ACTION LINES
INDIANA ASSOCIATION OF CITIES AND TOWNS MAGAZINE
MARCH / APRIL 2015
INDOT Enables Cities to Seek Federal ADA Improvement Funding
CONTENTS MARCH / APRIL 2015 VOLUME 18 / ISSUE 2
ACTION LINES IACT OFFICERS Duke Bennett President Terre Haute Mayor Greg Goodnight First Vice President Kokomo Mayor
Natalie Hurt Special Events & Conferences Director Jennifer Simmons Deputy Director & Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Lloyd Winnecke Second Vice President Evansville Mayor
Justin Swanson Assistant Government Affairs Director and Legislative Counsel
Matthew Greller Executive Director & Chief Executive Officer
Jodie Woods General Counsel
REGULAR STAFF CONTRIBUTORS Rhonda Cook Deputy Director and Chief Federal and State Policy Officer Brian Gould Field Services Manager
ADVERTISING Anne Trobaugh Corporate Relations Director Indiana Association of Cities and Towns 125 W. Market St. Suite 240 Indianapolis, IN 46204 Phone (317) 237-6200 Fax (317) 237-6206 www.citiesandtowns.org
20 COVER STORY: INDOT Enables Cities to Seek Federal ADA Improvement Funding DEPARTMENTS IN PLACE
IN ACTION 5
HEALTH INSURANCE STABILITY IN UNCERTIAN TIMES Learn about how the IACT Medical Trust can help you
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MUNICIPAL DEADLINES
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QUESTION OF THE MONTH How does a municipality sell property that is no longer needed?
18 FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Single approach from Capitol doesn’t work for cities and towns IN BRIEF 22 CELEBRATION Ferdinand to Host 175th Anniversary Celebration
IN VIEW 10 MEMBER NEWS 11 CALENDAR & EVENTS 16 Q&A Geoff Schomacker, Director of Project Development and Community Affairs
Actionlines (ISSN 1092-6259) is published by the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns. Statements of fact and opinion are the responsibility of the authors alone and do not imply an official opinion on the part of the officers, staff or membership of IACT. Indiana elected municipal officials receive an annual subscription to this publication through payment of their municipality’s membership dues. IACT Associate Members receive an annual subscription to this publication through payment of their annual membership dues. The annual subscription rate is $50. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Actionlines, 125 W. Market St., Suite 240, Indianapolis, IN 46204.
JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2015
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IN ACTION INSIDE
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Municipal Deadlines Question of the Month
Health Insurance Stability in Uncertain Times The Trust delivers affordable health care with resources and services to save time and money You face all kinds of challenges in creating a sustainable future for your community. Now more than ever, you need a partner for the long haul -one who takes your best interests to heart. Across Indiana, communities like DeMotte, Lowell, Knightstown and West Lafayette recognized the need for this partnership and recently joined the IACT Medical Trust (Trust) for municipal health care. The Trust works directly with UnitedHealthcare to deliver affordable health care with resources and services to save time and money. Multiple health insurance plan designs are available including PPO, HSA and HRA options, 9 plans for small groups with fewer than 50 employees alongside optional dental, vi-
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IN ACTION “One of my responsibilities as a Clerk-Treasurer is optimizing money and making it stretch as far as possible. The IACT Medical Trust has allowed our employees to receive the highest possible quality of healthcare cover age at the lowest possible cost, by lowering our cost curve over time.”
Michael Griffin, Clerk-Treasurer, Town of Highland
sion and life insurance coverage. We relieve your burden of managing these important employee benefits. The Trust’s health insurance program is about a valued partnership, performance, and service. Our partnership first emerged in 2010 with four municipalities forming the Trust. Today the Trust’s partners have grown to be 30 members strong! The purpose was to reduce and stabilize long-term health insurance costs and ensure access to the quality health coverage while being able to sustain critical local government functions. Mayor Tony Roswarski considers the decision to join the Trust in 2010 as one of his defining moments as the Mayor of Lafayette. He says, “Lafayette is a better place and a different place than it would have been had we not participated with the Trust.” Pooling resources works! The Trust’s financial performance Doris Sims, HR Director, has been consisCity of Bloomington tently strong. The member cities and towns are experiencing first-hand the benefits of insurance pooling. The renewal for 2015 was an average of 3.5%. This is 7% less than the medical inflation alone. In fact, the renewals for the last three years have been single digit renewals. The financial stability with consistent premium renewals year after year eases the budget process and long-
“As an HR Director, I recommend considering the IACT Medical Trust if you are looking into an insurance product. The service you receive through the Trust is exceptional, as well as the ability to pool together your health insurance claims with other cities and towns.”
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term planning at the local level. Even better, the Trust is a great model of public-sector service by providing outstanding service to the municipal members. As a health plan participant, employees have access to UnitedHealthcare’s programs that empower the participants to make better informed health decisions along with support to reach personal health and wellness goals. The Trust service team provides benefits consulting including employee premium contribution strategies, educational workshops for employees, annual open enrollment management, legal counsel regarding Health Care Reform, COBRA administration and day to day assistance with claims and coverage questions. Unlike the commercial insurance industry, which uses profits to measure success, the Trust provides quality healthcare and top-notch client services with the singular goal of serving our membership. In doing so, the Trust is directed by a Board of Trustees comprised of a representative body of the member municipalities. Our insurance pooling program works because every member has skin in the game and a voice at the table. Quite simply, the Trust is member-owned, member-governed, and member-driven. Your city or town has nothing to lose by considering the Trust and getting a quote. As healthcare costs escalate out of control, municipal leaders are making the tough choice to change the course of their current health plan for stability. “Warsaw’s path wasn’t sustainable. We had to set aside politics to do what’s right for the long-term,” says Mayor Joe Thallemer. In Valparaiso, “The risk was the status quo. To me there’s more risk in not making changes than there are in changes,” says Mayor Jon Costas. The Trust’s website, www.iactmedicaltrust.org, provides more information on your IACT sponsored insurance program. After exploring the website and all we have to offer, the Trust service team welcomes the opportunity to discuss the specific health insurance needs for your municipality. We will deliver a custom proposal that can help you find stability in uncertain times. - Ann Cottongim, IACT Medical Trust Director of Operations
IN ACTION
IACT Municipal Management Institute has a new sponsor! We extend a warm welcome to our longtime associate member Wessler Engineering. Wessler is a civil and environmental engineering firm, specializing in wastewater, drinking water, stormwater, electrical, and transportation projects, providing services ranging from master planning and design to construction administration and process energy audits. Wessler was founded in 1975 in Indianapolis and has branch offices in Evansville, West Lafayette, and Fort Wayne. MMI was created to provide innovative, quality education programs to
municipal officials across Indiana. IACT members are given the opportunity to sharpen their management and leadership skills, learn new techniques for tackling common local issues and
improving services for citizens, all while working toward certification as an IACT “Certified Municipal Official” (CMO). As officials complete each MMI level they are recognized by the Association, and, more importantly, will benefit their community with the knowledge and experience that they gain. Best of all, there’s no paperwork or signatures required, attendance is recorded at all MMI eligible courses and webinars. Credits are automatically applied to the transcript of each IACT member in good standing.
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IN ACTION
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MUNICIPAL DEADLINES APRIL 1
Last day to file Water Utility Resource Report with the IURC.
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Last day to make report on Form URT and payment of Utility Receipts Tax for city or town for the preceding year, if not made January 31,to the Indiana Department of Revenue, State Office Building.
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Last day to report and make payment of state and county income tax withheld during March to Department of State Revenue, Indianapolis.
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Last day to make report and complete payment of federal tax and F.I.C .A. (Social Security Tax) tax withheld during the first quarter of the year to the District Director of Internal Revenue. Make report and file quarterly unemployment compensation report with the Indiana Employment Security Division. Last day for filing Annual Utility Report with Utility Regulatory Commission, 302 W. Washington Street, Room E-306, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46204.
MAY 20
Last day to report and make payment of state and county income tax withheld during April to Department of State Revenue, Indianapolis.
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Last day to certify delinquent Barrett Law assessments to the County Auditor. (IC 36-9-37-23)
This feature should not be considered a complete list of deadlines. If you know of an important deadline, please submit it to Jennifer Simmons at jsimmons@citiesandtowns.org.
2015
IACT ANNUAL CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION
SAVE THE DATE! 2015 IACT Annual Conference & Exhibition Sept. 29 - Oct.1, French Lick
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? QUESTION OF THE MONTH How does a municipality sell personal property that is no longer needed?
ANSWER: This issue is addressed by IC 5-22-22 • IC 5-22-22-4 Allows the purchasing agency to use an auctioneer if the item for sale has an estimated value of $1,000 or more or if there are more than one item with a total value of $5,000 or more. • IC 5-22-22-4.5 Allows for surplus property to be sold using an internet auction site as long as the site is approved by the Indiana Office of Technology and the site is linked to Gateway. • IC 5-22-22-5 States that if surplus property is to be sold without an auctioneer or Internet service, the purchasing agency shall sell the property at a public sale or by sealed bids delivered to the purchasing agencies office prior to the date of sale. Advertisement of the sale must be made in accordance with IC 5-3-1. • IC 5-22-22-6 States if the property to be sold has an estimated value of $1,000 or less or if there are more than one item with a total estimated value of $5,000 or less then the purchasing agency may sell the items in a public or private sale without advertising.
IN VIEW
INSIDE • • • •
Member Q&A Calendar Webinars Events
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Corydon, Lebanon, Rushville and Seymour are finalists for the Hometown Collaboration Initiative (HCI). The program, in its inaugural year is administered by the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) in partnership with Ball State and Purdue Universities and was unveiled by Ellspermann at regional conferences held around the state last fall. Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority, selected Fort Wayne, Bloomington, Evansville, and Lafayette as four pilot communities to reach chronically homeless individuals and bring them into permanent housing. Source: Wane.com San Francisco, California-based apartment marketing website Apartment List on Tuesday tabbed Fishers, Carmel, Greenwood, Fort Wayne and Kokomo as Indiana’s top five family friendly cities. SGS Specialty Group, a contract manufacturer for the development of medical devices, surgical instruments and specialized cutting tools, will expand its operations in Columbia City, creating up to 17 new jobs by 2019. Source: mfrtech.com Locally based Impact CNC, LLC, a production machining
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company, announced plans today to add two additional facilities in Columbia City, creating up to 80 new jobs by 2018. Source: IIB Evansville Regional Airport announced that United Airlines will be adding three daily flights from Evansville, IN to Chicago, IL beginning on June 4. Source: IIB American Stair Corporation, the country’s leading stair manufacturer which is currently located in Romeoville, Illinois, is relocating their state of the art production facility to Hammond in 2015. Lt. Governor Sue Ellspermann
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announced that celebrate Mooresville joins more than 100 other communities as a member of the Indiana Main Street (IMS) program which encourages economic development, redevelopment and improvement of downtown areas of Indiana cities and towns. Groups of local leaders in Dallas, Texas; Detroit, Michigan; Gary, Indiana; and Trenton, New Jersey are the recipients of the Center for Community Progress’ second round of the competitive Technical Assistance Scholarship Program (TASP) to combat property blight, vacancy and abandonment.
IN VIEW
CALENDAR IACT CALENDAR
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Webinar – Newly Elected Officials Training for New Office Holders
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Workshop – What makes a Quality Place?, Carmel
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IACT Legislative Committee Meeting, Indianapolis
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Webinar – The ADA Coordinator Check List
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IACT Medical Trust Annual Members Conference, Indianapolis
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IACT Annual Clerk-Treasurers School, Indianapolis
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IACT Annual Budget Workshop, Indianapolis
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Webinar – 2015 IACT Legislative Wrap Up
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IACT Annual Budget Workshop, Huntingburg
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IACT Annual Budget Workshop, Fort Wayne
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IACT Annual Budget Workshop, Munster
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Indiana Mayors Assistants Annual Conference, Fort Wayne
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IMPACT Spring Meeting, Indianapolis
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IIMC 69th Annual Conference, Hartford, Connecticut
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Northern Mayors Roundtable, Plymouth
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Southern Mayors Roundtable, Princeton
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Southern Mayors Roundtable, Evansville
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Northern Mayors Roundtable, South Bend
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Northern Mayors Roundtable, Columbia City
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Southern Mayors Roundtable, Washington
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International Municipal Lawyers Association Mid-Year Seminar, Washington DC
IMMA Annual Conference, Nashville
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IN VIEW EVENTS WORKSHOP - WHAT MAKES A QUALITY PLACE? APRIL 16, 2015 RENAISSANCE INDIANAPOLIS NORTH HOTEL, CARMEL
MUNICIPAL LAW SEMINAR XXXII JUNE 18-19, 2015 INDIANAPOLIS MARRIOTT NORTH
What makes a quality place? There are so many components that make up a quality place. IACT will continue offering a broad menu of quality of life related events in an effort to give our members the full picture of the new face of economic development. This workshop will largely focus on the role talent attraction and retention have on placemaking. Communities of all size can find ways to use the arts, technology, higher education resources and more to attract and retain a first-class workforce. Attendees will also hear an interesting, datafilled presentation to make the case for why focusing on quality of life is imperative to grow the Hoosier economy!
Municipal law is a seminar designed to keep the local government attorney current on important legislative and case law changes, both state and federal, over the past year. The event focuses strictly on local government law issues and is designed to make the role of the local government attorney easier. Save the date for this information packed seminar where you can earn over 9 hours of continuing legal education (CLE) credit!
WEBINARS THE ADA COORDINATOR CHECK LIST APRIL 21, 2015
2015 IACT LEGISLATIVE WRAP UP MAY 14, 2015
The role of ADA Coordinator has been around since the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act. However, new emphasis has been placed on the position with state and federal funding tied to compliance. As with any critical role, many questions arise. IACT and the ADA Coordinators Association want to help you stay on track! This jam-packed webinar will offer ADA Coordinators of all experience levels some great tips for performing self-evaluations of your community’s inventory, programs, goods and services. We’ll also have speakers on hand to discuss Title VI requirements, ADA complaint policies, language services and some best practices for developing partnerships and cooperative relationships.
A long, budget-writing legislative session means negotiations over the school funding formula, important requests from our institutions of higher learning, bargaining over how to fund the state agencies that operate our state and much more. With all of this important work on their plate, lawmakers have time to focus on more than 1,200 other bills, of which 570 impact Hoosier cities and towns. This free legislative wrap up webinar will take a deep dive into many new laws significant to municipalities. The IACT legislative team will offer participants a meaningful summary of the session and discuss what might be coming back next year. Register today, this one fills up fast!
MMI CREDIT Participation in workshops and webinars is eligible for IACT Municipal Management Institute (MMI) credit. Thank you to Wessler Engineering, the 2015 sponsor of the IACT Municipal Management Institute. The IACT Municipal Management Institute (MMI) was created to provide innovative, quality education programs to municipal officials across Indiana. Institute participants are given the opportunity to sharpen their management and leadership skills, learn new techniques for tackling common local issues and improving services for citizens, all while working toward certification as an IACT “Certified Municipal Official” (CMO). As officials complete each MMI level they are recognized by the Association, and, more importantly, will benefit their community with the knowledge and experience that they gain.
IACT MUNICIPAL MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE
REGISTER TODAY! Visit our website at www.citiesandtowns.org for details and registration for these events and more!
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IN VIEW
IACT 12th Annual Clerk-Treasurers School Tuesday, May 12, 2015 Indianapolis Marriott North // 3645 River Crossing Parkway // Indianapolis, IN 46240 This workshop allows new and experienced clerk-treasurers to develop in their profession. Experts will cover topics such as preparing for an audit, employee personnel policies, tax obligations and management of grant funds. Visit the IACT website at www.citiesandtowns.org for registration and hotel information.
9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Registration
12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Luncheon
10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
Welcome and Opening Remarks
1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
General Session How to Prepare for and Create Value from the External Audit Process
Concurrent Sessions • How the IACT P-Card Can Benefit Your Municipality • Taxes – Understanding the Municipalities’ Obligations
11:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Break
2:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
Break
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Concurrent Sessions • Management of Grant Funds • Current Hot Topics in Employee Personnel Policies
2:45 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
General Session The Perfect Personnel File
4:00 p.m.
Adjourn
IACT Annual Budget Workshop This is a must attend for anyone involved with the budgeting process. It will inform municipal officials about recent legislative action that affects budgeting, and it will also focus on how to budget for 2016. This workshop teaches the budgeting process from start to finish and the role played by each municipal official.
9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Registration
10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
Welcome & Announcements
10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
Managing Legislative Changes
11:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Budget Basics
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Luncheon
1:00 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
Preparing a Municipal Budget
2:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Final Question & Answer Session
3:00 p.m.
Adjourn
OFFERED IN INDIANAPOLIS AND 3 REGIONAL LOCATIONS •
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INDIANAPOLIS/Wednesday, May 13, 2015/Indianapolis Marriott North/3645 River Crossing Parkway/Indianapolis, IN 46240 HUNTINGBURG/Thursday, May 21/Huntingburg Event Center/110 E 14th Street/Huntingburg, IN 47542 FORT WAYNE/Wednesday, May 27/Holiday Inn at IPFW and The Coliseum/4111 Paul Shaffer Drive/Fort Wayne, IN 46825 MUNSTER/Thursday, May 28/Munster Centennial Park Clubhouse/1005 S Centennial Drive/Munster, IN 46321
MMI CREDIT Participation in these events is eligible for IACT Municipal Management Institute (MMI) credit. Thank you to Wessler Engineering, the 2015 sponsor of the IACT Municipal Management Institute.
IACT MUNICIPAL MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE
MARCH / APRIL 2015
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IN VIEW GEOFF SCHOMACKER
Q&A
DIRECTOR OF PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY AFFAIRS Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs
The Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA), under the leadership of Lt. Governor Sue Ellspermann who statutorily serves as the Secretary of Rural Development, has collaborated with hundreds of Indiana’s rural cities and towns through the allocation of grants and loans as well as advanced training and technical assistance. Their mission is to assist communities in achieving their own vision for community and economic development. Geoff Schomacker, Director of Project Development and Community Affairs, joins us this month to talk about some of OCRA’s changes for 2015 and how rural communities can benefit from staying up to date on these programs and initiatives. There have been some recent changes to the Stellar Communities Designation Program that will separate communities into two classifications. Can you tell us a little bit about this change and what it means for smaller rural communities? In the first four years of the designation program the average population of the eight Stellar Communities designees was around 11,900 with the smallest being home to 2,800 residents. In looking back on the 31 communities who have received finalist status in previous designation years, the average population was about 10,400. In 2014, there was a finalist community with a population of 800. The Stellar State Team listens and takes very seriously feedback from the communities and something we have heard many times is that it is difficult for smaller to compete against larger. In 2015, in being responsive to that concern, there are now two divisions in which communities may compete for the Stellar Communities designation. Division One is for communities with a population under 6,000 and Division Two is for those with populations over 6,000. We anticipate three finalists and one designee from each division. A common question many local officials have is “what grant funds and programs are available for my community.” What resources are available from your agency to assist local officials who want to learn more about OCRA and its programs? OCRA offers a team of eight Community Liaisons (CLs) who live within the regions they serve throughout Indiana. Their primary function is to be the front door to state government for all community leaders; elected and appointed officials and volunteers alike. They are proactive in reaching out to communities of every size to learn about their visions and issues with the hope of being able to offer a combination of assistance. Our resources include technical assistance expertise, bridging connections to regional, state, or national
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partners, as well as access to available grants and loans. We feel one of the most important assets that OCRA has is our ability to be entrepreneurial and develop new programs and initiatives based on what we learn through local conversations and partnerships to ensure we are evolving and growing with the needs of the communities we serve. We are always eager to have conversations, so please feel free to contact your regional CL today and make them a part of your discussions. One of OCRA’s newest programs is the Hometown Collaboration Initiative or HCI. Can you tell us about this newest program and how smaller communities can benefit from applying? Self-defined communities with populations under 25,000 are eligible to participate in this unique opportunity that is a partnership of OCRA, Purdue Center for Regional Development and Ball State University’s Building Better Communities. We see that participation in programs like these are the stepping stones to a community’s success in achieving their vision. HCI offers direct access to some of the best community and economic development instruction taking place throughout the nation. From the community, we encourage teams that include mayors, councilmen, business owners, LEDOs, faith-leaders, community foundations, bankers, high school students and everyone in-between. They start with a common foundational curriculum, select a building block based on further developing their leadership talents, building up their economic assets or renewing their focus on place-making. At the end of that cycle the HCI team will do a capstone project that puts their learning into action. The first generation is an exciting mix of communities from around the state; Corydon, Lebanon, Perry County, Pulaski County, Rushville/ Rush County and are just starting their work. We intend to offer this opportunity to another group later this year. Strategic and economic development planning is important to cities, towns, and counties. What does OCRA offer for communities that want to better understand where they fit into the economic picture and how they might prioritize their efforts? Starting with the Stellar Communities Designation Program and then offered to all Indiana cities and towns, OCRA has launched the Community Readiness Initiative or CRI. This is a collaborative effort with our partners at Ball State
IN VIEW University’s Center for Business and Economic Research and Building Better Communities. The hope is that this will become a first step for community engagement. The CRI takes a snapshot of the current economic realities of a place and compares the data points to the results of an anonymous survey taken by those in influential roles locally, who are asked to provide their perceptions on several key points. The purpose of this comparative analysis is to identify and bridge these reality/perception gaps to align and unite the community in a strategic direction. Next steps include opportunities for university staff or private consultants to be invited by the local community teams to assist in aligning the discussions and directional opportunities. Ultimately, the CRI will offer a customized roadmap that indicates the highest potential economic development strategies for a community to move forward in accomplishing locally themselves or with other partners. While OCRA is funding the overall costs of the program, we wanted to ensure communities were invested in the process as well, so there is a cost range of $3,500 to $15,000 to participate which is dependent upon the number of steps within the process are needed or wanted by the local team in order to get where they want to go. We welcome you to visit www.ocra.in.gov to sign up for a CRI consultation. Quality of place is a primary focus for every size city and town in our state in an effort to attract new business and residents. Are there programs through OCRA that would assist communities with projects focused on quality of place? In early March, OCRA and our partners at the Indiana Office of Tourism Development (IOTD) will be offering further opportunities for communities to apply for the Place Based Investment Fund (PBIF) which offers competitive grants of up to $50,000. There are a couple of primary goals with the PBIF. The first is to encourage collaborations based on visualizing the connections between quality of place and quality of life, tourism, business and personal investment by choosing to work, live and play. The second goal is to fund creative projects that build upon the qualities of a place that make it even more attractive for visitors and residents alike. Another focus on quality of place is a strong, vibrant downtown that offers services citizens prefer to find locally. Can you tell us about the Indiana Main Street program and how OCRA can help a community revitalize their downtown? OCRA offers the Indiana Main Street (IMS) program, which is about to celebrate its 30th anniversary and follows the National Main Street Four Point Approach of Organization, Promotion, Design and Economic Restructuring. IMS works with groups that seek to organize their goals and current assets to invigorate further development and investment in their downtowns. As best summarized by Lt. Governor Ellspermann, “Downtowns are the traditional heart and hub of commerce, social interaction, entertainment and govern-
ment; they play a fundamental role in the overall image and livelihood of a community.” IMS staff provides advice for forming boards and standing up organizations and then meets with those organizations to offer our experiences and lessons learned as a way to more quickly achieve their local goals. OCRA also continues to support these Main Street efforts by hosting regional and statewide conferences for peer to peer and expert opportunities. The Indiana Main Street designation also includes eligibility to apply for Downtown Enhancement Grants for enrichment opportunities including façades and other locally determined needs. To date, the IMS program has 119 communities throughout Indiana! Shovel Ready is a term that almost everyone has heard and has a concept of, but can you explain how OCRA can help develop and promote a shovel ready community and what it means for a community to have this certification? Site selectors are hired by businesses to search for and evaluate the best place for their business to locate, relocate and ultimately grow. Their job is to reduce or eliminate risk as much as it is to maximize return on investment. Many of these searches start online and are conducted from far away with the focus solely on sites that have been designated as “shovel ready.” The Indiana Shovel Ready certification process through OCRA allows communities to demonstrate that local efforts have intentionally been made to identify, evaluate and ultimately mitigate any risks that may be a road block to potential development possibilities. It shows community support, outlines that engineering and environmental studies have been completed and gives a clear picture of what amenities are available for sale at the site. Are there any final or overall takeaways you would like to share on behalf of OCRA? A key component and theme in each of the programs and initiatives offered in OCRA’s portfolio is the engagement of individuals; people are very important to progress. What OCRA tries to bring to communities of all sizes is a trusted advisor that can offer resources, advice and guide teams through what might seem like overwhelming or complex issues and processes. One of our main priorities is to increase the number of local drivers who have the training and tools to identify, assemble and outline key players, projects and resources needed for their accomplishing the evolution needed in rural communities to remain relevant in the 21st century economy. OCRA believes that Indiana has the very best sandbox to build, grow and invite others to invest in a state that boasts one of the top business climates in the nation. At the end of the day, we understand that in order to “make the deals happen,” it will be Hoosiers with our Honest to Goodness authenticity and tenacity to remain committed to being a State that partners, teaches, grows and ultimately Works.
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IN PLACE
COLUMNS •
From the Executive Director
FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & CEO MATTHEW C. GRELLER
Single approach from Capitol doesn’t work for cities and towns Do you ever wonder why McDonald’s sells gazpacho in Spain, flan in Peru and what looks like awesome paneer wraps in India? Have you given any thought to why Starbucks sells only Indianapolis mugs in Central Indiana, rather than Seattle, New York or Chicago mugs? You probably haven’t given these things much thought because they make perfect sense. Successful companies adapt their businesses to fit what they know will work in each environment. To bring it closer to home, a larger city like Terre Haute is located off an Interstate and near the state line. They have a bustling restaurant and retail corridor that attracts a lot of out-of-towners and people passing through. Walkerton, is suburban town with lots of charm and fantastic parks. As Hoosier communities, these two have a lot in common. But they also have several geographical, population, and business differences. The leaders of these two communities likely look at many things through a different lens because they are different. The leaders in Terre Haute can’t make decisions as if Terre Haute were Walkerton any more than Walkerton leaders can make decisions as if they were Terre Haute. It wouldn’t work. If this sounds elementary to you, you aren’t alone, but you probably aren’t a member of the General Assembly. Unfortunately, while we have seen some positive steps in the right direction in recent years, some of Indiana’s policy makers are still inclined to use a broad brush approach to prob-
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lem solving. One menu, one mug for all cities and towns. Governing with this singular approach from the Capitol does not serve Hoosiers well and it certainly doesn’t allow our cities and towns to use their innovation, creativity and unique assets to create quality places that attract talent and growth. What does it mean to create quality places? There are about as many answers to this as there are calories in a Big Mac. For Goshen, creating a safe environment for all citizens, a revitalized downtown and cool after-hours events like First Friday’s have propelled them to the front of the quality place race. In Jasper, building innovative partnerships like the new GigaCity initiative and a vibrant arts scene puts them in a unique position to attract talent, entrepreneurs and investors. If you don’t follow the legislature you’re wondering how legislation really impacts a city or town’s ability to create a high quality of life. This answer takes many forms as well, but there are two more common ways municipalities get hamstrung by a statewide approach to governing our communities. 1. Bills giving municipalities the authority to determine their own revenue structure are generally a non-starter in the legislature. So, if a border city like Terre Haute wanted to adopt a food and beverage tax to maximize their asset as a stopping point for travelers, they have to get permission from the General Assembly, who only grants this local deci-
IN PLACE sion making authority on a case by case basis. 2. Lawmakers use broad brush legislation to solve a specific local dispute. If an apartment complex in one city thinks their inspection fees are too high, a moratorium on landlord registration programs is declared for communities all across the state, jeopardizing the safety and quality of life for everyone to solve an isolated problem. Annexation, which is the only way we can grow and develop Indiana’s economic centers, is in great danger of being altered to the point of extinction – all because fewer than 6% of annexations are remonstrated. Like business, municipalities need flexibility to adapt and grow in a manner that best suits their environment. It’s a popular sentiment to say we want government to operate like a business. If that model is ever going to be successful, we need to give local leaders the flexibility to make it work. If we don’t we’ll end up with a cookie cutter state that doesn’t allow cities and towns to capitalize on their assets and continue developing quality, diverse and attractive communities. We need to have a real discussion in our state about trusting local leaders to make the decisions they were elected to make. A failure to trust our local leaders to govern could result in a state full of flan, rather than the sugar cream pie, schnitzel, tenderloins, blueberries and popcorn that tell our Hoosier story from north to south.
Unfortunately, while we have seen some positive steps in the right direction in recent years, some of Indiana’s policy makers are still inclined to use a broad brush approach to problem solving.
The Municipal Law Group at
www.cchalaw.com
IACT would like to thank its 2015 Strategic Partners:
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Enabling Cities to Seek Federal ADA Improvement Funds The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) provides an opportunity for Indiana cities and towns to seek federal funding for transportation projects that meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. INDOT’s Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) enables Indiana communities to seek federal reimbursement for construction of non-traditional transportation projects, including projects that comply with the ADA. Projects must be designed for pedestrians, bicyclists, and other non-motorized forms of transportation, and may include sidewalks, bicycle infrastructure, pedestrian and bicycle signals, traffic calming techniques, lighting, and other safety-related infrastructure. “As with all federal aid, this is a reimbursement program – meaning the project sponsor pays the bills and then invoices INDOT for reimbursement,” said INDOT Program Director Michael Cales. “TAP funds also require a 20 percent local match.” INDOT approved 20 local ADA projects totaling more than $6.75 million in the last two award cycles. These projects, slated for construction in 2017 and 2018, include sidewalk repair, street improvements, bicycle and pedestrian facility upgrades, and Safe Routes to School facility improvements. For example, in Miami County, the town of Converse received $100,280 for bike/pedestrian and ADA upgrades. In Blackford County, the city of Montpelier was awarded $54,800 for accessibility improvements on Washington and Adams streets; and in Grant County, the town of Van Buren received $80,000 for ADA upgrades on Main and Vine streets. “Each of the projects we award under the TAP actually has ADA components that have to be included in the execution of the project,” Cales said. “There is no requirement for a specific amount of the available funds to be spent
IACT has a new affiliate group, the Indiana ADA Coordinators Association, which offers training regarding Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) matters, transition plans, Title VI, Section 504 and much more. To learn more or find out how you can join the ADA Coordinators Association, visit our website at www. citiesandtowns.org/ada.
on ADA work, but we have done a decent job of awarding funds for ADA improvement projects.” Local Public Agencies (LPAs) or Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) apply for TAP funds through the INDOT Technical Application Pathway online application. Applications are accepted only during an open Call for Projects. Applications must be submitted within 30 days. INDOT district personnel then meet with applying communities to review the projects and the funding level sought. Each project is scored and ranked and also evaluated by the INDOT Office of LPA/MPO and Grant Administration. At the same time, eligible projects are submitted to the Federal Highway Administration for eligibility determination. INDOT aims to announce projects selected for federal funding approximately three months after the close of the Call for Projects application window. INDOT’s goal is for projects to be constructed within four years of being selected for funding. “INDOT has no grants specifically for ADA projects, but we do, however, encourage communities outside of an MPO urbanized area to apply for federal funding for ADA components,” said Kathy Eaton-McKalip, director of INDOT’s Office of LPA/MPO and Grant Administration. “Any local public agency that wishes to improve its sidewalks to make them ADA compliant can apply.”
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Ferdinand to Host 175th Anniversary Celebration We are primed for many big events in Ferdinand this year, highlighted by our 175th Anniversary Celebration, June 18-21, plus our sixth annual Ferdinand Folk Festival on September 19th. Preparations for the 175th Anniversary (Terquasquicentennial) actually began in late 2013, when a select committee of town officials and community leaders came together to head up the 2014 Ferdinand Heimatfest, which is our traditional summer festival. The group was able to determine how best to proceed with operating affiliated events and activities, all with an eye on making the 2015 Anniversary a tremendous success!! Many traditional Anniversary events, Brothers of the Brush, Ladies of the Bustle, etc, are already underway. We also had a very well received “Ferdinand Day” at the Dubois County Museum February 22, which highlighted the creativity and ingenuity of the town’s forefathers. More than 80 exhibits were set up at the Museum, with volunteers dressed in period garb, showcasing the various items on display and providing their history and link to Ferdinand. The entire community is looking forward to the actual 175th Celebration, which will be topped off on Saturday June 20th with free musical entertainment provided by The Georgia Satellites, Pure Prairie League and the headlining act, The Lovin’ Spoonful. A 30 minute fireworks display sponsored by local manufacturer Best Home Furnishings will take place just before the Lovin’ Spoonful performs. For more information on the Ferdinand 175th Anniversary, visit www.Ferdinand175. com. More than eight years ago, Ferdinand underwent an update of its comprehensive plan, which highlighted,
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among other things, a greater presence of arts and culture in the community. This particular mission was fulfilled with the creation of the Ferdinand Folk Festival, a daylong free music fest at our 18th Street Park. A core group of like-minded individuals came together and held the first Fest in 2010. Through each succeeding year, the event has grown in scope and quality. In 2014, the Ferdinand Folk Festival was awarded the designation “Midwest Travel Treasure” by AAA Midwest Traveler magazine, a definite feather in our cap. Attendance for the past 2-3 years has ranged from 8-10,000 visitors for this one day extravaganza! The core committee gathers months in advance to set the musical line-up for that fall’s event. While the Main Stage entertainment gets the biggest amount of publicity, we are also quite proud of the acts that perform on our Market Stage, which is a more intimate setting. More than 80 vendors- pro-
viding handmade or locally produced Arts & Crafts, Food and Education & Environment information- set up in the park and are able to meet and greet with our many visitors. This year’s event is Saturday September 19th. To find out about our musical line-up and all things Folk Fest related, you can visit www.FerdinandFolkFestival.com. Yes, there are many good things going on in Ferdinand, but we also have our challenges- more housing options for the new employees moving to the area, a phosphorus reduction project at our wastewater plant, plus determining the best way to grow our town for future generations, while working with limited finances. Allow me to extend an invitation to everyone to visit Ferdinand any time of year. For a website view of town, go to www.FerdinandIndiana.org. Visit us for a day, join us for a lifetime. - Chris James, Ferdinand Town Manager