Update on Indy – October 5, 2025: Power, Policy, Safety, and Accountability: Updates Across Indy
- Michael-Paul Hart
- 16 hours ago
- 3 min read
By Councilor Michael-Paul Hart
Working to Make Indianapolis the Smartest City in America
💡 AES Rate Hikes
The Council’s Admin and Finance Committee passed a resolution urging AES to withdraw its request for a rate increase. In reviewing the issue, I learned that the City actually has the legal authority to purchase the utility through bonds, a massive concept that would restore local control of our power grid.
I’m not exploring that path right now, but it’s worth knowing that option exists. It’s a big move, and understanding the full scope helps us make smarter decisions about energy, technology, and infrastructure that truly benefit residents, not shareholders.
⚡ Official Withdraw of Google Petition
If you missed it on social media, I shared the moment Google formally withdrew its petition a major win for transparency and local accountability. When global corporations make decisions that affect our neighborhoods, my job is to make sure residents’ voices are heard.
Here is the video clip in this for anyone who wants to see it firsthand.
🏡 SmartIndy Community Panel: Homelessness & Housing
Through SmartIndy, I’m hosting a major community event focused on real solutions:
📅 October 15, 2025 | 6:00 – 7:30 PM📍 Southeast Community Services Center, 901 Shelby St, Indianapolis🎟️ Free Admission — All Are Welcome
Featured Speakers:
Andrew Neal, Outreach Indiana
Jay Height, Shepherd Community
James Taylor, Moorhead Community Resource Center
Rex Fisher, @Properties
I’ll be moderating the discussion, with the goal of giving community leaders who work in this space the opportunity to share firsthand insights and experiences from the neighborhoods they serve.
🔗 Register on Eventbrite📲 Scan the QR code on the flyer to submit your questions directly.
This is what SmartIndy stands for turning community ideas into real policy that makes Indy the Smartest City in America.
🏘️ Knoll Ridge Apartments | Accountability in Action
Over the past week, I’ve reviewed public records for Knoll Ridge Apartments in Cumberland.
What I found is deeply concerning and a clear example of why accountability matters.
📄 Key Findings:
The current owner, Knoll Ridge Apts 2 LLC, was administratively dissolved in April 2024.
Its only member, Gershon Topola of Brooklyn, NY, remains tied to the property.
The previous owner, BKS 354 LLC (Southfield, MI), was revoked in 2023, meaning two dissolved entities have controlled the site.
Multiple liens exist — sewer liens from Cumberland and mechanic’s liens from contractors, the latest filed Sept 17, 2025.
The property has sold repeatedly since 2008 for values up to $24 million while conditions declined.
This is a pattern of out-of-state investors trading local housing without reinvestment. My next step is coordinating with the Town of Cumberland and Marion County agencies to explore enforcement options.
These are real homes for real people and our community deserves owners who care about livability. Smart governance means transparency, accountability, and collaboration to protect neighborhoods and residents alike. Indianapolis Neighborhood Safety.
🏙️ Homelessness Update at Pennsy Trail
IMPD and several city agencies recently provided a progress report on cleanup efforts near the Walmart along the Pennsy Trail. According to their update, 85 shopping carts were recovered, five encampments were identified, and one individual voluntarily left the site. The remaining camps were reviewed for cleanup, and outreach partners were said to be engaging the residents.
I visited the area myself on October 4th and while I appreciate the coordination between departments, it’s clear the cleanup is not yet complete. There is still an abundance of trash and visible activity that needs continued attention.
I plan to keep this issue on the radar until the work matches the promises being made. This is about accountability and follow-through, and making sure our neighborhoods are safe, clean, and cared for.
Indianapolis Neighborhood Safety
Thank you for reading and for supporting common‑sense leadership. Together, and with the community driving accountability, we are turning bold ideas into real‑world results.
Accountability, Transparency and Local Leadership
See you next week with more updates from the Neighborhood.
