Carmel Common Council Meeting – July 6, 2026

The Carmel Common Council met on July 6, 2026, at City Hall. The meeting began with an invocation, Pledge of Allegiance led by young entrepreneur Danny, and a recognition of Barb Crane for 50 years of service as a mail carrier. Council also commended the success of Carmelfest and discussed infrastructure, stormwater fees, and ERP implementation.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes from June 15, 2026, approved.
• Claims, payroll, and financial items approved: payroll ($4,725,826.20 for June 12; $4,490,203.58 for June 26), HSA payout ($296,800), general claims ($6,356,851.71), purchase card ($35,895.31), and retirement ($136,972.44).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jack Feldman: Requested immediate marking of a crosswalk at Flowingwell Park on Grey Road (site of a past child-vehicle collision). Emphasized safety concerns due to high speeds and poor visibility.
• Kelly Nagy (Carmel resident, mother of three): Expressed strong support for raised crosswalks and pedestrian safety improvements. Shared a story of her 14-year-old babysitter who gained independence when 116th Street was closed to through traffic. Advocated for walkable, bikeable infrastructure to reduce car trips and improve quality of life.
• Chris Cadden: Described stormwater drainage issues from adjacent Carmel Elementary construction that caused water retention in his yard; a beehive installation intended to mitigate has been ineffective.
• Denny Breedlove (Shelbourne Road resident): Reported that his neighborhood has no storm sewers despite paying utility fees. Flooding has damaged trees and septic systems, forcing some homeowners to repeatedly pump septic tanks. Asked the city to provide the same stormwater services as other neighborhoods.
• Allie Mistler (Lexington neighborhood resident): Thanked city crews for assessing stormwater issues. Stated that flooding problems have been documented for decades with photos and invoices. Strongly supported the proposed $3.15/month stormwater fee increase, calling it a small investment for community-wide benefit. Urged the city to prioritize essential infrastructure over aesthetic projects.
• Angelo Wheeler (resident of five years): Requested a safe crosswalk at 106th and McPherson Street to connect her neighborhood to the Monon Trail, as crossing 106th is currently dangerous.

Discussion Items

• ERP Implementation Fund (Ordinance D‑2829‑26 and related items): Councilor Austin presented three items to create a non‑reverting ERP implementation fund (Workday cloud‑based system), transfer $2 million from the general fund, and appropriate $2 million. The new system will replace accounting software from 1994, unite finance, HR, and planning modules, and is estimated to cost about $30,000 more annually than current licenses. Public safety payroll will remain on separate timekeeping systems but feed into Workday. Projected return on investment in 3‑4 years. All three items were approved unanimously.
• Waterworks Revenue Bond Ordinance (D‑2834‑26): Introduced to authorize up to $8 million in bonds for water system improvements, including replacing aging 10‑inch cast‑iron mains with 12‑inch ductile iron on Carmel Drive (installed 1972), a new 16‑inch main on the west side to serve the Michigan Road corridor, work on Westfield Boulevard to convert remaining Indianapolis water customers, and relocation of infrastructure for a roundabout at 146th & Hazeldell. Also includes flexibility for physical security and cybersecurity upgrades. The administration stated the debt service will be covered by existing rates with no increase needed. Referred to the Finance Committee.
• Sanitary Sewer Revenue Bond Ordinance (D‑2835‑26): Introduced to authorize up to $25 million in bonds. $10 million will pay off an existing Bond Anticipation Note (BAN) for the 106th Street lift station and digester repairs. The remaining $15 million will upsize a 12‑inch gravity sewer main to 18‑inch in the Merchant Square area, addressing surcharging caused by development in Midtown and the Gramercy project. The project also includes upsizing mains along Kinzer Drive. No rate increase is anticipated. Referred to the Finance Committee.
• Stormwater User Fee Ordinance (D‑2836‑26): Councilor Snyder introduced an ordinance to increase the monthly stormwater fee from $6.85 to $10.00 per residential ERU and remove the automatic 3% cost‑of‑living adjustment. In a lengthy statement, Snyder argued the increase (about 10¢/day) is necessary to address aging infrastructure citywide, including flooding in Lexington, Home Place, Shelburne, and other neighborhoods. He criticized a recent newsletter by Councilor Warell for suggesting the fee is a localized solution without data. Councilor Warell responded that he stands by his newsletter and wants a data‑driven, cautious approach, including a presentation from the city engineer on July 14. He stated he is not opposed to a fee but needs to understand the full scope of problems and costs. Council agreed to refer the ordinance to both the Land Use and Finance Committees for joint study, focusing first on identifying projects and costs before setting a rate. Public town halls are scheduled for July 7 and July 14.

Key Outcomes

• Approved (unanimous): Consent calendar, ERP implementation fund, fund transfer, and appropriation (3 items).
• Introduced and referred to Finance Committee: Waterworks and sanitary sewer bond ordinances (D‑2834‑26 and D‑2835‑26).
• Introduced and referred to Land Use and Finance Committees: Stormwater user fee ordinance (D‑2836‑26) for further study and public input.
• Approved: Petitions to vacate portions of public ways at 942 and 1006 West Almond Drive after public hearings.