HomeMy WebLinkAboutJune 2, 2014COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA
June 2, 2014
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 2, 2014.
Council President Julius, with Vicki Conlin, City Clerk, called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. President Julius
asked those in attendance to stand as Bobby Campbell gave the Invocation. President Julius 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 Sellers,
Councilperson Gill, Councilperson Glover, Councilperson Samuel, President Julius, and Councilperson Owen.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA:
President Julius requested tabling #2 under New Business: an Ordinance Approving the Rezoning of a
Certain Tract Known as Falls Landing (White Reach Development) and in its place, add Bill Saegasser to
speak about the Sewer Board. Councilperson Owen requested #4 under Unfinished Business: a Resolution
Approving and Ratifying Interlocal Cooperation Agreement for the Joint Use and Operation of the Animal
Shelter be removed from the agenda. Vice President Gill made a motion to APPROVE the agenda with the
changes, with Councilperson Sellers seconding, PASSING on a vote of 8-0.
MINUTES TO BE APPROVED:
Councilperson Samuel made a motion to APPROVE the minutes from the regular Council meeting on May
19, 2014, with Councilperson Owen seconding, PASSING on a vote of 8-0.
CLAIMS TO BE APPROVED:
General Claims: Controller Amy Deering presented the General Claims List in the amount of $1,164,336.28
for approval. Councilperson Owen made the motion to APPROVE the General Claims List, with
Councilperson Payne seconding, PASSING on a vote of 8-0.
REPORT OF THE CLERK: None at this time.
DEPARTMENT HEAD/COMMISSIONS/BOARD REPORTS:
1. Les Merkley for DeLynn Rutherford — JAG Grant 2014-R-12 A Resolution Approving and Ratifying
the Interlocal Agreement Between the City of Jeffersonville, Town of Clarksville: Mr. Merkley
stepped out of Council Chambers momentarily and was unavailable to speak to Council about this
grant, so Clerk Conlin explained that she spoke with Ms. Rutherford this morning and she explained
that the JAG Grant is something that they do every year. This year the agreement is for nine laptops
for Clarksville. Councilperson Owen made a motion to APPROVE 2014-R-12, with Vice President Gill
seconding, PASSING on a vote of 8-0.
A. UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
1. Scott Lewis — 2014 -OR -23 An Ordinance Authorizing the Sale of Pins for the Jeffersonville
Steamboat Days Festival: Mr. Lewis presented 2014 -OR -23 for a third reading. Councilperson Sellers
made a motion to APPROVE 2014 -OR -23 on a third and final reading, with Vice President Gill
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seconding. Councilperson Owen explained that the money raised for the Festival has exceeded their
budget of $80,000; therefore, he doesn't agree with taxing our residents and visitors for certain
events when the City has a reputation of free admission. Vice President Gill explained that at the last
Steamboat Days Festival Committee meeting, downtown merchant Claudia Gatewood stated that
the merchants were going to get together and make plans to offer discounts in their stores with the
purchase of a festival pin. Councilperson Owen stated that selling festival pins is a great idea, but he
is against having to buy a pin to gain access to certain events. President Julius requested a roll call
vote:
AYE
Councilperson Smith X
Councilperson Payne
Councilperson Sellers X
Vice President Gill X
President Julius X
Councilperson Glover
Councilperson Owen
Councilperson Samuel X
After the roll call votes, the motion PASSES on a vote of 5-3.
NAY
X
X
X
2. Les Merkley — 2014-R-10 A Resolution Approving and Ratifying Interlocal Agreement between City
of Jeffersonville, Indiana and Clark County, Indiana (Fuel Supply for County Owned Vehicles): Mr.
Merkley explained that in the past, the City has provided fuel to the County for their vehicles and
there wasn't a written agreement in place. Mr. Merkley stated that he drafted this Interlocal
agreement stating that the County will reimburse the City for all the fuel supplied to all County
owned vehicles in the amount equal to the per gallon price paid by the City plus 5% to be paid back
to the City within 60 days. President Julius stated that Vehicle Maintenance Director Vissing stated
that it would be easier to go with a flat percentage. Councilperson Samuel made a motion to
APPROVE 2014-R-10, with Councilperson Sellers seconding, PASSING on a vote of 8-0.
3. Les Merkley — 2014-R-11 A Resolution Approving and Ratifying Interlocal Agreement between City
of Jeffersonville, Indiana and Clark County, Indiana (Maintenance/Repair of County Owned
Vehicles): Mr. Merkley explained that this agreement is in regard to the County owned vehicles that
the City works on and it establishes an hourly rate. President Julius requested Controller Deering get
a new figure for the hourly rate for Mr. Merkley to put in the agreement. President Julius requested
that Ms. Deering give the new figure to him and he will then speak to Mr. Vissing about it and asked
Ms. Deering to include a breakdown of how she arrived at the amount. Councilperson Payne made a
motion to TABLE 2014-R-11, with Councilperson Owen seconding, PASSING on a vote of 8-0.
Councilperson Smith stated that it is going to be difficult to justify working on County vehicles with
City taxpayer dollars.
B. NEW BUSINESS:
1. John Kraft — 2014 -OR -24 An Ordinance for the Vacation of Alleyways, Roadways and Public Ways
Pursuant to a Petition Filed by the Estate of Thomas Osborne: Attorney John Kraft stated that this
is to be a public hearing. Mr. Kraft came before the Council to request vacation of a tract of land
originally known as Woodland Drive. Mr. Kraft explained that they didn't want anyone to get all up
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in arms thinking that they were vacating an improved public right-of-way. This tract of land is still
owned by the original developer, Thomas Osborne, but it is now through his estate. Mr. Kraft stated
that they did give the appropriate notices required and Mr. Lewis took the appropriate steps to
address the City Engineer to make certain there were no public improvements within this
unimproved right-of-way.
PUBLIC HEARING — 2014 -OR -24: Council President Julius opened the Public Hearing at 7:16PM and
without further comment closed the hearing at 7:17PM.
Councilperson Samuel made a motion to APPROVE 2014 -OR -24, with Councilperson Owen
seconding, PASSING on a vote of 8-0.
2. Bill Saegasser—Jeffersonville Sewer Board: Mr. Saegasser stated that he was asked to come before
the Council tonight to give an update on where the Sewer Board stands on the Combined System
Overflow Project (CSO). Mr. Saegasser explained that in November 2013, the Sewer Board received
a 60% Design Development Stage Report. This information was given to another engineering firm to
evaluate whether or not they could do the same thing for Tess money. After the presentation, he
and Dale Orem expressed several concerns such as neighborhood disruptions, how to manage
traffic, what impact will it have on the local businesses, and the long-term maintenance of the CSO.
Mr. Saegasser explained that the intercepting pipe placed underground will be Targe enough for a
pick-up truck to drive through, which raises questions about the safety of the maintenance
personnel and what the cost will be to maintain it. Mr. Saegasser stated that his number one
concern when he spoke with the design team was odor control and he didn't feel that the design
team had adequately addressed that, so the Board asked them to look into it. Another concern that
was raised was the total cost of the project estimated at $37,000,000. Mr. Saegasser stated that
they have invested a tremendous amount of the rate payer's money into complying with the
Consent Decree and other projects. He and Mr. Orem have been concerned about what is at the
"back of the book" — they keep spending money, but don't know how much they have. Although the
report stated that the $37,000,000 cost was fiscally feasible, the Sewer Board had their doubts, and
with the assistance of financial consultants, Umbaugh, they calculated the Sewer Board's bonding
capacity at only $21,366,000. Mr. Saegasser stated that the Sewer Board is going to attempt to
figure out how to pay for this project, abide by the Consent Decree, and not raise sewer rates for
the rate payers. Councilperson Glover asked how it is the Sewer Board doesn't have answers about
how the pipe will be maintained, how odor will be controlled, and how the Board will pay for the
pipe and at what cost, stating that he would have expected to know those three things before he
ever sent it to design. Mr. Saegasser stated that the Board is looking into other design options to see
if some of the cost can be shaved down. Following discussion, the Council thanked Mr. Saegasser for
coming to tonight's meeting to give them an update on the CSO project.
NOTE: COUNCILPERSON ZASTAWNY joined the meeting at 7:49pm
3. Peggy Duffy — City Pride: Ms. Duffy came before the Council to discuss potential City funds for City
Pride. Ms. Duffy thanked City Council for the $14,000 they appropriate to City Pride. Ms. Duffy
stated that over 100 people were brought into their projects last year and explained that people
participate because they believe in the projects that City Pride is doing and not for a pat on the back.
Ms. Duffy stated that their projects are chosen carefully by determining what they will mean for the
City overall. Some of the long-term project costs that the Committee plans to accomplish are
improvements to Glossbrenner Garden and a contract with a professional weed control company for
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the medians on Court Avenue. Councilperson Sellers made a motion to give City Pride $7,000 out of
the Council's Cum Cap Development Fund, with Vice President Gill seconding, PASSING on a vote of
9-0.
4. Beth Keeney — Homeless Taskforce Update: Ms. Keeney explained that the task force intended to
award one contractor the proposal to create the 10 -year plan to end homelessness, but instead
found two really good contractors who each had different strengths. Ms. Kenney stated that they
have accomplished much more than they thought they could and are delighted with the feedback
from the community, business leaders, non -profits, etc. Ms. Kenney requested that the Homeless
Taskforce be contacted first if Council is ever considering an ordinance or a policy that could impact
homeless people. Ms. Kenney introduced Dr. Melissa Fry with IU Southeast.
Dr. Fry provided a "road map" of how the homeless study is set up, what she is doing, what the
other contractor is doing, how the process is designed, what they've done so far and what they still
need to do. Dr. Fry stated that Wendy Helterbran is the other contractor working on the study and
she has been the Pick Count Coordinator for the area and is working on entering data into a format
that they can use for analysis which will give them a much better picture of the homeless population
than they've ever had before. A Design Planning Committee has been established, that meets
separately from the taskforce, as well as focus groups and community forums. Dr. Fry stated that
they are trying to access as many community voices as possible and get input from as many players
as they can. Once this information is compiled, they anticipate a February, 2015, release date for the
proposal. Council thanked Dr. Fry and Ms. Kenney for attending tonight's meeting and providing an
update on the Homeless Taskforce.
5. Amy Deering — 2014 -OR -25 An Ordinance for Additional Appropriation: Ms. Deering requested
approval for an additional appropriation for the following: LOIT — $71,000 for Police Salaries
Incentive Pay, $20,000 for additional Parks Part -Time seasonal help, $1,550 Parks Social Security,
$35,000 General- Fire Overtime which Ms. Deering explained that Chief Hedrick has spent 53% of his
overtime budget year to -date and this is the amount he is forecasting that he will need to take him
through the end of the year, and General — Fire Accrued Benefits is regarding two retirees and Ms.
Deering explained that this amount is overstated and should be $54,645 (not $94,645) because
there was $40,000 in the original budget, which will be reduced before it gets advertised.
Ms. Deering stated that there is currently $15,562 in cash that's not appropriated and asked Council
if they want to budget everything, or just the $7,000 for City Pride that was approved tonight. Ms.
Deering explained that City Pride/Beautification has a fund that all their expenditures go through
and she wants to move the $7,000 to that fund. Councilperson Sellers stated that she would like to
have more explanation on the requested Parks Part -Time seasonal help of $20,000. If Mr. Northam
needs the money for workers at Allison Brooke Park or the Big 4 then Redevelopment should be
taking care of that. Councilperson Smith suggested this be discussed at the Parks Authority meeting.
Councilperson Samuel suggested holding off until the end of the year for the additional $35,000
Chief Hedrick has requested in overtime. Vice President Gill explained that she questioned Chief
Hedrick what had changed in overtime requiring him to request additional funding and he stated
that there was a Department Head meeting where they were instructed to ask for what's needed
due to the Big 4 and the RiverStage events. Attorney Les Merkley and Councilperson Glover stated
that they haven't heard that statement in the department head meetings. Councilperson Samuel
made a motion to modify 2014 -OR -25 and APPROVE LOIT for $71,000 and the General Fire Accrued
Benefits for $54,645 on the first reading but await further information on the Parks and Fire
Overtime requests. Ms. Deering stated that she is going to have to advertise whatever is approved.
President Julius asked Councilperson Zastawny if he would speak to Parks Director Paul Northam for
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clarification on the Parks Part -Time request of $20,000 and he stated that he would. Ms. Deering
asked if she could also add in the $7,000 for City Pride and Council stated that she could. After
discussion, Councilperson Samuel withdrew his motion. Councilperson Owen made a motion to
APPROVE 2014 -OR -25 on the first reading with the change of General — Fire — Accrued Benefits from
$94,645 to $54,645, and the addition of $7,000, with Councilperson Glover seconding, PASSING on a
vote of 9-0.
6. Les Merkley — 2014 -OR -26 An Ordinance Regulating Door -to -Door Solicitation and Transient
Merchants (Repealing 2012 -OR -13 and 2013 -OR -6): Mr. Merkley presented a revised ordinance
placing controls on transient vendors such as street vendors and mobile vendors due to the influx of
requests brought on by the opening of the Big Four Bridge. Mr. Merkley explained that they aren't
going to ban them, they just want to regulate and license them, and it will be up to the Planning and
Zoning Department as to where there are located and how many they have. Councilperson Smith
stated that he doesn't want the transient vendors taking business away from the downtown
merchants and Mr. Merkley explained that they do now want to allow any mobile vendors to
compete with the downtown businesses. Mr. Merkley stated that the ordinance's door-to-door
regulations will stay the same. Councilperson Payne stated that he didn't vote for the ordinance
before and won't vote for it again tonight explaining that he feels it is burdensome. Many people
are allowed to go door-to-door without a permit so how can a homeowner tell if that person is
allowed to be there. Councilperson Payne also stated that he doesn't see a street vendor competing
with a business downtown. Mr. Merkley asked that the ordinance be passed on all three readings.
Vice President Gill made a motion to SUSPEND THE RULES in anticipation of 2014 -OR -26 passing on
all three readings, with Councilperson Smith seconding, PASSING on a vote of 9-0.
Vice President Gill made a motion to PASS 2014 -OR -26 on all three readings, with Councilperson
Smith seconding, PASSING on a vote of 7-2.
7. Les Merkley — 2014 -OR -27 An Ordinance Adopting Rules and Regulations for Big Four Pedestrian
Ramp: Mr. Merkley stated that this ordinance encompasses the ramp and the surrounding park area
and states that dogs, cats, etc. are not allowed. After further consideration, amended the ordinance
to allow animals in the park, but not the ramp. The ordinance is identical as to what is on the
Kentucky side so we can be consistent. Mr. Smith explained that there are a lot of elderly that can't
climb the ramp and wondered if the City could come up with a way to take handicapped people up
on the bridge and bring them back down. Mr. Merkley stated it should be allowed under the service
vehicles. Councilperson Samuel stated that he doesn't see the difference of someone on a bicycle or
someone on in-line skates and skateboards. Mr. Merkley stated that this is the regulation on the
Kentucky side to not allow in-line skating and skateboards. Councilperson Smith stated that adults
on bikes are coming down the Jeffersonville ramp at a high rate of speed.
Councilperson Owen made a motion to SUSPEND THE RULES in anticipation of 2014 -OR -27 passing
on all three readings, with Councilperson Glover seconding, PASSING on a vote of 9-0.
Councilperson Owen made a motion to PASS 2014 -OR -27 on all three readings, with Councilperson
Glover seconding, PASSING on a vote of 8-1.
8. Les Merkley — 2014 -OR -28 An Ordinance Prohibiting Unauthorized Camping on Public or Private
Property: Mr. Merkley stated that the Big Four Bridge will be open 24 -hours a day which in reality
will include the Big Four Station. This ordinance outlines what a police officer is to do before he/she
even attempts to enforce this ordinance to insure that no one's rights are infringed upon for various
reasons. Vice President Gill asked if he has consulted with Police Chief Grimm, and Mr. Merkley
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clarification on the Parks Part -Time request of $20,000 and he stated that he would. Ms. Deering
asked if she could also add in the $7,000 for City Pride and Council stated that she could. After
discussion, Councilperson Samuel withdrew his motion. Councilperson Owen made a motion to
APPROVE 2014 -OR -25 on the first reading with the change of General — Fire — Accrued Benefits from
$94,645 to $54,645, and the addition of $7,000, with Councilperson Glover seconding, PASSING on a
vote of 9-0.
6. Les Merkley — 2014 -OR -26 An Ordinance Regulating Door -to -Door Solicitation and Transient
Merchants (Repealing 2012 -OR -13 and 2013 -OR -6): Mr. Merkley presented a revised ordinance
placing controls on transient vendors such as street vendors and mobile vendors due to the influx of
requests brought on by the opening of the Big Four Bridge. Mr. Merkley explained that they aren't
going to ban them, they just want to regulate and license them, and it will be up to the Planning and
Zoning Department as to where there are located and how many they have. Councilperson Smith
stated that he doesn't want the transient vendors taking business away from the downtown
merchants and Mr. Merkley explained that they do not want to allow any mobile vendors to
compete with the downtown businesses. Mr. Merkley stated that the ordinance's door-to-door
regulations will stay the same. Councilperson Payne stated that he didn't vote for the ordinance
before and won't vote for it again tonight explaining that he feels it is burdensome. Many people
are allowed to go door-to-door without a permit so how can a homeowner tell if that person is
allowed to be there. Councilperson Payne also stated that he doesn't see a street vendor competing
with a business downtown. Mr. Merkley asked that the ordinance be passed on all three readings.
Vice President Gill made a motion to SUSPEND THE RULES in anticipation of 2014 -OR -26 passing on
all three readings, with Councilperson Smith seconding, PASSING on a vote of 9-0.
Vice President Gill made a motion to PASS 2014 -OR -26 on all three readings, with Councilperson
Smith seconding, PASSING on a vote of 7-2.
7. Les Merkley — 2014 -OR -27 An Ordinance Adopting Rules and Regulations for Big Four Pedestrian
Ramp: Mr. Merkley stated that this ordinance encompasses the ramp and the surrounding park area
and states that dogs, cats, etc. are not allowed. After further consideration, amended the ordinance
to allow animals in the park, but not the ramp. The ordinance is identical as to what is on the
Kentucky side so we can be consistent. Mr. Smith explained that there are a lot of elderly that can't
climb the ramp and wondered if the City could come up with a way to take handicapped people up
on the bridge and bring them back down. Mr. Merkley stated it should be allowed under the service
vehicles. Councilperson Samuel stated that he doesn't see the difference of someone on a bicycle or
someone on in-line skates and skateboards. Mr. Merkley stated that this is the regulation on the
Kentucky side to not allow in-line skating and skateboards. Councilperson Smith stated that adults
on bikes are coming down the Jeffersonville ramp at a high rate of speed.
Councilperson Owen made a motion to SUSPEND THE RULES in anticipation of 2014 -OR -27 passing
on all three readings, with Councilperson Glover seconding, PASSING on a vote of 9-0.
Councilperson Owen made a motion to PASS 2014 -OR -27 on all three readings, with Councilperson
Glover seconding, PASSING on a vote of 8-1.
8. Les Merkley — 2014 -OR -28 An Ordinance Prohibiting Unauthorized Camping on Public or Private
Property: Mr. Merkley stated that the Big Four Bridge will be open 24 -hours a day which in reality
will include the Big Four Station. This ordinance outlines what a police officer is to do before he/she
even attempts to enforce this ordinance to insure that no one's rights are infringed upon for various
reasons. Vice President Gill asked if he has consulted with Police Chief Grimm, and Mr. Merkley
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Ricky Romans and himself, but there is software that can be put on their phones to turn off the
lights and he is working with Paul Northam to get those apps in place so they can easily take care of
turning the lights off without manually having to go out there. Councilperson Zastawny asked the
other Council members to give him a call anytime during the night if there is a complaint about the
lights being left on and he will turn them off.
There will be a couple of soccer tournaments this summer at the Woehrle Complex and they will
receive a packet from Jeff Main Street that will include a map and some incentives to go
downtown. There have also been discussions with the Sheraton for special rates for those who are
coming from out-of-town for the tournament.
Councilperson Payne: asked how the door-to-door ordinance will affect musicians on the bridge.
Mr. Merkley stated the ordinance only pertains to the ramp and the park area and will check on the
definition of transient merchant and will see where musician falls in there.
Councilperson Sellers: stated that she wants to thank One Southern Indiana. They work very hard
in bringing businesses to this area — they are excellent recruiters.
Vice President Gill: stated that she was really glad that Bill Saegasser came tonight to speak to the
Council. When he spoke about the bonding capacity that's based on the next sewer rates that really
opened up their eyes. Stated that she would not be in favor of any sewer rate hike because that is
the number one complaint of constituents in her district.
Disagrees with Councilperson Owen stating that we came in over budget on the Steamboat Festival
fundraising. The Steamboat Days Committee wanted to look at sponsorships and got behind on
that task so that is why the three different entities within the City gave money. If any sponsorship
comes in, that money is not to be spent this year, it is to be set aside for next year. Councilperson
Sellers explained that the reason for this is the way they do their budgets. If their budgets have
been set, they may not be able to donate next year so they have agreed to not go over budget this
year and that money should be used for next year as seed money for what they want to do.
Councilperson Glover: stated that he did get some calls from neighbors complaining about parking
at the Woehrle Complex. He explained that the neighbors liked the park and the attendance, but
didn't like people parking in their yard. The neighbors proposed no parking signs and he told them
that it would be addressed in the Board of Public Works and Safety meeting. It will make them
happy to get some signs posted, but none of them complained about the soccer park at all. Kudos
to Councilperson Zastawny for pushing that complex through.
Councilperson Glover stated that at the BPW last week, they discussed closing the west exit ramp
onto Hwy. 265 from 7:OOpm to 5:OOam, but after further discussion they decided to change the
time to 10:OOpm to 5:OOam, which may extend the period that it's closed from one week to two.
The construction team was asked to move their blinking construction signs all the way down as
close as they could to Stacy Road to catch the Charlestown traffic and re-route them through New
Albany -Charlestown Pike.
At the BPW last week they also passed the Fire Department's new Standard Operating Procedure
which had to do with the response for the Big Four Bridge.
Councilperson Owen: Asked Councilperson Zastawny if the app for the lights at the Woehrle
Complex were also possible at Vissing Park since lights have been left on all night at that park as
well. Councilperson Zastawny stated that he isn't 100% sure, but thinks that the technology is
different at Vissing, but will check on that.
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Thanked Matt Hall with One Southern Indiana and Beth Keeney with the Homeless Taskforce.
Councilperson Owen stated that it seems they are more on top of it than our Sewer Department
and it was good to have them here today.
Also remarked that the turn -out downtown was huge for the G -rated movie "Frozen" at the
RiverStage.
Councilperson Samuel: stated that he spoke with Andy Crouch about sidewalks. There is $250,000
in the sidewalk line item and he was under the impression that it was to be used for sidewalks
going to Vissing Park. That estimate came in at $150,000. He told Mr. Crouch that he would speak
to the Council to confirm that with the extra $100,000 he can start working on projects. Council
Samuel stated that he is going to encourage the Finance Committee to see if we can find any more
money to fund sidewalk projects.
President Julius: suggested Council members stop in at the Fire Boat Training.
President Julius stated that the Mayor was on the news requesting new police officers — as many as
20 — and wasn't sure if the Big Four spurred that request or not. Remarked that no one on the
Council is against public safety — they want to have the safest city they can get. Also feels that the
Big Four has done good things by bringing in business and commerce downtown, but thinks the
administration opened the bridge with no plan for trash pick-up, signage, security, etc. Stated that
the City had two years to plan for that opening. President Julius stated that Andy Crouch called a
meeting after the first full week that the Big Four opened with all the department heads and
believes that they have done a wonderful job circumventing all of the issues from trash to
maintenance on the bridge. President Julius stated that he thinks that the administration was more
reactive than proactive.
President Julius stated that the proper channel for additional police officers is for the Mayor to
come to a Finance meeting and tell them what the plan is, if there is a plan, and explain why he
needs an additional 20 officers. Mr. Merkley stated that it is his understanding that the Police Chief
is coming to the next Council meeting and President Julius stated that he needs to come to the
Finance meeting. Mr. Merkley stated that if the Finance meeting is where you want the Chief to go,
that's where he will go. Ms. Conlin stated that she has not heard from the Chief about being on the
agenda for the next meeting. President Julius explained to Mr. Merkley that the Council learned
from the news stations that the Mayor wants 20 police officers. Mr. Merkley stated that the Police
Chief wants 20 police officers - the Mayor doesn't decide how many police officers are going out on
the street, the Chief does. President Julius stated that he heard the message on television (stating
the Mayor will hire 20 police officers). Mr. Merkley interrupted and remarked that he also woke up
this morning and saw on Channel 11 that it was going to be on the agenda tonight, which he knew
wasn't true. Mr. Merkley stated that reporters get it wrong, unfortunately. Mr. Merkley stated that
he knows this to be true because he used to be a reporter and they get it wrong, stating they know
they get it wrong, that's the reason they have corrections.
Mr. Merkley explained that they received notification from the Department of Transportation
within hours and obviously the public wanted it open as soon as possible, so they acted as quickly
as they could. It was Memorial Day weekend and there were a lot of people down there for the
Louisville Crashers. The next Monday, they had a meeting with all the department heads and went
through all the issues that they felt they needed to do a better. In hindsight, it could have been
done better, but overall considering the short notice they had to get the bridge open he feels
things went very well. Councilperson Smith stated that Monday night at the Council meeting Mr.
Merkley never said a word about the bridge opening. Councilperson Smith stated that he received
a text at 9:30am stating he should come to a ribbon cutting at 2:00 that afternoon. Mr. Merkley
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explained that on the morning of the opening they had a conference call with David Karem in
Mayor Fischer's office. The City of Jeffersonville wasn't allowed to take down the barrier, only
Louisville Waterfront Corporation could. Councilperson Sellers stated that we all knew the bridge
was going to open, but things should have been done in advance such as the signage and trash
issues. The public was asking for directions and locations to eat and nothing was there to show
them. Mr. Merkley stated that he agrees things could have been done better the first weekend,
and it's easy to take cheap shots regarding the first weekend, but thinks they have done a very
good job since then. Councilperson Sellers stated that she isn't trying to take cheap shots. Mr.
Merkley stated that they have done a very good job with thousands of people coming into
Jeffersonville without any incidents.
Councilperson Zastawny questioned what will be the "new normal" in regards to the flow of people
when the newness wears off. Mr. Merkley stated that is why they decided to go 10 weeks with the
security plan that the chief has put together with Redevelopment because they don't know if it's
going to continue to be the same, have fewer people or more people — they don't know the
answer. Councilperson Zastawny asked if we have enough restrooms and Mr. Merkley stated that
they don't have the restrooms completed in the park and he won't give a date because if he does
"they" run with it. Councilperson Zastawny stated that it should be a priority because that was the
biggest complaint he heard from the public. Mr. Merkley stated that there should have been more
restrooms at the Crashers concert regardless of whether or not the Big Four was open.
President Julius stated that Andy Crouch sent him a green space maintenance plan compiling a list
of all green space that the City takes care of and the amount of employees they think they need to
take care of the space. He will be sending all Council members a copy of it. Ms. Conlin stated that
Mr. Crouch asked to be put on the June 16th Council meeting agenda and President Julius agreed.
Councilperson Smith made a motion to ADJOURN at 9:28pm, with Councilperson Owen seconding,
PASSING on a vote of 9-0.
APPROVED BY:
Vicki Conlin, City Clerk
Dennis JuPresident
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