Saturday morning was my first visit to the Hamilton County Sheriff’s headquarters complex in Noblesville. Hamilton County Emergency Management Executive Director Shane Booker was there to greet me at the front door.
I got the grand tour of the 911 call center along with the Emergency Operations Center just down the hall. It is a very impressive and well-equipped operation. The County Commissioners and County Council members have made quite an investment in local emergency operations.
When the tour was over, I sat down with Mr. Booker for a podcast interview. That podcast is available at the link below.
The weekly road construction update shows lane restrictions coming to the intersection of Southeastern Parkway and Cyntheanne Road, in preparation for the construction of a new roundabout at that location. Look for those restrictions 9am-3pm. The walking path on Southeastern Parkway will be closed for this construction.
Also, one-way traffic is now in place for the construction of new pavement along the inside lane of Technology Drive.
Here are the details of this week’s report, as provided by the City of Fishers:
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STATE ROAD 37 IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
STATE ROAD 37 AND 146TH STREET All left-turn lanes are currently restricted on SR 37 and on 146th Street with traffic moved to the interior lanes. Thru traffic and right turns on SR 37 and 146th Street will remain open. Drivers are encouraged to seek alternate routes for all left turn access. View an alternate route map here.
STATE ROAD 37 AND 131ST STREET 131st Street east of SR 37 is currently closed as work progresses on the interchange. SR 37 will remain open both north and southbound. View the detour map here.
131st Street west of SR 37 is now open! This will allow right-in/right-out access for southbound SR 37 until the bridge is fully complete later this year.
Please drive with caution through this area. To learn more about the State Road 37 Improvement Project and sign up to receive text updates, visit 37Thrives.com.
PROJECTS NORTH OF 116TH STREET
TECHNOLOGY DRIVE (NORTHEAST COMMERCE PARK)
The inside lane of the Technology Drive is currently closed to traffic to allow for construction of new pavement in the inside lane. One-way traffic will be in place in the outside lane as shown here. Access to all businesses will be maintained during the construction.
SOUTHEASTERN PKY. & CYNTHEANNE ROAD
Utility work has begun at the Southeastern Pky. & Cyntheanne Road intersection as part of the roundabout construction project. On-going periodic lane restrictions will be in place daily between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. for unloading material and equipment. The walking path along Southeastern Pky. will also be closed during the duration of the project. Barricades will be placed across the path.
2022 was a contentious session of the Indiana General Assembly in many respects, with some controversial measures enacted, others not. I spoke with Democratic State Senator Fady Qaddoura for his perspective on the session. We discussed gun permits, education policy, taxes and much more in this podcast.
Indianapolis architectural firm CSO has handled a number of building projects for Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools, and has been chosen to handle the upcoming renovation of Lantern Road Elementary. An internal evaluation committee recommended CSO be selected among the 7 firms submitting responses to the district’s request for proposals, and the school board gave its stamp of approval.
HSE will pay CSO $640,000. The next step is to formulate the request for proposals and put the construction project up for bids from contractors.
In other news items from Wednesday’s School Board meeting:
–The board approved upgrades to school Internet connections, using E-Rate discounts. The improvements will be installed over the summer. E-Rate refers to a Federal Program overseen by the FCC that provides discounts to public schools, offsetting the costs of providing Internet access with the amount of speed and reliability needed.
–The board voted for a resolution allowing the school administration to handle general obligation bonds.
–The board was briefed on some minor changes to board policies, which will be proposed for final approval at a later meeting.
–Superintendent Yvonne Stokes said the SAT assessments for juniors was given last week and the I-Read test for third-grade students is coming up soon. She also announced that Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer Nataki Pettigrew is now Dr. Pettigrew after she was awarded her PHD degree.
–The board recognized Leslie Brown, HSE Autism Specialist, and Chrissy Pogue, HSE Transition Specialist, as March is Disability Awareness Month.
–Snapshots of Success cited Geist Elementary for receiving the 2022 Cornerstone Employer Award, recognizing Physical Education Teacher Rod Sutherlin and Cafeteria Manager June Barnes. Sutherlin and Barnes work closely with HSE Transitions student Ryan McNarney. For more, check out a video produced by the school district at this link.
–At the next board meeting April 13th, the board is expected to review the first proposed draft of the 2023-2024 & 2024-2025 School Calendars
In Fishers, we have already experienced a Tornado Warning recently, at 3am no less. That triggered the warning siren system.
The weekly testing of the tornado warning sirens, which takes a hiatus during the winter months, will return to its 11am Friday routine March 11th.
The sirens will also sound during the statewide tornado drill on Tuesday, March 15, between 10:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Hamilton County Emergency Management encourages everyone to exercise your plan by going to your safe place during the drill.
“The outdoor warning sirens are intended to warn those who are outdoors,” said Shane Booker, Executive Director of Emergency Management, in a news release. “Because sirens are not intended to warn those indoors, we recommend every household and business to have a weather radio.”
Delaware and Fall Creek Townships, which encompasses the entire City of Fishers, have a total of 20 sirens.
Here are more details about the siren system from the Hamilton County Emergency Management news release:
When public safety personnel sees a funnel cloud or tornado
When a trained weather spotter sees a funnel cloud or tornado
On Sunday, March 6, the National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for a portion of Hamilton County. Only the sirens for the municipalities in contact with the polygon were sounded (Fishers sirens were sounded). For example, the sirens in Cicero were sounded; however, the sirens in Sheridan and Arcadia were not because they were not in the warned area.
When the National Weather Service issues a tornado warning, a message will be sent to cell phones in the county. FEMA, which manages the Emergency Alert System and the Wireless Emergency Alerts, is working to improve alerts to only those in the warned area. Emergency Management uses the same system to send non-weather-related emergencies to cell phones and weather radios. Alerts can include hazardous materials warnings, shelter-in-place warnings, law enforcement warnings, and more.
Emergency Management recommends everyone have a plan for severe weather, an emergency kit with supplies for at least three days, and multiple ways to receive warnings such as a weather radio and the free HCEM mobile app. Resources to help you prepare for severe weather, emergencies, and disasters are available at www.ready.gov. The website also includes information and games to help children understand emergency preparedness.
Mike Johnson, before the HSE School Board Wednesday night
When Fishers Police Chief Ed Gebhart went through the routine action of retiring Major Mike Johnson’s firearm before the Board of Public Works and Safety as a result of the Major’s retirement, the Chief told board members Mike Johnson was about to start another job but could not reveal that future employer at that time. Wednesday night, we discovered Mike Johnson’s career change – the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board officially hired Mike Johnson as the new Director of School Safety.
Ryan Taylor had security as part of his responsibilities as an HSE administrator, but upon Mr. Taylor’s retirement, the administrative staff has been restructured, according to Board President Julie Chambers, allowing Mike Johnson to take on the responsibility of school safety for the district in a newly-created position.
“During the interview process, I think everybody sitting around the table knew he was definitely the best candidate,” said superintendent Yvonne Stokes. Dr. Stokes pointed out that in addition to his law enforcement experience, Mr. Johnson holds a teaching degree.
“School safety and school connections to the city became my life’s work,” Johnson told school board members. “To have the opportunity to come here and continue in my next chapter as a school safety guy, I’m the luckiest guy in the room.”
During his 29-year career with the Fishers Police Department, Mike Johnson spent time as a DARE officer and school resource officer.
Where the art is to be placed, near Lantern Road and Technology Drive
The Fishers Arts & Culture Commission is stepping up its impact on art in development around Fishers, with the newest proposal for the Nickel Plate Trail, east of Lantern Road. The commission is partnering with a local firm, Rebar Development, in a request for qualifications (RFQ), seeking an artist, artist team, or creative company to design and install an art sculpture.
The new trailhead plaza is part of Rebar’s $8.8 million Techway project announced earlier this year. The project includes a public plaza, parking, and a two-story office building at the entrance of Fishers Technology Park. Along with public art, the trailhead plaza will include bicycle racks, benches, a water fountain, and parking for trail users.
“The Fishers Arts and Culture Commission is excited to partner with Rebar Development on our third project along the Nickel Plate Trail,” said David Decker, chair of the Fishers Arts & Culture Commission, in a city news release. “In conjunction with the Blazing the Trail mural and the sculpture at Hamilton East Public Library’s new entrance plaza, we are continuing to invest in the vibrancy of our community. Art and cultural experiences are vital components of our vibrant and inclusive community.”
Artists are encouraged to maximize the use of color, texture, and lighting in their proposed work, which should not exceed a $50,000 budget. The trailhead sculpture is also required to use the daVinci Pursuit’s innovative Art Port. The installation must be durable and projected to withstand weather conditions for up to ten years with the ability to be part of a state-wide art sculpture exchange program through the daVinci Pursuit’s Art Port program.
“We are excited to work with the Commission on this unique public-private partnership along the Nickel Plate Trail,” said Shelby Bowen, president and partner of Rebar Development. “We were attracted to invest in this project because of the City’s investment along the trail and are thrilled to collaborate with the Commission to install an original piece of art for our tenants and the public to enjoy.”
Qualifications will be evaluated by the Fishers Arts & Culture Commission’s Grant and RFQ Review Subcommittee, comprised of local non-profit art organizations, Commissioners, and City staff.
When the Fishers Board of Public Works and Safety had their regular meeting Tuesday morning, the biggest news was not what was on the agenda, but what was missing. For the first time in a long time, there were no 5G tower requests from Verizon.
The board decides on requests for 5G tower locations in Fishers. For the past several meetings, the board considered a number of tower requests in several neighborhoods. The board has approved towers, and denied them when not consistent with the board’s general policy, which the city says is in line with state and federal law.
Fishers City Attorney Chris Greisl says there were no 5G tower items on the March 8 board agenda because of timing, there has been no indication that Verizon is slowing down its 5G program in Fishers. There are still a few tower requests tabled from previous meetings due to return for board consideration.
The Fishers Board of Works and Public Safety consists of Mayor Scott Fadness and his two appointees, Jason Meyer and Jeff Lantz.
In items approved by the board Tuesday morning:
–A standard contract agreement for vendors of the Fishers Farmers Market and the Saxony Famers Market in 2022 is now in place.
–The city traffic code was amended to allow one-way traffic signs on Technology Drive during that roadway’s construction.
–The city will spend $78,641 replacing ballistic vests and helmets used by the Fire Department’s Emergency Medical Service (EMS) staff when responding to dangerous situations. The current equipment will end its useful life this year.
Fishers has announced the first summer concert for the outdoor Amphitheater in 2022, and the group is Houndmouth. The event is set for Saturday, June 18, with tickets on sale March 11. You can buy tickets at www.npdamp.com and www.mokbpresents.com for $20 advance, or $25 the day of show. For ticketed shows the venue is an all ages facility and children ages two and under are permitted for free. Fans can also bring their own lawn chair and blankets.
The Fishers Parks and Recreation Department also reminds everyone that regional live music will return to the Amphitheater, with announcements later on that lineup. Updates on the 2022 summer schedule can be found at npdamp.com.
“Concert season is here! We can’t wait to bring a summer schedule with some old favorites, like Tuesday Night Concerts, as well as larger national acts to the NPD AMP,” said Sarah Sandquist, director of Fishers Parks, in a city news release. “With the Nickel Plate Trail opening this spring and this announcement kicking off our summer lineup, downtown Fishers should be on everybody’s summer bucket list.”
Houndmouth, from New Albany, Indiana, call themselves an American alternative blues band formed in 2011, consisting of Matt Myers (guitar, vocals), Zak Appleby (bass, vocals), and Shane Cody (drums, vocals). The band formed in the summer of 2011.
