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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarch 27, 2025 Council Special Meeting Minutes COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA March 27,2025 Special Meeting Minutes The Common Council of the City of Jeffersonville, Indiana met for the Special Meeting on March 27, 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: Council Vice President 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 White, Council Vice President Burns, Councilperson Semones, Council President Stoner, Councilperson Reed, Councilperson Webb, Councilperson Hawkins, and Councilperson Snelling. Councilperson Anderson was absent from the proceedings. 8 Council Members were present in Council Chambers and 1 was absent. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Council Vice President Burns made a motion to approve the agenda,seconded by Councilperson Snelling; motion passed, 8-0. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 1. Les Merkley 2025-OR-12 Ordinance Establishing the Jeffersonville-Utica Township Fire Protection Territory&Creation of the Jeffersonville-Utica Township Fire Protection Territory General Fund— Les Merkley: "We have two Ordinances. First Ordinance is 2025-OR-12.This is an Ordinance that establishes the Jeffersonville-Utica Township Fire Protection Territory and the General Fund for the tax.This has been,you have complied with the State Statute when it comes to public hearings,you had three hearings,they were all dually noticed and well attended.And you've adopted both of these Ordinances on first and second.The statutory deadline for these Ordinances to be adopted is Monday at midnight as the deadline is April first.There is no statutory requirement that there be a joint meeting between the City Council which is the providing unit under the statute.The Utica Fire District Board which is the participating unit, the only requirement is that the Ordinances adopted by Council have to be adopted by midnight on Monday and the Utica Fire Board is under the same obligation and the Ordinances and resolutions have to be identical and mirror each other, which they do. So before you is the first Ordinance and if that is adopted then we will go to the next Ordinance-which is to establish the Equipment Replacement Fund. We can not do that Ordinance until/if the first Ordinance is adopted." Council President Stoner asks if there are any questions for Mr. Merkley; No questions. Councilperson Snelling made a motion to approve 2025-OR-12 on the third and final reading seconded by Councilperson White; roll call vote: Councilperson White-Yes Council Vice President Burns-Yes Councilperson Semones-Yes Councilperson Anderson-Absent Councilperson Reed-Yes Councilperson Webb-Yes Councilperson Hawkins- No Councilperson Snelling-Yes Council President Stoner-Yes; motion passed, 7-1. 2. Les Merkley 2025-OR-13 Ordinance Establishing the Jeffersonville-Utica Township Fire Protection Territory Equipment Replacement Fund- Les Merkley: "Next is 2025-OR-13 as President Stoner has indicated.This is a separate Ordinance that is also required by State Statute, once you establish the Fire Territory, which was just done by the Council,this sets up the Equipment Replacement Fund. Again the Territory to be established,this needs to be approved by both the City Council on behalf of the City and also needs to be approved by the Utica Fire District Board." Council President Stoner asks if there are any questions for Mr. Merkley; No questions. Councilperson Snelling made a motion to approve 2025-OR-13 on the third and final reading seconded by Councilperson White; roll call vote: Councilperson White-Yes Council Vice President Burns-Yes Councilperson Semones-Yes Councilperson Anderson-Absent Councilperson Reed-Yes Councilperson Webb-Yes Councilperson Hawkins- No Councilperson Snelling-Yes Council President Stoner-Yes; motion passed, 7-1. Les Merkley: "One clarification,you'll also see attached to both Ordinances is an interlocal agreement that will also need signatures. It was also approved as a result of those Ordinances being adopted. So you'll need to sign those as well and I'll hand those to the Clerk." NEW BUSINESS: 1. Fischer& Phillips Engagement Discussion- Council President Stoner asks a question and fellow Council Members engage in short discussion regarding topic. Councilperson White makes motion to approve, seconded by Councilperson Semones; roll call vote: Councilperson White-Yes Council Vice President Burns-Yes Councilperson Semones-Yes Councilperson Anderson-Absent Councilperson Reed- No Councilperson Webb-Yes Councilperson Hawkins- No Councilperson Snelling-Yes Council President Stoner- No; motion passed, 5-3. COMMITTEE REPORTS: None ATTORNEY COMMENTS: Larry Wilder— None Les Merkley—None DEPARTMENT HEADS: No comments COUNCIL COMMENTS: • Councilperson White—Councilperson White thanked everyone for their attendance and sent well wishes to the Jeff High Boys Basketball Team on their State Championship game. • Council Vice President Burns—Council Vice President Burns sent well wishes and luck to the Jeff High Boys Basketball Team on their State Championship game. • Councilperson Semones—Councilperson Semones sent heart felt thoughts to the citizens celebrating Ramadan and Lent. She encouraged members of the community of all Faiths and Religion to attend the meetings, and if interested in giving the Invocation to please contact the Council Members. Councilperson Semones announced she has resigned from the Negotiating Committee. • Councilperson Anderson—Not present. • Councilperson Reed—Councilperson Reed sends her Congrats to the Jeff High Boys Basketball Team on their State Championship game. She also states they've received funding for the Travel Stipend for Youth Advocate for the next year. • Councilperson Webb—Councilperson Webb apologizes for missing the previous Executive Session. He also sends good luck to the Jeff High Boys Basketball Team on their State Championship game. • Councilperson Hawkins—Councilperson Hawkins wishes good luck to the Jeff High Boys Basketball Team on their State Championship game. Has a question about councilperson Semones resigning from the Negotiating Committee.Council President Evan Stoner gives answer. • Councilperson Snelling—Councilperson Snelling thanks all involved with the Utica Township Fire for their contributions and attendance. • Council President Stoner—Council President Stoner gave thanks to Chief Grant, Deputy Chief Sharp and Langley,and all the Firefighters for assisting in this process. He's looking forward to working with Fischer& Phillips and being in a financially sustainable position for now and the future. Council President Stoner Appoints Vice President Burns to Join the Collective Bargaining Committee. ADJOURNMENT: Council Vice President Burns made the motion to ADJOURN the meeting at 6:20 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 VED BY: nvmA jz,., AL..ii Evan Stoner, Council President A ST: Lisa Gill,Clerk