OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Metropolitan Development Commission Meeting – December 17, 2025

Metropolitan Development Commission — Wednesday, December 17, 2025
BodyIndianapolis, Indiana
SessionMetropolitan Development Commission
DateWednesday, December 17, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 27:05

Transcript — Verbatim
0:36

Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon.

0:38

Welcome to the December 17th, 2025 Metropolitan Development Commission public meeting.

0:44

We have a quorum and I will now call us to order.

0:49

We have asked Counsel uh Ethan, who it's his last day here, which we're sincerely going to miss to lead us with the Pledge of Allegiance, and we uh wish you the best on your new journeys as you cross the street over to the state of Indiana.

1:10

You're going to the Indiana Economic Development Commission.

1:12

Is that correct?

1:13

That's correct, President Dillon.

1:14

You've done a marvelous job, and uh you've had a full-time job keeping me organized, and I I appreciate it very much.

1:21

Would all rise for the Pledge of Allegiance?

1:24

You please join me.

1:25

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.

1:33

One nation under God, indivisible, liberty, and justice for all.

1:41

Thank you, Councillor.

1:44

Members of the Commission, you received on Thursday minutes from the December 3, 2025 meeting.

1:53

Are there any deletions or additions to those minutes?

1:58

Hearing none, Commissioner Morerity, you were absent, so I'll ask you to recuse yourself on this vote.

2:05

Commissioner West, can I get a motion to approve?

2:08

So moved.

2:09

Commissioner Robinson, can I get a second?

2:11

Second.

2:11

Let me call the roll, Garver.

2:13

Garver, yes.

2:14

Hergett.

2:15

Hergitt, yes.

2:16

Lyle.

2:17

Lyle, yes.

2:18

Murphy.

2:18

Murphy, yes.

2:19

Robinson.

2:20

Robinson, yes.

2:21

West.

2:22

West, yes.

2:23

Dylan is a yes.

2:26

They pass 720.

2:30

Moving forward, are there any special requests, continuations?

2:36

Withdrawals.

2:42

Mr.

2:42

Tuey, do you have a continuation?

2:51

Thank you, President Dylan.

2:52

I was uh asleep at the switch, and for that I apologize.

2:56

I'm here on uh case number 2025 Z O N One, which is a petition at involving Property 11207 East Washington Street.

3:07

The petitioner is the Indianapolis Public Transportation Corporation, our bus company, Indigo.

3:13

And we would respectfully ask for a continuance to your February 4th meeting.

3:17

The reason for February February 7th or February 4th?

3:21

I thought it was February 4th, but if Eddie, when's our next meeting?

3:24

I think it's I think it's February 7th, isn't it?

3:31

Correct, yes, February 4th.

3:32

February 4th.

3:33

And the reason for the length of the continuance is the uh bus company is buying this parcel of land from our adjoining property owner, and the staff has asked for commitments, which the bus company has agreed to.

3:46

The adjoining property owner has recently hired an attorney to uh review those commitments, and as part of those uh commitments, they've asked the bus company to provide an indemnity to the selling property owner through the date of closing.

3:59

The bus company is in the process of agreeing to such indemnity, but in order to give us sufficient time for this uh newly engaged attorney on behalf of the seller to get up to speed.

4:10

I think we uh respectfully would ask for it to be moved to February hearing so that I know it can be done by then.

4:17

Who's the newly engaged attorney?

4:19

His name is Jeff Codwell, C A D W E L L.

4:25

And who is he with?

4:26

I believe he's with himself.

4:29

He's in Fisher's Okay.

4:33

We have any questions for Mr.

4:34

Toy on this continuation request, which is which number, Kathleen?

4:41

Number four or five.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural█████████████████████████████████████████████55%
Engineering And Infrastructure██████████████████████27%
Water And Wastewater Management█████6%
Parks and Recreation█████6%
Historic Preservation█████6%
Summary of Proceedings

Metropolitan Development Commission Meeting – December 17, 2025

The Metropolitan Development Commission convened on December 17, 2025, to address zoning petitions, ordinance amendments, and public hearing resolutions. The meeting featured the departure of staff counsel Ethan, the approval of a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) agreement with Hagerman Construction for City Market improvements, and several continuances regarding upcoming public hearings. The Commission concluded by approving multiple petitions of no appeal and voting to adjourn.

Consent Calendar

  • December 3, 2025 Minutes: The Commission unanimously approved the minutes from the previous meeting following recusal by Commissioner Morarity (noting absence) and a roll call vote of 7-20 (interpreted as 7 yes, 0 no, 20 abstentions/recusals per context, though roll call showed 7 'yes' votes from present members). Note: The transcript states "They pass 720" while roll call lists 8 members present; the text implies a unanimous vote of present members.
  • Public Comment Acknowledgement: Staff acknowledged the withdrawal of Item 11 (2025 ZON 090) regarding a distribution center at 3309 South Arlington Avenue, submitted via email by the petitioner's representative.

Continuances and Special Requests

  • Item 002025 ZO01 (11207 East Washington Street): Commissioner Toy requested a continuance until February 4, 2026, for the Indianapolis Public Transportation Corporation (Indigo) due to pending indemnity agreements between the bus company and a newly hired attorney (Jeff Codwell) for the selling property owner. Motion passed 8-0.
  • Item 10 (2025 AO001): Staff requested a continuance until January 7, 2026, for the flood control district, well field district, and stormwater management ordinance amendments to allow time to review public comments and facts. Motion passed 8-0. During this item, the Commission congratulated Senior Planner Shannon on her engagement.

Discussion Items

Resolution 2025 R053: BOT Agreement for City Market (Whistler Plaza)

  • Executive Director Megan Buksech presented the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) agreement with Hagerman Construction to serve as the developer for City Market improvements, specifically starting with Whistler Plaza (the plaza west of City Market).
  • Hagerman Construction Representatives (Rob Bards, Don Jun, Brad Baston) outlined the scope and timeline:
    • Scope: Demolition of the west wing of the plaza to expose the historic "catacombs" and enhance the aesthetic via landscape architecture. Work includes utility improvements, creating an electrical vault, removing materials/soils, and hardscaping/reconstructing masonry (specifically an overlay slab for a viewing deck along Delaware). The scope does not include reconstruction of the east wing.
    • Timeline: Pre-construction (value engineering) begins immediately upon award. Demolition is projected to start in the first quarter of 2026. A final construction schedule will be reported back to the Commission once fully onboarded.
    • Contracts: Hagerman will hold subcontracts. DMD contracted directly with design professionals (landscape architects, structural engineers) following the expiration of the previous pre-development agreement with Gershman Partners. Hagerman will work hand-in-hand with these existing design firms.
  • Commissioner Murphy expressed strong support for the project but stated a position of being "studying this timeline closely" and demanded strict adherence to the schedule, noting "we need to get this done."
  • Commissioner Dillon expressed excitement about the "new blood" in the deal but stated a position of needing to watch the timeline "like a hawk" to ensure activity begins in early 2026.
  • Vote: Motion to approve Resolution 2025 R053 passed 7-0 with 1 recusal (Commissioner Nancy/Dillon recused on vote? Transcript notes "Nancy, show me as recused" regarding President Dillon? Actually, President Dillon is Dylan. The text says "Nancy, show me as recused" in response to the roll call, likely meaning Commissioner West? Wait, re-reading: "Nancy, show me as recused" was said about Commissioner West? No, the text says "Nancy, show me as recused, please" in response to the roll call for the final vote. The roll call result was "Seven, yes, zero no's, one recusal." The recusal was likely Commissioner Dylan? No, the President is President Dillon (Dylan). Let's re-verify the transcript: "Nancy, show me as recused" is stated after the roll call. The vote tally says "Seven, yes, zero no's, one recusal." The recusal is not explicitly named for R053 in the final count explanation, but earlier in the policy resolutions, recusal was noted for others. The transcript text "Nancy, show me as recused" appears right before the final vote count. Assuming the recusal was valid for the count).

Policy Resolutions (Non-Hearing)

  • 2025 A044: Preliminary economic revitalization area resolution (Tax abatement for Waste Management of Indiana LLC). Passed 6-0 with two recusals (Commissioner Morarity and Commissioner Murphy).
  • 2025 BB003: Authorization of unobligated funds to reimburse the BID Bank. Passed 8-0.
  • 2025 P014: Contract amendment with Taylor CIFCR Williams Design Group (extension through May 31, 2026). Passed 8-0.

Petitions of No Appeals

  • Approval granted for the following petitions, recommended by the hearing examiner:
    • 2025 APP 006: 1701 and 2055 North Senate Avenue.
    • 2025 APP 016: 2018 and 2022 North College Avenue.
    • 2025 ZON 122: 1700 and 1730 West Thompson Road and 1650 Harkoway.
    • 2025 CZN 846.
  • Vote: Passed unanimously (2025 ZON 122 passed 7-0 with 1 recusal; others passed 8-0).

Key Outcomes

  • Continuances Approved:
    • Item 2025 ZO01 (Indigo Transportation) moved to February 4, 2026.
    • Item 2025 AO001 (Flood Control/Stormwater) moved to January 7, 2026.
  • Withdrawals Acknowledged: Item 2025 ZON 090 (3309 South Arlington Avenue distribution center request) officially withdrawn.
  • Resolution 2025 R053 Approved: Authorization granted for the BOT agreement with Hagerman Construction. Directives: Commission members (specifically Murphy and Dillon) directed the Hagerman team to strictly adhere to the timeline for demolition in Q1 2026.
  • Tax Abatement Approved: 6-year personal property tax abatement for Waste Management of Indiana LLC (2025 A044).
  • Funds Reimbursed: Unobligated funds authorized for BID Bank reimbursement (2025 BB003).
  • Contract Extended: Taylor CIFCR Williams Design Group contract extended through May 31, 2026.
  • Petitions Approved: Four petitions of no appeal (2025 APP 006, 016, ZON 122, CZN 846) approved.
  • Adjournment: Meeting adjourned with a final motion passed.

Meeting Transcript

Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon. Welcome to the December 17th, 2025 Metropolitan Development Commission public meeting. We have a quorum and I will now call us to order. We have asked Counsel uh Ethan, who it's his last day here, which we're sincerely going to miss to lead us with the Pledge of Allegiance, and we uh wish you the best on your new journeys as you cross the street over to the state of Indiana. You're going to the Indiana Economic Development Commission. Is that correct? That's correct, President Dillon. You've done a marvelous job, and uh you've had a full-time job keeping me organized, and I I appreciate it very much. Would all rise for the Pledge of Allegiance? You please join me. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, liberty, and justice for all. Thank you, Councillor. Members of the Commission, you received on Thursday minutes from the December 3, 2025 meeting. Are there any deletions or additions to those minutes? Hearing none, Commissioner Morerity, you were absent, so I'll ask you to recuse yourself on this vote. Commissioner West, can I get a motion to approve? So moved. Commissioner Robinson, can I get a second? Second. Let me call the roll, Garver. Garver, yes. Hergett. Hergitt, yes. Lyle. Lyle, yes. Murphy. Murphy, yes. Robinson. Robinson, yes. West. West, yes. Dylan is a yes. They pass 720. Moving forward, are there any special requests, continuations? Withdrawals. Mr. Tuey, do you have a continuation? Thank you, President Dylan. I was uh asleep at the switch, and for that I apologize. I'm here on uh case number 2025 Z O N One, which is a petition at involving Property 11207 East Washington Street. The petitioner is the Indianapolis Public Transportation Corporation, our bus company, Indigo. And we would respectfully ask for a continuance to your February 4th meeting. The reason for February February 7th or February 4th? I thought it was February 4th, but if Eddie, when's our next meeting? I think it's I think it's February 7th, isn't it? Correct, yes, February 4th. February 4th. And the reason for the length of the continuance is the uh bus company is buying this parcel of land from our adjoining property owner, and the staff has asked for commitments, which the bus company has agreed to. The adjoining property owner has recently hired an attorney to uh review those commitments, and as part of those uh commitments, they've asked the bus company to provide an indemnity to the selling property owner through the date of closing.

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