Committee To Re-examine Probation, Traffic Court Location

(posted 6.30.09)

The Indianapolis City County Council voted 16-12 to send the issue of selecting a new location for a traffic court and probation office back to the Administration and Finance Committee for further review. The committee voted 6-0 at its June 9 meeting to approve locating the offices at the corner of High School Road and 38th Street.

Councilor Janice McHenry urged her colleagues to send proposal 207 back to committee at the June 29 council meeting. Her request was based on opposition from constituents and Pike Township Residents Association members. She said the committee's vote happened prior to her town hall meeting, so she did not have feedback from her constituents prior to the committee's vote.

Councilors Joanne Sanders and Jackie Nytes opposed sending the proposal back to committee. Sanders said it was “disingenuous” for McHenry to use the close proximity of eight elementary schools and a middle school as a reason to reexamine the issue. Sanders said schools are located near correctional centers in other parts of the city. Sanders said the site effects more of Councilor Maggie Lewis' district than McHenry's. Lewis voted against sending the proposal back.

Nytes said that she has asked her constituents to accept a work release center in District 9. She said these city services need to be accessible to people.

Lewis said "I am not voting against McHenry," but felt obligated to represent her constituents in the Gateway neighborhood who support the complex.

Councilor Ryan Vaughn thought it was important to listen to constituents rather than “vote it right down their throats.”

Councilor Robert Lutz said the proposal was rejected earlier this year when groups protested the original location in the 3700 block of Commercial Drive, just south of Lafayette Square. He said there are “better places to have it”. Lutz was not sure if this type of government service would revitalize the area, and recommended using the old airport terminal since it is away from residential neighborhoods. Vaughn's and Lutz's comments drew applause from the audience.

Court Administrator Glenn Lawrence has been trying to find a new site for the last 18 months. He said the current leasing contract is on a month to month agreement and the probation office could be evicted with a 30-day notice.

His biggest concern is that the money currently earmarked for the relocation project will not be available in 2010. He said it was carried over from 2008 and was not sure what would happen this year. The city's requirement of a non-appropriation clause makes it difficult to negotiate a lease because it does not guarantee funding. He talked about the difficulties of trying to enter into a lease, and noted not many companies are willing to accept a lease with that provision.

Centre Properties is willing to accept that clause and Lawrence will be able to save $16,000 by negotiating an all inclusive lease. Lawrence had looked at about 25 sites before selecting this one.

Councilor Doris Minton-McNeil said she was "puzzled" by McHenry's request, since studies have already been completed. She was not sure what more the committee could do by examining the issue again.