by

Fred Swift

Hamilton County Reporter

Here are some news bits of the week brought to you by your vigilant County Line writer.

Noblesville’s 31st annual Historic Homes Tour is set for Sept. 16. It is sponsored by the Noblesville Preservation Alliance, an organization that attempts to save the city’s historical homes and cultural sites. Most recently NPA has embarked on an effort to save the Nickel Plate Railroad. The home tour will allow participants to visit several of the city’s historic homes from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 16. Advance sale tickets are $15 and may be purchased through the NPA website.

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Hamilton County Extension Agent Diane Turner says Purdue agriculture experts report farm crops in Hamilton County and surrounding areas look good, about the same as last year. Despite a wet spring and very dry weather since July, “farmers’ expectations are favorable for the upcoming harvest,” Turner says. Corn is expected to average about 172 bushels per acre, about the same as last year. Soybeans should average about 55 bushels, down about 2.5 bushels per acre.

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Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard has apparently had his plans for a carousel (the sophisticated name for a merry-go-round) shot down by his city council. The mayor wanted $5 million included in a new city bond issue to buy and house the antique Canadian attraction. Most city council members said the public didn’t like the idea. The mayor may still got $95 million to lure a luxury hotel, build more roundabouts and other projects.

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Readers may still remember Noblesville has a downtown parking study pending. It’s been nearly two years since it was begun and is presumably complete, but city officials won’t release its findings. Deputy Mayor Steve Cooke is in charge of the study, the fourth in the past 20 years. The city public relations office says it’s uncertain when we will see the suggestions on providing more public parking.

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The county budget for next year is about ready for review by the Hamilton County Council. On Sept. 13 the budget of each department of county government will be examined in detail. County Auditor Robin Mills says the multi-million dollar budget, to be adopted in October, is not expected to require any increase in the property tax rate.

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Cobe’s Run is being sponsored by Carmel American Legion Post 155 on Sept. 9 beginning at 10 a.m. The motorcycle run is planned to financially benefit Cobe Scott, a local area child who recently lost an eye to cancer. Entry fee for riders is $25 and passengers $10. Proceeds go to Cobe’s medical treatment and the cost of a prosthetic eye. Food and prizes follow the run at the Legion post. Those interested in riding may contact the post at 846-0001.

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A jazz concert on the Courthouse Square is set for Friday. It’s September’s ‘First Friday’ event with music starting at 7 p.m. and going until about 9. The concert on the east lawn of the square is free. Those attending may want to bring a lawn chair. First Friday events are sponsored by Noblesville Main Street.

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Hamilton County Reporter

Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard has announced that the city is suspending Metronet’s Right-of-Way Permit pending investigation. This effectively stops new work by the private utility that was installing high speed internet fiber throughout the community. All new utility work by Metronet will be on hold until the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) investigation requested by the City of Fishers is complete. Carmel will also request the IURC investigate all utility cuts made by Metronet in the city. The City of Carmel will then re-evaluate Metronet’s Right-of-Way Permit to determine what work may continue at that time.

After Vectren reported 14 gas line hits in Carmel by Metronet in 2017, Mayor Brainard took this action due to the safety risk this posed to the general public. He also will be seeking damages for the costs incurred in responding to public safety calls caused by Metronet’s negligence.

The City of Fishers recently reported contractors for Metronet were responsible for six gas line ruptures.

In recent years, the Indiana State legislature has taken away cities’ rights to deny permission for privately-owned utilities to operate in cities’ rights of way.

“Our hands are tied when it comes to regulating these private utilities as they work in the right of way, but when that work poses a threat to public safety, we must take whatever action is available to ensure our citizens and businesses are kept from harm,” said Mayor Brainard.

The city will permit restoration work to continue where yards, rights of way and landscaping has been disturbed. However, if that restoration requires any form of excavation, Metronet will only be permitted to proceed with that excavation if a City of Carmel inspector is on site.

The city is asking those with complaints about Metronet to call the Carmel Department of Community Services at (317) 571-2417.

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Hamilton County Reporter

The Reporter has learned Hamilton County Sheriff candidate Mitch Russell announced Thursday he is suspending fundraising for his campaign for 20 days to focus on assisting those affected by Hurricane Harvey.

“I am asking the citizens of Hamilton County, who are currently or planning to support my candidacy for Hamilton County Sheriff, to turn your efforts to the victims of Hurricane Harvey,” Russell stated in a press release Thursday afternoon. “I am a firm believer in becoming a united front to help those in need. We need to take care of those who can’t take care of themselves.”

Russell said “helping our fellow Americans” is more important than his campaign for the office of Hamilton County Sheriff.

“I cannot collect money for my run for sheriff knowing there are people who need the money for medical care, shelter, food, and daily necessities,” Russell said. “Texas needs our help! Please assist me in raising money for the people affected by Hurricane Harvey.”

Russell said his family will donate the first $500 during the campaign fundraising suspension. He asked that his supporters stand with him to make donations to Hurricane Harvey victims.

According to Russell, donations can be made to the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund through GHCF.org, The American Red Cross, The Salvation Army, Samaritan’s Purse, or Heart to Heart International.

“My family and I are heartbroken for the people of Texas and will continue to pray for their safety and recovery in their time of need,” Russell said.

Mike Reuter has provided the income projections for both the town and city of Fishers for a number of years and his dollar predictions have almost always been very accurate. However, state officials have informed Fishers that County Option Income Tax (COIT) money to be distributed to the city in 2018 will be roughly $668,000 less the Mr. Reuter’s projected amount.

City Controller Lisa Bradford told the Fishers City Council Finance Committee Wednesday evening the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance (DLGF) does not provide any details of how they arrived at the numbers provided.  However, Carmel’s distribution of COIT funds is $3.4 million higher than Reuter’s anticipated amount.  Hamilton County government’s COIT share is roughly $1.6 million less than the projection.

The three Finance Committee Members at the meeting were Eric Moeller, John Weingardt and Selina Stoller.  They all three appeared to favor cutting back on the spending for nonprofit groups to bring the budget back into balance.  Without the cut, the city’s General Fund would be in a deficit for 2018.  All also favored pushing back on the DLGF to reveal how these COIT distribution figures were determined.

The committee members also indicated they need to look at 2018 pay raises for elected officials.  No recommendation was made on that in the Wednesday session.

The committee did get some good news.  The accounting firm BKD gave the city high marks in its first audit of the city’s financial books.  Fishers decided to hire a private accounting firm to get a more complete audit.  The State Board of Accounts, due to funding cutbacks, is no longer able to audit the city every year.

The City of Fishers announced the nonprofit organizations to receive financial support in 2018, based on a city council committee recommendation.  The Fishers Freedom Festival, an event held locally since 1989, was not on that list.

Below is a listing of the groups set to receive funding from the city in 2018:

         Advocates for Children and Families, dba Cherish

·         Ascent 121

·         Conner Prairie Museum, Inc.

·         Geist Half Marathon

·         Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana, Inc.

·         Hamilton County Leadership Academy

·         Hamilton County Youth Assistance

·         Hamilton Southeastern School Foundation

·         Hope Academy

·         Janus Developmental Services

·         Nickel Plate Arts

·         Spaceport Exploration

·         YMI

The Fishers Freedom Festival did apply for 2018 support from the city council committee evaluating these funding requests, but Festival Executive Director Jennifer Kehl told LarryInFishers, “We (Fishers Freedom Festival) are disappointed we were not offered an interview, but not surprised.   It is a shame the city council and the mayor don’t see the value the festival brings to the community.”

Kehl says the festival has two more events to handle yet this year, but the board of directors and volunteer committees for the festival will be making a decision on the 2018 Fishers Freedom Festival by the end of October.

LarryInFishers asked Kehl whether the city would be willing to continue in-kind support from city departments if the festival can raise enough money for next year’s Freedom Festival.  “There has not been any conversation,” said Kehl, “other than, it was my understanding this not-for-profit committee, whatever funding they give you, is the funding they give you.  That includes in-kind support.”

The city used a new system and set of criteria to evaluate the use of city funds supporting local non-profit groups.  The Non-Profit Grant Committee, comprised of Fishers City Council members Cecilia Coble, Brad DeReamer, and Pete Peterson, recommended distribution of grant awards to 13 non-profit groups, not to exceed a total of $331,500.

To be eligible for the grant award, non-profits submitted proposed project or events via an application and review process conducted by the Committee. All organizations are required to have IRS 501(c)(3) status, be able to quantify the organization’s impact on Fishers residents, and show their ability to provide a financial match to the grant award.

25 applications were submitted to the committee. The panel conducted two follow up interviews, and will present their informal recommendation during the Finance Committee meeting on later today for consideration as part of the 2018 City Budget. The City Budget will be considered by the full City Council during its September 18 meeting with the final budget approval to occur at the October 16 City Council meeting. Nonprofit grant funds will be distributed in January 2018.

According to the city news release, all grant applications were scored under the following guidelines:

·         Maximum grant amount for each project or event will be $100,000.

·         Depending on grant amount and/or percentage of the total project or event budget is provided by the grant, a board appointment for one Council member may be required.

·         Organization should establish need for grant for the project or event.

·         Organization should demonstrate overall community enhancement and impact in Fishers.

·         Quarterly accounting provided by the Organization to City Council Non-Profit Committee.

·         Organization should demonstrate financial responsibility and management qualifications.

·         Organization should provide the commitment, capacity and ability of the Organization to carry out the project or event.

Fire swept units of the Woods of Britton Apartments, near 141st Street & State Road 37, specifically 13855 Canapy Lane, late Tuesday afternoon.  40 firefighters spent 90 minutes bringing the blaze under control.

There were only two slight injuries, both Fishers firefighters, who were treated and released from Saxony Hospital.

A total of 8 apartments were damaged in the fire, 3 of those were a total loss.  Fire officials say the blaze appears to have started on a first floor apartment deck, but no cause ha yet been determined.  No dollar amount of damage is available at this time.

The first units were dispatched to the scene at 3:14pm Tuesday, the fire was under control at 4:43pm

Fishers has just formed the 50 Club, aimed at supporting public safety workers and their families when the employee dies or suffers disabilities.  At Large City Councilman Rich Block and local attorney Steve Lutz are two of the organizers of the new organizations, and talked with Larry about it in this podcast.

by

Fred Swift

Hamilton County Reporter

Janus Developmental Services has begun initial planning for a new facility on the grounds of their present location in Noblesville.  Christina Sorensen, president and CEO, said
Monday that American Structurepoint is providing the planning service for a
building that will handle needs of the organization for 25 years. No timetable
has yet been established for financing and construction.

Last year Janus purchased 19 acres immediately west of their facilities
at 1555 Westfield Road for eventual expansion. The acreage is occupied by Noblesville
Golf and Batting Center, a recreational complex  which includes a driving
range, batting cages, miniature golf and sandlot volleyball. The center includes
a concession stand updated for use by Janus clients with disabilities to
be trained for employment.

Janus serves 200 disabled residents age 18 and over, enabling them to pursue
education, employment and skills for independent living. Some clients are also
placed at the Government and Judicial Center café for employment practice.

A number of programs at Janus are available for the disabled.  Sorensen says
this year, for example, it was discovered that art produced by clients would
successfully sell to the public.  Some is now exhibited for sale to allow the clients
to earn their own money.

A major and growing service of Janus is their public transportation system.
A total of 22 buses now transport not only those enrolled at Janus, but members
of the general public.  Hamilton County Express will, upon a call, go to anyone’s
home and provide a ride for a fee. During the past year there were 58,639
rides provided for folks in need of transportation to a doctor’s office, grocery, etc.

Recently, Janus partnered with Riverview Health to provide transportation
for hospital patients.  Four new vehicles were purchased for this expanded
service.

And, during the past summer Janus provided summer activities for youngsters ages 14 and
over with special needs.

The expanding role of the organization is maintained by an 88-member
paid staff. Janus is operating on a $4.5 million budget this year. Funding
comes from federal, state and local government sources, plus private fundraising
efforts.

The non-profit organization is governed by a board of 20 county citizen
members. Board president is John Schuler.

I will come clean with you – I love the blues.  It is a musical genre that has captivated me for a number of years.  My wife Jane and myself enjoy listening to live blues performances.

For the fifth consecutive year, Fishers will provide a blues experience not easily found in the state of Indiana, and it is all free.  The downtown  Fishers Nickel Plate Amphitheater will be the setting for two nights of blues – Friday, September 1st and Saturday, September 2nd – 7:30pm-11:00pm each night.

Special recognition is planned for legendary blues artist, the Reverend Charlie Edmonds.

Here is the full line-up for each night:

Friday, Sept. 1

Zach Day

Lightnin’ Rod & The Thunderbolts

Dicky James

Governor Davis

Saturday, Sept. 2

The Blues Ambassadors

Bridget Kelly Band

Rev. Charlie Edmonds

Samantha Fish

Here is more good news – blues fans are welcome to bring outside food, drinks, coolers and pets, as well as lawn chairs and blankets. Food trucks will also be onsite for those interested.

If you like the blues, or are just not sure but want to try it on for size, join Jane and myself and come to the 2017 Fishers Blues Fest.

Fishers City Councilman Eric Moeller is hosting a Town Hall at Fishers City Hall Monday, September 25th, 6pm-7:30pm.  Councilman Moeller is inviting his North Central Council District residents, and people living in the surrounding area, to this event.

Invited speakers include Amy Massillimany (Hamilton County Council), Jeff Hill (Fishers Director of Engineering, and Eric Pethtel (Fishers Director of Public Works).

The Town Hall will include construction updates on the State Road 37 project, how roads receive grades for resurfacing, projects scheduled in the District for 2018 and how Fishers Department of Public works attacks winter weather.

The three at-large city council members – Rick Block, Cecilia Coble and Todd Zimmerman – are listed as co-hosts for the event.