City Council

MINUTES OF THE LAFAYETTE COMMON COUNCIL October 24th 2024 REGULAR MEETING (https://www.youtube.com/user/CityofLafayetteIN/live The Common Council of the City of Lafayette, Indiana met in special session Thursday, October 24, 2024 at 5:00 pm. In the Common Council Chamber at 20. N 6th Street. President Snyder called the meeting to order at 5:00 pm. The Pledge of Allegiance Present: Klinker, Nargi, Snyder, Hession Weiss, Brown, Ahlersmeyer, Weast-Williamson, Downing Absent: Reynolds City Clerk Cindy Murray and City Attorney Jacque Chosnek were present. Councilmember Klinker moved to approve the minutes of the October 7th, 2024, meeting. Councilmember Nargi seconded. Motion passed by unanimous voice vote. Councilmember Hession Weiss moved to approve the minutes of the October 10th, 2024, public hearing meeting. Councilmember Brown seconded. Motion passed by unanimous voice vote. Ordinances for Second Reading The Clerk read Ordinance 2024-45 (2025 GLPTC Budget An Ordinance Appropriating Money for the Greater Lafayette Public Transportation Corporation as Required Pursuant to Indiana Code 6-1.1-17-20) by title on second and final reading. Councilmember Ahlersmeyer moved for passage; Councilmember Weast-William seconded. No discussion was heard. Ordinance 2024- 45 passed 7-0 on a roll call vote for second and final reading. The Clerk read Ordinance 2024-46 (2025 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, 2025 And Ending December 31, 2025, Including the Outstanding Claims and Obligations and Fixing a Time When the Same Shall Take Effect.) by title on second and final reading. Councilmember Downing moved for passage; Councilmember Klinker seconded. The Mayor spoke regarding this Ordinance and the small change that was made was on bond for the exhibits at the park which tweaked the tax rate a very small amount. It is still lower than last years and over the past 3 years the city has lowered the tax rate by almost 9%. Jeremy Deihl, City Controller, went over the park bond and shared, it was a reduction in the bond budget. He shared that they advertised a conservatively high amount for debt service next year not knowing exactly what our structure was going to be. Now they are refining a deal and have worked with a purchasing agent to negotiate with perspective purchasers, and we have a deal narrowed down for $6.13 million dollars for park district bonds with a closing date of December 4th. The current structure will allow them to reduce to the park bond budget next year by $779,694 from what we initially advertised. Discussion ensued. Councilmember Nargi moved to approve the amendment; Councilmember Hession Weiss seconded. Amendment passed 7-0 on a roll call vote. Councilmember Brown moved to approve amended Ordinance 2024-46; Councilmember Ahlersmeyer seconded. Amended Ordinance passed 7-0 on a roll call vote for second and final reading. The Clerk read Ordinance 2024-47 (An Ordinance Fixing the Salaries of the Appointed Officers and Employees of the City of Lafayette, Indiana, for the Year 2025, Excluding the Sworn Protective Occupation and Law Enforcement Members of the Police and Fire Departments) by title on second and final reading. Councilmember Weast-Williamson moved for passage; Councilmember Downing seconded. The Mayor spoke regarding this Ordinance and reiterated that this was for the nonsworn personnel and was please to share that they are able to give a 5% raise this year. Also shared being a part of AIM medical trust has proved again to be a benefit for us. The Mayor spoke about how well the clinic is doing and how many of the employees have really appreciated this clinic. Discussion ensued. Ordinance 2024-47 passed 7- 0 on a roll call vote for second and final reading. The Clerk read Ordinance 2024-48 (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 2025) by title on second and final reading. Councilmember Klinker moved for passage; Councilmember Nargi seconded. The Mayor spoke regarding this Ordinance and he reiterated that this was for the sworn personnel and they would be receiving a 6.5% raise. He also shared that within our police department we have Adam Murphy and Amanda Furgason in our outreach program working with people with mental health illness, addiction, homeless issues, etc. this budget will allow them to add a third person to help with this program as well as protective orders, and other things through the legal system. Ordinance 2024-48 passed 7-0 on a roll call vote for second and final reading. The Clerk read Ordinance 2024-49 (An Ordinance Fixing the Salaries of the Elected Officials of the City of Lafayette, Indiana for the Year 2025) by title on first reading. Councilmember Hession Weiss moved for passage; Councilmember Brown seconded. Jermey Diehl spoke regarding this Ordinance and shared raises for the Mayor and City Clerk to be 6.5% and for council and most city employees, boards, and commissions for a 5% raise. Ordinance 2024-49 passed 6-1 on a roll call vote for second and final reading. Ayes: Klinker, Nargi, Snyder, Hession Weiss, Weast-Williamson, Downing and Ahlersmeyer Nays: Brown Councilmember Klinker moves to adjourn. Councilmember Nargi seconded. Meeting adjourned at 5:20PM. Minutes prepared by Cindy Murray, City Clerk Complete audio of meeting available in the City Clerk’s office or at www.lafayette.in.gov