Mayor, Infrastructure Advisory Commission Gather Feedback on Key Initiatives at Public Meeting

Mayor Greg Ballard and the Infrastructure Advisory Commission (IAC) held a public meeting this evening at the Garfield Park Arts Center to discuss several ongoing initiatives of the administration which, if enacted, will help fund much-needed infrastructure improvements throughout the City. The meeting included a brief presentation by members of the Ballard administration featuring current City projects including the City’s utility transfer to Citizen’s Energy Group, RebuildIndy, as well as a review of the current plans to modernize parking management and technology.

“During these tough economic times, we have been challenged to create innovative solutions to our infrastructure problems that use our resources wisely while delivering better services,” said Mayor Ballard. “I can proudly say we have many bold initiatives that will improve the state of our city for years to come, without passing the cost to our residents and taxpayers.”

Members of the public were encouraged to voice their questions and opinions during the evening’s question and answer session which opened the floor for conversation on all three initiatives. Key among those was the City’s current Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to modernize and consolidate the management of parking assets.

“Our goal with this project is to see what opportunities are out there to streamline the non-uniform and outdated parking system we currently utilize,” said Deputy Mayor for Economic Development Michael Huber. “By modernizing the current technology and consolidating the contracts on lots and garages, we hope to spur turnover at meters and increase economic development in our downtown and in Broad Ripple all while using funds to make much-needed infrastructure improvements to those areas which need it most.

During the meeting, City officials shared a plan to potentially increase meter rates and hours, which must be addressed to improve the parking system and ensure meter turnover. Currently, meter rates are $0.75 per hour and have not been increased since 1975. Because of this, possible meter rate structures being considered range from $1 to $1.50 per hour, depending on location of the meter. These potential rates were formulated by referencing parking analysis completed by Indianapolis Downtown Inc. and Walker Parking Consultants. The City-County Council would maintain oversight on any changes to locations, hours and rates under the current negotiations.

Among other issues covered, the IAC continued public conversation on the planned transfer of water and wastewater to Citizens Energy Group and RebuildIndy, the City’s initiative which will invest more than $425 million to rebuild deteriorating thoroughfares, residential streets, sidewalks, and bridges, as well as address neighborhood drainage and flooding issues and demolish unsalvageable abandoned homes that pose a public safety threat to neighborhoods. Infrastructure improvements will create local jobs and ultimately increase public safety for neighborhoods and residents, which support Mayor Ballard’s commitment to make Indianapolis a more livable city.

Mayor Ballard created the four-member IAC in February 2009 and charged them with developing an honest assessment of the challenges faced by the city due to the critical infrastructure needs by devising long-term recommendations and solutions to Indianapolis’ infrastructure needs. The Commission acts as a sounding board for the community on ideas Indianapolis residents may have about how infrastructure problems can be solved while looking at innovative ideas that are being put to practice in other communities.

“It’s clear that we have many infrastructure wants and needs in Indianapolis that would be nearly impossible to meet without additional resources such as those that can come from the administration’s current initiatives,” said IAC Chairman Bill Blomquist, Dean of the IU School of Liberal Arts at IUPUI. “While those additional resources give us the opportunity to make real progress, even they are not unlimited. We’ll still have to weigh our needs against our capabilities, and as we on the IAC listen to our fellow citizens that responsibility is what we will keep in mind.”

Members of the IAC include Chairman Bill Blomquist, Dean of the IU School of Liberal Arts at IUPUI; Todd Stuart, Vice President of Stuart’s Moving and Storage; Mike Hudson, Chairman of IPOWER Energy Systems, LLC; and the newly appointed Dr. Jackie Greenwood of Indianapolis Public Schools.

For more information on the IAC visit www.indy.gov/mayor/iac.

INRC Announces New Cycle of ICBI Beginning in August

And the Community Leadership Certificate Program

Are you a leader looking for ways to improve your skills? Have you ever considered leading a group but didn't think that you had what it takes? Enrolling in the Indianapolis Community Building Institute (ICBI) could be the answer!

All participants of ICBI begin in Track 1 and progress through the curriculum, breakfast and lunch are provided. Participants must attend all six Saturdays! INRC will offer the next FREE cycle of ICBI on the following dates:

Track #1: Saturday August 28 and Saturday September 11, 2010, 8:30am-3:00pm

Track #2: Saturday October 2 and Saturday October 16, 2010, 8:30am-3:00pm

Track #3: Saturday October 30 and Saturday, November 13, 2010, 8:30am-3:00pm

Graduation Ceremony: Thursday, November 18, 2010

Community Leadership Certificate Program

Now announcing the newly formed Community Leadership Certificate Program! Made possible by a partnership between INRC, Making Connections Indianapolis and Ivy Tech Community College of Central Indiana, we are excited to introduce and launch this new initiative.

This program offers official leadership training to the unique needs of neighborhood communities and their residents. Upon completing the 48 contact hour series of leadership focused courses, participants will earn their certificate of completion from Ivy Tech.

How does this work, you now have options. One option is taking part in INRC's ICBI training listed above. If however you would like to pursue a certificate from Ivy Tech there are courses in addition to ICBI that must be completed.

For more information on either ICBI and /or the Community Leadership Certificate Program, contact your INRC Neighborhood Development Specialist at 317-920-0330 or download applications at www.inrc.org.

Daytime Medical Debt Workshop

Community Meeting
Friday August 20, 2010
10:00 a.m. - Noon

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)

Mary Rigg Neighborhood Center
1920 W. Morris Street

HAP: Working to improve Indianapolis hospitals’ charity care policies to
ensure that uninsured and underinsured citizens can access hospital care
without incurring large amounts of debt.
Sponsored by Citizens Action Coalition Education Fund
and Indiana Legal Services.
Information contact CACEF 317-205-3535 or staff@cacefindiana.org

JOIN MAYOR BALLARD IN CELEBRATING NEW AQUATIC FACILITY AT BETHEL PARK

Please join Mayor Greg Ballard and the Bethel Park neighborhood for the “Community Celebration and Dedication” of the new $2 million aquatic facility at Bethel Park at 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 7, 2010.

Funded through the Indianapolis Parks Foundation, thanks to a generous grant from the Lilly Endowment, Inc., Bethel Park Aquatic Facility now offers a 25-yard, 6-lane pool with a three—story speed slide and interactive spray ground. Indy Parks and Recreation closed Bethel Pool during the 2009 summer season because of irreparable leaks and decaying infrastructure. The new aquatic facility opened to the public July 28, 2010 after a four-month construction schedule.

Join neighborhood friends and families for a pool party with Bethel Park’s band, Visions Ministries Fashion Show, Radio Disney’s Move It!, speed slide races and popsicles.


WHO: Mayor Greg Ballard, Indy Parks Director Stuart Lowry, Indianapolis Parks Foundation Executive Director Cindy Porteous, community leaders, youth and staff

WHAT: Bethel Pool Community Celebration and Dedication

WHEN: Saturday, August 7, 2010 at 1 p.m.

WHERE: Bethel Park, 2850 Bethel Ave.

MAYOR TO HOST 2ND ANNUAL PEACE IN THE STREETS PEACE BOWL

Join Mayor Greg Ballard in partnership with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department and Indy Parks for the 2nd Annual Peace In the Streets Peace Bowl this Saturday, August 7th at Washington Park. Peace Bowl brings together more than 20 teams of youth ages 10 -18 together with IMPD law enforcement officers in a friendly and competitive single-elimination basketball game. The event continues to promote sportsmanship, teamwork, and opens the opportunity for positive dialogue between teens and police officers.

WHO: MAYOR GREG BALLARD, INDIANAPOLIS METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT

WHAT: MAYOR'S 2ND ANNUAL PEACE IN THE STREETS PEACE BOWL

WHERE: WASHINGTON PARK
3130 E. 30TH STREET

WHEN: SATURDAY, AUGUST 7
7 A.M. - 7 P.M.
(MAYOR TO PLAY AT 3 P.M.)

2010 Indiana Nonprofit Capacity Building Conference

Registration Opens August 4th!

2010 Indiana Nonprofit Capacity Building Conference

and Indiana Achievement Awards

Please mark your calendars on October 12th for the 2010 Indiana Nonprofit Capacity Building Conference from 8:15am - 5:30pm at the Indiana State Government Center, South.

This conference will present solutions, tools and resources for nonprofit and community-based organizations to boost revenue, remain relevant, adapt to the demanding economic and societal climate changes and stay financially afloat. Through interactive workshops and discussions, participants will learn how to:

PREPARE through more effective planning, program management, fundraising, and governance;

MEASURE impact by defining goals and measuring progress and successes; and

SUCCEED by learning from real world strategies, solutions, and success stories.

The conference is from 8:15am - 3:30pm and the Indiana Achievement Awards Ceremony and Reception and Presentation of the Michael A. Carroll Award immediately following: 3:45-5:30pm.

The conference is offered at the following low charge:

Regular Registration (Valid through 9/6); $50

Late & On-Site Registration (after 9/6): $75

IAA Ceremony and Reception Only; $25

Cost for the conference includes admittance to the 1-day conference, the IAA ceremony and reception, breakfast, lunch, snacks, and networking.

For more information about the conference visit the conference website at www.savi.org/conference.

NATIONAL ARTS PROGRAM FEATURES WORK BY CITY OF INDIANAPOLIS EMPLOYEES

Art Exhibit at the Garfield Park Arts Center

The Garfield Park Arts Center (GPAC) is proud to host the 3rd Annual Exhibit of The National Arts Program® from August 14 through September 26, 2010. The National Arts Program® is a showcase featuring the artistic talent of City of Indianapolis employees, retirees, their family members and City volunteers. This is a juried exhibit where the participants compete for cash prizes in both Adult and Youth/Teen categories.

This year's exhibit will host over 50 participants with more than 80 works on display. Artworks will include ceramics, paintings, drawings, sculpture, woodcraft, jewelry and more. The opening reception and awards ceremony will feature live music and appetizers August 14 from 6 - 8 p.m. In the GPAC Arts for All studio, participants of all ages will be able to visit an "instrument petting zoo" and try their hands at making music with brass, woodwind, percussion and stringed instruments.

For more information call 327-7135 or visit www.indyparks.org or www.ntlartsprog.org.