When the Carmel and Fishers Chambers of Commerce merged and called itself One Zone, one of the big questions centered on how the organization would handle the mayoral State of the City addresses and the State of the School speech.  Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard will give his State of the City address soon and Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness normally gives his State of the City address early in the year.

But the Carmel and Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Superintendents decided to provide a joint tag-team version of the State of the Schools address.  On September 14th, HSE schools chief Allen Bourff & Carmel  Superintendent Nicholas Wahl gave a briefing on the state of their respective school systems.

There was no new ground broken in the presentation.  It was a reminder of how the city mayors and voters in each community have stepped forward to support the local school systems.

Superintendent Bourff was introduced by HSE student Rahil Thanawala, who experimented with Alzheimer’s disease therapies when his grandmother was afflicted with that awful condition.

Fishers City Council members will once again be asked to approve a deal with the developer Citimark, remaking the old Charles Schwab Call Center in Fishers, which has been vacant for about five years.  At the August council session, the deal was delayed on a 5-4 vote.  Council members expressed general support for the deal, but a majority asked for a delay to review the details of the contract.

Mayor Scott Fadness says there will be some “slight changes to address some of the concerns of council members.”

The mayor is very upbeat about the proposal.

“I remain very optimistic that we can get this building, that sat vacant for over five years, back in a productive fashion,” Fadness said.  “I’m optimistic that we’ll get it moving through, moving forward.”

Citimark plans to purchase the vacant former Schwab call center building at 12115 Technology Lane, as well as the Launch Fishers building, to create a campus that anchors the certified tech park.

Mayor Scott Fadness briefed local news reporters on his 2017 city budget proposal to be unveiled formally at the September 19th City Council meeting.  The total spending plan from the mayor will total $85.3 million, $71.2 million for operations and $14.16 million going toward debt service.   Fadness said the city is planning $47 million for cash reserves at the end of 2017.  The city’s General Fund is projected to be $51.8 million in 2017, compared to $51.3 million in 2016.

He’s incorporating plans for 10 new city workers next year…4 new police officers, 4 new firefighters and 2 laborers for the Department of Public Works.

The mayor reiterated many proposals first made at an August city council retreat.

Fadness expects the local city tax rate to rise to 1.5 or 2 cents per $100 of assessed property tax valuation.  Last year’s Fishers city tax rate rose 1 cent.  City Controller Oscar Guiterrez was quick to point out that Fishers has the lowest property tax rate among the largest 15 cities in Indiana.

The mayor also reminded reporters that Fishers is the only city in the State of Indiana with a AAA Standard & Poor’s bond rating, which allows borrowing at a lower rate.

The proposal for a new police headquarters was first reported at this link.  The new HQ will have a secure parking garage for police vehicles.  The mayor is hoping to break ground on this building by the first of the year in 2017, assuming the city council goes along.

The mayor’s plan to ask the council for a wheel tax to finance road maintenance was first reported at this link.  The tax would be implemented no earlier than 2018 if council members sign on to the idea.  The mayor said this money allows the city to better maintain the current roads.  The wheel tax is projected to generate $2.5 million annually in road maintenance funds for the city.

“If we get that, and we continue to be disciplined fiscally and we invest in our resurfacing,” Fadness said, “I think we can get down to a relatively sustainable resurfacing program that people can expect that their roads will be held in a high standard.”

The mayor talked about ongoing road construction projects:

–The 106th Street interchange with I-69 is scheduled to be open by the end of November this year.

–106th Street and Cumberland Road will open this year.

–In 2017, the final extension of 116th Street from the Target Shopping Center to Cumberland to a three lane street.

–State Road 37 is underway, the survey is complete.  Design work is happening now.  Ground breaking is expected in 2018.

–96th Street & Cumberland Road had a roundabout completed this year, in 2017 a roundabout will be constructed at 96th Street & Lantern Road, then in the following year 96th Street will go to four lanes between those two roundabout locations.  Once that is completed, 96th Street will be a four-lane road from I-69 east to Cumberland Road.

–A road rehabilitation is planned for 113th Street.

–The Community Crossings grant provides $1 million to Fishers and  will allow the resurfacing of 116th Street from the White River to I-69 in 2017.

City employees will receive a 3% increase in pay next year.  Fadness said there will be no increase in his salary for 2017, but council members are mulling higher compensation for themselves, the city clerk and the city judge.  Judge Dan Henke asked the City Council Finance Committee to add health insurance benefits to his compensation package.

The city is planning for a fire department training facility, much smaller than a proposed county facility that was rejected by the Hamilton County Council.  The mayor is asking $97,000 from the council for this project.  The fire training location would be housed at the city’s wastewater treatment plant.

The city public works building is set for a $500,000 renovation from the general fund.

The Hamilton Southeastern Schools Foundation will be placing 8 local high school seniors on the board of directors.  The foundation news release below provides the details.

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Hamilton Southeastern Schools Foundation (HSSF) is expanding leadership opportunities for local students. Beginning this year, the HSSF will welcome eight high school seniors to serve on the organization’s Board of Directors. The seats, divided evenly between FHS and HSEHS, will be open to juniors and seniors.

HSSF President, Tim McCoy offers, “Student engagement has always been a goal of the Foundation. The expansion of additional student board seats provides a greater opportunity for student voice, but also great succession planning for the organization.” As members of the Board of Directors, students will gain experience in philanthropy, community service and leadership while offering the organization insight from a key stakeholder group.

This type of student involvement caught the eye of Fishers City Councilmen Eric Moeller and Todd Zimmerman. The duo has created an innovative philanthropic fund to allow students to administer and award micro grants to teachers and schools. “This is a win-win opportunity. Students gain practical experience through service learning and the funds benefit our hard working teachers,” says Zimmerman. Moeller agrees, “We know that HSE Schools are cultivating future leaders and residents of Fishers. We wanted to create a program that would encourage students to think critically about tough decisions, current needs, and planning for the future.”

According to Freedom Kolb, Executive Director, “This type of real-world, hands on experience compliments the districts HSE21 effort. Students have so much to contribute to the Foundation and to the community as both decision makers and change agents. Who better to ask about how to invest dollars toward impact?” Student Board Members will attend orientation on August 6 and kick off their board service on August 18.

You can help Fishers Firefighters raise money for the Hoosier Burn Camp…all you need to do is print the flyer above and 10% of your bill goes to the camp.  It happens at Fishers Texas Roadhouse Restaurant, September 13th, 5-8pm.

Remember that new traffic signal planned for 116th Street and Lakeridge Drive (just West  of Olio Road)?  That’s the stop light Kroger offered to pay for as the new store is being constructed in that area.  That is also the traffic signal that will allow a new Starbucks to open near the planned light.

Jeff Hill, Director of Engineering for the City of Fishers, told the Board of Public Works and Safety Monday afternoon that bids for the traffic signal came in much higher than expected.  The low bid of $468,768.35 from Signal Construction, Inc. was above the Engineer’s Estimate of $390,313.50.  Hill blamed a busy construction schedule for traffic signal contractors for the high bid number.

Hill recommended the job be rebid, expecting lower bid numbers for a project to be completed by March of 2017.  The board rejected the bids, allowing the rebidding process to begin.

Mayor Scott Fadness questioned Hill about the planned opening date of the Starbucks, and whether the possibility of the coffee shop opening before the traffic signal is installed causes him any concern.  Hill said he will work with Starbucks on their planned opening date next year.

In other actions by the Board of Works:

–Changes to the city speed limit and parking schedules were approved.  Most speed limit changes are on Burberry Place, reducing speeds to 25 miles per hour.  Parking changes will mostly impact the downtown area around City Hall.  For a full listing of the changes in the city traffic schedules, use this link.

–The board approved moving forward with installing flashing light signals, including 37 locations at 20 total schools within the HSE school district. Fishers was awarded Highway Safety Improvement Program money for 2020.   This design funding of $77,315 is local money only, and is not eligible for federal funding. Construction of the signals will be financed with 90% Federal dollars and 10% local.  If the federal funds become available before 2020, Hill told the board this action will allow the project to move forward quickly.  Mayor Scott Fadness said he wants all school zones to have identical speed limits and hours that speed limit is effective.

–Tracy Gaynor, Director of Information Technology for the city, received board approval to consolidate wireless technology contracts with Verizon.

It’s time for another Arts Crawl in Fishers.  This one is set for the afternoon of Saturday, September 17th.

Below is the city news release with more details:

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Since its inception in 2014, the Fishers mental health task force has been working to address mental health concerns within our community. The upcoming Arts Crawl on September 17 offers a unique opportunity for the community to unite behind a stigma free Fishers in celebration of national recovery month. The free event themed “happiness is…” takes place from 1 to 4 p.m. and offers diverse entertainment for residents of all ages.

“This Arts Crawl is unique in that it’s a time we can unite to celebrate the achievements of the recovery community in Fishers and across the nation,” stated Mayor Scott Fadness. “This event offers opportunities to share real life experiences about the power of recovery, and will celebrate the role of hope in the recovery process.”

The Arts Crawl is hosted in partnership with the Fishers Arts Council and the Nickel Plate District Business Council. The event pairs 25 local artists with 25 local businesses in the Nickel Plate District offering a self-guided art tour as each stop features what “happiness is” to the business and participating artist.

“Participating in the Arts Crawl is always such a fun opportunity to connect with other businesses and local artists,” stated Kim Kwiatkowski, owner of Oak & Ivy Boutique. “This month, we look forward to participating in the event, but also embracing recovery and connecting with people in our community.”

Arts Crawl maps will be available at participating businesses and inside the Nickel Plate District mobile app. Additional details about the event are also available atwww.Fishers.in.us/ArtsCrawl.

The Community Health Network has announced a $15,000 donation to the Fishers Fire Department.  The money will be used to enhance the Fishers WeCare program, which promotes home safety, education and independence of older adults.  the programs allows Fire Department personnel to  follow-up with those recovering from a post hospital stay while remaining at home.

The check presentation ceremony was held September 9th.

When the news release was issued describing Fishers Safety Day, it was clear the event would go on rain or shine.  Organizers experienced both rain and shine on September 10th, but the sun did finally shine on St. Vincent’s Hospital in Fishers near I-69 interchange 210.

There were lots of families to enjoy the day.  Below are a few pictures from Fishers Safety Day 2016…

Anyone old enough to remember 9/11/2001 also remembers where they were when hearing the news.  I was working for the federal government, meeting with a colleague to plan a training class.  It was the most complex training my part of the agency offered, and, for some reason, I was judged the only person in my work place qualified to teach it.

As we reviewed the training agenda, a manager came in and told us the World Trade Center in New York had been hit by a plane.  She came back a few minutes later to break the news the other tower had been hit be a plane.  We all knew it was a terrorist attack at that point.  When the manager returned a third time to inform us the Pentagon had been hit by a plane, my colleague and I looked at each other and wondered what was coming next.

The first thought I had was about my twin daughters in elementary school at the time.  I had grown up during the Cold War years  and fears of a nuclear attack.  The old “Duck and Cover” films of that era are still on You Tube.  My daughters would grow up in a world with a different kind of fear.

We grouped around work place TV sets watching the towers collapse.  Then the announcement was made that we could all go home.  Without any idea what was next, the government was shutting down for the rest of that day.

I am proud to say my agency was back at work the next day, as were most government workers.   One employee working for my agency had been badly injured in the New York attack and would die some months later.

I won’t rehash everything else that happened during and after the attacks, but I did have a revealing phone conversation with a nurse some months later.  This lady left her job at a Florida hospital after hearing of the attacks and headed to New York in order to help in any way she could.  I thanked her for the courageous service she performed.

The nurse then told me what it was like to help out at ground zero in New York just after the attack.  The way she explained it, there was an hourly routine.  She helped for 20 minutes, regurgitated for 20 minutes, spent 20 minutes recovering, then went back to work.

Here’s what that tells me – the ground zero scene was much more gruesome than most of us will ever know.  This was a horrible experience for America.

What I learned from observing the events around 9/11 is that we as Americans must be aggressive in protecting our nation, but we also must me intelligent in the way we go about doing that.  I hope our leaders take that to heart as we move forward as a nation.