CITY PILOTS PARKING CITATION COURT FOR ACCELERATED COLLECTIONS

On December 1st, the City of Indianapolis will pilot a parking citation court in an effort to improve the way the city collects revenue from parking citations. The court will hold hearings at the former Guardian Home facility and will be managed five days a week to give violators an opportunity to pay outstanding citations.

"We have seen a significant lack of collections with unpaid parking citations and feel this is a way to increase revenue while working under our Six Sigma process to manage the program with greater efficiencies," said Manuel Mendez, Deputy Controller.

Using Six Sigma process improvement strategies, it is estimated that under this program the City may collect an additional $352,000 to $520,000 in parking citation revenue over the next 12 months.

The parking citation court will be managed by T2 Systems, which currently oversees the City's collections and software for parking tickets. The court, which will hold hearings on a daily basis, will allow violators increased opportunities from the currently run system which holds hearings every two weeks.

"Our goal with this program is to assist the City in collecting parking citation revenue. Working together with the City, T2 Systems also offers payment options over the Internet, mail or IVR to make paying citations as easy and convenient as possible," said Jim Zaloudek, Chief Financial Officer for T2. "This allows us to fulfill our role of helping the City's parking operations be as profitable and efficient as possible."

If citations are not paid prior to their scheduled hearing, the City may request a fine of up to $2,500 per citation. Upon receiving a judgment for an unpaid citation, individuals responsible could be subject to collections actions or having their vehicle registration suspended.

The citation court opens Tuesday, December 1st from the hours of 9am to 3pm at the Guardian Home located at 5751 University Ave.

Upcoming Training Opportunity

Appreciative Inquiry (AI)

with John Steinabch,

nationally recognized trainer



Thursday, December 3



5:30—9:00 p.m. at INRC

(dinner will be provided to all registrants)



The Appreciative Inquiry (AI) perspective is based on the insight that individuals and organizations get superior results from appreciating strengths, assets, and high point experiences instead of focusing on weaknesses and problems. Based on the work of Cooperrider and Srivastva at Case Western Reserve in the 1980's, AI has quickly grown to become one of the most powerful concepts in organizational and individual change.

Most of our attempts at change and improvement focus on finding problems and developing solutions. While well-intentioned and occasionally effective, this problem solving approach often leads to defensiveness, low morale, and paralysis in the face of overwhelming obstacles. This problem-solving approach is so ingrained in most individuals and organizations that it has become unconscious and automatic. Understanding the positive option of Ai gives people a powerful new perspective to approach a variety of situations.

By focusing on what is working and strong, AI unleashes the energy of hope. The difference is truly amazing!



Hurry, space is limited for this workshop!



Contact INRC at 317.920.0330

or www.inrc.org to register

CITY'S SUSTAINABILITY AWARDS TO BE HELD FEBRUARY 2010

Application deadline extended to December 15

INDIANAPOLIS - Mayor Greg Ballard and the Office of Sustainability announced today that the City's first Sustainability Awards luncheon will be held Tuesday, February 9, 2010. The awards are designed to inspire innovation, showcase impact, reward leadership and promote education around the principles of sustainability.

Five awards will be given to honor excellence in each of the following categories:
* Land
* Air
* Energy
* Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Applications are available at www.sustainindy.org/awards. Projects must have been completed in Marion County between Jan. 1, 2009, and Dec. 31, 2009. Applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Dec. 15, 2009.

WHAT: 2010 INDIANAPOLIS SUSTAINABILITY AWARDS LUNCHEON

WHERE: INDIANAPOLIS MARRIOTT DOWNTOWN
350 W. MARYLAND ST.

WHEN: 11:30 A.M. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2010

Breakfast With Santa and important safety tips

We continue to experience day time burglaries throughout the county where suspects are knocking on doors. When no one answers, forced entry is made. Please help us by keeping an eye out for suspicious people or vehicles in your neighborhood. When leaving for the day, please consider leaving your TV and or a radio on to give the appearance that you are home. As you leave for work, be observant. Is there a strange vehicle parked on your street? If so, you may want to dial 911. We are happy to come out and investigate.

We are gearing up for our Breakfast with Santa. If you have children or grandchildren, mark you calendars for December 12 from 830 -1030am at the Shepherd Community Center, 4107 East Washington Street. This free event will give kids an opportunity to interact with our officers, meet Santa (with a photograph), and enjoy a nutritious breakfast. We expect hundreds of kids!!! Parents are welcome for breakfast also.

Have a terrific Thanksgiving!



Cliff Myers

Southeast District, Commander

Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department

1150 S. Shelby Street

Indpls. IN 46203

317- 327-6300

T-Day trash pick up

As you all know, Thanksgiving Day is next Thursday, November 26. There will be NO Residential Solid Waste, Leaf, Heavy Trash, or Curbside Recycling service on that day in honor of the holiday. All services will run one day behind for the remainder of the week. Thursday routes will be picked up on Friday, 11/27, and Friday routes will be serviced on Saturday, 11/28. All schedules will return to normal on Monday, November 30.

CITY INSTALLS NEW BIKE RACKS THROUGHOUT DOWNTOWN DISTRICT

The City of Indianapolis this week completed a bike rack installation project that brings 54 new bike racks to the downtown area.

"We're working to make Indianapolis a truly bicycle friendly city," said Mayor Greg Ballard. "In addition to constructing miles of new on-street bike lanes in Indianapolis, the addition of new bike racks gives cyclists an opportunity to safely and properly secure their bikes while enjoying downtown businesses and attractions."

The bicycle racks were placed in areas with the most bicycle traffic after surveying potential locations and upon requests from area businesses and organizations.

"We are working diligently to build a comprehensive, sustainable bicycle infrastructure in Indianapolis, and bicycle racks are an integral piece of that," said Kären Haley, Director of the Office of Sustainability.

In October, the City of Indianapolis was named a Bronze-level Fall 2009 Bicycle Friendly Community by The League of American Bicyclists. The BFC award recognizes Indianapolis's commitment to improving conditions for bicycling and its practice of making a focused investment in bicycling programs and facilities.

New bike rack locations:
* Five racks in front of the Plasma Center at Capitol and Michigan
* Three racks at MoJo's at Senate and Michigan
* Seven racks at Wheeler Mission at Delaware and New York
* Two racks in front of the City Café at Pennsylvania and Michigan
* Eight racks near the Indiana War Memorial on the 400 block of Pennsylvania
* Five racks in front of Volunteers of America at 611 North Capitol
* Fourteen racks on the south side of the City County Building in two locations
* Ten racks on the south side of the City Market in four locations

For additional information on the city's bikeways and a complete map of city bike racks, visit http://www.sustainindy.org/bikeways.cfm

Library Thanksgiving schedule

All Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library locations will close at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, November 25 and will be closed on Thursday, November 26 for Thanksgiving Day.

All locations will reopen at their regular times on Friday, November 27.

Hospital Accountability Project (HAP) Community Meeting

Are you drowning in hospital bills? Have you had problems getting care at an area hospital? Do you want to learn more about your rights as a healthcare consumer? Are you being sued for overdue medical bills and need an attorney?

Please join us for a Hospital Accountability Project (HAP) Community Meeting Tuesday December 1, 2009 6:30p.m. - 8:00p.m. Englewood Christian Church 57 N. Rural

For more information call 205-3535

Cultural trail Call for poets: Deadline Nov. 22

Three poems will be featured on bus shelters designed for the southeast corridor of the Cultural Trail along Virginia Ave., collectively entitled "Moving Forward" by local architect Donna Sink. Published poets living in or with ties to Indiana are invited to submit work based on subjects such as community, neighborhoods, landmarks, shared spaces, transportation, history and the future. Poets must have published at least one poem in a print magazine or anthology prior to submitting work for “Moving Forward.” Selected poems may have been published previously.

The Writers’ Center of Indiana is administering a selection process with out-of-state jurors. Authors of the three selected poems will each receive a $1,000 award. Submissions are due by Sunday, Nov. 22. Selections will be announced in March 2010. Poems will be displayed in their entirety on a stainless steel panel on the shelter. Excerpts of the poem will be embedded in the ecoresin panels.

Download the call for poets or call the Indiana Writers' Center, 317.255.0710, for more information.

AUTUMN ART FAIR AT GARFIELD PARK ARTS CENTER FEATURES MORE THAN 40 ARTISTS

Indy Parks & Recreation presents the Autumn Art Fair at the Garfield Park Arts Center, featuring the work of more than 40 new and returning artists! Marvel at Sue Christensen’s amazing paper and leaf artistry; admire “Sunshine,” a charcoal portrait sketched by Charles Ver; and be wowed by John Jarvis’ hand-tooled and hand-painted fire-breathing leather dragon.



The art fair from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 21 and Nov. 22 offers family friendly, carefully handcrafted art.

Award-winning artists from Central Indiana will sell pieces ranging from ceramics, drawings, gourds and jewelry to leather, paintings, photos, textiles and carved wood. Select items appeal especially to children. Visit the GPAC now for a free preview show of the artwork, which will go on sale at 10 a.m. Nov. 21.



Among the many works of art, Steven Keller captures Garfield Parks’ Sunken Garden in an elegant painting; Jo Jones paints a thousand points of red in “Autumn Reflections;” Marti Icenogle’s hand-colored woodcut “The Tree” gives off a quiet beauty; and copper and gold glimmer in Donna Walton’s “Breakthrough.” Featured artists also include glassman Pete Bullard, weaver Linda Comstock-Teel, potter Jerry England, gourdist Sharon Jungclaus-Gould, woodcut artist Tom Lowe, bead/basket maker Mary Pendergrass, jeweler Ruth Wert and many more.



Garfield Park Arts Center, 2432 Conservatory Drive, is about 2.5 miles southeast of Downtown, east of Madison Avenue between Raymond Street and Troy Avenue. For more information, call (317) 327-7066.



WHO: Award-winning Central Indiana artists

WHAT: Annual Autumn Art Fair at Garfield Park Arts Center

WHEN: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009

WHERE: Garfield Park Arts Center, 2432 Conservatory Drive, Indianapolis, IN

COST: Admission is free. Artwork for sale ranges from 50 cents to $500.

Breakfast With Santa

We are gearing up for our Breakfast with Santa. If you have children or grandchildren, mark you calendars for December 12 from 830 -1030am at the Shepherd Community Center, 4107 East Washington Street. This free event will give kids an opportunity to interact with our officers, meet Santa (with a photograph), and enjoy a nutritious breakfast. We expect hundreds of kids!!! Parents are welcome for breakfast also.



Have a great weekend.



Cliff Myers

Southeast District, Commander

Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department

1150 S. Shelby Street

Indpls. IN 46203

317- 327-6300

Benfit Concert for SE Indy Neighborhood Gathering

The Community Building Committee hosting a benefit concert to help fund the next Neighborhood Gathering tonight (Friday, Nov. 13th) at Radio Radio. It is a 21 and over venue.

All proceeds from this show will go directly to provide food, child-care and other services for next fall's Neighborhood Gathering.

Entrance to the show at Radio Radio on Nov. 13th will be $5. Doors at 8 PM, music at 9 PM. Jon and Denise Martin, DJ, Playboy Psychonauts.


The Playboy Psychonauts play psychedelic fez-fueled lounge music. The trio unearths lost classics and original compositions and matches them with familiar favorites to keep everybody moving. Or contentedly sipping on your drink. Whichever one works for you.

Jon and Denise Martin are an acoustic Americana style duo, and not nearly as bad as that sounds. Jon was a vocalist and multi-instrumentalist in Sindacato from 1997 till just recently, and recruited his wife, Denise to sing and play with him. While working on their own material, they play a few Sindacato favorites as well as several choice covers.

The Community Building Committee is an organization composed of interested Southeast Indy residents, Neighborhood Associations, and Institutional Partners like Southeast Community Services (SECS) and Southeast Neighborhood Development (SEND) CDC. The goal of this organization is to gather and disseminate information about and to Southeast Indianapolis. The Community Building Committee hosts an annual event called the Neighborhood Gathering to gather input for a Quality of Life Plan for SE Indy. This event gathers over 200 interested residents to review what has happened in the last year and any revisions to the plan to work on in the upcoming year. The event is being held Nov. 5th this year.

WHEN WINTER WEATHER STRIKES, INDY SNOW FORCE STRIKES BACK

Mayor Greg Ballard and DPW Director David Sherman will announce enhancements to the city’s snow removal plan as they begin a comprehensive effort to educate residents of the enhanced service they can expect in the 2009/2010 winter snow season. “Indy Snow Force,” the city’s updated snow operations program boasts several major improvements and adds muscle to the previous snow operations plan.

Following the announcement, residents and businesses are invited to enjoy refreshments courtesy of program sponsors including; Au Bon Pain, Coke, Papa John’s, Dunkin Donuts and others. Participants will also have the opportunity to visit education booths facilitated by IndyGo, State Farm Insurance, Knozone and other partners to learn winter weather preparedness tips and more. Educational information will include giveaways, raffle opportunities and other fun activities.



WHEN: Thursday, November 12, 2009

10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.



Rain date: Friday, November 13, 2009

10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.



WHERE: Downtown Monument Circle

(South half)

Please note that Monument Circle will be closed south of Market Street, including the south spoke of the Circle.


DPW prepares year round to handle the onslaught of winter weather. Effective snow and ice control planning includes, but is not limited to, updating policies, procedures and routes; inspecting and repairing equipment; training drivers and laborers; ensuring an adequate salt supply; and coordinating efforts with school transportation officials.

CITY WARNS RESIDENTS OF POTENTIAL FOR FRAUD

Following an incident in a drainage improvement project area, the Indianapolis Department of Public Works (DPW) is warning residents to be on the alert for con artists posing as city construction workers collecting payment from homeowners.



Last week, a man wearing a hardhat and reflective vest approached a homeowner in the Pendleton Pike and Shadeland Avenue Drainage Improvement Project area and claimed the homeowner owed the City of Indianapolis $1,200 for her portion of the project. This man was not a city employee or contractor.



“The City of Indianapolis will never contact residents and ask them to pay for city construction projects,” said DPW Director David Sherman. “Though this situation is very rare, we encourage residents to be on the lookout for this type of fraud.”



In light of this incident, DPW is reminding residents about ways they may be contacted by the city regarding a construction project.



• DPW may contact residents by mail and ask them to provide feedback about problems in their neighborhoods to help DPW properly plan for future infrastructure improvements.

• DPW may notify residents by mail or a door hanger brochure of activities during the project design process. Activities may include smoke testing, soil boring and other engineering analyses.

• DPW may invite residents by mail to a public information meeting.

• DPW may contact residents about removing encroachments in the right of way, including trees, bushes and fencing.

• DPW may contact residents regarding obtaining property easements for construction projects.

• DPW may contact residents informing them that the construction project is underway or completed.

• DPW will never contact residents asking for payment for construction projects.

• Residents in Septic Tank Elimination Program (STEP) project areas are required to pay a one-time sewer connection fee. See below for additional information.



If a resident is contacted by DPW or someone claiming to be a city representative and has questions or concerns, please call DPW at 327-2561 for more information. Residents who believe they have been a victim of this type of fraud should contact the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department at 327-3811.



Sanitary sewer projects are funded through sanitary sewer user fees for which residents connected to the sanitary sewer system are billed monthly by Indianapolis Water. Storm water and drainage improvement projects are funded through storm water user fees, which appear on homeowner property tax bills. Bridge, street and transportation improvement projects are funded through federal, state and local taxes.



About the STEP Connection Fee

The city requires that the sewer connection fee and any other permitting fees and charges be paid before construction permits are issued. Cash, personal checks, and money orders are accepted, as well as Visa and MasterCard with a valid photo ID. Checks and money orders must be made payable to the City of Indianapolis. If the connection fee isn’t included in the contractor’s bid for connecting the home to the sanitary sewer line, then homeowners may pay the connection fee in one of the following methods:



1. Pay in person.

Make your payment in person at the Office of Code Enforcement (OCE), 1200 Madison Ave., Suite 100, Indianapolis, IN 46225. You must go to OCE either before your contractor goes to obtain permits, or at the time he/she is obtaining permits. If you choose this payment option, you must make arrangements with your contractor when you hire him/her to do the work. Your contractor must have already applied for a permit before you make your payment in person.



2. Give your contractor a check or money order in an envelope.

Enclose your check or money order in a secure envelope and give it to your contractor. He/she will take your payment to OCE when he/she goes to obtain construction permits. Do not send cash in this envelope. Ask for a receipt or proof from your contractor that you used this method to pay the connection fee.



3. Homeowners with an annual household gross income at or below $45,553 a year may apply for the STEP Financial Assistance Plan.

The city developed the STEP Financial Assistance Plan to help lower-income residents in STEP project areas pay the connection fee over time. The Financial Assistance Plan is an installment plan that allows qualified residents to make monthly payments over a five-year period. For more information on the Financial Assistance Plan or to request an application packet, call 327-8314.

Citizens Energy Group Plans Land Donation to Play Ball Indiana

Citizens Energy Group announced today that it intends to donate more than 25 acres of land valued at nearly $1 million to Play Ball Indiana for the development of the Citizens Field of Dreams, a multi-use community sports complex. Carey Lykins, President & CEO of Citizens Energy Group, made the announcement at Play Ball Indiana’s Annual Sandlot Lunch. Play Ball Indiana is a non-profit organization that promotes youth baseball and softball in affiliation with Major League Baseball’s Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) program.

The land will be donated by Citizens Resources, a wholly-owned Citizens subsidiary, pending a formal agreement with Play Ball Indiana. The land is located along Pleasant Run Parkway north of Citizens’ former coke manufacturing plant. Play Ball Indiana plans to develop the community sports complex over the next three years at a cost of more than $6 million.

Exact details of the sports complex are still being finalized, but it is expected to include baseball, softball and football fields, a jogging/walking trail, a children’s playground, a concessions stand, indoor sports training facilities, offices for Play Ball Indiana and community meeting spaces. The complex also will include a promenade dedicated to Oscar Charleston, a Negro Leagues star player and manager who is the only Indianapolis resident to have been inducted into the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame.

“We are thrilled to make this land donation to Play Ball Indiana and are honored they have decided to name the community sports complex Citizens Field of Dreams. We believe Citizens Field of Dreams will be a wonderful green space that people of all ages can enjoy. We see this new community sports complex as the foundation for long-term revitalization of this area of the southeast side,” said Lykins.
Mike Lennox, Executive Director of Play Ball Indiana, adds “Play Ball Indiana is extremely grateful to Citizens Energy Group for its generous donation of land. Citizens Field of Dreams will enable us to provide a safe place for Indianapolis youth to participate in healthy athletic competition and develop a passion for the history and tradition of America’s pastime. We envision a state-of-the-art “sandlot” that will serve the surrounding neighborhoods and become a central hub for our summer RBI league. We also envision that the facility will be used for year-round clinics and by community organizations and schools. With this donation, Play Ball Indiana will be empowered to provide life-changing alternatives for Indianapolis’ inner-city youth.”

About Citizens Energy Group
Citizens Energy Group is a Public Charitable Trust providing safe and reliable energy services to more than 266,000 customers in and around Marion County. The Public Charitable Trust means the utility is managed only for the benefit of customers and the community. Additional information is available online at www.CitizensEnergyGroup.com.

About Play Ball Indiana
Play Ball Indiana is a non-profit organization whose mission is to build good character, foster responsible behavior, encourage development of baseball and softball skills, encourage the enjoyment of healthy competition and teamwork, and build the values of honesty, fairness, integrity, inclusion and commitment to excellence. More information about Play Ball Indiana is available online at: www.playballindiana.org

Discovering Indy’s Green Velvet Glove, Sunday, November 8

Walk & Chat at Garfield Park on Pleasant Run 1:00 PM-4:00 PM

Topic: Gotta Have Plants!

Explore the many ways plants inspire us — from the Sunken Gardens to the Memorial Grove — and the efforts of the Friends of Garfield Park to preserve these resources.

Host: Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp, “The Hoosier Gardener”

Meet at the Conservatory, 2505 Conservatory Drive in Garfield Park
Bring water & camera, wear walking shoes and outdoor attire
In the event of inclement weather, an indoor lecture will be given
Check www.spiritandplace.org for up-to-date info and meeting places
Or contact Tina Jones, IndyParks Planner at cpjones@indy.gov, 327-7041 (office) or (cell) 544-9458

Planning Ahead for Upcoming Programs at BOI

Business Planning Workshops

Business Planning Fundamentals
In this 10-hour series, business owners will examine their current operations and learn how to build a solid foundation and develop strategies for future growth. Class registration includes free sessions with a professional business coach and a marketing consultant. $50 for series
Mondays, Nov. 16, 23, 30, and Dec. 7, 6 – 8:30 p.m.
Instructor: Tricia Guagliardo, BOI
Read more



Financial Workshops

Financing Your Small Business
Explore your options for financing the start-up or growth of your small business. Topics include the truth about free grant money, discussion of typical financing sources, banks' lending requirements, and an overview of SBA loan products. $10
Monday, Nov. 16, 6 – 8 p.m.
Instructor: Greg Marx, STAR Financial Bank
Read more



Small-Business Record Keeping
Learn how to create an easy-to-use system for managing paperwork and documenting transactions to create the reports you need to better manage your business. $10
Thursday, Nov. 19, 6 – 8 p.m.
Read more



Legal Workshops

Registering Your New Business
Identify the steps you need to take to register your business and establish tax accounts at federal, state and local levels. $10
Thursday, Nov. 19, 6 – 8 p.m.
Instructor: Tricia Guagliardo, BOI
Read more



Starting a Nonprofit Organization
Learn the difference between nonprofit and for-profit businesses and what it takes to start a nonprofit organization. $10
Monday, Nov. 23, 6 – 8 p.m.
Instructor: Kim Huizinga, Esq., Community Development Law Center
Read more



Industry Workshops

Child-Care Business Management and Operations
Learn the key policies, procedures and systems that you should have in place to efficiently operate your child-care business, including how to develop an effective business plan and parent handbook. $10
Tuesday, Nov. 17, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Instructor: Crystal Coleman, Child Care Answers
Read more