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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarch 6, 2023 City Council COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY JEFFERSONVILLE,INDIANA March 6,2023 Regular Meeting Minutes The Common Council of the City of Jeffersonville, Indiana met for the Regular Meeting on March 6, 2023. 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. Pledge of Allegiance: ROLL CALL: The roll call was conducted by City Clerk Lisa Gill and present in Council Chambers were Councilperson Burns, Councilperson Paris,Councilperson Anderson,Councilperson Croft,Councilperson Webb, Council President Owen,Council Vice President Hawkins and Councilperson Ellis. Councilperson White arrived at 7:02 pm. Let the record reflect that all 9 Council Members were present in Council Chambers. APROVAL OF MINUTES: Councilperson Burns made a motion to approve the Minutes of February 21, 2023 of the Regular Meeting, seconded by Councilperson Croft; motion passed,8-0-1 with Councilperson Ellis abstaining. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA: Councilperson Burns made a motion to approve the agenda,seconded by Councilperson Anderson; motion passed, 9-0. CLAIMS TO APPROVE: Civil City$2,171,534.74 Mrs. Metcalf advised there were no changes. Councilperson Webb made a motion to approve the Civil City Claims,seconded by Councilperson Paris; motion passed,9-0. Parks$57,188.76 Mrs. Metcalf advised there were no changes. Councilperson Burns made a motion to pass the Parks Claims,seconded by Councilperson Anderson; motion passed,9-0. REPORT OF THE CLERK: Clerk Gill advised all Council members to make sure their microphones stay on for the duration of the meeting. Council President Owen asked if anything needed to be done for the continuation of benefits for the year,Clerk Gill and Kim Calabro advised it has already been taken care of. Mrs..Calabro advised if anyone on the Council would like a copy of their records from Blue Mine Clinic,they can obtain the release forms from HR or they can go there and request them and take them to the new Clark.Memorial Clinic;the health form to fill out prior to the first appointment at the new clinic may also be obtained in HR. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 1. Kim Calabro 2023-OR-13 Amendment to the 2023 Salary Ordinance Mrs.Calabro advised Mr.Ashack handed out a copy of the last Sewer Board minutes to support the changes requested in the Ordinance specifically the change from Safety Specialist to Manager of Safety Programs. Nothing has changed since the last meeting.An email was sent out with the updated job description and responsibilities to each Councilperson. Councilperson Croft asked if money had already been saved this year. Mrs.Calabro advised yes,about $35,000.00. Mr.Ashack advised the trainings will be City wide. It is very important that all City vehicles are inspected yearly. Councilperson Webb said he believed they were all in support of this but requested information ahead of time before presenting something that may need to be approved faster than normal. Council Vice President Hawkins asked if these duties would now be a part of the job description for this position. Mrs. Calabro and Mr.Ashack advised that yes, it is. Councilperson Burns made a motion to approve on the Third and Final reading, seconded by Councilperson Croft; motion passed, 8-1. Councilperson White voted no. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Ellen Kelley Update on Recent Suicide Prevention Efforts Ms. Kelley spoke on the rise of suicide. In the past thirty years,there has been a 50% increase in suicides. She advised the Council of two efforts being started for suicide prevention;the first one is the Floyd &Clark Counties Suicide Prevention Coalition which meets monthly and is held at Life Spring Adult Behavioral Services,404 Spring Street,Jeffersonville, IN 47130 in the Community Room. The next one is on March 16, 2023 at 5:00 pm;everyone is welcome and it is open to the public.They will host a QRP training during the meeting.The coalition is made up of volunteers that are community members. Individuals do not need special training to be a part of this. Education is the most important aspect of mental health problems. The suicide rate in Clark and Floyd Counties are higher than the state rate and the state rate is higher than the national rate.The second thing is the LOSS team, by Life Spring Heath Systems.The LOSS team responds to the scene of a suicide death immediately after being notified by the coroner or law enforcement. Statistics show that someone that has been affected by suicide loss is roughly 135 times more likely to lose their own life to suicide. Resource packets can be found at some funeral homes or by contacting SPARK@LifeSpringHealthSvstems.org. Councilperson Croft asked based on the statistics, does the number provided include the military and does substance abuse play a role in it also. Ms. Kelley advised yes it does include the military based on where they lived at that time and substance abuse plays a huge roll in suicide, sometimes it is difficult to tell the difference between a suicide attempt and an overdose. Council Vice President Hawkins asked if the meeting on March 16, 2023 is open to anyone under the age of 18. Ms. Kelley advised that she encourages children 16 and up to attend and would also like to go to the High Schools and teach one of these classes. Council President Owen advised that Ms. Kelley and a team along with Life Springs held a Critical Stress Instant Management class that was very intensive and beneficial to the Police, Fire, 1st responders and recommends this training. 2. Heather Metcalf 2023-OR-14 Ordinance of Transfer of Funds Within the Same Department Mrs. Metcalf advised this transfer is from Travel and Mileage and Cell Phone to Capital Loan Payment for the Mayor's office. Councilperson Burns made a motion to approve on the First and Second Reading, seconded by Councilperson Anderson; motion passed,9-0. 3. Heather Metcalf 2023-OR-1S Ordinance of Additional Appropriation Council President Owen advised this appropriation is for the funding for Family Ark and Serenity House that was approved on the last Council Meeting,this is from funds that have already been received from the Opioid Settlement. Councilperson Burns made a motion to approve on the First and Second Reading,seconded by Councilperson Croft; motion passed, 9-0. 4. Heather Metcalf 2023-OR-16 Ordinance of Additional Appropriation Council President Owen advised this appropriation is to resume the plans for the Spring Street Master Plan Implementation that began in 2017. This was designed in 4 phases with phase 1 being completed in Claysburg before Covid hit. This will be the dollar amount needed to finish out the entire design plan for the project,which will need funding down the road.This will cover the Hospital section,all way across 10th Street down through the NoCo Arts district then all the way down to the river. This will be appropriated out of the General Fund. Council Vice President Hawkins made a motion to approve the appropriation of funds to do the planning to be ready for the potential grant money like what was received the last time,on the First and Second Reading,seconded by Councilperson Croft; motion passed, 9-0. 5. Heather Metcalf 2022 Annual Report, Encumbrances,Top 20 Salaries,and Vendors List Mrs. Metcalf advised this is the 2022 Annual Report which includes Civil City, Redevelopment Authority, Encumbrances,top 20 Salaries, and Vendors List for the Council to accept into the minutes. Council President Owen advised these were emailed out to each Council Member. Council Vice President Hawkins made a motion to accept these reports into the record, seconded by Councilperson Anderson; motion passed, 9-0. 6. Chad Reischl Draft of the Comprehensive Plan Mr.Reischl presented the members of the Council with a hard copy of the Comprehensive Plan update draft. This can also be found on the website,www.buildingjeff.com. There is no formal action needed at this time. This update has been assembled through public outreach,focus group meetings, staff interviews and trained research by our department. Mr. Reischl advised that he will not go in great detail regarding this document due to Council President Owen having future meetings with other Council members. The draft consist of 3 sections. Section 1 talks about the Over Arching Vision and goals for the city. Section 2,goals for land use, transportation,economic development, utilities, public services and quality of life which includes historic preservation, education,etc. Section 3, combines all of the items discussed previously. The city is divided in 11 sections, each called a planning district. The main reason for making these districts is to talk about specific land use needs. Moving forward, posted online is a link to post feedback, have more focus group meetings with previous participants, and then find a plan from the comments received. A plan Commission meeting is planned for late May early June off this year followed by the Council Adoption process. Councilperson Croft asked who put this draft together. Mr. Reischl advised his department along with help from TSW Design Group out of Louisville. Mr. Reischl advised that Yard &Company was hired out of Cincinnati to help with web presence and a number of videos,one more video will be made and we will talk about the final Comprehensive Plan. Council President Owen advised that an email has been sent out regarding a couple of meetings being scheduled and one of those will need to • be rescheduled, he will get with Chad and reschedule that. ATTORNEY COMMENT: Larry Wilder—Absent Les Merkley—No comment DEPARTMENT HEADS: Len Ashack-The North Plant expansion is well underway,a meeting with RDA to formally get a 10 million dollar appropriation to cover some of the expansion cost will be held on March 17, 2023. • JFD Deputy Chief Jason Sharp—On behalf of the Fire Department, Deputy Chief Sharp is. requesting permission to apply for a Safer Grant for firefighters. The grant being applied for is a 3 year grant which pays 100%for four firefighters those 3 years,there is no match and no cost and the deadline to apply is March 7,2023. Council President Owen asked when the last time this grant was applied for was. Deputy Chief Sharp advised it has been over a decade. Council Vice President Hawkins advised that he is in favor of them applying for the grant,that doesn't mean that it has to be accepted. Council President Owen asked when the grant will be awarded, Deputy -Chief Sharp advised September 2023. Council Vice President Hawkins advised with the need of a second station,this would be a good time to ask River Ridge about funding the equipment for this. Councilperson White advised that he is in favor of this also,to have 3 years paid for and finding a way to prevent the budget from getting cut. Councilperson Webb made a motion to approve the Fire Chief to move forward with applying for the Safer Grant,seconded by Councilperson White; motion passed,9-0. JFD Deputy Chief McCutcheon—after visiting with Pierce Manufacturing last week, Pierce advised that ordering of equipment is three and a half years out for delivery. Deputy Chief McCutcheon would like the opportunity to spec 2 pieces of equipment, 1 tower truck and 1 heavy rescue pumper,which would not be paid for until they are delivered. If the equipment does not get ordered now, it could take even longer. One of the ladder trucks that is in reserve is 23 years old and there is questions regarding how much longer it will pass what it needs to in order to remain operational. The 2 pieces would be$3,160,000.00. The Fire Department is not asking for the funds tonight,there are some leases that are expiring and that money could be put aside to make a large down payment. Deputy Chief McCutcheon is asking to move forward with the specs and ordering of this equipment. Council President Owen asked if the Fire Department has possession of the 2 new pumpers yet, Deputy Chief McCutcheon advised they are in Indianapolis and should be here in a couple of days. With the two that are coming in and the two that would be ordered, all but one will be a 2020 or newer. With the leases that are due to expire in 2024 that money could be set aside for the down payment. Councilperson Webb requested this be discussed at the Council meeting. Police Chief Kavanaugh—Chief Kavanaugh advised he will be meeting with Council President Owen and Assistant Chief McVoy tomorrow and reaching out to the council over the next 4 to 6 weeks to discuss officer wellness, hiring, retention, and recruiting being done in addition to the short fall of the LIT Fund and planning for 2024. He will also be meeting with Mr. Reischl regarding the Comprehensive Plan and the issue of quality of life in regards to public safety. Chief Kavanaugh thanked the Council for their time and everything they do for the City. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Joseph Spurgeon-332 E. Chestnut Street,Jeffersonville IN 47130- Mr.Spurgeon said he is the Pastor of Sovereign King Church on E.Chestnut Street and wanted to introduce himself,along with some of their members. Each week the church prays for a civil leader,their congregation believes that Jesus is the leader and has delegated you. He and the church want to pray for the Council and thank them for their service and to be a help to this community. COUNCIL COMMENTS: • Councilperson White—Thanked the Sanitation and Street Department for all of their hard work during the storms last Friday. • Councilperson Burns—No.comment • Councilperson Paris—No comment • Councilperson Anderson—No Comment • Councilperson Croft—Agreed with Councilperson White comments,Jeffersonville has the best Sanitation and Street Department around. • Councilperson Webb—Thanks to all of the department for all of their hard work during the storms. • Council Vice President Hawkins—Agreed with Councilperson Webb comments. • Councilperson Ellis—No comment • Council President Owen—The City of Jeffersonville is moving right along with River Ridge having a large land sale approved, not final yet, but very exciting.An email was sent out over the weekend regarding a lot of planning that will be taking place over the next few weeks including the Comprehensive Plan, public safety budget, Capital outlook for the City as a whole. We would like to get through these things before summer, summer is always so busy, and then it will be budget time. Please get back with him regarding the meeting dates if they have not already done so. The second meeting will be rescheduled for the Comprehensive Plan so more members can participate. ADJOURNMENT: - Councilperson Burns made the motion to ADJOURN the meeting at 7:51 p.m. APROV BY l011A Matt Owen, o ci President EST: Lisa Gill,Clerk