September 7, 2021
A Town of Zionsville Publication
In This Issue • Escape to nature with Zionsville Nature Center • Meet the 2021-2022 School Police Partners • Sustainability Efforts in Zionsville
2
September 7, 2021
Message from Mayor Emily Styron to the Community Zionsville’s economic development opportunities are stronger than ever. We are entering a once in a multi-generational moment with the amount of funding and grant dollars that can come to Zionsville. Thanks to the leadership of President Biden, Governor Eric Holcomb and the Indiana General Assembly, Zionsville has an opportunity to apply for a planning grant through the Indiana Regional Economic Accelerations and Development Initiative (READI) as part of a coalition with other Central Indiana communities. In the downtown area, we are embarking on a transformation of the gateway into our town through the Zionsville Gateway Area (ZGA) plan. The ZGA plan is an authentic Zionsville approach to bring together a menu of options for downtown: greenspace, trails, parking, commercial, residential and mixed-use development along with amenities that are both water- and trail-oriented. The ZGA will be transformative for Zionsville and Central Indiana for generations to come. Recently, we brought two additional appropriations from the Parks and Rec Fund to the Zionsville Town Council to fund the Carpenter Nature Preserve master planning and the conceptual planning for a Zionsville community center. Planning for the future of the Carpenter Nature Preserve (formerly Wolf Run Golf Club) has been a goal of mine since the summer of 2020 when I toured the property, contacted Nancy and Jim Carpenter and together thought of a new vision for this land. We have now outlined a plan to turn 200+ acres into Zionsville’s largest conservation nature park and a new nature center. Town Council continued the additional appropriation request for this planning process to the meeting on September 7. Unfortunately, Town Council turned down funds for the planning of what could be Zionsville’s first indoor community recreation center. This is after the Parks Board unanimously approved the funding to move forward with community center planning. The community center planning process would not commit us to a community center; rather, it would be one step in the process for planning for an amenity that our community has been asking for. This planning and engagement process would get us strategically grounded into what our constituents want. It would reveal information about location, amenities and partnership development and fundraising opportunities. It would also provide a market study of the other amenities around our community and reveal where the gaps are. As the fiscal body of the Town of Zionsville, I understand Council’s desire to be fiscally responsible with all spending. That is why we have requested this planning process. The process would ensure we are building a community center that not only has the amenities and programs our residents desire, but that aligns fiscally with what our town needs. It would provide a detailed financial proforma to help us understand what we can support and it would determine partners who will invest in this amenity. In fact, we have already had lengthy, meaningful discussions with corporate leaders who want to invest in this amenity for our town. Financially, our fund balances are strong – we have over $2 million in unobligated funds in the Parks and Rec Fund. We have specifically saved for years and years for planning opportunities such as this. In 2018, as part of the Five Year Parks Master Plan, residents were asked what they would like to see developed in Zionsville for our children and grandchildren. The number one response was an indoor community recreational facilities/ community center (78% of respondents desire this). This past year, as part of the Parks Program Plan and the surveys issued, one of the key recommendations is to invest in indoor recreation facilities that support traditional recreational programs – fitness and wellness, enrichment programs, aquatics and more.
There is not a single facility in Zionsville – nor proposed nearby – that serves all ages and all abilities... a place where we can exercise, swim, play sports indoors during the winter and participate in other recreational opportunities. I am listening to our residents who have said over and over that indoor community recreation opportunities are something they desire. I am not giving up. Town Council members know that they serve to represent you, the constituents. Now I need your help – let your Town Council representative understand what you want to do next. It’s deeply unfortunate that we cannot continue this exploration and planning process. I encourage you to contact your Town Council representative with your thoughts and desire to have an indoor community recreation center to call our own and be proud of. Let’s work together on planning for a community recreation center that will be an asset for generations to come. There are many exciting, transformational opportunities ahead of us that Town governance is actively pursuing. As construction on Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing in Creekside Corporate Park is visible on 106th Street, the Town is also working with multiple interested parties considering building in Creekside. Grants secured in 2020 promise more miles to travel Zionsville’s trail system. The sky is the limit for us right now and we must keep the momentum moving forward.
Mayor Emily Styron
September 7, 2021
Happening Around Town Hit the Bricks The Zionsville Optimist Club will hold their 39th annual 2021 Hit the Bricks 5K Run/Walk and Youth 3K on Saturday, October 9 at 8:05 a.m. at Zionsville Community High School. This year’s event will offer a new 3K race. The club has dedicated this year’s funds to sponsor a new water fountain and bicycle support area near the entrance of the future Overley-Worman Park (located on land across from Starkey Nature Park behind the Vonterra subdivision). For more information and to register visit https:// zionsvilleoptimist.com.
Zionsville Lions Club Fall Festival The 68th annual Zionsville Fall Festival takes place September 10 – 12. Families can enjoy bounce houses, amusement rides, a pet pavilion, a safety area zone, a car show, festival food and more. The parade kicks off Saturday, September 11 at 10 a.m. from Zionsville Community High School. Admission to Fall Festival is free and parking is $8/vehicle at Lions Park.
Police-Community Discussion All are invited to join Chief Spears, Mayor Emily Styron, Zionsville Police Department officers and staff and Town Council and commission members for a friendly police-community discussion on Thursday, September 9 at 7 p.m. at Zionsville Town Hall. Hear about: REACH (behavioral health) program, school police partner program, diversity and inclusion training and outreach, citizen involvement and partnership and more.
Fall Brush and Limb Collection Fall brush and limb collection takes place beginning Monday, September 27 and continues the week of Monday, October 4. This service provides residents in the urban service district a means to dispose of certain pruning and yard debris. All items must be place curbside by 7:30 a.m. on the Monday of your neighborhood’s designated week. For more information and to view the schedule visit zionsville-in.gov/brushandlimb.
3
4
September 7, 2021
Meet the 2021-2022 School Police Partners
Lieutenant Adrian Martin
Sergeant Elizabeth Frost
With the start of the 2021-2022 school year for Zionsville Community Schools, Zionsville Police Department introduces our school police partners (or school resource officers). The Zionsville Police Department has an officer assigned to each school in the district. The police partners work closely with administrators and faculty to create a safer environment for both students and staff. They are responsible for developing comprehensive safety plans to ensure schools are safe places for students to learn. The officers also provide traffic assistance to ensure the safe arrival and departure of all students and buses.
Sergeant Sam Dennemann
Sergeant Joe Robinson
Meet this year’s team: • • • • •
Lieutenant Adrian Martin - Zionsville Community High School Sergeant Elizabeth Frost - Zionsville Middle School Sergeant Sam Dennemann - Pleasant View Elementary Sergeant Joe Robinson - Union Elementary School Sergeant Adam Harper - Eagle Elementary School
The job duties of police partners are similar to patrol police officers in that they can make arrests, conduct
Sergeant Adam Harper
investigations, respond to calls for service and document incidents. Police partners typically have additional duties including mentoring and conducting presentations on youth-related issues. Police partners should be approachable and willing to invest in the students they protect. A police partner’s sworn duty to enforce the law does not contradict the need for the officer to be a positive role model, but rather supports it. It is essential for a police partner to endorse high moral standards and use good judgment and discretion. Through this, students learn and understand what a professional police officer does. The Zionsville Police Partner Program continues to strive to provide the standard of excellence the Town of Zionsville expects.
Your Input is Needed: Zionsville Fire Department Master Plan The Zionsville Fire Department has started the strategic master plan process. This process will assist the Fire Department in developing a five-year (2021-2026) plan that supports the Town, guides growth and decision-making priorities, makes recommendations for process improvements by identifying opportunities and objectives and more. Please participate in our survey (takes approximately eight minutes) by visiting www.zionsville-in.gov/firemasterplan or scanning the QR code.
September 7, 2021
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT Escape to Nature with Zionsville Nature Center Zionsville Nature Center
Inside the Hussey-Mayfield Memorial Public Library 250 N 5th St Zionsville, IN 46077 Open Tuesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. www.zionsville-in.gov/naturecenter
This past spring the Zionsville Nature Center (ZNC) completed its move to the Hussey-Mayfield Memorial Public Library. The move provides a temporary location for the nature center as the Town of Zionsville continues to look for more permanent space. The new location also allows the nature center to increase its open hours and provide additional programs and features to the community. With next year being ZNC’s 20th anniversary, we checked in with Director of Recreation Services Mindy Murdock and Naturalist Rachel Felling to see how the transition has been and what to expect in the future.
How is this location different?
This location is smaller but most everything from the other building except for the bees came with us. Now we are open five days of week which is one of the reasons we moved. We have a larger program space to utilize and can hold larger programs inside. We are still within walking distance to the Zionsville Nature Sanctuary for outdoor programming and still located in the village.
How will the future of the ZNC evolve especially with the potential acquisition of the Carpenter Nature Preserve (the former Wolf Run Golf Course)?
What animals currently reside at ZNC?
ZNC began as a grassroots effort with a group of volunteers. We started in a building that belonged to Zionsville Community Schools and developed and grew a community backyard nature center. Now we are going on 20 years and the nature center has established itself as a part of Zionsville.
We have a California kingsnake, corn snake, salamander, toad, turtles, fish and bearded dragon.
Has your visitor count increased?
We have a lot of foot traffic. The average visitors per day is around 50-60 adults and kids. One day we had close to 175 people come in. I have also heard from library staff that we are bringing people in who wouldn’t normally visit a certain section of the library. It’s a win-win partnership.
How has the collaboration been with the library?
We have a very good partnership with the library. There have already been discussions about keeping exhibit space within the library when the nature center moves on to its permanent space.
Director of Recreation Services Mindy Murdock and Naturalist Rachel Felling
With the potential to acquire Carpenter Nature Preserve, we will be able to build a fully functional nature center that is an asset to not only the community but to the county and Central Indiana. It will be a destination. As that develops, we will sit down and put together a plan for the building and how that fits into the Parks Department’s vision and mission. We have always been held back by our physical space and in the future the sky will be the limit in terms of what the nature center may look like. This will be something to celebrate and to showcase to the community.
5
6
September 7, 2021
Zionsville Goes Solar As part of the Town of Zionsville’s Climate Action Plan that launched in December of 2020, the Town is connecting residents with local non-profit Solar United Neighbors and the Boone County Solar Co-op for information about solar technology for their homes. The Boone County Solar Co-op brings together 50 to 100 neighbors to go solar together. Experts support the neighbors through each stage of the solar process. The process helps ensure each member gets a quality install from a vetted and neutrally-selected installer. Over the past two years, nearly 100 homes and small businesses in Boone County have joined the group. In Indiana, solar owners receive credit for the excess electricity their panels generate. This electricity goes back to the grid to be used by others in the community. Solar owners earn credits on their bill for this electricity at the same price that they purchase electricity from the utility—an even swap. It’s called net metering. Because net metering is going away in Indiana next year, going solar in 2021 will maximize investment. Homeowners who install solar panels this year will benefit from net metering until 2032. How does the solar co-op work? Solar United Neighbors helps the co-op develop a request for proposal (RFP) from local installers, resulting in a competitive bidding process. Co-op members leverage bulk-purchasing power to get discounted pricing and a quality installation, while still signing individual contracts that ensure the right system for their home. Once an installer is selected, Solar United Neighbors works closely with co-op members to evaluate their solar contracts and advocate on their behalf during the installation process. The co-op is free to join and open to homeowners and business owners in and around Boone County. In addition to competitive pricing on solar panels, the co-op offers: • • • • •
Vendor-neutral solar experts. A direct line to ask specific questions now and long after installation. A team that solicits and reviews proposals from solar companies. A built-in network of support and inspiration from others who are also advancing the clean energy economy. A bigger impact of creating jobs and contributing to cleaner air and water for everyone.
The direct benefits? According to Solar United Neighbors, the average size of solar installation in their
co-ops is 7 kW. Installing a 7 kW array typically saves a homeowner an average of $35,000 on energy bills over the next 25 years and increases the value of the home by about $21,000. Environmentally, a typical 7 kW system will eliminate 118.6 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions over its 25-year lifespan. The co-op is open to new members through September 30, 2021. To learn more or to join the co-op, visit https://solarunitedneighbors.org/Boone.
Upcoming Webinar – Solar 101 Monday, September 20 at 7 p.m.
Learn about the solar co-op and about solar energy including the technology, economics, financing and more. This will be a live presentation on Zoom and attendees can ask questions about solar. To register, visit https://solarunitedneighbors.org/Boone and click on “Events.”
How Does Solar Work? (see graphic)
1. Solar panels are mounted on the roof (or the ground) and produce electricity. 2. That electricity flows into an inverter, where it’s converted from direct current to alternating current, which we use in our homes. 3. It then connects into your electrical panel, where the power gets used up by your appliances. 4. If you’re not using all of the power you’re producing at any given moment, any excess goes out through your utility meter onto the local power lines before getting used up by your neighbors.
Local Solar Success Story
The Gallagher family of Zionsville went solar in 2020. COVID made an impact on his decision to go solar and be more self-reliant. The cancellation of a family vacation also gave them financial reasons to move forward with solar. Since they installed the system, they paid Duke about $10/month, which is the grid connection fee. For a $16,000 installation, they received back just under $5,000 in federal tax credits. The couple expects to break even in 10 or 11 years with panels that are rated a 25-year life span.
September 7, 2021
Zionsville Goes Solar continued Why did you decide to go solar?
The Boone County Solar Co-op started in 2020 and since it was a noobligation and free membership it was a risk-free way to see what was possible with our roof orientation and pitch. After the proposal from the installer chosen by the co-op and factoring in the federal tax credits it showed that it was easily doable, and a personal impact to climate change that we could make a meaningful contribution to.
Part 2: How Solar Co-ops Work
Did anything surprise you about going solar?
How simple and easy the process was. I think we were most surprised by the quick acceptance of the HOA (less than 24 hours from request to approval!). Since our install an additional three houses have gone solar. Another surprise was how much electricity you can generate even on cloudy days or during the winter with reduced sunlight hours.
What advice would you give someone considering going solar?
You don’t have to have a huge system of panels to cover your electrical usage. We have a 12-panel install which is rated at 4.76kWh peak generation. If you want to be independent of the power grid, like during an outage, you need to have a battery. We decided against that at the time we signed because Tesla Powerwalls were hard to come by and expensive (it would have almost doubled the system cost). They are easy to add later on, as are additional panels. If you consider starting small and adding talk to your installer about sizing your inverter slightly larger. We can add an additional nine panels in the future if we need to.
BE CAREFUL AT CROSSWALKS DURING BACK-TO-SCHOOL TIME AND ALL THE TIME Safety is a shared responsibility, whether you’re driving or on foot or bike.
Slow down and be prepared to stop when turning or entering a crosswalk.
Look out for bikers and skateboarders crossing the street faster than others.
Drivers yield to pedestrians in crosswalks. Be aware of each other.
Wait until people have crossed at least one lane past yours before going.
Never pass vehicles stopped or slowing down at a crosswalk.
Use extra caution when traveling at night or in poor weather.
More on crosswalk safety: IC 9-21-8-36, “Traffic control signals not in operation”
LET’S ALL LOOK OUT FOR EACH OTHER
7
8
September 7, 2021
Sustainability Efforts Happening Now in Zionsville
Mayor Emily Styron with Sarah Congress and the Clean Team By Sarah Congress, Town of Zionsville 2021-2022 Climate Fellow This summer I’ve had the great privilege of serving as a Climate Intern for the Town of Zionsville. As a Fishers native, it’s exciting to be able to make an impact on communities that I grew up near and still visit frequently. An exciting initiative that I’ve been a part of is the creation of the Clean Team, a group of four local high school students who are working together to find ways to make Zionsville a more sustainable town. We have been able to produce an informational poster that’s currently displayed at the farmer’s market as well as explore the idea of creating an anti-idling policy for the local schools to improve ambient air quality. It has been a privilege to watch these students take charge in finding ways to make a positive impact within their community and develop their leadership skills as the next generation of sustainability leaders. Another initiative I have been part of is the process to design an electric vehicle (EV) readiness road map for the Town. This plan would map out the path for Zionsville to build out its public charging infrastructure, engage the community to gather ideas and feedback and convert the Town’s fleet of vehicles to electric vehicles where possible. It’s an exciting project that will allow Zionsville to accommodate the growing number of electric vehicles and give the Town an opportunity to be an EV leader within central Indiana. The Zionsville local government is continually working to build upon its network of sustainability educational resources for its residents. Along with the Clean Team, I will be working on designing a new and improved sustainability website that residents can visit to get information on composting, solar panels, electric vehicles and much more. Now more than ever towns and cities across the nation must pivot their energy toward initiatives, policies and most importantly actions that will provide the opportunity to create a healthy, sustainable and economically robust town for residents to thrive in. I am excited to continue working with Zionsville to make this possible.