HomeMy WebLinkAboutJanuary 7, 2013COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS OF THE
COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA
JANUARY 7, 2013
The Common Council of the City of Jeffersonville, Indiana met in regular session in Room 101, 500
Quartermaster Court, Jeffersonville, Indiana at 7:OOpm, on Monday, January 7, 2013.
Council President Ed Zastawny, with Vicki Conlin, City Clerk, called the meeting to order at 7:OOpm.
Council President Zastawny welcomed all in attendance, asking those in attendance to stand as Bobby
Campbell gave the invocation. Council President Zastawny then led all those present in the Pledge of
Allegiance to the Flag.
The roll call and those present were: Councilperson Smith, Councilperson Payne, Councilperson Gill,
Councilperson Glover, Councilperson Julius, Councilperson President Zastawny, Councilperson Samuel,
Council Vice President Sellers, and Councilperson Owen.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA:
Councilperson Julius asked to make a change to the agenda by adding Jeffersonville City Schools under
B. NEW BUSINESS. Councilperson Gill made a motion to APPROVE the agenda with the addition, with
Councilperson Owen seconding, PASSING on a vote of 9-0.
MINUTES TO BE APPROVED:
Councilperson Owen made a motion to APPROVE the minutes from the special meeting on December
27, 2013, seconded by Councilperson Gill, PASSING on a vote of 9-0.
COUNCIL ELECTION OF OFFICERS:
Vice President Sellers presented outgoing President Ed Zastawny with an engraved gavel he used at the
Council meetings during his one-year term as President. Vice President Sellers thanked President
Zastawny for his leadership and a job well done. President Zastawny thanked the Council for the special
gift and kind words.
Councilperson Gill made a motion to nominate Vice President Sellers for President, with Councilperson
Samuel seconding, PASSING on a vote of 9-0. Outgoing President Zastawny congratulated newly elected
President Sellers and turned the meeting over to her.
President Sellers asked the Council for nominations for Vice President. Councilperson Glover made a
motion to nominate Councilperson Gill for Vice President, with Councilperson Payne seconding.
Councilperson Smith made a motion to nominate Councilperson Julius for Vice President, with
Councilperson Samuel seconding.
Councilperson Smith
Councilperson Payne
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Gill Julius
Aye
Aye
Councilperson Sellers
Councilperson Gill
Councilperson Glover
Councilperson Zastawny
Councilperson Julius
Councilperson Owen
Councilperson Samuel
Aye
Aye
Aye
Aye
Nay
Aye
Aye
Aye
Aye
After the roll call votes, the motion to nominate Councilperson Julius as Vice President PASSED on a vote
of 5-4.
CLAIMS TO BE APPROVED:
Parks Claims: Controller Monica Harmon presented the Parks Claims list in the amount of $27,582.23.
Ms. Harmon pointed out that claims charged to 217 will be corrected and placed in the new non -
reverting fund 209. Vice President Julius questioned an expenditure on page 4 of the claims list for
$1,349.09 described as Granular Drain Cleaner. Ms. Harmon said she would look into it and email her
findings to Vice President Julius. Councilperson Owen made a motion to APPROVE the Parks Claims in
the amount of $27,582.33, with Vice President Julius seconding, PASSING on a vote of 9-0.
General Claims:
Controller Harmon presented the General Claims list in the amount of $312,492.73 to the council for
approval. Councilperson Samuel made a motion to APPROVE the claims list in the amount of
$312,492.73, with Councilperson Gill seconding, PASSING on a vote of 9-0.
MAYOR COMMENT:
None at this time.
REPORT OF THE CLERK:
Clerk Conlin brought to the council's attention that their next meeting will fall on Monday, January 21st
which is the Martin Luther King holiday. President Sellers stated that due to the holiday, the next council
meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 22, 2013.
DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS:
Controller Harmon came before the council to request approval for the funding of new software. Ms.
Harmon explained to the council the in-depth study and evaluation she and her committee went
through to pick the best software vendor for the city. After sending out Request for Proposals (RFP),
three were received. There was a consensus that BS&A was the best liked and most cost-effective
vendor. Ms. Harmon asked for and received financial support from the Sewer Board at $74,600 and
Drainage Board at $23,700 and explained that in addition to this software acquisition, there is a need to
purchase software to track employee time and attendance. Also, there is a need to add a server and
approximately 39 new stations based on vendor recommendation. Additional costs include a $50,000
fee for an outside consultant. Currently, Ms. Harmon has $250,000 in place for funding in her budget to
cover the cost for 2013, but would possibly need an additional funding of $29,500 if the decision was
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made to finance the software on a two-year payment plan. Ms. Harmon stated that she is requesting a
commitment of $280,000 from the council for next year. Councilperson Owen expressed concern over
approving a capital expenditure project before knowing what the circuit breakers and budget will be.
Councilperson Gill expressed concern over the $500,000 cost of the software to the taxpayers and
questioned why Keystone, the current city software, couldn't be updated to accommodate the city's
needs. Ms. Harmon stated that Keystone was asked to provide a proposal, but did not meet all of the
requirements the city had. Councilperson Samuel suggested Ms. Harmon look into using LOIT money as
a funding source. WWTP Director Len Ashack spoke to the council about the need for the software in
order to track utilities such as sewer and drainage billing. Mr. Ashack stated the city is losing $1,000,000
a year by not having a flexible software plan that can better track people in the arrears and collect
revenues. Mr. Ashack stated that the new software will allow customers to pay with credit cards and
make on-line payments. After further discussion, Councilperson Zastawny made a motion to APPROVE
the contract with BS&A with the $29,500 out of initial cost to come out of LOIT, with Council President
Sellers seconding.
Aye
Councilperson Smith Aye
Councilperson Payne
Council President Sellers Aye
Councilperson Gill
Councilperson Glover
Councilperson Zastawny Aye
Council Vice President Julius Aye
Councilperson Owen
Councilperson Samuel Aye
After the roll call votes, the motion PASSES on a vote of 5-4.
Nay
Nay
Nay
Nay
Nay
A. UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
1. Tom Lowe — 2012-R-28 A Resolution of the Common Council of the City of Jeffersonville
Approving the Issuance of Bonds by the Jeffersonville -Clarksville Flood Control District:
WWTP Director Len Ashack explained to the council the need for improvements to the Cane
Run and Mill Creek Flood Basins. Mr. Ashack pointed out that when there are heavy rains,
the storm water retention pond is totally under water because the pump station can't keep
up with the volume of water coming through it. This water then overflows into Jeffersonville
and Clarksville flooding numerous businesses in the area. Mr. Ashack stated that the pump
stations are very old and are in need of improvements, and Flood Control needs the money
in order to make those improvements.
Corporate Attorney Tom Lowe informed the council of changes to 2012-R-28:
Page 1, Section 2 should read "Clerk" only, striking the word "Treasurer", and the date of
adoption on both pages 1 and 2 should read January 2013. All signature lines should read
"Clerk" only, striking the word "Treasurer".
Council President Sellers stated that it is her understanding that Mayor Moore voted against
this Resolution and asked Mr. Lowe if he understands why. Mr. Lowe indicated that the
project started in 2011 and part of the Mayor's concern is determining what the city needs
are at this time, which is part of the watershed study, and the other concern is tax rates.
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Vice President Julius indicated that since the Mayor is the President of the Sewer Board, it
would be beneficial to have him on board with this Resolution and made a motion to TABLE
the 2012-R-28 until Flood Control comes in to speak to the council with some answers, wait
for the watershed study to be completed, and find out how much the project is going to
cost, seconded by Mike Smith, PASSING on a vote of 9-0.
B. NEW BUSINESS:
1. Dennis Julius — Jeffersonville Schools: Since the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy in
Newtown, CT, Vice President Julius has received calls from concerned parents asking what the
city has in place if an event such as Sandy Hook occurred in Jeffersonville. Vice President Julius
requested the council form a committee to meet and discuss options and include the Police and
Fire Departments as well as the Greater Clark County School Board. After discussion, President
Sellers advised Vice President Julius to contact the GCCSB to see how they would like to go
about meeting and discussing this issue and then get back with the council and let them know
his findings. Vice President Julius agreed to do so.
C. REPORTS AND COMMENTS:
1. Max Weidekamp — Approval for Eagle Scout Project: Max explained to the council that he
turns 18 in nine days and needs to complete his Eagle Scout project prior to this birthday. For his
project, he is asking the council for approval to make a sign that will be placed in Highland Park.
Max showed photos to the council of his proposed design. There will be no cost to the city in the
construction of the sign. Councilperson Zastawny and President Sellers suggested getting
permission from Parks Superintendent Paul Northam and Planning and Zoning Director Shane
Corbin. Councilperson Mike Smith made a motion to pre -approve the sign project contingent
upon Parks Superintendent Paul Northam agreeing that the sign meets the Parks sign standards,
seconded by Councilperson Owen, PASSING on a vote of 9-0.
D. COUNCIL COMMENTS:
Councilperson Smith — sent an email to BPW Board member Bryan Glover asking him to make
sure the BPW has approved the new speed limit signs that have just started going up in the
downtown area around Chestnut Street.
Councilperson Payne — offered congratulations to newly -elected President Connie Sellers and
wished her good luck.
Councilperson Gill — offered congratulations to newly -elected President Connie Sellers and
newly -elected Vice President Dennis Julius and requested a date be set with Controller Monica
Harmon to discuss the new City Court budget. Councilperson Gill understands there is a need for
the new software, but as a councilperson, feels she has to justify it to the taxpayers.
Councilperson Glover — at the JNLA meeting he attended there was concern that if speed limit
signs aren't posted, the Police can't write a ticket. After speaking with ex -Police Chief Tim
Deeringer and current Police Chief Grimm, he was informed that wasn't true. The State statute
has a speed limit in place and the only reason to post a speed sign would be if the city would
want to lower the speed limit.
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Councilperson Zastawny — offered congratulations and good luck to newly -elected President
Connie Sellers and newly -elected Vice President Dennis Julius. He also reminded President
Sellers that there were a number of City Council appointments that need to be made at the next
council meeting.
Vice President Julius — went to visit the Ogle Animal Shelter and was very impressed with the
job Director Sarah Green is doing. He found the shelter to be very clean and very professional.
Although Ms. Green is not at today's meeting, he wanted to let her know that she is doing a
great job.
Councilperson Owen — asked the council to set a date for a soft opening at the almost
completed Vissing Park. He would like to give everyone a chance to walk through the park and
see what's there. After discussion, it was decided to tentatively set the soft opening for February
2, 2013, but to first check with Parks Superintendent Paul Northam to see what date would
work best for him.
Councilperson Samuel — wants to keep moving forward with the arts program and informed the
council that they are looking at other communities such as Pawtucket, RI and Silver City, NM for
ideas. Pawtucket turned their large industrial buildings into an art district in much the same way
Jeffersonville plans to do with part of downtown. A small committee of initially 4 to 7 members
needs to be created to take the arts program from the study phase to the implementation phase
and would like to have the names by the next council meeting.
Controller Harmon was asked to come up with two budgets — one budget was submitted to
State which will be cut, and Ms. Harmon said there isn't a second budget that is out there and
approved, but she is communicating with department heads and staff that we really need to
watch what we're doing. Just a reminder that in a month to month and a half we will need to
work with the budget that we know we'll have and make those cuts.
President Sellers — will talk about appointments at the next council meeting. Also plans to
contact Don Williamson (Pro Media) to put the redistricting maps in the next city newsletter so
people will know what districts they're in and to also place the information on-line.
President Sellers asked if anyone on the council would like to serve on the Finance Committee.
After discussion, it was determined the members would be Council President Sellers,
Councilperson Gill, Councilperson Owen and Council Vice President Julius.
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ADJOURNMENT:
Councilperson Owen made the motion to ADJOURN, seconded by Mike Smith, passing on a vote
of 9-0. Meeting ADJOURNED at 8:31pm.
ATTESTED BY:
tte;l-C
Vicki Conlin, City Clerk
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Connie Sellers, President