New Albany City Council Meeting – July 6, 2026

The New Albany City Council held its regular meeting on Monday, July 6, 2026, at 12:00 PM. All members were present except Mrs. Collier. The meeting covered approvals, committee reports, public comments, and second readings of two ordinances: one designating opioid settlement funds and one establishing a moratorium on data center construction.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes of June 18, 2026: Approved unanimously after a light‑hearted correction about a World Cup prediction.

Public Comments & Testimony

• David McGowan (2213 Bueller Street) – Identified as a 20‑year data center veteran. He noted that modern data centers use closed‑loop cooling (not loud), but backup generator testing is extremely loud. He expressed concern that citizens bear infrastructure costs while corporations benefit, arguing that corporations should pay for the costs they create. He offered to answer further questions.

• Becky Roman (Executive Director, Hope Southern Indiana) – Provided statistics on food insecurity: a 22% increase in need over the past year and over 100 new families accessing the pantry each month. The proposed opioid settlement funds would serve approximately 125 additional people. She noted that the library pantry’s loss of USDA donations has increased demand on other pantries.

Discussion Items

• Communications from Council Members

  • Mr. Fitzgerald – Updated on a persistent noise complaint from a hospital chiller that has not been resolved; the hospital has pushed back, claiming their lifesaving mission takes priority. He vowed continued attention for Barton Drive residents.
  • Ms. Goleman – Reported on a Fourth of July reading of the Declaration of Independence (76 attendees, youngest age 7). Noted that the cooling station still lacks promised funds and bus passes; requested committee action. Also announced a food drive and a Civic Saturday cleanup on State Street.
  • Mr. Blair – Thanked the city for the Fourth of July celebration. Reported on the initial MUST (Municipal Unit Strategic Task Force) work session, which is studying local income tax implementation (non‑binding plan due by 2029). Stressed the need for city involvement and coordination with the county.
  • Ms. Griffith – Echoed concerns about the hospital noise issue. Reminded of an upcoming public traffic meeting on Thursday at the library. Thanked code enforcement and the street department for addressing tall grass and related complaints.
  • Ms. Murphy – Thanked organizers for the Fourth of July event and urged residents to register to vote and stay informed.
  • Mr. Everett – Announced a Kentucky Science Center program on July 17 at the Griffin Center, and that the river run still has openings for water exercise. He updated on the hospital noise issue, noting that enforcement actions are being considered and that the administration is working to improve the hospital‑neighborhood relationship. He also reported that cooling center funds should be delivered by the end of the week.

• Communications from the Mayor (via city attorney) – Thanked the council for supporting the Fourth of July event. Acknowledged the council’s willingness to address data centers. The city attorney noted that the noise ordinance likely needs updating (currently 30–40 years old) and that enforcement can only go so far without updated standards.

• Reports from Committees – The Public Safety and Traffic Committee announced a quarterly listening session on Thursday, July 9, at 6:00 PM at the library to hear resident concerns.

• Ordinance A2603 (Second Reading) – Opioid Settlement Funds

  • Introduced by Ms. Murphy. The ordinance allocates unrestricted opioid settlement funds to Hope Southern Indiana to support their food pantry, in response to cuts at the Floyd County Library food pantry. Becky Roman provided need statistics. Council members discussed the impact of pantry closures and the importance of sustaining food access. Unanimous approval (7‑0, with Collier absent).

• Ordinance Z2602 (Second Reading) – Data Center Moratorium

  • Introduced by Ms. Murphy. The ordinance imposes a one‑year moratorium on new data center construction to allow study and development of appropriate regulations. It was previously approved by the Development and Annexation Committee and the Plan Commission. Mr. Fitzgerald noted the proactive approach. City planner Mr. Wood added that public comments are running 9‑to‑1 in opposition, and that the moratorium will cover different scales of data centers (from large to small distributed units). Councilmembers discussed ensuring that corporations bear infrastructure costs and that decommissioning is addressed. Unanimous approval (7‑0, with Collier absent).

Key Outcomes

• Minutes approved unanimously.
• A2603 (opioid settlement funds for Hope Southern Indiana) passed second reading unanimously (7‑0) with final passage scheduled for the next meeting.
• Z2602 (data center moratorium) passed second reading unanimously (7‑0) with final passage scheduled for the next meeting.
• The council noted ongoing noise issues with the hospital and potential enforcement actions.
• Cooling station funds are expected to be delivered by the end of the week.
• The MUST task force on local income tax will hold its kickoff meeting July 9; city representatives will participate.