The Buzz - Town Council Meetings Redux, Brownsburg Band Winter Percussion Wins

 In This Issue of the Buzz:

  🌤️ Local Weather

 🔥 Brownsburg Band Winter Percussion Wins at IPA

 📘 Town Council Meetings Redux

👉 Local Businesses - Shop Local / Buy Local

 📆 Upcoming Local Events

Shop Local - Visit Our Local Businesses:

Brownsburg Band: Winter Percussion Wins! - 1st Place At IPA Invitational

The Brownsburg Winter Percussion ensemble clinched the top spot in their category at the IPA Plainfield Invitational, held on Saturday, February 24. This marked their inaugural contest for the season.

Their performance piece for 2024, titled "Curated," is set to grace the stage multiple times this spring. Notably, an upcoming performance is slated for Saturday, March 16, at Brownsburg High School as part of an Indiana Percussion Association event. This presents an excellent chance for the Brownsburg community to experience winter percussion firsthand and cheer on these dedicated and skilled students. Their next performance is tentatively scheduled for 8:02 pm, though this may change. For more information on the event, including the schedule and how to purchase tickets, visit the Indiana Percussion Association's website at https://www.indianapercussion.org/?q=content/brownsburg-high-school.

A Detailed Recap of the Town's Collaborative Planning Meeting

Brownsburg Town Council - Special Meeting - Feb. 21, 2024

The town council meeting was a comprehensive session aimed at aligning the efforts and understanding of various boards, commissions, and new council members towards the shared goals of the town. Here's a summarized account of the discussions and activities that took place:

• Introduction and Opening: The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by brief introductions from members of different boards and commissions. The council aimed to foster cohesion among members and provide an overview of the town's plans and goals.

• Overview of Town's Growth and Demographics: The town manager highlighted the town's rapid growth, workforce, and educational levels, emphasizing the importance of cohesive planning and execution across different boards and commissions to meet the growing needs.

  

• Roles of Boards and Commissions: The session detailed the functions of advisory, policy-making, and regulatory boards, outlining their contributions to the town's governance. Specific roles of the Plan Commission, Economic Development Commission (EDC), Redevelopment Authority, and other bodies were discussed, emphasizing their impact on policy, development, and regulatory aspects.

  

• Guiding Documents and Strategic Plans: The council discussed several key documents that guide the town's development, including the strategic plan, comprehensive plan, Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), and various master plans. These documents serve as blueprints for achieving the town's mission of fostering a welcoming environment that promotes business and community development.

• Economic Development Initiatives: The economic development director outlined the roles of the EDC, Redevelopment Authority, and Redevelopment Commission in achieving the town's economic goals. This included efforts to attract and retain top talent, address infrastructure needs, and streamline processes for development.

  

• Capital Projects and Infrastructure: The assistant town manager discussed ongoing and planned infrastructure projects, highlighting the importance of addressing fundamental needs before pursuing more visible improvements. This includes water utility updates, sewer separation projects, and road resurfacing efforts.

• Development Services and Planning: The development services director explained the process of rezoning, amendments, and the role of the Advisory Plan Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals in shaping the town's development. The emphasis was on aligning development projects with the town's comprehensive plan and UDO.

• Parks and Recreation Planning: The parks director discussed the significance of parks and recreation in enhancing community quality of life. This included strategic planning for park development, implementing recreation impact fees, and focusing on accessibility and connectivity.

• Communications and Media Relations: The communications coordinator underscored the importance of positive media coverage and social media guidelines for board and commission members. This includes appropriately responding to media inquiries and representing the town in public discussions..

  
  

• Open Discussion and Questions: The meeting concluded with an open forum for questions and interaction among council members, allowing for clarification of roles, responsibilities, and expectations.

Overall, the meeting was a productive session aimed at ensuring all members of the town's various boards, commissions, and the council are aligned with the strategic goals and understand their part in the collective effort to manage growth and development effectively.

Watch the video / Get the transcript: Town of Brownsburg.com

Building the Future of Youth Sports: Brownsburg's Comprehensive Development Plan

Brownsburg Town Council - Special Meeting - Feb. 22, 2024

The town council meeting focused on the development and expansion of youth sports facilities in Brownsburg, led by representatives from Brownsburg Youth Sports. Below is a summarized account of the discussions and activities during the meeting:

• Introduction and Welcome: The meeting began with a welcome and the introduction of representatives from various youth sports organizations, emphasizing the collective focus on youth sports rather than any single sport.

• Representatives' Introductions:

  • Daniel Whitaker introduced himself as the Vice President of Brownsburg Youth Sports and President of Brownsburg Girls Softball League.

  • Morgan Grismore was introduced as the Director of Development for Brownsburg Youth Sports.

  • Jason Grisez, President of Brownsburg Little League and Vice President of Brownsburg Youth Sports, outlined the organization's agnostic approach to sports and mentioned a phased development plan starting with softball due to a land swap agreement with the school court.

• Development Plans:

  • The initial phase focuses on softball, with future phases to include baseball diamonds and other sports facilities on a 60-acre property acquired by the organization.

  • The property is expected to host various youth sports, including lacrosse, football, and soccer, maintaining a core foundation of Little League values.

  • There was a mention of a significant land agreement with the school court for property acquisition and future expansion plans.

• Community and Funding:

  • The representatives discussed community involvement, philanthropic support, and sponsorships critical for the development and maintenance of the sports facilities.

  • The organization aims to expand and enrich youth sports programs in Brownsburg, emphasizing inclusivity and the broad impact on the community.

  • Funding strategies include leveraging Little League resources, pursuing private financing, and seeking town support for infrastructure development.

• Infrastructure and Expansion:

  • Discussions about infrastructure needs for the new sports complex, including water, sewer, and energy considerations.

  • The possibility of hosting tournaments to support operational costs, with plans for turf infield and grass outfield to facilitate year-round use.

  • There were inquiries about further expansion, including additional baseball and softball diamonds, and the integration of other sports facilities in the future.

• Town Council's Role and Support:

  • The town council expressed support for the project, discussing potential contributions like infrastructure development and the provision of additional sports facilities.

  • The importance of inclusivity of various youth sports beyond softball and baseball was highlighted, with suggestions for a comprehensive approach to support youth sports in the community.

• Future Steps:

  • The meeting concluded with a proposal for ongoing communication and collaboration between the town council and Brownsburg Youth Sports to further detail and support the project.

  • There was an emphasis on the long-term vision for a community-centric sports complex that serves a broad spectrum of youth sports and activities.

Town Council Discusses Rezoning, Services, and Economic Development In Last Night’s Meeting

Brownsburg Town Council - Regular Meeting - Feb. 22, 2024

• Opening and Pledge of Allegiance: The meeting began with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, led by Steve Stone. All five members of the Brownsburg Town Council were confirmed to be in attendance.

• Public Comments on the Agenda:

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  • John Raybould discussed the C2 and M3 rezoning request, questioning the council's consistency in addressing the school population problem and the need for official documentation from the school corporation regarding housing developments.

  • Rob Kendall voiced skepticism about the developer's commitment to the town's best interest after observing their departure post-approval in a previous meeting. He urged the council to prioritize the community's needs over developers.

  • Garin Karns offered insights on the proposed development, emphasizing the vastness of the land in question and the unrealistic expectations for it to be solely commercial. He advocated for a mixed-use approach, considering the existing conditions and market demands.

  • Dr. Dan Baum expressed opposition to more apartments and houses, suggesting a preference for commercial development to avoid overcrowding schools and diminishing the town's residential-commercial balance.

    

• Consent Items and Claims: The council approved the minutes from the February 2024 meeting and a claim docket totaling $1,945,300.92 for civil town and fire territory expenses.

• Reports from Commissions and Boards:

  • Police and fire department updates were provided, including staffing changes and a correction of a payroll error affecting overtime calculations.

  • Economic development and redevelopment commission reports highlighted ongoing industrial projects, with several buildings fully leased and efforts continuing to attract tenants for the available spaces.

  • The Park Authority discussed the father-daughter dance event's success and the upcoming review of the five-year plan, indicating a slight delay to incorporate feedback from the Department of Natural Resources.

• Ordinance and Rezoning Requests:

  • The council discussed and approved a conditional rezone for a project north of County Road 900 East and 56 Street, considering its potential to address housing needs while being mindful of the community's concerns about infrastructure and school impacts.

• Grant Applications:

  • Kathy introduced a competitive grant application to identify lead service lines, with potential funding up to $300,000 to help offset the costs associated with the project.

• Library Bonds: Denise Robinson from the Brownsburg Public Library presented a bond issuance proposal to fund maintenance and improvement projects, emphasizing the minimal impact on the tax rate.

And then … the lights went out! Literally.

The power went out at the Town Council meeting and finished in the dark! 😆

Shop Local - Visit Our Local Businesses:

Upcoming Local Events

February 2024

• Brownsburg American Legion Post 331 - Events & News

• Brownsburg Library Events

• Holy Spirit Night

  • Date: Sunday, February 25, 2024

  • Description: Hosted by the Brownsburg Vineyard Church, this event invites you to a powerful night of worship, prayer, prophetic ministry, and a time to rest in the goodness of our loving Father. Childcare will be provided, making it a family-friendly event.

  • More Information: For more details, please visit the event page on AllEvents.in.

• Indiana Sigma/Zeta Day on the Hill - Mental Health Matters

  • Date: Tuesday, February 27, 2024

  • Location: Indiana State Capitol

  • More information can be found here on Eventbrite.

• AAAI - Seat At The Table with Ting Gootee

  • Date: Wednesday, February 28, 2024

  • Location: Barnes & Thornburg LLP

  • More information can be found here on Eventbrite.

• Professional Services XBE Outreach

  • Date: Thursday, February 29, 2024

  • Location: Weddle Bros. Building Group, LLC

  • More information can be found here on Eventbrite.

• Indy Ad Connect - Winter Social

  • Date: Thursday, February 29, 2024

  • Location: Ale Emporium

  • More information can be found here on Eventbrite.

• The HR Lab

  • Date: Wednesday, March 6, 2024

  • Location: Eiteljorg Museum

  • More information can be found here on Eventbrite.