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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 Page 1 of 4 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 Page 2 of 4 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 Page 3 of 4 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 Page 4 of 4 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 Page 4 of 4