Lafayette council approves salary changes, Elmwood vacation, rezoning and budgets; tables ADU ordinance

The Lafayette City Council completed a series of votes on ordinances, resolutions and appointments at its January meeting, adopting personnel and land‑use measures, approving utility budgets and tabling a proposed accessory dwelling unit ordinance at the Area Plan Commission’s request.

Key outcomes

- Ordinance 20 24‑57 (amended): Council approved amendments to the ordinance fixing salaries for appointed officers and employees for 2025. The amendment included reclassification of a parks/zoo education position (from PAT 2 to PAT 1) and an economic development assistant position (from PAT 5 to PAT 4) after recent staff retirements and organizational changes. City staff and department directors said the reclassifications do not change the number of positions but reduce payroll costs. Vote: passed 8‑0 on second reading (roll call recorded).

- Ordinance 20 24‑58: Council approved vacating a portion of Elmwood Avenue (also described as Indiana Avenue / Lafayette and Fort Wayne State Road) to clear remaining common‑law or ancient road interests along an old railroad corridor identified for redevelopment. Staff said the parcel was previously transferred from the railroad during a 1990s relocation and the action clears title for redevelopment. Vote: passed 8‑0 on second reading (roll call recorded).

- Ordinance 20 25‑03 (rezoning): The council approved on first reading a rezone from GB to PDMX (planned development mixed‑use) for a vacant lot adjacent to Mama Inez Bakery, proposed by owner Rosa Montoya. The plan described by the petitioner would allow a three‑story mixed‑use building with commercial space on the first floor and up to 40 beds on the two residential floors above; the project includes 47 parking spaces with a cross‑easement agreement for additional spaces at the bakery site. The petitioner and APC agreed to prohibit uses such as tattoo shops and payday loan businesses in the PDMX for this development. Vote: passed 8‑0 on first reading (roll call recorded).

- Ordinance 20 25‑02 (Accessory Dwelling Units): City staff reported that APC staff requested tabling the proposed ADU ordinance to coordinate with West Lafayette, which may amend its version; council agreed to table the item until February to avoid conflicting ordinances across the unified zoning jurisdiction. No formal roll call was required for the tabling; action by voice vote.

- Resolution 2025‑O1 (Water and RENEW budgets): The council approved the 2025 budgets for the Water and RENEW wastewater departments. City staff summarized major items: a 5% employee raise consistent with other funds, modest increases in electric power costs, lead service line replacement engineering, new debt service associated with a 2024 water bond (principal payments), increased transfers to depreciation funds (water depreciation budget set at $4,000,000; main replacement fund proposed at $1,460,000), and an $18,000,000 planned transfer from the RENEW operating fund to its depreciation fund to support infrastructure projects including CSO final‑phase work and a RENEW campus solar project. Staff said they planned the work to avoid a sewer rate increase in the near term. Vote: passed 8‑0 (roll call recorded).

- Resolution 2025‑O2 (surplus real estate sale authorization): The council authorized use of Indiana Code procedures (I.C. 36‑1‑11‑5 referenced in meeting) to facilitate sale of a small surplus parcel acquired near Old Romney Road that was originally acquired for a trail project but is no longer needed after state road reconstruction installed sidewalks. Staff said the appraised value was under $30,000; council authorization allows the city to proceed with sale under statutory procedures. Vote: passed 8‑0 (roll call recorded).

- Appointments: Council approved two mayoral council appointments to the Redevelopment Commission — Frank Donaldson and Dave Moulton — each for a one‑year term; voice vote recorded in favor.

- Minutes and claims: Council approved the Dec. 2, 2024 minutes and received routine departmental reports (fleet, fire, water works monthly reports filed with the clerk).

Several items had brief public comment. A resident raised concerns about overgrown yards and offered a proposal involving reclassification programs for tax‑acquired properties; another resident offered congratulations on Lafayette’s upcoming bicentennial. No votes were reversed or tabled beyond the ADU item.

The city clerk recorded unanimous votes on the major items listed above; most measures passed by an 8‑0 vote as noted.