Matt Blair

The meeting began with procedural confirmations and announcements regarding agenda reordering. A public comment period was held where a citizen emphasized the critical need for community involvement and the establishment of safety nets, suggesting that many current issues stem from a lack of community engagement. A County Commissioner provided an update on the ongoing efforts to address the increasing homeless situation in Vigo County. Key initiatives discussed include establishing a Homeless Coordinator position by 2021 to streamline communication among various agencies, addressing sanitation issues through proactive distribution of cleanup supplies, and planning for extreme temperature response, referencing a past emergency shelter effort. The discussion also highlighted the need for a day drop-in center to provide essential services like addresses for job seekers and access to mental health professionals. Concerns were raised about the failure to transition individuals from shelters to stable housing and the impact of state-level decisions regarding mental health hospital closures and offender housing on local resources.

The City Council discussed multiple resolutions concerning economic revitalization areas and zoning changes. Key items included Resolution 8-2017 designating an area near 40150 East Wabash Avenue for a 10-year real property tax abatement, related to a project involving $2.3 million in building improvements and $22.5 million in new manufacturing equipment, aiming to create 55 jobs with over a $2 million payroll. Resolution 9-2017 involved a 10-year personal property tax abatement for the same project at 4150 East Hilton Avenue. A general ordinance (General Ordinance for 2017) addressed changing a four-way stop intersection at Barber Avenue and 13th Street to a flashing red light intersection. Special Ordinance 19-2017 concerned rezoning for a proposed three-story, 119-unit assisted living facility for seniors, with an estimated project cost of $22 million, located near Lafayette Avenue and 6th Street; this discussion included significant debate over vacating parts of an alleyway for fire lane access and property alignment. Special Ordinance 20-2017 regarding rezoning for a property on Poplar Grove Road was postponed until at least June. Public comment focused heavily on opposing the proposed location of a new jail facility near Voorhees Park and the new Aquatic Center, citing concerns over proximity to children and impact on community image and existing recreational use.

This public meeting convened an advisory review panel to review grant applications for the Region 7 Arts Organization Support Level II Grant Program. The panel reviewed applications for operating support, achieving consensus on several organizations for funding. For applications without consensus, the panel discussed required modifications related to financial documentation, budgetary allocations (specifically high personnel costs and low board contributions), and revenue projections to ensure organizational stability. Modifications included requiring further budget explanations, balance sheets, and plans for future financial sustainability, especially concerning high administrative costs and lack of board contributions for certain applicants.

The board meeting focused on cybersecurity policy dissemination, which is scheduled to be sent out that week, and included continued discussion on specific policy sections such as utilizing KnowBefore for awareness training, conducting a cybersecurity assessment with the State, implementing third-party and contract security management requiring signoffs, maintaining compliance and policy, and ensuring enforcement alignment across departments like the Police Department regarding personal equipment. Key 2026 goals were reviewed, encompassing the establishment of a city intranet, prioritizing hardware inventory replacement, planning AI trainings for mid-January, upgrading network backup infrastructure, developing a smartphone app, establishing a records retention policy, implementing a new phone system, streamlining onboarding via Docuware, creating a centralized repository for technical documents, and implementing a common security badge for city-wide access. Security upgrades for wastewater treatment equipment were also noted. The board considered allowing department heads to vote on project priorities.

The City Council convened in a Special Session primarily to consider Resolution 20, 2025, which concerns approving a Payment In Lieu Of Taxes (PILOT) Agreement for TWG Terre Haute LP. The resolution, which had been tabled during the previous meeting on July 10, 2025, was passed by the Council, with one Councilperson voting in opposition. The PILOT Agreement pertains to the acquisition, development, construction, and operation of the Wabash Place Apartments, an affordable multi-family housing project, and outlines annual payment amounts and terms based on Indiana Code exemptions.