City Council

MINUTES OF THE LAFAYETTE COMMON COUNCIL February 5, 2018 REGULAR MEETING The Common Council of the City of Lafayette, Indiana met in regular session on Monday, February 5, 2018 at 6:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, 20 North 6th Street, Lafayette, Indiana. President Campbell called the meeting to order at 6:30pm. The Pledge of Allegiance was given to the flag of our Country. The following members were present: Present: Heide, Klinker, Nargi, Reynolds, Ahlersmeyer, Weast-Williamson, Downing and Campbell Absent: Brown City Clerk Cindy Murray and City Attorney Ed Chosnek were present Councilman Klinker moved to recess for a public hearing on Resolution 2018-01, Councilwoman Nargi seconded. No public comment was heard. Councilman Klinker moved for a public hearing on Resolution 2018-02, Councilwoman Nargi seconded. No public comment was heard. Councilman Klinker moved to reconvene, Councilman Heide seconded. The motion passed by unanimous voice vote. Councilwoman Ahlersmeyer moved to approve the minutes of the January 8, 2018 council meeting. Councilwoman Weast-Williamson seconded. Motion passed 7-0 on a roll call vote. There were no Claims, Petitions or Communications: The Clerk stated the following reports are available in the City Clerk’s Office: Fleet Maintenance Monthly- December Lafayette Renew Monthly-December Water Works Monthly- December Police Department Monthly-December *Councilman Brown was present at 6:34 PM Ordinances for Second Reading: The Clerk read Ordinance 2018-01 (An Ordinance Establishing A Transient Rental Registration Permit Application Fee) by title only on second and final reading. Councilman Downing moved for passage, Councilman Heide seconded. Ed Chosnek, City Attorney spoke regarding the Ordinance. Ordinance 2018-01 passed 8-0 on a roll call vote on second and final reading. Ordinances for First Reading: The Clerk read Ordinance 2018-04 (An Ordinance to Amend the Zoning Ordinance of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, to Rezone Certain Real Estate from R2U to GB-2408 N 19th Street- Brad Cohen, Petitioner) by title only on first and final reading. Councilman Klinker moved for passage, Councilwoman Nargi seconded. Ryan Lunden, Attorney for the petitioner spoke regarding the Ordinance. Ordinance 2018-04 passed 8-0 on a roll call vote on first and final reading. The Clerk read Ordinance 2018-05 (An Ordinance to Amend Chapter 9.04-Smoking In Public Places to Include Electronic Smoking Devices, Petitioner) by title only on first reading. Councilman Klinker moved for passage, Councilwoman Nargi seconded. Ed Chosnek City Attorney spoke regarding the Ordinance. Ordinance 2018-05 passed 8-0 on a roll call vote on first reading. Lloyd Wells 3717 Rawlings Drive spoke in opposition to the Ordinance. Perry Barbee, 3700 Redbud spoke in opposition to the Ordinance. The Clerk read Ordinance 2018-06 (An Ordinance to Amend Ordinance 2017-37-An Ordinance Fixing The Salaries of The Appointed Officers and Employees of the City of Lafayette, Indiana, for the Year 2018, Excluding the Sworn Protective Occupation and Law Enforcement Members of the Police and Fire Departments) by title only on first reading. Councilwoman Ahlersmeyer moved for passage, Councilwoman Weast-Williamson seconded. Mike Jones, Controller spoke regarding the Ordinance. Ordinance passed 8-0 on a roll call vote on first reading. Resolutions: The Clerk read Resolution 2018-05 (A Resolution Approving A Waiver of Noncompliance and Finding Compliance with Statement of Benefits-Lex Lafayette, LP) by title only on first and final reading. Councilman Downing moved for passage, Councilman Heide seconded. Mayor Roswarski spoke regarding Resolution 2018-05 and Resolution 2018-06. Resolution 2018-05 passed 8-0 on a roll call vote on first and final reading. The Clerk read Resolution 2018-06 (A Resolution Approving A Waiver of Noncompliance and Finding Compliance with Statement of Benefits-Caterpillar, Inc) by title only on first and final reading. Councilman Klinker moved for passage, Councilwoman Nargi seconded. Resolution 2018-06 passed 8-0 on a roll call vote on first and final reading. No Reports of Standing Committees. There were no Reports of Special Committees. Report by the Mayor: State of the City Address-2018 STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS - 2018 Mr. President, members of the City Council and citizens of Lafayette. I am honored and humbled to stand before you and present the 2018 STATE OF THE CITY. I would like to begin by thanking all our citizens who participate with our neighborhood associations, help in our schools or volunteer for our many community, civic and social service organizations. It takes many dedicated people working together to govern and move our community in a positive direction. In addition, I would like to thank the City Council, who works diligently to represent their constituents. I would like to thank the Board of Works, the Redevelopment Commission, Police and Fire Merit Boards, Parks Foundation, the Historic Preservation and Human Relations Commissions. I would also like to send a special thank you to our City Clerk Cindy Murray, who is an outstanding elected official and community representative for Lafayette. I am honored to work with an incredible group of Department Heads and a talented team of City employees. Thanks to the leadership of our Department Heads, I get countless compliments of Team Members going above and beyond to serve our citizens. As you know, one of the primary purposes of the STATE OF THE CITY is to report on finances. I am pleased to share we are in a strong financial position. Our cash operating balances have increased toward levels recommended by the Government Finance Officers Association and the bond rating agencies. These balances have been achieved with no reduction in City services. The City Departments’ adherence to Council approved budgets and the improved operating efficiencies of our employees have produced sufficient cash operating balances. Our interest and investment earnings have doubled over the past year thus allowed us to increase our Rainy Day Fund balance to over 4 million dollars. This emergency fund represents over a 10% reserve which is viewed favorably by rating agencies. Our bond rating as published by Moody’s Investors Service increased on September 27, 2017. Out of the 1,348 government units reviewed, Lafayette was one of only 10 United States local government units to actually increase its rating. Our increased rating will reduce our interest expense in the future. We issued our first Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the year ending 2016 and plan to continue to report our finances at the highest level. The State Board of Accounts audited our report and concluded the City was in compliance with federal statutes and regulations. In addition, our internal controls were determined to be strong and our financial statements were given a favorable, positive unmodified opinion. I appreciate the Council’s help in ensuring The City of Lafayette practices sound financial management and is fiscally responsible with tax dollars. As you know, Public Safety is our number one priority. Our Fire Department continues to rank among the best in the state and nation when it comes to service, equipment and outreach. Our Police Department has made remarkable progress with the initiatives that started just a little over two years ago. In September 2015, I presented comprehensive staffing, resource and community outreach initiatives for the Police Department that were to be implemented in 2016 and 2017. I am pleased to announce that our Street Crimes Unit is now fully staffed with 6 officers, 1 K9 and 1 sergeant. We have increased police visibility and neighborhood engagement by allowing 17 additional officers who live in the city limits to take home their patrol car. Nine more will be eligible prior to the end of this year. The Crime Prevention unit has been fully staffed since last November having 2 specialists, a sergeant and lieutenant. The number of positive interactions and engagements increased from 80 in 2016 to 211 last year. In 2017, LPD started its own monthly Podcast, Inside the Squad, as another platform to educate citizens about everything from personal stories to internal operations and helpful tips. NextDoor currently has 11,500 members that account for 26% of the households in our City. This is an essential resource for police to obtain information, and for our citizens to play an active role in keeping their neighborhoods safe. Over the last 5 years, the number of sworn officers has increased by 15. These additional positions have allowed us and will allow us in the future to adequately address all aspects of investigations, drug interdiction, community outreach, Street Crimes, Patrol activities, and our Drug Task Force. In 2017, LPD drug-related arrests increased by 92% from 786 to 1506. This exemplifies how drug possession and distribution are the leading cause of criminal activity in Lafayette, and how law enforcement is actively addressing an issue that affects us all. Because of these initiatives and the impressive response of our citizens, we have had another year of making progress in reducing overall crime in our community.Property crimes occur the most often, with thefts and burglaries being the two most common. Our City has observed declines of these crimes during each of the last four years. The last time totals were observed at this low level was 2010. By strengthening our relationships with our citizens and businesses through our Community Outreach and Crime Prevention Division, we are hopeful these crimes continue their decline. So, to put the last two years in perspective since we have started our initiatives: In 2016, crimes against persons went down 21% and property crime went down 9%, for a total decrease of 395 incidents or 11% compared to 2015. In 2017, crimes against persons rose just slightly (by 9 incidents), but we actually had three less victims. A positive change was robberies, which declined by 30 incidents, which represents a 27% decrease. This is significant and was one of the areas we were most concerned about. Property crimes dropped by 380, representing a 13% decline. Overall crime dropped 11% in 2017. This represents 766 less incidents, which is a 20% decrease in overall crime since we began implementing our initiatives. I want to thank this Council for helping me to ensure the Police Department has the resources needed to go above and beyond when it comes to the safety and wellbeing of our citizens and our Officers. In 2013, the Police Department’s budget was just over $14 million. In 2018, the budget is over $18 million. When we say public safety is our #1 priority, we mean it and our resource allocation shows it. This strong commitment is also the reason, I have chosen to join a lawsuit to hold drug manufacturers and distributors responsible for their role in creating the opioid crisis, which has been a major drain to our community’s resources. We will keep the Council informed and engaged as that process unfolds. And we haven’t stopped there. We also recently unveiled an additional partnership with the West Lafayette Police department. We have a drug interdiction team working to identify and apprehend drug couriers on Interstate 65 and other thoroughfares in our community. Make no mistake, myself, the Chief, the Lafayette Police Department Command Staff, and all the men and women who bravely and honorably serve each and every day will remain vigilant. We know this battle is far from over, but we believe in the power of this community and its ability to triumph. Because as you are aware, no number of Police Officers can stop all crimes, many of the influences are social and must be addressed by multiple segments of the community. Be confident in the fact that we are moving in the right direction. Personally, 2017 will go down as one of the most important years in my time as Mayor. The City played a vital role in helping make some very important projects a reality. I believe these projects will have an impact on the lives of our citizens, literally for generations, and open new doors for people for decades. And, that’s what I love about this community – the collaboration, the partnerships, this City Council and our Board of Works, our Redevelopment Commission, working with West Lafayette and Tippecanoe County governments, Purdue, Ivy Tech, and all our citizen driven organizations working together to pool the resources necessary to make projects happen that create hope, develop talent, and change the course of people’s lives. As a community, we understand that we have to be creative and innovative. We have to be strong and we have to be resourceful. We also have to be kind, inclusive and compassionate. This community embodies collaboration. Not only working together, but working towards excellence, and doing our part to have a community that not just survives, but thrives. We have strong, capable partners in business and industry, both large and small. We have partners in education, along with Work Force Development and Greater Lafayette Commerce. Working together we find ways to create an economic development environment that allows businesses of all sizes to grow and expand, and new businesses to embrace our community and realize their dreams here. We constantly find ways to help prepare and improve our local workforce by building relationships and connections between education, business and industry. One example of that collaboration is the wonderful partnership with the Lafayette School Corporation purchasing the old Lafayette Life building and working with the other school corporations to create a vocational tech high school. Educators are working closely with our business and industry to help ensure the design, the course work and the processes of the school create opportunity and drive the workforce of the future, while meeting the needs of a thriving, growing, local community. Let’s talk infrastructure for a moment. You know, we build and actively maintain a lot of roads. We put in sidewalks, water lines, sewer lines, new stop lights, fiber optics and Wi-Fi. We build handicap ramps. We work on riverfront development. We increase capacities and remain progressive with our infrastructure. But, I think what really makes us special is that we really work hard developing our human capital. Heart and soul goes into everything we do. From the United Way’s Continuum, to working towards increasing mental health resources. We openly talk about the need for addiction services. We work with our faith-based groups to strengthen our neighborhoods, and to provide wonderful stable housing for our families. We work with development groups to ensure that our seniors have options and opportunities. And, if you’ve looked recently, Glasswater Creek off Beck Lane looks wonderful. But, I think all of you know that for me two recent accomplishments really stand out above all the rest. First the groundbreaking for the new YMCA Intersection Connection on the Ivy Tech campus. I want to celebrate all the partners that have worked to make that project a reality – Franciscan Alliance, IU Health, Junior Achievement. As a community, we pulled together, from working through the tax credit process to the City of Lafayette committing three million dollars to help make that project a reality. I know the kids, families and seniors that will use the new YMCA, by participating in the classes and enjoying the many opportunities, will see their quality of life undoubtedly go up, thanks to the new amenities and programs. There will also be ways for Ivy Tech students and local youth to use the “Y” through BizTown and other Junior Achievement activities. I don’t think we can overestimate what an impact this facility will have on our community. And, then we move to the Northend Community Center. Again, a marvelous example of collaboration, but not only to raise the necessary funding, which the City contributed 1.5 million dollars, but all of the organizations that will be housed there, to further expand outreach and services. Just think of the impact - the Senior Center, Hanna Center, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, Family Promise of Greater Lafayette, Meals on Wheels, Bauer Head Start, Faith CDC/ CarWorks / Reclaimed Hope, Flour Mill Bakery and Shine On University will contribute. The number of lives this facility will touch is beyond measure as well. A special thank you to the Faith Community Development Corporation and the Scheumann Family Foundation for helping make this project a reality. I will conclude by saying the future of our community is not only bright, it is a shining example of what is possible when you have a strong foundation and unwavering commitment. We have built lasting relationships and partnerships that will propel us into the future and continue to build a community where anything and everything is possible. Thank you again to the Council and all our Citizens who make Lafayette a place we are all proud to call home. May God continue to bless our community. A short video presentation followed. Miscellaneous and New Business: Council Appointments-Various Commissions Councilman Reynolds recommended appointment of John Henk to the Fire Merit Commission for a term of four year. Motion passed by unanimous voice vote. Councilman Reynolds recommended appointment of TJ Thieme and Don Teder to the Redevelopment Commission for a term of one year. Motion passed by unanimous voice vote. No Reports of Council. Public Comment: Lloyd Wells, 3717 Rawlings Drive praised Mayor Roswarski for the positive changes he has brought to the City of Lafayette. Perry Barbee, 3700 Redbud praised the Mayor and encouraged citizens to recycle more Rose Kaczmarowski, 334 S 26th Street spoke in favor of the Five Points Development Project and encouraged them to include pathways to 18th Street. Councilman Heide moved to adjourn, Councilman Reynolds seconded. Meeting was adjourned at 7:20 PM Minutes prepared by Cindy Murray, City Clerk Complete audio of meeting available in the City Clerk’s office or at www.lafayette.in.gov