City Council

MINUTES OF THE LAFAYETTE COMMON COUNCIL November 4th 2024 REGULAR MEETING (https://www.youtube.com/user/CityofLafayetteIN/live The Common Council of the City of Lafayette, Indiana met in regular session Monday, November 4, 2024 at 6:00 pm. In the Common Council Chamber at 20. N 6th Street. President Snyder called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm. The Pledge of Allegiance Present: Klinker, Nargi, Reynolds, Hession Weiss, Brown, Ahlersmeyer, Weast-Williamson, Downing, Snyder City Clerk Cindy Murray and City Attorney Jacque Chosnek were present. Councilmember Klinker moved to approve the minutes of the special meeting October 24th, 2024, meeting. Councilmember Nargi seconded. Motion passed by unanimous voice vote. Councilmember Reynolds moved to recess for a public hearing on Ordinance 2024-51 (An Ordinance For Additional Appropriation In The Economic Development Income Tax Fund (Fund #2090)) Councilmember Hession Wiess seconded. The Motion passed by unanimous voice vote. No public comment was heard. Councilmember Brown moved to reconvene the regular meeting. Councilmember Ahlersmeyer seconded. Motion passed by unanimous voice vote. The Clerk stated the following reports are available in the City Clerk’s Office: Renew Department Monthly-September Water Works Department Monthly-September Fleet Department Monthly- September Ordinances for Second Reading The Clerk read Ordinance 2024-50 (An Ordinance Authorizing the City of Lafayette, Indiana to Make and Fund a Loan, As Evidenced by the Taxable Economic Development Revenue Note, Series 2024 (Anvil 26 Project), And Authorizing and Approving Other Actions in Connection Therewith) by title on second and final reading. Councilmember Brown moved for passage; Councilmember Ahlersmeyer seconded. Jacque Chosnek, City Attorney, spoke regarding this Ordinance. She shared that this Ordinance does authorize a 3-year forgivable loan up to $2.5 million dollars to Ironman Properties. They estimate the actual loan to be $2.8 Million which will support the construction of an $18.4-million-dollar housing project, and this will bring 78 new housing units to the area. Ordinance 2024-50 passed 8-0 on a roll call vote for second and final reading. The Clerk read Ordinance 2024-51 (An Ordinance For Additional Appropriation In The Economic Development Income Tax Fund (Fund #2090)) by title on second and final reading. Councilmember Weast-Williamson moved for passage; Councilmember Downing seconded. Jeremy Diehl, City Controller, spoke regarding this Ordinance. He shared that this proposes an additional appropriation of $1 million dollars in EDIT funds in the 2024 budget year. The appropriation is intended for construction. Ordinance 2024-51 passed 8-0 on a roll call vote for second and final reading. The Clerk read Ordinance 2024-52 (An Ordinance of the City of Lafayette Authorizing the Issuance of Waterworks Revenue Bonds for the Purpose of Providing Funds to Pay the Cost of Construction of Certain Additions, Extensions and Improvements to the Municipal Waterworks of Said City, Providing for the Safeguarding of the Interests of the Owners of Said Bonds, Other Matters Connected Therewith, Including the Issuance of Notes in Anticipation of Bonds, And Repealing Ordinances Inconsistent Herewith) by title on second and final reading. Councilmember Klinker moved for passage; Councilmember Nargi seconded. Jacque Chosnek, City Attorney, spoke regarding this Ordinance. Ordinance 2024-52 passed 8-0 on a roll call vote for second and final reading. Ordinance for First Reading The Clerk read Ordinance 2024-53 (An Ordinance to Amend the Zoning Ordinance of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, to Rezone Certain Real Estate From PDMX to PDMX) by title on first and final reading. Councilmember Reynolds moved for passage; Councilmember Hession Wess seconded. Ryan Munden, RTS Law, spoke regarding this ordinance. He shared that back in May this project was already approved by City Council, but since that approval the petitioner has determined that the market would support additional units. The original project was for 163 units and now they are proposing 204 units. Discussion ensued. Ryan shared that the parking was originally 252, but they will now have 265 parking spots. Ordinance 2024-53 passed 8-0 on a roll call vote for first and final reading. The Clerk read Ordinance 2024-54 (An Ordinance to Amend the Zoning Ordinance of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, to Rezone Certain Real Estate From R1B to NBU) by title on first and final reading. Councilmember Brown moved for passage; Councilmember Ahlersmeyer seconded. Alec Williams, 1007 Elliot St & owner of Heartland Concept, spoke regarding this Ordinance. His Business is with real estate, and they deal with redevelopment of older homes and building which is why they are asking for a rezone for this property. They want to open a brick-and-mortar shop for themselves to have an office there. As well as a 2-bedroom 1 bath on the upper floor, and they hope to partner with a local restaurant here in town to offer a restaurant spot in the building. Discussion ensued. Ordinance 2024-54 passed 8-0 on a roll call vote for first and final reading. The Clerk read Ordinance 2024-55 (An Ordinance Of The Common Council Of The City Of Lafayette, Indiana, Approving The Issuance And Sale Of Special Taxing District Bonds By The City, For And On Behalf Of The Park And Recreation District Of The City, To Provide For The Financing Of Certain Improvements To Park Facilities) by title on first reading. Councilmember Weast-Williamson moved for passage; Councilmember Downing seconded. Jacque Chosnek, City Attorney, Spoke regarding this Ordinance. This authorizes the issuance up to $6.35 million in park district bonds to support several projects at the Columbian park Zoo. The park board already approved the issuance of the park district bonds at their meeting October 21st. She shared that they have secured an interest rate of 3.57 for this 5-year bond. The mayor spoke regarding the Primate complex at Columbian Park Zoo which is part of the overall master plan. With the Primate they will also have a new holding facility, four new outdoor exhibits. renovations to the exterior of the masonry of the animal house building, and the eagle exhibit. The mayor was also excited to share that they plan on putting a small playground in the zoo area and other potential amusement/entertainment opportunities in the large grass area. He stated the tax rate over the last 3 years it has decreased by 9% and because of this they are able to do these projects within the 5 years. Ordinance 2024-55 passed 8-0 on a roll call vote for first reading. The Clerk read Ordinance 2024-56 (An Ordinance Adopting An Investment Policy For The City Of Lafayette, Indiana) by title on first reading. Councilmember Klinker moved for passage; Councilmember Nargi seconded. Jeremy Diehl, City Controller, spoke regarding this Ordinance. Ordinance 2024-56 passed 8-0 on a roll call vote for first reading. Resolutions The Clerk read Resolution 2024-25 (A Resolution Adopting the 2025 Common Council Calendar of Meetings) by title on first and final reading. Councilmember Reynolds moved for passage; Councilmember Hession Weiss seconded. Cindy Murray, City Clerk, spoke regarding this Resolution. Resolution 2024-25 passed 8-0 on a roll call vote for first and final reading. No Reports of Standing Committees No Reports of Special Committees Report by the Mayor: The Mayor was pleased to announce that the Lafayette Public Safety Center has received two American Institute of Architects (AIA) Design Excellence Citation Awards, for new construction greater than $5 Million. The city also received the Greater Lafayette Commerce’s (GLC) Center City Development Award for improved or new construction in the center city area that speaks to its growth and transformation. Miscellaneous or New Business Reports of Councilmembers: Councilmember Klinker brought up Christmas parade and asked Mrs. Murray about the date for entries. She shared she that entries will be accepted up until this week (November 8th). Public Comment: No public comment was heard. Councilmember Klinker moves to adjourn. Councilmember Nargi seconded. Meeting adjourned at 6:30 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