City Council

MINUTES OF THE LAFAYETTE COMMON COUNCIL July 6, 2020 REGULAR MEETING Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Holcomb’s order to shelter-in-place beginning March 24, 2020. All government offices were closed to in-person public activity until further notice. All essential meetings are being conducted virtually, conference calls & online streaming (https://www.youtube.com/user/CityofLafayetteIN/live The Common Council of the City of Lafayette, Indiana met in regular session virtually via a Go To Meeting on Monday, July 6, 2020 at 6:00 pm President Nargi called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm. The Pledge of Allegiance was given to the flag of our Country. Present: Heide, Klinker, Reynolds, Campbell, Brown, Ahlersmeyer, Weast-Williamson, Downing and Nargi City Clerk Cindy Murray and City Attorney Ed Chosnek were present Councilman Campbell moved to approve the minutes of the June 1, 2020 council meeting, Councilman Downing seconded. Motion passed 8-0 on a roll call vote. There were no Disposal of Claims, Petitions or Communications: The Clerk stated the following reports are available in the City Clerk’s Office: Fleet Maintenance Department Monthly-May Police Department Monthly- May Renew Department Monthly-May Water Works Department Monthly- May Ordinances for second reading: The Clerk read Ordinance 2020-15 (An Ordinance Authorizing the City of Lafayette, Indiana to Issue its Taxable Economic Subordinate Revenue Bonds (Ellsworth Project) and Authorizing and Approving Other Actions in Connection Therewith) by title only on second and final reading. Councilman Campbell moved for passage, Councilman Downing seconded. The Clerk noted no electronic public comment was received on Ordinance 2020-15. Mayor Roswarski spoke in support of the ordinance. Ordinance 2020-15 passed 8-0 on a roll call vote as follows on second and final reading. Ordinances for First Reading: The Clerk read Ordinance 2020-21(An Amendment to the Ordinance No. 2020-11 Establishing a Local Vickery/Norris-Dixson-1675 Main Street Historic District in the City of Lafayette, Indiana) by title only on first reading. Councilman Reynolds moved for passage, Councilwoman Weast-Williamson seconded. John Collier, Economic Development spoke regarding the ordinance. The Clerk noted no electronic public comment was received on Ordinance 2020-21. Ordinance 2020-21 passed 8-0 on a roll call vote on first reading. The Clerk read Ordinance 2020-22(An Amendment to the Ordinance No. 2020-11 Establishing a Local Perris/Pizzagallli-Silva-324 Tinkler Street Historic District in the City of Lafayette, Indiana) by title only on first reading. Councilman Klinker moved for passage, Council Heide seconded. John Collier, Economic Development spoke regarding the ordinance. The Clerk noted no electronic public comment was received on Ordinance 2020-22. Ordinance 2020-22 passed 8- 0 on a roll call vote on first reading. Resolutions: The Clerk read Resolution 2020-13 (A Resolution Dissolving the Railroad Relocation Fund (Fund 2700)) by title only on first and final reading. Councilwoman Ahlersmeyer moved for passage, Councilman Brown seconded. The Clerk noted no electronic public comment was received on Resolution 2020-13. Tim Clary, Controller spoke regarding Resolution 2020-13 explaining the decision was made to dissolve the Railroad Relocation Fund and transfer the funds into the city general fund. The amount being transferred is $221,618.99. Resolution 2020- 13 passed 8-0 on a roll call vote on first and final reading. The Clerk read Resolution 2020-14 (A Resolution Declaring the Designation of Certain Real Estate as an Economic Revitalization Area (ERA) and Approving the Application for Property Tax Abatement-Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc.-Personal Property) by title only on first and final reading. Councilman Campbell moved for passage, Councilman Brown seconded. The Clerk noted no electronic public comment was received on Resolution 2020-14. Mayor Roswarski spoke in support of the abatement. Rachel Hazaray, SIA representative described the planned used for the expansion. Resolution 2020-14 passed 8-0 on a roll call vote on first and final reading. Councilman Reynolds moved to set a public hearing for Resolution 2020-14 on Monday, August 3, 2020 at 6:01 pm, Councilwoman Weast-Williamson seconded. Motion passed 8-0 on a roll call vote. The Clerk read Resolution No. 2020-15 (A Resolution of the Lafayette Common Council Annual Tax Abatement Compliance) by title only on first and final reading. Councilman Klinker moved for passage, Councilman Heide seconded. Dennis Carson, Economic Development Director, stated this resolution represents 54 separate tax compliance statements for Lafayette that were completely vetted and reviewed by the Redevelopment Commission and all found to be in substantial compliance. The Clerk noted no electronic public comment was received on Resolution 2020-15. Resolution 2020-15 passed 8-0 on roll call vote on first and final reading. No Reports of Standing Committees. No Reports of Special Committees. Report by the Mayor: Mayor Roswarski deferred to Police Chief Patrick Flannelly for a council update. Chief Flannelly spoke regarding the policies of the Lafayette Police Department and an updated Community Centered Policing Commitment report available on the police website. No Reports by the Council. No Miscellaneous or New Business. Public Comment: The Clerk read the following statements into the record 1. Hello, I am a Lafayette citizen who wishes to make a public comment before the city council meeting. I’m concerned about how 45% of the city budget is being allocated to the police department. I would much prefer that the money go towards public education and libraries, or even other kinds of community welfare. Why does a small, typically quiet town need to heavily fund (or fund at all) a police department? Thank you, Katie O’Donoghue, 220 N 6th St. Lafayette, IN 47901 2. To Whom It May Concern: I’d like to submit public comment for the Lafayette City Council Meeting. My name is Audrey Hollis and my address is 1208 Holloway Dr. #3, Lafayette, IN 47905.The public comment is as follows: Lafayette, IN spends 31% of the city budget on its police department. As a resident of Lafayette and an attendee of the Black Lives Matter protest, I believe the excessive military arms the police carry are unnecessary and encourage both police violence and make community policing impossible, as it is extremely difficult to feel comfortable around somebody who is armed to the teeth. Lafayette must, in the upcoming 2021 budget, devote less money toward the police and more money to schools, public art, community programs, and social services. Best, Audrey Hollis Councilman Heide move to adjourned, Councilman Klinker seconded. Meeting adjourned at 7:40 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