City Council - Regular Meeting

I should turn on my microphone. Welcome to the December 15th council meeting. It's the last meeting of this calendar year. Um, so we will go ahead and get started. I do want to make one announcement. The petitioner for item help me out here, staff. Which item are we on? Last 11. 11. Okay. No, mine says item.

Yeah. Item 11. The story cottage has been pulled by a petitioner with the intent to refile at a later date. So, that item will not be on the agenda tonight. Just for everybody in case they're hanging around. If you guys want to watch a riveting council meeting, please hang around. Other than that, that item will not be on the agenda. Um, any announcements? No. Any proclamations? None. We do have a presentation for the Hamilton Southeastern girls soccer team. Looks like we got a couple of you young ladies here. So, who's gonna come up? Perhaps a head coach is the head coach here tonight.

Yes, sir. Could you come up to the uh microphone and share with the city council the uh dominant season your girls team had this year? Uh we were fortunate to go 22 wins, no losses, one tie against the second soccer 14 goals and only gave up six. Whoa. Six. Wow. That's crazy. That's incredible.

I'll tell you real quick, council. I was at the state championship game against uh against Carmel. Um and I don't know about the players or coach Davidson, but uh as a fan by the end of it, I was exhausted. Uh it was a highly competitive game. Uh I got call it two moments though. The second half zero caramel coming down. They have numbers. Shot on goal. And coach, I think you backed me up on this. I think that ball goes in against every goalie in the country except for one. And she plays for HSC. It's incredible save. Yeah. Then uh and then uh closing moments of the game 000 uh senior Riley Boyd scores the game-winning goal. Right. Fantastic.

Uh and for beating Carmel, we have a certificate of achievement. So here be great as always and cry every second.

Sure. I I do want to do want to point out I didn't realize the schedule was that tough. It went one maybe two girls on crutches. What happened? He's a tough coach. So, our our goalie actually was injured in the game and finished the game. We found out we had one of the girls that was injured, but she didn't let us know until after the game. They're just And coach, you've been How long have you been the coach? This is my 27th year, I think. So, and and what number state championship is this for you? This is my first

I know you've been hard at it and you do a great job. You have a great program. Uh my daughter went through your program and um I was nothing but impressed by by your skill level and your talent. So, congratulations Everybody say we need caramel and cream. One, two, three.

We caramel. Yeah. No, I didn't beat Caramel. I did not say that. That wasn't my prerogative to say that. But terrific season, ladies. Coach, congratulations. Uh that's an awesome achievement for the city officials for sure. Yeah.

Moving on to our uh department reports. Health department report is online for anyone wishing to view that. Uh item number six, a consent agenda. I'll entertain a motion. Motion by Tiffany, second by John. All those in favor? Tiffany was a motion. Second was by John Deluchia. Everybody in favor, please say I.

I. Any opposed or abstain? Okay, that motion passes. Moving on to the regular agenda item number seven, R121525A. I'm assuming that's our city controller who's hobbling along.

Maybe maybe she's needing a pair of crutches. If you recall the state of Indiana across the state that help Indiana is obligated this year from 2024 into 2025 being this late in the year they also have the savings for 2025 that they're going to spend in 2026. So that's why you see a 2025 and a 2026 amount just in the interest of saving time and not coming back before you next month through 2026. We advertise both of them together. Happy to answer any questions.

Any questions for Lisa? Did you see the typo? Perfect. Okay. Seeing no other questions, I'll entertain a motion. Oh, I do have we do have to have a public Oh, I'm sorry. All right, let's have let's open it for public hearing. Anyone wish to speak on this matter, please come forward, state your name and address for the record, be given three minutes in which to speak. Seeing none, I'll close the public hearing. And now I will entertain a motion. Motion to motion by Selena, second by Tiffany. All those in favor, please say I. I. Any opposed?

Any abstensions? Item passes. Lisa item eight. So the item before you relates to a short-term financing for the Department of Public Works for a sewer back truck. So this is a lease not to exceed five years. This lease financing structure is appealing to both our director of public works and our director of fleet. These uh this item depreciates really really fast. So it's not something that we want to own long term. So the terms of the financing are advantageous and so we would to as council to suspend the rules and approve and this item was contemplated in the 2026 budget so the funds are appropriated for it.

Thank you, Lisa. Um can I have a motion to suspend the rules? Motion by Tiffany, second by Selena. Um all those in favor? I. Any opposed? Okay, I'll entertain a motion to approve on first reading. So move. Motion by John. Second. Second by Tiffany. All those in favor, please say I. I. It passes, I guess. Lisa, are you item nine, too, or no? No, that's salary ordinance. Okay, that'd be Nathan. Here he is or Ethan.

Ethan Lee, director of human resources. I'm here to seek an approval to an amendment to our 2026. Uh we would like to uh increase the uh minimum bi-weekly pay for our assistant city attorney position. This position is currently vacant, but we are looking to fill it currently in market conditions and responsible for the job being a higher grade. I'd also like to uh request adding deputy fire marshal to our listed incentive. We already have a fire marshal incentive and it just makes sense. We also have one for our deputy fire marshal. So, any questions? I'm happy to answer. Any questions? Seeing none, I'll take entertain a motion to suspend the rules.

Motion to suspend. Motion by Todd. Second. Second by Tiffany. All those in favor, please say I. I. Any opposed or abstain? Okay. Item passes. I'll entertain a motion to approve. Motion approved by Todd, second by Tiffany. All those in favor, please say I.

I. Any opposed? Motion carries. Thank you. Okay, moving on to item number 10. Megan Bombgardner for the record, Megan Bombgardner, director of community and economic development. Um, I was over at my computer and I apologize for getting caught off guard. I was double checking my math on the the numbers and the commitment of this amazing company that we have tonight with um Inco Bioarma and the latest economic development agreement to help incentivize their third expansion um or third phase and second expansion within our city. Um in you all are probably familiar is a Phil finish and CMO company within the life sciences space and really the pioneer of this um commitment that we've made of life sciences and growing those companies and that industry here in our community and super excited to have their sort of expansion um and project here tonight for uh your consideration. Um so in 2021 or 2020 um the initial commitment that they made to the city was $60 million investment 250 jobs. Um in 2024 they came back with an additional so phase two for them which was the expansion um of an additional $40 million and additional 175 jobs. And here tonight we have their second or third phase, second expansion with an additional $80 million in investment and 350 new jobs. Um their commitments to the city go far surpass what the the dollar amount um and that or that investment within our community looks like and they truly are incredible partners. So excited to help celebrate

that with them tonight. Um we're requesting a 10year uh real person or real property tax abatement um 100% for those 10 years. Um as you can probably imagine now gaining north of 700 jobs within this facility. They need more parking um and you all are very familiar with that. And so they are taking on the task of um purchasing the pond that's adjacent to them doing some significant work within that pond to actually build additional parking there. Um and so to help facilitate that, the city is requesting a million dollar storm water grant fund. Um that will come through our storm water uh grant or yeah grant fund. Um and then that would be facilitated through our town hall building corporation um as an entity that is able to facilitate a grant that way. Um, so I have uh Corey Lewis and Doug and a couple of other members from the INC team tonight and would love to invite them up to share a few words. Um, and then we're happy to answer questions.

Hi, good evening. Cory Lewis, uh, CEO at Encog I want to say is thank you. Fishers now has been our home for 5 years. It's been an absolutely pleasure working with Megan and Scott throughout this journey. Uh we just passed a little over 400 people at the facility. We've got 245 operations continuing to grow. Uh this third building that we're looking to expand will, as Megan, will add significant headcount. Uh so obviously as we continue to grow the business, we need places for these folks to park and certainly want to continue the growth here in Fers. Our target is to be close to thousand people by 2030. on that journey. I just want to say thank you guys for your help.

Thanks, Cy. Any questions for Megan? So, I want to just ask about this water that's going through the town hall building corporation as a coordination effort because the city really does not manage that. Correct. Uh no, the storm water grant fund is part of the city. So, the funds would be transferred to the building corporation as that grant. So, we would review it as construction dispersement much like we do with any of our other grants that come through. Um that is just the best entity for us to be able to distribute those funds. Okay. So the town hallation is mainly used to distribute those funds in an efficient manner.

Thank you. Any other questions? I mean these are incredible partners and so we're exced to be along for the ride with it.

There are a number of other life science companies that have decided to call Fischers home where we've had a chance to recruit uh thanks to Cory and Incog being an incredible ambassador for the city of Fisers. Um that I don't believe Steanto would be here if it wasn't for uh Corey and Incog and there's a variety of others that are either committed or we're working on getting committed here um that just wouldn't happen without uh these guys. So, not only are they advocating for their own business and they're advocating for many others to be here and be a part of the city of Fisers. And I actually really like this idea of the storm water infrastructure because otherwise that would just remain land that isn't of value by being able to, you know, reinvent that land, so to speak, and put a parking lot on there. That allows us to build a third building on a constrained site. So, I think it's a win-win for everyone involved and um bringing all these jobs, highpaying jobs, uh to the city is pretty incredible opportunity. So, uh exciting for sure for the city of Fisers.

Yeah, I I absolutely echo those sentiments when when the mayor introduced me to Cory and his group early on in this process and you're thinking about what's going to come spin-off of of of Incog, which it has, has been phenomenal for the city of Fiser. So, all credit to Megan and and and Scott and everybody else for getting this thing started. And Corey, thank you for locating here in Fischers. And we're happy to have you. And uh it sounds like a lot of money, but since I work for an engineering company, that's not a lot of money to do underground detention people. Trust me, we spend a lot more than that underground other places. So, um unless anybody else has any comments, I'll entertain a motion.

Motion by Todd. Second by John. All those in favor, please say I. I. Any opposed or abstain? It passes. Thank you, sir. Thanks, Megan. Okay, item 11 has been pulled. Uh, item 12.

Good evening. For the record, Ross, assistant director planning for the city of Fisers. Um, item 12 and item 13 are the same project, but do need to be voted on separately. Item 12, resolution 121525D is a request to approve a score report for the Ketchum property. And then item 13 is the request for voluntary annexation.44 acres. Um the Ketchum property is located on East Willow Drive. Common address 8615 Willow Drive. This is a sewer connection. Um we brought this for you last month. This is the last item. Okay. Happy to answer any question. Thanks, Ross. Any questions for Ross? If not, I'll entertain a motion.

Motion by Selena. Second. Second by Bill. All those in favor, please say I. I. Any abstain or opposed? Motion carries. Item number 13. It's the same thing. So, Ross has already given that. I'll entertain a motion to approve that on final reading. Motion by Tiffany. Second. Second by Bill. All those in favor, please say I.

I. Any opposed or abstained? No. Passes. Thank you, sir. Uh before we move on to the other items on the agenda, since today is my last uh meeting as president, I'm going to go ahead and hold uh the election for officers next year. I'll start the motion with uh introducing John Deluchia uh nominated for president of the council next year in 2026. Can I get a second? Second by Todd. All those in favor, please say I. I. Any opposed or abstain. That motion carries. I will now enter and I will now entertain a motion for vice president. Motion for Tiffany.

Motion by Todd for Tiffany. Second by John. Anybody else? Seeing none, let's go ahead. Anybody? All those all those in favor of Tiffany as vice president, please say I. I. Any opposed or abstain? Motion carries. I welcome the two of you to this leadership. I challenge you to get meetings done as quickly as I did. Okay. And uh what happened? Oh, do we have to approve these two? Is that what we're doing? Meetings set by minutes. And these are posted I I assume on our website, Scott, or will be these are the the board appointments.

Okay. So, I think the entire I sent this out earlier with all the board appointments. Can I get a motion to approve all board appointments that the council has? Okay, I've got Selena motion second by Tiffany. All those in favor, please say I. I. Any opposed or abstain? That motion carries. We have any other new business, unfinished business? No. That's great. I'll open it up for community comment. Anyone wishing to make a comment, please step to the podium, state your name and address the record. You'll be given three minutes in which to speak.

Good evening, everyone. My name is Bob Gobish. I live at 7271 Wolf Drive. I live in the River Glenn neighborhood near Allison Road and 116th Street. I'm also a park steward at Richiewood Nature Preserve. And I wanted to briefly share with you an afternoon of success at the park. On Saturday, November 22nd, a weed wrangle was held at Richie Woods. Weed wrangles are volunteer events that remove invasive plants that negatively impact our parks and natural natural areas. At the weed wrangle that afternoon, 24 volunteers removed an estimated 180 cubic yards of bush honeysuckle, which is an invasive plant. It's it's everywhere. If it's green this time of year, it's probably honey. The event was planned by Amy Perry, another park steward, and Amy Krell, who is the volunteer coordinator for the city of Fisers. So, because of their help and the help that we received from the Hamilton County Invasive Partnership, we had a very successful afternoon. I I have a I think I've distributed a hand see what it is that we did. Um, it was a it was a very successful event and that's all I really wanted to tell you about and so I wanted to be brief and be gone.

Happy holidays. Well, we certainly appreciate all the volunteer efforts to do that. I am very well aware of that plant since I try to get rid of it everywhere I see. But thank you very much to you and the volunteers. Anyone else wishing to make a public comment before you close the meeting? I just want to tell Jake and other folks in parks department.

Yeah. Thank Thank you. DPW uh deserves all the credit for putting all those Christmas lights up. They take a lot of pride in that. And uh Tiffany, to your point, I think we heard 3,000 residents attended various events in that tent over the week. So uh certainly a good step forward in winter engagement and uh kudos to Jake and the parks team and DPW for all their work.

Yeah, I want to and I only thank Jake, but I'm I want to tell you guys, you know, I've been doing this council thing for a while, and I can't compliment our staff enough. I mean, you guys are tremendous. You guys really make our job very easy, you know, and and you know, you you answer questions very thoroughly when we have them. And I I really can't thank you guys enough for the effort you put in for the city of Fisers and the residents. So again, I hope you all have a great Christmas and and happy new year and all the best. And I'm looking forward to what we do next year. And and also to that, Pete, if you go to Fischer's Chatter today, they're raving about the snow plowing. So good job. Hey, there wasn't one snarky comment. It's It was amazing.

That's win. So, congratulations. That's good job. I'll pay you on that. No pain to g. If there's If there's no other comments, I'll entertain a motion to adjourn. We are