MCANNA General Membership Meeting with Council President Bob Osley – July 22, 2024

The Marion County Alliance of Neighborhood Associations (MCANNA) held its monthly general membership meeting on July 22, 2024, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at North United Methodist Church, 38th and Meridian. President Kathy Burton presided. The meeting included a candidate presentation from Katrina Owens (Democrat, State Senate District 32) and a discussion with City-County Council President Bob Osley, who answered questions on neighborhood infrastructure, code enforcement, digital billboards, and other city policies. (Note: The raw transcript indicates the meeting was held on a Saturday, but the official date associated with this record is July 22, 2024.)

Guest Speaker: Katrina Owens, State Senate District 32 Candidate

• Katrina Owens, Democratic candidate for Indiana State Senate District 32, described the district as including Southern Warren Township, all of Franklin Township, and parts of Perry and Center townships (southeast Marion County into Johnson County).
• She highlighted her experience as an EMT, an adjunct psychology instructor, and a former manager of Marion County's One-Stop workforce center. Her priorities include education, economic security, housing, employment, and retaining talent in Indiana.
• She provided contact information (KO4Senate32@gmail.com, Owens4IN.com) and announced a "Coffee with the Candidate" series in Beech Grove every Saturday starting in August.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jackie reported the alley behind the post office on Sherman Drive has not been paved in over 20 years, with potholes damaging cars. She urged the city to address it.
• Pat raised concerns about a "dead zone" in the Excela/code enforcement system for DPW issues, saying there is no follow-up or feedback on complaints about mowing, debris, and construction.
• Alma opposed the proposed ordinance requiring registration of unspayed/unneutered animals, calling it ineffective and unfair to residents who rescue strays. She suggested enlisting veterinarians for free spay/neuter days.
• Vernon (Brightwood resident since 1957) said residential street cleaning has not returned since the Goldsmith administration, leaving gutters and sewer grates clogged with debris. He also reported a blocked sewer access at 2265 North Oxford Street.
• A second Alma comment described a neighbor's wood chips blocking a storm drain and creating a fire hazard; repeated reports to the health department have resulted in no action.
• James (neighborhood association representative) cited a case where a resident was mailed a citation for cleaning a vacant lot that is not his property, and he called for better communication with code enforcement.
• Gary (HUNI – Historic Urban Neighborhoods of Indianapolis) advocated for prioritizing reoccupation of abandoned houses over demolition, and for engaging CDCs (community development corporations) to rehabilitate surplus properties.
• An attendee asked about a bill to protect longtime residents from gentrification, expressing concern about displacement.

Discussion Items

• Infrastructure and Alleys – Council President Osley explained that alley repaving is not funded because of the city's infrastructure backlog, but the 2024 budget includes $2 million to begin addressing alleys. He offered to request milling or graveling for the Sherman Drive alley and committed to follow up with DPW on the blocked sewer at 2265 N. Oxford Street. On street cleaning, he said a limited program was reinstated 3–4 years ago but only in certain boundaries; residents must report specific issues. He also stated that DPW will replace damaged trash containers if the owner requests it.
• Code Enforcement and City Legal – Osley acknowledged that understaffing has created long delays. He agreed to arrange for BNS (Business and Neighborhood Services) and City Legal representatives to attend the next MCANNA meeting to explain the process and improvements.
• Digital Billboards – Osley said the council has consistently opposed digital billboards. After state legislation (HB 1090) removed an override provision, the city has until the 2025 session to negotiate with billboard companies. He asked for neighborhood input on non-negotiables. Attendees unanimously opposed digital billboards anywhere in Marion County, including outside I-465. A small group will meet with Osley within 3–4 weeks.
• Woodland Preservation – Osley discussed the Indiana Hoosier Forest Alliance's request for $6 million to purchase remnant woodlands. He expressed broad council support but noted that the process requires appraisals and coordination with parks and DPW plans. He encouraged residents to contact their councilors. He also referenced a proposed tree preservation ordinance that stalled.
• Vision Zero and Traffic Safety – Osley highlighted the goal of eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 2035, with a full-time coordinator starting in 2025 and a 15-member oversight board (eight council appointees, seven mayoral appointees). He noted a $500,000 grant to improve access to 91 bus shelters. A resident requested sidewalks on Thompson Road from Madison Avenue to I-31; Osley said he would support Councilman Derrick Gahill's efforts on pedestrian/bicycle infrastructure.
• Park Rangers – The city has 8 park rangers and a goal of 20. The next four-year contract with IMPD is being negotiated, which will affect expansion. A park safety ambassador program is also under discussion.
• Variance Board Quorum – Osley said the council will introduce a robust list of board appointments in August, with backups to reduce the chance of missed quorums.
• Staff Turnover and Customer Service – Osley cited salary competition with the private sector as a key driver of turnover. He advised residents to re-send inquiries after 5–7 days and copy their city-county councilor if needed. He noted the challenges of balancing a finite budget.
• Illegal Semi-Truck Parking – Osley agreed that enforcement is lacking and that the city needs to designate safe, monitored parking locations through zoning. He will work on this issue.
• Affordable Housing and Gentrification – Osley described Senate Bill 546, a property tax mitigation pilot in the Riverside area that caps property tax increases at 4% for homeowners aged 55+ who have lived in their homes 10+ years, with no income limit. The program is set to expand in 2025. He also discussed incentives for rehabilitating abandoned homes, including the former "dollar house" program, and asked for input on bringing it back.

Key Outcomes

• Osley will follow up with DPW on: the Sherman Drive alley, blocked sewer at 2265 North Oxford Street, street cleaning in Brightwood, and damaged trash can replacement.
• Osley will provide a list of sponsors of the animal registration resolution to attendees for direct contact.
• MCANNA and neighborhood representatives will meet with Osley within 3–4 weeks to define non-negotiable positions on digital billboards.
• BNS and City Legal representatives will be invited to the next MCANNA meeting (August 17) to discuss code enforcement and the legal process.
• Osley will work on zoning solutions for semi-truck parking and on programs to incentivize rehabilitation of abandoned homes.
• The Indiana Hoosier Forest Alliance letter to Mayor Hogsett requesting $6 million for woodland preservation is open for organizational sign-on until the end of July; contact Jeff Stance.
• Next MCANNA general membership meeting: August 17, 2024, 9–11 a.m., with a short board meeting afterward. The speaker on IU/Purdue separation (Marlo David) will be rescheduled.