HomeMy WebLinkAboutJuly 3, 2023 City Council COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY
JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA
July 3, 2023
Regular Meeting Minutes
The Common Council of the City of Jeffersonville, Indiana met for the Regular Meeting on July 3, 2023.
Council President Owen along with City Clerk Gill called the meeting to order at 7:01 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
White, Councilperson Burns, Councilperson Paris, Councilperson Anderson, Councilperson Croft, Council
Vice President Hawkins, Councilperson Ellis and Council President Owen. Councilperson Webb was
absent. Let the record reflect that 8 Council Members were present in Council Chambers and 1 absent.
APROVAL OF MINUTES:
Councilperson Anderson made a motion to approve the Minutes of June 20, 2023 of the Regular
Meeting, seconded by Councilperson Paris; motion passed, 6-0-2. Councilperson Burns and
Councilperson Ellis abstained.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA:
Council President Owen advised that the re-zone on Hamburg Pike will not be heard until the next
Council Meeting on July 17, 2023. The re-zone on Stenger Lane has been tabled per the petitioner's
request, will be heard at the next Council Meeting on July 17, 2023.
Council Vice President Hawkins made a motion to approve the Agenda with the removal of item eleven
(11), the re-zone on Stenger Lane seconded by Councilperson Paris; motion passed, 8-0.
CLAIMS TO APPROVE:
Civil City$2,319,224.18
Mrs. Metcalf advised there were no changes.
Councilperson Burns made a motion to approve the Civil City Claims and seconded by Councilperson
Croft; motion passed, 8-0.
Parks$181,998.54
Mrs. Metcalf advised there were no changes.
Councilperson Burns made a motion to approve the Parks Claims, seconded by Councilperson Paris;
motion passed, 8-0.
REPORT OF THE CLERK:
Clerk Gill stated she had no comment.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
1. Heather Metcalf 2023-OR-39 (Public Hearing) Ordinance of Additional Appropriation
Mrs. Metcalf advised there were no changes.
Council President Owen opened the Public Hearing at 7:06 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 7:07 pm.
Councilperson Burns made a motion to approve 2023-OR-39 on the Third and Final Reading,
seconded by Councilperson Anderson; motion passed, 7-0-1, Councilperson Ellis abstained.
2. Heather Metcalf 2023-OR-40 Ordinance Transferring Certain Funds Within the Same
Department
Mrs. Metcalf advised there were no changes.
Councilperson Burns made a motion to approve 2023-OR-40 on the Third and Final Reading,
seconded by Councilperson Croft; motion passed, 7-0-1. Councilperson Ellis abstained.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Chad Reischl 2023-OR-Rezoning Hearing on Property Located at 3409 and 3410 Stenger Lane
Currently Zoned R1 (Single Family Residential-Large Lot)to Proposed Zoning R3 (Single Family
Residential-Small Lot)
Item removed from agenda, will be heard at the next Council Meeting on July 17, 2023.
2. Heather Metcalf 2023-OR-41 Ordinance of Additional Appropriation
Mr. Northam, Parks Director was unable to attend the Council Meeting and Mrs. Metcalf said he
would be at the next meeting if there were any additional questions. Mrs. Metcalf advised Mr.
Northam would like to increase what they are doing as far as the holiday lighting and
decorations around the City. Mr. Northam has some sites in mind along with some ideas. City
Pride has offered to help with some of these changes. The appropriation is from City Pride then
the transfer will go to Parks Department. The Public Hearing will be held on July 17, 2023.
Councilperson Burns made a motion to approve 2023-OR-41 on the First and Second Reading,
seconded by Councilperson Anderson; motion passed, 8-0.
Council President Owen said he had discussed this with Mr. Northam previously and advised Mr.
Northam if more is done this year, there will not be less done next year. The budget will have to
reflect those changes.
3. Heather Metcalf 2023-OR-42 Ordinance of Additional Appropriation
Mrs. Metcalf advised this Additional Appropriation is for Finance-Professional Services requesting
an Appropriation in the amount of$63,000.00 for professional services. Because they are
auditing the GAP Financials they have to audit the beginning and ending balances for the first
year of that and this will allow for professional advice from Baker-Tilly for this process. This
amount also covers increases in BS&A Software, Kronos and Gravity. Council President Owen
advised that BS&A is for claims, Kronos is for time keeping and Gap Financial Audit is an annual
process that is not required but is being pursued by Finance, having Baker-Tilly assist in the Audit
is a good idea at least for the first time. Mrs. Metcalf advised that they will be needed again in
the future,just not as intensely.
Council Vice President Hawkins made a motion to approve 2023-OR-42 on the First and Second
Reading, seconded by Councilperson Paris; motion passed, 8-0.
ATTORNEY COMMENT:
Larry Wilder—No Comment
Les Merkley—No Comment
DEPARTMENT HEADS:
Chad Reischl-thanks to the Council for tabling the two (2) rezones due to the holiday and the
applicants unable to be here. Mr. Reischl will not be at the July 17, 2023 meeting, however, Shane
from the department will be presenting the re-zones. Council President Owen asked if the two re-
zones come with a favorable recommendation, Mr. Reischl advised, yes they do.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
No Comments
COUNCIL COMMENTS:
• Councilperson White—At the last meeting there was a presentation by Habitat for Humanity
about the houses they are building in the Claysburg neighborhood in conjunction with the
Housing Authority and he would like to have a discussion on if there was a desire to donate to
the cause and if so, what amount. Councilperson White would like to see $50,000.00 be
donated. Councilperson White advised this would be 100 percent return on the best investment
this property has ever had, helping eleven (11) families which also helps with Economic
Development in and around Jeffersonville. He feels this is a great opportunity to help the
homeless. Councilperson Croft advised that he saw on the news that Caesars has donated
$12,500.00 to Habitat for Humanity. Councilperson White suggested that $50,000.00 be donated
from the Cumulative Capital Development fund. This donation will go toward the five (5) current
homes being built, this will be for the hard cost of the homes. Councilperson Burns asked if the
money is appropriated, will it all be used for the homes being built, Councilperson White
answered yes it will be for the houses being built in Claysburg. Council Vice President Hawkins
advised that this would be a charitable contribution due to it taking so long to see any type of
return on the project, and this would be a one-time charitable contribution. Councilperson Ellis
said he feels that if a $50,000.00 donation can be made to the Catalyst with no return, this would
be a great investment.
Councilperson White made a motion to donate $50,000.00 out of the Cumulative Capital
Development Fund, Special Projects line to Habitat for Humanity, seconded by Council Vice
President Hawkins; motion passed, 8-0.
• Councilperson Burns—No comment
• Councilperson Paris—No Comment
• Councilperson Anderson—No Comment
• Councilperson Croft—No Comment
• Councilperson Webb—Absent
• Council Vice President Hawkins—received an email regarding Rock on Rock's fundraiser will be
held again this year on September 23, 2023 and suggested the Council sponsor a table. Council
President Owen asked if anyone is opposed to this idea, no one opposed, the Council will sponsor
a table for 10.
• Councilperson Ellis—No Comment
• Council President Owen—received a letter from Taste of Jeff Committee, they are requesting
silent auction items or services if anyone would like to make donations. Donations need to
turned in with the approximate value of each item by September 8, 2023. This event is set for
September 20, 2023 from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm.
ADJOURNMENT:
Council Vice President Hawkins made the motion to ADJOURN the meeting at 7:24 p.m.
APROVED BY• /AW
n'ismr
Matt Owen, Council 'resi.r ' ATTEST: Lisa Gill, Clerk