Nov 18, 2024 City Council Meeting 11-18-2024

[1. CALL TO ORDER]

[00:00:10]

>>> GO AHEAD AND CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER, CARMEL CITY

[2. AGENDA APPROVAL]

THE AGENDA? >> SECOND.

>> ANY DISCUSSION? PLEASE VOTE.

>> WE'LL NEED TO DO ROLL CALL, PRESIDENT GREEN.

>> AYE. >> PRESENT.

>> AYE. >> AYE.

>> AYE. >> AYE.

[3. INVOCATION]

>> THANK YOU. THE AGENDA HAS BEEN APPROVED.

MOVING ON TO ITEM THREE, INVOCATION.

I'D LIKE TO WELCOME PASTOR JESSICA STEVENS FROM CARMEL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH. THANK YOU, IF YOU COULD MAKE YOUR WAY UP THERE. AND IT LOOKS LIKE NICK WILL HELP YOU GET THE LIGHT ON. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. AS A PASTOR, I SEE MANY ASPECTS OF THIS COMMUNITY. THE RIVAL -- ARRIVAL OF NEW REFUGEES TO FEEL SAFE AND THE HOPE OF THE LONELY TO FEEL LESS ISOLATED. AFTER THE ELECTION EARLIER THIS MONTH, I THINK WE ALL SEEK MORE UNDERSTANDING AND LOVE FROM EACH OTHER. THIS COUNCIL WORKS DILIGENTLY TO ENSURE THE VOICES OF OUR COMMUNITY ARE HEARD AND CARED FOR SO THANK YOU. AS I WAS PREPARING TO COME TONIGHT, A POEM BY MARY OLIVER KEPT EMERGING SO I AM GOING TO READ IT FOR YOU. IT'S CALLED EXTENDING THE AIRPORT RUNWAY. GOOD CITIZENS OF THE COMMISSION CAST THEIR VOTES FOR EVERYTHING, VERY EARLY IN THE MORNING.

I GO OUT TO THE PALE DUNES TO LOOK OVER THE EMPTY SPACES OF THE WILDERNESS. FOR SOMETHING IS THERE.

SOMETHING IS THERE WHEN NOTHING IS THERE BUT ITSELF.

THAT IS NOT THERE WHEN ANYTHING ELSE IS.

ALAS THE GOOD CITIZENS OF THE COMMISSION HAVE NEVER SEEN IT.

WHATEVER IT IS, FORMLESS YET PALPABLE, VERY SHINY, VERY DELICATE, VERY RARE. I THINK THIS JUST REMINDS US WHY WE'RE ALL HERE. WE CREATE THE TANGIBLE ASPECTS OF OUR COMMUNITY TO CREATE THE INTANGIBLE THAT WE CANNOT SEE, OUR LOVE AND CARE. WILL YOU ALL PRAY WITH ME? HOLY AND GRACIOUS CREATOR, WE COME TO YOU THIS EVENING WITH A LOVE IN OUR HEARTS FOR THIS GREAT CITY OF CARMEL.

PLEASE HELP US TO REMEMBER THAT WE ARE ALL LOVED AND WE ALL HAVE UNIQUE GIFTS AND KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS TO SHARE TO MAKE THIS WORLD A BETTER PLACE. AMEN.

[4. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE]

>> THANK YOU. NEXT ITEM IS PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE IF EVERYONE COULD PLEASE STAND.

THE FLAG IS TO OUR LEFT AND HENRY AND MARSHALL JOHNSON WILL BE LEADING US IN THE 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. >> MOVING ON TO THE NEXT ITEM,

[5. RECOGNITION OF CITY EMPLOYEES AND OUTSTANDING CITIZENS]

TODAY WE HAVE A SWEARING IN. CHIEF, IT'S ALL YOURS.

>> GOOD EVENING, COUNCIL. VERY EXCITED TONIGHT TO INTRODUCE OUR NEWEST POLICE OFFICER, TRAVIS BRADY, AND SWEAR HIM IN. TRAVIS IS JOINED BY HIS WIFE COURTNEY AND THEIR FOUR BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTERS AS WELL AS MOTHER AND FATHER. TRAVIS COMES TO US WITH SOME EXPERIENCE. HE SPENT A HANDFUL OF YEARS IN MARION POLICE DEPARTMENT HERE IN THE STATE OF INDIANA AND MOST RECENTLY SERVED AT RACINE IN WISCONSIN.

WHILE THERE HE WAS A FIELD TRAINING OFFICER, AN INSTRUCTOR, AND ALSO PART OF THEIR COMMUNITY-ORIENTED POLICING PROGRAM. HE HAS A GREAT RESUME.

HE'LL SERVE THIS CITY VERY WELL. AT THIS TIME I'D ASK TRAVIS TO COME UP AND BE SWORN IN BY MAYOR FINKAM.

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

[00:07:11]

IF I COULD CALL DANIEL REXROTH UP.

YOU'LL HAVE THREE MINUTES. IF YOU SEE THE LIGHTS RIGHT THERE THE GREEN, YELLOW, AND RED, THEY'LL COME ON.

YOU'LL HAVE THREE MINUTES. WHEN IT GETS TO ABOUT 30 SECONDS, THE YELLOW LIGHT WILL COME ON.

AND WHEN THE RED LIGHT COMES ON IF YOU COULD JUST FINISH UP WHATEVER SENTENCE YOU'RE ON. THANK YOU.

>> GREAT, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU, COUNCIL.

AND JUST REALLY WANTED TO THANK ESPECIALLY COUNCILMEMBER WORRELL FOR PUTTING TOGETHER THE COMMITTEE THAT'S GOING TO BE LOOKING AT WHAT'S BEEN DONE THIS YEAR FROM THE MAYOR'S OFFICE IN REGARD TO I GUESS IT'S THE CHARITIES OR THE NON-PROFITS AND OVERLOOKING THAT. IT JUST SEEMS LIKE SUCH AN IMPORTANT ISSUE AND IT'S ONE THEY'VE BROUGHT OUT A NUMBER OF CARMEL CITIZENS EITHER THE LAST MEETING OR TWO MEETINGS AGO AND I JUST APPRECIATE YOU BRINGING IT BACK INTO THE PUBLIC EYE.

EVEN SINCE THEN IT SEEMS LIKE IT'S BEING CHANGED A LITTLE BIT BECAUSE THE PUBLIC THAT WAS HERE REALLY EXPRESSED A LOT OF CONCERN BECAUSE OF WHAT'S COMING OUT OF THE MAYOR'S OFFICE.

WE VOTED FOR MAYOR FINKAM BASED ON A TRANSPARENCY AND IT WAS REALLY NOT FOR TRANSPARENCY OF THESE NON-PROFITS AS MUCH AS PROMISE OF TRANSPARENCY OF THE MAYOR'S OFFICE.

AND SO FAR THIS YEAR, IT DOES NOT SEEM TO BE SOMETHING THAT THE MAYOR'S OFFICE HAS REALLY ACHIEVED.

THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF CONCERN REGARDING THAT FROM THE CLOSING OF PROMOTE CARMEL TO THE SURPRISE OF WORKERS AND THEM HAVING TROUBLE GETTING SOME OF THEIR WORK OUT OF THAT STORE TO WHAT'S HAPPENED WITH CHRIS -- AND THAT'S NOT BEEN A TRANSPARENT PROCESS EITHER. THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF ACCUSATIONS THAT DON'T SEEM TO HAVE BEEN BACKED UP UP UNTIL NOW AND WHILE WE WERE PROMISED TRANSPARENCY, FRANKLY IT SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN VERY OPAQUE SO FAR AND IT JUST IS IMPORTANT ENOUGH THAT I CAME AND WANTED TO EXPRESS AGAIN THAT I JUST REALLY HOPE THIS IS LOOKED AT VERY, VERY CAREFULLY.

BECAUSE THE INFORMATION COMING OUT SEEMS TO BE VERY ONE SIDED AND I THINK THERE'S PROBABLY A LOT MORE TO THE STORY ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING HERE. AND WHEN I SPEAK TO MY FELLOW CITIZENS, THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF CONCERN ABOUT WHAT'S COMING OUT OF THE MAYOR'S OFFICE. I VOTED FOR YOU, MAYOR.

I'D LIKE TO DO SO AGAIN NEXT TIME BUT HAVE A LOT OF VERY, VERY DEEP CONCERNS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

I REALLY APPRECIATE ALL Y'ALL ARE DOING.

[7. COUNCIL AND MAYORAL COMMENTS/OBSERVATIONS]

[00:10:01]

>> ALL RIGHT. COUNCIL AND MAYORAL COMMENTS AND OBSERVATIONS. ANY COUNCIL OBSERVATIONS OR COMMENTS? TO MY RIGHT? TO MY LEFT? NOPE.

MAYOR? >> HELLO EVERYONE.

MY NAME IS HENRY JOHNSTON AND THIS IS MY BROTHER, MARSHALL.

WE WILL BE DELIVERING THE MAYOR'S UPDATE THIS EVENING.

FIRST, I'D LIKE TO SHARE SOME GOOD NEWS ABOUT OUR CITY.

THE CITY RECENTLY RECEIVED AN AA BOND RATING.

THIS IS THE BEST RATING IN THE STATE FOR A CITY OF OUR SIZE.

THE S&P NOTED STRONG LEADERSHIP AND GOOD INVESTMENT PRACTICES AS CONTRIBUTING FACTORS IN THIS ACHIEVEMENT.

THIS ALLOWS US TO BORROW MONEY AT A LOWER RATE THAN OUR PEERS.

WE ALSO REFINANCED CAPITAL LEASES IN SAVINGS OF NEARLY $500,000. THE MAYOR AND THE CITY COUNCIL ARE WORKING CLOSELY TO ENSURE THAT OUR FINANCIAL STATUS

REMAINS STRONG. >> CURRENTLY, OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM IS FULL-TIMIZING END OF THE YEAR ACTIVITIES AND ARE FOCUSED ON OUR STRATEGIC PLAN FOR 2025. WE HAVE RECENTLY ANNOUNCED THAT THE CITY IS NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2025 ARTS GRANTS PROGRAM. INTERESTED ORGANIZATIONS CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE AND WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN JANUARY OF 2025. WE ALSO WANT TO EXTEND A SPECIAL THANKS TO THE MAYOR'S ADVISORY COMMISSION ON VETERANS AND MILITARY FAMILIES FOR HELPING IN THE 2024 VETERAN'S DAY CEREMONY.

ALSO A CONGRATULATIONS GOES OUT TO THE MAYOR'S ADVISORY COMMISSION ON PUBLIC SAFETY FOR HOSTING THEIR FIRST MEETING.

[8. CONSENT AGENDA]

>> THANK YOU. GOOD JOB, GUYS.

MOVING ON TO ITEM EIGHT, CONSENT AGENDA.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR OCTOBER 21, 2024, REGULAR MEETING AND OCTOBER 30, 2024, SPECIAL MEETING.

AND CLAIMS FOR PAYROLL IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,875,334.06.

FOR GENERAL CLAIMS THE AMOUNT OF $3,617,796.40.

FOR RETIREMENT $110,705.10 FOR OCTOBER AND $110,705.10 FOR NOVEMBER. FOR WIRE TRANSFERS $4,932,915.52. DO I HAVE A MOTION?

>> MOVE TO APPROVE. >> SECOND.

>> DISCUSSION? ALL RIGHT, WE'LL VOTE.

THE ROLL CALL, COUNCIL MEMBER LOCKE.

>> AYE. >> COUNCIL MEMBER MINNAAR.

>> AYE. >> AYE.

>> AYE. >> AYE.

>> AYE. >> AYE.

>> AYE. VOTE 9-0.

[10.a. Finance, Utilities and Rules Committee]

MOVING ON TO ITEM TEN, COMMITTEE REPORTS.

FINANCE UTILITIES AND RULES, COUNCILMEMBER WORRELL.

>> THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT. WE DID NOT MEET THIS TIME.

WE HAD A CONFLICT WITH ONE OF OUR PRESENTERS, SO OUR NEXT MEETING IS DECEMBER 10TH AT 5:30 HERE IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS.

WE HAVE TWO ITEMS ON OUR AGENDA WHICH ARE PROCEDURAL ORDINANCES.

[10.b. Land Use and Special Studies Committee]

THANKS. >> MOVING ON LAND USE AND SPECIAL STUDIES, COUNCILOR SNYDER.

>> THANK YOU, WE HAVE A NUMBER OF ITEMS ON OUR AGENDA.

BUT OUR NEXT MEETING THIS COMING WEDNESDAY AT 5:30 AT THE LIBRARY WE'LL BE DISCUSSING THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE TOWNSHIP WHICH IS THE AGREEMENT WHICH OUR PARKS DEPARTMENT EXISTS AND THERE WILL BE A PRESENTER THERE TALKING ABOUT LONG TERM FINANCES AND WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO SAVE OUR PARK SYSTEM. SO I WOULD ENCOURAGE ANYBODY WHO'S INTERESTED IN OUR PARK SYSTEM TO ATTEND.

AND THE OTHER THINGS ON OUR AGENDA WOULD LIKELY BE TABLED DUE TO SOME OTHER COMMITMENTS THAT WE ALL HAVE AND KEEPING A

QUORUM. >> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU.

MOVING ON TO ITEM 11, OTHER REPORTS.

WE DID HAVE THE CARMEL REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION ON THE AGENDA FOR TONIGHT. WE'RE GOING TO HOLD THAT UNTIL NEXT MEETING. NEXT MEETING HE'LL BE GIVING HIS REPORT FOR THAT MONTH. SO WE'LL BYPASS THAT ONE.

[11.h. Parks Department (Quarterly – February, May, August, November) ]

MICHAEL, IF YOU COULD COME UP AND GIVE YOUR REPORT.

[00:15:10]

>> MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR HAVING ME TONIGHT. DIRECTOR AND CEO OF CARMEL PARKS AND RECREATION. FIRST I WANT TO BEGIN BY THANKING MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL WHO WERE ABLE TO ATTEND LAST WEEK'S MEETING OF THE TOWNSHIP AND THE PARK BOARD AS WE REVIEWED THE PROPOSED PLAN FOR THE NEW FIVE YEAR PARKS AND RECREATION MASTER PLAN. SINCE WE HAD A LOT OF DISCUSSIONS WITH REGARDS TO THE PROPOSED FUTURE OF THE PARK SYSTEM, I FIGURED I WOULD SAVE TONIGHT'S PRESENTATION FOR A COUPLE OF OUR CURRENT PROJECTS THAT ONCE COMPLETED WILL BE GREAT ADDITIONS TO THE PARK SYSTEM.

STARTING ALONG THE WHITE RIVER, WE'VE BEEN WORKING VERY CLOSELY WITH WHICH WE RECEIVED AN EASEMENT TO CONSTRUCT A PORTION OF THIS TRAIL. ORIGINALLY AS YOU GOT NORTH OF THE EXISTING ROUNDABOUT AT CHERRY CREEK BOULEVARD, THAT TRAIL WAS PREDOMINANTLY GOING TO BE A PARAMETER PATHWAY ALMOST IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT TO THE ROAD.

BASED ON SOME TWEAKS THAT WERE PORIGINALLY RECOMMENDED BY CARML PARKS AND RECREATION AND HAVE SINCE BEEN ACCEPTED BY CONNOR PRAIRIE, THERE'S BEEN SOME PROVISIONS AROUND 146TH STREET WHICH ALLOWS SEPARATION BETWEEN RIVER ROAD AND THE TRAIL WHICH WILL PROVIDE A MUCH BETTER EXPERIENCE.

THE SQUIGGLY LINES ON THE MAP, THE LEFT SIDE IS THE ORIGINAL PLANS. THE RIGHT SIDE IS THE REVISED PLANS. PROBABLY TO YOU, YOU CAN'T SEE A HUGE DIFFERENCE. BUT WHEN YOU ZOOM IN, THERE IS GREATER SEPARATION. AND I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A MUCH IMPROVED TRAIL FOR OUR RESIDENTS AND VISITORS USING THAT TRAIL. ADDITIONALLY, CONNOR PRAIRIE IS ALLOWING US TO EXTEND JUST A LITTLE BIT MORE OF THE TRAIL ALONG WHITE RIVER. AGAIN THIS IS A LITTLE BIT SOUTH OF THAT ROUNDABOUT AT CHERRY CREEK BOULEVARD.

VERY APPRECIATIVE TO CONNOR PRAIRIE FOR THEIR ASSISTANCE.

I WAS ABLE TO GET OUT TO THE SITE TODAY BEFORE THE RAIN STARTED SO I FIGURED I'D SHARE A COUPLE OF PROGRESS REPORTS.

THIS IS THE NEW RESTROOM FACILITY THAT'S GOING TO BE CONDUCTED AT THE TRAILHEAD WHERE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WILL BE ABLE TO PARK TO JUMP ON THE TRAIL.

NOT TOO SEXY YET, BUT THEY'LL BE HOPEFULLY THIS FALL THE VANEER OF THAT WILL COME ON AND START LOOKING LIKE THE RESTROOM BUILDINGS. MAKING GREAT PROGRESS ON ONE OF THE BOARDWALKS WHICH GOES OVER A LOWER AREA WHERE SOME DRAINAGE GOES THROUGH. THESE ARE CONCRETE BEAMS YOU'RE SEEING DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF YOU, AND AS YOU GET CLOSER, THESE HUGE SLABS OF CONCRETE WHICH ARE BIG ENOUGH FOR OUR SERVICE VEHICLES TO GET UPON TO CLEAR IT DURING THE WINTER MONTHS.

MOVING UP A LITTLE BIT CLOSER, YOU CAN SEE THE WORK AND THE CRANES IT TAKES TO PUT THIS IN PLACE.

SO WE'RE VERY EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

I HAD A BONUS, I ACTUALLY GOT TO RIDE ONE OF THE BIG EQUIPMENT TO THE SITE BECAUSE ONE OF THE CONSTRUCTION WORKERS WERE DELIVERING THE SLABS. SO I SHOULD HAVE TAKEN A SELFIE WITH HIM, BUT YOU KNOW. MOVING SOUTH OF 116TH STREET TO HAZEL LANDING PARK, THIS IS WHERE WE'RE CONSTRUCTING THE BRIDGE THAT WILL CONNECT THIS TO OUR PARK.

THESE ARE THE GENERAL PLANS YOU'VE SEEN MANY TIMES BEFORE.

BUT AGAIN SOME OF THE PROGRESS THAT'S TAKING PLACE.

THANKS TO THE ROUNDABOUT PROJECT AT 116TH AND HAZELDALE, PART OF THAT PROJECT AND NOT THE BRIDGE PROJECT A NEW SIGN WENT IN PLACE ANNOUNCING HAZEL LANDING PARK. THIS HAS BEEN ONE OF OUR BEST KEPT SECRETS IN THE PARK SYSTEM, BUT WITH THIS SIGN IT IS A SECRET NO MORE. ADDITIONALLY, YOU CAN SEE TO THE RIGHT THE PHOTO OF WHERE THE TRAILHEAD WILL BE LOCATED RIGHT OFF OF HAZEL DALE PARKWAY AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE PARK.

YOU'LL ALSO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE DOWN TO THE EXISTING PARKING LOT. BUT THIS WILL PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL LOCATION FOR SERVICING MORE PEOPLE IN THIS PARK, ESPECIALLY THAT WE ANTICIPATE WILL WANT TO USE THE TRAIL THAT CONNECTS TO THE BRIDGE.

HERE IS THE NEW TRAIL THAT'S GOING IN BETWEEN HAZELDALE PARKWAY AND YOU SEE THE BASES IN PLACE.

MAYBE THIS WEEK, YOU'LL START SEEING ASPHALT GO DOWN.

WE'RE VERY EXCITED ABOUT THAT. AND THEN ON THE LEFT YOU SEE THE SUPPORTS FOR THE NEW BRIDGE WITHIN THE NEXT SEVERAL WEEKS WE'LL HAVE THE METAL BEAMS BROUGHT TO BEGIN CONSTRUCTING THE BRIDGE. CONSTRUCTION MAY NOT START UNTIL DECEMBER, JANUARY. BUT IT'S GOING TO LOOK MORE AND MORE LIKE A BRIDGE VERY SOON. I SHOULD HAVE SAID FOR THE NORTH EXTENSION, SOUTH OF 146TH STREET, THAT IS LIKELY TO OPEN TO THE PUBLIC IN SUMMER OF NEXT YEAR AND THIS BRIDGE AND TRAIL

[00:20:02]

AS I THINK MANY OF YOU HAVE HEARD ME SAY BEFORE, WE REALLY WANT TO CREATE DYNAMIC PLAYGROUNDS THROUGHOUT THE PARK SYSTEM. IT'S ALWAYS BEEN MY VISION TO BE THE PLAYGROUND MECCA OF THE WORLD AND I THINK WE'RE WELL ON OUR WAY. BUT THIS WILL PROVIDE YEAR-ROUND OPPORTUNITIES, ESPECIALLY DURING THE COOLER MONTHS FOR FAMILIES TO COME IN AND PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PLAY AND EXERCISE IN A CLIMATE-CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT.

THIS SPACE USED TO BE OUR KIDS ZONE AND AT ONE POINT THE COMMUNITY CENTER CAFE, BUT THEN WAS CONVERTED INTO A MULTIPURPOSE ROOM. SO AS THE SPACE HAS BECOME UNDERUTILIZED, WE'RE ALWAYS LOOKING AT NEW OPPORTUNITIES.

THE KIDS ROOM IS NOT UNDERUTILIZED, THERE WILL STILL BE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ON SITE BABYSITTING SERVICES.

BUT WE'LL ALSO HAVE HOURS FOR THE PUBLIC TO COME IN AND ENJOY THE PLAY SPACE. YOU'VE HEARD ME TALK ABOUT THIS BEFORE AND SEEN ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE FUTURE PLAYGROUND.

BUT OTHER COMPONENTS INCLUDE A KIDDIE PLAYGROUND DESIGNED FOR THE TODDLERS. HERE YOU CAN SEE A REPRESENTATION OF WHAT THAT NEW PLAY STRUCTURE IS GOING TO BE AND THE BOTTOM LEFT CORNER IS A VERY MUCH SMALLER VERSION AND ANOTHER FACILITY OF WHAT WE'RE CONSTRUCTING.

BUT IT WILL BE REALLY MAGICAL, ALMOST A CASTLE THEME FOR THE KIDDOS. ALSO WITHIN THE SMALL KID AREA IS GOING TO BE AN AREA THAT IS BASICALLY A RUBBERIZED FLOOR WITH PLAY FEATURES TO KIND OF MIMIC A POND WITH CANOES.

SO AGAIN THE KIDS WILL BE ABLE TO LITERALLY BOUNCE HERE AND ALSO HAVE IMAGINATIVE PLAY. SO WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

WE ARE INTRODUCING WITHIN THIS PLACE THE LEARNING TREE.

SO IF ANY OF YOU HAD EVER VISITED THE URBAN CHALKBOARD WHEN IT WAS IN EXISTENCE HERE IN CARMEL, THEY HAD A LIFE SIZE TREE. THIS WAS ACTUALLY A TREE THAT HAD DIED AND THE ARTIST HAD SKINNED ALL OF THE BARK OFF OF IT AND CREATED THIS BEAUTIFUL ARTWORK THAT ALSO HAS PROJECTORS THAT LIGHT IT UP AND PUT DIFFERENT DISPLAYS ON IT.

SO WE WILL BE INSTALLING THAT IN THE INDOOR PLAYGROUND TO CREATE A MAGICAL ARTISTIC EXPERIENCE FOR OUR VISITORS.

WHAT'S ALSO NICE ABOUT THAT IS YOU'LL BE ABLE TO SEE IT THROUGH THE GLASS ENTRANCE IF YOU'RE GOING ON THE STAIRCASE UP TO THE UPPER LEVEL OF THE COMMUNITY CENTER.

SO NOT ONLY THE KIDS AND FAMILIES THAT ARE ENJOYING THE PLAYGROUND WILL SEE IT, BUT VISITORS TO THE COMMUNITY CENTER AS WELL. WE'RE GOING TO BE INSTALLING A LIGHT ZILLA WHICH IS EFFECTIVELY A MEGA SIZE LIGHT BRITE IF YOU REMEMBER THOSE AS A KID. AND THEN THERE'S GOING TO BE AN IMAGINATION PLAYGROUND WHICH THERE'S A PHOTO REPRESENTATION OF WHAT THAT'S GOING TO LOOK LIKE.

BUT THESE ARE BASICALLY HUGE FOAM STRUCTURES.

SOME OF THEM ARE BUILDING BLOCKS, SOME OF THEM YOU CAN PUT THINGS UP ON THE WALL AS YOU SEE HERE.

BUT A VERY IMAGINATIVE PLAY EXPERIENCE SO SOMETHING COMPLETELY NEW FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

AND THEN THIS IS THE FEATURE THAT YOU'VE SEEN ME PRESENT BEFORE. THE LUCKY CLIMBER WHICH WILL BE THE MAIN PLAY STRUCTURE, IF YOU'VE GONE ON THE PLAYGROUND, THERE'S A SMALL LUCKY CLIMBER THERE WHICH IS A BEAUTIFUL PIECE, VERY ARTISTIC. THIS IS LIKE TEN TIMES THE SIZE OF IT. THE PEDALS WILL ACTUALLY LIGHT UP AND EXCUSE ME, THERE WILL ALSO BE TWO SLIDES ON IT.

SO SHOULD BE REALLY FUN AND I LOOK FORWARD TO TESTING IT OUT BEFORE IT OPENS. AND THEN THE CONSTRUCTION PHOTOS FROM TODAY. SO THE LEFT IS THE AREA THAT WILL HAVE THE SMALL KID AREA WITH THE CASTLE-LIKE PLAY STRUCTURE AND THE FOAM PLAY AREA AND TO THE RIGHT YOU CAN SEE THE FOOTINGS FOR THE LUCKY CLIMBER. AND AS YOU CAN TELL BETWEEN THE TWO LISTS THAT ARE PART OF THAT PHOTO, IT'S QUITE THE MASSIVE STRUCTURE. SO IT WILL BE REALLY DELIGHTFUL FOR THE KIDDOS THAT ARE PLAYING ON IT.

AND OF COURSE LAST MONTH WE WERE PLEASED TO CELEBRATE CARMEL CLAY PARKS AND RECREATION RECEIVING OUR ACCREDITATION, EXCUSE ME WE WERE ACTUALLY GRANTE THAT AT OUR SEPTEMBER NATIONAL CONFERENCE BUT WE WERE ABLE TO CELEBRATE IT WITH THE COMMUNITY AND WITH OUR STAFF LAST MONTH. THANK YOU, MAYOR, FOR JOINING US WITH THAT CELEBRATION AS WELL AS COUNCILMEMBER WORRELL AND MANY OTHERS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. SO TEAM PHOTOS CELEBRATING THAT ACHIEVEMENT WHICH TRULY WAS A TEAM EFFORT.

WITH THAT, I'D BE HAPPY TO ADDRESS ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY

[00:25:02]

HAVE. >> AS USUAL, YOU DID AN AMAZING JOB. AND I WOULD LIKE TO SAY JUST A FEW THINGS. ONE, THE CASTLE THAT YOU ARE CREATING IN THERE KIND OF HARKENS BACK TO CARMEL-LOT BACK IN OUR OLD DAYS. BUT NOW WE WON'T HAVE ANY SPLINTERS OR HURT KIDS. SO I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT AS WELL AS COVERING THE FANTASY WORLD AS WELL AS LOVE OF NATURE AND OF COURSE JUST THE STEM WITH THE CREATIVE CENTER.

SO YOU'VE HIT ALL OF THE, TICKED ALL OF THE BOXES THAT OUR KIDS NEED AND ADULTS TO BE HONEST, BECAUSE I WILL BE USING THAT LIGHT BRITE. AND I'D ALSO LIKE TO SAY I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY, COUNCILOR SNYDER TOOK ME ON A TOUR OF THE 146TH STREET PATH. AND I HAVE TO SAY THAT THE CONSTITUENTS IN THE NORTHEAST DISTRICT ARE GOING TO BE VERY, VERY LUCKY. ALL OF CARMEL WILL BE LUCKY, BUT FOR THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE CLOSE BY, IT'S GOING TO BE A WONDERFUL ADDITION TO THAT AREA. AND TO COUNCILOR SNYDER, THANK YOU FOR THE TOUR. I REALLY APPRECIATED IT.

>> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER MINNAAR.

WE'RE REALLY EXCITED. I TRIED TO TAKE SOME PHOTOS OF THE RIVER AROUND THE BOARDWALK. YOU CAN SEE THE RIVER, IT'S GOING TO BE ONE OF THE MOST SCENIC TRAILS WE HAVE IN THE PARKS SYSTEM. BUT THE PHOTOS DON'T DO IT JUSTICE. I DIDN'T SHARE IT TONIGHT BECAUSE IT LOOKS LIKE A BUNCH OF TREES.

BUT IT REALLY IS QUITE STUNNING. >> I THINK THE THOUGHTFULNESS AND THE INNOVATION AND THE DESIGN IS AS ALWAYS DESERVING OF THE GOLD MEDAL AWARDS THAT CARMEL CLAY PARKS CONTINUALLY GETS. AND THOSE PICTURES ARE JUST GOING TO BE THE BEGINNING OF I KNOW WHAT IS GOING TO BE AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE FOR THESE KIDS.

IT'S JUST DESIGNED SO BEAUTIFULLY FROM A CHILD'S PERSPECTIVE. I APPRECIATE IT VERY MUCH AS A PARENT AND AS A PEDIATRICIAN. I THINK THE COMMUNITY WILL REALLY BENEFIT FROM THIS SO THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU, THAT MEANS A LOT ESPECIALLY GIVEN YOUR

PROFESSIONAL STRIPES. >> COUNCILOR TAYLOR.

>> I WAS WONDERING IF JUST FOR THE PUBLIC YOU CAN GIVE A LITTLE HISTORY ON WHEN THE IDEA FOR THE PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE FIRST STARTED AND THEN THE PROCESS OF SORT OF WORKING WITH UNDERMATCHED LEADERSHIP AT THE TOWNSHIP, HOW WE WORKED THROUGH THAT AND GOT A NUMBER OF OTHER PARTNERS TOGETHER TO FUND THAT PROJECT FOR BOTH NOT ONLY CARMEL, BUT ALL CITIZENS OF FISHERS, CARMEL

AND HARRISON COUNTY. >> THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED OVERNIGHT FOR THE BRIDGE.

I'VE BEEN WITH THE PARKS SYSTEM FOR 20 YEARS AND IT WAS A DREAM OF THE COMMUNITY WELL BEFORE I WAS HIRED.

SO THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF BITS AND STARTS WITH THIS THAT INITIALLY DIDN'T COME TO FRUITION.

BUT ULTIMATELY GERMINATED. IT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE WITHOUT CLAY TOWNSHIP AND WHEN COUNCILOR SNYDER WAS ON THE TOWNSHIP BOARD, WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN HELPING GET THE INITIAL FUNDING FOR THAT PROJECT. BUT IT'S A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN CLAY TOWNSHIP, BETWEEN THE CARMEL PARKS AND RECREATION.

AND ALSO TO THE TABLE HAMILTON COUNTY, DELAWARE TOWNSHIP, AND THE CITY OF FISHER. TRULY A JOINT VENTURE.

I ACTUALLY HAD A MEETING TODAY WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE CITY OF FISHERS TALKING ABOUT WHAT THE BRIDGE IS REALLY GOING TO ALLOW US TO DO WHICH IS CONNECT OUR TWO CITIES.

AND LOOKING AT THE PREMIER PATHWAYS ALONG 106TH STREET IN OUR TWO COMMUNITIES AND HOW WE CAN REALLY EMBRACE THAT AND A REPRESENTATIVE FROM HAMILTON COUNTY TOURISM WAS THERE TOO BECAUSE THEY UNDERSTAND THE POWER OF BRINGING MORE PEOPLE NOT ONLY TO THE RIVER, BUT JUST AS IMPORTANTLY, THAT BRIDGE IS LITERALLY NOT ONLY A BRIDGE BETWEEN CARMEL AND FISHERS AND HAZEL LANDING PARK AND FISHER'S HERITAGE PARK.

BUT IT'S A BRIDGE BETWEEN CARMEL AND FISHERS, THE CITIES.

AND IF YOU ALSO THE PATHWAYS FROM ZIONSVILLE TO CARMEL TO FISHERS. IF YOU GO ALL THE WAY TO ZIONSVILLE, THE BIG FOUR TRAIL TO THE GREENWAY TO THE NICKEL PLAY TRAIL. IT EFFECTIVELY SERVES AS A MIDPOINT EAST/WEST PATHWAY WHERE THOSE RESPECTIVE TRAILS, NOT ALL OF THEM GO ALL THE WAY NORTH/SOUTH.

BUT IF YOU THINK ABOUT THE MIDLAND TRACE TRAIL IN WEST FIELD AND NOBLESVILLE AND YOU THINK ABOUT THE FALL CREEK TRAIL IN INDIANAPOLIS, YOU'VE GOT A SERIES OF INTERLOOPS BETWEEN THE RESPECTIVE TRAILS WHICH IS REALLY DYNAMIC FOR OUR REGION.

[00:30:03]

TOWNSHIP FOR THAT SUPPORT. >> ANYTHING ELSE FOR MICHAEL?

[11.c. Audit Committee (Bi-annual – May, October)]

>> THANKS. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

ALSO I SKIPPED OVER AUDIT COMMITTEE.

IF YOU COULD COME UP AND GIVE THE AUDIT REPORT, THANK YOU.

>> GOOD EVENING. I'VE BEEN DOING OUR ACCOUNTING FOR 20 YEARS. THIS IS MY FIRST TIME AT THIS POSITION AS THE AUDITOR FOR CITY OF CARMEL.

HERE TO PRESENT THE FINDINGS OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE.

AUDIT FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2023.

THE AUDIT EXIT CONFERENCE WAS HELD ON JUNE 20, 2024.

ATTENDEES WERE THE STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS.

THIS MEANS THAT THE AUDIT CONCLUDED THAT THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS REPRESENTED FAIRLY IN ALL RESPECTS.

AUDIT SECTION 700. CHANGES FOR FISCAL YEAR END 2024. THE CITY'S AUDITOR WILL BE THE STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS. THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET HAS UPDATED THE UNIFORM GUIDELINES ON SINGLE AUDITS FOR FISCAL YEARS ON OR AFTER OCTOBER 1, 2024.

THE FEDERAL SINGLE AUDIT THRESHOLD WILL BE INCREASED FROM $750,000 TO $1 MILLION. AS OF TODAY, THE CITY DOES NOT EXPECT A SINGLE AUDIT FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2024.

>> COUNCILMEMBER AASEN. >> I HAVE A QUESTION.

LAST YEAR WE HAD THE CHAIR OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE ASK US TO EITHER GIVE THE AUDIT COMMITTEE MORE RESPONSIBILITY OR TO DISSOLVE IT BECAUSE IT JUST DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH WORK TO DO.

AND I THINK AT THE TIME THE CITY COUNCIL REALLY DIDN'T WANT TO GET RID OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE I THINK MAYBE FOR A LOT OF REASONS. BUT HOW IS THE ROLE GOING NOW? IS THERE ENOUGH RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE AUDIT COMMITTEE? A PAST CHAIR OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE ASKED US TO EITHER GIVE THEM MORE TO DO OR GET RID OF IT.

>> I WOULD SAY I THINK WE'RE STILL PROBABLY ON THE SIDE OF THERE'S NOT MUCH FOR THE COMMITTEE TO DO.

THEY BASICALLY REVIEW KIND OF THE, WHEN WE ARE MEETING WITH STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS TO GO OVER THE FINAL AUDIT, THEY'RE PART OF THAT MEETING. BUT I DON'T THINK THERE'S A LOT OF OTHERWISE DAY-TO-DAY ACTION WITH THE AUDIT COMMITTEE IN THE

CITY. >> COUNCILOR TAYLOR.

>> SO THE STATE BOARD EITHER CONTRACTS OUT THE AUDIT.

SO WHAT FUNCTIONS ARE THE AUDIT COMMITTEE ACTUALLY DOING? JUST REVIEWING THE REPORTS AND THE AUDIT PROVIDED BY THE STATE

BOARD OF ACCOUNTS. >> I DON'T KNOW THAT THERE'S THE ENTRANCE MEETING AND THE EXIT MEETING, I DON'T KNOW IF THEY'RE A PART OF BOTH OF THOSE, BUT -- > EXIT MEETINGS, YES.

>> OTHERWISE, I DON'T KNOW THAT THERE'S MUCH INVOLVEMENT DURING THE PROCESS WHEN THIS PAST YEAR THEY WERE ASKING FOR DIFFERENT DOCUMENTS, THINGS LIKE THAT. THE COMMITTEE WASN'T REALLY PART

OF -- >> YOUR OFFICE RESPONDS AND PROVIDES THOSE. I'M WONDERING IS THERE A HISTORIC REASON WHY THE AUDIT COMMITTEE WAS FORMED?

>> THERE WAS SOME CONCERNS IN PROVIDING MORE OVERSIGHT OVER

[00:35:01]

AUDIT COMMITTEE. >> REGARDLESS WHO IS THE CONTROLLER, THE CLERK TREASURER, THAT'S NOT GOING TO CHANGE THE FINDINGS OF THE STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS AUDIT.

>> ALSO WHEN THE STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS WOULD GIVE THEIR REPORT, NOT JUST TO THE COUNCIL BUT WE HAD A COMMITTEE AND SOME

EXPERTS THERE TO HELP SUPPORT. >> IS IT STILL EVEN A COMMITTEE UNDER ANY SORT OF -- WHY ARE WE WASTING PEOPLE'S TIME?

>> IF I CAN CLARIFY AS WELL IT IS NOT REQUIREMENT FOR SECOND CLASS CITY. WHATEVER THE HISTORY IS I THINK IT'S UP TO YOU TO EVALUATE WHETHER TO CONTINUE THE

COMMITTEE'S EXISTENCE. >> CAN WE ASK YOUR OPINION? WHAT DO YOU THINK? WE'LL ASK THE EXPERT.

>> MY RECOMMENDATION WOULD BE TO KEEP IT.

BUT TO GIVE MORE RESPONSIBILITIES SO CITIZENS CAN COME IN AND GIVE THEIR ROLE TO THE CITY.

KEEP IT AND SEE HOW CITY CAN UTILIZE OUR EXPERTISE AS A THIRD PARTY. WE ARE OUT THERE IN THE PUBLIC, SO PROBABLY WE CAN ADD SOME MORE VALUE TO THE CITY.

>> COUNCILOR SNYDER. >> COULD WE THEN MAYBE SEND THE DISCUSSION OF THIS TO FINANCE AND THEY CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT IT

IS THEY NEED TO BE DOING? >> COUNCILOR TAYLOR.

>> TO THAT POINT, IF IT DOES GET SENT TO FINANCE THEN IF THE COMMITTEE COULD MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON OTHER ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES THEY SEE THAT WOULD FIT AND/OR FROM

MR. JACKSON. >> WE'LL PLAN ON DOING THAT, SENDING IT TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE TO REVIEW THE AUDIT COMMITTEE AND THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES AND ROLES.

[12.a. Fifth Reading of Ordinance D-2726-24; An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana, Approving and Adopting a Third Amendment to Interlocal Agreement; Sponsor(s): Councilor(s) Snyder and Taylor. Remains in the Land Use and Special Studies Committee.]

[12.b. Third Reading of Ordinance D-2740-24; An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana, Amending Chapter 2, Article 1, Sections 2-1, 2-3, 2-6, 2-10, 2-12, 2-13 and 2-14 of the Carmel City Code; Sponsor(s): Councilor(s) Green and Aasen. Remains in the Finance, Utilities and Rules Committee.]

[12.c. Third 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. Remains in the Finance, Utilities and Rules Committee.]

THIS REMAINS IN THE FINANCE, UTILITIES, AND RULES COMMITTEE.

MOVING ON, THIRD READING OF ORDINANCE D-2741-24, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 2, ARTICLE 6, SECTIONS 2-301, 2-302, 2-303 OF THE CITY CODE. SPONSORS COUNCILOR GREEN AND

[12.d. Petition for Alley/Street Vacation or Order to Remove Obstructions; 40 East Main Street, Carmel, IN 46032; Carmel Library Associates, LLC, Property Owner. Remains in Land Use and Special Studies Committee.]

40 EAST MAIN STREET, CARMEL, INDIANA, 46032, CARMEL LIBRARY ASSOCIATES, THIS REMAINS IN THE LAND USE AND SPECIAL STUDIES

[13.a. Resolution CC-11-18-24-06; A Confirmatory Resolution Designating an Economic Revitalization Area and Approving Tax Abatement for Qualifying Certain Personal Property – Alliance for Cooperative Energy Services Power Marketing, LLC; Sponsor(s): Councilor(s) Joshi and Worrell. ]

MOVING ON TO ITEM 13, PUBLIC HEARINGS.

I HAVE RESOLUTION CC-11-18-24-06, A CONFIRMATORY RESOLUTION DESIGNATING ECONOMIC REVITALIZATION AREA AND APPROVING TAX ABATEMENT FOR QUALIFYING CERTAIN PERSONAL PROPERTIES, ALLIANCE FOR COOPERATIVE ENERGY SERVICES POWER MARKETING, LLC. SPONSORS COUNCILORS JOSHI AND WORRELL. CAN I GET A MOTION TO INTRODUCE?

>> MOTION TO INTRODUCE. >> SECOND.

>> DR. JOSHI, WOULD YOU LIKE TO READ THE SYNOPSIS, PLEASE?

>> SURE. RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE DESIGNATION OF REAL PROPERTY LOCATED AT 4140 WEST 99TH STREET CARMEL, INDIANA, AS AN ECONOMIC REVITALIZATION AREA AND GRANTING

[00:40:04]

>> THANK YOU. NICK, IF YOU COULD GIVE US SOME

MORE WISDOM ON THIS. >> WISDOM IS A PRETTY HIGH BAR, MR. PRESIDENT. NICK WEBBER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOR THE CITY OF CARMEL.

THE RESOLUTION BEFORE YOU IS A CONFIRMATORY RESOLUTION AS WE DISCUSSED A MONTH AGO WHEN I WAS HERE, THE STATE LAW REQUIRES TWO RESOLUTIONS IF A TAX ABATEMENT IS TO BE APPROVED, A PRELIMINARY OR DECLARATORY RESOLUTION AND THEN A CONFIRMATORY RESOLUTION.

YOU ALL APPROVED THAT PRELIMINARY RESOLUTION IN YOUR OCTOBER MEETING. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF STEPS, PROCESS STEPS THAT HAVE TO OCCUR THAT I CAN REPORT HAVE IN FACT OCCURRED SINCE THAT MEETING. SO WE HAVE NOTIFIED EVERY TAXING UNIT THAT HAS JURISDICTION OVER THIS SITE.

WE HAVE ALSO HAD A PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE NEWSPAPER FOR TONIGHT'S MEETING TO ADVERTISE THAT THERE WOULD BE A PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS ISSUE. SO THOSE STEPS HAVE ALL OCCURRED. WE HAVE ALSO I INDICATED A MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT THAT CARMEL WOULD BE ROLLING OUT GOING FORWARD AND WE HAVE A MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT WITH THE COMPANY FOR THIS PROJECT. ALL OF THE ELEMENTS WE NEEDED TO ACCOMPLISH FROM OCTOBER WE'VE ACCOMPLISHED AND WE'RE READY TO

PROCEED TONIGHT. >> ALL RIGHT.

ANY QUESTIONS FOR NICK? WITH THAT, WE'LL GO AHEAD AND MOVE ON TO THE PUBLIC HEARING. CURRENTLY 6:46, WE'LL START THE PUBLIC HEARING IF ANYONE WANTS TO MAKE ANY COMMENTS, PLEASE COME UP TO THE MICROPHONE UP HERE.

WITH THAT, I DON'T SEE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS.

I'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AT 6:47.

IS THERE A MOTION OR SEND THIS TO FINANCE COMMITTEE?

>> I AM READY TO TAKE A VOTE ON THIS TONIGHT.

WE EVALUATED IT, THERE'S A $6.5 MILLION INVESTMENT, $4 MILLION THAT'S ELIGIBLE. WE'RE TALKING 45 JOBS AT 118,000. THEY'RE RETAINING 218 JOBS AT AN AVERAGE SALARY OF $130,000. I'M READY TO VOTE.

>> I'M GENERALLY IN FAVOR, BUT I THOUGHT THIS WAS GOING TO COMMITTEE. CAN YOU PUT THE MOU AND WE GO OVER SOME OF THAT IF WE'RE GOING TO VOTE TONIGHT?

>> I THINK THIS WAS ON ANOTHER PLACE ON THE AGENDA LAST MEETING AND IT WENT TO FINANCE AND THERE WAS SOME -- I THINK WE SHOULD

DISCUSS THE MOU. >> YOU'RE EXACTLY RIGHT.

THE PRELIMINARY RESOLUTION DID GO TO COMMITTEE.

THE SUBSTANCE OF TONIGHT'S RESOLUTION IS VIRTUALLY IDEAL.

BUT THE MLA WHICH IS NEW IS AN EFFORT FOR US TO LAY OUT IN A LITTLE MORE STEP WISE FASHION THE INVESTMENTS BEING MADE BY THE COMPANY, THE COMMITMENTS ON A PER YEAR BASIS.

SO THE REAL BENEFIT TO THE COUNCIL, WHEN YOU ALL ARE REVIEWING THE PERFORMANCE OF THIS COMPANY OVER TIME, YOU WILL HAVE THESE EXPECTATIONS BROKEN OUT ON A YEAR BY YEAR BASIS.

THE OTHER BENEFIT TO THE MOU IS STATE STATUTE REQUIRES YOU ALL TO DETERMINE IF A COMPANY THAT HAS AN ABATEMENT HAS MADE SUBSTANTIAL COMPLIANCE, BUT IT DOESN'T DEFINE IT.

YOU HAVE 100 PLUS COMMUNITIES ALL DOING THAT, THE MOA DEFINES THAT TERM. SO YOU KNOW THAT YOU AND THE COMPANY HAVE AGREED THAT IN CARMEL SUBSTANTIAL COMPLIANCE IS 95% OR BETTER TO WHAT THEY'VE COMMITTED TO.

IT JUST LAYS OUT THE RULES OF THE ROAD AT THE BEGINNING AND YOU DON'T HAVE ARGUING WHAT IS SUBSTANTIAL AND WHAT ISN'T.

>> IF I CAN ADD TO THAT, 95% IS A VERY HIGH NUMBER FROM BOTH OF

[00:45:01]

THAT. >> IS THERE A MOTION?

>> MOVE TO SUSPEND THE RULES AND VOTE ON THIS THIS EVENING? NO, SORRY. WE DON'T HAVE TO DO THAT THEN.

THEN I MOVE THAT WE VOTE ON THIS RESOLUTION.

>> I'LL SECOND IT. >> DISCUSSION? WE'LL DO A ROLL CALL. COUNCILOR SNYDER --

>> DON'T SEEM TOO HAPPY ABOUT IT.

NO, BUT I'VE GOTTEN I'M GLAD YOU GUYS ARE ALL IN THE KNOW, BUT FROM THE LAST MEETING I WAS AT, I SAT ON YOUR SIDE OF THE DAIS AND ALL I HEARD WAS A COMPANY SAY DO WHAT WE WANT OR WE'LL MOVE TO CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA.

AND THAT'S WHAT STUCK WITH ME. SO I DON'T UNDERSTAND -- I HAVE NOT GOTTEN ANYMORE INFORMATION. THIS WHOLE ABATEMENT THING IS -- THAT'S THE LAST INFORMATION FROM THE MEETING I ATTENDED.

WE'LL VOTE ON IT TONIGHT, BUT I WON'T BE.

>> I DON'T HAVE IT ELECTRONICALLY WITH ME.

I APOLOGIZE. >> SO COUNCILOR SNYDER, YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THE COMMITTEE MEET? ING.

>> YES. >> AND THEN WE DID BRING IT BACK FROM COMMITTEE AND WE VOTED ON THAT AT THE NEXT --

>> YES. YOU BROUGHT BACK A POSITIVE RECOMMENDATION AND PUT IT ON THE CONFIRMATION.

>> RIGHT. >> THE FIRST STEP.

AND I'VE HEARD THERE WAS NO INFORMATION GIVEN THERE OTHER THAN A POSITIVE RECOMMENDATION WHICH WE TRUST THE COMMITTEE'S POSITIVE RECOMMENDATION. AND THEN THERE'S BEEN ZERO INFORMATION SINCE SO I CAN'T CONFIRM SOMETHING.

>> NO, I'LL TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THAT.

I APOLOGIZE. AND ONE COUNCILOR CAN MAKE

SOMETHING GO TO COMMITTEE. >> IT'S ALREADY MOVED, MOTIONED, AND SECONDED. LET'S JUST MOVE FORWARD.

>> I KIND OF AGREE WITH COUNCILOR -- CAN YOU PULL UP THE NUMBERS? I'M LOOKING IN MY EMAIL.

WHERE IS THIS? WHEN YOU SAID THAT I'VE SEEN IT, I'M LIKE AM I CRAZY HERE, DID I MISS SOMETHING?

>> I DON'T THINK THE MOA WAS SENT OUT IN YOUR PACKET.

>> THIS HAS GOT TO GO TO COMMITTEE.

>> I'M HAPPY TO RESCIND THAT MOTION AND MOVE THAT WE SEND THIS BACK TO FINANCE COMMITTEE SO THAT THIS CAN BE REVIEWED AND THAT ALL COUNCILORS CAN HAVE A CHANCE TO READ THE MOA.

[14.a. First Reading of Ordinance D-2747-24; An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana, Establishing Lake City Bank as the Financial Institution for Public Monies of the City; Sponsor(s): Councilor(s) Green and Taylor. ]

>> MOVING ON TO ITEM 14, NEW BUSINESS.

FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE D-2747-24.

AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARMEL, INDIANA ESTABLISHING LAKE CITY BANK AS FINANCIAL INSTITUTION FOR THE PUBLIC MONIES OF THE CITY.

SPONSORS COUNCILOR GREEN AND COUNCILOR TAYLOR.

COULD I GET A MOTION TO INTRODUCE?

>> SO MOVED. >> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND. >> ALL RIGHT.

COUNCILOR TAYLOR, PLEASE READ THE SYNOPSIS.

>> ORDINANCE ESTABLISHES LAKE CITY BANK AS THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTION FOR THE CITY OF CARMEL DEPOSITORY OF PUBLIC

MONIES. >> ALL RIGHT.

ZACH, GO AHEAD AND GIVE US THE BACKGROUND.

>> YEAH, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. EARLIER THIS SUMMER, THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT WITH THE HELP OF BAKER TILLY PUT OUT AN RFP FOR BANKING SERVICES FOR THE CITY. IT HAD BEEN A NUMBER OF YEARS SINCE THAT HAD BEEN PUT OUT COMPETITIVELY BID.

WE RECEIVED 22 POTENTIAL BIDDERS.

INDIANA LAW KIND OF CREATES THE GUARDRAILS IN WHICH WE HAVE TO LIVE IN IN TERMS OF WHO WE CAN PICK AND WHAT THEIR PHYSICAL PRESENCE LOOKS LIKE. WE ENDED UPBRINGING IN, I THINK, FOUR DIFFERENT BANKS FOR IN-PERSON INTERVIEWS AND AFTER MEETING WITH THOSE, WE ULTIMATELY SELECTED LAKE CITY BANK AS OUR PREFERRED VENDOR. THEY ARE A COMBINATION OF FEES WHICH BASICALLY THEY ELIMINATED AS PART OF THEIR PROPOSAL PLUS THEIR INTEREST RATES WHICH WE KIND OF PEGGED TO BE ABOUT ASSUMING NO CHANGES IN INTEREST RATES BRINGING IN ABOUT $400,000 A YEAR MORE THAN WHAT WE'RE CURRENTLY GETTING ON INTEREST.

AS WELL AS JUST THE PLATFORM THEY OPERATE IN IN CUSTOMER SERVICE, WE WERE ALL UNANIMOUSLY IN FAVOR OF CHOOSING LAKE CITY

BANK. >> ANY QUESTIONS FOR ZACH? ALL RIGHT, IF THERE'S NO QUESTIONS -- COUNCILOR LOCKE.

>> HELLO FROM THE INTERNET. QUESTION FOR YOU, ZACH.

THESE ORDINANCES AS I UNDERSTAND THEM, YOU CAN HAVE A LIST OF DEPOSITORIES THAT ARE APPROVED AND THEN STRUCTURALLY YOU COULD

[00:50:03]

DOES THIS ADD LAKE CITY TO THE LIST OR IS IT THE ONLY

DEPOSITORY ON THE LIST? >> THIS WILL BE THE ONLY DEPOSITORY ON THE LIST, HOWEVER I DON'T KNOW HOW QUICKLY WE CURRENTLY HAVE DOLLARS WITH BOTH UNITED FIDELITY AS WELL AS FIFTH THIRD. AND I DON'T KNOW HOW QUICKLY WE WILL BE KIND OF MOVING DOLLARS OUT OF THOSE OTHER BANKS JUST GIVEN THAT CHECKS THAT WE CUT FROM THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT, PEOPLE HAVE UP TO TWO YEARS TO CASH THOSE.

AND SO THERE WILL BE SOME DOLLARS HANGING AROUND THERE FOR

A WHILE. >> OKAY.

AND THEN FOLLOW UP THERE, AS YOU'RE LOOKING AT KIND OF TREASURY MANAGEMENT STRUCTURES ON YOUR END, WOULD THERE BE ANY REASON FOR US TO ADD OTHER DEPOSITORIES TO THAT LIST SO THAT YOU COULD COMPETITIVELY BID INVESTMENTS AS THEY COME THROUGH OR IS THAT SOMETHING THAT IS HANDLED BY A SERVICE PROVIDER?

>> YEAH, I THINK THE BEST WAY TO LOOK AT IT IS WHENEVER WE PUT THIS OUT FOR BID, WE MENTION THAT THE AVERAGE DAILY CASH BALANCE FOR THE CITY WAS ABOUT $42 MILLION AND I THINK THE RATES THAT WE WERE GIVEN WERE BASED UPON HAVING THAT MUCH CASH ON HAND. AND SO I THINK TO THE EXTENT WE WANT TO GET A LITTLE BIT MORE I'LL SAY SOPHISTICATED ON OUR INVESTMENT POLICY, BUT STILL LIVING WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK THAT STATE LAW ALLOWS, I THINK WE KIND OF HAVE TO PROBABLY PUT IT BACK OUT FOR BID TO SOME EXTENT JUST SO THAT LAKE CITY WOULD KNOW THAT THEY'RE NOT GOING TO HOUSE THAT ENTIRE $42 MILLION.

>> COUNCILOR TAYLOR. >> AND THERE IS SOME LOCKBOX SERVICES THAT ARE NOT MOVING RIGHT, FOR UTILITIES TO NOT DISRUPT OUR CONSTITUENTS' ABILITY TO PAY AND COLLECT FOR

LOCKBOX RELATED TO UTILITIES? >> THAT'S CORRECT.

WE ARE NOT CHANGING THAT FROM THE EXISTING PROVIDER.

>> ANYMORE QUESTIONS FOR ZACH? IF SO THIS CAN EITHER GO TO COMMITTEE OR GET A MOTION TO SUSPEND THE RULES.

DISCUSSION? PLEASE VOTE.

COUNCILOR LOCKE. >> AYE.

>> AYE. >> AYE.

>> AYE. >> AYE.

>> AYE. >> AYE.

>> ALL RIGHT MOTION 9-0 TO SUSPEND THE RULES HAS BEEN APPROVED. IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE?

>> SECOND. >> DISCUSSION? PLEASE VOTE. COUNCILOR LOCKE.

>> AYE. >> AYE.

>> AYE. >> AYE.

>> AYE. >> AYE.

>> AYE. >> AYE.

>> AYE. >> IT'S BEEN APPROVED 9-0.

[14.b. Resolution CC-11-18-24-01; A Resolution of the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana, Approving a Transfer of Funds within the General Administration Department Budget (Fund #1205); Sponsor(s): Councilor(s) Green and Taylor. ]

>> MOVE TO INTRODUCE. >> SECOND.

>> TRANSFERS $182,000 WITHIN THE 2024 GENERAL ADMINISTRATION

BUDGET. >> ALL RIGHT, ZACH.

>> THANK YOU. SO THE TRANSFER YOU HAVE HERE MOVES DOLLARS WITHIN THE GENERAL ADMIN BUDGET ESSENTIALLY FOR TWO PURPOSES. ONE, WE'VE DETERMINED THAT THE FUNDING FOR OUR WORKERS' COMP WAS UNDERFUNDED FOR THE YEAR TO THE TUNE OF ABOUT $100,000 AND THEN THE REMAINING IS FOR THE ADDITION OF ONE VEHICLE AND KIND OF THE SWAPPING OUT OF ANOTHER VEHICLE AFTER WE DID KIND OF A TRADE WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. A TOTAL OF TWO NEW VEHICLES FOR THE GENERAL ADMIN DIVISION AS WE KIND OF BUILD OUT THAT FUNCTION A LITTLE BIT TO HANDLE FACILITIES MANAGEMENT BEYOND

JUST FOR CITY HALL. >> QUESTIONS FOR ZACH?

COUNCILOR SNYDER. >> NOT ON THIS, BUT I DID WANT TO CLARIFY IN CASE PEOPLE ARE WONDERING WHY THAT OTHER TRANSFER GOT REMOVED, THIS SEEMS LIKE THE BEST PLACE TO DO THAT.

BECAUSE SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT WHY ARE WE MOVING MONEY TO MARKETING. AND I WANTED TO CLARIFY THAT THAT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH MARKETING.

>> YEAH, THIS WAS FRANKLY KIND OF AN ERROR ON MY PART.

I THINK ULTIMATELY I'LL BE BRINGING A TOTAL OF THREE TRANSFERS TO COUNCIL WHERE WE ARE MOVING I'LL SAY DOLLARS THAT WOULD OTHERWISE REVERT AT THE END OF THE YEAR BACK TO THE GENERAL FUND TO MOVE TO OTHER DEPARTMENTS TO COVER SOME

[00:55:04]

BASED UPON THE LGF'S INTERPRETATION OF THE LAW, THOSE DON'T GET PROCESSED JUST AS A TRANSFER, THEY GET PROCESSED AS A REDUCTION AND THEN AN INCREASED APPROPRIATION.

AND SINCE THAT'S AN INCREASE, THOSE HAVE TO BE PUBLICLY NOTICED. SO YOU'LL SEE THAT TRANSFER YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT AS WELL AS TWO OTHERS COMING BACK BEFORE COUNCIL EITHER ON THE DECEMBER 2ND AGENDA OR THE

DECEMBER 16TH AGENDA. >> COUNCILOR MINNAAR.

>> JUST A QUICK CLARIFICATION IF I MAY.

YOU SAID THERE WAS A SHORTFALL FOR WORKERS' COMP $100,000.

AND THEN YOU SAID ONE VEHICLE -- >> IT'S TECHNICALLY THE PURCHASE OF TWO VEHICLES. BUT THE OVERALL ADDITION OF ONE.

WE HAVE A VEHICLE THAT DID NOT MEET THE NEEDS OF THE GENERAL ADMIN DEPARTMENT VERY WELL. IT WAS TRANSFERRED OVER TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. IN ADDITION WE WERE GIVEN TWO VEHICLES THEY COULD NO LONGER USE, BUT COULD USE THEM AS TRADE IN WITH THE TWO NEW VEHICLES THAT WE'RE BUYING FOR GENERAL

ADMIN. >> THANK YOU FOR THAT

CLARIFICATION. >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FOR ZACH? THIS IS A RESOLUTION, WE DON'T NEED TO SUSPEND THE RULES.

IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE? >> MOVE TO APPROVE.

>> SECOND. >> DISCUSSION? PLEASE VOTE. COUNCILOR LOCKE.

>> AYE. >> AYE.

>> AYE. >> AYE.

>> AYE. >> AYE.

>> AYE. >> ALL RIGHT, WE GOT THIS DOWN.

[14.c. Resolution CC-11-18-24-03; A Resolution of the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana, to Limit the Rate for Taxes Payable in 2024 and Certain Past Years and Authorize Necessary Temporary Borrowing Among City Funds; Sponsor: Councilor Taylor. ]

MOVING ON TO ITEM C. RESOLUTION CC-11-18-24-03.

RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF CITY OF CARMEL INDIANA, TO LIMIT THE RATE FOR TAXES PAYABLE IN 2024 AND CERTAIN PAST YEARS AND AUTHORIZE NECESSARY TEMPORARY BORROWING AMONG CITY FUNDS. SPONSOR IS COUNCILOR TAYLOR.

COULD I GET A MOTION TO INTRODUCE?

>> MOVE TO INTRODUCE. >> SECOND.

>> ALL RIGHT, COUNCILOR TAYLOR, PLEASE READ THE SYNOPSIS.

>> RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING APPEAL TO THE DLGF FOR PERMISSION TO INCREASE THE CITY'S 2025 AD VALORUM PROPERTY TAX LEVY IN EXCESS OF THE NORMAL MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE AMOUNT.

>> ZACH. >> THANK YOU, COUNCIL PRESIDENT.

THIS ONE IS BASICALLY A NORMAL RESOLUTION THAT COMES BEFORE COUNCIL I THINK ANNUALLY. ESSENTIALLY IT'S PRESERVING OUR RIGHT TO PROCEED WITH AN EXCESS LEVY APPEAL.

WE WON'T ACTUALLY KIND OF KNOW THE DETAILS UNTIL WE GET CLOSER TO THE END OF THE CALENDAR YEAR. BUT AGAIN THIS GIVES US THE FLEXIBILITY WHERE IF WE THINK WE QUALIFY, WE CAN FILE THAT.

THERE'S CURRENTLY A PLACEHOLDER AMOUNT OF I THINK $1 MILLION WITHIN THIS, BUT WE'LL JUST HAVE TO SEE HOW SOME THINGS SHAKE OUT TO SEE IF WE WOULD ACTUALLY APPEAL FOR THAT FULL AMOUNT.

>> COULD YOU GO INTO MORE DETAIL ABOUT WHAT AN EXCESS LEVY APPEAL IS AND LET'S ENSURE THE TAXPAYERS THAT WE ARE NOT PASSING A RESOLUTION TO INCREASE OUR PROPERTY TAX RATE?

>> THAT'S CORRECT. ESSENTIALLY THE STATE OFFERS A FEW DIFFERENT OPPORTUNITIES OR AREAS IN WHICH WE MIGHT BE ELIGIBLE FOR AN APPEAL. THE TWO WE ARE USING HERE, ONE IS KIND OF BASED UPON THE CASE THAT'S BEEN WITH THE INDIANA TAX COURT. THE OTHER IS JUST DUE TO I THINK THE PHRASE IS ERRONEOUS OR INACCURATE ASSESSMENTS.

BUT IT WOULD BASICALLY ALLOW US TO KIND OF MAKE UP THOSE DOLLARS IF ULTIMATELY OUR OVERALL COLLECTIONS AREN'T AT THAT SAME LEVEL. I'M NOT TALKING INCREASES IN PROPERTY TAXES, BUT AGAIN IT KIND OF GOES BACK TO KEEPING RATES FLAT AS WELL AS BRINGING IN THE AMOUNT THE CITY WOULD NORMALLY BE ELIGIBLE FOR. THE OTHER PART OF THIS ALLOWS US IF NECESSARY AND IT'S CUSTOMARY LANGUAGE, I DON'T KNOW HOW NECESSARY IT WILL BE, BUT TO KIND OF LOAN FUNDS THROUGHOUT P MVH, VICE VERSA, THINGS LIKE THAT IF THERE'S A CASH FLOW NEED. BUT I WOULDN'T ANTICIPATE THAT

BEING THE CASE. >> ANYMORE QUESTIONS? ALL RIGHT. WITH THAT, IT CAN EITHER GO TO COMMITTEE OR A MOTION TO APPROVE.

>> MOVE FOR APPROVAL. >> SECOND.

>> DISCUSSION? ALL RIGHT, PLEASE VOTE.

[01:00:01]

> ABSTAINING. >> ALL RIGHT.

>> AYE. >> AYE.

>> AYE. >> AYE.

>> AYE. >> AYE.

>> AYE. >> ALL RIGHT, IT'S BEEN APPROVED 8-0. MOVING ON TO THE NEXT ITEM

[14.d. Resolution CC-11-18-24-04; A Resolution of the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana, Approving a Transfer of Funds within the Common Council Budget (#1401); Sponsor(s): Councilor(s) Aasen, Taylor, Green, Snyder and Minnaar. ]

CAN I GET A MOTION TO INTRODUCE? >> MOVE TO INTRODUCE.

>> SECOND. >> TRANSFERS $109,400 WITHIN THE

2024 COMMON COUNCIL BUDGET. >> THERE WAS A LOT OF INPUT.

I'LL HAND IT OFF TO COUNCILORS AASEN AND SNYDER.

YOU GOT IT? >> SURE, AND COUNCILOR SNYDER CAN CHIME IN TOO. WE HAD BEFORE LAST YEAR'S CITY COUNCIL BUDGET, THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHO WAS GOING TO BE ON THE CITY COUNCIL AT THE TIME. BUT IT WAS BUDGETED FOR EVERY CITY COUNCILLOR TO TAKE THE CITY INSURANCE.

WE HAVE FOUR OF THE NINE CITY COUNCILLORS WHO DON'T.

THEY HAD A LITTLE SURPLUS IN THE BUDGET THAT WILL PROBABLY BE FIXED FOR THE NEXT YEAR. SO WE ARE TAKING THE MONEY THAT WAS NOT SPENT IN THAT LINE ITEM, WE'RE MOVING IT INTO CHARITABLE DONATIONS AND THEN COUNCILOR GREEN, THERE'S A COUPLE THAT WE'VE ALREADY AGREED TO AS A COUNCIL AND OTHERS THAT THE COUNCIL WILL DISCUSS AND THERE WILL BE SOME CHARITABLE

DONATIONS MADE. >> COUNCILOR SNYDER, ANYTHING TO

ADD? >> ONLY THAT WE ALSO HAVE SOME OTHER OBLIGATIONS WITH THAT MONEY OUTSIDE, THIS IS NOT A GRANT PROGRAM BY ANY MEANS. THESE ARE SOME LONGSTANDING OBLIGATIONS MAKING UP SOME SHORTFALLS FOR VARIOUS REASONS AND THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT WILL HAPPEN ANNUALLY, SO I JUST WANT TO MAKE THAT CLEAR, THIS IS NOT A --

>> ALL RIGHT. ANY OTHER -- COUNCILOR WORRELL?

>> IS THERE A LIST? I'M LOOKING AT WHAT'S IN THE PACKET. BUT IS THERE A LIST OF WHAT

MONEY IS GOING WHERE? >> THIS IS JUST TO TRANSFER THE

MONEY. >> THAT WAS WITHIN AN EMAIL I

THINK THAT CIRCULATED. >> OKAY.

>> TO ALL OF THE COUNCILORS. >> COUNCILOR AASEN SENT AN EMAIL OUT WITH SUGGESTIONS, NOTHING HAS BEEN DECIDED.

>> I WAS GOING TO SAY I HAVEN'T SEEN ANYTHING.

>> AT ANY RATE, THAT'S THE INTENT.

BUT WE WILL ALL DISCUSS WHAT THAT MONEY IS DOING.

>> OKAY, GOT IT. SO $109,400 WAS NOT SPENT --

>> EXCESS. >> OKAY.

THANKS. >> ALL RIGHT.

COUNCILOR MINNAAR. >> I WAS KIND OF LATE TO THE GAME WITH THE CHARITABLE DONATIONS.

BUT I'M WORKING ON A PROJECT THAT I'M HOPING THAT WE CAN MAYBE -- WELL I'M GOING TO LOBBY.

I DIDN'T MENTION WHAT IT WAS. BUT I'M HOPING THAT WE CAN LOOK

AT THAT AS WELL. >> ALL RIGHT THANK YOU.

WITH THAT, IS THERE A MOTION? >> MOVE TO APPROVE.

>> DISCUSSION? --

>> THAT WAS RUDE OF ME TO SAY. IT WAS VERY RUDE OF ME.

I VERY MCH APOLOGIZE. >> I'M GLAD YOU GOT THAT IN ON THE DISCUSSION. DIDN'T SAVE IT UNTIL AFTER THE

MEETING. >> COUNCILOR LOCKE, VOTE PLEASE.

>> I DO HAVE JUST A QUESTION. AS WE'RE LOOKING, THIS TRANSFER TONIGHT DOES NOT SPEND THIS MONEY, THERE'S MORE CONVERSATIONS THAT HAVE TO HAPPEN ABOUT HOW THAT HAPPENS,

CORRECT? >> YES.

>> AYE. >> ALL THIS DOES IS GETS IT IN THE LINE ITEM FOR WHICH WE CAN EVENTUALLY SPEND THE MONEY.

>> AYE. >> AYE.

>> AYE. >> AYE.

>> AYE. >> AYE.

[14.e. Resolution CC-11-18-24-05; A Resolution of the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana, Creating an Affiliate Review Committee; Sponsor: Councilor Worrell. ]

>> AYE. >> ALL RIGHT, IT'S BEEN APPROVED. MOVING ON TO THE NEXT ITEM.

ITEM 14E. RESOLUTION CC-11-18-24-05, RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARMEL, INDIANA, CREATING AN AFFILIATE REVIEW COMMITTEE.

SPONSOR COUNCILOR WORRELL. COULD I GET A MOTION TO

INTRODUCE? >> MOVE TO INTRODUCE.

>> IS THERE A SECOND? ALL RIGHT, COUNCILOR WORRELL,

PLEASE READ THE SYNOPSIS. >> THIS RESOLUTION AUTHORIZES THE CREATION OF A JOINT COMMITTEE OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE BRANCHES TO EVALUATE THE PURPOSE, GOVERNANCE, AND TAX STRUCTURE AND RELATED FISCAL AND RISK ASPECTS OF ALL NONPROFIT CORPORATIONS AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATIONS THAT ARE AFFILIATES OF THE CITY OF CARMEL.

>> ALL RIGHT. WE'LL PROBABLY HAVE SOME

[01:05:02]

QUESTIONS, BUT GO AHEAD. >> YOU KNOW, COUNCILOR GREEN, YOU KIND OF STARTED US OUT LAST MEETING WITH EMPHASIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF OUR SEPARATE BUT CO-EQUAL STATUS AS FAR AS IT COMES TO MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT. AND SO THAT REALLY SPOKE TO ME AND I APPRECIATE THAT AND I APPRECIATE ALL OF YOUR COMMENTS.

I APPRECIATE THE MAYOR AND HER WILLINGNESS TO ALSO SEEK AN OPEN AND TRANSPARENT GOVERNANCE. SO YOU ALSO SAID THAT YOU WERE COMMITTED TO WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE MAYOR.

AND I AGREE WITH THAT AND HER ADMINISTRATION TO ENSURE THAT CARMEL'S GOVERNMENT OPERATES OPENLY AND REMAINS DEDICATED TO OUR CITIZEN'S INTERESTS. I AM PLEASED TO REPORT THAT AFTER DISCUSSING THIS RESOLUTION WITH THE MAYOR, THAT WE HAVE REACHED AN AGREEMENT THAT YOU SEE BEFORE YOU NOW.

THIS RESOLUTION PROPOSES FORMING AN AD HOC COMMITTEE TASKED WITH ASSEMBLING A COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL AND POLICY OVERVIEW OF THE AFFILIATED NON-PROFITS AND COMMUNITY BENEFIT CORPORATIONS THAT DIRECT AND EXPEND PUBLIC FUNDS.

I WANTED TO CLARIFY WHAT THOSE NON-PROFITS ARE.

SO IT IS CHRIS KENDALL, MARKET INC, PROMOTE CARMEL INC, AND FOUR CDC DOING BUSINESS AS CARMEL CITY CENTER COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION. ALL OF THESE ARE EITHER NONPROFIT 501C3S OR 501C4S. THIS WILL ESTABLISH A NEW LEVEL OF TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN OUR GOVERNMENT. AND I WANT TO BE CLEAR THAT THIS IS NOT AN EFFORT TO INVESTIGATE OR IMPUGN ANY CURRENT OR FORMER CITY OFFICIAL OR EMPLOYEE. WHILE SOME MAY FEEL CONCERNED ABOUT THE COMMITTEE'S FINDINGS, OUR SOLE AGENDA OR MY SOLE AGENDA IS TO WORK DILIGENTLY WITHIN OUR GOVERNMENT FRAMEWORK TO SUPPORT AND ESTABLISH PRECEDENCE THAT WILL HELP CARMEL BE THE VERY BEST CITY IT CAN BE. THE COMMITTEE'S WORK WILL ENSURE THAT TAXPAYERS FUNDS ARE BEING UTILIZED EFFECTIVELY AS OUR MAYOR HAS ADVOCATED FOR AND TRANSPARENTALLY ACROSS ALL AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS. THIS COLLABORATIVE EFFORT BETWEEN THE COUNCIL AND THE MAYOR'S OFFICE DEMONSTRATES OUR SHARED COMMITMENT TO GOOD GOVERNANCE AND FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY. I AM SEEKING YOUR SUPPORT AND POSITIVE VOTE FOR THIS RESOLUTION.

>> ANY QUESTIONS? COUNCILOR SNYDER.

>> ONLY THAT IN THE RESOLUTION IT TALKS ABOUT THE MAKEUP OF THE COMMITTEE. WHEN WILL THAT BE DONE?

>> I DON'T HAVE IT IN FRONT OF ME RIGHT NOW, THE RESOLUTION.

>> THREE MEMBERS APPOINTED BY THE MAYOR WITH THE MAYOR SERVING ON THE COMMITTEE AND ONE OF HER THREE APPOINTMENTS AND THREE MEMBERS APPOINT BID THE COMMON COUNCIL.

THE COMMITTEE WILL BE APPOINTED BY A SIMPLE MAJORITY OF THE COMMITTEE. AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHO THE COMMITTEE WILL BE FROM THE COUNCIL'S PERSPECTIVE.

>> SORRY, CAN YOU READ THE LAST SENTENCE ONE MORE TIME.

WHO IS THE CHAIR? >> THE CHAIR OF THE COMMITTEE SHALL BE APPOINTED BY A SIMPLE MAJORITY OF THE MEMBERS OF THE

COMMITTEE. >> OKAY.

COUNCILOR WORRELL. >> I SHOULD LET COUNCILOR AASEN BECAUSE HE REACHED OUT TO ME. THIS WOULD NOT OCCUR UNTIL FEBRUARY 1ST. I OPERATED UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT LIKE OTHER COMMITTEES WOULD MAKE AN APPOINTMENT. BUT IF WE WANT TO DO SOMETHING

DIFFERENT, I AM OPEN TO THAT. >> FIRST OF ALL, I HAVEN'T BEEN PICKED FOR ANYTHING YET. BUT I WOULD SAY THAT IF WE COULD DO IT THE SAME WAY THAT WE DO A LOT OF OUR APPOINTMENTS TO A LOT OF THE BOARDS WHERE PEOPLE ON THE COUNCIL CAN PUT OUT RECOMMENDATIONS AND THEN WE WOULD VOTE ON THEM SAME AS WE DO FOR ALL OF THE OTHER BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS THAT WE APPOINT TO.

BUT I THINK WHAT COUNCILOR SNYDER IS GETTING AT IS SHOULD WE MAKE A MOTION TO AMEND THAT THE COUNCIL GETS TO DECIDE WHO

THE CHAIR IS. >> MY POINT IS I BELIEVE THE INTENT OF THIS WAS THE THREE MEMBERS BE COUNCIL MEMBERS NOT

-- >> IS THAT HOW YOU'RE

INTERPRETING IT? >> I THINK THAT WAS THE SPIRIT

IN WHICH THIS WAS WRITTEN. >> I DON'T KNOW IF I INTERPRETED

IT THAT SAME WAY. >> I DON'T KNOW EITHER, THAT'S

[01:10:03]

WHY -- >> THAT'S HOW YOU INTERPRET IT?

>> SO REPEAT THAT ONE MORE TIME. >> SO MY CONCERN, THE REASON I BRING IT UP BECAUSE IT SAYS AND THREE MEMBERS APPOINTED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL. IT WAS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE SPIRIT OF THIS WAS THAT THE MEMBERS WOULD BE THREE MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL. OF THE CITY COUNCIL.

AND I DON'T BELIEVE THAT'S HOW IT IS WRITTEN.

SERGE, COULD YOU -- >> IT'S AN OPTION HOWEVER.

IT JUST SAYS THE THREE MEMBERS APPOINTED BY COMMON COUNCIL SO YOU CAN APPOINT MEMBERS OF YOUR OWN BODY.

THERE'S NO LIMITATION TO THAT. AS FAR AS I CAN SEE.

>> THE SPIRIT OF THIS WAS WRITTEN THREE COUNCILORS WOULD OVERSEE THIS AND BE ON THIS COMMITTEE.

THE MAYOR IS PUTTING HERSELF ON IT.

WE CAN HAVE THREE OF US ON IT AS WELL.

AND I'D LIKE THAT TO BE CODIFIED.

AND IF WE COULD JUST MOVE TO AMEND --

>> YEP. TOTALLY AGREE.

I APPRECIATE THAT INPUT. ABSOLUTELY.

SOMETIMES YOU GET INTO THE WEEDS, BUT I DID NOT READ IT THAT WAY. HAPPY TO AMEND IT.

>> COULD YOU OFFER UP SOME ADVICE, SERGE.

>> SURE. WE'RE TALKING ABOUT SECTION TWO WHERE IT DEFINES THE MEMBERSHIP OF A COMMITTEE.

AS IT STANDS RIGHT NOW, IT DOES NOT SPECIFY HOW THE THREE MEMBERS APPOINTED BY COMMON COUNCIL WHO THEY ARE GOING TO BE OR HOW THEY WILL BE APPOINTED. I THINK IT'S JUST YOU CAN ADD THE LANGUAGE THAT THE THREE APPOINTED MEMBER BY COMMON COUNCIL BE THE COMMON COUNCIL MEMBERS.

>> ALL RIGHT, COUNCILOR LOCKE. COUNCILOR LOCKE.

ALL RIGHT. >> WE'RE NOT VOTING ON THIS YET?

>> NO, NOT YET. >> CONCEPTUALLY, I AGREE THAT THE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS SHOULD BE THE ONES ON THE COMMITTEE.

>> OKAY. >> DID YOU HAVE ANOTHER

QUESTION? >> JUST FROM A PROCESS STANDPOINT BECAUSE IT IS US AS A FISCAL BODY REVIEWING PROCESS, I DO THINK THE CHAIR SHOULD BE CITY COUNCIL APPOINTED AS WELL.

BUT I DON'T KNOW HOW TO DO THAT FROM THE INTERNET OR I PUT IT UP

FOR YOU GUYS TO DISCUSS. >> I DON'T HAVE A CONCERN.

THIS IS A COLLABORATIVE BODY. WE'RE ENTERING INTO THIS TOGETHER. I ASSUME THAT WE WOULDN'T HAVE AN ISSUE APPOINTING THE CHAIR EITHER.

SO YOU CAN AMEND IT HOW YOU LIKE.

>> COUNCILOR AASEN. >> I'M GOING TO SUGGEST IF IT'S THREE COUNCILORS THAT MAYBE WE NOMINATE THEM SIMILAR TO HOW WE NOMINATE MEMBERS OF CRC OR PLAN COMMISSION.

SO WE CAN HAVE THREE NOMINATIONS AT A MEETING.

IT NEEDS TO BE DECIDED BY FEBRUARY BUT WE CAN DO IT ANYTIME BETWEEN THEN AND THEN THE COUNCIL CAN VOTE ON IT THAT WAY THE WHOLE COUNCIL GETS TO HAVE A SAY ON THAT.

SO WE CAN HAVE MEMBERS NOMINATED AND PEOPLE VOTE ON IT THAT WAY.

WOULD THAT BE ALL RIGHT? >> YES, ABSOLUTELY.

>> SO HOW ABOUT WE HAVE A MOTION TO AMEND TO CHANGE THE THREE COMMITTEE MEMBERS THAT ARE APPOINTED --

>> YOU CAN JUST SAY THAT THREE MEMBERS OF THIS COMMON COUNCIL,

NOT APPOINTED BY. >> AND THAT THE CHAIR WILL BE APPOINTED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL BUT MUST SERVE ON THE COMMITTEE.

AND THEN I BELIEVE YOURS IS JUST A POLICY THING.

>> ALL RIGHT. SO CAN WE GET A MOTION TO AMEND?

>> MOVE TO AMEND WITH THE LANGUAGE THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY

SPOKEN. >> SECOND.

>> ALL RIGHT ANY DISCUSSION? ALL RIGHT, PLEASE VOTE.

COUNCILOR LOCKE. >> AYE.

>> AYE. >> AYE.

>> AYE. >> AYE.

>> POINT OF ORDER, WE'RE VOTING ON THE --

>> YES, THE AMENDMENT. >> AYE.

>> AYE. >> ALL RIGHT.

THE AMENDMENT HAS BEEN APPROVED. NOW THE AMENDMENTS BEFORE US.

CAN I GET A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AMENDED RESOLUTION? ALL RIGHT, ANY DISCUSSION? ALL RIGHT.

[01:15:05]

MAYOR. >> THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT.

I AM HAPPY TO SUPPORT THIS RESOLUTION THAT CREATES A JOINT COMMITTEE BETWEEN THE COUNCIL AND THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH TO LOOK AT THE GOVERNANCE AND FINANCIALS OF THESE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS. I APPRECIATE COUNCILOR WORRELL'S ASSISTANCE IN KICKING THIS OFF AND ALSO READING OFF THE NON-PROFITS. IN SUPPORT OF THE INITIATIVE OUTLINED IN MY ELEVATE CARMEL PLAN -- WE FOUND AREAS WHERE IMPROVEMENT -- WE FOUND OPERATIONS WHERE THERE WAS UNNECESSARY RISK AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR OPERATIONAL IMPROVEMENT. BECAUSE THIS WAS BROUGHT UP EARLIER TONIGHT, WE INITIALLY REVIEWED PROMOTE CARMEL AND HAD A PLAN TO CEASE OPERATIONS AT THE END OF THE YEAR WHEN BOARD MEMBERS LEARNED THE NONPROFIT COULD NOT CONTINUE WITHOUT MONIES BEYOND THE INITIAL $200,000 TAXPAYER SUBSIDY.

WE SHUT DOWN TO LIMIT FURTHER LOSSES AND PROTECT TAXPAYERS.

I WANT TO THANK BOARD MEMBERS FOR VOICING THEIR CONCERNS ABOUT MOUNTING FINANCIAL LOSSES AND HELPING US SHUT THIS NONPROFIT DOWN. AT THE SAME TIME WE WERE ALSO TEMPTED TO GET AN UPGRADED AGREEMENT IN PLACE TO PROTECT THE CITY FROM LIABILITY AND REDUCE THE MARKET'S FISCAL RELIANCE ON THE CITY. RECENTLY I MADE CHANGES WHICH HAS BEEN MUCH DISCUSSED TO ENSURE BETTER ALIGNMENT AROUND CITY GOALS. I DID NOT MAKE THESE CHANGES BECAUSE OF CONCERNS ABOUT THE BOARD OR FULFILLMENTS OF THEIR FIDUCIARY DUTIES. I ASKED THEM TO CONTINUE SERVING ON THE GOVERNING BOARD AND ADVISORY BOARD.

NONE OF THEM CHOSE TO CONTINUE AND I WOULD LIKE TO ALSO THANK THEM FOR THEIR SERVICE IN SUPPORTING OUR FANTASTIC CARMEL.

THIS RESOLUTION ALLOWS US TO SUPPORT AN ADDITIONAL LEVEL OF ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY TO THE IMPORTANT WORK ALREADY UNDERWAY. AND I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT ALONGSIDE THE COUNCIL.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT WE CAN HAVE A PUBLIC CONVERSATION ABOUT THE MISSION, GOVERNANCE, AND FINANCIALS OF ALL OF THEM.

AS WE DO IN MANY OTHER WAYS, I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING ALONGSIDE COUNCIL MEMBERS TO INCREASE TRANSPARENCY, PROVIDE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THE BENEFIT OF OUR TAXPAYERS AND URGE YOU TO SUPPORT TONIGHT'S RESOLUTION AS AMENDED.

>> WITH THAT, COUNCILOR LOCKE, PLEASE VOTE.

>> AYE. >> AYE.

>> AYE. >> AYE.

>> AYE. >> AYE.

>> AYE. >> AYE.

>> ALL RIGHT. RESOLUTION AMENDED HAS BEEN

APPROVED 9-0. >> MR. PRESIDENT, THANK YOU, MAYOR, AND THANK YOU TO THE COUNCIL.

I APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT. >> MOVING ON TO 15 AGENDA ADD

[16.a. Approval of 2025 Common Council Meeting Calendar and Deadlines]

HAS EVERYBODY REVIEWED THAT? ANYBODY HAVE ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS ABOUT IT? DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS ABOUT --? ALL RIGHT CAN I GET A MOTION TO

APPROVE? >> MOVE TO APPROVE.

>> SECOND. >> PLEASE VOTE.

COUNCILOR LOCKE. >> AYE.

>> AYE. >> AYE.

>> AYE. >> AYE.

>> AYE. >> AYE.

>> AYE. >> ALL RIGHT.

[17. ANNOUNCEMENTS]

SNYDER? >> I WOULD JUST ADD A COUPLE OF THINGS. FIRST AND FOREMOST, REALLY, REALLY PROUD TO BE ABLE TO SERVE WITH MAYOR FINKAM AND COUNCILOR WORRELL AND ALL OF YOU. OBVIOUSLY THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF ANGST SURROUNDING THIS. AND I THINK THAT THE PEOPLE OF CARMEL WOULD BE VERY PROUD TO KNOW THAT COUNCILOR WORRELL AND MAYOR FINKAM WERE ABLE TO SET ASIDE SOME DIFFERENCES IN A COUPLE OF WEEKENDS AND GET TOGETHER AND TALK AND FIND A PATH FORWARD. AND I THINK THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR OUR COMMUNITY TO KNOW.

SO THANK YOU TO MAYOR FINKAM, COUNCILOR WORRELL AND THE REST OF THE COUNCIL AS WE'VE ALL HAD VERY SHIFTING AND POWERFUL OPINIONS ON THIS WHOLE THING. I'M HAPPY THAT WE'VE COME TO AN

[01:20:02]

AND I'M SURE ALONG THE WAY THERE WILL -- INTO OUR COMMUNITY.

AND I'M SURE ALONG THE WAY THERE WILL BE SOME TRINKETS SOLD.

AND I'M SAD THAT HENRY IS NOT HERE BECAUSE I HAVE A QUESTION.

BUT LAKE CITY BANK, AWESOME. LOVE WHAT THEY'VE DONE WITH THE BUILDING AT CARMEL DRIVE AND KEYSTONE.

LOOKS WONDERFUL. I DO REMEMBER SITTING HERE THOUGH AS WE WERE IN TALKS OF GRAMMARCY AND ASKED IS THERE ANY CHANCE THAT ANYBODY IS GOING TO BE MOVING SOON THAT WOULD CREATE DEVELOPABLE LAND ADJACENT TO GRAMMARCY AND WE WERE ALL TOLD NO CHANCE AT ALL. NOW I KNOW THAT WAS SAID IN GOOD FAITH, MAYBE NOT HAVE KNOWN WHAT LAKE CITY BANK WAS INTENDING.

BUT THE SUPPORT OF GRAMMARCY WAS SOMEWHAT FOR ME CONTINGENT UPON WE WOULD TAKE A BREAK AFTER THAT.

SO I AM SAYING NOW THAT I DON'T WANT TO SEE FROM REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION OR ANYBODY A WHOLE BUNCH OF APARTMENTS BEING PROPOSED IF LAKE CITY BANK IS IN FACT GOING TO SELL THEIR LAND WHERE THEY CURRENTLY ARE AS THEY RELOCATE.

>> ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT SANTIER?

>> YES, I'M SORRY. >> PART OF THAT WILL BE THE

ROAD. >> YES, MA'AM.

BUT I DO HAVE THE LINE DRAWINGS FOR THE ROAD.

>> OKAY, I THINK THAT'S MORE ANNOUNCEMENTS ITEM 17.

ANYBODY ELSE HAVE ANYMORE ANNOUNCEMENTS?

>> THE MAYOR'S ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON SENIOR LIVING WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE CARMEL CLAY LIBRARY COMMUNITY ROOM A.

ONE THING WE WILL BE DISCUSSING IS LAST MEETING WE VOTED TO PURSUE A DESIGNATION WITH AARP TO BECOME A SENIOR FRIENDLY COMMUNITY. AND THEN NEXT STEP WE ARE GOING TO BE CONDUCTING A COMMUNITY-WIDE ASSESSMENT.

THANK YOU TO DR. BISTANI AT IU SCHOOL OF MEDICINE.

HIS STAFF WILL BE CONDUCTING AN ASSESSMENT OF OUR COMMUNITY AND SURVEY RELATED TO ISSUES WITH SENIORS AND WE'LL BE WORKING ON AND REVIEWING THAT AT THE NEXT MEETING.

>> THANK YOU, COUNCILOR TAYLOR. COUNCILOR MINNAAR.

>> MINES AN UPLIFTING STORY. I JUST WANTED TO FOLLOW UP AND LET YOU KNOW, I WAS GOING TO SAY IT DURING OUR ANNOUNCEMENTS BUT I DIDN'T GET MY FINGER UP IN TIME.

WE RECOGNIZED SKY SIMPSON HERE LAST COUNCIL MEETING.

HE WENT TO ICELAND TO THE INTERNATIONAL POWERLIFTING ASSOCIATION'S COMPETITION. AND HE WON TWO GOLD MEDALS AND A SILVER. [APPLAUSE] SO I MIGHT BRING HIM BACK SO HE CAN GET RECOGNIZED WITH HIS HARDWARE. I THOUGHT YOU ALL SHOULD KNOW

HOW WELL HE DID. >> THAT'S GREAT.

ANY OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS? IF NOT, THI

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.