City Council

MINUTES OF THE LAFAYETTE COMMON COUNCIL January 6th 2025 REGULAR MEETING (https://www.youtube.com/user/CityofLafayetteIN/live The Common Council of the City of Lafayette, Indiana met in regular session Monday, January 6, 2025, 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. Election Of Officers Councilmember Downing moved to nominate Councilmember Nargi as President of the Common Council for the year 2025, Councilmember Reynolds seconded. The motion passed by unanimous voice vote. Thereafter, Councilmember Nargi presided over the meeting. Councilmember Ahlersmeyer moved to nominate Councilmember Weast-Williamson as President Pro-Tem for the year 2025, Councilmember Hession Weiss seconded. The motion passed by unanimous voice vote. Councilmember Klinker moved to recess for a public hearing on Ordinance 2024-58 (An Ordinance Vacating A Portion Of Elmwood Avenue Aka Indiana Ave Aka Lafayette & Ft Wayne State Road In The City Of Lafayette, Indiana) Councilmember Reynolds seconded. No public comment was heard. Councilmember Klinker moved to reconvene the regular meeting; Councilmember Snyder seconded. Motion passed by unanimous voice vote. Councilmember Reynolds moved to approve the minutes of the December 2nd, 2024 meeting. Councilmember Hession Weiss 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-November Water Works Department Monthly-November Fleet Department Monthly- November Ordinances for Second Reading The Clerk read Ordinance 2024-57 (An Ordinance to Amend 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 Brown moved for passage; Councilmember Ahlersmeyer seconded. Claudine Laufman, Parks Superintendent, spoke regarding this Ordinance. Discussion ensued. Dennis Carson, Economic Development Director, spoke regarding this Ordinance. Jacque Chosnek, City Attorney, spoke regarding how Dennis’s position was not on the first reading, but the council has been given a copy of the Amended Ordinance that addresses both the Parks Department needs, and the Economic Department needs. Councilmember Weast-Willamson moved to amend the ordinance, Councilmember Downing seconded. The motion passed by unanimous voice vote. The Clerk read Amended Ordinance 2024-57 (An Ordinance to Amend 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). Amended Ordinance 2024-57 passed 8-0 on a roll call vote for second and final reading. The Clerk read Ordinance 2024-58 (An Ordinance Vacating A Portion Of Elmwood Avenue Aka Indiana Ave Aka Lafayette & Ft Wayne State Road In The City Of Lafayette, Indiana) by title on second and final reading. Councilmember Klinker moved for passage; Councilmember Snyder seconded. Jacque Chosnek, City Attorney, spoke regarding this Ordinance. Discussion ensued. Ordinance 2024-58 passed 8-0 on a roll call vote for second and final reading. Ordinance for First Reading The Clerk read Ordinance 2025-01 (An Ordinance Amending Chapter 13.05 - Unsafe Buildings) by title on first reading. Councilmember Reynolds moved for passage; Councilmember Hession Weiss seconded. Jacque Chosnek, City Attorney, spoke regarding this Ordinance and the key changes. Discussion ensued. Tyler Beach, 625 N 12th street, spoke about APC and the zoning assignments, codes, and abandonment homes. Discussion ensued. Ordinance 2025-01 passed 8-0 on a roll call vote for reading. The Clerk read Ordinance 2025-02 (An Ordinance to Amend the Zoning Ordinance of Tippecanoe County, Indiana) by title on first reading. Councilmember Reynolds moved for table; Councilmember Hession Weiss seconded. Jacque Chosnek, City Attorney, spoke regarding this Ordinance and shared that APC has requested we table it for this meeting. Ordinance 2025-02 Tabled 8-0 passed on a roll call vote. The Clerk read Ordinance 2025-03 (An Ordinance to Amend the Zoning Ordinance of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, to Rezone Certain Real Estate from GB to PDMX) by title on first and final reading. Councilmember Brown moved for passage; Councilmember Ahlersmeyer seconded. Kevin Riley, RTS Law, spoke regarding this Ordinance. He shared that the plan is to build a 3-story mixed use with the 1st floor containing commercial retail office space, and the 2 floors above that be residential rentals up to 40 total beds. Discussion ensued. Ordinance 2025-03 passed 8-0 on a roll call vote for first and final reading. Resolutions The Clerk read Resolution 2025-01 (A Resolution Approving The Detail of The 2025 Water and Renew (Wastewater) Department Budgets) by title on first and final reading. Councilmember Weast-Williamson moved for passage; Councilmember Downing seconded. Jeremy Deihl, City Controller, spoke regarding this Ordinance and thanked Water, Renew, and UBO directors and staff for their hard work, and excellent services. Mr. Diehl gave a brief explanation of the overall utility budget for each of the operating funds. Mr. Diehl stated the key element of the resolution is the 5% pay increase for employees. Mr. Diehl stated that the insurance health costs for 2025 will increase slightly by 1.3%. Discussion ensued. Tyler Beach, 625 N 12th St, spoke regarding iron and other issues in the water, etc. Resolution 2025-01 passed 8-0 on a roll call vote for first and final reading. The Clerk read Resolution 2025-02 (A Resolution Authorizing The Use of Indiana Code 36-1-11-5 For Sale of Certain Real Estate) by title on first and final reading. Councilmember Klinker moved for passage; Councilmember Snyder seconded. Jacque Chosnek, City Attorney, spoke regarding this Resolution. Resolution 2025-02 passed 8-0 on a roll call vote for first and final reading. Miscellaneous or New Business: Council appointments; Frank Donaldson Redevelopment for 1 year and Dave Moulton Redevelopment for 1 year. Councilmember Klinker moved, Councilmember Snyder seconded, motion passed by unanimous voice vote. No Reports of Standing Committees No Reports of Special Committees No Report by the Mayor Public Comment: Tyler Beach, 625 N 12th st, spoke regarding the reports he has made to local law enforcements and lawyers. Perry Barbee, 3700 Redbud Ave., wanted to wish everyone a healthy new year and hopes everyone can try to do something special this year for your neighbor and or for the community. Councilmember Klinker moves to adjourn. Councilmember Snyder seconded. Meeting adjourned at 6:50PM. Minutes prepared by Cindy Murray, City Clerk Complete audio of meeting available in the City Clerk’s office or at www.lafayette.in.gov