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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJune 2, 2025 Council Minutes COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA June 2, 2025 Regular Meeting Minutes The Common Council of the City of Jeffersonville, Indiana met for the Regular Meeting on June 2, 2025. Council Vice President Burns 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, Councilperson White, Councilperson Reed, Councilperson Webb, Councilperson Snelling, Councilperson Anderson, and Councilperson Hawkins. 8 Council Members were present in Council Chambers and 1 was absent. Council President Stoner was absent from the meeting. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Councilperson Anderson made a motion to Approve the Minutes for Regular Meeting on May 19, 2025, seconded by Councilperson Reed; motion passed, 8-0. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Councilperson Semones made a motion to approve the Agenda, seconded by Councilperson Reed; motion passed 8-0. CLAIMS TO APPROVE: Civil City$3,413,483.04 Councilperson Snelling made a motion to approve the Civil City Claims, seconded by Councilperson Semones; motion passed 8-0. Parks$ 111,460.73 Councilperson Semones made a motion to approve the Parks Claims, seconded by Councilperson Snelling; motion passed, 8-0. REPORT OF THE CLERK: Clerk Gill announced that Clark County Cares is having their 10th Anniversary and has asked everyone to join and celebrate. It will be on Monday June 16, 2025 from 5:30-7:30 PM at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 321 East Market Street in Jeffersonville.They will have a special guest, Nancy Woodhill,the former Pastor at St. Paul's. i REPORT OF THE YOUTH ADVISOR: Still in the process of selecting a new Youth Advisor. 4 UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Public Comment: None. 2. Chad Reischl 2025-OR-24( PUBLIC HEARING) Rezone Request for Property Located at 130& 132 Harrison Avenue from R3 (Single Family Residential-Small Lot)to Proposed Zoning to IN (Industrial-Neighborhood) Chad Stated the applicant is asking to rezone two parcels which currently have single family homes on them,to the industrial neighborhood zone district for the purpose of building a building to house their auto repair business. Staff wasn't proponent of this rezoning as the applicant will still need a special exception to allow that use.The limited plans received would indicate they would more than likely need a number of development standards variances for the project. The Plan Commission did not come to an agreement on a favorable or unfavorable recommendation, so this comes with no recommendation whatsoever. Council Vice President Burns opened the Public Hearing at 6:05 PM. Ryan South of 910 Falcon Run, New Albany Indiana, spoke. He explained that it wouldn't be an auto repair business or commercial business. That it is for repairing his own vehicles for his fleet. It'd be more of a fleet maintenance shop than a commercial business shop. They own the two lots and are trying to get permission to build a building to service their own fleet. He said they're FedEx Ground Contractors and their local Jeffersonville fleet is roughly forty-five to fifty vehicles they maintenance and service. The vehicles are serviced on average once a month and he has a full-time mechanic that services them. He stated that it's a family owned business, Two Fast For You Inc. and Easy Come, Easy Go Inc. are both FedEx Ground Contracts. They're separated into two business entities for FedEx Ground Purposes. Carol Moon of 1711 National Avenue in Jeffersonville Indiana spoke. She stated that Claysburg doesn't need any more industrial businesses surrounding it. They're looking for beautification and affordable homes. That community has both elderly and young families living there. She has concerns of large trucks on the roads where the children ride their bicycles. She also has concerns for the pollutants it'll cause in the neighborhood and community. She said they're ready to clean up Claysburg and not continue to tear it down. Brent Holderman is the property owner of the property in question. He stated his concerns with homeless people in that area. He said that it's never patrolled by police and there are needles and drugs everywhere.They've had issues with trespassers and homeless wandering up and down the street. He said with them being there during business hours they could help control that area a lot better for everyone around. Councilperson Reed made a comment in response to his statement that she has served at the Community Kitchen and that every Country and City is struggling right now.That for him to denigrate those populations that we're trying to help and to improve is both insulting and rude. Council Vice President Burns closed the Public Hearing at 6:13 PM. Councilperson White had a couple questions for the Applicant. He asked Ryan (the applicant) if he and Brent were connected in business and when the properties were purchased. Ryan responded that yes they were connected and the first property was purchased late 2023, early 2024.The second property was purchased roughly three to four months ago. Councilperson Reed asked if he was of the same mindset as his partner, that the area is only full of homeless people and drug addicts. Ryan responded that he definitely is of the mindset that it's not currently a safe neighborhood for the community. Councilperson White continued discussion with the Council and Councilperson Reed made a motion to deny the Rezoning of the plot. Councilperson White clarified that they have to make the motion in the affirmative regardless of their votes. Councilperson Semones made a motion to approve 2025-OR-24 on the First and Second Reading, correction on the first reading. Councilperson Semones made a motion to approve 2025-OR-24 on the First Reading, seconded by Councilperson White; motion failed 0-8. 3. Chad Reischl 2025-OR-25 Updates to Article 4 of the UDO (Unified Development Ordinance) as it Relates to Zoning Overlay Districts (SEE ATTACHED) Chad stated that this is a request from our Department (Planning& Zoning) to make some amendments to article four, as it relates to our overlay districts and specifically as it relates to the Census Bureau Property and some of the surrounding areas.The Census Bureau Property has been marked for sale by the U.S. Government, it's been put on the expedited list.The Census Bureau is building a new building in River Ridge and is looking to abandon the site here in Jeffersonville. He said that we want to make sure that there is a high quality reuse and redevelopment of this site and its adjacent properties. This comes with a favorable recommendation from the Plan Commission. Councilperson Snelling brought up a question about the contaminated areas on the property and Attorney Les Merkley gave response. Les Merkley- "there was a landfill or dump there at one time. The City has been in conversation starting last year with the Federal Government. There's a process that has to be followed. Obviously there was a change in administrations in Washington, so we're not sure how that has changed anything. But as of last year, the conversation we had with the folks in DC would be that probably they will begin the process later this fall or early winter.They City will be involved in that process and in fact has a right to be involved in that process, it's a very complicated process. We've already been in conversations with a consultant to help us and guide us through those mechanisms, and more importantly to help us develop the property when the time comes. Either under the City's control or helping to obtain a developer to work with us to make this happen." Councilperson White led a discussion with the Council with comments and input from Attorney Les Merkley. Chad Reischl gave clarification on a couple of questions that were mentioned. Council vice president Burns opened the Public Hearing at 6:33 PM. With no speakers or comments, the Public Hearing was closed at 6:34 PM. Councilperson Snelling made a motion to approve 2025-OR-25 on the First Reading, Seconded by Councilperson Webb; motion passed 8-0. 4. Heather Metcalf 2025-OR-26 Ordinance of Additional Appropriation Heather stated there are three different things on this one.The First one is for the River Stage for professional services. They've received a donation from the UEZ for a night market.The second one is for vehicle maintenance. This is due to the hail damage, this is the check that we've received from Travelers for our Insurance. This would be able to be re-appropriated so that they can pay the vendor for some vehicles.The third one is appropriating cash that's already in the Fund for the local law enforcement continuing Ed Fund.These are all new monies that were recently received. Councilperson Semones made a motion to approve 2025-OR-26 on the First Reading, seconded by Councilperson Snelling; motion passed 8-0. COMMITTEE REPORTS: None. ATTORNEY COMMENTS: Larry Wilder— Not Present. Les Merkley—No Comment. DEPARTMENT HEADS: Chief Kavanaugh stated that they put some press releases out last week with some activity. He's heard from several Council Members in regards to that activity. He wants everyone to know that they're keeping their noses down to the ground and ensuring public safety for the residents.They want to be totally informative and advise everything that's happening and occurring, and be attentive. If at any time we need anything from them at the Police Department to please let them know. He also thanked everyone for all the support. COUNCIL COMMENTS: • Councilperson White— No Comment. • Council Vice President Burns—No Comment. • Councilperson Semones—No Comment. • Councilperson Anderson—No Comment. • Councilperson Reed— informed everyone that the Youth Advisor applications close on June 20, 2025.The next Council Meeting on June 16 she will be virtual as she and her family are going on a much needed vacation. She also said that she knows she gets fiery sometimes when it comes to the residents of Jeffersonville, but she values all of our residents. Both those that are struggling and those that maybe haven't faced as many struggles. It hurts her heart when people characterize the people of Jeff in any way other than amazing and wonderful people. She gave thanks and hopes everyone enjoys their summer. • Councilperson Webb—No Comment. • Councilperson Hawkins—No Comment. • Councilperson Snelling—No Comment. • Council President Stoner— Not Present. 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