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HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril 20, 2020 City Council Minutes COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA April 20,2020 The Common Council of the City of Jeffersonville, Indiana met in regular session via teleconferencing on April 20, 2020. Council President Owen along with City Clerk Gill called the virtual meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. ROLL CALL: The roll call was conducted by City Clerk Lisa Gill and those teleconferencing(Covid-19)were Council President Matt Owen, Councilperson Steve Webb, Councilperson Dustin White, Councilperson Bill Burns, Councilperson Joe Paris,Council Vice President Scottie Maples, Councilperson Scott Hawkins,Councilperson Donnie Croft and Councilperson Ron Ellis—all 9 members present. MINUTES TO BE APPROVED: Councilperson Burns.made a motion to approve the minutes of the April 6, 2020 regular meeting with Councilperson Paris seconding, roll call vote: Councilperson White-yes Councilperson Burns-yes Councilperson Paris-yes Council Vice President Maples—yes Councilperson Croft-yes Councilperson Webb-yes Council President Owen-yes Councilperson Hawkins—yes Councilperson Ellis-yes Motion passes 9-0 APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA: Councilperson Burns made the motion to approve the agenda, seconded by Councilperson Hawkins, roll call vote: Councilperson White-yes Councilperson Burns-yes Councilperson Paris-yes Council Vice President Maples-yes Councilperson Croft-yes Councilperson Webb-yes Council President Owen-yes Councilperson Hawkins—yes Councilperson Ellis-yes Motion passes 9-0 CLAIMS TO BE APPROVED: City Controller Heather Metcalf presented the Civil City Claims with one correction -duplicate on page 5 of $57.57 to Clark Power Services. New Claims total$738,727.05. Councilperson Hawkins made a motion to approve the New Claims total,seconded by Council Vice President Maples, roll call vote: Councilperson White-yes Councilperson Burns-yes Councilperson Paris-yes Page 1 of 3 Council Vice President Maples-yes Councilperson Croft-yes Councilperson Webb-yes Council President Owen-yes Councilperson Hawkins—yes Councilperson Ellis-yes Motion passes 9-0 City Controller Metcalf presented the Parks'Claims in the amount of$54,103.73. Council Vice President Maples made a motion to approve the claims with Councilperson Hawkins seconding, roll call vote: Councilperson White-yes Councilperson Burns-yes Councilperson Paris-yes Council Vice President Maples-yes Councilperson Croft-yes Councilperson Webb-yes Council President Owen-yes Councilperson Hawkins—yes Councilperson Ellis-yes Motion passes 9-0 REPORT OF THE CLERK: Nothing at this time UNFINISHED BUSINESS: none NEW BUSINESS: none ATTORNEY COMMENTS: Mr. Larry Wilder, Council Attorney—emphasized again so long as you are doing the things that are necessary under the extraordinary circumstances that I am confident that I can defend any procedural complaint that may be file and the basis is the Governor's Order that this is emergency situation as long as the Council is doing what is necessary for the safety of the citizens and employees; ensure police,fire and all services. Mr. Les Merkley,City Attorney—Concurred with Mr.Wilder. DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS: Mr. Paul Northam, Parks' Director—Duffy's boat ramp dredging. We have not done this since 2018 and with increased flooding the buildup is back. Probably should be done every year. It is expensive. Andy Crouch, City Engineer—not sure we need to talk about years, but between floods and how high the water gets. We have to get two permits;Core of Engineer and Indiana Department Environmental Management. Last contract was$68,000. If we have to haul off cost considerable more. We can't do the work until after fish spawning season (June 30). This would be a fall project, 3-4 month time frame for permit—which does not cost very much. Councilperson Webb—can we clam shell that out per the permit; I understand that if you don't break surface you can clam shell it back into the river. Mr.Wilder- is this something we should ask to save money? Mr. Crouch—when we asked they said no. Mr. Merkley—I agree that we go forward with permits and continue to work with authorities reviewing options. All agreed to go begin permit process. Page 2 of 3 PUBLIC COMMENTS: COUNCIL COMMENTS: • Councilperson White—no comment • Councilperson Burns—thanked the administration for the neighborhood dumpster, and hats off to the essential workers; bless the first responders and doctors working. • Councilperson Paris—no comment • Council Vice President Maples—no comment • Councilperson Croft—all things considered I think we are doing a really good job. • Councilperson Webb—lost my brother to cancer April 9th and wanted to thank the Council and Local 558 for the flowers,gifts and cards; a lot of people reached out. Thank you everyone. • Councilperson Hawkins—condolences to Councilperson Webb. Reiterate Councilperson Burns' thanks you. I had three individuals approach me asking me to thank the City for the neighborhood dumpsters. Well done administration. • Councilperson Ellis—expressed concern from calls he received with the Catalyst Mission 3 tents on their property in the Claysburg Neighborhood. I think the City should get involved; were permits approved for tents? Why place these tents in the neighborhood where the least resistance to the Coronavirus? I recommended they contact all Council At Large. If there is a hot spot; is that the hot spot and what can we do to mitigate that? Council President Owen -had heard but had not talked to anyone. There is a large need and I think there is now an alternative plan; asked Councilperson White if he knew anything. Councilperson White-the tents were put up by Clark County Health Department in coordination with Catalyst and should be down in two weeks. • Council President Owen—thanked everyone for the making the meeting tonight. The only thing I would add there have been questions about the city budget where we will be because of the pandemic. Hopes people get property tax payments in. Those payments could be delayed but hopefully not a huge decrease in revenue. We may need to start making some preparations for immediate and long term loss of revenue. Several Cities across the nation are furloughing employees; I don't think that is the case for our city. We are going to do everything we can,speaking for the entire Council,to keep essential services running. Full time people will be okay. We may have to tighten our belt, look at the budget, push off spending and cut some spending. We have strong reserves with rainy day funds. Roll with it as it comes. ADJOURNMENT: Council Vice President Maples made the motion to ADJOURN the meeting at 7:31 p.m. APPROVED BY: P ®4WD' "'`1• Matt ven, President ATTEST: Lisa G. I,Clerk Page 3 of 3