New Albany City Council Regular Meeting - September 10, 2026

The New Albany City Council held its regular meeting on Thursday, September 10, 2026, at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers at City Hall. The meeting covered approval of minutes, committee reports, public comments, and key legislative items including the 2027 budget ordinances (introduced on first reading and tabled for second reading), second reading of an animal sales ordinance (G-26-05), and third reading of a public way vacation ordinance (Z-26-01). All council members were present except Chris FitzGerald and Scott Blair.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approved: The council approved the Public Hearing Minutes and Regular Meeting Minutes from August 20, 2026, via a motion by Elaine Murphy, seconded by Louise Gohmann, passed unanimously (7-0).
• Tabling of Budget Ordinances: A motion to table second reading of the four budget ordinances (A-26-04, A-26-05, A-26-06, A-26-07) to the next meeting (September 17, 2026) was made and seconded, passing unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Mindy Johnson (1573 Meadow Lane): Speaking on behalf of the Southern Indiana Animal Welfare Watchdogs (SIAWW), expressed strong support for the animal sales ordinance (G-26-05) and its safeguards (licensing, inspections, source disclosure, medical records, vaccination standards). She urged the council to include milestone-based veterinary examinations (upon arrival and at sale) and to require disclosure of both breeder and broker information (using "and" instead of "or"). She also highlighted the importance of banning sipper tubes/water bottles as the sole water source for dogs/cats.
• John R. Fouts (710 Culverts Avenue): Addressed the council during non-agenda public comments. He reported severe identity theft, mail tampering, and computer trespass, and alleged that the New Albany Police Department (NAPD) produced a falsified incident report (case #26-02640) minimizing the crimes. He requested the council to direct NAPD to create a non-fraudulent report, properly investigate, and restore safety. He submitted a packet of evidence including email tracking and officer transcripts. Council members noted the sensitivity of the information and agreed to safeguard the documents and review handling procedures.

Discussion Items

Budget and Finance Committee (2027 Budget Ordinances)

• A-26-04 (General Fund) and A-26-05 (Non-Reverting Budgets): Introduced by Don Unruh. The 2027 budget fully funds essential services (police, fire, streets, parks), includes a 5% raise for city and union employees, consolidates line items for transparency, and allocates approximately $6 million for paving and infrastructure. The budget is balanced with expected revenues. Council member Stefanie Griffith raised questions about line-item changes, salary reallocations (e.g., public safety local income tax transfers), and the handling of election costs ($400,000 budgeted for municipal elections). City Attorney Shane Gibson and Controller Linda answered questions, confirming the bottom line will not be exceeded.
• A-26-06 (Employee Salaries) and A-26-07 (Elected Officials Salaries): Introduced by Elaine Murphy. Both ordinances provide a 5% raise for non-union city employees and elected officials to address inflation. Discussion included: two positions not receiving raises (redevelopment director – a technicality, and vacant city housing coordinator), a few positions with higher than 5% increases (e.g., part-time/seasonal staff up to $30/hour for specialized expertise), and the removal of the TIF officer and rental inspector positions due to reorganization. Council clarified that the 5% raise is across the board for all covered employees.
• Process: The committee of the whole agreed to advance all four budget ordinances to second reading at the September 17 meeting, with no additional committee of the whole session. Council members were encouraged to submit questions in advance.

Second Reading – Animal Sales Ordinance (G-26-05)

• Introduction: Co-sponsored by Louise Gohmann and Scott Blair. The ordinance regulates the sale of animals in New Albany by requiring licensing, inspections, and standards of care. It was developed in response to issues in a neighboring community (Clarksville) and with input from the animal shelter director and public health committee.
• Committee Report: Jennie Collier, chair of the Public Health & Welfare Committee, summarized the committee’s August 28 meeting. Key amendments proposed by the animal shelter director and discussed include: adding a whereas clause about illness risk, clarifying licensing requirements, requiring complete medical/vaccination history, disclosure of any positive tests for parvovirus/distemper/feline panleukopenia within the prior 30 days, and requiring water in clean receptacles (not solely sipper tubes). A significant addition under discussion is a milestone-based veterinary care plan – requiring an in-person veterinary examination upon arrival at the sales establishment and again at time of sale, with species-specific lab testing and prohibition of sale until final results are available. This amendment will be drafted for third reading. Council also discussed enforcing the ordinance, with enforcement authority to be clarified by the next meeting.
• Council Discussion: Members raised potential improvements: microchipping (noted as already covered by state law), inspection frequency (current draft provides for inspections upon complaint), and requiring disclosure of both breeder and broker (to be changed to "and/or"). The city attorney indicated that friendly amendments would be bundled for third reading. Gohmann noted the ordinance is proactive, not prohibitive, and aims to ensure animal welfare and consumer protection. The second reading passed unanimously (7-0).

Third Reading – Vacation of Public Way (Z-26-01)

• Introduction: Don Unruh presented the ordinance for partial vacation of a public alleyway to allow Oxbow Mixed Use LLC to construct a dumpster enclosure and parking bay. The city will retain a permanent utility easement. Neighboring property owners have signed memoranda of understanding consenting to the vacation, and deeds will be recorded to formalize ownership.
• Public Comment: No public comments were made on this item.
• Council Discussion: Council members confirmed the clean legal trail and thanked the developer for providing an estimated completion timeline. The ordinance passed third reading unanimously (7-0) and became Ordinance Z-26-10.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes Approved: Unanimously.
• 2027 Budget Ordinances: Tabled to September 17 for second reading; public hearing scheduled for October 5, final passage October 15.
• Animal Sales Ordinance (G-26-05): Passed second reading (7-0). Council directed the city attorney to prepare amendments (including milestone-based veterinary examinations, disclosure of breeder/broker, and enforcement language) for third reading at the next meeting.
• Vacation Ordinance (Z-26-01): Passed third reading (7-0), adopted as Ordinance Z-26-10.
• Public Comment (John Fouts): Council received his materials and will safeguard them; city attorney and council will determine any additional steps to protect personal information and report back.