The Carmel City Council met Dec. 17 to discuss donations to the Carmel Redevelopment Commission, elect officers for 2019 and approve 2019 dates that short-term rentals will be permitted without a fee and review.
What happened: The council tabled an ordinance amendment creating a marketing gift account fund for the CRC and updating requirements for the Commissioner Dinner Fund.
What it means: The ordinance states that CRC vendors may not contribute more than $1,500 for commissioner dinners, which are served before meetings, in a calendar. Councilor Tony Green questioned whether it was ethical for vendors to contribute to the fund at all, as he said it is not permitted in the federal government and elsewhere.
What’s next: The council decided to table the issue to give city attorneys time to research Green’s concern.
What happened: The council approved 2019 dates for suspension of the short-term residential rental ordinance.
What it means: Carmel residents must pay a $100 application fee and undergo a review from a Board of Zoning Appeals hearing officer to list a home on a short-term rental site, but those requirements are waived when certain major events are happening in the area, such as the Indianapolis 500, GenCon or the Songbook Academy week.
What’s next: Dates approved for 2019 are March 6-10 and 29-30, May 3-4, May 24-26, July 13-20, Aug. 1-4, Sept. 27-38 and Dec. 6-7.
What happened: The council elected officers for 2019.
What it means: Each year the council elects a president and vice president. In 2019, those roles will be filled by Jeff Worrell and Laura Campbell, respectively.
What’s next: The new roles go into effect Jan. 1.
What happened: The council made appointments to various boards and commissions.
What it means: The council reappointed Deborah Schmidt to the Carmel City Center Community Development Corporation, David Bowers and Kevin Rider to the Carmel Redevelopment Commission, Gary Dufek to the Carmel Fire Dept. Merit Board, Alana Shane to the Carmel Police Dept. Merit Board, Mike Kuhfeld to the Carmel Ethics Board and Josephine Biggers to the Carmel Audit Committee.
What’s next: The terms begin Jan. 1 or 21, depending on the board.
