Final exams at the two local high schools have been 2 days long, but if a proposal under consideration by the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Administration is approved, the exams would stretch over 3 days.  Superintendent Allen Bourff told the HSE School Board he needs to discuss this change with the local teachers association before moving forward. The proposal would allow most or all of the morning hours in those three days as preparation time for the exams.  Bourff said the only reason HSE Schools would have this option is because of its state classification as a high-performing school district.

The Hamilton Southeastern Schools Foundation announced its grant winners at the board session.   Shannon FitzGerald, a senior as HSE High School and member of the foundation board, presented the award certificates.  Here is a list of the winners:

• Heidi Stan (RJH) with Stability for the Stanimals
• Emily Mitchell (RJH) with E Commerce Cards
• Angel Myers (NBE) with Second Steps
• Kristin Patrick (BSE) with Windows and Mirrors
• Jennifer Pope (FHS) with Why Try
• Lisa Lederach (District Wide for elementary schools) with Elementary Literacy
• Vince Lidy (HSEHS) with Improving Performance
• Beth Garrison (district wide) with Emergency Trauma
• Kathy Seitz (district wide) with Fitness Fuels Destination Imagination

Additional Awards:

• Janet Chandler (HSEHS) Church Church Hittle & Antrim Fund
• Steve Baney (FJH) with Organic Garden funded by Tri Kappa Organization
• Crissy Pogue (FHS Focus) with Studio of Opportunity

Dr. Bourff updated the board on his “listening tour” of school faculty on how the school corporation should move forward with a referendum.  Bourrf told the board he will have a more detailed report on what he has been hearing from the school staff.  He also plans to offer meetings with presidents of homeowners associations within the school district boundaries.

The board also approved its goals for the current school year.

The Fishers Board of Public Works and Safety voted Monday to reject all bids submitted for the  Fall Creek Trail reconstruction along Fall Creek Road, between 96th Street and Brooks School Road.  The city engineering department told board members the city will be rebidding the project with an eye toward starting construction in 2016. However, trees in the area may need to be taken down in the coming  winter season to meet clearing requirements.  The budget for this trail reconstruction is $1.8 million, but the lowest bid was just over $2.6 million.  Fishers City Director of Engineering Jeff Hill said his department will be working to modify construction times, clearing restrictions, work hour restrictions and material options in order to reduce the overall project costs.

The railroad crossing at 116th Street in downtown Fishers near City Hall will be rebuilt in October, after the board approved a bid to reconstruct the crossing, which, according to city engineers, has surpassed its “serviceable life.”  This will require the closing of 116th Street at that railroad crossing from 9pm, Wednesday, October 21st, through 6am, Monday, October 26th.  The bid is just under $340,000.  Federal funds of $40,000 will be utilized for this project.  Lantern Road is expected to be open at the time of the closing, allowing a nearby detour during the railroad crossing construction.

The board approved a change order of $27,768 for the Fall Creek Bridge lighting and electrical project over Geist Reservoir.  Duke Energy informed the contractor the electrical service drop must be reoriented to come from the south end of the bridge rather than the originally planned north end of the bridge, requiring the change order.  This project provides pedestrian-level lighting and electrical outlets along the bridge.

In other Board of Works actions:

–Approved $248,823 for the Northeast Commerce Park Trail.  The trail will be a 10 foot asphalt path that completes a missing connection between Lantern to the Sunlake Apartments. This connection will provide pedestrian access for the Sunlake Apartments tenants, the Fishers Launch building tenants, and other businesses located within Northeast Commerce Park.

–Approved a new memorandum of Understanding with the Ambassador House on managing that facility.

–Voted to approve a Salt Storage Facility Concrete Floor and Apron Quote of $82,750.  The building is currently under construction on Eller Road.

–Approved a change order of $4,100 for the parking lot at Flat Fork Creek Park, currently under construction.

Fishers continues to be a growing community, with population moving in the direction of 90,000 residents.  That means Fishers is the 5th or 6th largest city in the state of Indiana, depending on which estimate you believe.

As the population expands, local commercial growth is also on the rise.  With the upswing in population and commercial activity, look for a number of announcements from the city during the fall season.

Everyone traveling around Fishers, especially those commuting to work places in Indianapolis, should be aware of the traffic gridlock found during the morning and evening rush hours.  Expect to see an infrastructure announcement soon aimed at easing that regular vehicle congestion.

As our population grows, it is expected that more jobs will be coming to Fishers.  Look for several news items in the coming weeks about more employment opportunities on the way.  Look for Indianapolis Metropolitan Airport (near 106th Street and Allisonville Road) to be the home for some new Fishers jobs.

One development still up in the air is the proposed Sports Pavilion in the Saxony area of Fishers, near Olio Road and 136th Street.  The major plans were announced by Mayor Scott Fadness in a City Hall news conference on April 13th.  However, the group planning to build and operate the facility, GK Sports and Entertainment, has not been able to secure financing needed to begin construction on the project.  The city administration offered a 10-year tax abatement for the developers, valued at about $200,000 a year, and a lease agreement with the city.  Mayor Fadness has said the city will not change its incentive offer. The incentives are still on the table, but the Fishers City Council will not vote on the package until the financing is in place.

Another major development coming soon is the rollout of the mayor’s plan to deal with mental health issues in Fishers.  Communities around the nation struggle to handle issues of mental health, no matter the size or relative wealth of the city.  Mayor Scott Fadness made this one of his first priorities after taking office.  He formed a mental health task force as he assumed the job of mayor, and that group is poised to announce a comprehensive plan dealing with mental health issues.  Public safety, the local school corporation and a number of other experts (and regular citizens) from around the Fishers community banded together to put this plan together. The general lack of support in Indiana for people in need of mental health services has become a front and center issue in our state.  The Indianapolis Star published a recent editorial detailing the lack of help for the mentally ill.

With  major road infrastructure, news of new jobs, waiting for the Sports Pavilion’s quest for financing and the mental health task force plan announcement, there will be plenty of news generated from the City of Fishers in the weeks to come.  LarryInFishers.com plans to keep you up to date with the latest.   Stay tuned.

Fishers-based Meyer Najem has received several awards from The Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) of Indiana/Kentucky.  According to a company news release,  The local construction firm won the Award of Excellence for the Nickel Plate Building, Executive Management Services Build-Out, and the Ruth’s Chris Steak House at Ironworks.  The firm was also recognized for winning ABC’s STEP Diamond Level achievement in safety.

Meyer Najem as been headquartered in Fishers for many years.  When their main office outgrew the space along 131st Street just east of State Road 37, the company entered into a deal with the City of Fishers to construct a new headquarters building in the downtown Nickel Plate District of the city.  Meyer Najem has been operating from that new structure for the past several months.

The calendar may say fall has arrived, but road construction projects around the City of Fishers will continue during the work week starting Monday, September 28th.  Note that a number of busy thoroughfares around Fishers will see some lane restrictions.  The listing from the city can be seen below:

ATLANTIC ROAD

Beginning on October 1st, Duke Energy will begin pole installation on Atlantic Road south of 136^th Street.

CYNTHEANNE ROAD

Continuing the week of September 28th, Cyntheanne Road could see shoulder work for construction of the acceleration and deceleration lane and passing blister at Oakhurt subdivision south of 104^th Street. This project is dependent on the timing of utility work.

LANTERN AND COMMERCIAL INTERSECTION

Lantern Road will remain closed the week of September 28 from Commercial Drive to North Street.

UTILITY CLEARING

There will be periodic lane restrictions beginning the week of September 28th for utility clearing along:

• Fall Creek between the bridge over Geist and 96^thStreet
• Geist Road North and South
• 106^th Street from Cumberland to Hamilton Proper Subdivision
• Hoosier Road North from 106^th Street
• Mollenkopf Road from 96^th Street to 106^th Street

106^th STREET & ELLER ROAD

Construction on the 106^th Street and Eller Road turn lane will continue the week of September 28th. During construction period lane restrictions will be implemented between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Lane restrictions will continue through mid-October.

116^th STREET

There will be lane restrictions on the north side of 116^thStreet between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. from Holland Drive to Cameron Drive for fence replacement along Sunblest.

There will also be moving lane restrictions between the hours of 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on 116^th Street from Allisonville Road to Olio Road for utility work. Arrow boards will be displayed to help direct traffic.

131^st STREET

We appreciate your patience as shoulder work continues along Parkside and Cumberland Road. Please use caution when traveling through the area.

136^th STREET

136^th Street will have restrictions west of Cyntheanne Road for shoulder work, asphalt milling and resurface work through the week of September 28.  Cyntheanne Road, south of 136^th Street, may see shoulder work for asphalt milling and resurface.

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has the responsibility for designating which Indiana municipalities qualify for the CLEAN award, and for the 8th consecutive year, Fishers has won the CLEAN community designation.

“We are constantly seeking out ways to ensure future sustainability with the environment in mind,” stated Deputy Mayor, Leah McGrath. “We are eager to share news of this award with residents, especially as we embark on the comprehensive plan and map out ways to ensure sustainability 25 years from now.”

Several Fishers initiatives were listed to gain the most recent designation, which include: reducing vehicle emissions of city vehicles, increasing energy conservation in municipal buildings, and hiking the city’s forestry budget.  The addition of  walking and biking trails and plans to develop rain and community gardens within the city were also part of the CLEAN City award

In his State of the City address, Mayor Scott Fadness emphasized his plan to plan to position Fishers as a sustainable city in the future

The Pasta Bowl has seen a huge jump in the amount collected for area food pantries.  the total is 13,250 pounds, many times more than last year’s total.  Riverside Intermediate School took the honors for collecting the most Pasta.  The total was released at the final food collection at the Meier Store on 96th Street, a sponsor of the 2015 Pasta Bowl.

“This is the best budget in ten years.”  That’s what Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools Chief Financial Officer Mike Reuter told the school board during a Tuesday morning work session.  The school administration is proposing a spending plan totaling $204.96 million for calendar year 2016.  The planned expenditures are roughly $2.4 million more than the projected revenues of $202.47 million, with the difference made up from the school system’s cash balance.  Even with that, Reuter projects the HSE Schools cash balance to be at $33.49 million at the end of calendar year 2016.

HSE Schools have been struggling financially ever since the Great Recession of 2008.  The changes in the state school funding formula in the last legislative session have helped the school corporation.  HSE finances have also been bolstered by higher assessed property valuations.  Another piece of good news is the rolling off of some of the debt incurred during the growth years of the school district due to building costs.  Reuter says he expects the school system will issue a general obligation bond in 2016 allowing the purchase of new computer equipment that is woefully outdated in many school buildings.  A number of HSE Schools employees are still using computer equipment utilizing floppy disk drives. Reuter says the bond can also be used to repair and maintain buildings.

Reuter projects the HSE Schools portion of the local property tax rate will decrease slightly in 2016 at $1.13 per $100 of assessed valuation, down 0.67% from 2015.  “When you look at our rates, this is the only thing, as a school corporation, we control is the tax rate,” Reuter said.  “We don’t decide who pays.  That’s a legislative decision and that’s a very confusing point for our community.”   According to Reuter, some residential property owners have seen their tax bills increase due to increased assessed valuations or because the “circuit-breaker” provision of state law applies in their case to go outside the property tax caps.  He also gave the example of a local business owner with no increases in assessed valuation since 2010, who is now paying less than 2%  more per $100 of assessed valuation in the school’s part of the property tax bill.

A public hearing will be held at the October 14th school board meeting on the budget proposal, with final approval expected at the October 28th session.

Reuter also provided preliminary enrollment figures for the 2015-2016 school year.  Based on those initial numbers, enrollment is up by 259 students, or a 1.26% increase over the previous school year.  Total enrollment is 20,832 for all grades.  Reuter says these numbers are not final, but should be very close to those figures when used by the state.

Mayor Scott Fadness provided details of his 2016 city budget proposal to the Fishers City Council Monday night.  The spending plan provides just over $69.1 million.  The city tax rate will rise slightly from last year, from about 62 cents per $100 of assessed property valuations, to just over 63 cents.  Fadness told the council this puts the rate back to where it was in 2014.  The 2015 rate dipped a bit because some bonds financing road projects were not issued in 2015 as originally planned, but will be issued in 2016.

During the public hearing on the budget, former Fishers Town Councilman Mike Colby asked how extra money provided by the state in added 911 fees on phones would be used by the city.  Mayor Fadness responded that Hamilton County has not seen any of that extra money yet, but the special census in Fishers and Westfield could up the county’s population enough to qualify for some of that added money to support 911 service.

Colby also asked about the sewer fees, and whether the city would look into changing that from a flat fee to one adjusted for the size of property, or usage fee.  Mayor Fadness responded that HSE Utilities, which services part of the city, and the City of Fishers. which handles the rest, each have different fee structures.  Fadness says talks are ongoing between the city and HSE Utilities over the fee issue.

Greg Purvis, Democrat candidate for city council at large, complained that the city’s debt load is too high and has been growing over the years.  Mayor Fadness responded that Fishers is growing and the Fishers City tax rate is the lowest of any city of similar or larger size in the state of Indiana.

The City Council is scheduled to take a final vote on the 2016 budget at the October 19th meeting.  The council has the option of scheduling  additional meetings for comment on the budget, but no such sessions have been scheduled.

The council did give final approval to the salary ordinance governing city employee pay for 2016.  No elected officials in Fishers will see a pay raise.  Most rank and file workers will see a 2% hike in salary.  Some positions will see a higher pay raise based on comparability market studies for their specific positions.  The 2016 budget will deal with solving pay “compression issues” for some police, fire and Department of Public Works employees.  Employee health insurance rates will remain the same for 2016, but the mayor said his staff is looking into savings in the system, and some of those changes could cost employees more out-of-pocket for health care costs.

Here’s a statistic for you.  One out of seven students in the local schools may struggle with food insecurities.  That’s according to the Hamilton Southeastern Schools Foundation.

The foundation has been at the forefront of collecting boxes of pasta the last few weeks for donations to local food banks.  It’s a project involving the HSE Schools foundation along with a number of others, and is tied to the annual Fishers High School vs. HSE High School rivalry football game played on September 11th.

The pasta haul this year is expected to be a big increase over last year’s drive.  The Fishers High School Lacrosse team spent several hours Saturday sorting and packaging pasta for distribution.

The final amount of pasta collected will be announced on September 24th.