The Terre Haute City Council convened on January 2, 2025, at 6:00 PM for its regular meeting, focusing on various community issues and updates. The meeting began with Mayor's remarks, highlighting the city's new initiative of offering free public transit, which aims to increase ridership and improve accessibility for residents. The Mayor noted that 95% of the funding for this initiative comes from state and federal sources, with the remaining 5% covered by local income, including contracts with Indiana State University and Ivy Tech.

The Mayor also addressed inquiries regarding the city's bus shelters, explaining that federal guidelines must be followed when utilizing federal funds for such projects. He mentioned ongoing discussions with volunteers to assist in this area and promised to provide further updates.

Following the Mayor's address, Jesse Tohill, the Director of Public Works, presented a summary of the 311 service requests received in 2024. He reported a significant effort to close outstanding requests and improve response times, emphasizing the importance of the 311 system as a vital communication tool for residents seeking assistance.

The meeting also included a discussion on a proposed amendment to city code regarding drug and tobacco paraphernalia. City Attorney Michael Wright requested to table this item for one week to allow for further consultation with the Indiana anti-tobacco coordinator.

No tax abatements or items on second reading were presented during this session. The council moved to table the ordinance until the next meeting scheduled for January 9, 2025, after a motion was made and seconded.

Overall, the meeting underscored the city's commitment to enhancing public services and addressing community needs as it moves into the new year. The council's next steps will include further discussions on the proposed ordinance and continued efforts to improve public transit and community services.