HomeMy WebLinkAboutDecember 15, 2025 Council Minutes COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA
December 15, 2025
Regular Meeting Minutes
The Common Council of the City of Jeffersonville, Indiana met for the Regular Meeting on December 15,
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:
Led by Council Vice President Burns
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, Councilperson
Reed, Councilperson Webb, Councilperson Hawkins, Councilperson Snelling, and Council President
Stoner was absent. Let the record reflect that 8 Council Members were present in Council Chambers
with 1 absent.
Daniel Walters, Council Youth Advisor was present for the proceedings.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Councilperson Semones made a motion to approve the Minutes for Regular Proceedings on 12/1/2025,
seconded by Councilperson Reed; motion passed, 8-0.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
Councilperson Semones made a motion to approve the agenda, seconded by Councilperson Snelling;
motion passed, 8-0.
CLAIMS TO APPROVE:
Civil City$ 1,414,365.44
Councilperson Reed made a motion to approve the Civil City Claims, seconded by Councilperson
Snelling; motion passed, 8-0.
Parks$ 206,464.60
Councilperson Anderson made a motion to approve the Parks Claims, seconded by Councilperson
Semones; motion passed, 8-0.
REPORT OF THE CLERK:
City Clerk Lisa Gill addressed the council and reminded them that the first meeting of the New Year will
be held on January 5th. She explained that she would be sending the meeting packet out on Friday,
January 2nd. She also noted that she would email the information and provide a hard copy of the
appointments, as the first meeting is typically when those appointments are made. She concluded by
letting the council know that if anyone needed anything further to just let her know.
REPORT OF THE YOUTH ADVISOR:
Youth Advisor Daniel Walters addressed the council and stated that during the past week he contacted
the CEO of CASI (Community Action of Southern Indiana). He reported that he has a meeting scheduled
with her the following day to discuss the youth leadership program he is working to set up. He invited
council members to share any ideas and expressed appreciation for their input.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
1. Heather Metcalf 2025-OR-56 Ordinance Transferring Certain Funds Within the Same
Department
Council Vice President Burns presented Ordinance 2025-OR-56, an ordinance transferring funds
within the same department.The transfer was for Motor Vehicle Highway; travel and mileage,
training, and contractual services, transferring $25,608.42 to other supplies.
Councilperson Reed made a motion to approve the Ordinance 2025-OR-56, seconded by
Councilperson Semones; motion passed, 8-0 on the 3`d and final reading.
2. Heather Metcalf 2025-OR-57 Ordinance Transferring Certain Funds Within the Same
Department
Council Vice President Burns presented Ordinance 2025-OR-57, an ordinance transferring funds
within the same department.This transfer was for the Animal Shelter, transferring funds from
training to building material supplies in the total amount of$2,863.67.
Councilperson Semones made a motion to approve the Ordinance 2025-OR-57, seconded by
Councilperson Anderson; motion passed, 8-0 on the 3rd and final reading.
3. Heather Metcalf 2025-OR-58 Ordinance Transferring Certain Funds Within the Same
Department
Vice President Burns introduced Ordinance 2025-OR-58, an ordinance transferring funds within
the same department.The first transfer applies to General - IT, transferring funds from
professional services and contractual services to software/hardware in the amount of
$12,605.45. A second transfer in General—IT, transferring funds from training to
software/hardware in the amount of$2,010. The third transfer was from Cumulative Capital
Improvements—IT, from other supplies to software/hardware in the amount of$2,000.
Councilperson Reed made a motion to approve the Ordinance 2025-OR-58, seconded by
Councilperson Snelling; motion passed, 8-0 on the 3rd and final reading.
NEW BUSINESS:
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Kegan Cain; 814 Lilly Ln,Jeffersonville, IN:
"I'm a lifelong resident of Jeffersonville, and I'm a working-class dad recently turned concerned citizen.
When I heard the news that Meta was breaking ground on their new data center in our community, I
was saddened but not surprised when Meta decided to forgo transparency in favor of PR. Over the past
year, residents have voiced valid concerns that deserve clear and public answers. We've heard promises
of renewable energy, minimum water impact, and community grants. But we've also seen reports of
limited local hiring during construction, significant state tax incentives including a 35-year sales tax
exemption, and broader concerns in general about how data centers affect power and water resources
in communities all across America. Large tech companies often operate with little oversight, and that
lack of openness can and often does erode public trust. As residents, we have a right to know exact
details on the facility's projected water and electricity usage. How the data center might affect our
utility rates or local resources, how many jobs are truly going to local workers once it's completed, and
what ongoing community benefits we can expect beyond the initial grants—grants that are drops in the
bucket compared to the missing tax revenue. Jeffersonville is Meta's home now, as their representatives
have said. If that's true,they should treat us as partners, not just hosts. Jeffersonville residents are hard
workers, and we support responsible growth that lifts all of Jeffersonville, not just the corporate bottom
line. Let's work together to make this project a true win for our city.Thank you for your time and for
listening to residents tonight."
Councilperson Reed: "Kegan, I'm your representative, Donna Reed. I'm happy to talk to you afterwards if
you want. I feel that there's been transparency, but I think that there may be some questions that are
still out there, and I'm happy to walk you through anything or hear your concerns. Meta was something
that came about before we were on here, and a lot of that was done at a much higher level than our city
council, so we weren't really the ones that approved that. They have given us a lot of information, and
I'm happy to share any of that with you. If you have concerns that that information is not correct, I can
help put you in the right place. Because I agree, I think that all companies that come here should be
partners with our city, because you know, as well as I do, district five, we are hardworking people. I think
that is the crux of what we have—young families and some older families—and they're just working
hard to have these homes that they've had forever. So I appreciate you coming here so much and
voicing your concerns, and I'm happy to give you my contact information afterwards, my cell phone,
anything you need."
Mr. Cain: "I really appreciate that,thank you so much."
Liam Taylor; 2313 Grant Line Rd, New Albany, IN:
"The reason that I'm coming up here today is to address the water concerns with the data center. As we
look further into it as a group, we understand that there are concerns with contaminants that may come
up in the water system. How are we planning to address this issue?These contaminants can contain
heavy metals, refrigerants, and other chemicals that may not break down as easily. Do you plan to treat
the water as you go forward, or do you plan to release it back into the water system?"
Council Vice President Burns: "So, we're not the sewer department, but I can tell you from what I do
know, and as a layperson of the sewer department, everything they discharge will go through the sewer
plant. Mr. Ashack and his team will ensure that what comes out of the outfall of the sewer plant meets
EPA guidelines and is not contaminating our properties. Companies that put more metals and different
contaminants into the water than others pay higher bills for the treatment of those, because it costs us
more to treat it at the facility. So I'm pretty confident, Mr. Ashack, the director of the sewer
department, would have a conversation with you and reassure you that what comes into their plant will
leave at the same guidelines that we're doing pre-construction."
Mr. Taylor: "Alright, thank you."
1. (Donna Reed)Jackie Isaacs, Executive Director for Habitat for Humanity, with Donation
Ask for Upcoming Builds in Jeffersonville
Councilperson Reed introduced Jackie Isaacs, Executive Director for Habitat for Humanity, and
explained that Jackie was appearing before the council to discuss Habitat for Humanity's work.
She noted that Habitat for Humanity has completed significant work on Riddle Street and, after
a brief pause to work on projects in New Albany, plans to return to Jeffersonville this fall. She
emphasized that Habitat for Humanity homes create long-term homeownership opportunities in
the community, provide a reasonable pathway to accessible properties, and strengthen
neighborhoods by establishing stable, long-term residents. Councilperson Reed invited Jackie to
share details about the organization's updated project, including completed work and future
plans, with the hope of gaining continued council support moving forward.
Ms. Isaac stepped to the podium to discuss Habitat for Humanity's Spring Hill Station Project
(see attachment). Ms. Isaac also brought with her a guest speaker,Tommy Robinson, who was
one of Habitat for Humanity's newer home owners on Riddle Street. When Ms. Isaac finished
speaking Ms. Robinson stepped to the podium and introduced herself to the council and began
sharing her story and experience with Habitat for Humanity. She shared that she applied for the
Habitat for Humanity program in April of 2023 and was accepted in August of 2023. Shortly after
beginning her sweat equity hours, construction on her home started in April of 2024.The home
was completed in September of 2024, at which point she was able to close and move in. She
explained that without Habitat, and without this program, she likely would never have been able
to purchase a home. She noted that rent would have been double the cost of her mortgage. She
described the opportunity as a true blessing for herself and her children, sharing that she has
three boys and two small dogs. She spoke positively about the neighborhood, explaining that all
of her neighbors are friends and that the children all play together. She concluded by saying it is
4
a great community where everyone helps one another, stays in regular communication, and that
having something like this has been a true blessing.
Councilperson Semones: "Tommy, tell them how many hours you put in before you ever got
into a home."
Ms. Robinson: "It was suppose to be 250 hours, I ended up doing 320 sweat equity hours."
Councilperson Semones: "What were you doing?"
Ms. Robinson: "It consisted of doing the classes that are required each month. There was also a
six-week budgeting financial class, but most of it was helping other people build their homes
and also helping build your own home. So it was like building houses, doing all of it. I could build
a house now."
Councilperson Reed: "Good, this is a wonderful program, and I wanted us to be proactive in
thinking about funding these houses. I know we gave them $50,000 last time and I know that we
have some money in our Homelessness Fund. In looking at that, this is the way that we reduce
homelessness in a great way—by creating affordable homes for people living here, creating
ways that our population can move up to that next level. Knowing that home ownership creates
a completely different trajectory for an entire generation that is long-living. When we were
talking in the hallway, Councilperson Snelling was telling me that he knows people who own
Habitat homes that were built in the eighties and nineties and are still living in those homes,
they are still residents of Jeffersonville.Tonight, we wanted to ask that we would take $20,000
of that funding and put it toward these three homes,just to give them a head start on what
they're doing.They may come back to us at a later point, but just to take that funding from this
last meeting and really make a difference in our unhoused population. So I hope everybody will
support us and if you have any questions at this time."
Councilperson Hawkins: "How much is left in the homelessness fund for this year?"
Councilperson Reed: "I believe it is$37,000."
Council Vice President Burns: "I believe that's correct if my memory serves right."
Councilperson Webb: "What do we usually start off with?"
Councilperson Reed: "$50,000, we had $7,000 that went to the Community Kitchen, and then
we had $5,000 that went to the Center for Lay Ministry and $5,000 that went to Thrive. So
actually it would be around $33,000."
Councilperson Semones: "I am a huge fan of the program. I know that we've done a larger
amount in the past, and so the thought is if we did some this year and some next year. I would
support $20,000 or$25,000 out of that fund."
Councilperson Snelling: "I would agree."
Councilperson Reed: "Do we have any questions or concerns?"
Councilperson Hawkins: "You and I talked earlier, the landscape is much different than where
we were standing a year ago when we did this. But given that it is out of the Homelessness
Fund, which has already been appropriated for that, I do not want to see it emptied. So I would
be okay with doing $20,000 from the Homelessness Fund, which would still leave us a balance in
case there were an emergency or something similar. So I would be okay with the $20,000 from
the Homelessness Fund if that helps move things forward."
Council Vice President Burns: "I'm good with $20,000 as well."
Councilperson Reed made a motion to use $20,000 from the Homelessness Fund, towards
Habitat for Humanity's Riddle Street Project, seconded by Councilperson Hawkins; motion
passed, 8-0.
ATTORNEY COMMENTS:
Larry Wilder— No comment
Les Merkley— Not present
DEPARTMENT HEADS: None
COUNCIL COMMENTS:
• Councilperson White—"Just wanted to say thanks to Councilperson Reed and the rest of the
council for supporting Habitat for Humanity. It's in my district, and they have done a wonderful
job out there. Having the support is important to the organization, it's important to the
homeowners, and it's an important thing to cities. I didn't put in real sweat or build homes like
Councilwoman Reed did, but I'm glad that we took that step to continue to support them
because they do great work. Other than that, this is the last meeting of the year, so Merry
Christmas, happy holidays, all those things. Happy New Year. See you next year."
• Council Vice President Burns—"I'll just mention, as Scott did, the board appointments. I would
like to remain on Planning and Zoning, but if somebody else wanted to serve there, I'd be willing
to talk with them about that. I did speak with my drainage appointment, and he is willing to
continue. I have served on the Clark County 911 Fiscal Board for about six years, so if somebody
else would like to serve—Jackie—I will pass the baton to you."
• Councilperson Semones—' I want to thank Liam, thank you for coming, Mr. Cain, thank you for
coming. I always love when members of the community bring their comments to us. For all you
members of the community who did not speak, thank you for being here. It means a lot to me to
see those faces out there, so I would invite more of our constituents to come out. 2025 was my
4 sophomore year on the council. It was a pretty challenging year, but I am looking forward to
2026. I hope some of our constituents bring me some good projects to work on. I do want to
brag on Tommy Robinson a little bit, she is a superstar. Her journey has taken her through the
intersection of a lot of the issues that we have talked about this year: our justice system, our
recovery court system, where she was a superstar and graduated, and went on to be a role
model and a mentor.The work that she has done with Habitat, creating a life for her children,
and working in our service industry—this woman has worked so hard through a lot of the
challenges that we as a council want to address. If you need insight into how a person makes it
through that and comes out better, brighter, and more beautiful on the other side, go pick her
brain, she will talk to you about it. I would like to ask the Madam Clerk to put officer elections
on the agenda for the first meeting in January."
Mrs. Gill: "They are already set to be on."
Councilperson Semones: "I intend to nominate Councilperson Reed as our next president. I hope
she will be willing to serve, and I hope we will have support for that so that we can continue to
grow the council through a variety of leadership and opportunities. I would also like to say
happy holidays, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, and Happy Solstice. I know we have a
mosque in our community. I do not know what the appropriate celebration is, if there is one,
but I have reached out to some members of that mosque and tried to welcome them to the
community. And of course, Merry Christmas to all of our Christian and Catholic faith."
• Councilperson Anderson—No comment
• Councilperson Reed—"Thank you again to everybody who spoke tonight. I think that the best
thing we can do is have dialogue between each other. Without that dialogue, we lose the
opportunity for you to educate us on what's important to you and for us to help you learn how
to make your voices heard in meaningful ways. So I appreciate that so much. Happy holidays to
everybody, I hope everybody gets a little bit of rest. I know our first responders and many of our
medical workers will not be able to rest. So if you want to bring them cookies or food, I know
that they appreciate it this time of year. Also be aware as community members: if you see
something, say something. I know that there have been a lot of issues in certain areas, and we
just want to make sure we're protecting everybody. It's better to say something if you think
something's going on than to not say something and have something bad happen. So just keep
your eyes open and take care of each other. And if you do choose me as president next year, I'd
be really honored to be able to choose a youth advocate next year and do all the things. But I
also want to do what the best will of the council is, so thank you."
• Councilperson Webb—"Just want to wish everybody Merry Christmas and be safe."
• Councilperson Hawkins—"Merry Christmas, everybody. I also want to give a shout-out to the
Street Department.They did an amazing job, I really couldn't believe it. You leave Jeffersonville
and it was terrible, within about a hundred yards it was like entering a winter land, it was
insane, they did a fantastic job. I know the police department received a million calls, so please
pass along my thanks to them as well. Everyone was working extremely hard, the fire
department was surely very busy too, and everybody did really well. Regarding the council
appointments, and I know we will be dealing with that later, I noticed where my name is
highlighted. I would like to stay on for one more round for redevelopment. The Charlestown
Pike Project affects where I live and impacts much of my family and friends. I would like to stay
remain abreast of that project one more time. As for the other assignments like finance or
others, I know we will have that discussion later, but I did want to let everyone know that I
would like to remain on redevelopment. This would likely be my last time serving in that
capacity. I have had a good run, but I would like to see that project finished and then be kind of
done with it."
• Councilperson Snelling—"I'd like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
It's good to be back and on the mend. I'll be supporting Donna for president, so I wanted to get
that out there, and I'll support you also, Scott."
• Council President Stoner—Absent
ADJOURNMENT:
Council Vice President Burns made the motion to ADJOURN the meeting at 06:29 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.
Evan Stoner, Council President ATTES�ll, Clerk
.....
•for Humana�r Habitat Humanity®
Clark & Floyd Indiana
Spring Hill Station Project
Update for Jeffersonville City Council
December 2025
■ Project Overview
Spring Hill Station represents our community's shared commitment to creating safe. affordable, and
lasting housing opportunities for local families. This project has progressed steadily since its
groundbreaking, thanks to the support of the City of Jeffersonville and our partners.
■ By the Numbers
• 7 homes built since 2023 at Spring Hill Station
• 2 homes under construction on Pearl Street in 2025
• 3 homes scheduled for beginning construction Fall 2026
• 12+families supported across Clark & Fioyd Counties since project launch
1/ :.
ac
_,
r
..
V
Pictured, clockwise from
top left:
rib" .14% Nikolaas and Charity,
future Riddle Street — "`
homeowners "'`
i.. # i Paige, future Riddle ifer ;'
Street Homeowner �,;
Riddle Street Future
Community
,...•
Tetra, future Riddle �,
it
AIL
'� �*• .f Street Homeowner
Habitat kids and
iF neighbors playing on
Riddle, Summer 2025
■Timeline & Progress
4
2023-2024: Construction Phase I *♦
-Raised over$1.1 Million in donations, in-kind, and grants for construction `
costs for first 7 homes in Spring Hill Station ��w
-7 homes completed at Spring Hill Station ,� +a.
- Mobilized over 1,500 volunteers
-7 Families moved into safe. stable. and affordable homes
e
-7 taxpayers added to Clark County ♦r
2025: Transition Year
-Completion &closing of Home#7 on Riddle
-Construction team relocated to Floyd County
-Two new homes completed on Pearl Street (New Albany) '
ti p gir- 1
2026: Construction Phase II— New Albany and Return to Riddle Street 46
- Spring/Summer 2026-Start and Complete Sarah's home in New Albany t t : -` . vt, ,'- �'
- Fall 2026--Return to Riddle Street
-Begin construction of the remaining 3 homes-homebuyers are already _ ,l�; .-` h,
earning sweat equity �C ya.!.
-Continue partnership with the City of Jeffersonville
-Raise at least$160,000 per home to build 3 more homes in donations.
grants, funding. and in-kind support(total raised and invested on Riddle-
over$1.5 Million) 4.
Our Commitment :4, ,,
�,... ew
I III
eir do
Habitat for Humanity remains committed to:
-Expanding affordable housing options in Jeffersonville �_ •'
-Strengthening neighborhoods through stable homeownership
-Partnering with the City to complete the remaining phases
■More Info at
Habitat for Humanity of Clark& Floyd ito _" r
www.habitatcfi.org
jisaacs@habitatcfi.org . --
t .
b
S
r 0 irilli — ...t..'
/ t 4* t ¢ j •
9
1
i.
mom'
V s