HomeMy WebLinkAboutJune 3, 2013COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS OF THE
COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA
June 3rd, 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 June 3rd. 2013.
Council President Connie Sellers, with Vicki Conlin, City Clerk, called the meeting to order at 7:07 pm.
President Seller asked those in attendance to stand as Bobby Campbell gave the invocation. Council
President Sellers then led all those present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
The roll call and those present were: Councilperson Smith, Councilperson Gill, Councilperson Zastawny,
Councilperson Samuel, Council President Sellers, Councilperson Vice President Julius, Councilperson
Glover and Councilperson Owen. Absent: Councilperson Payne
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA:
Councilperson Julius made a motion to APPROVE the agenda with the addition of David Hosea under
Department Heads. Councilperson Smith seconded, PASSING on a vote of 8-0.
MINUTES TO BE APPROVED:
Councilperson Gill made a motion to APPROVE the minutes from May 20th, 2013 with the change of the
vote under claims from 9-1 to 7-1-1. Councilperson Julius seconded, PASSING on a vote of 8-0.
CLAIMS TO BE APPROVED:
General Claims: Mrs. Deering presented the general claims list. Councilperson Smith requested the
removal of pro -tem judge under probation. Mr. Lewis stated it is listed as services for court and PUF
funds can only be used to supplement probation salaries. Councilperson Gill stated they need to pull the
$13,309 from LOIT claims for police headquarters and have that billed to Redevelopment per Mr.
Merkley. Councilperson Samuel questioned the bridge security and the transfer of funds of $100,000 on
p. 5. Mrs. Deering stated that the transfer is for gasoline and it goes into the non -reverting fund for
vehicle maintenance. Councilperson Smith stated he would like to review the Pro Media contracts
because the monthly service looks to be a lot on page 7 of the claims. Mrs. Deering stated this claim is
for 2 months. Councilperson Smith expressed frustration over projects being listed on the Facebook
page, but not getting any notice when it is in his district. The Council decided that they had time to wait
until next time to approve the claim since they stated that the amount shouldn't be coming from that
fund. Councilperson Zastawny made a motion to APPROVE the general claims list with the removal of
the info tech claim for 1,200, the newsletter from Pro media in the amount of $11,087.68, the monthly
service for May in the amount of 9,600, the police station from LOIT in the amount of $13,309.26 and
the pro tem judge from probation in the amount of $8,493. The new amount is $931,919.66 with
Councilperson Gill seconding, PASSING on a vote of 6-2 with Councilperson Glover and Owen voting nay.
Parks Claims: Mrs. Deering presented the parks claims in the amount of $169,853.62 for council
approval. Councilperson Zastawny made a motion to APPROVE the claims as presented with
Councilperson Gill seconding PASSING on a vote of 8-0.
REPORT OF THE CLERK:
DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS:
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Andy Crouch- Salary Request for Drainage Coordinator to be paid out of Drainage Department: Mr.
Crouch came before the Council asking for approval to offer his new employee above minimum of $18
by offering $20 per hour. This would still leave the employee below the mid-range. Councilperson Owen
made a motion to APPROVE the pay offer with Councilperson Gill seconding, PASSING on a vote of 8-0.
David Hosea- Mr. Hosea came before the council asking approval to buy a new tractor. He stated that
his tractor caught on fire and is a loss. He stated he may be able to salvage it for 2,000-5,000. This new
tractor will have a longer arm that increases the swing out to 20 feet and will have all wheel drive. Mr.
Hosea stated the money is no longer in his budget because of the cuts. Councilperson Smith made a
motion to APPROVE the purchase not to exceed $80,000 subject to additional appropriation and
advertising. Councilperson Gill seconded the motion, PASSING on a vote of 8-0.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
1. Scott Lewis — 2013 -OR -8 Ordinance Implementing a Temporary Freeze of the Use of City -
Issued Credit Cards (Tabled 5/6/13 & 5/20/13): Mr. Lewis made a motion to table to allow the
working group on this item to meet one more time. Councilperson Smith made a motion to
TABLE with Councilperson Julius seconding, PASSING on a vote of 8-0.
2. Kim Calabro — 2013 -OR -12 An Ordinance Fixing the Salaries of Appointed Officers and
Employees For All the Departments of the City of Jeffersonville, Clark County, Indiana for the
Year 2013 and Repealing Ordinance 2013 -OR -2 and Ordinance 2012 -OR -49. (Passed on 1st
reading 5/20/13): Mrs. Calabro handed out a new version of 2013 -OR -12 that she stated should
contain all the changes from the last meeting. Mrs. Calabro presented the changes that were
sections 2.A. that lists the percentages and that should be just 1.5% and 1.4%. The other change
is 2.H. where it should state $50 and not $505. The other change was adding the words "subject
to contract" under the longevity section. Mr. Lewis stated that the section 2.A. is still not
correct. Mrs. Calabro stated she would get with him to fix that error. Councilperson Gill stated
that the part time person under court non -reverting needs to be removed because it is her
understanding that that particular employee cannot be paid out of that fund. Mr. Lewis
reiterated that the pay for that particular part time person cannot be paid out that fund unless
they are directly involved in the alcohol education program. Mr. Lewis stated his understanding
was that this position is a part time clerical position to aid the court. Councilperson Glover asked
the Judge if he would like to speak on this matter since that part time employee is in his
department. Judge Pierce came before the Council expressing his disappointment with what he
stated was a lack of communication between him and the Council. Judge Pierce stated the
position was created for high school/college kids to help out in the court with some filing and
stated he can modify it so that the position works through the alcohol education program and
take some work off of the probation officers. Councilperson Gill stated that they did not know
this position was being filled and they are just trying to get the position to be paid out of where
it needs to be paid out of. Councilperson Gill stated that they are just trying to pay it from the
right fun, not eliminate the position. Mr. Lewis reiterated that SBOA had an audit of Circuit
Court #3 that stated the non -reverting fund can only be used for employees in the Alcohol
Education Program and the council is merely trying to be sure they are paying things out of the
correct funds. Councilperson Owen asked how much was spent last year. Judge Pierce stated
there wasn't much spent last year if any. Council President Sellers stated she is not opposed to
having the part time employee, as long as it is coming out of the right fund. Council President
Sellers asked if he can let them know how much was used in the past so they have a general
idea of how much to appropriate from the general fund. Judge Pierce stated he can probably
figure it out so that it doesn't come out of the general fund, yet does come out of an
appropriate fund. Judge Pierce stated he can have the employee working with alcohol
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awareness stuff and have the probation staff doing Tess work with that program. Council
President Sellers just asked for him to let them know and send out an email of how much it has
been in the past. Judge Pierce stated if he can keep it coming from the non -reverting fund then
he isn't sure that the amount matters. Council President Sellers stated only if it is possible to
keep that in the non -reverting fund. Mr. Lewis stated that person has to be working exclusively
with the alcohol education program. Judge Pierce stated he understood. The Council decided to
leave the part time person until next meeting. Mr. Lewis stated there was another change
involving the salary of the court reporter/baliff being paid out of PUF. Council President Sellers
stated she was going to bring it up with Amy since 51% of their salary needs to come from the
general fund and it will need to be an additional appropriation. Council President Sellers stated
that the Court Reporter/ Baliff will need to be additionally appropriated to come out of general
fund instead of PUF. Judge Pierce stated that he believes she does 11% of probation services
making it okay to take 11% of her salary from PUF. Council President Sellers stated that the
council attorney is telling them it isn't legal and they need to listen to their attorney; however
the position will not lose any pay it will only just come from the general fund. Judge Pierce
stated this has never been a problem in the past four years. Councilperson Gill stated she is not
going to pass something when there is any chance it is being funded inappropriately.
Councilperson Julius made a motion to APPROVE 2013 -OR -12 on a second reading with the
changes of section 2.A. taking out the word "of" to make it "1.4 and 1.5 times base pay", section
2.H. changing $505 to $50, adding the wording of "subject to union contract" under the
longevity section, and removing the baliff/court reporter from being paid out of probation fees
to the general fund under city court. Councilperson Zastawny seconded the motion, PASSING on
a vote of 8-0.
NEW BUSINESS
1.Dennis Julius — City Pride and Indiana Landmarks regarding Glossbrenner Garden: Councilperson
Julius introduced Peggy Duffy with City Pride to speak about Glossbrenner Garden at the corner
of Spring and Chestnut. Ms. Duff stated that City Pride has been maintaining it since 2005 and
typically the money used is raised at River Breeze. Ms. Duffy stated that this morning thirteen
employees and 6 kids from Steel Dynamics planted 300 bulbs. Currently Historic Landmarks has
ownership of the garden and Mr. Lowe was working on transferring the ownership back to the
City, but he is no longer with the City. Mr. Merkley stated he can prepare the deed if the council
wants to go forward with transferring the property to the city. Ms. Duffy stated that they want
to make sure the garden has the same protections that Historic Landmarks have had on it. Ms.
Duffy stated that City Pride will 100% take care of the garden. Councilperson Julius stated that if
it is just deeded to the city then it will not fall into the Parks Department responsibility. Mr.
Merkley stated he will do this as a resolution for BPW if the council desires. Councilperson Owen
made a motion to APPROVE support of Mr. Merkley working with Historic Landmarks and City
Pride to transfer the deed to over to the City through a resolution at BPW. Councilperson
Samuel seconded the motion, PASSING on a vote of 8-0.
2.Dennis Julius — Safety Town: Councilperson Julius asked for council approval to allow officer
Decker to buy a 4 way signal for $1,299 as well as a few other things from their fund.
Councilperson Julius stated Officer Decker couldn't be here so Councilperson Julius is presenting
this for him. Councilperson Julius made a motion to APPROVE the additional appropriation of
$3,433.32 subject to advertising to go towards safety town. Councilperson Smith seconded,
PASSING on a vote of 8-0.
3.Dennis Julius — South Side Road, Veterans Parkway: Councilperson Julius stated that on one of
the lists of the mayor's project is the south side road that runs by Southeast Christian Church up
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behind the old Beef o Brady's. Councilperson Julius asked the council how they feel about
approving this project. Council President Sellers stated she has other projects she wanted to talk
about in her comments at the end and can bring it up for approval then.
4. Josh Rodriquez- JNLA National Night Out: Mr. Rodriguez addressed the council regarding funding
for this year's National Night Out that is scheduled for August 6th, 2013. Mr. Rodriguez stated he
is requesting the same amount as last year which is $6,000. Mr. Rodriguez stated he has
received a private donation of $2500 so he believes the $6,000 will suffice for this year. They are
currently in the process for tax exempt status and hope that once that is granted they will be
able to raise the money to cover the costs next year. Mr. Rodriguez stated he also applied for a
grant and if it is not awarded in time for this year that he will apply it to next year.
Councilperson Julius made a motion to APPROVE $6,000 out of gaming for national night out
subject to additional appropriation and advertising. Councilperson Smith seconded the motion,
PASSING on a vote of 8-0.
5. Matt Gullo - Animal Shelter Sign: Mr. Gullo from Kovert Hawkins came before the council for
approval of a new animal shelter sign that will work with the current ordinance. Mr. Gullo stated
that they will still need to get building permits. The price estimate is $14,000 including labor and
material with the exact location to be determined in the field. Mrs. Deering stated the money is
there and gaming is a good option. Councilperson Owen made a motion to APPROVE to
advertise for the additional appropriation to come out of gaming for the animal shelter sign.
Councilperson smith seconded, PASSING on a vote of 8-0.
6. Kelly Phillips — 2013-R-16 Resolution Finding Substantial Compliance with Statement of Benefits
for Tax Abatement for 2013: Ms. Phillips came before the council requesting approval of a
resolution for the 2013 tax abatements report. Councilperson Samuel made a motion to
APPROVE 2013-R-16 with Councilperson Owen seconding, PASSING on a vote of 8-0.
7.Amy Deering- 2013 -OR -15 An Ordinance Amending Ordinance 2012 -OR -48 Ordinance of
Additional Appropriation: Mrs. Deering came before the council requesting to table this
ordinance to include all the other advertisements needed from tonight. Mr. Merkley stated the
next meeting he will have resolution with these and all one needing advertisement from tonight.
Council President Sellers stated that the city will pay 51% for the probation officers and the
difference of that change will need to appropriated and advertised. Councilperson Owen made a
motion to TABLE 2013 -OR -15 with Councilperson Julius seconding, PASSING on a vote of 8-0.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
COUNCIL COMMENT
Councilperson Smith: briefly read a letter that is attached to these minutes regarding the marina.
Councilperson Smith expressed his concerns about the comments made about the council at a press
conference and stated they are taken out of context. Councilperson Smith stated he believed everything
she mentioned in the letter is true. Councilperson Smith stated he believes the council wants to get on
board with this project but there are a lot of questions needing to be answered.
Councilperson Zastawny: none
Councilperson Gill: attended a listen and learn session with the lieutenant governor for elected officials
and found it to be very helpful and very well received. Thanked the Lieutenant Governor for that. Also
thanked the community for raising $32,000 for the Crusade over the weekend.
Councilperson Glover: Thanked Ms. Hilton from the last meeting and the effort she put into getting the
temporary sign made for the animal shelter.
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Council President Sellers: stated she didn't know about the press conference either and does support
the marina, however there are so many unknowns. Council President Sellers asked Mr. Lewis to work on
a resolution for the council to go ahead and approve Alison -Brooke Park because the mayor chose to
remove the pond, south side road, and 10th street widening up until 2016 in hopes of more KIPDA
funding in the future. Council President Sellers also asked that the resolution includes that the plans
need to go before redevelopment especially in regards to the police station. Council President Sellers
also requested a resolution come to the Council at the next meeting in regards to how much they want
to fund from LOIT towards the police station.
Councilperson Julius: Clarified a few things about an article in the paper regarding the boat docks
downtown and needing the Council support. Councilperson Julius clarified that when something is
proposed to the council, it is the council's job to run the numbers, make sure it is fiscally possible, and
talk to the constituents. Councilperson Julius stated he feels the council does a great job of due diligence
regarding any projects presented to them for support.
Councilperson Owen: none
Councilperson Samuel: none
Councilperson Smith made a motion to ADJOURN at 9:01 P.M. with Councilperson Julius seconding,
PASSING on a vote of 8-0.
Connie Sellers, President
ATTESTED BY:
dtCL 11 -
Vicki Conlin, City Clerk
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