[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6324428,"mediaKeyId","2338260-9e2514457c6cc60d9c535d0250a3c3a7","parentId",2338260,"title","Council approves 2025 short-term rental exemption dates tied to major events","audioSeconds",220,"startMs",4585000,"endMs",4805000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2338260-9e2514457c6cc60d9c535d0250a3c3a7&start=4585&end=4805","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2338260-9e2514457c6cc60d9c535d0250a3c3a7/thumbnail_4585000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6324428/Carmel/Hamilton-County/Indiana/Council-approves-2025-short-term-rental-exemption-dates-tied-to-major-events","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6324428-fd4cf4b194ded42e4fe77c3120be809d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771116121&Signature=VWjGdJ1TI1I2qHs7Wesfd93-w7pe0eKiqel~lBTlowpW0G2eg-VoX1egRwhME6uwqosAF4Sgk-UhxdYz4Ides5FoyaJWLN-CpKc7aSMw5-EPjVj7YyWqgk9PKikbFIcWLm0ccM6iSRpLEmhhZlgGN3A4kqTPgT4a~ksV2sZf3Vuq4XxUCdgsTq75sFg3qXEjZV5CM0iGmqWEwActrzNLWiAa5hPCRihYZwAfFaduVDSpi4dXpBkKqywEfc8Im9rSrgxb-INcJ8xvks5JJnIXjSVQfmYTQKqE~FNioZjsLog4bapkTfBPz~NEfvzCbezlq9U7qIT3vqOUpvqdX4LwSA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Carmel IN","date","2025-02-18T12:30:06Z","article","The Carmel Common Council on Feb. 17 approved a list of 2025 dates during which the city will suspend certain Unified Development Ordinance short-term rental (STR) restrictions, aligning exemptions with large events such as the Carmel Marathon and Indianapolis 500 weekend.

Councilor Rowley read the mayor’s submitted dates and said the list permits short-term rentals to operate without some UDO-based limits on specified dates. The mayor noted a potential large October event that, if confirmed, may prompt the council to amend the November dates later to make room for an additional exemption tied to the new event; the mayor said city staff will return to the council if changes are needed.

Councilors clarified that this ordinance suspension does not override private agreements: homeowners’ association or deed restrictions that prohibit STRs remain in force. Councilor Locke said she generally opposes STRs but would vote in favor of the date list for this occasion.

The council voted by voice, recorded as 9-0 in favor of Resolution CC-02-17-25-02.

No financial assistance or program changes were tied to the approvals; the action was limited to temporary rule suspensions for specific dates in 2025 and may be amended if a significant economic-development event is confirmed for October.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Carmel City Council - February 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council approved an annual list of UDO short-term rental suspension dates for 2025, allowing exemptions for specific event dates; councilors noted homeowner association rules still apply.","taxTitle","Carmel, Hamilton County, Indiana","taxId",3929,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6324433,"Council refers city property-acquisition resolution to Land Use committee after questions about scope",344,3910000,4254000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2338260-9e2514457c6cc60d9c535d0250a3c3a7&start=3910&end=4254","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2338260-9e2514457c6cc60d9c535d0250a3c3a7/thumbnail_3910000.jpg","/articles/6324433/Carmel/Hamilton-County/Indiana/Council-refers-city-property-acquisition-resolution-to-Land-Use-committee-after-questions-about-scope","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6324433-3b24ba7c9388ecbf6b7c1ec86212c1c8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771116121&Signature=YeK0s7MJuM3zICJITXEXZ72t1q2AY5MbcBV5QXEb~GOEs0UXZY1H8ZMp8x7J3qq1U8cIDI4vSLm34CTSJABOhERmB6vN-~dOBRQgwZRrbb~csHc5ko5kayWVJXpwi424PVKAv6bHOK6uqeBGcXs5jjIJaq9XxQCNZ1C1ZXFPpkgCgJ0OgTJY9N7XyRh1jsPPsAcTzFi7qQpwHULq-IjDGpzU1PonCH8LvrR5rRHMKuI6tVKFobfHw9A5AjYyBUlKiZritqL-Fvzg~NEC6Ps37HQ60c1uDTugkMxHWMiyndexAMV9P7A~Fwvt6SBPD9V2vYX6XLMg~82XTgTgN9fHjA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Carmel Common Council on Feb. 17 voted to send a resolution about city acquisition of properties valued over $25,000 to the Land Use and Special Studies Committee for further review, after councilors sought clarity about scope and financing.

Resolution CC-02-17-25-01, sponsored by Councilor Taylor, would authorize the purchase of properties needed for various road and multiuse-path improvement projects. Brad Pease, director of engineering, said the resolution is a requirement under state code when a proposed acquisition exceeds $25,000 and that many planned acquisitions would be small right-of-way or corner “corner cuts” rather than full-property purchases.

Councilor Snyder raised concern that the city has a long history of passing similar authorizations and that older resolutions without sunset language may create a broad, open-ended authority if linked to enduring bond funds. Legal counsel explained that each resolution generally ties to a specific bond or financing authorization, meaning available funds determine whether a listed property can be acquired; councilors requested clearer language to make that limitation explicit.

Several councilors asked that the resolution be taken to the Land Use and Special Studies Committee for revision to add explicit financing limitations and clearer linkage to the bond or funding source. Council President directed the item to that committee and scheduled discussion for the committee’s next meeting, which the council indicated would be on Wednesday following the meeting.

No formal purchase approvals were made; the council’s action was a referral for further committee-level review and amendment.","Council sent a resolution that would authorize purchase of properties valued over $25,000 for road and multiuse-path projects to the Land Use and Special Studies Committee for further review after members raised questions about scope and ties to bond funding.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6324438,"Carmel Clay Public Library reports record visitation, expands digital and makerspace services",665,812000,1477000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2338260-9e2514457c6cc60d9c535d0250a3c3a7&start=812&end=1477","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2338260-9e2514457c6cc60d9c535d0250a3c3a7/thumbnail_812000.jpg","/articles/6324438/Carmel/Hamilton-County/Indiana/Carmel-Clay-Public-Library-reports-record-visitation-expands-digital-and-makerspace-services","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6324438-13d281f47dadf4b4f34283f351a1c703/orig.mp4?Expires=1771116121&Signature=NRTBFBxlJfgPw6d4zmNGwReAukeDM2z9erSiKjJzDqCWJ7oyeVHRhHv1mFz1F6gg-xivZdMjtEBm23IYYeIY9unsMEBvsMDhyRf~GJvWSeg0q9FRg5-rvN6K6fbGKSVRl7-qUNJ3VrizNPNK0IWfflaFqjUXAYR5JRgIuS9Bb6j1IjBOUh4x3WO-FKbhw9qlrrirscEztV4Ow3TIaV0hyU6eRoczKvLa0S~h2YKPcQyUvEKjhji8sYzohw2t4W~FnyiSkrUxMV2Re0PawHGa0Emdmu0GETunQ~ln441F5nTTEAKVrG9FsztC39~qLnrfolY0MzA25Gqk2A-Dvxn1Ig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Carmel Clay Public Library reported record visitation and expanded use of digital and makerspace services during an annual presentation to the Carmel Common Council on Feb. 17.

Bob Swinney, executive director of the Carmel Clay Public Library, told council members the library’s working budget is about $10 million, roughly 55% of which supports personnel and about 20% covers collection materials—figures he described as strong compared with typical library budgets. He said the library recorded about 2.1 million circulations in 2024 and a notable rise in digital checkouts through OverDrive (Libby), which grew about 24% year over year.

Swinney said meeting-room reservations, study-room use and the Digital Media Lab have surged since the main library opened. The Digital Media Lab drew high attendance for a recent 3-D printing expo and produced social-media content that reached millions of views. The library also reported about 9,000 new library cards in the most recent year—well above a long-term average of about 4,000–5,000 per year.

Swinney described several service highlights: a popular locker pickup system that operates 24/7, outreach programs including 63 off-site events and regular monthly homebound service for about 50 patrons, a gadget-lending collection that includes VHS-to-digital conversion kits, and a busy youth-services and teen studio program that supports portfolio work and community-service hours. He credited the library foundation—led by Liz Hamilton—for underwriting presenter fees and program costs.

Board appointee Hsiao Yuan introduced Swinney and emphasized that trustees focus on oversight and strategic direction rather than daily operations. Swinney said the library’s West Branch logged a record 52,000 visits in 2024 and that an improvement project is under way; the project team includes an owner’s representative from J.S. Held and aims to address building envelope, windows and HVAC work. He said the library is exploring bringing solar to the West Branch and that the main library’s 552-panel array is offsetting roughly 20–30% of power use.

Councilor Taylor asked about reciprocal borrowing across Hamilton County; Swinney said the county libraries have reciprocal borrowing in place for in-person services and room reservations, but digital collections remain limited to resident-card holders because of publisher agreements.

On programming, Swinney described the Digital Media Lab as a place for creation—3-D printing, podcast and video recording and Adobe Creative Cloud access—with staff available to assist users. He also highlighted teen services such as the teen studio residency and the Teen Library Council, which now includes about 100 teens and will provide a council representation opportunity.

Swinney noted the library’s interest in county participation in the Dolly Parton Imagination Library program, which would mail age-appropriate books monthly to children from birth to age 5; Hamilton County had not enrolled in the program as of the presentation.

The presentation included budget and usage slides provided to council; no council action was required.","Library director and board appointee told council that 2024 brought record visits, increased circulation, expanded digital media lab use and outreach; work on West Branch improvements and solar noted.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6324443,"Carmel council approves new police and fire contracts, adds FOP members to insurance advisory committee",648,3278000,3926000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2338260-9e2514457c6cc60d9c535d0250a3c3a7&start=3278&end=3926","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2338260-9e2514457c6cc60d9c535d0250a3c3a7/thumbnail_3278000.jpg","/articles/6324443/Carmel/Hamilton-County/Indiana/Carmel-council-approves-new-police-and-fire-contracts-adds-FOP-members-to-insurance-advisory-committee","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6324443-a7e1b7631e3c6c213ba096913cd671c7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771116121&Signature=XLLT9wz4v~-g03dJYnWRy~jmwxncC8WCquuGTO9WBZb12z3QFXqSBLqFZTUDPuv0AEitiSpvExrCpjP48ECZxjWIXjNk8tXeSUiRk2acHkrKHhevwFtPG45Env2M-bNJARsHPJz2ZFLK~YwvQANXRp7Hh1lJpmrhB7~Y0WOVhCoguPT9TPr~qKgdMhHZBU8YPVQi3xczyyckOxvCgaSL1GylcyKUehLx6kcxUZT6U3NN~Kk30ZUW9OKj4jeQtVIUh28bP1sS1R7oAYH1xOmdJ~0krpSJPifgTHMVtXAqoTV02ElKBwgOUhszJmlCb7TY~8AXAqaZyKnPepSCmiCB8w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Carmel Common Council on Feb. 17 approved updates to the city’s agreements with its police and fire bargaining units aimed at improving recruitment, retention and pay parity.

Councilors amended and approved Resolution CC-02032508, which addresses the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) wage-and-benefits agreement, and separately introduced and approved a contract with the Carmel Professional Firefighters Association covering Jan. 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2026. Both measures passed by voice vote, 9-0.

The mayor’s office told councilors the two contracts share four objectives: provide competitive pay and benefits, improve recruitment and retention, remove disincentives to promotion in pay matrices, and untie sworn pay from civilian step-and-grade systems. City leaders said the changes emphasize higher pay tiers for master patrol and master firefighter levels and include modest vacation adjustments based on longevity.

Councilors debated and then approved an amendment to the FOP resolution that removes the prior insurance-benefits paragraph and replaces it with language creating an insurance advisory committee. The amendment specifies that the city will determine committee membership but that two seats will be filled by members of FOP Lodge 185, selected by that lodge’s executive board; it also sets an initial request-for-information (RFI) schedule and includes FOP designees in plan design and review. The amendment was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote before the council approved the overall resolution as amended.

Police and fire officials and union leaders addressed the council. Police Chief Drake Sterling said the department currently has 13 sworn vacancies. Blake Bridal, president of Carmel Lodge 185, told the council the lodge’s internal committee spent 18 months compiling national and local data and prioritized retention and expanding the lateral-entry program to recognize up to 10 years of prior service. Sean Sutton, president of the Carmel Firefighters Union, said the firefighters’ contract used the union’s regular member survey process and thanked city negotiators.

Votes at a glance
- Amendment to Resolution CC-02032508 (adds insurance advisory committee language): motion moved by Councilor Taylor; second recorded; voice vote passed 9-0 (Menard, Locke, Ayers, Snyder, Austin, Taylor, Worrell, Joshi, Green — ayes).
- Approval of Resolution CC-02032508 as amended (police contract): motion moved and seconded; voice vote passed 9-0.
- Addition and approval of Resolution CC-02-17-25-003 (firefighters’ contract effective 01/01/2025–12/31/2026): introduced as an agenda add-on, moved and seconded, voice vote passed 9-0.

The council and mayor said the pay changes have already generated interest from lateral candidates and produced positive recruitment signals. City staff provided matrices and appendices for council review. No changes to the contracts’ effective dates were announced.

Council members and union leaders said the insurance-advisory language is intended to increase transparency and provide labor representatives input into health-plan design and periodic reviews. The amendment schedules the first formal RFI in February 2026 and directs inclusion of the two FOP-selected committee members in 2025 plan design and review activities.

The council recorded no abstentions or dissenting votes on the three recorded actions. The resolutions as amended and adopted will be included in official minutes and the city’s contract records.","The council amended and approved a police contract and added a firefighter contract to the agenda, approving both unanimously; the police contract amendment creates an insurance advisory committee including two FOP representatives.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves 2025 short-term rental exemption dates tied to major events

Council refers city property-acquisition resolution to Land Use committee after questions about scope

Carmel Clay Public Library reports record visitation, expands digital and makerspace services

Carmel council approves new police and fire contracts, adds FOP members to insurance advisory committee