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HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril 20, 2015COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA April 20, 2015 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, April 20, 2015. Council President Gill, with Vicki Conlin, City Clerk, called the meeting to order at 7:OOpm. President Gill asked those in attendance to stand as Mr. Bobby Campbell gave the Invocation. Council President Gill then led all those present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. The roll call and those present were: Councilperson Smith, Council Vice President Zastawny, Councilperson Wadsworth, Councilperson Sellers, Councilperson Julius, Councilperson Webb, President Gill and Councilperson Owen. Absent: Councilperson Samuel. MINUTES TO BE APPROVED: Councilperson Sellers made a motion to APPROVE the April 6, 2015, Council Workshop, with Councilperson Julius seconding, PASSING on a vote of 8-0. Councilperson Sellers made a motion to APPROVE the April 6, 2015, Council Regular Proceedings with Council Vice President Zastawny seconding, PASSING on a vote of 8-0. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA: Councilperson Smith requested Ms. Kelly Hoffman who is on the agenda as #1 under New Business be moved under Clerk Report. Councilperson Smith made a motion to APPROVE the agenda with this change with Councilperson Owens seconding, PASSING on a vote of 8-0. CLAIMS TO BE APPROVED: General Claims: Assistant Controller Heather Metcalf presented the general claims list in the amount of $447,212.39. Councilperson Smith questioned a claim under Thunder for an additional $3,500 to be paid to Security Pros. Chief Hedrick explained this additional expense was in connection to the Command Post at the Ken Ellis Building. Councilperson Sellers stated this expense has never come out of Thunder before and should probably be taken from some other line item. Councilperson Smith asked for follow- up to determine what line item would be appropriate to pay it out of. Councilperson Owen suggested approving payment from Thunder and if it's determined it should come out of LOIT, or some other line item, it can be reimbursed. Councilperson Owen made a motion to APPROVE the general claims list with Councilperson Webb seconding, PASSING on a vote of 7-0-1 with Councilperson Julius abstaining. REPORT OF THE CLERK: Ms. Conlin stated that she has received a thank you note from the Girl Scouts and the Cub Scouts expressing their appreciation to Council and the Clerk for allowing them to lead a Council meeting in the Pledge of Allegiance. Ms. Conlin stated that it is her understanding that other Scout troops have 1 expressed interest in doing the same. President Gill stated that she appreciates Ms. Conlin reaching out to them. A. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 1. Kim Calabro — 2015 -OR -17 An Ordinance Amending 2014 -OR -54 Fixing the Salaries of Appointed Officers and Employees for all the Departments of the City of Jeffersonville: Ms. Calabro stated that there are no changes with the exception of the notice the Clerk sent out in reference to the removal of the stenographer pay for the Common Council meetings. Councilperson Owen made the motion to APPROVE 2015 -OR -17 on the Second and Third Reading, with Council Vice President Zastawny seconding, PASSING on a vote of 8-0. 2. Les Merkley — 2015 -OR -18 An Ordinance Establishing Departmental Petty Cash and/or Cash Change Funds: Clerk Vicki Conlin speaking on behalf of Mr. Merkley stated this was in regards to the Police Petty Cash going from $25 to $50 due to the fact that they were unable to make change. Ms. Conlin stated that this was the only change in this ordinance (page #2 under Administrative Assistants). Councilperson Owen made a motion to APPROVE on the Second and Third Reading with Council Vice President Zastawny seconding, PASSING on a vote of 8-0. 3. Amy Deering — 2015 -OR -19 An Ordinance Transferring Certain Funds within the Same Department: Assistant Controller Heather Metcalf speaking on behalf of Controller Amy Deering stated that there have been no changes made. Councilperson Julius made the motion to APPROVE 2015 -OR -19 on the Second and Third Reading with Councilperson Sellers seconding, PASSING on a vote of 8-0. 4. Amy Deering — 2015 -OR -20 PUBLIC HEARING An Ordinance of Additional Appropriation: Assistant Controller Heather Metcalf speaking on behalf of Controller Amy Deering stated that there was one addition to the last line regarding the reimbursement of the Tahoe's that were sold, which was discussed at the last Council meeting. PUBLIC HEARING — 2015 -OR -20 Council President Gill OPENED the Public Hearing at 7:15 pm and without further comment CLOSED the Public Hearing at 7:16 pm. Councilperson Sellers made the motion to PASS 2015 -OR -20 on the Second and Third Reading with Vice President Zastawny seconding, PASSING on a vote of 8-0. B. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Kelly Hoffman — Revolving Loan Fund Request for Comfy Cow: Ms. Hoffman explained that two of the owners of the business Comfy Cow, Brian and Deborah Flowers, are at tonight's meeting and are requesting a $50,000 revolving loan and stated that this business will be located beside Tony BoomBozz on Veteran's Parkway. Ms. Hoffman stated that this request went before the Revolving Loan Committee a couple of weeks ago and they approved the recommendation to City Council for a five-year, $50,000 loan at 2.33%. Councilperson Owen made a motion to APPROVE the revolving fund request for a five-year, $50,000 loan at 2.33% for Comfy Cow with Councilperson Zastawny seconding, PASSING on a vote of 8-0. Council members welcomed Deborah and Brian Flowers to Jeffersonville and Ms. Flowers stated that the Comfy Cow will open May 16th and their ribbon cutting is May 15th at 11:OOam and invited Council members to attend. 2 2. Scott Lewis — 2015 -OR -23 An Ordinance Authorizing City Officials to Use Credit Cards for Official Government Purchases and Establishing a Credit Card Usage Policy: Mr. Lewis explained that this ordinance came about out of a workshop that was held back in February where Safety Director Amir Mousavi and the Police and Fire Chiefs requested having a designated city credit card for emergency purposes only. Mr. Lewis stated that instead of creating an additional credit card they would designate an existing credit card that the Controller's Office has as the emergency credit card and keep it at the Police Headquarters to be used by the designated authorized personnel and would be accessible 24 hours a day/7 days a week with the card's credit limit being increased to $10,000. Councilperson Owen made a motion to APPROVE 2015 -OR -23 on the First Reading with Councilperson Webb seconding, PASSING on a vote of 7-1-0 with Councilperson Smith voting nay stating that the credit limit is too high. CITY COUNCIL ATTORNEY REPORT: None at this time. COUNCIL BOARD/COMMISSIONS APPOINTMENTS REPORTS: None at this time. DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS: 1. JPD Chief Kenny Kavanaugh: President Gill explained that Chief Kavanaugh was at a community meeting and couldn't attend tonight's meeting, but she would speak on his behalf. Chief Kavanaugh implemented the bike patrol and it was first used at Thunder and was very successful. Chief Kavanaugh had a meeting with the downtown merchants and they stated that they like the idea of the bike patrol. Chief Kavanaugh told President Gill if Council has any questions regarding this to please email him and he will get back with an answer. Councilperson Julius stated that Council needs to know how many bicycles the Police have. 2. Heather Metcalf — Circuit Breakers: President Gill explained that the City has gotten their Circuit Breakers back and asked Heather to share the information with the public. Ms. Metcalf stated that last year's CB Impact to this year's went down close to $400,000 — it was $$393,667 and they shifted some of the levy to the Parks and Sanitation Fund so they're actually going to get more of a revenue, but that in turn gave them more of an impact which shows Parks with an increase of $42,000 and Sanitation with an increase of $86,000, but the General Fund was actually lowered by $520,000. There was an increase in accessed evaluation by $49M which reduced the tax rate which in turn reduces the CB Impact. The tax rate last year for the city was 1.79% and for this year it is 1.7711%. Vice President Zastawny questioned what the city's Accessed Value (AV) is for 2015 and Ms. Metcalf stated $1,374,186,433. Councilperson Owen questioned what the CB Estimate was for 2015 and Ms. Metcalf stated $3.7M. PUBLIC COMMENT: 3. Paul Stensrud with Exit 0 Ministry: Mr. Stensrud thanked City Council for all that they have done for his ministry and stated that it has been a pleasure working with them on the needs of the homeless. Mr. Stensrud stated that they have now become partners with JB Ogle Animal Shelter explaining that they've helped them with stray cats that have been dumped on them. 3 Mr. Stensrud stated that they have purchased a 20 -foot shower trailer, not just for Jeffersonville, but as a humanitarian aid to the surrounding communities as well. The unit has two showers that are operational right now and they can give 16 showers at this time on a daily basis with 200 gallons of water. The ministry runs on $1,100 a month and so they are trying to restrict this water to stretch their pennies. Mr. Stensrud passed out a photo and description of a (quiet -run) Honda 6500 Watt Portable Inverter Generator to purchase in order to operate the shower trailer as well as a washer and dryer. The cost of this particular generator is $3,999 and is requesting Council provide the funds for them to purchase. Mr. Stensrud stated that this purchase would be good for the Exit 0 Ministry, but also for the local homeless to be able to get a shower. Mr. Stensrud stated that once the generator is placed on the trailer, it will become mobile and they can take it to different locations for usage. Councilperson Webb stated that he is familiar with this make and model of generator and stated that $3,999 is a reasonable price, but questioned where he would store it when not in use, as it is a high -theft item. Mr. Stunsrud stated that it would be secured at the Bales Building and chained to the trailer itself. There are also security cameras at the Bales Building so they are ready for that possibility. Mr. Stensrud invited Council to the Bales Building for a field day. Councilperson Julius asked Mr. Stensrud to not order the generator right away as he has a couple of contacts that might be willing to help purchase it. Councilperson Sellers stated that although she is not opposed to the idea of helping Exit 0 purchase a generator, if Council helps this ministry with this request many other similar and equally well deserving organizations will be making their requests to the Council. Councilperson Smith and Sellers stated that they believe that all the communities should come together to assist in the purchase of this generator (Clarksville, New Albany, Scott, etc.). Mr. Stensrud stated that he has not asked any churches or other communities to assist in the cost of the generator. Councilperson Julius suggested Council pay for half of the generator's cost with Mr. Stensrud finding the other half through other charitable donations/community involvement and Mr. Stensrud stated that would be fine. Councilperson Sellers made a motion to assist Exit 0 Ministries in purchasing a generator, not to exceed $2,000, with Councilperson Julius seconding, PASSING on a vote of 7-1-0 with Councilperson Smith voting nay. Mr. Stensrud stated once he receives enough money to purchase the generator, he will give Council the check and they can facilitate the purchase. COUNCIL COMMENTS: Councilperson Mike Smith: CSO events are no longer on the City website alerting the community of overflows. He has contacted Director Len Ashack twice reminding him that there was an agreement made that this information would be placed on Facebook when a CSO event occurred and Mr. Ashack stated that is aware of that requirement, but it had been stopped. The Sewer Department may be coming up with their own separate CSO Event Facebook page instead of putting it on the Jeff City Facebook page. Councilperson Sellers stated that she knows that Len Ashack contacted Pro Media and they were told not to put it on the Jeff City Facebook page and suggests looking at the Pro Media contract to see what it states regarding this matter. Councilperson Smith stated that this is a city issue, it was an agreement that they had and it should have stayed with the City Facebook page. President Gill asked Attorney Scott Lewis if they were aware of this and Mr. Lewis stated that he wanted to make it clear that it wasn't the Sewer Board who within the city instructed Pro Media to not post the CSO events on Facebook because it was definitely EPA mandated to alert the public when there was a CSO event. 4 President Gill stated that she wasn't implying that they were responsible for the removal of the information from the website, she was just asking if they were aware of it being removed. Councilperson Smith stated that he wanted to make a public statement in a public meeting because if the city gets held responsible financially, it's on public record that the Council is aware of it and Len Ashack is aware of it. Mr. Smith stated that this is the second time it has happened, and it's intentional. Councilperson Zastawny: None at this time. Councilperson Wadsworth: None at this time. Councilperson Sellers: None at this time. Councilperson Webb: None at this time. Councilperson Julius: Wanted to make everyone aware that the city lost an old-time city employee, Bob Miller, who passed away this morning. He was our City Engineer for years and just a great guy and he will be missed. Councilperson Owen: Wants to shout -out to all the city employees who helped make Thunder a huge success. Everything went off without a hitch and appreciates all the employees who plan for Thunder with weekly meetings all year long and those employees down the ranks who are required to work Thunder with very little rest and can't really enjoy the event because they are working it. President Gill: Stated that she wants to echo those sentiments and stated that there is a great collaboration of federal, state and local agencies that put a lot of time and effort into Thunder and it is much appreciated. Wants to remind Council that they will be seeing a lot of overtime expenses and plus the food was provided with the very intense fire of the apartment complex. Thankful for no loss of life and the rescue of the cat "Mr. Miracle". All agencies stepped up and JPD Chief Kenny Kavanaugh had SWAT assist in crowd control and blocking streets off stating that it was awesome for him to do that. President Gill stated that she would like to appoint Tom Campbell to replace Drainage Board member Charlie Bryant. Mr. Campbell lives in New Chapel and that was the area that Charlie was at so he is well aware of the drainage issues out there. The City Engineer and Matt Bell like that area represented because that is where all the new growth is coming in and Lentzier Creek is at capacity so he will be able to keep a close eye on all of that as well. Councilperson Sellers made a motion to ACCEPT President Lisa Gill's nomination of Tom Campbell to the Drainage Board with Councilperson Owen seconding, PASSING on a vote of 8-0. President Gill stated that Council has discussed and are in agreement to purchase two tables for the Taste of Jeff on May 14, 2015. 5 ADJOURNMENT: Councilperson Owen made a motion to ADJOURN at 7:51pm with Councilperson Julius seconding, PASSING on a vote of 8-0. APPROVED BY: L 4*.'isa, President Vicki Conlin, City Clerk 6