Boards & Commissions.

Boards & Commissions.

Welcome.

Serving on an appointed board or commission is a great way to participate in decisions that affect you and to learn more about how your local government works.

229 S. Second St, Elkhart, IN 46516

574-294-5471

574-294-5471

Boards and Commissions

Welcome.

Serving on an appointed board or commission is a great way to participate in decisions that affect you and to learn more about how your local government works.

229 S. Second St, Elkhart, IN 46516

574-294-5471

574-294-5471

Boards and Commissions

Common
Council.

.

.

Council Members

1st District Councilman
Aaron Mishler [D] | aaron.mishler@coei.org

2nd District Councilman
Chad Crabtree [D] | chad.crabtree@coei.org

3rd District Councilman
David E. Henke [R] | david.henke@coei.org

4th District Councilman
Dwight Fish [D]  | dwight.fish@coei.org

5th District Councilman
H. Brent Curry [D]  | brent.curry@coei.org

6th District Councilwoman
LaTonya King [D] | latonya.king@coei.org

At-Large Councilman
Arvis Dawson [D] | arvis.dawson@coei.org

At-Large Councilwoman
Tonda Hines [D] |tonda.hines@coei.org

At-Large Councilwoman
Alex Holtz [D]  | alex.holtz@coei.org

For more information regarding the Common Council or questions for the Common Council Members please contact: Angie McKee, Council Clerk, at angie.mckee@coei.org or 574-322-4859. More information on how to contact Council Members can be found here.

The Council meets on the first and third Mondays of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, except when such a Monday is a City holiday. More information on Common Council meetings can be found here.

To view the Elkhart City Council District Map, click here.

2024 Committee Assignments

  • Finance: Arvis Dawson*, Alex Holtz, David Henke
  • Public Health & Safety: Aaron Mishler*, Brent Curry, David Henke
  • Planning & Development: Chad Crabtree*, Tonda Hines, David Henke
  • Public Works & Improvements: Dwight Fish*, Tonda Hines, David Henke
  • Art & Culture: LaTonya King*, Dwight Fish, David Henke
  • Internal Controls: Brent Curry*, Alex Holtz, David Henke

* Denotes Committee Chairperson

Council liaisons to boards and commissions:

  • Board of Aviation Commissioners: Dwight Fish
  • Redevelopment Commission: Alex Holtz
  • Board of Public Safety: Chad Crabtree
  • Board of Public Works: Chad Crabtree
  • Historic & Cultural Preservation Commission: David Henke
  • MACOG: Dwight Fish
  • Board of Parks and Recreation: LaTonya King
  • Plan Commission: Aaron Mishler
  • Board of Zoning Appeals: Tonda Hines
  • Lerner Theatre Board: Aaron Mishler
  • Human Relations Commission: Brent Curry
  • Elkhart Urban Enterprise Association: Tonda Hines
  • Police Merit Commission: Arvis Dawson
  • Fire Merit Commission: Aaron Mishler

Board of
Aviation Commissioners.

.

.

Board Members

  • Douglas Thorne
  • Bruce Shreiner
  • Tom Shoff
  • Shari Mellin

Meetings:
Board of Aviation Commissioners meetings are held the 4th Wednesday of each month at 4pm in the Elkhart Municipal Airport Administration Building located at:
1211 County Road West, Elkhart, IN 46514

Board of
Public Safety.

.

.

The Board of Public Safety is comprised of five members appointed by the mayor. Their responsibilities are to oversee the general operations of the police, fire, communications center, and building and code enforcement department. The Board ratifies the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) contract, the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) contract, and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) contract for the City of Elkhart.

Board Members

Dr. Kara Boyles, Chairman
229 S. Second St., Elkhart, IN 46516
574-292-4737 | KBoyleswork@gmail.com

LaLaesha Black, Vice-Chairman
236 Simpson Ave., Elkhart, IN 46516
269-816-1037 | LBlack@HeartCityHealth.org

Anthony Coleman, Member
2131 Frances Ave, Elkhart, IN 46516
574-536-8406 | Tmonk2024@Icloud.com

Dacey Davis, Member
2510 Stark Ave., Elkhart, IN 46517
574-329-6607 | DaceyDavis@yahoo.com

Brian Thomas, Member
914 Strong Ave., Elkhart, IN 46514
574-596-7411 | Brian10K@AOL.com

Meetings:
Board of Public Safety meetings are held the 9am in the Council Chambers on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month.

City Council Liaison: Chad Crabtree

Board of
Public Works.

.

.

The Board of Public Works is comprised of five members appointed by the mayor. Their responsibilities are to oversee all bidding, contracts, agreements, approve policies for various departments, use of City property, as well as the sale of surplus property, and management oversight of the Water and Wastewater Utilities. The Board also negotiates and approves the contract for those employees covered by the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) and the Teamsters Unions.

Board Members

Michael C. Machlan, President
 Elkhart, IN 46514
574-612-1248 | mikemachlan@gmail.com

Jamie Arce, Vice-President
229 S Second St., Elkhart IN 46514
574-294-5471 ext. 1026 | jamie.arce@coei.org

Andy Jones, Member
1211 CR 6W, Elkhart, IN 46514
574-903-4815 | andy.jones@coei.org

Ronnie Davis, Member
3716 St Andrews Plc, Elkhart, IN 46517
574-370-7777 | Ron.Davis1insurance@gmail.com

Rose Rivera, Member
229 S. Second St., Elkhart, IN 46516
574-304-6911 | Rose.Rivera@coei.org

Board of Public Works meetings are held the 9am in the Council Chambers on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month.

City Council Liaison: Chad Crabtree

Board of
Zoning Appeals.

.

.

The Elkhart City Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) is a quasi-judicial body whose purpose is the review and consideration of all requests for relief from any standard in the Zoning Ordinance including variances, use variances, special exceptions, conditional use requests, and administrative appeals.  Per State statute, members of the BZA may not be contacted regarding a case prior to the public hearing for a case.  The BZA is comprised of five members, including two Plan Commission members and three citizen members.  The BZA meets the second Thursday of each month at 6:00 pm in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building.

For more information please visit the Board of Zoning Appeals tab on the Planning and Zoning page.

Building
Inspection Division.

.

.

The Building Department is primarily responsible for conducting building, electrical, mechanical and plumbing inspections within the city limits. Inspections can be made through the individual inspectors located in the staff directory or the Permit Center can be contacted at 574-294-5471 ext 3005.

The Building Department approves construction permit applications for new construction, remodeling of existing structures, and the addition, alteration or replacement of electrical, HVAC, plumbing and fire suppression systems. Prior to approval, plans must be submitted and reviewed for completeness and conformance to Indiana Building Codes. Application must be made through the Permit Center.

Plans for any Class 1 (commercial) structure may be required to be filed with the State of Indiana Department of Fire and Building Services prior to any permits being issued. You can click the link below to go to their website.

Indiana State Building Plan Review

The City of Elkhart currently issues licenses for Electrical and HVAC Contractors only. We do, however, register State Licensed Plumbers and bonded Demolition Contractors. Electrical licensing is done by the Electrical Exam Board and Mechanical (HVAC) licensing is done by the Mechanical Exam Board. All licensing and registrations are renewed yearly and processed by the Permit Center.

All Indiana State Building Codes can be accessed here.

Economic Development
Commission.

.

.

The Elkhart Economic Development Commission consists of a three-member board and meets on an as needed basis, typically to approve loan requests for economic development projects.

The current members include:

  • Bob Klose
  • Brent Curry
  • Dave Osborne

Fire Merit
Commission.

.

.

Members:

Meetings:
Regular meetings are held at 3:30pm in the Common Chambers on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month.

Historic and Cultural
Preservation Commission.

.

The Historic and Cultural Preservation Commission is responsible for overseeing development in the City’s Local Historic Districts and assist property owners in applying for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places. Properties located in the historic district must conform to Rehabilitation Guidelines contained in the Historic and Cultural Preservation ordinance. All exterior changes to properties in historic districts must be approved by the Historic and Cultural Preservation Commission prior to the start of construction. The HCPC meets the 3rd Thursday of each month at 7p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building.

For more information, please visit the Historic and Cultural Preservation tab on the  Planning and Zoning page. 

Human Relations
Commission.

.

.

The City of Elkhart Human Relations Commission is an enforcement agency where complaints are investigated regarding discrimination in housing, based on race/color, national origin, ancestry, religion, disability, sex, and familial status. The Commission has jurisdiction over housing providers located within the corporate limits of the City of Elkhart. The Commission also provides information to local housing providers, agencies, neighborhoods associations, churches, landlord and tenants and organizations about the Federal Fair Housing Act and Landlord & Tenant Relations Indiana Code 32-31. The Commission’s staff can provide fair housing trainings, outreach material, and can review lease agreements and policies to assure compliance with local and federal law.

Members:

  • Mary Jo Weyrick, Chair
  • Patty Gorostieta, Vice Chair
  • Crystal Welsh
  • Jason Moreno
  • Dana Irving

Staff:

  • Dana Donald, CD Specialist & Fair Housing

Important News:

April is Fair Housing Month

Check out the YouTube video series, “Fair Housing Tips in Less Than a Minute,” which covers topics ranging from understanding protected classes to banning pets at an apartment. You can view each short video individually by following the links below:
Tip #1: Protected Classes
Tip #2: Singling Out Children
Tip #3: Telling Prospects About Apartments
Tip #4: Banning Pets
Tip #5: Retaliating Against Tenants
Tip #6: Stay on Top of Fair Housing Compliance
Tip #7: Don’t Make Assumptions About Disabilities
Tip #8: Don’t Favor Certain Religions
Tip #9: Follow Senior Housing Exemptions
Tip #10: Fair Housing Fears

Elkhart Human Relations Commission Discrimination Intake Form   (Fill out, print, and return to the HRC Office)

Fair Housing Trainings
The City of Elkhart Human Relations Commission in partnership with the Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana (FHCCI) hosted three fair housing events in 2019, 2020, and 2021. The Commission would like to invite you to learn about the Fair Housing Act by attending fair housing training sessions. Please check back for upcoming training dates for 2022.

50th Anniversary of the Fair Housing Act
April 11, 2018 marked the 50th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act, signed by President Lyndon Johnson in 1968.

Employment Cases:

The Human Relations Commission no longer investigates employment discrimination cases. If you wish to file an employment discrimination case please contact the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or the Indiana Civil Rights Commission.

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (E.E.O.C., Federal Agency):
Phone: 1-800-669-4000, TDD: 1-800-669-6820, website: www.eeoc.gov

Indiana Civil Rights Commission (I.C.R.C., State Agency):
Phone: 1-800-628-2909, TDD: 1-800-743-3333, website: www.in.gov/icrc

For Minimum Wage concerns please contact the Indiana Department of Labor:
Phone: 1-317-232-2655, website: www.in.gov/dol

2024 Human Relations Commission Meeting Schedule

Park
Board.

.

.

Members:

  • Nekeisha Alayna Alexis, President
  • Chris Baiker, Vice-President
  • Sarah Santerre, Secretary
  • Bil Murray, Treasurer

To reach the Elkhart Park Board Members, email elkhartcityboard@coei.org.

Meetings:
Meetings are held on the 3rd Tuesday of each month in the Council Chambers and begin at 5:00 pm.

The meeting Packets and minutes can be found below.

January 16, 2024 July 16, 2024
February 20, 2024 August 20, 2024
March 19, 2024 September 17, 2024
April 16, 2024 October 15, 2024
May 21, 2024 November 19, 2024
June 18, 2024 December 17, 2024

2023 Meeting Packets and Minutes

January 17, 2023

Minutes

July 18, 2023

Minutes

February 21, 2023

Minutes

August 15, 2023

Minutes

March 21, 2023

Minutes

September 19, 2023

Minutes

April 18, 2023

Minutes

October 17, 2023
May 16, 2023

Minutes

November 21, 2023
June 20, 2023

Minutes

December 19, 2023

2022 Meeting Packets and Minutes

January 18, 2022

Minutes

July 19, 2022

Minutes

February 15, 2022 August 16, 2022

Minutes

March 15, 2022

Minutes

September 20, 2022

Minutes

April 19, 2022 October 18, 2022

Minutes

May 17, 2022

Minutes

November 18, 2022

Minutes

June 21, 2022

Minutes

December 20, 2022

Minutes

Application for Use and Event Permits

Note: A combined permit for both the Parks Department and the Board of Works is required at least 60 days in advance of the event.

Fill out the application and submit it via email, mail, or in person to the Parks office, located at 229 S. Second St., Elkhart, IN 46516.

The application can be found here, and please email city.parks@coei.org with any questions. Applicants must be present at the next board meeting to answer questions from the board.

Additional items you may need:

  • 501(c)(3) Form – Not-for-profit organizations
  • Certificate of Insurance Liability – a minimum of $3,000,000 in coverage

The Board of Parks and Recreation is composed of four members, with the President of the Board serving as the presiding Officer of the Board. Each member is appointed by the Mayor and serves a four-year term. The Board receives the budget, holds any hearings required by law, and approves the award of all contracts.

Plan
Commission.

.

.

The Elkhart City Plan Commission reviews and approves or recommends action to the Common Council or Board of Zoning Appeals on Rezonings, Subdivisions, Planned Unit Developments (PUDs) and PUD Amendments, Annexations, Special Exceptions, Wireless Communication Facilities, and other development proposals. The Plan Commission also hears appeals from the decisions of the Plat Committee.

The commission is made up of nine members, including a representative from the Common Council, Parks Board and Board of Works, the City Engineer, and five citizen members.  The Plan Commission holds its regular meetings on the first Monday of every month at 1:45 pm in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building.

For more information please visit the Plan Commission tab on the Planning and Zoning page.

Plat
Committee.

.

.

The Plat Committee is appointed by the Plan Commission to act on its behalf.  The Plat Committee has the authority to grant primary approval, conditional approval or disapproval of all Minor Subdivisions, grant primary approval, conditional approval or disapproval of all other subdivisions of 3 lots or less, and grant secondary approval for all subdivisions of three lots or less.  The Plat Committee is made up of three members and meets on demand in the Planning Services Division office.

For more information please visit the Plat Committee tab on the Planning and Zoning page.

Police Merit
Commission.

.

.

Members:

Meetings:
Regular meetings are held at 9am in the Council Chambers on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month.

Redevelopment
Commission.

.

Meetings:
All meetings are held at 4pm on the 2nd Tuesday of each month in the Council Chambers.
Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Districts and Plans:

  • Aeroplex Economic Development Plan
  • Cassopolis Street Economic Development Plan
  • Consolidated South Elkhart Redevelopment Plan
  • Downtown Redevelopment Plan
  • Technology Park Redevelopment Plan

Confirming resolutions for TIF districts were passed on the following dates:

  • Downtown – February 25, 1986
  • Southwest Industrial – November 14, 2000
  • Aeroplex – November 12, 2002
  • Cassopolis – January 10, 2006
  • Consolidated South Elkhart – November 12, 2013

For information regarding the City of Elkhart Redevelopment Commission, please visit the Redevelopment Commission tab on the Community Development page. 

Lerner
Governing Board..

Board Members

Gary Boyn
861 Parkway Ave.
574-294-7491 | gboyn@warrickandboyn.com

Dina Harris
PO Box 7111, South Bend, IN 46634
574-520-4131 | diharris@iusb.edu

Dallas Bergl
358 S. Elkhart Ave., Elkhart, IN 46516
574-294-6553 | dbergl@inovafcu.org

Diana Lawson
1077 Greedleaf Bvld.,  Elkhart, IN 46514
574-903-1151 | dianalynnlawson@gmail.com

Ashley Martin
1516 Middlebury St., Elkhart, IN 46516
574-352-0019 | martina3@nibco.com

Jamie Arce
229 S. Second St., Elkhart, IN 46516
574-294-5471 | jamie.arce@coei.org


Meetings:
The Lerner Governing Board meets the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 10:00am in Common Council Chambers at City Hall.

Common
Council.

.

.

.

Council Members

1st District Councilman
Aaron Mishler [D] | aaron.mishler@coei.org

2nd District Councilman
Chad Crabtree [D] | chad.crabtree@coei.org

3rd District Councilman
David E. Henke [R] | david.henke@coei.org

4th District Councilman
Dwight Fish [D]  | dwight.fish@coei.org

5th District Councilman
H. Brent Curry [D]  | brent.curry@coei.org

6th District Councilwoman
LaTonya King [D] | latonya.king@coei.org

At-Large Councilman
Arvis Dawson [D] | arvis.dawson@coei.org

At-Large Councilwoman
Tonda Hines [D] |tonda.hines@coei.org

At-Large Councilwoman
Alex Holtz [D]  | alex.holtz@coei.org

For more information regarding the Common Council or questions for the Common Council Members please contact: Angie McKee, Council Clerk, at angie.mckee@coei.org or 574-322-4859. More information on how to contact Council Members can be found here.

The Council meets on the first and third Mondays of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, except when such a Monday is a City holiday. More information on Common Council meetings can be found here.

To view the Elkhart City Council District Map, click here.

2024 Committee Assignments

  • Finance: Arvis Dawson*, Alex Holtz, David Henke
  • Public Health & Safety: Aaron Mishler*, Brent Curry, David Henke
  • Planning & Development: Chad Crabtree*, Tonda Hines, David Henke
  • Public Works & Improvements: Dwight Fish*, Tonda Hines, David Henke
  • Art & Culture: LaTonya King*, Dwight Fish, David Henke
  • Internal Controls: Brent Curry*, Alex Holtz, David Henke

* Denotes Committee Chairperson

Council liaisons to boards and commissions:

  • Board of Aviation Commissioners: Dwight Fish
  • Redevelopment Commission: Alex Holtz
  • Board of Public Safety: Chad Crabtree
  • Board of Public Works: Chad Crabtree
  • Historic & Cultural Preservation Commission: David Henke
  • MACOG: Dwight Fish
  • Board of Parks and Recreation: LaTonya King
  • Plan Commission: Aaron Mishler
  • Board of Zoning Appeals: Tonda Hines
  • Lerner Theatre Board: Aaron Mishler
  • Human Relations Commission: Brent Curry
  • Elkhart Urban Enterprise Association: Tonda Hines
  • Police Merit Commission: Arvis Dawson
  • Fire Merit Commission: Aaron Mishler

Board of
Aviation Commissioners.

.

.

Board Members

  • Douglas Thorne
  • Bruce Shreiner
  • Tom Shoff
  • Shari Mellin

Meetings:
Board of Aviation Commissioners meetings are held the 4th Wednesday of each month at 4pm in the Elkhart Municipal Airport Administration Building located at:
1211 County Road West, Elkhart, IN 46514

Board of
Public Safety.

.

.

The Board of Public Safety is comprised of five members appointed by the mayor. Their responsibilities are to oversee the general operations of the police, fire, communications center, and building and code enforcement department. The Board ratifies the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) contract, the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) contract, and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) contract for the City of Elkhart.

Board Members

Dr. Robert Woods, Chairman
3908 Doral Lane, Elkhart, IN 46517
574-320-5411 | Bobwoods3908@gmail.com

Carol Loshbough, Vice-Chairman
PO Box 846, Elkhart, IN 46515
574-293-1042 | grandmabrie@gmail.com

Anthony Coleman, Member
2131 Frances Ave, Elkhart, IN 46516
574-536-8406 | anthonycoleman40@netzero.net

Rev. Charlie Cross, Member
122 Martin Luther King Dr, Elkhart, IN 46516
618-521-7031 | rvcbcross@att.net

Dr. Kara Boyles, Member
Elkhart, IN 46516
574-292-4737 | KBoyleswork@gmail.com


Meetings:
Board of Public Safety meetings are held the 9am in the Council Chambers on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month.

Board of
Public Works.

.

.

The Board of Public Works is comprised of five members appointed by the mayor. Their responsibilities are to oversee all bidding, contracts, agreements, approve policies for various departments, use of City property, as well as the sale of surplus property, and management oversight of the Water and Wastewater Utilities. The Board also negotiates and approves the contract for those employees covered by the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) and the Teamsters Unions.

Board Members

Michael Machlan, President
 Elkhart, IN 46514
574-612-1248 | mikemachlan@gmail.com

Chad Crabtree, Vice-President
1420 Cedar St, Elkhart IN 46514
574-596-6750 | chad@alumni.iu.edu

Jamie Arce, Member
229 S Second St, Elkhart, IN 46516
574-294-5471 ext. 1026 | jamie.arce@coei.org

Ronnie Davis, Member
3716 St Andrews Plc, Elkhart, IN 46517
574-370-7777 | Ron.Davis1insurance@gmail.com

Rose Rivera, Member
229 S. Second St., Elkhart, IN 46516
574-304-6911 | Rose.Rivera@coei.org

Board of Public Works meetings are held the 9am in the Council Chambers on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month.

City Council Liaison: Arvis Dawson

Board of
Zoning Appeals.

.

.

The Elkhart City Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) is a quasi-judicial body whose purpose is the review and consideration of all requests for relief from any standard in the Zoning Ordinance including variances, use variances, special exceptions, conditional use requests, and administrative appeals.  Per State statute, members of the BZA may not be contacted regarding a case prior to the public hearing for a case.  The BZA is comprised of five members, including two Plan Commission members and three citizen members.  The BZA meets the second Thursday of each month at 6:00 pm in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building.

For more information please visit the Board of Zoning Appeals tab on the Planning and Zoning page.

Building
Inspection Division.

.

.

The Building Department is primarily responsible for conducting building, electrical, mechanical and plumbing inspections within the city limits. Inspections can be made through the individual inspectors located in the staff directory or the Permit Center can be contacted at 574-294-5471 ext 3005.

The Building Department approves construction permit applications for new construction, remodeling of existing structures, and the addition, alteration or replacement of electrical, HVAC, plumbing and fire suppression systems. Prior to approval, plans must be submitted and reviewed for completeness and conformance to Indiana Building Codes. Application must be made through the Permit Center.

Plans for any Class 1 (commercial) structure may be required to be filed with the State of Indiana Department of Fire and Building Services prior to any permits being issued. You can click the link below to go to their website.

Indiana State Building Plan Review

The City of Elkhart currently issues licenses for Electrical and HVAC Contractors only. We do, however, register State Licensed Plumbers and bonded Demolition Contractors. Electrical licensing is done by the Electrical Exam Board and Mechanical (HVAC) licensing is done by the Mechanical Exam Board. All licensing and registrations are renewed yearly and processed by the Permit Center.

All Indiana State Building Codes can be accessed here.

Economic Development
Commission.

.

.

The Elkhart Economic Development Commission consists of a three-member board and meets on an as needed basis, typically to approve loan requests for economic development projects.

The current members include:

  • Bob Klose
  • Brent Curry
  • Dave Osborne

Electrical
Exam Board.

.

.

The Electrical Exam Board is the authority approving the issuance of electrical licenses. The Board meets once every quarter to review exam scores and approve licensing. The meetings take place on the 4th Monday of January, April, July and October. This is the only time licenses can be approved to be issued.

The Electrical Exam Board is comprised of the following members:

  • Daniel Riddle – Chairman/Electrical Inspector
  • Kathy Kalman – Local Homeowner
  • Gary Shaum – Electrical Contractor
  • Craig Johnson – Industry Electrician
  • Philip Niemzyk – Journeyman Electrician
  • Don Santerre – Electrical Utility Representative

The exam currently used by the City of Elkhart is the Prometric Master Electrician’s Exam based on the 2008 National Electrical Code. We offer the exam here locally the 2nd Monday of January, April, July and October.

Fire Merit
Commission.

.

.

Members:

Meetings:
Regular meetings are held at 3:30pm in the Common Chambers on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month.

Historic and Cultural
Preservation Commission.

.

.The Historic and Cultural Preservation Commission is responsible for overseeing development in the City’s Local Historic Districts and assist property owners in applying for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places. Properties located in the historic district must conform to Rehabilitation Guidelines contained in the Historic and Cultural Preservation ordinance. All exterior changes to properties in historic districts must be approved by the Historic and Cultural Preservation Commission prior to the start of construction. The HCPC meets the 3rd Thursday of each month at 7p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building.

For more information, please visit the Historic and Cultural Preservation tab on the  Planning and Zoning page. 

Human Relations
Commission.

.

.

The City of Elkhart Human Relations Commission is an enforcement agency where complaints are investigated regarding discrimination in housing, based on race/color, national origin, ancestry, religion, disability, sex, and familial status. The Commission has jurisdiction over housing providers located within the corporate limits of the City of Elkhart. The Commission also provides information to local housing providers, agencies, neighborhoods associations, churches, landlord and tenants and organizations about the Federal Fair Housing Act and Landlord & Tenant Relations Indiana Code 32-31. The Commission’s staff can provide fair housing trainings, outreach material, and can review lease agreements and policies to assure compliance with local and federal law.

Members:

  • Crystal Welsh, Chair
  • Amy DeBeck
  • Dana Irving
  • Mary Jo Weyrick
  • Patty Gorostieta

Staff:

Director of Community & Redevelopment

  • Dana Donald, CD Specialist & Fair Housing

Important News:

Human Relations Commission- 2022 Human Relations Commission Meeting Schedule

Fair Housing Trainings
The City of Elkhart Human Relations Commission in partnership with the Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana (FHCCI) hosted three fair housing events in 2019. The Commission would like to invite you to learn about the Fair Housing Act by attending fair housing training sessions. Please check back for upcoming training dates for 2022.

50th Anniversary of the Fair Housing Act
April 11, 2018 marked the 50th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act, signed by President Lyndon Johnson in 1968.

Employment Cases:

The Human Relations Commission no longer investigates employment discrimination cases. If you wish to file an employment discrimination case please contact the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or the Indiana Civil Rights Commission.

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (E.E.O.C., Federal Agency):
Phone: 1-800-669-4000, TDD: 1-800-669-6820, website: www.eeoc.gov

Indiana Civil Rights Commission (I.C.R.C., State Agency):
Phone: 1-800-628-2909, TDD: 1-800-743-3333, website: www.in.gov/icrc

For Minimum Wage concerns please contact the Indiana Department of Labor:
Phone: 1-317-232-2655, website: www.in.gov/dol

Mechanical Exam
Board.

.

.

Members:

  • Ron Glick, Chairman/Inspector
  • Steve Clodfelter, Natural Gas Utility
  • Charles Parker, Class A Contractor
  • Bart Lefever, Class AA Contractor
  • Mike Church, Class AAA Contractor
  • Dale McDowell, Local Homeowner

The Mechanical Exam Board meets on the 4th Wednesday of January, April, July and October of each year.

Park
Board.

.

.

Members:

  • Nekeisha Alayna Alexis, President
  • Chris Baiker, Vice-President
  • Sarah Santerre, Secretary
  • Bil Murray, Treasurer

To reach the Elkhart Park Board Members, email elkhartcityboard@coei.org.

Meetings:
Meetings are held on the 3rd Tuesday of each month in the Council Chambers and begin at 5:00 pm.

The meeting Packets and minutes can be found below.

January 16, 2024 July 16, 2024
February 20, 2024 August 20, 2024
March 19, 2024 September 17, 2024
April 16, 2024 October 15, 2024
May 21, 2024 November 19, 2024
June 18, 2024 December 17, 2024

2023 Meeting Packets and Minutes

January 17, 2023

Minutes

July 18, 2023

Minutes

February 21, 2023

Minutes

August 15, 2023

Minutes

March 21, 2023

Minutes

September 19, 2023

Minutes

April 18, 2023

Minutes

October 17, 2023
May 16, 2023

Minutes

November 21, 2023
June 20, 2023

Minutes

December 19, 2023

2022 Meeting Packets and Minutes

January 18, 2022

Minutes

July 19, 2022

Minutes

February 15, 2022 August 16, 2022

Minutes

March 15, 2022

Minutes

September 20, 2022

Minutes

April 19, 2022 October 18, 2022

Minutes

May 17, 2022

Minutes

November 18, 2022

Minutes

June 21, 2022

Minutes

December 20, 2022

Minutes

Application for Use and Event Permits

Note: A combined permit for both the Parks Department and the Board of Works is required at least 60 days in advance of the event.

Fill out the application and submit it via email, mail, or in person to the Parks office, located at 229 S. Second St., Elkhart, IN 46516.

The application can be found here, and please email city.parks@coei.org with any questions. Applicants must be present at the next board meeting to answer questions from the board.

Additional items you may need:

  • 501(c)(3) Form – Not-for-profit organizations
  • Certificate of Insurance Liability – a minimum of $3,000,000 in coverage

The Board of Parks and Recreation is composed of four members, with the President of the Board serving as the presiding Officer of the Board. Each member is appointed by the Mayor and serves a four-year term. The Board receives the budget, holds any hearings required by law, and approves the award of all contracts.

Plan
Commission.

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The Elkhart City Plan Commission reviews and approves or recommends action to the Common Council or Board of Zoning Appeals on Rezonings, Subdivisions, Planned Unit Developments (PUDs) and PUD Amendments, Annexations, Special Exceptions, Wireless Communication Facilities, and other development proposals. The Plan Commission also hears appeals from the decisions of the Plat Committee.

The commission is made up of nine members, including a representative from the Common Council, Parks Board and Board of Works, the City Engineer, and five citizen members.  The Plan Commission holds its regular meetings on the first Monday of every month at 1:45 pm in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building.

For more information please visit the Plan Commission tab on the Planning and Zoning page.

Plat
Committee.

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The Plat Committee is appointed by the Plan Commission to act on its behalf.  The Plat Committee has the authority to grant primary approval, conditional approval or disapproval of all Minor Subdivisions, grant primary approval, conditional approval or disapproval of all other subdivisions of 3 lots or less, and grant secondary approval for all subdivisions of three lots or less.  The Plat Committee is made up of three members and meets on demand in the Planning Services Division office.

For more information please visit the Plat Committee tab on the Planning and Zoning page.

Police Merit
Commission.

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Members:

  • James Rieckhoff, President
  • Brad Billings, Vice President
  • Clifton Hildreth, Secretary
  • Rev. Jean Mayes
  • Thomas Barber

Meetings:
Regular meetings are held at 9am in the Council Chambers on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month.

Redevelopment
Commission.

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Members:

  • Sandi Schreiber, President
  • Wes Steffen, Vice President
  • Alex Holtz, Secretary
  • Gerry Roberts
  • Dina Harris
  • Dorisanne Nielsen

Meetings:
All meetings are held at 4pm on the 2nd Tuesday of each month in the Council Chambers.
Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Districts and Plans:

  • Aeroplex Economic Development Plan
  • Cassopolis Street Economic Development Plan
  • Consolidated South Elkhart Redevelopment Plan
  • Downtown Redevelopment Plan
  • Technology Park Redevelopment Plan

Confirming resolutions for TIF districts were passed on the following dates:

  • Downtown – February 25, 1986
  • Southwest Industrial – November 14, 2000
  • Aeroplex – November 12, 2002
  • Cassopolis – January 10, 2006
  • Consolidated South Elkhart – November 12, 2013

For information regarding the City of Elkhart Redevelopment Commission, contact:

Adam Fann, Assistant Director for Redevelopment
574-322-4834 ext. 1019 | Adam.Fann@coei.org

Mike Huber, Director of Development Services
574-322-4490 ext. 1078 | Mike.Huber@coei.org

2023 AGENDAS:

January Meeting

February Meeting

Lerner
Governing Board..

Board Members

Gary Boyn
861 Parkway Ave.
574-294-7491 | gboyn@warrickandboyn.com

Dina Harris
PO Box 7111, South Bend, IN 46634
574-520-4131 | diharris@iusb.edu

Dallas Bergl
358 S. Elkhart Ave., Elkhart, IN 46516
574-294-6553 | dbergl@inovafcu.org

Diana Lawson
1077 Greedleaf Bvld.,  Elkhart, IN 46514
574-903-1151 | dianalynnlawson@gmail.com

Ashley Martin
1516 Middlebury St., Elkhart, IN 46516
574-352-0019 | martina3@nibco.com

Jamie Arce
229 S. Second St., Elkhart, IN 46516
574-294-5471 | jamie.arce@coei.org


Meetings:
The Lerner Governing Board meets the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 10:00am in Common Council Chambers at City Hall.