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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03.04.24 CC Meeting Minutes1 COMMON COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES MONDAY, MARCH 4, 2024 – 6:00 P.M. COUNCIL CHAMBERS/CITY HALL/ONE CIVIC SQUARE MEETING CALLED TO ORDER Council President Anthony Green; Council Vice-President Adam Aasen; Council Members: Jeff Worrell, Ryan Locke, Rich Taylor, Teresa Ayers, Matthew Snyder, Anita Joshi, Shannon Minnaar and Deputy Clerk Jessica Komp were present. Council President Green called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. AGENDA APPROVAL The agenda was approved unanimously. INVOCATION Pastor Scott Giger, Cornerstone Lutheran Church, delivered the Invocation. Councilor Minnaar led the pledge of allegiance. RECOGNITION OF CITY EMPLOYEES AND OUTSTANDING CITIZENS There were none. RECOGNITION OF PERSONS WHO WISH TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL Maureen Morgan shared her concerns regarding the possibility of the Carmel Climate Action Advisory Committee bringing Carmel into some controversial climate control actions, including the use of electric vehicles, which can become stranded in adverse weather, unable to be charged, or the dependence on China to mine the heavy metals used in EV car batteries. Other issues of concern are the concept of eating less meat to reduce CO2 emissions from cows and the construction of CO2 pipelines across farmland. COUNCIL AND MAYORAL COMMENTS/OBSERVATIONS Councilor Worrell stated that the annual “Taste of Carmel” will be on Friday, March 8, 2024, at 502 East Event Center. This is the largest fundraiser for the Carmel Education Foundation. There will be a Civility event on Wednesday March 6th, at 6:00 p.m. at the Village of West Clay Meeting House. CONSENT AGENDA Councilor Minnaar moved to approve the consent agenda. Councilor Aasen seconded. There was no discussion. Council President Green called for the vote. The consent agenda was approved 9-0. DocuSign Envelope ID: 02291DA3-AA8D-4E3A-A2A3-E116EB2C40CB 2 a. Approval of Minutes 1. February 19, 2024 Regular Meeting b. Claims 1. Payroll - $3,654,053.37 (2/9/24 payroll), $191,915.12 (uniform allowance) and $293,669.62 (sick vacation payout) 2. General Claims - $4,162,045.70 and $35,239.68 (purchase card) ACTION ON MAYORAL VETOES There were none. COMMITTEE REPORTS Councilor Worrell reported that the Finance, Utilities and Rules Committee will meet on April 9, 2024 at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers. Councilor Snyder reported that the Land Use and Special Studies Committee met on February 21st to discuss the Andrews PUD. The committee is giving a favorable recommendation to send the item forward to the Plan Commission with a few amendments, including a fine schedule for construction traffic violations, and language changes regarding 2 & 3-car garages, dusk-to-dawn lights, attached living quarters, and a proposed speed hump. The next meeting will be on Wednesday, March 6th at the Carmel Clay Public Library at 6 p.m., to discuss setting a schedule for working through the study of the UDO. OTHER REPORTS – (at the first meeting of the month specified below): Henry Mestetsky, Director of the Carmel Redevelopment Commission, gave the annual TIF Management report. Mr. Mestetsky also gave a presentation on the assessed value per acre in the City of Carmel. The CRC will remain focused on the central core. Carmel homeowners can be secure that taxes will fall in the future, as more and more projects are assessed at high values per acre, they’re going to hit the city’s tax rolls as these TIF areas expire. Mr. Mestetsky explained that the developer bonds are of no risk to the taxpayers or the city, only the developer is taking a risk. Citizens on the east and west sides see benefits of the downtown development beyond the future tax benefits. These developments bring in companies that provide jobs, stores to shop at, areas to walk around and enjoy, free parking garages, and funding for our schools. Tony Reck, chair of the Carmel Climate Action Advisory Committee, gave the quarterly report. The first recommendation the committee gave to the City Council was to hire a Sustainability Coordinator. Other recommendations included a Municipal Energy Efficiency Evaluation and Upgrades, a Municipal Energy Benchmarking and Disclosure Program, Water/Wastewater usage assessment, Native and Drought-Resistant Landscaping, Food Composting Pilot Programs, Backyard Compost Bin Vouchers, Public Education about Impacts of Climate Change, a Climate Vulnerability Assessment, and a City EV and Hydrogen Fleet Purchasing and Retrofit Policy. The next meeting will take place on Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers. DocuSign Envelope ID: 02291DA3-AA8D-4E3A-A2A3-E116EB2C40CB 3 OLD BUSINESS Council President Green announced the Seventh Reading of Ordinance D-2696-23; An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana, Adding Chapter 8, Article 4, Section 8-44 to the Carmel City Code; Sponsor(s): Councilor(s) Worrell and Aasen. This remains in the Finance, Utilities and Rules Committee. (Meeting date 4/9/24) Council President Green introduced the Second Reading of Ordinance Z-687-24; An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana, Establishing the Andrews Planned Unit Development District; Sponsor: Councilor Minnaar. The Land Use and Special Studies Committee has given a favorable recommendation, but there will be a second public hearing on March 18, 2024 before this item is sent on to the Plan Commission. PUBLIC HEARINGS Councilor Green announced the first reading of Ordinance D-2702-24; An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana, Authorizing and Approving an Appropriation of Funds from the Parks and Recreation Non-Reverting Capital Fund (Fund #103); Sponsor(s): Councilor(s) Snyder and Taylor. Councilor Taylor moved to introduce the item into business. Councilor Aasen seconded. Councilor Taylor presented the item to Council. Michael Klitzing, Director of Carmel Clay Parks and Recreation, explained that the request is for the appropriation of funds from the Local Income Tax received from Clay Township attributable to the Central Park Bond. This $4.6 million will be used for park capital projects, including the White River Bridge, Hazel Landing Park infrastructure, White River Greenway expansion, Renovations to the Water Park, an indoor playground at the Monon Center, Westermeier commons upgrades, and smaller improvements at almost every park. As there were no questions from Council for Mr. Klitzing, Council President Green started the public hearing at 7:16 p.m. Seeing no one who wished to address the Council, Council President Green closed the public hearing at 7:17 p.m. Councilor Taylor moved to suspend the rules and act on this item tonight. Councilor Minnaar seconded. There was no discussion. Council President Green called for the vote. The motion was approved 9-0. Councilor Taylor moved to approve. Councilor Aasen seconded. There was no discussion. Council President Green called for the vote. Ordinance D-2702-24 was approved 9-0. NEW BUSINESS Council President Green introduced the first reading of Ordinance D-2704-24; An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Repealing Ordinance D-2409-18, as Amended, and Removing Chapter 2, Article 2, Section 25 from the Carmel City Code; Sponsor(s): Councilor(s) Green and Worrell. Councilor Worrell moved to introduce the item into business. Councilor Minnaar seconded. Councilor Worrell presented the item to Council. Sergey Grechukhin, Office of Corporation Counsel, confirmed that a different type of arts commission will be replacing the one being abolished. Council President Worrell moved to suspend the rules and act on this tonight. Councilor Aasen seconded. There was no discussion. Council President Green called for the vote. Motion approved 9-0. Councilor Worrell moved to approve. Councilor Joshi seconded. There was no discussion. Council President Green called for the vote. Ordinance D-2704-24 was approved 9-0. Council President Green introduced the first reading of Ordinance D-2706-24; An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana, Amending Chapter 3, Article 1, Division II, Section 3- 30 of the Carmel City Code; Sponsor(s): Councilor(s) Green and Worrell. Councilor Worrell moved to introduce the item into business. Councilor Minnaar seconded. Councilor Worrell presented the item to DocuSign Envelope ID: 02291DA3-AA8D-4E3A-A2A3-E116EB2C40CB 4 Council, explaining that this ordinance would remove the report from the public art committee that had just been abolished from the Council agenda. Councilor Worrell then made a motion to suspend the rules and approve this tonight. Councilor Joshi seconded. Councilor Aasen thanked Councilor Worrell for his work in creating the public art committee, as it was a step in the right direction to achieve more community input. Councilor Locke asked if the Council would still receive updates from the new Arts Commission if this report is removed. Sergey Grechukhin, Office of Corporation Counsel, stated that the Council would still be updated, whether through the Mayor’s report to Council, or through a representative giving a report to Council. Council President Green called for the vote. Motion approved 9-0. Councilor Worrell moved to approve. Councilor Joshi seconded. Councilor Green called for the vote. Ordinance D-2706-24 approved 9-0. Council President Green introduced the first reading of Ordinance D-2707-24; An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana, Amending Chapter 8, Article 5, Sections 8-36, 8-37, 8- 47, and 8-48 of the Carmel City Code; Sponsor(s): Councilor(s) Worell, Green, Taylor, and Ayers. Councilor Minnaar moved to introduce the item into business. Councilor Snyder seconded. Councilor Ayers presented the item to Council. Sergey Grechukhin, Office of Corporation Counsel, presented the four items within the Ordinance, which included parking regulations and the regulating/prohibiting of turning of vehicles at certain intersections. The Council was in favor of three of the items, but wanted the fourth item, the parking restrictions on Veterans Way in front of the Carmel Clay Community Building and the Fire Department Administration to be addressed separately. Councilor Aasen moved to amend that section of the ordinance to say no parking before 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Councilor Taylor seconded. Discussion continued as to concern with loading zones for special events. Councilor Aasen withdrew the motion to amend. Councilor Joshi seconded. The motion was withdrawn. Councilor Locke made a motion to amend the ordinance to exclude the portion pertaining to this parking area. Councilor Joshi seconded. There was no discussion. Council President Green called for the vote. Motion to amend approved 9-0. Councilor Aasen made a motion to suspend the rules and approve this tonight. Councilor Joshi seconded. There was no discussion. Council President Green called for the vote. Motion to suspend the rules approved 9-0. Councilor Taylor made a motion to approve, as amended. Councilor Aasen seconded. There was no discussion. Council President Green called for the vote. Ordinance D- 2707-24 was approved as amended. The issue of parking on Veteran’s Way was sent to the Finance, Utilities and Rules Committee. (Meeting date 4/9/24). Council President Green introduced Resolution CC-03-04-24-01; A Resolution of the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana, Approving a Transfer of Funds in the 2024 Information and Communication Systems Department Budget; Sponsor: Councilor Worrell. Councilor Worrell moved to introduce. Councilor Aasen seconded. Councilor Worrell introduced the item into business. Sergey Grechukhin, Office of Corporation Counsel, noted a change in the originally submitted transfer amount, as it has been decreased to $49,780.00. Both Councilors Worrell and Joshi asked for more information regarding the pricing. Timothy Renick, Director of Information and Communication Systems explained that these funds will pay for consulting services for the 311 non-emergency service. This is for a new initiative of Mayor Finkam’s that was not in last year’s budget. The ICS department is using money that was budgeted for consulting fees, and supplementing that by moving money that was budgeted for cybersecurity into the consulting fees line item, as cybersecurity needs have been covered by federal grant funds. So this is not additional money, it’s just money being moved between line items in the already approved budget. Councilor Minnaar made a motion to amend the requested fund transfer amount. Councilor Joshi seconded. There was no discussion. Council President Green called for the vote. Motion to amend approved 9-0. Councilor Joshi made a motion to approve. Councilor Taylor seconded. Council President Green called for the vote. Resolution CC-03-04-24-01 was approved 9-0. DocuSign Envelope ID: 02291DA3-AA8D-4E3A-A2A3-E116EB2C40CB 5 Council President Green introduced Resolution CC-03-04-24-02; A Resolution of the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana, Regarding Transfer of Real Property to Third Party; Sponsor(s): Councilor(s) Aasen and Green. Councilor Aasen made a motion to introduce. Councilor Joshi seconded. Councilor Aasen introduced the item into business. Sergey Grechukhin, Office of Corporation Counsel, explained the change being requested for the minimum sales price of the excess real estate located near 96th Street and Keystone Parkway that was not needed for a public purpose. Jeremy Kashman explained that the property sat on the market for about 2 years until we received a letter of intent 9 months ago. After the due diligence was performed, we are now ready to move forward, setting the minimum price at the price offered, $1,060,000.00. Councilor Minnaar moved to approve. Councilor Aasen seconded. Council President Green called for the vote. Resolution CC-03-04-24-02 was approved 9-0. Council President Green introduced Resolution CC-03-04-24-03; A Resolution of the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana, Regarding the Lease of Real Property to Third Party; Sponsor: Councilor Aasen. Councilor Aasen made a motion to introduce. Councilor Ayers seconded. Councilor Aasen introduced the item into business. Sergey Grechukhin, Office of Corporation Counsel, explained that the property was acquired in anticipation of a roundabout being constructed at the corner of 106th Street and Lakeshore Drive East. While the roundabout has been delayed, the property is sitting vacant. The request is to establish a minimum price per month to lease the property to a tenant. Councilor Aasen asked about the timeline of installing the roundabout. Jeremy Kashman, City Engineer, stated that it is still a priority, but we have to find the right solution to make it happen. He envisions a more compact roundabout with raised crosswalks, and possibly flashing beacons, if needed. Councilor Snyder asked what happens if we cannot find a tenant to pay the minimum price. Mr. Grechukhin responded that a real estate broker would be hired to find a tenant, and then the price may be dropped. This is the process outlined in Indiana Code that we must follow, since the appraisal amount is higher than $25,000 per year. Councilor Minnaar asked if this neighbourhood has restrictions against rentals, and the answer was not known. This item was sent to the Land Use and Special Studies Committee for review. (Meeting date 3/6/24). AGENDA ADD-ON ITEMS There were none. OTHER BUSINESS Engagement to Conduct Analysis of the City’s Debt Council President Green announced that the Common Council will be hiring an independent third party to conduct an analysis of the city’s debt. The Council has $20,000 in their budget for this analysis. Currently, the city’s legal department is reviewing the Scope of Work and the Agreement for this analysis. The third party has not yet been hired. Councilors Taylor and Worrell spoke in favor of this action. Councilor Snyder commended this process for being different than what some other cities do, as no findings of the review will be privileged information. It will all be made public. Councilor Aasen commented that there could be findings of this review that could save the city money, and that the Council will not need to increase spending to conduct this analysis, it is already in the budget. City Council Appointments Mayor’s Advisory Commission on Arts (Terms expires 12/31/2024, one-year terms); Two appointments. Councilor Joshi moved to nominate Dr. Chandrika Patel. Councilor Snyder seconded. Councilor Ayers then moved to nominate Beth Glynn. Councilor Joshi seconded. Councilor Minnaar moved to close the nominations. Councilor Joshi seconded. There was no discussion. Council President Green called for the vote. Nominations approved 9-0. DocuSign Envelope ID: 02291DA3-AA8D-4E3A-A2A3-E116EB2C40CB 6 Mayor’s Advisory Commission on Arts (Term expires 12/31/2025, two-year term); One appointment. Councilor Taylor moved to nominate Tina Mangos. Councilor Aasen seconded. Councilor Taylor moved to close the nominations. Councilor Aasen seconded. There was no discussion. Council President Green called for the vote. Nomination approved 9-0. Approval of Mayoral Nominations Carmel Historic Preservation Commission (Terms expire 12/31/2026, three-year terms); Two appointments. The Mayor has appointed Rosemary Dunkle and Barry Simich to this commission. Councilor Snyder moved to approve the nominations. Councilor Minnaar seconded. There was no discussion. Council President Green called for the vote. Nominations approved 9-0. Cancellation of Outstanding Checks for Fiscal Year 2021 - $2,349.60 (Acknowledgement Only) Item was acknowledged/approved unanimously. ANNOUNCEMENTS Councilor Aasen announced that the Buckingham Companies will be holding a Gramercy Marketplace public meeting at the 502 East Event Center on Monday, March 11th, at 6 p.m. ADJOURNMENT Council President Green adjourned the meeting at 8:23 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, _______________________________ Jacob Quinn, Clerk Approved, _______________________________ Anthony Green, Council President ATTEST: _______________________________ Jacob Quinn, Clerk DocuSign Envelope ID: 02291DA3-AA8D-4E3A-A2A3-E116EB2C40CB