New Albany Indiana City Council Regular Session – May 21, 2026

The New Albany City Council held its regular session on Thursday, May 21, 2026, with all nine members present. The council approved the previous meeting's minutes, heard council and mayoral communications, and took action on three ordinances: opioid settlement funding for cooling stations, a hazardous tree abatement and assistance program, and an extension of the multifamily and short-term rental moratorium.

Opening and Routine Business

• The meeting opened with a moment of prayer or reflection and the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll call showed all members present: Mrs. Collier, Mr. Phipps, Mr. Fitzgerald, Mrs. Goman, Mr. Blair, Mrs. Griffith, Mrs. Murphy, Mr. Unrue, and President Dickey.
• The minutes of the previous meeting were approved unanimously by roll call.

Council and Mayoral Communications

• Mr. Unrue announced a free summer lunch program for children under 18, offered by the New Albany Floyd County School Corporation with the City of New Albany Parks Department, from 12:00 to 12:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, June 2 through July 24, at four locations. Parks Department recreation information and signups were directed to NAParksandRec.com.
• President Dickey congratulated graduates at Floyd Central and New Albany High School on May 31 and promoted the June 20 Taco Walk sponsored by New Albany Main Street.
• Mrs. Griffith highlighted the Tourism digital passport for the city's 250th anniversary and the cultural pass available through the Floyd County Library and Carnegie Center.
• Mrs. Goman reported on the Strong Towns Conference held in Arkansas, describing the organization's emphasis on financial accountability, small incremental city improvements, safer streets, and incremental housing and zoning reform.
• Mr. Fitzgerald and Mr. Phipps reminded the council about Memorial Day. Mr. Fitzgerald also noted the River Run would be opening that week.
• President Dickey and Mrs. Murphy attended the IUS mid-year economic update, which President Dickey described as mostly positive, with the regional unemployment rate lower on the New Albany side of the river. He offered to share the presentation.
• Mr. Hall, speaking for the mayor, announced the Memorial Day service with the VFW at the Market Street Memorial at 11 a.m., with a rain location at the VFW on Grand Line Road. He also announced the Bicentennial Park Summer Concert Series on Fridays from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., except July 3, when the celebration would move to the riverfront for America 250.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made on the hazardous tree ordinance, G-26-04.
• During public comment on G-26-03, Daniel Harris, from the two-mile fringe area, asked whether the tree ordinance just approved applied outside the city limits and gave an example involving trees allegedly damaging a required privacy fence at a car wash on State Street. President Dickey replied that the tree program would apply only within the city's corporate limits and that fence and zoning enforcement issues would be handled through the Plan Commission.
• Zachary White, 1937 East Spring Street, opposed the moratorium extension. He argued the zoning code update timeline did not require an extension, that multifamily projects already take 9 to 12 months of pre-planning plus 8 to 18 months of pre-design, and that an extension could delay new multifamily housing and rent relief until around 2030.
• Mr. Phipps, responding for the petitioner, said it remained prudent to finish the zoning code first so developers would not invest in projects that might not be allowed under the new code. He estimated the new zoning code could be in place by around January 1, with the option to repeal the moratorium later.

Discussion Items

A-26-02 – Opioid Settlement Funds for Cooling Stations (Second Reading)

• Ms. Collier introduced the ordinance appropriating unrestricted opioid settlement funds for the cooling stations being operated at Colberts Baptist Church this year. The Public Health and Welfare Committee had met the previous afternoon and recommended approval in concept, with amendments to be prepared for third reading.
• Committee discussion included Pastor Paul Schneider, Pastor Danny Russell of Colberts Baptist Church, and Becky Romans of Hope Southern Indiana. Hope later confirmed it was willing to help administer the funds. The cooling stations were scheduled to open June 1.
• Planned amendments included a trigger for days when the heat index exceeds 95 degrees Fahrenheit, substance abuse case management services at the cooling stations, removal of the word "incurred" to allow an upfront payment, and a total cap of up to $7,500 from the unrestricted opioid settlement fund. The funds would be used for transportation, water, snacks, and staffing.
• Mr. Blair asked about the unrestricted fund balance. The reported balance was $27,664, with more than $20,000 expected to remain after the proposed $7,500 appropriation.
• The committee also discussed, but did not act legislatively on, the closure of the county library food pantry. Becky Romans reported that 563 individuals were being served by the library pantry each month. A $10,000 appropriation was estimated to cover only about 160 families, roughly a quarter of those served. President Dickey noted the pantry issue was not germane to the ordinance before the council.
• The second reading passed unanimously, 9-0.

G-26-04 – Hazardous Tree Abatement and Assistance Program (Second Reading)

• Ms. Collier and President Dickey carried the ordinance, with Mr. Fitzgerald seconding. The Public Works Committee had worked on the measure for roughly six months and approved it on a 2-1 vote, with Mr. Blair voting against the assistance program only.
• The ordinance amends Chapter 97 to allow property owners to object to the amount charged for nuisance abatement and Chapter 100 to allow objections to a hazardous tree determination and to the amount charged. It also creates a hazardous tree removal assistance program for income-qualified owner-occupants, excluding commercial properties and rental landlords.
• City staff explained the process: the city bills the owner directly, and unpaid charges can be placed on the county tax roll after about 60 days. Forced foreclosure would require the city to file a civil lawsuit under Indiana's judicial foreclosure process. Multiple council members expressed concern about ensuring homeowners do not lose their homes over a tree removal bill.
• Discussion noted that removing large legacy trees can cost $5,000 to $10,000, with about $5,000 just to fell a tree.
• Mr. Blair opposed the financial assistance program, arguing private property maintenance is the owner's responsibility and that the city is already helping by removing hazardous trees and allowing deferred, interest-free payment until sale. He also raised concern that the proposed 200% federal guideline threshold could make even some council members eligible. Ms. Collier responded that the application process should review the applicant's full financial situation, not just income.
• President Dickey noted the Board of Public Works would administer the program and could set maximum assistance amounts and require or waive co-pays. The council agreed that amendments could be offered at third reading. The program would have zero funding until included in a future budget.
• The second reading passed 8-1, with Mr. Blair voting no. Mrs. Griffith voted yes but said she would vote no at third reading if the amendments were not satisfactory.

G-26-03 – Extension of Moratorium on Multifamily and Short-Term Rentals (Third/Final Reading)

• Mr. Phipps presented the third and final reading of the ordinance extending the temporary moratorium on construction of non-owner-occupied multifamily housing structures and on issuance of permits for short-term rentals under ordinance G-24-02. Mr. Unrue seconded.
• After public comment and discussion, the council voted 6-3 to approve the extension. Voting aye were Mrs. Collier, Mr. Phipps, Mr. Blair, Mrs. Murphy, Mr. Unrue, and President Dickey. Voting no were Mr. Fitzgerald, Mrs. Goman, and Mrs. Griffith.
• The bill passed and became Ordinance G-26-06.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes were approved unanimously.
• A-26-02 passed second reading unanimously; amendments for the heat index trigger, case management services, upfront payment, and $7,500 cap will be prepared for third reading.
• G-26-04 passed second reading 8-1; amendments to the hazardous tree assistance program will be considered at third reading.
• G-26-03 passed third and final reading 6-3 and became Ordinance G-26-06, extending the moratorium.
• The meeting adjourned by unanimous motion.