Indianapolis-Marion County City-County Council Meeting Live Blog

I’m at the Indianapolis City-County Council Meeting live blogging for Hoosier Access tonight. The Democrats are very slow in making a presence in the Council chambers. President Cockrum called the GOP councilors to their seats at 6:57, it is now 7:00 PM and the Democrats are slowly making their way to their seats.

Doesn’t appear to be a whole lot on the agenda. Councilors Mansfield and Dane Mahern are absent.

More after the jump (to conclusions?)

7:01 PM - Meeting called to order, Prayer and Pledge led by Andre Carson (What? No rug?). Who by the way read his campai….errr prayer from some notecards.

7:03 PM - Introductions of guests

Watching for Proposal 24 - this appoints Gary Jennings (blogger GaryJ) to the Police Complaint board. Councilor Adams voted against this in committee

Now Councilor Sanders and Pfiesterer are arguing to appoint Jennifer Ruby to the IT Board. The Democrats want to send this back to committee, insinuating that Ms. Ruby is unqualified to serve on the IT board. Counsel Bob Elrod is giving his opinion that 8 votes does not suffice to sent a proposal back to committee. Voting now on the appointment as submitted. Vote is 16 to 11, party line.

Seems Sweet Pea has trouble with pushing his vote button tonight.

Proposals 13, 15, 16, 17, 22, and 23 are appointments to boards. Most appear to be going through unanimously. Proposals 15,16, and 17 pass 26-1 with Councilor Sanders dissenting

Pot, meet kettle. Monroe “Sweet Pea” Gray is complaining about conflicts of interest on the appointment of Robert Gallant to the Economic Development Commission.

Proposal 23 and 24 - Gary Jennings to Police Complaint Board. Proposal 23 passes 27-0. Proposal 24 is being considered now. Proposal passes 21-6 with Councilors Adams, Evans, Brian Mahern, Oliver, Pryor and Carson.

7:28 PM - More board appointments. Of note Bradley Battin’s appointment to the Forensics board was changed to appoint Sam Nunn to the board instead.

7:32 PM - Appointment of Marion County GOP Vice-Chairwoman Jennifer Ping to the Alcohol Beverage Commission. Passes 27-0

7:34 PM - More board appointments

7:42 PM - Just STFU Joanne! Complaining about the “same old people” being appointed to boards. As if the Dems didn’t appoint the same old retreads when they were in charge.

7:44 PM - Introduction of proposals by Melissa Thompson

7:47 PM - Hey Ed (Coleman), what the heck you getting all chummy with Andre over???

7:48 PM - State Representative candidate Chad Miller has dropped by the Council Chambers for a visit. He’s a Republican running against Cherrish Pryor for House District 94, which is Carolene Mays’ present seat (and one Mays is giving up to run for Congress).

7:50 PM - Council Proposal 109 (Zoning ordinance) is being pulled down for a public hearing at the next City-County Council meeting. The remainder of the Zoning proposals are passed into law.

7:59 PM - Fiscal proposals 59 and 60 pass unanimously

8:00 PM - Fiscal proposal 67 is being heard. Councilor Hunter asked it be heard separately, likely so he can abstain since he is an officer with IMPD. Squidward is now at the mike speaking about Proposal 67. Councilor Hunter gets permission to abstain. Vote is unanimous otherwise. Oddly enough Councilor Plowman did NOT ask to abstain and voted in favor of the proposal.

8:04 PM - Fiscal proposal 68 passes unanimously

8:05 PM - Proposal 69 and 70 - Proposal 69 funds repairs to side streets used as detours during the INDOT Super 70 project. Proposal 70 appropriates $9 million for the downtown Cultural Trail. Proposals pass unanimously

8:11 PM - Motion to adjourn