OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Metropolitan Committee Meeting Summary - November 17, 2025

City-County Council — Monday, November 17, 2025
BodyIndianapolis, Indiana
SessionCity-County Council
DateMonday, November 17, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:05:39

Transcript — Verbatim
0:02

Good evening.

0:03

I will now call to order the Metropolitan and Economic Development Committee to order for Monday, November the 17th.

0:09

We'll begin with introductions of my colleagues on the first row.

0:12

Thank you, Madam Leader.

0:13

Derek Cadill, District 23.

0:16

Thank you, Madam Leader.

0:17

Michael Paul Hart, District 20.

0:18

Thank you, Madam Chair.

0:19

Paul and A, District 22.

0:21

Thank you, Madam Leader.

0:22

Kristen Jones, District 18.

0:24

Thank you, Madam Leader Brienne Delaney, District 2.

0:27

Thank you, Madam Leader Nick Roberts, District 4.

0:29

Thank you, Madam Leader Ron Gibson, District 8.

0:32

Good evening.

0:33

Thank you, Council or Madam Leader, Councillor Jared Evans, representing District 17.

0:37

Thank you, Counselors.

0:38

My name is Maggie Lewis, District 5.

0:40

We do have a full agenda this evening.

0:42

Counselors, there are snacks in the back for your convenience.

0:46

Also, for our presenters, we ask that you be as precise as possible this evening.

0:52

Again, we have an extremely full agenda this evening.

0:56

Would you like to introduce yourself, sir?

1:00

Thank you, Madam Leader.

1:02

Lee Y Robinson, District 1.

1:04

Apologies for being 30 seconds late.

1:08

I'm being timely.

1:09

First item on our agenda is proposal number 309, reappoints David Baker to the Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission.

1:17

If you would like to come forward and state why you're interested in uh continuing to serve in this capacity.

1:24

Good evening, and thank you for having me here tonight.

1:27

Before we I retired in 2018, I worked for the Preservation Commission for 35 years as its staff administrator.

1:37

Then after the uh death of longtime Commission member Jim Kinley three years ago, I was appointed to finish out his term.

1:48

I can say that it's been a great honor to, after working all those years for the Preservation Commission, to now sit on the other side of the table and serve on the commission.

2:04

If I'm reappointed tonight, I certainly would be honored and look forward to serving another term.

2:12

Thank you.

2:13

Thank you so much for being present.

2:14

Are there any questions from counselors?

2:17

Is there anyone in the audience that wishes to speak to proposal 309?

2:21

CNN, I entertain a motion.

2:24

So move, Madam Chair.

2:25

Second.

2:26

The motion has been properly moved and second.

2:27

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

2:30

Aye.

2:30

Those opposed, same sign.

2:32

The motion carries thank you so much for your willingness to serve.

2:35

The next item on our agenda is proposal number 311.

2:38

Reappoints Kathy Good to the Marion County Property Tax Assessment Board of Appeals.

2:44

Ms.

2:45

Kathy.

2:47

Good evening and thanks for having me.

2:49

Um it has been a pleasure to serve the last several years on the Marion County Property Tax Assessment Board of Appeals.

2:57

I think it's a very important board that uh taxpayers and assessors have the outlet to come together, present their cases, and um be heard.

3:08

So I would like to continue.

3:10

Thank you so much.

3:11

Questions, comments from counselors.

3:15

Counselor Evans.

3:17

Thank you, Leader.

3:19

Ums if you I just want to ask a real quick question.

3:23

Could you speak to the process when someone files for um to have their assessment appealed?

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Affordable Housing█████████████████████████████████████████████48%
Engineering And Infrastructure█████████10%
Economic Development████████8%
Procedural███████7%
Public Safety█████5%
Historic Preservation████4%
Code Enforcement████4%
Public Records Management███3%
Public Engagement███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Metropolitan and Economic Development Committee Meeting - November 17, 2025

The Metropolitan and Economic Development Committee convened on November 17, 2025, to review a full agenda of appointment confirmations, budget approvals, code amendments, and tax abatement pilots for affordable housing projects. The meeting featured presentations from applicants, the Marion County Recorder, and department directors, followed by council deliberations and unanimous votes on all proposals.

Consent Calendar

  • The committee unanimously reappointed David Baker to the Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission, citing his 35 years of prior service as staff administrator.
  • The committee unanimously reappointed Kathy Good to the Marion County Property Tax Assessment Board of Appeals.
  • The committee unanimously reappointed Kathy Warpool to the Board of Business and Neighborhood Services, with Councilor Delaney expressing strong personal endorsement of her 15-year service.
  • The committee unanimously approved the Marion County Recorder's request to utilize interest from an Indiana Trust account for non-political advertising regarding property fraud and veterans' services, including a new initiative to record DD-214 forms for free.
  • The committee unanimously approved the 2026 budget for the Downtown Economic Enhancement District (EED), adopting an adjusted assessment rate of 0.1638% to account for increased assessed values, with a projected revenue of $5.5 million.
  • The committee unanimously approved code amendments for the Department of Business and Neighborhood Services to comply with state House Bill 1005, including the creation of a "one-stop" permit, extension of permit durations to one year, and new provisions for unsafe building hearing requests and lien waivers.
  • The committee unanimously approved a Payment In Lieu Of Taxes (PILOT) pilot for the Capital Station Apartments, a senior affordable housing project managed by United Church Homes, which has been proactively rehabilitated.
  • The committee unanimously approved a PILOT pilot for the Promenade at the Square, a new 144-unit, 100% affordable housing project at Lafayette Square Mall featuring solar energy coverage.
  • The committee unanimously approved a PILOT pilot for the Walnut Ridge Apartments, a senior housing project acquired following foreclosure, to maintain its affordable status via a reinstated Low-Income Housing Tax Credit allocation.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Reverend Dr. T.D. Robinson (Senior Pastor, Mount Perrin Baptist Church): Expressed full support for the Capital Station Apartments (Proposal 335), noting that United Church Homes also manages his church's senior apartments and praising their mission-based services.
  • Greg Henneke (EED Board Member, Property Owner): Expressed pride in the Downtown EED's accomplishments and excitement for the upcoming low-barrier shelter, supporting the 2026 budget allocation for homeless outreach.

Discussion Items

  • Marion County Recorder's Office (Proposal 332): Councilor Gibson, a veteran, expressed enthusiasm for the educational outreach to veterans regarding the free recording of DD-214 forms. The Commissioner clarified the education covers both property fraud alerting and veterans' honors publicity.
  • Downtown EED Budget (Proposal 333): The presenter detailed significant increases in spending related to homeless outreach partnerships (HVAF, IMPD, Horizon House) and expanded hours for safety ambassadors to include nights and weekends. Councilor Hart acknowledged the newly joined board member, Greg Henneke.*
  • Business & Neighborhood Services Code Amendments (Proposal 334):
    • Councilor Hart: Expressed concerns regarding the potential for conflicting permit types (e.g., a standstill on a structural permit while a land improvement permit is active) and asked about technology for stalled communications between contractors and the city. Director Brands confirmed the department is expanding automated email notifications for permit review delays and clarified that the "one-stop" permit structure is intended to streamline private provider workflows rather than create loopholes.
    • Councilor Gibson: Confirmed receipt of the final authority status for the committee on these zoning matters.
  • Capital Station Apartments (Proposal 335):
    • Counselor Cahill (District 5): Expressed strong support, highlighting the unique nature of the proposal where the city will begin earning tax revenue from a property that was previously fully tax-exempt, framing it as a proactive preservation effort rather than a subsidy for disrepair.
    • Kevin Deegan (United Church Homes): Stated that the rehabilitation over $7 million ensures 30 years of affordability, with resident rents remaining flat as they constitute only a portion of the total rent covered by HUD Section 8.
  • Promenade at the Square (Proposal 336):
    • Councilor Evans: Expressed high enthusiasm for the project's 100% solar energy coverage (covering all utilities for residents) and comprehensive amenities, stating it is a model project the city should emulate.
    • Counselor DeLeon: Asked about Wi-Fi connectivity funding; the presenter clarified that the owner partnership is responsible for all utility and Wi-Fi costs for the duration of the tax credit life.
  • Walnut Ridge Apartments (Proposal 337):
    • Counselor Gibson: Expressed pleasure at the acquisition of the property after foreclosure and the commitment to keeping long-term senior residents housed. He reiterated the need for more affordable properties to sustain the community.
    • Sarah Ford (Wallet Communities): Explained that without the PILOT pilot and new tax credits, the property would have converted to market rate, permanently displacing long-term senior residents.

Key Outcomes

  • Votes Cast: All 8 proposals (Proposals 309, 311, 313, 332, 333, 334, 335, 336, 337) passed unanimously with a motion to approve, a second, and an "Aye" vote from the entire committee.
  • Directives:
    • The Downtown EED adopted a new assessment rate of 0.1638% for 2026 to align with increased assessed values, targeting $5.5 million in revenue.
    • The Department of Business and Neighborhood Services is authorized to implement the "one-stop" permit and extend permit durations to one year as of January 2026.
    • The Marion County Recorder is authorized to use interest income from the Indiana Trust account for non-political advertising campaigns.
  • Next Steps: The committee adjourned with no further business. The approved projects are scheduled for implementation and construction beginning in early 2026, with the Promenade at the Square breaking ground in Q1 2026.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening. I will now call to order the Metropolitan and Economic Development Committee to order for Monday, November the 17th. We'll begin with introductions of my colleagues on the first row. Thank you, Madam Leader. Derek Cadill, District 23. Thank you, Madam Leader. Michael Paul Hart, District 20. Thank you, Madam Chair. Paul and A, District 22. Thank you, Madam Leader. Kristen Jones, District 18. Thank you, Madam Leader Brienne Delaney, District 2. Thank you, Madam Leader Nick Roberts, District 4. Thank you, Madam Leader Ron Gibson, District 8. Good evening. Thank you, Council or Madam Leader, Councillor Jared Evans, representing District 17. Thank you, Counselors. My name is Maggie Lewis, District 5. We do have a full agenda this evening. Counselors, there are snacks in the back for your convenience. Also, for our presenters, we ask that you be as precise as possible this evening. Again, we have an extremely full agenda this evening. Would you like to introduce yourself, sir? Thank you, Madam Leader. Lee Y Robinson, District 1. Apologies for being 30 seconds late. I'm being timely. First item on our agenda is proposal number 309, reappoints David Baker to the Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission. If you would like to come forward and state why you're interested in uh continuing to serve in this capacity. Good evening, and thank you for having me here tonight. Before we I retired in 2018, I worked for the Preservation Commission for 35 years as its staff administrator. Then after the uh death of longtime Commission member Jim Kinley three years ago, I was appointed to finish out his term. I can say that it's been a great honor to, after working all those years for the Preservation Commission, to now sit on the other side of the table and serve on the commission. If I'm reappointed tonight, I certainly would be honored and look forward to serving another term. Thank you. Thank you so much for being present. Are there any questions from counselors? Is there anyone in the audience that wishes to speak to proposal 309? CNN, I entertain a motion. So move, Madam Chair. Second. The motion has been properly moved and second. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Those opposed, same sign. The motion carries thank you so much for your willingness to serve. The next item on our agenda is proposal number 311. Reappoints Kathy Good to the Marion County Property Tax Assessment Board of Appeals. Ms. Kathy.

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