City Council Update 12/20/24
Hello Neighbors! Here to give you an update of the most recent council meeting, land use meeting and exciting happenings in Carmel.
This will be my final update for 2024 and I am excited to be celebrating the holidays with my family and friends!
CITY COUNCIL MEETING UPDATES from 12/16/24
Special Recognition
We once again were able to recognize Sky Simpson, a CHS grad and Special Olympics athlete, who brought back multiple medals from the IPF Equipped World Masters Powerlifting Championship in Iceland in November. Very proud of this young man!
Report from City Departments
NO CITY DEPT REPORTS.
Ordinances & Resolutions
Ordinance D-2740-24: Amends Chapter 2 Article 1 sections 2-1,2-3,2-6,2-10,2-12,2-13 &2-14 of Carmel City Code
Clarifies the duties and components of government
Remains in Finance Committee
Ordinance D-2741-24: Amends Chapter 2 Article 6 sections 2-302,302 and 303 of Carmel City Code
Ordinance amending the budget procedures of the City of Carmel
Remains in Finance Committee
THE SUMMARY OF THE NEXT SEVERAL ORDINANCES: These are all transfer ordinances for which we have now received the detailed information we asked for that allows me to feel comfortable authorizing these transfers.
The First Reading of Ordinance D-2746-24. Ordinance appropriates funds for Prime Life Enrichment and Historical Society's operation expenses
I do believe that Prime Life and the Historical Society both provide important services to our community. The amount of the transfer being requested is $100K for each entity directly to the MAC budget.
Resolution CC-12-02-24-04: Transfers the $197,500.00 within the 2024 Mayors Office Budget.
All but 10K of this accounts for the salary of the chief of staff and the PTO of the previous departed chief of staff, 10K is for the remodeling of the mayors office suite. A complete listing of each of these costs were provided.
Resolution CC-12-02-24-05: Transfers $225,000.00 within the 2024 Marketing and Community Relations Department.
This is to reallocate within their budget they cut down the expense of furniture. The remaining fund covers the change from Omni productions to in house media productions. This allows the funding of the new positions that we previously authorized.
NOTE: The questions of transferring monies within the budget brings up the importance of being more deliberate and careful as we established policies and procedures for the budgeting for next year. The past administration's practices of allowing large amounts of money to be encumbered by departments to hold on to for next year has, in my opinion, led to bad budget practices. I am pleased to hear these will be limited in the future.
The entire process of working on more accurate budgeting and planning for the next years budget is critical. I feel very strongly that we as city counselors are responsible for ensuring that the public's dollars are accurately accounted for. I also believe that we have the opportunity to enhance transparency and create better processes throughout. Thank you Zac Jackson for your hard work this year!
Public Hearings:
First Ordinance of Z-694-24: An Ordinance that establishes the Towne 146 Planned Unit Development. Allowing the development of a mixed residential neighborhood which includes single family homes and townhomes.
This site plan has been significantly changed, I am very pleased that the commercial node has been eliminated. I am also very pleased that we have achieved 100% preservation of the wetlands area with the activation of the pond as a social area for the entire public.
I am very pleased with rental restrictions that have been placed on this development.
67 Additional trees above and beyond what is required have been added.
I know that there is a concern from the neighbors regarding density and also the the large pond which will be part of two separate HOA's
I am happy to report that this will be going to Land Use Committee for further discussion. I encourage any and all who have concerns to attend this meeting on Jan 8th at 5:30pm at the Carmel Library
First Reading Ordinance Z-695-24. An ordinance that amends the Gramercy PUD to the residential area, the rezone and approval of this project was done in September. This amendment codifies the project that was approved during discussions in land use committee earlier this year. This Ordinance was therefore approved.
First Reading Ordinance D-2748-24/ Corresponding resolution CC-12-16-24-01 - Appropriates the funds for moving the payroll function to the HR department. The move was made but we are now shifting the corresponding dollars from Finance department to HR.
This was approved
First Reading Ordinance D-2750-24/Corresponding resolution CC-12-16-24-02 Authorizing movement of funds to cover unfunded costs paid for by the Health Insurance Escrow Fund. $1M available funds from Police department. These funds would cover the run out claims that will come in at the end of the year because of the last minute claims filed by those who have met their deductible for the years. The premiums by our new health insurance broker we believe are better calculated. We will try to take a conservative outlook on this budget as we move forward.
This was approved
First Reading of Ordinance D-2752-24. Ordinance that establishes the 2025 maximum salaries for employees of the executive branch. Ensuring that on call pay for DOCS employees is covered and trying to establish standards for who qualifies for technical pay bonuses. This should be within the HR control. The top salary band is a grade 20 once you achieve a director position you are not eligible for pay bonuses. The possibility existed that the promoted position would actually make less than the grade 20 position with a technical bonus. This should be corrected because it is a disincentive to being promoted. We approved the Ordinance with the amendment that ensures that premium pay and PTO would be looked at by the finance committee
First Reading Ordinance D2753-24 An ordinance amending the PTO and leave policy for city employees. This will be looked at by the finance committee to fully explore how these changes will effect the budget of the city.
Resolution CC-12-`16-24-03- Transfers $299,000 within the 2024 General Administration Budget. Extra dollars from a census that was not needed and a position that was not filled were used instead for the remodeling of city hall. The details and needs for this building were clear and this was approved.
Resolutions CC-120-16-24-04. Transfer of $25,000 from the General Fund to the Fire Pension fund. Covers the reimbursement required to make the cash balance whole, the money was accounted for but we needed to work on ensuring that the number of personal and the processess surrounding this are taken care of prior to next years budget.
DORA signage and logo were approved
Adam Aasan was nominated as President and Matt Snyder as Vice President. Congratulations to them both!
City Council Appointments
Carmel Audit Committee appointed Kelly Mitchell and Ryan Locke
Carmel City Center Community Development Corporation appointed Cheryl Wessel
Carmel Redevelopment Commission appointed David Bowers and Adam Aasen
Fire Department Merit Board appointed Gary Dufek
Mayors Advisory Commision on Arts appointed Beth Glynn and Chandrika Patel appointed
Police Department Merit Board appointed Peter Beering
We held off on the appointment of the Carmel Advisory Committee on Disability because I feel that we have two excellent candidates that bring unique and important qualifications for this position. I have proposed one of these candidates Dr William Bennett who is a long time Carmel resident, parent of a child with disability with a stellar resume.
I would like to see each and every committee appointment be a result of a thorough process of resume review and conversation. Carmel is blessed to have a citizenry with a wealth of knowledge, expertise and perspectives and committees work best when we have multiple perspectives and lenses through which issues are vetted.
I encourage members of our community to put their names forward for consideration to serve on the city's various committees and boards.
I feel strongly that as we are advocating for a transparent processes from the executive branch, we should establish exactly the same processes for us at the legislative branch.
I am so proud to have completed my first year as your representative on City Council!
I look forward to continue to serve and I wish all of you a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanza and a Joyous New Year! See you in 2025!!!
If you have a fifth grade Carmel student who would like to give the mayoral update at a council meeting next year please reach out to me and I will be happy to put your student's name forward.
As always if you have any questions, concerns, or comments, please reach out to me. I’m always here to listen and advocate for you. If you wish to review the details of our city meeting, the recording is available here, and the meeting agenda is available here! If you’d like to attend a city council meeting, committee hearing, or other council events, please visit our website for the calendar!
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