Council approves first reading of grants-fund ordinance; unanimous suspension to second reading fails

On Feb. 3 the West Lafayette City Council gave first reading to Ordinance 4-20-25, which would establish a centralized grants fund to consolidate federal, state and local grants tracking. Peter Gray, city controller, told the council the fund is intended to keep grant receipts and reporting in one place rather than spread across multiple balance-sheet funds.

The council voted on first reading with six ayes and one abstention: Blanco (aye); Burr (aye); Dennis (aye); Lee (aye); Parker (aye); Sanders (abstain); and Veta Manis (aye). No nays were recorded on the first reading.

Peter Gray said staff sought the fund to “track our grants, keep them all in one spot” and that the measure would not legally commingle restricted grant dollars: “Even if all of those dollars are in, say, the same bank, that's not considered commingled as far as our grants go,” he said, noting grants are typically targeted to specific uses.

After the first-reading vote, the controller asked the council to suspend the rules for a same-night second reading because the city had already received some local grant money. Councilors moved and seconded a motion to suspend the rules for a second reading, but the suspension requires unanimity. The council roll call on the suspension failed when Sanders voted “no”; the presiding officer announced the motion to suspend had failed for lack of unanimity. As a result, the ordinance remains at first reading and will return for a second reading at a future meeting.

Because the suspension failed, a second reading and final council vote will require the next scheduled meeting. Staff emphasized that the fund is for administrative tracking and that existing grant restrictions remain in force regardless of fund structure.