HomeMy WebLinkAboutAUGUST 7,2 017 COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA
August 7, 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, August 7, 2017.
Council President Gill along with City Clerk Conlin called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Mr. Bobby
Campbell gave the Invocation and Council President Gill asked the Jeffersonville Little League to come
up and lead in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. Council President Gill then recognized the little league
team and the great season they had this year.
Council President Gill stated the next order of business would be the recognition of Mr. Andre Shelby.
Councilperson Ellis recognized Mr. Shelby with the Resolution 2017-R-7. Mr. Shelby served in the US
Navy for 18%years before he was injured during a motorcycle accident which confined him to a
wheelchair. In 2016 Andre made the US Paralympic Archery Team. He travelled to Rio and left with a
Gold Medal.
Mr. Shelby thanked the Council and the Council presented him with a plaque. Mayor Mike Moore was
also present and awarded Mr. Shelby with Commodore of the Port award. Jeffersonville is very proud of
you and all that you have accomplished. Mr. Shelby's story will also be displayed at Champions Wall.
ROLL CALL:The roll call was conducted and those present were: Councilperson White, Councilperson
Zastawny, Councilperson Jahn, Councilperson Maples, Councilperson Hawkins, Council President Gill,
Councilperson Owen, Council Vice President Samuel, and Councilperson Ellis.
MINUTES TO BE APPROVED:
Minutes from the Council Regular Proceedings July 24, 2017—Councilperson Ellis made a motion to
APPROVE with Councilperson Zastawny seconding, PASSING on a vote, 8-0-1 with Councilperson Jahn
abstaining as she was absent during the July 24, 2017 meeting.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA:
Council President Gill said that#26 under New Business needs to be removed. Councilperson Jahn
made a motion to APPROVE the agenda with the changes with Councilperson Owens seconding,
PASSING on a vote, 9-0.
CLAIMS TO BE APPROVED:
Heather Metcalf, Controller presented the General Claims List. Councilperson Owen made a motion to
APPROVE the General Claims with Councilperson Jahn seconding, PASSING on a vote, 9-0.
Heather Metcalf, Controller presented the Parks Claims List. Councilperson Owen said he would like to
point out that on page 5 of 7 there is a claim for a portion of the Cardiograph software. This is normally
paid elsewhere but this year the departments had to split the cost. Clerk Conlin noted she does not
have this contract on file. Councilperson Jahn made a motion to APPROVE the Parks Claims with
Councilperson Samuel seconding PASSING on a vote, 9-0.
REPORT OF THE CLERK:
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
1. Heather Metcalf—2017-OR-43 An Ordinance Transferring Certain Funds within the Same
Department (Passed on 1st and 2nd reading 7/24/17) -There have been no changes since the
last meeting. Councilperson Owen made a motion to APPROVE 2017-OR-43 on the second and
third reading as amended with Councilperson Maples seconding, PASSING on a vote, 9-0.
2. Len Ashack—Heather Metcalf—PUBLIC HEARING -2017-OR-44 An Ordinance of Additional
Appropriations (Passed on 1st and 2nd reading 7/24/17)—There have been no changes since
the last meeting. Council President Gill opened the Public Hearing at 7:28 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-44 with Councilperson
Ellis seconding, PASSING on a vote, 9-0.
3. Nathan Pruitt—2017-OR-45 An Ordinance Establishing A Non-Reverting Fund for the Spring
Street Master Plan Implementation (Passed on 1st and 2nd reading 7/24/17)— This is the
future vision for Spring Street. The intent is to designate and implement the plan and then we
can bring in funds specific to this project. Councilperson Zastawny made a motion to APPROVE
2017-OR-45 on the third and final reading with Councilperson White seconding, PASSING on a
vote, 9-0.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Keeley Stingel, Exec. Director Homeless Coalition—Homelessness task force Vision 2025. The
goal of the task force is to eradicate homelessness in Jeffersonville by 2025. White flag
operated this winter and shelters were opened any time the temperature dropped below 35
degrees. Ms. Stingel provided her contact information for the Council. The Coalition now has a
physical address and they are working on securing additional funding as well as providing
services. Council President Gill said that she and Clerk Conlin met with Ms. Stingel a few weeks
ago and she has a great energy and vision. As we are starting to consider budget time evaluate
continuing to support this organization. The Council will contact her with any further questions.
2. Les Merkley/John Kraft- PUBLIC HEARING 2017-OR-46 An Ordinance changing the Zoning Map
Designation Of A Certain Tract of Property Located at 206 Fairview Ave from R3-N1 (One
Reading) Concern the same matter, same business, John Kraft—Mr. Merkley advised that the
next three matters all involve the same applicant. The Public Hearings can be combined but
these will need to be voted on separately. These come with a favorable recommendation.
These are going from Residential to Neighborhood Industrial. Munich Welding is the applicant.
Mr. Merkley reminded the Council this matter is just for land use and any further development
plans still have to go back before Planning Commission. Councilperson Ellis asked if Munich
planned on purchasing the remainder of the residential properties back there. At this time it is
just the three before the Council. Council President Gill opened the Public Hearing at 7:43 PM
and seeing 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-47
with Councilperson Zastawny seconding, PASSING on a vote, 9-0.
3. Les Merkely/John Kraft PUBLIC HEARING 2017-OR-47 An Ordinance changing the Zoning Map
Designation Of A Certain Tract of Property Located at 210 Fairview Ave from R3-N1 (One
Reading)—Councilperson Owen made a motion to APPROVE 2017-OR-47 with Councilperson
Zastawny seconding, PASSING on a vote, 9-0.
4. Les Merkley/John Kraft PUBLIC HEARING 2017-OR-48 An Ordinance changing the Zoning Map
Designation Of A Certain Tract of Property Located at 212Fairview Ave from C2-N1 (One
Reading)—See 2017-OR-47 for Public Hearing information. Councilperson Owen made a motion
to APPROVE 2017-OR-48 with Councilperson Zastawny seconding, PASSING on a vote,9-0.
Councilperson Zastawny asked if they planned on updating the signage out front and that is part
of the plan.
5. John Kraft—Introduction for an Ordinance Vacating a Public Way. (NO ACTION NEEDED PUBLIC
HEARING 8/21/17 ONE READING ONLY) -This will be coming before the Council during the next
meeting. There is no action needed on this tonight.
6. Vicki Conlin—2017-OR-49-An Ordinance Amending 2016-OR-77, Which Amends 2015-OR-18,
Which Amends 2012-OR-2, Which Amends 2011-OR-49, Which Amends 2009-OR-13, Which
Amends 2008OR-56,An Ordinance Establishing Departmental Petty Cash and/or Cash Change
Fund, don't have enough money at times to make change, Ordinance Violations from 100 to
125, and Traffic from 100 t0 200. Clerk Conlin presented 2017-OR-49. Now that the Bureau is
collecting more fines it has become increasingly difficult to keep change in the drawers. This will
allow the Bureau to operate with a sufficient amount of change. Councilperson Owen made a
motion to APPROVE 2017-OR-49 on the first and second reading with Councilperson Jahn
seconding, PASSING on a vote,9-0.
7. Les Merkley PUBLIC HEARING- 2017-OR-50 An Ordinance Amending the Jeffersonville Zoning
Ordinance (2006-OR-61) to Amend the Downtown Commercial (DC) District Uses in Article 4 and
Amend Gas Station Standards in Article 7—This makes some changes and clarifications of
definitions. We do not want to have gas station on every corner of an intersection. This allows
for a cluster of two but no more than that and they have to be on opposing sides of the road.
The Council asked if this would supersede the rule that gas stations have to be more than a mile
away from each other or if this would open up that a gas station could go in simply to make a
cluster of two. Council President Gill opened the Public Hearing at 8:00 PM and as no members
of the community came forward to speak for or against the matter the Public Hearing was
closed. The Council would like to see this redone where there is a maximum amount of gas
stations in a certain radius and nothing can overrule that. This will go back before Planning and
Zoning and be brought back at a later time. Councilperson Samuel made a motion to APPROVE
2017-OR-50 with Councilperson Zastawny seconding, FAILING on a vote, 0-9.
8. Les Merkley—2017-OR-51 An Ordinance Establishing the Non-Reverting Sidewalk Construction
Fund—The next three items all go together. We have some issues regarding dealing with the
funds for sidewalks. There is an old one that dates back to 1997 that set up the sidewalk
replacement program. This will make it to where there is only one fund to fund the sidewalks.
Councilperson Hawkins made a motion to PASS 2017-OR-51 on the first and second with
Councilperson Jahn seconding, PASSING on a vote, 9-0.
9. Les Merkley—2017-OR-52 An Ordinance Amending 2016-OR-1, An Ordinance Establishing
Sidewalk Fee in Lieu Program and Non-Reverting Sidewalk Construction Fund -Councilperson
Hawkins made a motion to PASS 2017-OR-52 on the first and second with Councilperson Jahn
seconding, PASSING on a vote, 9-0.
10. Les Merkley—2017-OR-53 An Ordinance Establishing a Sidewalk Non-Reverting Fund; Repealing
Ordinance 87-OR-18, 93-OR-18, 2000-OR-22 and 2013-OR-1 (Abolishing the Sidewalk
Replacement Program)—The money that is in the fund will be transferred into the new fund.
This still requires that the money be used for sidewalks. Councilperson Hawkins made a motion
to APPROVE 2017-OR-53 with Councilperson Jahn seconding, PASSING on a vote, 9-0.
11. Heather Metcalf—2017-OR-54 An Ordinance of Additional Appropriations (Public Hearing
8/21/17)—Councilperson Owen made a motion to APPROVE 2017-OR-54 on the first and
second reading with Councilperson Ellis seconding. Councilperson Zastawny asked if this was
due to what was budgeted for Health Insurance not being enough. It is. He asked if this will be
enough to finish out the year and it will. 2017-OR-54 PASSED on a vote,9-0.
Health Insurance renewals will be coming up soon.
12. Heather Metcalf—2017-OR-55 An Ordinance of Additional Appropriations (Public Hearing
8/21/17)—This is to go into the Spring Street Implementation Plan. These funds would be put
in to the non-reverting fund along with the funds that were approved from the last meeting.
We anticipate construction starting as soon as construction season starts next year. Council
President Gill asked if this meant the cost of this project had come back. It has not. United
Consulting is doing that but it is still in negotiation. Councilperson Owen asked if the UEZ was
going to put more money in this fund. They will, maybe not in the fund but they will be
contributing to the overall project, such as the design phase. Councilperson White said they
thing its more advantageous to not put in in the fund since they are a non-profit. The budget
has been discussed but not set for UEZ,there is $300,000 for this project. Councilperson
Zastawny said he imagines there is the money available but is this the priority. We have other
projects that still need to be completed. His understanding is this was going to be done in
phases. Council President Gill said that she knows of other needs that are going to be coming
before the Council like a brine truck. Councilperson Hawkins said his thought is this would be
something that should be discussed at budget time and put in the Administration's budget as
opposed to draining EDIT. Councilperson White said we are back up to our 6 million in reserves
which is over our target. For the projects that we are not sure how much they will cost we will
still have the money to cover those if needed. Councilperson Owen said we may need to revisit
the EDIT fund at the end of the year. But he would be in favor of the General Fund
Appropriation. He does not think this is a `sidewalk' project, it is much more than that, and it is
a planning project. Councilperson Hawkins asked why this isn't being a part of the budget
process. Councilperson Owen said he thinks this will be in budget for the next couple of year
but that he doesn't know the Administration's plan. Councilperson White said this was not
presented as being done in phases. Councilperson Hawkins said he didn't know that approving
the Plan would mean that they would be hit for almost a million dollars the next meeting. He is
not sure why this is being brought to the front of the line. Councilperson Zastawny said he
cannot remember a time they funded a project ahead of knowing the costs. Councilperson
White said that they already put$120,000 without knowing the costs. When we budget for
2018 we are not talking about the money we are talking about today. The funds are there, he
understands the opposition and what this is a way to confuse the situation so that the project
does not get funded. We know it is going to cost more than a million dollars. Councilperson
Zastawny said the $120,000 cost came from an estimate from the engineer. Lots of money has
been spent downtown. The cost estimates should be coming back in a couple of weeks.
Councilperson White asked Nathan Pruitt if this was a priority to the Administration and he said
he would like to see it done. He thinks it will take about 3-3.5 million to fully complete the
project. Councilperson Hawkins said he things Mr. Pruitt is being put in a very unfortunate
situation and this is why it should be done during budget. Councilperson White made a motion
to TABLE 2017-OR-55 with Councilperson Owen seconding, PASSING on a vote, 8-1 with
Councilperson Hawkins voting against.
REPORT OF THE COUNCIL ATTORNEY
Thank you to Mr. Merkley for advising when requested this evening. Mr. Wilder had a last minute
conference he had to be at.
DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS:
Mr. Nathan Pruitt—There was a filing in his office for Ellingsworth Commons today. Very exciting and
can be viewed in Planning and Zoning. The Developer will be holding a Public Meeting soon on August
16, 2017 at 7 PM at the GCCS Administration Building. This is going to be a big development for
Jeffersonville.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
None at this time.
COUNCIL COMMENTS:
Councilperson White—Nothing at this time.
Councilperson Zastawny—Nothing at this time.
Councilperson Jahn—Will be speaking at the AIM conference on a pane during the October 10tH-12th
conference. Also she is back from 3 weeks in India. There is a severe drought there for the last three
years. Some of the issues they see here are very small in comparison to what she saw while there.
Councilperson Maples—Wishing luck to those who are representing Jeffersonville in the Police and Fire
games,Amy Wolfe and Josh Stith.
Councilperson Hawkins—The FOP contract will be coming before the Council soon, he appreciates
everyone's effort in that process.
Councilperson Owens—Thank you to Jeffersonville Fire Department for representing Jeff. There has
been a Purchase Agreement to redevelop the old American Legion.
Councilperson Ellis—Thank you to Paul Northam for helping with the Andre Shelby dedication and thank
you to the Council for approving the Resolution.
Council President Gill—Please watch your emails, the FOP contract should be going out soon to view
before the next meeting.
ADJOURNMENT:
Councilperson Jahn made the motion to ADJOURN and the meeting adjourned at 8:54 P.M.
APPROVED BY:
t
a Gill, President
A T: �^ ^ \
Vicki Conlin, Clerk