HomeMy WebLinkAboutSEPTEMBER 5, 2017 COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA
SEPTEMBER 5, 2017
The Common Council of the City of Jeffersonville, Indiana met in regular session in Room 101, 500
Quartermaster Court,Jeffersonville, Indiana at 7:07 pm, on Tuesday, September 5, 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 those in attendance to stand and recite
the Pledge of Allegiance.
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, and Councilperson Ellis. Council Vice President Samuel was absent from the
proceedings.
MINUTES TO BE APPROVED:
Minutes from the Council Regular Proceedings August 21, 2017—Councilperson Owen made a motion to
APPROVE with Councilperson Ellis seconding, PASSING on a vote, 8-0.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA:
Councilperson Owen made a motion to APPROVE the agenda as presented with Councilperson Maples
seconding, PASSING on a vote,8-0.
CLAIMS TO BE APPROVED:
Yvonne Dowd, Assistant Controller presented the General Claims List. Councilperson Owen made a
motion to APPROVE the General Claims with Councilperson Zastawny seconding, PASSING on a vote, 8-
0.
Yvonne Dowd, Assistant Controller presented the Parks Claims List. Councilperson Owen made a motion
to APPROVE the Parks Claims with Councilperson Jahn seconding PASSING on a vote, 8-0.
REPORT OF THE CLERK:
Just so the Council knows the Traffic Violations Bureau has collected around $14,600 and the Ordinance
Violations has collected around $800.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
1. Larry Wilder-2017-OR-57 An Ordinance Mandating Department Heads and City
Employees Refrain from Entering In Long Term Agreements In Violation Of Indiana
Statutes Regulating Budget Process and Budget Funding—Councilperson Zastawny said
his want for this Ordinance was just so that funds are not tied up in future budgets.
Since the Administration has assured this will not happen again there is no need for this.
Councilperson Zastawny said he would make a motion in anticipation of it being voted
down.
Councilperson Zastawny made a motion to APPROVE 2017-OR-57 with Councilperson Jahn
seconding, FAILING on a vote, 0-8.
2. Heather Metcalf—2017-OR-58 An Ordinance Transferring Certain Funds within the Same
Department—Assistant Controller Yvonne Dowd presented 2017-OR-58. There have been no
changes since the last meeting. Councilperson Owen made a motion to APPROVE 2017-OR-58
on the third and final reading with Councilperson Jahn seconding, PASSING on a vote,8-0.
3. Heather Metcalf—PUBLIC HEARING 2017-OR-59 An Ordinance of Additional Appropriation—
Assistant Controller Yvonne Dowd presented 2017-OR-59. There have been no changes since
the last meeting. Council President Gill opened the Public Hearing at 7:18 PM and as no
members of the community came forward to speak for or against the matter the Public Hearing
was closed. Councilperson Ellis said he has an issue with all of the additional appropriations. He
is not sure why they go through the budget process if they are going to keep coming with
additional appropriations when they still have money in their budget. He will be voting against
this. Councilperson Jahn made a motion to APPROVE 2017-OR-59 with Councilperson White
seconding, PASSING on a vote,6-2 with Councilperson Zastawny and Councilperson Ellis voting
against.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Lisa Gill/Vicki Conlin 2017-OR-60 An Ordinance Amending 2017-OR-40, Amending 2017-OR-22,
Amending 2016-OR-64, Fixing the Salaries of Appointed Officers and Employees for all the
Department of the City of Jeffersonville, Clark County, Indiana for the Year 2017 (Clerk's Office)
—Clerk Conlin presented 2017-OR-60. This is some housekeeping. It changes the titles to reflect
the job descriptions HR has on file and so the budget will match as well. Councilperson White
made a motion to APPROVE 2017-OR-60 with Councilperson Jahn seconding, PASSING on a vote,
8-0.
2. Les Merkley- PUBLIC HEARING-2017-OR-61 An Ordinance Amending the Jeffersonville Zoning
Ordinance (2006-OR-61) to Amend the Downtown Commercial (DC) District—This comes with a
favorable recommendation. This amends to remove some undesirable uses like an auto part
store. It also adds a few uses that are in the light gray. They are not sure what all has been
removed. It is not listed in the Or
Council President Gill opened the Public Hearing at 7:26 PM.
Casey Hanka-They are kind of on a time crunch. They are opening a fitness (crossfit) studio and
they are not able to open until this passes. It will be behind Flat 12.
Lauren Bayens-919 E. 7th Street—Not sure how they can pass something that they are not sure
what is being removed.
Public Hearing was closed at 7:35 PM.
If something was removed that the Council would like to see put back in on the approved list
they can go through this process again. This gives the small business a chance to go ahead and
start operations.
Councilperson Hawkins made a motion to APPROVE 2017-OR-61 with Councilperson Zastawny
seconding, PASSING on a vote, 8-0.
3. Les Merkley—2017-OR-62 An Ordinance Establishing a Temporary Moratorium on New Gas
Stations—This is so we can figure out how far apart we want gas stations. Councilperson
Hawkins made a motion to SUPSEND the rules with Councilperson Owen seconding, PASSING on
a vote, 8-0. Councilperson Hawkins made a motion to APPROVE 2017-OR-62 on all three
readings with Councilperson Owen seconding, PASSING on a vote, 7-1.
4. Heather Metcalf-2017-OR-63 An Ordinance Transferring Certain Funds Within the Same
Department—Assistant Controller Yvonne Dowd presented 2017-OR-63. She was not sure why
they needed to transfer for the salaries at the end of the season. Mr. Northam was supposed to
be at the Council Meeting and was not. Councilperson White made a motion to APPROVE 2017-
OR-63 on the first reading with Councilperson Owen seconding, PASSING on a vote, 8-0. Mr.
Northam needs to be present at the next meeting to explain these.
5. Heather Metcalf- Heather Metcalf-2017-OR-64 An Ordinance of Additional Appropriation
(Public Hearing September 18, 2017)—Assistant Controller Yvonne Dowd presented 2017-OR-
64. Councilperson Owen made a motion to APPROVE 2017-OR-64 with Councilperson Jahn
seconding, PASSING on a vote, 8-0.
REPORT OF THE COUNCIL ATTORNEY
The Council will be seeing a new Ordinance that Councilperson Maples has asked him to prepare in the
next few weeks.
DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS:
Nothing at this time.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
David Rainwater—1512 Waiverly Rd.—He couldn't believe when he heard that Jeffersonville is looking
to spend 5 million on sidewalks. When is Jeff going to stand up and take care of the drainage problems
that has been going on for the last 20 years. Bought out three places, what do you want them to do?
The residents don't want to sue anyone. When are their problems going to be taken care of? Promises
after promises for another 6 months. During election time everyone was down there, going to try to
take care of this as much as we can. Its going to keep on going and we are going to have to take over
again. When is something going to happen. They're already a drainage pond. Foundation is buckling,
go sue the City. Instead of 5 million in sidewalks and artwork they need to remember to take care of the
foundation first. Please let them know something.
COUNCIL COMMENTS:
Councilperson White—The Farm to Dinner event was this past Saturday. It had a great turnout and was
sold out. The food was delicious and the weather was cooperative.
Councilperson Zastawny—He would like to see the City publish the top ten compensated for vendors
and employees just for transparency sake. He agrees with Mr. Rainwater. There needs to be a plan in
place for the drainage issues.
Councilperson Jahn—Downtown Commercial, will be following up on that, important to her. Also shout
out to Oak Park for being named best neighborhood. She is proud to represent the neighborhood.
Reached informal agreement with Oak Park Conservancy of$10,000 and will be advocating for that
during budgets.
Councilperson Maples—He did not meet with anyone regarding drainage issues during election time
and did not make any type of promises regarding the issue. When blanket statements are made like
that he always likes to address them. He does sympathize with Mr. Rainwater and would like to see the
issues resolved.
Councilperson Hawkins—Nothing at this time.
Councilperson Owens—Thank you to Mr. Rainwater for coming out and please keep doing so. The 5
million is not just for sidewalks, it's to redo Spring Street streetscape, much more than just sidewalks.
Councilperson Ellis—Commended Mr. Rainwater for coming tonight. It is sometimes easy for people to
get overlooked if they are not bringing their issues before the Council.
Council President Gill—She will be inviting City Engineer Andy Crouch to give an update. Once the Stud
is done they are supposed to assign a committee to get a plan in place. Also congratulations to Oak
Park. Next workshop will be on 9/11 at 5 PM and 9/12 at 12 noon.
ADJOURNMENT:
Councilperson Jahn made the motion to ADJOURN and the meeting adjourned at 8:53 P.M.
APPROVED BY:
Lisa Gill, resident
ATT ST:
Vicki Conlin, Clerk