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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02.03.25 CC Meeting MinutesDocusign Envelope ID: 01FODE5E-A2EA-4995-8D7F-8298440AA410 City of Carmel CARMEL COMMON COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 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 Father Richard Doerr of Our Lady of Mount Carmel delivered the invocation. RECOGNITION OF CITY EMPLOYEES AND OUTSTANDING CITIZENS There were none. RECOGNITION OF PERSONS WHO WISH TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL Robert Spaller, a Carmel resident, spoke to Council about an issue in his neighborhood with homeowners leaving pet waste in their yards, and also allowing their cats to wander the neighborhood and leave pet waste in neighbors' yards. Mr. Spaller stated that there are ordinances prohibiting pet waste on public property, but we need an ordinance to be written to prohibit this type of nuisance on private property, as well. Chris Potts spoke to Council in favor of the the Lennar development proposed to be built at 146th Street and Towne Road. Mr. Potts is very pleased with the outcome of this housing development plan. He thanked Lennar Homes, the Planning and Zoning department, the land owner, and the Common Council for listening to the community, and working together to create an end product that everyone is pleased with. Jodi Schwin spoke to Council on behalf of the residents of Williamson Run neighborhood. Ms. Schwin spoke about the safety issue involving parking on Randall Drive. The car dealership and Enterprise leasing are both parking vehicles on the street, blocking the view for those coming around the comer. Additionally, they are doing test drives through the neighborhood. Finally, there are car alarms going off at the dealership all throughout the day and night, which is a terrible noise nuisance to the Williamson Run residents. 1 2 COUNCIL AND MAYORAL COMMENTS/OBSERVATIONS Jameson Partington, a 5th grader at Cherry Tree Elementary School, gave the Mayor’s Report to Council. The Leadership Team is working on Carmel’s first strategic plan, which focuses on being the most desirable and best-run city in the nation. Strategic pillars include inspiring livability, innovating for impact, and investing in people. We are using data whenever possible to help make decisions, such as in the request to add a 5th ambulance to the Carmel Fire Department. Data shows that this will help us make a significant improvement in the emergency services that we can provide to all residents and businesses on the West side of Carmel. Mayor Finkam serves on the AIM Legislative Committee and is taking an active role with state leaders regarding legislation that may impact Carmel. The Mayor thanked the Council for supporting infrastructure improvements. This year will bring long-term improvements to our path and trail networks, safety and traffic flow. Councilor Worrell spoke to Council regarding the Non-Profit Review Committee, which is on the agenda tonight. This is the committee that Mayor Finkam and Councilor Worrell proposed after working together to address ongoing questions from residents after changes were made to the Christkindlmrkt. Councilor Worrell stated that his motivation to form this review committee was to unite our community around the facts, what actually happened, and why, and to then move forward together with what is in the best interest of our community. Councilor Worrell shared that he is disappointed to learn that he will not be nominated for this committee, as he was informed that his role as a roundabout t-shirt vendor for All Things Carmel, one of the affiliates to be reviewed, could create a perception of a conflict of interest. Councilor Worrell stated that he acknowledges and accepts the Council’s decision not to nominate him, and agrees that this committee’s work is far too important to allow it to be tainted, even in perception. He urged those who will serve to approach the process with an open mind, driven by the desire for transparency. He hopes the work of this committee will shine a light on what is happening inside our government, so our citizens can have confidence in how the city is being operated, and in how their hard-earned tax dollars are being spent. CONSENT AGENDA Councilor Green 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. January 6, 2024 Regular Meeting 2. January 23, 2024 Special Meeting b. Claims 1. General Claims - $3,111,496.37 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. After being amended, Ordinance D-2741-24 passes back to the full Council with a positive recommendation. The minor change made was to include language stating that nothing shall restrict the Common Council’s ability to direct the Controller to make changes to the chart of accounts. Ordinance D- 2755-25 was also unanimously approved to send back to Council with a positive recommendation. This ordinance amends the Council meeting agenda to include the Finance department’s quarterly reports. Docusign Envelope ID: 01F0DE5E-A2EA-4995-8D7F-8298440AA410 3 Councilor Snyder reported that the Land Use and Special Studies Committee held a special meeting on Wednesday, January 29th, to review the most recent updates to the proposed Lennar development at 146th Street and Towne Road. The committee also continues to review the UDO, and Councilor Snyder thanked Councilor Minnaar for spearheading a plan to rework our approach to accomplishing this review. There will not be a meeting this Wednesday, the 5th, but the Land Use Committee will meet on Wednesday, February 19th. OTHER REPORTS – (at the first meeting of the month specified below): Henry Mestetsky, Director of Redevelopment, gave the monthly report. Monon Square North’s construction has started. 1st on Main is pretty much done. Magnolia is building out its condos. Civic Square Condos should start construction in the next month or two. Hamilton Crossing will continue to be under construction throughout this year. Lots of progress is being made at Proscenium II and 111 S. Rangeline. 1933 Lounge should be opening around March. Beautiful updates are happening at the AT&T site. Icon on Main will continue to be under construction for the entirety of this year. Ardalan Plaza is moving along, hopefully the shell will be completed by the end of this year. Mark Dollase gave the Carmel Historic Preservation Commission’s quarterly report to Council. A property owner came to the CHPC last year with a desire to have their home designated as a historic property. In January the plan for this was approved, so the CHPC will be coming back to Council in the next month or so to seek approval. The commission has also been working on saving a pre-Civil War era building at 10750 Hazel Dell Parkway, with an intent to relocate it elsewhere on that same property and restore it. A strong attempt was also made to relocate the house at the corner of 4th and Main, where Ardalan Plaza is planned. Unfortunately, that move will not be possible. Lastly, the commission had to appoint a new commissioner, and the CHPC hopes that the Council will approve that appointment tonight. Director Michael Klitzing presented the quarterly report for Carmel Clay Parks and Recreation. Highlights of 2024 include a national re-accreditation, IPRA Excellence in Resource Improvement Award for River Heritage Park, 2025-2029 Comprehensive Parks & Recreation Master Plan, Bison & Calf sculpture at Central Park, and playground improvements at Westermeier Commons, Carey Grove, Inlow and West Parks. There were 685,002 visitors to the Monon Center and Waterpark, 162,307 program participants, $102,344 in scholarships awarded, 7,271 camp participants and 2,611 volunteer hours. CCPR is always looking for more after-school counselors, which would enable the program to increase the number of kids that can participate. 2024 yielded $14.0 million in gross revenue, the highest in the history of the park system. Cost recovery rate was 116%, year-end cash reserves were 80%. Last year, construction began on Hazel Landing Park’s Pedestrian Bridge. Councilor Minnaar asked Mr. Klitzing when the Trailway along the Whiter River will open to the public. He responded that he hopes it will be in the fall of this year. We will strive for earlier, but the weather has to cooperate. Councilor Snyder pointed out that the nationwide average cost recovery rate for parks and recreation departments that are not funded by endowments is around 7%, so to have a cost recovery rate of 116% is outstanding. Councilor Taylor stated that 2020 was a very tough year, and it’s important to note that it was because of the year-end cash reserves the Park Department had going into that year, that they were able to fund a $1.5 million dollar loss of revenue without having to come to the Council or the Township to ask for additional appropriations to cover those losses. OLD BUSINESS Council President Aasen announced the seventh 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 returns from the Finance, Utilities and Rules Committee. Zac Jackson, Carmel CFO, explained the amendments that were made during the Finance Committee meeting earlier today. The first change pertains to the moving of funds in a budget within the same category. Previously, we could only move $25,000.00 at a time, with up to Docusign Envelope ID: 01F0DE5E-A2EA-4995-8D7F-8298440AA410 4 50,000.00 total being moved. Now we will be able to move a total of $50,000.00 at once, eliminating the unnecessary step of splitting it in half and moving two halves on different days. The second change pertains to the Chart of Accounts and budget forms. If the CFO makes any changes to the Chart of Accounts, he will report that to Council before the next meeting, and Council will also still have the authority to direct the CFO to make a change to the Chart of Accounts. The CFO will be in charge of budget forms, and any time those are changed, he will present those to Council, at least annually. Lastly, encumbrances will be allowed to roll into the next year in specific circumstances, such as when we have a purchase order for work that has been contracted, but not finished, or not paid for yet. When the Clerk’s office, the Court, or the Council have encumbrance requests, those will be sent to the Controller’s office to be compiled, but the Controller’s office will not get to make a judgement on those encumbrances for these separately elected offices. Councilor Locke asked how many of the $25,000.00 - $50,000.00 transfers are made per year. Mr. Jackson answered that it is probably a few dozen. Councilors Snyder and Joshi both commended Mr. Jackson on being so receptive to the feedback from the Council during the budgeting process, and both agreed that this cleanup is exactly what was needed and will make the budget process go more smoothly this year. Councilor Green moved to amend the ordinance according to the changes listed. Councilor Snyder seconded. There was no discussion. Council President Aasen called for the vote. Motion to Amend approved, 9-0. Councilor Green moved to approve the amended ordinance. Councilor Joshi seconded. Councilor Green thanked Mayor Finkam for hiring Zac Jackson as the Chief Financial Officer, and he thanked Zac for working to standardize the budgeting processes and for bringing more oversight, accountability and transparency. There was no further discussion. Council President Aasen called for the vote. Ordinance D-2741-24 approved as amended, 9-0. Council President Aasen announced the third 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. Councilor Snyder stated that in his career he has never seen a developer bring forward a plan, listen to the constituents, and then change the plan accordingly, as drastically as Lennar has done. He also thanked the Plan Commission and Jon Dobosiewicz and Jim Shinaver of Nelson Frankenberger. This item returns from the Land Use and Special Studies Committee with a unanimous positive recommendation. Jon Dobosiewicz then explained that the plan was changed to remove the townhome product altogether, reducing the density from 87 homes to 50. The new home product type provides bedrooms with full baths on the main level, 80% of which are primary bedrooms, and they’re priced from the mid $600’s. The development will also have rental restrictions. Councilor Taylor asked how we will ensure that there will be a first-floor bedroom in each home. Mr. Dobosiewicz answered that it is required as listed in Exhibit E to the ordinance. Councilor Minnaar thanked Lennar, and stated she was especially thankful for the rental restrictions which will prohibit institutional buyers from coming in and buying these homes up to turn them into rentals. Councilor Minnaar moved to amend the ordinance. Council President Aasen asked if there were any more comments. Councilor Worrell commended the Land Use Committee for running a meeting where it was possible to ask what it is that the community wants, and then asked Lennar to find a way for it to be possible to remove the townhomes. The result is that we now have a product that produces churn. Empty nesters looking to downsize now have a place to go, which will open up larger homes for new families. Council President Aasen echoed the importance of creating that churn. Councilor Taylor then seconded the motion to amend the ordinance. Council President Aasen called for the vote. Motion to Amend approved 9-0. Councilor Minnaar moved to approve the amended ordinance. Councilor Joshi seconded. There was no further discussion. Council President Aasen called for the vote. Ordinance Z-694-24 approved as amended, 9-0. Council President Aasen announced the second 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. This returns from the Finance, Utilities and Rules committee with a positive recommendation. Zac Jackson explained that this ordinance amends the list of reports that come to Council to add a quarterly budget report from the Finance department. Councilor Docusign Envelope ID: 01F0DE5E-A2EA-4995-8D7F-8298440AA410 5 Snyder asked if this will be an oral report. President Aasen stated that this is intended to be a written report, and then Zac could take questions if there are any. Councilor Snyder moved to approve the ordinance. Councilor Minnaar seconded. There was no further discussion. Council President Aasen called for the vote. Ordinance D-2755-25 approved, 9-0. PUBLIC HEARINGS Council President Aasen announced the first reading of Ordinance D-2756-25; An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana, Authorizing and Approving an Additional Appropriation of Funds from the Parks and Recreation Non-Reverting Capital Fund (Fund #103) to Line Item 4462000 Other Structure Improvements; Sponsor(s): Councilor(s) Snyder and Taylor. Councilor Green moved to introduce the item into business. Councilor Minnaar seconded. Councilor Taylor presented the item to Council. Director Klitzing spoke about the four items on the agenda. He stated that Carmel Clay Parks and Recreation received a $1 million grant from Hamilton County, and received what will ultimately be a $4 million grant from the Central Indiana Regional Development Authority. This ordinance asks that through the resolutions that are also on this agenda, the funds be transferred from the fund that receives all the City’s grants into the Parks fund so that the funds may be used. This ordinance asks that Council appropriate and authorize the expenditure of funds from those two grants. Council President Aasen then opened the public hearing at 7:17 p.m. Seeing no one who wished to address the Council, President Aasen closed the public hearing at 7:17 p.m. Councilor Snyder moved to suspend the rules and act on this tonight. Councilor Green seconded. There was no discussion. Council President Aasen called for the vote. Motion to Suspend the Rules approved 9-0. Councilor Joshi moved to approve the ordinance. Councilor Snyder seconded. There was no discussion. Council President Aasen called for the vote. Ordinance D-2756-25 approved 9-0. Council President Aasen announced the first reading of Ordinance D-2757-25; An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana, Authorizing and Approving an Additional Appropriation of Funds from Parks and Recreation Impact Fee Fund (Fund #106) to Line Item 4460715 White River Corridor; Sponsor(s): Councilor(s) Snyder and Taylor. Councilor Green moved to introduce the item into business. Councilor Minnaar seconded. Councilor Snyder presented the item to Council. This ordinance also pertains to what Director Klitzing had previously explained. Council President Aasen opened the public hearing at 7:19 p.m. Seeing no one who wished to address the Council, President Aasen closed the public hearing at 7:19 p.m. Councilor Taylor moved to suspend the rules and act on this tonight. Councilor Snyder seconded. There was no discussion. Council President Aasen called for the vote. Motion to Suspend the Rules approved, 9-0. Councilor Joshi moved to approve the ordinance. Councilor Green seconded. There was no discussion. Council President Aasen called for the vote. Ordinance D-2757-25 approved, 9-0. Council President Aasen announced the first reading of Ordinance D-2758-25; An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana, Authorizing and Approving an Additional Appropriation of Funds from the Fire Department Budget (#1120) to Line Item 4112002 – Unscheduled Overtime; Sponsor(s): Councilor(s) Taylor, Snyder and Aasen. Councilor Taylor moved to introduce the item into business. Councilor Green seconded. Councilor Taylor presented the item to Council. Carmel Fire Chief Joel Thacker explained that the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) has completed a study of the staffing needs for current and future stations for the city of Carmel, the results of which clearly indicate that additional equipment, facilities and personnel are needed to provide increased Fire and EMS services to the West side of Carmel, and that specifically an additional ambulance should be placed at Station 42. We already have the ambulance. This ordinance will put that ambulance into service, and staff Station 42 with two additional firefighters per shift, a total of six firefighters. Councilors Snyder and Taylor spoke in favor of this ordinance. Councilor Green asked if they will be utilizing existing personnel in the short term. Chief Thacker stated that we will. There are ten recruits in school right now, but they won’t be ready for six months. Councilor Green asked if this $800,000.00 request was reflected in the budget report, and Zac Jackson responded that this appropriation has not been deducted yet. Councilor Joshi asked about the staffing Docusign Envelope ID: 01F0DE5E-A2EA-4995-8D7F-8298440AA410 6 numbers. Chief Thacker stated that Station 42 usually has 4 firefighters per shift, so this would increase to six per shift. Councilor Worrell spoke in favor of this ordinance. Councilor Snyder asked if we could look at the Ambulance Fund going forward, so that spending money out of it would be a less cumbersome process. Councilor Taylor stated that the Finance Committee could start looking at that. Mayor Finkam thanked our IAFF partners for helping us get this study done. Council President Aasen opened the public hearing at 7:35 p.m. Sean Sutton, President of the Carmel Professional Firefighters, spoke in favor of this ordinance, and thanked the Mayor and the City Council for supporting this. He stated that this is needed and will 100% save lives. Seeing no one else who wished to address the Council, President Aasen closed the public hearing at 7:37 p.m. Councilor Snyder moved to suspend the rules and act on this tonight. Councilor Minnaar seconded. There was no discussion. Council President Aasen called for the vote. Motion to Suspend the Rules approved, 9-0. Councilor Snyder moved to approve the ordinance. Councilor Joshi seconded. There was no discussion. Council President Aasen called for the vote. Ordinance D-2758-25 approved, 9-0. NEW BUSINESS Council President Aasen announced the first reading of Ordinance D-2759-25; An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana, Amending Chapter 5, Article 1, Sections 5-3 and 5-4 of the Carmel City Code; Sponsor(s): Councilor(s) Taylor and Snyder. Councilor Snyder moved to introduce the item into business. Councilor Green seconded. Councilor Snyder presented the item to Council. Director Klitzing explained that Park rules that have been updated by the Park Board have not been written into City Code. This matters because CCPR has entered into an agreement with the Carmel Police Department to provide two Park Resource Officers. These rules need to codified so that they are enforceable by those officers. Councilor Worrell asked about rules regarding e-bikes. Director Klitzing responded that this ordinance does not specifically address e-bikes, which is part of a bigger conversation, but it does make the speed limit on the Monon uniformly 15 miles per hour, and there will be signage indicating this. Councilor Snyder spoke about doing a special study of micro-mobility. Mayor Finkam stated that the transportation study may have some helpful insights on that. Councilor Green moved to suspend the rules and act on this tonight. Councilor Snyder seconded. There was no discussion. Council President Aasen called for the vote. Motion to Suspend the Rules approved, 9-0. Councilor Joshi moved to approve the ordinance. Councilor Green seconded. There was no discussion. Council President Aasen called for the vote. Ordinance D-2759- 25 approved, 9-0. Council President Aasen announced the first reading of Ordinance D-2760-25; An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana, Amending Chapter 8, Article 5, Section 8-47 of the Carmel City Code; Sponsor(s): Councilor(s) Aasen and Worrell. Councilor Green moved to introduce the item into business. Councilor Snyder seconded. Councilor Worrell presented the item to Council. This item changes city code to say that parking will not be allowed on either side of the street on Randall Drive. Councilor Snyder made a motion to suspend the rules and act on this tonight. Councilor Worrell seconded. There was no discussion. Council President Aasen called for the vote. Motion to Suspend the Rules approved, 9-0. Councilor Worrell moved to approve the ordinance. Councilor Snyder seconded. There was no discussion. Council President Aasen called for the vote. Ordinance D-2760-25 approved, 9-0. Council President Aasen announced the first reading of Ordinance D-2762-25; An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana, Amending Chapter 8, Article 5, Sections 8-37, 8-47, and 8- 48 of the Carmel City Code; Sponsor: Councilor Aasen. Councilor Worrell moved to introduce the item into business. Councilor Minnaar seconded. Councilor Worrell presented the item to Council. Brad Pease, Director of Engineering, explained that this ordinance would create 15-minute parking spaces at the beginning of each block on Main Street from Knoll Court to 1st Street SE, and would remove inconsistencies and duplications of code. Councilor Green asked about the status of the parking study that’s currently being done. Director Pease stated that it’s just getting started and will last about six months. This item was sent to the Land Use and Special Studies Committee for further discussion. Docusign Envelope ID: 01F0DE5E-A2EA-4995-8D7F-8298440AA410 7 Council President Aasen announced Resolution CC-02-03-25-01; A Resolution of the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana, Approving Certain Matters in Connection with the Legacy Project Economic Development Area (Legacy II Allocation Area); Sponsor(s): Councilor(s) Aasen and Minnaar. Councilor Minnaar moved to introduce the item into business. Councilor Green seconded. Councilor Minnaar presented the item to Council. Henry Mestetsky explained TIF bond votes versus allocation area votes. He then explained all four allocation areas to be voted on. Councilor Snyder asked about where TIF funds can be spent. Mr. Mestetsky replied that there are rules stating that a portion of the funds must be used on the actual parcel. In order to create a new allocation area you have to both benefit the site, and if you’re using parts of that somewhere else, it still has to benefit the area. Councilor Green asked if there are any risks to prematurely establishing an allocation area. Director Mestetsky stated that there are not. Council President Aasen clarified that just because an allocation area is created, this doesn’t approve a project. The bond would create the project, and that would be approved at a later date. Councilor Snyder moved to approve the resolution. Councilor Taylor seconded. There was no discussion. Council President Aasen called for the vote. Resolution CC-02-03-25-01 approved, 9-0. Council President Aasen announced Resolution CC-02-03-25-02; A Resolution of the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana, Approving Certain Matters in Connection with the 106th and Illinois Economic Development Area; Sponsor(s): Councilor(s) Aasen and Minnaar. Councilor Minnaar moved to introduce the item into business. Councilor Green seconded. Councilor Minnaar presented the item to Council. Councilor Snyder moved to approve the resolution. Councilor Minnaar seconded. There was no discussion. Council President Aasen called for the vote. Resolution CC-02-03-25-02 approved, 9-0. Council President Aasen announced Resolution CC-02-03-25-03; A Resolution of the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana, Approving Certain Matters in Connection with the Clay Terrace Economic Development Area; Sponsor(s): Councilor(s) Aasen and Minnaar. Councilor Green moved to introduce the item into business. Councilor Minnaar seconded. Councilor Minnaar presented the item to Council. Councilor Snyder moved to approve the resolution. Councilor Ayers seconded. There was no discussion. Council President Aasen called for the vote. Resolution CC-02-03-25-03 approved, 9-0. Council President Aasen announced Resolution CC-02-03-25-04; A Resolution of the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana, Approving Certain Matters in Connection with the BJ’s Wholesale Economic Development Area; Sponsor(s): Councilor(s) Aasen and Minnaar. Councilor Minnaar moved to introduce the item into business. Councilor Green seconded. Councilor Minnaar presented the item to Council. Councilor Snyder moved to approve the resolution. Councilor Minnaar seconded. There was no discussion. Council President Aasen called for the vote. Resolution CC-02-03-25-04 approved, 9-0. Council President Aasen announced Resolution CC-02-03-25-05; A Resolution of the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana, Approving a Transfer of Funds Between the Grant Fund (#900) and the Parks and Recreation Impact Fee Fund (#106); Sponsor(s): Councilor(s) Snyder and Taylor. Councilor Snyder moved to introduce the item into business. Councilor Minnaar seconded. Councilor Snyder presented the item to Council. Councilor Taylor moved to approve the resolution. Councilor Minnaar seconded. There was no discussion. Council President Aasen called for the vote. Resolution CC-02-03-25-05 approved, 9-0. Council President Aasen announced Resolution CC-02-03-25-06; A Resolution of the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana, Approving a Transfer of Funds Between the Grant Fund (#900) and the Parks and Recreation Non-Reverting Capital Fund (#103); Sponsor(s): Councilor(s) Snyder and Taylor. Councilor Joshi moved to introduce the item into business. Councilor Green seconded. Councilor Snyder presented the item to Council. Councilor Taylor moved to approve the resolution. Councilor Minnaar seconded. There was no discussion. Council President Aasen called for the vote. Resolution CC-02-03-25-06 approved, 9-0. Council President Aasen announced Resolution CC-02-03-25-07; A Resolution of the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana, Recommending Consideration of an Amendment to the Unified Development Docusign Envelope ID: 01F0DE5E-A2EA-4995-8D7F-8298440AA410 8 Ordinance for the City and Referring the Same to the Carmel Plan Commission for Recommendation; Sponsor(s): Councilor(s) Aasen, Snyder and Taylor. Councilor Green moved to introduce the item into business. Councilor Snyder seconded. Councilor Taylor presented the item to Council. Ted Nolting of Kroger Gardis & Regas drafted this ordinance, and explained that this ordinance does four things. First, it puts a licensing requirement on group homes. Second, it puts the authority into the hands of the Board of Zoning Appeals to consider these applications. Third, it would limit group homes to a maximum of eight people within residential districts. Fourth, it would prohibit any group home from being within 3,000 feet of another group home within a residential district. There happens to be a lawsuit pending with the Indiana Supreme Court regarding licensing requirements of group homes and we expect a decision any day. For that reason, Mr. Nolting recommended this item be tabled until the decision is made. Councilors discussed the ramifications of putting a commercial enterprise into a residential area and trying to regulate group homes without discriminating. This item was sent to the Land Use and Special Studies Committee. Council President Aasen announced Resolution CC-02-03-25-08; A Resolution of the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana, Approving the 2025-2026 Contract with the Carmel Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 185; Sponsor: Councilor Aasen. Councilor Minnaar moved to introduce the item into business. Councilor Green seconded. Councilor Taylor presented the item to Council. Mayor Finkam thanked Council for considering this item, but asked that they please hold it until the IAFF contract comes their way so Council can see them together. This item was sent to the Finance, Utilities and Rules Committee. AGENDA ADD-ON ITEMS Councilor Snyder moved to add one item to the agenda. Councilor Green seconded. There was no discussion. Council President Aasen called for the vote. Adding Item to the Agenda approved, 9-0. Council President Aasen read the memorandum explaining Ordinance D-2763-25, which asks for a salary increase for positions within the Legal department in order to be competitive with other municipalities and retain current talent. Zac Jackson explained further the reasoning for this request. Councilors Locke, Worrell, Joshi, Taylor, and Snyder all spoke in favor of this item. Councilor Snyder moved 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 Snyder moved to approve the ordinance. Councilor Taylor seconded. There was no further discussion. Council President Aasen called for the vote. Ordinance D-2763-25 approved, 9-0. OTHER BUSINESS Council President Aasen announced 2024 Encumbrances in 2025 - $20,321,019.67. This is a request for acknowledgement by the Council. Councilor Locke asked if these encumbrances followed the new rules of requiring a specific reason for being carried into the new year. Zac Jackson responded that they all did. Councilor Snyder moved to acknowledge the encumbrances. Councilor Taylor seconded. There was no discussion. Council President Aasen called for the vote. 2024 Encumbrances in 2025 acknowledged, 9-0. Council President Aasen announced Legal Services Agreement – Kroger Gardis & Regas, LLP. This is the 2025 contract with the City Council’s outside counsel. Councilor Snyder moved to approve the contract. Councilor Green seconded. There was no discussion. Council President Aasen called for the vote. Legal Services Agreement – Kroger Gardis & Regas, LLP approved, 9-0. City Council Appointments 1. Carmel Advisory Committee on Disability (Terms expire 12/31/2026, two-year terms); Two appointments. Councilor Green nominated Melissa Keyes and Josh Marraccini. Councilor Taylor seconded. Councilor Green moved to close the nominations. Councilor Snyder seconded. Councilor Green stated that there were three very qualified candidates, and he asked that Dr. William Bennett, Docusign Envelope ID: 01F0DE5E-A2EA-4995-8D7F-8298440AA410 9 who was not chosen at this time, please be considered for a future appointment. Councilor Worrell asked if we could vote on all three or if the nominating committee had voted. Councilor Green stated that we would have to go through a formal process, such as a resolution, to give the formal nominating committee legal authority. Ted Nolting stated that a committee must be formed through a formal resolution. At this time there is not a committee, just a working group. Councilor Aasen called for the vote to close nominations. Nominations closed, 7-2. (Worrell and Joshi abstained.) Josh Marraccini introduced himself to Council and shared his background and qualifications. Council President Aasen called for the vote on Melissa Keyes’ nomination. Nomination of Melissa Keyes approved, 7-2. Worrell and Joshi abstained.) Council President Aasen called for the vote on Josh Marraccini’s nomination. Nomination of Josh Marraccini approved, 7-2. (Worrell and Joshi abstained.) 2. Affiliate Review Committee (Three appointments). Councilor Green nominated Ryan Locke, Teresa Ayers and Shannon Minnaar. Councilor Taylor moved to close nominations. Councilor Green seconded. Council President Aasen called for the vote. Nominations closed, 9-0. Council President Aasen called for the vote on Ryan Locke’s nomination. Nomination of Ryan Locke approved, 8-1. Locke abstained.) Council President Aasen called for the vote on Teresa Ayers’ nomination. Nomination of Teresa Ayers approved, 7-2. (Ayers and Snyder abstained.) Council President Aasen called for the vote on Shannon Minnaar’s nomination. Nomination of Shannon Minnaar approved, 7- 2. (Minnaar and Snyder abstained.) Request to Approve Mayoral Nomination Council President Aasen announced the Mayoral nomination of Kelly Baskett to the Carmel Historic Preservation Commission (Term expires 12/31/27, three year term.) Councilor Minnaar moved to approve the nomination. Councilor Joshi seconded. There was no discussion. Council President Aasen called for the vote. Nomination of Kelly Baskett approved, 9-0. ANNOUNCEMENTS There were none. ADJOURNMENT Council President Aasen adjourned the meeting at 8:54 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Jacob Quinn, Clerk Approved, ATTEST: _______________________________ Adam Aasen, Council President Jacob Quinn, Clerk Docusign Envelope ID: 01F0DE5E-A2EA-4995-8D7F-8298440AA410