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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJULY 10, 2017 COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA JULY 10,2017 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,July 10, 2017. Council President Gill along with City Clerk Conlin called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Councilperson Ellis gave the Invocation and Council President Gill asked those in attendance to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL:The roll call was conducted and those present were: Councilperson White, Councilperson Zastawny, Councilperson Jahn, Councilperson Hawkins, Council President Gill, Councilperson Owen, Councilperson Ellis, and Council Vice President Samuel. Councilperson Maples was absent from the proceedings. MINUTES TO BE APPROVED: Minutes from the Council Regular Proceedings June 19, 2017—Councilperson Jahn made a motion to APPROVE with Councilperson Owen seconding, PASSING on a vote, 8-0. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA: Councilperson Owen made a motion to APPROVE the agenda as amended with Councilperson Jahn seconding, PASSING on a vote, 8-0. CLAIMS TO BE APPROVED: Heather Metcalf, Controller presented the General Claims List. Council President Gill said she went through the claims and everything was in order with the exception of one PO that was issued after the date and she did mark that one. The total is 1,803,367.11. Councilperson Owen Jahn made a motion to APPROVE the General Claims with Councilperson Jahn seconding, PASSING on a vote, 8-0. Councilperson Owen said he wanted to make sure it was clear that the Surveyor at Colston Park was for a new entrance and nothing to do with Redevelopment. Councilperson Owen made a motion to APPROVE the Parks Claims with Councilperson Jahn seconding PASSING on a vote, 8-0. REPORT OF THE CLERK: Clerk Conlin stated that while going through to do her budget she found that an employee in her department had been overpaid by$1.00/hour since January 1. She contacted State Board of Accounts and they told her that they Council would have to decide if the employee was to pay the overpayment back or if the Council was going to find the overage and not have the employee pay it back. Controller Metcalf stated it was her error and there will be new checks and balances in place the next time pay changes. Controller Metcalf stated she does not believe the employee should have to pay it back and if the Council decides that the employee should then she will personally pay it to the employee. Council President Gill stated she is concerned about the error and in her opinion it should have to be paid back. This can be paid back over time and doesn't have to be a huge hit to the employee. Whatever the decision is, in the future they could be held to it in different incidents. Councilperson Owen asked if this mistake was made during the budgeting or during the payroll input. It was made during the payroll input. Controller Metcalf stated there are 4 people sitting in a room checking these and this one was keyed in wrong and it was overlooked. Councilperson White asked what the yearly salary is for this employee. It is a little over$36,000. Controller Metcalf stated she has already moved this amount to the Finance Department. Clerk Conlin would like for it to stay in her budget to show why she is requesting a smaller amount next year. Councilperson Ellis stated he had this happen to him one day and he turned it in on the day that it happened. What is decided today will set the precedent on how this is handled in the future. Councilperson Samuel said he would like to see an audit done of all of payroll to make sure there are no other errors. City Attorney Merkley informed the Council they had two options, either the employee doesn't pay it back or if they decide it needs to be paid back the Administration will not require the employee to pay it back and Controller Metcalf will reimburse the amount personally. Councilperson Jahn asked for clarification that the employee would not be paying it back and City Attorney Merkley repeated that either the Council will allow the amount to be paid by finance or Controller Metcalf would be personally reimbursing the amount. Councilperson White made a motion to ADOPT the recognition of the error with Councilperson Zastawny seconding. Councilperson Hawkins stated he will be voting to pass this but only because it is the better of the two options. In his opinion it should be that the employee pay the amount back over the remainder of the year. Motion was PASSED on a vote,8-0. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 1. Len Ashack—PUBLIC HEARING 2017-OR-31 An Ordinance Replacing Ordinance 2010-OR-40, Sewer Use and Pretreatment Ordinance for the City of Jeffersonville (Passed 1st reading 6/19/17)—There have been no changes. Council President Gill opened the Public Hearing at 7:24 PM and as no members of the community came forward to speak for or against the matter the Public Hearing was closed. Councilperson Jahn made a motion to APPROVE 2017-OR-31 on the second and third reading PASSING on a vote, 8-0. 2. Lisa Gill Heather Metcalf- PUBLIC HEARING 2017-OR-32 An Ordinance of Additional Appropriation (Passed on 1st and 2nd reading 6/1/17)—There have been no changes. Council President Gill opened the Public Hearing at 7:26 PM and as no members of the community came forward to speak for or against the matter the Public Hearing was closed. Councilperson Owen made a motion to APPROVE 2017-OR-31 on the third and final reading with Councilperson Jahn seconding, PASSING on a vote, 8-0. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Les Merkley—PUBLIC HEARING 2017-OR-33 An Ordinance Changing the Zoning Map Designation of a Certain Tract of Property Located at 414 E. Court Avenue and Fully Described in Attached Exhibit A From M1 to DC—This comes with a favorable recommendation from the Planning Commission. The Petitioner was not present. Council President Gill opened the Public Hearing at 7:27 PM and as no members of the community came forward to speak for or against the matter the Public Hearing was closed. Councilperson Zastawny stated a few people did speak in favor of this at the Planning Commission meeting. Councilperson Owen made a motion to APPROVE 2017-OR-33 with Councilperson Zastawny seconding, PASSING on a vote, 8-0. Councilperson Samuel pointed out that again the City is saying there is a need for residential and again a property is being zoned from residential. This property has not been used as residential in recent years. 2. Lisa Gill Les Merkley-PUBLIC HEARING 2017-OR -34 An Ordinance Changing the Zoning Map Designation of a Certain Tract of Property Located 1408 Charlestown-New Albany Pike and Fully Described in Attached Exhibit A from 12 to C2—City Attorney Merkley presented 2017-OR-34. 2017-OR-34, 2017-OR-35, and 2017-OR-36 all go together. Council President Gill opened the Public Hearing for these matters at 7:30 PM and as no members of the community came forward the Public Hearing was closed. Councilperson Jahn made a motion to APPROVE 2017- OR-34 with Councilperson Owen seconding, PASSING on a vote, 8-0. 3. Lisa Gill Les Merkley-PUBLIC HEARING 2017-OR-35 An Ordinance Changing the Zoning Map Designation of a Certain Tract of Property Located 1410 Charlestown-New Albany Pike and Fully Described in Attached Exhibit A from 12 to C2—See#2 for Public Hearing. Councilperson Jahn made a motion to APPROVE 2017-OR-35 with Councilperson Owen seconding, PASSING on a vote, 8-0. 4. Lisa Gill Les Merkley-PUBLIC HEARING 2017-OR-36 An Ordinance Changing the Zoning Map Designation of a Certain Tract of Property Located 1412 Charlestown-New Albany Pike and Fully Described in Attached Exhibit A from 12 to C2 -See#2 for Public Hearing. Councilperson Jahn made a motion to APPROVE 2017-OR-36 with Councilperson Zastawny seconding, PASSING on a vote, 8-0. 5. Lisa Gill Les Merkley—2017-R-6 Approval of Resolution of the Jeffersonville Common Council regarding Approval of the Expansion of Economic Development Area—City Attorney Les Merkley presented 2017-R-6. Nothing has changed from the previous year. Councilperson Owen made a motion to APPROVE 2017-R-6 with Councilperson Jahn seconding, PASSING on a vote, 8-0. Councilperson Zastawny said he did not see the attachment in his packet. It was not included. Mr. Merkley handed it to Clerk Conlin to attach. 6. Les Merkley-2017-OR-37 An Ordinance of the City of Jeffersonville, Indiana, Authorizing The Issuance of its Capital Development Tourism Fund Revenue Bond, Series 2017; Authorizing The Solicitation of Competitive Bids For the Purchase Of The Bond;Authorizing The Execution and Delivery On Behalf of the City of A Pledge Agreement Between The City and The Clark-Floyd Counties Convention and Tourism Bureau, In Order To Provide Security And A Source Of Payment For The Bond; And Taking Other Related Acton—City Attorney Merkley presented 2017-OR-37. This is issuing a bond of 41,000,000 for the Public Arts and Culture District. There is no exhibit A which should be the legal description of the property. Clerk Conlin will email that out to the Council. Councilperson Owen asked if this would take care of what was presented at the last Redevelopment meeting. It will include the surrounding area of the Fire Museum lot. Councilperson Samuel made a motion to APPROVE 2017-OR-37 on the first reading with Councilperson Jahn second. Council President Gill asked how the bond would be repaid, and it will be repaid with the Tourism tax. 2017-OR-37 PASSED on the first reading on a vote,8-0. 7. Len Ashack—2017-OR-38 An Ordinance concerning the refunding by the City of Jeffersonville of all or portions of its Sewage Works Refunding Revenue Bond of 2009 and its Sewage Works Revenue Bonds of 2010, Series B (Taxable Build America Bonds—Direct Pay Options); authorizing the issuance of sewage works refunding revenue bonds for such purposes; providing for the collection, segregation and distribution of the revenues of the sewage works and the safeguarding of the interest of the owners of the sewage works refunding revenue bonds authorized herein; other matters connected therewith; and repealing ordinance inconsistent herewith—City Attorney Les Merkley presented 2017-OR-38. This is high tech refinancing. There was an opportunity identified to free up money. At the end of the day this is going to save approximately$500,000. This will expire in January 2031. Councilperson Samuel mentioned this is a pretty significant thing to vote on and he would like to have a discussion about things like this in future occurrences. Councilperson Jahn made a motion to APPROVE 2017-OR-38 with Councilperson White seconding, PASSING on a vote, 8-0. 8. Les Merkley—2017-OR-39 An Ordinance Amending the City of Jeffersonville 2035 Comprehensive Plan to Incorporate the Spring Street Master Plan as a Component of the Plan— Public Hearing Needed - This is going to overhaul Claysburg, and will incorporate the area in to the Master Plan. Councilperson White stated that UEZ has pledged $300,000 to this project so far and are looking to commit additional funding during their budget process. Public Hearing was opened at 8:17 PM and as no members of the community came forward to speak for or against the matter the Public Hearing was closed. Councilperson Own made a motion to APPROVE 2017-OR-39 with Councilperson White seconding, PASSING on a vote, 8-0. 9. Kim Calabro—2017-OR-40 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING 2017-OR-22 , AMENDING 2016-OR-64 FIXING THE SALARIES OF APPOINTED OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES FOR ALL THE DEPARTMENTS OF THE CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE, CLARK COUNTY, INDIANA, FOR THE YEAR 2017—Human Resources Director Kim Calabro presented 2017-OR-40. On page 4 there is an added part time position for the Chaplain for the Police Department. The Police have the money in their budget. They would like to get this individual on the payroll before the next pay period starts. Councilperson Owen said he likes seeing this as a position that is going to be on the payroll. There are not too many first responders who will seek out these services in fear of taking up a volunteer's time. With this being a dedicated position he hopes that more personnel will utilize it. The other positon is for Waste Water and the Sewer Board has approved. The only other changes are those that went into effect with the new negotiated Fire Union contract. Councilperson Hawkins made a motion to suspend the rules and pass all at once. Councilperson Ellis seconded PASSING on a vote, 8-0. Councilperson White made a motion to APPROVE on all three readings with Councilperson Hawkins seconding, PASSING on a vote, 8-0. Councilperson Zastawny asked if the job descriptions could be emailed to the Council along with a copy of the current paygrades. 10. Lisa Gill Heather Metcalf—2017-OR-41 An Ordinance of Additional Appropriation (Public Hearing July 24, 2017)—This covers an error. Also the grant is for a water fountain sculpture that was done. Councilperson Samuel made a motion to APPROVE 2017-OR-41 with Councilperson Jahn seconding, PASSING on a vote, 8-0. 11. Lisa Gill Heather Metcalf—2017-OR-42 An Ordinance of Additional Appropriation (Public Hearing July 24, 2017)—Councilperson Zastawny asked Planning and Zoning Director Pruitt if this were approved would he be able to begin the Spring Street projects sooner. Mr. Pruitt said he is not sure how far along this process is compared to where we are. Councilperson White asked what if we approved this for the spring street project? Mr. Pruitt said it would be nice if we could hold off and incorporate this in the whole plan. Councilperson Zastawny said there has been a fatality there and they told the sister that they are going to make this a priority, all he's trying to do here. He doesn't want to mess it up or slow it down. Councilperson Ellis said his concern is he drives this area 4 or 5 times a day and sees children of all ages that walks down that stretch. There's no sidewalks right there. His concern is safety. How much is a life worth. We are waiting on someone's kid to get killed. When it comes to providing the greatest deal of safety for a child he is all behind it. Councilperson Zastawny made a motion to APPROVE 2017-OR-42 with Councilperson Elllis seconding, passing on a vote, 7-1 with Councilperson Owen voting against. 12. Lisa Gill Les Merkley—Notice Collection of Tax Increment in Jeffersonville, Indiana Allocation Area for 2017 taxes payable 2018—Councilperson Hawkins made a motion to ACCEPT into the record with Councilperson Samuel seconding, PASSING on a vote, 8-0. REPORT OF THE COUNCIL ATTORNEY Just for clarification to suspend the rules all Councilmembers present must vote to do so. DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS: None at this time PUBLIC COMMENTS: None at this time. COUNCIL COMMENTS: Councilperson White—He would like to reiterate and to be careful not to fall in the same pattern that past councils have fallen into that plans stop and skip over Claysburg. He wants to make sure we continue what we have started. We don't want two cities. Let's attract to the ends and along through middle. Councilperson Zastawny—He commends Councilperson White for defending his district. He thinks the representatives from districts 2,3, and 4 feel the same way. Councilperson Jahn—She hopes everyone had a good 41h of July. She will be gone the next meeting as she will be in India. Councilperson Owen—There will be an additional appropriation soon for the Save the Fieldhouse events. Also thank you again to Planning and Zoning for all of their hard work. Their efforts are appreciated. Additionally the County met tonight an approved a resolution for the Regional Cities Initiative. This could open up a lot of funding for the area. Councilperson Ellis—Safety is a touchy point with him, any time there is a child in danger he wants to support whatever is needed to minimize that safety risk. The young man that drowned at the falls was a relative of his. Andre Shelby is a Jeffersonville citizen, he went to the Navy had an accident and is now paralyzed from the waist down. He recently won a gold medal at the para Olympics. He is someone we should be proud of and would like for the Jeffersonville City Council to recognize his accomplishments. Maybe a plaque could be made to recognize his awards. Would like to do something, the City proud of him and would like to bring him and introduce him to the Council. Council Vice President Samuel—Recognized Richard Eklund for being recognized as Commodore of the Port. Richard does a lot for the community and we are thankful for him. Council President Gill—Council President Gill also recognized Mr. Eklund. He and his wife maintain the landscaping near the aquatic center. Also she applauds the Chief of Police for how he runs his department. She gets lots of positive feedback from the community regarding the Police force. She has scheduled Council pictures for August 7th. She has heard that UEZ is not looking to fund the Big 4 or the security for K4. Councilperson White said that has not been decided and will not be decided without discussing with those that it affects first. Council President Gill stated she heard that Duffy's may need to be dredged and for everyone to keep that in mind with Budgets coming up. ADJOURNMENT: Councilperson Jahn made the motion to ADJOURN and the meeting adjourned at 9:08 P.M. APPROVED BY: Ay� Lisa Gill, President ST: Vicki Conlin, Clerk