Compiled by Adam Aasen
The Carmel City Council met on Sept. 15. Below are some highlights from the meeting.
What Happened: The Carmel City Council introduced a series of bills to raise all city employees’ salaries by two percent.
What Does it Mean: This raise is meant to keep up with cost-of-living expenses and is part of the annual budget process. Some councilors have previously told the Current that they feel the highest-paid employees might not need increases.
What’s Next: The bills are sent to the Finance, Administration and Rule Committee which met on Thursday.
What Happened: The City Council is dealing with a dispute with the Carmel Plan Commission about removing a roundabout from the city’s comprehensive plan.
What Does it Mean: The Council previously passed an amendment to remove any plans for a roundabout at Carmel Drive and Range Line Road. Mayor Jim Brainard disagreed with this decision but lacked veto power in this instance. The plan commission’s four-member executive then went back and put the roundabout back into the document. So the City Council now has to draft a resolution to remove the roundabout again.
What’s Next: The Council will draft a new resolution dealing with the matter.
What Happened: The City Council appropriated $70,000 to help cover city utility bills.
What Does it Mean: The city borrowed the money from the operating funds for the purchase of the Brookshire swimming pool. Now, the city has to replaced that money or there won’t be enough to keep the lights on.
What’s Next: The resolution was passed.
What Happened: The Carmel Redevelopment Commission sought approval for a $203,890 for construction work on The Nash building.
What Does it Mean: The CRC originally budgeted $100,000 for the project but bids showed that the costs might be a little higher, so officials sought ways to find revenue, including property sales and collecting payments owed. As a result, the money is available in the CRC budget and just needed an OK.
What’s Next: The resolution was passed and construction can begin.
