Mayor Fadness (left) and City Attorney Chris Greisl talk on a speaker phone with members of the Board of Works (I took the photo observing social distancing rules)
Today has been a very busy coronavirus day and it is not over yet.
Monday morning, the Fishers Board of Public Works and Safety held a virtual meeting… Mayor Fadness was as City Hall, and the other two board members, Jason Meyer and Jeff Lantz, were on a speaker phone for the session. City Attorney Chris Greisl was physically with the mayor at City Hall.
The board passed a resolution empowering the mayor to take certain actions that would normally require board approval. Examples would be city contracts in excess of $50,000 or changing the hours of operation in city parks. That doesn’t mean the mayor is planning either one of those actions now, the resolution simply gives Fadness the legal authority to take such action if the situation requires.
The resolution also requires the mayor to document any actions authorized by the resolution and report back to the board at a later date.
The Fishers Board of Public Works and Safety consists of the mayor and his two appointees.
Shortly after the virtual Board of Works session, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb issued a “stay at home” order. Fadness posted a Twitter message shortly after the governor’s announcement in full support of the action.
“We must make individual sacrifices for the collective good of us all,” Fadness wrote in the Twitter post.
Proposed improvements for the Hamilton County 4-H Fairgrounds will be revealed to county commissioners on Monday. Director of 4-H activities Susan Peterson has been working with county officials to plan various upgrades and expansion of facilities at the fairgrounds on East Pleasant Street in Noblesville.
Details on the plans were not available Friday, but will be reported when they are made public.
At their regular meeting, commissioners will also consider contracts with RQAW Engineering and C.H. Garmong Inc. for design and construction of a three-level parking garage to accommodate employee and public parking
The garage will be built on the north side of Clinton Street between 8th and 9th streets in downtown Noblesville on ground that is currently being used for surface parking.
The new facility which has been discussed for the past year is estimated to cost about $9.5 million. Approximately half the cost will be paid with funds from the sale of another county lot on the south side of Conner Street at White River. That ground will be developed into a large mixed-use development planned by a private developer.
The county has cash on hand to pay for the other half of the new parking garage, first of its kind in Noblesville. A date for start of construction has yet to be determined.
Highway construction is expected to start this spring on completion of the final mile of the upgrading of 146th Street from Shelborne Road to the Boone County line. County Highway Director Brad Davis said yesterday that contracts have been signed with Gradex Corporation for the work which will complete the dual-lane road from Interstate 69 to Boone County.
Commissioners will also hear from the County Clerk Kathy Williams on the possible need to change several polling places in advance of the primary election. Some nursing homes and churches have reported they cannot host voting due to the pandemic shutdown.
Voters will be notified if the changes affect their polling place.
Joe Worley of Community Hospital North (left) and Tony Huddleston Facilities and Operations Director at Navient (right) loaded 2,700 N95 masks – donated by Navient – into Worley’s SUV to be used at the hospital. (Photo provided)
Hamilton County Reporter
As everyone has heard, face masks are virtually impossible to find amid the coronavirus pandemic, and that has hospital officials around the country and Indianapolis concerned.
Navient employees have always shown concern for local communities, and that’s no different today. Navient’s Tony Huddleston, Facilities and Operations Director, and Joe Worley of Community Hospital North, loaded Worley’s SUV with 2,700 surplus N95 masks being contributed to the hospital, a neighbor of Navient’s Fishers site.
Navient maintains a supply of these masks for business resiliency purposes, but the company has more than needed for the current environment. Across the entire company nationwide, all excess masks are being donated to local hospitals, the American Red Cross, and other organizations because of the urgent need.
Many of us are in our homes avoiding the spread of coronavirus. So, we are not going out to the movies. With that, we are often looking for entertainment in our homes. As a result, I sampled some offerings provided by Netflix and HBO. If we are hunkered-down long-term, these sorts of reviews will continue until movie theaters and back open again.
Whether we like it or not, COVID-19 has most of us ensconced in our homes for an indefinite period of time. If you are looking for something to do, try one of my podcasts, including the most recent conversation I had with Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness all about his actions related to the coronavirus.
There are many platforms where my podcasts may be found. Here are some easy-to-access links:
As long as I can remember, the terms Chamber of Commerce and Merhoff have been connected. That goes back to when Fishers had its own Chamber, before the merger with Carmel that created One Zone. Now, based on reporting from my news-gathering partner, the Hamilton County Reporter, Mo Merhoff is retiring.
“Now in my 20th year, it seems like a good time to end this significant chapter in my life,” she said. “Unfortunately, current conditions preclude this from being a public announcement as planned.”
OneZone’s Chief Operating Officer Jack Russell will serve as interim president. OneZone’s board of directors will launch a regional executive search for a president in the next few weeks.
According to OneZone Board President Kathy Krusie, “Mo has been instrumental in creating an environment in which businesses thrive, that in turn has resulted in Carmel and Fishers being nationally recognized as outstanding communities in which to live, work, and play.”
After joining the Carmel Chamber in 2000, Merhoff championed numerous collaborative initiatives and established the organization as a source of information and education for businesses, entrepreneurs and non-profits, leading to exponential growth. In 2015, the Carmel and Fishers Chambers of Commerce merged to create OneZone representing more than 1,300 members, and that same year was recognized as the Indiana Chamber Executives Association’s Chamber of the Year. Most recently, she has facilitated an active public advocacy initiative on behalf of members and their businesses.
“The very best of my years with the chamber have been the incredible people I’ve worked with and gotten to know. These are the people with vision, commitment and spirit who have been the main ingredients in making our communities extraordinary, enviable places,” Merhoff said.
Prior to joining OneZone, Merhoff, spent 14 years with the United States Rowing Association, including serving as the executive director of the 1994 World Rowing Championships in Indianapolis.
Merhoff’s future plans include continuing to facilitate board planning sessions for not-for-profit organizations as well as traveling and spending more time with her husband, dogs and horse.
Hamilton County Coroner John Chalfin has ruled the deaths of two people in Fishers as a murder-suicide, according to my news-gathering partner, The Hamilton County Reporter.
Shortly after 1 a.m. on Wednesday, Fishers Police Officers responded to a family disturbance in the 12600 block of Ladson Street (near 126th Street and Cumberland Road). Upon their arrival officers located an adult female and an adult male both suffering fatal injuries from gunshot wounds.
Hamilton County government is asking local residents to conduct business online. County Commissioner Christine Altman says every effort is being made to continue county services.
Here is the full statement issued Friday afternoon:
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The Hamilton County Commissioners are asking residents to do as much of their county business online as possible. Like any business, the county is trying to limit transmission of COVID-19 among staff and maintain business operations.
“The county provides services that are instrumental to our community,” County Commissioner Christine Altman says. “We need to do our best to keep the folks in dispatch, in law enforcement, and in our offices healthy so we don’t have any interruptions in government business.”
The county has created a webpage listing all the county business that can be conducted online – including how to file for an absentee ballot and how to pay your property taxes. You can find the list at this link.
In the meantime, many county employees are telecommuting or working flexible hours in an effort to distance themselves from one another.
“We are committed to staying open as long as we can,” Altman says. “But in order to do that, we need the community’s help. Not only is online business easier, but it’s also more convenient and you’ll be doing your part to keep our staff healthy.”
Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness acted Thursday to suspend stormwater bills, for residential and commercial customers, for 60 days. The mayor also lifted rules on signage to help local restaurants let customers know they are open for carry-out and delivery orders.
The mayor told me in a Wednesday interview that he has been in contact with local restaurateurs and they had asked for that temporary change.
In the written announcement from the city, Mayor Fadness said these actions are “In recognition of the difficult times our community is facing.”
Here is the full text of the city’s announcement:
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“In recognition of the difficult times our community is facing, the City is taking the following actions to alleviate the financial burden on our residents and businesses,” stated Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness.
Suspension of all Fishers Stormwater Utility Bills:
Effective immediately, all residential Fishers Stormwater Utility bills will be suspended for 60 days. If residents received utility bills via email, you may disregard the bill at this time. A new bill will be sent when the City begins to bill again. All Fishers Sewer Utility bills should follow the stated due date on your statements.
Residents with questions or concerns about paying Fishers Sewer Utility bills should contact the Fishers Coronavirus Hotline at 317-595-3211.
Suspension of all Commercial Stormwater Utility Bills:
Effective immediately, all first quarter Fishers Stormwater bills for commercial properties is suspended for 60 days. If you received a notification via email, you may disregard the bill at this time. All Fishers Sewer Utility bills should follow the stated due date on your statements.
Businesses with questions or concerns about paying Fishers Sewer Utility bills should contact the Fishers Coronavirus Hotline at 317-595-3211.
Code Enforcement:
Effective 3/18, the City of Fishers lifted the following UDO codes for businesses. This allows businesses to advertise access to carryout food.
The following Articles are not being applied for the duration of the COVID-19 event:
Outdoor Display and Storage Standards (Article 6.10): exempts businesses from restrictions associated with outdoor display signs (feather flags, sandwich boards, etc.), allowing businesses to promote service available.
Temporary Signs (Sec. 6.17.8): exempts businesses from the permit requirements and standards. Permanent signage will still require permitting for installation.
County Commissioner Christine Altman speaks before the Facebook live camera (photo provided)
Hamilton County officials did their own live Facebook video Wednesday night and revealed that there has been another Hamilton County resident testing positive for the COVID-19 coronavirus, raising the total to two. Also, members of the Fishers City Council will be voting Monday night on extending the emergency declaration issued by Mayor Scott Fadness.
Meanwhile, Indiana state officials revealed Thursday morning that there are 17 new COVID-19 positive tests in the state, bringing the total number of cases in Indiana to 56. Keep in mind, this is with a very limited number of test kits available.
I watched most of the Facebook live video session with county officials. You can watch the recording at this link. At the video session, it was announced that Hamilton County Commissioners have issued an emergency declaration. Commissioner Christine Altman told those watching the video stream that the courthouse will be closed to any individual that exhibits signs of illness.
According to my news gathering partner, the Hamilton County Reporter, Sheriff Dennis Quakenbush announced changes his office is making due to coronavirus.
Sheriff Quakenbush, in a social media video message said, “All services to the public will continue.”
“My number one goal for our community is to ensure confidence in the fact the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office will continue to operate and provide the duties and functions, while also making the necessary changes to allow us to carry out these functions in the safest possible way,” Quakenbush said. “The safety of our community, employees and inmates is at the top of our priorities. When you call dispatch or 911, patrol deputies will respond. Some investigations may be handled by telephone if the complaint is not in progress. We will continue to proactively patrol and enforce the law.”
The Sheriff said correction facilities will operate without interruption.
“We have medical housing, quarantine facilities and a 24-hour medical staff to maintain a safe correction environment,” Quakenbush said.
Jail visits will be restricted to remote video visits. To register for a remote video jail visit, go to gettingout.com.
If you are symptomatic, sick or have been in the last 72 hours, please do not come to the Sheriff Department campus unless you are court-ordered. Quakenbush explained that if you must report to the Sheriff’s Department campus as a result of a court order, the Sheriff asks that you call (317) 773-1872 during business hours or (317) 776-2595 after hours before you come.
Critical sex offender registration will continue to occur at the Sheriff’s office. Fingerprint requests will be processed inside the lobby. Necessary background checks, public record requests and many other inquiries should be requested by fax or email. Local background checks for gun permit applications will continue; however, the Sheriff asks that you call (317) 773-1872 in advance. Tax warrant payments in the form of money order or cashier’s check can be mailed to the Sheriff’s Department or paid online through Indianataxwarrants.com.
In his statement, Quakenbush encouraged county residents to shop local. The Sheriff also explained there is a blood shortage and reminded residents to donate if possible.
“Check on your neighbors. This is a communal effort,” Quakenbush said. “The men and women of the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department are working hard to keep everyone safe.”
Back here in Fishers, the city council has scheduled a vote to extend the emergency declaration issued by Mayor Scott Fadness. State law only allows the mayor’s edict to remain in place for 7 days, but council members may extend it. Also, city officials are asking that residents view the council meeting virtually.
“While the meeting remains public, we recommend that residents follow the recently released guidelines to avoid gatherings and meeting due to the risk of COVID-19,” according to a posting on the city’s Web site.
“For those interested in providing public comment, the City of Fishers established a form to submit your comment(s), which will be read during the council meeting. The City Council meeting will be live-streamed for residents to tune in at home,” the city says.
Any questions can be directed to City Hall at 317- 595-3111.
I spoke to the mayor about the city’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic…read more about that conversation and listen to the entire podcast recording at this link.
