Oct 16, 2023 City Council Meeting 10-16-2023

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>>> WELCOME. I AM CALLING THIS MEETING OF THE CARMEL CITY COUNCIL TO ORDER FOR THIS MONDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2023.

WE HAVE A QUORUM, ALL MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL ARE PRESENT.

I DO WANT TO JUST MAKE A SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT THAT WE WILL HAVE A SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING ON OCTOBER 24TH AT 7:00 P.M. THAT WILL BE TO TAKE UP THE BUSINESS OF CONNOR PRAIRIE.

WE JUST HAD A COMMITTEE MEETING REGARDING CONNOR PRAIRIE.

ALL COUNCIL HAVE BEEN GIVEN NEW CHANGES, AMENDMENTS TO THE ORDINANCE, SO WE'LL HAVE A FEW DAYS TO CONSIDER THOSE.

SO IF YOU ARE HERE FOR CONNOR PRAIRIE, I KNOW WE'VE GOT A BLUE CARD REGARDING THAT. CERTAINLY HAPPY TO HAVE YOU

[2. AGENDA APPROVAL]

JUST WANT TO BE UP FRONT ABOUT THAT.

MAY I NOW HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE OUR AGENDA?

>> MOVE TO APPROVE. >> ALL RIGHT, PLEASE VOTE.

[3. INVOCATION]

PASTOR JOHN NEWTON FROM NORTH VIEW CHRISTIAN CHURCH.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT FOR OUR INVOCATION.

>> LET'S PRAY TOGETHER. FATHER, WHAT A PRIVILEGE IT IS TO COME BEFORE YOU TODAY AND JUST BOW OUR HEADS AND ASK YOUR FAVOR UPON THIS MEETING. I LIFT UP OUR COUNCIL MEMBERS.

I THANK YOU FOR THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO SERVE THIS COMMUNITY SO WELL. I THANK YOU FOR THEIR HEARTS, FOR THEIR VISION, FOR THEIR COURAGE, AND I ASK YOUR BLESSING OVER THEM. THERE ARE A LOT OF VOICES THAT ARE SPEAKING IN THE WORLD TODAY AND FATHER I JUST PRAY THAT WE WOULD HEAR YOUR VOICE ABOVE ALL ELSE.

IN JESUS NAME, AMEN. >> THANK YOU, PASTOR.

[4. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE]

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. >> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION, UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

>> THANK YOU. WE NOW HAVE RECOGNITION OF CITY EMPLOYEES AND OUTSTANDING CITIZENS.

[6. RECOGNITION OF PERSONS WHO WISH TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL]

WE HAVE ONE BLUE CARD FOR MR. STEVE EMIL.

IF YOU WOULD PLEASE COME FORWARD.

AND WE ARE GOING TO ASK YOU TO GO RIGHT OVER HERE TO MY RIGHT.

WE WILL ALLOW YOU THREE MINUTES AND THE TIMER IS RIGHT UP THERE,

GO WHEN YOU'RE READY. >> OKAY.

GOOD EVENING EVERYBODY. THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME.

MY INFORMATION IS ABOUT CONNOR PRAIRIE.

ACTUALLY IT'S DEVELOPMENT BEGINS B-2 WHICH IS THE HOTEL, B-3 THE CABINS, AND 4 THE RETAIL SALES SITE.

THE REASON WHY IS FIRST OF ALL RIGHT NOW ALLISONVILLE ROAD 146TH STREET IS CLOSED RIGHT NOW, IT'S UNDER CONSTRUCTION FOR A YEAR. IT'S GOING TO BE UNDER CONSTRUCTION FOR ANOTHER YEAR. AND AFTER THAT WE'RE GOING TO TURN AROUND AND NOT THE CITY, BUT THE COUNTY IS GOING TO TEAR UP 146 AND HAZELDALE FOR ANOTHER TWO YEARS.

SO BASICALLY THAT WHOLE AREA IS GOING TO BE UNDER CONSTRUCTION FOR AT LEAST THREE YEARS OR MORE.

SECOND THING IS WE HAVE AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL RIGHT DOWN THE ROAD FROM THEM. DO YOU THINK THAT'S GOING TO AFFECT THE SCHOOL? YES, IT IS.

AND ALSO TOO WE HAVE A LEGACY I THINK IS APPLIED FOR MORE HOUSING OVER IN THAT AREA AND THEN ACROSS THE STREET FROM 146TH AND RIVER ROAD, WE'VE GOT A NEW APARTMENT COMPLEX THROUGH NOBLESVILLE. BUT IT LOOKS LIKE RIGHT NOW THERE'S ABOUT 176 UNITS AND THEY'RE CLEARING OUT ANOTHER AREA FOR ANOTHER 160 UNITS. SO HOW MUCH TRAFFIC CAN WE TAKE ON 146TH AND RIVER ROAD? ALSO TOO, THE CITY OF NOBLESVILLE JUST APPROVED ANOTHER GRVEL SITE ON RIVER ROAD. I SAT THERE THE OTHER DAY AT THE

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SO WHAT ARE WE TRYING TO DO? THAT AREA SHOULD BE, IF THEY WANT TO USE IT FOR OFFICES, I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT.

55,000 SQUARE FEET IS A BIG OFFICE.

I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE THEY'LL EMPLOYEE THERE, BUT YOU ADD THE HOTELS AND ADD THE CABINS, WE'RE JUST GOING TO KILL THAT WHOLE AREA. AND THE PEOPLE IN THAT AREA THEY'RE NOT GOING TO PUT UP WITH THIS.

THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY. THANK YOU.

[7. COUNCIL AND MAYORAL COMMENTS/OBSERVATIONS]

>> THANK YOU. I DON'T HAVE ANY OTHER BLUE CARDS SO WE WILL MOVE ON NOW TO COUNCIL AND MAYORAL COMMENTS.

DO I HAVE ANY TO MY LEFT? COUNCILOR FINKHAM.

>> I JUST WANT TO UPDATE EVERYBODY.

WE SAID BEFORE AND SINCE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT BUDGET TONIGHT, I THOUGHT IT WAS APPROPRIATE. WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THE ACTION THAT THE STATE OF INDIANA TOOK IN APRIL TO AMEND THE LOCAL INCOME TAX DISTRIBUTION AT THE COUNTY LEVEL WHERE A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF OUR REVENUE WOULD BE TRANSFERRED OVER TO FISHERS TO THE TUNE OF $18 MILLION NEXT YEAR AND $50 MILLION TO $60 MILLION OVER A TEN YEAR PERIOD.

THAT'S A SIGNIFICANT WITHDRAWAL FROM WHAT WE EXPECTED TO HAVE AS RECEIPTS. THAT MEANS FIRE STATION ON THE NORTHWEST SIDE OF CARMEL, THAT POTENTIALLY MEANS MORE POLICE OFFICERS AND THAT HAS A GREAT IMPACT ON PARKS AND OTHER THINGS WE WANT TO FUND. I WAS ABLE TO WORK WITH OUR CONSULTANT AND ALSO OUR LOBBYIST TO TALK ABOUT HOW WE CAN TAKE ACTION IN THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION TO TRY TO STOP THAT.

I DON'T KNOW THAT WE CAN IMPACT NEXT YEAR'S REDUCTION IN DOLLARS AND WE CERTAINLY CAN'T IMPACT ANYTHING THAT'S HAPPENED IN THE PAST BUT WE CAN CERTAINLY STOP MOVING FORWARD.

I WANT TO LET YOU KNOW THE CITY IS TAKING ACTION IN THAT REGARD.

THE MAYOR HAS ALSO FILED A LAWSUIT TO TRY TO STOP THAT AS WELL. SO WE'RE TRYING TO ATTACK IT TWO DIFFERENT WAYS, RIGHT NOW LEGISLATIVELY AND ALSO THROUGH THE COURT SYSTEM. I WANTED TO GIVE EVERYBODY AN

[8. CONSENT AGENDA]

UPDATE ON THAT. >> THANK YOU, COUNCILOR FINKHAM.

ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR OBSERVATIONS? SEEING NONE, WE'LL MOVE ON TO OUR CONSENT AGENDA.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR OCTOBER 4, 2023, REGULAR MEETING AND OUR CLAIMS, GENERAL CLAIMS IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,049,332.81.

WIRE TRANSFERS IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,555,871.99.

>> MOVE TO APPROVE. >> OKAY IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? PLEASE VOTE. THAT CARRIES.

[10. COMMITTEE REPORTS]

WE WILL MOVE NOW TO COMMITTEE REPORTS.

FINANCE, UTILITIES AND RULES COMMITTEE HAS NOT MET.

LAND USE AND SPECIAL STUDIES COMMITTEE, COUNCILOR CAMPBELL.

>> WE DISCUSSED THE CONNOR PRAIRIE PUD AND THAT REMAINS IN COMMITTEE. I DISCUSSED THE NEED FOR A SPECIAL MEETING BECAUSE WE WEREN'T AT THE POINT WHERE WE COULD TAKE A FINAL VOTE IN COMMITTEE.

SO THAT IS BEING HELD IN COMMITTEE AND PRESIDENT WORRELL SET OUR SPECIAL MEETING FOR OCTOBER 24TH AT 7:00.

>> THANK YOU, COUNCILOR CAMPBELL.

[11. OTHER REPORTS]

REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION. >> GOOD EVENING, COUNCIL.

REDEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR. I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT TO YOU ON THIS SECOND MEETING OF THE MONTH INSTEAD OF THE FIRST. LOTS OF STUFF GOING ON IN OCTOBER. THE WREN CONTINUES TO BE UNDER CONSTRUCTION. THE WINDSOR CONTINUES TO BE UNDER CONSTRUCTION. WE HAVE LISTENED TO CITY COUNCIL'S SUGGESTIONS AND NOW EVERY SLIDE WILL FEATURE THE CONSTRUCTION START AND ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATES AND WE WILL LOOK TO UPDATE THOSE AS WE HEAR MORE FROM THE DEVELOPERS.

LOTS OF PROGRESS ON THE WINDSOR. IT'S REALLY NICE TO SEE THAT BUILDING TAKING SHAPE. THE PROSCENIUM, IT'S WON THE REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT CATEGORY AT THE MONUMENT AWARDS TWO WEEKS AGO. IT'S REALLY COOL TO SEE CARMEL PROJECTS CONTINUING TO DO REALLY WELL.

COMPETITION THAT IS PRETTY INDY CENTERED.

BUT PROSCENIUM WON THE TOP PRIZE FOR REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT.

THE TAVERN ON THE DPREEN IS STILL MAKING ITS WAY THROUGH

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MELANGE IS MAKING ITS WAY THROUGH.

LOTS OF PROGRESS ON 1ST ON MAIN. EXCITED PEOPLE FINALLY GET TO SEE THE FACADE GOING UP ON THAT BUILDING TO SEE HOW BEAUTIFUL IT TRULY AND IS HOW IT COMPLEMENTS OUR ARTS AND DESIGN DISTRICT.

MAGNOLIA IS COMING ALONG, SO IS MUSE PROJECT.

SIGNATURE IS CONTINUING TO BE UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

CITY -- CIVIC SQUARE IS READY. HAMILTON CROSSING GOT THIRD PLACE IN THE CONSTRUCTION CATEGORY, THE NEW REPUBLIC TRAINING CENTER WITH THE TEN AIRPLANE TRAINING MODULES.

THE ARCHITECTURE, THE HEADQUARTERS BUILDING SHOULD BE MAKING ITS WAY THROUGH ADLS IN THE NEXT TWO MONTHS.

SO THAT'S GOING TO BE EXCITING TO SEE THAT START ALONG WITH A RESIDENTIAL WRAP FOR THE PARKING GARAGE.

PROSCENIUM II IS REALLY COMING ALONG, IT'S NICE TO SEE THAT BUILDING TAKE SHAPE. TODAY YOU CAN SEE THE FIRST ELEVATOR TOWER ON 111 SOUTH RANGE LINE, HOME TO THE FUTURE 1933 LOUNGE. NICE TO SEE PROGRESS HAPPENING THERE. ICON ON MAIN IS FULL SPEED AHEAD ON ITS SITE WORK. MONON SQUARE STILL LOOKING TO HAVE THAT START LATER THIS YEAR. AT&T HAD A BIG MILESTONE LAST WEEK ON FRIDAY THEY CLOSED ON THEIR BONDS.

SO THEY HAVE THEIR LOAN AND THEIR BONDS, EVERYTHING IS NOW FINALIZED. SO WE SHOULD SEE CONSTRUCTION ON THAT SHORTLY. THE TOWNSHIP PROJECT HISTORICAL SOCIETY IS ONGOING. CRC FUNDED $1.5 MILLION OF THAT PROJECT. ROUNDABOUT ART, OUR MARMON GOT SECOND PLACE IN THE PUBLIC ART CATEGORY WHICH IS REALLY EXCITING. ANOTHER SHOUT OUT TO OUR FRIENDS IN THE PARKS DEPARTMENT, THE MEADOWLARK PARK GOT SECOND PLACE IN THE LANDSCAPE CATEGORY AT THE MONUMENTAL AWARDS.

IT'S GOOD TO SEE US CONTINUING TO KEEP CARMEL TOP OF MIND.

AND FINALLY, PALLADISCOPE CONTINUES TO DRAW FANS.

AND I WANT TO POINT OUT ONE OF THE RECENT CHANGES THAT WE HAD WHERE IN LIGHT OF THE AWFUL EVENTS THAT TOOK PLACE LAST WEEK, WE WANTED TO STAND IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE NATION OF ISRAEL AND ITS PEOPLE. AND PALLADISCOPE, THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT WE ACTED ON ALMOST REAL TIME, WE'RE ABLE TO SHOW OUR SUPPORT AND USE OUR PALLADISCOPE AMENITY THAT WE HAVE IN OUR CITY TO DO WHAT WE CAN HERE.

AND THIS GENERATED A LOT OF POSITIVE FEEDBACK, A LOT OF TRAFFIC ON THE INTERNET, A LOT OF CLICKS.

AND THIS VIDEO HAS BEEN INCREDIBLY WIDELY SHARED.

IT'S JUST ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO KEEP HIGHLIGHTING THE CITY OF CARMEL DURING GOOD TIMES AND THROUGH TIMES OF TRAGEDY.

AND THAT CONCLUDES MY PRESENTATION AND I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT THE COUNCIL MAY HAVE.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU, DIRECTOR.

ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION? SEEING NONE, I ASSUME YOU'RE GOING TO DO THE REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY?

>> YES. REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY HAD ONE MEETING IN THE LAST HALF A YEAR. THE BUILDING WHERE MJ INSURANCE IS WAS SOLD. PART OF THE DEAL FOR THAT PROJECT WHEN IT WAS FIRST PUT TOGETHER WAS THERE ARE GUARANTORS IN PLACE RELATED TO EVERY BUILDING IN MIDTOWN.

WHEN A BUILDING IS SOLD, WE VET THE FINANCIALS OF THE REPLACEMENT CORN -- GUARANTOR. AND WE GET A REPLACEMENT GUARANTOR IN TO SIGN OFF ON ALL OF THE ISSUES RELATED TO THOSE PROJECTS. SO THE BUILDING SOLD AND BOTH THE CRC AND THE REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MET TO APPROVE THE REPLACEMENT GUARANTOR WHICH WASN'T DIFFICULT TO APPROVE BECAUSE THE SAME OWNER AS THE OWNER OF THE ALLIED BUILDING BOUGHT THE MJ BUILDING SO WE ALREADY HAD THEIR FINANCIALS AND

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YEAR. >> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU.

WE'LL SEE HOW MANY QUESTIONS WE GET.

ANY QUESTIONS REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY? OKAY, THANK YOU. APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE.

>> THANK YOU. >> NEXT UP ON OUR AGENDA AS I REMEMBER I BELIEVE COUNCILOR HANNON EITHER IN BUDGETS OR PREVIOUS MEETING ASKED THAT WE RECEIVE A REPORT FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT CRISIS INTERVENTION UNIT, APPRECIATE THAT.

SO WE HEARD YOU. SO I THINK WE HAVE FOUR MEMBERS FROM THAT UNIT, WOULD YOU PLEASE COME FORWARD AND SHARE YOUR INFORMATION WITH US. PRIOR TO THE MEETING I ASKED WHO WOULD BE SPEAKING AND THEY SAID WE ARE A TEAM.

SO THAT IS GREAT TO SEE. >> SO MY NAME IS KATIE MALOY.

I AM THE SERGEANT OF THE CRISIS INTERVENTION UNIT.

MY OFFICIAL TITLE IS SUPERVISOR OF OUR OFFICER WELLNESS AND OUR CRISIS INTERVENTION PROGRAMS. THOSE TWO THINGS HAVE KIND OF MERGED ALL INTO THE CRISIS INTERVENTION UNIT.

THE UNIT IS MADE UP OF TWO OFFICERS, MYSELF AND OFFICER GREG STOVALL. THE WAY THAT WE'RE DRESSED RIGHT NOW, THAT'S THE WAY WE DRESS WHEN WE RESPOND WITH THE SOCIAL WORKERS. WE USUALLY DON'T MATCH THIS MUCH SO PEOPLE DON'T GET US CONFUSED. SO OUR PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES ARE MAKING SURE THAT OUR OFFICERS AND OUR COMMUNITY ARE TAKEN CARE OF. SO I'M GOING TO TOUCH ON A COUPLE OF THINGS WITH OFFICER WELLNESS AND THEN THE REST OF OUR TEAM WILL TALK THROUGH THE REST OF THESE POINTS.

SO PART OF OUR OFFICER WELLNESS IS THAT WE DO CRITICAL INCIDENT DEBRIEFS. OUR TEAM IS ALL TRAINED IN CRITICAL INCIDENT STRESS MANAGEMENT.

SO IF WE HAVE A CRITICAL INCIDENT SUCH AS AN OFFICER-INVOLVED SHOOTING, SOMETHING THAT INVOLVES FATALITY ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO CHILDREN, WE'RE ABLE TO HOLD DEBRIEFS, OUR TEAM COMES IN AND FOLLOWS THE CRITICAL INCIDENT STRESS MODEL TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE OFFICERS ARE TAKEN CARE OF AND TO FOLLOW UP WITH THOSE OFFICERS CONSISTENTLY TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE DOING WELL. BECAUSE WE ALL KNOW THAT OFFICERS ARE NOT DOING WELL, THEY'RE NOT WORKING WELL.

IS THAT'S ONE THING THAT OUR TEAM IS ABLE TO COME TOGETHER AND DO. THAT'S WHY I SAY THAT WE DIDN'T REALIZE THAT THESE TWO THINGS WOULD MERGE SO MUCH BECAUSE OUR SOCIAL WORKERS CAME IN AND THEY BRING A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE TO THE TABLE AND IT HAS BEEN A WONDERFUL THING.

THE OFFICERS HAVE REACHED OUT TO THE SOCIAL WORKERS, STOPPED BY THEIR OFFICERS JUST TO CHAT. WE STILL HAVE OUR OUTSIDE COUNCILOR, BUT PEOPLE LOVE HANNAH, PEOPLE LOVE JODIE AND JUST THE CHANCE TO HAVE A CHAT WITH THEM AFTER A CALL THAT MIGHT NOT REACH THE LEVEL OF CRITICAL INCIDENTS, BUT JUST THAT MINUTE TO PROCESS IT TAKES A WEIGHT OFF THEIR SHOULDERS AND WE'VE SEEN THAT HAPPEN TIME AND TIME AGAIN.

THAT'S WHERE IT GOES INTO SUPPORT AS WELL.

WE DO A PRESENTATION, KIND OF A WELLNESS DAY WITH OUR NEW OFFICERS TO SAY HERE'S ALL OF THE THINGS THAT WE OFFER WITH OUR PHYSICAL FITNESS ASSESSMENTS, WITH OUR OUTSIDE COUNCILORS, OUR PEER SUPPORT TEAM.

WE WILL BE BRINGING A THERAPY DOG ON IN NOVEMBER.

THAT'S NOT AN EXACT PRESENTATION OF HER, THAT ONE KIND OF HAS SOME WIDE EYES, BUT THAT WAS THE GIF THAT WAS AVAILABLE.

I WAS A K9 HANDLER 13 YEARS BEFORE BEING PROMOTING.

SO I WILL BE MACY'S PRIMARY HANDLER.

EXCITED FOR THE DIFFERENT WAYS WE CAN INTEGRATE MACY INTO NOT ONLY OFFICER WELLNESS BUT COMMUNITY.

SHE WILL BE NEUTRAL TO THINGS LIKE LOUD NOISES, SIRENS, A LOT OF FURTIVE MOVEMENTS AND EVEN GUNFIRE.

SO SHE WILL BE TRAINED TO BE PASSIVE WHEN ANY INCIDENT HAPPENS, BUT WE WOULD NOT DEPLOY HER INTO A DANGEROUS SITUATION.

BUT IN POLICE WORK, YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT COULD HAPPEN.

NOW GREG IS GOING TO COME UP AND TALK ABOUT THESE NEXT TWO POINTS

UNDER OFFICER WELLNESS. >> AGAIN MY NAME IS GREG STOVALL, I'M AN OFFICER WITH THE CRISIS INTERVENTION UNIT.

ALONG WITH THE WELLNESS, WE HAVE WHAT'S CALLED THE POST WHICH IS THE POLICE OFFICER SUPPORT TEAM. IT'S A TEAM OF 14 OFFICERS, AN IN-HOUSE CHAPLAIN AND BOTH OF OUR SOCIAL WORKERS.

BASICALLY OFFICERS ARE TRAINED TO REACH OUT TO OTHER OFFICERS TO CHECK IN ON THEIR MENTAL HEALTH.

IT MIGHT NOT BE WORK RELATED, IT COULD BE PERSONAL.

TODAY'S DAY AND AGE MENTAL HEALTH OF POLICE OFFICERS IS SO IMPORTANT, SO WE'RE ENSURING THEY'RE RECEIVING SUPPORT AND

[00:20:02]

ANY WAY WE CAN HELP OUT, TIPS, TRICKS, MUCH BETTER RESPONSE FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WITH DEALING WITH ANYONE WITH MENTAL HEALTH. SO THAT'S KIND OF HOW WE SUMMARIZE AND DEAL WITH OUR UNIT IN HOUSE.

BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT WORK IS THE WORK THAT WE DO FOR THE COMMUNITY WHICH HANNAH AND JODIE WILL SPEAK ABOUT NEXT.

>> SO THE FOUR OF US ARE AVAILABLE TO PROVIDE ON-SCENE SUPPORT. AND WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE IS A CALL WOULD COME IN FOR SERVICE AND EITHER KATIE AND MYSELF OR JODIE AND GREG WOULD GO OUT TO THE HOUSES WITH ROAD OFFICERS AND THE GOAL WOULD BE TO PROVIDE STABILIZATION.

THERE ARE TIMES WHEN OFFICERS ARE OUT AND THEY'RE NOT QUITE SURE WHAT SERVICES THAT ARE AVAILABLE IN HAMILTON COUNTY, AND THAT'S MY RESPONSIBILITY AND JODIE'S IS TO TELL THEM WHAT THOSE ARE. ALSO WE'VE RECEIVED ABOUT 90 OFFICER REFERRALS. SO IN SITUATIONS WHERE WE'RE NOT ABLE TO RESPOND ON SCENE, OFFICERS WILL GIVE US A CALL, SEND US AN EMAIL, AND WE'LL COME OUT AND WE'LL HELP THEM.

SO WE'RE ON THE FRONT END AND THE BACK END AS WELL.

AND THAT 90 CASES I'M REALLY PROUD OF THAT NUMBER, SO WHEN I FIRST STARTED, OFFICERS WERE REALLY LEERY ABOUT MY ROLE IN THE DEPARTMENT AND THEY THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO COME ON SCENE, MAKE THEM HUG EVERYONE, SLAP HANDCUFFS AWAY.

AND ACTUALLY GREG THOUGHT THAT SPECIFICALLY AND NOW HE'S IN OUR UNIT. SO I'M THRILLED THAT WE'VE BEEN SO WELL RECEIVED WITHIN THE COMMUNITY AND WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT. SO JODIE IS GOING TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE CASE MANAGEMENT PIECE.

>> SO FOR CASE MANAGEMENT, ALL OF CASES THAT HANNAH MENTIONED, THE ON SCENE THAT WE ENGAGE WITH THE CITIZENS ON SCENE OR OFFICER REFERRALS, WE THEN PROVIDE CASE MANAGEMENT TO ALL OF THOSE PEOPLE. SO YEAR TO DATE WE'RE AT ABOUT 153 CASES WHERE WE'RE PROVIDING FOLLOWING UP WITH PEOPLE, PROVIDING RESOURCES, JUST GIVING CALL BACKS AND CHECKING IN.

SO WE HAVE ABOUT 72 OF THOSE, 153 ARE ONGOING WHERE WE'VE PROVIDED MORE THAN JUST ONE TOUCH WITH THEM.

AND THAT USUALLY ACCUMULATES TO SOMEWHERE AROUND TWO HOURS PER EACH OF THOSE CASES. THAT COULD BE IN THE COURSE OF SOMETIMES A DAY OR TWO WE'VE PROVIDED A LOT OF HOURS WITHIN A SHORT TIME, OR IT COULD BE OVER A COUPLE OF WEEKS THAT WE'VE PROVIDED THAT SUPPORT TO THEM OVER A COUPLE OF WEEKS.

AND THEN WE HAVE ABOUT TEN OF THOSE 72 ONGOING WHICH ARE OUR SUPER CONSUMERS, THEY'RE JUST THE PEOPLE THAT WE KEEP COMING BACK TO PROVIDING MORE THAN, SOME OF THEM MORE THAN 13 HOURS OF SERVICE OVER THE COURSE OF USUALLY MONTHS AT THIS TIME.

HELPING TO PROVIDE STABILIZATION FOR THEM, FOLLOWING UP TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE CONTINUING THE SUPPORT THEY NEED TO BE AT THEIR HEALTHIEST. ALSO WITH OUR EMERGENCY DETENTION, SO WHEN OUR ROAD OFFICERS RESPOND TO CALLS SOMETIMES GREG AND I CAN BE ON SCENE FOR SCENE RESPONSE WITH THOSE EMERGENCY DETENTIONS AND WE MAKE CONTACT WITH PEOPLE RIGHT THERE ON SCENE. IF NOT, THOSE EMERGENCY DETENTIONS COME THROUGH OUR SYSTEM AND WE ARE ABLE TO WEED THROUGH THOSE AND GO OUT AND SEE WHICH ONES THAT WE NEED TO FOLLOW UP MORE EXTENSIVELY. SOME OF THOSE MAY END UP JUST BEING WE PROVIDE A RESOURCE PACKET TO THOSE PEOPLE SO WE WILL EMAIL A RESOURCE PACKET WITH OUR CONTACT INFORMATION, A PERSONALIZED NOTE TO PROVIDE OUR SERVICE, AND SEE WHO REACHES BACK OUT TO US. I'VE BEEN HERE SINCE APRIL, I'VE HAD ABOUT 5 OR 6 PEOPLE REACH BACK OUT TO ME JUST FROM RECEIVING THE PACKET AND WE'RE VERY APPRECIATIVE OF THAT.

AND THEN ALSO OUR TIME WITH THAT SOMETIMES CALLING BACK AND JUST KIND OF PROCESSING THE SITUATION, THEY WANT TO SHARE HA THAT EMERGENCY DETENTION FELT LIKE FOR THEM, WHAT WAS THEIR SERVICE FROM THE OFFICERS. SO MANY TIMES PEOPLE ARE JUST GRATEFUL FOR THE SERVICE FOR BEING CHECKED ON AND BEING TREATED WITH RESPECT FROM OUR OFFICERS AND THEY WANT TO SHARE THAT AND THEN KIND OF MOVE ON FROM THE EVENT.

SO THOSE ARE THE AREAS THAT WE COVER IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> SO THAT PRETTY MUCH SUMMARIZES THE TIME THAT WE HAVE. WE'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. I THINK KIND OF THE OVERALL THING FROM THIS IS PEOPLE TALK A LOT ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH AND HOW IMPORTANT THAT IS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT'S ROLE WITH THAT.

WE DON'T WANT TO BE SILOED. WE DON'T NEED TO BE SILOED.

THIS COLLABORATION HAS BEEN SO BENEFICIAL, NOT JUST THE COMMUNITY, BUT TO OUR OFFICERS AS WELL.

[00:25:01]

I FEEL LIKE WE'RE JUST NOW SCRATCHING THE SURFACE, SO WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME AND IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I'D BE HAPPY

TO ANSWER THEM. >> YEAH, THIS IS GREAT, GREAT REPORT. I'VE HEARD ABOUT THE UNIT, BUT DID NOT UNDERSTAND. I JUST HAVE ONE QUICK QUESTION BEFORE I REACH OUT TO THE OTHER COUNCILORS.

BUT ARE YOU -- IS THIS A UNIT THAT WOULD RESPOND IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT TO AN INCIDENT OR IS THIS MORE IT'S NOT QUITE LIKE

THAT? >> SO IT REALLY DEPENDS.

THERE HAVE BEEN INCIDENTS, I WILL SAY THAT OUR OFFICERS ARE VERY PATIENT WITH INDIVIDUALS. OUR OFFICERS ARE VERY WELL TRAINED. THEY DON'T OFTEN GET INTO A SITUATION WHERE THEY'RE KIND OF STUCK AND THEY DON'T KNOW WHICH WAY TO GO. BUT THAT'S ALWAYS AN OPTION FOR THEM TO CALL US. MY PHONE MY RING AT 2:00 IN THE MORNING. AND MOST OF THE TIME IT'S USUALLY JUST HEY ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH THIS PERSON, CAN YOU TELL US ANYTHING ABOUT THIS. BUT WE WOULD ABSOLUTELY RESPOND

IF WE NEEDED TO. >> OKAY, THANK YOU.

DR. HANNON. >> YEAH, AND THANKS FOR PRESENTING. THIS CAME UP AS AN OPPORTUNITY, I THINK I'VE SPOKEN TO HANNAH AND OTHERS ABOUT A GREAT CHANCE TO BRING IT IN FRONT OF US. WE ADDED SOME ADDITIONAL DOLLARS TO THE POLICE STATION TO FACILITATE THE GOOD WORK THAT THEY'RE DOING SO I THINK IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO HEAR IT.

THE BIG THING, IT WASN'T QUITE AN AHA, BUT I'M GLAD THAT THIS IS A 360 DEGREE PROGRAM. I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE MYSELF INCLUDED THOUGHT IT WAS OUTREACH FOR MENTAL HEALTH OUT TO THE COMMUNITY WHICH IT IS. BUT IT'S ALSO BUILDING RESILIENCE WITHIN THE OFFICERS WHICH IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT FOR RETENTION, MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH.

AND THEY GO TOGETHER, RIGHT, BECAUSE IF THEY HAVE A CRITICAL INCIDENT ON THE FRONT END, HOW DO THEY MANAGE IT AND THEN HOW DO THAT I DEAL WITH IT PERSONALLY ON THE BACK END.

SO AGAIN I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU DO.

I DID HAVE ONE QUESTION. ORIGINALLY WE HAD TALKED ABOUT THIS PROGRAM PERHAPS BEING HEAD QUARTERED WITH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND WE LANDED ON THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

I THINK THAT WAS THE RIGHT THING.

CAN YOU TALK A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR INTERACTION WITH EMS AND FIRE.

BECAUSE AGAIN WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT THAT DEALS WITH A LOT OF THINGS ALSO HAS ACCESS TO SOME OF THIS.

IF YOU COULD TALK ABOUT THAT, I'D APPRECIATE IT.

>> YES, SPECIFICALLY WE PARTNER WITH MOBILE INTEGRATED HEALTH, AN INDIVIDUAL AT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT THAT WE TALK TO ALMOST ON A WEEKLY BASIS IS BRUCE ROSS FROM CARMEL FIRE DEPARTMENT. HE HAS A LOT OF AS A FIREFIGHTER AND PARAMEDIC. WE COLLABORATE WITH HIM, WE COLLABORATE WITH BRENT LIGGET. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WE RECENTLY WENT AROUND PER ANDREW YOUNG'S REQUEST TO EACH FIRE STATIO AND SAID IF THERE'S A SITUATION WHERE YOU FEEL LIKE YOU MIGHT NEED SOME SERVICES, PLEASE REFER IT TO BRUCE AND HE WILL GET IT TO US RIGHT AWAY. HE STARTED GETTING EMAILS AND WE STARTED COLLABORATING ON THOSE. SO THERE IS A LOT OF OVERLAP WITH CFD. LIKE I SAID WE TALK TO BRUCE ON A WEEKLY BASIS. SOMETIMES I THINK HE CALLS JUST TO CHAT, BUT MOST OF THE TIME HE'S CALLING BECAUSE HE HAS A PARTICULAR CASE THAT HE NEEDS SOME ASSISTANCE WITH.

AND WE REACH OUT TO BRUCE TOO IF THERE MIGHT BE A MEDICAL COMPONENT WITH THAT, HE HELPS US OUT A LOT.

SO THERE'S OFTENTIMES WHERE IT'S MYSELF, HANNAH, BRETT LIGGET AND BRUCE ROSS WHO GO TO SOMEONE'S HOUSE TO OFFER THEM COMPLETE

SERVICES AND REFERRALS. >> FANTASTIC REPORT.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? SORRY, COUNCILOR FINKHAM.

>> THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU'RE DOING.

THIS IS REALLY COOL TO HEAR ABOUT IN MORE DETAIL.

YOU CAN'T DO A JOB LIKE THIS WITHOUT TAKING AND PUTTING PART OF YOURSELF INTO IT. SO WHO TAKES CARE OF YOU?

>> I THINK AS FAR AS OUR TEAM GOES, WE DEFINITELY TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER. WITH THAT, WE CALL IT FAMILY LUNCH WE DO ON EVERY FRIDAY JUST TO DISCUSS THINGS.

AND THAT IS SOMETHING I HAVE SEEN FROM DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS WHERE THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR OFFICER WELLNESS CAN REALLY GET NOT NECESSARILY OVERWHELMED, BUT YOU START TO SEE THE TOLL THAT IT TAKES. AND WE'VE BEEN VERY CONSCIENTIOUS OF THAT. AGAIN THAT'S THE BENEFIT OF HAVING TWO SOCIAL WORKERS WITH US.

GREG AND I WOULD CERTAINLY SPEND, WE WOULD TALK THE SAME WAY ABOUT THINGS. OUR COPING SKILLS ARE VERY SIMILAR. BUT THEN WE HAVE HANNAH AND JODIE THAT COME IN THERE WITH A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE.

[00:30:01]

AND IT'S JUST BEEN A GREAT DYNAMIC AND I CAN'T SEE THAT REALLY CHANGING, BUT THE TYPE OF PEOPLE THAT ARE DRAWN TO THIS TYPE OF WORK, ESPECIALLY OFFICER WELLNESS, THEY'RE VERY OPEN-MINDED PEOPLE. SO AS OUR TEAM GROWS, I JUST THINK THAT THAT WILL JUST ADD MORE AND MORE TO THAT FAMILY

DYNAMIC. >> VERY GOOD.

THANK YOU. BE SAFE, WE'RE GRATEFUL FOR YOU.

AND WE WILL WELCOME YOU BACK IN A YEAR AND YOU CAN TELL US HOW

THINGS HAVE CHANGED. >> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU.

APPRECIATE IT. >> IF NOT SOONER.

[12. OLD BUSINESS]

IT WILL COME OUT ON OCTOBER 24TH IN THE SPECIAL COUNCIL FOR A VOTE THAT MEETING. THE NEXT FIVE AGENDA ITEMS I READ INTO THE RECORD AT OUR LAST MEETING, HELD THEM OVER.

THEY INVOLVE SALARIES. SO I'M GOING TO MOVE THROUGH THESE FAIRLY QUICKLY UNLESS THERE IS SOMEONE WHO HAS AN ISSUE, YOU'LL HAVE TO RAISE YOUR HAND QUICKLY, BECAUSE WE'VE GIVEN EVERYBODY PLENTY OF TIME TO OBJECT.

I'VE RECEIVED NONE. DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY ISSUES BEFORE I GET GOING ON THESE? ALL RIGHT.

ITEM B, A SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE D2678-23, AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARMEL, INDIANA ESTABLISHING THE APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE 2024 BUDGET.

I GOT AHEAD OF MYSELF. THIS IS NOT ONE THAT I'M GOING TO MOVE THROUGH QUICKLY. SORRY.

AND TO REMIND EVERYONE THIS ESTABLISHES THE 2024 APPROPRIATIONS. I THOUGHT I WAS SO PREPARED AND ORGANIZED. SO NOW, I'M GOING TO ASK IF THERE IS ANY FURTHER PRESENTATION FROM THE ADMINISTRATION, AND I DON'T THINK THERE IS.

SO I WILL MOVE NOW TO COUNCILOR QUESTIONS, COUNCILOR COMMENTS.

I THINK I'M GOING TO MOVE DOWN TO MY RIGHT, COUNCILOR AASEN.

>> THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. I KNOW THE MAYOR IS NOT HERE TONIGHT, BUT THIS IS THE FINAL BUDGET FOR THE MAYOR.

CONSISTENTLY RANKED AS ONE OF THE BEST PLACES TO LIVE, NOT ONLY BECAUSE OF OUR WONDERFUL NEIGHBORHOODS, BECAUSE OF OUR WORLD-CLASS AMENITIES, AND BECAUSE WE SPEND ON THE LITTLE EXTRAS IN CARMEL. I'M GLAD TO SEE IN OUR BUDGET THAT WE HAVE THE ARTS FUNDING REMAINING STRONG TO SUPPORT OUR ARTS ORGANIZATIONS. FESTIVALS AND EVENTS, STILL FUNDING THOSE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DRIVE THAT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TO OUR AREA. BUT THIS BUDGET WILL BE THE BUDGET FOR ONE OF OUR NEXT MAYORS.

WE HAVE THE CANDIDATES HERE. AND THE NEXT MAYOR IS GOING TO HAVE SOME CHALLENGES WHEN IT COMES TO FINANCIAL THREATS.

WE'LL STILL BE STRONG AS A CITY, BUT WE HAVE RISING COSTS FOR CONSTRUCTION COSTS, PAYROLL, HEALTH INSURANCE, WE'VE GOT THREATS FROM THE STATEHOUSE AS THEY CONTINUE TO CHANGE THINGS THAT WOULD AFFECT OUR LOCAL FUNDING AND THEY ALREADY SLIPPED IN AS COUNCILOR FINKHAM MENTIONED TO THE OMNIBUS BILL A PROVISION THAT AFFECTS OUR LIT WITH OUR LOCAL INCOME TAX GOING TO FISHERS INSTEAD OF CARMEL. MY HOPE IS THAT GOING FORWARD WITH THE NEXT ADMINISTRATION THAT OUR PRIORITY WILL BE ON FUNDING NEEDS BEFORE WANTS. I THINK THIS IS A BUDGET THAT DOESN'T START ANY NEW INITIATIVES OR PROJECTS, SO I THINK THIS IS AN APPROPRIATE BUDGET HEADING INTO THE NEXT ADMINISTRATION. THERE IS ONE ITEM THOUGH THAT I DID HAVE A LITTLE HEARTBURN ABOUT.

I RAISED THIS AT THE BUDGET HEARING, AND THAT WAS ADDING ANOTHER POSITION FOR THE ALL THINGS CARMEL STORE.

I THINK IT'S BEEN A GREAT ADDITION TO OUR CITY, BUT ADDING ANOTHER POSITION AT THIS TIME I DON'T THINK IS THE RIGHT MOVE.

I THINK THAT COULD BE ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH USING VOLUNTEERS WITH THE MANAGER MAYBE WORKING WITH BOTH LOCATIONS. AND I THINK THAT WOULD BE MY POSITION AT THIS POINT. BUT OTHER THAN THAT, JUST SMALL CUT THAT I WOULD SUPPORT, I THINK IT'S A STRONG BUDGET THAT GENERALLY STARTS A GOOD PATH FOR OUR NEXT MAYOR.

>> ALL RIGHT. COUNCILOR NELSON.

COUNCILOR HANNON. >> I WAS GOING TO INTRODUCE ONE AMENDMENT, DO YOU WANT ME TO WAIT UNTIL EVERYBODY HAS MADE THEIR COMMENTS? > NO, GO AHEAD AND MAKE YOUR

MOTION. >> AGAIN, APPRECIATE ALL OF THE

[00:35:03]

I AGREE WITH ADAM THAT THE NEXT MAYOR IS GOING TO HAVE BOTH THE AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY TO LOOK AT A LOT OF LINE ITEMS IN THIS AND SO I'M GLAD, I THINK I SAID BEFORE THAT THE MAYOR DIDN'T MAKE ANY LARGE CHANGES. SPECIFICALLY WHAT I'M GOING TO ASK FOR IS TWO THINGS, ONE IS STARTING WITH THE LINE ITEM FOR THE SECOND ALL THINGS CARMEL STORE AND IT WAS SPECIFICALLY SEVERAL ITEMS THAT INCLUDED MARKETING AS WELL AS STAFF.

WE CURRENTLY HAVE AN ALL THINGS CARMEL STORE ON MAIN STREET IS HOPEFULLY EVERYBODY KNOWS. IT WAS AN ADDITIONAL $100,000 IN ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATIONS IN THIS BUDGET, LINE ITEM 53539300 TO OPEN A SECOND STORE AT THE CARMEL HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

SO AGAIN MY FEELING ON THIS AND THE REASON I'M ASKING FOR SUPPORT TO STRIKE THAT IS THAT REALLY SHOULD BE UP TO THE NEXT MAYOR. WHEN I LOOK AT THE FINANCIALS THAT I THINK WE ALL GOT FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS, IT SHOWS A PROFIT UNTIL YOU SEE IT IS FUNDED BETWEEN $200,000 AND $250,000 WITH GRANTS SO IT'S NOT PROFITABLE.

IT DOESN'T MEAN WE SHOULDN'T KEEP IT, BUT I THINK THE NEXT MAYOR AND THE NEXT COUNCIL NEEDS TO LOOK AT DO WE NEED BRICKS AND MORTAR, DO WE LIKE THE MANAGEMENT, ARE THERE THINGS WE CAN DO TO REDUCE COST ON IT. WHAT I'D LIKE TO SEE IS A REVIEW NEXT YEAR OF THE CURRENT ALL THINGS CARMEL AND THEN A DECISION AS TO WHETHER WE SHOULD HAVE TWO OR PERHAPS MOVE IT OVER. SO MY AMENDMENT IS TO MOVE $100,000 FROM LINE ITEM 4359300, SPECIFICALLY THAT WE'RE IN THERE TO OPEN A SECOND ALL THINGS CARMEL STORE.

>> WE HAVE A MOTION ON THE FLOOR TO REMOVE $100,000 FROM THE LAST THREE DIGITS 300; IS THERE A SECOND?

>> SECOND. >> NOW I'M GOING TO OPEN UP TO DISCUSSION AND I'M GOING TO KEEP HEADING DOWN THIS WAY.

COUNCILOR FINKHAM, ANY COMMENTS? >> FOR DISCUSSION ON THAT MOTION

OR IN GENERAL? >> I'M GOING TO ALLOW IN GENERAL AND ON THE MOTION, IF YOU WANT TO MAKE ANY COMMENTS ABOUT THAT.

BUT I WILL COME BACK TO THE MOTION.

>> I FULLY SUPPORT THE MOTION, NO ADDITIONAL COMMENTS FROM ME ON THAT. AS FOR THE BUDGET, I JUST WANT TO THANK THE MAYOR FOR GETTING US A RESPONSIBLE BUDGET FOR THE WORK THAT THE CITY STAFF HAS DONE.

I KNOW THEY'VE TAKEN 3 OR 4 OR 5 DIFFERENT PASSES AT TIGHTENING UP THIS BUDGET IN LIGHT OF NOT HAVING A LOT OF EXTRA DOLLARS THIS YEAR REALLY BECAUSE OF THE FISHERS ACTION, STATE OF INDIANA ACTION BENEFITTING FISHERS. I'M REALLY PLEASED TO SEE FIVE ADDITIONAL POLICE OFFICERS IN THIS BUDGET.

THAT'S A GREAT START. AND I WISH WE WOULD HAVE HAD MORE DOLLARS FOR THE STREET DEPARTMENT STAFFING AS WELL AS ADDITIONAL ROAD PAVING DOLLARS AND ROAD PRESERVATION DOLLARS.

BUT SOMETIMES WE HAVE TO DO WITH WHAT WE CAN.

YOU HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF CONCERN MOVING INTO NEXT YEAR, THERE'S SOME ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CHALLENGES.

THERE'S SOME SLOWING OF GROWTH EVEN THOUGH IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE WE MAY HAVE A RECESSION. DEFINITELY CORPORATE PROFITS ARE SLOWING, DEFINITELY A MACRO DECLINE HAPPENING, DEFINITELY HIGH INTEREST RATE THREATS. SO I THINK THOSE ARE THINGS WE HAVE TO KEEP AN EYE ON IN A LARGER CONTEXT FOR THIS BUDGET WITHIN WHICH, BECAUSE WE ALSO RELY ON -- WE ARE ACCOUNTABLE TO OUR CITIZENS WHO MAY HAVE DECREASED DOLLARS IN THEIR POCKETS AND WE ALSO ASSOCIATE THE STATE OF INDIANA WHO MAY HAVE DECREASED RECEIPTS COMING IN AS WELL.

THE GOOD NEWS IS WE HAVE A REALLY STRONG SAVINGS ACCOUNT AND RAINY DAY FUND IS THE SECOND HIGHEST IN THE STATE OF INDIANA.

IT'S THERE FOR RAINY DAYS, WE MAY HAVE TO TAP INTO THAT A LITTLE BIT, BUT WE'VE GOT THAT. THAT'S GREAT NEWS ABOUT WHAT WE'VE DONE IN THE PAST FEW YEARS.

ANYWAY, THANK YOU SO MUCH TO THE STAFF FOR SHARPENING THE PENCILS AND GIVING US A BUDGET THAT WE REALLY FOUND TO BE QUITE

ACCEPTABLE. >> ALL RIGHT, MOVE DOWN TO MY LEFT. COUNCILOR RIDER.

OKAY, COUNCILOR AYERS, ANY COMMENTS?

COUNCILOR GREEN. >> YEAH, THANKS, MR. PRESIDENT.

I AGREE WITH EVERYTHING THAT'S BEEN SAID.

A VERY REASONABLE BUDGET GIVEN THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

AND ALSO COUNCILOR AASEN HIT ON THE POINT WE NEED TO TAKE A SHARP LOOK AT NEEDS NOT WANTS, PRIORITIZING.

BUT THAT'S TO BE DETERMINED BY THE NEXT MAYOR.

GIVEN ALL OF THE UNCERTAINTY WITH REVENUES, WHETHER IT'S LITIGATION GOING ON, THE ECONOMY, AND SO FORTH.

SO I LIKE TO SEE THOSE FUTURE NEEDS BE FOCUSING MORE ON PUBLIC SAFETY. AND FUNDS FOR ROADS AND PAVING.

[00:40:04]

>> COUNCILOR CAMPBELL. >> THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT.

THIS IS THE LAST BUDGET I'LL BE VOTING ON AS A CITY COUNCILOR.

AND I HAVE TO SAY IT WAS A LOT SMOOTHER THAN THE BUDGET I VOTED ON IN 2016. THAT PROCESS WAS PRETTY OVERWHELMING FOR A FIRST TIME COUNCILOR.

BUT THANKS TO THE LEADERSHIP OF PRESIDENT RON CARTER AT THE TIME. I THINK HE REALLY HELPED THE NEWER COUNCILORS GET A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT OUR DEPARTMENTS NEED. WE HAVE HAD GREAT CONVERSATIONS IN THE LAST EIGHT YEARS I KNOW IT'S HELPED ME GET A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT ARE THE NEEDS OF OUR CITY EMPLOYEES AND OUR DEPARTMENT DIRECTORS. SO AGAIN THANK ALL OF THE CITY EMPLOYEES FOR ALL OF THE TIME YOU SPENT AND ALL OF THE QUESTIONS WE HAD. I THINK THIS PROCESS WAS REALLY GOOD. I THINK OUR COUNCILORS BROUGHT UP SOME CONCERNS THAT I THINK ARE LEGITIMATE AND NEED SOME CONSIDERATION. AND AGREE WITH THE COMMENTS ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY. WE DEFINITELY AS A GROWING CITY NEED TO FOCUS ON THAT. WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SEE IN ADDITION TO ROAD DOLLARS, AN INCREASE IN SIDEWALK REPAIRS.

I THINK OTHER CITIES MANAGE SIDEWALK REPAIRS PRETTY WELL AND IN THE FUTURE WE COULD LOOK TO NOBLESVILLE WHICH I THINK HAS A REALLY GOOD PROGRAM TO DEVELOP A NEWER PROGRAM TO MAKE THOSE REPAIRS. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. YEAH, I'LL JUST MAKE A QUICK COMMENT. I AM ACTUALLY GOING TO SUPPORT DR. HANNON'S AMENDMENT AS WELL. BUT I REALLY WANT TO THANK THIS COUNCIL. EVERYONE HERE PUT IN A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF WORK ON THE BUDGET AS COUNCILOR CAMPBELL JUST SAID, RON CARTER'S PLAN WORKS AND I HOPE WE CONTINUE THAT WHOEVER IS ON THE NEXT COUNCIL.

I WANT TO THANK THE STAFF AND THE ADMINISTRATION FOR PREPARING AN EXCELLENT BUDGET. AND I THINK PROBABLY THE BOTTOM LINE FOR ME IS THAT EVERYONE WE ALL KNEW THERE IS GOING TO BE A NEW MAYOR. SO REMAINING POSITIVE, NOT BEING PUNITIVE, BUT GIVING THAT NEXT MAYOR AS MUCH FLEXIBILITY AS POSSIBLE IN ORDER TO REALLY CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN THE VALUES THAT WE ALL HOLD SPECIAL AND DEAR AND WHAT MAKES CARMEL SPECIAL. SO I HOPE THAT AS STEWARDS OF THE TAXPAYERS DOLLARS, I THINK WE'VE BEEN VERY RESPONSIBLE AND YET BEING FLEXIBLE. SO WITH THAT, I WILL ASK IF THERE ARE ANY OTHER COMMENTS REGARDING THE MOTION BEFORE US? IF NOT, I'M GOING TO CALL FOR THE QUESTION, IF YOU'D PLEASE VOTE. ALL RIGHT, THAT MOTION CARRIES.

NOW, I WOULD ASK FOR A MOTION TO APPROVE THE BUDGET AS AMENDED?

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

>> OKAY, IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION ON THE BUDGET AS AMENDED? SEEING NONE, LET'S VOTE. AND I DID WANT TO SAY THIS BUDGET IS $137,000,948.56. AND THAT NOW CARRIES.

THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR YOUR HARD WORK.

NOW I'M GOING TO MOVE THROUGH SALARIES AND MOVE THROUGH QUICKLY. THERE MUST ONLY BE FOUR OF THEM SINCE I MISCOUNTED. SO WE WILL MOVE ONTO SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE D-2679-23, AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF CITY OF CARMEL, INDIANA, FIXING SALARIES OF THE APPOINTED OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE CARMEL CITY CLERK FOR THE YEAR 2024, SPONSORS FINKHAM, CAMPBELL, WORRELL, AYERS AND AASEN. CAN I HAVE A MOTION?

>> MOVE TO INTRODUCE. >> SECOND.

>> NO, IT'S ALREADY BEEN INTRODUCED, I JUST NEED A MOTION

TO APPROVE. >> MOVE TO APPROVE.

>> SECOND. >> OKAY.

IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? PLEASE VOTE.

THAT MOTION CARRIES. WE'LL MOVE ON TO SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE D2680-23 AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARMEL, INDIANA, FISSIONING SALARIES OF APPOINTED OFFICERS OF THE EMPLOYEES OF THE CARMEL CITY COURT FOR THE YEAR 2024. SPONSORS AASEN AND WORREL.

>> MOVE TO APPROVE. >> SECOND.

>> ALL RIGHT ANY DISCUSSION? PLEASE VOTE.

THAT CARRIES. AND WE'LL MOVE ON TO SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE D2681-23, AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARMEL, INDIANA, FIXING SALARIES OF

[00:45:02]

FINKHAM, AND WORRELL. >> MOVE TO APPROVE.

>> SECOND. >> THANK YOU.

ANY DISCUSSION? PLEASE VOTE.

THAT CARRIES. MOVING ON TO ITEM SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE D-2683-23 AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARMEL, INDIANA, FIXING SALARIES OF ELECTED OFFICIALS OF THE CITY OF CARMEL, INDIANA FOR THE YEAR 2024.

SPONSORS CAMPBELL, FINKHAM, AND WORRELL.

>> MOVE TO APPROVE. > ANY DISCUSSION?

[13. PUBLIC HEARINGS]

THANK YOU EVERYONE. WE'LL NOW MOVE ON TO ITEM 13A PUBLIC HEARINGS. FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE D-2677-23 AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF CITY OF CARMEL, INDIANA, VACATING PORTIONS OF NORTHRIDGE SUBDIVISION, BROADWAY AVENUE, AND EAST 104TH STREET.

THIS IS SPONSORED BY COUNCILOR GREENE.

COULD I HAVE A MOTION TO INTRODUCE, PLEASE? COUNCILOR GREENE, WOULD YOU PLEASE READ THE SYNOPSIS.

>> SURE. VACATE 18 LOTS IN NORTHRIDGE SUBDIVISION, APPROXIMATELY 211 FEET OF RIGHT OF WAY ALONG BROADWAY AVENUE AND APPROXIMATELY 792 FEET OF RIGHT OF WAY ALONG EAST 104TH STREET, PART OF THE NORTHEAST QUARTER OF SECTION 11, TOWNSHIP 17 NORTH RANGE 3 EAST.

>> DO YOU KNOW WHO WILL BE PRESENTING? WOULD YOU PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF.

>> GOOD EVENING, I'M ANDY WORTH. WE REPRESENT THE HUGHES FAMILY AND HAVE BEEN ASSISTING THEM IN THEIR EFFORTS TO IMPROVE AND EXPAND NORTHRIDGE SUBDIVISION. WE WERE BEFORE YOU EARLIER THIS YEAR WITH A REZONE PETITION GIVEN THE PROPERTY WHICH COMPRISES ABOUT 15 ACRES, UNIFORM B-3 ZONING.

WE'RE BACK TONIGHT ASKING FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE WITH A PETITION TO VACATE A SMALL SECTION OF PARK NORTH ADDITION.

THESE ARE LOTS THE HUGHES FAMILY HAS ACQUIRED OVER THE YEARS.

ROSIE'S GARDENS WILL BE GROWING INTO THESE PLANS, SPECIFICALLY THE NEW ENTRANCE, THE RETENTION POND, AND SOME OF THE NEW PARKING WILL BE LOCATED IN THIS AREA.

THERE ARE SOME SHORT STRETCHES OF RIGHT-OF-WAY THAT ARE PART OF THE VACATION PETITION, APPROXIMATELY 800 FEET OF EAST 104TH STREET. THIS IS RIGHT-OF-WAY THAT WAS DEDICATED ONCE UPON A TIME BUT NEVER IMPROVED.

THE END GOAL HERE IS TO CONSOLIDATE ALL OF THESE PARCELS INTO ONE TAX PARCEL. THAT WOULD ACCOMPLISH MANY THINGS. FIRST OF ALL THE HUGHES FAMILY WOULD GET ONE TAX BILL INSTEAD OF 24.

IT ALSO ON THESE PROPERTY LINES, TECHNICALLY THOSE SETBACKS ARE MEASURED FROM THE EXISTING PROPERTY LINE, SO JUST GENERALLY CLEANS THINGS UP. I BELIEVE WE ALLUDED TO THIS IN OUR REZONE PETITION EARLIER THIS VIEW OF WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE.A- I'M GOING TO STOP MY INTRODUCTION AT THIS POINT.

HOPEFULLY THIS IS PRETTY STRAIGHTFORWARD.

BUT WE'RE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE.

>> ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS? COUNCILOR RIDER.

>> THIS CAME THROUGH PLANNING COMMISSION WHEN I WAS ON PLANNING COMMISSION AND THEN BACK TO US.

WE EXPECTED THIS TO COME, IT WAS JUST A MATTER OF TIME.

IF THERE'S NO QUESTIONS I'M GOING TO MAKE A MOTION TO SUSPEND THE RULES AFTER THE PUBLIC HEARING.

>> ARE THERE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS BEFORE I OPEN IT UP FOR THE PUBLIC HEARING? ALL RIGHT.

IF THERE IS ANYONE WHO WISHES TO SPEAK EITHER FOR OR AGAINST THIS, WOULD YOU PLEASE MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE DAIS OVER HERE AND WE WOULD BE HAPPY TO HEAR FROM YOU. I'M OPENING THE PUBLIC MEETING AT 6:50 P.M. I SEE NO MOTION, SO WE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AT 6:51.

>> MR. PRESIDENT. >> COUNCILOR RIDER.

>> MOVE TO SUSPEND THE RULES AND ACT ON THIS THIS EVENING.

>> SECOND. >> IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED.

IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION ON SUSPENDING THE RULES? PLEASE VOTE. THAT CARRIES.

>> MOVE TO APPROVE. >> SECOND.

>> ANY DISCUSSION? ALL RIGHT, PLEASE VOTE.

THAT CARRIES. ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. APPRECIATE IT.

[00:50:02]

>> THANK YOU, MR. HUGHES. WE WILL MOVE TO OUR SECOND ITEM UNDER PUBLIC HEARINGS, FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE D2683-23 AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARMEL, INDIANA, AUTHORIZING AND APPROVING AN APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS FROM THE ARP CORONAVIRUS LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY FUND, SPONSORS ARE COUNCILORS AASEN AND NELSON. COULD I HAVE A MOTION TO INTRODUCE? AND A SECOND PLEASE.

ALL RIGHT, IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED TO INTRODUCE.

COUNCILOR NELSON, WOULD YOU PLEASE READ THE SYNOPSIS.

>> THIS APPROPRIATES FUNDS IN THE ARP CORONAVIRUS LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY FUND FOR THE PROVISION OF GOVERNMENT SERVICES PURSUANT TO THE ARP PLAN ADOPTED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL.

>> ALL RIGHT. AND DO WE HAVE ANYONE TO PRESENT ON THIS? OKAY, MR. OVERLANDER.

>> GOOD EVENING, COUNCIL. THE SYNOPSIS SUMMED IT UP WELL.

THIS IS THE FINAL APPROPRIATION FOR THE ARP FUNDS THAT WE RECEIVED BACK IN 2021. COUNCIL PASSED A SPENDING PLAN.

PART OF THAT PLAN WAS FOR OTHER GOVERNMENTAL SERVICES.

THIS WILL BE USED FOR PAVING UNDER THAT LINE ITEM.

>> YEP. THAT WAS GOOD USE AS I RECALL FOR ROAD PAVING. ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS FOR MR. OVERLANDER? SEEING NONE, DO I HAVE A MOTION

-- >> MR. PRESIDENT.

>> YES, COUNCILOR RIDER. >> MOTION TO SUSPEND THE RULES

AND ACT ON THIS THIS EVENING. >> IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION?

>> AFTER THE PUBLIC HEARING. >> OH I'M SORRY.

IS THERE ANYONE THAT WISHES TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST?

>> YOU DON'T WANT US TO GET FREE MONEY.

>> DON'T GET ME OFF MY AGENDA. I SEE NO MOVEMENT.

I'M OPENING THE PUBLIC HEARING AT 6:53.

PBUT I'M GOING TO CLOSE IT AT 6:53 AND 34 SECONDS.

ALL RIGHT, NOW COUNCILOR RIDER. >> MOTION TO SUSPEND THE RULES

AND ACT ON THIS THIS EVENING. >> SECOND.

>> OKAY, IT'S BEEN PROPERLY MOVED AND WE HAVE A SECOND.

IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? PLEASE VOTE.

ALL RIGHT THAT CARRIES. >> MOVE TO APPROVE.

>> SECOND. >> ANY DISCUSSION? PLEASE VOTE. THAT CARRIES.

[14. NEW BUSINESS]

RESOLUTION CC-10-16-23-01, A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARMEL, INDIANA, TO LIMIT THE RATE FOR TAXES PAYABLE IN 2024 AND AUTHORIZE NECESSARY TEMPORARY BORROWING AMONG CITY FUNDS. SPONSORS COUNCILORS FINKHAM, CAMPBELL, WORRELL, AASEN, AYERS, GREENE, HANNON, NELSON AND RIDER. COULD I HAVE A MOTION TO

INTRODUCE, PLEASE. >> MOVE TO INTRODUCE.

>> AND A SECOND? THANK YOU.

COUNCILOR AYERS, WOULD YOU READ THE SYNOPSIS, PLEASE.

>> THIS IS A RESOLUTION FINDING THAT THE CITY'S 2024 PROPERTY TAX RATE SHOULD NOT EXCEED 0.7877, WHICH IS THE SAME AS THE 2023 RATE AND RECOMMENDING HOW THE DLGF SHOULD ALLOCATE THE 2024 PROPERTY LEVY AMONG CITY FUNDS AND ALSO PERMITTING TEMPORARY BORROWING AMONG FUNDS DURING 2024, AND ALSO AUTHORIZING APPEAL TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCE FOR PERMISSION TO INCREASE THE CITY'S 2024 AD VALORUM PROPERTY TAX LEVY IN EXCESS OF THE USUAL MAXIMUM

ALLOWABLE AMOUNT. >> OKAY, THANK YOU FOR THAT.

I'M GOING TO ASK MR. CUNROD TO COME UP.

THIS IS A GENERAL OVERVIEW OF WHAT WE DO EACH YEAR.

BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYBODY IS CLEAR ON WHAT'S

GOING ON HERE. >> THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT.

THIS RESOLUTION WOULD ACCOMPLISH THREE THINGS.

ONE IS IT WOULD AUTHORIZE THE CITY CONTROLLER TO USE THE CASH FLOW FROM ONE FUND TO COVER THE CASH FLOW OF ANOTHER FUND DURING THE YEAR FROM TIME TO TIME WHEN THAT'S NECESSARY PROVIDED THAT ALL OF THE FUNDS ARE MADE WHOLE BY THE END OF THE YEAR.

THE SECOND THING IT WOULD DO WOULD BE TO ADVISE THE DEPARTMENT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCE WHEN THEY PERFORM THEIR FINAL APPROVAL ON THE BUDGET THAT YOU'VE JUST ADOPTED TONIGHT THAT THEY SET THE TAX RATE FOR 2024 AT THE SAME RATE AS 2023.

[00:55:09]

ONE IS THAT THE CITY RECEIVED A SHORTFALL OF COLLECTIONS IN 22.

AND ALSO THAT THE LEGISLATION THAT WAS REFERRED TO EARLIER THAT SHIFTS REVENUE FROM CARMEL TO FISHERS CREATES AN EMERGENCY FOR THE CITY TO MAKE UP THAT FUNDING.

AND ON THE GROUNDS THAT THIS EMERGENCY EXISTS, ASKS THE DLGF TO INCREASE THE LEVY LIMIT BY THE SAME AMOUNT AS THE REVENUE

LOST. >> OKAY.

I'M GOING TO MOVE TO ANY QUESTIONS.

COUNCILOR FINKHAM. >> MY APOLOGIES.

IF WE ASK THE DLGF TO INCREASE THE LEVY LIMIT TO OFFSET DOLLARS LOST IN THE LEGISLATIVE ACTION, DOES THAT EXPOSE US TO

POTENTIALLY INCREASED RATE? >> YES, IT WOULD.

THE RATE PORTION OF THE RESOLUTION IS ADVISORY TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCE.

THEY HAVE THE STATUTORY AUTHORITY TO FINALLY SET THAT RATE. BY FILING AN APPEAL WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCE WHICH REQUIRES THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE COUNCIL, IF THE APPEAL TO INCREASE THE LEVY IS APPROVED, THEN THAT WOULD PUT THE DEPARTMENT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCE IN A POSITION WHERE ON THE FACE OF THINGS, THEY WOULD APPROVE AN INCREASE IN THE RATE.

THEY WOULDN'T HAVE TO. BUT THAT WOULD BE THE POSITION

THEY WOULD BE IN. >> WHAT'S THE LIKELIHOOD OF THIS GETTING APPROVED? YOU USE THE TERM EMERGENCY.

OF COURSE US FROM AN APPROPRIATIONS STANDPOINT LIKE TO THINK IT'S AN EMERGENCY. BUT THE FACT THAT WE'VE GOT $13 MILLION OR SO IN OUR BANK ACCOUNT, DOESN'T SEEM LIKE IT MIGHT BE AN EMERGENCY. WHAT'S THE LIKELIHOOD OF SOMETHING LIKE THIS GETTING PASSED?

>> IT'S CERTAINLY NOT A CERTAINTY, FAR FROM IT.

THE DEPARTMENT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCE WHEN THEY RECEIVE A PETITION TO INCREASE THE LEVY LIMIT FOR A UNIT, THEY DON'T HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO DO THAT ON THE MERE GROUNDS THAT THEY AGREE WITH IT OR THEY THINK IT'S A GOOD IDEA OR THEY THINK THE CITY NEEDS THE MONEY, THERE HAVE TO BE VERY SPECIFIC STATUTORY GROUNDS TO DO IT. IN THIS CASE, THE STATUTE AUTHORIZES THE DLGF TO MAKE THAT INCREASE IF IT IS QUOTE, DUE TO A NATURAL DISASTER, AN ACCIDENT, OR ANOTHER UNANTICIPATED EMERGENCY. AND THIS IS SELDOM USED.

SO THERE ISN'T A LOT OF PRECEDENT FOR WHAT THAT MEANS.

I SUPPOSE WE ALL KNOW WHAT THE WORD EMERGENCY MEANS, BUT IT WOULD BE DLGF'S DISCRETION TO FIND THAT AN EMERGENCY EXISTS.

PROBABLY NO QUESTION IT WAS UNANTICIPATED, AT LEAST AT ONE TIME. IT'S NOT DUE TO A NATURAL DISASTER OR AN ACCIDENT, BUT THE STATUTE EXPLICITLY ALLOWS OTHER UNANTICIPATED EMERGENCIES, WHICH IMPLIES IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE A NATURAL DISASTER OR AN ACCIDENT. SO WHAT COULD IT BE, IT COULD BE ANYTHING. SO THE PROPOSAL WOULD BE TO SAY THAT THE LOSS OF THIS AMOUNT OF REVENUE TO CARMEL FOR WHICH THE CITY COULD NOT HAVE PLANNED IS AN EMERGENCY AND IT'S ANOTHER UNANTICIPATED EMERGENCY. BUT THE DLGF WOULD HAVE TO MAKE THAT DECISION, AND AS I SAY THERE'S NOT MUCH PRECEDENT TO GO

[01:00:06]

BY. >> I'LL COME BACK AROUND WITH A

QUESTION FOR JOHN. >> I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS AS WELL. DR. HANNON.

>> THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. ONE COMMENT THEN A QUESTION.

THE COMMENT WHICH I THINK I MADE LAST YEAR IS WE PAT OURSELVES ON THE BACK FOR HOLDING THE LINE ON THE RATE.

BUT EVERYBODY'S PROPERTY TAXES ARE GOING UP BECAUSE OF THE ASSESSED VALUE. WE DON'T TALK ABOUT BRUNO, IT'S LIKE WE DON'T TALK ABOUT FISHERS.

FISHERS DID LOWER THEIR RATE. AND UNLIKE COUNCILOR CAMPBELL, I WOULDN'T BE HERE NEXT YEAR. IWOULD CHALLENGE THE NEXT COUNCIL TO LOWER THE RATE AS THE REVENUE COMES UP AND LIVE WITHIN YOUR MEANS. THE QUESTION I HAVE IS IT SEEMS LIKE A DOUBLE SPEAK BECAUSE ON ONE HAND WE'RE PUFFING OUR CHESTS OUT SAYING WE'RE GOING TO LOCK THIS DOWN AT .7877, BUT OH BY THE WAY WE RESERVE THE RIGHT AT ANY TIME AT AN EMERGENCY REASON TO PETITION FOR MORE. CAN YOU TALK A LITTLE BIT FOR THE FOLKS THAT MIGHT BE LISTENING, IT'S NOT AUTOMATIC.

SO AGAIN IF WE WANT TO APPEAL AND ADD ADDITIONAL LEVIES, WHAT IS THAT PROCESS, WHAT DOES IT REQUIRE AND WHO REVIEWS THAT?

>> WELL IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE, FIRST THERE HAS TO BE AN EMERGENCY. AND IT'S GOING TO BE A MATTER OF OPINION WHETHER SHIFTING $8 MILLION AWAY FROM CARMEL TO FISHERS THROUGH LEGISLATION CREATES AN EMERGENCY FOR CARMEL.

BUT LET'S SAY THE DLGF BELIEVES THAT IT DOES, THE DLGF HAS THE AUTHORITY TO INCREASE THE LIMIT ON CARMEL'S PROPERTY TAX LEVY BY $8 MILLION IF THAT'S THE NUMBER. BY LIMIT I MEAN FOR EVERY UNIT IN INDIANA, THERE IS A STATUTORY FORMULA THAT LIMITS THE AMOUNT OF PROPERTY TAX THAT CAN BE RAISED FROM WITHIN ITS JURISDICTION. AND THERE'S A LITTLE ESCALATOR EVERY YEAR. SO IT GOES UP A LITTLE, MORE OR LESS BY INFLATION. BUT OTHERWISE, LOCAL UNITS CAN'T RAISE THEIR LEVIES ABOVE THAT STATUTORY LIMIT, EXCEPT IN A CASE LIKE THIS WHERE THE UNIT PETITIONS WITH THE COUNCIL'S APPROVAL TO THE DLGF AND THE DLGF AGREES THAT THE STATUTORY GROUNDS HAVE BEEN MET. IN THIS CASE, IT WOULD BE AN

UNANTICIPATED EMERGENCY. >> BUT AGAIN IT WOULD NEED TO COME BACK THROUGH COUNCIL FOR APPROVAL, CORRECT.

THAT APPEAL DOESN'T COME FROM THE MAYOR, IT DOESN'T COME AUTOMATICALLY, IT WOULD HAVE TO COME BACK THROUGH COUNCIL FOR

APPROVAL? >> NO, IF THE COUNCIL APPROVES THIS APPEAL TONIGHT, IT'S APPROVED AND THE DLGF WILL THEN

HAVE THE FINAL DECISION ON IT. >> I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY, ARE

WE TALKING ABOUT TWO APPEALS? >> YES.

>> I WANT TO BE CLEAR. SO WE'RE TALKING ABOUT AN EMERGENCY APPEAL THAT YOU'VE DEFINED FOR COUNCILOR FINKHAM, ET CETERA, WHAT ARE THE CHANCES. AND THEN THERE IS ANOTHER APPEAL THAT IS TO NO FAULT OF CARMEL. CAN YOU JUST SPEND A MOMENT ON

THAT, PLEASE. >> THAT'S RIGHT.

THE OTHER GROUNDS FOR APPEAL, REMEMBER I SAID THERE HAS TO BE A STATUTORY PROVISION VERY SPECIFIC TO ALLOW DLGF TO CONSIDER THE APPEAL. IN THE CASE OF THE OTHER ONE, THE GROUNDS ARE THAT IN THE PROPERTY TAX COLLECTION PROCESS WHERE A LEVY IS DETERMINED BY THE COUNCIL, BUT THEN THE COUNTY HAS TO ESTIMATE THE RATE THAT WILL BE NECESSARY TO RAISE THAT LEVY WHICH INVOLVES PREDICTING THE FUTURE AS TO WHAT TAXPAYERS WILL APPEAL THEIR ASSESSMENTS AND OTHER FACTORS INVOLVED IN DETERMINED THE ACTUAL BILLING AND COLLECTION OF THE TAX.

WHAT HAS HAPPENED IS CARMEL RECEIVED IN PAST YEARS ABOUT A MILLION DOLLARS LESS THAN THE COUNCIL VOTED FOR.

AND IN THOSE SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE COUNCIL, A PETITION COULD BE FILED WITH THE DLGF AND THE DLGF THEN CAN RAISE ABOVE THE LEVY LIMIT FOR ONE YEAR ONLY TO

MAKE UP THAT SHORTFALL. >> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU.

ONE MORE CLARIFYING POINT. WE MAY NEED BEN'S HELP ON THIS BECAUSE I'M CATCHING YOU COLD. I MEANT TO GIVE YOU A HEADS UP ON THIS. IN THE DOCUMENT THAT'S IN OUR

[01:05:03]

ORDINANCE OR RESOLUTION FOR APPROPRIATIONS AND TAX RATES, IT'S PAGE 52 IN OUR PACKET. THE RATE THERE LISTED IS 0.8870.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT .7877. WHY IS THERE A DIFFERENCE THERE?

>> THE FORMAL ORDINACE THAT THE COUNCIL ADOPTS OF COURSE IS NOT THE FINAL WORD. THE ORDINANCE THAT'S BEEN ADOPTED WHICH IS WHAT YOU ARE REFERRING TO WILL THEN GO TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCE AND THEY WILL MAKE CERTAIN ADJUSTMENTS, GENERALLY FOR TECHNICAL REASONS.

ONE OF WHICH IS TO CONSIDER THESE APPEALS AND APPLY THEM IF THEY'RE APPROVED. AND WE KNOW WHAT THAT TECHNICAL PROCESS IS THAT THE DLGF GOES THROUGH.

ONE OF THE DIFFICULTIES IN THE PROCESS AND THE REASON SOMETIMES SHORTFALLS OCCUR AND ERRORS OCCUR THROUGH NO ONE'S FAULT IS THAT THE DLGF HAS THE AUTHORITY TO REDUCE AN ITEM IN THE BUDGET, BUT USUALLY NOT TO INCREASE IT. THE APPEALS ARE AN EXCEPTION OF THAT. BUT GENERALLY THEY CAN'T INCREASE IT. SO WHEN THE DOCUMENT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT WAS PREPARED SEVERAL WEEKS AGO AND EVEN TONIGHT, WE WOULDN'T NECESSARILY KNOW EXACTLY WHAT RATE SHOULD BE SET IN EVERY SINGLE FUND. WE KNOW FROM THE RESOLUTION THAT YOU'RE CONSIDERING IF IT'S ADOPTED WHAT TOTAL RATE THE COUNCIL PREFERS, BUT NOT NECESSARILY THE RATE IN EACH INDIVIDUAL FUND. SO TO MAKE SURE THAT THE DLGF HAS THE FLEXIBILITY TO APPROVE THE RATES THAT ARE OPTIMUM FOR CARMEL, THE DOCUMENT YOU'RE REFERRING TO IDENTIFIES ALL OF THE RATES AS BEING HIGHER THAN THEY NEED TO BE SO THAT THEY CAN BE REDUCED AND WOULDN'T HAVE TO BE INCREASED.

>> GREAT, THANK YOU. AND I THINK ALSO THAT'S THE REASON WE'RE DOING THIS RATE CAP RESOLUTION TO MAKE SURE OUR

VOICE IS HEARD AS A COUNCIL. >> THAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT IT'S PRACTICALLY VERY DIFFICULT, MAYBE IMPOSSIBLE TO PUT THE PRECISELY CORRECT RATES IN THE BUDGET DOCUMENT. THE DLGF AT SOME POINT WILL NEED TO HEAR FROM SOMEONE IN CARMEL WHAT TO DO WHEN THEY MAKE THE TECHNICAL ADJUSTMENTS AND IF THE COUNCIL HAS ADOPTED A RESOLUTION THEN THEY KNOW WHAT THE SENSE OF THE COUNCIL IS.

>> THANK YOU. I JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY THAT.

I'LL MOVE ON NOW TO QUESTIONS. ANY QUESTIONS TO THE LEFT? I'LL RETURN TO COUNCILOR FINKHAM.

>> I HAVE A QUESTION FOR JOHN. SO JOHN, IF WE WERE TO WANT TO AMEND THIS SO THAT WE DON'T ALLOW THE RATE TO FLOAT ABOVE THE RATE THAT WE ARE, JUST TALKING ABOUT .7877, CAN YOU EXPLAIN, IT LOOKS LIKE SECTIONS TWO AND SECTIONS FIVE DISCUSS THAT. CAN YOU EXPLAIN HOW TO AMEND

THIS? >> COUNCILOR FINKHAM, YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THE EMERGENCY LEVY, CORRECT?

>> YES. >> AND THAT'S DISCUSSED IN SECTION 8. SO THERE'S A CLAUSE IN SECTION 8 ONLINES 102-103 THAT SAYS NOTWITHSTANDING SECTIONS 2 AND 5 HEREIN ABOVE AS DISCUSSING AS PART OF THE EMERGENCY LEVY APPEAL, THAT LINE, THAT CLAUSE RIGHT THERE WOULD ESSENTIALLY DISREGARD THE RATE CAP THAT WAS DISCUSSED IN 2 AND 5.

SO IF THAT CLAUSE WAS REMOVED, THEN WHEN THE DLGF IS CONSIDERING THE EMERGENCY LEVY APPEAL, THEY WOULD SEE THAT COUNCIL WANTED THE RATE CAPPED AT THAT RATE SET FORTH IN 2 AND

5 AND ACT ACCORDINGLY. >> IT WOULD OVERRIDE, IT WOULD ALLOW US TO GET DOLLARS UP INTO THAT .7877 BUT NOT ABOVE THAT AND THE RATE WOULD NOT CHANGE FOR 2024?

>> YES, THEY ALWAYS MAKE THE FINAL DECISION ON IT, BUT CURT, BACK ME UP ON THIS, THAT THEY GENERALLY TAKE WHAT THE CITY

[01:10:02]

WANTS INTO ACCOUNT? >> YES.

I THINK THE ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION IS YES.

BUT THE WAY YOU PUT IT IS THAT THE RATE WOULDN'T CHANGE.

THE RATE COULD GO DOWN. BUT PRESUMABLY WHEN THE DLGF RECEIVES THIS RESOLUTION, IF THERE IS THE AMENDMENT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, THEY WOULD UNDERSTAND THAT THE OBJECTIVE WAS TO GO NO HIGHER THAN THE RATE STATED IN THE RESOLUTION.

THANK YOU. >> OKAY.

DID YOU WANT TO MAKE A MOTION? >> IF YOU'RE READY FOR IT.

>> I AM ABSOLUTELY READY, YES. >> I MOVE THAT WE AMEND THIS RESOLUTION TO STRIKE NOTWITHSTANDING SECTIONS 2 AND 5

HEREIN ABOVE. >> SECOND.

>> OKAY. IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED.

IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? ALL RIGHT, WE ARE MAKING SURE THE RATE STAYS AT .7877. PLEASE VOTE.

FOR THE AMENDMENT, YES. THAT PASSES.

ALL RIGHT, DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE?

>> MOTION TO APPROVE AS AMENDED. >> SECOND.

>> ALL RIGHT. ANY DISCUSSION? PLEASE VOTE. OKAY, THAT CARRIES.

VERY GOOD. THANK YOU BOTH FOR EXPLAINING ALL OF THAT. AND WE WILL NOW MOVE ON TO OUR LAST AGENDA ITEM, FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE D2684-23 AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF CITY OF CARMEL, INDIANA AMENDING THE 2023 SALARY ORDINANCE.

SPONSOR IS COUNCILOR RIDER. >> MOVE TO INTRODUCE.

>> WOULD YOU PLEASE READ THE SYNOPSIS.

>> THIS ORDINANCE AMENDS THE 2023 SALARY ORDINANCE BY ADDING THE POSITION OF OPERATIONS MANAGER TO THE CARMEL DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY SERVICES. MR. HOLLENBACH.

>> WE SAVED THE BEST FOR LAST. >> AS INTERESTED AS I'VE BEEN IN THE CONNER PRAIRIE PROPOSAL, I'D RATHER TALK ABOUT THIS THAN THAT. GOOD EVENING AND THANK YOU FOR HEARING THIS PROPOSAL TONIGHT TO AMEND THIS YEAR'S SALARY ORDINANCE. EARLIER THIS EVENING AS PART OF D-26-81, NEXT YEAR'S SALARIES, YOU APPROVED THE POSITION OF OPERATIONS MANAGER AND WHAT I'M ASKING THE COUNCIL TO CONSIDER IS THAT THAT BE INSERTED FOR THE BALANCE OF THIS YEAR SO THAT A COUPLE OF THE GENTLEMEN IN BUILDING SAFETY AND CODE ENFORCEMENT CAN GET PAID FOR THE WORK THAT THEY'RE DOING TODAY.

>> MR. PRESIDENT? >> COUNCILOR RIDER.

>> THIS WOULD NOT BE TWO NEW EMPLOYEES, IT'S TWO CURRENT EMPLOYEES AND WE BASICALLY WANT TO PAY THEM FOR THE JOB THEY'RE DOING. WOULD THAT BE AN ACCURATE

STATEMENT? >> 100%.

>> THE MONEY IS IN THE BUDGET, IT DOES NOT TAKE AN ADDITIONAL

APPROPRIATION. >> WE WILL FIND THE MONEY.

>> THAT'S WHAT I MEAN, YOU WON'T NEED AN ADDITIONAL

APPROPRIATION? >> CORRECT.

>> ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE DAIS ABOUT THIS? ALL RIGHT, WOULD THERE BE A MOTION?

>> MR. PRESIDENT -- MOVE TO SUSPEND THE RULES AND ACT ON

THIS THIS EVENING. >> SECOND.

>> ALL RIGHT. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? PLEASE VOTE TO SUSPEND THE RULES.

. >> MOVE TO APPROVE.

>> SECOND. >> ANY DISCUSSION? PLEASE VOTE. THAT CARRIES.

ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU. WE HAVE NO ADD-ON ITEMS. IS THERE ANY OTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE COUNCIL? ANY

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.