Municipal Corporations Committee Meeting – April 8, 2026
Municipal Corporations Committee Meeting – April 8, 2026
The Municipal Corporations Committee of the Indianapolis City-County Council met on the evening of April 8, 2026, at 10:30 AM UTC (meeting called to order at approximately 6:30 PM local time). Chair Jared Evans presided. The sole voting item was the reappointment of Maggie A. Lewis to the Capital Improvement Board (CIB). The committee also received presentations from the CIB and the Indianapolis Public Library.
Consent Calendar
- Proposal 73 – Reappointment of Maggie A. Lewis to the Capital Improvement Board of Managers – Approved unanimously by voice vote (all in favor, no opposition). The motion passed to move the proposal to the full council.
Discussion Items
- Capital Improvement Board (CIB) Presentation – CIB Director Brian Mowery, joined by CFO Tim Kerr, General Manager Eric Newberger, and others, provided an overview of CIB’s portfolio, including the Indiana Convention Center, Lucas Oil Stadium, Victory Field, Gainbridge Fieldhouse, and two new projects: the Indiana Convention Center Expansion and the Signia by Hilton Hotel (city-owned, operated by CIB). CIB celebrated its 60th anniversary. They highlighted 2026 events: Final Four (successful), American Dental Association Scientific Conference (first time in Indianapolis), Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, American Coatings, Gen Con, FFA, FDIC, USA Volleyball, and a concert lineup (Morgan Wallen, Post Malone, Jelly Roll, Bruno Mars, Ed Sheeran). CIB employs 175 full-time staff and supports 83,000 jobs in central Indiana. Director Mowery noted that a pre-construction design study for a potential soccer stadium (by Populous and Shiel Sexton) is ongoing, with a report expected within a few months. Councilor Allen asked about solar panels on the convention center roof; Mowery explained that the vinyl roof makes penetration risky due to leaks. Councilor Bain queried about the cost-reimbursement relationship between CIB and public safety agencies; Mowery stated that CIB writes a check back to the city from admissions taxes (about $3.5 million annually) but does not track individual event reimbursements. Councilor Bain also asked about the return on investment for skybridge enhancements; Mowery replied they are typically part of project negotiations. Councilor Jones appreciated the visual of CIB assets and requested district-level job data. Councilor Graves asked about the Signia project’s financial forecast; Mowery reported that the comp set is outperforming original projections, and the hotel is expected to meet operating and debt service targets. The Shinola (Ritz-Carlton) project was briefly mentioned as a positive addition to the hotel market.
- Indianapolis Public Library Presentation – CEO Greg Hill, accompanied by Board Member Dr. White, Board Member Natitia Woodard, and Chief Strategy Officer Mary Ann McKenzie, presented the library’s first-quarter 2026 performance. Key statistics: 549,000 visitors (6,400 average daily), 2.1 million items circulated (25,000 per day), 866 adult programs (8,310 attendees), 1,621 youth programs (36,316 attendees). Digital engagement is growing, with physical circulation still dominant. Program impact: 99% of patrons reported gaining knowledge; 94% felt connected to community. Wi-Fi sessions: 124,397 unique sessions; 90,314 public PC uses; 14,804 study room reservations. Active library card users: approximately 16% of the population. A library card campaign is underway with billboards, and a larger campaign is planned for September (National Library Card Sign-up Month). The Central Library reopened April 13 after a glass panel repair (a 600-pound panel at 50 feet was removed safely). The West Indianapolis branch is moving to a new 10,000–12,000 sq. ft. location (same area, near Hyatt and Morris) with KRM Architects; drawings are in progress. The “Heart of Every Neighborhood” tour continues, with the next event at East 38th Street branch. Councilor Gibson commended the library and asked about financial challenges for the 2027 budget and the status of upgrades at East 38th Street. CEO Hill noted the library follows a facility assessment plan; major renovations are scheduled for 2028 at East 38th Street, but smaller repairs (carpet, doors) are addressed through a refresh schedule. Dr. White emphasized the need for consistent funding to maintain a world-class appearance across all branches, noting rising costs. Councilor Dill clarified that library cards are valid system-wide.
Key Outcomes
- Proposal 73 (reappointment of Maggie A. Lewis to CIB) approved by voice vote and forwarded to the full council.
- Future meetings: May 6, 2026, at Indigo (Cameron East Campus); June meeting tentatively at the airport (to be confirmed); July meeting canceled.
- The committee will continue to receive presentations from municipal corporations ahead of budget season.
- No public comments were made during the meeting.
Meeting Transcript
Oh yeah, I'm just gonna weekly. No, I would need to be out of the right. So I have to say particularly. And I think that's what it was for me. Good evening, everybody. I'm Chairman Jared Evans and welcome to this evening's municipal corporations committee meeting on this great Wednesday, the 8th of April. We are going to uh begin tonight's meeting with introductions from my colleagues starting on my left side. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mike Doak, District 24. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, Josh Bain, District 20. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Jesse Brown, District 13, area side near North Side. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Renee Allen, District 15, the far east side. Uh Mr. G Ron Gibson, District 8. Good evening, everyone. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Keith Graves, District 13. We've got a new district. Thank you. Good to see you guys. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Christian Jones, District 18. Thank you, colleagues. For tonight's meeting, we only have one voting proposal. That's number 73, which will reappoint our appointment to the Capital Improvement Board, and then we're gonna have presentations from both the uh Capital Improvement Board of Managers as well as the Indianapolis Public Library. We will begin with proposal number 73, which appoint reappoints Maggie A. Lewis of the Capital Improvement Board of Managers. I think everybody here knows her. Um I told her she did not have to be here given we are all very um Councillor Howard. Familiar with her and her work. So I'd like to uh hear a motion for approval. So move. All right. There's a motion and a second to move proposal number seventy-three to the full council. Do we have to do a voice vote on this, or is it okay just to do uh roll call? Either or either or okay. All those in favor, please uh signal by saying aye. Aye. All those opposed, same sign. Seeing none, that is approved. We will let President Lewis know she has been reappointed. Umy, your guys.
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