Indianapolis Public Works Committee Meeting - June 26, 2025
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Indianapolis Public Works Committee Meeting - June 26, 2025
The Indianapolis Public Works Committee met on June 26, 2025, at 10:30 AM. Chairwoman Kristen Jones (District 18) presided. The committee considered multiple proposals including a reappointment, ten traffic and street changes, a $6.5 million fund transfer, and comprehensive stormwater code amendments. All proposals were passed unanimously and sent to the full council with do-pass recommendations.
Reappointment: Proposal 109
- Proposal 109-2025: Reappointment of Kenneth Beach to the Marion County Stormwater Management Technical Advisory Committee. Beach, a professional engineer and owner of an environmental consulting firm, described his qualifications and second term. Unanimously approved.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Kenneth Beach spoke in support of his own reappointment (Proposal 109) and later commented on Proposal 190, highlighting the significance of the House Enrolled Act 1037 item in the future work list and asking about its magnitude.
Discussion Items
- Proposals 147-155 and 189 (Traffic and Street Changes): Nathan Sheets (DPW) presented ten proposals: signal removal (147), speed limit reductions (148, 151-154), restricted parking (149, 189), U-turn restriction (150), deletion of one-way designations on Michigan and New York Streets (155). Councilor Nielsen asked about the timeline for Proposal 155; Sheets reported work is ongoing with completion anticipated in the second week of July 2025. All proposals were voted on in groups and individually, each passing unanimously.
- Proposal 188-2025 (Fund Transfer): Lord Stevenson (DPW) presented a $6.5 million transfer between DPW and the Parks Department to align funding with councilor-selected projects (19 DPW, 6 DPR). Councilor Nielsen and Councilor Cahill clarified the original fiscal allocation. Approved unanimously.
- Proposal 190-2025 (Stormwater Code Amendments): Shannon Killian (DPW Stormwater Administrator) presented the result of 18 months of work to update stormwater code and regulations to align with the new MS4 permit from IDEM (issued February 1, 2024, due by February 1, 2026). Changes included removing outdated references, clarifying regulated drains, updating definitions, and improving terminology. Public outreach in May 2025 attracted over 100 attendees. Future items include addressing House Enrolled Act 1037 (no more stringent than state permit), fees for non-stormwater discharges to the MS4, stormwater user fee review, green infrastructure incentives, and variances. Councilor Mowray raised concerns about flooding from new developments; Killian discussed accountability and enforcement. Councilor Nielsen asked about proactive measures and fee structures. Kenneth Beach commented on the significance of the HEA 1037 item. Approved unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- All nine motions (Proposals 109, 147, 148 & 151-154, 149 & 189, 150, 155, 188, 190) were passed unanimously and forwarded to the full council with do-pass recommendations.
- The committee noted upcoming work on stormwater code updates related to HEA 1037, non-stormwater discharge fees, and potential stormwater user fee adjustments. The next meeting is scheduled for July 2025.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening and welcome to our public works committee for June 26, 2025. We will begin with introductions of counselors to my left. Thank you, Madam Chair. Mike Dilk, District 24. Thank you, Madam Chair. Brian Mowray, District 25. Thank you. Madam Chair, Councilor Jared Evans representing District 17. Thank you, Madam Chair, Nick Roberts, District 4. Thank you, Chairwoman, Andy Nielsen, District 14. Good evening, Madam Chair. Krista Carlino, District 11, West Side. Thank you, Chairwoman, Jessica McCormick, District 16. Thank you. And I'm Kristen Jones representing District 18. First up this evening, we will start with proposal number 109, which reappoints Kenneth Beach to the Marion County Stormwater Management Technical Advisory Committee. Mr. Beech, if you would like to come forward. And tell us a little bit about yourself. Thank you so much, sir. Madam Chair, thank you for the invitation. Absolutely. Reconsideration for this post. Shannon. Good afternoon. Hello. My name is Ken Beach. I'm a professional engineer in the state of Indiana and a few other states surrounding. I'm the owner of an environmental consulting firm here in Indianapolis. And one of the areas of practice that we have is in the area of stormwater and drainage and urban forestry and stuff that's related to our stormwater consent degree is UTA in Marion County. That's the direct correlation to the area of practice. I actually have to be certified as a certified professional in erosion and sediment control. So the matter of keeping sediment out of our rivers and streams and storm sewers and so on is of importance to me personally as a professional interest. And this is my second term with the board if with the stormwater technical advisory committee, and I'm happy to do it simply because they read it in shooting where the rubber meets the road. So good evening. Thank you. Any questions or comments from counselors? Questions or comments for anyone in the public who wishes to speak on proposal 109. All right. Council Nielsen. Yeah. Madam Chairwoman, uh I move that proposal number 109-2025 reappointing Ken Beach to the Marion County Stormwater Management Technical Advisory Committee be sent to the full council with the due pass recommendation. Second. It has been moved and seconded to send proposal 109 to the full council with the due pass recommendation. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed say nay. The ayes have it. Thank you, sir, and thank you for your service. Appreciate it.
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