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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08.19.24_CC_Meeting_Minutes_final1 City of Carmel COMMON COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2024 – 6:00 P.M. COUNCIL CHAMBERS/CITY HALL/ONE CIVIC SQUARE MEETING CALLED TO ORDER Council President Anthony Green, Council Members: Adam Aasen, Ryan Locke, Rich Taylor, Teresa Ayers, Matthew Snyder, Anita Joshi, Shannon Minnaar and Deputy Clerk Jessica Komp were present. Council Member Jeff Worrell was not present. Council President Green called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. AGENDA APPROVAL The agenda was approved unanimously. INVOCATION Pastor Nate Nupanga of Mercy Road Church delivered the Invocation. Clay Middle School 6th grader Stuart Bales led the pledge of allegiance. RECOGNITION OF CITY EMPLOYEES AND OUTSTANDING CITIZENS Stuart Bales introduced Rajeev Ram, a 1999 Carmel High School graduate who represented our city at the Paris Olympics, just a few weeks ago. Rajeev is an Indiana State Tennis Champion, a six-time US Open champion, two-time ATP Champion, was ranked number one in the world for the first time in October 2022, and has now won two silver medals in the Olympic games. The Mayor and the City Council are proudly providing him with the street sign that hung honoring him during the Olympics. Rajeev spoke of his pride to have represented his home city of Carmel in Paris. He thanked the Council for wearing bracelets for Raksha Bandhan, an Indian holiday that honors the special bond between brothers and sisters, and he stated the importance of a community embracing all cultures. Lieutenant Malloy of the Carmel Police Department introduced two new K-9’s and their handlers. First was Officer Brandon Owens and K-9 Jax. Jax is a Dutch Malinois all the way from Holland. He is a dual- purpose K-9, doing both narcotics detection, tracking, building and area search, and apprehension. Officer Owens has been with CPD since 2020, and Jax has been with CPD since 2022. Jax has already been instrumental in locating a seriously injured person so they could receive the needed medical treatment. Second was Officer Jamie Reynolds and K-9 Archie. Archie is the first Springer Spaniel CPD has had. Officer Reynolds has been with CPD since 2016, and Archie is her second K-9. In the short time Archie has been with CPD, he has seized over two pounds of narcotics, and helped locate a stolen handgun. CPD is currently in the process of adding two more dual-purpose dogs similar to Jax to our K-9 unit. Docusign Envelope ID: 68604D50-1B92-48F1-AEE0-49A4DA99D6DB 2 Lieutenant Malloy thanked Chief Sterling, the Mayor and City Council for their continued support of the K-9 unit. RECOGNITION OF PERSONS WHO WISH TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL Jayesh Patel spoke to Council about the genocide of Hindus happening in Bangladesh. He asked the City Council to make a public statement condemning the violence towards Hindus and other minority groups to draw international attention to what it happening and to help prevent other atrocities. This will help restore confidence to American Hindu communities. Siva Iyer also spoke to Council about the genocide of Hindus in Bangladesh. The governmental breakdown has allowed for the widespread targeting of peaceful Hindus. He urged the Council to pass a resolution to condemn the genocide and to urge the White House to take strong action. Aniya Burse spoke to Council on behalf of the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh USA organization. She shared the meaning of the Indian holiday being celebrated today, Raksha Bandhan, which translates to the bond of protection. This traditional festival symbolizes the commitment to protect and support each other. It is a day to remind us of our duty to safeguard not just our families, but also the vulnerable communities in our society. Aniya expressed appreciation to our community leaders, first responders, social workers and volunteers, for their commitment to ensure our protection, safety and well-being. Nancy Tatum spoke to Council about what is being reported as an overabundance of apartments, causing some leasing offices to give away free months of rent. Nancy encouraged the Council to vote for less density, or no more apartments at all. She asked that Carmel not be paved over. She asked the CRC, Council and the Zoning Board to come together to agree to grow Carmel’s parks and green spaces. She would like Council to adopt a plan to require a certain percentage of trees to be left intact, and for the city to purchase privately owned forests, and use money to create green spaces, natural parks, and not for more art. COUNCIL AND MAYORAL COMMENTS/OBSERVATIONS There were none. CONSENT AGENDA Councilor Minnar 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 8-0. a. Approval of Minutes 1. August 5, 2024 Regular Meeting b. Claims 1. Payroll - $3,775,341.40 (7/26/24 payroll) and $3,672,295.25 (8/9/24 payroll) 2. General Claims - $3,441,692.24 and $32,852.18 (purchase card) 3. Retirement - $110,705.10 4. Wire Transfers - $7,214,203.06 ACTION ON MAYORAL VETOES Docusign Envelope ID: 68604D50-1B92-48F1-AEE0-49A4DA99D6DB 3 There were none. COMMITTEE REPORTS Councilor Locke reported that the Finance, Utilities and Rules Committee had met on August 13th to discuss Ordinance D-2719-24, the “Proscenium III” ordinance, and returns it back to Council tonight with a positive recommendation, voted 4-0. Councilor Snyder reported that the Land Use and Special Studies Committee met on August 7th at the Carmel Clay Public Library to continue the UDO review, focusing on Section 7. The next meeting will be this Wednesday, August 21st at 5:30 p.m. at the Carmel Clay Public Library, in the 2nd floor Board Room. The following meeting will be Thursday, September 19th, at 6:00 p.m. at the library. OTHER REPORTS The Carmel Clay Parks and Recreation’s quarterly report was given by Director Michael Klitzing. The Park department wrapped up its summer season, with summer programming coming to an end. There were 7,271 campers enrolled this summer. 80% of the camps were at full enrollment for most of the summer. The Waterpark had a summer attendance of 108,333 visitors. Average daily attendance for the 66-day season was 1,641 guests and gross total revenue was over $1.4 million. The Park department is in the process of formulating a Park Resource Officer program to begin in 2025. The Westermeier Commons playground at Central Park got resurfaced this spring. This playground is so popular that it was in need of resurfacing after 8 years, as opposed to the typical 15 years of use. Westermeier Commons sees anywhere from 400,000 to 500,000 visitors annually. An art installation by sculptor Dominic Behura was also added to Central Park, “Bison & Calf”. Free sunscreen stations have been installed at Westermeier Commons splash pad, and also at Lawrence W. Inlow park. The goal is to install these stations at all of the Carmel parks, focusing first on those with splash pads. River Heritage Park will be installing communication boards for non-verbal patrons later this summer, and there are plans to install these boards at all the parks in the future. Carmel Clay Parks is celebrating its 33rd birthday on August 20th. Utilities Director John Duffy spoke to Council about the refinancing and restructuring of outstanding water utility debt that was completed due to a bond ordinance which passed in April. This resulted in a favorable outcome. Mr. Duffy introduced Scott Miller with Baker Tilly to explain what was accomplished. We were able to restructure our outstanding debt with longer repayment terms, lower debt service payments, and we were able to pay off our 2019 iterim loan. The refinancing produced $20 million for new projects. The longer repayment terms ensure future customers pay for facility costs. Our bond rating was improved to BBB+ and was taken off negative watch. Rate increases for customers are expected to remain steady at 3% per year, barring any unforeseen circumstances. OLD BUSINESS Council President Green announced the sixteenth 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. Council President Green announced the third reading of Ordinance D-2719-24; An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana, Authorizing the Issuance of Economic Development Tax Increment Revenue Bonds to Support the Proscenium III Project, and Authorizing and Approving Other Actions in Respect Thereto; Sponsor: Aasen. Councilor Locke shared that the Finance, Utilities and Docusign Envelope ID: 68604D50-1B92-48F1-AEE0-49A4DA99D6DB 4 Rules Committee reviewed this ordinance at their August 13th meeting, and have given it a favorable recommendation, voting 4-0. Henry Mestetsky, Director of Redevelopment, had been at this meeting, and shared that there was a robust conversation about the structure of the financing. Two of the speakers that had been at this meeting were Jack Russell, President of OneZone Chamber of Commerce, and Karen Radcliffe, Interim CEO of Hamilton County Tourism. Both shared their support of this project. Councilor Aasen shared that there have been concerns raised since the Finance Committee meeting regarding potential traffic and parking issues. Mr. Mestetsky stated that he would like the opportunity to come back to Council with more information on those matters. Councilor Snyder shared that he is hearing from Carmel residents that they do not want this project to include apartments. He would like to see a way to do this project and provide the city with a hotel, office space and retail, with no apartments or a parking garage. Councilor Minnaar asked if the project would still be feasible without the apartments or parking garage, and Mr. Mestetsky stated that it would not. But he will report back with more information about the parking. He stated that this project works because different users would utilize the parking garage at different times of the day. Councilor Aasen reminded everyone that the ordinance before the Council is the approval of a bond for the parking garage. This item remains on the dais and will be discussed further at the next Common Council meeting. NEW BUSINESS Council President Green announced the first reading of Ordinance D-2726-24; An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana, Approving and Adopting a Third Amendment to Interlocal Agreement; Sponsor(s): Councilor(s) Snyder and Taylor. Councilor Joshi moved to introduce the item into business. Councilor Ayers seconded. Councilor Taylor presented the item to Council. This ordinance is a third amendment to the interlocal agreement between the city of Carmel and Clay Township regarding Carmel Clay Parks and Recreation. This would extend the termination date of said agreement until December 31, 2026. This will give the new administration and the township more time to evaluate the long-term capital asset funding of the Park department. This item was sent to the Land Use and Special Studies Committee where the long-term plan for the Parks will be discussed. Council President Green announced the first reading of Ordinance D-2727-24; An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana, Repealing Ordinance D-293, As Amended, and Removing Chapter 2, Article 2, Section 21 from the Carmel City Code; Sponsor: Councilor Snyder. Councilor Aasen made a motion to introduce the item into business. Councilor Ayers seconded. Councilor Snyder presented the item to Council, stating that this ordinance will abolish the Carmel Cable and Telecommunications Commission. City Attorney Benjamine Legge explained that this commission was created in 1981, but since then, State government has deregulated cable and telecommunications such that the commission no longer has the authority it once did. Councilors Locke, Snyder and Minnaar all commented on how much this commission accomplished over the years, and Councilor Minnaar especially thanked Winston Long for his years of service to the commission. It was suggested that the commission give one last report to the Council before removing their reporting requirement from the Council agenda. City Attorney Legge stated that this could be done. Councilor Minnaar moved to suspend the rules and act on this tonight. Councilor Snyder seconded. There was no discussion. Council President Green called for the vote. Motion to suspend the rules approved 8-0. Councilor Joshi moved to approve the ordinance. Councilor Minnaar seconded. There was no discussion. Council President Green called for the vote. Ordinance D-2727-24 approved 8-0. Council President Green announced the first reading of Ordinance D-2728-24; 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: Councilor Snyder. Councilor Minnaar made a motion to introduce the item into business. Councilor Taylor seconded. Councilor Snyder presented the item to Council. This ordinance removes the Cable and Telecommunications Commission’s reporting requirement from the Docusign Envelope ID: 68604D50-1B92-48F1-AEE0-49A4DA99D6DB 5 Common Council agenda. This item is being held on the dais until the next meeting, so that the commission can give one final report. AGENDA ADD-ONS There were none. OTHER BUSINESS There was none. ANNOUNCEMENTS There were none. ADJOURNMENT Council President Green adjourned the meeting at 7:37 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, _______________________________ Jacob Quinn, Clerk Approved, ATTEST: _______________________________ Anthony Green, Council President _______________________________ Jacob Quinn, Clerk Docusign Envelope ID: 68604D50-1B92-48F1-AEE0-49A4DA99D6DB