City Council

MINUTES OF THE LAFAYETTE COMMON COUNCIL January 9, 2023 REGULAR MEETING (https://www.youtube.com/user/CityofLafayetteIN/live The Common Council of the City of Lafayette, Indiana met in regular session Monday, January 9, 2023 at 6:00 pm. In the Common Council Chamber at 20. N 6th Street. President Brown called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm. The Pledge of Allegiance was given to the flag of our Country. Present: Klinker, Nargi, Snyder, Reynolds, Hession Weiss, Ahlersmeyer, Weast-Williamson, Downing and Brown. City Clerk Cindy Murray and City Attorney Jacque Chosnek were present. Election of Officers: Councilmember Nargi moved to nominate Councilmember Ahlersmeyer as President of the Common Council for the year 2023, Councilmember Snyder seconded. The motion passed by unanimous voice vote. Thereafter, Councilmember Ahlersmeyer presided over the meeting. Councilmember Weast-Williamson moved to nominate Councilmember Snyder as President Pro-Tem for the year 2023, Councilmember Reynolds seconded. The motion passed by unanimous voice vote. Councilmember Downing moved to approve the minutes Councilmember Klinker seconded. Motion passed by unanimous voice 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-November Renew Department Monthly-November Water Works Department Monthly-November Ordinances for Second Reading: The Clerk read Ordinance 2022-45 (An Ordinance to Establish an Opioid Settlement Unrestricted Fund #2256) by title only on second and final reading. Councilmember Nargi moved for passage, Councilmember Snyder seconded. Jacque Chosnek, City Attorney spoke regarding the ordinance. Ordinance 2022-45 passed 8-0 on a roll call vote on second and final reading. The Clerk read Ordinance 2022-46 (An Ordinance to Establish an Opioid Settlement Restricted Fund #2257) by title only on second and final reading. Councilmember Reynolds moved for passage, Councilmember Hession Weiss seconded. Jacque Chosnek, City Attorney spoke regarding the ordinance. Ordinance 2022-46 passed 8-0 on a roll call vote on second and final reading. The Clerk read Ordinance 2022-47 (An Ordinance Fixing the Salaries of the Sworn Protective Occupation and Law Enforcement Members of the Police and Fire Departments of the City of Lafayette, Indiana For the Year 2023) by title only on second and final reading. Councilmember Weast-Williamson moved for passage, Councilmember Downing seconded. Jacque Chosnek, City Attorney noted the purpose of the amendment was to include the position of Firefighter I back into the ordinance until the last class of firefighters finish their current training program. Ordinance 2022-47 passed 8-0 on a roll call vote on second and final reading. The Clerk read Ordinance 2022-48 (An Amendment to Ordinance No. 2010-11 Establishing A Local Perrin North Historic District in the City of Lafayette, Indiana) by title only on second and final reading. Councilmember Nargi moved for passage, Councilmember Klinker seconded. John Collier, Economic Development Director spoke regarding the ordinance. Ordinance 2022-48 passed 8-0 on a roll call vote on second and final reading. The Clerk read Ordinance 2022-49 (An Amendment to Ordinance No. 2010-11 Inclusion of Certain Property in the Local Perrin/Cason Street Historic District in the City of Lafayette, Indiana. by title only on second and final reading. Councilmember Snyder moved for passage, Councilmember Reynolds seconded. John Collier, Economic Development spoke regarding the ordinance. Ordinance 2022-49 passed 8-0 on a roll call vote on second and final reading. The Clerk read Ordinance 2022-51 (An Ordinance to Repeal and Replace Chapter 8.06-Trees and Shrubs) by title only on second and final reading. Councilmember Hession Weiss moved for passage, Councilmember Brown seconded. Jacque Chosnek, City Attorney noted after speaking with Tree Lafayette several amendments are needed for Ordinance 2022-51. Ms. Chosnek proposed the following amendments:  Moves the language regarding Tree Root Health from 8.06.210(B) to 8.06.250 (Prohibited Actions)  Adds a requirement to Section 8.06.230 that the tree planting plan must also address trees to be saved and what protections will be put in place  Adds a subsection to 8.06.250 (Prohibited Actions) that prohibits intentional damage to trees by vandalism, mowing, weed-whacking, chemical or cutting  Makes adjustments to Section 8.06.400 (Minimum Height of Limbs) to allow the City, or sponsored volunteer groups (such as Tree Lafayette), to continue to perform trimming of low branches from trees that originate on private property but overhang the public right of way in the same manner as historically performed. Currently, when a tree trimming project takes place to correct low hanging branches (which are a hazard to the traveling public) any offending branches that overhang the public right-of-way are trimmed.  Shortened the time frame to correct other nuisance violations from 30 days to 14 days Councilmember Brown moved to accept amendments proposed for Ordinance 2022-51, Councilmember Weast-Williamson seconded. Amendments passed 8-0 on a roll call vote. Councilmember Downing moved to approved Ordinance 2022-51 as amended, Councilmember Klinker seconded. Amended Ordinance 2022-51 passed 8-0 on a roll call vote on second and final reading. Ordinances for First Reading The Clerk read Ordinance 2023-01 (An Ordinance to Ordinance 2022-38 An Ordinance Fixing the Salaries of the Appointed Officers and Employees of the City of Lafayette, Indiana For the Year 2023, Excluding the Sworn Protective Occupation and Law Enforcement Members of the Police and Fire Departments) by title only on first reading. Councilmember Nargi moved for passage, Councilmember Snyder seconded. Ordinance 2023-01 passed 8-0 on a roll call vote on first reading. Mayor Roswarski spoke about changes to the Police Department with this ordinance, including replacing the title of Community Outreach Marketing Manager to Community Engagement Manager. The Mayor noted this is a civilian position that will work with the public on behalf of the Police Department. The Mayor also commented on a new position of Social Worker for the Police Department that will be paid for with Opioid Settlement funds. Scott Galloway, Police Chief spoke on the process and advisory committee being used to assist to select the appropriate person. Ordinance 2023-01 passed 8-0 on a roll call vote on first reading. The Clerk read Ordinance 2023-02 (An Ordinance For Additional Appropriation From Opioid Settlement Unrestricted Fund (Fund#2256 and Opioid Restricted (Fund#2257)) by title only on first reading. Councilmember Reynolds moved for passage, Councilmember Hession Weiss seconded. Jacque Chosnek, City Attorney noted these funds are being appropriated to fund the Social Worker position in the Police Department. Ordinance 2023-02 passed 8-0 on a roll call vote on first reading. Councilmember Brown moved to set a public hearing on Ordinance 2023-02 on Monday, February 6, 2023 @ 6:01 PM, Councilmember Weast-Williamson seconded. Motion passed by unanimous voice vote. Resolutions: The Clerk read Resolution 2023-01 (A Resolution Approving The Detail of the 2023 Water and Renew (Wastewater) Department Budgets) by title only on first and final reading. Councilmember Downing moved for passage, Councilmember Klinker seconded. Jeremy Diehl, Controller spoke regarding the resolution. Resolution 2023-01 passed 8-0 on a roll call vote on first and final reading. The Clerk read Resolution 2023-02 (A Resolution Approving Greater Lafayette Climate Action Plan) by title only on first and final reading. Councilmember Nargi moved for passage, Councilmember Snyder seconded. Mayor Roswarski spoke regarding the development of this plan and the importance to the community. Maithilee Des Lappin spoke regarding the plan. Resolution 2023-02 passed 8-0 on a roll call vote in first and final reading. Reports of Standing Committees: Councilmember Klinker moved to approve the following appointments to various boards: Ben Murray-GLPTC-4 Year Term, James Foster and Frank Donaldson-Redevelopment-1 Year Term. Councilmember Nargi seconded. Motion passed by unanimous voice vote. No Reports of Special Committees. There was no Report by the Mayor. No Miscellaneous or New Business. Reports by the Council: Councilmember Downing thanked Ms. Chosnek for working with Tree Lafayette and making the necessary changes to ordinance 2022-51. Public Comment: Pearl Speakman, 923 S. 22nd Street expressed concern regarding a daycare in his neighborhood and parking problems around that residence. Kirk Freeman, 1200 Ridgeway Avenue expressed concerns regarding the hiring process of the Lafayette Police Department. Mr. Freeman requested the following action by Council: 1. Mandate transparency for background checks for new hires. 2. A resolution calling for a grand jury to investigate the Lafayette Police Department. 3. A resolution in favor of Abolition of Qualified Immunity. 4. A resolution exploring the possibility of civil judgements against the Lafayette Police Department be paid for with funds from the LPD retirement funds. Councilmember Reynolds move to adjourn. Councilmember Klinker seconded. Meeting adjourned at 6:50 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