The Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School administration presented a proposal, contracting with Community Health to employ school nurses, but the nurses spoke out clearly that they want to continue as employees of the school district.  The board took no action and Superintendent Allen Bourff told the board administrators will be working to answer questions in the next few weeks before the board is asked to vote on any contract.

Every school building in the HSE District has a nurse which has been employed by the school corporation.  These nurses have roughly the same benefit package teachers and most other school district employees enjoy.

Based on a presentation from HSE’s Chief Financial Officer Mike Reuter, some nurses pay would remain the same and some would see a salary increase as a result of the proposed change.  But the benefits would be very different if the nurses were to become employees of Community Health Network.

For example, spouses would not always be covered in the Community health insurance plan, the HSE employee plan covers spouses.  The annual out-of-pocket employee amount for HSE workers health costs is $4,000, for Community it is $11,400.

Nurses covered by the Public Employee Retirement Fund (PERF) as school employees would no longer be covered under a defined benefit plan (monthly annuity payments after retirement).  Nurses vested in the system could get the PERF annuity, but since the formula uses years of service and age, many vested nurses would likely wait into their 60s to be eligible for annuity payments in retirement.

Four school nurses took turns making their case before the school board to remain school district employees. They made arguments that the standard of care would change under Community Health, although Community took issue with that assertion.

The board took the proposal under advisement and plans to get answers to questions posed by the school nurses before the board receives a recommendation from school administrators.

Under the proposed agreement. Community would employ the school nurses, operate the employee health center and take over sports medicine services.

Reuter told the board that Community’s proposal to  assume operational and financial responsibility for the school nurse program would result in estimated savings to the school corporation of  $1.5 million.

If the board were to approve the proposal, the changeover for the nurses would happen in the 2019/2020 school year.

A group of six Hamilton County officials traveled to Washington DC with local issues on their minds.  According to my news-gathering partners at the Hamilton County Reporter, the area lawmakers were there to discuss traffic congestion and future highway funding with Indiana Congressional leaders as well as the Federal Highway Administration.

Two projects topped their DC discussions: the 146th Street corridor between Greyhound Pass and Hazel Dell Parkway, as well as the State Road 32 and Pleasant Street corridors in Noblesville. Traffic studies show growing congestion along both routes.

“Hamilton County is one of the fastest growing counties in the state,” says Mark Heirbrandt, President of the Hamilton County Commissioners. “Proactive efforts to address these critical corridors are vital to future job creation and in ensuring our county continues to be a great place to live and work.”

In addition to Heirbrandt, the Hamilton County delegation included County commissioners Christine Altman and Steve Dillinger, County Council president Steve Schwartz, Noblesville Common Council President Chris Jensen and Hamilton County Highway Director Brad Davis. During the two-day trip, March 13-14, Hamilton County lawmakers met with U.S. Senators Joe Donnelly and Todd Young, U.S. Representatives Susan Brooks and Luke Messer, as well as Federal Highway Administration and Vice Presidential staff.

“Funding is always the biggest challenge on projects like these,” Commissioner Altman says. “We appreciate the time that our representatives and their staff took to review our needs and offer suggestions. Their insight was extremely helpful.”

Jensen says projects like these are critical to the prosperity of cities like Noblesville. “The Pleasant Street Economic Development Corridor has been on the city’s thoroughfare plan since 1995. It is a top priority for the city. Not only will it help spur economic growth in our downtown, but will also serve as a catalyst for future successes in the heart of our community.”

The weather lately may not have been summer-like, but the City of Fishers is already gearing-up for another concert series, with a newly-remodeled Amphitheater facility.

Let’s start with the artists set for the popular Amp After Dark Friday night series.  All are scheduled to start at 8pm:

o   June 8                   John Waite and Duke Tumatoe and the Power Trio

o   June 15                 Dogs of Society: The Music of Elton John

o   June 22                 B105.7 presents 80’s at the Amp: Live and Let Die: A Symphonic Tribute to Paul McCartney

o   June 29                A Spark!Fishers Feature Show

o   July 6                     The Meek Sisters

o   July 13                  A Fishers Arts Crawl Feature Show with Jennie DeVoe 

o   July 20                  Sounds of Summer: Music of the Beach Boys

o   July 27                  Woomblies Rock Orchestra

o   August 3              Boy Band Review: Music of Backstreet Boys, *NYSNC, and New Kids on the Block

o   August 10            Dark Desert Eagles: Music of The Eagles feat. Pat Badger of Extreme

o   August 17            Trippin Billies: Music of Dave Matthews Band

o   August 31            Blues Fest 2018

o   September 1      Blues Fest 2018

Note that there are a few placeholders.  The June 29th event as part of the Spark!Fishers festival has not been confirmed.  Also, all the artists set for the Blues Festival are yet to be announced.

Next, here is the schedule for the Tuesday night concerts, all scheduled to start at 7pm:

o   June 5                   My Yellow Rickshaw                                        Sponsored by Heritage Christian School

o   June 12                 Endless Summer Band                                    Sponsored by Citizens State Bank

o   June 19                 The Doo                                                               Sponsored by Cathedral High School

o   June 26                 Mike and Joe                                                      Sponsored by Mosquito Joe

o   July 3                     Spark!Fishers Show: The Pettybreakers Sponsored by Johnson and Jensen LLP

o   July 10                  The Bishops                                                        Sponsored by Primrose School

o   July17                   Parrots of the Caribbean                               Sponsored by Bose McKinney and Evans

o   July 24                  Dave and Rae                                                     Sponsored by Goddard School

o   July 31                  Alternate Rain-Out Date                                Sponsored by Boomerang Development

o   August 7              Alternate Rain-Out Date                                Sponsored by Boomerang Development

Finally, Concerts On The Green, midday events, will be back in 2018.  These are all scheduled noon-1pm and are aimed at the lunch crowd:

o   May 9                    Kelley Isenhower

o   May 16                 Phil Pierle

o   May 23                 Tim and Jay

o   May 30                 Doug Henthorn

o   June 6                   Kelley Isenhower

o   June 13                 Phil Pierle

o   June 20                Christina 7

o   June 27                Rick Matillo

o   July 11                   Kelley Isenhower

o   July 18                  Phil Pierle

o   July 25                   Chad Mills

o   August 1              Kelley Isenhower

o   August 8              Phil Pierle

o   August 15            Tim and Jay

o   August 22            Doug Henthorn

o   September 5      Kelley Isenhower

o   September 12    Phil Pierle

o   September 19   Doug Henthorn

o   September 26   Chad Mills

Tuesday and Friday concerts will be at the Amphitheater, Concerts On The Green will be in the area south of City Hall.

“Fishers Parks & Recreation does an incredible job building out a summer schedule that all but guarantees to bring the fun and vibrancy to the Nickel Plate District that we’ve come to look forward to each summer,” Mayor Scott Fadness said in a city news release. “The variety in music and atmosphere around different concert series ensures we’re able to offer something for everyone in our community.”

All concerts are free, and those attending the the events  are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets, and food to enjoy during the show. Coolers are permitted.

I talked with Bob McCutcheon of the Parks and Recreation Department about this year’s concert series in a podcast, which you can hear at this link.

With summer on the way (we hope) the City of Fishers is gearing-up for the 2018 concert series.  Bob McCutcheon was instrumental in putting that calendar together and talks with me about what to expect this summer in Fishers.

The  City of Fishers has renewed a contract with attorney Jennifer Messer to provide legal services through calendar year 2018.  The contract, approved by the Fishers Board of Public Works and Safety Monday, calls for a retainer payment to Ms. Messer of $20,000 per month, similar to the contract the city had with the attorney in 2017.

She is required to submit monthly invoices for services rendered to the city.  Her responsibilities under the pact include consulting with city officials, handling the legal side of economic development and providing real estate services.  You can read the entire contract at this link.

Associated Press reporter Brian Slodysko published a story in May of 2017, questioning the amount paid to Ms. Messer.  Her husband, Luke Messer, is a candidate for the United States Senate in the Republican May 8th primary election.

Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness strongly defended the use of Ms. Messer, arguing the arrangement actually saves the city money in the long run for such legal work.

The Board of Works action also approved contracts with Barnes & Thornburg for bond counsel matters and Krieg Devault for Planning & Zoning matters.

Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness surprised a number of people attending his State of the City address when he proposed an urban Agri Park for Fishers.  Now, the city has entered into an agreement with Brandywine Creek Farms to develop the project.

The Fishers Board of Public Works and Safety put its stamp of approval on the pact after reviewing the written agreement and hearing from Deputy Mayor Leah Mcgrath on how the endeavor will work.

The agreement is for five years, with the opening of the Agri Park no later than the end of May this year.

The operation is described by city officials as an agricultural and urban farming operation on roughly 32 acres, located in an area near the southeastern corner of 113th Street and Florida Road.

The Agri Park will be the largest urban farm in America and will provide visitors a
multitude of educational opportunities, including:

–livestock presentations with a large animal veterinarian,

–urban farm training,

–field to fork demonstrations,

–planning and harvesting events,

–roping lessons,

–speakers series featuring staff from local universities,

–beekeeping presentations,

–STEM as Agriculture Learning Experiences and introductory presentations on Aquaculture.

Brandywine Farms is an operation started in 2015 by Jonathan and Amanda Lawler to grow and provide produce to the food insecure in central-Indiana.  The firm says its mission is “to inject healthy, locally raised food into food deserts across Central Indiana while establishing sustainable food systems in the areas with the most need.”

There is rarely a shortage of news in Fishers. and the last week or two has been no exception.  Here is a potpourri of recent news items:

–The Internet of Things (IoT) Lab had its grand opening Wednesday night and based on the crowd I saw, everyone that signed-up was there, and that was about 800 people.  This is the first-of-its-kind IoT lab for Indiana, with government teaming up with the private sector and Indiana University.  Let’s see how this all works out over time.

–I had never met Indianapolis Business Journal Publisher Greg Morris, but I had the chance to chat with him for a minute at Mayor Fadness’ State of the City event.  Mr. Morris wrote a very complimentary piece about Fishers in the latest edition of the weekly business newspaper, which you can read at this link.

–WTHR Reporter Kara Kenney has a story posted saying the Office for Civil Rights, a federal agency, has opened an investigation as to whether the Hamilton Southeastern Schools properly handled allegations of sexual violence.  You can read her story at this link.  When a citizen criticized the board handling of the situation at the March 14th school board meeting, board President Matt Burke said the following – “There are legal rights and there is a legal process that has to be followed.  We do not have a choice in that matter and we will follow a legal process and that legal process is being followed.  It will not necessarily follow the timeline that some people want, and I regret that, but I think the situation, personally, sucks, because this is not a situation that the school, in any way, created.  It was a situation that happened in the community, and we’ll have to let the process run its due course.”

–Mayor Scott Fadness presented his financial study conducted by an outside firm, Policy Analytics, on Tax Increment Financing (TIF) in Fishers and how it does, and does not, impact local school funding.  Fadness is asking the school board to pass a resolution, not commenting on whether TIFs are good or bad policy, he’s asking the board to verify the numbers presented are correct.

— At the same work session where the mayor appeared, board members discussed a threat received, placed in a mailbox at an elementary school.  School officials appeared to believe the threat was not serious.  Fishers Police apparently disagreed, issuing a news release detailing extra officers placed at all schools as a precaution.

–The deadline to register and be eligible to vote in the May 8th primary election is April 9th.  For more information on registering to vote, or to update your address if you have recently moved, use this link.

–Three businesses hatched out of Launch Fishes as startups have announced they are adding employees.  They are Vendor Jump (26 jobs), Ultimate Automation (31) and Sales Tuners (25).

–I had the pleasure of visiting Hamilton Southeaster Intermediate/Junior High Tuesday for their celebration of the Day of Happiness, a United Nations sanctioned event.  The program simply asks people around the world to show some kindness, and the students there were into the event.

–At last Monday’s Fishers City Council meeting, Thompson Thrift, the developer of The Yard, a planned culinary center, received approval to add residential units to the complex.  However, Council President David George was critical of the changed plans, saying he no longer believes the development will be “cohesive” as a restaurant destination.  George and Councilwoman Selina Stoller voted no on the measure, with Councilman Rich Block Abstaining.  The vote to approve was 6-2.   Council members Pete Peterson and John Weingardt both praised the addition of residential units to The Yard.

–At that same meeting, the council gave the OK for Fall Creek Township to move forward with a nature park, allowing a gravel parking lot.  The park will be located in the area near 113th Street and Southeastern Parkway.

–Disability Awareness Month continues in March.  I have featured a special series of mini-podcasts, allowing local people to tell their stories about disabilities.  For more on events to come this month use this link.

Those were just a few items.  I have a feeling there will be more news coming out of Fishers in the week ahead.

By

Fred Swift

Hamilton County Reporter

The Hamilton County Republican Committee achieved what few others have done when all three candidates for the GOP nomination for U.S. Senate were assembled at a Lincoln Day Dinner forum this week. The annual dinner honoring the first Republican president was held Thursday night at the 502 East Event Center in Carmel.

The Indiana Debate Commission has tried to get the three senatorial candidates to appear together, but were unable to do so when Rep. Todd Rokita refused to join with the other candidates, Rep. Luke Messer and Mike Braun.

The forum was not billed as a debate although the format resembled one. The senatorial race for the nomination will be decided in the May 8 primary election.

Candidates made opening statements and then answered questions centered on who would be best to successfully challenge incumbent Democrat Sen. Joe Donnelly. Braun, not considered a leader in the race at present, tried to contrast himself from the others by saying he was an “outsider” not tied to the establishment.

The hopefuls all pointed out how another Republican senator could potentially make the difference on legislation favored by the Trump administration. The Senate is currently controlled by a thin 51-49 GOP majority.

About 400 Republican faithful attended the dinner party. Capturing as much attention as the forum was the one-on-one campaigning by local candidates seeking support in the all-important GOP primary.

Candidates for county sheriff, Superior Court judge, county council and various other offices roamed the banquet hall seeking to meet, greet and win over party workers and leaders.

Lincoln Day is something of a kick-off of the local campaign in election years. The party’s hardcore supporters and donors attend often wanting to see the candidates in person. All current officeholders and candidates who attended were introduced to the crowd. The dinner party is sponsored by the GOP Central Committee chaired by Laura Campbell.

Adam & Larry review the new Tomb Raider film, then look back at some of the guests featured on the podcast during the past 9 months

by 

Fred Swift

Hamilton County Reporter

The voter registration deadline for the May 8 primary election is Monday, April 9. The same deadline exists for voters who have moved from one address to another within the county.

New residents to the county may register online by going to the Hamilton County website, or in person at any local license branch or at the county Government and Judicial Center registration office. Currently, there are nearly 230,000 eligible voters in the county with registrations running slightly ahead of the last election registration period, according to the County Voter Registration office.

Beginning on April 10 early voting will be available at the Elections Office in the Government and Judicial Center during regular business hours until noon on May 7.

And, on Saturdays April 28 and May 5 the office will be open from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.

There will also be satellite voting stations including a new site this year in Westfield. These are located at the Carmel Public Library, the Fishers City Hall and the new Westfield City Hall site at 130 E. Penn Street.

The satellite hours for voting are April 25 and 26 from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m., and on May 2 and 3 from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m. They will be open again on April 27 and 28 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. and on May 4 and 5 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.

In the May primary voters will choose their party’s candidates for offices ranging from U.S. Congress, state legislature, and county and township office.