Carmel City Council Meeting – October 5, 2026

The Carmel City Council held its regular meeting on Monday, October 5, 2026, beginning at approximately 6:30 p.m. The agenda included public comments on micromobility and parking enforcement, approval of consent items, committee reports, second reading and approval of Brookshire Golf Course fees, introduction of the 2027 budget and additional appropriations for Human Resources and the Fire Department, a resolution to transfer funds for fire department fuel, and the appointment of a new Historic Preservation Commission administrator.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approved: Minutes from the September 21 executive session and regular meeting were approved unanimously.
• Claims and Payroll: Approved claims and payroll totaling $4,400,616.19 (general payroll), $9,716.84 (CFD bonus payroll), and $5,299.50 (general claims).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jack Feldman (Carmel resident): Expressed continued concerns about the micromobility ordinance, urging the council to study successful programs like Springfield, Missouri’s enforcement system, and noted ongoing issues with the proposed dismount zone on the Monon Trail. He asked for more data and academic studies to guide improvements.
• Allie Messler (resident): Raised multiple questions about the new parking enforcement system:
  • Where can residents find an official map and schedule of designated school zones?
  • Are parking restrictions enforced daily, school‑days only, or during specific hours?
  • How are guests, contractors, and caregivers supposed to obtain permits under the new Passport system?
  • Expressed privacy concerns: under the old system residents obtained stickers from the police department; now they must create a Passport account, upload vehicle registration and license, and have their license plate serve as a residential sticker. She questioned whether Carmel’s contract fully protects personal data shared with or processed by Passport, and whether the company could sell or share that data.
• Banks Piller (fifth‑grade student, Mohawk Trails Elementary): Presented the Deputy Mayor’s report, highlighting community events: Carmel International Arts Festival (130+ artists), final neighborhood pop‑up celebrating Carmel’s 50th anniversary and Sophia Square’s 15th birthday, homecoming pep rally, Oktoberfest, and the upcoming Diwali celebration on October 10.

Discussion Items

• Micromobility Ordinance and Land Use Committee Rescheduling: Councilor Covens announced that the Land Use Committee meeting scheduled for Thursday, October 8 would be rescheduled to Thursday, October 15 at 6:30 p.m. at Carmel Public Library due to unavailability of two council members.
• Brookshire Golf Course Fee Schedule (Ordinance D‑2847‑26): Councilor Taylor presented the finance committee’s unanimous positive recommendation. Superintendent Higgins and CFO Zach Jackson reported that course fee increases were “very nominal” (less than 2%, with over half unchanged). The course is expected to achieve 100% cost recovery for the first time. The ordinance was approved (second reading and final vote).
• 2027 Budget Introduction (Ordinance D‑2848‑26): Introduced and held at the dais; a public hearing was opened and closed without comment. Further discussion is planned.
• Additional Appropriation – Human Resources (Ordinance D‑2853‑26): CFO Zach Jackson explained the $416,000 appropriation: $336,000 for a projected workers’ compensation shortfall (increased claim costs, not claim volume) and $80,000 for salary/benefits gaps due to a part‑time addition and a temporary double fill. The council suspended rules and approved the ordinance unanimously.
• Additional Appropriation – Fire Department (Ordinance D‑2854‑26): Fire Chief Joel Thacker detailed two needs:
  • $1.6 million for unscheduled overtime (covering vacation, sick leave, FMLA, and retirements). $1.5 million is available from a prior‑year purchase order; $100,000 is new money.
  • $350,000 for HVAC repairs: $295,000 for a complete replacement at Station 44 (built 2016 with ongoing issues) and $55,000 for repairs at Station 43.
  • Chief noted 17 retirements in 2026 and that the department needs 48 personnel daily to staff apparatus; overtime is often necessary due to vacancies and leave. He and CFO Jackson explained that fully staffing with 48 additional firefighters would cost about $7.2 million (salary/benefits), making overtime a cost‑effective option in many cases.
  • Councilors discussed the balance between overtime and hiring, concerns about firefighter fatigue (monitored via new health program), and the need for empirical data on staffing levels. The ordinance was approved after suspending rules.
• Resolution – Fire Department Fund Transfer (R‑052601‑26): Approved a $158,000 transfer from existing appropriations for higher‑than‑anticipated diesel and gasoline costs. Moved and approved.
• Tax Cap Resolution (R‑ of the Common Council): Introduced to direct the Department of Local Government Finance that the city’s tax rate will remain at 0.7783 per $100,000 assessed value for 2027. Referred to the Finance Committee.
• Salary Ordinances (D‑2849‑26, D‑2850‑26, D‑2851‑26, D‑2852‑26): First readings held at the dais to be approved with the full budget. Set 2027 salaries for appointed officers/employees of the City Court, City Clerk, general city employees, and elected officials.
• Historic Preservation Commission Administrator Appointment: Sam Burgess (Indiana Landmarks) was nominated and confirmed as the new administrator, replacing Mark DeLossi. The council voted to approve the appointment, with discussion about possibly updating the ordinance to allow naming an institution or designee; a committee review was suggested by year‑end.

Key Outcomes

• Approvals (all unanimous unless noted):
  • Consent agenda (minutes, claims/payroll).
  • Ordinance D‑2847‑26 (Brookshire Golf Course fees).
  • Ordinance D‑2853‑26 (HR additional appropriation $416,000).
  • Ordinance D‑2854‑26 (Fire Department additional appropriation $1.95 million).
  • Resolution R‑052601‑26 (Fire Department fund transfer $158,000).
  • Appointment of Sam Burgess as Historic Preservation Commission administrator.
• Introductions / Held at Dais:
  • 2027 Budget (D‑2848‑26) – introduced, public hearing held.
  • Tax cap resolution – introduced, referred to Finance Committee.
  • Salary ordinances for court, clerk, city employees, and elected officials – introduced to be approved with budget.
• Next Steps:
  • Land Use Committee rescheduled to October 15, 6:30 p.m. (Carmel Public Library) – will discuss micromobility ordinance.
  • Council expects administration to publish clear maps and enforcement hours for school zones before parking citations begin; privacy concerns with Passport to be addressed.
  • Fire Department overtime and staffing data to be further analyzed; council seeks empirical analysis of optimal staffing vs. overtime costs.
  • Historic Preservation Commission ordinance to be reviewed by committee with Sam Burgess’s assistance.

Committee & Staff Reports (Highlights)

• Redevelopment Commission (Henry Mostetsky): Provided updates on multiple projects: Monon Square North, Magnolia’s final buildings, Hamilton Crossing (Republic HQ and captive hotel), Presidium 3 (financing not yet closed), Icon on Maine (plaza opening TBD), Third Avenue Residences, Ardon Plaza, Heron Club, and North End Phase 2. Councilors raised concerns about sidewalk closures and pedestrian detours during construction; staff agreed to improve monitoring.
• Historic Preservation Commission (Sam Burgess): Quarterly report noted attendance at state preservation conference, ongoing efforts to save the Blue School, certified local government compliance, and a draft of conservation district guidelines for North Rangeline Road. Two community engagement sessions with property owners are planned before year‑end. Staff changes confirmed; new administrator appointment followed.