The Fishers Police Department is once again looking to be re-accredited by a commission that requires adherence to international policing standards.

Below is an FPD new release about the process and how you may submit written comments:

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The Fishers Police Department is seeking its sixth re-accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA).  Administered by CALEA,  accreditation requires agencies to comply with state of the art standards in four basic areas:  policy and procedures, administration, operations, and support services.  Accreditation is a four year process during which the police department must adhere to strict international guidelines of policing and organizational practices.  Compliance Service Members conduct electronic reviews of policies and procedures to verify compliance every year for four years.  At the end of the fourth year, an assessor visits the agency to conduct interviews and review day-to-day operations of policies and procedures.  In May, FPD successfully completed the fourth electronic review.  The onsite visit will be held from June 19-21.

According to Chief Ed Gebhart, “The CALEA Accreditation process provides ongoing external review of the Fishers Police Department to ensure that strategic, operational, and tactical operations of the organization stay current with best practices in law enforcement.  By being accredited, we send a message that the Fishers Police Department is committed to legitimate delivery of law enforcement services and is determined to meet the needs of those we protect and serve.”

Anyone wishing to submit written comments about the Fishers Police Department’s ability to comply with the standards for accreditation may do so via the Public Comment Portal on our website, CALEA Public Comment Portal for Fishers Police Department or send them to the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement, Inc. (CALEA), 13575 Heathcote Boulevard, Suite 320, Gainesville, VA, 20155.

A complete listing of the standards can be found at:

https://www.calea.org/node/11406

In a June 5th post on this blog, I expressed concerns about the Fishers decision to charge a $50 per day parking fee for nonresidents at Geist Waterfront Park, during the summer months.  In other words, if a vehicle is parked in the Geist Waterfront lot with no Fishers resident in the vehicle, there will be a $50 charge for that summer day.

My concern is that this decision could tarnish the reputation of Fishers outside the city limits.  I wrote then I hoped I was wrong.  It appears, sadly, I was not wrong.

Indiana Week In Review is produced by Indiana Public Broadcasting, recorded in Indianapolis each Friday afternoon and is broadcast on public television and radio stations throughout the state.  It is a panel discussion consisting of a moderator, one Democrat, one Republican and two journalists.

Public broadcasting may not have the audience size of commercial operations, but the demographics of a program like Indiana Week In Review tend to skew toward people in decision-making positions in both the public and private sectors.  In other words, movers and shakers in the state are watching and listening to this show.

The Indiana Week In Review episode recorded and first broadcast Friday, June 9, had a brief mention of the Fishers $50 parking fee at the end of the program.  Lauren Chapman of Indiana Public Broadcasting  moderated this edition and Oseye Boyd is Public Engagement Editor for the Indianapolis Star and a journalist on the panel.  Below is a transcript of their discussion about Fishers, starting with a tongue-in-cheek comment from the moderator, with some laughter, that turned a bit serious:

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Lauren Chapman: Fishers, a suburb of Indianapolis, recently announced a new public beachfront park in the affluent Geist Reservoir area.  To discourage people who don’t live in Fishers from using the park, the Fishers City Council approved a parking fee for nonresidents of $50 per day.  Oseye, what would be a better way to keep out nonresidents – armed guards, a moat, a wall on the southern border of Hamilton County off of 96th Street, what do you say?

Oseye Boyd:  I say a wall and a moat.  Let’s just go ahead and let people know that we don’t want them coming (laughter among the panel) and keep them out, and keep us out, keep them in, whatever.  But it definitely sends a signal of – people are not wanted.  $50 to park?

(at this point, several panel members are speaking at once)

Oseye Boyd:  You bring that up about parking (in) downtown (Indianapolis) – people complain about that, but you’re saying $50?  That’s an extreme amount of money.

Lauren Chapman:  That’s an extreme amount.

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As a 32-year resident of Fishers, it was painful to watch this exchange.  It is one thing to be criticized, it is quite different when your city is ridiculed on a respected, state-wide public affairs program.

This exchange says the Fishers brand has been tarnished by the $50 parking fee decision.  The question now is, what comes next?  Will this be a long-term hit on the city’s reputation, or will this be a short-term issue soon to be forgotten?

That is up to the mayor, his staff and members of the Fishers City Council.

Fishers has become a very diverse place during my time living here and people hold a variety of views.  But, overall, my experience has been that the people of Fishers believe they live in a community that is welcoming.

I know a number of people in Fishers support the decision by the mayor and City Council to impose the $50 nonresident parking fee, but people outside Fishers generally do not see it the same way.  Fishers has much to brag about as a quality place to live, but any branding expert will tell you even a long list of positives can be negated by one long-lasting negative impression that lingers.

I will be watching this issue as we move forward.

You can view the Indiana Week In Review episode at this link

It’s another week, and there is another busy road construction report for the Fishers area.  If you have been keeping abreast of these weekly reports, you have noticed the report is about more than road construction in Fishers.  Added are updates on the Nickel Plate Trail and the huge “Clear Path” project rebuilding the interchange at I-69 & I-465.

Here is the report, as provided by the City of Fishers:

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STATE ROAD 37 AND 141ST STREET
A pre-construction phase at SR 37 & 141st Street is currently in place. During this phase, 141st Street will be a Right-In-Right-Out (RIRO) traffic configuration. 
This is not the permanent configuration. This will allow for traffic to flow more freely along SR 37 until the next phases of construction can be activated. This will eliminate backups along SR 37 that have caused dangerous stops to the free flow traffic and backups on the 146th Street interchange. Again, this is not the permanent configuration for 141st Street. The full timeline for the 141st Street interchange will be provided after project bids are accepted in the Summer of 2023. View detour routes here.

To learn more about the Clear Path Improvement Project and sign up to receive text and email updates, visit clearpath465.com 

I-465 & I-69
Drivers will see an increase in construction along the I-69 corridor in the coming months. This work will focus on reconfiguring the interchange at I-465 and I-69. New ramps will provide direct movements from eastbound I-465 and northbound I-465 to northbound I-69. Binford Blvd. will also be reconstructed to separate local traffic from traffic entering and exiting I-69 and I-465. Access to I-69 from Binford Blvd. will remain open. Drivers can expect to see significant activity on I-69 at the 82nd Street interchange.

The ramp from I-69 North to 82nd Street and the ramp from 82nd Street to I-69 North is currently closed through late 2023. For detour routes and additional project information, visit clearpath465.com 

To learn more about the Nickel Plate Trail, view the Capital Project Dashboard here.

NICKEL PLATE TRAIL
The City of Fishers is working on the completion of the Fishers portion of the Nickel Plate Trail. The remaining paving work from 96th Street to 106th Street is underway, and construction crews are currently working to clear and prep the area for paving. In the coming weeks, construction crews will begin the paving process.

Hague Road is currently closed at the NPT crossing for construction of the speed table and is anticipated to reopen by Monday, June 12. The detour shall use Crosspoint Blvd. to 106th Street. View detour route here.

116th Street between Eller Road and River Road is currently under daily lane restrictions for bridge joint replacement by Hamilton County. The estimated completion date is Friday, June 16. Lane restrictions will be in place daily between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Flaggers will be in place. 

There are daily lane closures currently on Cumberland Road, just south of 126th Street for sanitary and water line work. The northbound right turn lane and the southbound passing blister will be closed.

Phase 1 construction for the grade separation intersection improvement is currently taking place at 146th Street and Allisonville Road. One through lane and one left turn lane in all directions will be closed through the intersection. In addition to these closures, the worksite speed limit will be 35 mph. Please exercise caution while driving through this construction zone.

For additional project information, visit Hamilton County website here. 

A proposal for the financial planning firm Drive to construct a commercial office at 13562 E 116th (near Olio Road) was opposed by a unanimous vote of the Fishers Plan Commission Tuesday evening.  A parade of residents in the area spoke at the public hearing that this proposal is not one that fits into this the area.

Commission Vice President and City Councilor Pete Peterson, presiding over the meeting in the absence of Commission President Howard Stevenson, said the architectural design is a good one, but is not right for this location.

The petitioner did not attend the first reading of this proposal at the last Fishers City Council meeting, and the builder took the blame, saying he made on error on the date and time of that meeting.

Drive is asking Fishers to rezone this property from residential to commercial, allowing for office space.  The proposal now goes for a final decision before the Fishers City Council with a unanimous unfavorable recommendation from the Plan Commission.

In another matter before the Commission, the developer was granted a continuance for a proposal for two nearby housing developments north of 96th Street, one along Cyntheanne Road, the other along Georgia Road, in southeast Fishers.  The plans also call for a commercial part of the project.

Neighbors, one-by-one, took turns opposing the plans during the public hearing.  Some had no issues with the housing development, others were against it.  But nearly all were opposed to the commercial plans.

Some commission members expressed opposition to the housing plans, but all said they were against the commercial proposal.  The Commission voted unanimously to grant a continuance.

The rezoning request will be on the agenda for the next Plan Commission session, while Planning & Zoning staff will work with the developers for the proposed Flat Fork development on changes in the project.

It was a large opening weekend for Geist Waterfront Park.  The latest parks offering from the City of Fishers features a beach on Geist Lake, a pirate-themed playground area and a refreshment stand.

Fishers spokesperson Ashley Elrod tells LarryInFishers the Parks Department estimates 6,450 people enjoyed the park the first weekend it was open to the public.

That weekend did have a couple of things going for it – it was a long memorial Day weekend and the weather was perfect.

Fishers residents were allowed to park for free on the park grounds, but if no Fishers residents were in the vehicle, a $50 fee was charged (the fee is for each park visit, for Geist Waterfront  only).  I asked city officials how many nonresidents were charged the parking fee opening weekend and await a response.

The Parks and Recreation Department should be pleased with the turnout on Geist Waterfront’s opening weekend.

Wednesday, June 7, The City of Fishers will hold the popular Touch-A-Truck event.  The weather got in the way last month, so this is the rescheduled date.

Below is a copy of the news release about Touch-A-Truck:

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It’s time for the June activity from the Fishers Arts Council  For the detail, here is the news release from the Arts Council with more details:

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June is a busy month for Fishers Arts Council, and we’re kicking it off with a brand-new
community exhibit called “Summer Shine!” This exhibit focuses on what brings us joy, the pride in being our true selves, and the beauty that shines from within. Bold colors, big statements, and love are the aim of this exhibit, and local artists definitely delivered!

“Having 22 artists on display is amazing,” says executive director, Les Reinhardt. “The only time we have ever had more artists in the gallery is during our annual Juried Exhibit of Hamilton County Artists.”  Creatives from Fishers, McCordsville, Noblesville, Carmel, Beech Grove, Indianapolis, and Bloomington are represented on the FAC Hub Gallery walls that reside inside the Collaboration Hub at Hamilton County Community Foundation.

The artists on display are: Caitlin Bischoff, Margot Bogue, Bob Boyle, Sharon Jiskra Brooks, Krista
Darrow, Shakila Garugu, Linda Havel, Shaunt’e Lewis, Teri Maloney, Tina Mangos, Tyler Moore, Maggie Mullin, Alyssa Parr, Jeannette Pomeroy Parssi, Kristina Poulsen, Mark Rouse, Frances Ruiz, Amanda Russo, Walt Thacker, Mandi Voegele, Casey Williams, and Tania Michelle Wineglass.

The exhibit is open for viewing Monday-Thursday 9am-5pm and Fridays by appointment by contacting the Fishers Arts Council.

Join the party at our Second Friday reception on June 9 from 6-8pm at the Collaboration Hub at 11810 Technology Drive in Fishers and meet these incredible artists, enjoy their wonderful art, listen to tunes by Remington Hill, and take part in our refreshments and cash bar. Our featured artisan is Deanna Poelsma of Glazed and Confused Creations. This event is welcome to all ages – plus we’ll hold a special interview segment with some of they artists at 6:45pm. We’ll see you on Second Friday.

Fishers Music Works is wasting no time in letting everyone know their annual concert of patriotic music is set for 2023.  This year’s event is scheduled for July 2, 2023, at he Legacy Bible Church on Howe Road.

This is the 7th annual version of this concert.  General admission tickets are $12, but all under 18 years of age are free.  Buy your tickets at this link.

There has been a great deal of commentary about the $50 parking fee charged nonresidents of Fishers during the summer months at the new Geist Waterfront Park.  Let’s just say it has not been a positive image for our city to those living outside our city limits.

This reminds me of the old saying, “no good deed goes unpunished.”

First, a little history.

Irving Materials Inc. (IMI) had a mining operation on Geist Lake near Olio Road for many years.  When the property was mined-out, there were rumors IMI and the other owner of the property, Marina Limited Partnership, were taking offers from developers for constructing high-priced homes on the property.

Seeing the first and only opportunity to preserve any public space on Gest Reservoir, the City of Fishers, in 2017, made it clear publicly, that it was the city’s intention to use condemnation, if necessary, to acquire the IMI property for a public park.

The haggling over the purchase price ended up in court, but a judge in 2018 ruled on the amount IMI would receive in the sale, $15.7 million.  The city began moving forward.  Constructing a park on a reservoir takes a long time, with many regulatory hurdles involved.

In November of 2022, Fishers invited people to come out and see the park, despite bone-chilling cold.  Hundreds braved the elements to check out the new park.

There was a ribbon-cutting ceremony in May and the new Geist Waterfront Park opened to the public May 27th for the Memorial holiday weekend.  I have asked the city for numbers on attendance at the park on that first weekend, but they were still working on that at last report.

This is a gorgeous park with a beach, swimming area and boats (non-motorized) available for rent.  A pirate-themed play area is there, along with a concession stand.

Another thing about Geist Waterfront Park – it is small.  There was only so much property available to the city once IMI moved out.  Mayor Scott Fadness asked the City Council to approve a $50 parking fee for those living outside Fishers during the summer months.

The mayor told the council this is the method he recommends to allow Fishers residents reasonable access to the park, since their tax dollars are paying for it.  Fadness also emphasized that controlling the number of people at the park is a safety issue.

The Council voted in favor of the $50 non-resident parking fee in April by a 7-2 vote, with Democrats Jocelyn Vare and Crystal Neumann casting the no votes.  Councilor Vare expressed concerns this is not a sign Fishers is a welcoming city.

I had a podcast recording session with the mayor May 24th.  Given the criticism the city has faced, I asked if the $50 nonresident parking fee will remain in place the 2023 summer season at Geist Waterfront Park and he replied it will.  I asked Mayor Fadness if his administration had looked into other alternatives to the $50 parking fee to allow city residents access to the park and control the crowd to handle safety concerns.  The mayor responded that there is no legal way to restrict access to this park for city residents only.  He explained a data calculation on how the city arrived at the $50 figure.

As someone that has been a resident of Fishers for 32 years, I am concerned about the image this parking fee has cast on our city.  I perfectly understand the mayor’s arguments into how and why the parking fee was imposed.  Some moments tend to define a city, like Carmel will forever be known for its roundabouts.

This will present a major challenge to the mayor and his staff.  If this is a short-term public relations hit that will go away in a few weeks, that is one thing.  I fear this controversy may be a long-term hit on the reputation of Fishers.  I hope I’m wrong.

But it all comes back to the mayor’s desire to have public space on Geist reservoir, rather than more million-dollar homes.  That is a noble goal and the park is a testament to that goal achieved.

It goes back to that old saying mentioned earlier in this commentary, “no good deed goes unpunished.”

The Juneteenth Jubilee will be back in Fishers in 2023.  The place is Conner Prairie.  The day is Monday, June 19th.  The time is 5-8pm.

The Fishers Arts Council will once again partner with the Fishers High School Future Black Leaders club to stage this year’s celebration.  The annual student-managed event features black owned businesses and artists, culinary artists, community resources, as well as talented performing artists: Tom Foolery, Jasmine White, Pen & Paper, Zwebby, and DJ D Nyce. Journee Collins and Bailey Liner will perform the Black National Anthem: Lift Every Voice and Sing by James Wheldon Johnson.

This year the Kid’s Zone will be expanded to include a playground, bouncy houses, face painting, balloon animals, games, and interactive music with Indy Music & Wellness. All activities in the Kid’s Zone are free. Conner Prairie will offer balloon rides for a fee, weather permitting. Food vendors include: ChefTLC, Just Cakin’ It, and El Venezolano Food Truck.

“Juneteenth is important because it is a celebration for African Americans moving closer to freedom. This event highlights the achievements and advancements we have made as a culture. Being a part of the Jubilee helps to show support to this important historic holiday in a fun community setting,” says Brooklynn Ferrell, student organizer for Juneteenth Jubilee and 2023-2024 Co-President of Fishers High School’s Future Black Leaders club.

The Juneteenth Jubilee is free and open to the public.

Les Reinhardt, executive director of Fishers Arts Council says, “Working alongside these incredible student leaders, especially Brooklynn, is an inspiration. We are proud to support these students and the amazing event they create for the community year after year. They decide what will be offered, coordinate with the vendors and entertainment, create educational materials, and fundraise. It’s really amazing to see the power of what our youth can make happen in Fishers.”

Juneteenth is a celebration commemorating the end of slavery in the United States.  It became a federal holiday in 2021.