The annual Fall Broad Ripple Village Association (BRVA) meeting and election was held virtually this year on November 17th. BRVA executive director Colleen Fanning hosted the meeting from the Vogue.

After a statement on the mission of the BRVA, there was a video presentation from president Garrett Lawton.

Colleen listed all of the BRVA officers and announced that three of them were not running for re-election to the board - Cathy Adler, Kip Tew, and Christen Wall.

In the Year In Review section of the meeting, it was mentioned that the Riverwalk project has been delayed a year. That is the portion of the trail from the Monon Trail to Broad Ripple Park at Primrose.

Another project under development this past year is the Broad Ripple Avenue drainage/redesign project that runs from College to the Monon Trail.

Colleen announced that on Small Business Saturday, the Saturday following Thanksgiving, the BRVA office would be handing out swag bags in a socially distanced manner.

There was a moment of silence during the In Memoriam segment for Elsa Kramer and Dan Guio.

Colleen explained the 'Rona Relief Fund that the BRVA started this year to help local businesses and service employees. She also stated that the BRVA receives about half of its funds from events, which are not happening this year due to the pandemic. That make membership dollars more important than ever to the organization.

The major topics for the BRVA Land Use and Development committee this year were the development south of the the Vogue for Eight Eleven Group's new headquarters and the 65th and Ferguson project with a tenant not yet announced.

Next, Purdue Polytechnic High School principal Keeanna Warren spoke about the status of the school. She said that it has doubled in size this year with 140 students currently enrolled, and that SAT scores surpassed expectations.

Colleen then listed the candidates on the slate for BRVA board positions - Matt Hornyak, Tom Gray, Rachel Hickey, Jordan Williams, and Mike Simmons.

She explained the current BRVA election process. A slate of prospective board members is presented and the voting members vote on whether to accept it or not. Email ballots would be mailed to BRVA members in good standing on Wednesday, November 18 around 10am.

Colleen thanked Barbara Wilder for her hard work this year on the BR Farmers Market. At the last minute, IPS told the BRVA that the BRHS parking lot would not be available this year. Kite Realty quickly stepped up to allow the market to move to the Rural parking lot. The indoor Winter market had been in Liter House, but that venue was not large enough this year due to social distancing requirements. Kite again came to the rescue allowing the former Macy's (L.S. Ayres) space to be used.

Next was a levee update from Mike Massonne from the Department of Public Works (DPW). He said that Phase 3 of the levee project (from College at the river south to Holcomb Gardens at Butler) is expected to be complete and transfer from the Army Corps of Engineers to DPW by the end of 2020. then, FEMA will consider the certifications presented and determine the flood insurance issues. That is expected to happen not before mid-2021.

Michael Wooley, North District Commander for the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD), gave a status of his district. Most crimes are down in Broad Ripple, except for car thefts.

Natalie Van Dongen, Mayor's Neighborhood Advocate, spoke on trash pickup issues and current COVID restrictions.

Colleen wrapped up the meeting saying her office hours are Tuesdays from 1 to 4 pm, and Thursdays from 8 to 11 am. The BRVA office is at 818 Broad Ripple Avenue [H4 on map].

There was a Q & A session after the meeting and then it was adjourned.

The recording of the meeting should be available soon at www.facebook.com/BroadRippleVillage.