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Home My WebLink AboutAugust 3, 2020 City Council Minutes COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA August 3,2020 Regular Meeting Minutes The Common Council of the City of Jeffersonville, Indiana met for the Regular Meeting via teleconferencing on August 3, 2020. Council President Owen along with City Clerk Gill called the virtual meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. INVOCATION: Council President Owen requested Councilperson Ellis to lead us in prayer. ROLL CALL: The roll call was conducted by City Clerk Lisa Gill and those present was Council President Matt Owen;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—8 members present,Councilperson Donnie Croft absent. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Council Vice President Maples made a motion to approve the Minutes of July 20, 2020 of the Regular Meeting, seconded by Councilperson Hawkins; roll call vote: Councilperson White-yes Councilperson Burns—yes Councilperson Paris—yes Council Vice President Maples-yes Councilperson Webb-yes is Council President Owen-yes Councilperson Hawkins—yes Councilperson Ellis—yes Motion passes 8-0 APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA: Council Vice President Maples made the motion to approve the agenda, seconded by Councilperson Burns; roll call vote: y` Councilperson White-yes £" Councilperson Burns—yes Councilperson Paris-yes Council Vice President Maples-yes Councilperson Webb-yes Council President Owen-yes Councilperson Hawkins—yes Councilperson Ellis—yes Motion passes 8-0 CLAIMS TO APPROVE: Civil City$1,895,435.75—Ms. Heather Metcalf City Controller indicated there were no changes. Motion made by Council Vice President Maples,seconded by Councilperson Burns; roll call vote: Councilperson White-yes Councilperson Burns—yes Councilperson Paris-yes Council Vice President Maples-yes Page 1 of 5 Councilperson Webb-yes Council President Owen-yes Councilperson Hawkins—yes Councilperson Ellis—yes Motion passes 8-0 Parks$286,335.07-Ms. Metcalf indicated there were 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 Webb-yes Council President Owen-yes Councilperson Hawkins—yes Councilperson Ellis—yes Motion passes 8-0 REPORT OF THE CLERK: nothing at this time. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 1. Len Ashack Director of Wastewater 2020-OR-33 Ordinance Amending and Supplementing Amended and Restated Ordinance 2019-OR-68 Mr.Ashack reiterated that this clarifies that we have two debt service accounts: one surety bond for the 2017 Bonds, and one debt service reserve for all the other Bonds the Sewer Board has outstanding. Motion to pass the ordinance on third and final reading was made by Councilperson Ellis,seconded by Council Vice President Maples; roll call vote: Councilperson White-yes Councilperson Burns—yes Councilperson Paris-yes Council Vice President Maples-yes Councilperson Webb-yes Council President Owen-yes Councilperson Hawkins—yes Councilperson Ellis—yes Motion passes 8-0 Councilperson White opened discussion up regarding the bid process for the CSO project. Mr.Ashack explained that it is a process that allows us to negotiate with contractors that guarantees the maximum price of the project and excluded all change order except those requested by the City. This is a process allowed by the State of Indiana. Council President Owen asked what the process is for selecting the contractor; Mr. Ashack indicated the contractors have to qualify through State Statue guidelines; we have an engineer's design and estimate to be reviewed with selected contractor to negotiate before we sign the contract. No contract has been signed. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Heather Metcalf 2020-OR-34 Ordinance of Additional Appropriation Council President Owen reminded the Council this is for the Planning in Place tree project then open the Public Hearing at 7:15 p.m. No one appeared in person and no comments were received by the Clerk's office. Public Hearing closed at 7:16 p.m. Councilperson Burns made the motion to pass the ordinance on the third and final reading, seconded by Councilperson Paris; roll call vote: Councilperson White-yes Councilperson Burns—yes Page 2 of 5 Councilperson Paris-yes Council Vice President Maples-yes Councilperson Webb-yes Council President Owen -yes Councilperson Hawkins—yes Councilperson Ellis—yes Motion passes 8-0 2. Heather Metcalf 2020-OR-35 Ordinance to Transfer within the same Department Council President Owen indicated this is funds from improvement to professional services again for the Planning in Place tree project. Council Vice President Maples made the motion to pass the ordinance on the third and final reading, seconded by Councilperson Paris; roll call vote: Councilperson White-yes Councilperson Burns—yes Councilperson Paris-yes Council Vice President Maples-yes Councilperson Webb-yes Council President Owen-yes Councilperson Hawkins—yes Councilperson Ellis—yes Motion passes 8-0 3. Kim Calabro HR Update for Jeffersonville Police Department Discussed under item number 4. 4. Kim Calabro Human Resources Director 2020-OR-36 An Ordinance Amending 2019-OR-57 and an Ordinance Fixing the Salaries of Appointed Officers and Employees for all Departments of the City of Jeffersonville,Clark County,Indiana,for the Year 2020 Ms. Calabro reviewed the amended items: splitting ti the Street and Sanitation Director into two positions from February and a request by Police to change the Administrative Assistant II—pay grade 4 title to a Public Safety Liaison&Chief of Police Administrative Support position—pay grade 7 per hiring consultant. Discussion ensued regarding the need for this type of position in this day and age for community outreach. Comments and questions regarding how this will cost the City more in the future;that the Mayor earlier in the year said to hold pay increases and or new positions;why we are not taking care of our lowest paid employees;we are currently receiving State and Federal fund from Cares Act for Covid and protests; and asking our Department heads to save on expenses. Chief of Police Kavanaugh addressed the Council to say that this is a unique situation in a transitional time looking at our organization subjectively because the public is looking for a policing reform and because of where we are today with the current employee's 20 plus years of service this allows us to craft a new position with no new funds. Fully respect your concerns but all employees will reach their maximum and your decision being your responsibilities to finances. Councilperson Ellis—not in favor. Councilperson Paris—did not feel you can compare the two because this is two different jobs and with more responsibilities. Councilperson Webb—due to the current circumstance I am in favor. Council President Owen—felt the issue is that no one has been a part of the process jumping pay grades; part of the budget process. Mr. Merkley—respectfully disagree;this is not the Council's role to decide job descriptions. Council President Owen- I believe it is important for us to be involved in the budgeting process, which is why we smoothly approved a half million dollars recently because we all worked together. Motion by Councilperson Ellis to pass in anticipation of turning it down on the first and second reading. Councilperson White requested Councilperson Ellis to amend his motion to only a first reading. Councilperson Ellis's motion failed for lack of second. Councilperson White made a motion to approve the ordinance on the first reading, seconded by Councilperson Webb; roll call vote: Councilperson White-yes Councilperson Burns—yes Councilperson Paris-yes Page 3 of 5 Council Vice President Maples-no Councilperson Webb-yes Council President Owen- no Councilperson Hawkins—yes Councilperson Ellis—no Motion passes 5-3 { Ms. Calabro—for the record I did follow the Salary Administrative Policy. 5. Chad Reischl Planning and Zoning Director 2020-OR-37 Rezone from C2 Commercial to DC Downtown Commercial for property located at 706 Spring Street Mr. Reischl reported that this comes to the Council with a favorable recommendation from the Plan Commission. The rezoning request is a C1 small/medium commercial to a DC downtown commercial. Mr.Warren Cutshall, property owner attended the meeting on the zoom call. The property is the former Bales building and sales lot,the plan is to lease and potentially sale the building to the Vintage Fire Museum and the adjacent lot he intends to redevelop as commercial or commercial resident but is uncertain at this time. Council President Owen opened the Public Hearing at 7:52 p.m. No one appeared to speak and no comments were received at the Clerk's office. Public Hearing closed at 7:53 p.m. Motion to approve rezoning was made by Councilperson Hawkins and seconded by Councilperson Burns; roll call vote: Councilperson White-yes Councilperson Burns—yes Councilperson Paris-abstain Council Vice President Maples-yes Councilperson Webb-yes Council President Owen-yes Councilperson Hawkins—yes Councilperson Ellis—yes Motion passes 7-0-1 6. Chad Reischl 2020-OR-38 Revision to Article 4 Zoning Districts,Article 7 Development Standards,Article 14 Definitions and Appendix Land Use Matrix Mr. Reischl indicated these are revisions to the zoning code which regulates the location of drug and alcohol rehabilitation clinics as permitted or special exception use in a number of zoned districts. The amendments are being requested to safeguards against these clinics in residential neighborhoods. These changes would now require most to be special exception and are subject to a public hearing in front of the Board of Zoning Appeals. Councilperson White question if that would mean the applicant would not need City Council approval and was there any way for the Council to retain this? Mr. Reischl—correct, but I'm not sure the Council weighs in on it as it is now. The new definition would limit the proximity to other facilities(i.e. parks, schools,etc.). Mr. Les Merkley Corporate Counsel indicated drug rehabilitation clinic definition currently is a challenge to defend;this was better way than prohibiting in the City,which we cannot do. Mr. Merkley suggested tabling the issue to work out the Council's concerns, but hold the public hearing. Council President Owen opened Public Hearing at 8:07 p.m. no one appeared to speak and no written comments were received. Public Hearing closed at 8:08 p.m. Councilperson White made the motion to table the ordinance, seconded by Councilperson Burns; roll call vote: Councilperson White-yes Councilperson Burns—yes Councilperson Paris-yes Council Vice President Maples-yes Councilperson Webb-yes Council President Owen-yes Councilperson Hawkins—yes Councilperson Ellis—yes Motion passes 8-0 Page 4 of 5 7. Heather Metcalf 2020-OR-39 Ordinance to Transfer within the same Department Mr. Michael O'Brien Vehicle Maintenance Director, stated he would like to transfer funds from a salary vacancy to equipment supplies. This fund is$177,000;we have spent$110,000 leaving a balance of$67,000. Contributing factors are past due invoices from year before and sending out work depending on how busy we are in the shop; but we don't anticipate this for next year. Position vacated in April will not be filled this year. Councilperson Hawkins inquired if the position would be filled or sending jobs out in the future. Mr.O'Brien—not sure. Councilperson Hawkins made the motion to approve the transfer on the first and second reading, seconded by Council Vice President Maples; roll call vote: Councilperson White-yes Councilperson Burns—yes Councilperson Paris-yes Council Vice President Maples-yes Councilperson Webb-yes Council President Owen-yes Councilperson Hawkins—yes Councilperson Ellis—yes Motion passes 8-0 ATTORNEY COMMENT: Council Attorney Larry Wilder—no comment Corporate Counsel Les Merkley—no comment { DEPARTMENT HEAD COMMENT: • JPD Chief Kavanaugh—indicated his appreciation of the Council COUNCIL COMMENTS: • Councilperson White—no comment • Councilperson Burns—no comment • Councilperson Paris—no comment • Council Vice President Maples—no comment • Councilperson Webb—no comment • Councilperson Ellis—no comment • Councilperson Hawkins—reported that everything went good with the start of Greater Clark County Schools opening this past week, including a smooth start for the new downtown school. Jeff High will be in the building tomorrow, asked for continued prayers. • Council President Owen—no comment ADJOURNMENT: Councilperson Burns made the motion to ADJOURN the meeting at 8:16 p.m. APROVED BY: As L! Matt Owen, President ATTEST: Lisa Gill,Clerk Page 5 of 5