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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarch 3, 2025 Council Minutes COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA March 3,2025 Regular Meeting Minutes The Common Council of the City of Jeffersonville, Indiana met for the Regular Meeting on March 3, 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: Pastor Jim Moon 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. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Council Vice President Burns made a motion to approve the Minutes for Joint Public Meeting/Hearing on Establishment of Fire Protection Territory of February 11,2025,seconded by Councilperson Semones; motion passed, 9-0. Councilperson Reed made a motion to approve the Minutes for Regular Proceedings on February 18,2025, seconded by Council Vice President Burns; motion passed, 9-0. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Councilperson Anderson made a motion to approve the agenda, seconded by Council Vice President Burns; motion passed, 9-0. CLAIMS TO APPROVE: Civil City$2,108,449.13 Mrs. Metcalf advised there were no changes. Council Vice President Burns made a motion approve the Civil City Claims, seconded by Councilperson Snelling; motion passed, 9-0. Parks$79,917.67 Mrs. Metcalf advised there were no changes. Councilperson Snelling made a motion approve the Parks Claims,seconded by Councilperson Reed; motion passed, 9-0. REPORT OF THE CLERK: Nothing for this evening. REPORT OF THE YOUTH ADVISOR: Council President Stoner advised Miss Williams was not feeling well and was absent from the proceedings. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 1. Public Arts Commission Appointment Discussion (Tabled on February 3,2025 and February 18, 2025)—Councilperson Semones advised she forwarded the resume to Council President Stoner and is requesting approval of Ms. Hawkins to the Public Arts Commission. Councilperson Semones made a motion to approve the appointment of Jackie Hawkins to the Public Arts Commission and Councilperson Burns seconded the motion; motion passed,9-0. 2. Heather Metcalf 2025-OR-6 Ordinance Creating and Establishing the River Ridge Police Non- reverting Fund Councilperson Snelling made a motion to approve 2025-OR-6 on the third and final reading seconded by Councilperson White; motion passed, 9-0. 3. Heather Metcalf 2025-OR-7(PUBLIC HEARING)Ordinance of Additional Appropriation Mrs. Metcalf advised there were no changes from the last meeting. Council President Stoner opened the Public Hearing at 6:06 PM and as no members of the community came forward to speak for or against the matter the public hearing was closed. Council Vice President Burns made a motion to approve 2025-OR-7 on the third and final reading seconded by Councilperson Snelling; motion passed, 9-0. 4. Heather Metcalf 2025-OR-8(PUBLIC HEARING)Ordinance of Additional Appropriation Mrs. Metcalf advised there were no changes from the last meeting. Council President Stoner opened the public hearing at 6:07 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 to approve 2025-OR-8 on the third and final reading seconded by Councilperson Anderson; motion passed, 9-0. 5. Heather Metcalf 2025-OR-9(PUBLIC HEARING)Ordinance of Additional Appropriation Mrs. Metcalf advised there were no changes from the last meeting. Council President Stoner opened the public hearing at 6:08 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 to approve 2025-OR-9 on the third and final reading seconded by Councilperson Semones; motion passed, 9-0. 6. Heather Metcalf 2025-OR-10 Ordinance of Transfer of Funds Within the Same Department Mrs. Metcalf advised there were no changes from the last meeting. Council Vice President Burns made a motion to approve 2025-OR-10 on the third and final reading seconded by Councilperson Semones; motion passed,9-0. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Public Comment: Ralph Greenwell -911 East Maple Street—Mr. Greenwell expressed concern with Animal Control after hours (see attached statement). Gavin Hebner—Presentation on severe weather preparedness (see attached) 2. 2025-R-4 Resolution Honoring the Life and Legacy of Joshua "Neighborhood Josh"Rodriguez— Council President Stoner advised he added this item to the agenda. Council President Stoner gave a history of Josh Rodriguez and acknowledged his family that was present as well as the community who came for this item. Councilperson Reed made a motion to approve 2025-R-4 seconded by Councilperson Anderson; motion passed, 7-0-2 with Councilperson White and Councilperson Webb abstaining. 3. Len Ashack 2025-OR-11 Ordinance Repealing Ordinance 2011-OR-73 and Establishing Sewer Rates and Sewer Capacity Fees— Mr.Ashack expained the differences between the previous ordinance and this version: • Billing will go from a hundred cubic feet to billing by the gallon • Includes a surcharge for high phosphorus levels from industrial discharges • There will be no difference between inside the city and outside the city. Both will have the same rates and capacity fees. • In section 8 they took all the wording out that had to do with approval of plats, preliminary or final plats which has to do with the Sewer Board sees when they get a new developer coming in. This is not going to raise sewer rates for anybody but the bill will look different because it is going from being billed by a hundred cubic feet to being billed by gallons. Councilperson Webb made a motion to approve 2025-OR-11 on the first and second reading seconded by Councilperson Semones;Council President Stoner asked if there was any public comment on the matter before moving on and nobody came forward to speak on the matter; motion passed, 9-0. 4. Les Merkley—2025-OR-12 An Ordinance Establishing the Jeffersonville-Utica Township Fire Protection Territory&Creation of the Jeffersonville-Utica Township Fire Protection Territory General Fund—Mr. Merkley advised the next two ordinances reference the establishment of the proposed fire territory for the City of Jeffersonville and Utica Township. This is a procedural vote. The final vote will be on March 13th. State law says that for an ordinance to be adopted at one meeting it would require unanimous consent of the Council so to comply with the State rules we need to introduce this on the first and second reading. This is not a public hearing,there have been 3 public hearings on this matter. This is just to get to the final vote on March 13,2025. This ordinance would establish the territory and approves the interlocal agreement for the operation of the territory. Councilperson Snelling made a motion to approve 2025-OR-12 on the first and second reading seconded by Councilperson White; motion passed,7-2 with Councilperson Hawkins and Councilperson Anderson voting no. 5. Les Merkley—2025-OR-13 An Ordinance Establishing Jeffersonville-Utica Township Fire Protection Territory Equipment Replacement Fund —Mr. Merkley advised this would establish the Fire Territory's Equipment Replacement Fund. This is a separate fund for equipment replacement and the revenue on that is$1.5 million every year over the first three years. State law requires that if the territory is going to establish that fund this ordinance needs to be adopted after the creation of the territory. The final vote for this will be on March 13, 2025. Councilperson Snelling made a motion to approve 2025-OR-13 on the first and second reading seconded by Councilperson Semones; motion passed, 7-0 with Councilperson Hawkins and Councilperson Anderson voting no. Council President Stoner advised the final reading for 2025-OR-12 and 2025-OR-13 would be on March 13, 2025 at 4:00 pm. 6. Chad Reischl 2025-OR-14(Public Hearing)Text Amendment to the (UDO) Unified Development Ordinance for Article 8 as it Relates to Gas Stations—Mr. Reischl advised this update relates to gas stations. There is a small change that would remove a stipulation that a gas station could not be placed in a Planned Development. The change says that the standards regarding distance from other gas stations shall not apply to a Planned Development. This comes with a favorable recommendation. Council President Stoner opened the public hearing at 6:52 PM and as no members of the community came forward to speak for or against the matter the public hearing was closed. Councilperson Webb made a motion to approve 2025-OR-14 seconded by Councilperson Reed; motion passed, 8-1 with Council President Stoner voting no. 7. Chad Reischl 2025-OR-is (Public Hearing) Rezone Change Request for Multiple Properties Located Near the Intersection of Hwy 62 and Gottbrath Parkway(Bridgepointe Commons) from PD (Planned Development)to Proposed Zoning PD (Planned Development)—Mr. Reischl advised the applicants, Denton Floyd Real Estate Group are looking to rezone their planned development known as Bridgepoint Commons. It is rezoning from a planned development to a revised planned development making a couple of changes. On the corner of Gottbrath and Hwy 62 the tenant will be a gas station and they are requesting this amendment to allow that gas station. This would also rescind an agreement that Denton Floyd had made at the time to not build a gas station at that location. This revision also includes some sign revisions that bring the PD a little closer in line with the current UDO. Council President Stoner said he would like to see this tabled to give them a little more time to look at this. Mr. Merkley advised the developer is anxious to get this project going. Councilperson Webb said he agreed with Mr. Merkley, this is in district 6 and he feels this development can improve the area and bring in a lot more growth. Councilperson Webb made a motion to approve 2025-OR-15 seconded by Councilperson Snelling; Council President Stoner opened the public hearing at 6:57 pm and as no members of the community came forward to speak for or against the matter the public hearing was closed. Motion passed, 8-1 with Council President Stoner voting no. 8. Heather Metcalf 2024 Gateway Annual Financial Report, Encumbrances,Top 20 Salaries,and Vendor Activity—Mrs. Metcalf advised there are two Annual Gateway Reports, one for the Jeffersonville Civil City and the other for the Jeffersonville Redevelopment Authority. There is a report for encumbrances,the Top 20 Salaries, and the full vendor list of 2024. Council Vice President Burns made a motion to accept the reports into the record seconded by Councilperson Snelling; 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—See attached statement. Councilperson White thanked everyone who voted in the affirmative,this is a big step they took tonight and it's a big deal for the Fire Department and the City. He looks forward to them creaking the territory on March 13th. • Council Vice President Burns—No comment • Councilperson Semones—No comment • Councilperson Anderson—No comment • Councilperson Reed—Councilperson Reed said her thoughts and prayers are with Violet, one of the local cheerleaders and her family as she had an unexpected surgery. Also her thoughts are with Jeff High with the loss of one of their teachers. She had a wonderful meeting with a Clark County Moms Group this weekend. It is exciting to see how many people in the community are excited to help and make this a better place. Lastly, in Josh's memory she only met him briefly but she has grown to love his family so much and they work they do in the community. She is grateful for the time they had. • Councilperson Webb—No comment • Councilperson Hawkins—Councilperson Hawkins said a dear friend of his and one of the best teachers to grace the halls of Jeffersonville High School passed away. Nick Weise was a science teacher and helped to develop the AP programs at Jeffersonville. He made everything he touched better. He will be very much missed. This has rocked them pretty hard; he did not just fill a spot. He was a leader and a pillar in the school. Councilperson Hawkins advised he will not be at the next Council Meeting. • Councilperson Snelling—Councilperson Snelling said he is honored to be a part of the Jeffersonville City Council. He grew up in the town of Utica, he knows that the people feel like when the don't have fire protection and ambulances. He encourages everyone to look at the County Commissioner's meeting from last Thursday and list to the people that got up and spoke. He will be voting yes for the Fire Territory. • Council President Stoner—Council President Stoner said there needs to be improved communication regarding the UDO Amendment tonight. He went back through his communication and he didn't see anything related to that so he will speak with Mr. Merkley about that. ADJOURNMENT: Councilperson Burns made the motion to ADJOURN the meeting at 7:08 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. APP ED BY: Evan Stoner, Council President ATTEST: L sa Gill, Clerk Good evening. My name is Ralph Greenwell and I am a resident in the 900 Block of Maple Street located in the Port Fulton neighborhood. I come here tonight to inform the city council about an issue that our neighborhood has been facing since April of last year. Last year, a gray pitpull owned by Gus Corrales, also a resident of Maple Street, attacked and killed our cat. The footage was captured on our Ring camera. Animal control was contacted and a citation was issued. However, over the next 7 months, the pitbull was seen out in the neighborhood on multiple occasions. However, calls to Animal Control would typically go unanswered, and if you were lucky, you may get a call back several days later. This was especially true if the calls went out on the weekends. Typically the on-call person would not respond. On November 10, 2024,the pitbull attempted to come through my screen door to get another one of my cats. Three calls to Animal Control were made, but none were returned. I was then advised by dispatch to contact the Jeffersonville PD. They advised that I wait until the next day to contact Animal Control. I had to resort to emailing the Mayor and Kristie Ashcraft, the Director of Animal Control and the Jeffersonville Animal Shelter. This finally was able to get a phone call to me from Patience. She said that the dog was well known to them and formerly in the Shelter. She stated that the dog was, "Fine with people, but it does kill other animals". In January,the pitbull was loose again and calls to Animal Control were not returned. Ed White returned my call the next day and he stated that if the dog was out, he would take the dog. On 2/13/2025, the dog was loose again, in my yard, and went after my son,who was able to get back into the house. Again, calls to Animal Control were not answered. An email to Ms. Ashcraft was sent and she responded that they have attempted to make contact with the dog's owner, but they need video proof. The dog was loose again this past weekend. However,we were able to capture video of the dog in our yard. Our neighbor was able to capture Ring footage of the dog chasing after a cat, with the dog owner riding his motorcycle behind the dog. I confronted the owner and he told me that if I continue with this, that"you and I are going to have problems". I did speak to Ed White today and we are hopeful that this video evidence is enough to remove the dog. I come to you tonight to implore you to protect your citizens by making significant changes to the Animal Control ordinances and processes so that other neighborhoods do not have to endure what we have been going through over the past year. I can say that many citizens in our neighborhood have lost all confidence in the leadership of Animal Control (who is oddly enough, the Director of the Animal Shelter which makes you wonder about a conflict of interest). We believe that the Animal Control is under sourced and that the "on-call" organization is not providing adequate coverage that this city is paying for. Your constituents of the Port Fulton neighborhood are watching to see what you all do in response. Thank you. `, S , ier, .., . .,i i ---N 4' V‘,.,Ve‘41/41h ., t *•• it '4',.,A.,V11!4,4 It hr 17 •N . ,I.. 4 .- . , -... I, . ..-, Severe Weather PreparednessJ % h .• '- •. , - tlltlgir------- , _. -- N ;>, Y y" •�i , _- City of Jeffersonville ommunity Preparedness & Response > r .,� ,-No N= .,y . _) Clark County Emergency Management Agency '° '"�'' ` ` w :''r`� y• ~ Director Gavan Hebner, BS, PEM �Zr - ' r +NG.•' _ ry N -r Era 4- �3i"kJ;- ,A,.N� �f F 3_ . ;^• F yk Pf•rc'. _ ,L , ter. v... .,7. a "s.�,���, .r J f ,j �' J4 .r srr' ,4r t4 r4"- y 4.r _ /' �!_ . _ + : Y.c Ri fit.=iV�'5e. Photo from Winchester Tornado IMT Deployment, 2024 ' es-a,- a ,r YourEmergency . .- . ...„....... . _ _ _____ _ .. , „. ........,. -,.:.: ‘ ,,,,,N,„,„„: Management a-- Agency ,,,,, ,. , .,,,...... - ,ii..,,,,..,- .. . --- -irro------ --- ----fv&R.tm-v-- ,-,--,• Our Mission: To build, sustain * .,f, „-.,..2,-, . _ w..,.,,..4. �.� .. , _ �..,,,. T and improve Clark County's , , capability to mitigate, prevent, ' prepare, respond and recover ' `_; . from all hazards through Photo from Je ersonCount Tornado Mutual Aid Res 0 community partnerships. _ • Our Vision: Providing a safer future for the residents of Clark County through effective partnerships that are focused - ; .: , i on saving lives and property by j reducing the impact of 1. ""m 5..w!, ,,,, Ns ) , ,, disasters. gRKCOUNTY .%;_ , Ai fili t l 1::::00111 6 r 14 GT .. Media Brieing,:' , s: 1 ,,, ,„,„„„r,... _„ What is t . A _ . Emergency —T-IIiqll hh ro�a� `Q� I Management? A �, IPS C 317_234-1540 kilt fie ICC(a?►PSC.IN.GOV T O O www.in.gov/IPSC PS V _ _ \ ... '1-2..", 0Emergency Management is the organization and coordination of resources 1, • to effectively respond to _ ;> disasters and emergencies. I • aCy - -- Serves as the lead .%+ � � . INN coordinating agency for • • • natural and manmade disasters. State Incident Management Team Final Day of Tornado Deployment, 2024 4 Phases of Emergency Management rl ' IIti MITIGATION PREPAREDNESS RESPONSE RECOVERY NE 4 How We Prepare for Severe Weather ,..______ _ , -- ik ,,, .10 Community Exercises Alerting Training Partnerships gi Systems .'Al s i , 3. 4,,awiplair MN . • - r onville Po 2024 .�,.:: How We Respond to Severe Weather Activation of Damage Incident Emergency Assessments Management EOC Activation Response Plans Teams Command Center Community Resource Supply Activation Messaging and Management Distribution Alerting Coordination and Shelter request for State Operations and Federal assistance Initial Damage Preliminary Damage Assessment Process Assessment Process I I 1l I --I Notice or r Local and Tribal FEMA Regional Office Joint PDA Team No-Notice Governments State,Territory,or Tribe • Review state/tribe • Conduct site visits and assess damage •Incident - Assess dam thirsty IDA data age request for Joint POA • Compile cost estimates and documentation • Request taint Preliminary • • Assess FDA information to support a Collect• data to estimate Damage Assessment(PL1A) Validate IDA extent of damage .,,formation Presidential disaster declaration requests Governor or Tribal Chief Executive Overwhelming Review damage assessment information damage consistent and determine if a declaration is needed with Level I incident Submit a Presidential disas[er declaration request to the President through the appropriate FEMA region FEMA Regional Program Office • Regional Stafford Act Program and legal Review • Make Presidential disaster declaration recommendation to Regional Administrator O N FEMA Regional Administrator ire • Submit Regional Administrator's Validation and Recommendation °+- Expedited y Make recommendation to FEMA g Declaration headquarters on issuance of a Presidential d disaster declaration re FEMA Headquarters • Headquarters Stafford Act Program and or Legal Review d • Make Presidential declaration O- recommendation to FEMA Administrator C O FEMA Administrator :" r • Review Presidential disaster declaration request and regional and program recommendations • Make recommendation on Issuance of a Presidential disaster declaration President • Review Presidential disaster declaration request and recommendations • Make disaster declaration decision authorizing federal disaster assistance �l How the Public Can Prepare for Severe Weather — Tornadoes • Develop a family emergency plan e ore •• • Identify safe shelter locations (basements, interior rooms) • Practice tornado drills • Monitor local weather forecasts •Take shelter immediately iirin • •Cover head & neck • •Avoid windows r • • Be aware of hazards (downed power lines, gas leaks) • • Follow official emergency instructions How the Public Can Prepare for Severe Weather — Severe Thunderstorms • Secure outdoor objects eore • • Trim trees to prevent damage • Stay up to date on weather forecast D • Stay indoors, away from windows U r i n • • Avoid using electrical devices Afte r • Report downed power lines to your electric utility provider • Stay away from downed lines Create an Emergency Preparedness Kit • Essential supplies for 72 hours : • Water & non- perishable food • Flashlights & extra batteries • First aid kit • Medications • Important documents ( Birth certificate, insurance documents, etc) Have Multiple Ways to Receive Alerts Wireless Emergency Alerts/Emergency Alert System NOAA Weather Radio Same system used for AMBER Clark County Alerts Alerts, used by National Receive emergency alerts for Text "ClarkWxAlerts" to 226787 Weather Service and our all hazards agency Follow Clark County Outdoor Warning Sirens Emergency Management Local TV & Radio Stations Agency— Indiana Local News Stations and Radio Meant for those who are @CCEMA93 on Facebook & X Stations outdoors, not utilized to be heard indoors (formerly Twitter) How We Can Partner to Prepare our Residents • Ensure residents understand where to get emergency information from • Maintain lines of communication and have backup processes in place for communication amongst elected officials, department heads, and emergency management • Support public awareness campaigns on how to prepare for disasters • Continue participating in the Multi Hazard Mitigation Plan process • Maintain and promote having multiple ways to receive alerts • Create/Maintain a Disaster Response Fund • Streamline permits & rebuilding processes after disasters to aid recovery D.‘* Hear The Storm, Stay Informed ! 0 0 „, _ ,.. 4 zr....ri Et4 Clark County Health Borden Town Hall Tri-Township Station 1 Charlestown City Square Clarksville Fire Station 2 Department Borden Sellersburg Charlestown Clarksville Jeffersonville March 7th-4pm to 6pm March 8th- 10am to 12pm March 8'h-2pm to 4pm March 9th- 12pm to 2pm March 9th-6pm to 8pm M. Q &A / Contact .,.._, s : _ _ I nfo r m ati o n . , ,. ... ,_ r • r,� } • I • - a 0 0 i - Open for questions Contact info: Director Gavan Hebner 812-406-0086 Ext. 5 �. .-.ow h , ema@clarkcounty.in.gov its LE Operations Group During April 2"d ' Tornado Response, 2024 Tonight, we have an opportunity. We have an opportunity to act in a way that will realize results for generations to come. Since 1871, the Jeffersonville Fire Department has provided fire prevention and protection services not only to the citizens of Jeffersonville, but through mutually aiding our neighbors. They do so professionally, skillfully and efficiently. They do so without hesitation as it is their recognized and accepted duty. I thank them, those past a present, for keeping us safe. Before us tonight is the opportunity to expand their services and add an EMS Division. We all understand that there are gaps in our service area. As the City grew, as neighborhoods were developed, as businesses settled in River Ridge, our manpower did not correspondingly increase. For 17 years we requested assistance from River Ridge to no avail. Most recently, we requested $4.5 million from River Ridge to provide the necessary coverage in their service area. We discussed, we met, the Chief gave a presentation and the answer, as in the past, was no. We all know that Utica Township and the Town of Utica have not had quality fire service for years, and we all know they currently have no service at all; save their Mutual Aid Agreement with us. They welcomed us, are appreciative of our efforts and we are fortunate they have put their faith in the Jeffersonville Fire Department to service their area. Clark County has an EMS crisis. Yes, Heartland EMS has stepped in to assist us temporarily and we are thankful to them for literally coming to our rescue. But we all know they can decide at any time to cease their operations in Clark County. All citizens in Clark County deserve comfort in stability. Comfort in knowing that from one day to the next they will have an EMS service at their disposal should they experience an emergency. Clark County has had four different EMS providers in recent history. The establishment of a fire-based EMS within the Jeffersonville Fire Department provides that comfort. It is also a step in the right direction to further expand to our neighboring cities and towns should the collective vision exist on the county level of government; as they too, deserve this comfort. Tonight, together with the Utica Township Fire Protection District, we can solve these challenges. The creation of the fire territory fills our gaps in coverage. It provides additional manpower and apparatus in the River Ridge area, and it provides Utica Township and the Town of Utica 24-hour professional fire protection. The creation of the fire territory also provides Jeffersonville, Utica Township and the Town of Utica with the comfort in knowing they will have a permanent fire-based EMS for generations to come. When our folks dial 911, they will rest assured when we arrive the necessary complement of well-trained personnel will have the requisite equipment to address the emergency at hand. This is what our citizens deserve and tonight we have the opportunity to take the first step to ensure it is provided. Because public safety is our number one priority, I will be voting in the affirmative to create a fire territory with the Utica Township Fire Protection District.pT ank on. ustu� 1. White City Councilman —District 1