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Converted from paper version of the Broad Ripple Gazette (v04n15)
July BRVA meeting report - By Lisa Battiston
posted: Jul. 27, 2007

By Lisa Battiston

*Readers' note: More than an hour of the last BRVA meeting was devoted to property tax discussion. The excerpts on the property tax crisis have been omitted. Please refer to "Property tax fixes give citizens temporary relief," staff report for property tax updates.
The July public meeting of the Broad Ripple Village Association was held on July 17, 2007 at the Indianapolis Art Center.
Officer Michael Martin began the meeting with his monthly IMPD report, mentioning the ongoing problem with "tagging" in the area.
"We did make an arrest on a tagger," he said. "He was caught on video tagging Qdoba on the inside. . . They filed felony vandalism charges on him."
From the arrested tagger, officers were also able to gain information about taggers "Arso" and "Bozak" and continue an ongoing investigation into the taggers.
Other issues addressed by Martin included the installation of a towing zone in the alley by Bleecker Street, how a liquor store that has been robbed several times at gunpoint can get information about its case, issues involving late night fireworks well after the 4th of July and the routine schedules of police helicopters on Friday and Saturday nights.
Ellen Morley Matthews followed Officer Martin with announcements, reminding attendees that August's public meeting will be held at Broad Ripple High School's small auditorium on Tuesday, August 21, 2007, at 7 p.m.
"We will be having our Town Hall Meeting in October," she reminded attendees. "It will also be in Broad Ripple High School in [the small] auditorium. . . On the town hall agenda in October, we are hoping to have as many people on the panel as we can to address the citizenry about property tax increase."
A discussion of the property tax increases followed with questions from attendees directed towards Joline Ohmart, the Washington Township assessor (who also supplied a variety of materials to attendees, including "Washington Township 2006 pay 2007 Tax Facts", issues that relate to changes in billing, the Washington Township Appeal Form and a contact sheet for officials in Washington Township); Ryan Vaughn, Republican City Council member representing the 3rd District; Republican state Senator Teresa Lubbers; and Sean Shepard of Hoosiers for Fair Taxation.
Caryn Atkinson's update on Broad Ripple beautification followed the property tax discussion. She said that they were in the works of partnering with the not-for-profit group Indianapolis Downtown, Inc., to keep Broad Ripple clean.
"I think we all agree that what the city does is not enough," she said. Ideas involved giving businesses an incentive to clean outside their shops by rewarding them if it is clean, to raise money for a cleaning machine and more of a concerted recycling effort. There was also mention of the new solar-powered "big belly" receptacle-one of only four in the city-outside Jimmy John's. Lastly, the volunteer cleanup will take place on August 4, 2007 at 8 a.m. at the firehouse.
After Atkinson came Sharon Butsch Freeland covering the business division.
"The sidewalk sale is August 5, 2007," Freeland said. "Also gear up for the preview party [on November 9, 2007]."
Communications news was presented by Diane Seybert, who mentioned their means of communication centering around the centerfold spread in the Gazette (which you can find on pages A6-A7).
Freeland followed again with news from the cultural tourism districts, saying that Broad Ripple was beginning a cross-marketing campaign with other cultural districts.
Though Carolyn Savill had little news from the Farmers' Market, she did encourage people to attend the upcoming Harvest Dinner.
Peter Dean reported for land use and development, mentioning the issues surrounding the building of condominiums on the property at 6159-6175 North Winthrop. Though the builders were denied the ability to build their condominiums, Dean explained that they could appeal the decision after 12 months or as soon as major changes were made to the proposal. The BRVA did not support the 27-unit condo building, though it would support an 18-unit building. The builder's appeal with major changes included a change to a 20-unit building.
Following Peter Dean Diane Seybert discussed the Fall Art Gallery Tour on September 14, 2007 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sue Zilisch followed with the Third Annual Historic Home Tour on September 29, 2007, asking for any volunteers. Both Seybert and Zilisch then spoke of the Broad Ripple Lights Up Decorating Contest in which both shop owners and residents would be encouraged to decorate their homes and shops. Shops would be evaluated by shoppers and homes would be evaluated by those passing by.
Kevin Sifferlen, the Indianapolis Department of Metropolitan Development Administrator, Division of Neighborhood Services then made a presentation on the Mayor's new crime package.

IMPD Officer Michael Martin
IMPD Officer Michael Martin
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Kevin Sifferlen, Division of Neighborhood Services
Kevin Sifferlen, Division of Neighborhood Services
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state Senator Teresa Lubbers
state Senator Teresa Lubbers
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Joline Ohmart, Washington Township assessor
Joline Ohmart, Washington Township assessor
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City Council member Ryan Vaughn
City Council member Ryan Vaughn
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Sean Shepard of Hoosiers for Fair Taxation
Sean Shepard of Hoosiers for Fair Taxation
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