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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJanuary 22, 2024 Council Minutes COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA January 22,2024 Regular Meeting Minutes The Common Council of the City of Jeffersonville, Indiana met for the Regular Meeting on January 22, 2024. Council President White 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 Burns led the invocation. Pledge of Allegiance: ROLL CALL: The roll call was conducted by City Clerk Lisa Gill and present in Council Chambers were Council President White, Councilperson Burns, Councilperson Semones, Councilperson Anderson, Councilperson Reed, Councilperson Webb, Council Vice President Hawkins, Councilperson Snelling, and Councilperson Stoner. 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 from the January 2, 2024, seconded by Councilperson Reed; motion passed, 9-0. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA: Councilperson Stoner advised he had promoted this ordinance draft, however after further research and discussion with Director Green he recognized there is not a shortage of food for the shelter animals. Councilperson Stoner thanked the Animal Shelter staff and all the volunteers and donors. Councilperson Stoner made a motion to remove item number 14 from the Agenda, seconded by Councilperson Semones; motion passed, 9-0. Councilperson Burns made a motion to approve the Agenda as amended, seconded by Councilperson Stoner; motion passed, 9-0. CLAIMS TO APPROVE: Civil City$1,441,024.25 Heather Metcalf-Controller stated the amount of the Civil City Claims was$1,441,025.25 and advised there were no changes. Councilperson Webb made a motion to approve the Civil City claims, seconded by Councilperson Anderson; motion passed, 9-0. Parks$98,131.62 Heather Metcalf-Controller stated the amount of the Parks Claims was$98,131.62 and advised there were no changes. Councilperson Anderson made a motion to approve the Parks Claims, seconded by Councilperson Reed; motion passed, 9-0. REPORT OF THE CLERK: Clerk Gill advised she had no comment. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 1. Dustin White-Solid Waste Appointment-Council President White stated Councilperson Anderson would like to fill this position. Councilperson Semones made a motion to appoint Councilperson Anderson to the Solid Waste Committee, seconded by Councilperson Stoner; motion passed, 9-0. 2. Dustin White-Council Meeting Time Change Discussion—accidentally overlooked and revisited at end of meeting. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Andy Crouch and Chuck Deaton-CSX Rail Crossing Upgrade Request-Chuck Deaton with CSX Railroad out of Louisville spoke about the concrete crossings throughout the city of Jeffersonville.There are two(2) crossings that need to be replaced, Charlestown-New Albany Pike and Veterans Parkway. Charlestown-New Albany Pike is currently wood, it would take about 450 foot of panels to replace which will have to be built the week before. Once the panel is completed, the entire roadway will be closed down for about a week. Veterans Parkway will take about the same amount of time. The concrete itself cost$240.00 per track foot,total price would be$124,800.00. Mr. Deaton advised the City would pay for the price of the concrete and CSX would cover the rest of any materials needed. Concrete crossings last a lot longer than wooden ones and were easier to replace. Councilperson Reed asked if concrete is easier on vehicles than wood. Mr. Deaton advised yes; concrete crossings were easier on personal vehicles,commercial vehicles, and emergency personnel vehicles. Mr. Deaton advised that the job would start on April 12, 2024. Councilperson Stoner asked if this had ever been done with Indiana or Louisville Railroad. Mr. Deaton and Mr. Crouch advised, no. Mr. Deaton advised that CSX would work with the City regarding road closures, signage and traffic control. Both jobs would take up to a week depending on weather. Councilperson Reed asked that the school systems be notified of any closures and delays. Mr. Crouch advised that would be taken care of and the closure would have to go through Board of Public Works. Mr. Deaton advised that he would be ok with doing these projects during spring break,which is approximately the last two (2) weeks of March. Councilperson Burns asked that Kevin Morlan-City of Jeffersonville Street Director be notified also, Mr. Deaton advised he would be notified. Council President White asked if there was a request for funds during this meeting and Mr. Crouch advised it was listed as the next agenda item. 2. Heather Metcalf 2024-OR-1 Ordinance of Additional Appropriation—This appropriation was for the funds discussed as needed to complete the CSX Rail Crossing Upgrade for the price of concrete. Council President White confirmed with Controller Metcalf there would be a public hearing for this appropriation during the next Council Meeting and Mrs. Metcalf confirmed that was correct. Councilperson Burns made a motion to approve 2024-OR-1 on the First and Second Reading, seconded by Councilperson Webb; motion passed, 9-0. 3. Heather Metcalf 2024-R-1 Resolution Authorizing the Investment of Public Funds Mrs. Metcalf advised this Ordinance would need to be approved by Council on an annual basis. This allows the City to invest in depositories that are on the State's depository list,which was a list of banks that could potentially be used for bids in Indiana and possibly outside the state; however only banks on the list could be used. Council President White asked Mrs. Metcalf if she would elaborate on past years by doing this. Mrs. Metcalf explained there was help from a financial consultant to make sure that we go out for bid;that list of depositories usually are sent out monthly to solicit for interest rates on CDs. Last year the amount was over Two (2) Million dollars. Councilperson Burns made a motion to approve 2024-R-1, seconded by Councilperson Stoner; motion passed, 9-0. 4. Heather Metcalf-Ordinance of Additional Appropriation—Removed during Approval of Agenda. 5. Heather Metcalf 2024-OR-2 Ordinance of Additional Appropriation Mrs. Metcalf advised this appropriation allowed the cash already in the funds to be appropriated and used and this process was completed annually. Councilperson Webb asked how these numbers differ from the budget. Mrs. Metcalf advised these were amounts over the annual revenues. Councilperson Webb asked if this is remaining from prior years. Mrs. Metcalf advised it was. Councilperson Reed asked is this an effort to keep cash neutral within our budget. Mrs. Metcalf advised yes and these were non-tax revenue funds and there were specific restrictions to each one. Councilperson Burns made a motion to approve 2024-OR-2 on the First and Second Reading, seconded by Councilperson Stoner; motion passed,9-0. 6. Heather Metcalf 2024-OR-3 Ordinance of Additional Appropriation Mrs. Metcalf advised this appropriation was for the Police Department for hardware. Last year the computers for the Police Cars that were not in at the closing of the loan,so a check was issued to the Police Department to pay for them when they did come in;this money has already been received. Councilperson Snelling made a motion to approve 2024-OR-3 on the First and Second Reading,seconded by Councilperson Stoner; motion passed, 9-0. 7. Heather Metcalf 2024-0R-4 Ordinance of Additional Appropriation Mrs. Metcalf advised this appropriation was for the Highway Department for road repairs and construction. Andy Crouch, Director of City Engineer advised that the State of Indiana has made a million dollars available every year,as a 50/50 matching grant. This year,they have increased it to$1.5 Million dollars. The Engineering Department did not have the extra money in their budget to match that amount. The Engineering Department was not made aware of this until after the 2024 budget had been approved,therefor the request is for$300,000.00 to help match this grant. Councilperson Reed asked how many extra miles of street will this amount pave over the next year. Mr.Crouch advised he was not sure at but it was a dollar for dollar match. Councilperson Stoner made a motion to approve 2024-OR-4 on the First and Second Reading,seconded by Councilperson Reed; motion passed, 9-0. 8. Heather Metcalf 2024-OR-5 Ordinance of Additional Appropriation Mrs. Metcalf advised this appropriation was for the Mayor's salary based on Ordinance 2023-OR-73 that was approved last December.Councilperson Stoner asked if this was approved last year and the funds are just being appropriated. Mrs. Metcalf advised,yes. Councilperson Stoner made a motion to approve 2024-OR-5 on the First and Second Reading,seconded by Councilperson Snelling; motion passed, 8-1,Council Vice President Hawkins voted no. 9. Heather Metcalf 2024-OR-6 Ordinance of Transfer of Funds Within the Same Department Mrs. Metcalf advised this appropriation was for Department Head pay increases that were budgeted in the Mayor's department and appropriated to each individual department. Councilperson Reed asked for clarification,these are funds that were already appropriated in the budget. Mrs. Metcalf advised yes,just transferring from one department to another and stated this was done annually. Councilperson Burns made a motion to approve 2024-OR-6 on the First and Second Reading, seconded by Councilperson Anderson; motion passed, 9-0. ATTORNEY COMMENTS: Larry Wilder-Mr.Wilder advised Councilperson Stoner had asked that he explain how his contract with the City Council has worked since being hired in 2017 when he replaced Scott Lewis. The earnings then were $48,000.00 a year for retaining fees and has remained the same since and so has the contract. During Covid, an email was sent to everyone advising the amount was decreased to$36,000.00 due to everyone in the community suffering the ravages of Covid, if meetings were missed then the amount was adjusted. Mr. Wilder asked Clerk Gill if State Board of Accounts has had a concern regarding his invoices, Clerk Gill advised no they have not. Mr. Wilder advised that he has also done litigation for the Fire, Police and 2-3 other litigations. There was no request for a pay increase. Council President White advised that Mr. Wilder has done a great job since 2017 and would be in favor of a pay increase. Councilperson Webb also advised that Mr. Wilder has kept the Council out of trouble and would be in favor of a pay increase. Les Merkley—No Comment DEPARTMENT HEADS: JFD Chief Grant-Chief Grant expressed he was concerned regarding Station 1(one). The building was built in the1950s needed repairs over and beyond his budget. Chief Grant mentioned there was a collapsed sewer line and he has been in the process of getting estimates to replace that and repair the bathroom. He would like to have some of the Council to come and see the building to and the repairs that need to be completed. He would like to see the building brought back up to good living conditions for his crew. There are a couple of other things that he will plan on putting in his five (5)year plan. He hoped he would have pricing by the end of the week. Councilperson Reed advised that she would be happy to come down and see the building and was concerned regarding the safety of the Fire Fighters. Councilperson Semones asked what the Fire Fighters are doing now for restrooms. Chief Grant advised there are 2 other bathroom in the Firehouse. Councilperson Stoner advised that he also would be going to look at the Fire Station. Chief Grant stated that he would provide the Council with a plan he was working on for the station. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Kaitlin Blessitt-320 Mary Street,Jeffersonville, IN 47130—Ms. Blessitt said she wanted to start off and say she was disappointed and she was sorry to start off on a negative note but she was a little bit disappointed in the Council for the very quick reappointment of attorney Larry Wilder; no offense to Mr. Wilder. Since his public resignation in November for the reason of allowing the newly elected Council an opportunity to select their attorney, three new members spoke up in the last meeting stating they would like to see other resumes and form a search committee, yet the existing members disregarded these requested and voted him right back on even though two of them, Mr. White and Mr. Hawkins are running for other elected positions during their term, which if elected they would leave their seat vacant and open to an unelected appointment. Ms. Blessitt stated she was wondering how seriously some of them are taking their spots on the Council and the overall reputation of the Council, not to mention Mr. Wilder's main client right now seems to be former Sheriff Jamey Noel which would be assured to take up a lot of his time. When he was voted back on, it was unclear how long the terms would be and what the salary would be so she appreciates the clarification because she had not been able to received that information from her emails. Ms. Blessitt expressed concern there may be more charges coming to other friends Mr. Wilder was taking a trip to California with and she wonders if he will be taking on additional clients that might be associated with a high-profile case and if that happened if there was a point where Mr. Wilder would resign if his caseload became a little too much to devote to this Council. Ms. Blessitt said she would have liked to have seen the Council come up with a different proposal, maybe a month to month given the circumstances with Mr. Wilder. She believes there could have been some other things that the Council could have come up with and she would really like for the Council to go ahead and form that search committee to go on and have some resumes ready in the event that Mr. Wilder needs to step off and for next year. Ms. Blessitt thanked Councilperson Semones, Councilperson Stoner, and Councilperson Reed for answering her emails and her questions and for addressing the labeling of the Vimeo videos as they are now much easier to find. Council Meeting Time Change Discussion Councilperson Burns asked Council President White to go back to item number 10 on the agenda that was missed in regards to changing the Council Meeting Time. Council President White apologized for missing the item. Councilperson Burns made the suggestion to move the Council Meeting time to 6:00 pm,which had been discussed at past meeting. Councilperson Semones and Councilperson Reed both said they had conducted an informal public survey and the majority of people were fine with moving the meeting to 6:00 pm. They both made the people aware that the meetings are available to watch live online or at their convenience. Department Heads that were present at the meeting were asked how they felt about the meeting being moved to 6:00 pm,they all were in favor of it. After discussion, it was agreed upon to move the Council Meetings to 6:00 pm starting February 5,2024. Council Vice President Hawkins made a motion to move the Council Meetings to 6:00 pm,seconded by Councilperson Burns; motion passed,9-0. Council Attorney Wilder clarified that the next Council Meeting will be held on February 5, 2024 at 6:00 pm and will continue to be held on the first and third Monday of each month with the exception of the first meeting in September 2024 will be held on Tuesday,September 4,2024 due to the holiday. Council President White asked Clerk Gill if Pro Media can put something out to advertise the meetings. City Attorney Les Merkley advised that Pro Media puts the information out on the City's Facebook page. Councilperson Stoner advised he would like the Council to come up with a way to better inform the public of what is going on in the City. COUNCIL COMMENTS: • Councilperson Burns—No Comment • Councilperson Semones—Councilperson Semones said she was in favor of a forming a search committee for future City Attorney applicants and hoped to have the Council support in this. • Councilperson Anderson—No Comment • Councilperson Reed—Councilperson Reed thanked the road crew for all their hard work getting the streets cleared,they all are very appreciated. The North Haven Elementary School is having a soft opening of their new gym, Eagles Nest, Friday January 26,2024 at 4:30 pm and everyone is invited to attend. • Councilperson Webb—No Comment • Council Vice President Hawkins-Council Vice President Hawkins asked Mrs. Metcalf what the amount of surplus from last year was. Mrs. Metcalf advised it was a little over$2,000,000.00,which is almost a 4%bump in the City's revenue by placing that money the way it was done. Council Vice President Hawkins acknowledged there were huge purchases were made at the end of last year such as Packer Trucks. Mrs. Metcalf clarified that total includes Wastewater, Drainage,development, bond funds,etc. • Councilperson Snelling— Councilperson Snelling said he agreed with Councilperson Semones on getting a committee formed to look for other attorneys should one be needed. He also thanked the Street Department for their hard work. • Councilperson Stoner—see attached • Council President White-Council President White said enjoyed the Aim Conference and he learned a few new things that have changed. He hoped the Council stays engaged in their regular conferences as they come about and stays up on the Legislative changes. ADJOURNMENT: Councilperson Semones made the motion to ADJOURN the meeting at 7:49 p.m. APROVED BY: it.4i_,Lidv,7 j .p (4).,&;,Dustin White, Council President ATTEST: Lisa ill,Clerk Council Comments Thank you to our City Engineer Andy Crouch for your coming to the City Council with this request.I posted about these upgrades on social media back in December-and received feedback from a handful of very supportive residents. I would also like to thank Chuck Deaton and CSX for their commitment to the safety and durability of their Rail crossings and railways operating within our city—and I appreciate their partnership on this project.This is a positive upgrade that I would like see potentially expanded to other locations around the city where appropriate. Wanted to give a big shoutout to all of our city Departments powering through during the recent weather conditions. Even when it's as cold as it was: our police officers,fire fighters, street and sanitation workers,wastewater departments,and those we power city hall are still out there grinding—you are appreciated. I heard great reports from the public regarding the street clearing following the snow— thank you to Commissioner Morlan. A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to do a ride along with our Street and Sanitation Departments. This is vital.As we are voting on tools and equipment for various departments, it's great to get an inside look at the work they do and how as a council we can help. It was the day after New Years' so as you can imagine there was a lot of trash to pick up. I saw the faces of all of our street and sanitation workers— and these people are rock solid.They have incredible attitudes—and truly love the city. Director Miles and Director Morlan have done a great job. When I was on the ride along I learned of the great impact that one of our city employees,Mr.Gabe Crum has had on the vehicle maintenance department.His expertise and work ethic has saved the city money—and his willingness to assist and teach those around him and share his knowledge with his co- workers is well noted and appreciated. Thank you to AIM—Accelerated Indiana Municipalities for putting on an incredibly informative conference for new municipal leaders across this state.There's always something to learn,and I think we all learned a lot about the processes for effective municipal government,and I look forward to continuing to learn, so that we can best serve the people of Jeffersonville. I want to thank both the Homeless Coalition of Southern Indiana and Exit Zero for your diligence and commitment to serving the unhoused population through the recent weather and subzero temps. What both organizations do is not easy. I've seen the operations at both the White Flag shelter and Exit Zero firsthand.Thank you to all of those volunteers for helping keep people out of the extreme cold. Thank you,Mr.President. Sent from my iPad This email was scanned by Bitdefender