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Record of Proceedings

Vision Zero Task Force Second Meeting - February 11, 2025

Other Meetings (J-Z) — Tuesday, February 11, 2025
BodyIndianapolis, Indiana
SessionOther Meetings (J-Z)
DateTuesday, February 11, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:02

Okay.

0:03

We are going to kick things off with the second meeting of the Vision Zero Task Force.

0:12

So I have just an opening statement I'm going to read just to reframe the discussion and what we're talking about.

0:25

Sorry?

0:29

After which we'll do intros.

0:32

So let's just start with the background.

0:37

As a reminder, in 2024, the council unanimously adopted the Vision Zero ordinance, setting up our ambitious goal to end traffic related deaths in serious injuries by 2035.

0:53

This initiative is not merely a public policy, but a fundamental shift in how we approach transportation and public safety.

1:00

It emphasizes that traffic fatalities are preventable through thoughtful planning, community engagement, and strategic action.

1:08

There's no single policy change or investment in our budget that will achieve this goal.

1:13

To accomplish such a significant goal takes time and intentional effort, and we are in the very early stages of an iterative process that will take place over several years and beyond.

1:26

So we are all here as members of the task force.

1:30

Thank you all for being here and your willingness in agreement to serve.

1:43

It comprises city leaders, public safety officials, urban planners, community advocates, and our collective mission is to develop and implement a comprehensive action plan that addresses the root causes of traffic incidents.

1:57

In collaboration with our consulting partners, both at BNN and Health by Design, we will be analyzing data, reviewing approaches from other cities, and listening to community members to inform the strategies.

2:12

It is important to note that the task forward efforts do not replace or slow down existing council or administrative efforts.

2:21

We'll hear about current activities already underway today from BNN, as well as an update from the IMPD on some recent activity with them.

2:32

Okay, before I continue this, let me go ahead and since I teed up the task force.

2:38

Let's go ahead and do introduction.

2:39

So to my left, Councilor Nielsen.

2:42

Good afternoon, Mr.

2:43

Chairman.

2:43

Andy Nielsen, District 14, representing the City County Council.

2:47

Thank you, Mr.

2:48

Chair.

2:48

Derek Cahill, City County Council, District 23.

2:53

Thank you, Chairman.

3:00

Thank you, Chair Abby Brands, Director for the Department of Business and Neighborhood Services.

3:06

Thank you, Mr.

3:07

Chair.

3:07

Todd Wilson, Director of DPW.

3:10

And could I just take a motion and motion to say this is I think your second day?

3:15

Yes.

3:16

So welcome aboard and uh thanks for being here on your second day.

3:19

Thank you very much.

3:22

Controller Abby Hansen.

3:26

Uh thank you.

3:26

My name is Bill Murphy.

3:27

I'm the Chief Operations Officer for Indianapolis Public Schools.

3:32

Good afternoon, everyone.

3:33

Taylor Feierstein Walk and Bike Program Coordinator with Health by Design, representing the advocacy community.

3:39

Good afternoon.

3:40

My name is Lucas Sneakamp.

3:42

I'm a deputy prosecutor with the Marion County Prosecutor's Office.

3:48

Good afternoon, Ernest Malone, Chief of Fire, Indianapolis Fire Department.

3:53

Thank you, Mr.

3:54

Chairman.

3:54

Chris Bailey, Chief of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.

3:59

And last but not least, Aaron Vogel, Chief Operating Officer for Indigo.

4:04

Thank you all.

4:05

I do want to note that Addison from the AARP asked to be excused tonight.

4:11

Let's give him congratulations because he just had a baby or his wife did.

4:17

We'll tell him we clap for him.

4:19

He can wash at home.

4:21

So some of the things that have accomplished been accomplished since the last meeting.

4:26

So and as part of the last meeting, we recruited and established this task force and all the members on it, which is no uh small task in and of itself.

4:37

So again, thanks to all the members.

4:40

Working with DPW, um consultants were identified, and two different contracts were put to the process, which if you don't know the process of putting contracts together, that takes a minute, and we had to do two.

5:00

Um then the consultants began their work, including taking a look at other cities and how they have implemented VZ and what the roadblocks have been and what the successes have been, and so we'll that will be reported out today.

5:08

So, thanks to our friends at BNN for that.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Transportation Safety█████████████████████████████████████████████64%
Public Engagement███████████16%
Public Safety████████11%
Budget█████7%
Community Engagement█2%
Summary of Proceedings

Vision Zero Task Force Second Meeting - February 11, 2025

The Vision Zero Task Force held its second meeting on February 11, 2025, to review progress on the city's initiative to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 2035. The meeting included updates from IMPD, the status of the Vision Zero administrator hiring, and a presentation from consulting firm BNN (Burgess & Niple) on existing efforts, peer city comparisons, and next steps for the action plan. Task force members discussed ongoing projects, enforcement challenges, and the importance of public engagement.

Discussion Items

  • Opening and Task Force Introductions: Chair Barth provided background on the Vision Zero ordinance adopted in 2024. Task force members introduced themselves, including councilors, department heads (DPW, IMPD, IFD, IPS, etc.), and community advocates.
  • IMPD Update (Chief Bailey): Chief Bailey reported submitting an editorial supporting state legislation for speed cameras. He announced the addition of 3 officers to the traffic enforcement section (with a goal of 5 more in 2025, reaching 27 total) and a $20,000 community donation to outfit 8 motorcycle units with moving radar. IMPD is also adding drug recognition experts for traffic stops.
  • Vision Zero Administrator Position (Natalie Van Doggen, DPW): The position is posted on the government jobs website through the end of February. The city has received many applicants. The role will be housed in DPW and coordinate cross-departmental efforts.
  • BNN Presentation (Maria Cantrell): Cantrell highlighted existing Vision Zero-aligned work: the fatal crash review team (expanded in July 2024 to include incapacitating crashes), the complete streets process, and completed projects (Michigan Street, Morris Street, Post Road/Raymond roundabout, College Avenue conversion). She presented a peer city review comparing Indianapolis to Columbus, Denver, Louisville, and Charlotte. Indianapolis maintains significantly more lane miles (8,400) than the next closest peer (Columbus at 5,700). Peer cities faced challenges with enforcement, state route coordination, and funding. Cantrell also discussed department interviews that revealed opportunities (using existing engagement, refining data use) and concerns (resource constraints, defining success). Next steps include updating crash data, developing a high-injury network, conducting equity analysis, and launching public engagement (online map, survey, pop-up events) led by Health by Design.
  • Public Engagement: The first public survey is already available via Health by Design social media. In-person events will start in spring. Task force members were encouraged to promote participation.
  • Budget and Action Plan Timeline: Chair Barth emphasized that the action plan's first draft is due in July 2025 to align with the 2026 budget process. He stressed that the plan must be tied to funding to avoid becoming a shelf document.

Key Outcomes

  • IMPD enforcement enhancements: 3 additional traffic officers added; goal of 5 more in 2025; motorcycle units getting moving radar.
  • Vision Zero administrator position: Posted through February; strong applicant pool; hiring process underway.
  • Public engagement launch: Online survey and map available; in-person pop-up events planned for spring.
  • Data analysis progress: BNN is developing a high-injury network and systemic risk analysis to prioritize projects.
  • No formal votes were taken. The next meeting will continue discussions on data, funding, and strategy. Task force members were asked to provide input and help connect Vision Zero priorities to the 2026 budget.

Meeting Transcript

Okay. We are going to kick things off with the second meeting of the Vision Zero Task Force. So I have just an opening statement I'm going to read just to reframe the discussion and what we're talking about. Sorry? After which we'll do intros. So let's just start with the background. As a reminder, in 2024, the council unanimously adopted the Vision Zero ordinance, setting up our ambitious goal to end traffic related deaths in serious injuries by 2035. This initiative is not merely a public policy, but a fundamental shift in how we approach transportation and public safety. It emphasizes that traffic fatalities are preventable through thoughtful planning, community engagement, and strategic action. There's no single policy change or investment in our budget that will achieve this goal. To accomplish such a significant goal takes time and intentional effort, and we are in the very early stages of an iterative process that will take place over several years and beyond. So we are all here as members of the task force. Thank you all for being here and your willingness in agreement to serve. It comprises city leaders, public safety officials, urban planners, community advocates, and our collective mission is to develop and implement a comprehensive action plan that addresses the root causes of traffic incidents. In collaboration with our consulting partners, both at BNN and Health by Design, we will be analyzing data, reviewing approaches from other cities, and listening to community members to inform the strategies. It is important to note that the task forward efforts do not replace or slow down existing council or administrative efforts. We'll hear about current activities already underway today from BNN, as well as an update from the IMPD on some recent activity with them. Okay, before I continue this, let me go ahead and since I teed up the task force. Let's go ahead and do introduction. So to my left, Councilor Nielsen. Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman. Andy Nielsen, District 14, representing the City County Council. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Derek Cahill, City County Council, District 23. Thank you, Chairman. Thank you, Chair Abby Brands, Director for the Department of Business and Neighborhood Services. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Todd Wilson, Director of DPW. And could I just take a motion and motion to say this is I think your second day? Yes. So welcome aboard and uh thanks for being here on your second day. Thank you very much. Controller Abby Hansen. Uh thank you. My name is Bill Murphy. I'm the Chief Operations Officer for Indianapolis Public Schools. Good afternoon, everyone. Taylor Feierstein Walk and Bike Program Coordinator with Health by Design, representing the advocacy community. Good afternoon. My name is Lucas Sneakamp. I'm a deputy prosecutor with the Marion County Prosecutor's Office. Good afternoon, Ernest Malone, Chief of Fire, Indianapolis Fire Department. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chris Bailey, Chief of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department. And last but not least, Aaron Vogel, Chief Operating Officer for Indigo. Thank you all.

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