HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCM-03-19-01City of Carmel
CARMEL CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA
MONDAY, MARCH 19, 2001-7:00 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS / CITY HALL / ONE CIVIC SQUARE
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER
1. INVOCATION
2. PLEDGE OF AI 1 EGIANCE
3. RECOGNITION OF CITY EMPLOYEES AND OUTSTANDING CITIZENS
· Proclamation for Disability Awareness Month
· Range Line Pioneer Award Presentation
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a. March 5, 2001 - Regular Meeting
5. RECOGNITION OF PERSONS WHO WISH TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL
6. COUNCIL, MAYORAL AND CLERK-TREASURER COMMENTS/OBSERVATIONS
7. ACTION ON MAYORAL VETOES
8. CLAIMS
· Payroll
· General Claims
· Retirement
9. COMMITTEE REPORTS
Administration Committee
Annexation and Land Use Committee
Economic Development Committee
Finance Committee
Parks & Recreation Committee
Public Safety Committee
Rules Committee
Utilities and Transportation Committee
ONE CIVIC SQUARE CARMEL~ INDIANA 46032 317/571-2400
10. OLD BUSINESS
11. PUBLIC HEARING
12.
NEW BUSINESS
a. First Readin~ of Ordinance No. D-1505-01; An Ordinance of the Common Council of
the City of Carmel, Indiana, Amending Chapter 2, Article 3, Division III, Section 2-62(e)
of the Carreel City Code (Credit Card Submissions); Sponsor: Councilor Koven
b. First Readinl~ of Ordinance No. D-1506-01; An Ordinance of the Common Council of
the City of Cannel, Indiana, Amending Chapter 2, Article 3, Division V, Section 2-81 of
the Cannel City Code (Meeting Compensation); Sponsor: Councilor Wilson
c. First Reading of Ordinance No. D-1507-01; An Ordinance of the Common Council of
the City of Carmel, Indiana, Amending Chapter 3, Article 1, Division II, Section 3-25 of
the Cannel City Code (Formatting of Ordinances); Sponsor: Councilor Koven
d. First Readin~ of Ordinance No. D-1508-01; An Ordinance of the Common Council of
the City of Carmel, Indiana, Amending Chapter 2, Article 3, Division V, Section 2-81 of
the Carmel City Code (Meeting Compensation); Sponsor: Councilor Wilson
e. First Readin~ of Ordinance No. D-1509-01; An Ordinance of the Common Council of
the City of Carmel, Indiana, Amending Ordinance No. D-1478-00 ....... (Purchase
Orders); Sponsor: Councilor Koven
f. Resolution No. CC-03-19-01-01; A Resolution of the Common Council of the City of
Cannel, Indiana, Regarding the Establishment of the Parkwood Economic Development
Area; Sponsor: Councilor Kirby
13.
14.
OTHER BUSINESS
a. Reoort on Outstandin~ Checks; Clerk-Treasurer Diana L. Cordray
ANNOUNCEMENTS
· Cancellation of April 2, 2001 City Council Meeting
15. EXECUTION OF DOCUMENTS
16. ADJOURNMENT
CARMEL CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
MONDAY, MARCH 19, 2001 - 7:00 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS / CITY HALL / ONE CIVIC SQUARE
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Mayor James Brainard, Council Members Kevin Kirby, John Koven, Bob Battreall, Norm Rundle, Luci
Snyder, Ron Caster and Wayne Wilson; Clerk-Treasurer Diana Cordray and Deputy Clerk-Treasurer
Carrie Gallagher.
Mayor James Brainard called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
Cotmcilor Ron Carter pronounced the Invocation.
Mayor James Brainard led the Pledge of Allegiance.
RECOGNITION OF CITY EMPLOYEES AND OUTSTANDING CITIZENS:
Mayor Brainard read aloud a Proclamation declaring March Disability Awareness Month in the City of
Carmel. Mayor Brainard presented the Proclamation to Robert H. Bill of Janus Developmental
Services, Inc. Mr. Bill expressed his appreciation to the Mayor, Council and the community.
Mayor Brainard advised the presentation of the Range Line Pioneer Award would not be made at this
time.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Councilor Rundle moved to approve the Minutes of the March 5, 2001 Regular Meeting. Councilor
Snyder seconded. The Minutes were approved 5-0. Councilors Battreall and Carter abstained as they
were absent from such meeting.
RECOGNITION OF PERSONS WHO WISH TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL:
Rick Roesch of 832 Spruce Drive and as a Cannel Redevelopment Commissioner, spoke in favor of the
Parkwood Economic Development Plan and read aloud his position on the matter, a copy of which is
made a part of the record and attached to the original Minutes of this meeting and referenced as Exhibit
Mike Shaver of 4742 Bluffwood North Drive, addressed the Council and community regarding his
personal opinion with respect to the Parkwood Economic Development Plan. A copy of his testimony is
also made a part of the record and attached to the original Minutes of this meeting and referenced as
Exhibit "B".
COUNCIL, MAYORAL AND CLERK-TREASURER COMMENTS/OBSERVATIONS:
Councilor Battreall responded to the public address regarding the Parkwood Economic Development
Plan and presented his favorable position concerning the matter.
Councilor Wilson commented on a recent article published in The Indianapolis Star conceming certain
quotes made by Councilor Carter. Councilor Wilson further discussed his intentions as a Cannel City
Councilman and his position with regard to matters of the article.
Councilor Carter responded to Councilor Wilson's comments and restated his opinion of the conduct of
the present Common Council.
Council President Kirby expressed his disagreement with Councilor Carter's opinion of the Common
Council.
Mayor Brainard announced that the 96th Street project was completed under the projected estimate and,
as a result, the City of Carmel will receive approximately $226,042.00 from Hamilton County.
Mayor Brainard reiterated his commitment to the Parkwood Crossing West project, while recognizing
the concerns of the remonstrators and restated the position of the City to make the impact on the people
in the Parkwood Development area as minimal as possible.
CLAIMS:
Councilor Snyder moved to approve Claims in the amounts of $263,438.53 and $806,937.82. Councilor
Rundle seconded. Councilor Koven expressed his concern regarding a claim in the amount of
$10,459.63 to Simon and Company. Mayor Brainard responded to Councilor Koven's concerns. There
was Council discussion. Councilor Koven suggested the claim be deleted from the approval of claims
and forwarded to the Finance Committee for further review and consideration and moved as such.
Councilor Snyder seconded. The claim was sent to the Finance Committee by a vote of 7-0. Councilor
Koven then addressed an additional claim in the amount of $53,077.46 to Kiefer & McGoff and
recommended it also be excluded from the approval of claims and forwarded to the Finance Committee
for further review and discovery. Mayor Brainard responded to Council's concerns for this claim and
stated he had already paid his attorney fees. There was Council discussion. Councilor Koven moved to
delete the claim in the amount of $53,077.46 from the approval of claims and forward it to the Finance
Committee for review. Councilor Rundle seconded. The claim was sent to the Finance Committee by a
vote of 7-0.
Councilor Snyder moved to restate the approval of claims in the amounts of $263,438.53 and
$743,400.73. Prior to the approval of claims, Councilor Snyder addressed an issue concerning a claim
that was not included on the claims run for services by Campbell, Kyle & Proffitt for a former City
employee. A copy of Councilor Snyder's letter addressing this issue and its attachments is included
with the original Minutes of this meeting and referenced as Exhibit "C". Councilor Snyder moved to
refer this matter to the Finance Committee for review. Councilor Koven seconded. The matter was
referred to Committee by a vote of 7-0. Councilor Koven seconded the motion for approval of claims.
The claims were approved 6-1. Councilor Carter voted in opposition of the claims.
COMMITlEE REPORTS:
Councilor Rundie reported that the Administration Committee met on March 19, 2001, at which time
they discussed proposed amendments to the city's health plan. The next meeting of the Committee is
scheduled for April 16, 2001.
Councilor Wilson reported that the Annexation and Land Use Committee met on March 8, 2001. The
topic for discussion was the fiscal plan annexation analysis provided by H. J. Umbaugh and included a
presentation and proposed letter of agreement. Councilor Wilson moved to accept the letter of
understanding between H. J. Umbaugh and the City. Councilor Snyder seconded. The agreement letter
was approved and accepted by a vote of the Council 7-0. The next meeting of the Annexation and Land
Use Committee is scheduled for March 27, 2001.
Councilor Snyder reported that the Economic Development Committee met on March 29, 2001, at
which time they discussed the office building for the new City Center and a possible diversity workshop
presentation to be set-up by the Hamilton County Alliance. The next meeting of the Committee is
scheduled for April 16, 2001.
Councilor Wilson stated that the Finance Committee has not met since the last meeting of Council. The
next meeting of the Committee is scheduled for March 23, 2001; however, that meeting will be canceled
and rescheduled for a date yet to be determined.
Councilor Carter stated that the Parks and Recreation Committee has not met. The next meeting of the
Committee has been canceled.
Councilor Battreall reported that the Public Safety Committee met on March 19, 2001, at which time
they discussed the application for a federal grant under the COPS Program that would allow replacement
of onboard computers in squad cars for the Police Department; the selection of the City of Carmel as the
Beta test site for the new Surline Rescue System; the proposal for new emergency medical fees for the
Fire Department; and, an update on the status of the new fire stations. The next meeting of the
Committee is scheduled for April 16, 2001.
Councilor Koven stated that the Rules Committee has not met. The next meeting of the Committee is
scheduled for March 23, 2001.
Council President Kirby stated that the Utilities and Transvortation Committee has not met. The next
meeting is presently scheduled for April 13, 2001; however, it will be canceled and rescheduled for a
date yet to be determined.
OLD BUSINESS:
There was none.
PUBLIC HEARING:
There was none.
NEW BUSINESS:
Council President Kirby announced the First Reading of Ordinance No. D-1505-01; An Ordinance of
the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana, Amending Chapter 2, Article 3, Division III,
Section 2-62(e) of the Cmmel City Code (Credit Card Submissions). Councilor Wilson moved to
introduce this item into business. Councilor Battreall seconded. Councilor Koven presented this matter
to Council and proposed an amendment to the document. There was Council discussion conceming the
amendment and possible additional amendments. Therefore, Council President Kirby referred
Ordinance No. D-1505-01 to the Finance Committee.
Council President Kirby announced the First Readin~ of Ordinance No. D-1506-01; An Ordinance of
the Common Council of the City of Cannel, Indiana, Amending Chapter 2, Article 3, Division V,
Section 2-81 of the Carmel City Code (Meeting Compensation). Councilor Wilson moved to introduce
this item into business. Councilor Koven seconded. Councilor Wilson presented this matter together
with item 12d, Ordinance No. D-1508-01, to Council as they are both relative in nature. There was
Council discussion conceming both items. Council President Kirby referred both Ordinance No. D-
1506-01 and Ordinance No. D-1508-01 to the Administration Committee.
Council President Kirby announced the First Reading of Ordinance No. D-1507-01; An Ordinance of
the Common Council of the City of Carreel, Indiana, Amending Chapter 3, Article 1, Division II,
Section 3-25 of the Carreel City Code (Formatting of Ordinances). Councilor Koven moved to
introduce this item into business. Councilor Snyder seconded. Councilor Koven presented this matter
to Council. There was Council discussion. Councilor Snyder moved to suspend the roles and not send
this matter to Committee, but act on it tonight. Councilor Koven seconded and moved for approval.
Councilor Snyder seconded. Ordinance No. D-1507-01 was approved 7-0.
Council President Kirby reiterated that the First Readin~ of Ordinance No. D-1508-0k An Ordinance of
the Common Council of the City of Cannel, Indiana, Amending Chapter 2, Article 3, Division V,
Section 2-81 of the Carmel City Code (Meeting Compensation) was done in conjunction with item 12b,
Ordinance No. D-1506-01, and referred to the Administration Committee for further review and
consideration.
Council President Kirby announced the First Reading of Ordinance No. D-1509-01; An Ordinance of
the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana, Amending Chapter 2, Article 5, Section 2-131 of
the Carmel City Code (Purchase Orders). Councilor Koven moved to introduce this item into business.
Councilor Snyder seconded. Councilor Koven presented this matter to Council. There was Council
discussion. Council President Kirby referred Ordinance No. D-1509-01 to the Rules Committee.
Council President Kirby announced Resolution No. CC-03-19-01o01; A Resolution of the Common
Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana, Regarding the Establishment of the Parkwood Economic
Development Area. Council President Kirby moved to introduce this item into business. Councilor
Snyder seconded. Council President Kirby presented this matter to Council. Councilor Snyder read
aloud a statement concerning this matter, a copy of which is made an attachment to the original Minutes
of this meeting and referenced as Exhibit "D". Councilor Koven made additional comments. There was
no further Council discussion. Resolution No. CC-03-19-01-01 was approved 7-0.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Council President Kirby announced a Memorandum to be referred to the Administration Committee for
review and consideration and report back to Council regarding the interpretation of law as to claims.
Clerk-Treasurer Diana Cordray presented a report on outstanding checks to Council and asked for
approval of the Council to cancel those outstanding checks. Councilor Wilson moved to approve.
Councilor Snyder seconded. The motion was approve 7-0.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Councilor Snyder announced the budget submission deadline of June 1, 2001. Mayor Brainard advised
he will need to discuss that date with all department heads. Discussion concerning this deadline will
continue at the next meeting of Council.
Council President Kirby announced the cancellation of the April 2, 2001 City Council Meeting.
EXECUTION OF DOCUMENTS:
ADJOURNMENT:
Council President Kirby turned the meeting over to Mayor Brainard for adjournment, pending the
execution of documents. Mayor Brainard entertained a motion to adjourn. Councilor Wilson so moved.
Councilor Battreall seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 9:43 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Clerk-Treasurer D~'~C
Approved,
/yf jm; e s
3/19/01 Minules
As a commissioner, I would like to explain a position I am taking in this
matter before us. In a conversation prior to our public hearing that was cancelled,
Mr. Greg Silver, The Headland Group/s attorney, threatened me, the other
Redevelopment Commissioners and the Carmel City ~ouncilors.
Mr. Silver said that the opposition to this project would cause anyone
having anything to do with approval of this project to be "tainted". Mr. Silver said
that if this project were approved, the opposition would use hundreds of
thousands of dollars at their disposal to defeat the existing sitting Carmel City
Councilors in the next election. He also said that the opposition was prepared to
file five lawsuits against the city entities at $80,000.00 a piece.
To be threatened before even making a decision is in my opinion an
abuse of process. We have heard testimony, concerning this project, from
remonstrators and from hired professionals. We should, as a legally appointed
commission, be able to use that information to make decisions that are beneficial
to the taxpayers of the City of Carmel free of the influence of threats on those
decisions.
I know that for some of us those threats are fearsome. We don't want our
reputations besmirched or our personal finances attacked. I urge us all to put
aside our fears and to vote to do the right thing for Carmel. I for one will not be
intimidated. I will not let these threats influence my decision in this matter and
would urge other commissioners not to let these threats influence their decisions.
March 18, 2001
Members of the Cannel City Council
RE: Public Testimony of a Private Citizen
Parkwood Economic Development Plan
I am here today to present some information that I fear might otherwise have been
ove~ooked. I have deliberately chosen the public testimony portion of your meeting to
present this information - which includes some fact and some opinion - because I stand
before you as a simple member of the public. Although the City of Carmel and my
company have a professional relationship, this information is specifically offered to you
outside of that relationship. Therefore, it is presented without cost to you, and you may
decide freely whether the information is of value to you, as well as what you do with it,
but I want it to be part of the public record.
On March 14, I witnessed an exhibition at a public hearing which was unlike any I had
ever before witnessed. I witnessed a remonstrator - or more explicitly the lawyer for a
group of remonstrators - attempt to usurp control of a public hearing from the Carmel
Redevelopment Commission (CRC) over the Parkwood Economic Development Plan. I
am not an attorney, and so much of what I offer you is purely opinion, and thus suited
entirely to this part of your meeting.
I fully believe that Mr. Deeb had a right to be heard, but his approach simply confused the
situation and ultimately covered what I believe to be the material weaknesses in his
presentation. But let the lawyers decide this matter. I would like to generally address
some of the issues which Mr. Deeb presented regarding the ED Plan briefly at this time.
LACK OF NEW INFORMATION
First, let it be fully understood by everyone present that none of the information presented
at that heating was fundamentally new, nor did it cover topics that had not already been
discussed. Virtually every central issue that Mr. Deeb questioned had been previously
discussed by the CRC or other public body in one form or another, and some discussed in
multiple forms. The only thing new was Mr. Deeb's personal spin, on these issues. The
statutory findings of fact are a routine source of questions and discussion, and those
findings of fact were the main source of Mr. Deeb's questions. Therefore, Mr. Deeb's
demand for a complete list of everyone's contact with everyone else, including a
breakdown of those contacts by date, time and content appears to me to be somewhat
silly, unless it is considered in the context of an overall strategy of obfuscation and delay.
THE LAND USE DECISION IS IRRELEVANT TO THE CRC
First and foremost, everyone needs to understand that the land use decision (approving
the zoning) is over. Mr. Deeb and the remonstrators don't like that decision, they have
filed lawsuits in this regard, and they want it to disappear. But regardless of their
preferences, that decision is done. Furthermore, if Messrs. Deeb, Lawson and Silver are
truly interested in protecting the neighborhood from adverse impact, it seems to me that
everyone should understand that their current tactics run the risk of actually harming their
own clients.
It is my opinion that Mr. Deeb and his fellows are adamantly trying to get the CRC to
overtum the land use decision of the Plan Commission. It seems that these lawyers
believe that the failure to declare the Economic Development Area (ED Area) would have
the same impact as rejecting the zoning, because there could be no TIF financing. But
there is significant risk in that conclusion, as I will explain.
The issue of land use and development at Parkwood was not being decided by the CRC.
That decision had already been made by the Plan Commission, even though Mr. Deeb
disagreed with those findings. Therefore, the appralser's opinion that the presence of
commercial land use across the street would cause adverse impact was completely moot
with regard to the merits of designating an ED Area. It seems that the remonstrators'
lawyers are so obsessed with the land use decision that they cannot put it aside, even in
the interests of their clients. In fact, one of the reasons for the CRC to approve the ED
Area is to provide financing for reasonable impact mitigation resulting from the
development, if it occurs. If the CRC fails to designate the ED Area, it is still possible for
Parkwood to be developed without the benefits of the ED Area. Mr. Deeb would
apparently hope to simply bankrupt the developers by making them pay for extensive
public improvements (including interstate reconstruction), thereby creating a whole new
set of impact variables. No matter what the remonstrators may scream, however, it is not
the responsibility of the City of Cannel to correct 5 0 years worth of bad planning by
INDOT and the City of Indianapolis.
The ED Plan expressly provides that one of the specific projects to be undertaken by the
CRC is "Impact Mitigation." In other words, the issue of potential adverse impact on
property value was expressly addressed within the ED Plan and a specific
recommendation was made by the ED Plan for the CRC to take reasonable actions
necessary to assure that adverse impacts were mitigated. The record absolutely cannot be
made more clear. Mr. Deeb was so intensely focused on his mission of remonstrance
against the land use decisions, which had already been made by the Plan Commission,
that - in my opinion - he argues an irrelevant issue. In fact, Mr. Deeb was effectively
attacking the work of the very commission (the CRC) and document (the ED Plan), which
was attempting to assure that appropriate levels of adverse impact on his clients would be
minimized, if it materialized. The CRC is actually Mr. Deeb's last, best hope of assuring
that his own clients do not suffer harm.
CONFORMITY WITH THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
Mr. Dccb challenged the conformity of the ED Plan to Carmel's comprehensive plan. He
cited several instances which he alleged lacked conformity. In my opinion, the challenge
2
was baseless. I challenge every one of his assertions, but there is no need for me to argue
with him. Mr. Deeb's allegation of non-conformity ignored the fact that the statutory
process for designating an ED Area includes the specific finding of fact by the CRC that
the ED Plan conforms to the comprehensive plan. The ED Plan states this clearly, despite
the fact that Mr. Deeb is not satisfied with the answer. Let us itemize some of these
official actions with respect to conformity of the ED Plan with the comprehensive plan:
It is the responsibility of the DOCS staff to review the technical issues related to
each development proposal within the context of the comprehensive plan and to
make recommendations to the Plan Commission based on those findings. DOCS
staff performed that review on the Parkwood proposal and found that the
development proposal conformed to the Comprehensive Plan.
The Plan Commission then reviewed the DOCS staff recommendation and then
undertook its own process of information gathering, including public input and
discussion, and ultimately approved the development proposal by an overwhelming
margin, thus affirming the DOCS staff finding that the development proposal
conformed to the comprehensive plan.
The City Council also reviewed the development proposal on at least one, and
possibly two, occasions as well as reviewing the actions of the Plan Commission.
The City Council also found the development proposal to conform to the
comprehensive plan and took official action in affirmation thereof,
The CRC reviewed the ED Plan to assure that it accurately conformed to the
comprehensive plan and affirmed their finding of conformity by official action.
The Plan Commission was asked to review the ED Plan and determine whether the
ED Plan conformed to the comprehensive plan. Again, the Plan Commission found
conformity with official affirmation by an overwhelming margin.
The City Council, itself, reviewed the ED Plan after the sequential approvals of the
CRC and the Plan Commission and concurred in the finding of conformity.
All of this was appropriately noted to anyone paying attention. The ED Plan was found to
conform to the comprehensive plan by official action of three separate government
bodies, as well as professional staff. Even Mr. Deeb did not challenge these facts. In my
opinion, unless his criticisms identify a material mason to overturn these previous
judgements and official actions, the subject of conformity is not a topic for debate.
LAND USE DAMAGE TO LOCAL PROPERTY VALUES
Mr. Deeb also alleged that the project would damage local property values. He supported
this claim by presenting a document from a real estate appraiser. The document,
however, was not an appraisal, but some form of informal statement of opinion that a
property would be negatively affected by the proposed commercial development across
96th Street (the same street that has increased traffic impact because of the elimination of
the Spring Mill entrance). I not only disagree with that opinion, but I find it to be
3
idamentally irrelevant. The land use decision that approves commercial development
is already finished and is not relevant to the CRC proceedings.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR EMPLOYMENT
Mr. Deeb also alleged that the ED Plan failed to demonstrate that the proposed project
would provide opportunities for employment. The exact nature of his contention is
demonstrative of his effort to selectively "spin" an issue to his own purposes. Mr. Deeb
carefully alleged that the ED Plan had to prove not that the jobs were created, but that
those jobs would be filled only by Carmel citizens. His argument rested entirely upon the
statutory presence of the possessive pronoun "its" (i .e., 'opportunities for gainful
employment of /ts citizens'). His carefully constructed allegation was that the phrase
"its" in the statute demanded that the CRC could only consider opportunities for gainful
employment of citizens of Carmel, and no place else, despite the fact that the ED Area is
adjacent to the Marion County line, in a metropolitan area of over 1 million people. The
ED Plan clearly states that new jobs will be created and it is equally clear that some of
those jobs will employ citizens of Carmel. Despite Mr. Deeb's allegations, the ED Plan
addresses this issue without ambiguity.
LACK OF PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS
Mr. Decb challenged the ED Plan's finding that the designation of the ED Area was
necessitated by a lack of public improvements. Mr. Deeb's testimony was adamant in
insisting that the ED Area be rejected because the developer must pay for public
improvements (which begs the question as to why they arc called "public
improvements"). The CRC members accurately reminded him that public improvements
are the responsibility of the public sector, and offered several analogous examples of
development opportunities where the public improvements were, in fact, financed by the
public. Infrastructure costs arc a routine public expense, and the ED Plan proposes to
protect the neighborhood's interest by providing funding to assure that developmental
impact is mitigated. This issue was more than adequately addressed by the ED Plan and
the CRC long before the public hearing, despite Mr. Deebs' lack of agreement with the
final determination.
THE PRICE OF RAW LAND
Mr. Decb also insisted that the CRC was compelled to question whether the proposed
development was somehow affected by the price of the raw land. I do not consider the
price of land in an ED Area to be a relevant issue to an ED Plan. The CRC is not
proposing to buy the land. Furthermore, the CRC is requiring the developer to dedicate
the portion of the dcvcloper's land necessary for right of way to install adequate
infrastructure. If the land is expensive, then the value of the land dedicated by the
developer for infrastructure is expensive. The land price was privately negotiated and the
only issues relevant to the CRC arc those of land use and infrastructure. Mr. Dceb's point
is, therefore, irrelevant in my opinion.
4
TRAFFIC IMPACT
Mr. Dccb also spent a great deal of time challenging the ED Plan on the basis of traffic
impact. The traffic issue has been considered extensively, long before the development
proposal was brought to the CRC. Traffic was studied by DOCS staff, by the Plan
Commission, by the City Council, and by the City's hired professionals, all at the expense
of the developer, I believe. I was personally impressed with the contradiction that the
neighbors had actually required the developer to eliminate the entrance off of Spring Mill
Road. This request effectively increases the traffic impact of the development on the
properties along 964 Street. The elimination of an entrance forces the entire traffic
burden from the development onto 96t" Street, thereby magnifying the traffic impact on
96th Street. It forces the Spring Mill traffic through an intersection, with a substantial
percentage of left turns, and forces all traffic through a single entrance to the
development, yet this whole scenario was generated from the express requests of the
people Mr. Dceb alleges to represent, who complain about traffic impact. It appears to
mc that the request of the remonstrators, themselves, has actually made their own
situation worse.
Let us be clear. I am not aware of any development in the State where a developer has
been required to pay for an interstate highway improvement. US31 has had increasing
traffic since at least 1982, when I first studied the traffic counts. Not a single one of the
number of vehicles per day from 1982-2001 was caused by the Parkwood West
development. No other developer has paid for interstate improvements, and none has
paid for US31 improvements. Mr. Deeb's allegation simply has no support.
If there are traffic impacts, the CRC is the last best hope of addressing those impacts
expeditiously. Mr. Deeb's comments appear, in my opinion, to be severely ill-placed.
IN CLOSING
I want to compliment the CRC for its handling of the difficult situation which the
plaintiffs attorneys heaped upon them. The CRC did a masterful job of being courteous
in the face of a deliberate pattern of delay and obfuscation. In my opinion, the CRC gave
the allegations of the remonstrators more than a fair and adequate heating at all levels.
In this type of situation, delay is considered victory by the remonstrators. I recognize the
nature of the task undertaken by Mr. Deeb and his associates, and I recognize his
obligation to his client. Yet in my opinion, his effort was misguided and at times became
careless.
Sometimes there is striking evidence that lawyers are the direct descendants of the
Visigoths, but I digress. But after having endured the performance of March 14, I
personally felt that someone needed to step forward to restore some balance to this
picture. The lawyers will argue over this in one form or another, and the outcome of
those arguments will obviously have an impact on the Parkwood project. The lawyers
5
will still dance their socio-pathic mambo before this is over, and somehow, no matter
how ludicrous the situation, we will probably end up paying them for it. But that just
gives me more reason to appreciate the timeless wisdom of Shakespeare. For this specific
moment, however, it is my personal message as a private citizen that the Carmel
Redevelopment Commission handled a deliberately ugly situation with grace and
decorum and reached a fair and reasonable decision. A decision which is consistent with
previous decisions by other agencies and bodies of the City, as well as being consistent
with the body of public policy of Carmel. And more than anything else, the CRC's
decision is in the best interests of the neighbors, no matter how much the remonstrators
might snort.
Thank you for your patience.
Very truly yo ,
Indianapolis, 1N
6
c CityofCarmel
March 19, 2001
Mr. William Wendling, Esq.
Campbell, Kyle and Proffitt
650 East Carreel Drive
Cannel, In. 46032
RE: Invoice to the City of Carmel
Dear Mr. Wendling:
The City Council has before it an invoice from your fm relating to an audit by the State
Board of Accounts. There appears to be some discrepancy as to the date and also a lack
of detail necessary for us to approve payment.
Please furnish us with the necessary background and details in this matter to enable us to
fully understand this invoice.
Sincerely,
~;der " ~'
City Council, District 5
ONE CIVIC SQUARE CARMEL, INDIANA 46031 317/571-2400
IOHN M. KYLB
JOHN D. PROFFITT
ROBERT F. CAMPBELL
JEFFREY S. NICKLOY
DEBORAH L. FARMER
WILLIAM E. WENDLING, IR.
ANNE HENSLEY PO1NDEXTER
ANDREW M. BARKER
TODD L RUETZ
MICHAEL A. CASATI
JOHN S. TERRY
RODNEY T. SARKOVICS
CHRISTOPHER 1. BARROWS
CAMPBELL KYLE PROFFrrr
ATTORNEYS AT LAW
March 19, 2001
FRANK S. CAMPBELL
(1880-1964)
FRANR W. CAMPBELL
THOMAS D. TITSWORTH
O{ Counsel
Ms. Luci Snyder
Cannel City Council
One Civic Square
Cannel, IN 46032
Re: Invoice to City of Carmel
Dear Ms. Snyder:
In response to your request, I am enclosing a copy of my billing from my representation of
Faye Graham. As you can see, I did redact parts that I thought were confidential. Also, enclosed is
a message from Doug Haney that my assistant, Marcy Walls, took off my voice mail, in which Mr.
Haney instructed me how I was to format my bill.
Sincerely,
CAMPBELL KYLE PROFFITT
WEW/mew
Enclosures
650 East Carmel Drive Suite 400 Carmel, Indiana 46032 (317) 846-6514 FAX (317) 843-8097
Voice Mail to WEW from Doug Haney on February 1, 2001:
Hey, Bill, Doug Haney. Uh, hope you're feeling better. I heard a rumor that you're
already back to playing basketball so, uh, you~e outdid me already. Urn., on Faye
Graham's bill, uh, I need it rewritten. Uh, I don~ think I can--it's a public document
once I submit it and there's all this stuff about the Grand Jury which is supposed to
be confidential. What I'm gonna suggest is that you address the bill to the City of
Cannel, Cannel City Attorney, rather than the Faye Graham. Urn, the re: line looks
fine and simply give me a non-detailed bill. Just put, "This statement reflects services
from November 15, 2000 through November 30, 2000", and your standard language.
Uh, and I guess the only other thing is the City pays photocopying charges at 10 cents
a page. I know ifs not a big thing, but just so I don~ have to swim up stream with
counc'~ on this, who has to approve this eventually. To the extent that $18 does not
represent a dime a page, would you be kind enough to recalculate that at a dime a
page. And resubmit it and I will inunediately, uh, get it through the system and get
it paid. If you have any questions, give me a holier, but I just--this detailed bill I
think is problematic. Thanks, Bill. My number is 571-2472. Appreciate it. Bye.
C~PBELL KYLE PROFFITT
Attorneys at Law
198 South 9th Street
P.O. Box 2020
Noblesville, IN 46061-2020
November 30, 2000
FAYE N. GRAHAM
11810 NORTH GPJ~Y
CARMEL
IN 46032
Statement No. 117689 WEW
Our File No. 10885 -001
Re ardin:
AD~. STA~E OF INDIANA
Our Federal ID #: 35-1331092
This statement reflects services through November 30, 2000 and may
include payments-and/or adjustments subsequent to November 30, 2000
Previously Billed ............. $ .00
Net Prior Balance .................. $ .00
Current Services and Disbursements ......... $ 2,818.00
TOTAL CURRENT DUE .................. $ 2,818.00
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES:
DATE INIT HOURS
11/15/00 WEW 3.10
11/16/00 WEW 2,70
11/17/00 WEW 2,80
SERVICES RENDERED
Meet with client. )hone call from
with Mike Kiefer regarding Ma or's
osit!on. 0 en file. Mee~ Wit~ Mike
Mackey and Mark Boetting re ardin
information for client and 8rand ~ry.
fluestions for Sonia Leer~a~p. Telephone
calls fro~ client regardin press on
husband's situation. Telephone fr~
AMOUNT
542.50
472.50
FAYE N. GRAHb~i
November 30, 2000
'Statement No. 117689 WEW
Our File No. 10885 -001
Page 3
Please enclose this page with your payment and send to:
Cb~IPBELL KYLE PROFFITT
198 South 9th Street
P.O. Box 2020
Noblesville, IN 46061-2020
Payment Enclosed
Thank You For Your Prompt Payment
CAMPBELL KYLE PROFFITT
Attorneys at Law
198 South 9th Street
P.O. Box 2020
Noblesville, IN 46061-2020
December 31, 2000
FAYE N. GRAHAM
11810 NORTH GRAY
CARMEL
IN 46032
Statement No. 119389 WEW
Our File No. 10885 -001
Re ardin:
AD~. STA?E OF INDIANA
Our Federal ID #: 35-1331092
This statement reflects services through December 31, 2000 and may
include payments and/or adjustments subsequent to December 31, 2000
Previously Billed ............. $ 2,818.00
Net Prior Balance .................. $ 2,818.00
Current Services and Disbursements ......... $ 1,365.00
TOTAL CURRENT DUE .................. $ 4,183.00
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES:
DATE INIT HOURS
12/01/00 WEW 2.80
12/07/00 WEW 4.30
12/08/00 WEW .70
Total Hours: 7.80
SERVICES RENDERED
Faye called to Grand Jury. Not
interviewed.
Meet client ~rior to Grand Jury Hearing.
Meet with client and Grand Jut .
Extended tele hone calls from Sick
Kiefer. Note ~hat conversations had to
do with issues raised by and
Faye's position )riot to Grand
Jur_Z_heariqg.
Current Fees: $
AMOUNT
490.00
752.50
122.50
1,365.00
FAYE N. GRAHAN
December 31, 2000
Statement No. 119389 WEN
Our File No. 10885 -001
Page 2
Current Month's Fees and Disbursements: $ 1,365.00
FAYE N. GR~AM
December 31, 2000
S t No.
ta ement 119389 WEW
Our File No. 10885 -001
Page 3
Please enclose this page ~th your payment and send to:
CAMPBELL KYLE PROFFITT
198 South 9th Street
P.O. Box 2020
Noblesville, IN 46061-2020
Payment Enclosed
Thank You For Your Prompt Payment
COMMENTS - PARKWOOD WEST- MARCH 19, 2001
AS A MEMBER OF THE CITY COUNCIL, CARMEL REDEVELOPMENT
COMMISSION, FORMER MEMBER OF THE PLAN COMMISION AND
MEMBER OF THE MERIDIAN CORRIDOR COMMITTEE, I HAVE BEEN
STUDYNG THIS PARTICULAR PIECE OF PROPERTY ON AND OFF FOR
FOUR YEARS.
CARMEL WORKED ON A 2020 VISION PLAN AND AN UPDATED MERIDIAN
CORRIDOR OVERLAY PLAN TO HELP MOVE OUR CITY IN TO THE 21s'r
CENTURY.
WE DECIDED THAT WE WEE AN EDGE CITY WITHI{ALL THE ATTENDANT
PROBLEMS AND OPPORTUNITIES.
WITH OUR GENERAL VISION IN PLACE, THE CITY COUNCIL RELIES LIPON
THE PLAN COMMISSION TO HONE A PROJECT FOR DESIGN, LAYOUT AND
MATERIALS ..... AND THEN WE LOOK AT THE BIG PICTURE ...... WHAT IS OUR
GOAL FOR GROWTH, ROADS, PARKS AND ..... TAXES.
THE CITIZENS OF CARMEL EXPECT EXCELLENT SCHOOLS, MODERN
LIBRARY, FUNCTIONING ROADS, PARKS AND TRAILS ..IN SHORT, ALL
THE AMENITIES OF A OF A TRULY EXCEPTIONAL PLACE TO LIVE..BUT..
THEY ALSO WANT TO KEEP TAXES AS LOW AS POSSIBLE...THAT IS OUR
JOB.
WE HAVE DEFINED COMMERCIAL AREAS AND IN THE MERIDIAN
CORRIDOR, WE DEMAND THE HIGHEST QUALITY DEVELOPMENT
~'~ldlb~T ~ btt
TO ASSURE THAT IN 20 YEARS THE QUALITY WILL STILL BE THERE
AND THE TAX FROM THAT COMMERCIAL ENGINE WILL POWER THE CITY
AND HELP TO KEEP OUR PROPERTY TAXES LOW. THE CITY PORTION OF
OUR PROPERTY TAX BILL BUYS A GREAT DEAL:
FISHERS:
WESTFIELD:
NOBLESVILLE:
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP:
CARMEL: ~'C3.46~
WHY? BECAUSE OUR RETAIL AND COMMERCIAL AREAS ARE WELL
DESIGNED AND THEREFORE DESIRABLE AND THOSE THAT WERE NOT
PERFORMING ( THE OLD KEYSTONE SQUARE) WERE PARTNERED BY CITY
AND DEVELOPER TO AGAIN BECOME A REVENUE PRODUCER.
AND SO, WE ARE AT PARKWOOD WEST....37 ACRES THAT ABSOLUTELY
NO ONE COULD EVER ASSUME WOULD BE U~SED FOR SINGLE FAMILY
HOMES AS THE REMONSTRATORS SUGGEST....WHO WOULD BUILD THERE?
WHO WOULD LIVE THERE?
THE MERIDIAN CORRIDOR COMMITTEE PLACED THIS LAND IN THE
OVERLAY ZONE WHICH EXPRESSLY PROHIBITS SINGLE FAMILY HOMES..
THE HISTORY OF THIS PARKWOOD PROJECT BEGAN IN , DENSITY
TOO HIGH AND DENIED IN
IT WAS REDESIGNED WITH REDUCED DENSITY AND EMERGED FROM
THE PLAN COMMISION WITH A 11 TO3 RECOMMEMDATION
CITY COUNCIL AFFIRMED THE DESIGN AND REZONE 5 TO 0
CARMEL REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION APPROVED THE FINANCE
PACKAGE 5 TO 0 AND NOW THE CITY COUNCIL TAKES A FINAL LOOK
AT THIS FINANCE PACKAGE TO SEE IF IT WORKS FOR OUR CITY....DOES
IT PRODUCE A HIGH QUALITY PRODUCT WHOSE PROPERTY TAXES WILL
IMPROVE 96TM STREET AND HELP TO KEEP INDIVIDUAL PROPERTY TAXES
LOW? IF SO....IT HAS PASSED A RIGOROUS TEST AND DESERVES OUR
VOTE.
FINALLY, A WORD ABOUT THE PROCESS. CITIZEN 12qPUT IS AN EXCELLENT
THING ..... IT MAKES FOR BETTER ]~OJECTS....IT BRINGS TO LIGHT
DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES ....... IT DEFINES OUR COMMUNITY. BUT WHEN,
AS SET FORTH BY MR ROESCH, PERSONAL THREATS ARE LEVIED AGAINST
PUBLIC OFFICIALS....BOTH ELECTED AND THOSE CITIZENS APPOINTED
TO COMMISSIONS ....... THEN THIS TYPE OF BEHAVIOR MUST BE
PUBLICALLY EXPOSED AND PUBLICALLY CONDEMNED.
IF THESE THREATS WERE TO BE SUCCESSFUL..THEN IT WOULD MEAN
THAT A SMALL GROUP OF WEALTHY PEOPLE WOULD BE ABLE TO
SUBVERT THE PROCESS FOR THEIR OWN ENDS. I FIND THAT TOTALLY
UNACCEPTABLE.