OFFICE OF CODE ENFORCEMENT LEADERSHIP TEAM WILL HOLD PUBLIC MEETING FOR LATINO COMMUNITY

The Office of Code Enforcement (OCE) will present a Spanish version of the KNOW THE CODE! And Get to Know Your Office of Code Enforcement Leadership Team for the City of Indianapolis series to the Latino community on Thursday, December 10 at 6:00 p.m. at the Office of Code Enforcement, 1200 Madison Avenue in downtown Indianapolis. Members of the Latino community are invited to meet OCE’s Leadership Team and learn about its mission, becoming a new city department, and the services that have been consolidated under the new code enforcement office.

Earlier this year, Mayor Greg Ballard created the Office of Code Enforcement to streamline the city’s licensing, permitting, and inspection functions under one department to improve efficiency, service, and accessibility.

“We have worked diligently over the past ten months to move critical quality of life functions under one entity to take a more strategic approach in keeping our city clean, safe, and vibrant, while also creating a one-stop shop for services that is convenient and accessible to both residents and business owners,” said OCE Director Rick Powers. “Meeting with the Latino community is an important step in being inclusive and ensuring that Latinos have access to public information and city services.”

The OCE Leadership Team will be available for a question and answer session following a brief presentation offered in Spanish. Residents are encouraged to come out and offer input regarding city services and quality of life issues, including:

· Licenses - business and contractor licenses

· Permits - building, infrastructure, sign, and special event permits

· Inspections - building, infrastructure, and zoning inspections

“The City of Indianapolis is becoming a diverse cultural center, and Latinos are a vital part of our neighborhoods and business communities,” said Carolin Requiz-Smith, Director of the Mayor’s Office of International & Cultural Affairs. “Part of our Latino Affairs initiative is to encourage Indianapolis’ Latinos to become more involved in their local government and serve as active partners in disseminating information to the city’s Spanish-speaking population and provide feedback on how the city can better serve the Latino community.”