Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Some Dead Council Proposals - Some More Dead Than Others

Longtime readers of this blog will remember mention of Council rules governing how Proposals are to be treated.  Section 151-30 of the Municipal Code says that a Council committee shall consider any Proposal assigned to it within 45 days of its introduction.  Further it says that any Proposal that is tabled for more than 6 months without any consideration for action, shall be deemed dead.
Any permanent or standing committee of the council to which a proposal has been referred shall report to the council upon each such proposal within forty-five (45) days of its referral, either with or without a recommendation, unless the president of the council shall withdraw the proposal or reassign it.  ...   If a proposal is tabled by a committee and no action is taken to remove it from the table or to reassign it during a period of six (6) months, the proposal shall be deemed postponed indefinitely and shall be removed from the calendar of pending proposals.
Any Proposal tabled or postponed indefinitely (without mention of a date certain when it will be considered), is dead there and then.  The Council uses postponed and tabled interchangeably, although Roberts Rules considers them distinctly different.

The agenda for every Council meeting lists at its very end, those Proposals which the Council considers still alive, but which are neither introduced nor acted upon at that particular Council meeting.

The agenda for last night's meeting lists 14 such Proposals.  Several would appear to be on the list in violation of our Ordinances for how the Council shall operate.
Prop 349, 2012 - the Fall Creek/Citizens Consolidated TIF, was introduced in November of 2012; a year and a half ago.  It has been tabled or postponed time and again with no action considered.  It should be dead.
Prop 143, 2013 - the panhandling ordinance, was introduced one year ago, acted on by the committee this past November, and the Council returned it to committee on December 19, 2013.  The committee tabled it indefinitely on January 21, 2014.  It should be dead by dint of the indefinite tabling (a motion that is really postponing indefinitely, or killing a Proposal).
Prop 264, 2013 - seeks to amend Council rules regarding membership of committees, was introduced last November.  It has been postponed with date certain or tabled indefinitely since then.  It is dead by Council rules.
Prop 350, 2013 - seeks to allow discharge of guns for reasons other than self defense outside the old City limits, has a timeline much like the last one.  It should be dead.
Prop 23, 2014 - urging the General Assembly to pass a constitutional amendment that there shall be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude in Indiana, was introduced in January.  However, it was tabled in committee without a date certain for its consideration.  It is dead.
Different from those Proposals listed above is Prop 77, 2014. 
Prop 77 was introduced on March 17 and has not yet been heard in committee - in clear violation of the rules.  It would float $7.75 M in City bonds for the "Broad Ripple Project" and $1.5 M in North Mid-Town TIF bonds for Tarkington Park.  In a very unusual move, both the City bonds and the TIF bonds would be repaid by the TIF.  Given that it is such a new TIF, one has to wonder how it City taxpayers can be assured there is enough money to repay both.  Nonetheless - this Proposal should have been brought forward by the committee by May 1.  Rather than being dead, it is more like the walking dead.
I also want to bring up one other Proposal.  Prop 250, 2013, which was introduced last year for the Rebuild Indy 2 project, was tabled indefinitely last year and properly removed from the list of 'live' Proposals.  Yet, someone suggested to IndyStar reporter, John Tuohy, that it is in 'limbo'; presumably somehow still actionable.  It is not.  It is dead.  Not just merely dead, most sincerely dead.

So, what we have is a Council that continues to ignore its own rules.  Four Proposals are dead and should be removed from the list of active Proposals.  There is no penalty in having them reintroduced when appropriate.  One Proposal should have been put on a committee docket by now.  It is very unclear what that really means, except that it is not hard to follow the rules, especially when you make those rules.

Monday, May 12, 2014

Rebuild Indy 2 - How We Pay for Roads Is Important

What's holding up Rebuild Indy 2?

To hear some tell it, Council Democrats.

Let me disclose right here, I am a Democrat, even though many party leaders would wish it otherwise.  I'm not going to talk party philosophy in this blog entry - rather, simple math.

So, lets back up to the beginning

What's holding up Rebuild Indy 2?

To hear some tell it, Council Democrats.  Hooray !  They are doing exactly the right thing.

RBI 2 was proposed last year, too.  For several months now, Mayor Ballard has been holding public forums pushing for its resurrection this year, although nothing has been introduced at the Council yet.  After hearing the DPW presentation at the March McANA meeting, I asked detailed questions about the proposed funding to pay the $350 million price tag.  None other than DPW Director, Lori Miser, replied that she would get me the information.  More than a month has passed and I have heard nothing but crickets.

So, I am left to believe that the funding plan for RBI 2 this year is the same funding plan proposed for RBI 2 last year.

In a nutshell, of the $350 million, $215 million is ready to roll out the door and $135 million would be raised from a bond issue.  The bond issue would be paid back over 30 years at $9 million per year, for a total repayment of $270 million.  $3.5 million of the nine, would come from increased gas tax revenue from the State.  The remainder would come from existing revenue streams normally used for other things.

First - why doesn't the Mayor propose a $215 million streets and sidewalks program that uses existing money?  Why does it need to be tied up with the $135 million bond issue?

Second - the bond issue is irresponsible any way you look at it.

The bond would be repaid over 30 years but the improvements would last half of that - 20 years if you think patch  on patch is good enough to call 'lasting'.
 
The bond would be repaid with mostly existing money, and not 'new' money.  That decreases the number of pay as you go projects we can do for 30 years.
 
The federal government will 'leverage' our road expenses 1 to 4 -  we pay 20%, the feds pay 80%.  The Mayor wants to 'leverage' $9 million a year for 30 years into $135 million.  If we go with the feds method of leverage, that $9 million a year for 30 years would give us $1,350 million.
 
Why would we pick the pocket of future taxpayers - taking $10 from what they could have to spend, so we can spend $1 today?

I'm glad the Democrats on the Council aren't signing off on RBI 2 - at least as long as the bond issue remains part of the plan.

Admin Approvals - Last 30 Days - Through May 9

Here are the latest Administrator Approvals listed in the Citizen Access Portal on the DCE webpages.  For further information, each petition number contains a hyperlink to the DCE record.

First, those shown as having been submitted - but for which no decision has been noted:

2014ADM098
801 S STATE AVE
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46203


5701 BRILL RD
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46227

Temporary Classroom (1,536 sq ft)

5651 E 86TH ST
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46250

Free standing sign

8151 ALLISONVILLE RD
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46250


5820 W 56TH ST
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46254

Remove exisiting paving for new building and hardscape, Relocation of utilities. Construction of new building. Extend existing utilities. Complete new sidewalks. Finish grade and seed

1001 E 16TH ST
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46202

Park improvements (playground equipment, splashpad, restroom building, gazebo, and landscaping)

2727 E 86TH ST
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46240

Ironworks signage

2727 E 86TH ST
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46240

Ruth's Chris wall signs

5784 W MORRIS ST
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46241

Proposed site improvements: 4,500 sq ft service station; 2,026 sq ft lease space; dumpster enclosure

3260 WESTLANE RD
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46268

Cluster Plan Approval - Subdivision to be know as Bentwood Springs
Proposed wrought iron (or similar material) gates with stone/masonry columns at the west pedestrian entrance of Park Tudor's campus off of Pennridge Drive, set back with campus approximately 9-10 feet from the east line of (vacated) Central Avenue, at existing concrete walk.

Approved 5/2/14

1212 CASTANIA DR
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46228

Wireless communication facility equipment upgrade and replacement

1005 W 64TH ST
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46260

Install new generator with subbase fuel tank on new concrte pad at exisiting wireless communication facility

6355 WESTHAVEN DR
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46254
Install new generator with subbase fuel tank on new conrete pad at existing wireless communication facility

Approved 5/1/14

3020 NOWLAND AVE
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46201

Addition of 4,282 sq ft of temporary classrooms

5877 N HIGH SCHOOL RD
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46254

Install new diesel generator with subbase fuel tank on new concrete pad

Approved 4/30/14

2014ADM063
7200 N COLLEGE AVE
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46240


5625 KENTUCKY AVE
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46221

Church Steeple replacement

7600 E 71ST ST
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46256

Gymnasium addition to Crestview Elementary School

Approved 4/29/14

3488 BLUFF RD
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46217

cell tower co-locate / new equipment cabinet.

6401 E 75TH ST
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46250

Athletic equipment shed (384 sq ft) approval for Heritage Christian High School in SU2 district

201 N RURAL ST
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46201

Addition to existing daystar childcare infant house in SU1 district

Approved 4/28/14

7570 TROPHY CLUB DR
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46214

Addition of (2) 10'x12' (120 sq ft) Pergolas to Duplex in PK2 District

Approved 4/24/14

10671 E 10TH ST
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46229

New wireless communication facility with new equipment shelter inside existing fence compound. Installation of new antenna platform, 9 antennas, and related equipment

Approved 4/23/14

2628 LAKE CIRCLE DR
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46268

Illuminated wall sign

6325 DIGITAL WAY
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46278

Installation of internally illuminated 100 sq ft wall sign (Ricoh)

Approved 4/22/14

3851 SHORE DR
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46254

shelters for vending machines

Approved 4/17/14

2014ADM075
551 STOVER AVE
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46227

improvements to existing wireless tower

Approved 4/16/14

8140 TOWNSHIP LINE RD
APT 1101
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46260

Patio room enclosure on existing duplex at Marquette Manor

2014ADM027 -- elevations
6081 E 82ND ST
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46250

Approved 4/14/14

8220 TROTTER RD
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46113
Antenna and equipment upgrade on exisiting tower

6330 GUILFORD AVE
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46220
Replacement of 3 antennas and addition of 3 modules to existing tower; addition of ground equipment

5444 BARKER LN
LAWRENCE IN 46236
Replacement of 3 antennas and related equipment to exisiting tower

Approved 4/11/14

7256 COMPANY DR
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46237

equipment upgrade cell antenna - existing tower

8421 MASTERS RD
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46250
equipment upgrade cell antenna - existing tower

8688 MADISON AVE
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46227
equipment upgrade cell antenna - existing tower

5155 S EMERSON AVE
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46237
Wireless communications facility antenna and equipment upgrade through replacement

1005 WESTERN DR
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46241

equipment upgrade cell antenna - existing tower

Approved 4/9/14

4515 LAKERIDGE DR
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46234
Change in window elevations approval for PK2 district.

Friday, May 9, 2014

Decatur Referendum - There Are Strings Attached

Now that Decatur Township voters approved a property tax increase to bail out the School District from its own flagrant fiscal mismanagement, there are a few things the District needs to do for the Community in return.

First, recognize that this tax increase will harm some very real people; maybe even, one of your neighbors.  We have a community of modest means.  Some of our elders already decide between spending on food and spending on medication.   The home they live in was purchased at a price far lower than the assessed value upon which the tax rate is applied.  We have families, with and without kids in school, that just make ends meet and have struggled to keep their home through the Great Recession.  We have renters in similar situations, whose rent will rise to accommodate the tax hike.

Remember their very real sacrifice each time you spend a penny of that new money.

Second, spend the new money only on the new circuit breaker impact coming next year.  That is what the community was told it was for.  Not raises, not all expense paid trips to extra conferences, not new carpeting - just the upcoming fiscal shortfall.  It would not be honorable to spend it in any other fashion than for the reason broadcast to the voters.

Third, counter the ill effect of our tax rate compared with our neighboring communities, by actually improving the education delivered to Decatur's children.  A "D" school system in a Township with a high tax rate will not attract the move up homes and the basic retail that we desperately need.  The least you can do is improve the education to a "B" District level, if not an "A".  The community deserves it.  More importantly, every child deserves it.  Even a child who earns all As is more challenged and learns more in an "A" district than in a "D" district.

I am impressed with Dr. Matt Prusiecki, the new Superintendent, and like some of the ideas he has shared with me; they are forward thinking and worth a try.   I trust Decatur school's CFO, Kirk Farmer, to be a good steward of our tax dollars.   So, it is possible, if these two are given the chance, to provide children with the education they deserve while keeping our fiscal house in order.

Fourth, don't expect this tax increase will be renewed in seven years.  Use every tool available to bring down the debt payment as quickly as possible.   State law allows refinancing for an extra 10 years, which will lower the principle and likely the rate as well.  It's not perfect, but the debt is overwhelming for a community our size.  Sell the extra real estate.   New state law demands that in 2015, our TIF district must get a sunset date applied to it.  It is possible the TIF could be gone before these seven years are up; in any case, the timing will be close.

Fifth, it is time to seat a new school board.  Three of the five seats are up for election in November.  It is time to sweep out those who voted for every debt increase and tax increase our community could not afford, who voted for every golden parachute, ungodly raise, and purchase of  unnecessary property.  It is high time to seat a new board who will honor the community's sacrifices.  It is time to seat a board who will stop the excuses and improve our school system

Monday, May 5, 2014

Admin Approvals - Last 30 Days - Through May 2


Here are the latest Administrator Approvals listed in the Citizen Access Portal on the DCE webpages.  For further information, each petition number contains a hyperlink to the DCE record.

First, those shown as having been submitted - but for which no decision has been noted:

1001 E 16TH ST
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46202
Park improvements (playground equipment, splashpad, restroom building, gazebo, and landscaping)

2727 E 86TH ST
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46240

Ironworks signage 

2727 E 86TH ST
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46240

Ruth's Chris wall signs 

5784 W MORRIS ST
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46241

Proposed site improvements: 4,500 sq ft service station; 2,026 sq ft lease space; dumpster enclosure

3260 WESTLANE RD
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46268

Cluster Plan Approval - Subdivision to be know as Bentwood Springs
Proposed wrought iron (or similar material) gates with stone/masonry columns at the west pedestrian entrance of Park Tudor's campus off of Pennridge Drive, set back with campus approximately 9-10 feet from the east line of (vacated) Central Avenue, at existing concrete walk. 

Approved 5/2/14
 

1212 CASTANIA DR
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46228

Wireless communication facility equipment upgrade and replacement

1005 W 64TH ST
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46260

Install new generator with subbase fuel tank on new concrte pad at exisiting wireless communication facility 

6355 WESTHAVEN DR
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46254

Install new generator with subbase fuel tank on new conrete pad at existing wireless communication facility 

Approved 5/1/14

3020 NOWLAND AVE
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46201

Addition of 4,282 sq ft of temporary classrooms 

5877 N HIGH SCHOOL RD
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46254
Install new diesel generator with subbase fuel tank on new concrete pad 

Approved 4/30/14

7200 N COLLEGE AVE
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46240
 

5625 KENTUCKY AVE
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46221

Church Steeple replacement

7600 E 71ST ST
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46256

Gymnasium addition to Crestview Elementary School 

Approved 4/29/14

3488 BLUFF RD
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46217

cell tower co-locate / new equipment cabinet. 

6401 E 75TH ST
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46250
Athletic equipment shed (384 sq ft) approval for Heritage Christian High School in SU2 district

201 N RURAL ST
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46201
Addition to existing daystar childcare infant house in SU1 district 

Approved 4/28/14

7570 TROPHY CLUB DR
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46214

Addition of (2) 10'x12' (120 sq ft) Pergolas to Duplex in PK2 District 

Approved 4/24/14

10671 E 10TH ST
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46229
New wireless communication facility with new equipment shelter inside existing fence compound. Installation of new antenna platform, 9 antennas, and related equipment 

Approved 4/23/14

2628 LAKE CIRCLE DR
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46268
Illuminated wall sign 

6325 DIGITAL WAY
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46278

Installation of internally illuminated 100 sq ft wall sign (Ricoh) 

Approved 4/22/14

3851 SHORE DR
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46254

shelters for vending machines 

Approved 4/17/14

551 STOVER AVE
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46227
improvements to existing wireless tower 

Approved 4/16/14

8140 TOWNSHIP LINE RD
APT 1101
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46260

Patio room enclosure on existing duplex at Marquette Manor 

2014ADM027 -- elevations
6081 E 82ND ST
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46250 

Approved 4/14/14

8220 TROTTER RD
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46113

Antenna and equipment upgrade on exisiting tower 

6330 GUILFORD AVE
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46220
Replacement of 3 antennas and addition of 3 modules to existing tower; addition of ground equipment

5444 BARKER LN
LAWRENCE IN 46236
Replacement of 3 antennas and related equipment to exisiting tower 

Approved 4/11/14
 

7256 COMPANY DR
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46237
equipment upgrade cell antenna - existing tower 

8421 MASTERS RD
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46250
equipment upgrade cell antenna - existing tower 

8688 MADISON AVE
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46227

equipment upgrade cell antenna - existing tower 

5155 S EMERSON AVE
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46237
Wireless communications facility antenna and equipment upgrade through replacement

1005 WESTERN DR
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46241
equipment upgrade cell antenna - existing tower 

Approved 4/9/14

4515 LAKERIDGE DR
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46234
Change in window elevations approval for PK2 district. 

Approved 4/7/14

7929 MICHIGAN RD
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46268

Approximately 218-square foot outdoor cat enclosure addition to existing building of the Humane Society

Approved 4/4/14
150 STEEPLES BLVD
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46222
Approval of site plan for track and field and parking lot at Central State 

4700 TODD RD
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46237
site plan, landscape plan and building elevation approval for assisted living facility.

4702 ROCKVILLE RD
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46222
Approval of site plans and elevations for a remodel to the Chuck Klein Park softball field and building. 

965 E TROY AVE
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46203
Approval of upgardes to an existing wireless tower

4700 ENGLISH AVE
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46201
Sidewalk addition

Approved 4/2/14

4141 S EAST ST
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46227

2236 E 10TH ST
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46201
Approval of awning sign replacement for Soul Sisters' Comfort Food.

2014ADM050 - cell tower
8500 KEYSTONE CROSSING
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46240