Clarksville Town Council Regular Meeting and Work Session – May 19, 2026

The Clarksville Town Council held a regular meeting and subsequent work session on May 19, 2026. The meeting began with recognition of two Cornerstone Award recipients, followed by approval of the consent agenda, a public hearing and approval of additional appropriations, and approval of an access easement. The council also received reports from the clerk-treasurer and department heads. During the work session, the council discussed amendments to the animal control ordinance concerning pet stores and the addition of ducks to the poultry ordinance. A vote was taken to approve an agreement with SGR.

Recognition

• Councilwoman Henderson presented the first two Clarksville Cornerstone Awards, honoring locally owned businesses operating 50+ years: Chapman Funeral Home (founded 1950, current owner Todd Watts) and Clarksville Little Theater (founded 1947, current president Jason Lindsay). Both were recognized for their lasting contributions to the community.

Regular Meeting

Consent Calendar

• Items 5-1 (minutes of May 12 meetings), 5-2 (claims and payroll), and 5-3 (acceptance of minutes) were approved 7-0 by roll call.

Public Hearing

• A public hearing was held regarding additional appropriations in excess of the 2026 budget. No members of the public spoke in favor or opposition. The hearing was closed.

New Business

• 7-1 Approval of Additional Appropriations for 2026: Ordinance 2026-BUD02 authorizing additional appropriations in the CCI fund (motor fuel system replacement), ARP fund (fire station #3 rehabilitation), and Supplemental Adult Probation fund (court expenses) was approved on first reading by a 7-0 roll call vote. A second reading and vote also passed 7-0.
• 7-3 Access Easement Agreement with Kentucky Utilities Company: The council approved an agreement granting an access easement at 1205 West Harrison Avenue to allow Kentucky Utilities to rehabilitate a transmission tower at 1201 West Harrison. The work is to last less than 180 days, with a site restoration requirement. Approved 7-0.

Reports

• Clerk-Treasurer Stone Cypher reported that the town is conducting an internal audit of bank fees, noted that the budget must be balanced within two meetings, and urged the council to bring back the failed Resolution 9 (regarding TIFF funds for public safety) for compromise. He suggested a percentage-based rule for free cash flow. He also reported that the fire territory is about 12 weeks over budget and relying on emergency reserves; parks are about 6 weeks over but expected to recover with pool opening. He stated that 56 public records requests have been received this year, with 49 closed.
• Fire Chief Wilson and another department head expressed support for amending Resolution 9 to allow access to redevelopment funds for public safety, emphasizing the fire territory's financial strain and need for stable funding.

Council Comments

• Councilman Stotz expressed concern about proposed actions regarding the town manager, stating it could cost the town over $200,000, and said he was not happy with the direction.
• Councilman Munich raised concerns about Origin Park's event traffic using Francis Avenue as an entrance contrary to prior assurances, and about security at a prom event.
• Councilwoman Voiner reiterated disagreement with using TIFF money for salaries because it is a finite fund, and emphasized the importance of not leaving future councils in debt. She also noted that the park entrance issue may have been due to standing water.
• Other council members wished everyone a safe Memorial Day weekend and encouraged attendance at the memorial ceremony.

Work Session

Discussion: Animal Control Ordinance (Pet Store)

• Town attorney Chris Sturgeon prepared changes requiring in-person veterinarian examinations within a certain timeframe and minimum enclosure sizes for pet shops. A separate proposed draft from Humane World for Animals (Indiana State Director Samantha Chapman) was also discussed. Chapman noted that Indiana law allows telemedicine, potentially bypassing in-person vet requirements, and recommended language to close that loophole. She offered free legal support.
• Citizen Jen Bug (301 South Clark Boulevard) advocated for provisions on isolation for contagious disease, access to veterinary records during inspections, solid and supportive flooring (citing photos of puppies' legs falling through grid flooring), and clearer enforcement pathways. She said she had observed problems at the pet store since its opening last Black Friday.
• Citizen Jeff Callaway (906 Pennsylvania Avenue) urged the council to act quickly, stating that animals continue to suffer while the process drags on.
• The council agreed that Attorney Sturgeon will produce an updated redline draft incorporating the Humane World proposal and circulate it for review before formal introduction.

Discussion: Adding Ducks to Chicken Ordinance

• The council considered amending the animal control and zoning ordinances to permit ducks in addition to chickens. Current code prohibits ducks.
• Councilwoman Schiller noted that ducks require more water and can be messier; she suggested limiting the number and possibly requiring only females to prevent mating harm to chickens (as male ducks have a corkscrew reproductive organ that can injure chickens).
• Katie Morgan (2708 Hollywood Boulevard), the duck owner, said she obtained a chicken permit misunderstanding it covered ducks. She has three well-cared-for ducks and presented neighbors who support them. Benefits include mosquito control and nutritious eggs. Her husband Brian Morgan, a disabled veteran, stated that the ducks aid his PTSD treatment and presented a doctor's letter. Neighbor Amanda Alexander (11 Lakeview) testified that the ducks are not a nuisance and are well managed.
• Town attorney Neil recommended that since the zoning ordinance change must go through the Plan Commission (next meeting after the council meeting), a final vote would take two council meetings. The council agreed to suspend enforcement of the duck prohibition pending ordinance amendment. Council will vote on the change at a future meeting.

Motion to Suspend Rules and Approve SGR Agreement

• The council voted to suspend the rules to consider an agreement with SGR for professional services. A motion and second were made, followed by a roll call vote. The motion passed 7-0.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved 7-0.
• Additional appropriations ordinance approved on first and second readings, each 7-0.
• Access easement with Kentucky Utilities approved 7-0.
• SGR agreement approved 7-0 after suspending rules.
• Animal control ordinance (pet store) amendments will be drafted and reviewed before formal introduction.
• Duck ordinance enforcement suspended; council will consider adding ducks to the poultry ordinance; a vote is expected at a future meeting after Plan Commission review.
• Clerk-treasurer directed to work on budget balancing and possible compromise on Resolution 9.
• Public hearing for additional appropriations held with no opposition.