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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMay 6, 2020 City Council Minutes COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA May 6,2020 Special Meeting The Common Council of the City of Jeffersonville, Indiana met for a Special Meeting via teleconferencing on May 6, 2020. Council President Owen along with City Clerk Gill called the virtual meeting to order at 5:33 p.m. ROLL CALL: The roll call was conducted by City Clerk Lisa Gill and those present were Council President Matt Owen, Councilperson Donnie Croft;those members teleconferencing(Covid-19)were Councilperson Dustin White, Councilperson Bill Burns,Councilperson Joe Paris, Council Vice President Scottie Maples,Councilperson Steve Webb, Councilperson Scott Hawkins,and Councilperson Ron Ellis—all 9 members present. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA: Councilperson Burns made a motion to amend the agenda adding Resolution 2020-R-5 Emergency Housing, seconded by Councilperson Croft, 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 Council Vice President Maples made the motion to approve the amended agenda, seconded by Councilperson White, 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: Heather Metcalf 2020-OR-23 Ordinance Transferring Certain Funds within the Same Department City Controller, Ms. Heather Metcalf indicated no changes. Council Vice President Maples made the motion for the third and final reading to approve the Ordinance,seconded by Councilperson White; roll call vote: Councilperson White-yes Page 1 of 5 Councilperson Burns-yes Councilperson Paris-yes Council Vice President Maples-yes Councilperson Croft—yes h Councilperson Webb-yes Council President Owen-yes Councilperson Hawkins—yes Councilperson Ellis-yes Motion passes 9-0 NEW BUSINESS: Mr. Larry Wilder,Council Attorney—Agreement between the City of Jeffersonville and the Jeffersonville Firefighters I.A.F.F. Local 558 Mr.Wilder-reviewed the contract as presented and as Council the financial piece of the contract includes no increases from the old contract, however there is language to allow an opportunity to review in 2021, with uncharted waters as related to tax revenue. I advise you in the scheme of things employment is only finances, if the Mayor chooses not to sign this it will not bind the City to this obligation. Councilperson Hawkins—thanked the fire fighters,we have no idea what is unfolding before us and they understand the problems that may arise. I will be happy to retroactively look at their pay. Thanks again for the wait and see attitude. Councilperson White—agreed with Councilperson Hawkins and thanked Fireman Joe Hurt and the Union for acknowledging the time we are in until when we can review again. Councilperson Burns—echo those thoughts and applaud the Union for recognizing these times we are in. Councilperson Croft— concurred,this a good thing they did until we get through this. Council President Owen—this is another example of our fire fighters providing service to the City and their willingness to get this settled. Everyone agreed we will address later once we have better footing financially as a City. We appreciate all those who worked on this contract. Councilperson Burns made the motion on the first and second reading to pass the Contract, seconded by Councilperson Croft. Council President Owen questioned that this is a one and done vote. Mr. Wilder indicate yes,this will now go to the Mayor for approve. 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 Heather Metcalf 2020-OR-24 an Ordinance for Additional Appropriation Council President Owen-this ordinance will be out of Rainy Day Covid 19$258,750,Jeffersonville Sustain Small Businesses in conjunction One Southern Indiana. Wendy Dant Chesser with One Southern Indiana—we knew there would be an economic impact but until the stay at home order we had a clear picture which type of businesses would be effected. Some funding from the Chamber of Commerce for Clark and Floyd Counties offered revolving loans helping 44 businesses with$426,000; money ran out quickly. Lisa Brooking also with One Southern Indiana—we helped 15 businesses in Jeffersonville with $179,700 in loans. Council President Owen-Council would like to spread out the funds to eligible Jeffersonville businesses up to$5,000 for forgivable loans per application. Initially send $150,000 to One Southern Indiana who will review and process applications with $50,000 additional increments as needed up to a maximum of$250,000 and I will process claims through the Clerk's office. Mr. Merkley—convey the impact the City Finances looking at Page 2 of 5 property tax this year and next year where you and the Mayor has been stern with department heads to restrain spending to allow essential services without interrupted for lack of funding. Putting 20 budgets together this fall will be a challenge for the administration;this will be a tough sell telling department to restrain while the Council spends the rainy day funds. Council President Owen—I appreciate the words of caution. Councilperson White—expressed gratitude to Ms.Wendy Dant Chesser and Council President Owen for the work they have done; it is the right thing to do for the businesses in Jeffersonville who have paid their taxes over the years to give back at this time. Councilperson Webb—the small businesses have been devastated, if we can save one or two to keep them paying taxes; if we don't have businesses,we don't have employees,and we don't have the income from taxes to keep the City going. Thank you for putting this forward. Council President Owen-this is not to be a handout for small businesses,they need to submit financials to be reviewed by a board,funds must be used for mortgage and utilities, so employees have someplace to come back to. Council Vice President Maples—I worked close with Council President Owen, this is to give businesses a fighting chance to reopen. Very responsible way we are going to divvy out this money. Councilperson White made the motion to suspend the rules with the anticipation of unanimous approval to pass ordinance. Councilperson Ellis—announced he will not vote to suspend rules. Councilperson White motion to approve on first and second reading, second by Councilperson Croft, roll call: 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 Heather Metcalf 2020-OR-25 an Ordinance for Additional Appropriation Council President Owen—this is an additional appropriation out of Rainy Day Fund for Clark County Health Department in their response to Covid 19, Dr. Eric Yazel, Clark County Director is present. Councilperson White-regarding comments from the Monday meeting with tents at Catalyst Mission and the Clark Co Health Department Executive order,we need a plan to protect the homeless. Memorandum of understanding with Red Carpet Inn to enable those who are in tents to reside. Walk up homeless will be screened and those clear go to the shelter while those showing symptoms and test pending go to the hotel until results show negative then they may go to the shelter or quarantine in hotel if positive; eliminate tents and comply with CDC. It is also my understanding that Dr.Yazel, no guarantee, but could be reimbursed. Dr. Yazel—two populations at shelter; ones who reside and walk ups. Walk ups provide a logistical difficulty. Without tents someone with Covid could infect all living at the shelter; or turn them away and put them out in the population at large infecting many more. The tents were a place to transition into shelter. We have been working on Gold Standard this for a potential hotel for this situation. We want to make sure the tents do not come down without a vial alternative as I am sure many of you do. City Attorney, Mr. Les Merkley— will a tent still be there? Dr. Yazel-Once the hotel is viable—no indication for tents. We have a grant we are waiting for that seems consistence with that and I intent to ask for reimbursement of these funds. Mr. Merkley-safe to say you will rescind or not renew your order. Dr.Yazel—correct. Council President Owen— thank you Dr.Yazel and your staff for working on this issue. Dr. Yazel thank you and the City of Jeffersonville. Councilperson White made the motion to approve the Ordinance on the first and second reading seconded by Councilperson Ellis, roll call vote: Councilperson White-yes Councilperson Burns-yes Councilperson Paris- no Page 3 of 5 Council Vice President Maples-yes Councilperson Croft-yes Councilperson Webb-yes Council President Owen -yes Councilperson Hawkins—yes Councilperson Ellis-yes Motion passes 8-1 Resolution 2020-R-5A An Emergency Ordinance Establishing the Procedures and Process for the Expenditure of Funds Appropriated for the Purpose of Paying for Housing for Homeless Persons Related to Covid-19 Council President Owen—resolution e-mailed to Council with a small change that this will run through the Clerk's office then to the Controller's office. Councilperson White made the motion to amend resolution, seconded by Councilperson Ellis; 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 Councilperson White made the motion to approve the amended resolution,seconded by Councilperson Ellis, 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 Council President Owen called another Special Meeting for May 8 at 6:30 p.m. Mr. Wilder indicated he started and submitted notice to the newspapers and for Ms.Gill to notice. ATTORNEY COMMENTS: Mr. Larry Wilder, Council Attorney—thank you and again actions you are taking are in response to the pandemic unpresented situation, I feel confident that we can defend decisions made to so long as we can point to public need, safety and health, we will be able to prevail to do things out of character for what State Statue says we have to do for notices and meetings. Mr. Les Merkley,City Attorney—nothing at this time. DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS: Page 4 of 5 PUBLIC COMMENTS: COUNCIL COMMENTS: • Councilperson White—thank you to Dr. Yazel for working with me and Ms. Laura Lindley, who will be reviewing claims to submit to Ms. Gill. I think this is the right thing to do. • Councilperson Burns—no comment • Councilperson Paris—comment on my no vote, Pastor Moon with Catalyst is involved and should be here and should be heard. I want the best for this situation, he should have been involved. • Council Vice President Maples—thank you to Dr.Yazel and crew for helping;thanks to the fire fighters for coming up with their own idea. • Councilperson Croft—thank everyone for coming together during this trying time. • Councilperson Webb—thank the fire fighters; Council President Owen and committee for helping small businesses; Councilperson White and Dr.Yazel for putting together a plan for the shelter. • Councilperson Hawkins—no comment • Councilperson Ellis—thanked Dr.Yazel and Councilperson White for coming up with this plan. Also explained his vote requiring three readings;we find out later that there is a mistake and no time to correct it and I want all of us to take the time to look at it. And thank you Ms. Dant Chesser for attending this meeting and explaining. • Council President Owen—responded to a couple of facebook comments;why are we having a meeting late Friday—we have to have a notice 48 hours in advance for all public meeting. And the taping sounds is probably because minutes are being taken as we go. Thank you Dr.Yazel, Ms. Lindley and the Department for working with the City to mitigated this issue. And One Southern Indiana and our Fire Fighters for their different type of service. ADJOURNMENT: Council Vice President Maples made the motion to ADJOURN the meeting at 6:31 p.m. APPROVED BY: (MAD Matt Ovierf r ATTEST: Lisa Gill,Clerk Page 5 of 5