OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Clarksville Town Council Organizational Meeting - January 6, 2026

Town Council & Commissions — Tuesday, January 6, 2026
BodyClarksville, Indiana
SessionTown Council & Commissions
DateTuesday, January 6, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 51:09

Transcript — Verbatim
0:04

Call to order.

0:06

Honorable council, commissioners, chiefs and directors, public servants, fellow taxpayers, residents, journalists, guests.

0:13

Welcome to the 26th, 2026 organizational proceedings for the town of Clarksville.

0:18

My name is A.E.D.

0:19

Stonecipher, Clerk Treasurer.

0:21

As the executive officer over the town's finances, records, and compliance, I am called upon by Indiana Code to act as the presiding chairman over the town council until it elects one of its own as a chair and president for the calendar year.

0:36

At this time, according to precedent and tradition, I will call for a prayerful invocation.

0:41

For a decade now, the town council has invited clergy from nearby religious communities, as well as volunteering employees and citizens to pray over the start of each meeting, seeking a providential blessing for the unity and wisdom of both our town council and professional staff.

0:55

And now, Councilman Stotz, please introduce tonight's clergy member.

0:59

And with that, I'd like to introduce uh Scott Lawler from Return Church.

1:06

Now, why is mine the only way that has the feedback?

1:10

Good evening, everyone.

1:12

This is unseasonable, seasonable weather, which is good.

1:15

Uh if we all might pray, Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of this new year.

1:20

Thank you for our very first meeting that we might have leadership and we might have direction.

1:24

We have wisdom that only you can have the integrity that we might have, and in every decision that we make that we know that you are in this with fairness.

1:33

We ask that we have patience in every discussion that we have, that we always are listening to understand with the guidance that we have that you have given us.

1:42

And also, Heavenly Father, I would like for you to pray for every council member and their families and all of their endeavors.

1:48

What Mark 1045 says in the good book it says that our Lord and our Savior King Jesus, he didn't just come for for us to serve him, but he came to serve us.

1:58

And that just says of a service that we might have that is what we serve that they do here is that is a selfless service is what we look for.

2:07

And we all say in the mighty name of the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ, we all say Amen.

2:14

Thank you.

2:15

Thank you, sir.

2:17

Please rise if you are able now for the Pledge of Allegiance.

2:28

For which it stands.

2:30

One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

2:40

I hereby confirm that the elected town council sits in quorum, and I now turn to the business of appointing the town president.

2:46

I'd like to make most since Clarksville's founding by the General George Rogers Clark in 1783, with Sergeant Charles Floyd as its first constable.

2:55

Many individuals have served as town president.

2:57

The Office of President is an office not to be taken lightly.

3:00

The President prioritizes the council's agenda, makes critical appointments, and approves interagency agreements.

3:06

Perhaps more importantly, President directly affects the culture at Town Hall, the unity of the council, as well as the town's relations with neighboring cities, developers, the State House, and journalists.

3:16

The President serves as a head of town to propose the way forward and build unity, and the time for vision in unity is now.

3:23

The year 2026 stands as a critical bridge between our past and future.

3:27

A storm of funding cuts approaches, and municipalities may face the greatest financial test in a generation.

3:34

The time to batten down the hatches has come.

3:36

The waters may be choppy, and steering our town through the storm will require a steady hand and a unifying voice.

3:42

The honors of this office come with a burden of unwritten responsibilities, and any nominee should expect additional hours between the meetings through one-on-one discussions, additional research, and coalition building.

3:53

The Office of Town Council President takes effect tonight and runs through the calendar year.

3:57

And with these matters in mind, it is now my privilege and duty to call upon the council to nominate one of its own members for the office of town president.

4:04

I would like to make a motion to um appoint Bob McEwen.

4:09

Ms.

4:09

Henderson moves uh to nominate Mr.

4:12

McEwen.

4:13

Do we have a second?

4:14

I will second it.

4:16

The second to the is by Mr.

4:18

Munich.

4:20

All right.

4:20

Uh Mr.

4:21

McEwen, congratulations on the name nomination.

4:24

First of all, do you accept the nomination?

4:26

You do.

4:27

And do you desire to cast a vote for yourself tonight?

4:30

Very good.

4:32

With a nomination now on the table, I will conduct a roll call vote on the appointment of Mr.

4:36

McEwen as council president for the calendar year.

4:42

You'll indicate a favorable vote in affirmation by calling out aye.

4:45

And you'll indicate a dissenting vote in opposition by calling out nay.

4:49

You may also choose a neutral stance by calling out abstain.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural███████████████████████████████████████████43%
Animal Welfare████████████████████████████28%
Transportation Safety████████████12%
Economic Development█████5%
Public Safety█████5%
Historic Preservation████4%
Community Engagement███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Clarksville Town Council Organizational Meeting - January 6, 2026

[The meeting began with an invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the election of the 2026 Town Council President, Vice President, and Secretary. The council then conducted appointments to various boards and commissions. Public comments focused on concerns about a new pet store, Puppy Gram, at Green Tree Mall. The council approved a consent agenda, read an employee handbook amendment adding three holidays, and voted on a resolution for a park in South Clarksville. A liquor license fee ordinance was discussed but not finalized. The meeting closed with remarks from the clerk treasurer, police and fire chiefs, and council members.]

Consent Calendar

  • The consent agenda was approved unanimously without discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Jen Bug (301 South Clark Boulevard, Clarksville) requested the council review the town's pet store ordinance, citing vague standards that limit animal control's ability to enforce water accessibility and animal health checks. She presented a handout with suggested improvements.
  • Alicia Denson (2121 Admore Lane, Clarksville, representing over 5,000 petition signers) expressed concerns about Puppy Gram's potential connection to puppy mills. She asked whether animal control had visited the store and if the town's animal ordinance is adequate, noting that a previous response from President McEwen was generic and did not answer specific questions.
  • Rachel Harless (636 Higgins Drive, Jeffersonville, speaking for Southern Indiana Animal Welfare Watchdogs) presented citizen observation summaries from visits to Puppy Gram. Common themes included puppies appearing minimally responsive, withdrawn, and not reacting to sound or movement. Observers noted concerns about hydration using bottle systems.
  • Unnamed speaker (1715 Summerlin Place, Jeffersonville) described personal observations of puppies at Puppy Gram appearing lethargic and unresponsive, with water provided via hamster-style bottles. She urged the council to conduct site visits.
  • Aaron Sizemore (5356 Cedar Way Drive, Corden, Indiana, President of Heart Humane) argued that Puppy Gram is a symptom of larger animal welfare issues. He criticized the store's lending practices (citing a $10,000 loan example) and noted a change.org petition with 5,300 signatures. He warned that Green Tree Mall may lose revenue as shoppers boycott.

Discussion Items

  • Election of Officers: Bob McEwen was nominated for Town Council President and elected by a roll call vote of 4 in favor (Munich, Schiller, Ramsey, Henderson) and 2 abstentions (Boiner, Stotz). Karen Henderson was elected Vice President with 5 ayes and 1 abstention. Ryan Ramsey was elected Secretary with a unanimous vote except for one abstention.
  • Appointments to Boards and Commissions: The council approved appointments to the Plan Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals (deferred), Building Commission, Redevelopment Commission, Redevelopment Authority, Police Merit Board, Fire Merit Board, Parks and Recreation Board, Historic Preservation Commission, Insurance Review Committee, Arts Commission, Tourism Board of Managers, River Hills Development Council, Ohio River Greenway Commission, ADA Compliance Grievance Committee, and other boards. Many appointees were reappointed. Two openings on the 911 Emergency Service Board were left vacant pending further contact.
  • Unfinished Business – Employee Handbook Amendment (Ordinance 2025 G22): The council approved adding three holidays (President's Day, Columbus Day/Indigenous People's Day, Veterans Day) to the town's observed holidays. The second reading passed unanimously.
  • New Business – Resolution Supporting Park Development in South Clarksville (Resolution 2026 R01): The council approved a resolution to begin planning, design, and fundraising for a linear park on former Marathon property, with historic interpretation of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Vote was unanimous.
  • New Business – Liquor License Fee Ordinance (Ordinance 2026 G01): The council discussed proposed fees of $1,000 for initial applications and $500 for annual renewals within the riverfront development district. Councilman Munich raised concerns that these low fees disadvantage businesses outside the district. Staff explained that the district's licenses are separate from the state's

Meeting Transcript

Call to order. Honorable council, commissioners, chiefs and directors, public servants, fellow taxpayers, residents, journalists, guests. Welcome to the 26th, 2026 organizational proceedings for the town of Clarksville. My name is A.E.D. Stonecipher, Clerk Treasurer. As the executive officer over the town's finances, records, and compliance, I am called upon by Indiana Code to act as the presiding chairman over the town council until it elects one of its own as a chair and president for the calendar year. At this time, according to precedent and tradition, I will call for a prayerful invocation. For a decade now, the town council has invited clergy from nearby religious communities, as well as volunteering employees and citizens to pray over the start of each meeting, seeking a providential blessing for the unity and wisdom of both our town council and professional staff. And now, Councilman Stotz, please introduce tonight's clergy member. And with that, I'd like to introduce uh Scott Lawler from Return Church. Now, why is mine the only way that has the feedback? Good evening, everyone. This is unseasonable, seasonable weather, which is good. Uh if we all might pray, Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of this new year. Thank you for our very first meeting that we might have leadership and we might have direction. We have wisdom that only you can have the integrity that we might have, and in every decision that we make that we know that you are in this with fairness. We ask that we have patience in every discussion that we have, that we always are listening to understand with the guidance that we have that you have given us. And also, Heavenly Father, I would like for you to pray for every council member and their families and all of their endeavors. What Mark 1045 says in the good book it says that our Lord and our Savior King Jesus, he didn't just come for for us to serve him, but he came to serve us. And that just says of a service that we might have that is what we serve that they do here is that is a selfless service is what we look for. And we all say in the mighty name of the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ, we all say Amen. Thank you. Thank you, sir. Please rise if you are able now for the Pledge of Allegiance. For which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. I hereby confirm that the elected town council sits in quorum, and I now turn to the business of appointing the town president. I'd like to make most since Clarksville's founding by the General George Rogers Clark in 1783, with Sergeant Charles Floyd as its first constable. Many individuals have served as town president. The Office of President is an office not to be taken lightly. The President prioritizes the council's agenda, makes critical appointments, and approves interagency agreements. Perhaps more importantly, President directly affects the culture at Town Hall, the unity of the council, as well as the town's relations with neighboring cities, developers, the State House, and journalists. The President serves as a head of town to propose the way forward and build unity, and the time for vision in unity is now. The year 2026 stands as a critical bridge between our past and future. A storm of funding cuts approaches, and municipalities may face the greatest financial test in a generation. The time to batten down the hatches has come. The waters may be choppy, and steering our town through the storm will require a steady hand and a unifying voice. The honors of this office come with a burden of unwritten responsibilities, and any nominee should expect additional hours between the meetings through one-on-one discussions, additional research, and coalition building. The Office of Town Council President takes effect tonight and runs through the calendar year. And with these matters in mind, it is now my privilege and duty to call upon the council to nominate one of its own members for the office of town president. I would like to make a motion to um appoint Bob McEwen. Ms. Henderson moves uh to nominate Mr. McEwen. Do we have a second? I will second it. The second to the is by Mr. Munich. All right. Uh Mr.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI
TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com