HomeMy WebLinkAbout CC MAY 6, 2019 COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA
May 6, 2019
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, May 6, 2019.
Council Vice President Lisa Gill along with City Clerk Conlin called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
Rabbi Litvich gave the invocation. Council President Zastawny 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
Maples, Councilperson Gill, Councilperson Hawkins, Councilperson Owen, Councilperson Ellis,
Councilperson Samuel and Council President Zastawny. Councilperson Payne was absent from the
proceedings.
MINUTES TO BE APPROVED:
April 15, 2019 Regular Proceedings—Councilperson Owen made a motion to APPROVE the minutes with
Councilperson Maples seconding, PASSING on a vote,8-0.
April 15, 2019 Special Meeting—Councilperson Owen made a motion to APPROVE the minutes with
Councilperson Gill seconding, PASSING on a vote, 8-0.
April 22, 2019 Special Meeting—Councilperson Owen made a motion to APPROVE the minutes with
Councilperson Gill seconding, PASSING on a vote, 8-0.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA:
Councilperson Gill made a motion to APPROVE the agenda with Councilperson Owen seconding,
PASSING on a vote, 8-0.
CLAIMS TO BE APPROVED:
City Controller Heather Metcalf presented the General Claims. Councilperson Gill noted that there is a
claim for over$500,000 to be paid for our remaining share of the 911 fee. This will be our last payment.
Councilperson Gill asked if all other claims were in order and Controller Metcalf stated they are.
Councilperson Gill made a motion to APPROVE the claims with Councilperson Owen seconding,
PASSING on a vote, 8-0.
Councilperson Samuel noted that on page 3 there is a claim for Mission BBQ that is listed under
Subscriptions and Dues. Controller Metcalf stated that is incorrect.
City Controller presented the Parks Claims. Councilperson Gill asked if all claims were in order and
Controller Metcalf stated they are. Councilperson Gill made a motion to APPROVE the Parks Claims as
presented with Councilperson Owen seconding, PASSING on a vote, 8-0.
REPORT OF THE CLERK:
Nothing at this time.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
1. Ed Zastawny/Sarah Green 2018-OR-67 An Ordinance Amending 2016-OR-11 Which Amends
2006-OR-14 Ordinance Regulating the Treatment and Keeping of Domestic, Dangerous,and/or
Vicious Animals Within the City Limits—Councilperson Gill made a motion to REMOVE with no
action taken with Councilperson Samuel seconding, PASSING on a vote, 8-0.
2. Ed Zastawny- Les Merkley—2018-OR-77 An Ordinance Amending The Jeffersonville Zoning
Code (2000-OR-61) For Purposes of Establishing Regulations for Non-Commercial—Council
President Zastawny opened the Public Hearing at 7:11 PM and as no members of the
community came forward to speak for or against the matter the Public Hearing was closed.
Council discussed changes proposed in Ordinance. There was concern that the size of the
square footage needed for larger animals was too small and would allow these animals to be in
many subdivision even though they may not be appropriate for the subdivision. Council
discussed changing the 1500 square foot to a full acre which is approximately 4500 square foot.
Councilperson Hawkins made a motion to AMEND 2018-OR-77 to change 1500 square feet to 1
acre with Councilperson Maples seconding, PASSING on a vote, 8-0. Councilperson Owen made
a motion to APPROVE 2018-OR-77 as amended with Councilperson Maples seconding, PASSING
on a vote, 8-0.
3. Ed Zastawny/Heather Metcalf—PUBLIC HEARING 2019-OR-15 An Ordinance of Additional
Appropriation Passed on 1st and 2nd reading 4/15/19—This is for the $165,000 that is needed
to purchase land to fix a drainage issue. Council President Zastawny opened the Public Hearing
at 7:22 PM and as no members of the community came forward to speak for or against the
matter the Public Hearing was closed. Councilperson Gill made a motion to APPROVE 2019-OR-
15 on the third and final reading with Councilperson Maples seconding, PASSING on a vote, 7-1
with Councilperson Ellis voting against. City Attorney Les Merkley requested that the Claims be
amended to reflect this so the closing would not be delayed. Councilperson Gill made a motion
to AMEND the Civil City Claims for a new total of$2,087,029.49 with Councilperson Owen
seconding, PASSING on a vote, 8-0.
4. Ed Zastawny/Heather Metcalf—PUBLIC HEARING 2019-OR-16 An Ordinance of Additional
Appropriation—City Controller Heather Metcalf presented 2019-OR-16. There have been no
changes since the last meeting. Council President Zastawny 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 at 7:25 PM. Councilperson Ellis said he will continue to vote against
Additional Appropriations. Councilperson Owen made a motion to APPROVE 2019-OR-16 on the
third and final reading with Councilperson Maples seconding, PASSING on a vote, 6-2 with
Councilperson Ellis and Councilperson Samuel voting against the matter.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Ed Zastawny/Les Merkley—PUBLIC HEARING 2019-OR-17 An Ordinance Changing the Zoning
Map Designation of a Certain Tract of Property Located at 1805-1807 East 8th Street and Fully
Described in Attached Exhibit A From Cl and R2 to IS—City Attorney Les Merkley presented
2019-OR-17. This is in reference to a rezoning request for a property located at 1805-1807 E. 8th
Street. It will go to Institutional and will be used as a church and administrative offices for the
church. Brad Benson from Applegate, Fifer, Pulliam was present on behalf of the applicant. This
comes with a favorable recommendation from Planning Commission. Council President
Zastawny opened the Public Hearing at 7:29 PM.
Susan O'Neal—26 Center St—She wanted to know if this property will be a church and an
administrative office setting. Mr. Benson informed her that the administrative office will be for
the church, not additional entities.
Council President Zastawny closed the Public Hearing at 7:31 PM.
Councilperson Owen made a motion to APPROVE 2019-OR-17 with Councilperson Hawkins
seconding, PASSING on a vote, 8-0.
2. Ed Zastawny/Heather Metcalf—2019-OR-18 An Ordinance Transferring Certain Funds within
the Same Department—City Controller Heather Metcalf presented 2019-OR-18. Councilperson
Samuel made a motion to APPRVE 2019-OR-18 on the first and second reading with
Councilperson Owen seconding, PASSING on a vote, 8-0.
3. Ed Zastawny/Heather Metcalf—2019—OR-19 An Ordinance of Additional Appropriation
Public Hearing May 20, 2019—City Controller Heather Metcalf presented 2019-OR-19. The first
four are for appropriating revenues that were obtained by selling assets. The fifth amount is a
reimbursement from insurance. The last amount is for the vehicle for Vehicle Maintenance.
Councilperson Owen made a motion to APPROVE 2019-OR-19 on the first and second reading
with Councilperson Maples seconding, PASSING on a vote, 7-1 with Councilperson Ellis voting
against the matter.
DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS:
Paul Northam—Parks Department—Bob Hedge Park is in need of a flooring surface. The current one is
beginning to be a safety risk to the people who visit. Mr. Northam has obtained price points and it looks
like it will be right around $120,000 to do correctly. City Controller Heather Metcalf discussed options of
funding for this. Mr. Northam would like to request an additional appropriation during the next
meeting. Councilperson Samuel made a motion for the funding to come from Parks ($100,000) and EDIT
($20,000) with Councilperson Hawkins seconding, PASSING on a vote, 8-0.
REPORT OF THE COUNCIL ATTORNEY
Nothing at this time.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Kelly Lehman—45 Louise St.—Most are here to talk about the same thing. The Mariposa Springs
wanting to build a permanent supportive living. We did not receive a survey or any communication.
Opposed to it. She feels it is not an appropriate area for that type of building. There are other areas
that could be located for this project.
Doug Brewer—59 Louise St.—He didn't get a letter but was on the list saying they received the letter.
He felt they misrepresented themselves as they were just redoing the property and feels as though he
was misinformed.
Mike Turner—1030 Sharon Dr.—This will be 50 feet from his back yard. There has been zero
communication with him on this. Everyone has been told something different and misled. They have
been told everything from a revitalized park to an elderly community. He will fight this from being in his
back yard. He wants to provide a safe environment for his family. There is a need for a facility of this
nature in this city but not in a residential neighborhood.
Vicki Harris—1805 Long St.—Her concern is the lack of disclosure. She lives on the corner and did not
receive any communication for this. If it was done then it was in the middle of the day and this is a
working class community. She is concerned about the children with this type of facility being nearby.
We don't need any more types of facilities that will bring this type of people in and is concerned about
the property values. If they had done their job we wouldn't all be here.
Vicki Daniel—12 Louise St.—She is worried about the neighborhood and would like some more
information. It is bad enough there are a lot of homeless people in the area and she would like more
information on the project.
Angie Briles—917 Sharon Dr.—They just got rid of a drug house in the area. Nobody will help them
except the police. This isn't going to help anyone and she wouldn't want her grandchildren playing
around this place.
Lanier Hobbs—5409 Utica Sellersburg Dr.—He is concerned about the breakdown in communication for
this project. Is there any ideal place for this type of facility? He does care about what is happening in
the community. This project is to reach out to help and bless people who are unfortunate. This cause is
near to his heart and homelessness is something that could affect any family. This is needed in our
community and all across America. The homeless population are a part of our community as well.
Gina Flynn—39 Center St.—She saw where Councilperson Gill said this is a supported project by the
community and it is not a supported project. It was supposed to be certified mail notices that were sent
out and nothing was certified. This will decrease property value and increase crime. It should be down
by Krogers if it needs to be in Jeffersonville. She would like another vote taken on this matter since this
was done in a deceptive way. Ms. Flynn submitted a petition with 166 signatures opposing this project.
Lisa Higdon—16 Louise St.—These people need help however they choose to be homeless. There would
not be a homeless problem if it wasn't for the methadone clinic.
Elizabeth Himmelheber—34 Center St.—She opposes all of this. This needs to be single housing. Her
concern is that Turning Point is a 30 days program and nobody gets clean after 30 days. Jeffersonville is
not ghetto town. It's bad enough that Turning Point and Lifesprings are here.
Susan O'Neal—26 Center St.—The whole Council realizes that this is not a welcomed project. They
were uninformed and felt as though the Council did not adequately inform them on the project.They
wanted to hear from their Council.
Larry Brown—18 Center St.—He does not believe this will help anyone. If you want to help someone
force them into treatment and force them to stay. Rewarding bad behavior brings on more bad
behavior. Without rules and law you are wasting your time.
Gary Hobbs—9026 Summer Estate, Indianapolis, IN—He would like to apologize, he did not know the
letters from the City did not reach the residents. This is not the first project for helping the homeless
that he has worked on. They have seen lives change and he wants that for the Jeffersonville community.
There is a need for those who have challenges but do not have support. There will be criteria put in
place for people who what to change. There will be a Public Input session on May 16th at 5:30 and he
would like to see everyone attend.
Kelly Dattilo—236 Meigs Ave.—She is here to discuss the Anti-Semantic remark that was made by
Council Person Gill. She would like to see a Diversity Training for the Council, something that would
prevent future occurrences like this. Hate is learned and she does not want to see this tolerated in the
City.
Jack Vissing—Mr. Vissing stated he was never made aware of the Mariposa project. They said that they
could not find him. He was the former attorney for the Planning Commission and if they had looked to
locate him they could have. This is not the way the event should have occurred. This needs to have an
end put to it.
Councilperson Owen—As it was mentioned, originally this project was slated to go somewhere else. He
was impressed with the developer when the neighborhood expressed their disinterest that the
developer went elsewhere. He is not pleased that people got different stories in this instance about
what would be developing there. Nobody the Council has said that this project should go at this
location. There are no tax dollars or tax credits slated for this project. He feels something like this is
completely necessary for the community but believes that everyone has a right to feel how they feel
about the project. The development plan still has to be submitted. There was no intention on his art to
misguide or push anything through. He appreciates everyone coming tonight to have their voices heard.
Councilperson Hawkins—Mr. Gary Hobbs: He does not know you but he feels that you are a blessing to
whatever community he serves. What he does is needed and bless him for doing it. There is a process
for this and that process broke down this time. This has been working in the past but now maybe the
Council needs to look at that process to see if it can be made more efficient. The Council only know
what they were advised and now they know more.
Councilperson Ellis said that he did the very best he could with what he knew. He suggested from day
one that a meeting be held in the community to prevent issues such as this.
Council President Zastawny said that he concurs with the other Council. He apologizes for the heartache
that came along with this. There will be Public Input meeting on May 16 at 6:30 PM.
COUNCIL COMMENTS:
Councilperson White—Nothing at this time.
Councilperson Maples—This week our community had two Judges that were shot in Indianapolis.
Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers. It is very unfortunate and he is glad that they are
recovering.
Councilperson Hawkins—Happy honeymoon to Councilperson Payne.
Councilperson Gill—Nothing at this time.
Councilperson Owen—Nothing at this time.
Councilperson Ellis—Nothing at this time.
Councilperson Samuel—He apologizes for being out of town last meeting. He is concerned about the
Circuit Breakers and would like to see that further addressed.
ADJOURNMENT:
Councilperson Owen made the motion to ADJOURN and the meeting adjourned at 8:46 P.M.
A
APP'O p BY: /
E• Zastawny, Presid: t
ATTEST:
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Vicki Conlin, Clerk