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
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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.
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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:
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Matt ven, President
ATTEST:
Lisa G. I,Clerk
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