Annual ReportTonya Galbraith, Town Manager

2015 Town of McCordsville

Guided commercial development and unique

Residential opportunities with valuedOpen spaces andWell-managed community services and

amenitiesThat complement aHealth local economy

Our Mission Statement:

McCordsville continued to see strong growth. Residential building permits once again increased over the previous year. Two important commercial development received approvals from the Town and construction will begin in 2016.

RESIDENTIAL:Construction within McCordsville’s subdivision continued at a steady pace. The Deer Crossing subdivision completed all sections in 2015. Emerald Springs is at near-build out. Bay Creek East, Woodhaven and the Villages at Brookside continue a robust growth with all three subdivisions working in new sections. In all the Town of McCordsville issued 147 residential building permits, which is nine more than in 2014.

ANNEXATION:In January of 2015 the Town’s corporate limits were increased due to a successful annexation. The “South District Annexation” took in the Champion Lakes and Woodhaven subdivisions as well as several homes along CR 600 West. The Town’s southern border is now CR 500 North (at CR 600 West). And speaking of Woodhaven, it continues a healthy growth adding 29 residential building permits to the mix.

OverviewEconomic Development

COMMERCIAL:Meijer, which has owned property at the corner of Broadway and CR 700 North, approached the Town about locating a store at that location. Following approvals from the Plan Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, Technical Advisory Committee, Architectural Review Committee and the Town Council, the company is set to begin construction in the Spring of 2016.Daniel’s Vineyard is slated to open in the Summer of 2016 and will feature a 31,000 square foot facility.The Brookside Senior Living complex also received all the needed approvals for the project. Located off of CR 900 North, to the east of the Springs of Deer Crossing subdivision and to the north of the Villages at Brookside subdivision, the complex will consist of Independent Living, Assisted Living and Memory Care units. Construction will begin in the Spring of 2016.

Hancock Wellness Center construction continued throughout 2015. The Town is anticipating a grand opening in the Winter of 2016. Now we’ll have no excuses to not get in shape.

Brookside Senior Living Renderings

The Redevelopment Commission (RDC) was busy in 2015. The RDC commissioned Ratio to develop marketing and promotion pieces describing the potential along the Broadway Tax Increment Finance District (TIF) and the Brookside TIF. The Hancock Wellness Center falls within the Brookside TIF. Copies of the marketing pieces were distributed to site selectors and brokers across the country.

The RDC also developed a Façade Grant program. The intent of the program is to make available matching grants to assist businesses and property owners in making improvement to storefronts and buildings along a portion of Broadway (SR 67).

REDEVELOPMENT

Department Activities (on following pages)

Participated in negotiations with Daniel’s Vineyard regarding the sewer line.

FAQ and letter to South District Annexation Area regarding trash collection and storm water.

Developed RFQ for Broadway and Brookside TIF District promotion and marketing.

Started conversations with Indianapolis Airport Authority regarding airport annexation. This was later dropped.

Worked with Planning Director on the hiring of a Planning & Building Administrative Assistant.

Worked with the RDC and the Planning Director on the economic development website being developed by Nine Star Connect.

Worked with department heads on revisions to our eGov Strategies website.

Moved email blast to Constant Contact and set it up. Applied for IACT Community Achievement Award for Comprehensive

Development of the South District Annexation Area. We were not successful.

Changed IT providers. Researched Façade Grants programs, developed summary and

worked with RDC on rolling out the program. Coordinated Path to Fitness 5K. Worked with Planning Director on Hancock County Community

Foundation (HCCF) grant and was awarded $8,300 for park improvements.

Worked with the Geist Harbours Property Owners Association on the Tri-County Connector. Worked with Cardinal Woods residents on needed easement forms for the connector.

Participated in negotiations on the CR 600 West realignment. Worked with Umbaugh on a road funding scenario. Coordinated and participated in “Your Town” segment on Fox 59. Sent TIF promotion pieces to various brokers and site selectors. Wrote and distributed various news releases throughout the year.

Administration

Presentations:

State of the Town presentation to the Fortville/McCordsville Chamber of Commerce.

Testified before both Indiana Senate and House Committees on annexation legislation.

Served on a workshop panel during the IMMA Conference. Served as the facilitator of a panel during the International

City/County Management Association (ICMA) Annual Meeting. Made a presentation regarding our grant to the Hancock

County Community Foundation during their annual meeting.

Committees and other activities:

Served on Indiana Association of Cities and Towns (IACT) Executive Board, Legislative Committee and Environment Committee.

Served on the Indiana Municipal Management Association (IMMA) Board and served as legislative chair.

Served on Metropolitan Planning Organization Policy Committee.

Served as a ICMA Welcome Ambassador. Served on the board of the Mt. Vernon Education Foundation

(MVEF). Served on the Bowen Center’s Public Service Advisory Board.

Administration Cont.

Staff – Ryan Crum, Director Mike Cousins – Building Inspector Linda Adams – Administrative Assistant

Accomplishment Highlights The Department collected $141,942.90 in fees in 2015. Served as the Town’s Technical Representative on the

MPO’s Indianapolis Regional Transportation Council Served as a member on the MPO’s Regional Freight Plan

Committee Maintained our Employee of Responsible Charge (ERC)

certification through INDOT.  Represented the Department at Town Council, Plan

Commission, Architectural Review Committee, Board of Zoning Appeals, Redevelopment Commission, Parks Board, Public Works Committee, and Technical Advisory Committee

Created new Mission Statements for ARC, BZA, PC, & TAC to help guide those boards and committees as they make decisions that impact the community

Submitted and received approval for a state grant to replace all railroad crossing signage & pavement markings Total Project costs are estimated at $6,000 Estimated costs to the town through the grant are $0

Saw to the completion of the Hancock County Community Foundation Park grant which installed lighting in the shelter, drill-seeding the park turf, planted 5 new evergreen trees, and a park sign for a value of approximately $8,000.  The improvements were paid entirely by the grant, with no cost to the Town.

Submitted a systematic, town wide grant proposal for HSIP federal-funding that would upgrade intersection controls to increase traffic safety

Planning & Building

Submitted and received approval for “McCordsville” interstate signage on I-70 from INDOT

Created the project scope for a Town-wide Traffic Study, and through an RFP/Q process selected & came to terms with a consultant to complete the plan.  The plan should be completed in the spring of 2016.

Guided the Schulz Pedestrian Bridge Project through the INDOT approval process (for a 3rd time)!  Construction is anticipated in Spring/Summer of 2016.

Re-started work on the Tri-County Connector Trail project.  This included assisting the Town Manager in gaining the need sign-offs from Cardinal

Woods, and working with the residents in Treasure Pointe.  We also have the parameters of a partial funding agreement with GHPOA, which allows us to leverage our dollars for the project. Maintained & updated the Capital Projects Plan. Continued efforts on our initial round of unsafe buildings program which

began in 2014. 2015 saw to the resolution of 7 of the 8 properties.  Staff will continue work on the final property which is being rehabbed.

Processed 147 single-family residential building permits Processed 58 fence permits Processed 35 residential ILPs Processed 9 commercial ILPs Processed 7 sign permits Assigned addresses to each new residential lot and commercial tenant Worked with the RDC , Nine Star and Town Manager’s office to create the

Next Stop McCordsville website.  Work on the website will continue into 2016.

Managed the following private sector petitions: 8 ARC petitions 6 BZA petitions 19 PC petitions 12 TAC petitions

Completed more than 1,500 total inspections, 202 of which were re-inspections due to failed items.

Building Inspector, Mike Cousins, past both the residential building and residential mechanical inspector exam tests, meaning he has taken and passed all 4 base exams offered by the International Code Council for residential building inspectors.   

Mike also assisted Public Works with plowing during snow and ice events

Planning & Building cont.

Residential Building Permits by subdivision

2012 2013 2014 2015 Bay Creek East – 8 Bay Creek East – 10 Bay Creek East – 15 Bay Creek East - 44 Deer Crossing – 14 Deer Crossing – 28 Deer Crossing – 43 Deer Crossing - 4 Emerald Springs – 19 Emerald Springs – 27 Emerald Springs – 29 Emerald Springs - 31 Gateway Crossing – 8 Gateway Crossing – 3 Gateway Crossing – 7 Gateway Crossing - 1 Geist Woods Estates – 5 Geist Woods Estates – 9 Geist Woods Estates – 15 Geist Woods Estates - 5 Hampton Cove – 1 Hampton Cove – 0 Hampton Cove – 0 Hampton Cove - 0 Highland Springs – 0 Highland Spring – 0 Highland Springs – 1 Highland Springs - 0 Villages at Brookside – 21 Villages at Brookside – 31 Villages at Brookside – 22 illages at Brookside - 32 Total – 76 Total – 108 Total – 132 Woodhaven – 30 Total – 147

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20

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60

80

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120

140

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180

Num

ber o

f Per

mits

New Residential Units by Year

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 22

Residential Square FootageThe average size of single-family homes permitted in 2015 was 3,807 square feet.  The average sales price (based upon figures provided by the builder) of single-family homes permitted in 2015 was $219,752.

Commercial GrowthThe Hancock Regional Hospital Wellness Center is under construction and will add approximately 44,000 square feet when it opens in early 2016.  Also slated to open in 2016, is Daniel’s Vineyard’s winery building.  When it opens this summer it will add another 31,000 square feet of finished commercial space.  Other on-going projects are the new Meijer store, which is just over 192,000 square feet, slated to open in 2017, and the Brookside Senior Living Center.  It’s main facility will feature over 94,000 square feet.

Three new sections are under construction at the Villages at Brookside along with the Brookside Senior Living Facility

Residential GrowthOur single-family residential building permits have increased each year since the recession.  The residential growth rate for 2015 was approximately 8%.  At the end of 2014, we estimated a population of 5,554.  At the end of 2015 we estimate a population of 5,980, without the south annexation area.  When that area is added, we estimate the Town population at  6,392. From 2005 to the end of 2015, we estimate that our population has grown by approximately 110%.  Assuming a conservative growth rate of 6% each year, by the end of 2020, the Town would have an estimated population of approximately 8,554.  Assuming a slightly more aggressive growth rate of 8% each year, by the end of 2020, we would have an estimated population of 9,392.

 

Development Statistics

CR 600 West Realignment:The Town Council and the Hancock County Commissioners conducted joint meetings over the summer to discuss funding for much needed road improvements to CR 600 West. Further, staff was directed to work with the County Highway Engineer on potential funding mechanisms. Improvement to CR 600 West is vital for both the Town and the County’s economic development potential. Discussions and negotiations will continue throughout 2016.

Public Works & Infrastructure

Routine traffic back-up along CR 600 West.

2015 Listing of Accomplishments for Public Works Ron Crider – Public Works Commissioner Carl Marlett – Street and Stormwater Steve Gipson – WWTP Superintendent Joe Meyer – WWTP Operator Nick Brown – General Laborer Wilby Dotson – Part-time Maintenance  Wastewater  (2014) we treated 120 million gallons of wastewater at 66% plant capacity,

(2015) we treated 125.7 million gallons at 69% plant capacity. We had 2,698,600 gallons of sludge hauled. We saved $397,454.46 (if Fisk would have hauled this amount) on sludge

disposal using the Geo-Tube system. Our total cost of disposal was $66,057.08 that is .02 cents per gallon Joe has received his Class II Waste Water Certification. We inspected 108 sewer lateral taps.

Street Department  Purchased Tractor and ditch bank mower = $51,985.00. Maintained all ROW in newly annexed area (in addition to current Town limits). Fog sealed and re-striped CR 600 West = $111,398.70. Overlaid CR 750 N = $65,459.36. Used 224 bags of asphalt patch. Purchased 240 tons of treated salt = $19,178.40. Submitted an additional 6.199 road miles to INDOT. Double sealed CR 500 N = $12,199.20. Crack sealed CR 600W annexation portion = $9,632.70. Installed 18 ADA compliant ramps = $19,738.08. Encumbered money for crack seal in Bay Creek and Austin Trace = $35,965.20. Nick Brown received his Class B CDL Licenses. Removed 360 signs from the Town’s ROW.  

Public Works Cont.

Stormwater  Updated our Part C permit Submitted our annual report Picked up 42 cubic yards with the street sweeper Nick Brown completed 1,660 sewer and storm water locates. Received 7 complaints and all have been closed. Partnered with Upper White River Alliance regarding MCM’s 1

& 2 Partnered with Hancock County regarding MCM’s 1 & 2

  

Public Works Cont.

2015 Activities and Accomplishments for Engineering Mark Witsman – Town Engineer   Served on or represented as Town Engineer at Town Council, Public Works, Plan Commission,

and Technical Advisory Committee Defined project scopes and prepared cost estimates for projects on the Capital Projects plan. Maintained performance and maintenance bond database   Developments Represented the Town during installation, inspection, testing, televising, etc. of sanitary sewer,

storm sewer and erosion control, streets and curbs installed in Bay Creek East Section 4, Emerald Springs Section 4B, Woodhaven Section 4, Villages at Brookside Section 9, Villages at Brookside Section 8B, and Hancock Wellness Center

Plats recorded: Bay Creek East Section 4, Emerald Springs Section 4B Drainage reviews approved: Bay Creek East Section 4, Woodhaven Section 4, Villages at

Brookside Section 8B, Villages at Brookside Section 9, Meijer, Brookside Senior Living   Wastewater Whitaker Engineering was selected, authorized and completed the Blower Power Savings

study. Coordinated with Public Works staff on inspection of sanitary manholes for long term sewer

collection system maintenance plan. Approximately 60% of sanitary manholes were inspected in 2015.

Whitaker Engineering 95% complete on design of Blower Power Savings project Prepared application for OED grant and scored best for overall quality of application. Other

submittals had better payback period and energy savings. Also the grant funding was reduced by over 50%.

Reviewed and held public discussion on Guaranteed Savings Contract for use on Blower Power Savings project to meet OED grant deadline

  Roads Fog Seal of CR 600 West – design, quote solicitation and construction was completed.

$111,398.70 750 North Overlay – the project was designed, quotes solicited, awarded and constructed.

$65,459.36 600 West Crack Sealing joint project with Hancock County (section within south annexation

area), 9,632.70 500 North Double Seal joint project with Hancock County, $12,199.20 Schultz Pedestrian Bridge – design and administrative revisions required for INDOT approval

(3rd letting). Construction anticipated in the spring/summer of 2016.      

Engineering

Stormwater Solicited engineers and selected and completed MS4 Part C update MS4 Storm Water Quality Management Plan (Part B) updated MS4 annual report filed with IDEM Perform in house audit on Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping with

Public Works staff prior to IDEM audit   GIS Orthographic photos were updated. 2013 ortho photos replaced 2007 ortho

photos online. Schneider launched new Beacon website with major improvements to

mobile device access and searching features. Town purchased near the end of 2015 a new GPS device along with ArcGIS

software upgrades to allow for mobile data collection by staff. This will allow better mapping and asset management.

2015 Activities and Accomplishments for Engineering  Served on or represented as Town Engineer at Town Council, Public Works,

Plan Commission, and Technical Advisory Committee Defined project scopes and prepared cost estimates for projects on the

Capital Projects plan. Maintained performance and maintenance bond database  Developments Represented the Town during installation, inspection, testing, televising, etc.

of sanitary sewer, storm sewer and erosion control, streets and curbs installed in Bay Creek East Section 4, Emerald Springs Section 4B, Woodhaven Section 4, Villages at Brookside Section 9, Villages at Brookside Section 8B, and Hancock Wellness Center

Plats recorded: Bay Creek East Section 4, Emerald Springs Section 4B Drainage reviews approved: Bay Creek East Section 4, Woodhaven Section

4, Villages at Brookside Section 8B, Villages at Brookside Section 9, Meijer, Brookside Senior Living

  

Engineering Cont.

Stacie Starcher – Superintendent Connie Malcomb – Billing Clerk

Started tracking and selling CGS bag & bulk stickers. Filed 37 liens in 2015 totaling $7291.18 Collected a total of 54 lien payments from County for a totaling

$17,062.56 which included 5 lien payments , totaling $2108.05 outstanding on books from

2004-2013 8 lien payments , totaling $3727.70 outstanding on books from

2014 27 lien releases filed in 2015

4 for payments received in 2004-2013 20 for payments received in 2014 3 for payments received in early 2015

Started billing Stormwater accounts for all parcels in South District Annexation.

Utility Billing Department

In early 2015 the Town was awarded a grant from the Hancock County Community Foundation (HCCF) to make improvements to the developing Town Hall Park. Through the generosity of the HCCF the Town was able to install a sign at the park, add lighting to the Park Shelter, plant new evergreen trees and seed the green space to make it more attractive for fun and games.

The Town was selected by Nine Star Connect as one of the Community Day of Service projects. Several Nine Star employees spent the day landscaping the monument sign at the corner of CR 600 West and CR 1000 North.

The Hancock Economic Development Council (HEDC) provided landscaping around the sign in front of Town Hall as part of their 20th Anniversary commemoration. Our Town is going to look really pretty next Spring.

Fun Stuff

We also hosted the annual Easter Egg Hunt, Movie Night, first-ever Trunk –or-Treat and Christmas Tree Lighting. Other events in the Town Hall Park were Harper’s Best of Mutts and Touch-a-Truck.

Also, 2015 saw the inaugural Path to Fitness 5K to celebrate the opening of the first phase of our multi-use path.

Fun Stuff continued

One of our young residents, Blake Grimshaw, took on an innovative Eagle Scout project and constructed a Little Free Library in our park. The concept of the Little Free Library is to “take a book, leave a book”. The books are geared mostly towards children, but there will be a variety for everyone’s reading pleasure. The McCordsville Little Free Library is one of the several popping up in Hancock County.

McCordsville Night at the Pacer’s was a great time. Over 60 tickets were sold and a good time was had by all.

More Fun Stuff

Melissa Davidson – Administrative Assistant

Assisted with Movie Night, Easter Egg Hunt, McCordsville Path to Fitness 5K, Trunk-or-Treat, Christmas Tree Lighting and Annual Holiday Party.

Re-vamped the rules, procedures and fees regarding the Peddler’s Permit. Updated the Ordinance to reflect the changes.

Scheduled, reserved and collected rent on the Community Room and Park Shelter. Community Room Use:

Exercise Class – 42 times Girl Scout Troops – 22 times Resident Events (showers, reunions, etc.) Hancock County – Voting and Educational Training – 30 HOA meetings – 11 Town events – 9

Shelter Use: Community Events – 4 Resident Events, Scout Troops, etc. -10

Administrative Assistant