City Councilor Rick Sharp – often considered a contender for the next mayoral race – was selected by his peers to be president of the Carmel City Council for 2015.
City Councilor Luci Snyder nominated Sharp and there was no vote since he was the only nominee.
Sharp previously served as council president in 2013, so he’s familiar with the parliamentary rules.
“I’m honored that my colleagues see fit to trust me with guiding the council,” he said. “I think I’ve always tried to run a fair meeting and give everyone equal time regardless of my opinion on an issue.”
One difference is that the council president isn’t generally allowed to give his opinion on issues unless the president relinquishes the chair.
“If you look at my past activity as president, I don’t relinquish the chair very often,” he said. “I may make statement afterwards, which the mayor at one time objected to because it was a statement he didn’t care for, but my position is that I’m never going to hide behind the chair. So if I can keep the seat and guide the meeting, then I can give my opinion after the vote.”
The City Council also selected council appointees to several boards and commissions:
- John Clair was reappointed to the Clair to the Carmel City Center Community Development Corporation. He’s a former banker, having retired from Chase Bank. It’s a one-year term.
- Bob Wallace was reappointed to the Carmel Ethics Commission, a two-year term.
- Don Stouder was reappointed to the Carmel Fire Department Merit Board, a two-year term.
- Alana Shane was reappointed to the Carmel Police Department Merit Board, a two-year-term.
- Two members were appointed to the Carmel Redevelopment Commission on one-year terms. Dave Bowers, a senior vice president at Centier Bank, was reappointed. Current commissioner Brad Meyer said he did not want to continue in the role, so they appointed a new commissioner, Robert “Bobby” Balzell, who has a background as an investor advisor for Wells Fargo.
