Mayor Scott Fadness with the National Guard Minuteman award
The Adjutant General for the Indiana National Guard, Major General Courtney P. Carr, gave the Minuteman Award to the City of Fishers at the Monday night meeting. This is to honor local officials for launching a program to care for lawns and shovel snow for families with spouses deployed overseas.
The city council honored the Fishers High School We the People team for winning the state championship. Fishers will be traveling to Washington DC this spring, representing Indiana in the national contest. Coach Liz Paternoster told the council she has a “gofundme” page and is looking for any donations to pay for the cost of the DC trip. She is trying to raise $40,000.
General Carr shakes hands with city council members
The Fishers City Council did not vote on officers for the coming year at its first session of 2016. Council President Pete Peterson told LarryInFishers there were 3 missing council members and he wants to have more members on hand for the vote.
Peterson went on to say he expects no officer changes in 2016 once the vote is taken. If that happens, Peterson will remain council president and John Weingardt will continue as council vice president.
On this Martin Luther King Holiday in honor of his birthday, there are many ways to commemorate his life. In the numerous material I have read about Dr. King on this day honoring him, the “Letter from Birmingham Jail” may best sum up the struggle.
The Atlantic magazine republished the letter 50 years ago. They have published it again on their Web page. It is worth reading.
Year-round golf will be available in Fishers next year, based on an announcement today that Topgolf is building its first Indiana facility here. If all goes as planned, the golfing center will open its 116th Street & Cumberland road location in the spring of 2017.
The 65,000-square-foot venue would be one-of-a-kind. Here’s how the news release from the City of Fishers describes it: “…offering competitive golfing games for all ages and skill levels and advanced technology to track the accuracy and distance of players’ shots. Those who just want to relax can enjoy the upscale, laid-back ambiance that boasts more than 230 high-definition flat-screen TVs and an extensive food and beverage menu.”
“As we look to expand in the Midwest, Indianapolis is a key market that has been on Topgolf’s radar for a long time,” said Topgolf Vice President of Real Estate Development Zach Shor in the city news release. “Fishers offers a centralized location in the state and close proximity to Indianapolis. It’s a vibrant community that is frequently recognized as a top place to live and work, and we hope to provide residents a new destination for entertainment.”
This is planned as a three-level location – which would be open year-round, includes up to 3,000 square feet of private event space and 102 climate-controlled hitting bays that can host up to six players at one time.
Here is how Topgolf describes itself:
“Topgolf is a global sports entertainment community creating the best times of your life, with 24 locations serving a projected 8 million guests annually. Players hit golf balls containing computer microchips that track each shot’s accuracy and distance while awarding points for hitting targets on the outfield. Each facility offers an upscale and playful experience, featuring an impressive food and beverage menu, music, games, climate-controlled hitting bays, and hundreds of HDTVs. Topgolf also brings fun, interactive experiences to the community through its Topgolf U lessons, leagues, tournaments, KidZone parties, and social and corporate events. To learn more about Topgolf, visit www.topgolf.com ”
The Fishers City Council will consider a fee waiver of $666,000 for Topgolf at the meeting set for Tuesday, February 18th, at 7pm. The city says the investment by Topgolf in the center will be at least $18 million. The waiver is being offered in exchange for the investment in the center, per a City Council Action Form.
Fishers is now into 2016, and there are reasons to believe at least the first 90 days will feature plenty of activity.
First, at the Indiana Statehouse, Mayor Scott Fadness is heading-up the Legislative Committee for the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns (IACT). That means he will be spending a lot of time in downtown Indy advocating for issues impacting the state’s municipal governments. Fadness was appointed to the post by IACT President Greg Goodnight, Mayor of Kokomo.
“Mayor Fadness brings a huge bank of experience to the table” said Goodnight in an IACT news release. “He will be able to draw upon the many successes and challenges he’s faced in Fishers to advance legislation that gives municipal officials the tools to create a better quality of life in all Hoosier cities and towns. Scott has become known among lawmakers and peers for his innovative leadership and strategic vision”
Meanwhile, here in Fishers, a retreat held last week featuring city council members, the mayor and key city staff, provided a glimpse into what the city may be seeing in 2016.
Based on what I heard in that retreat, and information I have gleaned from other sources, here’s what I see happening in the first 90 days of 2016:
–The state is likely to release some option income tax money its been holding for the last few years. Mayor Fadness expects Fishers to receive $9 million in a lump sum if the proposed Senate bill becomes law, which the mayor expects it will. Some of the money will come with major strings attached by the state, but about 25% will be available for the city to spend as it wants. The mayor and city council will need to make a decision on that.
–Look for the city to ramp-up its communications efforts.
–City Councilman Rich Block proposed a new city hall be constructed if the current one cannot be renovated easily. No one else spoke up at the retreat in favor of that proposal, so don’t look for action anytime soon on a new Fishers City Hall.
–The city is working on economic development projects that would produce jobs for the city. The word I am getting is that announcements should be forthcoming in the first 3 months of 2016.
–Look for city departments to continue moves toward upgrading technology.
Bottom line, Mayor Fadness says he spent a good part of 2015 delivering his vision of Fishers’ future. 2016 is time to deliver on that vision. We may know more about that when the mayor delivers his State of the City address on February 10th.
Some familiar items appear in the Drive Fishers roadwork listing for the work week beginning Monday, January 18th. Tree clearing for the Fall Creek Trail, more work on Lantern Road in the downtown area and continued fencing construction on 116th Street near Hague Road are on the agenda.
Below is the listing, from the City of Fishers…
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FALL CREEK TRAIL
There will be tree clearing along Fall Creek Road between 96th Street and Brooks School Road continuing the week of Jan. 18th. This work is in preparation for trail work coming later this spring.
LANTERN ROAD
Lantern Road between 116th Street and Commercial Drive will be restricted the week of Jan. 18th. Please use caution and pay close attention to signage displayed in the area.
116th STREET
The eastbound lane of 116th Street from Hague Road to Charleston Parkway will be restricted between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. for fence replacement. Motorists are encouraged to use caution when traveling along the corridor and pay close attention to signage displayed.
LarryInFishers normally focuses on news in Fishers and only covers county government when there is a Fishers connection. The upcoming at-large County Council election will have at least two connections to Fishers.
Fishers Police Chief George Kehl has announced his plans to retire in September and is looking for part of his retirement time to be spend serving on the Hamilton County Council. Kehl announced some time ago he intends to seek the office and has filed his official paperwork to do so.
Fall Creek Township Trustee Jeff Hern also announced several months ago he intends to throw his hat in the ring, seeking an a-large county council seat.
As of January 14th, the other candidates filing for a council seat include Brad Beaver, Bill Dennis and Rick McKinney.
The filing deadline is at noon, February 6th. That leaves plenty of time for more candidates to file for the Republican primary. As of January 14th, no Democrat candidates had filed.
There are 3 seats up for grabs in the at-large Hamilton County Council election. The top 3 vote-getters in the Republican primary election will earn spots on the November general election ballot.
Fishers City officials dine will talking at their retreat
Fishers city officials gathered for a dinner meeting at the Chinese House at Conner Prairie Wednesday night to talk about the first year as a city, and what to expect in 2016. One point was made early and often – the stable political climate in the city leads to getting more done, including economic development deals.
Mayor Scott Fadness, members of the city council, and City Clerk Jennifer Kehl were on hand for the meeting. Also in attendance: Deputy Mayor Leah McGrath and City Attorney Chris Greisl.
A number of issues were discussed. Here are a few of the main points:
–Council President Pete Peterson pushed for a more aggressive communications strategy for the city, including the addition of video programs and podcasts.
–There was much discussion of what needs to be done along the 96th Street corridor to continue upgrading that area.
–Councilwoman Cecilia Coble asked what the city is doing on retention and growth of existing businesses in Fishers, and Mayor Fadness detailed a program of outreach that is ongoing with existing local businesses.
–Mayor Fadness says a Senate measure in the Indiana Legislature would release local option income tax money that state officials have been pooling in recent years. That would mean $9 million coming to Fishers as a lump sum payment in July if the legislation passes, which the mayor says is very likely. 25% of that money could be spent any way the city wishes. The mayor anticipates a long discussion with council members on how to spend that money.
–Councilman Rich Block suggested that if a study found renovations to City Hall as not feasible, he wants to consider building a new city hall. “I’m not looking to spend money necessarily, but I’d also hate to reinvest in what I consider a poor design, poor structure.”
–Mayor Fadness talked to the group about how he evaluates economic development deals that are offered to the city.
First, he looks at whether the proposal contributes to his vision of the community. “If it doesn’t, I’m not going to have that conversation,” said the mayor.
Is the entity proposing the deal able to come through and deliver the project as proposed in Fishers?
Finally the mayor asks whether this deal is financially in the best interests of the city. “Is it going to put the taxpayers at risk to an extent it isn’t worth it?”
Fadness says those are the three questions he asks on each deal proposed to him.
Fishers City government closed out calendar year 2015 with a cash balance of over $13 million. City Controller Oscar Gutierrez told the City Council Finance Committee he will have the exact number for the cash balance closing out last year at the next session in February.
Gutierrez also told committee members the census should begin before the end of March. The deadline for completing the updated population count is the end of 2016. The census staff will be housed in the Delaware Township building, according to the controller. The city authorized the new census to verify estimates that the population of Fishers has grown dramatically since the 2010 census. A higher census population figure can bring in more state and federal money to the city.
A neighbor speaks out against the proposed Long Grove subdivision
A proposed subdivision of 20 homes, with price tags of roughly $450,000 each, had the primary plat request delayed by the Fishers Plan Commission Tuesday night. Residents in the area along Howe Road, just north of 131st Street, expressed their vehement opposition to the planned Long Grove development.
The area is not within the City of Fishers borders, but since it is within 2 miles of the city, Fishers has the authority for planning in this area. The subdivision would need to be annexed into the city to obtain access to city utilities, such as sewer service.
Those opposing the plan are long-time homeowners in the area that built their home on 5 acre lots, in line with the zoning rules at that time, which then were governed by Noblesville. Since then, the landowner where the development is planned retains zoning for homes with smaller lots than the others residing in that area.
Plan Commission President Warren Harling continued to remind residents during the public hearing that the commission only has legal jurisdiction to review whether the proposed subdivision meets the conditions of local ordinances.
When questions were raised by commission members on whether some of the street plans are in line with city ordinances, several commission members suggested a continuance. The commission voted unanimously to delay consideration of the primary plat to the next meeting, scheduled February 9th.
In other business…
–Warren Harling was once again elected commission president for 2016, with Fishers City Councilman Rich Block voted by commission members as vice president.
The commission gave positive recommendations to the following items…
–A text amendment to a city ordinance dealing with garage specifications in the Hunter’s Run development (part of Britton Falls).
–A text amendment to a city ordinance for the Verimillion development, with plans for a site near Connecticut Avenue and Southeastern Parkway.
–A text amendment to a city ordinance for the construction of the Pet Palace kennel on 131st Street, near I-69.
