[1. Meeting Opening]
[00:00:15]
ORDER. PLEASE RISE FOR THE PLEDGE OF
>> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE ALLEGIANCE. FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND
JUSTICE FOR ALL. >> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO THE SOUTHEASTERN SCHOOL CORPORATION. I'M EXCITED WE HAVE THIS JOINT MEETING TONIGHT. I'M THE NEW SUPERINTENDENT SCHOOLS. I'VE MET MOST OF YOU AT SOME POINT IN TIME IT SEEMS LIKE IN THE LAST FEW DAYS, FEW WEEKS. MY BACKGROUND, THIS IS MY 36TH YEAR IN EDUCATION AND 30 OF THOSE YEARS HAVE BEEN IN SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION. I'VE BEEN IN SMALL SCHOOL DISTRICTS, MIDSIZE, LARGE DISTRICTS AND WORKED AT THE STATE LEVEL. I'VE HELD THE TITLES OF ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. I'VE BEEN CHAIRMAN OF THE EDUCATION EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS BOARD WHERE I HANDLED ALL THE TEACHER CONTRACTS IN THE STATE. MOST RECENTLY, I ACTUALLY WORKED IN A VIRTUAL SETTING FOR K-12 ONLINE. THERE'S REALLY NOTHING IN EDUCATION I HAVEN'T SEEN OR EXPERIENCED OVER 36 YEARS AND I'M REALLY EXCITED TO SEE WHAT INNOVATIVE THINGS WE CAN DO HERE TO LEAD THE STATE OF
[2. Information Items]
INDIANA AND K-12 EDUCATION. AT THIS POINT IN TIME, MAYORFADNESS , RETURN IT TO YOU. >> I BELIEVE THAT'S A BIT OF A CHALLENGE. YOU SAID YOU'VE SEEN EVERYTHING IN 35 YEARS IN EDUCATION, I'M GUESSING AGENCY WILL PROVIDE SOME EXAMPLE YOU HAVEN'T SEEN BEFORE. WELCOME.
>> SOME HAVE BEEN THE LAST TWO WEEKS.
>> WELCOME TO THE BIG SHOW. THE LAST TIME WE GOT TOGETHER WITH A GREAT UNIFYING MOMENT FOR OUR COMMUNITY, IT WAS AROUND THE REFERENDUM AND WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME TOGETHER AND ALMOST PRIMARILY A CONCLUSIVE VOICE THAT THE FUTURE OF OUR CHILDREN AND EDUCATION IS THE UTMOST IMPORTANCE. I THOUGHT TONIGHT WE WENT THROUGH AN ELECTION. WE HAVE NEW COUNCILMEMBERS. WE HAVE A NEW SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT AND EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE TO GET OUT OF THE FRAY OF DAY-TO-DAY COME TOGETHER AND SHARE WHAT WE ARE WORKING ON COLLECTIVELY AND TO HEAR THE VOICES THAT YOU DON'T ALWAYS SEE FROM OUR STAFF PERSPECTIVE , TO SHARE ALL THE DIFFERENT THINGS WE ARE WORKING ON TOGETHER. IT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT DIFFERENTIATES US AS A COMMUNITY AND THROUGH ALL THE TURMOIL AND STRUGGLES THAT WE'VE DEALT WITH OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS, THAT RELATIONSHIP HAS NOT WAVERED.
IF YOU LOOK AT THE DAY-TO-DAY INTERACTION BETWEEN YOUR ORGANIZATION AND HOURS WE ARE INTERMINGLED ON ALMOST A DAILY BASIS TRYING TO DO WHAT'S IN THE BEST INTEREST OF KIDS.
TONIGHT, WHAT WE WANTED TO DO -- FORGIVE US IF YOU'VE HEARD THIS BEFORE, WE WILL BE EFFICIENT WITH OUR TIME. WE KNOW YOU HAD A SCHOOL BOARD MEETING LAST NIGHT AND BEING IN A MEETING FOR MORE THAN 45 MINUTES GETS GRUMPY. WE WILL TRY TO MOVE THIS ALONG. TONIGHT YOU'LL HEAR FROM A VARIETY OF PEOPLE. ASK QUESTIONS IF YOU HAVE ANY. SAME WITH THE COUNCIL. TO GET THIS STARTED WE WOULD LIKE TO SHOW YOU A LITTLE BIT OF A VIDEO THAT IS REGARDING OUR COMMUNITY BASE. I KNOW YOU'LL BE OUT SEEN A LOT OF THESE FACILITIES IN THE FUTURE. THIS IS A POINT OF PRIDE FOR US THAT WE BUILT ON OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS. WE WILL SHOW A VIDEO AND THEN I WILL ASK OUR PARKS DIRECTOR TO COME UP AND TALK ABOUT WHAT THE EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN LIKE FROM OUR DEPARTMENT STANDPOINT IN DEALING WITH YOUR TEACHERS AND STUDENTS COMING OUT TO OUR PARK FACILITIES OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS. WE WILL WATCH THE VIDEO AND TURN IT OVER TO MARISSA.
[00:05:06]
THERE'S A CLICKER. YES. MARISSA DECKERT, PARKS DIRECTOR, EXCITED TO BE HERE WITH YOU IN SHARING WHAT WE DO WITH OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS. WELCOME. I WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT IN THIS. I KNOW YOUR FIRST 30 DAYS YOU'VE SCHEDULED VISITS OUT TO SOME OF THESE TO OBSERVE AND I KNOW THE TEACHERS ARE VERY EXCITED ABOUT THAT.THANK YOU. WELCOME. I'M SO PROUD OF THE WORK THAT'S BEEN DONE WITH HER COMMUNITY-BASED LEARNING OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS AND EXCITED TO SHARE THAT 2024 MARKS 10 YEARS OF OUR NATURE FIRST PROGRAM. THE PARKS DEPARTMENT APPROACHED HSE SCHOOLS IN 2014 WITH THIS IDEA OF THIS COMMUNITY-BASED PARTNERSHIP AND BRINGING EVERY FIRST GRADER OUT TO THE NATURE PRESERVE TRICE PER YEAR AND PROVIDING TWO IN CLASSROOM LESSONS. THEY SAT WITH TEACHERS AND OUR PARK STAFF AND CREATED THE CURRICULUM FOR THIS PROGRAM. 10 YEARS IS EXCITING.
WE HAVE ADDED FOR ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS. 2018, AS YOU CAN SEE, INTRODUCED CONNOR PRAIRIE WITH OUR FOURTH GRADE PROGRAM AND THAT IS BRINGING STUDENTS TWICE OR THREE TIMES A YEAR INTO A LIVING HISTORY MUSEUM. A LOT ARE PROBABLY AWARE IF YOU HAVE CHILDREN IN THE DISTRICT. IN 2020 WHEN WE DOUBLED DOWN AND BROUGHT TWO PROGRAMS ON. WITH CITY SUPPORT, HSE WAS ABLE TO HIRE TWO TEACHERS FOR OUR SECOND GRADE PROGRAM AT OUR AGRIPARK AND A TEACHER AND RESIDENT WITH FIFTH GRADE PROGRAM AT OUR FISHER MAKER SPACE. THE GAP WAS THIRD GRADE.
OUR DIRECTOR OF CUSTOMER SUCCESS CREATED A THIRD GRADE PROGRAM BRINGING EVERY THIRD-GRADER INTO OUR MUNICIPAL COMPLEX TO VISIT WITH EACH CITY DEPARTMENT AND LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ROLE THAT WE PLAY IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT. AND PARTICIPATE IN A MOCK CITY COUNCIL MEETING. IF YOU WANT YOUR HEART TO EXPLODE, WATCH A THIRD-GRADER ROLE-PLAY YOUR POSITION IN A CITY COUNCIL MEETING WITH MORE POISE AND CONFIDENCE THAN I HAVE EVER HAD IN REAL LIFE. IT'S AMAZING.
ALL OF THESE PROGRAMS ARE DIFFERENT IN NATURE, BUT WHAT THEY ALL KIND OF SHARE IS THE SAME APPROACH, THIS HANDS-ON LEARNING AND THEY BRING EXCITEMENT AND CRITICAL THINKING, EXPLORATION AND INQUIRY TO THE CLASSROOM. RATE TO SEE. LOOKING AT THESE NUMBERS, WE ARE ABLE TO TOUCH 7400 STUDENTS ANNUALLY, PRETTY AMAZING . SINCE THESE STUDENTS ARE GOING OUT SEVERAL TIMES PER YEAR, IT'S ALMOST 18,000 VISITS AND I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO THE AMAZING TRANSPORTATION TEAM THAT MAKES THAT POSSIBLE.
WE HAVE FIVE DEDICATED FISHERS PARK STAFF. ONE AT MAKER PLAYGROUND, AGRIPARK AND DEDICATED STAFF FOR OUR NATURE FIRST PROGRAM. WE DON'T HAVE A TEACHER IN RESIDENCE THERE.
ONTO SOME SUCCESS STORIES. NATURE FIRST, WE STARTED THIS YEAR WE WILL DO A PARTNERSHIP WITH A STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM WE STARTED LAST YEAR IN OUR PARTS. THESE ARE PEOPLE THAT TAKE PRIDE WITH NATURE PRESERVE AND THEY WILL BE COMING IN ON A WEEKLY BASIS TO PROVIDE SOME ADDITIONAL HAND ON EXPERIENCES DURING THE STUDY TRIPS. WE HAD 14 PROFESSIONALLY PRODUCED NATURE FIRST VIDEOS TO SUPPORT THE CURRICULUM IN CLASSES IN BETWEEN STUDY TRIPS AND LESSONS. AS I MENTIONED BEFORE, THREE DEDICATED FISHERS PARK STAFF TO PROVIDE THIS TO FIRST GRADERS. IN SECOND GRADE WE HAD TO HSE FOUNDATION GRANTS FOR GREENHOUSE AND HYDROPONICS SYSTEM AND DUKE ENERGY CAME IN TO PROVIDE A LARGER, MORE ROBUST HYDROPONIC SYSTEM.
BROOKS SCHOOL ELEMENTARY RECEIVED A GRANT FOR A NEW GREENHOUSE AT THE AGRIPARK. THEY PARTNERED WITH MAKER PLAYGROUND AND AGRIPARK TO BUILD A CHICKEN COOP FOR AGRIPARK. OUR FIFTH GRADE PROGRAM ALSO RECEIVED TWO GRANTS FOR A GLOW FORGE LASER CUTTER WHICH IS JUST A SMALLER, MORE ACCESSIBLE LASER CUTTER IN ADDITION TO THE TWO WE ALREADY HAVE. OUR STEM PROGRAM OF ROBOTIC ARMS WHICH ARE A FAN FAVORITE. 10 DEDICATED CITY OFFICIAL VOLUNTEERS, WE HAVE RETIRED WOODWORKERS, ENGINEERS, ARCHITECTS THAT COME IN ON A WEEKLY BASIS BECAUSE IT IS THEIR PASSION AND THEY ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE SO MUCH MORE ONE-ON-ONE HANDS ON LEARNING WITH THE STUDENTS MORE THAN OUR CHAPERONES COULD PROVIDE. BACK TO NUMBERS, I DID MENTION THERE ARE 3000 CHAPERONES ACROSS ALL OF THESE PROGRAMS WHICH IS ASTOUNDING. LAST YEAR, THE FIFTH-GRADERS COMPLETED 3200 WOODWORKING PROJECTS AND THIS YEAR WE INTRODUCE POWER TOOLS
[00:10:01]
AND A DRILL PRESS TO WOODWORKING. PRETTY COOL SUCCESSES. PERSONALLY, SOME SUCCESS STORIES ARE REALLY ANECDOTAL AND WHEN YOU SEE A FIFTH-GRADER THAT COMES IN AND THEY GET TO MEASURE AND TAKE AWAY SOMETHING THAT THEY ARE GOING TO USE AT HOME THAT IS A HUGE SUCCESS. WHEN I HEAR A SECOND-GRADER EXPLAINING WHAT AGRIPARK MEANS AND THE DEFINITION OF AGRICULTURE AT SECOND GRADE , THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT SET MY SOUL ON FIRE. I LOVE SEEING THOSE THINGS. WE SEE IT EVERY DAY WHEN THEY COME IN AND WHEN THEY LEAVE HOW EXCITED THEY ARE TO BE IN THIS ENVIRONMENT. OUR COMMUNITY IS SO FORTUNATE TO HAVE THIS DIVERSE PROFILE OF PARKS AND FACILITIES TO BRING THESE YOUNG LEARNERS INTO AND IT'S NOT JUST TEACHING. WE ARE BUILDING COMMUNITY AS WELL AND FOSTERING A SENSE OF BELONGING. I'M SUPER LUCKY, I HAD A TEAM OF TEACHERS AND STAFF COLLECTIVELY . YOU'LL HEAR FROM MORE COLLEAGUES OF MINE TONIGHT ABOUT THE WAYS THEY SUPPORT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, THE COOL THING IS WE ARE ALL IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE COMMITMENT AND PASSION WE HAVE FOR THESE LITTLE YOUNG FUTURE LEADERS. THAT STARTS WITH CITY LEADERSHIP . THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR LETTING ME SPEAK.FORWARD LEANING . BROOKE LAWSON OR BROOKE DANIELS WOULD BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T SAY THIS, WE PLAN TO HAVE RESTROOMS AT THE AGRIPARK BY THIS FALL. THAT POOR WOMAN HAS ENTERTAINED THOUSANDS OF LITTLE KIDS WITH PORT-A-POTTIES AND OUR ATTENTION IS TO HAVE THAT OPERATIONAL BY THIS FALL. WE ARE EXCITED TO GET THAT DONE. I CAN TELL YOU PERSONALLY MY STAFF, I SELF AS WELL AS MY LEADERSHIP TEAM EVERY FRIDAY FOR A MAJORITY OF THE WINTER SPENDS AT LEAST AN HOUR MEETING WITH THIRD-GRADERS TO EXPLAIN HOW CIVIC GOVERNMENT WORKS IN OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR SHOULD BE OUT SEARCHING FOR MORE COMPANIES TAKES AN HOUR OUT OF HER DAY OR MAYBE TWO TO RUN THESE KIDS THROUGH A MOCK CITY COUNCIL MEETING. USUALLY THEY'RE DEBATING ON WHETHER OR NOT TO BUILD A SKATE PARK WHICH YOU WOULD THINK THE KIDS WOULD LOOK FOR, THESE KIDS ARE CONSERVATIVE. I WOULD SAY PROBABLY 50 TO 60% OF THE TIME THEY VOTE NO WHICH IS AMAZING.
IT'S GREAT TO SEE. I WANT TO BRING THIS UP TONIGHT BECAUSE THE LONG-TERM VISION ISN'T JUST CATER FIVE. HOW DO WE CONTINUE TO GROW THAT BEYOND FIFTH GRADE? IT'S NOT TO BE ANSWERED TONIGHT BUT AT LEAST PLANT THE SEED THAT WE SHOULD CONTINUE IN THE SPIRIT OF COLLABORATION TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES WELL BEYOND FIFTH GRADE MOVING FORWARD.
NEXT I WOULD LIKE TO ASK JORDAN ALEXANDER CHIEF OF STAFF TO COME UP. SHE'LL TALK ABOUT A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY THE CITY COUNCIL WAS KIND ENOUGH TO SUPPORT IN MY ADMINISTRATION'S BUDGET FOR 2024 WHICH IS A HAVE A MILLION-DOLLAR GRANT. WE WILL TALK ABOUT WHAT THAT PROCESS LOOKS LIKE AND WHAT OPPORTUNITIES ARE MOVING FORWARD.
>> HI, EVERYONE. I'LL TRY TO GO QUICKLY THROUGH THIS. I THINK EVERYONE IS FAMILIAR WITH THIS PROGRAM AT THIS POINT. AS MENTIONED, AS A PART OF OUR 2024 BUDGET CITY COUNCIL ALLOCATED $500,000 TOWARDS THESE INNOVATION GRANTS. THE INTENT BEHIND THIS PROGRAM WAS TO SUPPORT EDUCATORS THAT WANT TO BRING INNOVATIVE LEARNING TO THEIR CLASSROOMS. ELIGIBLE PROJECTS ARE PRETTY BROAD BUT CAN INCLUDE ANYTHING FROM CERTAIN PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES , CERTAIN TECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS IN THE CLASSROOM, EVEN PROJECT-BASED LEARNING. ANYTHING BRINGING THAT INNOVATIVE LEARNING AND INSPIRING STUDENTS TO RETHINK LEARNING IN THEIR CLASSROOMS. EARLY ON, WE ENGAGED A FORMER EDUCATOR FROM THE HSE SCHOOL SYSTEM . MIKE WAS FORMERLY WITH FISHERS JUNIOR HIGH, SO WE BROUGHT HIM ON TO HELP STRUCTURE THIS GRAND AND IDENTIFY WHAT CRITERIA WE WANTED TO ASSESS THESE GRANTS OR APPLICATIONS I SHOULD SAY AND THE PROJECTS ON. MIKE HAS ALSO PUT TOGETHER A COMMITTEE THAT REALLY REVIEWS THESE APPLICATIONS THAT WE HAVE COMING IN , IN ADDITION, WE HAVE TWO FORMER TEACHERS ON THE COMMITTEE. JACKSON I KNOW IS A FAMILIAR NAME. HE WAS ALSO A JUNIOR HIGH TEACHER IN THE SYSTEM RECENTLY RETIRED.
KAYLEE ARDENT IS A FORMER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHER AND WE ALSO HAVE ONE ACTIVE TEACHER WHO IS ACTUALLY THE TEACHER IN RESIDENCE AT CONNOR PRAIRIE. WHAT MARISSA HAD JUST TALKED ABOUT. I'M ON THE COMMITTEE AS WELL AS A HSE ALUMNI AND CITY REPRESENTATIVE. WE HAVE A PRETTY WELL-ROUNDED COMMITTEE.
WE ARE ENGAGING WITH THE SCHOOLS HEAVILY AS WELL, SO EARLY ON AT THE TIME TALKED TO ENSURE WE ARE COLLABORATING ON ALL OF THESE SUBMISSIONS AND REALLY ENSURING THAT WE ARE
[00:15:02]
GETTING THE MAXIMUM IMPACT FOR STUDENTS WITH THESE PROJECTS.ALSO THAT THEY ARE ALIGNING WITH THE SCHOOL PRIORITIES AS WELL. WE ACTUALLY HAD OUR FIRST COMMITTEE MEETING ON MONDAY. WE OPENED UP THESE APPLICATIONS IN FEBRUARY. WE HAVE RECEIVED 11 APPLICATIONS TOTAL , WORKING CLOSELY WITH STEVE AS WELL. HE'S OUR FIRST LINE OF APPROVAL ON THE SCHOOLS AND . FROM THE COMMITTEE SIDE OF THINGS WE DON'T WANT TO REVIEW ANY PROJECTS OR APPLICATIONS THAT ARE NONSTARTERS , SO WORKING CLOSELY WITH HIM AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK CLOSELY WITH THE SCHOOLS AS WE AWARD SOME PROJECTS AND HOPEFULLY IMPLEMENT. PRETTY EXCITING.
HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. MOST ARE ALREADY FAMILIAR WITH
THIS PROGRAM. >> CAN YOU TOUCH ON HOW IT'S DIFFERENT THAN WHAT THE AGENCY FOUNDATION DOES?
>> WE LOOKED AT THIS GRANT PROGRAM AS SOMETHING THAT WOULD COMPLEMENT, NOT COMPETE WITH THE FOUNDATION GRANTS. WE HAVE MET WITH JUSTIN, I THINK BOTH OF US ARE AT AN UNDERSTANDING WHERE WHEN WE RECEIVE POTENTIAL PROJECTS THAT FIT A LITTLE BETTER INTO THE FOUNDATION PROGRAM WE WILL REFER THOSE TO HIM WHERE IS VICE VERSA IF HE RECEIVES SOMETHING MORE ROBUST AND CAN BE REPLICATED THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL SYSTEM OR ACROSS DISCIPLINES HE WILL REFER THAT TO US. WE ARE HOPING TO WORK TOGETHER IN THAT REGARD. THANK
YOU ALL. >> ONE QUESTION, SORRY.
TALKING ABOUT THE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN FOUNDATION AND THIS OPPORTUNITY I THINK IS GREAT. I KNOW WE HAD TALKED ABOUT IT, SO I WAS HOPING THAT MAYBE WE WOULD HAVE THE SAME CONVERSATION SO TEACHERS WOULD KNOW THAT WHEN TEACHERS APPLY FOR A FOUNDATION GRANT SOMETIMES THAT IS A SMALLER MONETARY AMOUNT THAT THEY ARE AWARDED BECAUSE THEY ARE PILOTING SOMETHING IN THEIR SCHOOL. CAN YOU TALK ABOUT HOW, WHEN WE FOUND SOMETHING LIKE THAT THAT'S BEEN SUCCESSFUL, THAT MAYBE THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR TEACHERS TO TAKE IT BUILDING WIDE OR DISTRICTWIDE INSTEAD?
>> GREAT OBSERVATION. I VIEW THIS LIKE VENTURE CAPITAL. THE HSE FOUNDATION HAS GREAT SEED CAPITAL. IF IT'S A NEW IDEA YOU WANT TO PUT $2500 AND OR $4000 AND BECAUSE YOU'RE NOT SURE IT COULD HAVE A PROBABILITY OF NOT WORKING OR IT MIGHT WORK BUT WERE NOT SURE IF IT COULD SCALE.
FOUNDATION IS A WONDERFUL JOB WITH THIS. THE WAY WE LOOKED AT THIS FROM A SCHOOL PERSPECTIVE, CITY PERSPECTIVE IS THIS IS MORE TRANSFORMATIVE FUNDING. WHEN YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE AN IDEA YOU WANT TO SCALE THAT HAS BEEN PROVEN AT THE MAYBE PILOT LEVEL AND YOU WANT TO TAKE IT TO ALL YOUR SECOND GRADERS, OR YOU WANT TO TRANSFORM THE WAY YOU DO SOMETHING IN SEVENTH GRADE THAT REQUIRES $150,000, THAT IS MORE WHAT WE VIEW THIS AS A KICK STARTER TO REALLY DO SOMETHING MEANINGFUL THAT MAYBE YOU JUST DON'T HAVE IN YOUR BUDGET AVAILABLE. THE CITY COUNCIL'S REGISTRATION TO SAY LOOK WE ARE ON YOUR TEAM. WE WANT TO TAKE THIS SCHOOL SOMEWHERE BOLD AND WE ARE WILLING TO PUT SOME SUPPORT BEHIND THAT AND THAT IS REALLY THE CONCEPT BEHIND IT. WE THINK THERE'S A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF POTENTIAL.
WE DON'T BELIEVE THIS COMPETES WITH THE AGENCY FOUNDATION. YOU NEED THOSE SEEDS TO BE STARTED AT A SMALLER LEVEL TO SEE WHAT WORKS AND THEN YOU GO IN WITH THE DOLLAR. WE LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING WHAT SOME OF HIS AMBITIONS ARE AND DESIRES AND AS YOU SOLIDIFY YOUR VISION FROM THE SCHOOLS I THINK THIS MONEY IS VIEWED AS FUEL TO GET THAT DONE. I WOULD ADD THAT THIS MONEY IS SET ASIDE SO THERE ISN'T TYPICALLY IF YOU DON'T SPEND IT YOU LOSE IT.
THAT'S NOT THE SCENARIO HERE. THIS IS AVAILABLE AND NOT GOING TO BE SPENT ELSEWHERE. YOU -- WE DON'T HAVE A GUN TO HER HEAD TO SAY LET'S SPEND THIS MONEY TOMORROW. IT'S LOOKING FOR THOSE THINGS THAT TRULY HAVE IMPACT ON TRANSFORMING HOW THE EDUCATE KIDS MOVING FORWARD. WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING TO ENTERTAIN THE OPPORTUNITIES AS
WE MOVE FORWARD. >> NEXT , WE HAVE A FACE THAT MANY WOULD RECOGNIZE. WE HAVE CHIEF ED GEBHART . HE'S GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE CURRENT STATUS OF OUR SRO PROGRAM AND TALK ABOUT WHERE WE ARE GOING WITH THAT MOVING FORWARD.
>> LOOKING FOR MY SLIDES. GOT IT. STAY THERE. SO, A LITTLE BIT TO TOUCH BASES ON HOW MUCH WE TOUCH OUR YOUTH AND SCHOOLS IN OUR COMMUNITY, TODAY I WAS IN A PRESCHOOL CLASS WITH 3 TO
[00:20:04]
6-YEAR-OLDS. I HAVEN'T DONE THAT IN PROBABLY A DECADE. I WENT TO THE CLASS AND I USED TO ONLY START THE CLASS WITH WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING I'M WEARING TODAY? 10 YEARS AGO THEY WOULD'VE SAID THE WEAPON. AUTOMATICALLY. TODAY IT WAS A RADIO. THEY HAD SO MUCH INPUT THROUGH IT I WAS TALKING TO THE PARENTS AND TEACHERS AFTER AND I SAID THE GAME HAS CHANGED. 10 YEARS AGO THEY WOULD'VE SAID THIS. THEY SAID SO MUCH INTERACTION WITH VARIOUS LEVELS OF HOUSEHOLD I THINK THAT'S THE THIRD-GRADERS COMING THROUGH.IT'S SOME PROGRAMS I'M ABOUT TO SPEAK TO THE OPEN HOUSES, THE PROGRAMS THERE. THE THINGS THAT KEEP GETTING THEM OUT INTO OUR COMMUNITY ARE BRINGING THEM CLOSER TO THE POLICE.
THAT WAS PROBABLY THE BEST APPOINTMENT I HAD TODAY.
ANYWAY, IN 2004 WE WANTED TO CULTIVATE AN ENVIRONMENT FOR OUR YOUTH. WE WANTED A PROGRAM BACK IN 2004 THAT CATERED DIRECTLY TO OUR TEAMS AND COMMUNITY. WE WANTED TO BRIDGE THAT GAP OF COMMUNICATION BETWEEN US AND THEM SO WE CAN OFF OUR FIRST TEEN ACADEMY IN 2004 AND WE HAVE HAD 20 SESSIONS OF THIS ACADEMY EVER SINCE. WE CONTINUE TO SEE THAT MAXED OUT CAPACITY WISE EVERY SUMMER. THE SROS ARE FULLY IN CHARGE AND IT REALLY STARTS TO CULTIVATE THAT ENVIRONMENT.
THEY ARE NOT JUST KIDS LOOKING TO BE POLICE OFFICERS, THEY ARE INTERESTED IN MILITARY . WE HAVE ALL KINDS OF RELATIONSHIPS FORMED BUT SOMETIMES THEY DO WANT TO BE THE POLICE AND WANT TO FIGURE OUT WAYS TO DO THAT. WE BRANCH OUR GRADUATES OFF STRAIGHT INTO THE POLICE CADET ACADEMY PROGRAM. RIGHT NOW WE HAVE 40 KIDS INVOLVED IN OUR CADET PROGRAM AND IT RUNS EVERY YEAR AS WELL. IT'S A STRONG PROGRAM THAT GIVES THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS REGULARLY. A LOT OF THE STUFF WE DID IN THE ACADEMY THEY CAN EXPOSE THEM TO OUR PROFESSION. THE INTERESTING THING ABOUT BOTH OF THESE IS THEY'VE LED TO TWO FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES. I HIRED ANOTHER ONE AS A FULL-TIME POLICE OFFICER. THERE IS A TRUE SHOW OF INTEREST AND IT IS CULTIVATING OUR OWN LOCAL YOUTH FROM OUR HIGH SCHOOLS, FROM OUR COMMUNITY INTO THE POLICE RANKS. I THINK THAT'S AN AWESOME THING TO NOTE HERE TONIGHT. IT ADDS INTO SOME OF THE STUFF WE ARE DOUBLING DOWN ON WITH THE REFERENDUM TO BUILD OUR SRO PROGRAM INTO SOMETHING WHERE WE CAN SEE OFFICERS IN EVERY SCHOOL. WE KNOW THAT'S IMPORTANT TO THE COMMUNITY, TO ALL OF YOU, AND WE BEGAN THAT ALREADY. ALTHOUGH THE REFERENDUM DID NOT PASS THE MAYOR AND I FELT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO START BUILDING THESE POSITIONS ABOUT ROUGHLY TWO AND HALF YEARS AGO. IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO NOTE WE DON'T JUST WANT TO PUT ANYBODY INTO OUR SCHOOLS. WE ARE NOT TRYING TO SHOW PEOPLE IN THERE THAT WOULD WANT TO BE IN THERE JUST MIGHT NOT LIKE THE YOUTH.
WE HAVE TO BE PARTICULAR ON WHO WE CHOOSE AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE GRILL IT WITH A GOOD ENVIRONMENT THAT GETS THE RESULT YOU'RE SEEING TODAY WITH THE PROGRAM THAT WE HAVE TODAY. SO, WE ADDED AN ADDITIONAL SURGEON FOR SUPERVISION AS OUR UNIT . HERE YOU WILL SEE A PICTURE OF ALL OF THEM. WE GREW BY TWO ADDITIONAL OFFICERS OVER THE LAST PROBABLY YEAR TO TWO YEARS SO WE ARE BEGINNING TO SEE MORE OFFICERS AND MORE CARS AROUND THE SCHOOLS. IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT IT'S THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EVERYBODY OUT THERE TO TAKE CARE OF OUR SCHOOLS. IT'S NOT JUST THE SROS IN AND OUT , BUT EVERYONE IN THE APARTMENT PITCHING IN INCLUDING MYSELF WALKING THE HALLWAYS TO MAKE SURE WE STAY SAFE AND ARE SAFE AND WE SEE THAT OVER AND OVER AGAIN. WE ALSO HAVE A VERY STRICT ARTICLE TO PREVENTATIVE NATURE TO AVOIDING VIOLENCE IN OUR SCHOOLS. IF WE HEAR ABOUT AN ANONYMOUS TIP OR ANYTHING OUR PATROL BEGINS THAT INVESTIGATION . THAT CARRIES THROUGH THE NIGHT INTO THE MORNING ON A HANDOFF TO OUR SROS AND A HANDOFF TO MIKE JOHNSON WHO IS SITTING BEHIND ME. WE KNOW NOTHING SLIPS BY AND IT COULD BE A TICK-TOCK , INSTAGRAM, FACEBOOK. WE GO TO THE HOUSE, WE FIND THE KID AND TALK WITH THE PARENTS AND MAKE SURE THAT OUR SCHOOLS ARE SAFE THE NEXT MORNING. THE RUMOR MILL HITS, PARENTS GET WIND OF THINGS I DON'T KNOW HOW THEY GET, BUT WE MAKE SURE THEY ARE THERE SO THEY CS AND THAT IS ALL HANDS ON DECK. AS WE GROW FURTHER INTO THE UNIT THIS IS OUR UNIT AS IT STANDS NOW. AS WE GO FURTHER INTO OUR UNIT THE UPDATE TODAY IS WE POSTED FOR TWO ADDITIONAL SROS TO ADD
[00:25:01]
BEFORE THE AUGUST CLASS. OUR COMMITMENT TO OUR COMMUNITY CONTINUES TO GROW THE RANKS WE SEE IN OUR CURRENT SRO PROGRAMS. IT EXEMPLIFIES THEIR PERSONALITY. THERE'S SOME THINGS DONE HERE WHEN YOU FIND THE RIGHT MIXTURE OF OFFICER YOU GET SOME THINGS YOU SAW LIKE PEER DANCING WITH THE KIDS OR THE VIDEO OF CHEER OR GO TO JAIL THAT WENT VIRAL ALMOST. IT WAS GETTING COPYCATS THROUGHOUT THE NATION FOR A WHILE THERE. THEY DO THINGS THAT ARE REALLY INNOVATIVE AND THEY TAKE THEIR TIME TO SIT DOWN AND HAVE GOOD CONVERSATIONS WITH HER YOUTH. ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT OUR SROPROGRAM? >> ONE QUESTION. WE VOTED ON SOMETHING LATE LAST YEAR AND IMPLEMENTED IT WITH THE RADIOS AND COMMUNICATION . IT'S INCREDIBLE TO SEE HOW FAST YOU RESPOND TO THINGS. CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THAT? I KNOW THERE'S SOME CONCERN IN THE COMMUNITY THE NUMBER OF SROS, BUT WE HAVE TALKED AND YOU SAY IT'S AS EFFICIENT AS IT COULD BE.
>> WE KNOW WHAT THE COMMUNITY WANTS. WE UNDERSTAND AND WE WILL WORK TOWARDS THAT. YOU WANT TO GO BACK ON RIGHT PERSON, RIGHT TIME AND THEY HAVE TO BE OFFICERS WE KNOW CAN HANDLE IT. NATIONALLY, SOME PERSONALITIES DIDN'T RESPOND THE RIGHT WAY AND WE DON'T WANT THAT TO HAPPEN HERE. THE RESPONSE TIMES COME FROM OFFICERS BEING OUT ON PATROL CLOSE TO SCHOOLS. IF YOU HAVE AN AGGRESSIVE PATROL UNIT OUT OF THE OFFICE AND ENGAGED IN THE FORWARD SEAT OF THE CAR YOU WILL HAVE CARS SITTING JUST ABOUT EVERYWHERE. WE HAVE SCHOOLS JUST ABOUT EVERYWHERE. IT IS ALL OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO RESPOND. COMMUNICATION IS ENHANCED BY THE SYSTEM YOU BOUGHT OR IMPLEMENTED . IT'LL ONLY HELP THE SROS TO COMMUNICATE AND I THINK THAT'S A PLUS. ALL THE SITUATIONS YOU SEE GO BAD IS THE COMMUNICATION AND THE RADIO GOES DOWN AND THE WRONG CALLS NEEDED DON'T GET MADE. I THINK THAT YOU'VE ENSURED THAT WON'T HAPPEN. I'M THANKFUL
FOR IT. >> CAN YOU EXPAND ON THE POLICE CADET PROGRAM AGAIN AND CAN YOU SHARE THE AGE GROUP IT IS FOR AND HOW LONG THE PROGRAM IS FOR THEM TO GRADUATE OUT OF
THAT? >> THEY NEVER GRADUATE. WE KEEP THEM FOREVER. IT'S 18 OR 19 IS YOUR TOP END. I HAVE SOME LIEUTENANTS WE PROMOTE THAT HAVE A SUPERVISORY, THERE IS AN ABILITY FOR THEM TO MOTIVATE AND MOVE UP AND LEARN LEADERSHIP THROUGH POLICING. SOME OF MY LIEUTENANTS ARE PROBABLY 18 AND THEY ARE ABOUT TO AGE OUT AND PROBABLY 14 TO 15. SOMETIMES IT'S NOT ALWAYS IN AGE, BUT HOW A STUDENT REPRESENTS THEMSELVES. SOMETIMES YOU CAN HAVE A 14-YEAR-OLD BETTER THAN SOME 17-YEAR-OLDS. WE GO THROUGH PROCESS TO SEE IF THEY ARE A GOOD FIT, IF THEY UNDERSTAND THE CONTENT AND HIGHLY MOTIVATED . WE TRY NOT TO BAR PEOPLE, BUT ABOUT 14 IS THAT BREAK OFF WHERE WE WANT THEM.
THEY USUALLY STAY AND COME BACK AND REPEAT OR UNTIL THE AGE OUT AND WE ARE USUALLY WRITING REFERENCE LETTERS BECAUSE IT IS A GOOD TO WHAT THEY GO OUT AND DO.
>> THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND THANK YOU TO THE SROS FOR EVERYTHING THEY DO. AS YOU KNOW, A LARGE CHUNK OR SMALL CHUNK OF OUR STUDENTS COME FROM NOBLESVILLE. I WONDERED IF YOU HAVE TO BE A FISHERS RESIDENT OR CAN THOSE KIDS
APPLY? >> THEY CAN. I'LL TAKE KIDS.
WHEREVER KIDS WANT TO COME FROM. I'M GOOD.
>> IT'S NOT A FUNDING THING EITHER.
>> THANK YOU. >> ONE OTHER ITEM WITH THE ANNOUNCEMENT THAT'S COME UP WITH PRETTY INNOVATIVE APPROACH WHO MIGHT BE RETIRING OUT OF THE RANKS OF POLICING TO COME BACK IN SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS. WE'VE COME UP WITH A NEW MODEL THAT THEY MAKE PART-TIME EMPLOYEES AND IT BRINGS DOWN THE COST ASSOCIATED WITH THESE INDIVIDUALS BUT THERE'S A LOT OF REALLY TALENTED FOLKS THAT MIGHT BE IN THEIR 50S AND HAVE THEIR 20 YEARS IN AND WANT THEIR PENSION AND COME BACK. WE ARE ROLLING OUT THAT PROGRAM . WE HAVE A LOT OF INTEREST ALREADY FOR FOLKS TO COME BACK AND BE A PART OF OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT AS WELL AS YOUR SCHOOL SYSTEM.
NEXT WE HAVE OUR PUBLIC HEALTH DIRECTOR WHO WOULD LIKE TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT THE PUBLIC HEALTH EDUCATION AND DIFFERENT PROGRAMS ROLLING OUT. I THINK YOU'RE WHERE THE STATE INCREASE FUNDING FAIRLY SIGNIFICANTLY FOR PUBLIC HEALTH. WE ARE LOOKING TO INNOVATE IN A LOT OF DIFFERENT WAYS AND PART OF THAT HAS TO DO WITH THE SCHOOL SYSTEM.
[00:30:04]
>> SO, TO HIGHLIGHT SOME OF THE VARIETY OF COLLABORATION WE HAVE HAD WITH THE SCHOOLS, WE DO HOLD EDUCATION IN CLASSROOMS. VERY TRADITIONAL TO DO. OUR HEALTH EDUCATOR IS A TEACHER THAT CAME FROM HSE DISTRICT. SHE TAUGHT AT HSE HIGH SCHOOL. SHE IS CURRENTLY GOING INTO EVERY KINDERGARTEN, THIRD GRADE, SIXTH GRADE AND MOST OF THE HEALTH CLASSES TEACHING A CURRICULUM THAT WAS DEVELOPED WITH CURRICULUM FOLKS HERE AT HSE . EVERY KINDERGARTEN GETS HANDWASHING LESSONS, EVERY THIRD-GRADER GETS MINDFULNESS LESSONS TO HOW TO HANDLE STRESSORS EVERY SIX GRADER GETS TO SEE THE EVER POPULAR PERSONAL HYGIENE LESSON AND WE HAVE A SERIES OF CATCH MY BREATH ANTI-VAPING, ANTI-SMOKING LESSONS THAT GO INTO THE CLASSES. WE START A LITTLE BIT IN MIDDLE SCHOOL FOR THOSE. SO FAR, SHE HAS HIT ALMOST 10,000 STUDENTS THROUGH THOSE CLASSES. AS FAR AS STAFF TRAINING SUPPORT WE HAVE A LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER ON OUR STAFF THAT PARTNERS WITH OTHERS IN THE COMMUNITY TO OFFER TRAINING SO THAT IS SOMETHING WE HAVE OFFERED TO I THINK PREVIOUS SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS AS WELL AS SOME TEACHERS , TRAINING AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE. WE ALSO OFFER SOME OTHER CLASSES FOR STAFF TRAINING ALONG THOSE LINES WHERE WE HAVE SPECIALTY SKILL SETS. OUR TEAMS DO THE SAME WITH STOP THE BLEED AND THOSE KINDS OF THINGS. CPR. WE ARE LOOKING TO ADD SOME MORE OF THAT AS WE MOVE FORWARD. WE ALSO HAVE A POSITION IN THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT TITLED HEALTH LIAISON. THAT IS SPECIFICALLY TO COORDINATE HEALTH CONCERNS WITH THE SCHOOLS. ANYTIME THERE'S A HEALTH CONCERN WITH A STUDENT, WHETHER REFERRED TO US BY A TEACHER OR BY THE SCHOOL NURSE THEN WE HELP TROUBLESHOOT THE SITUATION. IT COULD MEAN GOING TO SOMEONE'S HOME TO GIVE A VACCINATION IF THAT'S WHAT THEY WANT US TO DO, IT COULD BE CORE NEEDING APPOINTMENTS FOR THEM, IT COULD BE ASSISTING WITH WHAT THE INITIATIVES ARE THAT THE SCHOOL IS WANTING US TO ASSIST WITH. AN EXAMPLE IS A LOT OF ENL PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS LAST FALL WE HELP COORDINATE COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND THE LIBRARY. WE WERE THERE REPRESENTING AS WELL. OUR SCHOOL HEALTH LIAISON RECENTLY FOUND A NUMBER OF RESOURCES FOR EYEGLASSES FOR STUDENTS SO THAT IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE LIKE FINDING A REFERRAL SOURCE AND PATHWAY THAT IF WE HAVE SOMEONE THAT FEELS HER EXAM WE CAN GET THEM THE RESOURCE THEY NEED TO GET GLASSES SO THEY CAN DO THEIR BEST LEARNING WHILE THEY'RE HERE WITH YOU GUYS.
ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO SUPPORT THOSE OUTCOMES IS WHAT THAT ROLE IS FOR. SUPPORT FOR STUDENT LED PUBLIC HEALTH AND WHAT THIS MEANS IS IF THERE ARE INITIATIVES AND THEY NEED TO HELP FACILITATE OR COORDINATE THOSE TO GET OFF THE GROUND AND WE SUPPORT THOSE. WE HAVE A HOPE FOR HAPPINESS EVENT WE COHOST WITH THE FISHERS FARMERS MARKET IN MAY THAT'S LED BY STUDENTS IN THE CHANGE TO MINE CLUB. THERE'S A RED RIBBON WEEK FOR SMOKING CESSATION AND AWARENESS AND OUR HEALTH EDUCATOR HELP CORN THAT EVENT. IF THERE'S A FACILITATION WE CAN DO TO BRING AWARENESS TO SOME CAMPAIGN WE ARE HAPPY TO FACILITATE THOSE FOR STUDENTS. THOSE ARE THINGS WE CURRENTLY DO AND ARE INVOLVED IN. I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT WE ARE ABOUT TO LAUNCH A NEW PROGRAM FOR CLUBS. THESE ARE SMALL GRANTS UP TO $500 PER CALENDAR YEAR. THIS IS USING SOME EXTRA MONEY FROM THE STATE TO SUPPORT STUDENT LED EFFORTS TO CLUBS THAT ARE SERVICE FOCUSED OR HEALTH FOCUSED. IF THERE'S A CLUB THAT WANTS TO DO SOMETHING WITH HEALTH OR SERVICE FOCUS THEN WE WANT TO SUPPORT THAT EFFORT. WE'VE HEARD A LOT OF CLUBS HAVE TO LOOK AROUND FOR GRANT FUNDING TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE ARE GOING TO HAVE THIS THING WE ARE DREAMING ABOUT FOR OUR CLUB TO DO. WE WANT TO SUPPORT THAT. WE ARE FINALIZING THE APPLICATION PROCESS, IT'S VERY CLOSE TO COMPLETION. WE INTEND TO TAKE ROLLING APPLICATIONS. THIS IS NOT MEANT TO BE COMPETITIVE. ANY QUESTIONS? WE ALSO HAVE AN ACADEMY BUT I THINK THE MAYOR WILL TALK ABOUT THAT LATER. WE HAVE TWO HIGH SCHOOL INTERNS CURRENTLY, SO WE ARE IN INTERNSHIP SITE AS WELL.
ANY AGE GROUP, ANY CLUB THAT IS SERVICED ? OKAY.
>> ARE THEY BILINGUAL? >> THEY ARE NOT BILINGUAL, BUT WE DO HAVE INTERPRETATION SOFTWARE WE USE AND CONTRACT WITH. WE SEE A LOT OF FAMILIES IN OUR CLINIC VERY FREQUENTLY.
[00:35:07]
AVAILABILITY OF NARCAN AT THE PUBLIC HEALTH CENTER?>> WE DO HAVE NARCAN AVAILABLE FOR ANY RESIDENCE THAT WANT TO BE TRAINED IN HOW TO USE THAT. THAT'S ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF STAFF TRAINING WE HAVE HAD IS HOW TO USE AND ADMINISTER NARCAN. WE DO PROVIDE NARCAN TO THE SCHOOL AS WELL JUST TO HAVE ON HAND. I THINK IT IS HOUSED IN THE NURSING DEPARTMENTS SO THAT IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE. WERE HAPPY TO DO TRAINING FOR ANYBODY. WE PROVIDE THOSE TO COMMUNITY MEMBERS. WE USUALLY HAVE SOME AVAILABLE AT THE FARMERS MARKET FOR FOLKS INTERESTED OR WANT A DIFFERENT ROUTE.
>> DO YOU DO ANY SORT OF TRAINING OFFERING FOR TEACHERS
OR IS THAT SOMETHING? >> I CAN'T REMEMBER IF THAT'S SOMETHING YOU GUYS HIRE OUT OR IF THAT SOMETHING THE EMS DIVISION DOES AS FAR AS CPR TRAINING. WE ARE BUILDING THAT
CAPABILITY AS WELL. >> NEXT, THIS OFTEN GETS FORGOTTEN ABOUT BECAUSE IT HAPPENED SO LONG AGO BUT I WAS HERE FOR THIS. THERE WAS A TIME WHEN THE SCHOOLS WERE FACING SOME DIFFICULT BUDGET REALITIES AND ONE OF THE CONVERSATIONS WERE AROUND GROUNDS MAINTENANCE, BOTH DURING LAWN MAINTENANCE AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE BUT SNOW REMOVAL. THE REUSING EMPLOYEES BUT ALSO CONTRACTING OUT TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND THE BUDGET WITH SIGNIFICANT. WE HAD REORGANIZED OUR DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND SAID WE HAD EXCESS CAPACITY IF YOU OFFSET SOME FIXED COST MAYBE WE CAN DO THIS AND SAVE DOLLARS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT. AT THE TIME WE WERE ABLE TO KEEP FIVE TEACHERS IN THE CLASSROOM DOING THIS AND WE HAVE BEEN DOING IT EVER SINCE. I CAN TELL YOU PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE HOW MANY ACRES OF LAND YOU GUYS ACTUALLY HAVE. EVERY YEAR I GO OUT AND MOW ONE OF YOUR SCHOOLS. I'LL TELL YOU YOUR ESTEEMED SCHOOL ATTORNEY MIGHT BE THE WORST LAWNMOWER I'VE EVER SEEN. HE'S GONE OUT WITH ME AND DOESN'T UNDERSTAND THE CONCEPT OF BACK AND FORTH. HE LIKES TO DO FIGURE EIGHTS AND I'M NOT SURE HOW THAT WORKS. HE RAN OUT OF GAS AND HE'S A LAWYER, A GOOD LAWYER. MAYBE NOT A LANDSCAPER. I'LL TURN IT OVER TO ERIC STEINER TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT THE SCOPE OF WHAT DPW DOES ON A DAILY BASIS HERE.
>> ALL RIGHT. GOOD EVENING. I WILL VOUCH FOR THE MAYOR ON THE MOWING CAPABILITIES FOR SURE. STICK WITH WHAT YOU DO, THAT'S FOR SURE. I WILL SAY, ONE THING ABOUT THE THIRD GRADE STUDENTS THAT COME DOWNTOWN BEING IN PUBLIC WORKS I GET TO SHARE WHAT WE DO. MY FAVORITE PART ABOUT IT IS TELLING THE KIDS WHEN YOU GUYS ARE SLEEPING AT NIGHT ON A SNOWY NIGHT IT'S MY JOB TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU GUYS GET TO GO TO SCHOOL TOMORROW. I GET SO MANY BOOS AND SO MANY YELLS.
IT'S AMAZING. I LOVE IT. EXACTLY. THE GROUNDS MAINTENANCE PARTNERSHIP IS AN AMAZING PARTNERSHIP AS MENTIONED. WE HAVE 23 SCHOOLS THAT WE MOW THE GROUNDS FOR.
ON THE LEFT SIDE, THOSE ARE SOME SERVICES WE OFFER THAT WE DO FOR THE SCHOOLS. I CAN FILL UP A TWO-PAGE SLIDE ON SERVICES WE DO. SO MUCH MORE THAN WHAT YOU SEE ON THERE.
THERE'S TWO SCHOOLS WE DON'T TAKE CARE OF, DEER CREEK JUST FROM A LOGISTIC STANDPOINT. 32 STAFF FOR ALL THE SCHOOLS IS QUITE AMAZING. IF YOU THINK ABOUT THE ACREAGE THAT WE HAVE HERE AT HSE. PEOPLE MAY NOT KNOW IS THAT ON TOP OF THE SCHOOLS WE HAVE 25 PARKS. THOSE GUYS MAINTAIN THAT AS WELL. THEY ARE DAY IN AND DAY OUT AND I'M VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE AN AMAZING TEAM THAT THEY TAKE PRIDE IN WHAT THEY DO , THEIR DEDICATION, SERVICE, THEY UNDERSTAND IT, IT'S AMAZING TO SEE. BALL FIELD, SPORTS FIELD, WHATEVER IT IS. PEOPLE COME FROM OUTSIDE. THEY ALWAYS COMPLEMENT ON THE SCHOOLS IN THE FIELDS WE HAVE. IT'S A PRETTY COOL THING TO BE A PART
[00:40:05]
OF. WITH THAT, IN ADDITION WE HAVE OVER 125 SPORTS FIELDS WE MAINTAIN . 32 PEOPLE MAINTAIN IT ALL COMBINED. THERE'S QUITE A BIT OF WORK THAT GOES ON. WE DON'T MAKE ANY MONEY. PART OF WHAT MAKES THIS AN AMAZING PARTNERSHIP OR PEOPLE LIKE MATT RAPP AND ZACH MCKINNEY. WE ARE ALL ON THE SAME PAGE , CONSTANT PHONE CONVERSATIONS. ZACH WITH SNOW REMOVAL WE ARE TALKING TO ZACH AT FOUR IN THE MORNING. WHAT ARE YOU THINKING? DO WE JUMP IN TO START PLOWING FOR 7 A.M.? BETWEEN MATT AND HIS STAFF AND OUR STAFF IT GOES DEEP IN THE RANKS OF THE TRUST AND ACCOUNTABILITY. THAT'S A LITTLE BIT ABOUT OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH HSE. ANY QUESTIONS?>> JUST A COMPLIMENT. IT'S AMAZING TO SEE AS WE GO THROUGH THIS AGENDA HOW MANY CLOSE RELATIONSHIPS THERE ARE WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT MATT AND ZACH . WE'VE GOT A COUPLE OF REALTORS DAY JOBS HERE AND I THINK THEY KNOW HOW IMPORTANT SOMETHING LIKE CURB APPEAL IS. I HEAR FROM MY RELATIVES THAT COME INTO TOWN FOR HOLIDAYS AND THINGS WILL DRIVE THROUGH WHETHER THE CITY OR THE SCHOOLS ARE THINGS ALWAYS LOOK BEAUTIFUL. THANK YOU TO YOU AND ALL THESE PEOPLE WHO DO IT.
IF THESE TWO ARE ALLOWED TO CUT GRASS CAN YOU TAKE ANYBODY?
>> CAN YOU VOLUNTEER TO HELP OUT?
>> CHRIS TOLD ME HE DID THAT ON PURPOSE.
>> THANK YOU. >> ONE THING WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO PROGRESS IS THERE'S A LITTLE INSANITY ABOUT MOWING GRASS THAT NO ONE EVER WALKS ON , THAT NO ONE -- THE INEFFICIENCIES OF DOING THAT THREE TIMES A WEEK , THERE'S OPPORTUNITIES TO PLANT TREES OR DO NATURAL PLANTINGS TO AESTHETICALLY STILL LOOK GREAT BUT TO HAVE US GO OUT THERE AND CONSTANTLY DO THAT I THINK IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY HOW MANY ACRES ? 20 ACRES OFF THAT WE WERE MOWING 2 TO 3 TIMES A WEEK BY WORKING WITH YOUR STAFF TO SAY THERE'S GOT TO BE A BETTER WAY. WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO WORK ON THAT MOVING FORWARD. I WANT TO RUN THROUGH THESE VERY QUICKLY. AS WE TALK ABOUT INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION AND BEYOND THE FIFTH GRADE COMPONENTS I WANT TO TALK ABOUT A COUPLE ACADEMIES BRIEFLY AS WE CLOSE OUT THE HOUR. WE WERE FORTUNATE TO HAVE A MAYOR'S YOUTH ACADEMY.
THIS IS WHERE WE TAKE 30 OR 40 STUDENTS IN THEIR JUNIOR AND SENIOR YEAR. THESE KIDS ARE EXTRAORDINARY, A LOT HAVE 4.2, 4.4 GPA. THEY COME BE A PART OF PUBLIC POLICYMAKING. THEY MEET WITH DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS EVERY MONTH, WE POSED THEM IN PUBLIC POLICY QUESTION, THEY HAVE ABOUT 30 MINUTES TO COME UP WITH THEIR ARGUMENT AS TO WHAT THE POLICY SHOULD BE AND THEN THEY PRESENT THAT TO MYSELF AND A COUPLE OTHER AND WE SCORE THEM. THE TOP TEAM, THEY GET TO COME FOR CITY COUNCIL AND ADVOCATE FOR WHATEVER POLICY THEY SEE FIT.
IT'S REALLY EXTRAORDINARY TO TEACH THEM ABOUT HOW TO BE BRIEF, SUCCINCT, TO THE POINT. IT REALLY IS AN EXTRAORDINARY OPPORTUNITY TO MEET SOME OF THESE TALENTED KIDS. THIS LAST YEAR, MONICA CAME UP WITH AN INNOVATIVE IDEA OF KIDS THAT WERE PASSIONATE ABOUT HEALTHCARE AND PUBLIC HEALTH.
THEY RAN A PUBLIC HEALTH 18 ACADEMY. IT WAS OVERWHELMINGLY SUCCESSFUL AND WE LOOK TO GROW THAT. THE KIDS IN IT WANT TO COME BACK. THEY GOT TO GO TO THE STATE PUBLIC HEALTH LAB AND LEARN ABOUT THE FRONTLINES OF EPIDEMIOLOGY. THESE ARE EXTRAORDINARY OPPORTUNITIES TO GRANT EXPOSURE FOR KIDS WHO MIGHT WANT TO BE IN THAT CAREER. WE TALKED ABOUT THE POLICE TEEN ACADEMY. I WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT AND ASK THE CHIEF IF HE WOULD COME UP TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THIS YEAR'S FIRE SPRING BREAK ACADEMY.
>> SO, MY STAFF AND I REALIZED THAT WHILE INTERACTING WITH THE SCHOOLS THAT THERE ARE KIDS DURING SPRING BREAK THAT DON'T GET TO GO TO FLORIDA. WE BRAINSTORMED AND CREATED SPRING BREAK FIRE CAMP. THE FIRST SPRING BREAK FIRE CAMP WILL BE APRIL 1ST, SECOND AND THIRD AND THOSE KIDS THAT
[00:45:01]
DON'T GET TO GO TO FLORIDA COME AND SPEND MONDAY, TUESDAY WEDNESDAY. IT'S LIKE A FIRE ACADEMY. THANK YOU FOR THE SUPPORT. I'M A BIG FAN. WE PARTNER WITH FISHERS ELEMENTARY AND NEW BRITAIN AND WE HAVE 27 KIDS THAT ARE GOING TO ATTEND. THOSE KIDS WILL COME IN THE MORNING, DO PT LIKE A REGULAR FIREFIGHTER, GET A T-SHIRT, DO A SAFETY LESSON, PRACTICE A SAFETY LESSON AND FOR THREE DAYS THEN WEDNESDAY THEY GRADUATE AND GET A T-SHIRT EVERY DAY. IN ADDITION, WE PROVIDE THEM BREAKFAST, A SNACK, HOT LUNCH AND WE PARTNERED WITH THE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM SO THEY GET A BOX OF GROCERIES TO LAST THE ENTIRE WEEK. IT'S THE FIRST TIME WE ARE DOING IT. WE HOPE THIS IS SUCCESSFUL I'M HAPPY TO SAY THAT MAYBE NEXT YEAR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAN DO A DAY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT CAN DO A DAY SO THE KIDS REALLY GET TO KNOW THEY HAVE SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT ONCE SPRING BREAK ISOVER. >> WOULD YOU BE OPEN TO EXPANDING IT TO MORE THAN JUST THOSE TWO ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS IF
IT SUCCESSFUL? >> ABSOLUTELY. IT'S A PROOF OF CONCEPT THIS YEAR, SO WE WORKED WITH THE ADMINISTRATION. THEY SELECTED FISHERS ELEMENTARY AND WE HAD A FEW SPOTS LEFT AND THEY MOVED US TO NEW BRITAIN.
>> YES. ALL THE KIDS ARE SELECTED.
>> IT COULD SUSPEND INTO SOMETHING --
>> COME ON, MAN. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS, WE WOULD LOVE TO
EXPAND IT. YOU'RE WELCOME. >> WE SAVED THE FUNNEST FOR THE
LAST. >> CAN I ASK A QUESTION? ARE THESE ON TOP OF SCHOOLS? NONE ARE BEING DONE DURING THE
SCHOOL DAY. >> MAYOR'S YOUTH ACADEMY IS
DURING THE DAY. >> THEY LEAVE SCHOOL AND THERE'S TYPICALLY A TEACHER WITH THEM THAT COMES AND OVERSEES THE PROGRAM. THE PUBLIC HEALTH TEEN ACADEMY IS IN THE SUMMER, POLICE TEEN ACADEMY IS SUMMER AS WELL.
YEAH. IT'S NOT DURING THE SCHOOL DAY? ONE CHALLENGE WE ARE FACED WITH IS HOW MANY EMPLOYEES DO YOU HAVE? DO YOU KNOW? WE HAVE 550. WE RUN 24 HOURS A DAY, 365 DAYS A YEAR.
ALL THESE THINGS WE ARE TALKING TO YOU ABOUT IS WITH THE STAFF OF 550 AND SO WE WANT TO DO ALL THESE THINGS BUT WHEN YOU ASK ABOUT CAN WE SCALE THIS , SCALING IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE FOR US BECAUSE THE CHIEF IS TAKING FIREFIGHTERS THAT ARE NOT WORKING ON THEIR SHIFT DAY AND BRINGING THEM BACK IN ON A DIFFERENT DUTY TO COME IN AND BE A PART OF THAT.
AS WE GROW THIS, WE HAVE TO BE THOUGHTFUL OF HOW WE CAN SCALE IT APPROPRIATELY . MARISSA BROUGHT THIS UP BEING VERY CREATIVE IN THE PARKS DEPARTMENT TO BRING VOLUNTEERS IN TO HELP OFFSET THAT. JUST THE SHEER MAGNITUDE AND NUMBERS YOU'RE DEALING WITH , WE DON'T WANT TO TAKE ON SOMETHING WE CAN'T TRULY COMMIT TO AND EXECUTE. AS WE GROW, WE HAVE TO BE THOUGHTFUL ABOUT THEIR ABILITY TO BE SUSTAINED AS WE MOVE FORWARD. OUR FINAL ITEM TONIGHT -- YES.
THE ACADEMIES ARE THEY ALSO OPEN TO THE NOBLESVILLE
STUDENTS? >> THE MAYOR'S YOUTH ACADEMY DOESN'T MAKE A DISTINCTION. THEY CAN BE A PART OF IT. I BELIEVE THE REST OF THE ACADEMIES AS WELL EXCEPT FOR THE FIRE SPRING BREAK BECAUSE WE ARE ONLY USING TWO SCHOOLS RIGHT NOW. THAT'S THE ONLY DISTINCTION. TONIGHT, THE FINAL ITEM WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT I HAVE TWO INDIVIDUALS HERE TO TALK ABOUT THIS. I'M SURE MANY OF YOU HAVE SEEN THE ARENA BEING BUILT OVER THERE BY THE NAVIA AND BUILDING OR WHAT WAS FORMERLY . WE PLAN TO BE OPEN NOVEMBER AND IT'S A VERY EXCITING TIME. WE HAVE A HOCKEY TEAM COMMITTED, FOOTBALL TEAM, WE JUST ANNOUNCED A VOLLEYBALL TEAM. FROM DAY ONE
[00:50:04]
IT WAS ABOUT THE COMMUNITY. WE WANTED IT TO BE THE COMMUNITIES BUILDING. WE WANTED TO EXECUTE WELL ON THE OPERATIONS OF IT.I HAVE RESPECT FOR THE THINGS I DON'T KNOW, I DON'T KNOW HOW TO RUN AN EVENT CENTER. I DO KNOW HOW TO PUT TEAMS OF PEOPLE TOGETHER THAT ARE SMARTER THAN I AM THAT CAN EXECUTE AS YOU'VE SEEN TONIGHT. I HAVE MITCH LIST WHO WILL COME UP AND TALK TO YOU AND MANY HAVE NOT MET HIM YET, BUT WHICH IS THE GUY RUNNING THE ARENA TODAY OPERATIONS. HE REPRESENTS A GLOBAL COMPANY CALLED ASM GLOBAL WHO IS THE LARGEST VENUE MANAGER IN THE WORLD. MYSELF AND A GENTLEMN YOU WILL MEET IN A LITTLE BIT AND MY TEAM WE INTERVIEWED SEVERAL DIFFERENT GROUPS TO FIGURE OUT WHO WOULD BE THE BEST TO OPERATE THE FACILITY MOVING FORWARD. WE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET THE BEST AND BRIGHTEST OF ASM THAT WERE COMING UP THROUGH THE RANKS. WE SELECTED MITCH AND HIS FAMILY MOVE HERE PARTLY TO BE A PART OF THIS COMMUNITY AND THE CONVERSATIONS. NOT ONLY FOR OUR CITY BUT REALLY WHAT IT MEANS TO OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM.
TAKEN AWAY. >> THANKS FOR HAVING US HERE.
WE ARE EXCITED TO BE TALKING ABOUT THE OPENING. WE ARE SLATED FOR LATE NOVEMBER OPENING. EXCITED TO HAVE THREE TENANTS HERE, THE INDY FUEL IS 36 REGULAR-SEASON HOME GAMES AND HOPEFULLY PLUS PLAYOFFS. HOPEFULLY ALL OF THESE.
FISHERS FREIGHT IS THE NEW TEAM THAT IS EIGHT HOME GAMES AND REALLY EXCITED ALSO TO HAVE THE INDY IGNITE WOMEN'S PROFESSIONAL VOLLEYBALL TEAM. THAT'S 14 REGULAR-SEASON HOME GAMES. OUR FOCUS NOW IS ROUNDING OUT OUR CALENDAR AND HAVING A DIVERSE BASE OF EVENTS BETWEEN THESE THREE TENANTS WE ARE UP TO 60 SPORTING EVENTS AND THEN WE WILL FILL THE REST OF THE CALENDAR WITH TOURING SHOWS, CONCERTS, COMEDY SHOWS, FAMILY SHOWS AND THAT BIG PUSH ON COMMUNITY EVENTS. WE WANT TO BE A GATHERING PLACE FOR THE COMMUNITY, A PLACE TO COME TOGETHER, ENJOY AND CELEBRATE TOGETHER. RIGHT AT THE TOP OF THE LIST, THE GRADUATIONS ARE GOING TO BE A FOCUS FOR US. WE WANT TO HOST THOSE. WE HAD COMMUNICATION ACTUALLY AGAIN THIS MORNING ON THAT. EXCITED TO BE A PART OF THOSE. MUDSOCK BOYS AND GIRLS BASKETBALL GAMES WE HAVE ON HOLD. THAT'S SOMETHING WE WANT TO BE A PART OF. I THINK IT WILL BE A UNIQUE AND EXCITING CHANCE FOR THESE STUDENTS TO PLAY IN A WORLD-CLASS ARENA WITH A SCOREBOARD AND PROFESSIONAL ALL THE WAY AROUND. I'M EXCITED FOR THE STUDENTS AND IT'S GOING TO BE A GREAT FAN FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT THERE AS WELL. BEYOND THE MUDSOCK TOYS AND GIRLS BASKETBALL GAME I THINK THERE ARE OTHER OPPORTUNITIES THERE. WE ARE AN INDOOR SPORTS ARENA SO IT CAN OPEN UP TO FOOTBALL UNFORTUNATELY FOR THAT GAME, BUT I THINK THERE'S OPPORTUNITY THERE WITH VOLLEYBALL AS WELL WHETHER THE MUDSOCK GAME OR STATE AND THINGS LIKE THAT , WRESTLING WOULD BE ANOTHER OPTION. THE BUILDING IS BUILT AS A MULTIPURPOSE FACILITY AND TO BE ABLE TO CHANGEOVER DAY-TO-DAY TO ACCOMMODATE A VARIETY OF SPORTING EVENTS, CONCERTS, GRADUATIONS. WE ARE COMMITTED TO IT BEING A BUSY BUILDING AND BUILDING FOR THE COMMUNITY. OUTSIDE OF EVENTS , OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS I THINK IT'S GREAT IF YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT INTERNSHIPS FOR THE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO BE ABLE TO HAVE A FIRST-CLASS ARENA IN THEIR BACKYARD WITH THREE PROFESSIONAL SPORTS TEAMS. WHETHER THAT'S A STUDENT THAT WANTS TO FOCUS ON MARKETING AND HELPING US GET THOSE THREE TENANTS OR THE TOURING SHOWS AND COMMUNITY EVENTS, ALSO REALLY HOSPITALITY FOCUSED CAN BE A BIG COMPONENT AS WELL OR THE CULINARY TEAM WILL HAVE THAT IN-HOUSE. I THINK THERE COULD BE SOME GREAT SYNERGIES THERE IN LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE STUDENTS. HAPPY TO ANSWER
ANY QUESTIONS. >> WILL THE CONCESSIONS ROTATE OR IS IT A SET COMPANY THAT WILL ALWAYS BE THERE ALL THE
TIME? >> WE WILL MANAGE THAT . THE CONCESSIONS OFFERINGS WILL ROTATE THROUGH AND WE WILL HAVE NONPROFIT OPPORTUNITIES OUT THERE TO STAFF THOSE
POSITIONS. >> I HAD A THOUGHT ASIDE FROM ALL THESE THINGS HE MENTIONED, OUR SCHOOLS HAVE INCREDIBLE PERFORMING ARTS DEPARTMENTS. I'VE LEARNED A LOT ABOUT BAND COMPETITIONS AND THINGS AND FACILITIES YOU NEED TO HOST THOSE THINGS. EITHER IF YOU HAVE I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR THAT OR SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT PARTNERING WITH OUR PERFORMING
[00:55:03]
ARTS GROUPS. >> ABSOLUTELY. THAT'S SOMETHING WE SHOULD LOOK AT. CERTAINLY OPEN TO THAT.
>> THE FEEDBACK OF WHAT WAS SAID I WAS THINKING, HAS A BIG CONVERSATION ABOUT ROBOTICS COMPETITIONS?
>> NOT LOCALLY, I HAVE EXPERIENCE WITH THAT LAST FACILITY WAS THAT WE HOSTED THOSE. I'M FAMILIAR WITH WHAT IT TAKES. A GOOD OPPORTUNITY.
>> I WANT TO PIGGYBACK. DID I UNDERSTAND YOU SAY THAT CONCESSIONS THEM THERE MAY BE OPPORTUNITIES FOR NONPROFITS TO HAVE FUNDRAISING NIGHTS AND THINGS LIKE THAT WHERE THEY ARE HAVING PEOPLE WORK TO RAISE FUNDS FOR THE
ORGANIZATION? >> EXACTLY. THAT WOULD BE THE NONPROFITS WORKING A SPECIFIC CONCESSION STAND AND TAKING A PERCENTAGE OR FEE . AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THOSE NONPROFITS LOCALLY TO GENERATE REVENUE FOR THEIR CAUSES. IT WILL CERTAINLY BE POSSIBLE HERE.
>> CAN YOU TELL MORE ABOUT THE MUDSOCK'S. IS THE VISION FOR ALL OF THEIR THINGS TO HAPPEN ? SOME THINGS?
>> FROM OUR PERSPECTIVE, JUST LOOKING AT BASKETBALL AND THIS CALENDAR YEAR BEING ABLE TO HOST THAT GAME FOR BOYS AND GIRLS IS THE FOCUS AT THIS POINT.
>> ALL OF THEIR GAMES? >> YEAH JUST WHEN THEY PLAY
>> HOW MANY PEOPLE CAN YOU SEAT IN THAT FACILITY?
>> IT'S FLEXIBLE BY CAPACITY. WHAT WE SEE FOR GRADUATION VERSUS BASKETBALL IS DIFFERENT, BUT AROUND 7500.
DOVETAIL ON THIS, MITCH IS RESPONSIBLE FOR RUNNING THE FACILITY BUT IT WOULD NOT HAVE COME TO FRUITION WITHOUT JIM HALLETT WHO RUNS THE INDY FUEL. HIS DESIRE AND WILLINGNESS TO BE A TENANT IN THIS FACILITY IS WHAT DROVE THE OPPORTUNITY IN THE FIRST PLACE AND VERY FEW PEOPLE KNOW THIS, BUT JIM WAS SO PASSIONATE ABOUT DOING THIS PROJECT THAT HE FRONTED THE MONEY FOR THE DESIGN OF THE BUILDING BEFORE WE WERE ABLE TO GET IT DONE BECAUSE HE WANTED IT OPEN IN A PARTICULAR TIMEFRAME. JIM HAS BEEN A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESSMAN IN HIS OWN RIGHT. HE HAS A DESIRE TO GIVE BACK AND I WANTED YOU GUYS TO MEET HIM BECAUSE HE'S GOING TO OWN THE INDY FUEL AND FISHERS FREIGHT AND I BELIEVE BOTH OF THOSE ORGANIZATIONS WANT TO HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM. TONIGHT, I WOULD LIKE TO ASK JIM HALLETT TO TALK
ABOUT HIS TEAMS. >> GOOD EVENING. I'M NOT SURE I GOT THE MEMO ON BE BRIEF AND BE GONE. I BROUGHT SOME NOTES ALONG TO KEEP ME ON TRACK. IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU ALL.
IT'S GOOD. ANYWAY, I RECENTLY RETIRED FROM CAR GLOBAL. YOU MAY RECOGNIZE, BUT WE WERE EIGHT VEHICLE REDISTRIBUTION COMPANY . JUST TO GIVE AN IDEA OF THE MAGNITUDE OF THAT IN MY BEST YEAR I THINK WE ARE DOING A LITTLE OVER 6 MILLION VEHICLES A YEAR THAT WE WERE EXPORTING AROUND THE WORLD. THAT'S MY BACKGROUND AND THAT'S WHAT BROUGHT ME. I'M PROUD TO TELL ONE OF MY PROUDEST DAYS WAS IN NOVEMBER OF 2003 I BECAME AN AMERICAN CITIZEN. ALONG WITH MY WIFE AND SONS. SO, THE INDY FUEL. WE ARE COMPLETING OUR 10 SEASON AND IT'S BEEN A PHENOMENAL SUCCESS STORY. WE REALLY BUILT A GREAT FRIEND AND IT'S TAKEN TIME IN THOSE INITIAL YEARS COMING INTO OUR VERY CROWDED MARKET AND YOU HAVE COLDS AND PACERS AND RACING AND GOING DOWN THE LIST.
THE REAL SECRET TO BEING ABLE TO SURVIVE IN A CROWDED MARKET IS BEING ABLE TO HAVE A GREAT PRODUCT THAT PEOPLE LOVE AND PEOPLE LOVE COMING BACK TO AND THAT IS ALL ABOUT THE FANS.
PEOPLE WANT PLACES TO GO. PEOPLE WANT PLACES IN THEIR OWN COMMUNITY. ONE THING WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT AT LENGTH IS PEOPLE WANT TO BE PROUD OF THEIR COMMUNITY AND THERE'S SO MUCH PRIDE IN THIS ROOM. YOU FEEL IT WHEN I'M SITTING HERE.
YOU HEAR THESE PEOPLE SPEAKING ON THE PRIDE AND PASSION.
THAT'S WHAT WE NEED TO CREATE IN TERMS OF SPORTS. THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE CREATED WITH THE FUEL. ON FRIDAY AND SATURDAY
[01:00:02]
NIGHT WE ARE JUST ABOUT ALWAYS SOLD OUT OR VERY CLOSE TO SOLD OUT. THE FACILITY HOSTS 6500 PEOPLE. I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT INDOOR FOOTBALL. YOU KNOW, WE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY.ONE COMMITMENT I MADE IS WE WILL CONTINUE NEW OPPORTUNITIES HERE. WE HAVE SEEN THAT WITH THE VOLLEYBALL NOW AND SEEN IT WITH FOOTBALL. THE INDOOR FOOTBALL , WE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO BUY FRANCHISE AND I GUESS MOST OF OUR STAFF CONVINCED ME WE SHOULD BUY IT. WE BOUGHT IT AND THAT WILL START IN MAY OF 2025. THERE'S 18 TEAMS IN THE LEAGUE. WE PLAYED EIGHT HOME GAMES AND THEN HOPEFULLY WE WILL PLAY SOME PLAYOFF GAMES AS WELL. THAT'LL HAPPEN 2025. ANYWAY, YOU MAY BE FAMILIAR WITH THE FUEL TANK FISHERS . THE TWO ARENAS. THOSE ARE OUR ARENAS THAT WE HAVE RENOVATED. WE NOW HAVE 1400 TO 1500 FAMILIES PARTICIPATING IN YOUTH HOCKEY.
WE HAVE A PROGRAM. WE GET 150 TO 300 KIDS TO THE PROGRAM AND MANY OF THEM AS YOUNG AS TWO YEARS OLD. THE OTHER THING I'M PROUD OF IS WE HAVE A RECORD NUMBER OF GIRLS NOW PLAYING HOCKEY AND THESE NUMBERS ARE DIRECTIONALLY CORRECT BUT WE ARE SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 150 AND 200 GIRLS. THAT'S BEEN EXCITING AT THE FUEL TANK. HOW CAN WE WORK WITH THE SCHOOL SYSTEM ? HOW CAN WE WORK WITH YOU ALL TO REALLY INTEGRATE , ENJOY AND GET THE BEST OUT OF THE FACILITY AND BEST OUT OF OUR PEOPLE? ONE THING THAT WE DO IS WE HAVE AN EDUCATION DAY. THAT'S A FREEBIE FOR THE KIDS. THEY GET TO COME TO A HOCKEY GAME. THIS YEAR, TWO WEEKS AGO, WE HAD OVER 7000 KIDS ON A TUESDAY MORNING AT 10:00 AT A HOCKEY GAME. I HAD TO GET EARPLUGS. IT WAS ABSOLUTELY DEAFENING. IF YOU CAN SEE THOSE KIDS AND HOW MUCH JOY AND HAPPINESS IT IS AMAZING TO SEE THAT. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT HAVING A SECOND EDUCATION GAIN IN YEARS TO COME SO WE CAN HAVE TWO OF THESE GAMES AND IT'S A QUESTION OF GETTING ON THE PROGRAM AND I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANYTHING MORE THAN FIRST COME FIRST SERVE. INVITATIONAL WILL GO OUT AND THE FIRST ONES THAT SAY WE ARE BRINGING THE BUS AND BRINGING OUR KIDS. THAT'S A GREAT WAY FOR KIDS TO COME AND ENJOY A HOCKEY GAME AND GET INTRODUCED TO A NEW SPORT THAT PROBABLY HAS BEEN AROUND INDIANAPOLIS SINCE 1938 BUT HAS COME AND GONE A LITTLE BIT. WE HAVE A PASSION TO MAKE A STAY HERE.
THE OTHER THING IS OUR MASCOT , IF YOU'VE EVER SEEN NITRO, HE'S AMAZING. I'LL BRAG ON HIM A LITTLE BIT. HE WAS A MASCOT FOR THE ATHENS OLYMPICS BACK IN 2004 , 2005. HE GOT A FULL RIDE SCHOLARSHIP TO BE A MASCOT AND HE'S WON ALL KINDS OF AWARDS. HE'S A GREAT MASCOT, A LOT OF FUN, THE KIDS LOVE HIM. NITRO WILL COME TO YOUR CLASS. IF THE TEACHERS WANT TO BRING HIM IN, BRING NITRO IN. OUR PLAYERS ARE HIGHLY EDUCATED YOUNG MEN. MANY HAVE MASTER DEGREES, THEY ARE WELL-EDUCATED BECAUSE MOST ARE COMING OUT OF THE U.S.
COLLEGES. WE DO HAVE PLAYERS FROM EUROPE, WE HAVE PLAYERS FROM CANADA. OUR PLAYERS ARE VERY WELL SPOKEN. THEY ARE VERY LITERATE AND THEY DO A GREAT JOB WITH KIDS IN THE CLASSROOM. THEY WILL COME OUT AND COME INTO YOUR CLASSROOM, THEY WILL READ, THEY WILL TALK , THEY WILL TALK ABOUT WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE A PRO HOCKEY PLAYER. THEY WILL SIT DOWN AND READ BOOKS WITH YOU. WHATEVER WE CAN DO, WE CAN BRING THOSE KIDS TO YOU, YOU BRING THOSE KIDS TO US, SORRY I HAVE MY BACK TO YOU GUYS. I'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT INTERNSHIPS. WE HAVE A LOT OF INTERNS. A LOT OF INTERNS LOVE WORKING IN THE
[01:05:05]
SPORTS INDUSTRY AND BEING AROUND PRO HOCKEY PLAYERS. PRO HOCKEY PLAYERS ARE WONDERFUL ATHLETES AND WONDERFUL PEOPLE.ANYTHING YOU CAN THINK OF. FOR EXAMPLE, IF YOU GET TO THE SCHOOLS AND WANTED TO HAVE A DAY TO GO SKATING WE ARE PRETTY DARK IN THE MORNINGS. BETWEEN 9:00 AND EARLY AFTERNOON, THERE'S NOT MUCH GOING ON AT THE FUEL TANK. IF TEACHERS WANTED TO BRING THE CLASSES OVER WE HAVE TWO POUNDS OF ICE OUT THERE. THIS ISN'T SOMETHING WE WOULD BE LOOKING TO CHARGE FOR. WE WOULD JUST LET YOU GUYS GO SKATE FOR FREE. LET THE KIDS SKATE FOR FREE. PROBABLY NOT DOING THAT 100 TIMES A YEAR, BUT WE WILL DO IT AT LEAST ONCE. THERE'S THAT OPPORTUNITY. THERE IS GIRLS LEARNING TO FIGURE SKATE.
ONE OF YOUR WONDERFUL BOARD MEMBERS HERE ASKED US TO PUT IN SPECIAL BOARDS FOR SLED HOCKEY . WE WERE ABLE TO GET THAT DONE. THOSE BOARDS ARE GOING TO GO IN. THANK YOU. NOW WE HAVE ENOUGH ARENAS THAT WE CAN SPONSOR AND WE'VE ALREADY BEEN APPROACHED TO SPONSOR THE INTERNATIONAL SLED HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIPS. THAT WILL BRING ALL THOSE PEOPLE TO OUR CITY.
THERE'S LOTS OF THINGS AND LOTS OF WAYS YOU CAN GET INVOLVED. I DON'T WANT TO CHAT TOO MUCH MORE. I DO WANT TO SAY A BIG SHOUT OUT. THEY'VE SAID MANY TIMES , I'VE MET A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH BIG IDEAS, BUT I'VE MET VERY FEW THAT CAN EXECUTE ON THEM. NOT JUST ON EVEN CENTERS, BUT
BIG IDEAS IN GENERAL. >> AS A POINT, JUST SO EVERYBODY UNDERSTANDS AS A RESIDENT HOCKEY GUY ON THE COUNCIL , I'VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR A LONG TIME. WAYNE GRETZKY'S FIRST PROFESSIONAL HOCKEY JOB WAS HERE AT INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA. YOU'LL HOLD THAT DISTINCTION HERE.
>> YOUR FIRST NAME? MONICA? TELL ME ABOUT YOUR CLUBS.
>> WE WILL DONATE $10,000 TO YOUR CLUBS.
>> I HOPE YOU CAN SEE THE CALIBER THAT MR. HALLETT AND HIS FAMILY ARE. IN CLOSING, I SAID THIS WOULD BE AN HOUR AND I WANT TO BE RESPECTFUL OF YOUR TIME, THIS HAS BEEN A WHIRLWIND BUT THIS MORNING I GOT TO START MY DAY TOURING TWO OF YOUR ARTS TEACHERS FROM ONE TO EACH HIGH SCHOOL THROUGH HER NEW INDIANAPOLIS ARTS CENTER ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF CITY HALL.
THESE WOMEN WERE THRILLED AND EXCITED OF THE OPPORTUNITIES TO COLLABORATE AND WORK TOGETHER. I WAS WITH A GROUP OF CEOS AND BUSINESS LEADERS FROM USHERS AND THEY WERE ALL PASSIONATE OF HOW WE CAN WORK WITH THE SCHOOLS AND MOVE THINGS FORWARD. TO BE SURROUNDED BY SO MANY TALENTED STAFF MEMBERS AND TEAM MEMBERS FROM OUR ORGANIZATION THAT LITERALLY OVER THE LAST DECADE HAVE PUT THEMSELVES OUT THERE TIME AND TIME AGAIN TO BE THERE, BE A PARTNER WITH THE SCHOOLS AND SO TONIGHT , WE ARE STILL AS ENERGIZED AS WE HAVE BEEN ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITIES TO COLLABORATE. WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THOSE ARE. WE ARE NOT EDUCATORS, WE ARE NOT IN YOUR CLASSROOMS. WHEN YOU FIGURE OUT THE DIRECTION YOU WANT TO GO AND YOU WANT TO COMMUNICATE TO US HOW WE CAN BE HELPFUL JUST KNOW YOU HAVE A PARTNER THERE MOVING FORWARD. WITH THAT, IF YOU WANT TO SAY ANY CLOSING REMARKS THEN WE OPEN IT
UP TO ANY QUESTIONS. >> WELCOME. WE ARE REALLY EXCITED TO HAVE YOU BE PART OF OUR COMMUNITY. AS YOU CAN SEE, WE HAVE A LOT OF PASSIONATE LEADERS , A LOT OF SUCCESS, A LOT OF MOMENTUM. WE ARE REALLY A STAR I FEEL IN THE STATE AND THAT IS PARTLY BECAUSE OF THE LEADERSHIP THAT WE HAVE HERE
[01:10:01]
BOTH AT THE SCHOOL LEVEL AND CITY LEVEL. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU GOT A CHANCE TO MEET EVERYBODY THE OTHER NIGHT BUT I WANTED TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL THE COUNCIL MEMBERS TO INTRODUCE THEMSELVES AND TO SHARE WHAT AREA OF THE CITY THEY REPRESENT AND WE JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT WE, AS THE CITY COUNCIL, ARE HERE TO WORK WITH YOU, YOUR ADMINISTRATION, THE SCHOOL BOARD. WE ARE HERE TO MOVE OUR CITY FORWARD IN COLLABORATION. IT'S DISABILITY AWARENESS MONTH AND WE ARE COLLABORATING WITH EVERYBODY HERE IN THE CITY. WE'VE HAD A LOT OF SUCCESS THROUGH THAT AND THAT IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF WHAT YOU HEARD TONIGHT. OUR DOORS ARE OPEN. I'M CECELIA, WE MET THE OTHER NIGHT. I'VE BEEN IN THE OFFICE. I REPRESENT THE WHOLE CITY AS AN AT-LARGE MEMBER OF HEALTHY OFFICE FOR NINE YEARS. SO, MAYBE WE WILL START WITH BILL AND GO DOWN THE LINE HERE.>> I REPRESENT THE SOUTHWEST CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT. I MOVED TO FISHERS 30 YEARS AGO . WE HAVE LIVED HERE FOR THE SCHOOLS AND WE FEEL STRONGLY THAT I APPLAUD THE MAYOR. I THINK PARTNERING WITH THE SCHOOLS IS VERY IMPORTANT.
>> I'M JENNIFER, I'M THE FISHER CITY CLERK. I WAS ELECTED IN 2015. I'VE LIVED HERE FOR 40 YEARS.
>> BRAD. I REPRESENT THE NORTHEAST DISTRICT. THE FASTEST GROWING AREA OF FISHERS. I LIVE IN THE DEL WEBB COMMUNITY AND I REPRESENT THE OLDER GENERATION SINCE THE MAYOR WAS ONLY 32 WHEN HE RAN FOR MAYOR.
>> I'M SELENA, I REPRESENT THE NORTHWEST DISTRICT OF THE COMMUNITY. GREATLY APPRECIATIVE FOR HAMILTON SOUTHEAST SCHOOLS AS I HAVE A SPECIAL NEEDS DAUGHTER AND THEY BASICALLY LAUNCHED HER LIFE. THEY HELP HER GET A JOB, THEY HELPED HER LEARN INDEPENDENT SKILLS AND GREATLY APPRECIATE THE ONES THEY'VE DONE WITH HER.
>> I REPRESENT THE SOUTHEAST DISTRICT. I STARTED MY FIFTH TERM. I HAD A BLENDED FAMILY OF FOUR WITH ALL FOUR GRADUATING FROM THE HSE SCHOOL SYSTEM. JOHN AND I ARE THE ONES RESPONSIBLE FOR SCOTT BEING MAYOR SINCE WE HIRED HIM HAS TOWN MANAGER WAY BACK WHEN.
>> AT-LARGE MEMBER OF CITY COUNCIL. I'VE BEEN HERE FOR 17 YEARS AND I WANT YOU TO KNOW I'M ON MY FOURTH HIGH SCHOOL INTERN. HSE HAS BEEN A WONDERFUL PARTNER. I LOVE HAVING THE YOUNG PEOPLE WORK WITH ME. JUST BEING THAT MENTOR FOR THEM AND SHOWING THEM THE PROFESSIONAL SKILLS THEY ARE LOOKING FOR. A WONDERFUL PROGRAM.
>> GOOD EVENING, I'M ALSO CITY COUNCIL SOUTH-CENTRAL DISTRICT. I WAS A TOWN COUNSELOR, BEEN ON THE COUNCIL SINCE 2012. SEEN A LOT HAPPENED . IT'S BEEN A RIDE. I'VE GOT A LOT MORE TO LOOK FORWARD TO. ALL OF MY CHILDREN WENT TO HAMILTON SOUTHEASTERN SCHOOLS. MY YOUNGEST GRADUATE IS WORKING FOR ME AND MY CPA FIRM. HE BETTER SO BE THERE WORKING RIGHT NOW. IT'S BEEN AN AWESOME RUN. A PARTNERSHIP HAS BEEN A GREAT PARTNER TO WORK WITH ALL THESE YEARS. LOOK
FORWARD TO CONTINUING. >> JOHN, I REPRESENT THE NORTH CENTRAL DISTRICT . I'M IN MY THIRD MONTH.
>> AT THIS POINT, I GUESS WE TURN IT OVER TO YOU TO CLOSE IT OUT AND WE WILL GET ON WITH THEIR DAY.
>> THANK YOU. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE CITY COUNCIL FOR COMING AND SHARING WITH US THIS EVENING AND IT'S EXCITING TO HEAR ALL THAT WE ARE COLLABORATING ON AND TO HEAR ABOUT NEW OPPORTUNITIES AND WE CERTAINLY LOOK FORWARD TO
[01:15:01]
WORKING TOGETHER. I JUST THINK EVERYONE ELSE FOR COMING AND SHARING THIS EVENING WITH* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.