HomeMy WebLinkAboutDECEMBER 21, 2015COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA
DECEMBER 21, 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 Monday, December 21, 2015.
Council President Gill along with City Clerk Conlin called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Councilperson
Samuel gave the Invocation and 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 Sellers, Councilperson Webb, Council President Gill,
Councilperson Julius, Councilperson Owen, and Councilperson Samuel. All members of the Council are
in attendance.
MINUTES TO BE APPROVED:
Minutes from the Regular Council Proceedings November 16, 2015- Councilperson Samuel
made a motion to APPROVE with Councilperson Zastawny seconding, PASSING on a vote, 9-0.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA:
Councilperson Owen made a motion to APPROVE the agenda with Councilperson Sellers seconding,
PASSING on a vote, 9-0.
CLAIMS TO BE APPROVED:
GENERAL — $3,473,040.03
Assistant City Controller Heather Metcalf presented the claim. Ms. Metcalf made note that one
of the claims on page 9 is for four AEDs and it will need to be pulled because it cannot be paid
for out of this year's budget and it will be added to the first claims submitted in 2016. The
amount that will be pulled is $4,337.34.
Councilperson Samuel asked what the claim to the Internal Revenue Service was for located on
page 4 in the amount of $17,000. Ms. Metcalf stated it was a fee from where the city had too
many 1099s in 2012 that they mailed out and now it will be sent out electronically to avoid
fees.
Councilperson Samuel also asked regarding the two claims to the Clark County Treasurer.
Councilperson Samuel stated he assumed these were for the elections and asked that due to
there being a referendum and it expanding beyond the City if the cost for the election was
shared with the school system. Ms. Metcalf was unsure and stated she would have to check
with the County. Council President Gill stated there was a School Board member in the
audience who was shaking their head yes and requested to record that response.
Councilperson Owen stated his question of these claims was if one was for the General Election
and one was for the Primary Election (Ms. Metcalf stated yes) and then asked why they were
for different amounts. It was unsure why the amounts were different. City Clerk Conlin stated
she would scan in the invoice and send it to the Council, to make sure they opened it to review.
Councilperson Owen also questioned that since there is a recount and there still is not a
certified election, should we pull those claims until we have certified results. Councilperson
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Owen originally made a motion to pull those claims until the certified results were posted, then
amended his motion. Councilperson Owen made a motion to APPROVE the claims in the new
amount ($3,473,040.03) on the condition the Finance Department would hold the check to the
Clark County Treasurer's Office for the election until after the certified results had been posted.
Councilperson Smith seconded the motion, PASSING on a vote, 9-0.
REPORT OF THE CLERK:
It has been an honor to work with you all through this last term and I appreciate everything that
you all have done to help the Clerk's office.
AGENDA ITMES:
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
None
NEW BUSINESS:
None
CITY COUNCIL ATTORNEY REPORT:
Noting at this time.
DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORT:
Noting at this time.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Christina Gilkey at 903 Dogwood Rd. Jeffersonville, IN 47130: (See attached for transcript)
Ms. Gilkey presented information to the Council regarding a recent insurance change made to
the City of Jeffersonville Employee Benefits package. Ms. Gilkey stated Mayor Moore inflicted a
change that impacted 258 employees. Ms. Gilkey stated she retired from Aflac last year,
however she feels as though it is her duty to come before the Council to speak because she
feels as though the Mayor has abused his authority. Ms. Gilkey stated she attempted to appeal
the decision to Mayor Moore privately but he refused to meet with her. Ms. Gilkey stated as a
matter of transparency she would like for the Council to know that the Mayor's decision does
impact her monthly renewal check from Aflac.
Ms. Gilkey stated at a recent insurance information session employees were informed they
would no longer have the opportunity to participate in Aflac as a pre-tax elective. Ms. Gilkey
stated this would cost the employees approximately $21,168 in pre-tax cost savings. Ms. Gilkey
stated this occurred because the Mayor gave the Voluntary benefit services contract to his ex-
wife, Vicki Moore as a representative of Combined Insurances. Ms. Gilkey stated this is a
conflict of interest as Mayor Moore still has direct financial ties to his ex-wife.
Ms. Gilkey stated she finds this to be a direct violation of the State of Indiana enacted Anti -
Nepotism law and stated she was unable to find any policy on the matter on the City of
Jeffersonville's website. Ms. Gilkey stated her hope was that the Council would work to compel
Mayor Moore to rethink his decision to leave Aflac and that the Council would work to develop
and adopt a City policy regarding a Code of Ethics. Ms. Gilkey did say that employees had the
option to keep their policy and provided a telephone number 1-866-622-3811.
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COUNCIL COMMENT:
Council President Gill handed out plaques to the Council members who would not be returning
for the new term. Council President Gill thanked each of them for their service and dedication
to Jeffersonville.
Councilperson Smith: Councilperson Smith stated during his 8 years the Councils have been
fiscally conservative and has built a surplus. This has allowed the Council to act quickly when
unforeseen expenses arise.
Councilperson Zastawny: Councilperson Zastawny stated is has been an honor to serve with
everybody. This has been a difficult term as it is the first term after annexation so now there
are 9 Council Members to compromise with. Councilperson Zastawny is proud of the tough
decisions the Council has made to get it in the position that it is now. It is important to
remember that every decision that is made paves way for future decisions and it builds along
the way. The longer you stay here the more you realize how much decisions impact the future
of the City. Councilperson Zastawny recognized individuals who stood up for the annexation.
Councilperson Zastawny stated there will be a Council Retreat on January 9th to get everyone
associated with the new Council.
Councilperson Wadsworth: Councilperson Wadsworth thanked the people of Jeffersonville, the
fellow Council Members, the Clerk, the Attorneys, and all of the support staff. This is an
excellent example of dedication to the City.
Councilperson Sellers: Councilperson Sellers stated a recent study has been released that ranks
top in financial status. Councilperson Sellers stated this is largely in part because we plan for
the unknown and we are fiscally responsible.
Councilperson Webb: Councilperson Webb stated it has been an honor and a pleasure and
welcome to the new Council Members.
Councilperson Julius: Councilperson Julius stated during this term he feels as though the Council
has made a lot of good decisions and they may not have always agreed with each other but
they always compromised.
Councilperson Owen: Councilperson Owen thanked the Council and the staff of the City and the
Clerk as well. The Clerk does a lot to support the Council and plays an important role. It is
strange to see Connie and Mike Smith leaving since they have been here since the beginning for
him. Councilperson Owen stated he believes they did a tremendous service for the districts
that they represented.
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Councilperson Samuel: Councilperson Samuel recognized the new Director of Planning and
Zoning (Nathan Pruitt). Councilperson Samuel stated he appreciates the time he has been able
to spend with fellow Council Members.
Council President Gill: Council President Gill thanked the Council and the Clerk and the Finance
Department and everyone's service for the City.
ADJOURNMENT: Council President Gill asked for a motion to adjourn, made by Councilperson
Owen and seconded by Councilperson Smith. Meeting adjourned at 7:41 PM.
APPROVED BY:
Lisa Gill, 'resident
ATTEST:
Vicki Conlin, Clerk
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