HomeMy WebLinkAboutMay 18, 2020 City Council Minutes COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY
JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA
May 18,2020
Regular Meeting Minutes
The Common Council of the City of Jeffersonville, Indiana met for the Regular Meeting via teleconferencing
on May 18,2020.
Council President Owen along with City Clerk Gill called the virtual meeting to order at 7:00 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 MINUTES:
Council Vice President Maples made a motion to approve the Minutes of May 4, 2020 Regular Meeting,
seconded by Councilperson Burns, 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 a motion to approve the Minutes of the May 6,2020 Special Meeting,
seconded by Councilperson Burns, 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 a motion to approve the Minutes of the May 8, 2020 Special Meeting,
seconded by Councilperson Croft, roll call vote:
Councilperson White-yes
Councilperson Burns-yes
Councilperson Paris-yes
Council Vice President Maples-yes
Councilperson Croft-yes
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Councilperson Webb-yes
Council President Owen -yes
Councilperson Hawkins—yes
Councilperson Ellis-yes
Motion passes 9-0
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA:
Council Vice President Maples made a motion to approve the agenda,seconded by Councilperson Burns, 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 APPROVE:
Civil City$670,932.67-City Controller Heather Metcalf—no changes. Motion made by Council Vice
President Maples to approve the claims,seconded by Councilperson Burns; 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
Parks$152,771.51-City Controller Heather Metcalf—no changes. Motion made by Council Vice President
Maples to approve the claims, 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
REPORT OF THE CLERK: Nothing at this time
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None
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NEW BUSINESS:
Councilperson Paris-Pastor Jim Moon for an Update on Catalyst Rescue Mission
Pastor Moon—We held a meeting today for intake staff for new procedures on how to move people who are
emergency seeking clients to the Red Carpet Inn. Currently we have 7 homeless in the tents plus 5 new
intakes today. We moved everyone inside that would go. Tomorrow we will begin taking intakes to Red
Carpet Inn. Anyone not within 1-2 days of staging will be bussed over. We have set up for tents to come
down Thursday,Wednesday I will take off canopy to see no one is there. We still have not received dollars
from Federal Grant. Your$10,000 Grant will get us starting this process. Tents have to be dry before they
can be packed up to not mold. Councilperson Paris—can you share information about people walking
around in that surrounding area. Pastor Moon-we are serving food for the neighborhood and the walk ups.
The homeless do not want to shelter in place, but they still don't have the food resources they need. They
have Community Kitchen at noon, but not breakfast and dinner. A lot of the residents and neighbors from
the housing apartments or Claysburg will come to get food. We feed 20-35 meals a day. We also help some
of the folks on the street, like the elderly man who soiled himself, we provided him a place to shower,gave
him new clothes and he was on his way. I tried to get him off the street, he didn't want to. I would say we
serve 50%street homeless, and 50%residents from Claysburg neighborhood or from the housing apartments
across the street. Some walking maybe walking to work or the bus stop to get to work and some are walking
to a doctor appointment. No one is allowed to leave except for a doctor appointment or work. There is
people walking on a daily basis in this neighborhood that live in the neighborhood because I would say that
50% have no transportation. Councilperson Hawkins—if they were already in your facility,they are to
remain in your facility during the quaranteen order. Pastor Moon -yes. Councilperson Hawkins—are there
some who do not want to be a part of this. Moon—yes, we had to remove some people,we told them
initially that they had to buy in for 8 weeks of shelter in place but because of mental capacity they believe
this is beyond what they can do. There may be an increase of street homeless because they wouldn't do
that. We have allowed on a case by case basis entry, like the call from Life Springs telling us if they can get
him in and get him on his medication they would be able to stabilize the individual. If another organization
needs us to do this we override some of our rules. Councilperson Hawkins—since tents went up has there
been an increase or decrease. Pastor Moon—decrease;first thing we did on March 13 when homeless was
classified as most vulnerable; 118 were in house;we sent 18 on buses to family;tents were to keep overnight
shelter residents and walk-ins safe and separate. We told people in tents that they had to shelter in place.
Decision to do medical checks on a regular basis were reviewed by Dr.Yazel. Councilperson Webb—is word
on the street,go here it's a little easier. Anyone tested positive. Pastor Moon—16 test, all negative. People
moving in Red Carpet Inn tomorrow will be tested before moving in. We may have droves of new people. It
makes me nervous how this can add up quickly to$50,000 in one month. We only wanted to house Covid
positive at Red Carpet Inn. Originally was to house them in a tent, but because of the neighborhood
destress,we are moving the normal street homeless which may move us into the$150,000 range. My
concerns is I don't know the numbers,and right now we don't have the money. Second concern, I have been
praying for a vaccine before fall and we are setting this precedent putting people in hotels. With the tents
we were trying to do this the most cost effective way to treat people with dignity, an option to not leave
them on the street. They already live in tents,ours is cooled and heated. Ours are better than what our
military is living in on a daily basis. I did the best with funds we had, I am sorry there was neighbor's
anxiousness against it. That was not my intent, we were responding to the circumstance and the pandemic.
I wish for you to know this, I know the names,faces and their stories. Nine elderly women we are trying to
get in nursing homes but because Covid 19 it shut them down, I don't want them to die on my record. Three
men up in age I am desperately trying to keep from getting sick because of their medical history they will
need a ventilator and likely be at risk of perishing to the virus. I'm trying to do everything to keep the virus
out. I apology to everyone I offended because of the tents. Councilperson Webb—how many work in
Jeffersonville. Pastor Moon-99%work in Jeffersonville; we have a good relationship with two temporary
agencies who put people to work. Before Covid 60%capable of work were on track. January—March we got
28 in permanent housing, 11 were on the housing list, 11 on list with Life Span. People work and saving
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money to pay first month rent and deposit. March 13 wiped out ways to get people out. Today Jeffersonville
housing is opening back up. Family of two close to getting keys. We are doing the best we can and I
appreciate what Jeffersonville has done, New Albany also working on funding, I have spent money that is
budgeted for June and July but we used it March,April and May that might not be reimbursed. City
Administration Attorney, Les Merkley—population at this time. Pastor Moon—72, plus 5 or 6 intakes today.
One left our facility that was ready to move into building but did not want to go. Mr. Merkley—capacity.
Pastor Moon—128 beds in the building; plus we can use 175 emergency cots. Emergency cots are in the
tent. Council President Owen—thank you for the update and overview. Pastor Moon—if you need me I am
always available for questions,thank you for the partnership, I appreciate it.
ATTORNEY COMMENT:
Council Attorney Larry Wilder—restated that because of the unique circumstance of Covid 19 virus it is my
belief everything you do whether or not there are State Statue rules that apply so long as you are providing
decisions to the health and wellbeing of the community we are on firm footing.
COUNCIL COMMENTS:
• Councilperson White—nice to see downtown businesses alive and people practicing social
distancing,the downtown businesses have taken precaution necessary as ordered by the health
department. Follow-up to Agreement with the Health Department, once folks are tested and get
results and if the test is negative they are not to go to the hotel they are to go to the shelter or where
ever they choose. Not that they would be housed testing negative that they could be housed
indefinitely;only those testing positive quarantined and cared for.
• Councilperson Burns—questioned if Council President Owen could update number on Jeffersonville
Sustains small business loans.
• Councilperson Paris—thanked Pastor Moon for attending and for the good job his is doing.
• Council Vice President Maples—no comment
• Councilperson Croft—thanked Pastor Moon for the update.
• Councilperson Webb—no comment
• Councilperson Hawkins—thanked Pastor Moon for the update
• Councilperson Ellis—no comment
• Council President Owen—Jeffersonville Sustains Program -updated the members on the number as
of last week,25 request, 24 sent, 1 did not fit the program. Nine applications received as of
Thursday. Deadline was 5 p.m.today. Councilperson Burns-was told 30 applications turned in on
Friday. Ms. Lisa Brooking with One Southern Indiana met with 4 applicants who needed paper
application and delivered several others. Council President Owen—One Southern Indiana did a great
job accommodating everyone. Thanked Pastor Moon for being with us.
ADJOURNMENT:
Council Vice President Maples made the motion to ADJOURN the meeting at 7:35 p.m.
APROVED BY:
Mat i,ven, - • ATTEST: isa Gill,Clerk
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money to pay first month rent and deposit. March 13 wiped out ways to get people out. Today Jeffersonville
housing is opening back up. Family of two close to getting keys. We are doing the best we can and I
appreciate what Jeffersonville has done, New Albany also working on funding, I have spent money that is
budgeted fortune and July but we used it March,April and May that might not be reimbursed. City
Administration Attorney, Les Merkley—population at this time. Pastor Moon—72, plus 5 or 6 intakes today.
One left our facility that was ready to move into building but did not want to go. Mr. Merkley—capacity.
Pastor Moon—128 beds in the building; plus we can use 175 emergency cots. Emergency cots are in the
tent. Council President Owen—thank you for the update and overview. Pastor Moon—if you need me I am
always available for questions,thank you for the partnership, I appreciate it.
ATTORNEY COMMENT:
Council Attorney Larry Wilder—restated that because of the unique circumstance of Covid 19 virus it is my
belief everything you do whether or not there are State Statue rules that apply so long as you are providing
decisions to the health and wellbeing of the community we are on firm footing.
COUNCIL COMMENTS:
• Councilperson White—nice to see downtown businesses alive and people practicing social
distancing,the downtown businesses have taken precaution necessary as ordered by the health
department. Follow-up to Agreement with the Health Department,once folks are tested and get
results and if the test is negative they are not to go to the hotel they are to go to the shelter or where
ever they choose. Not that they would be housed testing negative that they could be housed
indefinitely;only those testing positive quarantined and cared for.
• Councilperson Burns—questioned if Council President Owen could update number on Jeffersonville
Sustains small business loans.
• Councilperson Paris—thanked Pastor Moon for attending and for the good job his is doing.
• Council Vice President Maples—no comment
• Councilperson Croft—thanked Pastor Moon for the update.
• Councilperson Webb—no comment
• Councilperson Hawkins—thanked Pastor Moon for the update
• Councilperson Ellis—no comment
• Council President Owen—Jeffersonville Sustains Program -updated the members on the number as
of last week, 25 request,24 sent, 1 did not fit the program. Nine applications received as of
Thursday. Deadline was 5 p.m.today. Councilperson Burns-was told 30 applications turned in on
Friday. Ms. Lisa Brooking with One Southern Indiana met with 4 applicants who needed paper
application and delivered several others. Council President Owen—One Southern Indiana did a great
job accommodating everyone. Thanked Pastor Moon for being with us.
ADJOURNMENT:
Council Vice President Maples made the motion to ADJOURN the meeting at 7:35 p.m.
APROVED BY:
Mat .'Yen ""•'�" ATTEST: isa Gill,Clerk
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