City Council

MINUTES OF THE LAFAYETTE COMMON COUNCIL October 19, 2023 Special MEETING (https://www.youtube.com/user/CityofLafayetteIN/live The Common Council of the City of Lafayette, Indiana met in special session Thursday, October 19, 2023, at 5:00 pm. In the Common Council Chamber at 20. N 6th Street. President Ahlersmeyer called the meeting to order at 5:00 pm. The Pledge of Allegiance was given to the flag of our Country. Present: Klinker, Nargi, Reynolds, Hession Weiss, Brown, Weast-Williamson, Downing and Ahlersmeyer. Absent: Snyder City Clerk Cindy Murray and City Attorney Jacque Chosnek were present. Councilmember Klinker moved to approve the minutes of the October 2nd regular meeting and the October 5th public hearing. Councilmember Nargi seconded. Motion passed by unanimous voice vote. The Clerk read Ordinance 2023-44 (2024 GLPTC Budget, An Ordinance Appropriating Money for the Greater Lafayette Public Transportation Corporation as Required Pursuant to Indiana Code 6-J1.1-17-20) by title only on second and final reading. Councilmember Klinker moved for passage. Councilmember Nargi seconded. Bryan Smith, General Manager CityBus presented information for the City van program. Mr. Smith also noted the 2024 budget will have an increase of 13.3% over 2023 with the largest increases needed for labor and fuel. Ordinance 2023-44 passed 7-0 on a roll call vote on second and final reading. The Clerk read Ordinance 2023-45 (2024 Budget Ordinance, An Ordinance Appropriating Money for the Purpose of Defraying the Expenses of Several Departments of the City Government of the City of Lafayette, Indiana for the Fiscal Year Beginning January 1, 2024, and Ending December 31, 2024, Including the Outstanding Claims and Obligations and Fixing a Time When the Same Shall Take Effect) by title only on second and final reading. Councilmember Reynolds moved for passage. Councilmember Hession Weiss seconded. Jeremy Diehl, Controller, updated budget information noting the total trimmed of the current budget is $177,110.00 which reduced the final budget to $89,053,781.00. Mr. Diehl gave a list of the items that affect the budget and noted the city will be introducing a health clinic for full time employees with city insurance. President Ahlersmeyer requested a motion to amend Ordinance 2023-45 with new exhibit. Councilmember Brown moved for passage; Councilmember Weast-Williamson seconded. Motion passed by unanimous voice vote. Ordinance 2023-45 as amended passed 7-0 on a roll call vote on second and final reading. The Clerk read Ordinance 2023-46 (An Ordinance Fixing the Salaries of the Appointed Officers and Employees of the City of Lafayette, Indiana for the Year 2024, Excluding the Sworn Protective Occupation and Law Enforcement Members of the Police and Fire Departments) by title only on second and final reading. Councilmember Downing moved for passage. Councilmember Klinker seconded. Jeremy Diehl, Controller noted the mayor approved a 5% increase for all employees. Ordinance 2023-46 passed 7-0 on a roll call vote on second and final reading. The Clerk read Ordinance 2023-47 (An Ordinance Fixing the Salaries of the Sworn Protective Occupation and Law Enforcement (POLE) Members of the Police and Fire Departments of the City of Lafayette, Indiana, for the Year 2024) by title only on second and final reading. Councilmember Nargi moved for passage. Councilmember Reynolds seconded. Jeremy Diehl, Controller noted the Mayor approved a 8% increase for the police and fire department. Mr. Diehl noted changes were made to the longevity pay. Ordinance 2023-47 passed 7-0 on a roll call vote on second and final reading. City Clerk Cindy Murray read the following memos that were received in the Clerk’s Office via email; Dear City Clerk Murray, I am submitting this public comment ahead of the public hearing for the Proposed 2024 City Budget. While I am unable to attend the meeting this Thursday, I wanted to share my concern with the proposed 8% raise for police as outlined in Ordnance 2023-47 that is up for a second reading. The main justification provided for this raise being higher than other civilian city employees is to make police positions more competitive. Mayor Roswarski also previewed that he expected something similar next budget cycle. This continues a dangerous trend I have seen in our community. The idea that funding police more and more will keep our community safe. Since October of 2022, there have been no less than 7 ordinances passed by the city council that have provided more appropriations to LPD for bunker gear and handheld radios, new positions (both sworn and civilian), and even an increased salary bump beyond the negotiated contract rate. Where does it end? Community members have advocated to the city council to focus on community needs such as affordable housing and access to mental health resources and have been met with dismissiveness regarding the city's ability to help and dog-whistles over concerns about the "right type" of neighbor. There are other ways to make this city and it's citizens safe and prosperous beyond increased police presence. We know that people of color, poor folks, and individuals with disabilities and mental health concerns are disproportionately impacted by policing and criminalization. Until we start addressing the root causes that perpetuate harm in this community, no amount of funding the police will get us closer to the safe communities we are seeking. I recommend the city council reconsider the trend of continually increasing funding for police. From Wabash to Fairfield townships, all of our neighbors in Greater Lafayette deserve to live in safe, resourced communities that meet their actual needs. Thank you for your consideration, This memo was sent by: Bailey Rosa1108 S 3rd St, Nicole McCabe, 1514 Adams St. And TJ Rosa 103 S 4th Street Dear City Clerk Murray, I wish to submit this public comment before the public hearing for the Proposed 2024 City Budget because I will be unable to attend the meeting since I am out of town this week. I want to share my deep concern about the proposed 8% raise for police as outlined in Ordinance 2023-47 which is ready for a second reading. The main justification provided for this raise being higher than other civilian city employees is to make police positions more competitive. In addition, Mayor Roswarski suggested he expected something similar next budget cycle. This continues a worrisome trend I have noticed in our community which is that funding police more and more will keep our community safe. I would not like to see more police hired until our present officers have a clear code that they must act to stop any fellow officer who uses any sort of force that isn’t necessary and especially when it harms a suspect. I am especially concerned about past use of dogs when it was clearly out of place. I know of this happening to two Black men (police records are not simple to find) and believe Lafayette citizens paid for the court cases brought against these incidents of mistreatment. The ranking officer involved in both those cases was promoted and is likely still working. We need to know what has been done to be certain such police actions don’t ever happen again in Lafayette. What has changed in the force’s expectations of officers’ behaviors to assure that it won’t? Community members have asked the city council to focus on community needs such as affordable housing and access to mental health resources. These requests have been met with dismissiveness regarding the city's ability to help and with dog-whistles over concerns about the "right type" of neighbors. There are other ways to make this city and its citizens safe and prosperous beyond increased police presence. We know that people of color, poor folks, and individuals with disabilities and mental health concerns are disproportionately impacted by policing and criminalization. Some cities have been successful in reducing police calls and meeting citizen needs by having social workers who go out to work with calls officers encounter where the need is not for police, but to find the proper resources to resolve the problem. Has Lafayette considered hiring social workers attached to the police department to send out to families when police discover a need beyond their training? Until we start addressing the root causes that perpetuate harm in this community, no amount of funding the police will get us closer to the safe communities we are seeking. I implore the city council to reconsider the trend of continually increasing funding for police. From Wabash to Fairfield townships, all our neighbors in Greater Lafayette deserve to live in safe, resourced communities that meet their actual needs. Thank you for considering my concerns, Adelia Sorge 3316 Indian Rock Lane W. Lafayette, IN Dear City Clerk Murray, I am submitting this public comment ahead of the public hearing for the Proposed 2024 City Budget. While I am unable to attend the meeting this Thursday evening, I wanted to share with you my exact disappointment with the proposed 8% raise for police as outlined in Ordinance 2023-47. It is my understanding that this is up for a second reading, and that there have been previous concerns shared before the first reading. I am writing today to, again, express my frustration and disappointment that these costs continue to be considered despite public concern. The main justification provided for this raise is to make police positions more competitive. Mayor Roswarski also previewed that he expected something similar next budget cycle. This continues to be a completely unnecessary trend I have seen in our community's spending. The idea that funding police more will keep our community safe is just untrue. Since October of 2022, there have been no less than 7 ordinances passed by the city council that have provided more appropriations to LPD for bunker gear, handheld radios, new positions (both sworn and civilian), and even an increased salary bump beyond the negotiated contract rate. Where do our resources end? Community members have advocated to the city council to focus on community needs such as affordable housing and access to mental health resources, and they have been met with dismissiveness regarding the city's ability to help. There are other ways to make this city, as well as its citizens, safe and prosperous beyond increased police presence. We know that people of color, poor folks, and individuals with disabilities and mental health concerns are disproportionately impacted by policing and criminalization. Until we start addressing the root causes that perpetuate harm in this community, no amount of funding the police will get us closer to the safe communities we are seeking. I am asking the city council to please reconsider the trend of continually increasing funding for police. From Wabash to Fairfield townships, all of our neighbors in Greater Lafayette deserve to live in safe, resourced communities that meet their actual needs. Thank you for your consideration, Devin De Both, 511 Portledge Commons Dr. The Clerk read Ordinance 2023-48 (An Ordinance Fixing the Salaries of the Elected Officials of the City of Lafayette, Indiana for the Year 2024) by title only on second and final reading. Councilmember Hession Weiss moved for passage. Councilmember Brown seconded. Jeremy Diehl, Controller spoke regarding the ordinance. Ordinance 2023-48 passed 6-1 on a roll call vote as follows on second and reading. Ayes: Klinker, Nargi, Reynolds, Hession Weiss, Weast-Williamson and Downing Nays: Brown President Ahlersmeyer informed council that Subaru has been inducted into the 2023 Manufacturers Hall of Fame and requested the clerk send a letter of congratulations from the council. Mayor Roswarski thanked the council for approving the budgets and salary ordinances. The Mayor also made some clarification regarding the budget, the bunker gear and radios were for the fire department. There were 2 civilian CSO positions, 3 civilian CSI positions and 2 social work positions to assist the police department. Discussion ensued. No Public Comment Councilmember Klinker move to adjourn. Councilmember Reynolds seconded. Meeting adjourned at 5:47 PM.