Mayor Scott Fadness called it an “historic day” for Fishers as Councilwoman Cecilia Coble took the gavel after being unanimously elected as city council president for 2020. Fadness says even the old town council never had a female president, making this decision even more historic.
Coble
Selina Stoller was elected Council Vice President, also by a unanimous vote.
In other council actions at the Tuesday session:
- Appointments to boards and commissions were approved. Todd Zimmerman will join the Fishers Plan Commission and David George will take a seat on the Finance Committee. In a separate action, Jocelyn Vare was appointed to the council’s Nonprofit Committee.
- After two years of having the Fishers Plan Commission get first review of proposals, the council voted to go back to having council members go through first reading on developments and other items before sending the item to the Plan Commission. Planning and Zoning Director Tony Bagato said this will give the Plan Commission an idea of how the council views the project before the public hearing.
- Two project tax abatement items received final council approval. New commercial projects on Sunlight Drive and Amp West (near the Nickel Plate Amphitheater) were both passed.
- A proposal on nonresidential open spaces, already passed with a favorable recommendation from the Plan Commission, was amended by council vote, meaning the provision will return to the Plan Commission for more consideration.
- The former Ram Restaurant site near 126th Street and State Road 37 is being eyed as an office building, but the setback standards may not be met due to construction on State Road 37, so the council approved a change in the setback rule for that property.
- Jamie Burrows and Duane Reddick were honored for 20 years of service to the Fishers Fire Department. Dave Seward was recognized for 25 years of service to the Fishers Police Department.
- During the community comment period, a contractor for the city storm water operation asked to be considered for becoming a city employee and Mayor Fadness promised to look into it. Former Town Council Member Mike Colby asked when the city will announce the street repaving list, because he is concerned about a particular piece of roadway in the River Glen neighborhood. Fadness said the listing should be available online soon.
- This was the first council session for two new council members, both Democrats, Jocelyn Vare and Sam DeLong.