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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJune 20, 2023 City Council COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA June 20, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes The Common Council of the City of Jeffersonville, Indiana met for the Regular Meeting on June 20, 2023. Council President Owen along with City Clerk Gill called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. The meeting was open to the public in person as well as live streamed via the City Website using Zoom. INVOCATION: Council President Owen 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 White, Councilperson Paris, Councilperson Anderson, Councilperson Croft, Councilperson Webb, Council Vice President Hawkins and Council President Owen. Let the record reflect that 7 Council Members were present in Council Chambers. Councilperson Burns and Councilperson Ellis were absent. APROVAL OF MINUTES: Councilperson Paris made a motion to approve the Minutes of June 5, 2023 of the Regular Meeting, seconded by Councilperson Anderson; motion passed, 7-0. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA: Council President Owen advised number 15 on the agenda would be removed and rescheduled for a later date. Councilperson Webb made a motion to approve the Agenda with the change seconded by Councilperson Croft; motion passed, 7-0. CLAIMS TO APPROVE: Civil City$1,424,543.54 Mrs. Metcalf advised there is a change on page 5 in the amount of$719.17 being subtracted bringing the Civil City Claims to $1,423,824.37. Councilperson Webb made a motion to approve the Civil City Claims and seconded by Councilperson Croft; motion passed, 7-0. Parks$167,159.90 Mrs. Metcalf advised there were no changes. Councilperson Webb made a motion to approve the Parks Claims, seconded by Councilperson Anderson; motion passed, 7-0. REPORT OF THE CLERK: Clerk Gill stated she had no comment. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 1. Kim Calabro-2023-OR-34 Ordinance Amending 2023-OR-13 & an Ordinance Fixing the Salaries of Appointed Officers& Employees for All Departments of Jeffersonville (Salary Ordinance) Len Ashack, Director of Wastewater advised they are just re-allocating resources within the department, no new positions. Council Vice President Hawkins made a motion to approve 2023-OR-34 on the Third and Final Reading, seconded by Councilperson Paris; motion passed, 7-0. 2. Heather Metcalf 2023-OR-35 Ordinance Establishing Departmental Cash Change Fund and Rescinding Ordinance 2022-OR-39 Mrs. Metcalf advised there were no changes. Council Vice President Hawkins made a motion to approve 2023-OR-35 on the Third and Final Reading, seconded by Councilperson Croft; motion passed, 7-0. 3. Heather Metcalf 2023-OR-36 Ordinance of Additional Appropriation Mrs. Metcalf advised there were no changes. Council President Owen opened the Public Hearing at 7:09 pm, Clerk Gill stated there were no comments sent to the Clerk's office.There were no members of the community present to speak for or against the matter. Council President Owen closed the Public Hearing at 7:09 pm. Councilperson Webb made a motion to approve 2023-OR-36 on the Third and Final Reading, seconded by Councilperson Anderson; motion passed, 7-0. 4. Heather Metcalf 2023-OR-37 Ordinance Transferring Certain Funds within the Same Department Mrs. Metcalf advised there were no changes. Councilperson Webb made a motion to approve 2023-OR-37 on the Third and Final Reading, seconded by Councilperson Paris; motion passed, 7-0. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Chad Reischl Comprehensive Plan 2023-OR-38 Mr. Reischl presented the Council with the new Comprehensive Plan for the City of Jeffersonville, called Building Jeff-Our Comprehensive Plan. The plan shows the guide and development in the City both public and private over the next 10 to 15 years. The Comprehensive Plan is a vision for the community, frame work for future investment by both the City and the Developers.The Comprehensive Plan is updated every 5 to 10 years with the last one being adopted in 2015. The City has seen a lot of changes over the years. This plan was drafted with the assistance of Yard and Company and TFW Design Group along with public input. There were 8 different Public Outreach Advents, an interactive website with almost 300 comments and a number of focus groups with the members of the community and staff. A series of 4 videos were put out talking about the Comprehensive Plan and how we got here, then a final video was released to explain what all is in this document. There is a brief introduction regarding additions, historical perspectives, what Jeffersonville looks like today, some forecasting to what Jeffersonville will look like tomorrow, then the vision and principles for the document. The document ends with an implementation matrix. The Vision Statement was drafted with a lot of help from the Focus Group participants, and says Jeffersonville is a thriving community, has small town friendly atmosphere and we want to continue building upon that, along with the history, heritage, recreational, arts and cultural activities, etc. There are nine (9) basic principles that are guiding the document. There are several different components within the document, which the most used frequently is the Land Use chapter. This chapter defines primary growth and areas that are being looked at to redevelop in the next 5 to 10 years. Future Land use map is very helpful when doing re-zoning cases, use variances, etc. to see what different areas of the City are programmed for in terms of uses. It also contains a number of general goals and objectives that are geared toward each of the eleven (11) planning districts. There is a chapter on Transportation and Mobility that talks about the existing conditions and the needs identified during the Comprehensive Plan process and sets goals for the future. Utilities and Public Services were also reviewed. Currently there are 30,000 people in the City of Jeffersonville and by year 2025 the will be over 55,000 or more.There is a brief chapter on Economic Development that sets some focus areas for redeveloping the downtown area, mainly into the Jeff Boat area, north of Court Avenue and the Claysburg neighborhood.The last chapter covers quality of life, which covers a lot of items from the City's history to the arts and cultural activities, parks, education, neighborhoods, housing, etc. There are 6 goals in this chapter, then some sub goals under that. The idea is to continue to find way to preserve historic resources, whether it is historic buildings downtown or other historic landmarks. Studies have shown that the parks in the City are far more abundant south of 1265 and there is a large growing segment to the North side of the freeway that does not have the same access to parks and recreation. Mr. Reischl advised that there are probably ways to find funds for parks and open trails, etc. Discussion regarding supporting and expanding educational opportunities within the City and build strong neighborhoods and collaborate regionally. There is a series of eleven (11) mini plans toward the end of the document which take all of the goals and recommendations that were presented in these sections and drill them down into a neighborhood level.The Planning and Zoning Staff done an analysis of The City and divided the City into 11 Regions. The regions are based on age of construction, national barriers in the community. The end of the document has the Implementation Matrix which consolidated all of the goals into about 4 pages with a list of the actions that include guidance on prioritizing, cost, is this something staff can do or is it something that will have to put money towards. Whose roll is it to implement these projects? Is it Planning and Zoning, Council, Parks, etc. or partner with other organizations in the community to get these things done. This comes to the Council with a favorable recommendation from the Planning Commission. Councilperson Webb advised that Mr. Reischl and the Planning Commission has done a great job putting the Comprehensive Plan together. Council President Owen advised that this plan does not sugar coat some of the challenges that the City has, very direct about somethings that need to be worked on to move in the right direction, it also is very specific on how to cultivate the type of developments that we would like to see in different parts of the City, appreciates everyone involved for all the hard work that was put into this. Councilperson White thanked Mr. Reischl and his staff for all of the hard work they put into this plan and addressed the quality of life section on goal four(4) regarding the schools. Councilperson White read a statement into the record, (see attached). Councilperson White made a motion to approve 2023-OR-38, seconded by Councilperson Webb; motion passed, 7-0. 2. Dustin White-Presentation by Habitat for Humanity Jackie Isaacs, Director of Operation for Habitat for Humanity for Clark and Floyd Counties presented to the Council information about their program. Chelsea Gardner, President of the Board was also in attendance. Ms. Isaacs explained what is being done in the City of Jeffersonville, which she advised, follows the new Comprehensive Plan for Jeffersonville.There is a perception that Habitat for Humanity gives away homes, that is not true. The home buyers actually buy the homes at 0 (zero) percent interest over a 25 year loan.The buyers have to complete 250 hours of sweat equity in a classroom which covers financial literacy, home maintenance and neighborhood engagement. The program is between 12-18 months. The buyers help build their own homes and other homes. Habitat for Humanity is a builder and a bank, they hold the 25-30 year life of the loan. Currently in their affiliate, they hold 33 mortgages which support the operation. 100 percent of all donations to Habitat for Humanity Clark/Floyd go back into building more homes. Currently eleven (11) homes are being built on land that was donated by the Jeffersonville Housing Authority. Due to being such a small affiliate, usually only two (2) houses are built a year, currently there are five (5) being built, then five (5) more next year and so on. Community Foundation of SI has given Habitat for Humanity a grant for $100,000.00 to help fund the eleven (11) home project. There will be 1.5 Million dollars raised to get them all done, that is just the hard cost of the houses.The buyers will only be charged the hard cost of the home. A 3 bedroom home will be approximately$130,000.00, 4 bedroom home will be approximately $140,000.00 with a zero (0) percent interest mortgage. There were over 200 volunteers on Riddle Street the first week of May to get the first 2 houses from a concrete foundation to a roof. Ms. Isaacs encouraged anyone that does not understand what Habitat for Humanity is, to please come to Riddle Street and see firsthand. There are several amenities there such as a Community Center, Senior Center,Tennis and Basketball Courts. Council President Owen asked if the home owners of the 11 homes have been notified. Mrs. Isaacs advised that the first 5 have been notified and application are being reviewed for the next 5. Councilperson White advised that the Council will discuss any type of donation at the next Council meeting. 3. Leslia Townsend Cronin Homeless Coalition - Removed from agenda 4. Heather Metcalf 2023-OR-39 Ordinance of Additional Appropriation Mrs. Metcalf advised this is the Additional Appropriation that was requested a couple of meetings ago for the Parks Improvement plan for the parking lots for Poppy Park and Wilcoxson Park. Councilperson Webb made a motion to approve 2023-OR-39 on the First and Second Reading, seconded by Councilperson Croft; motion passed, 7-0. 5. Heather Metcalf 2023-OR-40 Ordinance Transferring Certain Funds Within the Same Department Mrs. Metcalf advised this is for the Sanitation Department to transfer funds from Other Supplies to pay Utility Bills. Council Vice President Hawkins made a motion to approve 2023-OR-40 on the First and Second Reading, seconded by Councilperson Paris; motion passed, 7-0. ATTORNEY COMMENT: Larry Wilder—No Comment Les Merkley—Absent DEPARTMENT HEADS: Paul Northam-Thanks to the Council for voting for the Additional Appropriation on the First and Second Reading for the Parks Department. There are a couple of parks that are in dire need of parking lot repairs, Jeffersonville had a huge event on Sunday night, very successful. Thanks to the Council for their support and the Police and Fire Departments. JPD Chief Kavanaugh-Thanks to the Council for their support, also to the Parks Department and Councilman White for all of the planning for the Juneteenth festivities over the weekend. Thanks for all that you do. PUBLIC COMMENTS: No Comments COUNCIL COMMENTS: • Councilperson White—Thanks for supporting the Juneteenth festivities. Hearing from people that this was really needed and that Jeffersonville is a vibe. People from all different demographics were out having fun together.Thanks to Paul and Amber Powell for organizing the whole thing. Thanks to the Police Department for working so hard the entire weekend. • Councilperson Burns—Absent • Councilperson Paris--Thanks to Chad and his staff for all of the hard work on the Comprehensive Plan • Councilperson Anderson—Thanks to Councilperson White for the planning of the Juneteenth event. • Councilperson Croft—Thanks to everyone. • Councilperson Webb—Thanks to all of the Departments, you make it easy on us. • Council Vice President Hawkins—No Comment • Councilperson Ellis—Absent • Council President Owen—Agrees with all of the comments made regarding the Juneteenth festivities. Thanks to the Police and Fire Departments, has been a tough week, and thanks to the administration of those departments. ADJOURNMENT: Council Vice President Hawkins made the motion to ADJOURN the meeting at 7:42 p.m. APROVED / Matt Owen, ounce resident ATTEST: Lisa Gill, Clerk w Dustin T. White, LLM Licensed in: Attorney at Law Indiana United States District Court- Southern District of Indiana United States Court of Appeals- Seventh Circuit Meeting of the Jeffersonville City Council June 20,2023 Statement from Dustin T. White, Council District 1, regarding Comprehensive Plan,Quality of Life Section, Goal 4: In no manner should a court of law, administrative body, arbitrator or mediator consider the language of this proposed and subsequently adopted Comprehensive Plan as indicating support of, or justification for, an additional middle school in the North/Northeast section of Jeffersonville. Likewise, the language of this Comprehensive Plan does not provide support of, or justification for, the closure of Parkview Middle School. The only Goal presented in this Comprehensive Plan is to"hold periodic meetings with school district officials to discuss future plans and areas of possible collaboration". The plain meaning of this Goal's Recommendation, without implication of interpretations, is what should be considered when reviewing Goal 4, of the Quality of Life Section, of the Comprehensive Plan adopted today. Read into the Record by Councilman Dustin T. White-District 1 June 20, 2023 224 East Court Avenue,Jeffersonville, Indiana 47130: 812-987-4257/wlawpractice@aol.com