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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04.07.25 CC Special Emergency Meeting Minutes 1 City of Carmel CARMEL COMMON COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES MONDAY, APRIL 7, 2025 – 1:00 P.M. COUNCIL CHAMBERS/CITY HALL/ONE CIVIC SQUARE Council President Adam Aasen, Councilors 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. Fire Chief Joel Thacker spoke to Council about the ongoing recovery efforts from tornado that went through Carmel last Wednesday, April 2nd. Chief Thacker expressed his gratitude to be working with the dedicated teams of Carmel Fire, Police, and the Street Department. We decreased our EOC (Emergency Operations Center) level to level 3. Today members of the Department of Community Services were out with the Fire Department assessing damage, as well as Hamilton County Emergency Management and the Indiana Department of Homeland Security. We visited 54 residences that were impacted, five with major damage, 22 with minor damage, and 27 affected. 13 businesses were impacted, six with major damage, seven with minor damage. There are two businesses that have not been able to operate, but one of those should be able to resume operations tomorrow. Councilor Taylor spoke to the concern of these damaged buildings being secured so that they are not a target of crime. Chief Thacker stated that he was pleased to see how well these buildings had already been secured and boarded up. He also stated that of the damaged residences that are not inhabitable, all of those occupants have been taken care of, whether they are staying with friends and family, or their insurance companies have provided lodging. Councilor Taylor expressed his concern for any seniors who may have had their vehicles damaged, and are now needing help with transportation to medical appointments. Chief Thacker responded that they had not yet found anyone in that situation. Councilor Snyder shared that as of this morning, Street Commissioner Matt Higginbotham reports that they have hauled 20 salt trucks full of debris and multiple loads of miscellaneous storm debris. We also want to thank Whitestown, Westfield and Noblesville for sending crews to assist, as well as trucks and other supplies. Council President Aasen announced Resolution CC-04-07-25-01; A Resolution of the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana Allowing Emergency Waiver of Applicable Permit Fees Related to the Emergency Weather Event. Councilor Worrell moved to introduce the item into business. Councilor Snyder seconded. Councilor Worrell presented the item to Council. Nick Weber, Director of Economic Development, explained that this resolution seeks to assist citizens with tornado-related property damage by waiving city fees related to rebuilding. Examples could be plan review fees, permit fees, right-of-way permits, etc. This would allow those looking to rebuild to use more of their funds for the actual rebuilding, without having to pay those fees to the city. Councilor Snyder moved to amend the resolution to include a one-year expiration date, and to allow applicants to reapply with new information if their application is denied. He also asked about permit fees that pertain to utilities, such as reconnection fees, Docusign Envelope ID: 81EBF5DC-F2ED-4D67-97A9-334CA76A927F 2 and whether those would also be considered for waiver. Mr. Weber shared that this was the intent. Councilor Green seconded the motion. There was no further discussion. Council President Aasen called for the vote. Motion to Amend approved, 9-0. Councilor Green asked about the reference to “City Official” in Section 2. Mr. Weber replied that this was written from the standpoint of most of this being a function of the DOCS Director. He also stated that when this program ends, he will report back to Council on the monetary impact. Councilor Locke asked if this concession of permit fees would cause a burden to the Department of Community Services. DOCS Director Mike Hollibaugh responded that it would not. Chief Thacker stated that taking these measures is a proactive approach to helping our citizens, and more communities need to do this. There is a great deal of damage beyond the home and business structural damage that was listed, such as fences and mini barns. Councilor Minnaar moved to approve the resolution as amended. Councilor Joshi seconded. There was no further discussion. Council President Aasen called for the vote. Resolution 04-07-25-01 approved as amended, 9-0. Councilor Snyder then shared that the Council would like to put a plan in place to help our community should a disaster strike again in the future. A document has been put together to outline what that help would look like, and that document is still in the draft stages. At this time, the initiative is being referred to as the CHAMP program, and it contains plans to help both residences and businesses. This will become our long-term plan for disaster relief. In the short-term, The Mayor’s State of Emergency decree expires on Thursday, so our ability to grant emergency funds without going through the usual appropriation protocol will end when that does. The Council then discussed what could be done immediately for the two businesses that sustained enough damage to become non-operational. It was decided that we must first find out what those businesses need. Nick Weber shared that one of those businesses will actually be able to resume business tomorrow. Councilor Worrell then asked Clint Lamb, former Mayor of Sullivan, Indiana, if he could share his experience with what his community needed after their town was struck by a hurricane on March 30, 2023. Mr. Lamb, who now works for Accelerating Indiana Municipalities (AIM), shared that it will take some time for those affected to make a full assessment of their losses before they may know what support they truly need. Insurance companies will have to come in and do their assessments. Councilors Joshi and Green both reiterated the need to find out what those affected need. Councilors Worrell and Snyder spoke of being a bridge between those in need and their insurance, which can take some time. Clint Lamb added that it’s important to be that point of contact to the public, to gather all the data, and to carefully track all the time and resources that are used in those efforts. It’s great that churches and neighbors are stepping up to help, but also consider reaching out to The United Way, The Salvation Army. He stated that Chief Thacker could help share his experience with the VOAD Method, which is Volunteers Offering Assistance in Disaster. Councilor Locke expressed his appreciation to Mr. Lamb for sharing his experience. Councilor Minnaar expressed her desire to look out for our elderly citizens who may be in need of help, unable to physically clean up after the storm, and who may be underinsured, or uninsured. Councilor Worrell shared that there will be a Volunteer Carmel event tomorrow to help with storm clean- up, and our wonderful residents have already filled all shifts. He also commended Councilor Snyder on his care and compassion to help our residents. ADJOURNMENT Council President Aasen adjourned the meeting at 7:09 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ____________________________________ Jacob Quinn, Clerk Docusign Envelope ID: 81EBF5DC-F2ED-4D67-97A9-334CA76A927F 3 Approved, ____________________________________ Adam Aasen, Council President ATTEST: ________________________________ Jacob Quinn, Clerk Docusign Envelope ID: 81EBF5DC-F2ED-4D67-97A9-334CA76A927F