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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC OCTOBER 7, 2019 COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA OCTOBER 7, 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 October 7, 2019. Council Vice President Lisa Gill along with City Clerk Conlin called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Councilperson Ellis gave the invocation. Council Vice President Lisa Gill asked those in attendance to stand during the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL:The roll call was conducted and those present were Councilperson White, Councilperson Maples, Councilperson Paris, Council Vice President Gill, Councilperson Hawkins, Councilperson Owen, Councilperson Ellis, Councilperson Samuel. Council President Zastawny was absent from the proceedings. MINUTES TO BE APPROVED: September 16, 2019 Budget Workshop—Councilperson Owen made a motion to APPROVE the minutes with Councilperson Hawkins seconding, PASSING on a vote, 8-0. September 16, 2019 Regular Proceedings—Council Vice President Gill said there was a clarification she would like to be made. Under New Business Item #3 where it said that Council Vice President Gill opened the Public Hearing and said this is not how it has been done in the past, that was in reference to someone not from the negative bringing it back up. She did not want any confusion on that matter. Council Vice President Gill asked Clerk Conlin what was changed in the minutes that would be signed. Clerk Conlin read "Council Vice President Gill said this is not how it has been done in the past while she has been on this Council, it has always had to be a member who was in the negative to bring up the motion to reconsider". Council Vice President Gill asked Council Attorney Wilder if a motion needed to be made to amend the minutes and he advised that the Council would need to do that to accept those changes. Councilperson Samuel made a motion to AMEND the minutes from September 16, 2019 with Councilperson Ellis seconding, PASSING on a vote, 8-0. Councilperson Samuel made a motion to APPROVE the minutes as amended with Councilperson Ellis seconding, PASSING on a vote, 8-0. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA: Councilperson Owen made a motion to APPROVE the agenda with Councilperson Samuel seconding, PASSING on a vote, 8-0. CLAIMS TO BE APPROVED: City Controller Heather Metcalf presented the Civil Claims. Council Vice President Gill stated there are two sets of Civil and two sets of Parks. We will have to approve each one individually. Controller Metcalf stated it would be easier to just have it on two different dockets. Civil City—the first one is for $2,169,532.09. Council Vice President Gill stated the bulk of that is for the Health Insurance. Additionally there was a large claim for the fuel but that was from August. There were several invoices together. Then there was another large claim for New Chapel Park. Council Vice President Gill asked if all of the claims were in order and Controller Metcalf stated they are. Councilperson Samuel asked if there will be reimbursement for repairing a guardrail. Insurance will not be reimbursing the City for that cost. Councilperson Samuel made a motion to APPROVE the Civil Claims as presented with Councilperson Owen seconding, PASSING on a vote, 8-0. City Controller Heather Metcalf presented the second set of Civil Claims in the amount of$9,434.23. Council Vice President Gill asked if all claims were 1 in order and Controller Metcalf stated they are. Councilperson Samuel made a motion to APPROVE the Civil Claims with Councilperson Ellis seconding, PASSING on a vote, 8-0. City Controller Heather Metcalf presented the Parks Claims. There is one change on page two. The very top one for the mileage it was calculated for the 2019 rate and it should have been calculated at the 2018 rate. It will deduct$1.89 from the total bringing the new total to $315,475.18. Councilperson Samuel made a motion to APPROVE the Parks Claims with Councilperson Owen seconding. Council Vice President Gill asked if the claims were in order and Controller Metcalf stated they are. Parks Claims PASSED on a vote, 8-0. Now for the $16,939.38 Parks Claims. Council Vice President Gill asked if these claims were in order and Controller Metcalf stated they are. Councilperson Ellis made a motion to APPROVE the Parks Claims with Councilperson Samuel seconding, PASSING on a vote, 8-0. REPORT OF THE CLERK: Nothing at this time. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 1. Lisa Gill/ Nathan Samuel—2019-OR-51 An Ordinance Establishing a Non-Reverting Fund for the Purpose of Funding Aide to Non-Profit Organizations for Addressing Needs and Services for Jeffersonville Homeless Assistance—Councilperson Samuel said the changes were made to reflect the discussion from the last meeting. Councilperson Samuel made a motion to APPROVE 2019-OR-51 on the second and third reading with Councilperson Ellis seconding, PASSING on a vote, 8-0. 2. Lisa Gill/Heather Metcalf—2019-OR-52 An Ordinance Transferring Certain Funds within the Same Department-City Controller Heather Metcalf presented 2019-OR-52. There have been no changes since the last meeting. Councilperson Owen made a motion to APPROVE 2019-OR- 52 on the third and final reading with Councilperson Maples seconding, PASSING on a vote, 8-0. 3. Lisa Gill/Heather Metcalf- Heather Metcalf-Public Hearing 2019-OR-53 Appropriations and Tax Rates for 2020—City Controller Heather Metcalf presented 2019-OR-53. There have been no changes since the Public Hearing. Councilperson Samuel made a motion to APPROVE 2019-OR-53 on the third and final reading with Councilperson Owen seconding, PASSING on a vote,8-0. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Lisa Gill/ Les Merkley-2019-R-14 Resolution Approving Statement of Benefits for Real Property Tax Abatement(Posco)—City Attorney Les Merkley presented 2019-R-14. This comes with a favorable recommendation from Redevelopment Commission. There are representatives from POSCO as well as One Southern Indiana. Anne Keller from One Southern Indiana was present on behalf of POSCO to request the consideration of the tax abatement. They are the fifth largest steel producer in the world. They specialize in processing wire rod that are used in the manufacturing of nuts, bolts, and shafts in the automotive industry. At this time POSCO has proposed investing 5.3 million dollars in additional real property to expand their current property at the Port. They currently employ 23 full time employees and this will increase an additional 13 full time employees ranging from $29-$34/hour. Representatives from the company are present to answer any questions if needed. Councilperson Samuel made a motion to APPROVE 2019-R-14 with Councilperson Owen seconding, PASSING on a vote,8-0. 2. Lisa Gill/ Les Merkley-2019-R-15 Resolution Approving Statement of Benefits for Real and Personal Property Tax Abatement(Amatrol)—City Attorney Les Merkley presented 2019-R-15. This comes with a favorable recommendation from Redevelopment Commission. Anne Keller from One Southern Indiana is present as well as representatives from Amatrol as well. This is a family owned company that produces hands-on training equipment and software which is used to train technicians and engineers in a range of 2 industries. They are proposing investing 2 million dollars in additional real property and five hundred and fifty thousand dollars in personal property to expand the current facility. The company currently employees 198 full time workers and with this project will plans to hire 35 additional employees with a pay range between $23 and$26 an hour. Mr. Paul Perkins is here to answer any additional questions if needed. Mr. Perkins thanked the Council for all consideration and support. Councilperson Samuel made a motion to APPROVE 2019-R-15 with Councilperson Owen seconding, PASSING on a vote,8-0 3. Lisa Gill/ Les Merkley—PUBLIC HEARING -2019-OR-54 An Ordinance Changing the Zoning Map of a Certain Tract of Property Located Designation 4315 Utica-Sellersburg Road And Fully Described in Attached Exhibit A from Cl to C2— City Attorney Les Merkley presented 2019-OR- 54. This comes with a favorable recommendation. Council Vice President Gill opened the Public Hearing at 7:25 pm and as no members of the community came forward to speak for or against the matter the public hearing was closed. Councilperson Hawkins made a motion to APPROVE 2019-OR-54 with Councilperson Owen seconding, PASSING on a vote, 8-0. 4. Lisa Gill/ Les Merkley—PUBLIC HEARING-2019-OR-55 An Ordinance Changing the Zoning Map of a Certain Tract of Property Located Designation 611 Hopkins Lane And Fully Described in Attached Exhibit A from R1 to R2—City Attorney Les Merkley presented 2019-OR-55. This comes with a favorable recommendation. The applicant is Murphy Homes. The plan is for 13 homes to go in that area, but that is dependent on drainage and other needs. Councilperson Owen said he appreciates the applicant and his quality of work. Council Vice President Gill opened the Public Hearing at 7:30 pm and as no members of the community came forward to speak for or against the matter the public hearing was closed. Councilperson Maples made a motion to APPROVE 2019-OR-55 with Councilperson Owen seconding, PASSING on a vote, 8-0. 5. Lisa Gill/ Kim Calabro—2019-OR-56 An Ordinance Amending 2018-OR-64 an Ordinance Fixing the Salaries of Appointed Officers and Employees for All the Departments of the City of Jeffersonville, Clark County, Indiana for the Year 2019—Human Resources Director Kim Calabro presented 2019-OR-56. This is to add the three new firefighters for this year to get them hired in so they will be ready to go January 1 next year. Councilperson Hawkins made a motion to suspend the rules in anticipation in 2019-OR-56 passing on all three readings with Councilperson Owen seconding, PASSING on a vote, 8-0. Councilperson Hawkins made a motion to APPROVE 2019-OR-56 on all three readings with Councilperson Owen seconding, PASSING on a vote, 8-0. 6. Lisa Gill/ Kim Calabro—An Ordinance Amending 2019-OR-57 An Ordinance Fixing the Salaries of Appointed Officers and Employees for All the Departments for the Year 2020— Human Resources Director Kim Calabro went over the highlighted changes for the Ordinance 2019-OR- 57. Parks Director Paul Northam did note there is one error, there will actually be 5 Generalist and 7 for Green Space. Councilperson Samuel made a motion to APPROVE 2019-OR-57 on the first and second reading with Councilperson Owen seconding, PASSING on a vote, 8-0. 7. Lisa Gill/ Heather Metcalf—2019-OR-58 An Ordinance Transferring Certain Funds within the Same Department—City Controller Heather Metcalf presented 2019-OR-58. This is for the end of the year transfers. Councilperson Owen made a motion to APPROVE 2019-OR-58 on the first and second reading with Councilperson Hawkins seconding, PASSING on a vote, 8-0. 8. Lisa Gill/2019-OR-59 An Ordinance of Additional Appropriations (Fire Department)—City Controller Heather Metcalf presented 2019-OR-59. This is for the three new fire fighters to start this year. Councilperson Owen made a motion to APPROVE 2019-OR-59 on the first and second reading with Councilperson Hawkins seconding, PASSING on a vote, 7-1 with Councilperson Ellis voting against the matter. 9. Lisa Gill/2019-OR-60 An Ordinance of Additional Appropriations (Parks Department)—City Controller Heather Metcalf presented 2019-OR-60. This is for a long term employee who is retiring and then bills that did not arrive in a timely manner. Councilperson Owen made a 3 motion to APPROVE 2019-OR-60 on the first and second reading with Councilperson Hawkins seconding, PASSING on a vote 7-1 with Councilperson Ellis voting against the matter. 10. Lisa Gill -Appointment to the Jeffersonville Building Authority—Councilperson Paris said he would like to nominate Jon Sowder to the board with Councilperson White seconding, PASSING on a vote, 8-0. REPORT OF THE COUNCIL ATTORNEY Thank you to the Council for their understanding while he was away. He is glad to be back. PUBLIC COMMENTS: DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS: Nothing at this time. COUNCIL COMMENTS: Councilperson White—Today we had representatives from HUD come down and recognize the Envision Center and the great work of Paul Northam. We are officially recognized as a HUD and Envision Center by the Secretary of HUD and we are the only one recognized in the State of Indiana and only one of 16 nationally. We are very proud of that. Councilperson Paris—No Comment. Councilperson Maples—No Comment Councilperson Hawkins—No Comment Councilperson Owen—Since we last met as a Council there was a new story run on some protesting on a decision that was made by our Jeffersonville Police Department recent hire experienced officer, merited officer. Probably Chief Kavanagh may have reached out to other Council members that to kind of explain that situation. He was kind of shocked to see that on the news. He told him when he called that the Police Department operates with the utmost integrity and they are just as professional as our fire department. He trusts his judgement and the merit process. We are getting 30 days within an election and that might have a little bit to do with the negative press as the expense of the officer. He thinks it's uncalled for and he let the Chief know those were his thoughts. He wanted to publicly express his support. Councilperson Ellis—He too received some phone calls. There is a group of Pastors from the community who will be talking with the Mayor as well as the Chief to come to their own conclusion. He will be at the table when the discussion takes place. He will vote a number of times against additional appropriations. He would like to set a budget and live within that budget. Councilperson Samuel—On page 9 under the unsafe building there is about$3600 of cutting grass in contracts. He is wondering about hiring part-time labor for the Green Team Councilperson Gill—The majority of those are vacant homes. She doesn't want to see the Park's department going on vacant homes. We can get reimbursed for those through the liens. She also wanted to address the media coverage. Her disappointment is in their coverage of their story. The president of the local 100 issued a letter and she encouraged all Council to share that, it was a great letter. 4 ADJOURNMENT: Councilperson Samuel made the motion to ADJOURN and the meeting adjourned at 8:16 P.M. APPROVED BY: isa Gifl, ice-President ATTEST: 1.,(;41-L" AiL- , Vicki Conlin, Clerk 5