New Albany Common Council Regular Meeting - June 1, 2026

The New Albany Common Council met in regular session on June 1, 2026, with Council President Adam Dickey presiding. Roll call showed a quorum present; Councilmember Elaine Murphy was absent. No minutes were approved because the clerk requested additional time due to the short turnaround between meetings. The council approved two third-reading ordinances, one appropriating opioid settlement funds for a cooling station and one establishing hazardous tree abatement procedures and a tree removal assistance program. It also approved a board appointment and heard council announcements. No members of the public signed up to speak.

Council Announcements

• Council President Dickey congratulated new high school graduates, recognized Pride Month, encouraged support for the upcoming 4-H Fair near Green Valley Road, and advised that Claire Johnson will present on build-operate-transfer projects at the next meeting.
• Councilmember Collier said she intends to schedule a committee meeting to place an item on the next regular agenda.
• Councilmember Phipps noted June is LGBTQ+ Pride Month and that Southern Indiana Pride will be held Saturday in Clarksville.
• Councilmember Gohmann urged drivers to watch for children now that school is out and noted the library's summer feeding program provides lunch to children up to age 18.
• Councilmember Griffith mentioned Taco Walk is scheduled for June 20.
• Councilmember Unruh reminded residents of the Farmers Market on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon on Market Street, the Bicentennial Park free summer concert series on Fridays at 6:30 p.m., and the 4-H Fair.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No one signed up to speak during the public comment periods for the opioid settlement funds item, the hazardous tree ordinance, or non-agenda items.

Discussion Items

Opioid Settlement Funds Appropriation (A-26-02)

• Councilmember Collier introduced A-26-02, an ordinance appropriating from unrestricted opioid settlement funds. She stated the Public Health and Welfare Committee unanimously recommended approval to help fund the cooling station at Colgate Baptist Church, including a coordinator, snacks, water, and transportation, primarily from the downtown area.
• Councilmembers adopted amendments, moved by Councilmember FitzGerald and seconded by Councilmember Gohmann, that added details: the cooling station would operate in June, July, and August from 2 p.m. on any day when the heat index exceeds 95 degrees Fahrenheit; the population served would include those receiving services such as substance abuse case management services; and up to $7,500 from the opioid settlement unrestricted fund would be used for actual cooling center costs for New Albany residents, specifically transportation, water, snacks, and staffing.
• One councilmember asked whether September should also be included because hot weather can extend into September; it was stated the facility indicated June through August. The amendments passed by voice vote.
• On third reading, the amended ordinance passed with all present members voting in favor. Bill A-26-02 became Ordinance A-26-06.

Hazardous Tree Ordinance (G-26-04)

• Councilmember Collier introduced G-26-04, an ordinance amending Chapters 97 and 100 of Title IX of the Code of New Albany to establish an objection and hearing process for costs assessed for hazardous tree abatement and to create a Hazardous Tree Removal Assistance Program.
• Councilmember Griffith expressed concern about Section 3, the financial assistance program, because it was not funded in the current budget year and she preferred to address it during budget season. Councilmember Collier explained the initial budget would be zero, funding could be considered in the next budget cycle, and the program would take effect January 1.
• Discussion covered program requirements: a tree must be deemed hazardous through the process, the applicant must be the property owner, the property must be in the city, and household income must be at or below 200% of federal poverty guidelines with verification. Administration representative Linda stated that if funds were not in the 2026 budget, a special appropriation or other Board of Works budget options would be needed.
• Councilmember Blair opposed the financial assistance program, arguing it would use general fund dollars for maintenance on private property, that assessed costs could become deferred liens, and that he was not aware of other communities funding hazardous tree removal of this kind. He moved to strike Section 3 and the related title reference, but the amendment failed by a 2-6 vote, with Blair and Griffith voting yes and Collier, Phipps, FitzGerald, Gohmann, Unruh, and Dickey voting no.
• Councilmembers who favored keeping Section 3 argued that passing the ordinance now would allow a budget line item to be considered in the upcoming budget cycle and that the application process could mirror the existing CDBG emergency repair program. It was also noted that CDBG funding would require future compliance review and action plan changes.
• On third reading, the original ordinance passed 6-2, with Blair and Griffith voting no. Bill G-26-04 became Ordinance G-26-07.

Board Appointment

• The council approved an appointment to the Floyd County Economic Development Commission. Council President Dickey noted Sam Charbonneau has served on that body for several years and that the county attorney was awaiting the council's response. The motion by Councilmember FitzGerald was seconded by Councilmember Collier and passed by voice vote.

Key Outcomes

• Ordinance A-26-06 passed: appropriation of up to $7,500 from unrestricted opioid settlement funds for the Colgate Baptist Church cooling station, passed on third reading with all present members voting in favor.
• Ordinance G-26-07 passed: hazardous tree abatement objection/hearing process and Hazardous Tree Removal Assistance Program, passed on third reading 6-2, with Blair and Griffith opposed and Murphy absent.
• Amendment to remove the financial assistance program from G-26-04 failed 2-6.
• The Floyd County Economic Development Commission appointment was approved by voice vote.
• No minutes were approved; the meeting adjourned after the regular agenda was completed.