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Indianapolis Star
6 days ago
- Business
- Indianapolis Star
More changes coming to the nonprofit behind Carmel's iconic Christkindlmarkt
More changes are coming to the operation behind the Carmel Christkindlmarkt as city officials try to get on the same page in the ongoing saga. The most impactful change will give some power to the City Council in appointing the board of directors for Carmel Christkindlmarkt Inc., the nonprofit organization that manages the event. Drama surrounding the market began last fall when, under Mayor Sue Finkam's leadership, the city dismissed two former board members, and the then-board chair resigned shortly after. On the same day the former board chair resigned, four new board members, who were appointed by Finkam, approved a new operating agreement between Carmel Christkindlmarkt Inc. and the city. Since then, city officials drilled into the finances and operations of the market at a public Affiliate Review Committee meeting, and the founding CEO of the market resigned, stating she was pushed out by the organization's board of directors, who were appointed by Finkam. In May, Carmel City Council unanimously voted to investigate actions surrounding the market. Changes to the nonprofit's governance structure were announced June 3 and were 'solidified through a collaborative process involving the Carmel Mayor's Office, the Carmel City Council and Carmel Christkindlmarkt Inc.'s leadership,' according to a news release. Previous coverage: Carmel City Council votes for Christkindlmarkt investigation, at odds with mayor The changes will allow the City Council to nominate some board members, a power that councilors have not had. These changes will be effective on or after July 1, 2025: At the beginning of 2026, the following actions will be taken: Finkam and City Council President Adam Aasen both said they were supportive of the changes in the news release. Planning for the 2025 Carmel Christkindlmarkt is ongoing, and all efforts remain on schedule, according to the news release. Opening day for the market is set for Nov. 22, 2025. There has not been much progress made in public meetings since city councilors voted to investigate actions surrounding the market in early May. The City Council will investigate "the actions taken by representatives, contractors and the Carmel Christkindlmarkt Inc. Board of Directors as it relates to the Carmel Christkindlmarkt," but it also has the power to look into any of Finkam's Chriskindlmarkt decisions. The investigation was introduced as a verbal motion from councilor Jeff Worrell and was approved by an 8-0 vote. The only public step forward councilors have made in the investigation was nominating councilor Ryan Locke to take charge of the effort. Committee and City Council meetings since then have focused heavily on an ordinance passed June 2 that will regulate the number of rental homes allowed in the community. At the same meeting, councilors voted for an investigation, they also introduced a proposal to have even more influence over Finkam's Christkindlmarkt board appointees than the changes announced June 3. More coverage: Carmel Christkindlmarkt CEO 'excluded from key decisions,' resignation letter says The ordinance introduced in May would require at least one member of the organization's governing body to be appointed by the City Council. The remaining members of Carmel Christkindlmarkt Inc. would have to be approved by the City Council under the proposed ordinance, as opposed to just being appointed by the mayor. The proposal, sponsored by Aasen, Worrell and city councilors Teresa Ayers, Shannon Minnaar and Matt Snyder, remains in the Finance, Utilities and Rules Committee, which does not have its next meeting scheduled.
Axios
23-04-2025
- Business
- Axios
How Carmel plans to stay No. 1
Carmel city leaders say the community's next chapter will be written with an understanding that being "No. 1" isn't good enough. Why it matters: One of Central Indiana's fastest-growing suburbs, Carmel is looking to maintain its reputation as a model city as it faces scrutiny around governance, equity and long-term planning. What they're saying:"I was very familiar with our residents' high expectations, and I embrace it," Carmel Mayor Sue Finkam told Axios. "I'd rather have engagement over apathy any day." Driving the news: The latest example of the city's self-reflection was last week's Affiliate Review Committee meeting when results of a fiscal and legal review were shared. The review found that mismanagement and an overreliance on city backing led to Carmel investing more than $8 million into the award-winning winter attraction Christkindlmarkt since 2017 with no return. Flashback: The Carmel City Council created the committee last fall to examine the city's relationship with Carmel Christkindlmarkt Inc. and other affiliates brought on during the last administration. State of play: Officials said steps taken since the shakeup have resulted in the city being reimbursed $284,000 this year for the first time in the Christkindlmarkt's history. Yes, but: The meeting brought criticism from community members that the process was one-sided and that key Christkindlmarkt leaders, like former board chair Sue McDermott, were never consulted as the probe took place. The latest: Councilor Jeff Worrell, a sponsor of the proposal to establish the review committee, said findings being presented does not mean the search for understanding and improvement is over. "There is a segment of our population that sees these findings … (and says) 'Something happened. Why was that? What were the circumstances?'" Worrell said. "I'm a big believer in there being two sides to every story." The other side: As the city grapples with these difficult discussions, it has added another award to the mantle. The 2025 Niche rankings named Carmel the best place to live in Indiana, and the second best suburb in the U.S. In the statewide rankings, it also took No. 1 for best place to raise a family, best place for young professionals and the best public schools. Between the lines: Finkam sees the affiliate review committee as part of a larger effort to keep Carmel high in the rankings and meet the expectations of residents who moved there in search of the best. What's next: Carmel's recently formed Advisory Commission on Housing will implement the 13 recommendations made last year by the Finkam-formed Carmel Housing Task Force to fix problems related to access and options. Plus: Worrell, who launched a civility campaign at the start of the 2024, said that push for more politeness in Carmel is growing, too.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
NWS confirms that an EF1 tornado hit Carmel and an EF2 tornado hit Hendricks county
After a night of destructive winds tearing through parts of Hamilton and Hendricks County, the National Weather Service of Indianapolis confirmed Thursday afternoon that both areas had been hit by tornadoes. The National Weather Service of Indianapolis survey teams confirmed that Carmel had been hit with an EF1 tornado, which could clock between 86 to 110 mph, while the northeast end of Hendricks County was hit by an EF2 tornado, which could clock between 111 to 135 mph. Carmel city leaders confirmed at their Thursday afternoon council meeting that no one had been injured during the storm. This falls in line with information that was reported last night, the NWS radars indicated that a tornado was forming shortly after 9:30 p.m. in Zionsville, which was moving northeast at 65 mph. The city of Carmel alerted residents on social media that "a tornado is on the ground in the area. Take shelter immediately." After the tornado tore through the city, photos and videos began to emerge of the damage that occurred throughout the city. The powerful storm appeared to hit a Midtown industrial corridor just west of the Monon Trail particularly hard in Carmel, according to information released by the city. Several businesses along Third Avenue SW and Carmel Drive had torn-up roofs and shattered glass across parking lots. Earlier in the night, the Hendricks County tornado severely damaged a warehouse in Brownsburg. The sheared-off wall and partially collapsed roof of the Sur La Table warehouse was one of the most striking images from Wednesday night's storm damage. In response to the damage, Carmel Mayor Sue Finkam declared a local state of emergency Thursday at 1 p.m. as the Hamilton County city reckons with ongoing storm damage and recovery operations. The Carmel City Council also voted in an emergency meeting to allocate up to $250,000 from the city's general fund to pay for damage and cleanup in addition to up to $50,000 to be directed to a parks fund. Indiana Gov. Mike Braun also announced he would activate the Indiana National Guard to help residents impacted by the severe weather. 'Hoosier Guardsmen always answer the call to serve our state and our nation,' Braun said in the press release. 'In times like these, I'm immensely grateful for the soldiers who are on the ground ensuring Hoosier safety.' The full extent of the damage in Carmel and across the state has not been determined yet. The Governor's Office team is still investigating the matter and will update the public as it learns more. Contact IndyStar reporter Noe Padilla at npadilla@ follow him on X @1NoePadilla or on Bluesky @ This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: NWS confirms an EF1 tornado hit Carmel in last night's storm
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
NWS confirms that an EF1 tornado hit Carmel and an EF2 tornado hit Hendricks county
After a night of destructive winds tearing through parts of Hamilton and Hendricks County, the National Weather Service of Indianapolis confirmed Thursday afternoon that both areas had been hit by tornadoes. The National Weather Service of Indianapolis survey teams confirmed that Carmel had been hit with an EF1 tornado, which could clock between 86 to 110 mph, while the northeast end of Hendricks County was hit by an EF2 tornado, which could clock between 111 to 135 mph. Carmel city leaders confirmed at their Thursday afternoon council meeting that no one had been injured during the storm. This falls in line with information that was reported last night, the NWS radars indicated that a tornado was forming shortly after 9:30 p.m. in Zionsville, which was moving northeast at 65 mph. The city of Carmel alerted residents on social media that "a tornado is on the ground in the area. Take shelter immediately." After the tornado tore through the city, photos and videos began to emerge of the damage that occurred throughout the city. The powerful storm appeared to hit a Midtown industrial corridor just west of the Monon Trail particularly hard in Carmel, according to information released by the city. Several businesses along Third Avenue SW and Carmel Drive had torn-up roofs and shattered glass across parking lots. Earlier in the night, the Hendricks County tornado severely damaged a warehouse in Brownsburg. The sheared-off wall and partially collapsed roof of the Sur La Table warehouse was one of the most striking images from Wednesday night's storm damage. In response to the damage, Carmel Mayor Sue Finkam declared a local state of emergency Thursday at 1 p.m. as the Hamilton County city reckons with ongoing storm damage and recovery operations. The Carmel City Council also voted in an emergency meeting to allocate up to $250,000 from the city's general fund to pay for damage and cleanup in addition to up to $50,000 to be directed to a parks fund. Indiana Gov. Mike Braun also announced he would activate the Indiana National Guard to help residents impacted by the severe weather. 'Hoosier Guardsmen always answer the call to serve our state and our nation,' Braun said in the press release. 'In times like these, I'm immensely grateful for the soldiers who are on the ground ensuring Hoosier safety.' The full extent of the damage in Carmel and across the state has not been determined yet. The Governor's Office team is still investigating the matter and will update the public as it learns more. Contact IndyStar reporter Noe Padilla at npadilla@ follow him on X @1NoePadilla or on Bluesky @ This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: NWS confirms an EF1 tornado hit Carmel in last night's storm
