OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Indianapolis City-County Council Meeting - May 4, 2026: Resolutions on Political Violence, Data Centers, and Curfew Extension

City-County Council — Monday, May 4, 2026
BodyIndianapolis, Indiana
SessionCity-County Council
DateMonday, May 4, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:16:34

Transcript — Verbatim
0:09

Good evening.

0:10

We'll now call the meeting to order of the City County Council for May 4, 2026.

0:16

We begin our meeting with a prayer and pledge of allegiance led by Councillor Hart.

0:38

Dear Lord, thank you this evening for bringing us all together safety safely.

0:44

In a place of presence, we uh we need your your your your your help to get us through this evening to give us thoughts and give us the ability to make sure that we're making all the right decisions for our constituents to make sure that we're thinking through things logically and making sure that we've got the abilities to do what we need to do and fulfill our oaths.

1:03

Lord, thank you for bringing all these people here today, both safely and being able to return them home safely.

1:08

Um it takes a lot to get here during the days and uh with your guidance and your wisdom.

1:12

I hope that you make the best of all of us today.

1:14

In your name we pray, amen.

1:17

I pledge allegiance 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.

2:20

I'm sorry, Councilor Brown, they said you had your hand up.

2:23

I apologize.

2:24

Sorry, you didn't see me.

2:25

Uh thank you, Madam President.

2:26

Just wanted to acknowledge the members of the Protect Indiana Coalition from I think I see people from Decatur, uh, Pike, and Franklin Township here tonight.

2:34

Thank you.

2:34

And Martin Del Brightwood.

2:36

Thank you, Councilor Brown.

2:38

Official communications, Madam Clerk.

2:40

Thank you, Madam President.

2:42

Ladies and gentlemen, you are hereby notified the regular meetings of the City County Council, police, fire, and solid waste collection special special service district councils will be held in the city county building in the public assembly room on Monday, May 4th, 2026 at 7 o'clock p.m.

3:00

The purposes of such meetings being to conduct any and all business that may come properly before regular meetings of the council.

3:07

Sincerely, Maggie A.

3:08

Lewis, President City County Council.

3:12

Ladies and gentlemen, pursuant to the laws of the state of Indiana, I call to be published in the Court and Commercial Record and in the Indianapolis Star on Friday, April 10th, 2026, a copy of a notice of public hearing on proposal number one zero seven, two thousand twenty-six, said hearing to be held on Tuesday, April 21st, 2026, at 530 p.m.

3:34

in the public assembly room of the City County Building.

3:39

Ladies and gentlemen, I have approved with my signature and delivered this day to the clerk of the City County Council, Yolanda Winfield, the following ordinances.

3:48

Special ordinance number one, two thousand twenty-six, general ordinance numbers twenty-three through thirty-nine, two thousand twenty-six, general resolution resolution numbers seven and eight, two thousand twenty-six, and special resolution numbers seven and eight, two thousand twenty-six.

4:05

Joseph H.

4:05

Hogset Mayor.

4:07

Madam President, this concludes the official communications.

4:10

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

4:11

The next item on our agenda is the approval of the journals for April 6th, 2026.

4:15

Do I have consent?

4:16

We'll now proceed to presentations at Petitions, Memorial Special Resolutions, and Council Resolutions.

4:21

Proposal number 141 introduced by I'm sorry, it's not on my agenda.

4:31

We're going to go back.

4:32

I apologize, trying to move too fast.

4:33

Do I have uh consent for adoption of the agenda?

4:37

Thank you.

4:38

Thank you, madam counsel.

4:39

Now we're proceed to presentations at petitions, memorials, special resolutions and council resolutions.

4:44

Proposal number one forty-one, introduced by Councilor Roberts, Lewis, Barth, Evans, Maori, Allen, Ane, Bain, Boots, Brown, Cahill, Delaney, Dilk, Gibson, Graves, Hart, Jones, Mascary, McCormick, Nilsen, Osselee, Perkins, and Robinson.

5:27

So hello, everybody.

5:29

Uh, thank you all.

5:30

Uh, I wanted to write a special resolution here, along with bipartisan members of both parties, to really just uh make clear that the council stands against all political violence.

5:39

It is shocking how much I hear concern from our residents about everything going on, and there are really countless examples locally, on the state level, nationally of this happening to both parties.

5:50

So I really thought it was very important for people to see very visibly the members of this council were against all political violence and political rhetoric unequivocally.

5:58

So, with that being said, this is City County Council special resolution number nine, twenty twenty-six.

6:03

A special resolution condemning all forms of political violence and reaffirming the council's commitment to a safe, civil and peaceful democracy where violent rhetoric and acts are not tolerated.

6:14

Whereas in the last decade, citizens have witnessed an escalating pattern of politically motivated violence across the country, targeting leaders and public figures across the political spectrum, and whereas democracy depends upon the peaceful contest of ideas and is not well served by intimidation and acts of violence, but rather through debate, dialogue, respect, and civil discourse.

6:41

And whereas whereas acts of political violence and threats against elected officials and candidates and public figures undermine the safety of those who serve, the trust and governed and the integrity of the democratic institutions.

6:59

And whereas and whereas in October of 2025, the United States Conference of Mayors signed a declaration that the American experiment requires acceptance of pluralism.

7:14

There will always be others who hold it, who hold different views than you.

7:18

Compromise outcomes will reflect many views.

7:21

Your preferences will never be adopted exactly as you desired.

7:25

And persuasion, if you want maximum adoption of your views, you must convince people of their merit, which occurs via political arguments that change minds, not the threat of violence.

7:38

Whereas such violence or threats, whether carried out or attempted, strike at the heart of representative democracy, impede free speech, discourage civic engagement, and endanger the legitimacy and efficient functioning of government.

7:53

Such threats and acts of violence attack the life and liberty of our representatives as well as the right of the people to be represented.

8:00

Now, therefore, just be it resolved by the City County Council of the City of Indianapolis and of Marion County, Indiana, the Indianapolis, Marion County, City County Council condemns all forms of political violence of public officials, candidates, and public figures, regardless of political party or ideology.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural██████████████████████████████████34%
Public Safety████████████████████████████████32%
Youth Programs█████████████13%
Zoning and Land Use█████████9%
Mental Health Awareness███████7%
Economic Development██2%
Affordable Housing██2%
Technology and Innovation█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Indianapolis City-County Council Meeting - May 4, 2026

The Indianapolis City-County Council met on Monday, May 4, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. in the Public Assembly Room of the City-County Building. The meeting included the adoption of several special resolutions, committee reports, and final votes on key items, notably a resolution condemning political violence, a resolution urging a temporary stay on data center approvals, and a controversial extension of the juvenile curfew ordinance. The meeting began with a prayer and pledge of allegiance led by Councillor Hart, followed by official communications and approval of the agenda.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of Journals: The journals for April 6, 2026, were approved by unanimous consent.
  • Proposal 144 (Disclosure): Councilor Delaney submitted a required disclosure form under IC 36-1-21-5 regarding a contract with a relative; no further action needed.
  • Committee Reports – Appointments:
    • Proposal 73: Reappointed Maggie A. Lewis to the Capital Improvement Board (passed 22-0).
    • Proposal 74: Appointed Brianne Delaney to the Early Intervention Planning Council (passed 21-0, 1 abstention).
    • Proposal 75: Appointed Jasmine Tucker to the Citizens Police Complaint Board (passed 23-0).
    • Proposals 102-105: Reappointed Kenneth Allen, Jeffrey Gaither, Gregory W. Porter, and Marshawn Wally to the Indianapolis Commission on African American Males (each passed 23-0).
  • Final Adoptions – Tax Abatements and Land Purchases:
    • Proposal 97: Tax abatement for TC Heartland LLC (Heartland Food Products Group) – passed 23-0.
    • Proposal 98: Tax abatement for TAG Midwest Properties LLC – passed 23-0.
    • Proposals 100 and 101: Land purchases for DPW projects (Mickley Avenue Detention and Washington Street Reconstruction) – passed unanimously by voice vote.
  • Proposal 107: Fiscal impact statement for the AFSCME Council 962 collective bargaining agreement with the Indianapolis Fire Department – accepted as submitted.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • No public comments from non-council members were heard during the meeting. Several council members referenced community input during debate, but no formal public testimony was taken.

Discussion Items

  • Proposal 141 – Resolution Condemning Political Violence: Introduced by Councilor Roberts and co-sponsored by nearly all council members, this special resolution condemned all forms of political violence, reaffirmed commitment to civil discourse, and called on leaders to reject dehumanizing rhetoric. The mayor also signed the resolution. It passed unanimously by voice vote. Councilor Roberts emphasized the resolution's timing ahead of Election Day (May 5, 2026) and the need for visible unity against political violence.
  • Proposal 142 – Mental Health Awareness Month: A special resolution recognizing May as Mental Health Awareness Month, highlighting that mental health conditions affect one in five adults nationally, over 1.2 million adults in Indiana, and an estimated 160,000 Marion County residents. Sponsored by Councilor Allen, it passed unanimously. Shania Felder spoke on behalf of mental health professionals.
  • Proposal 143 – Hope Academy 20th Anniversary: A resolution recognizing Hope Academy, a school for students in recovery from alcohol and drug addiction. Councilor Jones and Councilor Cahill noted that 94% of Hope Academy graduates go on to post-secondary education. Passed unanimously.
  • Proposal 158 – Data Center Resolution: Councilors Jay Brown and Wells introduced a special resolution urging the Metropolitan Development Commission (MDC) to implement a temporary stay on approvals for new data centers until May 7, 2027, or until a new special use district (SU 47) is adopted. The resolution cited that Marshall County has a permanent ban and 11 other Indiana counties have moratoriums. Councilor Hart criticized the resolution as political theater, noting it is not a binding moratorium. Majority Leader Evans clarified it is a statement of policy only. The resolution passed by voice vote.
  • Proposal 159 – Rezoning Call-Down: Councilor Evans called down rezoning case 2025-ZON-126 (3441 West Washington Street) for a public hearing at the next regular meeting on June 1, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. The motion carried.
  • Rezoning Call-Down Motion Ruled Out of Order: Councilor Brown moved to call down two rezoning cases for hearing, citing Indiana Code 36-7-4-608C. The Parliamentarian ruled the motion out of order as contrary to state law; the chair upheld the ruling.
  • Proposal 99 – Curfew Extension: Chief Terry presented the request to extend the public safety curfew hours. She reported that overall gun violence is down over 20% in homicides and over 16% in non-fatal shootings year-to-date, but the percentage of juvenile victims has increased over 3% in homicides and over 4% in non-fatal shootings. She cited specific incidents, including a 13-year-old with a machine-gun-conversion device and AR-style pistol at 1:30 a.m., and a fatal shooting of a 15-year-old and 16-year-old on July 4, 2025. The curfew is intended as a preventive tool, with a “connection center” to link youth to resources, not arrest. Councilors debated: Councilor Allen and Councilor Jay Brown opposed, arguing youth voices were not included and that systemic investments are needed; Councilor Graves questioned whether most crimes occur during curfew hours; Chairwoman McCormick urged focus on youth programming. The curfew extension passed 21-2.
  • Proposal 95 – Affordable Housing PILOT (707 North Apartments): Approved a payment in lieu of taxes for a 40-unit affordable housing project at 707 East North Street. Passed 22-1.

Key Outcomes

  • Adopted Special Resolutions: Condemning political violence, recognizing Mental Health Awareness Month, honoring Hope Academy, and urging data center regulation.
  • Curfew Extension Passed (21-2): The council approved extending the juvenile curfew hours; two council members (Allen and Jay Brown) voted no.
  • Rezoning Hearing Scheduled: Proposal 159 (rezoning 3441 West Washington Street) will have a public hearing on June 1, 2026.
  • Appointments Approved: Multiple board and commission appointments were confirmed.
  • Tax Abatements and Land Purchases Approved: All final adoption items passed with near-unanimous support.
  • Adjournment: The meeting adjourned with a motion honoring deceased individuals: Robert L. Bonner Sr., James E. Parker, Lori E. Cassen, Reverend Greg Durham, Gary Reisner, Carol Hooker, Sharon Bradley, Barb Johnson, Ingra Castillone, and Bill Schneider.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening. We'll now call the meeting to order of the City County Council for May 4, 2026. We begin our meeting with a prayer and pledge of allegiance led by Councillor Hart. Dear Lord, thank you this evening for bringing us all together safety safely. In a place of presence, we uh we need your your your your your help to get us through this evening to give us thoughts and give us the ability to make sure that we're making all the right decisions for our constituents to make sure that we're thinking through things logically and making sure that we've got the abilities to do what we need to do and fulfill our oaths. Lord, thank you for bringing all these people here today, both safely and being able to return them home safely. Um it takes a lot to get here during the days and uh with your guidance and your wisdom. I hope that you make the best of all of us today. In your name we pray, amen. I pledge allegiance 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. I'm sorry, Councilor Brown, they said you had your hand up. I apologize. Sorry, you didn't see me. Uh thank you, Madam President. Just wanted to acknowledge the members of the Protect Indiana Coalition from I think I see people from Decatur, uh, Pike, and Franklin Township here tonight. Thank you. And Martin Del Brightwood. Thank you, Councilor Brown. Official communications, Madam Clerk. Thank you, Madam President. Ladies and gentlemen, you are hereby notified the regular meetings of the City County Council, police, fire, and solid waste collection special special service district councils will be held in the city county building in the public assembly room on Monday, May 4th, 2026 at 7 o'clock p.m. The purposes of such meetings being to conduct any and all business that may come properly before regular meetings of the council. Sincerely, Maggie A. Lewis, President City County Council. Ladies and gentlemen, pursuant to the laws of the state of Indiana, I call to be published in the Court and Commercial Record and in the Indianapolis Star on Friday, April 10th, 2026, a copy of a notice of public hearing on proposal number one zero seven, two thousand twenty-six, said hearing to be held on Tuesday, April 21st, 2026, at 530 p.m. in the public assembly room of the City County Building. Ladies and gentlemen, I have approved with my signature and delivered this day to the clerk of the City County Council, Yolanda Winfield, the following ordinances. Special ordinance number one, two thousand twenty-six, general ordinance numbers twenty-three through thirty-nine, two thousand twenty-six, general resolution resolution numbers seven and eight, two thousand twenty-six, and special resolution numbers seven and eight, two thousand twenty-six. Joseph H. Hogset Mayor. Madam President, this concludes the official communications. Thank you, Madam Clerk. The next item on our agenda is the approval of the journals for April 6th, 2026. Do I have consent? We'll now proceed to presentations at Petitions, Memorial Special Resolutions, and Council Resolutions. Proposal number 141 introduced by I'm sorry, it's not on my agenda. We're going to go back. I apologize, trying to move too fast. Do I have uh consent for adoption of the agenda? Thank you. Thank you, madam counsel. Now we're proceed to presentations at petitions, memorials, special resolutions and council resolutions. Proposal number one forty-one, introduced by Councilor Roberts, Lewis, Barth, Evans, Maori, Allen, Ane, Bain, Boots, Brown, Cahill, Delaney, Dilk, Gibson, Graves, Hart, Jones, Mascary, McCormick, Nilsen, Osselee, Perkins, and Robinson. So hello, everybody. Uh, thank you all. Uh, I wanted to write a special resolution here, along with bipartisan members of both parties, to really just uh make clear that the council stands against all political violence. It is shocking how much I hear concern from our residents about everything going on, and there are really countless examples locally, on the state level, nationally of this happening to both parties. So I really thought it was very important for people to see very visibly the members of this council were against all political violence and political rhetoric unequivocally. So, with that being said, this is City County Council special resolution number nine, twenty twenty-six. A special resolution condemning all forms of political violence and reaffirming the council's commitment to a safe, civil and peaceful democracy where violent rhetoric and acts are not tolerated.

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