County Council - Regular Meeting

All right.

Good evening. I'd like to call our meeting to order. Can you please stand for the pledge of allegiance? Mr. Smith, will you lead us? I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Miss Le, would you please call the role?

Mr. Boyce. Mr. Mr. Elliott present. Mr. Johnson present. Mr. Peterson here. Mr. Schwarz. Mr. Smith present. Mr. Thirstston present. Miss Wild present. Mr. Davis present. Mr. President. You have a quorum. Thank you. Is there a motion to approve the minutes from our February 24th meeting? So moved. Second. It has been moved and seconded to approve the minutes. This is an vote. All in favor, raise your right hand. Thank you. Minutes are approved. Is there a motion to approve the agenda?

Mr. President, I move to amend the agenda to remove ordinances numbers 130326 and 140326. Second. It has been moved and seconded to amend the agenda to remove ordinances number 1303-26 and number 14-3-26. This is a hand vote. All in favor raise your right hand. I thank you. Mr. President, I move that we approve the agenda as amended. Second.

It has been moved and seconded to approve the agenda as amended. This is a hand vote. All in favor raise your right hand. Seven eyes. Thank you. Petitions or comments by citizens? Um I do not see any. If anybody would like to talk, there's a card in the back table. Please fill it out and give it to the clerk. We'd love to hear from you. And we'll go on to committee reports. Mr. Johnson, utilities committee. I It's actually Mr. Elliot actually. It's okay. It's all good. I know. We We played a little musical chair. It's all good. Well, that's fine.

Uh we had a very productive meeting in our utilities committee. It was the first um meeting in the first quarter of the year. myself, Dave Johnson, and Megan Wilds were present. Mr. Peterson was unable to make it. Um, first, we got to address the odor concerns in our community. Um, which is a top priority. The mayor has made that a um a substantial priority and he um definitely has our committee support. Um, there was a recent event that was tied to a pH imbalance in one of the treatment tanks that has since been corrected and the utility is now working with outside experts and implementing several improvements. Um, some of these include uh odor control units, upgrades to our digtor, um, and sealing off portions of um, our sewer system. Um, we're also going to better track how, um, these complaints are tracked and addressed. Um, it's an issue that's been going on since the 1800s. Uh, but you're going to see significant investment here and we're proud of the steps that we're taking. Uh, the financial report for 2025 was very strong. Want to thank Steve Striker for a thorough report. Our utility system maintains strong reserves and much of those are um will be committed to future projects. Uh finally, the committee recognized Kirk Staley for more than 30 years of dedicated public service and uh his commitment to this community has made a great impact and we are grateful for his service. So that's the report.

Thank you. Any questions?

Miss Wilds, Pace Committee. Yes, Mr. President. The PACE committee met on Friday, February 27th. Uh myself, Dave Johnson, Aaron Smith were in attendance. Unfortunately, Mr. Peterson could not join us. Uh but we had a full house with lots of our community partners also in attendance. Uh as it turns out, the last two months it is close to somebody's birthday. So, we've started off the meeting singing happy birthday. This time it was Sarah Reid. So, a belated happy birthday to Sarah. Um uh Mr. had gave an update on the Embrace downtown project and that construction has begun and that uh departments have been working closely with Indiana American Water on their water tie-ins and water shut off shut offs in a few locations. Um it seems to be going well so far. The uh projected start date for phase 1B is approximately April 1st. This is all weather dependent of course. Um that there will be Mr. Mr. shared that there will be bi-weekly progress meetings for the businesses and the public that will begin on March 19th to provide an overview of what's coming up in the next two weeks. So, just constantly trying to provide that public information uh for the project. Mr. Head talked about a business support program that actually had been recommended by Mrs. Smith at the January meeting and so uh they are working on implementing um coupons and discounts at the downtown businesses and where the city will help to support the business with that program. Uh we then went into a parks project update where Mrs. Wines gave an update on Seminary Park that we will have new playground equipment that's scheduled to arrive in the first or second week of March and they hope that it will be in place in time for the PE festival. This new playground is being donated by the Timothy J. Shehan Foundation and that we'll have additional benches and picnic tables and then there will be a plaque honoring the legacy of Tom and Sonni Sheen. Miss Wines went on to talk about the master plan update and that a final

draft of that is being presented and that a public meeting will occur the week of March 16th for final comment. Dylan Park. Uh there's a scope and update for that design for the splash pad and their hope is to have the goal the goal is to have it nearly uh defined planned in place by March 6th. Uh we got an update of upcoming parks programming. Uh this year is the forest park's 100th anniversary. So there will be a celebration scheduled for September 19th. Uh Fourth of July planning is ongoing and then the princess fall and annual Easter egg hunt is taking place soon. and that the Easter egg hunt will have a sensory friendly egg hunt for those needing that. And the department is looking for volunteers. So that if anyone would like to sign up, please reach out to the parks department. We did get a a review from sponsorship update from Miss Brown that last year we had 28 sponsors that included eight new sponsors to help support parks events. um $132,000 in sponsorship revenue was generated which was 67.5% increase over 2024. So great progress making. Uh we do have a naming rights deal for Federal Hill Amphitheater that will is coming and will be announced soon. Um Miss Thompson talked about public art in the roadway and the trail connection at State Road 32 and Heg Road. They had 39 applicants and they are down to eight finalists and they are trying to gather some more information with those artists and the goal is to have the artwork installed prior to the PE festival. Uh a gate is also being designed for the Federal Hill activation lot so that that area can be closed off and approved for safety for Federal Hill events and having that all complete by time of the 2026 farmer farmers market season. We then went around the room and just talked about the different partners sharing some updates. I won't go into details on all of that. Uh but Mr. Johnson did share that he is working on trying to u put together a spring 5K run

walk that will take place the same weekend as the PE festival. So that's exciting plans coming forth. Nice. That's it. Thank you. Thank you. Any questions? Thank you. Uh Mr. Thirsten, roads committee.

Thank you, Mr. President. Uh the roads committee met on Thursday, March 6th. Uh myself, Mr. Boyce, Mr. Davis, and Mr. Schwarz were all in attendance. Um um Patty Johnson from the street department led us off with an update. Um they had just completed the 25 loose leaf collection uh like the day before which she stated was about the longest they've ever gone into loose leaf collection but with the weather there was still a lot of stuff out there and they uh they they did make sure to get out and get it uh collected. I applaud them on their extended effort this year. Um she followed that up with brush collection starting next week and runs through the end of September. If you're looking for some more information on that, you can go to the city's website uh underneath the street department and you'll have uh more information on that. Um she also added that uh rideway cleanup would begin soon and uh there are a couple uh roundabout cleanup and landscaping uh projects uh coming up. uh specifically 161st in Hazel, 191st in Little Chicago, Oakmont Drive in State Road 38, and 156th and Bowden Road. Um I will keep everyone um updated if there's anything to do with like closing those. Uh but right now it's u a lot of clean up just to get them ready for spring. Um and then major uh that major um rightaway herbicide spraying will begin as weather permits. Uh from there we went into some federal aid and state projects. Uh we were awarded about $6 million on two projects uh through an NDOT rural call grant. That would be the

boat and road pedestrian tunnel by Finch Creek and Prairie Baptist at 146th uh uh street roundabout. Uh we moved on to Pleasant Street phase two. Uh if you haven't noticed yet um on March, when was that? Oh, it hadn't happened yet. March 16th, it's coming up. I'm getting ahead of myself. March 16th. Uh 16th in Pleasant will be closed for about 45 days, weather permitting. Um as you know, we opened that up due to lack of activity during the winter. So, uh everybody got out, let us use it for a little bit. They're going to close that down to finish button up that project. They're anticipating that around 45 days while weather permitting. And again, not not all of Pleasant Street. Uh we're looking around 16th at Pleasant. So, if you're going from 10th Street, that way you can still go a little bit, but you're not going to be able to go all the way. Uh there will be advanced sightings of that and maps again on the city's website if you need more information. Uh I I uh highly recommend you check out those maps. Um along that same time frame, um weather permitting, the crews will be out to uh finish up the turn lanes at Pleasant and State Road 37. Uh as someone who drives that every day, I look forward to that. Uh we talked about um some upcoming projects. Probably the next big one is the um Oldtown Sidewalk Program. Uh they'll be mobilizing in um working on right around Stony Creek Elementary Holland Street. That is also set to begin right around

March 16th um as we continue to update and beautify some of these sidewalks around Oldtown. Um trail gap program. There's some stuff coming up, but no tenative dates for that. Next big project we talk about was Embrace downtown, which I'm sure everyone is well aware of. The next big uh thing to note there is uh in late March there will be some water shutdowns uh in the 6 to 8 hour range. Um those when that occurs there will be a 24-hour boil advisory. if it affects you or your business where you're at, uh, you will be notified. They will have door hangers. Uh, so it's not like it's going to pop up. You will have a lot of advanced notice on that. Um, and just to be clear, when I say boil water, that is if you're going to drink it. Um, Mr. Boyce was concerned about flushing the toilets and there's no concern the water will still run. just don't drink it if you're in that area without boiling it. Um again, if you are in that affected area, as it gets closer, you will receive notification and um you will have door hangers. So, if you don't use the front door all the time, like I don't um you might want to start looking at that if you are around the Embrace downtown project. All of the businesses that are around there will be uh advised if they have not already. Um and continued updates on Embrace Downtown can be found at uh embracetown nosville.com. Um we talked about Hamilton County projects. Um 186 in Hazel. Uh that is going to bid in May. We expect construction late 26

through 2028. Um and then we also uh were notified that they that the county received grants for um improvements at 146th in Grey Road uh which will follow 146 in Hazel. So um probably 2029. So if you live over in that area, just be aware that that is moving down the line. Um, we did talk about one INDOT project. Um, State Road through 37th through Noblesville, specifically around Greenfield Avenue. Um, there will be a public information meeting. Um, either April 30th or May 7th. They're still trying to finalize that, but that is coming up soon. Other than that, Mr. President, that's it. Be happy to answer any questions.

Mr. Mr. President, could I give one update? Great job, Mr. Thirst. Just one update this morning from border works. The Pleasant Street and 16th Street closure came to the board of works this morning and based on the plans now, uh, it will only be north and south on 16th Street that will be closed. Pleasant Street will remain open the entire way. So, good update on that project. So, we'll be able to keep that road open. Uh, also just another update on that is, uh, there the other work to be done, we'll be able to leave lanes open, we think, through the rest of the duration of the project. So although it's not complete, we'll be able to keep that open. Great. Thank you for that update. That's better for a guy who travels out every day. Yeah. Any other comments, questions for roads committee? Thank you.

All right. You're welcome, sir. Uh finance committee, Mr. Thirstston, take a break. All right. It was not as long as the uh roads as roads committee. uh finance committee met on uh Thursday, March 5th. Is that Friday? Friday, March 5th. Thursday. Thursday, March 5th. Yeah. Last Thursday. Thursday. Not last Thursday. Last Thursday. A lot going on.

Um myself, Aaron Smith, Megan Wilds, and Darren Peterson uh were in attendance. We started off with the Hamilton County Community Foundation annual report. Um, we had the president of the community foundation, uh, Danielle Styles Poke, introduced herself, talked about the senior leadership, um, talked about their just reviewing their mission statement, their four goals. Um, they had with them um, Anita Rogers, who is um, who manages the city of Noblesville fund within the Hamilton County Community Foundation, um, gave us some updates on how that performed. um let us know uh who the new board um members were. Also talked about um a new marketing position that they've hired and uh so you should expect to see uh a little bit more of an um footprint from them uh in the community with some social media stuff as they have this um new marketing person coming on board. Uh that was followed up by a financial report uh for the arena at Innovation Mile. Um that was given by uh the folks at Rev Entertainment. Uh Anthony Varttowski and Star Goage uh both from Rev gave us an update. Uh they recaped uh the half of a year that we've been open. Um also looked at um the 2026 budget. Um talked about some of their wins, some of their challenges. uh some of the things they're going to be doing differently, uh new opportunities, um how partnerships are being realigned, um they have some exciting projects and partnerships that are going to be announced here soon. Um so look forward to uh hearing some of that. Um naming rights later this month, I believe. Um

and uh overall just really good feedback from them and um it was good to see kind of laid out an updated financial report of where they've been and where they anticipate going. Um from that we moved on to Miss Kzner as she gave us an annual report of city accounts and um that was about it. Any other questions I would be happy to entertain at this time. Mr. President, thank you. You're welcome. That and the claims come to the council with a favorable review. Thank you very much, Mr. President. I would move that we approve the claims as presented. Second.

It has been moved and second. And to approve the claims, this is a hand vote. All in favor, raise your right hand. Seven eyes. Claims are approved. Thank you. Previously discussed ordinance number 12-02-26 council to consider ordinance 120226 an ordinance to reestablish the fire cumulative capital fund tax rate. Mr. McDonald.

Uh thank you Mr. President, members of the council. Tom McDonald, deputy financial officer. So we first presented this ordinance to you at your February 10th meeting. Um it represents an early very early step in the 2027 budget development process that is necessary to comply with certain uh state statutory requirements regarding the city's fire cumulative capital fund. So this is a fund that supports capital outlay costs for fire protection services. And the the ordinance reestablishes this fund for the 2027 fiscal year um at a tax rate up to the maximum level that's allowed in state law. And the the reason for doing this is to provide council and the city the most flexibility during the 2027 budget process when determining how much revenue is needed to be allocated to this fund. Uh without this action, the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance will hold the city's FCC rate to no more than the rate in the current fiscal year. again if you no action is taken but that rate is lower than the maximum level allowed. Um again the reason for doing this is to provide you with flexibility when determining how much to allocate for certain fire protection costs versus other costs. Um and also important to note that the FCC tax rate exists within the maximum property tax levy. So taking this action will not impact the um level of property taxes levied in 2027 has no impact on that. Okay. Okay.

What is our what is our what is the maximum levy amount and what has it traditionally been in the last couple years? The the current rate is around 2.7 cents per $100 of assessed value. The maximum rate is 3.3 cents. Thank you. And you said the state legislature has changed this adoption requirement for some other funds. Correct. It's not that's somewhat of an outlier. Now

it it is so it had this requirement existed for other cumul cumulative funds but I I don't know when maybe the last few years they peeled back some of the other cumulative funds but left this one in place. Not sure why. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Uh this is a public hearing. I I'll now open the public hearing for ordinance number 02 I'm sorry number 122-26. Mr. President, seeing no one from the public come forward, I would move to close the public hearing for ordinance number 12-2-26. Second.

It has been moved and seconded to close the public hearing for ordinance number 12-02-26. This is a hand vote. All in favor, raise your right hand. Seven eyes. Motion carries. Mr. President, I move to approve ordinance number 12-2-26. Second. It has been moved and seconded to approve ordinance number 12-02-26. This is a roll call vote. Miss Le, would you please call the role? Mr. Elliott, I. Mr. Johnson, I. Mr. Peterson, I. Mr. Smith, I Mr. Mr. Thirstston I Miss Wilds I Mr. Davis

I seven I zero nay the ordinance is approved thank you new ordinance for discussion council to consider ordinance number 15-03-26 an ordinance enacting and adopting a supplement to the code of ordinances leaves move to introduce

second good evening let me make a note here real Uh this ordinance is something we do every year. It is to formally adopt the supplement to our code of ordinances which is all the ordinances and resolutions that were approved by the council last year. Um, our code of ordinances online is updated as things are approved, but we also still get some hard copies that we keep. And we have now received the hard copy supplements. This is your yearly ordinance to formally adopt that. And I would ask uh because this is so routine if you would be willing to pass it on first reading.

Thank you. Mr. President, I would move that we suspend the rules and approve ordinance number 15-03-26 on first reading. Second. It has been moved and seconded to suspend the rules and approve ordinance number 15-03-26 on the first reading. This is a hand vote. All in favor, raise your right hand. Seven eyes. Motion carries. Mr. President, I would move that we approve ordinance number 15-03-26 is presented. Second. Miss Le, would you please call the role? Notes again.

Mr. Johnson, I. Mr. Peterson. Hi, Mr. Smith. Hi, Mr. Thirstston. Hi, Miss Wild. Hi, Mr. Elliott. Hi, Mr. Davis. I 7 I Ray. The ordinance is approved. Thank you. Thank you. Council to consider resolution number RC-7-26, a resolution recognizing the Noblesville Police Department has an official operation name of the city of Noblesville for federal registration and grant purposes. Assistant Chief Cunningham.

Good evening, Mr. President, members of the council. Um, as the title implies, the resolution before you formally recognizes the Noblesville Police Department as an operating name for the city of Noblesville. Uh this action does not create a separate leg legal entity or alter the city's governance structure. Uh rather it provides formal recognition of the police department as an operating division of the city for purposes of grant registration uh federal registration and administrative identification. I would be happy to answer any questions of all the odd things we do in city government. Right. Thank you,

Mr. Mr. President, I would move to approve resolution RC-7-26. Second. Second. It has been moved and seconded to approve resolution RC-7-26. This is a hand vote. All in favor, raise your right hand. 7 I. Motion carries. Council to receive an annual report of accounts pursuant to IC36-4-10. Caitlyn Kesner.

Good evening. Caitlyn Kessner, deputy controller. Um before you is a report um that is required to be presented annually under state law. This report consists of cash and investment statements and detailed revenue statements for the city civil city and redevelopment authority separately um as of and for the year ended December 31st, 2025. This report is presented at a very high level in accordance with state statute. Um, and it is well complemented by the city's annual comprehensive financial report and upcoming budget book which present this information in a more digestible format. Um, I'm happy to answer any questions and uh, no action is required on this item.

You do a great job. Thank you. Thank you. Any other questions? Thank you, Kaitlin. Any council comments, Mr. President?

Yeah, I had the uh opportunity earlier this week, I guess that would be yesterday, to meet with retired uh police chief Mike Crow from the uh Kala, the Commission on Accreditation of Law Enforcement um in here in the country. And uh a pleasure to meet him. And uh the department is going through their accreditation process right now. and the reviews that are done on a um uh every three four years now. And uh I think that wraps up tomorrow morning. And I don't know if anybody else, Chief, if you got any comments or anybody on your staff want to uh say anything, you're certainly this would be a good opportunity.

I mean, since since Todd already destroyed the uh getting out early part of the meeting.

Thank you. Yes. As uh Councilman Johnson uh mentioned, we're going through our reacredititation process. This is our fourth reacredititation. Um so it's something that that's important for us and a value to us. Um, we appreciate, uh, Councilman Johnson stepping forward and and speaking with uh, the accredititation assessor who comes on site, basically talks to all of our people. Um, and what their job is to make sure that we have policies and procedures in place, but more importantly, that we're following them and that we're doing what we say that we do quite quite simply. Um, and that's what his job is. So, um, hopefully everything will go as as according to plan. uh we meet with him tomorrow morning before he flies back to New York. And then later this summer we will go through the actual um approval process which is a conference that'll take place in um Cherry, Nebraska. So looking forward to that. Um but if you have any questions on the accredititation process, I'm happy to answer them now or later um at your leisure.

Okay. Thank you, Chief. Thanks, Chief.

Are there any further comments? Just a really quick one, Mr. President. Um I rarely get texts of, you know, unbelievably happy people who are talking about uh you know, interacting with government. But um today I got a text from an RTV6 uh news reporter who was um apparently attempting to do some reporting downtown Noblesville and was having some difficulty with uh traffic and traffic patterns and all that and uh Officer Blocker uh got out there um and was extremely helpful to her and she just wanted to pass along heaps of praise. I have a text message that is eight pages long about how awesome um he was. So, just wanted to give him a uh a shout out. And Chief, it looks like you're going to be getting uh quite the email here very shortly as well. So, thank you, Officer Blocker.

Nice. Anything else? Okay, we're journed. Thank you.