Carmel Common Council Meeting Summary - August 18, 2025

The Carmel Common Council met on Monday, August 18, 2025, for a regular meeting. The agenda included committee reports, quarterly reports from Parks and the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts, a report from Carmel Utilities regarding a recent water main break and boil advisory, and introductions of several ordinances. No action was taken on the performing arts center funding or water utility report; these were informational items. Multiple ordinances were introduced and referred to committees.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the agenda.
• Approved minutes from the August 4, 2025 regular meeting.
• Approved claims, payrolls ($4,242,634.19), general claims ($4,071,414.29), purchase cards ($31,247.61), retirement ($127,147.10), and wire transfers ($4,130,244.14). Approval was unanimous.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Allie Mistler (speaking as herself): Expressed strong support for continued funding of the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts. She cited a 2022 Americans for the Arts study showing Carmel's nonprofit arts sector generated $42.7 million in economic activity, supporting 981 jobs and over $30 million in household income. She noted that attendees spend $31.77 per person per event beyond the ticket, and nearly half travel from outside Hamilton County. She stated the center attracts over half a million visitors annually and has helped catalyze over $300 million in redevelopment around City Center. She highlighted personal benefits, including training that led to performing in Paris during Men's Fashion Week. She also urged support for the Transportation Fund that enables schools to bring children to performances, noting that as a foster parent of over 998 children, many children from families with limited means are "gobsmacked" by live performances.

Discussion Items

• Economic Development Commission Semi-Annual Report (Jeff Moore, council appointee): The commission met on June 2, 2025, re-elected officers (President Ed Bukovich, Vice President Nikki Felix, Secretary Jeff Moore), and unanimously approved a $75 million developer-backed bond project (North End Phase Two). Councillor Snyder asked for clarification that developer-backed bonds do not represent taxpayer risk. Moore confirmed the bonds are developer debt, not taxpayer liability.

• Parks Department Quarterly Report (Michael Klitzing, Director/CEO of Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation):

  • Summer camps had just over 7,500 participants (a 4% increase); 87% of camp weeks were at maximum enrollment; 88% of campers were enrolled in Carmel Clay Schools.
  • The water park had over 106,000 visitors through August 3rd, on track for 120,000–125,000 for the season. The park is open weekends through Labor Day.
  • Brookshire Golf Course: A business plan has been developed and is under city review; no decisions made yet on future operations or funding.
  • Infrastructure bond projects update: Bear Creek Park (new park at 146th & Shelburn; $6.2M in bond funds; $8M total phase one; schematic plans due at park board September meeting; RFP for build-operate-transfer process); Autumn Greenway (east-west from Monon Greenway to Old Meridian Corridor; public meeting in September/October); Veterans Greenway and Park (east side of Old Meridian connecting to Autumn Greenway; design teams to meet at end of August); New neighborhood park at Smoky Row & Ironwood Drive (public input after roundabout location is finalized); White River Greenway enhancements (north extension progressing; completion expected before end of year; includes boardwalks, trailhead, restrooms).
  • Hazel Landing Park bridge (connecting to Fisher's Heritage Park) will be named Burr Oak Bridge, named after two 100+ year old oak trees saved during construction. The name was coordinated with four federally recognized tribes (Delaware, Miami, Shawnee, Peoria).
  • Founders Park refresh: Replacing playground safety surfacing, relocating sand play area, structural reinforcement of a retaining wall, new fencing, parking lot and sidewalk repairs. Construction started; playground closed; completion expected by end of October.
  • Founders Park boardwalk project: A floating boardwalk over the pond (pending pricing; installation likely spring 2026).
  • New playground at Monon Community Center opened (features a "Lucky Climber" with dynamic lighting – first of its kind worldwide; also two slides).
  • Question from Councillor Green: 88% of campers were Carmel Clay School students; achievement linked to early registration for Extended School Enrichment (ESE) program participants.
  • Question from Councillor Joshi: Sunscreen dispenser program – a pilot at one park; exploring expansion to West Park. Director Klitzing welcomed sponsorship.
  • Councillor Snyder praised collaboration between Parks and CRC (Carmel Redevelopment Commission) on Veterans Park. Councillor Green expressed concern about a $36 million maintenance shortfall; Director Klitzing said conversations with the state legislature are ongoing.

• Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts Report (Jeff McDermott, President/CEO):

  • The center is a nonprofit managing three venues (Palladium, Studio Theater, Tarkington Theater) on behalf of the city. Annual budget ~$10 million, funded through earned revenue (tickets, food/beverage, rentals), contributed revenue (donors, sponsors), and a management fee from the city.
  • The city owns the facilities; the center manages operations. The ~$1.7 million in maintenance/repair costs are reimbursed by the city – not income to the center. The current management fee is $2.25 million (flat or increased over a decade).
  • Economic impact: A study by the Indiana Business Research Center (Kelley School of Business) found the campus (Allied Solutions Center, Great American Songbook Foundation, six resident companies) generates ~$23 million in annual economic activity for Carmel (nearly $27.5 million for Hamilton County) and ~$4 million in state & local tax revenue.
  • Cultural impact: 25,000 participants in free/heavily subsidized educational programs in two years; free matinees for schools (transportation fund removes barriers); naturalization ceremonies, free military concerts, Holocaust remembrance events, and other public events.
  • The center operates with approximately 77% occupancy rate.
  • Expense: The center operates at ~$581 less per seat than peer venues.
  • McDermott urged the administration to maintain current funding levels for the center, its resident companies, and the Great American Songbook Foundation.
  • Councillor Snyder expressed strong personal support for the arts and the center, but noted a perception gap. He requested a long-term (5-10-20 year) plan, simplified public communications explaining the center's value, and investments to generate additional revenue. He also acknowledged the center faces competition from new venues (Fishers Event Center, Noblesville arena).
  • Councillor Green: Asked about earned revenue ceilings and competition impact. McDermott acknowledged competition but noted the city's venues offer a nonprofit, diverse programming model different from for-profit competitors.
  • Council President Austin and Councillor Locke emphasized the center's quality-of-life and placemaking contributions, and the importance of strategic communication. Councillor Locke urged the center to develop a long-term sustainability narrative.

• Carmel Utilities Report (Lane, Utilities Director):

  • Briefing on a water main break and subsequent boil advisory on Monday, August [date not given in transcript].
  • A 36-inch water main break near Haverstick Road and 106th Street caused a pressure drop below 20 PSI, triggering a boil advisory per IDEM regulations. The advisory affected the west side of the city.
  • The team isolated the break within 20-25 minutes and restored pressure within two hours (with help from Citizens Westfield). The water system was never contaminated, but the advisory was precautionary.
  • The primary failure was communication: The utilities department lacks direct text/email notification to customers (a new system was planned but not yet operational). The city's marketing department was not fully utilized; EOC was activated only briefly. Many residents first learned of the advisory through schools or social media, causing confusion and panic.
  • Multiple council members (Austin, Snyder, Locke, Warrell, Joshi) criticized the vague and delayed communication, noting that a clear explanation of the low contamination risk could have calmed the public.
  • The after-action report, posted on the utilities website, includes recommendations for better internal communication protocols, expanding pressure sensors to narrow affected areas, better use of the EOC for emergencies, and implementing the new customer notification system.
  • Questions about infrastructure planning: Councillors noted the west side relies on a single 36-inch main and a new groundwater tank (at 146th & Shelburn) is under construction. A $750,000 infrastructure condition study is underway. Snyder stated the utility does not contribute fully to city overhead and suggested the utility should either pay more or be integrated more formally.
  • Snyder also asked about a hydrant blowing off; Lane explained it was due to pressure and a lack of restraint bolts, which will be retrofitted.
  • Lane confirmed rates are not being raised in the upcoming budget.

Key Outcomes

• Introduction of Ordinances: All introduced ordinances were referred to committees as noted.

  • Ordinance D-2762-25 (13th reading) – Amending city code regarding parking/traffic (remained in Land Use and Special Studies Committee).
  • Ordinance D-2772-25 (8th reading) – New Article 8 under Chapter 2 (remained in Finance, Utility, and Rules Committee).
  • Ordinance D-2778-25 – Issuance of economic development TIF revenue bonds to support the Rebar Old Meridian Project (forwarded to Land Use and Special Studies Committee).
  • Resolution CC8182501 – Acquisition of real property for public use (forwarded to Land Use and Special Studies Committee).
  • Ordinance D-2779-25 – Fixing salaries of appointed officers and employees for 2025 (forwarded to Finance, Utility, and Rules Committee).
  • Ordinance D-2780-25 – Removing requirement to publish notice for zoning map changes (forwarded to Finance, Utility, and Rules Committee).
  • Ordinance D-2781-25 – Regulating use of public parking spaces (forwarded to Finance, Utility, and Rules Committee).
  • Ordinance D-2782-25 – Amending speed limits in school zones (tabled by request, with option to send to committee later).

• No action taken on the Allied Solutions Center funding or water utility report; these were informational.

• Councilmembers expressed the need for better crisis communication protocols, updates to the utilities notification system, and a long-term capital plan for the performing arts center.

Meeting adjourned.