City Council

MINUTES OF THE LAFAYETTE COMMON COUNCIL March 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, March 6, 2023 at 6:00 pm. In the Common Council Chamber at 20. N 6th Street. President Ahlersmeyer called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm. The Pledge of Allegiance led by Boy Scout Troop #337 was given to the flag of our Country. Present: Klinker, Nargi, Snyder, Hession Weiss, Ahlersmeyer, Weast-Williamson, Downing and Brown. Absent: Reynolds, City Clerk Cindy Murray and City Attorney Jacque Chosnek were present. Councilmember Brown moved to recess for a public hearing on 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. Councilmember Weast-Williamson seconded. The Motion passed by unanimous voice vote. Ryan Munden, Attorney for the petitioners requested Ordinance 2023-07 be withdrawn at this time, to resolve an issue with the Carr LLC. Mr. Munden noted the petitioner will be refiling the request for annexation once the errors are completed. And Ordinance 2023-10 (An Amendment for Additional Appropriation in the General Fund (Fund#1010). No public comment was heard. Councilmember Downing moved to reconvene the regular meeting, Councilmember Klinker seconded. Motion passed by unanimous voice vote. Councilmember Nargi moved to approve the minutes of the February 6, 2023 meeting. Councilmember Snyder 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-January Renew Department Monthly-January and 2022 Annual Report Water Works Department Monthly-January and 2022 Annual Report Fire Department 2022 Annual Report Ordinances for Second Reading: The Clerk read Ordinance 2023-06 (An Ordinance Amending Sections of Chapter 8.08 City of Lafayette Stormwater Code) by title only on second and final reading. Councilmember Hession Weiss moved for passage, Councilmember Brown seconded. Jeromy Grenard, City Engineer spoke regarding the ordinance. Ordinance 2023-06 passed 7-0 on a roll call vote on second and final reading. 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 second and final reading. Councilmember Weast-Williamson moved for passage, Councilmember Downing seconded. John Collier spoke regarding the ordinance. Ordinance 2023-08 passed 7-0 on a roll call vote on second and final reading. The Clerk read Ordinance 2023-09 (An Amendment to Ordinance No. 2010-11 Establishing A Local S. 9th St/1114 State Street Historic District in the City of Lafayette, Indiana) by title only on second and final reading. Councilmember Klinker moved for passage, Councilmember Nargi seconded. John Collier spoke regarding the ordinance. Ordinance 2023-09 passed 7-0 on a roll call vote on second and final reading. The Clerk read Ordinance 2023-10 (An Amendment for Additional Appropriation in the General Fund (Fund#1010)) by title only on second and final reading. Councilmember Snyder moved for passage, Councilmember Hession Weiss seconded. Richard Doyle, Fire Chief noted these are funds received from Fairfield Township, that will be used to purchase radios and a second set of bunker gear for all firefighters. Chief Doyle explained the benefit of the second sets of gear. Chief Doyle also introduced Monica Casanova, Fairfield Township Trustee and Board Member Perry Schnarr. Kirk Freeman, 1200 Ridgeway questioned the delay in using a previous tax increase to purchase the bunk gear. Chief Doyle noted the previous funds were used for other projects due to the knowledge these funds would be available for the gear. Ordinance 2023-10 passed 7-0 on a roll call vote on second and final reading. Ordinances for First Reading The Clerk read Ordinance 2023-11 (An Ordinance to Amend the Throughfare Plan as part of the Comprehensive Plan for Tippecanoe County) by title only on first and final reading. Councilmember Brown moved for passage; Councilmember Weast-Williamson seconded. Doug Poad, Senior Transportation Planner, Area Plan Commission noted due to expected residential growth to the southside of the City a north/south nonresidential collector road between 600 S and VMP is being added to the Comprehensive Plan. Ordinance 2023-11 passed 7-0 on a roll call vote on first reading. The Clerk read Ordinance 2023-12 (An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Lafayette, Indiana Annexing Certain Territory into the City of Lafayette, Indiana 2023 Concord Crossing – Tippecanoe Development II – DF Properties Super Voluntary Annexation) by title only on first reading. Councilmember Downing moved for passage, Councilmember Klinker seconded. Kevin Riley, Attorney for the petitioner noted this is a voluntary annexation that includes approximately 162 acres on the corner of Veterans Memorial Parkway and Concord Road. The plan is to build 960-unit multifamily townhomes, duplexes and apartments. Mayor Roswarski spoke in support of the ordinance. Ordinance 2023-12 passed 7-0 on a roll call vote on first reading. Councilmember Snyder moved to set a public hearing for Ordinance 2023-12 on Monday, April 3, 2023 at 6:01 pm, Councilmember Klinker seconded. The motion passed by unanimous voice vote. The Clerk read Ordinance 2023-13 (An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Lafayette, Indiana Annexing Certain Territory into the City of Lafayette, Indiana-2023 Southeast Voluntary Annexation Steele Property) by title only on first reading. Councilmember Nargi moved for passage, Councilmember Snyder seconded. Mayor Roswarski gave a brief history of the ongoing plans for this territory to be annexed. Mike Balog Director of Construction & Development for T.M. Crowley & Associates spoke regarding the development of the area to make it more desirable for potential new clients. Ordinance 2023-13 passed 7-0 on a roll call vote on first reading. Councilmember Hession Weiss moved to set a public hearing for Ordinance 2023-13 on Monday, April 3, 2023 at 6:02 pm, Councilmember Weast-Williamson seconded. The motion passed by unanimous voice vote. Resolutions: The Clerk read Resolution 2023-05 (A Resolution Establishing A Fiscal Plan for the Annexation of Certain Territory into the City of Lafayette, Indiana 2023 Lafayette Southeast Voluntary Annexation Carr Property) by title only on first and final reading. President Ahlersmeyer noted due to the petitioner withdrawing the request for annexation at this time, a motion is needed to withdraw Resolution 2023-05 from the agenda. Councilmember Downing moved to withdraw Resolution 2025-05. Councilmember Weast-Williamson seconded. The Motion passed by unanimous voice vote. The Clerk read Resolution 2023-06 (A Resolution to Transfer Appropriation Between Major Budget Classifications) by title only on first and final reading. Councilmember Downing moved for passage, Councilmember Weast-Williamson seconded. Jeremy Diehl, Controller spoke regarding the resolution, noting this does not affect the 2023 City Budget. Resolution 2023-06 passed 7-0 on a roll call vote in first and final reading. No Reports of Standing Committees. No Reports of Special Committees. There was no Report by the Mayor. No Miscellaneous or New Business. Reports by the Council: Public Comment: Pearl Speakman 923 S. 22nd St. expressed concern regarding the unsafe trees in the city. Mr. Speakman also spoke regarding “slumlords” and the need to clean up properties. Mayor Roswarski responded with information regarding the multiple tree city awards the city has received and the duties of our City Forester and Code Enforcement Officers. Brent Justice, 309 N, 23 St. spoke in opposition to a new needle exchange program location proposed by the Tippecanoe County Health Department. Kirk Freeman, Lafayette spoke about consequences for police department members if they are involved in untruths, lies and cover ups. Mayor Roswarski responded to comments directed at the police department with the following statement: “I have sat here for a couple months in a row. and I can’t take it anymore. I’m not speaking for the city council. I’m not speaking on your behalf. I’m speaking for myself as the mayor. These comments are misguided. I’m not going to listen to our police department being disparaged. We have men and women out there risking their lives day and night to keep us safe. They do a great job. Are police officers throughout the community, throughout the country perfect 1000% of the time, no, everyone out there has made a mistake, but we have a fine police department. Men and women risking their lives. To insinuate we are going to fine them and take away their pensions is misguided. They have a hard enough job to do without this type of activity. I will tell the council for public record for the media, I will never sign anything like was just described if it would pass. I will never sign something like that. The police department has my support 100%. And they are good people doing a hard job under difficult circumstances. This is a personal vendetta against the police department, and I want to be on the record I don’t support it, I won’t support it and I support men and women of the Lafayette Police Department.” Chris Wischer, Stoll Kennon Ogden, attorney for the Town of Dayton expressed concerns for the Carr Annexation and would like to have discussions with the city regarding a change. Cindy Martin, West Lafayette expressed concern for the children around the new needle exchange site. Dan Sakel DDS, 38 N 23rd St located across from the new needle exchange would like to see a different location considered. Perry Schnarr, Fairfield Township Board member spoke regarding the agreement between the City of Lafayette and Fairfield Township. Councilmember Klinker move to adjourn. Councilmember Nargi seconded. Meeting adjourned at 7:00 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