HomeMy WebLinkAboutMay 16, 2022 Council Minutes JEFFERSONVILLE,INDIANA
May 16,2022
Regular Meeting Minutes
The Common Council of the City of Jeffersonville, Indiana met for the Regular Meeting on May 16, 2022.
Council President Owen along with City Clerk Gill called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.The meeting
was open to the public in person as well as live streamed via the City Website using Zoom.
INVOCATION:
Councilperson Ellis led the Invocation.
ROLL CALL:
The roll call was conducted by City Clerk Lisa Gill and present in Council Chambers were Councilperson
White,Councilperson Burns,Councilperson Paris,Council Vice President Maples, Councilperson Croft,
Councilperson Webb, Councilperson Hawkins,Councilperson Ellis,and Council President Owen. Let the
record reflect all 9 Council Members were present in Council Chambers.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Vice President Maples made a motion to approve the Minutes of May 2,2022 of the Regular Meeting,
seconded by Councilperson Burns; motion passed,9-0.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA:
Vice President Maples made a motion to approve the Agenda for May 16,2022 seconded by
Councilperson Paris; motion passed,9-0.
CLAIMS TO APPROVE:
Civil City$802,375.01—Mrs. Metcalf stated there is one hand carry claim,a credit in the amount of
$149.99 from Vehicle Maintenance for the return on a digital oil control, bringing the total to
$802,225.02.
Council Vice President Maples made the motion to approve the Civil City Claims with the hand carried
credit,seconded by Councilperson Croft; motion passed,9-0.
Parks$108,896.37-Mrs. Metcalf stated there were no changes.
Council Vice President Maples made the motion to approve the Parks Claims,seconded by
Councilperson Paris; motion passed,9-0.
REPORT OF THE CLERK:
Clerk Gill advised the Council Expenditure report is on their desks,when addressing number 9 under
new business, if any action is taken, please let her know which fund it is to be taken from.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Danny Struck-Sponsorship Request for Jeff Wrestling
Jeffersonville Wrestling Coach Danny Struck stated that he has 5 wrestlers that were chosen
from throughout the state of Indiana to go to Budapest. This is the 38th group of children that
have been selected from Jeffersonville. Over the years kids have gone to over 40 states and 10
different Countries. Each child is responsible to raise$2,600.00 for travel and food.
Councilperson Hawkins had asked the question,what would this do for the City of
Jeffersonville? Coach Struck stated there are current Fire and Police officers from the past that
had this opportunity and these are our Jeffersonville leaders. These kids will end up being
future Jeffersonville leaders. This trip will be from June 28, 2022 to July 8,2022. Coach Struck
has also reached out to the FOP. Councilperson Hawkins confirmed with Council Attorney
Wilder that this would not be a conflict of interest with his employer being Greater Clark County
Schools. The donation will be made to Jeffersonville Wrestling Club and Mr.Wilder confirmed it
would not be a conflict for him to vote.
Council President Owen made a motion to sponsor each child with a$1,000.00 donation to
come out of the Special Projects-Edit fund for a total of$5,000.00 committed to this trip
seconded by Councilperson Croft; motion passed,9-0.
2. 2022-R-5 An Amendment to 2020-R-6A"The Jeffersonville Sustains Covid-19 Small Business
Loan Program"
Council President Owen advised One Southern Indiana recently gave a report on the Small
Business Loan Program. One Southern Indiana re-cooped some of the money from "The
Jeffersonville Sustains Covid-19 Small Business Loan Program and now has started the ONE
FUND for small businesses. Council President Owen has written the amended Resolution from
the original one to reflect the changes that the recovered dollars will be available to use in the
ONE FUND for Jeffersonville small businesses and not just in a State of Emergency
Councilperson Burns made a motion to pass on the Resolution,seconded by Councilperson
White; motion passed, 9-0.
3. Kim Calabro/Christine Geiser/Heather Metcalf 2022-OR-29 Salary Ordinance
Christine Geiser, Manager of Employment presented an update to the Salary Ordinance. The
proposal for the new Salary Ordinance is for the 248 employees that currently work for the City
of Jeffersonville Human Resources along with Liz Gross of Parkland HR Services collaborated and
is now presenting the Council with a new salary grid. These changes are on Ms.Gross'
recommendations and come with the Mayor's support The Administration is seeking Council's
approval of the new pay grid system, corresponding salary administration policy and revised
salary ordinance. This process started last year when it became evident the City was having
trouble filling labor positions,especially ones that require a CDL. In 2021 the labor market
significantly changed. Last year it became clear that we not only needed to evaluate the pay
rate, but also assess all existing positions to make sure they properly align with the market. Due
to the scope of the project and to eliminate any perception of bias,an outside consultant was
contacted. Prior to any recommendation,all Department Heads were ask to submit the job
duties of each job description. Once those were complete, Ms.Gross reviewed and evaluated
all of the City's existing positions. She compared job requirement to the job market for proper
placement on the Salary Grid. Along with Ms.Gross, Human Resources collaboratively discussed
how to redefine the City's pay structure to incentivize for internal growth, reward tenor,and
account for the lack of a salary cap. Under this model in order compare job worth rates of pay
must include all forms of compensation,therefore longevity must be included in an employee's
hourly rate of pay for fair and equal assessment. Once everything was evaluated, HR then
shared the purposed pay structure with the City Directors to ensure internal alignment before
we finalized and submitted that grid. It is the City's belief that retaining and developing our
work force should be our number one strategy. Workers have more options than ever before
and are not afraid to find better pay and benefits elsewhere. Our greatest assets is our tenured
employees who have demonstrated their commitment to the City. It is very important to not
hire new employees that start out making more than or similar to current employees pay and
we need to recognize and reward our current employees. Inflation is currently at 8.5%;the
highest it has been in 41 years. This represents an increase in everyday living. The City's
turnover rate for fulltime employees in 2021 was 12.3%, highest it has been in the past five
years. There are hiring signs everywhere,with starting pay higher than what we start out at.
The job site Zip Recruiter has reported that the number of postings advertising pay of$15.00
has doubled since 2019. Jeffersonville has grown exponentially over the past four years and the
growth impacts all City services and each department within the City. According to experts the
average family would need to make over$45,000.00 a year to sustain an average rent for a 3
bedroom family dwelling in Jeffersonville. Our current pay grid has 14 pay levels and seven of
those start at a base rate of under$50,000.00. One of our major recruiting and retention
strategies has been our benefit package. Most people are looking for a work/life balance
position such as sign on bonus, remote work option,condensed work schedule, more time off,
and health insurance that starts on day one. Moving quickly is imperative with the hiring
process, which we have made some changes to help with that. It is important that the City
develop a compelling plan and to find a work culture that will entice new talent,provide
equitable pay,and internal growth opportunities to existing employees. What the
Administration is proposing is a significate step in that direction. Mrs.Geiser requested the
Council approve the new pay grid,corresponding Administration Salary Policy and the revised
Salary Ordinance.
Council President Owen asked for information on the Administration Salary Policy and stated
they did not receive the information previously when he met with Human Resources. Christine
Geiser stated the language is changing in the Administration Salary Policy to correspond with
the new pay grid. Councilperson Ellis stated he would like the salary ordinance looked at closely
and make it fair to everyone not just a select few. The higher paid employees seem to get the
biggest percentage than the lower paid employees and he does not agree with that. He would
like for the Council have a workshop and sit down and go through this and there are some
changes that I would he would like to see be made. Council President Owen stated that
everyone should have a copy of the cost estimate for the impact of making the changes as
presented,and it looks like the total impact on the budget overall is$791,508.00. He has not
talked to anyone that has a problem with the numbers. Council President Owen inquired about
the titles crossed out on the grid and new titles added and asked if there was net plus or minus
of positions throughout the document. Mrs.Geiser advised there are two new positions,one is
Assistant Director for Utilities and the other is Lead Technician Utility Maintenance;the rest are
title changes Councilperson Hawkins asked why they have to roll longevity into the hourly rate.
Mrs.Geiser stated in order to make accurate comparisons they have to have the number for the
employees total compensation. The recommendation of the Consultant, Human Resources,and
Finance is that longevity be rolled into the employees hourly rate. Councilperson Ellis asked why
the salaries reported to Gateway are higher than the salaries reported in the Salary Ordinance.
Mrs. Metcalf advised that Gateway reports all compensation for the entire year and would
include any kind of buy back of vacation which the Council has allowed and also overtime
payment. Mrs.Geiser advised that any change in a base rate on the grid would likely end in a
misalignment of positions.
Councilperson White said he would like amend the Monitors for the Fieldhouse to$14.00 an
hour which would put them at$15.00 an hour after 6 months. The Groundskeeper he would
like to see the same thing, base starting at$14.00 an hour and going to$15.00 an hour after 6
months and go up to $16.23 for both the Groundskeeper position and the Fieldhouse Monitors.
Councilperson Hawkins asked why he would make that recommendation when the positions do
not have the same scope of work. Councilperson Hawkins advised he would not be in support of
any changes because they have went and put together the proposal and he does not think the
Council should pick parts to change.
Councilperson White stated he believes there is a basic amount of money they should be paying
people who work for the City. He believes at a minimum $15.00 an hour is a respectable wage.
Councilperson White stated under Construction Laborer, no CDL(drainage) he recommends
moving that base to$19.00 an hour. When the base is$19.00 an hour the experience 1-5 is a
standard 2%increase for each year of experience. For Construction Utility Worker, no CDL he
would recommend moving that base from$18.00 to$19.00 an hour. For Roadway Direction
and Signage Motor Vehicle he recommends moving from $18.00 an hour base to$20.00 an hour
base;Street Maintenance Refuse Worker moving from$18.00 an hour to$20.00 an hour base;
Construction Worker,CDL from$19.00 an hour base to$20.00 an hour base Construction Utility
Worker,with CDL from$19.00 an hour base to$20.00 an hour base. He believes that would
bring those positions to where they should be based on what they are trying to do.
Mrs. Geiser stated she feared that making those changes would promote pay inequity in those
positions. Mr.Wilder advised the Council that he did not want it to appear that they are making
Administrative Decisions on how employees should be paid. They should make a decision on
how much money they are going to put in place and then the Administration will make the
decision on how it is distributed. Councilperson White asked for an impact on the numbers that
he recommended.
Councilperson Burns made a motion to pass 2022-OR-29 on the first reading all three pieces of
documentation as one document, seconded by Vice President Maples; roll call:
Councilperson White-Yes, if he doesn't have the numbers he requested he will vote no on
subsequent votes.
Councilperson Burns-Yes
Councilperson Paris-Yes
Council Vice President Maples-Yes
Councilperson Croft-Yes
Councilperson Webb-Yes
Councilperson Hawkins-Yes
Councilperson Ellis-No
Council President Owen-Yes, motion passed, 8-1.
Councilperson White has several suggestions that was discussed. There was discussion about
having a Council Workshop for this, but not enough in favor of it. No council workshop was
scheduled. Mrs. Geiser stated the goal is to have this ordinance approved and implemented by
July 6,2022. Council President Owen stated there needs to be a decision made at the meeting
on June 6, 2022, he will also ask for a motion to strike the clause removing Longevity pay at this
meeting.
Councilperson White made a motion to amend and pass on the First Reading 2022-OR-29 to
include a base hire rate for Construction Labor-no CDL-Drainage from $18.00 to$19.00 an hour,
Construction Utility Worker-no CDL-Wastewater from $18.00 to$19.00, Roadway and
Directional Signage-Motor Vehicle from $18.00 to$20.00,Street Maintenance Refuse Collection
Worker-Sanitation from$18.00 to$20.00,Construction Laborer-CDL from $19.00 to$20.00,
Construction Utility Worker-CDL from $19.00 to$20.00, seconded by Councilperson Ellis; motion
failed, 2-6-1,Councilperson Webb stated he would like to abstain because he would like to see
the numbers that are being requested.
4. Heather Metcalf 2022-OR-30 Ordinance of Additional Appropriation
Mrs. Metcalf advised this is for all of the funding for the entire year for Budget changes.
Councilperson Burns made a motion to pass on the First and Second Reading,seconded by
Councilperson Paris; motion passed,8-1,Councilperson Ellis voted against.
5. Heather Metcalf 2022-OR-31 Ordinance of Additional Appropriation
Mrs. Metcalf advised this is the portion for the Local Law Enforcement Grant for the Police
Department equipment in the amount of$70,800.00. The grant was received in 2020,this grant
will be closed when the$70,800.00 is paid. Major Lynch stated there were issues getting the
boat manufactured,they now have the boat in hand.
Vice President Maples made a motion to pass on the First and Second Reading,seconded by
Councilperson Webb; motion passed,9-0.
6. Heather Metcalf 2022-OR-32 Ordinance of Additional Appropriation
Update on The Comprehensive Plan
Chad Reischl stated in February 2022 he presented concerning updating the Comprehensive
plan.The last time the Comprehensive Plan was updated was in 2015.When he presented the
Council requested that he move forward with the Hybrid option where City staff would do most
of the work along with a couple of selected consultants. Since that meeting, Mr. Reischl and
Planning and Zoning have come up with the cost of the Hybrid option which is$75,000.00.
Planning and Zoning is requesting an additional appropriation of$60,000.00 and they will fund
the other$15,000.00 from their Professional Services, Planning and Place Making Fund.
Councilperson Burns stated the public can only see what the last updated Comprehensive Plan
shows which is way out dated and is in favor of updating it.
Councilperson Croft made a motion to pass on the First and Second Reading,seconded by
Councilperson Burns; motion passed,9-0.
7. Heather Metcalf 2022-OR-33 Ordinance of Additional Appropriation
Re-Appropriating cash already received
Mrs. Metcalf advised this is to appropriate cash that has already been received. The first one is
for a power washer for Vehicle Maintenance that was bought from funds from a sale of
something else, second one is for background checks,which there has been a big increase due
to all the new hires.
Councilperson Burns made a motion to pass on the First and Second Reading, seconded by
Councilperson Webb; motion passed,9-0
8. Heather Metcalf 2022-OR-34 Ordinance of Transfer of Funds Within the Same Department
Sarah Green, director of the Jeffersonville Animal Shelter requested a transfer to Contractual
Services to contract out On-Call hours for evenings,weekends and holidays.
Council Vice President Maples made a motion to pass on the First and Second Reading,
seconded by Councilperson Croft; motion passed,9-0.
9. Les Merkley 2022-R-6 Resolution Amending the Plan for Use of American Rescue Plan Funds
("ARP Fund Plan")
Mr. Merkley advised this Resolution outlines how the funds from the ARP is to be used. The
Administration is requesting to amend this to include the planning, design,and construction of
the North Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Council Vice President Maples made a motion to pass the Resolution,seconded by
Councilperson Hawkins; motion passed,9-0.
10. Les Merkley 2022-R-7 Resolution Committing American Rescue Funds for Design and
Construction of North Wastewater Treatment Plant
This Resolution also relates to the ARP Fund Plan. City Sewer Board is in the process of
increasing the capacity of the North Wastewater Plan, Mr. Merkley stated that we are in
position to receive money from the state up to$5,000,000.00, in READI dollars and hopefully up
to another$15,000,000.00 from the state through the SRF. The State requested as part of the
application to the SRF that we have a commitment through the City,the fiscal body that we
would use any remaining funds in the ARP funds that we have to go toward the project to
expansion the North Wastewater Treatment Plant. Mr. Merkley advised there is approximately
5.8 Million dollars in the fund that could be committed to this project.
Council Vice President Maples made a motion to pass the Resolution, seconded by
Councilperson Hawkins; motion passed,9-0.
ATTORNEY COMMENTS:
Larry Wilder-No Comment
Les Merkley- No Comment
DEPARTMENT HEADS:
Heather Metcalf—No Comment
Christine Geiser-No Comment
Sarah Green-Thanks to everyone that worked on the salary ordinance,she knows it will mean a lot to
her employees.
Paul Northam-Thanks for all the work done on the salary ordinance and the Aquatic Center, it will be
opening in a week, it looks wonderful,stop by and see it. The dredging at Duffy's Landing is getting
worse. They had hoped to be able to do the cleaning of the boat ramp every other year, but with the
way the river is, it is making it hard. There has been a lot of silt build up on the boat ramp,therefore
causing the need for more dredging. Mr. Northam proposed considering putting more money in the
Engineering budget to clean this yearly instead of every other year. He does not remember what the
price is, but knows it is very expensive. Councilperson White asked if maybe the Core of Engineering
could do a diversion. Mr. Northam stated that was talked about at Fisherman Warf, and that was
extremely expensive. If the dock could be extended out another 10-15 feet,the river drops a lot,when
they pull their boats in,they would not be going into the silt,they would be going in where there is
more depth. The ramp itself is the problem,filling in with silks. Council Vice President Maples asked if
the price could be negotiated if the cleaning is done every year instead of every other year, since the
buildup will not be as bad. No dredging can be done between April 1 and July 1 and Mr. Northam hopes
to have some bids back by first meeting in June so this can be further discussed.
Mr. Morlan- Mr. Morlan confirmed needing the salary ordinance to go through, he has current
employees that are waiting to see what happens because they can go elsewhere and make more
money. Last August at a Street Commissions Conference,Jeffersonville was the only one paying under
$20.00 for CDL Driver as far as he knows. We really need this.
Lynn Ashack-We really need this salary ordinance to pass, he has lost 2 operators because he cannot
pay them what private companies are paying.
Chief Kavanaugh-No Comment
PUBLIC COMMENT: None
COUNCIL COMMENTS:
• Councilperson White—$21.63 an hour is what the average family needs to rent an apartment in
Jeffersonville. The analysis on the market is stagnant wage market. He look forward to the next
meeting to see what kind of resolution can be worked out.
• Councilperson Burns—Councilperson Burns thanked HR for their hard work, it has taken five
months but we are here now and he hopes they can come to a resolution.
• Councilperson Paris—No Comment
• Council Vice President Maples-This week is Police week,so thank you to all Police Officers. He
just got back from Washington DC, in 2021 we lost over 600 police officers in the United States,
which is double what was anticipated, hopefully that number decreases this year.
• Councilperson Croft—No Comment
• Councilperson Webb- No Comment
• Councilperson Hawkins—Councilperson Hawkins stated he would be in favor of suspending the
rules and passing everything today if there was a will to proceed that way. Mrs. Metcalf advised
they would not be able to offer the new wages until the date that was proposed due to the
forms that would need to be completed.
• Councilperson Ellis—Councilperson Ellis stated he would continue to fight for those that are at
the lower spectrum of the pay grade, and he can see where some of our city workers have
suffered because they weren't getting the fair wage. This salary ordinance needs to be looked
at closely and make it fair to everyone not just a select few. The higher paid employees seem to
get the biggest percentage more than the ones down on the bottom,and he has a problem with
that. He will continue to fight for those hourly wage employees.
• Council President Owen-Would like to echo what Vice President Maples stated about it being
Police Week,thank you to all of our Jeffersonville Police Officers. Indiana Law Enforcement
Academy had a lot of graduates this past weekend and Jeffersonville Police Department had a
big part in that. Congratulations to Corporal Lydon on his added degree. This is also EMS week,
thank you to all of the EMS workers. Dr. Eric Yazel, Clark County Health Officer is now the
Indiana Medical Director for Homeland Security which is a huge honor for him and the City of
Jeffersonville.
ADJOURNMENT:
Council Vice President Maples made the motion to ADJOURN the meeting at 9:04 p.m.
APROVED BY:
Matt Owen, resident ATTEST: Lisa Gill,Clerk