Indianapolis City-County Council Meeting

Official communications is first on the agenda, and the clerk makes an official statement of this June 9, 2025 meeting.

Public notices for this meeting, and June 16, 2025 were published as required.

After the agenda is officially adopted, councilors gather for item #206 Honoring State Senator Lakisha Jackson.

A special resolution is requested in honor of the dedication of Senator Jackson of service to the East side, districts 14 and 15.

Resolution is adopted.

Senator Jackson is invited to say a few words.

She shares her appreciation to the state, city, council for this honor. Her comments on fighting injustice, inequality, and inequity, and how it can be overcome are heard by council and guests.

Item #156 acknowledging Sacred Hearts Catholic Church 150th Jubilee is presented for resolution.

Since 1875, Sacred Heart has been serving the central Indiana community.

Resolution is adopted.

Proposal #191 recognizing the Department of Public Works for their outstanding engineering projects completed in the Indianapolis area.

Technical complexity, outstanding design, community enhancement, engineering work, and more are acknowledged nationally, regionally, and locally for these projects

Item #135 acknowledges that Tracy Burns, who was appointed to the Information Technology Committee on May 8th, 2025 can no longer serve.

Proposal #142, #143, #144 and #145 should be considered together as requested by Councilor Maggie Lewis.

#142 reappoints Barney Levengood, Craig Mince, and Nora Spitznogle to the Indianapolis City Market Corporation Board of Directors as referred by the Metropolitan/Economic Development Committee.

The introduction of proposals is next on the agenda, with the first 10 being referred from the Metropolitan and Economic Development Committee.

Parcel removals from the Fall Creek and Chatham Park Development area are added to the area known as the Oxford Row Allocation Area with proposal 176-177.

#178 addresses a land purchase on E. Georgia Street and a transfer of $354,000 from the Budget of the Office of Finance and Management with proposal #179, both to be used for land acquisition in the Housing Hub Project.

Proposal #180 appoints David Baird to the Citizens Advisory Committee for the Franklin Township Comprehensive Plan, and #182 appoints Andy Kocher to the CAC for the Perry Township Comprehensive Plan.

Similarly, #183 appoints Lisa Laflin to the CAC for Decatur Township Comprehensive Plan.

Proposal #184 is a special ordinance approving a payment in lieu of taxes, or PILOT, for an affordable housing project known as Canal Village III, LP. The 33 units in the project are financed in part with low-income tax credits.

Proposals #185 and #186 approve a PILOT for Christamore Court Apartments, LP and BPCP (Broadway Park and Citizens Park) Apartments, LP for affordable housing projects consisting of 40 age-restricted apartments and 2 homes, and 74 affordable housing units, respectively.

Proposal #187 appoints Ellise Smith to the Citizens’ Police Complaint Board.

#188 approves transfer of $6,500,000 from the Capital Asset Lifecycle and Development Fund.

#189 amends parking restrictions on 16th street east of the Monon Trail Crossing in District 13.

#190 amends sections of the Revised Code regarding stormwater management to align with current practice and clarify requirements of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.

Council resolution, #207, appoints Natissa Woodard to the Indianapolis Public Library Board of Trustees.

Rezoning ordinances, #192-196 and #197-205 have been certified for approval by the Metropolitan Development Commission in May 2025.

The next agenda item are special orders with a public hearing, including the much-discussed proposal #164 which appropriates $27,200,000 of non-appropriated funds.

Proposal #164 addresses investments in housing, snow removal, public safety, education, and more to improve the “quality of life” for residents.

$13 million is allocated to the Department of Public Works to improve roadways and infrastructure, and enhance stormwater management.

As the other allocations are being introduced, some of the protestors in the audience are holding up signs asking Mayor Joe Hogsett to resign.

When the public hearing portion started, Lauren Roberts, the most outspoken of victim of Thomas Cook, whom Roberts worked with at the Mayor’s office, spoke

Roberts was told by Councilor Osoli there was a two-minute time limit for each speaker, and Roberts conveyed she would speak until she completed her remarks. Those remarks included details of the sexual harassment and abuse by Cook, and the attempt by lawmakers to ignore her and her fellow victims.

After the two-minute buzzer rang, Roberts kept speaking and Councilor Osili ordered officers to remove her from the room. While surrounded by her supporters, the officers did take her out of the meeting as others chanted “Shame! Shame!” to the council for not hearing her comments.

Two particularly disturbing moments from councilors were seeing Councilor Osili smiling as Roberts was removed, and Councilor Gibson commented “She should be arrested” to the dismay of his fellow councilors.

Councilor Brown, who has called for Mayor Hogsett to resign, showed his disgust.

Several councilors are commenting on the scene that had just transpired, and most of them think she should have been allowed to speak noting that award recipients prior to the meeting had unlimited time to speak.

Roberts alleges that Hogsett has a relationship with the firm investigating him.

Other related comments included having a special time for victims to be heard, finding alternative ways for the Chicago law firm to be paid by the Mayor’s election funds instead of taxpayer funds, and inquiries into why some information was omitted from the firm’s reports.

As a result of these concerns, councilors voted in favor of delaying payment to the Chicago law firm Fisher Phillips for not handling the investigation appropriately.

Roberts, who now lives in Denver, set up a crowdfunding campaign to fly in for this council meeting.

To further complicate matters, Councilors Jesse Brown (D) and Andy Nielsen (D) have consistently called for the mayor’s resignation. Councilor Ron Gibson (D) shared before the meeting started that he stands by Mayor Hogsett and the firm’s investigation of the sexual harassment claims.

Council Republicans are calling for a new public hearing, and asking committee chair Crista Carlino (D) to allow the public’s questions about the investigation.

It is important to understand that Thomas Cook, the former aid to Mayor Hogsett, has not been charged with a crime.

Other commenters during the public hearing portion allotted during the meeting were asking to divide the vote, which passed 24-0, the portion allowing payment for Hogsett’s legal fees to be amended, passing 19-3, and a request to table the proposal and send it back to finance committee, passing 23-1

Proposal #165 appropriates $8,009,500 for grant awards that have not been previously funded to be used in several city-county departments.

#166 asks for approval of an additional appropriation of $550,000 for the Information Services Fund for migration of Oracle’s PeopleSoft software to the cloud.

Both proposals pass 24-0 during a council voted.

Proposal #168 passed 23-1 approving $1,914,025 for capital repairs of DMD properties, property taxes and infrastructure repairs across the city.

#169 is approved 24-0 for $3,000,000 to local alleyways to be improved and made safer for residents.

Proposal #170 addresses rezoning in Perry Township to allow for wetlands to be be used as homesites for a new development by Davis Homes. A vote was taken to allow a public hearing on the matter, and several residents of the area spoke in opposition of the project.

Three residents mentioned that the current HOA of the existing community is in the process of being removed, and has not listened to the concerns of the community. Less greenspace, more traffic, flooding, and fewer options for walking, biking, and enjoying the outdoors were presented to the council.

Those who spoke in favor of the plan were Brad Davis, the developer and builder, Jeff Jinx, and the attorney for Davis. They are sharing that they have done several studies, and made changes, based on community concerns and neighbor comments. They expressed that due diligence had been done.

Many of those in opposition share that the base price of the new Davis homes is $400,000, and is not considered affordable housing. Others expressed concern that only a few of the 10 acres would be protected.

Davis feels residents have been heard, and city cannot afford to buy the land to preserve

A three fifths majority is required to move forward with the rezoning, and a vote is taken. It passes 16-7 with 1 abstention because of a relationship with builder.

Special order #145 approves a tax abatement for Kimball Electronics Indianapolis, Inc. in an economic revitalization zone; passes 24-0

Special order #146 addresses PILOTs for Grand Meridian, LP to build a 94-unit affordable housing property which will be funded in part with low-income housing tax credits. This project will be located at 3470 N. Meridian St.

This proposal passes 22-2.

The final proposal for consideration this evening is #167 which addresses approving a transfer of $10,000 to the Marion County Recorder’s Office to replace printing equipment. This passes 24-0 with no discussion.

Announcements include recognizing Councilor Hart, and honoring Tim Hayes, Dodi Swan-Farley, Sharon Cox, Phillip Warren, DeWayne Glasco, Sr., Vince White, James Wayne Jessee, Christine Dahlberg and Stan Denski.

There are 18 pending proposals which will be addressed at a later time.

Meeting adjourned at 11:00 p.m. This concludes the Indianapolis City-County Council regular meeting for June. The next meeting is scheduled for Monday July 14th, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.

NOTE: 24 councilors were present for this meeting; Councilor Perkins was absent.

Have questions? Think we got something wrong? Send any questions on the meeting or this content to @indydocumenters. Or, you may email us at documenters@mirrorindy.org

Thank you for your time, and we will see you next time!