A copy of the latest flood protection communication dated 18-Mar-2019 sent by the Indianapolis Department of Public Works (DPW) to Rocky Ripple property owners affected by the proposed Flood Control Improvement District can be found here:
https://rockyripple.wordpress.com/community-information/flood-protection-info/
The first of several public meetings and hearings to move forward with approval of the flood protection plan recommended by the City of Indianapolis DPW (know as Option 3), which saves all Rocky Ripple homes and includes a new levee made up of a combination of earthen, T-walls and I-walls was held on 27-Feb-2019. This was the first of the meetings noted in the 12-Feb-2019 communication from the Indianapolis Department of Public works that was sent to all property owners affected by the proposed new levee. A copy of that letter is posted on this website at the following link:
https://rockyripple.wordpress.com/community-information/flood-protection-info/
The outcome of the February 27th Board of Public Works meeting was that three board members voted for approval of the Rocky Ripple flood protection plan. Two board members voted against the proposal. As the board requires a quorum in order to pass a resolution, it was determined that another vote would be held at the next scheduled meeting, when two additional board members would be present. The next Board of Public Works meeting, at which time this second vote will occur, is scheduled for 13-March-2019 at 1 pm in the City County Building Public Assembly Room on Floor 2. The meeting on March 13th will not be a public hearing, so public comment for or against the proposal will not be allowed.
The tentative meeting schedule for gaining approval to move forward with the flood protection plan was as follows; as another meeting of the Board of Public Works was added, the upcoming meeting dates will be pushed out to the next scheduled meetings of the Acting Bodies. We will keep you posted of the new dates and times.
| Acting Body Tentative Date Proposed Action | ||
|
Board of Public Works |
February 27 – 2nd meeting scheduled for 13 Mar 2019 | Public hearing and vote on District approval recommendation to MDC |
| Metropolitan Development Commission (MDC) |
March 6 |
Adoption of a declaratory resolution establishing the proposed District |
|
Full City-County Council |
April 8 |
Introduction of proposal approving the MDC’s declaratory resolution |
|
Council Public Works Committee |
April 18 |
Public hearing and information-only hearing of Council proposal approving the MDC’s declaratory resolution |
|
Full City-County Council |
May 13 |
Vote on proposal approving of MDC’s declaratory resolution |
| Metropolitan Development Commission (MDC) |
May 15 |
Public hearing and vote on confirmatory resolution establishing the proposed District |
Your Rocky Ripple Town Council strongly encourages you to attend the upcoming public hearings and voice your support of this crucial initiative for our community, as City officials need to hear it from you, not just us. Please do not hesitate to ask if you have any questions in the meantime.
Carla Gaff-Clark cgaff@indy.rr.com
Mandy Redmond redmond.mandy@gmail.com
Jill Morris jmorris004@Indy.rr.com
At a meeting on February 27, 2019, the Indianapolis Board of Public Works (BPW) will vote on whether to recommend the creation of a Flood Control Improvement District (District) including many special flood hazard properties in the Rocky Ripple area of Indianapolis. While not a new tax, any positive change in property tax revenue assessed from properties included in this proposed White River — Rocky Ripple Flood Control Improvement District would be directed specifically to fund the construction or maintenance of infrastructure to reduce the risk of damage due to flooding. “Similar to a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district, establishing this proposed District would keep any new revenue close to home,” said Dan Parker, Chairman of the Board of Public Works and Director of the Indianapolis Department of Public Works (DPW). “Floodplain properties included in the White River — Rocky Ripple Flood Control Improvement District would see a portion of their property tax assessment directed right back into projects that address their flooding issues.” All owners of property included in the proposed White River — Rocky Ripple Flood Control Improvement District (approximately 554 parcels) have been notified of the BPW vote on whether to recommend the District. The upcoming BPW meeting will include a public hearing on the subject, and these District property owners are invited to attend and provide public comment. The BPW meeting will take place on February 27 at 1:00 P.M. in the Public Assembly Room of the City-County Building in downtown Indianapolis. A map of properties recommended for inclusion in the proposed White River — Rocky Ripple Flood Control Improvement District is here (http://image.email.indy.gov/lib/fe3e157075640478741579/m/1/d9ed9dd2-551f-475d-aec0-31cc318533d1.pdf). A general information page on Flood Control Improvement Districts, including a sample district map is here (http://image.email.indy.gov/lib/fe3e157075640478741579/m/1/f6146cfb-a77c-46c8-a4fd-844e6a81c953.pdf). Should the BPW vote to recommend the District, its creation will then need to be approved by both the Metropolitan Development Commission (MDC) and the City-County Council. Both of these acting bodies will provide opportunity to present public comment on the process from District property owners. The multi-step process to establish a Flood Control Improvement District in Marion County is authorized by Indiana Code 36-7-15.6; this legislation provides for the establishment of a special fund to be used for the planning, design, construction, operations and maintenance of local flood control works and activities that specifically benefit special flood hazard properties. In February 2017, Mayor Joe Hogsett and the Department of Public Works announced a commitment of $10 million over 5 years to explore local flood damage reduction projects for the Town of Rocky Ripple. Since that time, DPW has worked with the Town of Rocky Ripple and Butler University to study how best to partner for flood protection. In July 2018, a study prepared by engineering firm AECOM (https://citybase-cms-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/71bb5c4041704af1b5908d885d74bf3c.pdf) outlined 3 alternatives for constructing a local project. In November 2018, the Board of the Town of Rocky Ripple resolved both to accept Alternative 3 (https://rockyripple.files.wordpress.com/2018/12/Option-3-RRTB-Resolution-13Nov2018.pdf) from this study as the preferred alternative for a flood control project, and to support the recommendation (https://rockyripple.files.wordpress.com/2018/12/Option-3-RRTB-Funding-Resolution-13Nov2018.pdf) of a local Flood Control Improvement District to help fund such a project. The proposed White River — Rocky Ripple Flood Control Improvement District uses the description of Alternative 3 from the 2018 AECOM study–preferred by the Board of the Town of Rocky Ripple–as the description and location of proposed flood control works to be associated with the District. A full description of the proposed flood works is here (http://image.email.indy.gov/lib/fe3e157075640478741579/m/1/ed6551a7-c35c-4df5-b10e-94627c15730c.pdf).
Mark your calendars to attend the 12-Feb-2019 Rocky Ripple Town Board meeting at 7:30 pm, at the town hall. Butler University representatives and City of Indianapolis Department of Public Works project leadership will attend to provide the latest updates on, and answer questions about, Butler support of the river levee project and general status of the project.
If you are a Rocky Ripple resident, Rocky Ripple home and/or property owner, the Town Council asks for your input on Flood Protection – what do you want done and why? Please complete the Flood Protection survey and return it to the Town Council by 20-Jul-2017.
Hard copies are being delivered to all residences. Info received from the surveys will be used, in conjunction with data from other sources, to develop actions for flood protection of Rocky Ripple.
Click here to view/print a copy of the survey.
Your completed survey and comments can be dropped in the mail slot at the east end of the town hall; mailed to us at 930 West 54th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46208; or you can scan in your completed form and email it to: TownCouncil@RockyRipple.com
