Mayor delivers State of the City; council approves rezoning and Meadowbrook fee update

Mayor (presiding officer) delivered the annual State of the City address on the city’s recent activity and priorities for 2026, announcing plans for a residential zoning review committee and saying the city is operating on a balanced budget.

"This presentation will fulfill that charter requirement," the mayor said, describing a three-part outlook on where the city has been, where it stands and where it is headed. He outlined 2025 highlights — resuming Meadowbrook events, approving two of four housing developments and making interim staff appointments permanent — and said he expects progress on residential zoning work beginning this month.

The mayor said he will convene elected officials, members of the Planning Commission, the Board of Zoning Appeals, Parks Commission appointees and ward residents for a "residential zoning review committee" to build a repeatable process for examining residential zoning. He added: "We are operating on a balanced approved budget for this year," and said he does not anticipate changes to that outlook over the calendar year.

On routine business, council approved the March 19, 2026 meeting minutes by roll call (Bustos — yes; Henning — abstain; Gorman — yes; McDowell — yes; Kelly — yes; York — yes; Farmer — yes). Tim Gorman moved approval and Ms. Kelly seconded; the tally was six yes, one abstention.

Council also voted to approve Ordinance O PC 2601, which rezones approximately 2.925 acres at 5123 Sweet Potato Ridge Road from RCD2 to RCD1 subject to subdivision. Mr. Gorman moved the ordinance with a second from Mr. Henning; a councilor noted some zoning maps still reference Randolph Township and asked staff to update map labeling.

Resolution R04-26-29, establishing Meadowbrook rates and fees for 2026, was moved by Mr. York and seconded by Ms. Bustos. Staff said the increases "track inflation" and will help cover recent and planned Meadowbrook improvements such as new blinds, carpet and paint. The resolution passed by verbal vote.

During the visitor comment period, Mary Ann Moore, speaking for the Northmont Optimist Club, invited residents to an adult Easter egg hunt at Centennial Park on April 11, describing food trucks, music and prizes. Earl Harleman thanked volunteers for park cleanups and said volunteers helped collect roughly 2,000 plastic eggs for recent community hunts.

City Manager Ms. Whitman provided a staff report and reminders: a workshop on residential code enforcement and possible fee structures is scheduled before the next council meeting; municipal tax-assistance appointments are available April 7; and paving work on National and Haber roads was delayed after contractors reported that "the asphalt did not cool quick enough" and the asphalt plant closed, pushing back work. She said Haber Road striping was scheduled that evening and that crews would return to repair any chipped areas caused by construction traffic.

The manager also said southbound Hoke Road will be closed through September for roundabout construction and that trees taken down early to protect the Indiana bat would be removed by Double J Construction. Council members offered condolences to colleagues, promoted local events (including a 20th-anniversary Spring Fling at Bushel and a Peck) thanked donors and volunteers, and encouraged residents to patronize businesses affected by construction.

The meeting ended after procedural motions; no executive session was scheduled.

Next steps: the mayor and staff plan to form the residential zoning review committee this month and begin work in May; staff will check and update zoning map labels as requested by council.