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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSEPTEMBER 8, 2015COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA SEPTEMBER 8, 2015 The Common Council of the City of Jeffersonville, Indiana met in regular session in Room 101, 500 Quartermaster Court, Jeffersonville, Indiana at 7:00 pm, on Tuesday, September 8, 2015. Council President Gill, with Vicki Conlin, City Clerk, called the meeting to order at 7:04 pm. Council President Gill asked those in attendance to stand as Councilperson Samuel gave the Invocation. Council President Gill asked those in attendance to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. The roll call was conducted and those present were: Councilperson Smith, Councilperson Zastawny, Councilperson Wadsworth, Councilperson Webb, Council President Gill, Councilperson Julius, and Councilperson Samuel. Councilperson Sellers was absent from the meeting as she was out of town and Councilperson Owen contacted Council President Gill to let her know he had been held up in a court proceeding and would be late to the Council Meeting (Councilperson Owen would later arrive at 7:20 pm). MINUTES TO BE APPROVED: Councilperson Zastawny made a motion to APPROVE the August 17, 2015, Council Regular Proceeding minutes, with Councilperson Samuel seconding, PASSING on a vote of 7-0. BUDGET HEARING MINUTES TO BE APPROVED: 1. Budget Hearing August 24, 2015- Councilperson Zastawny made a motion to APPROVE the August 24, 2015, Budget Hearing minutes, with Councilperson Samuel seconding, PASSING on a vote of 7-0. 2. Budget Hearing August 26, 2015- Councilperson Zastawny made a motion to APPROVE the August 26, 2015, Budget Hearing minutes, with Councilperson Samuel seconding, PASSING on a vote of 7-0. 3. Budget Hearing August 27, 2015- Councilperson Zastawny made a motion to APPROVE the August 27, 2015, Budget Hearing minutes, with Councilperson Samuel seconding, PASSING on a vote of 7-0. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA: Council President Gill stated we need to add the Inner local Agreement between Jeffersonville and Clarksville. Councilperson Zastawny stated based on the special meeting before the City Council Meeting he would like to remove items 1 and 2 under Unfinished Business (2015-R-9 A Resolution Regarding the Amendment of the Falls Landing Redevelopment Plan (TABLED July 6, July 20, 2015, and August 3, 2015, August 17, 2015) and 2015-R-10 A Resolution Regarding the Amendment of the Inner City Road Redevelopment Plan (TABLED July 6, July 20, 2015, and August 3, 2015, August 17, 2015)). Councilperson Smith asked for clarification that if it was removed as opposed to Tabled, did that mean that it would be taken off of future Agendas. Council President Gill stated yes, 1 until it was time to approve that phase of the project. Councilperson Zastawny made a motion to APPROVE noting the changes with Councilperson Samuel seconding, PASSING on a vote, 7-0. CLAIMS TO BE APPROVED: GENERAL - City Controller Amy Deering presented the general claims list to the Council in the amount of $1,061,770.86. Councilperson Samuel asked City Controller Deering if all of these Claims met the Ordinances, meaning do they all have the signatures and the Contracts. City Controller Deering stated to her knowledge they did. Councilperson Samuel asked if the Controller's employees go through the claims to make sure there are contracts and that, they have been signed by the necessary people. City Controller Deering stated yes. Council President Gill asked that under the Promotional fund ($500 Claim) for the Mayor the actual advertisement be attached to the claim and City Controller Deering stated she would do that. Councilperson Samuel made a motion to APPROVE the claims as presented, with Councilperson Julius seconding, PASSING on a vote, 7-0. REPORT OF THE CLERK: City Clerk Conlin reported that Senator Grooms had emailed her in regards to constituents contacting him concerning a section of 62 and Utica Sellersburg Rd, evidently it was very overgrown and needed to be mowed and Senator Grooms had been working on that with INDOT and wanted to let everyone know that starting September 9, 2015 at 10:00 am they would start mowing that. Additionally a gentleman came to the Clerk's office today and stated he had been to the Mayor's Office, however nobody was there at that time. He provided the Clerk with brochures and information pages about two free apps for phones, one for distracted driving (disables the phones texting app anytime the car is moving) and the other relays important health information to EMS and First Responders in the event that the individual is unable to themselves and immediate family members cannot be reached to provide the information. AGENDA ITMES: UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 1. Les Merkley — 2015-R-9 A Resolution Regarding the Amendment of the Falls Landing Redevelopment Plan (TABLED July 6, July 20, 2015, and August 3, 2015, August 17, 2015) REMOVED from Agenda. 2. Les Merkley — 2015-R-10 A Resolution Regarding the Amendment of the Inner City Road Redevelopment Plan (TABLED July 6, July 20, 2015, and August 3, 2015, August 17, 2015) REMOVED from Agenda. 3. Dennis Julius — Guidelines and Principles for Consideration of Property Tax Phase -In (Tax Abatement) in Jeffersonville, Indiana (Discussed at the August 17, 2015 meeting). 2 Councilperson Julius reminded the Council that during the last City Council Meeting Mr. Matt Hall from One SI came and went through the highlights of this and what we are trying to do is to make it a little fairer for the companies bringing more to the City. We have come up with a sliding scale that benefits the companies that are bringing more to their • employees, community, etc. It is getting more competitive and this is a tool we can use. On the first page, there is a clause that allows the Council to give more or less to a company than what they score based on the sliding scale. One SI is the frontline with all of the businesses for the company to know ahead of time so there is no guesswork when they come before the Council. On that note, Councilperson Julius would like to move it forward and send it to Mr. Scott Lewis to prepare for the next Council Meeting to vote on. Councilperson Samuel seconded the motion, PASSING on a vote, 7-0. 4. Scott Lewis — Ohio River Greenway Monuments and Memorial Policy. (Discussed at August 17, 2015 meeting). Mr. Lewis presented this policy to the Council at the last Council Meeting for their review. New Albany and Clarksville have already passed this policy, Jeffersonville is the last party needed to pass the policy as a whole. Mr. Lewis stated that we asked to insert a clause into the policy that the Council had final authority over the signage that was put on our properties. Councilperson Samuel asked if this needed to be a Resolution and Mr. Lewis stated it did not, only needed to be passed. Councilperson Wadsworth asked if the meetings to discuss the signage before it was brought before, the Council were public meetings and Mr. Lewis said it was his understanding that there were both public and. private committee meetings. Councilperson Smith used the example of the Council would not want a large neon sign downtown and this prevents that from happening because the City would have the final say. The entity for the City is the Public Arts Committee and Mr. Corbin is on that committee and will help to ensure it fits in our districts. Councilperson Samuel made a motion to APPROVE the policy with Councilperson Julius seconding, PASSING on a vote, 8-0. 5. Nathan Samuel — 2015 -OR -47 An Ordinance Allocating Annual Edit Funds to the Jeffersonville Public Arts Non -Reverting Fund (Passed on 1St Reading August 17, 2015) Councilperson Samuel stated there was discussion regarding whether we should cap this amount during the last Council Meeting and the compromise is that it would change from 5% to 4% with no cap. This should also read that this is based on the previous year's certified amount. Councilperson Samuel motioned to PASS on the second and third reading with Councilperson Julius seconding. Councilperson Owen asked if this was okay because it seemed as though it was committing future funds. Council Attorney Scott Lewis stated he looked at this as more of an intent or policy, future Councils do not have to follow through on this and can amend it if they see the need to. Councilperson Owen asked why it was presented as an Ordinance if it were more like a policy. Mr. Lewis stated he was asked to prepare it as an Ordinance. With the motion and the second in place the Council voted, 7-1 PASSING 2015 -OR -47. NEW BUSINESS: 3 Mr. Nick Morris from the Clarksville presented an Interlocal Agreement between Jeffersonville and Clarksville. This will give Clarksville permission needed to develop a new gateway for the south port. The construction crew is currently mobilizing and this Interlocal Agreement is needed so they can proceed. Clarksville is funding this project and agrees to maintain the upkeep of the road. Councilperson Julius, Councilperson Samuel, Council President Gill, and Councilperson Sellers went down and met with Mr. Morris to discuss the project. It is a very small project and the amount that is actually in Jeffersonville is a small amount. Councilperson Julius called Kye Hoehn to ensure that she knew about the project as it is close to her business. Council President Gill's understanding was that Clarksville met with Kye and asked her to step forward. Ms. Hoehn stated her business is at 500 Missouri Ave. Jeffersonville, IN and her biggest concern was parking. She is concerned because she keeps being told "hopefully" it will not interfere with her parking lot and blocking her entrance and she would like a guarantee. She stated due to the nature of her business, parking for guests is essential and it could affect her business during the construction and repaving if her parking lot were to be blocked. Councilperson Owen stated since this is the first the Council has heard of the matter being presented this evening, he would like to take it under advisement to gather more information and hopefully during that timeframe Clarksville can assure Ms. Hoehn there will not be blockage of her parking lot during specific times and they will work with her to ease her concerns. Councilperson Zastawny seconded the motion, with a vote to take under advisement 8-0. 1. Les Merkley — PUBLIC HEARING 2015 -OR -48 Plan Commission Recommendation to Jeffersonville Common Council to Amend Portions of the Jeffersonville Zoning Ordinance 2000 -OR -1 Planning and Zoning Director Shane Corbin presented this information. The department has been working on this for over a year now. They are proposing to add two new zoning commissions that do not exist in our area. Right on, the edge of River Ridge it is currently zoned as low density residential, hopefully to go commercial. Should this be passed we would recommend reclassifying as mixed-use development. There are currently 600 acres and it would include a town center with residential above the commercial in a similar design to downtown. Traditional Marketplace 1 and 2 (TM1 and TM2) takes existing designs that we already have in the community and makes it flexible for developers. Councilperson Owen noted that a drive through is allowed under specialty (has to be approved). For the TM2 it would be minimum of 2 acres. There is a lot of interest already in this area and it maximizes efficiency of space by sharing parking lots. Council President Gill opened the Public Hearing at 8:04 with no members of the public coming forward and closed at 8:04. Councilperson Samuel motioned to APPROVE with Councilperson Julius seconding, PASSING on a vote, 8-0. A second public hearing will be held during the next City Council Meeting. 2. Michael McVoy, Assist Chief JPD — Training Chief Kenny Kavanaugh presented the following trainings: 1. Indiana Law Enforcement Training Board Training Coordinators Conference- takes place at the Police Academy in November. 2. Detective Level 1- This has already occurred, cost was $790 and was local (Clarksville, IN). 4 3. Advance Roadside Interview Techniques for Patrol Officers- Will be local (Clarksville Police Department) and cost approximately $1000 for four officers. 4. Understanding Use of Force- Will cost approximately $725 for 10 officers. 5. STOPS Instructor Re -Certification- This is for an officer who was hired with a certification, that is about to expire. Will cost about $275 with an additional $400 for travel. 6. Officer Survival During Traffic Stops- Will occur in November and cost around $1000 for six officers. 7. Interviewing and Interrogation Techniques- Will take place at Jeffersonville Police Department and cost approximately $1100. 8. Basic SWAT School- the only cost for this is for lodging ($280.00) All of these are accounted for in the budgeting. Councilperson Owen made a motion to APPROVE with Councilperson Julius seconding, PASSING on a vote, 8-0. DISCUSSION ON STEAMBOAT DAYS OVERTIME: Thursday- Sunday cost about $11,000 in overtime. Bike Patrol stopped a burglary in progress. Bikes are effective and a good tool to utilize in Jeffersonville. 3. Amy Deering — 2015 -OR -49 An Ordinance Transferring Certain Funds Within the Same Department This is going from Building Authority Repair and Maintenance to Building Authority Other Supplies. Councilperson Samuel made a motion to APPROVE with Councilperson Julius seconding, PASSING on a vote, 8-0. 4. Amy Deering — 2015 -OR -50 An Ordinance of Additional Appropriation (Public Hearing September 21, 2015) This is for Public Arts Grant Disbursement Services, Police Overtime, and funding the Ice Rink. Councilperson Samuel made a motion to APPROVE with Councilperson Julius seconding, PASSING on a vote, 8-0. CITY COUNCIL ATTORNEY REPORT: Nothing to report. DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORT: Nothing to report (No Department Heads present/came forward to present). PUBLIC COMMENT: Kye Hoehn was the only person on the list and she spoke during the meeting on her matter and then left. COUNCIL COMMENTS: Councilperson Mike Smith: Nothing at this time. Councilperson Ed Zastawny: Before the Council Meeting there was a workshop concerning the Falls Landing and Inner City Road project. The City Council is committed 5 to doing this project, they are simply trying to maximize Federal dollars, and the way to do that is to break this into two phases. The Council is going to need to work with the City Engineer and Redevelopment in order to maximize the grant money. Councilperson Wadsworth: Nothing at this time. Councilperson Sellers: Not present. Councilperson Webb: Nothing at this time. Councilperson Julius: Seconds what Councilperson Zastawny said about the Falls Landing and Inner City Road project. Additionally, the City lost a good guy today, Teddy Throckmorton was a member of our Parks board for a long time and nobody loved Jeffersonville like he did. Councilperson Owen: Councilperson Owen apologized for being tardy as he got held up in court and commended everyone who had a hand in Steamboat Days 2015. It was a hot weekend. Last year it was cold in October and this year it definitely wasn't cold. Councilperson Samuel: Councilperson Samuel stated we are right on target concerning KIPDA. We were being pushed at an earlier meeting because it was said the utility companies would not move forward but Duke Energy was here tonight and that was not the case for them. The Coalition for the Homeless Task Force has a good initiative. To address Councilperson Owens question earlier in the evening about why wasn't the Public Arts fund (2015 -OR -47) presented as a policy instead of an ordinance- the state is encouraging local government to dedicate annual funds for Public Arts. Council President Gill: The workshop was very informative. Council President Gill thought it was interesting that the Council was being asked to move the timeline up when we cannot even do the Utilities until May of 2016. Also with the Coalition for the Homeless, that $75,000 pledge would need to come out of Gaming. Additionally we need to schedule a Parks Authority Budget Workshop- it will be Monday September 14, 2015 at 7:00 PM. City Clerk Conlin: A 103 year old gentleman rode in her car during the Steamboat Days Parade and he so enjoyed it and enjoys Jeffersonville and has so much knowledge about it, City Clerk Conlin made the recommendation to have him come before the City Council to be introduced. ADJOURNMENT: Councilperson Samuel made a motion to ADJOURN at 8:25 pm with Councilperson Owen moving the motion. ATT ED BY: Vicki Conlin, City Clerk APPROVED BY: 't sa GiII, President 6