Longtime councilor Brown to leave office
Democrat Vernon Brown, a key opponent of Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard’s infrastructure-spending plan, said he plans to resign from the City-County Council this summer.
City-County Council
Articles
City recycling deal would boost incinerator’s profits
As IBJ was first to report on June 9, Mayor Greg Ballard is contemplating a new, 10-year contract with Covanta, which already is set to receive the city’s waste through 2018.
Christine Scales, a councilor with an independent streak, riles both parties
In her second term on the Indianapolis City-County Council, Scales is testing the limits of political independence and the patience of her colleagues.
City-County Council OKs $16M more in road-repair spending
The amount adds to the already $8.3 million in street-repair spending that was approved by the council May 12.
Council votes to support $30M Broad Ripple project
Developer Browning Investments Inc. plans to use $5.7 million from the bond issue to help finance the apartment/retail project along the Central Canal.
Council to consider citywide landlord registry
Indianapolis landlords would have to register with the city by Jan. 1 or face a $500 fine under a proposal that will be introduced to the City-County Council on Monday night.
Council OKs smoke-detector ordinance, road repair funds
The Indianapolis City-County Council voted 24-5 Monday night to update the city code on smoke detectors. It also voted 24-5 to spend $8.3 million from the Rebuild Indy fund on emergency road repairs.
City Dems propose $16 million more for road repairs
Indianapolis City-County Council Democrats want to spend $16 million more on emergency road work. The Democrats oppose Republican Mayor Greg Ballard’s plan for a $150 million bond issue and instead want to tap general and special funds.
Democratic councilors wrangle road repairs for districts
Indianapolis might forego repairing some heavily traveled, winter-damaged roads to instead focus on shoddy streets spread among all City-County Council districts.
City predicts rising property values around justice center
The argument that the complex could help revitalize the neighborhoods near the former GM stamping plant southwest of downtown could be crucial for securing the support of residents.
Council sues city over public safety lease deal
The City-County Council wants to force officials to produce documents relating to the controversial lease of the public safety operations center on the east side. It was vacated in September due to safety and health code violations.
City controller floats idea to change retirement plans
If the plan is carried out, new city employees wouldn’t be eligible for pensions through the Indiana Public Retirement System. Instead, they would have a defined-contribution plan similar to the 401(k) plans offered by private-sector employers.
Councilor: ACLU settlement won’t deter panhandling proposal
Councilor Jeff Miller said the city’s settlement with the American Civil Liberties Union over panhandling enforcement shouldn’t deter a City-County Council effort to pass a more restrictive ordinance.
Partisan battle freezes proposal to repave ravaged city streets
A Democrat-controlled City-County Council committee has tabled a proposal to spend $8 million in Rebuild Indy funds to repair thoroughfares hit hard by the brutal winter. Democrats say the project would favor Republican districts.
City to consider $7.7M bond issue to assist Broad Ripple project
Browning Investments Inc. says that it is seeking $5.7 million from the bond issue to help finance Canal Pointe, its controversial $30 million apartments-and-retail project.
Council backs city financing plan for $81M tower
The Indianapolis City-County Council voted 18-9 Monday night to provide up to $23 million in city financing for the project, with the stipulation that 30 percent of the workers hired to build the 28-story building live in Marion County.
Committee urges hiring commitment for $81M MSA tower project
A City-County Council committee recommended approval for the 28-story building but only if the developer pledges that 30 percent of the workers it hires to build the tower live in Marion County.
City-County Council approves ‘ban the box’ proposal
The Indianapolis City-County Council passed a "ban the box" ordinance by a wide margin Monday night. The ordinance says the city and its contractors may not use prior criminal convictions as a screening tool in hiring.
Proposed criminal justice complex draws five bidders
In the meantime, city officials are arranging to meet with lawyers, judges and residents who are concerned about moving jails and courts from downtown’s core.
Indy political, business leader Beurt SerVaas dies at 94
SerVaas was elected to the City-County Council in 1962 and served for more than 40 years, including 27 as council president. He was one of the architects of Unigov, the consolidated city-county government plan credited with revitalizing Indianapolis.