March2014

MAR 2014

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communications@westfield.in.gov

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westfield.in.gov

IN THIS ISSUE • Westfield: Where You Want to Be Upcoming Development • Grand Park Update • Parks Programming • Wine and Canvas Recap • Meals on Wheels

Pictured: Wine and Canvas

LETTER FROM THE MAYOR It’s only March, but, boy, has this year been a busy one!

The first two months were consumed mostly with battling the snow, and a big round of applause really needs to go to all of our Public Works employees who kept the City running despite the weather. On behalf of everyone: thank you!

On March 27, I will be hosting the first business roundtable of the year with our largest Westfield businesses. I am really excited to collaborate and share with them updates on our community and strategic vision. The second business roundtable will be held later in the year and will focus strictly on hospitality. As a mayor – and as a businessperson – I know how important this kind of collaboration is to the success of a community. Our new hospitality coordinator, Rhonda Daly, will be bringing a fresh perspective to these roundtables as well.

STAFF Andy Cook MAYOR

Todd Burtron

CHIEF OF STAFF

Joel Rush

POLICE CHIEF

Melody Jones

PARKS & RECREATION DIRECTOR

John Rogers

ENTERPRISE DIRECTOR

Matt Skelton

ECONOMIC & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

These roundtables are a perfect opportunity to hear the concerns our businesses may have, share ideas on how to better serve Westfield and also to really appreciate what Grand Park can do for the business community. Speaking of which, in April I’ll be throwing out the first pitch during a tournament. And we’ll have a great big grand opening in June (more details coming soon).

Another layer we’re adding to all of these development activities is the incorporation of “Super Services” into our City’s future. If you’re not familiar with the program, Super Services was a set of hospitality guidelines that Indianapolis adopted when they handled the Super Bowl. This allowed Indy to create a memorable service experience for visitors. The guidelines of the program covered everything from touting Indiana’s history and attractions to common-sense tips for everyday customer service interactions. Westfield will be using these same principles to build a culture of hospitality that will keep visitors from around the country coming back again and again.

Finally, I’d like to close by just saying thanks to each and every City employee. Your hard work makes Westfield a community our residents can be proud to call home. Thanks for all you do.

Ken Alexander

PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR

Derrick Cash

INFORMATICS DIRECTOR

Erin Verplank

COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

Sincerely, Andy

WESTFIELD: WHERE YOU WANT TO BE We’ve got some exciting new projects going on here in Westfield. With everything from breweries to comprehensive redevelopment plans, the citizens and businesses of our community are making Westfield where you want to be!

Spring Mill Station Comprehensive Plan Amendment – This is an amendment to the city wide comprehensive plan. A citizen-driven planning solution, it is now coming before the City Council for introduction before going to Plan Commission. Spring Mill Station will be a neighborhood hub with design elements reminiscent of a train station. Spring Mill Station’s name was chosen to be consistent with the “Grand Junction” theme, to coincide with the importance of Spring Mill Road and to allude to Westfield’s history involving the Underground Railroad. The area will increase connectivity, provide buffer areas to neighborhoods and provide space for both village greens and shops.

Westfield Yamaha - This is exciting news for those who love to ride! Westfield Yamaha will expand, with an addition of 6,810 square feet. Construction is starting this spring, so dust off your bikes and get ready to ride!

Last but not least, very exciting news to see the Grand Junction Brewing Co. making progress. This new venture should be opening toward the end of the month on Union Street. With a seven-barrel brewing system, reasonably priced pub food and family dining availability, this new operation promises to be a destination right in the heart of downtown. For updates, pay attention to the group’s Facebook page: facebook.com/grandjunctionbrewing.

GRAND PARK UPDATE

COUNCIL UPDATE

The gates of Grand Park haven’t even opened, but big plans are already underway. The Indiana Soccer Association has been awarded the prized bid to host the 2016 Region II US Youth Soccer Tournament at Westfield’s world-class sports complex.

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The Council received a breakdown of upcoming projects paid from utility sale funds.

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A new nursing home, assisted living, and independent living development at 146th and Ditch was moved to APC for consideration.

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A food truck ordinance was discussed. In an effort to protect our local businesses, restrictions are being considered for Grand Park to maintain local business profits. The Council will ask for feedback at the next meeting.

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A joint resolution regarding tax rates and fiscal sustainability was agreed on between Westfield Washington Schools and the City.

The Midwest Regional Tournament includes participants from 14 states and 224 teams, with 16 of these teams being from both our local and statewide soccer youth leagues. The total number of participants and spectators for this event at Grand Park is estimated at over 10,000 for the six-day event, and is estimated to bring $7.1 million to the local economy.

Grand Park’s hospitality coordinator, Rhonda Daly, is thrilled by the announcement. “This really just goes to show what an attractive feature this will be to people who are serious about competitive sports,” she said. “I’m really honored to help be a part of this investment in our community’s future.”

Below are some important points taken from the February 10 City Council Meeting:

PARKS PROGRAMMING HIGHLIGHT New! Angry Birds Bash – Saturday, March 22nd from 4:30 – 5:30pm.

Location: Westfield Parks & Recreation Programming Facility Come and paint your very own Angry Birds mug! All paints and supplies will be provided. Pieces will be kiln fired, and finished projects can be picked up 7 days after class at the Westfield City Service Center (2728 E. 171st Street). Cost: $27. For Kindergarten – 4th grade, a parent or guardian must attend.

To register, go online to www.westfield.in.gov/parks and click on “programs and events” or call 317-804-3183.

WINE AND CANVAS RECAP Westfield Parks & Recreation hosted a successful Wine & Canvas event with 21 attendees on Friday, February 21st. Each participant received their own white canvas, paints and an apron to create their own masterpiece.

CITY EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT Rhonda Daly - Hospitality Coordinator We interviewed City employee Rhonda Daly to find out more about her and her new role as the Hospitality Coordinator for the City of Westfield.

Tell us a little more about your role as Hospitality Coordinator.

I love it! I started working as the hospitality coordinator at the end of January. My role will be positioned to bring a focus to the community regarding what Grand Park is all about and how it will affect them in the years to come. I am looking forward to educating and inspiring others to all the things the City of Westfield has to offer, but my first focus is on Grand Park.

Speaking of Grand Park, do you have a favorite sport?

Well, I was quite the pitcher in fast pitch softball when I was younger! I was great at fielding and batting, but I had to hand up my mitt because I was such a slow runner!

What did you do before working at the City?

I attended Butler University and ended up becoming a flight attendant with US Airways soon after I graduated. I truly enjoyed it, and did that for 20 years. I’ve also managed suites at the Indianapolis Speedway as well as a restaurant. Currently I am also working part time at Meridian Hills Country Club running their banquet services.

Where is your favorite place to eat?

Erika’s Place. They have excellent home cooked comfort food.

What do you love to do around Westfield?

I love walking on Westfield’s trails and the area around Bridgewater - the scenery is absolutely spectacular!

UPDATES HELPING OUT WITH MEALS ON WHEELS

Road review! The Chamber’s monthly luncheon on Thursday, March 20, at The Bridgewater Club will feature speakers updating us on the details and progress of the ongoing U.S. 31 project. To learn more about the Chamber or register for this event, please call 317.804.3030 or visit www.westfield-chamber.org

City employees do plenty to make Westfield a great place to live. But even when they’re not in the office, some staff members are giving back to the community.

Employees in the city’s Economic and Community Development department devote their lunch hours to assisting with Westfield’s Meals on Wheels program, making around 20 runs each day, Monday through Friday, to community members in need.

MAYOR COOK

Jesse Pohlman, senior planner for Westfield and president of the Hamilton County Meals on Wheels program, said that being involved in the department’s initiative not only allows him to do something good for the program’s clients, but also gives him the chance to get out in the community and see what’s going on.

He also stresses that the Meals on Wheels volunteers provide more than just food, often by simply making sure clients aren’t struggling with other issues that another agency could address. “Sometimes we’re the only faces these folks see,” Pohlman said. “So, it’s kind of a little check-up for them to make sure everything is okay.”

THE

WESTFIELD

EMPLOYEE

MEALS

ON

WHEELS TEAM (PICTURED LEFT TO RIGHT):

On average, Hamilton County’s Meals on Wheels program served 4,489 meals to 182 clients each month in 2013. Pohlman also notes that 60 percent of those clients paid out of their own pockets, with remaining funding coming from CICOA and the Sponsor-A-Senior program.

If you’d like to get involved in POHLMAN, KEVIN TODD, RYAN CLARK Hamilton County’s Meals on Wheels effort, you can get in touch by calling (317) 776-7159, or by visiting www.mealsonwheelshc.org .

ANDREW MURRAY, CHAD SPITZNAGLE, JESSE

CHAMBER NEWS

RECEIVES PRESTIGIOUS AWARDS Mayor Andy Cook was honored on February 8th with the Indiana Soccer Association’s President’s Award at this year’s annual banquet for his innovative thinking and his vision for Westfield’s future.

The Mayor was also selected for the Indiana Greenways Foundation award for Outstanding Public Official in a ceremony downtown February 25th.

YOUR CITY MATTERS IS ONLINE! Interested in reading Your City Matters wherever you go? Our current and previous issues can be found online at westfield. in.gov/yourcitymatters. You can now read our issues on your laptop, tablet and mobile device!

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130 Penn St., Westfield, IN 46074

CALENDAR OF EVENTS MAR 5 • Economic Development Luncheon

11:30 am - 1:00 pm, CrossRoads Church at Westfield, 19201 Grassy Branch Road Registration Required

MAR 8 & 22 • Heart and Soul Free Clinic 9:00 am - 12:00 pm, 202 Penn Street

MAR 10 • City Council Meeting 7:00 pm, Westfield City Hall, Assembly Room

MAR 11 • Board of Zoning Appeals Meeting 7:00 pm, Westfield City Hall, Assembly Room

MAR 25 • WeCAN Meeting 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm, City Services Center