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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAugust 18, 2025 Council Minutes COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA August 18, 2025 Regular Meeting Minutes The Common Council of the City of Jeffersonville, Indiana met for the Regular Meeting on August 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: 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, Councilperson Anderson, Council President Stoner, Councilperson Reed, Councilperson Webb, Councilperson Hawkins, Councilperson Snelling. Let the record reflect that all 9 Council Members were present in Council Chambers and Daniel Walter, Council Youth Advisor was present for the proceedings. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Councilperson Reed made a motion to approve the agenda, seconded by Councilperson Semones; motion passed, 9-0. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Council Vice President Burns made a motion to approve the Minutes for Regular Proceedings on 8/4/2025, seconded by Councilperson Snelling; motion passed, 9-0. CLAIMS TO APPROVE: Civil City$ 1,758,895.94 Councilperson Semones made a motion to approve the Civil City Claims, seconded by Council Vice President Burns; motion passed, 9-0. Parks$ 139,077.24 Councilperson Semones made a motion to approve the Parks Claims, seconded by Council Vice President Burns; motion passed, 9-0. REPORT OF THE CLERK: City Clerk Lisa Gill addressed the Council, stating for the record that she had received a letter from Mrs. Butler, which had been emailed to the Council members. Mrs. Gill confirmed that she would enter the letter into the official record of the meeting (see attached). Additionally, Mrs. Gill reminded the Council and attendees that the next regular City Council meeting would be held on Tuesday, September 2, due to the Labor Day holiday observed on Monday, September 1. She concluded her remarks by stating that she had no further updates. I UNFINISHED BUSINESS 1. Heather Metcalf 2025-OR-35 (PUBLIC HEARING) Ordinance of Additional Appropriation; Passed on 1st & 2nd Reading on August 4, 2025 Council President Stoner introduced the next item under Unfinished Business, referencing Ordinance 2025-OR-35, an Ordinance of Additional Appropriation. He then called on City Controller Heather Metcalf to provide an update. Ms. Metcalf reported that there were no changes to the ordinance from the previous meeting. At the request of Council President Stoner, she also provided a summary for the record. She explained that the first appropriation involves cash already available in the Jeffersonville Police Forfeiture Fund, designated for the purchase of other supplies.The second appropriation pertains to the receipt of River Ridge's portion of the funding for their Flock contract. Council President Stoner then opened the floor for the public hearing, inviting anyone who wished to speak for or against the ordinance. No one came forward, and he subsequently closed the public hearing. He then asked if there were any comments or questions from the Council; there were none. Councilperson Semones made a motion to approve the Ordinance, seconded by Councilperson Reed; motion passed, 9-0. NEW BUSINESS: PUBLIC COMMENTS: None 1. Appointment of the Council's Youth Advisor with Special Guests State Representative Wendy Dant Chesser, and the Chancellor of IUS Dr. Deborah Ford Council President Stoner introduced the appointment of the City Council's new Youth Advisor, Mr. Daniel Walters. He expressed the Council's enthusiasm in welcoming Mr. Walters, noting that his family was present for the occasion. Council President Stoner shared that the Council is proud of Mr. Walters and looks forward to working with him in the future. He also acknowledged the presence of several special guests at the meeting such as State Representative Wendy Dant Chesser and the Chancellor of IUS, Dr. Deborah Ford, among them was Ms. Heaven Williams, the former Youth Advisor, who was invited to the podium to say a few words. Ms. Williams greeted everyone and shared that she had been busy moving and would be attending Hanover College starting the next day. She thanked the group for their selection of the youth advocate candidate, explaining that she had reviewed all of the candidates' responses and submitted her opinions to Mrs. Reed. Ms. Williams observed that many candidates seemed most enthusiastic about the perks of the position, such as scholarships, financial awards, and networking opportunities. However, she emphasized that being a youth advocate is not about money or recognition, but about speaking on behalf of youth who currently do not have a voice. She concluded her remarks by expressing full support for the selected candidate, stating that he embodied the qualities she was looking for in a youth advocate. Council President Stoner invited the Chancellor of IUS, Dr. Deborah Ford, along with Indiana State Representative Wendy Dant Chesser, and Daniel to come forward to the podium. Dr. Ford thanked Council President Stoner and the council for the opportunity to participate in the ceremony and to be a part of the commitment to the youth of the community. She expressed appreciation to Councilperson Reed for bringing this idea to the City of Jeffersonville and noted that both the City of Charlestown and the Town of Clarksville have adopted Jeffersonville's model. On behalf of Indiana University Southeast, Dr. Ford presented Daniel Walters with a $500 scholarship, recognizing his appointment as Youth Legislative Liaison for the City of Jeffersonville. She encouraged him to continue his dedication throughout high school and to consider attending IU Southeast for his future studies, as his mother had. Dr. Ford also congratulated former Youth Advocate Heaven Williams on her enrollment at Hanover College, extending best wishes and offering support from IU Southeast as a higher education partner. She concluded by inviting State Representative Wendy Dant Chesser to share remarks. Representative Chesser thanked Chancellor Ford and the Council for the opportunity to participate in the ceremony. She began by recognizing former Youth Advocate Heaven Williams, commending her maturity, dedication, and accomplishments throughout her service in the role. Turning to Daniel Walters, Representative Chesser noted the strong support of his family and encouraged him as he stepped into the position of Youth Advisor. She emphasized the importance of ensuring that youth voices are heard in advisory roles and recognized that this is a great opportunity for those voices to be heard. Representative Chesser announced that she would provide a stipend to assist with Daniel's travel costs, acknowledging that as a freshman he would likely face transportation challenges. She welcomed him to the position and expressed enthusiasm for working with him. Council President Stoner invited Mr. Daniel Walters to take the floor. Mr. Walters introduced himself and expressed his gratitude to the Council for the opportunity to serve as Youth Advisor. He shared his deep pride in the City of Jeffersonville and emphasized his desire to help improve the city not only for adults, but also for the youth who represent its future. He outlined three major goals for his term: Safety—Mr. Walters stressed that safety is a key priority in Jeffersonville. He is committed to advocating for initiatives aimed at reducing youth access to vaping and tobacco products, recognizing the health risks they pose. In addition, he emphasized the importance of expanding access to mental health resources so that every child has the support they need. Leadership Development—Mr. Walters expressed a strong interest in cultivating the next generation of leaders within Jeffersonville. He proposed the creation a youth mentorship program along with more leadership training opportunities Quality of Life—Mr. Walters highlighted the importance of fostering a stronger sense of community by improving quality of life in Jeffersonville. His vision included the creation of additional green spaces as well as expanding cultural opportunities that allow residents to connect through shared experiences. In closing, Mr. Walters thanked the City Council for granting him the opportunity to serve in this role. He acknowledged that the responsibilities of the position would bring challenges but expressed confidence that, with the support of the Council and the community, Jeffersonville can become an even better place for both adults and children. Council President Stoner invited members of the Council and attendees to share any kind words for the newly appointed Youth Advisor. Councilperson Reed expressed pride in the appointment of Daniel Walters as Youth Advisor, noting that he continues the high standard set by former Youth Advocate Heaven Williams. She highlighted that, as a young member of the community, Daniel brings an important perspective and the potential to make a significant impact. Mrs. Reed acknowledged his past contributions in speaking to the Council about community issues such as vaping and other challenges facing local youth. She encouraged him to continue listening to his peers while advocating on their behalf, emphasizing that doing so would allow him to leave a lasting legacy in the community. Mrs. Reed also recognized the presence and support of Daniel's family and expressed excitement for the opportunities this year would bring, hoping it would be a memorable and meaningful experience for him. Council President Stoner thanked Dr. Deborah Ford and State Representative Wendy Dant Chesser for attending the ceremony and for their ongoing support of the youth program, as well as their encouragement of both Heaven Williams and Daniel Walters. He also expressed appreciation to Councilperson Reed for her dedication and passion in bringing the youth program to Jeffersonville, highlighting her commitment to future generations. President Stoner noted that reviewing the applications and seeing someone who had already demonstrated leadership and community involvement at a young age. He expressed confidence in Daniel Walters' potential to achieve great things both in the city and beyond. He assured Daniel that the Council members are ready to support him in his role and concluded by congratulating him on his appointment and expressing anticipation for their future work together. 2. Chad Reischl 2025-R-11 Resolution Approving Inter-local Agreement for the Joint Purchases of Arial Photography Services for GIS Mapping Purposes Chad Reischl, Planning and Zoning Director, started off by noting that since the Council implemented new policies regarding vape shops, the Planning and Zoning Department has denied at least three or four vape shop applications. He emphasized that Daniel's voice has contributed to these outcomes, demonstrating the tangible difference youth input can make in the community. Mr. Reischl continued on and provided an overview of the Clark County aerial photography program, which is conducted every two years and covers the entire county. He explained that the aerial imagery is highly beneficial for a variety of county and municipal functions, including the Clark County Assessor, Auditor, 911 services, code enforcement, and planning, as well as for multiple jurisdictions such as Charlestown, Sellersburg, Clarksville, and Jeffersonville. Mr. Reischl noted that Clark County is currently renegotiating contracts for the aerial photography program and that Jeffersonville is required to sign an inter-local agreement. He emphasized that the cost is shared among participating jurisdictions and that the cost for the city is $7,857.14 per year, which is $230 less than the previous contract. He added that the contract extends through December 2031, ensuring long-term continuity without the need for renegotiation. He also confirmed that the expense is already included in the city's engineering and planning budget. Mr. Reischl requested Council approval and signature on the inter-local agreement so that the aerial photography project can proceed. Council President Stoner opened the floor for Council members to ask Mr. Reischl any questions. Councilperson Snelling inquired about Jeffersonville's portion of the cost for the Clark County aerial photography program, asking whether the expense is distributed equally among participating jurisdictions. He sought clarification on whether Jeffersonville and other cities, such as Clarksville, each pay approximately$7,000. Mr. Reischl responded to Councilperson Snelling's inquiry regarding the cost distribution for the Clark County aerial photography program. He noted that a detailed schedule is included in the Council packet and explained that Clark County covers the majority of the cost, contributing $25,000 annually. Jeffersonville and Clarksville pay higher amounts than smaller jurisdictions such as Sellersburg and Charlestown due to their larger size. Councilperson Reed sought clarification on the funding for the Clark County aerial photography program, asking whether the required funds have already been allocated within the city's engineering budget, to which Mr. Reischl confirmed that was correct. Council President Stoner asked Mr. Reischl if the aerial photography program is the same system that the Council uses during meetings in the Planning and Zoning office to review development and zoning matters. Mr. Reischl confirmed that it was correct and noted that the aerial photography maps are uploaded to the Clark County Assessor's database. He explained that the data is accessible to various users, including city planners, real estate professionals, surveyors, and other community members who rely on these datasets. Council Vice President Burns inquired about the possibility of returning to the Elevate system versus the Snyder system. He noted that, while he understood it was unlikely to happen, he believed the Elevate system was more robust and user-friendly compared to the current system. Mr. Reischl acknowledged Council Vice President Burns' preference for the Elevate system but noted there were some perks to the current system. Council Vice President Burns highlighted the importance of the aerial photography system, describing it as an invaluable tool necessary for conducting city business. He emphasized that it must be regularly updated to keep pace with the rapid growth of the city and Clark County. He also inquired about the timing of the upcoming aerial photography, asking if the pictures would be taken this fall after the leaves have fallen. Mr. Reischl responded that the aerial photography is generally taken early in the spring, before the leaves have grown on the trees. Council Vice President Burns made a to motion to approve the Resolution, seconded by Councilperson Reed; motion passed, 9-0. 3. Jeanne Burke 2025-R-12 Resolution for the Clark County Museum Requesting Funds from Clark-Floyd Counties Convention and Tourism Board Council President Stoner introduced the resolution for the Clark County Museum requesting funds from the Clark-Floyd Counties Convention and Tourism Bureau. Lisa Beck, speaking on behalf of Jeanne Burke, who was unable to attend, addressed the Council. Ms. Beck, a member of the Museum Board, introduced Kathy Copas and Chuck Lewis, noting that they all had worked together in preparing the presentation. Kathy Copas stepped to the podium to address the Council while Chuck Lewis operated the accompanying PowerPoint presentation (see attached). Mrs. Copas stated that both she and Mr. Lewis serve on the Board of Directors of the Clark County Museum. She explained that their purpose was to make the resolution "come to life" for the Council by giving a short presentation on the scope of the project. Mrs. Copas outlined the plan to develop a museum campus within the NOCO District, stretching from the Depot to the new park. She noted that the campus will integrate the existing museum and the historic Thomas Howard House, creating a unified, "Instagram-worthy" destination where visitors can sit, gather, and enjoy the cultural offerings of the area. Renderings of the proposed campus were displayed on screen (see attached). She explained that while historic preservation is part of the project, the effort goes further by transforming the Thomas Howard House into the "Clark County Museum of Firsts." Mrs. Copas highlighted that Clark County and Jeffersonville are known for numerous "firsts," ranging from discoveries on the river to Colonel Sanders' birthplace in Henryville. The new museum will celebrate these milestones throughout Clark County. Mrs. Copas further described how the rear portion of the building will tie into the Depot, offering space to recognize the arts and provide a green room area for artists performing at the Depot. She explained that renovations are also underway at the current museum, with upgrades aimed at safety, accessibility, modernization of exhibits, and technology improvements. These enhancements will also expand capacity to accommodate larger groups of children, which has been a challenge with the current space limitations. Another initiative highlighted was the creation of a "Discovery Mobile." Mrs. Copas explained that the vehicle will provide scheduled tours across Jeffersonville to New Albany, with permission already secured to use the Ohio River Greenway. She also noted that they currently have partial commitment and, hopefully soon, full commitment to allow the vehicle access across the Big Four Bridge to accommodate visitors with mobility challenges who are otherwise unable to experience it. Financial information was then presented (see attached). Mrs. Copas reported that the museum has already raised $59,862.08 toward the project, in addition to a $100,000 gift that allowed for the purchase of the Howard House. She stated that further fundraising will continue over the next three years to meet the overall goal. Additional renderings were shown, including planned accessibility improvements such as the installation of a stair lift and widening of stairways to allow access to the second-floor library and conference area. Mrs. Copas emphasized that the project is designed to tie together the NOCO District and Michigan Avenue, creating a cultural and recreational destination that is visually appealing, accessible, and beneficial to the community. She concluded by encouraging Council members to share information about the project, promote public support, and help involve others in telling the story of the Clark County Museum and its role in the community. Council President Stoner thanked them for being there and proceeded to open the floor for any questions from the Council. Councilperson Reed commended the presenters on their efforts, stating it was a "great job." Mrs. Reed noted that the request before the Council was not for direct funding but rather for a resolution of support to assist the museum in securing funds from the Clark-Floyd Counties Convention and Tourism Bureau, as the City's own funds are currently tight. Mrs. Reed expressed strong support for the project and praised the Museum Board for being creative in their approach. Mrs. Reed specifically highlighted the proposed Discovery Mobile, noting that a constituent had contacted her several times expressing a desire for an accessible way to cross the Big Four Bridge and participate in tours downtown. Mrs. Reed stated that this aspect of the project would be a significant benefit for residents with accessibility challenges and commended the museum for including it in their plan. Kathy Copas responded to Councilperson Reed's comments, stating that the Discovery Mobile would be a "game changer" for residents with mobility challenges. She noted that approximately four percent of the population in Jeffersonville and Clark County experience some form of mobility issue, underscoring the importance of ensuring accessibility. Mrs. Copas emphasized that the museum recognizes the need to be more intentional in considering and serving this portion of the community. She thanked Councilperson Reed for her supportive remarks. Councilperson Reed made a motion to approve the Resolution, seconded by Council Vice President Burns; motion passed, 9-0. 4. John Riley 2025-R-13 Resolution for Maker 13 Requesting Funds from Clark-Floyd Counties Convention and Tourism Board Council President Stoner introduced the next item of business, Resolution 2025-R-13 concerning Maker 13. He noted that this resolution, similar to the previous item, was also a request for funding support from the Clark-Floyd Counties Convention and Tourism Bureau. John Riley, representing Maker 13, addressed the Council regarding Resolution 2025-R-13. Mr. Riley expressed his appreciation for the Council's consideration of the resolution and clarified that Maker 13 was not requesting city funds, but rather a resolution of support to pursue funding through the Clark-Floyd Counties Convention and Tourism Bureau. Mr. Riley explained that the proposal seeks to expand Maker 13's role in the NOCO District by developing a retail storefront space that would provide continuous opportunities for local artists and entrepreneurs. He noted that more than 50 small businesses currently operate out of the Maker 13 shop. While these businesses presently benefit from periodic sales events such as "Pop-Up Depot Days," the storefront would allow them to sell their locally made products on an ongoing basis. He emphasized Maker 13's mission of providing community members with access to tools, space, and now expanded opportunities for retail visibility. The storefront would also serve as a welcoming stop for tour groups, buses, students, and other visitors to Southern Indiana, furthering tourism and community engagement. Mr. Riley highlighted that Maker 13 is approaching its 10th anniversary, having been established before the NOCO District formally existed. He stated that the organization wishes to see the initial investment in the NOCO District by the Tourism Bureau leveraged into full-time accessibility for visitors, students, and community groups alike. He reported that Maker 13 has already secured support through collaborations with the Jeffersonville Arts Alliance, the many small businesses operating from the shop, and additional funding from the Community Collaboration Fund (CCF) of the IEDC. Mr. Riley noted that Maker 13 has uniquely received the maximum award from IEDC for three consecutive years, with the most recent award supporting youth entrepreneurship initiatives in partnership with Indiana University Southeast (IUS) and other regional partners. Mr. Riley concluded by stating that this expansion, through the creation of a dedicated storefront and retail space, would elevate Maker 13's impact by providing new opportunities for artists and entrepreneurs, and build upon the foundation of the past ten years as the organization looks toward the next decade. Council President Stoner expressed his appreciation for both the Clark County Museum and Maker 13, noting the positive impact each organization has on downtown Jeffersonville and the broader community. He commended their daily efforts and extended best wishes for their success in securing funding from the Clark-Floyd Counties Convention and Tourism Bureau. Council President Stoner then opened the floor for any additional questions from the Council. Councilperson Reed took a moment to recognize Monica Uhl, who was present in the audience and serves both as an art board member and in connection with Maker 13. Mrs. Reed stated that she would likely support anything Uhl recommended, noting the tremendous contributions Uhl has made to the community. Mrs. Reed praised Maker 13 as a wonderful organization that has partnered with others in the community to function almost as an incubator for young ideas and growth. She emphasized the importance of fostering innovation and supporting residents in turning their dreams into reality. Mrs. Reed further remarked that such initiatives contribute to the city's legacy, creating more "firsts" for the community and reinforcing the role of institutions like the Clark County Museum. She expressed deep appreciation for the work being done and voiced her full support for the resolution and the funding request. Youth Advisor Daniel Walters spoke in support of Maker 13, stating that he had personally participated in the program and could attest to its positive impact. He indicated his full support for the organization and its initiatives. Council Vice President Burns made a to motion approve the Resolution, seconded by Councilperson Reed; motion passed, 9-0. ATTORNEY COMMENTS: Larry Wilder—Not Present Les Merkley—Not present DEPARTMENT HEADS: Jeffersonville City Police Chief Kavanaugh addressed the Council, "Good evening,just actually coming in from the Chief's Association Conference that we're having this week here, and returning back early. Just wanted to say that we've had some events in the past week occurring. I want to say hats off to the city administration, to the council. When we talk about different subject matters, and we're looking at ways to cut and try to define cost, I think it's pretty clear and apparent here within the past week why you do not go to the fabric of that structure of how the department's operating and training. Those are things in that nature we don't take for granted. So I want to stand before you here today and give you that account and look at that. There's a reason why that has to happen when you have a different incident of a critical incident and how this department responds. We looked at Friday, it was a tough challenging day, but we also, for the department, it was two years back in 2023 that we found ourselves in another critical incident there on North Shore Drive, a gentleman that was actually firing as an active shooter. So we found ourselves two years later and to be where we are and to define and ensure that our public is safe in Jeffersonville and we give the appropriate and sustainable response that a community must have those outcomes. I think it's pretty imperative when I take that time to speak about that. Coming back again here from the State of Indiana Chief's Conference, we talked about some of the legal standing and legal issues and deliberate indifference. I know that's a term sitting here with two attorneys on the council, and we have several other counselors here in the room. But when you start talking about wanting to take away and what we do and we don't do with training and what we need not do, you start getting into that gray area and you're gonna have definite defined legal issues that could come your way and your plate, and that's why we don't have that in Jeffersonville. We also have a sustainable community, and that's what I want to say thank you and hats off. Also here, Wright is here of the NAACP, and that's why we have that relationship, been able to communicate with everyone together as a community department, partners as we know what response we're gonna have, what's predicated and what is sustainable for the City of Jeffersonville. So hats off to the city administration, hats off to you all as a council for doing what you did to get us here to this point. It's not just the police department, but it's the sustainable efforts of public safety,Jeffersonville Fire Department, that incident we had last week at Parkview Middle School with a resource officer being there instantaneously to be able to give that support and that response. So again, for you as council members, I want to say thank you for having that support to be able to invest into the city of public safety, outstanding job by you all and the city administration, thank you." COUNCIL COMMENTS: • Councilperson White—Thank you Daniel, and welcome, good to see you having the will to step up and be a part of public life. I look forward to working with you and seeing how you grow over the next year. Regarding the events of the last week, I expressed to this council what, in my opinion, are the pillars of having a municipality: police, fire, sanitation, street, and sewer departments. I think over the last week, it's vital that we ensure that our public safety departments are fully and appropriately funded. We've had the situation involving a child situation, and another that was probably very gruesome. I can't imagine what they walked into, then with the four-hour standoff to make sure the neighbors were safe during that, to apprehending that person to face justice. It was an extraordinary effort, professionalism that was shown on television, professionalism that I'm sure was employed while events were unfolding in two different locations. Just hats off to everyone that was involved with that. I think it shows why training is important. Because when you roll up on the situation, it's not a time to learn how to deal with it. You want to make sure that not only the officers are safe, but the community that is not part of the situation is safe, and you want to be able to do what needs to be done. In the first instance with the child, time was of the essence. Any time for delay or hesitation or confusion could have had a different outcome. I've said it before, I'll say it again, they deserve everything that we have agreed to pay them in the past, and I think they deserve everything we agreed to pay them in the future. I'm very proud, and I've always said that our police department could train other police departments on how to be community-minded, protect and serve public safety departments, so I continue to stand by them. When we talk about the future, I am a strong advocate of funding public safety first and doing what it takes to make sure that they're paid what they deserve, and without question that we do the right thing by them, because every day they do the right thing by us. So I hope that now that the mayor is handling those negotiations, he appreciates the job that they've done over the past week, and they are paid accordingly. • Council Vice President Burns—No Comment • Councilperson Semones—No Comment • Councilperson Anderson—No Comment • Councilperson Reed— First of all, I would just like to thank our first responders and our police department this week. It has been a hard week for Jeffersonville, but I'm just grateful that you guys instilled safety, transparency, and communication every step of the way. I don't think it could have been handled any better, and so I'm grateful for that. Second, I'd like to congratulate and welcome Lieutenant Colonel Patel to our 373rd Battalion over here. He took over this weekend and it was just a wonderful ceremony, and we're so grateful to have him and his family in the city. And last but not least, Daniel, welcome. This program is, I think, potentially one of the most important things that we do as a council, we approve budgets, and we approve ordinances to grow. The people that will replace us is a solemn duty that we should all take very seriously. We should never want to do this forever, public service is for a period, and then we transition it to a new generation. I'm just very excited to see that generation growth, so congratulations. • Councilperson Webb— No comment • Councilperson Hawkins—No Comment • Councilperson Snelling— I concur with Councilperson White, public safety has to be number one. I've fought for it ever since I got elected to this position, so I appreciate what you said. Thank you to Chief Kavanaugh and all the Jeffersonville Police Department. • Council President Stoner—I'll be very brief, I was talking with Chief after one of the incidents that had happened, actually it was the home explosion. We were discussing the information ecosystem that we live in and I've talked about this before, the sheer amount of information that gets put out on social media, a lot of which is false. I've had a lot of fun over the years with keyboard warriors through some of my favorite interactions, but I've also been very good at biting my tongue and not responding because there's no point in that, there's no point in engaging. I've spoken with many of our first line officers, and I know that they get very upset when they obviously know what has happened in a situation, and people, families here in Jeffersonville are dragged in through whatever situation because people just want to get clicks and likes and attention. So I just appreciate everything that JPD has done to put out the correct information and be transparent through that process, and that goes for any issue. A lot of keyboard warriors, but action obviously speaks louder than words. ADJOURNMENT: Council President Stoner made the motion to ADJOURN the meeting at 06:44 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. ArROVED EA, Evan Stoner, Council President ATTEST: Lisa Gill,Clerk 1 8-15-25 To: Jeffersonville City Council In the essence of "transparency" that council members like to espouse during election season; it was good to see that Mr. Burns wanted his letter to the council, which he presented at an executive session, be made a part of the public record. Yet, I can't help but wonder who wrote the letter. Did Mr. Burns write it himself or have help from an attorney or someone else? It just doesn't appear to be his style in my opinion. I don't believe there have been any other instances of such a letter in the past! Why now? But whether he was the actual writer or not, it seems rather suspect to me that after being on the council for almost six years, he is now concerned with finances. After all, the primary job of the council is to oversee the finances of the city and make sure our tax dollars are spent wisely. When money was "flowing", it seems none of the council members (including Mr. Burns) were concerned about saving for a "rainy day". It was far too easy to "spend, spend, spend" and be the "good guy" to anyone with their hand out — including employees, civic organizations wanting money for whatever, schools and numerous other entities. Now that the tables have turned around and money is tight, he is suddenly concerned about the finances! He mentioned cuffing insurance costs by 10%. He also said you need to "shut down the clinic"! Hmmm, that clinic should never have been opened in the first place in my opinion. Why after being on the council for almost six years is he just now saying to "shut down the clinic"? If you recall, the council approved over $2 million in October 2024 (24-OR-59) to cover a shortfall in the insurance fund. Why wasn't something done at that time? It has been close to a year now and still no changes have been made or brought before the entire council for discussion or vote. Where have Mr. Burns and the others been? I have been complaining about the insurance cost for years (well over 10 years!) and it has fallen on deaf ears. And 2 do you know why it fell on deaf ears? Because the council members themselves benefit from it and they certainly didn't want to eliminate one of their lucrative "perks"! Shameful. I have said for years that council members should not be eligible to participate in the insurance for full-time employees. Council members are NOT full-time employees. You all have full-time careers and are paid well. The taxpayers should not be responsible for your personal insurance and your family's insurance. And since the council approves the insurance, you are essentially voting on benefits for yourselves. How can you be objective? For the past several months I have been trying to obtain information regarding the insurance benefits through open records requests. I have been met with delay after delay. When I finally received some documents, they were not complete or not what I had asked for. Whether that was another delay tactic or an attempt to keep the information from being public, I cannot say for sure. But I certainly have my suspicions. So much for transparency! I am still waiting to get information that should be easily attainable. I also asked council member Stoner a simple question several weeks ago — "who is on the health insurance committee". I have had no reply. I believe he ousted Mr. Snelling from the committee and inserted himself on it. So, it seems odd that he doesn't know who is on the committee. Why on earth is it a secret? Where's the transparency? I asked for minutes from the health insurance committee and was told there were none. I was told that the health insurance committee is "not the city's committee" and therefore, no minutes were kept. I asked, "whose committee is it and who is in charge". Reluctantly, I was told that it was the insurance agent's committee, and the agent was in charge!! What??? The insurance agent works for you — not the other way around. It is NOT the agent's committee — it is the city's committee. How ridiculous. Why are there no minutes? Or perhaps there are minutes, but you just don't want to release them? I also asked for all presentations made by the agent to the committee and was given none! If the committee receives no presentations or documents from the agent, then it is time you got a new agent. Did your agent really come to the meetings with no information to present and just say "ok, I'm here — any questions"?? I doubt it. 3 I would like to know why I am being stonewalled in trying to obtain information via an open records request. Why do you refuse to even tell me who is on the health insurance committee? What are you hiding? One thing I did ask for and receive was bank statements for the insurance fund. When I reviewed them, I was shocked at one particular thing. I'm not going to tell you what that is because surely the members of the "health insurance committee" (whoever they might be!) are smart enough to know what is wrong. I am waiting to see if you know what is right before your eyes! And if something is done about it! I was able to discover that 7 of you participate in the health insurance and other benefits — 6 on the family plan and 1 on the single plan. It appears from the information I did receive that the cost to the taxpayers for those on the family plan is approximately $40,000 per council member per year. The single plan is about half that. That equates to approximately $260,000 per year — or roughly $22,000 per month! (And that's over $1 million during your term in office!!) The council insurance needs to be eliminated IMMEDIATELY. Do not wait until January 1. Do it NOW. (It should have been done shortly after you approved 24- OR-59). Losing your insurance benefit from your current "employer" (the city) is considered a "qualifying event" and you are immediately eligible to go back on your full-time employer's insurance or obtain insurance through the marketplace — whatever you had prior to being elected to the council. Waiting to January 1 is again more "greed"! It makes no difference that your plan year ends on December 31. The change can (and should) be made now. I am certain that none of you consider being on the council your full-time job. None. You are a realtor, lawyers, teacher, businessmen, deputy sheriff, etc. etc. You were elected to SERVE — not to TAKE. You are paid $15,000 per year by the taxpayers to oversee the financial health of the city. I cannot imagine that any of the 7 who participate in the city's insurance today were totally uninsured prior to being elected. There was NO reason for you to switch to the city's insurance - I I 4 except for one — GREED. The city has an extremely lucrative insurance package for full-time employees, and it is time it is evaluated and adjustments made. The first adjustment is to eliminate insurance for council members. Second is to eliminate the "free" clinic. Third is to consider switching to a fully funded rather than a self- funded plan. Fourth, is to take a hard look at the bank statements I saw and make the necessary adjustments. (I wonder why Mr. Burns only mentions #2?) He overlooks the elephant in the room that benefits himself and his family, i.e. #1! Other thoughts and cost cutting ideas: 1. Council members should be allowed to miss up to 2 council meetings per year. After that, their pay should be docked. If you don't show up for work, you don't get paid. One council member missed about half of all meetings in 2024 and has missed several in 2025. This is unacceptable and, in my opinion, tantamount to stealing from the taxpayers. With Zoom available today, there should be very few meetings missed by any council member. I have never seen this council member engage in any meaningful discussion during the meetings that he does attend nor make any council comments. It seems he is there to just to say "aye" or "nay" (whichever way he is told to vote). This is shameful. He should resign in my opinion. 2. Immediately freeze all employee salaries. No raises in 2025 or 2026 until the financial health of the city is reestablished. 3. Eliminate all unnecessary take-home vehicles. The only necessary vehicles are police vehicles and perhaps the mayor. No one else. There is NO reason to provide a take-home vehicle for the HR director and numerous others. None. 4. Each department should analyze every expense for their department. Cut costs wherever they can. The council should stop approving "Ordinances for Additional Appropriation" without detailed information as to why funds are needed and why they weren't budgeted for in the beginning. Each department should stay within their budget for 2025 --- and cut their budget for next year (2026) by a set amount (10% etc.). 5 5. Analyze the vehicle maintenance department and be sure only City owned vehicles are being serviced — not employee's personal vehicles. If you discover that any employee is using it for their personal benefit, they should be fired! 6. Instead of a "committee" of council members who do not have financial expertise, consider hiring an outside auditor or internal auditor to review every expense and make recommendations for cost savings. Do not rely on the SBOA annual audit as it is not designed for that purpose. The auditor hired should report to the council only — not to the mayor or the controller or any department head. 7. Eliminate "work from home". All employees should come to work daily. 8. Consider reducing the number of vacation days — 19 is far too many. The recent "Juneteenth" holiday became a 2-day event just because it happened to fall on a Thursday --- this should have never happened. 9. Instead of paying Baker Tilly an insane amount of money to provide you with financial data and options, consider hiring a highly qualified in-house CPA with government experience. You could save a lot of money! 10. Has someone done an asset audit? If so, who did it and when? Were they independent? Is any city owned equipment or vehicle used by employees for personal reasons? If so, why? Who monitors this? 11.Why are so many city pick-up trucks taken home each day? Has anyone analyzed the cost of fuel or mileage? How is this monitored? Is it necessary to have so many take home trucks? If so, why? There are so many areas for cost-savings within the city. But no one has taken the time or energy to investigate them. It is far easier to just spend, spend, spend, spend, spend like there's no bottom to the well. It is time to analyze every penny because it is the taxpayers' money — not yours. Do not spend it frivolously or carelessly. And please be transparent. Every election cycle we hear the same old words "integrity, transparency and accountability". Time to practice what you preach! 6 I decided to put this in writing rather than address the council verbally because I cannot read this in a mere 4 minutes. I wanted to express my thoughts and concerns and hopefully get your attention. There are a lot of taxpayers who have good ideas about how to make the city better or ways to save money. Perhaps you should solicit ideas from the public instead of relying on just a few of you to come up with ideas. You might be surprised at how many good ideas are out there if you are willing to listen. I look forward to your responses to this email. However, my past emails are usually ignored. Several of you have never once acknowledged receipt of my emails let alone responded! But hopefully you at least read them. Let me know if you have any thoughts or questions. I am always available to help or respond — and will! Thank you. 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