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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01.06.25 CC Meeting MinutesDocusign Envelope ID: E417DCFC-BFC2-409B-B78F-43DE523333D4 City of Carmel CARMEL COMMON COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES MONDAY, JANUARY 6, 2025 - 6:00 P.M. COUNCIL CHAMBERS/CITY HALL/ONE CIVIC SQUARE MEETING CALLED TO ORDER Council President Adam Aasen, Council Members: Shannon Minnaar, Ryan Locke, Teresa Ayers, Matthew Snyder, Rich Taylor, Jeff Worrell, Anita Joshi, Anthony Green, and Deputy Clerk Jessica Komp were present. Council President Aasen called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. AGENDA APPROVAL The agenda was approved unanimously. INVOCATION Pastor Max Murphy, Cornerstone Lutheran Church, delivered the invocation. RECOGNITION OF CITY EMPLOYEES AND OUTSTANDING CITIZENS Council President Aasen thanked the City of Carmel Street Department for their hard work clearing the roads. RECOGNITION OF PERSONS WHO WISH TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL Eesha Singh, a Senior at Carmel High School, spoke on behalf of the service organization Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, USA. The public is invited to join the 18 th annual Yoga for Health, Health for Humanity Yogathon, also known as Surya Namaskar Yajna. This year's SNY Marathon Event will be held at Founders Park, 11675 Hazel Dell Pkwy, on February 2nd, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Please come out and help make this another successful yogathon event. COUNCIL AND MAYORAL COMMENTS/OBSERVATIONS Mayor Finkam welcomed the Council to 2025 and stated that she is excited for the year ahead. She also thanked the Street Department and our Public Safety officials who have been out and about in the last few days keeping our roads cleared and our public safe during this heavy snowfall. Council President Aasen announced that Councilor Ayers will be the Council Chaplain for 2025, and Councilor Green will be the Council Parliamentarian. Councilor Taylor will lead the Finance, Utilities and Rules Committee and Council Vice President Snyder will lead the Land Use and Special Studies Committee. The "Council Nominating Committee" will also be formed, and will be lead by Councilor Green, along with members Councilor Joshi and Councilor Snyder. This group will implement an intentional process for collecting and receiving applications from the public for consideration as Council appointees to the various 1 2 city boards, commissions and committees. Councilor Joshi stated that she is in support of forming this committee, which will provide a transparent process for soliciting the best and brightest that wish to serve our community in this way. She also recognized Dr. William Bennett, a pediatric G.I. specialist at IU Health, who was attending this Council meeting, and who has applied to be a member of the Carmel Advisory Committee on Disability. CONSENT AGENDA Councilor Snyder moved to approve the consent agenda. Councilor Taylor seconded. There was no discussion. Council President Aasen called for the vote. The consent agenda was approved 9-0. a. Approval of Minutes 1. December 16, 2024 Regular Meeting 2. December 30, 2024 Special Meeting b. Claims 1. General Claims - $939,334.29 ACTION ON MAYORAL VETOES There were none. COMMITTEE REPORTS Councilor Taylor reported that the Finance, Utilities and Rules Committee just met prior to this Council meeting. Ordinance D-2740-24 passes back to the full Council with a positive recommendation. Ordinance D-2741-24 remains in committee, and Ordinance D-2753-24 passes back to the full Council with a positive recommendation, with the inclusion of section D. Councilor Snyder reported that the Land Use and Special Studies Committee will meet on Wednesday, January 8th to discuss the proposed Lennar development at 146th Street and Towne Road, and to discuss the UDO. OTHER REPORTS – (at the first meeting of the month specified below): Henry Mestetsky, Director of Redevelopment, gave the monthly report. City Center’s construction is almost completed. Monon Square North’s construction should be starting early this quarter. 1st on Main’s condos continue to be built out. Construction is underway at Magnolia. Civic Square Condos should start construction early this quarter. Hamilton Crossing will continue to be under construction throughout this year. 1933 Lounge at 111 S. Rangeline should open in the first few months of this year. Icon on Main will continue to be under construction for the entirety of this year. The public plaza should open in early 2026. Ardalan Plaza has made its way through Plan Commission. This will be what greets visitors to the Arts District as they enter through the west side. This is a $20 million project with first floor retail, and for sale condos on the second and third floors. Proscenium III will come back to Council this year for the vacation of the city parcel. David Bowers, Council appointee to the CRC, then spoke to the Council. Mr. Bowers stated that he is available to meet with Council for any questions having to do with the CRC and its projects. Councilor Snyder asked Mr. Mestetsky if he would coordinate with Micheal Klitzing of the Parks Department on the Veterans’ Trail that leads to Icon on Main. Councilor Taylor commended those involved with the Ardalan project for accommodating the nearby residents and listening to their input. Councilor Minnaar also thanked Christine Zoccola of the Plan Commission and the Housing Task Force. President Aasen stated that there is now a sign at the Muse building regarding an incoming sushi restaurant. Docusign Envelope ID: E417DCFC-BFC2-409B-B78F-43DE523333D4 3 The Housing Task Force next gave its report. Christine Zoccola served as President and Chris Pryor served as Vice President. Adrienne Keeling of the Department of Community Services shared that from February through September of 2024, the task force met nine times. The first six meetings were information gathering, the last three were working sessions and a presentation of the final report. Information was gathered from housing industry experts, housing industry, economic, and labor reports, local builders, and Carmel residents. Chris Pryor of MIBOR Realtor Association spoke next. He shared some of the key findings of the task force, including a lack of supply, lack of housing diversity, land scarcity, increased and shifting demand, missing middle housing, density and population growth. All of these factors are affecting affordability. Carmel has more jobs than employed residents. We are not producing enough housing for all of the new jobs that are being created, and this growing demand is further increasing housing prices. Ms. Zoccola then presented the task force’s recommendations. Some of these included continuing the Housing Task Force effort, developing a housing strategy and vision plan, protecting existing single-family neighborhoods, building upon the comprehensive plan, facilitating development of missing middle housing, adopting a development strategy for new apartment construction, acquisition of green space, and assessing current zoning regulations. OLD BUSINESS Council President Aasen announced the sixth reading of Ordinance D-2740-24; An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana, Amending Chapter 2, Article 1, Sections 2-1, 2-3, 2-6, 2- 10, 2-12, 2-13 and 2-14 of the Carmel City Code; Sponsor(s): Councilor(s) Green and Aasen. This item returns from the Finance, Utilities and Rules Committee with a unanimous positive recommendation. Councilor Minnaar moved to approve. Councilor Green seconded. There was no discussion. Council President Aasen called for the vote. Ordinance D-2740-24 approved, 9-0. Council President Aasen announced the sixth reading of Ordinance D-2741-24; An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana, Amending Chapter 2, Article 6, Sections 2-301, 2-302 and 2-303, of the Carmel City Code; Sponsor(s): Councilor(s) Green and Aasen. This item remains in the Finance, Utilities and Rules Committee. Council President Aasen announced the second reading of Ordinance Z-694-24; An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana, Establishing The Towne 146 Planned Unit Development District; Sponsor: Councilor Minnaar. This item remains in the Land Use and Special Studies Committee. Council President Aasen announced the second reading of Ordinance D-2753-24; An Ordinance of the Common Council of Carmel, Indiana, Amending Chapter 2, Article 3, Sections 2-51, 2-52, 2-54 and 2-55 of the Carmel City Code; Sponsor(s): Councilor(s) Green and Taylor. Councilor Minnaar moved to introduce the item into business. Councilor Taylor seconded. Councilor Taylor presented the item to Council. This item returns from the Finance, Utilities and Rules Committee with a unanimous positive recommendation. Councilor Taylor stated that this ordinance creates an even playing field for the various departments within the city in terms of how PTO is used. It was approved by the committee with the addition of section D, regarding Holiday Pay and Premium Pay. Councilor Taylor made a motion to amend this ordinance to include said Section D. Councilor Joshi seconded. Zac Jackson, Controller and CFO, explained that Section D explains how holiday pay would differ between full-time employees and part-time employees, and how premium pay would work for employees who work on a paid city holiday. There was no further discussion on the amendment. Council President Aasen called for the vote. Motion to Amend approved, 9-0. Mr. Jackson further explained that PTO accruals will be reduced by 3.0 hours per pay period, but holidays will no longer be paid out of PTO. With the new paid holidays and the addition of two floating holidays, employees will actually receive 1.6 more days of paid time off. Councilor Green made a motion to approve this amended version of the ordinance. Councilor Snyder seconded. There was no further discussion. Council President Aasen called for the vote. Ordinance D-2753-24 approved as amended, 9-0. Docusign Envelope ID: E417DCFC-BFC2-409B-B78F-43DE523333D4 4 PUBLIC HEARINGS There were none. NEW BUSINESS Council President Aasen announced the first reading of Ordinance D-2754-25; An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana, Approving and Adopting an Interlocal Agreement; Sponsor: Councilor Aasen. Councilor Green moved to introduce the item into business. Councilor Minnaar seconded. Councilor Green presented the item to Council. Henry Mestetsky explained that this interlocal agreement will establish two new allocations areas. The first would be BJ’s parcel, from which 100% of the TIF would be directed to the County. The second would be the Clay Terrace Parcel, from which 95% of the TIF would be available for City Council to consider, and 5% would go to the County. TIF funds flowing to the County have to be used for 146th Street improvements in a way that benefits Carmel. Councilor Taylor asked about the amount of risk we’re taking, Director Mestetsky stated that it is very low. Councilors Green, Taylor and Snyder all asked about the basis of the TIF for the BJ’s parcel, Director Mestetsky stated that it was flat land, assessed after the previous building was demolished. Councilor Taylor stated that this is a brilliant deal, because by carving out this allocation area, we are receiving TIF that we weren’t receiving before and only sending 5% of it to the County. We will receive this until a developer-backed bond is issued against the increment, and then for 25 more years after that. When a bond is issued, Council will have approval. Councilor Taylor made a motion to suspend the rules and act on this tonight. Councilor Joshi seconded. There was no discussion. Council President Aasen called for the vote. Motion to Suspend the Rules approved 9-0. Councilor Taylor moved to approve the ordinance. Councilor Joshi seconded. Councilor Worell told Director Mestetsky that this deal was a year and a half well-spent, as this is a great deal. Council President Aasen called for the vote. Ordinance D-2754-25 approved, 9-0. Council President Aasen announced the first reading of Ordinance D-2755-25; 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): Councilors Aasen and Taylor. Councilor Taylor moved to introduce the item into business. Councilor Minnaar seconded. Councilor Taylor presented the item to Council. Council President Aasen stated that this ordinance requires the finance department to produce a quarterly budget report to present to Council. Councilor Aasen stated that he would like to be a written report, with Council questions, but not a long presentation. This was sent to the Finance, Utilities and Rules committee. Council President Aasen announced Resolution CC-01-06-25-01; A Resolution of the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana, Approving Certain Matters in Connection with the Old Town Economic Development Area (Main and 4th Avenue Allocation Area); Sponsor(s): Councilors Aasen and Minnaar. Councilor Minnaar moved to introduce the item into business. Councilor Joshi seconded. Councilor Minnaar presented the item to Council. Henry Mestetsky stated that there are three allocation areas being presented today. The first is the Main & 4th Allocation Area, also known as the Ardalan Project. Councilor Taylor stated that he is in favor of creating these allocation areas, because our debt study revealed that we need to start finding ways to increase this type of revenue since so many other allocation areas are expiring and that assessed value is coming onto our tax rolls. Councilor Snyder also spoke in favor of these allocation areas. Councilor Snyder moved to approve the resolution. Council President Aasen seconded. There was no discussion. Council President Aasen called for the vote. Resolution CC-01-06-25-01 approved, 9-0. Council President Aasen announced Resolution CC-01-06-25-02; A Resolution of the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana, Approving Certain Matters in Connection with the North Illinois Street Economic Development Area (Frontage Road Hotel Allocation Area); Sponsor(s): Councilors Aasen and Minnaar. Councilor Minnaar moved to introduce the item into business. Councilor Ayers seconded. Councilor Minnaar presented the item to Council. Councilor Snyder asked about why we’re not getting the innkeepers’ tax. Mayor Finkam responded that there is an opportunity for discussion at the County level and Docusign Envelope ID: E417DCFC-BFC2-409B-B78F-43DE523333D4 5 with the new executive director of “Visit Hamilton County.” Councilor Minnaar moved to approve the resolution. Councilor Worrell seconded the motion. There was no discussion. Council President Aasen called for the vote. Resolution CC-01-06-25-02 approved, 9-0. Council President Aasen announced Resolution CC-01-06-25-03; A Resolution of the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana, Approving Certain Matters in Connection with the North Illinois Street Economic Development Area (Meridian Hotel Allocation Area); Sponsor(s): Councilors Aasen and Minnaar. Councilor Minnaar moved to introduce the item into business. Councilor Snyder seconded. Councilor Minnaar presented the item to Council. There were no Council comments. Councilor Minnaar moved to approve the resolution. Councilor Joshi seconded. There was no discussion. Council President Aasen called for the vote. Resolution CC-01-06-25-03 approved, 9-0. AGENDA ADD-ON ITEMS There was one add-on item to the agenda. The Mayor requested that the Council approve three appointments to the Carmel Historic Preservation Commission. Matt Uber was appointed, and Nick Kestner and Bill Sanders were reappointed. Councilor Worrell spoke in favor of approving Matt Uber’s appointment. Councilor Snyder moved to approve the appointments. Councilor Joshi seconded. There was no discussion. Council President Aasen called for the vote. CHPC Appointments approved, 9-0. OTHER BUSINESS City Council Appointments Carmel Advisory Committee on Disability (Terms expire 12/31/2026, two-year terms); Two appointments. No appointments were made. This was sent to the nominating committee. ANNOUNCEMENTS Councilor Joshi announced that she is going to moderate a forum on religious freedom on Thursday, January 16th from 6:30 – 8:00 pm, at the Indiana War Memorial, if anyone would like to attend. ADJOURNMENT Council President Aasen adjourned the meeting at 8:25 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Jacob Quinn, Clerk Approved, ATTEST: _______________________________ Adam Aasen, Council President Jacob Quinn, Clerk Docusign Envelope ID: E417DCFC-BFC2-409B-B78F-43DE523333D4