City Council

MINUTES OF THE LAFAYETTE COMMON COUNCIL February 6, 2023 REGULAR MEETING (https://www.youtube.com/user/CityofLafayetteIN/live The Common Council of the City of Lafayette, Indiana met in regular session Monday, February 6, 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 led by Boy Scout Troup #3326 was given to the flag of our Country. Present: Klinker, Nargi, Hession Weiss, Ahlersmeyer, Weast-Williamson, Downing and Brown. Absent: Snyder, Reynolds, City Clerk Cindy Murray and City Attorney Jacque Chosnek were present. Councilmember Hession Weiss moved to recess for a public hearing on Ordinance 2023-02 (An Ordinance for Additional Appropriation from Opioid Settlement Unrestricted Fund (Fund#2256) and Opioid Restricted (Fund #2257) Councilmember Brown seconded. No public comment was heard. Councilmember Weast-Williamson moved to reconvene the regular meeting, Councilmember Downing seconded. Motion passed by unanimous voice vote. Councilmember Klinker moved to approve the minutes Councilmember Nargi 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-December Renew Department Monthly-December Water Works Department Monthly-December Ordinances for Second 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 second and final reading. Councilmember Hession Weiss moved for passage, Councilmember Brown seconded. Jacque Chosnek, City Attorney noted this ordinance will need two amendments. The first one is to change the title of Social Worker to Community Advocate and Resource Navigator. The second amendment is to change the classification for the position from a PAT II to a PAT III. Mayor Roswarski spoke about change in title, that it would better fit the role this person would be playing within the Police Department. Mayor Roswarski also noted the increased wage would help with getting qualified applicants. Councilmember Hession Weiss moved to amend Ordinance 2023- 01 to change the title of Social Worker to Community Advocate and Resource Navigator, and to change the classification for the position from PAT II to PAT III, Councilmember Brown seconded. Amendment passed 6-0 on a roll call vote. The Amended Ordinance passed 6-0 on a roll call vote on second and final 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 second and final reading. Councilmember Weast-Williamson moved for passage, Councilmember Downing seconded. Jacque Chosnek, City Attorney noted these funds are being appropriated to fund the new Community Advocate and Resource Navigator in the Police Department. Brian Kocher, 529 Wellington questioned how many years the position salary will be covered with these funds. Mayor Roswarski responded several years with the possibility of hiring additional staff. Ordinance 2023-02 passed 6-0 on a roll call vote on second and final reading. Ordinances for First Reading The Clerk read Ordinance 2023-03 (An Ordinance to Amend the Zoning Ordinance of Tippecanoe County Indiana UZO Amendment #109-Regarding Agricultural Rental Halls) by title only on first and final reading. Councilmember Klinker moved for passage, Councilmember Nargi seconded. Jacque Chosnek, City Attorney spoke regarding the ordinance. Ordinance 2023-03 passed 6-0 on a roll call vote on first and final reading. The Clerk read Ordinance 2023-04 (An Ordinance to Amend the Zoning Ordinance of Tippecanoe County Indiana to Rezone Certain Real Estate from I3 to GB-3411 Fairfield Court, Zanik Corporation, Petitioner) by title only on first and final reading. Councilmember Hession Weiss moved for passage, Councilmember Brown seconded. John Schrader, Attorney for the petitioner spoke regarding the ordinance. Ordinance 2023-04 passed 6-0 on a roll call vote on first and final reading. The Clerk read Ordinance 2023-05 (An Ordinance to Amend the Zoning Ordinance of Tippecanoe County Indiana to Rezone Certain Real Estate from I3 to I2-Northeast Corner of Maple Point Drive and Concord Road, Whiskir, LLC, Petitioner) by title only on first and final reading. Councilmember Weast- Williamson moved for passage, Councilmember Downing seconded. Ryan Munden, Attorney for the petitioner spoke regarding the ordinance. Ordinance 2023-05 passed 6-0 on a roll call vote on first and final reading. The Clerk read Ordinance 2023-06 (An Ordinance Amending Sections of Chapter 8.08 City of Lafayette Stormwater Code) by title only on first reading. Councilmember Klinker moved for passage, Councilmember Nargi seconded. Jeromy Grenard, City Engineer noted the amendments to the Stormwater Code are due to clerical changes required by the U. S. EPA. Mr. Grenard stated current city projects have been moved over to the new permitting process. Ordinance 2023-06 passed 6-0 on a roll call vote on first reading. The Clerk read Ordinance 2023-07 (An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Lafayette, Indiana Annexing Territory into the City of Lafayette, Indiana 2023 Lafayette Southeast Voluntary Annexation-Carr Property) by title only on first reading. Councilmember Hession Weiss moved for passage, Councilmember Brown seconded. Ryan Munden, attorney for the petitioner spoke regarding the ordinance. Ms. Chosnek noted this property is listed as 92 acres, however the actual acreage is 132 due to the inclusion of all roadways and public right of ways. Mayor Roswarski spoke in support of the ordinance and the positive effect it will have on future development. Ordinance 2023-07 passed 6-0 on a roll call vote on first reading. Councilmember Brown moved to set a public hearing on Ordinance 2023-07 for Monday, March 6, @ 6:01pm. Councilmember Weast-Williamson seconded. Motion passed on unanimous voice vote. The Clerk read Ordinance 2023-08 (An Amendment to Ordinance No. 2010-11 Establishing A Local Ellsworth/17 S. 7th Street Historic District in the City of Lafayette, Indiana) by title only on first reading. Councilmember Downing moved for passage, Councilmember Klinker seconded. John Collier, Economic Development spoke regarding the ordinance. Ordinance 2023-08 passed 6-0 on a roll call vote on first reading. The Clerk read Ordinance 2023-09 (An Amendment to Ordinance No. 2010-11 Establishing A Local S. 9th St/114 State Street Historic District in the City of Lafayette, Indiana) by title only on first reading. Councilmember Nargi moved for passage, Councilmember Hession Weiss seconded. John Collier, Economic Development spoke regarding the ordinance. Ordinance 2023-09 passed 6-0 on a roll call vote on first reading. The Clerk read Ordinance 2023-10 (An Amendment for Additional Appropriation in the General Fund (Fund#1010)) by title only on first reading. Councilmember Brown moved for passage, Councilmember Weast-Williamson seconded. Richard Doyle, Fire Chief spoke regarding the planned use of the funds which will pay for a second set of bunk gear for the staff, this should assure the firefighters will always have clean uncontaminated gear. Updated handheld radios will also be purchased. Ordinance 2023-10 passed 6-0 on a roll call vote on first reading. Councilmember Downing moved to set a public hearing on Ordinance 2023-10 for Monday, March 6, 2023 @ 6:02 PM, Councilman Klinker seconded. Motion passed by unanimous voice vote. Resolutions: The Clerk read Resolution 2023-03 (A Resolution Approving An Interlocal Cooperation Agreement Between the City of Lafayette and the City of West Lafayette and County of Tippecanoe Concerning Four Precious Paws Low Cost Spay & Neuter Clinic, Inc) by title only on first and final reading. Councilmember Nargi moved for passage. Councilmember Hession Weiss seconded. Mayor Roswarski spoke regarding the resolution. Resolution 2023-03 passed 6-0 on a roll call vote on first and final reading. The Clerk read Resolution 2023-04 (A Resolution to Approve the City of Lafayette Home Investment Partnership Program American Rescue Plan (Home-ARP) Allocation Plan) by title only on first and final reading. Councilmember Brown moved for passage. Councilmember Weast-Williamson seconded. Michelle Reynolds, Lafayette Housing Authority spoke regarding the plan. Resolution 2023-04 passed 6- 0 on a roll call vote in first and final reading. Tyler Beech, Homeless expressed concern about the difficulty in securing permanent housing. Reports of Standing Committees: No Reports of Special Committees. Report by the Mayor: Mayor Roswarski gave the following State of The City Report for 2023 STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS – 2023 Madam President, members of the City Council, those in attendance and all the citizens of Lafayette. It is my honor to deliver to you my State of the City Address. I would like to begin by thanking our citizens. The strength of any community is it’s people. I am proud to be part of a community where collaboration is valued, where government, faith-based groups, schools and social service organizations come together. I would like to thank the City Council, who work diligently to represent their constituents, Cindy Murray our City Clerk, the Board of Works, and all the members of our Boards and Commissions, who give their time in service to Lafayette. I am honored to work with an incredible group of Department Heads who comprise our leadership team and all our dedicated City employees. As you are aware, one of the responsibilities of the City Council is to be the fiscal body and to ensure the wise use of tax dollars. I am pleased to report we are once again in a strong financial position. The current Rainy-Day Fund is $7,011,334.00. In 2004, the fund had $11,200.00 in it. Our operating balances have increased. We have developed investment and debt management policies that continue to work well. We have $6,685,000.00 in EDIT reserves, which brings our total reserves to $13,696,334.00, which is 29.4% of the General Fund, and 17.7% of the Civil City budget. The 2023 budget lowered the tax rate. Our Utility Finances are in a strong position and our Tax Increment Financing Districts have positive cash flows. I will now discuss public safety, to demonstrate how safe our community is and to present an accurate and transparent accounting of crime statistics covering twenty-one years of data. We will be discussing the Part I crimes that we report to the F.B.I. and are considered the most serious offenses. They are: Homicide Rape Robbery Aggravated Assault Burglary Larceny (theft) Auto theft Arson The good news is, overall, Part I crimes in Lafayette continue to trend downward. With the help of Analyst Micah Lupa, we went back to 2002 – that is twenty-one years of Part I crime data: And the fact is, in 2002 there were 3,400 Part I crimes and in 2022 there were 2253 Part I crimes. That is a decrease of 1,147 Part I crimes. **Show first Graph – and explain twenty-one year data** **Show second Graph – Explain how Part I crimes have changed by percentage – Explain Graph over twenty-one year period** 2013 – overall highest year – that number is 3819. That represents a 41% decrease in Part I crimes from 2013 to 2022. From 2002 to 2022, Part 1 crimes have decreased 33%. In 2016, the drug epidemic was sweeping every State in the country. Governor Pence (State of the State) and Chief Justice Loretta Rush also gave presentations on the opioid crisis. The City of Lafayette also announced its initiatives that year to increase public safety, and we have continued with additional initiatives: • Take home car program. • That year’s budget added five new Police Officers and a new Dispatcher. • We created the Community Outreach Division. • We took a multifaceted approach to dealing with abandon houses and we hired an additional Housing Inspector. • We opened additional spots on the Street Crimes Unit and Drug Task Force. • Hired two full time Criminal Analysts. • Hired a downtown Security Officer. • Created a 4th Captain position (the Captain of Special Operations) • Created the ARC (Analysis Response Center) inside the Police Department next to our Dispatch Center. • C.S.I. Positions (3 civilians). • Deployed 8 Flock license plate recognition cameras. o During the time the Lafayette Police Department has deployed Flock Safety technology, it has led to numerous arrests for hit and run accidents, auto-thefts, drug offenses, felony warrants, sexual assaults, domestic batteries, aggravated batteries, and assisted in locating vehicles involved in shootings and homicides. These arrests have resulted in the recovery of stolen vehicles, stolen property, drug seizures, gun seizures and vital assistance in numerous investigations. The LPR cameras have also assisted in locating missing persons, track criminal activity and provided lead information in solving local, state and federal crimes. o More than 20 hit and run suspect vehicles have been located and drivers cited. o 15 stolen vehicles recovered.  o Over 80 arrests are attributed to the system. • Started Drone Program. • We worked with community organizations to help provide services to our families and youth. We are financial partners with the new YMCA and North End Community Center. • We restructured the Detective Division into two new groups: Special Victim Unit and the Violent Crime Unit. • New Community Advocate and Resource Navigator position (Assisting Officers in the field with mental health and addiction issues). **Show third Graph – and Explain (Population Growth Relative to Part 1 Crimes Trend Graph)** I would like to show a graph on the trend in Part I crimes as compared to population growth. **Show new graph on crimes involving firearms – and Explain** Give 3 year totals: 2020 - 110 2021 - 94 2022 - 70 In summary, • Areas we are still working on and making progress is shootings. o Violent Crimes Unit o Assign personnel to all shootings o FACT: Most of our shootings don’t result in death. The vast majority of our shootings involve people that are involved with illegal narcotics who know each other and domestic violence. FACT: • Crime is trending downward. • The total number of Part I crimes is lower in 2022 than it was in 2002. • 2022 was the lowest number of robberies in twenty years. • 2022 was the lowest number of burglaries and larceny in twenty-one years. • We continue to find new and innovative ways to fight crime. Our $51M Public Safety Center is on track for completion in early 2023 and will be a state-of-the-art facility with cutting edge technology leading us in the 21st century to further address and reduce criminal activity. • The new Center will not only feature the best environment for law enforcement personnel to do their work but will have a large public community room and outdoor public gathering space as a community amenity and space for interaction among citizens and police personnel. • The men and women of the Lafayette Police Department are doing a tremendous job. The City of Lafayette initiatives are working, but the reality is we need every citizen doing their part to keep this community safe. The way to reduce crime is to ensure our youth grow up healthy and strong and free of childhood traumas that lead to drug abuse, mental health issues and criminal activity.  • Volunteer o Become a CASA (Court Appointment Special Advocate) o Big Brothers/Big Sisters o Hanna Center o Bauer o United Way o Be involved in your schools o Support early childhood education Be engaged, stay vigilant. We are stronger together. My administration and I are firmly committed to public safety and it is our number one priority. Fire Department I am also pleased to report that the Fire Department maintained its ISO rating of 2, placing it in the top 1% of all fire departments in the country. This is not only important for safety, but for insurance rates. I am also pleased to report that we have purchased 8 new fire trucks in the last 9 years. I want to thank the men and women of the Lafayette Fire Department for their outstanding service. I would like to give a special, heartfelt thank-you to Chief Richard Doyle, who will be retiring this year. Chief Doyle served as Chief for 11 years and on the Department for 39. Also, the Lafayette Fire Department administration will be moving to City Hall once the Police Department relocates to the new Public Safety Building. They will occupy the first floor of the current Police Station. This will create efficiencies not only with the Police Department, but other City Departments. For the first time, we will have a true Public Safety Complex. A slideshow presentation followed. No Miscellaneous or New Business. Reports by the Council: Councilmember Hession Weiss praised community leaders for their willingness to work together. President Ahlersmeyer commended the scouts for sitting quietly through this very long meeting. (Applause from the audience.) Public Comment: Kirk Freeman, 1200 Ridgeway Avenue spoke regarding the need for changes in the Lafayette Police Department. Perry Barbee, 3700 Redbud, thanked the scouts for attending the meeting. Mr. Barbee also praised the Mayor, The City Clerk, and the Lafayette Police Department. Tyler Beech, homeless expressed concerns about the Lafayette Transitional Housing Program. Councilmember Klinker move to adjourn. Councilmember Weast-Williamson 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