La Voz Unida and its supporters made their third appearance at the Frankfort City Council meeting Monday night looking for support on a Driver’s Privilege Card which would could a pathway for undocumented immigrants to legally drive under Senate Bill 248.
After listening to speakers such as Frankfort Police Department Police Chief Scott Shoemaker, Lori North of Frankfort High School, Luci Bond of Purdue Extension, Esmeralda Cruz of Purdue University and Ed Rodriguez, who is the spokesman for La Voz Unida, the council took no action on the matter.
In fact, a motion made by Councilman Isac Chavez to approve the resolution went no where after no other Council seconded the motion or failed to utter a single word.
“I think this is the third time that this has been brought before the council for discussion,” said Frankfort Mayor Judy Sheets. “From what I understand is they just don’t feel like the council should be lobbying for this legislation because this is a decision that has to be made by the state.”
No decision will be made on this matter until most likely 2025. Senate Bill 248, which supports the bill, now has been changed to Senate Bill 138, in an effort to hopefully make lawmakers understand the bill. S.B. 248 has received bipartisan support in the state house and has been backed by law enforcement and local government leaders alike. Some lawmakers and public individuals don’t think this should happen for people who did not follow federal immigration laws.
“I didn’t feel like it was there (Council’s) position on that issue,” said Sheets. “I felt like it was the fact they did not want to lobby against or for something.”
Sheets said anyone can comment on the matter at the next City Council meeting on March 11. However, she said because there was no second to approve the resolution, Sheets said she views the issue as dead.”
In other news, the council approved an amended ordinance on first and second reading regarding the 2024 salary ordinance.
At the Board of Works meeting, the BOW approved an erosion plan for two separate projects.
“That’s a requirement that the Board of Works has to approve the erosion control plan for those two projects,” said Sheets. “It’s something that will end up at the City Plan Commission again. But the Board of Works has to approve the erosion plan.”
The projects that are involved are the Frankfort Middle School Project and the Meadowbrook Addition.
The BOW also brought up the housing and parking studies that are going to be done by Envoy.
“I think that is going to be a good thing for us,” said Sheets. “I think it’s very much needed. I’m very, very appreciative of the Community Foundation for their $20,000 towards that study. Housing is a concern across the state in every community.”