The Youth Mentoring Initiative (YMI) has set the date for its annual fund-raising event, the Mayor’s Breakfast, with a new location.  The 9th annual Breakfast will be held this year in the new City Hall Auditorium, Thursday, August 29, with breakfast at 7:00am.

YMI is a local nonprofit organization providing mentoring services for about 300 students in Hamilton Southeastern Schools.  This Breakfast normally draws a Who’s Who of local movers and shakers.

You can register to be at the Mayor’s Breakfast at this link.

Candidate for Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board, Greg Lannan, announced his chair and treasurer for the upcoming campaign.

John DeLucia, current Fishers City Councilor and former HSE School Board member, will serve as campaign chair.  Fishers High School teacher Liz Paternoster will be campaign treasurer.

Lannan is running in Delaware Township in the upcoming school board election.  There is one other Delaware Township candidate, Latrica Schooley.

(NOTE:  Greg Lannan and I share the same last names and are distant cousins)

The Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board voted to extend the contract with Community Health to provide nursing services in school buildings and sports medicine.  Attorney Chris Greisl told the board the extended pact is similar to the current contract.

In other items before the board Wednesday evening:

–In the past, high school graduation ceremonies were held on Saturday, with one school in the morning and the other in the afternoon.  In 2025, with the first graduation to be held at the Fishers Events Center, the format will change, with two evening graduation events.  On Wednesday, June 4, Fishers High School will have its graduation.  On the following evening, Thursday, June 5, the Hamilton Southeastern High School will hold its graduation ceremony.

–The board required no action on the price of school meals because they will not be increased in the coming school year.

–The board approved the science curriculum for grades K-6.

–Steve Loser, Director of K-12 Initiatives for HSE Schools, provided an update on the “journey of a Student” program, formerly known as “Portrait of a Graduate.”  See his PowerPoint presentation at this link.

–Superintendent Patrick Mapes reminded the board of the “Ring The Bell” event kicking off the start of the school year, coming August 1, 5:30-7:30, at the Fishers Nickel Plate Amphitheater.  The first day for students to be in class is Wednesday,  August 7.

The Fishers Plan Commission voted unanimously Wednesday evening to send an unfavorable recommendation to the City Council on a text amendment allowing a gas station and convenience store to be placed in the Fishers Marketplace area, near 135th Street and the east side of State Road 37.

The Plan commission is an advisory body and sends recommendations to the Council.  The Fishers City Council is scheduled to vote on the text amendment Monday.

Fishers City Councilor Selina Stoller, also a member of the Plan Commission, said it is her view that there are plenty of gas stations along the State Road 37 corridor already, and due to the right-in right-out nature of that exit, a gas station at that location may not be the best use of that land.

The only public comment came from representatives of Woods of Britton, just north of the proposed project.  They voiced concerns about noise from speakers at the gas pumps and lighting impacting nearby homes.  Attorney Joe Calderon, representing the company, said there would be no speakers at the pumps and the lighting issue can be handled.

The Wednesday session was the first by the Plan Commission in the new City Hall auditorium.

if there was any hope the Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) filed by the Hamilton Southeastern Education Association (HSEA) would be settled soon, there appears to be little hope of that, at least for now.  HSEA President Abby Taylor alleges in the ULP filing Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Brian Murphy created a “hostile work environment.”

HSE Schools originally faced a deadline of July 2nd to respond to the teacher’s union ULP filing, but was granted an extension to July 19.  On July 23rd, HSE & HSEA attorneys and officials are scheduled to meet with the state education employment relations board to schedule a hearing date on the dispute.

HSEA President Taylor spoke to teachers gathered near the school administration building prior to the 6pm Wednesday board session, addressing comments by Superintendent Patrick Mapes at the last board meeting tying test scores with teacher job satisfaction.  “We know that our students are  more than a test score,” Taylor said.

Taylor said she would love to reveal e-mail and voice messages, but will wait until ISTA attorneys say it can be revealed without damaging their ULP legal case.  She describes those messages to teachers as “appalling.”

Taylor then spoke before the board during public comment, one of three speakers supporting teachers.  Taylor pointed to an agenda item approving additional legal expenses, which Taylor attributed to dealing with the ULP filed by HSEA.  She accused HSE Schools of not working collaboratively to solve any differences between the parties.  According to Taylor, this is not the fiscal responsibility the board majority campaigned on during the 2022 school board election.

No HSE School officials commented on the ULP during Wednesday’s board session.

The Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board voted to approve changes to the student handbook, but split 4-3 over provisions related to the athletic appeals process.

Board member Suzanne Tomas first asked that the measure approving the handbook changes be split into two votes, with the athletic appeals having its own vote.  That motion lost on a 4-3 vote.  Thomas then asked to amend the measure to delete the entire athletic appeals section when voting on the changes.  That also lost on a 4-3 vote.

The handbook changes, including the part on athletic appeals, passed 4-3, with Ben Orr, Tiffany Pascoe, Dawn Lange and Juanita Albright voting yes….Suzanne Thomas, Sarah Donsbach and Sarah Parks-Rees voting no.

Thomas argued the board did not receive the athletic appeals language in the handbook until just a few hours before the board meeting Wednesday night.

Cell phone handbook language was changed to be consistent with state law, but Administrator Danielle Thompson told the board HSE Schools policy is very close to the state law changes.

You can review all the handbook changes enacted by the board at this link.

The neighborhood vibrancy grant program started small a few years ago.  Mayor Scott Fadness saw the difference this program was making in adding just enough funding to maintain and upgrade local Fishers neighborhoods.

Wednesday morning, the City of Fishers announced the latest round of grants, totaling $337,000.  Mayor Fadness and the City Council have made a big financial commitment to this grant program, going from a $100,000 annual expenditure to $750,000 in 2024.  This $337,000 set of grants follows nearly $400,000 in grant funding to 28 neighborhoods disbursed earlier this spring. Applications are now closed for the remainder of 2024.

“I am blown away by the response to our revamped Neighborhood Vibrancy Grant Program,” said Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness in a city news release. “With a record high number of applicants in 2024, it’s evident that our residents and HOAs are dedicated to improving vibrancy and building community within their neighborhoods. Our additional $650,000 of investment in this program this year has supported 46 Fishers neighborhoods, increasing livability and quality of life in our community.”

Here is a list of $337,000 in grants announced Wednesday:

• Cottingham Estates ($8,061.34) for park and playground improvements.
• Delaware Pointe ($15,000) to replace the existing wooden playground structure, refresh landscaping, and repair neighborhood fence.
• Fawnsbrook Woods ($22,830.31) to renovate neighborhood entrance signs and install new landscaping.
• Northfield Estates ($4,575) to install landscaping at the entrance.
• Oak Hall ($24,250) to install a new fountain aeration system for the neighborhood pond and repair entrance columns.
• Sand Creek Farms ($21,670) to renovate neighborhood entrance signs and for sidewalk repairs.
• Sandstone ($25,000) to remove and replace 33 trees.
• Seven Oaks ($4,240) to relocate the path and install a bench near pond.
• Spyglass Falls ($25,000) to restore the waterfall at the entrance along E. 116^th Street.
• Steeplechase ($23,117) to renovate five neighborhood entrance signs and install electrical and landscaping improvements.
• Sterling Green ($25,000) to purchase and install 93 street trees.
• Sweet Briar ($20,164.54) to install an inclusive playground.
• Thorpe Creek ($25,000) to install lighting along the entrance parkway and make improvements to the trail system.
• Townhomes at Avalon ($25,000) to install landscaping to screen utility boxes throughout neighborhood.
• Townhomes at Fishers Pointe ($10,000) to make improvements to the existing tree buffers.
• Waterford Gardens ($19,178.40) to install a new fountain aeration system for the neighborhood pond.
• Whispering Woods ($25,000) to remove and replace 31 pear trees, remove overgrown areas, and install low maintenance plantings.
• Windermere ($14,000) to renovate neighborhood entrance signs and lighting and install native plants.

I recently posted a story about how the first 4 events will be announced next week for the Fishers Event Center.  At that same meeting of the Town Hall Building Corporation, the contract with the parking garage operator was approved.

The parking rates for the garage servicing the Event Center were buried in an attachment and I will admit, I missed it.  But Skyler Braun at the Fisher Digest newsletter did find it and posted on his twice-weekly newsletter.  I have since found the parking rates and you can see the rates below from that agenda attachment.  The contractor handling the parking garage at the Event Center is described in the contract as LAZ Parking Midwest, LLC, a Connecticut Limited Liability Company.

The Fishers Arts Council (FAC) is hosting its annual partner exhibit this July at the newly inaugurated Art Gallery at City Hall. The exhibit, showcasing the work of the Hamilton County Artists’ Association (HCAA), opened on July 8 and will run through August 2. A highlight of this event is the Second Friday reception on July 12 from 6-8pm, offering an opportunity for the public to meet the talented artists behind the exhibit.

Located inside the brand-new Fishers Art & Municipal Center at One Municipal Drive, the gallery has already become a focal point for art enthusiasts in the community. The City of Fishers celebrated the grand opening of this impressive facility with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 17, 2024. This establishment marks a significant collaboration between the City of Fishers and the Indianapolis Art Center, bringing the Fishers Art Center to life.

On July 12, attendees can enjoy the concurrent opening of “Balderdash,” a special exhibition featuring the artwork of the iconic Kurt Vonnegut, held in the Fishers Art Center. Visitors are encouraged to explore both gallery spaces to fully appreciate the diverse array of art on display.

The HCAA’s “All Our Best” exhibit features an impressive collection of 60 paintings, most of which are available for purchase. The gallery is open to the public free of charge from 8:30am to 4:30pm, Monday through Friday. The Second Friday reception promises an evening filled with live music by Naomi Gray, an array of snacks and drinks, and a cash bar offering selections from Sun King Brewery and Daniel’s Vineyard.

At 6:45pm, FAC board member Pat Grabill will lead the Focus on the Artist program inside the Theater, introducing five juried artist members of the HCAA, providing insight into their creative processes and inspirations.

“Fishers Arts Council is so elated to be back home inside Fishers City Hall,” said Les Reinhardt, Executive Director of the Fishers Arts Council. “After a decade of curating exhibits in the Town Hall turned City Hall, it was bittersweet to move out in 2022 in preparation for construction. The City has made this homecoming a wonderful experience; the gallery and theater spaces will truly make guests to our monthly receptions feel welcome. We are still curating work at the FAC Hub Gallery, located at the Hamilton County Community Foundation, and are looking forward to providing more opportunities for our residents to showcase their artistic talents in our community.”

The Hamilton County Artists’ Association (HCAA) remains the only juried fine arts organization in Hamilton County, Indiana. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, HCAA is run by dedicated volunteers and includes over 50 local artists and supporting members from across Indiana.

For more information on the exhibit and upcoming events, visit the Fishers Arts Council’s website or follow their social media channels. Don’t miss this chance to experience the best of local art and community spirit in Fishers.

The Maple Del residential development began as an apartment project, but that was abandoned, and the site is now set to be 56-units, single family and town homes.  The area, just west of downtown Fishers long 116th Street, will see some preliminary construction work this year, with the project starting in earnest after the winter season in 2025.

Developer Corby Thompson told the Fishers Redevelopment Commission the single-family dwellings will likely sell in the $700,00 to $750,000 range.  The town homes will likely sell for $500,00 to $550,000.  Thompson told commission members there has been no negative feedback from current residents in the area.

The Redevelopment Commission unanimously approved the Maple Del agreement

The Commission also reviewed the annual Tax Increment Financing (TIF) report for calendar year 2023.  You can see the full report at this ink.