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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCM-10-04-04Office of the Clerk.Treasurer City of Carmel COMMON COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA MONDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2004 - 7:00 P.M. COUNCIL CHAMBERS/CITY HALL/ONE CIVIC SQUARE MEETING CALLED TO ORDER 1. INVOCATION PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE RECOGNITION OF CITY EMPLOYEES AND OUTSTANDING CITIZENS APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. September 20, 2004- Regular Session b. September 23, 2004 - Special Meeting RECOGNITION OF PERSONS WHO WISH TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL COUNCIL, MAYORAL AND CLERK-TREASURER COMMENTS/OBSERVATIONS ACTION ON MAYORAL VETOES 8. CLAIMS · Payroll · General Claims ,, Retirement COMMITTEE REPORTS a. Finance, Administration and Rules Committee b. Land Use, Annexation and Economic Development Committee c. Parks, Recreation and Arts Committee d. Utilities, Transportation and Public Safety Committee ONE CIVIC SQUARE CARMEL, INDIANA 46032 317/571-2414 ] O. OLD BUSINESS Second Reading of Ordinance No. D-1723-04; An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana Providing For An Additional Appropriation of Funds From The Operating Balance of the General Fund ($70,000.00 Council Budget); Sponsor(s): Councilors Carter and Rattermann. Second Reading of Ordinance No. Z-446-04; An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana Establishing the Townhomes at Guilford Planned Unit Development District; Sponsor: Councilor Rattermann. Second Reading of Ordinance No. Z-456-04; An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana Amending the Zoning Ordinance No. Z-289, As Amended, of the City of Carmel and Clay Township, Hamilton County, Indiana (Alexandria of Carmel/Edward Rose); Sponsor: Councilor Rattermann. 11. PUBLIC HEARINGS Second Reading of Ordinance No. C-263: An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana, Annexing Certain Territory to the City of Carmel, Indiana, Placing the Same within the Corporate Boundaries Thereof and Making the Same A Part of the City of Carmel; Sponsor: Councilor Rattermann. First Reading of Ordinance No. Z-457-04; An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana, Further Amending the Frontage Place and Alley Ordinance; Sponsor: Councilor Rattermann. 12. NEW BUSINESS a. First Reading of Ordinance No. D-1724-04; An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana, Establishing Limitations for the Introduction and Re-Introduction of Ordinances; Sponsor(s): Councilors Sharp and Glaser. b. First Reading of Ordinance No. D-1725-04; An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana, Amending Chapter 3, Article 1, Division II, Sections 3-21, of the Carmel City Code (Introduction of Ordinance - First Reading); Sponsor(s): Councilors Sharp and Griffiths. 13. OTHER BUSINESS Council Appointment to the Cable Advisory Board. 14. ANNOUNCEMENTS 15. EXECUTION OF DOCUMENTS 16. ADJOURNMENT CITY OF CARMEL COMMON COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES MONDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2004 -7:00 P.M. COUNCIL CHAMBERS/CITY H^I.L/ONE CIVIC SQUARE MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor James Brainard, Council Members Rick Sharp, Brian Mayo, Ron Carter, Joe Griffiths, Fred Glaser, Mark Rattermann, Clerk-Treasurer Diana Cordray and Deputy Clerk-Treasurer Lois Fine. Councilor Kevin K2rby was absent. Mayor Brainard called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. Pastor Pdchard Clark from the Central Christian Church pronounced the Invocation. RECOGNITION OF CITY EMPLOYEES AND OUTSTANDING CITIZENS: Council President Carter introduced Luci Snyder, former Council member, who made a presentation xvttich had been initiated by the former Council. Luci Snyder referred to John Koven who introduced each honoree. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Councilor Mayo made a motion to approve the Minutes of the September 20th, 2004 Regular Meeting. Councilor Sharp seconded. Councilor Griffiths made a motion to amend the minutes and change Council President KArby to Cound/ President Cat, erin the Pllb/ic Headng Section. Councilor Mayo seconded. The motion to amend passed 6-0. The Minutes As Amended were approved 6-0. Councilor Sharp made a motion to approve the Minutes of the September 23, 2004 Special Meeting. Conncilor Glaser seconded. The Minutes were approved 6-0. RECOGNITION OF PERSONS WHO WISH TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL: Edward I~ l~3/ein, 954 E. 108" Street, Home Place, IN 46280. Mt: Pipkin read a prepared statement (attachment I) regarding DiJjoel/ing Urban M5ths (Home P/ace). COUNCIL, MAYORAL AND CI.ERK-TREASURER COMMENTS/OBSERVATIONS: Councilor Mayo updated the residents along the Keystone Avenue corridor regarding the progress on jake brakes and other loud noises. Councilor Mayo stated that s~gns have been ordered and received, but the City is waiting for approval, from the State of Indiana, in order to place the signs on Keystone Avenue. Mayor Brainard discussed the refinancing of the Civic Square Building Corporation bonds. ACTION ON MAYORAL VETOES: CLAIMS: Councilor Mayo moved to approve the claims in the amount of $1,929,652.38. Councilor Griffiths seconded. Claims were approved 6-0. COMMITTEE REPORTS: Council President Carter reported that the Finance, Administration and Rules Committee had not met. Councilor Rattermann stated that the Land Use, Annexation and Economic Development Committee met on Thursday, September 23, 2004. The committee discussed Ordinance No. D-1686-04 (Mining) and two zoning ordinances that will be discussed at tonight's meeting. Councilor Sharp reported that the Parks, Recreation and Arts Committee had not met. The next meeting will be on October 12, 2004 at 3:00 p.m. The committee will discuss bid packages for Central Park and the update on the Park Impact Fees. Councilor IGrby was absent and no report on the Utilities, Transportation and Public Safety. Committee was provided. OLD BUSINESS: Council President Carter announced the Second Reading of Ordinance No. D-1723-04; An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana Providing For An Additional Appropriation of Funds From The Operating Balance of the General Fund ($70,000.00 Council Budget). There was no Council discussion. Council President Carter called for the question. Ordinance No. D-I723-04, was approved 6-0. Council President Carter announced the Second Reading of Ordinance No. Z-446-04; An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana Establishing the Townhomes at Guilford Planned Unit Development District. Councilor Rattermann referred to Neal Smith of Pittman Partners. There xvas brief Council discussion. Council President Carter called for the question. Ordinance No. Z-446-04 was approved 6-0. Council President Carter announced the Second Reading of Ordinance No. Z-456-04; An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana, Amending the Zoning Ordinance No. Z-289, As Amended, of the City of Carmel And Clay Township, Hamilton County, Indiana (Alexandria of Carmel/Edward Rose). Councilor Rattermann referred to Paul Reis, Attorney for Edward Rose, of Drewry stmmons Vomehm, LLP, 8888 Keystone Crossing, #1200, Indianapolis, IN 46240. There was no Council discussion. Council President Carter called for the question. Ordinance No. Z-456-04 was approved 5-1 (Council President Carter opposed). PUBLIC HEARINGS: Council President Carter announced the Second Readmg of Ordinance No. C-263~ An Ordmance of the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana, Annexing Certain Territory to the City of Carmel, Indiana, Placing the Same within the Corporate Boundaries Thereof and Making the Same A Part of the City of Carmel. Council President Carter opened the matter for Public Hearing at 7:41 p.m. The follow(rog persons addressed Council in opposition to Carmel's consideration to annex SW Clay Township (C-263): ~tlex Misen Jean Fronek L~ynda Cook Fred Yde (prepared statement, attachment 2) Bob Bosar Cam[yn Schleif E.M. Cavalier Joe Barnette l~_yford Crenshaw Jack Holton Chris Iverson Pat Blake James Bartlett Jean Brown Ken Sdrbner 10095 Summerlakes Drive (Summerlakes subdivision) 373 Mil/ridge Drive Indianapolis, IN 46290 (Homeowners of Reserve Two) 501 Copl9 Place, Indianapolis, IN 2! ! 7 Burning Tree Lane (Crooked Stick W/est) 2987 Cameo Drive (Kings Mill subdivision) ! 05 ! 7 Hyde Park ( President of IFindemere Homeowners Assn.) ! 02 ! Laurelwood (Laurelwood Homeowners ~4ssn.) ! 027 Laurelwood (Board member of Laurelwood Homeowners Assn.) !0764 Kings Mill Drive (Kings Mill subdivision) 10098 Cedar Point Dr. !0592 Coppevgate Dr. (President of Homeowners ~4ssn of Coppergate.) !0748 [Veston Drive 422 Burlinton Lane (W/illiams Mill subdivision) 3734 IV. Y8~ Street W. !0782 Knight Drive ~ngs Mill subdivision) The follow/rog persons addressed Council in favor of Carmel's consideration to annex SW Clay Township (C-263): Maril~yn Anderson (prepared statement, attachment 3) Dan Dutcher 3884 Shelborne Court 11583 Sutton Place Drive The follow(rog persons addressed Council requestmg additional information regardmg the annexation of SW Clay Township (C-263): Raymond Schu/tE Ken IVendeln 3321 ~. 106°' Street 3515 Sedgemoor Circle - President of Bridlebourne Homeowners ~tssn. The folloxving person addressed Council as a student from IUPUI attending a Public Affairs class. She stated that she would be following the Annexation process with three fellow students. Formerly of 10620 1Fintenvood Dr. The Public Hearing was closed at 8:42 p.m. There was brief Council discussion. Mayor Brainard addressed the audience. Council President Carter called for a recess at 9:03 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at 9:13 p.m. Council President Carter announced the First Reading of Ordinance No. Z-457~04; An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana, Further Amending the Frontage Place and Alley Ordinance. Councilor Rattermann moved to introduce this item into business. Councilor Griffiths seconded. Councilor Rattermann referred to Jon Dobosiewicz of DOCS for clarification. There was brief Council discussion. Council President Carter opened the matter for Public Hearing at 9:15 p.m. Seeing no one who wished to speak, Council President Carter closed the Public Hearing at 9:16 p.m. Councilor Rattermann made a motion to suspend the roles and vote this evening and also not to send this ordinance to comrmttee. Councilor Griffiths seconded. The motion to suspend the rules passed 6-0. Council President Carter called for the question. Ordinance No. Z-457-04 was approved 6-0. NEW BUSINESS: Council President Carter announced the First Reading of Ordinance No. D-1724-04; An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana, Establishing Limitations for the Introduction and Re-Introduction of Ordinances. Councilor Sharp moved to introduce this item into business. Councilor Glaser seconded. Councilor Glaser presented this matter to Council. There xvas brief Council discussion. Councilor Sharp made a motion to amend this ordinance by adding a new section before being sent to committee. Councilor Glaser seconded. There was brief Council discussion. Council President Carter called for the question. The vote to amend was a 3-3 tie. Councilors Sharp, Glaser and Rattermann voted yea. Councilors Mayo, Carter and Griffiths voted nay. Councilor Sharp inquired if the Mayor should have the opportunity to break the tie. Mayor Brainard chose not to vote, therefore, it remained a tie and the amendment failed. Council President Carter referred Ordinance No. D-1724-04 to the Finance, Administration and Rules Committee for further review and consideration. Mayor Brainard asked Council to accept a letter that he had failed to share during the Public Hearing of Ordinance No. C-263. The letter was from Pam and Kevin Kiser of Hog Run Farm (attachment 4). Mr. & Mrs. IGser requested that their letter be a part of the public record opposed to C-263. Councilor Mayo made a motion to add the letter to the Public Hearing section. Councilor Sharp seconded. The motion to add to the record passed 6-0. Council President Carter announced the First Reading of Ordinance No. D-1725-04; An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana, Amending Chapter 3, Article 1, Division II, Sections 3-21, of the Carmel City Code (Introduction of Ordinance - First Readmg). Councilor Mayo moved to introduce this item into business. Councilor Griffiths seconded. Council President Carter asked Councilor Griffiths for an explanation of the Ordinance. Councilor Griffiths referred to Councilor Sharp to present this matter to Council. There was no Council discussion. Council President Carter referred Ordinance No. D-1725-04 to the Finance, Admimstration and Rules Corrm'attee for further review and consideration. OTHER BUSINESS: Council President Carter nominated Councilor Mayo to the Cable Advisory Board. Councilor Sharp seconded. Council President Carter called for the question. The re-appoinlznent of Councilor Mayo was approved 6-0 ANNOUNCEMENTS: There were none. ADJOURNMENT: Councilor Mayo made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Councilor Sharp seconded. Council President Carter adjourned the meeting at 9:37 p.m. pending execution of documents. Respectfully submitted, Approved, May~James Brainard ATTEST: Clerk-Treasurer Diana~A Good evening Councilors and Mayor I am Edward I Pipkin Of 954 East 108th Street, Indianapolis, lndiana 496280 I am here to dispel urban myths. 1. All of our residential streets are paved. 2. There are no outhouses in Homeplace. We have sewers. This was done without the help of the City of Carmel. 3. We have city water. This comes from Indianapolis Water. This was done without the help of the City of Carmel. 4. We have residents working in the yard putting some of the homes in the City of Carmel to shame. 5. We have retired people, empty nesters, single parents, truck drivers, doctors, lawyers, administrative assistants, plumbers, electrons, policemen & policewomen, Hamilton Co Sheriff Deputy's managers of all types and grade level and several City of Carmel employees. 6. 99.999% do not appear in the Noblesvdle Times police runs and arrests. Councilman Ratterman, you owe the people of Homeplace an apology. I one of the meeting with the people of Homeplace you said, "you will have Carmel Police. Some of you might not appreciate that." I am Edward L Pipkin Good evening, To your honor The Mayor, Mr James Brainard, to our esteemed Treasurer, Ms Diana Cordray, to the gentlemen of the Council, and to the respected citizenry gathered here tonight: My name is Fred Yde, long a citizen of SW Clay TWP, a professional REALTOR and musician by trades, and a graduate of the CHS class of 1968. I am here to say that I am earnestly opposed to your ordinances of annexation, and deeply committed to the defeat of the ordinance that targets my neighborhood, Crooked Stick West, among others. For the record, my address of 12 years is 2117 Burning Tree Lane For the record, I consider Ordinance C-263 a hostile takeover. Notice I did not say 'hostile annexation', because in spite of your legal procedures, this is not an armexation, this is a takeover. This is a takeover because you cannot offer the targeted area any benefits of annexation. You can't. The opportunity to provide them no longer exists. Once upon a time you certainly could have, but you balked. And you balked because you never had the resources to provide services that would legitimately give you entr~ to the right to collect taxes from SW Clay Twp. That's really what this is ail about and we aren't impressed with your promises ora right to vote for you, or the quality of your police protection, or even more incredibly, the quality of your water. Let's look at some of these things for abit. On the 19th of August last, I attended a community meeting at College Park Baptist Church, a presentation by the Mayor, certain members of the council, and Mike Shaver of Wabash Scientific. Many incredible and historically incorrect things were said by these people that night and you know, I'll bet some of those in attendance actually believed them. I'm sure those who have lived here only a few years were the most vulnerable to such belief. This was not the first time I had heard such things, but it confirmed within me the realization that these representatives of Carmel's city government have come to believe the lies they have been mouthing for over 7 years now. And they even went to the trouble to pay a data research firm to substantiate them I1~ # 1) Our taxes are only going to increase 10-12 % for the increase in services we will get from Carmel, and taxes may go DOWN! J # 2) Carmel will protect us with added police patrols ~l~ # 3) Our streets will get snow removal & maintenance ll~ # 4) Our utilities will be "improved" and cost less O# 5) Cannel will protect us from blighted areas with more stringent zoning. These are just 5 of the mistruths and misrepresentations coming from the mouths of the presenters on Aug 19th. In order to spare us time, I will address only these five "campaign" promises. According to the statistical evidence provided by the assessor's office, the tax difference of those paying in the city and those outside the city, 2004 paying 2003, is 32.7% on average,t 32.7% higher for those in the township. This is information the Mayor sought and received prior to the campaign to inform the targeted areas of the city's intent to annex. His insistence that taxes will increase 10-12% is wrong and purposefully misleading. I would like to read a letter that came to me via e-mail from a citizen of SW Clay whose profile Mr Shaver's astute research company may have missed. This is not an isolated case, as some may assume. There are many in SW Clay living on fixed incomes and who don't have abundant wealth or expensive property. Gentlemen, I hope you have the heart to listen to this. I did ask for permission to use this (letter from Millie Grayson who lives in The Westons) Sunday Oct 3~a Mr. Yde, You have my permission and blessing to use my letter and if there is any thing else just let me know. Millie Grayson Saturday Oct 2® Mr. Yde, My name is Millie Grayson, and my husband was President of our neighborhood Association when Mr, Brainard tried to annex The Westons the last time. We worked very hard on that project and were successful. I am handicapped and can not be of much help, however, if there was something that I could do, I would be glad to help. I do recall after our victory Mr. Brainard called my husband into his office and told him he would never force annexation on any area that did not want to be annexed. Well, we know that was a mere slap on the back and that his word is not to be trusted. When we moved into our home my husband and I had a comfortable income; however we are now on a fixed incomes with many medical bills and there is a strong possibilitiy that we will have to move if our taxes are increased like we are being told. I don't understand why it has become necessary for Carmel to force this annexation in order to keep their taxes down at the expense of the residents of West Clay Township. We will be paying taxes for the services we already have, plus we will be paying the bill for the City of Carmel. Once, again if I can be of help, I am willing. Millie Grayson paying the bill for the City of Carmel There are 127 MM in municipal bonds that are currently due to be paid on, a $55MM bond due to be approved, and the Mayor has sights set on other significant public works projects that will have an inflating effect on the corporate rate of property taxes. There is no possible way that the corporate tax segment of Carmel's property tax goes down! Probably for 20 years .... ...unless of course SW Clay Twp and its 122 Billion in assessed values contributes to the municipal coffers to offset the exorbitant increases the city will have to pass on to its current taxpayers if nothing changes. 2) We do not need added police patrols. Our crime rate is significantly lower than the city's, the Hamilton Co Sheriff's department has an excellent record of answering the security needs of SW Clay, & it has never complained of being overworked or und~rappreciated. We do not need more cops giving us tickets for marginal offenses, or practicing police procedures in live situations that are not called for, and that IS a complaint of the CPD. 3)As a REALTOR, I have some specific information that everyone needs to hear about the claim of snow removal. I stopped counting the neighborhoods in the city who have to pay for private snow removal and who should get this service from the City. No offense to our Street Dept Commissioner Mr Klingensmith, who I know and respect, but the city has neither the equipment nor the manpower to remove a 3" snow from at least 30 neighborhoods in the current boundaries of the city of Carmel. How are they going to accommodate 30 more? If the improvements to E 116th Street and Carmel Drive are an indication of your ability to improve our roads, please spare us. Those two projects alone were a travesty of road construction management. 4) We w~re told how great the water is in Carmel. I wonder. I see a guy on this council, and I will spare his name, who staxted drinking this water a few years ago, and he has done a complete 180 from the guy who fought for lower density, smarter roads, and even once opposed an annexation effort by the city when he lived on the west side of Meridian. He moves to the city, starts drinking the water, gets elected and now can't vote against anything that'll raise taxes. What is that? I certainly don't want to drink that stuff. Sounds like it makes you liberal or something. Really though, all kidding aside... Carmel would have to buy the existing infrastructure oflWC in order to provide SW Clay with water. There are only a few isolated pockets of the unincorporated area known as SW Clay that don't have municipal water. Yes, those of us with IWC water have had to endure some episodes with copper sulfate, but no one can tell me that Carmel doesn't use chlorine to purify its little aquifer. Heck the old flowing well (which I took care of in high school by the way) is being treated these days. Real point is: Cannel has to buy the infrastructure oflWC in order to ship us the 'better' water. How is that going to be a savings? Same with sewers. Carmel has to buy the infrastructure of Clay Twp Regional Waste District in order to 'give' us sewers. There is no way that this is going to happen without an increase in our water & sewer bills. Let's say the Mayor's premise has facts in it. We get cheaper water & sewer. Do the math. We will never catch up to that one. My water & sewer bill last month was $42. We also say in this scenario that the city saves me 20% on my utility bills. That's $8 a month. Gonna take a few years to catch up to a 32.7% property tax increase for that one. Are they going to pay for the most recent hookups in places like Winterwood? Right. Not. And 5) SW Clay is almost completely developed. Those areas still without buildings or improvements, are already zoned, and have been for quite awhile. We have been enjoined to Carmel since 1964 for the purposes of zoning, development, & building permits. There is nothing more to vote for here. The apparatus is in place. The Mayor and his councilmen conveniently forget to remind us that we do have a voice in local government, most of us just don't exercise it. Voting for these guys changes none of that. If I lived in Home Place though, I would be watching every announcement and attending every meeting at city hall, because on the 19th of August last ,in front of at least 200 people, Mr Mayor announced that he thought it was a blighted area. Yet he still wants to annex it. Sound suspicious to you? Does to me! Bottom Line We don't need a city hall to govern us, bill us for utilities, or police us. We have everything we need to live without incorporation, and we've already paid for it. If we allow the city to annex us we just get to pay for it all over again, and the way this mayor and his councilmen are spending money, we will pay for lots more things that we didn't count on. I know that well over 65% of the citizens of SW Clay Township believe this is just as bad a deal for them as it was in 2001, and before that in 1997. With the current spending focus of this administration, our populace will realize horrendous increases in property taxation. We pay the same as city folks for schools, fire protection, library and road & public works that benefit the entire townslfip. We are refusing to enter into a body politic that insists we do because it sees this entry as something "for our own good". It would be only for the good of the desires of this administration which has grossly exceeded the boundaries of good and frugal government. Such an ordinance will be just as bad in 2007 as it is in 2004. It will be just as bad in 2010 as it will be in 2007. For as long as takes, the citizens of SW Clay Twp say: NO ANNEXATION And I repeat: NO ANNEXATION To: City Councillors Date October 4, 2004 I think everyone knows there's long-standing antagonism, bitterness and cynicism in Western Clay towar~l the City of Carmel. I'm involved in the current opposition to Brenwick's proposal for an expansion of and changes to the Village of West Clay. What has surprised me is that every single resident I've heard from or spoken with about this speaks with the same bitterness & cynicism, even those who have moved into Western Clay in the last 5-6 years. Neighbors who've gone door-to-door for petition signatures in these "newer" subdivisions also report these sentiments. I think the cynicism and bitterness is a direct result of not being able to vote for the mayor or City Councillors. Because we don't elect the officials who make the decisions for our area, officials have safely ignored us no matter how strongly held and widespread the position. Carmel keeps approving subdivisions denser than planned and expected with all the traffic that generates while Hamilton County is in charge of roadways. In 1999, County Commissioner Steve Dillinger assured the Plan Commission and City Council that 7 intersections & one roadway would be improved if Carmel approved the Village of West Clay. To date, only 2 of those 7 intersections have been improved. What can you say, except that traffic and road issues are decided by 3 County Commissioners, only 1 of which represents our area, only one for which we can vote. If annexed, we will vote for mayor and for a representative for our area plus 2 at- large members, giving us a voice in 3 of the City Council members. That's power we don't have nOW. The lack of road improvements also lacks fairness because tax dollars we currently pay are being spent elsewhere in the county. Southwest Clay Township provides considerably more tax revenue to the County than is spent in the area. It's extremely unlikely that will improve. Why would the County "waste" its budget money to improve intersections here only to have Carmel take them over within the foreseeable future? Additionally, our area has become even more estranged from the County. County workers now have to travel through the annexed areas north and east of us to even reach our area. The annexation process requires Carmel to commit funds to the area being annexed. Since annexation means the right to vote for the mayor and some City Council members, I absolutely expect that on an ongoing basis, more of the tax dollars coming from this area will end up being spent in this area under Carmel's jurisdiction than what happens currently with the County. We'll no longer be the forgotten stepchild that no one pays any attention to. Yes, there will be higher taxes than currently, but I want more of the property taxes I pay to be used in my area, rather than elsewhere. Additionally, some of the property tax money that is now sent to the County would be shifted to Carmel once the area is annexed, offsetting some of the increase. I want the right to vote for the officials who make the decisions for where I live. I want an advocate for the area, rather than relying on the beneficence of officials responsible to citizens in other areas. I want to elect someone who's job it is to pay attention to the issues and concerns of Western Clay. ! want someone to call when there's a problem or issue who has a personal stake in my being satisfied. I support this annexation. Marilyn Anderson 3884 Shelborne Ct. Carmel, IN 46032 4101 West 116th Street Zionsville, IN 46077 Dear Mr. Mayor and City Council, We have some concerns regarding your wanting to annex our property at the above mentioned address in southwest Clay township. Besides the unwanted increased taxes for services we deem unneeded we are worried about the status of our farm once you make us part of your city. We purchased the property as a farm and plan to keep it that way. We want to raise our children on a farm around animals. Nothing teaches responsibility like having an animal to care for or builds character like scooping some manure. Our sons enjoy showing pigs and cows in the Hamilton County 4-H fair each July. Yes, there is still a PIG farm in Clay Township and we plan to keep it that way. We would like to NOT be included in the annexation of southwest Clay township. It appears from your city ordinances that if you do decide to annex us we will need to be designated an "agricultural district". I did not find the definition of this kind of district in your documents. Please forward the location and definition of an agricultural district to me. You're welcome to visit our farm to see the little treasure we maintain here in West Clay township. We'll save some chores for you to do if you'd like! Come feed our pigs, cows, sheep, goats, chickens, cats and duck and pick out a gourd from the garden. You'll see we are a working farm and don't need to be within the city limits of Carmel. If you plan to continue the annexation of our property please send a letter from your office designating us as being within an agricultural district in the city of Carmel. This will save everyone a lot of headaches in the future and is only fair if you want to tax us for services we already have and are HAPPY with. Thank you for reading this into the public record during the annexation hearing. Pam and Kevin Kiser and farm family 873 -0696 Carmel Council Members Attached is a copy of the letter that the Mayor added on at the end of the meeting on 10/4/04. Mr. Kiser sent the letter to the Mayor to read at the meeting. Lois