Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout03.03.25 CC Meeting Minutes 1 City of Carmel CARMEL COMMON COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES MONDAY, MARCH 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 Reverend Tim Burchill of Carmel United Methodist Church delivered the invocation. RECOGNITION OF CITY EMPLOYEES AND OUTSTANDING CITIZENS There were none. RECOGNITION OF PERSONS WHO WISH TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL There were none. COUNCIL AND MAYORAL COMMENTS/OBSERVATIONS Shravan Santhosh, a 5th grade student at Cherry Tree Elementary School, gave the Mayor’s Report to Council. Two weeks ago, the first ever She L.E.A.D.S. Conference took place, with great success. Next year’s conference is already being planned. Last week, the Carmel Affiliate Review Committee held its first meeting. This group is making sure we form beneficial partnerships with organizations that serve our city. Preparations are underway for the Cherry Blossom Festival in May. We will be welcoming a delegation from our sister city of Kawachinagano, Japan. We will be rededicating our Japanese garden and celebrating 30 years of being sister cities. Mayor Finkam also recently spoke with Mayor Meoni of our sister city, Cortona, Italy. They discussed sharing ideas, creating youth experiences, and doing more with art and culture. The Mayor is continuing to work with state lawmakers to find ways to better serve Carmel taxpayers. We are focused on finding property tax relief solutions for homesteads. Mayor Finkam also stated that she and Fire Chief Joel Thacker visited all six fire stations earlier that day, (although station 346 kept getting called out every time they visited). At every station, appreciation was expressed to the Council for putting the ambulance into service at station 342. Docusign Envelope ID: ACEE470F-220C-44EB-B48A-BBBEAFE77119 2 CONSENT AGENDA Councilor Taylor moved to approve the consent agenda. Councilor Joshi seconded. There was no discussion. Council President Aasen called for the vote. The consent agenda was approved 9-0. a. Approval of Minutes 1. February 17, 2025 Regular Meeting b. Claims 1. Payroll - $4,102,780.06 (2/7/25) and $4,260,463.32 (2/21/25) 2. General Claims - $2,980,408.14 and $53,088.16 (Purchase Card) ACTION ON MAYORAL VETOES There were none. COMMITTEE REPORTS Councilor Taylor reported that the Finance, Utilities and Rules Committee will be meeting next Tuesday, March 11th at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers. Councilor Snyder reported that the Land Use and Special Studies Committee met on February 19th to discuss the UDO and the land acquisition ordinance, which he will speak on when we get to that section of the agenda. OTHER REPORTS – (at the first meeting of the month specified below): Henry Mestetsky, Director of the Redevelopment Commission, gave the monthly report to Council. There has been work on the first floor retail space of the Wren, with an eye doctor, a real estate office and an exercise place coming in. Foundation work at Monon Square North has begun. The final condos are now on sale at First on Main. Magnolia units continue going up. First floor retail continues leasing out at The Muse. Civic Square condos should be mobilizing in the next month or so. Progress is being made at Hamilton Crossing and Proscenium II. The grand opening of 1933 Lounge at 111 S. Rangeline should be in a month or so. The multi-family portion of Icon on Main will be under construction all this year. The Merchant’s Bank expansion at the AT&T Site continues. City staff continue to work behind the scenes for Ardalan Plaza and Proscenium III to move forward. Jeffrey Maurer of The Economic Development Commission gave the biannual report to Council. The commission met on August 12th of last year and reviewed one project, which was Proscenium III. The commission unanimously approved the $19 million in developer-backed bonds for that project. OLD BUSINESS Council President Aasen announced the third 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. This item remains the Land Use and Special Studies Committee. 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: ACEE470F-220C-44EB-B48A-BBBEAFE77119 3 Ordinance for the City and Referring the Same to the Carmel Plan Commission for Recommendation; Sponsor(s): Councilor(s) Aasen, Snyder and Taylor. This item remains the Land Use and Special Studies Committee. Councilor Snyder stated that due to some recent developments pertaining to the issue of Group Homes, the Land Use and Special Studies Committee will take up discussion on this ordinance at this Wednesday’s meeting. Council President Aasen announced Resolution CC-02-17-25-01; A Resolution of the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana, Expressing Interest in the Purchase of Certain Properties Valued at Over $25,000.00 and Associated with City Improvement Projects; Sponsor: Councilor Taylor. This item returns from the Land Use and Special Studies Committee with a unanimous negative recommendation as it was written. Councilor Snyder moved to amend the resolution to remove all but four properties, consisting of five parcels of land, and vote on just those at this time. Those properties were 4255 E. Smoky Row Road, 10592 Lakeshore Drive East, one parcel at the intersection of Grand Blvd and Old Meridian Street, and two parcels next to the Carmel VFW. Councilor Minnaar seconded the motion. Conversation was opened up on this amendment. Councilor Snyder stated that these properties were chosen because they have clear and active plans already. During the Land Use meeting it was discussed with the City Engineer that we would like to see some preliminary linework before other properties are presented as potential acquisitions. Other items on this resolution may come back in front of Council in the future, in a new resolution, with a sunset clause. Councilor Worrell asked if the Engineering Department has been informed of why we are wanting this process to change going forward, and what our goal is (to not string homeowners along unnecessarily.) Jeremy Kashman, Chief Infrastructure Officer, stated that he had a conversation with Councilor Snyder and they are in agreement with how this process will work, going forward. After Council has approved a list of projects, Engineering will bring a grouping of them forward at a time as a resolution for approval, after preliminary linework has been done. This will provide constituents with more detail than they had in the past. Councilor Taylor asked if CCPR was also pursuing acquisition of the property near the VFW and Director Kashman stated that his department is working together with the Park Department on this property. There was no further discussion on the amendment. Council President Aasen called for the vote. Motion to Amend approved, 9-0. Councilor Minnaar moved to approve the resolution as amended. Councilor Snyder seconded. There was no discussion. Council President Aasen called for the vote. Resolution CC-02-17-25- 01 approved as amended, 9-0. PUBLIC HEARINGS Council President Aasen announced the first reading of Ordinance Z-696-25; An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana, Establishing the Jackson’s Grant Village (Phase II) Planned Unit Development District and Amending the Jackson’s Grant Village PUD (Ordinance Z-653-20); Sponsor: Councilor Minnaar. Councilor Snyder moved to introduce the item into business. Councilor Minnaar seconded. Jon Dobosiewicz of Nelson & Frankenberger spoke on behalf of McKenzie homes, the builder. This rezone is being requested to build townhomes on a 1.67 acre vacant lot which are identical to those already under construction. This lot is adjacent to and abutting 116th Street. This plan has already received a unanimous positive recommendation from the Plan Commission. Council President Aasen opened the public hearing at 6:25 p.m. Seeing no one who wished to speak, the public hearing was closed at 6:25 p.m. Councilor Green moved to suspend the rules and act on this tonight. Councilor Taylor seconded. There was no discussion. Council President Aasen called for the vote. Motion to Suspend the Rules approved, 9-0. Councilor Minnaar moved to approve the ordinance. Councilor Joshi seconded. There was no discussion. Council President Aasen called for the vote. Ordinance Z-696-25 approved, 9-0. Council President Aasen announced the first reading of Ordinance D-2761-25; An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana, Authorizing and Approving an Additional Appropriation of Funds from the City Law Enforcement Aid Fund #910; Sponsor: Councilor Worrell. Councilor Worrell moved to introduce the item into business. Councilor Taylor seconded. Police Chief Drake Sterling Docusign Envelope ID: ACEE470F-220C-44EB-B48A-BBBEAFE77119 4 explained that last year the Council approved the opening of an account to collect forfeitures specifically for CPD, and now this ordinance will approve the appropriation of funds from that account so they may be used. Councilor Locke asked if more ordinances will be brought back in front of Council as additional forfeitures are collected to be appropriated. Zac Jackson, City Controller/CFO, replied that there may be a mid-year additional appropriation request, but for the most part we’ll probably build it in with the budget bill like we do with the original forfeiture fund. Council President Aasen opened the public hearing at 6:29 p.m. Seeing no one who wished to speak, the public hearing was closed at 6:29 p.m. Councilor Worrell made a motion to suspend the rules and act on this tonight. Councilor Ayers 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 Joshi seconded. There was no discussion. Council President Aasen called for the vote. Ordinance D-2761-25 approved, 9-0. Council President Aasen announced the first reading of Ordinance D-2764-25; An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana, Authorizing and Approving an Additional Appropriation of One Hundred Eight Thousand Dollars from the General Fund (#101) into the Office of Corporation Counsel Budget (#1180); Sponsor: Councilor Taylor. Councilor Taylor moved to introduce the item into business. Councilor Green seconded. Councilor Taylor presented the item to Council. Zac Jackson explained that this ordinance is the result of the salary ordinance that was passed at the February 3rd meeting. This ordinance will appropriate funds to cover the additional salary amounts for the remainder of 2025. Council President Aasen opened the public hearing at 6:31 p.m. Seeing no one who wished to speak, the public hearing was closed at 6:31 p.m. Councilor Taylor 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 Taylor moved to approve the ordinance. Councilor Joshi seconded. There was no discussion. Council President Aasen called for the vote. Ordinance D-2764-25 approved, 9-0. Council President Aasen announced the first reading of Ordinance D-2765-25; An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana, Authorizing and Approving an Additional Appropriation of $1,067,420.00 from the General Fund (#101) to the City Property Maintenance Budget (#1206); Sponsor: Councilor Taylor. Councilor Taylor moved to introduce the item into business. Councilor Green seconded. Councilor Taylor presented the item to Council. Zac Jackson explained that this ordinance is attempting to kill two birds with one stone. After we realized that we missed the September 1 deadline to put the Wheel Tax and Surtax in place for 2025, we knew we needed to find the funds we had expected to receive from those taxes for road repaving. We found $3,567,420.00 in unspent 2024 appropriated funds. This ordinance will reappropriate those unspent funds this year, starting with this $1,067,420.00 request. This leaves $2,500,000.00 still to be appropriated. This request is coming now because last year there was an accident in which a truck hit the overpass at 106th Street and Keystone Parkway, damaging the bridge. While we are awaiting reimbursement from the truck driver’s insurance company, this will pay to repair those damages. Councilor Joshi asked what the process is to ensure that we will recover the money from the insurance company. Mr. Jackson stated that we have every expectation to receive the reimbursement within 30-60 days after the work is completed, and we will legally pursue repayment if we have to. Councilor Taylor stated that he would like to amend the ordinance to state that the reimbursement from insurance goes back to the General Fund. Councilor Snyder asked if the bridge repair includes a remedy to stop it from getting hit again. Jeremy Kashman stated that two of the bridge beams are being elevated by 3 inches, which should stop this from happening again. Councilors Snyder and Green asked about the schedule for getting this repair done, Mr. Kashman stated that we want to get this completed this summer in light of the other construction that will be happening in the near future on 106th Street. Councilors Snyder and Locke asked if there would be any issues if the insurance reimbursement doesn’t come until next year. Mr. Jackson stated that this would not cause any problems. Matt Higginbotham, Street Commissioner, stated that we have made a specific effort to go after any monies due from property damage, with over $300,000.00 being recovered last year. He also stated that when we turn in the claim for reimbursement, it will contain the whole design contract, which was paid last year, and all of the staff’s time, all the cleanup, every expense pertaining to the repair. There is Docusign Envelope ID: ACEE470F-220C-44EB-B48A-BBBEAFE77119 5 a 20% cap on overage for change orders. Council President Aasen then opened up the public hearing at 7:01 p.m. Seeing no one who wished to address the Council, the public hearing was closed at 7:01 p.m. Councilor Taylor then 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 Taylor moved to amend the ordinance to state that all expended funds once reimbursed from insurance will be returned to their funds of origin. Councilor Green seconded. There was no discussion. Council President Aasen called for the vote. Motion to Amend approved, 9-0. Councilor Taylor moved to approve the ordinance. Councilor Green seconded. There was no discussion. Ordinance D-2765-25 approved as amended, 9-0. NEW BUSINESS Council President Aasen announced the first reading of Ordinance D-2767-25; An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana, Amending Chapter 2, Article 4, Section 2-96 of the Carmel City Code; Sponsor(s): Councilor(s) Taylor and Snyder. Councilor Green moved to introduce the item into business. Councilor Joshi seconded. Councilor Snyder presented the item to Council. Councilor Snyder stated that he would like this to be reviewed by the Finance Committee, so as to review the rates Carmel charges, our policies for payment collection, and write-offs through insurance companies. Councilor Taylor would like to look into our base rate, our cost of living adjustments, and how those compare to surrounding communities. Fire Chief Joel Thacker stated that CFD can provide any requested data to the Finance Committee, which is meeting on Tuesday, March 11th, at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers. Council President Aasen then sent this item to the Finance, Utilities and Rules Committee. AGENDA ADD-ON ITEMS There were none. OTHER BUSINESS There was none. ANNOUNCEMENTS There were none. ADJOURNMENT Council President Aasen adjourned the meeting at 7:08 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, _______________________________ Jacob Quinn, Clerk Approved, ATTEST: _______________________________ Adam Aasen, Council President _______________________________ Jacob Quinn, Clerk Docusign Envelope ID: ACEE470F-220C-44EB-B48A-BBBEAFE77119