Legality of SRC Meeting Questioned


(posted Dec 18)

Susan Luebbert, owner of Speedway Monogramming, took issue with the Speedway Redevelopment Commission's plans for a Dec 19 meeting with American Structurepoint, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and other stakeholders that will focus on the 16th Street realignment.  The SRC announced at its Dec 17 meeting that October of 2008 is "when you will actually see dirt being moved."

When Luebbert asked about the time and location of the meeting she was told by commissioner Vince Noblet that "It's not a public meeting," but would be held at American Structurepoint.

Harris said the meeting, that he dubbed a "pre-planning meeting", was convened by ASP and not by the commission.

“It is not a public meeting, it is an informational meeting trying to get as many people together” SRC member Vince Noblet said.

Luebbert wanted to know why she and other stakeholders are not allowed to come to meetings that affect their properties. Luebbert owns 4601 W. 16th Street. Luebbert wanted to know why the IMS, a stakeholder, is afforded the opportunity to attend the meeting but the other stakeholders along 16th Street are not given the same privilege.

“We are not allowed to come to meetings that affect our property,” she said

She asked if she could contact ASP to get the meeting information since the SRC was not willing to divulge the information. As one point, SRC member Steve Bishop directed her to ASP.

However, Harris quickly interrupted Bishop and said Luebbert could not contact ASP because ASP "is our client.”

Luebbert countered the statement by saying that the ASP is funded by tax dollars, so in essence they would be the taxpayer's client.

Noblet defended the SRC's action to participate in the meeting without public involvement. He noted that it is not unusual for the SRC to have informational meetings where no decision is made. He said “we have a lot of meetings that within, that this whole commission has all the time with a lot of different people that effect all of area one."

Noblet said the reason the IMS is invited the meeting is because of their "relation to the race events."

When Luebbert said “So our properties are not being counted as part of this input,” Noblet replied “We didn't say that."

“Yes, you did,” she said. “What you are saying is we are insignificant and Speedway is what counts.”

The meeting was not declared an executive session that would precluded the public.

Steve Key, legal counsel for the Hoosier State Press Association, explained that the Open Door Law cannot be circumvented because the meeting was requested by someone other than the governing body. He indicated that receiving information on public business is taking action.