As the Fishers City Council begins its work for 2017, there will be a new member banging the gavel, calling each meeting to order.  David George, the longest serving council member dating back to the days of Fishers as a town, will be the body’s president in 2017. Councilman At-Large Todd Zimmerman will serve as vice president.  Both votes were unanimous.

Outgoing Council President John Weingardt said “it’s been an absolute pleasure…I’ve had a lot of fun.”  Weingardt served two one-year terms as town council president, and has just finished a one-year stint as city council president.

George complimented previous city council presidents Weingardt and Pete Peterson.   “I think Fishers is a great place to live,”  George said.

In other news from the Tuesday night council session:

–Hamilton County Commissioners Mark Heirbrandt, Christine Altman and Steve Dillinger presented the council with a 2016 award from the Association of Indiana Counties for local cooperation between Fishers and Hamilton County in the State Road 37 project.

–Council approved 1st & 2nd reading for the annexation into the city of Springdale Estates. The homeowners there have all agreed to sell their homes to developer Thompson Thrift, making way for The Yard culinary development.  The council is scheduled to vote on the 3rd and final reading  February 20th.  The earliest the annexation would be effective is March 21st of this year.

–11 acres of land at 7877 East 106th Street was rezoned from industrial to commercial office use, following a unanimous council vote.  City staff says this use better fits into the comprehensive plan.

–Approved minor changes to the Nickel Plate District code, which governs development in the downtown area.

–Honored the state champion Fishers Junior High School “We The People” team.  They are headed to Washington DC for the national meet.   You can donate to the fund allowing the team members travel expenses for the national competition at this link.