Projects, Cumulative Capital Development and Councilperson Reed seconded the motion; motion passed, 9-0. Council President Stoner advised typically the Council President was a designee from the Council to 1SI's Economic Development Council however he would like to appoint Council Vice President Burns if there are no objections. No objections were brought forward. Council President Stoner advised he sent a Landlord Obligations and Tenants Rights Ordinance draft to Mr. Wilder to review. He intends on bringing that before the full Council on March 3 but does not want it to be rushed. We are coming up on the anniversary of late City Councilman Josh Rodriguez's death. He was an incredibly committed public servant to the City. He has drafted a Resolution the he will present to the Council and bring for conversation and discussion on March 3'. Also thanks again to former City Councilperson Ron Ellis for his years of service. They appreciated him being here today. ADJOURNMENT: Councilperson Semones made the motion to ADJOURN the meeting at 7:17 p.m. DISCLAIMER: These-minutes re a-sum-ma-ry o actions-takenat the Jeff_ersonvillelity Counril meetings The_full video archive of the meeting is available for viewing at www.cityofjeff.net for as long as this media is supported. APPR VED -tf!i1 Ev Stoner, uncil President ATTEST: isa Gill, Clerk