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HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril 21, 2025 Council Minutes COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA April 21, 2025 Regular Meeting Minutes The Common Council of the City of Jeffersonville, Indiana met for the Regular Meeting on April 21, 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 Council Vice President Burns, Councilperson Semones, Council President Stoner, Councilperson Reed, Councilperson Webb, Councilperson Snelling, Councilperson White and Councilperson Hawkins. Councilperson Anderson was absent. 8 Council Members were present in Council Chambers and 1 was absent. 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 Meeting on April 7, 2025, seconded by Councilperson Reed; motion passed, 8-0. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Councilperson Reed made a motion to approve the Agenda, seconded by Councilperson Snelling; motion passed 8-0. CLAIMS TO APPROVE: Civil City$ 3,006,617.97 Councilperson Snelling made a motion to approve the Civil City Claims, seconded by Council Vice President Burns; motion passed 8-0. Parks$ 84,679.25 Councilperson Semones made a motion approve the Parks Claims, seconded by Councilperson Reed; motion passed, 8-0. REPORT OF THE CLERK: Clerk Gill- introduced Linsey, the new hire for the Deputy Clerk position. No other reports. REPORT OF THE YOUTH ADVISOR: Miss Williams talked about being on the Tree Board and planting trees with The Youth Eco Club.They're creating a website with the Tree Board with information on where and how to plant trees. She also gave the Council Members an invite to her graduation, and a Birthday shout out to Councilperson Reed along with a signed card. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: I 1. Heather Metcalf 2025-OR-16 Ordinance of Additional Appropriation Heather Metcalf states that there are no changes since the last meeting.This is from the Utica Township Fire Protection District, the December settlements and agreements made. Motion to Approve the Ordinance on the Third and Final Reading made by Councilperson Snelling, Seconded by Councilperson Semones; Motion passed 8-0. Council President Stoner opens up a Public Hearing, no comments or disagreements; Public Hearing closed. 2. Heather Metcalf 2025-OR-17 Ordinance of Transfer of Certain Funds within the Same Department Heather Metcalf states there are no changes since the last meeting.This is in regards to the increase the City contributed to the HSA. Motion to Approve on the Third and Final Reading made by Councilperson Semones, Seconded by Council Vice President Burns; Motion passed 8-0. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Public Comment: No Comments. 2. Ann Caruthers of Clark& Floyd Systems of Care with update on Child Abuse and Prevention in Jeffersonville in Honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month Ann Caruthers is the Executive Director for Clark and Floyd Systems of Care and Child Abuse Prevention. April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. In 2024 there were 501 Substantiated Cases in Clark County and 2,052 Unsubstantiated Cases. In 2023 there were 465 Substantiated Cases and 2,314 Unsubstantiated Cases. Clark County is well over the state average. The program helps to bring awareness to the issues within the Community and support the children and families. Creating strong ties within the schools and community has made a difference. She spoke about an upcoming event in Floyd co that will hopefully come to Clark County as well. She thanked the Council for their time and support. Councilperson Snelling mentions that he and his wife have been involved with the Foster Care System since 2019.He said that it really makes a difference in the kids' lives and helps to better them and give stability. Child Place in Jeffersonville is currently looking for foster families to help foster children in need. 3. Jeff Cover Update on The Tree Board Jeff Cover states that in January Bob Hill and he were appointed as appointees to the newly formed Jeffersonville Tree Board. Since then the Mayor has appointed to the Board: Chad Reischl, The Cities Planning and Zoning Director, Amber Powell of the Parks Department, who coordinated events at the NoCo Arts and Cultural District, and Derrick Weis, the Cities new Green Space Manager.Jeff was happy to report the new additions to the Tree Board: Kelly Jones who is a landscape architect who serves on the City's Planning and Zoning Commission, Heaven Williams, the City's Youth Advocate, Paul Reed, who helped establish Jeffersonville's Downtown Tree Walk, Carol Dunn who served on the Great Scott Trees Origination in Scottsburg, Eric Bitner who is a certified Arborist and owner of The Five Saplings Tree Service, and Jenna Felix, Spanish teacher and sponsor of The Eco Club at Jeff High School. They're currently in the process of securing two additional members of the Board who will bring the perspectives of the black and Spanish communities of Jeffersonville. At the April meeting they adopted their bylaws and began discussing how they will organize their work to cure initial funding and engage the community. They set a target date of October 1, 2025 to get their first trees planted in the ground.They're approaching students at Jeff High School to create a logo for The Tree Board and are hoping to make the final selection at the May meeting. Mayor Mike Moore has declared April 25th as Arbor Day for the City. On that day members of First Presbyterian Church will be assisting 2"d graders at Riverside Elementary School in planting a Shumard Oak Tree in the school yard. Chad Reischl and others will be digging holes and planting trees in the City's new Silos Park on Friday.They're thrilled with those who've agreed to be on the board so far and are looking forward to a couple more people to help round out the perspectives on the Board. The Tree Board meets on the second Tuesday of the Month at 4PM in the Mayors Conference Room. Jeff gave a Special Thanks to Councilperson Semones for drafting the legislation authorizing the Tree Board last fall, to the Council for Adopting the Ordinance last November and making the initial appointments in January. 4. Suzanna Jacobson Executive Director of Kerith Family Recovery Suzanna explains that Kerith Family Recovery has been serving 7 Counties and the Louisville area for the past twenty years.The organization restores families and communities through trauma- informed care.The holistic approach encompasses mindfulness, personal accountability, imaginative play, and life-skills development. Kerith Family Recovery is a relationship-based program that offers support to families foundering in the cycle of incarceration and substance use, providing individuals and families the knowledge,tools, and support to interrupt the cycle of incarceration of a parent. Out of all 50 States Kentucky ranks number one and Indiana ranks number two. In 2018 they launched Camp Kerith of Southern Indiana, which is a focused Summer Camp for kids.There are currently 17 Jeffersonville Youth signed up for the Summer Camp for the coming summer, and they have served 121 Jeffersonville Youth to date. Council President Stoner asked a question to clarify that the kids in the camp program are children who have an incarcerated parent, and asked if the majority are incarcerated on substance abuse/drug charges. Suzanna responded that about 66% are drug related but that all of the children have dealt with different traumas. She said about eight out of ten children have dealt with some form of abuse or assault, both physical and sexual. Council President Stoner asked how the camp is beneficial to their lives moving forward. Suzanna stated that for many of them it has become their safe place and home. They also have an after school mentoring program so they're able to keep tabs on the kids throughout the year. So far they've had a 100% success rate of Camp kids making it to High School and about 80% of them have continued on to College or Secondary Education. Council President Stoner asked about the other partners in the organization that're listed on the brochure. Suzanna stated they have a great relationship with Systems of Care with Ann Caruthers. They have a great connection with other counseling services: Olive Tree Resources, Brandon's House, and Family Ark. They've also used places like Savannah Smiles and The Floyd County Library for some of their programming.They're looking into the Jeffersonville Library to start an after school program there as well.They're also well connected to the Judges and Sheriff's Office within the community. Suzanna said they're projected to have 168 Campers this year at the Summer Camp. With the help of some other sponsors they're looking at a cost of$200 per camper. $200 per camper, $500 for a family and $35 a month helps cover the Youth Services and after school mentoring. Attorney Larry Wilder offered to donate $1,000 of his own money to the Kerith Family Recovery Camp. The Council Members discussed donation amounts and funds.They decided to match Attorney Wilders amount of$1,000 out of The River Boat Special Projects Fund. Councilperson Reed made a motion to pass, Seconded by Councilperson Semones; motion passed 8-0. Clerk Gill mentioned that she will need a W9 and an invoice from Suzanna for Kerith Family Recovery. 5. Christy Spence Happy Home Furniture Bank Christy is the Founder and Executive Director of The Happy Home Furniture Bank. She explained how she can relate to the previous speaker, Suzanna with Kerith Family Recovery. Christy is a graduate of Jeff High and was in the Clark County Youth Shelter until she turned 18. She came from a physically and emotionally abusive home and credits the programs that helped her be successful. Happy Home Furniture Bank is currently leasing the buildings at America Place (11,000 Square Feet) but the lease is up in October of this year.They're looking to expand and find a bigger place that's climate controlled.There are about 200 Furniture Banks across the Country but none within 150 miles of Jeffersonville and Clark County.To date they've been able to fully furnish 390 homes.They furnish all the furniture for the living room, dining room, and bedroom. Bathroom and kitchen items and accessories are included.The only items they don't accept used are mattresses, beds/frames, linens, sheets and towels. Christy said the purpose of her speaking today was to inform others of her business and to spread the word in hopes of reaching and helping more people. 6. Heather Metcalf 2025-OR-18 Ordinance of Additional Appropriation Heather Metcalf states the first one is based off of the renewal of our Property and Casualty Insurance for Workers Compensation. The first two are for that renewal and then the Property and Casualty claim is for the deductible from the ice storm.Workers Compensation is$340,000. Property and Casualty Premium is for$250,000. The deductible for damage in the ice storm is $160,000. Motion to Pass on the First Reading made by Councilperson Reed, Seconded by Council Vice President Burns; Motion Passed 8-0. 7. Heather Metcalf 2025-OR-19 Ordinance of Additional Appropriation Heather Metcalf states this one is for Professional Services for Op-ed reporting on our annual report, it also gets reimbursed by Impress so these are coming out of the Pension Funds. Motion to pass on the First and Second Reading by Councilperson Reed, Seconded by Councilperson Hawkins; Motion passed 8-0. 8. Heather Metcalf 2025-OR-20 Ordinance of Additional Appropriation Heather Metcalf states that this one is in regards to the Fire Departments turn out year. Anne Langley briefly spoke about how the Fire Department is in need of new equipment and she's thankful it's finally been put it the budget. Motion to pass on the First and Second Reading by Councilperson Snelling, Seconded by Councilperson Reed; Motion passed 8-0. COMMITTEE REPORTS: Council President Stoner gave comment-"There's been some conversation regarding the Insurance Committee. After further research into the Insurance Committee and who needs to be on it,there's language that states that the Mayor and the City Council has a joint appointment, two people to go onto that Insurance Committee. In addition to the two representatives from Council, and the two appointees from the Mayor's Office. Heather Metcalf and Kim Calabro were the job appointments from the Mayor c e,c'� i The t4 p appointees from the Mayor's Office were Stephanie Miller and Mary Frey." At the last City Council Meeting on April 7th, Council President Stoner appointed himself to the Insurance Committee.That created three members from Council on the committee and there can only be two members from Council. Because of that Councilperson Snelling resigned from the Insurance Committee, leaving Councilperson Webb and Council President Stoner on the Committee from City Council. There will be an Insurance Committee meeting on Thursday April 24, 2025 at 5PM where the Council Members will further discuss the details regarding the Insurance Committee and its members. ATTORNEY COMMENTS: Larry Wilder— No comments. Les Merkley—Not present. DEPARTMENT HEADS: No comments. COUNCIL COMMENTS: • Councilperson White—Councilperson White invited everyone to the 2025 Annual Celebration for the YMCA Annual Campaign on Thursday May 15th from 5-7PM at the Angel's Envy Bourbon Club at the L&N Stadium. • Council Vice President Burns— No Comment. • Councilperson Semones—Councilperson Semones thanked all of the guest speakers for coming and sharing their stories and ideas. Wished a happy Passover for all of our Jewish friends and residents. She gave condolences on the passing of the Pope to all our Catholic friends and residents, and wished everyone a happy Derby. • Councilperson Anderson—Not present. • Councilperson Reed—Councilperson Reed said she's thankful to the nonprofit organizations they work with and partner with throughout the City. She's looking forward to more opportunities and more partnerships and doing more with less finances in the next few years. She gave thanks for all the love and birthday wishes. She extended thoughts and prayers for Alex, the volleyball player and student at Jeff High School. She hopes everyone has a safe and happy Derby, she'll be attending the Oaks party at the Depot • Councilperson Webb— No Comment. • Councilperson Hawkins—No Comment. • Councilperson Snelling—No Comment. • Council President Stoner—Council President Stoner Gave recognition to Anthony Stewart and thanked him for attending. ADJOURNMENT: Council President Stoner made the motion to ADJOURN the meeting at 7:25 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 OVED BY fARA /' • : 2,� Evan Stoner, ncil President ATTEST: Lisa Gill, Clerk