The Fishers Plan Commission unanimously recommended approval of a change in the specifications for the Whelchel Springs residential development, allowing frontage requirements to be reduced from 50 feet to 40 feet in one section of the development. Three residents along Florida Road spoke during the public hearing, as they have at previous hearings, about this housing project, claiming the developer reneged on earlier promises to allow a certain amount of easement along Florida Road.  There were also arguments on the condition of Florida Road and how that road will be able to handle the additional subdivision traffic.  The change will next head to the city council for approval.

The commission voted 6-2 to change the Nickel Plate Code governing development in the heart of downtown Fishers, allowing internally illuminated lighting by businesses in some parts of the district.  The matter will now move to the Fishers City Council for consideration.

A proposed rezoning of 2 acres at the Prairie Guest House along Allisonville Road, near Conner Prairie, has been continued for the second time.  The item is now scheduled for the next Plan Commission session October 13th.

Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness told the City Council Finance Committee that the 2016 budget will bring the municipal tax rate to 2014 levels.  The rate will see a small 1.16% increase due to bond debt not being issued until later than originally expected.  The mayor said general fund reserves are projected to be in good shape for the next few years.

“I feel really good about where we are financially right now in the general fund,” Fadness told the committee.  As a result, he plans to propose adding two police officers to start in June of 2016 to keep up with the population projections for the city.  He also plans to recommend the addition of a public parks laborer, with the massive Flat Fork Creek Park set to open next year.  Even with these hires, Fadness said the city is projected to have a $313,000 surplus in the General Fund.

A capital account will be used for cardiac monitors in city ambulances and two new fire engines under this 2016 budget proposal.

The mayor voiced concern about the sewer user fee account, which the mayor says is “not a sustainable model.”  The fee has not been increased in 20 years and the mayor says there are capital projects needed for the sewer systems in the city.

Under state law, the city council passes the budget, after reviewing the mayor’s proposing a spending plan.

In other city Council Finance Committee items…

–Terry Anker of the Legacy Fund gave committee members a presentation on how the nonprofit does business.  The City of Noblesville uses Legacy to pass out city money for charitable work.  Fishers currently funds organizations such as Conner Prairie, the Fishers Freedom Festival and the Fishers Arts Council.  The city council is considering using Legacy to make decisions about how the city’s charitable giving is spent.

–City Clerk Jennifer Kehl and Mayor Fadness told the committee that there is a large amount of paper being stored and it is costing the city.  Efforts will be made to destroy unneeded paper as the law allows and to scan documents that need to be retained, but it could be a long and expensive process.

Fishers HS State Championship Social Studies Team

The Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board recognized two important groups during the September 14th session.

First, the board honored the Fishers High School Social Studies team, winner of the most recent state championship competition.  Academic Ambush Coordinator John Drozd and Social Studies Super Bowl Coach Jenna Pritchard led the students in their championship run.

Students on the team were:

Sean Flannery

Ryan Ahler

Gautam Fotedar

Shaad Hussain

Brendan Scher

The board also passed a resolution proclaiming this month as Fishes Youth Assistance Month.  Below is the text of the proclamation:

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At the tail end of the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board meeting September 14th, board member Matt Burke told a story of what had happened two weeks prior at a local country club swimming pool.  A toddler was beside the pool, fell into the water and was rescued by HSE School Superintendent Allen Bourff.  The superintendent jumped into the pool with his clothes, car keys and cellphone.  Burke gave Dr. Bourff a Lifeguard shirt (see picture above).  One piece of advice Dr. Bourff gave after receiving the shirt, “I would recommend insuring your cell phone.”

On July 21st, 2013, Peyton Riekhof’s vehicle was pulled from the waters of Geist Reservoir. The 18-year-old recent graduate of HSE High School was found dead in her car.  Authorities said she had driven off a neighborhood street into the lake.  After that tragic event, her father Mike Riekhof formed the Peyton Reikhof Foundation for Youth Hope.

According to her father, Peyton Riekhof suffered from depression. “She took her life because she couldn’t live in the darkness,” said Mike Riekhof.  “She couldn’t live in the depression that she was living with her every day.”

Reikhof cited some recent statistics from a recent anonymous survey of HSE School District students Grades 7-12.  35% of those surveyed were not engaged, 37% felt stuck and hopeless and 30% responded they lack well being.  Reikhof  called those “staggering numbers.”

Mike Riekhof was the featured speaker at a breakfast for the Youth Mentoring Initiative (YMI).  YMI trains adult volunteers to mentor young people in the Fishers area.

The group is looking for 50 new adults to mentor the youth of the local area as part of the “Mayor’s Challenge.”  YMI is also working to reach a fund raising goal of $50,000.  YMI has a new app you can access at this link.   You can also access the YMI Web page at this link.

Riekhof says YMI can be important to young people in the Fishers community.  “Our community has so much to offer,” Riekhof said, “I’m so glad Youth Mentoring Initiative is here give youth another outlet.”

Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness and Hamilton Southeastern School Superintendent Allen Bourff spoke at the YMI breakfast to support the group’s efforts.  The MC for the event was Fishers City Councilman Todd Zimmerman.

The Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board tabled a vote on its Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy.  The issue now will be referred back to the school administration’s policy committee for another possible revision.  The controversy centers on the following passage:

“Hamilton Southeastern School Corporation…does not discriminate on the basis of a protected class including but not limited to race, color, national origin, age, religion, disability or sex (including sexual stereotype nonconformity), in the programs or activities which it operates or the employment therein or admission thereto. The School strictly adheres to all non-discrimination and anti-harassment laws and does not tolerate any such acts.”  

The language sparking the most discussion was the phrase “sexual stereotype nonconformity.”

Two people spoke on this policy, both HSE School employees.

Suleman (Suley) Hussain is a music teacher at Cumberland Road Elementary School.  He told the board about attending a school district much like HSE, coming out as gay during his high school senior year in 2005.  He described the difficulty students had in forming a gay-straight alliance club sponsor.  Hussain described what it was like to be gay and have no protections.

“I’m here because I’m very concerned about the language that we’re proposing tonight,” said Hussain, “that it might be vague, and it really doesn’t protect gay, lesbian, transgender and bisexual people.”

Laura Rinderknecht, who works in special education at HSE Schools, took aim at the language in the proposed policy.  “I’m concerned that it’s not espousing that we are a safe district to work in,” she told the board.  “As this language is currently written, it’s not reassuring of an inclusive and respectful work environment.”

Rinderknecht said the lack of strong non-discrimination language can impact hiring and retaining employees at HSE Schools.  She provided examples of nearby school districts with stronger language in their non-discrimination policies.

“My question is, what is our intention?,” said Rinderknecht.  “If it’s to declare to our current and future employees that HSE is a safe and inclusive place to work in, I ask that we be intentional about that in our language we’re using.”

Board Vice President Karen Harmer, who presided over the meeting in the absence of HSE Board President John DeLucia, read the following statement:

“As we are not a full board this evening, and since several items of concern or differing opinions have been brought to our attention in recent days regarding our recommended wording in this policy, and since our high school handbooks and perhaps in other grade level handbooks differ from our new policy, I recommend that after we have some discussion, we table this policy, until further research and discussion can be had and the full board is present.”

The board unanimously approved the motion to table the proposed language.  DeLucia was the only member not attending this meeting.

The board then had a lengthy back and forth with the attorney advising them on this board policy.  Board member Michelle Fullhart voiced her concern about the phrase “sexual stereotype nonconformity.”

“I look at this from a student’s standpoint,” Fullhart said.  “If I were a high schooler questioning my sexual identity, and I read that…I think that is very legalese up there, it’s not clear and to the point.”

Several board members suggested adding language that “we are a welcoming community.”

“I think it comes down to not throwing people away,” board member Terry Tolle said.  “If your kid did something, you’re gonna love them regardless, so you’re not going to throw people away.  That’s the main thing.  Whether it’s drugs, sexual orientation, or whatever, I think we need to focus on saving and reclaiming our people and treating everybody right.”

After the board vote and discussion, Hussain told LarryInFishers he was encouraged by board member Michelle Fullhart’s comments.  “It’s very, very lofty and good to say we don’t discriminate against anyone,” said Hussain, “but if everything is off limits then nothing is off limits.  You do have to list that.  There is a reason there are protected classes listed.”

After hearing the school board discussion, Rinderknecht repeated her concern about sending a clear message.  “I think it is one thing to say that we are welcoming,” she said.  “I think sometimes for people that are outside of the district, they may not necessarily view Fishers as being as welcoming as Fishers thinks it is.”

Rinderknecht said she personally believes Fishers is a welcoming community to all, she is just concerned about the perception of the local school system from people outside the area.

Saturday, September 12th, was Public Safety Day in Fishers St. Vincent Hospital parking lot near I-69 & Olio Road, and there were families all around enjoying the day.  Nearly all Hamilton County public safety agencies were on hand.  There were health care and commercial tents.  All in all, it was a good day for all that visited.   Here are some pictures from Public Safety Day.

During halftime of the Mudsock Football Game, someone tried to congratulate Fishers High School Principal Jason Urban when his school was leading HSE 21-0.  Urban refused to accept the congratulatory message.  He reminded the fan that there was another half of football to play.

Urban has been around long enough to know how momentum can quickly change in a rivalry football game.  HSE High School won the big contest by scoring 39 points in the second half and coming out on top at the end, 39-33.  It was a satisfying win for the Royals and a bitter defeat for the Tigers.

But HSE High School was not the biggest winner.  The HSE School Corporation honored the Teachers of the Year at halftime.  The HSE Schools Foundation sold out on their VIP game tickets for a very successful fundraiser.  The Pasta Bowl collected boxes of pasta for area food banks.

The annual Mudscock Game is not just one of the biggest events of the year in Fishers, it benefits a number of important causes.  In that respect, everyone in Fishers benefits…even Tiger fans.

The work week starting Monday, September 14th, will be another busy one around the City of Fishers.

Some good news…progress is being made in the area of Lantern Road and Commercial Drive, near the Target shopping center.  By Wednesday, September 16th, the stop sign at the railroad tracks is scheduled to be replaced with signals and traffic signals will become operational on Commercial Drive.

106th Street is schedule to remain closed to traffic between Allisonville and Hague Roads through September 23rd.

Be aware that there will be lane restrictions on the westbound lanes of 116th Street near the downtown railroad tracks.  The city says the restrictions will not be in place during “peak traffic hours.”

Below is a full listing of the road work from the city…

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Cyntheanne Road

Beginning the week of September 14, 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, and could be delayed until the week of September 21st.

Cyntheanne Road will also see lane restrictions during daytime hours for coring of the pavement to investigate pavement thicknesses.

Lantern Road and Commercial Drive Intersection

On or after Wednesday, September 16, the signal at Lantern Road and Commercial Drive will be online. At that time the railroad signal will also be activated.

104^th Street

Passing blister construction could start as early as next week on 104^th Street just west of Cyntheanne Road for the Steeplechase Sanctuary site.

106^th Street

Force main work continues along 106^th Street, and the road will be closed to thru traffic between Allisonville Road and Hague Road until September 23. Please use alternate routes while this closure is in effect.

116^th Street

Continuing the week of September 14 there will be periodic lane restrictions along 116^th Street in the westbound lane from the railroad tracks to Municipal Drive. Restrictions will be implemented outside of peak traffic hours.

131^st Street 

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

136^th Street 

On Tuesday 9/15 and Wednesday 9/16, contractors will be replacing a storm pipe along 136 Street, 2000’ west of Cyntheanne Road in preparation for the new development, Hunters Run. This will be completed in two phases to prevent the road from being closed, however flaggers will be in place to help direct traffic during construction. Both Cyntheanne Road and 136^th Street could see shoulder work for construction of the acceleration and deceleration lane at the entrance.

Thursday evening, September 10th, the Fishers City Hall was the scene of a public hearing on the proposed 106th Street interchange on Interstate 69.  I always try to attend such events, but due to a long-standing personal commitment, I was unable to attend this public hearing.

However, Lindsey Erdody of the Indianapolis Business Journal (IBJ) was on hand for the session and wrote a detailed story about what happened.  Bottom line, those testifying at the hearing were residents of the area around 106th Street and I-69 in Fishers.  They clearly don’t like the proposal.

I have a great deal of sympathy for those residents.  Many have lived in those Fishers neighborhoods for a very long time.  They never could have imagined the scope of growth that would encompass Fishers when they originally moved into their homes.

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) has promised to carefully review all the comments on the proposed interchange before any plan if finalized.  However, I’m fairly certain even the residents testifying at the hearing know the interchange is going to be constructed, the only questions remaining are aimed at the final details of the design.

One controversial component of the design calls for a roundabout at the interchange instead of the usual traffic signals.  It appears the highway engineers have studied this area and came to the conclusion that the roundabout would move traffic more efficiently than the traditional traffic lights.

Also, one resident testifying at the hearing called the detour plan during construction “a nightmare.”  I can’t argue with that assessment.  Just about every road construction detour in Fishers has been a nightmare, particularly during the morning and evening rush hours.  But without the detours, there would be no upgrades to our road system.

Based on Lindsey Erdody’s story, construction on this interchange will start next year and be complete in 2017.  Here’s how Lindsey describes the funding breakdown on the $34 million plan:

“INDOT and the Federal Highway Administration would pay for $22.44 million of the project, Fishers would contribute $9.52 million and Hamilton County would pay $2.04 million.”

You can see more details of the proposed interchange on the INDOT Web site at this link. You can also submit comments through September 25th, and you may submit those comments based on guidance at the bottom of that INDOT Web page.