City Council

MINUTES OF THE LAFAYETTE COMMON COUNCIL December 4th, 2023 REGULAR MEETING https://www.youtube.com/user/CityofLafayetteIN/live The Common Council of the City of Lafayette, Indiana met in regular session Monday, December 4th, 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 Present: Klinker, Nargi, Snyder, Reynolds, Hession Weiss, Brown, Weast-Williamson, Downing and Ahlersmeyer. City Clerk and City Attorney Jacque Chosnek were present. Councilmember Klinker moved to recess for a public hearing on Ordinance 2023-57 (An Ordinance for Additional Appropriation in the Park and Recreation Operating Fund (Fund#2040)) Councilmember Nargi seconded. No public comment was heard. Councilmember Snyder moved to reconvene the regular meeting; Councilmember Reynolds seconded. Motion passed by unanimous voice vote. Councilmember Hession Weiss moved to approve the minutes of the November 6, 2023, regular meeting. Councilmember Brown 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: Renew Department Monthly-October Water Works Department Monthly-October Fleet Maintenance Department Monthly-October Ordinances for Second Reading The Clerk read Ordinance 2023-50 (An Ordinance Amending Certain Sections Within Title 10 – Animals Including Amending Section 10.03.050 Concerning Animal Establishments and Adding New Section 10.03.060 Concerning Commercial Sales of Dogs and Cats) by title only on second and final reading. Councilmember Weast-Williamson moved for passage, Councilmember Downing seconded. Jacque Chosnek attorney spoke regarding the ordinance, she stated that county and West Lafayette have already passed a similar one that bans retail sale of dogs and cats within the city. As of right now we are not aware of any establishments within the city of Lafayette that this would affect, it is to prevent them from coming here. Tom Murtaugh County Commissioner gave thanks for all who worked to put this ordinance together and to all who has supported it. Ordinance 2023- 50 passed 8-0 on a roll call vote on second and final reading. The Clerk read Ordinance 2023-54 (An Ordinance Adopting an Investment Policy for the City of Lafayette, Indiana) by title only on second and final reading. Councilmember Klinker moved for passage; Councilmember Nargi seconded. Jeremy Diehl, Controller spoke regarding the ordinance. Ordinance 2023-54 passed 8-0 on a roll call vote on second and final reading. The Clerk read Ordinance 2023-55 (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, Assistant Director, Economic Development, spoke regarding the ordinance. Ordinance 2023-55 passed 8-0 on a roll call vote on second and final reading. The Clerk read Ordinance 2023-56 (An Amendment to Ordinance No. 2010-11 Inclusion of Certain Property in the Local 3rd Street Historic District in the City of Lafayette, Indiana) by title only on second and final reading. Councilmember Hession Weiss moved for passage, Councilmember Brown seconded. John Collier, Assistant Director, Economic Development, spoke regarding the ordinance. Ordinance 2023-56 passed 8-0 on a roll call vote on second and final reading. The Clerk read Ordinance 2023-57 (An Ordinance for Additional Appropriation in the Park and Recreation Operating Fund (Fund #2040)) by title only on second and final reading. Councilmember Weast-Williamson moved for passage, Councilmember Downing seconded. Jeremy Diehl, Controller spoke regarding the ordinance. He states Parks aquatics will receive $35,000, Parks Admin $10,000, and Park Zoo feed $5,000 for a total of $50,000). Ordinance 2023-57 passed 8-0 on a roll call vote on second and final reading. Ordinances for First Reading The Clerk read Amended Ordinance 2023-53 (An Ordinance to Amend the Zoning Ordinance of Tippecanoe, Indiana to Rezone Certain Real Estate from R1 to I3-Crossrods Engineers, PC) by title only on first reading. Councilmember Klinker moved to for passage, Councilman Nargi seconded. Kevin Riley with RTS Law spoke on the ordinance. He discussed the change on how originally it was 30 acres and they have now reduced it to the 15+ acres. They also filed a commitment to put 30ft berms on the north, west, and south property lines to help block the view of the plant for the neighbors. Marinda Herbert, construction manager for IMI, gave a brief presentation on the Ordinance regarding updates and concerns. She spoke on the traffic and where they would be coming in at and leaving from. She talked about the cleanliness of the plant, dust control, and noise control. Council member Downing asked what the height of the building would be. Also, about the noise that could be caused by the plant early in the morning. Herbert responds, the building is around 50 ft tall, and the silo is 80 ft tall. She also explained how there are 2 other sites in Lafayette that they plan to use those for their early morning larger pours. Council member Snyder asked about the dust and if this plant was up to date with the state-of-the-art control. Herbert states that since it’s a new plant, they follow the air permit regulations, and they have an environmental manager that goes through and tests for air quality. Perry Barbee, 3700 Redbud Ave, -asked if this would create new jobs in the area. The following citizens spoke in opposition of the proposed ordinance: Gabriell Deise 2626 S. 100 W. Lafayette, IN James Cadwallader 2440 S. 100 W. Lafayette, IN Ben Winger 2530 S. 100 W. Lafayette, IN Kevin Riley, Attorney, addressed the questions and concerns from the citizens. Marinda Herbert, IMI representative answered questions from the council members. Motion to accept the commitment that was dated December 1st, 2023, Councilmember Snyder moved for passage, Councilmember Reynolds seconded. Motion passed by unanimous voice vote. Roll call vote was taken on the Amended ordinance with the Amended commitment Ordinance 2023-53 passed 7-1. Ayes: Nargi, Snyder, Reynolds, Hession Weiss, Brown, Weast-Williamson, Downing Nays: Klinker The Clerk read Ordinance 2023-60 (A Ordinance to Amend the Zoning Ordinance of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, To Rezone Certain Real Estate from GB to I3-South Side of Calloway Drive- MIDA Group II LLC, Petitioner) by title only on first and final reading. Councilmember Hession Weiss moved for passage, Councilmember Brown seconded. Kevin Riley spoke regarding the ordinance. Ordinance 2023-60 passed 8-0 on a roll call vote on first and final reading. The Clerk read Ordinance 2023-61 (An Ordinance to Amend the Zoning Ordinance of Tippecanoe County, Indiana to Rezone Certain Real Estate from GB to I3-Corner of Park East Blvd and SR 38 E-SCANNELL PROPERTIES, LLC-PETITIONER) by title only on first and final reading. Councilmember Weast Williamson moved for passage, Councilmember Downing seconded. Kevin Riley spoke regarding the ordinance. Councilmember Klinker moved to for passage, Councilman Nargi seconded for Ordinance 2023-61 to be tabled until time certain on February 5th, 2024. Motion passed by unanimous voice vote. The Clerk read Ordinance 2023-62 (An Ordinance to Amend the Zoning Ordinance of Tippecanoe County, Indiana to Rezone Certain Real Estate from R2U to R3U-Centennial Neighborhood Specifically 418 Brown Street-HMS RENTALS-Petitioner) by title only on first and final reading. Councilmember Snyder moved for passage, Councilmember Reynolds seconded. John Schrader on behalf of petitioner HMS rental spoke on the ordinance. Clerk Murray stated that she received a petition with 26 signatures, and a letter to city council members regarding their opposition to the zoning request. The following citizen spoke in opposition of the Ordinance: Stewart Frescas 421 Brown St. Lafayette, IN Barbra Dixon 603 N. 5th St. Lafayette IN Ken McCammon 613 Perrin Lafayette, IN Ordinance 2023-62 failed 0-8 on a roll call vote on first and final reading. Resolutions The Clerk read Resolution 2023-32 (A Resolution Declaring the Designation of Certain Real Estate as an Economic Revitalization Area (ERA) and Approving the Application for Property Tax Abatement-GE Engine Services, LLC Personal Property) by title only on first and final reading. Councilmember Klinker moved for passage, Councilmember Nargi seconded. Dennis Carson, Economic Development director, spoke on this resolution. Jordan Whisog Site Leader for G-aerospace spoke to the resolution and how it would add jobs with the starting wage being $36. Councilmember Snyder and Hession Weiss made comments on how that starting wage is a lot better than other places and thanked them for staying in the community. Mayor Roswarski spoke regarding the resolution regarding the plant, wages, job creations, and the great impacts it would have on our community. Resolution 2023-32 passed 8-0 on a roll call vote on first and final reading. President Ahlersmeyer asks for motion to set public hearing for this ordinance on January 8th, 2024, Councilmember Snyder moved; Councilmember Reynolds seconded. Motion passed by unanimous voice vote. The Clerk read Resolution 2023-33 (A Resolution to Transfer Money from the General Fund to the Rainy-Day Fund) by title only on first and final reading. Councilmember Hession Weiss moved for passage, Councilmember Brown seconded. Jeremy Diehl, Controller spoke regarding the resolution and moving $1,000,000 to the rainy-day fund to get that total to $8,011,334.00. Resolution 2023-33 passed 8-0 on a roll call vote on first and final reading. No Reports of Standing Committees. No Reports of Special Committees. No report by the Mayor. Miscellaneous or New Business: 4 council appointments: 2 from Redevelopment- James Foster & Frank Donaldson (1-year terms) and 2 Economic Development- David Bathe, Jody Hamilton (4 year term). Motion passed by unanimous voice vote. Public Comment: Pearl Speakman, 923 S. 22nd St. Lafayette, IN spoke about landlord issues and restaurant issues. Lloyd Wells, 2717 Rawlings Dr. Lafayette, IN spoke about what a fine job all the council members, etc. do to keep this city great. He said it was not time to complain but to sit back and count our blessings. Perry Barbee, 3700 Redbud Ave Lafayette IN Congratulated all the people who got sworn in before the meeting. He also thanked everyone who helped with the Christmas parade and wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. Councilmember Klinker moved to adjourn. Councilmember Nargi seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 7:10PM. Minutes prepared by Cindy Murray, City Clerk Complete audio of meeting available in the City Clerk’s office or at www.lafayette.in.gov