INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis City-County Council tackled two controversial issues Monday night. One is meant to help people who do not have easy access to grocery stores, while the other will impact scooters in the city.
The Council approved $580,000 in funding to test strategies to address food insecurity.
Under the program, as many as 500 families will be eligible for free or low-cost Lyft rides to and from grocery stores. Several residents who live in food deserts attended the meeting.
Supporters said this is just the beginning of a process to come up with long-term solutions to food deserts.
"This is a test to see if we can actually put something viable together and make it a solution that will last and not just a temporary or Band-Aid," far-east side resident Liz Durden said. "We need actual grocery options that are gonna be sustainable."
The bill will also help expand food delivery services options and create a mobile market that will travel to neighborhoods on a regular schedule.
The Council also passed a proposal amending code enforcement for electric scooters. Under the change, anyone riding a scooter on a sidewalk or greenway can be fined $20.
In May, the city authorized two additional scooter companies to operate in Indianapolis bringing the total to four.
