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Hobart council advances multiple ordinances, approves parental leave and budget transfer
Summary
On April 15 the Hobart Common Council approved adoption or first readings for a slate of ordinances including adoption of an unsafe-buildings amendment, first readings for parental leave, dog‑park fees, zoning changes, and a transfer within the general fund; staff also reported a $290,900 grant to buy seven police EVs.
The Hobart Common Council on April 15 approved a number of ordinances and routine items during a meeting that lasted roughly 1 hour and 45 minutes.
The council adopted Ordinance 2026-04 (amending inspection and maintenance rules for unsafe or vacant buildings) after a second reading (motion by Mr. Waldrop, seconded by Mr. Brezik; roll-call vote all aye, 6-0). It approved the CF-1 compliance review for ITR America LLC (6411 Northwind Parkway) after staff said the company overperformed its real-property investment by about $2 million and met employment and wage commitments; personal property reporting was about 85% of the statement of benefits (motion by Mr. Claussen, seconded by Mr. Brezik; all aye, 6-0).
On zoning and planning items the council approved first readings of Ordinance 2026-06 (rezone ~138.98 acres R-2 to M-1 for Clay 138 LLC) and Ordinance 2026-07 (rezone ~26.78 acres B-3 to a PUD for Becknell Industrial). Both first readings passed by roll call (6-0) with Plan Commission conditions noted in the record. The council also approved first readings of Ordinance 2026-08 (dog park fees), Ordinance 2026-09 (adjusting part-time police pay range and adding a civilian security officer position), and Ordinance 2026-10 (adding paid parental leave to the employee handbook for full-time city employees with at least one year of service; provisions cited in the meeting: natural birth 6 weeks, C-section 8 weeks, father 3 weeks, adoption 3 weeks each).
Clerk-Treasurer Longer explained Ordinance 2026-11 to appropriate funds in the Community Impact Fund for 2026; the ordinance passed first reading and, as required by law, will be set for a public hearing before funds are spent. The council also referred an amendment to Historic Preservation Commission composition (Ordinance 2026-12) back to the Plan Commission and approved Ordinance 2026-13, a transfer of appropriations within the General Fund’s Economic Development Department, after suspending the rules and declaring an emergency to allow a second reading the same night (all votes recorded as aye, 6-0).
Chief of Staff Kelly Clemens reported the city received a $290,900 IDEM grant to purchase seven electric police vehicles; the grant covers roughly 79% of the purchase cost with the city covering the remainder. During public comment volunteers from the Hobart Humane Society urged the council to help secure a new shelter building; several residents raised environmental and noise concerns tied to nearby industrial projects.
Motions and votes recorded in the meeting minutes were unanimous among members present when roll call was taken (counts shown as recorded in the minutes). The voluntary annexation petition for a 6.66-acre parcel (Hobart Property Holdings II LLC) was the subject of a public hearing and will return for ordinance reading on May 6, 2026.
