HomeMy WebLinkAboutSeptember 15, 2014COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA
September 15, 2014
The Common Council of the City of Jeffersonville, Indiana met in regular session in Room 101, 500
Quartermaster Court, Jeffersonville, Indiana at 7:00pm, on Tuesday, September 2, 2014_
CouncilPresident Julius with Vicki Conlin, City Clerk, called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. President
Julius asked those in attendance to stand as Mr. Bobby Campbell gave the Invocation. President Julius
introduced Cub Scout Troup Pack 9, led by Scott Gardner of First Christian Church, to lead in the Pledge
of Allegiance "CO the Flag_
Theroll call and those present were: Councilperson Smith, Councilperson Zastawny, Councilperson
Payne, Councilperson Sellers, Vice President Gill, President Julius, Councilperson Owen, and
Councilperson Samuel- Absent was Councilperson Glover.
MINUTES TO BE APPROVED:
Vice President Gill made a motion to APPROVE the minutes from the regular Council meeting on
September 2, 2014, with Councilperson Zastawny seconding- Councilperson Sellers abstains due to her
absence last meeting. PASSING on a vote of 7-0-1.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA:
Vice President Gill made a motion to APPROVE the agenda, with Councilperson Smith 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
$1,951,475.93. Councilperson Sellers and Vice President Gill had some questions about the claims.
Councilperson Sellers asked, on page 1 Dept- Mayor the volleyball advertisment. Controller Deering
stated that she checked into the whole sponsorship- Corporate Attorney Merkley golf outing City of
Jeffersonville and the claims are not signed without him looking over them first and states that there will
be a copy of the ad included from now on, as the ordinance states. Councilperson Sellers states that
one was included but in the future they all needed to be done this way so they can be seen. Controller
Deering states that on page 14 there is a claim for the Drainage Department that needs to be removed
for $858-36, Page 8 for $37.91 to Duke Energy, and a hand carried claim for Republic Bank on a lease for
one of the garbage packers, for $29,274.82 from the Street Department and will be paid out of the EDIT
Fund. This brings the new total to $1,979,854.48. Councilperson Samuels had a question on page 3,
looks like there are two of the same claims to Clark County REMC for $924.12 at the top section, fifth
one down and eighth one down. Might be a duplicate of a monthly payment. Controller Deering said
she would check on that. President Julius asked Corporate Attorney Merkley if there were any updates
on the Palmer Suit. Thought in February we paid a claim- Corporate Attorney Merkley stated that we
paid less than the deductible, it was $8,600-00 for legal fees- Councilperson Smith mentions on page 8
the sewer utility on Middle Road for $4,498-00 should probably go to Redevelopment as opposed to
Sewer Utility. Councilperson Owens suggested and confirmed that this was the Aquatic Center after
checking. President Julius asked if City was in the Red at some point. Controller Deering stated that
yes, if it was before we got the settlement from the county- This happens every year. It was about a
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three week period. Councilperson Sellers asked if the surplus was gone, she was under the impression
we were in the black. Controller Deering stated that we get our surplus twice a year, in June and
December when the City receives it payment. The ending cash looks to be the same as it was last year.
Councilperson Samuels asks about page 12, the very bottom under Cum Cap, street light optical.
Controller Deering states that was for some street lights on Court Avenue. Councilperson Sellers had
one more, on page 5 under Safety Depart. Indiana Wellness Conference. Several people from different
departments are going but are being paid for out of the department they work for. This one is for Mr.
Lovan and it should be paid from the Sewer Department because that is the department he works for.
Should not be coming from Safety for $239.20. Councilperson Smith wanted to make sure they were all
pulled to check. Councilperson Sellers stated they were. Controller Deering stated the new Total was
$1,979,615.28. Vice President Gill made a motion to APPROVE the Amended General Claims list in the
amount $1,979,615.28 with Councilperson Owen seconding, President Julius abstained, PASSING on a
vote of 7-0-1.
REPORT OF THE CLERK: None at this time.
A. UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
1. Amy Deering- 2014 -OR -46 An Ordinance of Additional Appropriation: No changes since the
last meeting. Councilperson Sellers addressed the $7,000.00 and $5,000.00 from Special
Projects. Controller Deering stated that was for the Riverstage mailer that was mailed out. The
$5,000.00 was an additional cost for sod at Woehrle Park.
PUBLIC HEARING: Council President Julius opened the Public Hearing at 7:12pm, Closed the
hearing at 7:12pm.
Councilperson Owen made the motion to approve 2014 -OR -46 on the 3rd and Final Reading,
with Councilperson Sellers seconding, PASSING on a vote of 8-0.
2. Scott Lewis — 2014 -OR -47 An Ordinance Authorizing Fees for Various City Parks Department
Events, Programs, Facilities and Merchandise: Councilperson Payne makes a motion to TABLE,
Councilperson Zastawny seconding, PASSING on a vote of 8-0.
B. NEW BUSINESS:
1. Nathan Samuel — Dr. Fry Homeless Task Force: Reached out to Beth Kenney and Dr. Fry to
come and speak. Dr. Fry states that she just wanted to give an update and include some of what
she presented last time. Again we are doing individual interviews and focus groups, as well as
this planning committee that has been meeting that represents a variety of organizations and
interests from the community. So far we have had individual conversations with Jesus Cares at
Exit 0, Haven House Shelter, Haven House Nursing Program, Jeffersonville Police Department,
New Albany Housing Authority, Clark Memorial Hospital, Clark Memorial Physician's Group,
Clark Memorial Social Workers, Louisville Coalition for the Homeless, Salvation Army, Center for
Women and Families, Family Health Center, Saint Elizabeth's, Volunteers of America,
Jeffersonville Housing Authority, and another individual from the Center for Women and
Families. Task Force has been regularly attending the Southern Indiana Housing Initiatives
meetings, and we've had three planning committee meetings.
The first was introductions, we met to discuss health, mental health, and substance abuse
concerns among low income and homeless individuals and did some planning around that. We
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have had very productive meetings and a strong turnout at our most recent meeting so we are
feeling pretty good about that. Again those represented on the committee are downtown
residents, Salvation Army, private real estate developers, formerly homeless individuals,
currently homeless individuals, the nurse from Haven House, New Albany Housing Authorities
Self Sufficiency Program, Clark County Youth Shelter, libraries in both Jeffersonville and New
Albany, Housing Advocates, Goodwill of Southern Indiana, other residents, LifeSpring, Guilt Edge
Baptist Church, Kings Kitchen, Hope Southern Indiana, Jeffersonville Housing Authority, Center
for Ley Ministries, St. Elizabeth's, and First Christian Church of Jeffersonville.
Task Force has also distributed an organizational survey to sixty organizations and we've had
about a 50% response rate. We are still following up to try and boost that up a little bit. We are
working on setting up our analysis of that data.
In terms of focus groups, we had a focus group of safety net providers and a group of homeless
individuals that we met with in New Albany. Task Force had a lot more trouble getting our focus
groups together in Jeffersonville. We have put up flyers and we aren't getting people to show
up so we've made an arrangement with King's Kitchen to go in and just sit down at lunch. We
are waiting now until we have more of a draft plan so we can get more feedback from those
groups. Focus groups for those providing for the immediate needs of the homeless, a variety of
organizations were represented at that meeting. Focus group of community interests and this
included downtown residents, businesses, the libraries and a few other organizations. We had a
little trouble getting residents out for downtown Jeff so what we've talked about doing is to
meet with the Downtown Merchants Association, as well as all of the neighborhood
associations. Task Force is approaching them to make sure we have those voices represented.
We still need to meet with folks at Wayside Mission in Louisville for some ideas from them. We
have an additional planning committee meeting that will focus on economic security, including
workforce development, education, and employment. That will be in October. Following that
meeting our remaining meetings will be to review our draft of the strategic plan and sort of fine
tune it and do a full swat analysis in terms of where our community stands in terms of being
ready to execute. We will be launching a public education campaign in just a few weeks,
probably around mid-October. You will start to see information come out in the paper. We will
be working with the News and Tribune to get coverage of issues affecting individuals' housing
stability and function as barriers to moving out of homelessness and back to housing. Those will
lead up to community forum , which will be the two weeks before Thanksgiving. We have two
sets, one in New Albany and one in Jeffersonville, both held at the public libraries. That is where
we stand at this point.
Vice President Gill asked about King's Table's location and wondered why they were having
trouble with participation there. Dr. Fry answered that it was located at Guilt Edge Baptist
Church right across the street from the Haven House Shelter. They serve lunch several days a
week, maybe three. They have a really young and energetic pastor who has some really good
ideas and they are trying to work with us to try and sit with people and do some talking during
their lunch. The participation on the meetings is just because it is another meeting to go to. It
was suggested to have a plan drafted to have specific talking points to discuss. Then we'd have
an opportunity to respond in that form.
Vice President Gill offered her help with the neighborhood association and Councilperson Sellers
suggested contacting individuals from each separate neighborhood and the presidents of the
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groups, as they may let you come and speak to their groups when they meet. Dr. Fry had
contacted the person from the Downtown Merchants Association but needs to do more follow
up with that. She also spoke with Rose Hill and people did not show up. Dr. Fry asked the
council if they had ideas about priority in terms of which ones to make sure they don't miss.
Council responded with Rose Hill, Franklin Commons, and Claysburg. Vice President Gill stated
that if you go to the City Website it lists all their contacts. President Julius asked if the Task
Force has been in contact with Haven House. Dr. Fry stated yes and that she has individual
interviews with Barbara Anderson and she also participated in the focus group of those who
meet the immediate needs of the homeless sent materials to her for feedback.
Councilperson Samuels asks what the entire plan would encompass, for example, more
panhandlers are coming up to businesses on 10th Street and people being approached in the
Kroger parking lot asking for money. Dr. Fry replied my understanding is that is covered under
Indiana Statute. Councilperson Samuels asks if she or her group would recommend direction on
this or if we need to come up with an ordinance, if anything or if we even want to do that. Dr.
Fry states that she believes it is already covered in Indiana law so she doesn't necessarily think
there would be a debate over an ordinance. Beth Keeney may be able to speak a little more on
the task force position. Beth Kenney states that panhandling is a criminal offense and she thinks
there is probably room for education or information that we could provide to the police so that
they could handle it in a compassionate manner. This would just be to provide them resources
that they can provide to individuals who they might across who are panhandling. I think that
this is something that we could do quickly. One of the things we did with the Point in Time
survey was we gave out little business card size things printed and we handed them out to
everyone who participated in it. It has the local shelters, where you could get food; the pocket
guide to resources. There is a cost associated with that, not a lot, but I think that is something
that we could provide very quickly and develop quickly if you all wanted to have it printed. We
could provide that to the police department and they could use it in their interactions with
people who are homeless. I think this is an opportunity to do something very quickly. At the
end of the day, panhandling is a criminal offense so I don't know that we need necessarily an
ordinance. Vice President Gill stated that she has spoken to Chief Grimm and he said to get the
cards to him and he would make sure the officers got those. Ms. Keeney stated that she would
send something in the next few days with those updated resources. Councilperson Samuels
requested an anticipated timeline for the plan. Dr. Fry stated February 28, March 1 deadline.
2. Nathan Samuel — Beth Kenney Health Care Clinic: A few years ago LifeSpring started looking at
we were going directionally. We had just reached our 50th birthday and knew we were sort of
moving toward primary care for our clients; because we see that they are dying a lot faster than
they should be. Mostly due to risk factors we think can be modified and managed better. Many
of them have chronic health issues and diseases that can be managed better than they are
currently.. A federally qualified health center is a clinic that can provide cradle to grave primary
healthcare services, we have decided to focus on the homeless as the primary population that
we want to serve; in addition to some of the other special populations. So I am on the agenda
tonight asking for a letter of support from you all for that, and I am happy to send language if
you'd prefer that. But it will just indicate that you understand that we will be providing services
on a sliding fee scale, we will provide services regardless of ability to pay. And that is going to be
in Jeffersonville on Sharon Drive behind the Turning Point Center. Ms. Keeney asked Dr. Fry to
touch on some of the health needs. Dr. Fry states that there are a variety of providers that are
doing a great job but our healthcare penetration is still relatively low. Our homeless population
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predominately seeks care across the river at Phoenix Health Center. Which is a federally
qualified health center that has the homeless population designation, which means they get
funding. They are absolutely supposed to be serving the homeless population. So our folks are
having to cross the river for that care. Which puts a tremendous strain on us. The nurse at
Haven House will send people to local providers but for a lot things she has to send them across
the river. So then she has to get them bus fare and make sure they get over there, and get back
and it becomes really quite onerous for people managing chronic illness. Our low income
population is able to access healthcare on this side of the river from providers but we are not
penetrating that population at a very high rate. So there is plenty of room for additional
providers in our community. Councilperson Smith asks about the Clark County Health Center by
the hospital. Dr. Fry states they provide for those operating under 200% of the poverty level,
they are a federally qualified health center, and they are a good clinic they just can't meet all of
the need. We have a very large low income population and there is just a lot of need. President
Julius asks how people are going to get to the facility. Ms. Keeney states that they will be
providing transportation and will be doing some degree of mobile healthcare outreach to the
homeless. We do not know exactly what that will look like. In preliminary discussion we think
we will send a nurse to homeless areas and areas where they congregate. We will also have a
bus line and if they are not literally street homeless today, maybe they are homeless by the
FQHC standards, which is not the same as the homeless definition we think of. They can take a
Tarq because it is a bus line. We are doing outreach and take people where the homeless are
located, and if they can't come to us and they have a pressing healthcare need we will send a
doctor or nurse practitioner out. So we anticipate meeting the need where it is. We think this is
where our agency is headed, not necessarily just serving the homeless but to meeting their
overall comprehensive healthcare needs of our community. Dr. Fry states that one thing about
their application that is really important is care for the seriously mentally ill. One of the things
that our current FQHC does not do is administer a variety of the medications that seriously
mentally ill people need. So because they are also mental healthcare providers they are
including that as one of their grant applications. They are really going to be targeting meeting
the needs of the seriously mentally ill and I think that is an important component of the
application. Ms. Keeney states that they see the special populations as being more their market
niche. As opposed to the Family Health Center which sort of targets everyone, especially the
low income. We really see the need for these special populations that have a lot of anxiety
around seeking healthcare services; there are a lot of barriers to get there whether it is
transportation availability, ability to pay, cognitive understanding. We really feel that special
populations are where we will serve the most. President Julius asked about the sliding pay scale
and how many people can be treated. Ms. Keeney stated the homeless will pay nothing, as long
as individuals are 200% below the poverty level they will pay nothing; for medication or visits.
They think after three years they will be up to treating about 3000 patients. Councilperson
Smith asks where they are located. Ms. Keeney stated that LifeSpring serves six southern
Indiana counties. There is an outpatient office on Grant Line Road and an administrative office
on Market Street, and there are a couple group homes in New Albany. We serve around 8000
people per year. Councilperson Owens requested language be sent and they will have City
Attorney Scott Lewis review.
3. Matt Owen — Dan Williamson ProMedia: Councilperson Owen attended a Board of Public
Works meeting that Mr. Williamson had a presentation during. He thought it would be a good
idea for him to come and go over some of the social media numbers that he presented that day
because it is impressive. Mr. Williamson thanked the council for inviting him. Felt it was
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prudent to give a report on the activity that they have been undertaking for the city of
Jeffersonville in the past eight months. A couple years ago less than 2000 people were liking our
Facebook, in 2013 that increased to 4900. In 2014 this jumped up from 440 new likes in the first
eight months of the year to 1000. A tremendous amount of people, most constituents within
the city of Jeffersonville. The page views were 147,000 from 2012-2013, and jumped up to
more than double this year at 344,000. The users went from 51,000 to 102,000. This is a
tremendous increase. We went to every department in the city and said we wanted to touch
and keep your sight up to date. Many of the departments and department heads are relying on
us to keep their information up to date; many do it themselves but some are relying us to do so.
Sessions are another thing. Basically that is people engaged on your website. 164% increase for
sessions. Users were 150% increase. Page views were 211%. Really significant numbers when
you look at comparisons from last year to this year. Through the first eight months, we have
published eight videos to YouTube. In 2013 there were 7200 minutes watched by 4100 views.
In 2014 we have increased to 6100 views and 15,000 minutes watched. As a lifetime stat views
for nearly two years have been 36,129 with 67,854 minutes being viewed with content relating
to the city of Jeffersonville. People are learning about this community as well as those living
here watching. There is a large number of video retention, meaning people are watching and
staying with it. Councilperson Samuels asked who to send information to if they want
something updated or added. Mr. Williamson stated that information had not changed. To
please let them if anything is out of date or needs changing. In the coming months they are
hoping to get Twitter going via Facebook. Councilperson Owens stated that he is thankful that
ProMedia is doing so much to get all the good works of the city out there.
3. Dennis Julius — 2015 Budget Workshop Calendar: We invite the public to get involved and to
come and sit through these meetings because they are your tax dollars and this budget is being
done for you, to protect you. City Clerk Conlin will post the schedule to the website. City Court
will be moved from Tuesday the 23rd to Monday the 29`h. This information will be advertised
and the Judge will be notified by Controller Deering and City Attorney Lewis will be notified by
City Clerk Conlin. City Clerk Conlin will post the changes to the website.
September 23, 2014
6:00 p.m. — Street/Sanitation
6:45 p.m. — Engineer
7:15 p.m. — Vehicle Maintenance
September 24, 2014
6:00 p.m. — Human Resources
6:15 p.m. — Safety
6:30 p.m. — Planning and Zoning
6:45 p.m. — Fire
September 25, 2014
6:00 p.m. — Law Dept.
6:15 p.m. — BPW
6:30 p.m. — Mayor
6:45 p.m. — Building Comm.
7:00 p.m. — IT Dept.
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September 29, 2014
6:00 p.m. — Police
7:00 p.m. —Animal Shelter
7:30 p.m. — Parks
8:00 p.m. — City Court
5. Amy Deering — 2014 -OR -48 An Ordinance of Additional Appropriation (Public Hearing October
6, 2014) A request for additional money out of LOIT for the body cameras for $40,286.00.
Councilperson Owens made a motion to APPROVE 2014 -OR -48 on the First Reading, with
Councilperson Zastawny seconding, PASSING on a vote of 8-0.
6. Amy Deering — 2014 -OR -49 An Ordinance Transferring Certain Funds within the Same
Department: A transfer request Animal Shelter Overtime to Medical Supplies. Councilperson
Owens made a motion to APPROVE 2014 -OR -49 on the First Reading, with Councilperson Sellers
seconding the motion, PASSING on a vote of 8-0.
CITY COUNCIL ATTORNEY REPORT: None at this time.
DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS: None at this time.
PUBLIC COMMENT: None at this time.
COUNCIL COMMENTS:
Councilperson Smith: None at this time.
Councilperson Zastawny: We had talked about trying to video or record the Redevelopment meetings.
Addressed City Clerk Conlin about maybe getting cameras. Clerk Conlin stated that we would need to
webcams if it is upstairs but needed permission from Redevelopment to video/audio and the Clerk or
Clerk Staff will have to attend the meetings to do the cameras. From council standpoint he wonders if
this is necessary. He states that they have special meetings at different times and it is a way people can
review and keep up with what is going on. Councilperson Owen states that Ms. Conlin makes a good
point that a member of her staff will have to be present to do the cameras and that would require
additional compensation. Councilperson Zastawny states that he would talk numbers more but he sees
some value in it.
Councilperson Payne: None at this time.
Vice President Gill: None at this time.
Councilperson Glover: None at this time.
Councilperson Owen: None at this time.
Councilperson Samuel: Attended the IAC conference September 9-11 and got to connect with folks
from cities across the state. One meeting was titled Meetings Gone Wild, as public meetings can
sometimes spin out of control. There were some very good ideas, tips and suggestions for establishing
rules. Jeffersonville received a community achievement award for the Big Four Bridge. Councilperson
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Samuel met with former Councilman Bill Shrewsberry and he sends his regards. Sunday, we had a
fantastic day for public art in downtown Jeff, started about 6 a.m. and concluded at about noon. Just
want to express appreciation, the police helped with some of the traffic. The traffic was a huge issue. If
we do that again we have to talk about that because without a police car there we about had some
people run over. Downtown was buzzing with excitement from those crosswalks.
President Julius: Insurance Committee has scheduled the first meeting and what we have done is
through the contract negotiations with fire employees, set up an eight person Insurance Committee.
Council has two appointments and two councilmembers to serve on that committee. Council President
Julius suggested , William Posey, Drainage Dept. Vice President Gill suggested Stephanie Miller with the
Street Department. Councilperson Samuel made the motion to APPROVE Mr. Posey, Ms. Miller, Council
President Julius and Council Vice -President Gill to serve on the Insurance Committee, seconded by
Councilperson Sellers PASSING on a vote of 8-0. The meeting will be on October 1, 2014 from 1:00 to
3:00.
Council President Julius stated Paul Boom from INDOT met with him today, reported a Joint Board for
Louisville -Southern Indiana Ohio River Bridges Project, and selected Kasich Traffic Com IVHS, Inc. for all
the tolling. On October 29 at 5 p.m. at the Sheraton, a public meeting of the Joint Board regarding the
contract.
ADJOURNMENT:
Councilperson Smith made a motion to ADJOURN at 8:05pm, with Councilperson Samuels seconding,
PASSING on a vote of 8-0.
APPROVED BY:
Vicki Conlin, City Clerk
Dennis J
President
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