OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Clarksville Town Council Regular Meeting and Work Session - January 21, 2025

Town Council & Commissions — Tuesday, January 21, 2025
BodyClarksville, Indiana
SessionTown Council & Commissions
DateTuesday, January 21, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:06:08

Transcript — Verbatim
0:04

On behalf of the Clarksville Town Council, welcome everyone to the January 21st regularly scheduled meeting.

0:11

If you would please stand and join us in saying the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:21

And to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God in the middle with liberty and justice for all.

0:34

We do not have anyone who has signed up to make public comment this evening, so we are going to begin with a public hearing regarding the annexation of 1206 Emory Crossing Road and 1023 McCullough Pike, River Heritage Conservancy.

0:51

The Conservancy desires to annex several properties into the town as part of the development of the park.

0:57

The annexations will occur in four stages over the next three months.

1:01

The second group of properties are adjacent to the municipal limits, and the town code requires the applicant to sign a petition for annexation.

1:09

The petitions were received on December 11th and are attached as exhibit A.

1:14

The properties are legally known as 1206 Emory Crossing and 1023 McCullough Pike.

1:20

Those properties are also shown on exhibit B.

1:23

Per Indiana Code, the council must publish notice of a public hearing 10 days prior to the hearing and then wait at least 14 days between the date of the hearing and the passage of an ordinance annexing the property.

1:36

Notice of the public hearing was published on December 24th.

1:39

An ordinance approving the annexation will be considered on February 4th.

1:43

At this time, I would open up a public hearing if there's anybody who wishes to speak in favor of or in opposition to the annexation of these two properties.

1:57

Again, I would ask if there's anybody who wishes to speak in favor of or in opposition to the annexation of 1206 Emory Crossing Road and 1023 McCullough Pike.

2:09

Seeing and hearing no one wishing to speak, I will remind those present that an ordinance approving this annexation will be considered on the February 4th town council meeting.

2:20

We'll now move on to this evening's consent agenda and items contained are minutes from the last regular scheduled meeting of the town council.

2:28

Claims both current and pre-written, the acceptance of minutes and placement on file of various boards and commissions that are appointed by the town council.

2:36

And also this evening there is an approval for funding for Clark Cart Clark County Care's Drug Facts Week.

2:45

I'd like to make the motion to approve.

2:48

Motion from Councilwoman Henderson.

2:51

Seconded.

2:52

A second from Councilman Stotts.

2:54

All those in favor, please raise your right hand and say aye.

2:57

Aye.

2:58

That motion carries unanimously.

3:01

We'll now move on to unfinished business.

3:03

And first up this evening is ordinance 2025 G02 concerning the creation of pollinator guardings.

3:10

This is an amendment to uh the ordinance that was presented to the town council at the last meeting.

3:17

Um if it is passed, it would require two readings.

3:23

I would like to make a motion to table this for further discussion.

3:28

I'll second.

3:29

We have a motion on the floor from Councilwoman Henderson and a second from Councilwoman Schiller to table ordinance 2025 G02 for additional discussion.

3:39

All those in favor, raise your right hand and say aye.

3:42

Aye.

3:43

That motion carries unanimously, and we will table that.

3:47

Next we have resolution 2025 R03 regarding an interlocal agreement for animal shelter services, and I believe Manager Beatty has some updates to share with the council.

4:00

Um per information that I provided in your weekly packet.

4:03

I was able to uh find additional information.

4:07

I talked with uh Mayor Hodges from Charlestown just a few minutes ago.

4:11

Uh they are still looking at alternatives, and in fact, she and a couple of her council members uh will be visiting the shelter later this week.

4:19

Um if you uh were uh cognizant of the news that came out late last week.

4:24

New Albany is has uh set aside money to build a new shelter.

4:29

Uh so we will be in talks with them uh if there's an opportunity for us to partner with them as well.

4:35

Um Charlestown does not meet again until um February 3rd, which will be the Monday prior to our February 4th council meeting.

4:45

Uh they may or may not take up uh the ordinance or the interlocal agreement at that time.

4:50

Um and Mayor Hodges and I will stay in contact between now and then.

4:56

What I did want to provide to you is two sheets uh that I just handed out before the council meeting.

5:03

They look somewhat similar, but the numbers are different, and I want to explain the two pages.

5:10

The one that just has the single set of numbers at the top.

5:14

Ironic all ironically, all of them are numbered page two, so I can't give you a page number.

5:19

But if you look at the first one that says Borden 1% and $8600, this is the original the numbers that came out of the original interlocal agreement that was presented to us by Jeffersonville back in June.

5:35

And as you can see, there is a number slated in there for Jeffersonville at 42 percent.

5:40

What we found out in having that conversation with them is that this amount was for the entire operation of the shelter, and that entire operation includes animal control services.

5:53

And so we questioned why we were going to be paying for their animal control services to go out and collect animals and bring them into the shelter when we have our own.

6:03

Other communities also have animal controlnel, and they question the same thing.

6:09

So the revision to come out is the one that shows boarding at 1% at $7,153.

6:17

And as you can see, Jeffersonville has been removed from the percentages there, but they have phased in the three years of the agreement as year one, two, and three.

6:28

I have been made aware that the year one under Sellersburg is an error, and they are creating a an addendum, I guess it is, or a correction page for this page of the interlocal agreement for Sellersburg to consider to make their number the correct number.

6:48

Um but as you can see, um there was the original um interlocal agreement did call for us to provide and share in the cost of their animal control services.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Engineering And Infrastructure██████████████████████████████████████████42%
Personnel Matters███████████11%
Youth Programs██████████10%
Public Engagement██████████10%
Animal Welfare██████6%
Arts And Culture█████5%
Procedural████4%
Fiscal Sustainability███3%
Workforce Development███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Clarksville Town Council Regular Meeting and Work Session - January 21, 2025

The Clarksville Town Council held its regularly scheduled meeting followed by a work session on January 21, 2025. The regular meeting began at approximately 6:00 PM with the Pledge of Allegiance and no public comments. A public hearing was held on the annexation of two properties (1206 Emory Crossing Road and 1023 McCullough Pike) by River Heritage Conservancy; no one spoke for or against, and an ordinance approving the annexation will be considered on February 4, 2025. The council unanimously approved several consent agenda items including minutes, claims, and funding for Clark Cart Clark County Care's Drug Facts Week. Under unfinished business, an ordinance regarding pollinator guardings (2025 G02) was tabled for further discussion, and an update was provided on the interlocal agreement for animal shelter services (no action taken). Under new business, the council approved a new contract with the International Association of Firefighters Local 2594 covering 2025–2028, adopted rules of decorum (Resolution 2025 R04), approved salaries for town employees (Ordinance 2025 S01) with a retroactive effective date of January 6, approved a pay scale ordinance (2025 S02), and amended the Arts Commission membership (2025 G04). The clerk treasurer reported on investments and warned about Senate Bill 1 which could reduce the general fund by 10–15%. Council members thanked public works for snow removal and commended the fire contract negotiations. The subsequent work session featured a presentation from Southern Indiana Works on the SummerWorks youth employment program (40–50 youth planned for 2025, $15/hour, 20 hours/week for six weeks) and a detailed discussion regarding drainage issues at 922 Potters Lane. A resident and neighbor expressed concerns about improper drainage after a $2.7 million improvement project. The consulting engineer and contractor explained the project's design and showed before-and-after photos, stating the system met design standards. Issues with a punch list and possible regrading were raised. Council members agreed to follow up, including a site visit.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved minutes from the last regular meeting, claims (current and pre-written), acceptance of minutes and placement on file of various boards and commissions, and funding for Clark Cart Clark County Care's Drug Facts Week. Motion carried unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • No members of the public signed up to make public comment during the regular meeting.
  • During the public hearing on the annexation of 1206 Emory Crossing Road and 1023 McCullough Pike, no one spoke in favor or opposition.

Discussion Items

  • Unfinished Business:
    • Ordinance 2025 G02 (Pollinator Guardings): Councilwoman Henderson moved to table for further discussion; seconded; unanimously approved to table.
    • Resolution 2025 R03 (Animal Shelter Interlocal Agreement): Manager Beatty provided an update. Charlestown and New Albany are exploring options; no action taken.
  • New Business:
    • Firefighters Union Contract (2025–2028): Councilwoman Voiner praised the negotiation process and moved approval; motion carried unanimously.
    • Resolution 2025 R04 (Rules of Decorum): Adopted unanimously after discussion.
    • Ordinance 2025 S01 (2025 Salaries): Approved on first and second readings unanimously. Then the council voted to make the salary increases retroactive to the pay period beginning January 6, 2025, also unanimously.
    • Ordinance 2025 S02 (Pay Scale): Approved on first and second readings unanimously.
    • Ordinance 2025 G04 (Arts Commission Membership): Approved on first and second readings unanimously after clarifying that only voting members (non-elected) receive stipends.
  • Clerk/ Treasurer Report: Stone Cipher announced audits are ongoing, noted the town manages $9–12 million in temporary investments, and highlighted Senate Bill 1 which could increase the homestead assessed value deduction and reduce the general fund by an estimated 10–15%.
  • Council Comments: Multiple council members thanked the street department (specifically Brad Cummins) for snow removal and praised the fire contract team.

Work Session

  • Southern Indiana Works SummerWorks Program: Teresa Moulton presented the youth employment program. Clarksville Parks and Recreation participated in 2023 (3 participants, 1,800 hours, $27,000 in wages) and 2024 (4 participants, 3,137 hours, $47,048). For 2025, the goal is 40–50 youth at $15/hour, 20 hours/week for six weeks. The council expressed support.
  • Property at 922 Potters Lane Drainage Issue: Resident Mrs. Ross and a neighbor addressed ongoing drainage problems despite a $2.7 million stormwater improvement project completed in 2024. The consulting engineer (Steve Emily) and contractor (Derek Mish) showed pre-construction photos documenting chronic flooding and stated the new system meets design standards. Mrs. Ross disputed that the system works properly and noted a punch list item (regrading) may not have been completed. Council members asked for a copy of the punch list, noted a one-year warranty remains, and agreed to follow up with a site visit.

Key Outcomes

  • Public Hearing on Annexation: No action taken; ordinance to be considered February 4, 2025.
  • Consent Calendar: All items approved unanimously.
  • Ordinance 2025 G02 (Pollinator Guardings): Tabled unanimously.
  • Firefighters Union Contract: Approved unanimously.
  • Resolution 2025 R04 (Decorum): Adopted unanimously.
  • Ordinance 2025 S01 (Salaries): Approved on first and second reading, with retroactive effective date of January 6, 2025, all unanimously.
  • Ordinance 2025 S02 (Pay Scale): Approved on first and second reading unanimously.
  • Ordinance 2025 G04 (Arts Commission): Approved on first and second reading unanimously.
  • SummerWorks Program: No formal vote; council supportive, will follow up.
  • Potters Lane Drainage: Council directed staff to obtain punch list, verify regrading, and schedule a site visit with the engineer and contractor.

Meeting Transcript

On behalf of the Clarksville Town Council, welcome everyone to the January 21st regularly scheduled meeting. If you would please stand and join us in saying the Pledge of Allegiance. And to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God in the middle with liberty and justice for all. We do not have anyone who has signed up to make public comment this evening, so we are going to begin with a public hearing regarding the annexation of 1206 Emory Crossing Road and 1023 McCullough Pike, River Heritage Conservancy. The Conservancy desires to annex several properties into the town as part of the development of the park. The annexations will occur in four stages over the next three months. The second group of properties are adjacent to the municipal limits, and the town code requires the applicant to sign a petition for annexation. The petitions were received on December 11th and are attached as exhibit A. The properties are legally known as 1206 Emory Crossing and 1023 McCullough Pike. Those properties are also shown on exhibit B. Per Indiana Code, the council must publish notice of a public hearing 10 days prior to the hearing and then wait at least 14 days between the date of the hearing and the passage of an ordinance annexing the property. Notice of the public hearing was published on December 24th. An ordinance approving the annexation will be considered on February 4th. At this time, I would open up a public hearing if there's anybody who wishes to speak in favor of or in opposition to the annexation of these two properties. Again, I would ask if there's anybody who wishes to speak in favor of or in opposition to the annexation of 1206 Emory Crossing Road and 1023 McCullough Pike. Seeing and hearing no one wishing to speak, I will remind those present that an ordinance approving this annexation will be considered on the February 4th town council meeting. We'll now move on to this evening's consent agenda and items contained are minutes from the last regular scheduled meeting of the town council. Claims both current and pre-written, the acceptance of minutes and placement on file of various boards and commissions that are appointed by the town council. And also this evening there is an approval for funding for Clark Cart Clark County Care's Drug Facts Week. I'd like to make the motion to approve. Motion from Councilwoman Henderson. Seconded. A second from Councilman Stotts. All those in favor, please raise your right hand and say aye. Aye. That motion carries unanimously. We'll now move on to unfinished business. And first up this evening is ordinance 2025 G02 concerning the creation of pollinator guardings. This is an amendment to uh the ordinance that was presented to the town council at the last meeting. Um if it is passed, it would require two readings. I would like to make a motion to table this for further discussion. I'll second. We have a motion on the floor from Councilwoman Henderson and a second from Councilwoman Schiller to table ordinance 2025 G02 for additional discussion. All those in favor, raise your right hand and say aye. Aye. That motion carries unanimously, and we will table that. Next we have resolution 2025 R03 regarding an interlocal agreement for animal shelter services, and I believe Manager Beatty has some updates to share with the council. Um per information that I provided in your weekly packet. I was able to uh find additional information. I talked with uh Mayor Hodges from Charlestown just a few minutes ago. Uh they are still looking at alternatives, and in fact, she and a couple of her council members uh will be visiting the shelter later this week. Um if you uh were uh cognizant of the news that came out late last week. New Albany is has uh set aside money to build a new shelter. Uh so we will be in talks with them uh if there's an opportunity for us to partner with them as well. Um Charlestown does not meet again until um February 3rd, which will be the Monday prior to our February 4th council meeting. Uh they may or may not take up uh the ordinance or the interlocal agreement at that time. Um and Mayor Hodges and I will stay in contact between now and then. What I did want to provide to you is two sheets uh that I just handed out before the council meeting. They look somewhat similar, but the numbers are different, and I want to explain the two pages. The one that just has the single set of numbers at the top.

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