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AGENDA OF TODAYS EVANSVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING
| I. | INTRODUCTION |
04-24-2023 Agenda Attachment:
| II. | APPROVAL OF MEETING MEMORANDUM |
04-10-2023 Memo Attachment:
| III. | REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS |
| IV. | SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY |
| V. | CONSENT AGENDA:Â FIRST READING OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS |
A. ORDINANCE G-2023-07 An Ordinance to Vacate a Public Right of Way in Evansville, IN that part of Hartig Avenue adjacent to Lot 30 in the Re-plat of Lots 60-87 inclusive in Shawnee Heights, an addition to the City of Evansville, as per plat thereof recorded in Plat Book “I”, page 97 in the Office of the Recorder of Vanderburgh County, IN Sponsor(s): Heronemus Discussion Led By: Public Works Chair Brinkmeyer Discussion Date: 5/8/2023 Notify: Don Gries, Easley Engineering G-2023-07 Attachment:
| VI. | COMMITTEE REPORTS |
| VII. | REGULAR AGENDA:Â SECOND READING OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS |
A. ORDINANCE G-2023-06 AMENDED An Ordinance Amending Chapter 3.35 (Housing Funds) of the Evansville Municipal Code Sponsor(s): Heronemus, Trockman, Koehler Lindsey Discussion Led By: ASD Chair Mosby Discussion Date: 4/24/2023 Notify: Josh Claybourn, Jackson Kelly G-2023-06 Amended Attachment:
B. ORDINANCE F-2023-04 An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Evansville Approving the Annual Community Development Plan and Appropriating Community Development Block Grant, Emergency Solutions Grant and Home Investment Partnerships Program Grant Funds Sponsor(s): Beane Discussion Led By: Finance Chair Beane Discussion Date: 4/24/2023 4:00pm Notify: Kelley Coures, DMD F-2023-04 Attachment:
C. ORDINANCE F-2023-05 AMENDED An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Evansville Authorizing Transfers, Repeal and Re-Appropriations of Funds within the Department of Metropolitan Development Sponsor(s): Beane Discussion Led By: Finance Chair Beane Discussion Date: 4/24/2023 Notify: Kelley Coures, DMD F-2023-05 Amended Attachment:
D. ORDINANCE F-2023-06 AMENDED An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Evansville Authorizing Transfers of Appropriations, Additional Appropriations and Repeal and Re-Appropriation of Funds for Various City Funds Sponsor(s): Beane Discussion Led By: Finance Chair Beane Discussion Date: 4/24/2023 Notify: Russ Lloyd, Jr., Controller F-2023-06 Amended Attachment:
E. ORDINANCE R-2023-01 AMENDED An Ordinance to Rezone Certain Real Estate in the City of Evansville, State of Indiana, More Commonly Known as 4105 Pollack Ave Owner:F & M Family Health Care Agency Requested Change: R1 to R3 Ward: 2 Mosby Representative: Daniel Colas R-2023-01 Amended Attachment:
F. ORDINANCE R-2023-02 An Ordinance to Rezone Certain Real Estate in the City of Evansville, State of Indiana, More Commonly Known as 313, 317, 319 & 321 N Garvin St Owner:Mark Cole Requested Change: C4/M1 to CO2 Ward: 4 Burton Representative Mark Cole R-2023-02 Attachment:
G. ORDINANCE R-2023-08 An Ordinance to Rezone Certain Real Estate in the City of Evansville, State of Indiana, More Commonly Known as 3508 Stringtown Rd Owner:JPB Estates, LLC Requested Change: C1 to R1 Ward: 5 Koehler Lindsey Representative: Jonathan Miller, ERS Management R-2023-08 Attachment:
H. ORDINANCE R-2023-09 AMENDED An Ordinance to Rezone Certain Real Estate in the City of Evansville, State of Indiana, More Commonly Known as 4411 Pollack Ave Owner:Manihit Requested Change: C1/R1 to R2 Ward: 2 Mosby Representative: Nimish Shah R-2023-09 Amended Attachment:
I. ORDINANCE R-2023-10 AMENDED An Ordinance to Rezone Certain Real Estate in the City of Evansville, State of Indiana, More Commonly Known as 3208, 3210 & 3212 Kratzville Rd Owner:Ritzert Co Inc Requested Change: C4 w/ UDC to M2 w/ UDC Ward: 5 Koehler Lindsey Representative: Krista Lockyear, Stoll, Keenon, Ogden, PLLC R-2023-10 Amended Attachment:
J. ORDINANCE R-2023-11 AMENDED An Ordinance to Rezone Certain Real Estate in the City of Evansville, State of Indiana, More Commonly Known as 3114 Kratzville Rd Owner:Ritzert Co Inc Requested Change: C4 w/ UDC to M2 w/ UDC Ward: 5 Koehler Lindsey Representative: Krista Lockyear, Stoll, Keenon, Ogden, PLLC R-2023-11 Amended Attachment:
| VIII. | RESOLUTION DOCKET |
| IX. | MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS |
A. THE NEXT MEETING of the Common Council will be Monday, May 8, 2023 at 5:30 p.m.
B. TREE BOARD ANNUAL REPORT: Shawn Dickerson, City Arborist
C. STATE LEGISLATIVE SESSION PERTAINING TO ENERGY: Christopher Norrick, DAACE
D. ADDITIONAL MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS
| X. | COMMITTEE REPORTS |
| XI. | ADJOURNMENT |
” IS IT TRUE” APRIL 24, 2023
We hope that today’s “IS IT TRUE†will provoke honest and open dialogue concerning issues that we, as responsible citizens of this community, need to address in a rational and responsible way City-County Observer Comment Policy. Be kind to people. No personal attacks or harassment will be tolerated and will be removed from our site.â€
We understand that sometimes people don’t always agree and discussions may become a little heated.  The use of offensive language and insults against commenters will not be tolerated and will be removed from our site.
IS IT TRUE that the City-County Observer will not endorse any candidate in the upcoming City Of Evansville primary or general elections? Â …that over the years we endorsed several candidates and by doing so we lost some of our readers? Â …that the readers told us that they resented us telling them who to vote for because they are extremely capable of making that decision?
IS IT TRUE that over a month and a half ago an official complaint was filed against a member of the local Vanderburgh County Alcohol Beverage Commission by a private citizen with the State Alcohol and Tobacco Commission? …that one of the complaints alleges that Republican Mayoral candidate Natalie Rascher received illegal political campaign contributions while serving on that local board? Â …we are being told if members of the State Alcohol and Tobacco Commission deem those contributions to be illegal Mrs.Rascher would be removed from the board? Â …that we are told that the complaints are now in the possession of the ATC prosecutor? Â …we feel that Natalie Rascher has been unfairly treated by the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission members because she hasn’t been granted a hearing in a timely manner so she can defend the complaints against her in order to resolve these issues? …that we are also told by several reliable sources that the complaints not being resolved in a timely manner could cost her votes in the upcoming Republican primary election for Mayor of Evansville?
IS IT TRUE that we invite vote in today’s “READER POLL”? Â …the Poll question is “How do rate the condition of our City Streets”?
IS IT TRUE we are extremely appreciative and proud of the way that members of our local law enforcement conducted themselves during a recent standoff/shooting? Â …the members of our local law enforcement also did a creditable job in protecting the innocent bystanders and neighbors in harm’s way?
IS IT TRUE that when a male officeholder takes a stand against a controversial issue some male voters call him strong? Â …when a female officeholder takes a stand against a controversial issue some male voters call her irrational?
IS IT TRUE that people respect and listen to political leaders? …there is a major difference between politicians and political leaders?
IS IT TRUE that we wonder how on earth can a city that has ZERO population growth and minimal wage growth feel that it can collect more tax money from its huddled masses than it did the year before?
IS IT TRUE that a group of American veterans who deal with some of the most debilitating mental anguish called upon the State of Indiana to legalize medicinal marijuana? …some Veterans feel that legalizing medicinal marijuana and decriminalizing small amounts may just cut back on the overcrowding problem at the Vanderburgh County jail and VA hospitals?…the veteran’s group also feels that putting someone who possessed a small amount of marijuana in jail at $50,000 per year cost to the taxpayers is bordering on insane?
IS IT TRUE that we commend the fine marketing job that the leadership of DOWNTOWN EVANSVILLE is doing?  …that all you have to do is visit Downtown Evansville and you will quickly see some positive progress? …we give Downtown Evansville President JOSH ARMSTRONG and his staff  5 cheers for doing a credible job in attracting new businesses to the downtown area?
IS IT TRUE that during the last several years our first responders and healthcare workers have been laboring on the front line of a protracted healthcare crisis risking their lives every day and not receiving the appropriate compensation for their hard work on our behalf? …that it’s time for our elected officials and Hospital Administrators to give our first responders the appropriate financial compensation for a job well done?
IS IT TRUE that the Covid Virus doesn’t discriminate against natural origin, race, color, creed, educational background, gender, blue or white-collar workers, religion, political affiliation, age, sexual preference, rich or poor, type of neighborhood you live in, or mental or physical challenges?
IS IT TRUE that looking through the prism of class conflict, it’s clear why Americans are so divided about whether or not we should reopen the economy? …for the sake of the country, a class compromise would be far superior to a protracted culture war?
IS IT TRUE that Four health systems have been ranked among Newsweek’s 300 greatest workplaces for LGBT workers in 2023?  …to craft the list, the publication collected more than 57,000 company reviews of U.S. organizations employing more than 1,000 workers? …that a large employer survey and a sample set of LGBT-identifying respondents were analyzed for insights?  …to read more about the methodology here? …that the following health systems made Newsweek’s list are Children’s Hospital and Health System- Milwaukee, Mayo Clinic -Rochester,c Mayo Clinic -Rochester, Minn., St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital-Memphis, Tenn.?
FOOTNOTE:  Please take time and read our articles entitled “Statehouse Files”, Law Enforcement, Weekly Birthday, Hot Jobs, and “Local Sports”. Â
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Miss Aulee goes to the Statehouse: First-grade lobby weighs in on the session so far
Miss Aulee goes to the Statehouse: First-grade lobby weighs in on the session so far
- By Colleen Steffen, Executive Editor, TheStatehouseFile.com
- Apr 24, 2023
It was Take Your Little Sister to Work Day at the Statehouse File Tuesday, and we learned a thing or two looking at the General Assembly through the eyes of a 7-year-old.
Everything at the Indiana Statehouse these days ends up feeling significant.
We invited Statehouse File reporter Xain Ballenger’s little sister, 7-year-old Aulee Pittman of Shelbyville, to the Statehouse Tuesday to peek behind the scenes of the General Assembly. She sat in the Senate press box, received a pat on the head from Sen. Greg Taylor, had a small chat with Sen. Mike Bohacek, and took some notes in blue crayon.
On the schedule that day? Guns in the classroom and whether and how teachers should be trained to carry firearms.
Not even a month ago, six people, including three children, were killed in a school shooting in Nashville, Tennesee. On Friday, Aulee’s school was one of dozens across Indiana closed by a bomb threat. Aulee kicked her feet in the too-high chair. She was skipping a day of first grade to see the important people talk.
Seven-year-old Aulee Pittman, little sister of Statehouse File reporter Xain Ballenger, sat in on part of a Senate session Tuesday and took some notes on the proceedings in blue crayon:
“to day I wet with my brother to his wirk it is asum! and I lirded Abowt senators now I’m in A meeting. Senator taylor …”
At that point, she got hungry and went downstairs for some chips.
Photo by Colleen Steffen, TheStatehouseFile.com.
She got bored, of course, and left long before the senators started that particular fraught discussion. She watched “Scooby-Doo” in our basement office, ate a hot dog from the Statehouse snack stand, drew flowers and rainbows on sheets of white printer paper.
The adults talked upstairs, unseen, and she proclaimed the whole experience “asum†in blue crayon.
The end of the legislative session draws near. If building-wide burnout is a thing, the Statehouse definitely feels it. So, for a moment, we put aside the incredibly serious subjects discussed this and every day and looked around through the eyes of a 7-year-old—the one who will live out all the decisions that are only spoken of here.
Why did you visit the Indiana Statehouse today, Aulee?
I really wanted to know what my big brother Xain does in the big city of Indianapolis.
Statehouse File reporter and Franklin College journalism major Xain Ballenger showed his little sister, 7-year-old Aulee Pittman, around the Statehouse on Tuesday. Upstairs lawmakers discussed teachers carrying handguns in classrooms while downstairs Aulee found better uses for her time.
Photo by Colleen Steffen, TheStatehouseFile.com.
Do you know what he does?
I feel like he makes toys and creates things. He’s very amazing. He does the news! …
He told me he works in the Indianapolis, and I thought, whoa, that is super amazing! And I really thought before that he worked at a zoo because there’s an Indianapolis Zoo.
Important things first: Tell us about your weiner dog Luanne.
She’s very scrumpy. One thing she loves is yum yums. … Did you know there are scary clowns for Halloween now?
Unrelated: What happened at the Senate session you watched?
I think they were talking about liberty and stuff? We did do the pledge. We also do that at Coulston Elementary. I got patted on the head by one of the senators. I really liked the statue heads.
The what now?
The statue heads. [Gestures finally indicate she’s talking about the busts of dignitaries found throughout the Statehouse.] We have a lot of good art at my school, too.
I do love art class and especially my teacher Mrs. Williams. She’s so kind and awesome. Once we did something fun where we speed walked and we found eggs and they were super cute.
Do you know what legislators do?Â
I think they make up laws?
What laws do you think they should make up?
I think they should make a law that kids get no orders. Kids don’t have to do what adults make them do, like wake up early to go to school … I really like my chores though. I like cleaning out my room. I make it a little game!
Aulee Pittman, little sister of Statehouse File reporter Xain Ballenger’s, took a trip to the Statehouse Tuesday to peek behind the scenes of the General Assembly.
by Xain Ballenger, TheStatehouseFile.com.
Do you think the lawmakers are doing a good job?
Yeah, we need senatives … senatives … senators.
We really need laws, like no stealing, no killing people. Terrible. Especially making scary movies to scare children. I need to make a scary clown picture to scare off burglars.
By the way, you can have one of my cookies. I am very good at being sweet. My cousin is not.
Do you think you might want to be a lawmaker when you grow up?
Hmmm … I don’t know … No, a pop star. A singer. Aaahahah woooooo!
What are you going to tell your class when you get back, Aulee?
I think I’m gonna tell them that today I went with my brother to his work and it was super awesome! My classmates are gonna be so impressed to hear about my adventures in Indianapolis.
Now I would like to hear about you! Have you ever seen a monkey at the zoo?