HomeMy WebLinkAboutJuly 5, 2021 City Council Minutes I i
COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY
JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA
July 5,2021
Regular Meeting Minutes
The Common Council of the City of Jeffersonville, Indiana met for the Regular Meeting via mixed
attendance between in person in the Council Chambers and teleconferencing via zoom on July 5,2021.
Council President Owen along with City Clerk Gill called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
The roll call was conducted by City Clerk Lisa Gill and those present in Council Chambers were
Councilperson Paris,Councilperson Croft,Councilperson Hawkins,Councilperson Ellis,and Council
President Owen;those members teleconferencing(Covid-19)were Councilperson Burns,Councilperson
Webb,and Council Vice President Maples. Councilperson White was absent from the proceedings. The
City Council meeting was open to the public as well as streamed via the City of Jeffersonville website for
public viewing.
INVOCATION:Council President Owen asked Councilperson Ellis to lead the invocation.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Councilperson Burns made a motion to approve the Minutes of June 25,2021 of the Regular Meeting,
seconded by Councilperson Hawkins; roll call vote:
Councilperson White- Not present
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 8-0
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA:
Councilperson Burns made the motion to approve the Agenda,seconded by Councilperson Croft; roll call
vote:
•
Councilperson White- Not present
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 8-0
CLAIMS TO APPROVE:
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Civil City$2,348,366.01—City Clerk Gill stated the last she spoke with Controller Metcalf there were no
changes.
Councilperson Ellis made the motion to approve the Civil City Claims,seconded by Councilperson Burns; roll
call vote:
Councilperson White-Not present
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$155,851.54-
Councilperson Croft made the motion to approve the Parks Claims, seconded by Councilperson Hawkins;
roll call vote:
Councilperson White- Not present
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 8-0
REPORT OF THE CLERK:
Clerk Gill stated we are still working on the configuration of the room so please make sure that you are on
at all times and she will send an email out when the rest of the equipment is working well. As the Council
can see we have to have the Zoom meeting up there but the new wiring that is coming will allow for us to
put the packet up there and the zoom meeting on the televisions.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
1.Chad Reischl 2021-OR-28 Update to 2016-OR-66 Mr. Reischl stated there were no changes to this
Ordinance from the last meeting.
Councilperson Burns made the motion to approve the ordinance on the third and final reading, seconded
by Councilperson Webb; roll call vote:
Councilperson White- Not present
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 8-0
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2. Kim Calabro 2021-OR-29 Salary Ordinance—Mrs.Calabro stated there were no changes from the last
reading.
Councilperson Croft made the motion to approve the ordinance on the third and final reading,seconded by
Councilperson Hawkins; roll call vote:
Councilperson White-Not present
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 8-0 .
3. Heather Metcalf 2021-OR-30(PUBLIC HEARING)Ordinance of Additional Appropriation—Council
President Owen stated this ordinance is for the IT security upgrades. Council President Owen opened the
Public Hearing at 7:10 pm. Clerk Gill advised no comments were submitted to her office and there were no
public comments. Council President Owen closed the public hearing.
Councilperson Burns made the motion to approve the ordinance on the third and final reading,seconded
by Councilperson Croft; roll call vote: .
Councilperson White- Not present
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 8-0
4. Heather Metcalf 2021=OR-31(PUBLIC HEARING)Ordinance of Additional Appropriation—Council
President Owen advised this is the remainder of the funds for the Holmans Lane project. Council President
Owen advised that he received clarification on the downtown projects and they are slated to be paved at
the end of the project. Council President Owen opened the Public Hearing at 7:12 pm. Clerk Gill advised no
comments were submitted to her office and there were no public comments. Council President Owen
closed the public hearing.
Councilperson Ellis made the motion to approve the ordinance on the third and final reading,seconded by
Councilperson Hawkins; roll call vote:
Councilperson White- Not present
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 8-0
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5. Heather Metcalf 2021-OR-32(PUBLIC HEARING)Ordinance of Additional Appropriation—Council
President Owen stated this covers the cost for the changes in the Salary Ordinance that was just approved
for the stipend for employees who worked through Covid. Council President Owen opened the Public
Hearing at 7:14 pm. Clerk Gill advised no comments were submitted to her office and there were no public
comments. Council President Owen closed the public hearing.
Councilperson Paris made the motion to approve the ordinance on the third and final reading, seconded by
Councilperson Hawkins; roll call vote:
Councilperson White—No pc-eS'17-I
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 8-0
6. Heather Metcalf 2021-OR-33 Ordinance of Transfer of Funds Within the Same Department—Council
President Owen stated this covers for the Veterans Service Officer,that will be paid by the County and we
will submit a check to the County for that moving forward.
Councilperson Croft made the motion to approve the ordinance on the third and final reading, seconded by
Councilperson Paris; roll call vote:
Councilperson White-Not present
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 8-0
NEW BUSINESS
1. Heather Metcalf 2021-OR-34 Ordinance of Transfer of Funds Within the Same Department— Council
President Owen stated this is for a transfer for the Fire Department. City Attorney Les Merkley requested
that the Council pass this on the first reading and then request the Jeff Fire Chief to attend for any
questions if needed.
Councilperson Hawkins made the motion to approve the ordinance on the first reading,seconded by
Councilperson Ellis; roll call vote:
Councilperson White- Not present
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 8-0
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2. Chad Reischl 2021-OR-35(PUBLIC HEARING)Rezone Request from C1 to DC for Property Located at
1005 W. Market Street—Mr. Reischl stated this applicant owns the Barrel House Bar and they constructed
some improvements and no longer meet the C1 zoning;code requirements and after discussion through
their office it was determined that the best course of action was to rezone the property to DC as it is a
downtown property and the improvements would be allowed under that zoning. Mr. Reischl stated this
comes with a favorable recommendation from the Plan Commission. Council President Owen opened the
Public Hearing at 7:19 pm. No public comments were submitted and there was nobody present to speak on
the matter so the public hearing was closed.
Councilperson Hawkins made the motion to approve the ordinance,seconded by Councilperson Ellis; roll
call vote:
Councilperson White- Not present
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 8-0
3. Chad Reischl 2021-OR-36 Unified Development Ordinance-Mr. Reischl stated they reviewed the
existing documents,engaged the public and developers, and City staff to combine and update the code.
They merged and reorganized the document. They have taken all of the comments they received and put it
into this draft. Additionally,the conducted an external review of the document and hired a consultant to
make sure it was consistent with Indiana State Statute. Councilperson Croft thanked Mr. Reischl for his
work on this. Mr. Merkley stated initially it was discussed to contract this out and Mr. Reischl's department
instead took on the project saving the City money and giving the City a quality ordinance for use. Mr.
Wilder confirmed that the City Attorney would handle any necessary advertisements because they are
repealing and adopting the ordinances. Mr. Merkley confirmed this would not become effective until they
comply with all of the advertising requirements. Council President Owen opened the Public Hearing at 7:27
pm. Clerk Gill confirmed that no comments were submitted to her office and there was nobody at City Hall
to speak for or against the matter. -
Councilperson Croft made the motion to approve the ordinance,seconded by Councilperson Croft; roll call
vote:
Councilperson White- Not present -
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 8-0
4. Les Merkley 2021-R-13 Approval of the Amending Confirmatory Resolution for the TIF Expansion-
Enlargement of Falls Landing Economic Development Area/TIF Area and Riverfront Development District
—Mr. Merkley stated this has been addressed previously but has to get final approval. It came back with a
favorable recommendation from Planning Commission and Redevelopment. This is to expand the TIF.
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Attached is a map that indicates the parcels that are being brought it. It is the area where the shipping
container center is and right behind where the former Vintage Fire used to be.
Councilperson Hawkins made the motion to approve the resolution, seconded by Councilperson Paris; roll
call vote:
Councilperson White- Not present
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 8-0
5. Donnie Croft 2018-OR-57 Firework Discussion—Councilperson Croft stated he was unaware of the
amount of days that Jeffersonville allowed fireworks until it was posted online. He is receiving a lot of calls
regarding this and it seems like far too many days..People are having a horrible time with the animals
responding to this along with people with PTSD. He would like to propose that they change it to just two
days.
Councilperson Hawkins stated that this had been brought up before and he is supportive to restricting the
number of days, however he is not supportive of just allowing two days.
Councilperson Ellis stated that the 4th of July was just celebrated which celebrates freedom and he believes
they put too many limits on things. He understands the concern for the people and animals however he is
not in support of restricting the days.
Council President Owen stated he understands the concerns and would be open to whatever change was
proposed.
Councilperson Croft stated he has not had anyone contact him in support of how many days are allowed..
He will get something put on paper to bring to the next meeting.
ATTORNEY COMMENT:
Corporate Counsel, Les Merkley—No comment
Council Attorney, Larry Wilder—Mr.Wilder stated he will be joining in person next meeting.
DEPARTMENT HEAD COMMENT:
Mrs. Calabro—No comment
Mr. Reischl—No comment
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Garry Gillespie—1107 Birchwood Dr.Jeffersonville, IN—Mr. Gillespie stated the past Friday night he had to
take his French Bulldog to an emergency vet and they told him that he was having a grand mal seizure.
Since Friday night he has had 5 grand mal seizures and he had never had one in his life and they said that
the fireworks can be the cause of it.
COUNCIL COMMENTS:
• Councilperson White—Not present
• Councilperson Burns—He is currently serving as an Art Commissioner but he would like to offer his
resignation and nominate Abigail Richmer. She has volunteered with the Arts Alliance since 2016
and has served as the President of the Arts Alliance in 2019 and she has volunteered at many of the
projects. She would be a much greater addition and have more to offer than what he feels he can
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contribute to that committee. Both Emily Dippie and Andy Crouch feel like she would be a great
contribution.
Councilperson Burns made the motion to appoint Abigail Richmer to the Public Arts Board,
seconded by Councilperson Hawkins; roll call vote:
Councilperson White-Not present J
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 8-0
• Councilperson Paris—Councilperson Paris thanked Mr. Reishl for all of his work on the UDO.
• Council Vice President Maples—No comment
• Councilperson Croft—No comment
• Councilperson Webb—Councilperson Webb stated that he was in Council Chambers last week and
is pleased with how it turned out. He has noticed that it is difficult to hear some of the Council with
the speaker system.
• Councilperson Hawkins—Councilperson Hawkins encouraged everyone to go out and attend the
Riverstage events if they have not,they are fabulous events. Additionally,great job to the Parks
Department on the parade, it was a wonderful turn out. He was able to have his grandmother in
the parade who is in her 90s and she still talks about going to the parades when she was younger
and how busy Court Avenue and Spring Street were. We have a great vibe downtown.
Councilperson Hawkins asked where Heather Metcalf will be sitting when she is attending. Clerk
Gill stated she had that area set up for her as a place holder. Council President Owen inquired if
the desk had been ordered for Mrs. Metcalf through Building Commission and they will follow back
up on that.
• Councilperson Ellis—Councilperson Ellis stated he is the proud grandfather of a Jeffersonville High
Student who plays for a travel baseball team and they recently travelled to Cincinnati where they
won their tournament.
• Council President Owen—Council President Owen stated he is happy to be back in person. We are
still working out some kinks in the sound,there have been comments about him being difficult to
hear and a clicking noise that may be typing. We will continue to work through those kinks. The
Governor did extend the Executive Order so they still have the option to all participate virtually via
that order but we do want to continue to have the in-person option for the public to attend.
ADJOURNMENT:
Councilperson Burns made the motion to ADJOURN the meeting at 7:49 p.m.
APROVED BY:
Liq
Matt Owen, President ATTEST: Lisa ill,Clerk
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