11.9.22 CC Special Meeting Minutes1
COMMON COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2022 – 6:00 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS/CITY HALL/ONE CIVIC SQUARE
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER
Council President Kevin D. Rider; Council Members: Laura Campbell, Sue Finkam, Adam Aasen,
Anthony Green, Miles Nelson, Jeff Worrell and Deputy Clerk Jacob Quinn were present.
Councilors Timothy Hannon and H. Bruce Kimball were not present.
Councilor Worrell called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Councilor Worrell introduced the First Reading of Ordinance D-2651-22: An Ordinance of the
Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana, for the Purpose of Establishing Councilmanic Districts.
Councilor Worrell presented the item and his proposal to Council. Councilor Worrell stated that the
following guidelines and goal were put in place and that all were accomplished: Compact, contiguous, as
close as possible to equal population, respect precinct boundary lines, comply with requirements
prohibiting discrimination, respect communities of interest, to have as little change as possible from 2019
to 2023 maps, respect each current councilor and keep them in the same district they are currently in and
that total deviation be no greater than 5%. Brian Bosma, Kroger Gardis & Regas, LLP, presented to
Council. Mr. Bosma stated that the various challenges with the new maps such as a 12% deviation with
the current map, and the West district had to give up 6%, Southeast District had to give up 6% and the
North Central District had to give up 6%. The Southwest district acquired Clay 13 and gave up Clay 01,
South Central picked up Clay 04 and gave up Clay 61 and 28 and the West District picked up Clay 61 and
28 and gave up Clay 04. Councilor Worrell opened the public hearing at 6:16 p.m.
Jill Meisenheimer stated that the two precincts Councilor Green would lose in the redistrict would miss
his representation and diligence. The issue that she is very concerned about the district being called South
Central and how it would affect the comprehensive plan that was just passed. It was suggested during the
comprehensive plan process that South Central Carmel would see an increase in development.
Dee Fox presented a plan that wouldn’t be as optimal as the proposed Council plan, but she believes it
would keep the districts more intact. Nothing east of Meridian would change and Councilor Green and
Councilor Nelson’s district would be more similar to how they were in 2019 and the Village of West Clay
wouldn’t be split.
Councilor Worrell closed the public hearing at 6:25 p.m. Mr. Bosma stated that the problem is that
Council has considered a map with 5% deviation, if you adopt a map that has a higher deviation than that
and someone bring a lawsuit that says the City’s map is not as equal as possible the City would not have
much of a defense. Mr. Bosma stated that it wouldn’t be the end of the world and it’s possible someone
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wouldn’t bring a lawsuit against the City for their maps not being as equal as possible, but he would not
recommend that approach. Councilor Worrell referred the item to Finance, Utilities and Rules Committee.
OTHER BUSINESS
There was none.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Council President Rider added himself as an alternate to the Finance, Utilities and Rules Committee.
ADJOURNMENT
Councilor Worrell adjourned the meeting at 6:28 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
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Sue Wolfgang, Clerk
Approved,
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Kevin Rider, Council President
ATTEST:
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Sue Wolfgang, Clerk
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