EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT
Todays Evansville City Council Meeting Agenda
AGENDA
| I. | INTRODUCTION |
05-23-2022 Agenda Attachment:
| II. | APPROVAL OF MEETING MEMORANDUM |
05-09-2022 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-2022-05 An Ordinance Amending Title 18 of the City of Evansville Code Concerning Land Use and Zoning (Solar) Sponsor(s): Beane Discussion Led By: Public Works Chair Brinkmeyer Discussion Date: 6/13/2022 Notify: Ron London, Area Plan Commission G-2022-05 Attachment:
B. ORDINANCE R-2022-17 An Ordinance to Rezone Certain Real Estate in the City of Evansville, State of Indiana, More Commonly Known as 1513 Covert Ave Petitioner: Julia E Nelson Owner: Julia E Nelson Requested Change: R1 to C2 Ward: 4 Burton Representative: Julia E Nelson R-2022-17 Attachment:
| VI. | COMMITTEE REPORTS |
| VII. | REGULAR AGENDA:Â SECOND READING OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS |
A. ORDINANCE F-2022-09 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): Moore Discussion Led By: Finance Chair Moore Discussion Date: 5/23/2022 Notify: Russ Lloyd, Jr., Controller F-2022-09 Attachment:
B. ORDINANCE R-2022-04 AMENDED An Ordinance to Rezone Certain Real Estate in the City of Evansville, State of Indiana, More Commonly Known as 2003 and 2019 Gilbert Ave Petitioner: Paul and Molly Scott Family, LLC Owner: Paul and Molly Scott Family, LLC Requested Change: R2 to C4 Ward: 4 Burton Representative: Donald Gries, Easley Engineering R-2022-04 Amended (3) Attachment:
| VIII. | RESOLUTION DOCKET |
A. RESOLUTION C-2022-16 A Resolution in Support of a Safe I69-ORX Bridge Design Sponsor(s): Weaver, Trockman, Heronemus Discussion Led By: President Heronemus Discussion Date: 5/23/2022 Notify: Josh Claybourn, Jackson Kelly C-2022-16 Attachment:
B. PUBLIC HEARING FOR: RESOLUTION C-2022-17 A Resolution of the Common Council of the City of Evansville, Indiana, Establishing a Fund for Proceeds to be Received from the Sale of Real Estate to the City of Evansville Building Corporation and Making an Appropriation from Such Fund Sponsor(s): Beane, Heronemus, Mosby Discussion Led By: President Heronemus Discussion Date: 5/23/2022 Notify: Marco DeLucio, ZSWS C-2022-17 Attachment:
C. PUBLIC HEARING FOR: RESOLUTION C-2022-18 A Resolution of the Common Council of the City of Evansville, Indiana, Approving Execution of Lease and Related Matters Sponsor(s): Beane, Heronemus, Mosby Discussion Led By: President Heronemus Discussion Date: 5/23/2022 Notify: Marco DeLucio, ZSWS C-2022-18 Attachment:
| IX. | MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS |
A. THE NEXT MEETING of the Common Council will be Monday, June 13, 2022 at 5:30 p.m.
B. BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS; Approval of the Mayoral Appointments for the Animal Control   And Education Commission
C. ADDITIONAL MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS
| X. | COMMITTEE REPORTS |
| XI. | ADJOURNMENT |
Ben Shoulders Remarks Concerning The Status Of Several Vanderburgh County Projects
Commissioner  Shoulders Rotary Club Remarks Concerning The Status Of Several Vanderburgh County Projects
MAY 23, 2022
  OLD COURTHOUSEÂ
First, I also wanted to again thank everyone for being with us here today and wanted to thank my mother, father, and beautiful wife Shannon for being here. So, there are several county-related facilities, venues, and events that relate to leisure and entertainment. I’ll start with the Vanderburgh County Old Courthouse. We recently had an adjustment in sales and stay highly occupied with 20 tenants leasing 21 current suites – eight suites are occupied by county departments (County Engineer, Veterans Services, and DADS). From an event standpoint, a lot going on at the Old Courthouse! This month alone we have 4 weddings, 1 baby shower, A US Army Changing of the Guard Ceremony and at the end of this month we start our annual Lunch on the Lawn – which is Fri, May 27th and is every month during the summer. It’s a great outside event – so please come by and grab some lunch at one of the food trucks. Overall, we have a strong team focusing on increasing revenue streams, bookings for leisure/social events and fundraisers to ensure the longevity of the historic venue. As a member of the Old Courthouse Foundation board, I’m passionate about the success of this venue and proud to say it was recently featured in the May Issue of the Indiana Landmarks Magazine – Indiana Preservation edition for the Old Courthouse’s Bell Tower campaign. So we are very proud of that!  Â
OLD NATIONAL EVENTS PLAZAÂ
First of all, we have had new leadership take place at the Old National Events Plaza. Our own, Nick Wallace, is the new General Manager. Congrats to you, Nick! A lot going on at ONEP. First, we recently approved non-profit partnership waivers – so if you are a Non-Profit in our local community and want to use ONEP for your event – please submit a form, and we as a commission will vote to waive the rental fee. This has already been a big hit and utilized by numerous Non-Profits just in the last 6 months! Most recently, ONEP has also used a voting location for the May 2022 primary. As we return to pre-Covid 2019 business trends, we’ve recently seen improved technologies such as apple pay and touch-free systems. From a business and revenue standpoint, ONEP generated over $1M Operating Income, on pace to do $2.4M forecasted in 2022, and saw 85,500 guests visit the Plaza in 2021. Also, we are proud to say ONEP was ranked the #122 event venue in the world in the 2021 Pollstar Top 200 Theaters Globally. The economic impact of over $8.1M for Vanderburgh County translated to 112 jobs created in 2021! So keep up the momentum, Nick! Â
  BURDETTE PARKÂ
As the only county-owned park in Vanderburgh County, Burdette Park has really come into its own in the last couple of years! Last year Burdette not only added several features such as two children’s water slides in the family pool but also entertained over 300,000 guests. Year over year, we’ve seen an increase in gross revenue since 2018 (minus 2020 due to Covid), and in 2021 Burdette set a new annual Gross Revenue park record by exceeding $1 million dollars for the first time ever since the park opened in 1961 at $1,143,052! Moving forward, already in 2022 projected revenue is to exceed $1.4M! Many people don’t know there are 6 overnight cabins, 12-day shelters, and the discovery lodge for special events. Not to mention the BMX Bike tracks and campgrounds out there – there is just so much to do with many family-friendly features and leisure at Burdette Park!
 CVB/DEACONESS SPORTS PARKÂ
 The parks are managed by the Visit Evansville Team. As many of you know, the organization is under new leadership. Alexis Berggren, former director of the ONEP, is the new President & CEO, so congrats again to Alexis – we are looking forward to some big things! In terms of the Deaconess Sports Park, many improvements had happened there including new turf fields. Since the park opened in 2015, we’ve seen over 959,000 (so almost a million) visitors, neighbors and residents served at the park. From an economic impact standpoint, we’ve seen over $98M in direct and indirect expenditures yielded from the park from 2015 – to 2021 and over 112,000 hotel stays during that same period. So, we can honestly say, that the Deaconess Sports Park has been a tremendous boost to our local economy and particularly to our leisure, hospitality, entertainment, and tourism industries. And as you can see, the CVB continues to drive tourism together with overall county properties accounting for a $34.9M economic impact and approximately 750 new jobs. Keep up the great work, Alexis and CVB!
 TEAMWORKÂ
Great question! Teamwork is critical to succeeding as a County Commission, both internally and externally. The three of us may not agree on everything 100% of the time. And that’s ok! Each of us has a different skill set, and a different core competency – for example, I may have certain attributes that Cheryl doesn’t have, or she may have things Jeff doesn’t have, or Jeff may have things I don’t have, but together it needs to work as a team. And I believe, although there is still work to be done, I believe we’ve accomplished some great things in the last few years – and it’s mainly due to teamwork; regardless of whose idea it is or who thinks of it first. And I also want to say, we have two exceptional office managers in Kathy Glaser and Alyssa Nilsen who are both here today. Thank you both so much for all you do on a daily basis!! Externally, we continue to work with not only our great county department heads, some of which are here today, but other county and city elected officials, our VC Health Dept, our VC Sheriff’s office and law enforcement and primarily with the County Council who recently agreed to our request of almost $2M in road paving – thank you Council for that! Also, by working with many folks in the private sector, such as E-REP and others, to ensure we stay focused on economic development and infrastructure by working as a team – by way of private/public sector partnerships. So, yes, no matter what we do, teamwork plays a vital role in the success for our county! So on that note, I know nationally and globally these are somewhat of uncertain times, but I ask that each of you locally continue to work together as a team to make our community even better. Both private and public sector leaders, elected office holders, business owners and executives, MBE/WBE owners, Non-profits, and our brothers and sisters in the unions all continue to work hand-in-hand so we can continue to move forward and focus on the task at hand as a TEAM for the greater good of Vanderburgh County. Â
I Do My Best Brainstorming In The Early Morning
I Do My Best Brainstorming In The Early Morning
(I need to ease my mind, surely it’s 5 o’clock somewhere) Â
May 23, 2022
By Dannie McIntire
Having just celebrated my 72nd birthday, it seems the largest adjustment I’ve had to make since retiring at age 66 has been “sleeping inâ€. I was used to getting up early, in my later working years being at work by 5 AM. Now, six years into retirement, I’ve yet to fully make the “sleep in†adjustment.
 If I’m still in bed at 5:30 AM, that is sleeping into me, by then I’m usually up, coffee fixed, and I’m at my computer. I love reading articles on the internet, anything and everything, at age 72, I’m still squirreling away useful information, and most likely in my family and friend’s opinion, much useless information as well.Â
Sitting in our living room, binge watching old episodes of “Criminal Minds†on Netflix with my wife, I may astound her with my knowledge, “did you know that Shively Kentucky has weaselsâ€, then minutes later turn around and ask her “why did I get up, what was I going to doâ€. Hey, I may occasionally forget what I was going to do, but thanks to reading, I do know about weasels.
I tend to do some of my best thinking early in the morning, coffee poured, sitting at my desk, scouring the internet reading the most pressing problems facing our nation.Â
The current shortage of baby formula to me does not seem all that perplexing and could be easily solved.Â
Recently in a congressional hearing, a democrat, Aimee Arrambide, the executive director of an abortion rights nonprofit in Texas, told a republican lawmaker that she believes that men can become pregnant and have abortions.Â
Well, if men can become pregnant, couldn’t they certainly help out with breastfeeding and thus help alleviate the baby formula shortage problem? Now before you roll your eyes, remember that is the sound like “woke†thinking!Â
Yes, the above solution is absurd, well it is if using rational thinking, however, what to me is more absurd is what has happened to the manufacturing prowess of the United States?Â
Think about the above in this retrospect, during World War II, the War Powers Act Of 1941 spurred the American civilian manufacturing prowess of the United States to produce an equivalent in today’s dollars over $690 billion worth of supplies to be shipped to our allies overseas. Â
This past Wednesday, President Biden invoked the Defense Production Act to ensure that US baby formula producers can acquire the material they need and launched a new US government airlift of formula from abroad, more specifically baby formula from France. Â
Kind of fair I guess, We liberated France in World War II, today they are returning the favor by shipping the United States baby formula.Â
What is wrong with this picture? We helped saved the world in World War I and II, and today we can’t manufacture enough formula for our own babies.
What else has raised my blood pressure this morning?
On Friday, May 20th, the Biden Administration announced via the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that $500 million will be made available in Federal grants to replace heavily-polluting buses, more specifically targeting diesel engine school busses.
Per a recent EPA press release “These investments will also help spur the development and deployment of American-made clean technology, creating more good paying jobs right here at home. This is a win for our economy, our environment, and most of all, our nation’s children, all of whom deserve to breathe clean, safe air.â€
Now I’m totally in agreement our children deserve to breathe clean, safe air on their way to and from school. Who would possibly disagree with that thinking?Â
So, let’s put them on environmentally clean busses, while we develop American made clean technology, and create more good paying jobs at home while we continue to bus children to our under-performing schools.Â
In a 2018 report, the National Center For Education Statistics, the educational rankings for 15-year-olds in the United States when compared to other countries were;Â
12th – In Reading
36th – In Mathematics
18 – In Science
6th – In Financial Literacy
For me, the 6th ranking in Financial Literacy isn’t surprising. Financial Illiteracy is basically the ability to understand and effectively use various financial skills, including personal financial management. You only have to look at the amount of debt being incurred by our younger generations to understand our education system is failing to adequately prepare our students for adulthood.
Just a thought, lets improve our educational system before worrying about how best to get our kids to school.Â
Aspirins took, on another subject.Â
The push to go green with all electric vehicles, while I believe it is one of the viable alternatives to fossil fuels, there are inherent problems not being addressed.Â
The United States does not have a national electrical energy grid. There are three separate energy networks in the country’s power grid system, the eastern, western, and Texas has their own. They operate independently of each other and exchange very little energy.
Our current grid system is vulnerable to both inside and outside threats. Much of the equipment that allows it to operate and transmit electricity is old and outdated and getting older by the day.
Already, some areas of our country during the peak seasons of usage are prone to rolling blackouts used by the grid operator to help balance the supply and demand.Â
Oh, I have a nice environmentally friendly all-electric vehicle but no electricity to charge it.
In today’s world political climate, is our grid systems adequately protected from cyber warfare? Oh geez, one of our adversaries took down our eastern power grid, not a big issue; it should be back up and running in 4 to 5 days if we’re lucky.Â
As a nation, we first need to build and ensure our country has an adequate and well-protected electrical power grid system and associated infrastructure before we go all in on electric vehicles.
I need to ease my mind, surely it’s 5 o’clock somewhere!   Â
FOOTNOTE: Posted by the City-County Observer without bias or opinion.
Biden-Harris Administration Makes $500 Million Available For Clean School Buses Through EPA
President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Creates New EPA Program to Protect Children’s Health, Reduce Pollution, and Boost American Manufacturing
WASHINGTON (May 20, 2022) — Today the Biden-Harris Administration through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $500 million is now available for school districts and other eligible school bus operators and contractors to begin replacing the nation’s fleet of school buses with clean, American-made, zero-emission buses. This $500 million represents the first round of funding out of the unprecedented $5 billion investment for low and zero-emission school buses over the next five years, secured through President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Vice President Kamala Harris, Administrator Michael S. Regan and White House Infrastructure Coordinator Mitch Landrieu will visit Meridian High School in Falls Church, Virginia to make the announcement and highlight how it will reduce greenhouse gas pollution, provide cleaner air around schools and communities, and better protect children’s health. The investment will also drive demand for American-made batteries and vehicles, boost domestic manufacturing, and create good-paying jobs.
“This historic investment under President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will forever transform school bus fleets across the United States,†said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “These funding opportunities to replace older, heavily-polluting buses will result in healthier air for many of the 25 million American children who rely on school buses, many of whom live in overburdened and underserved communities. Today we take a major step toward a future where clean, zero-emissions school buses are the American standard.â€
Diesel air pollution is linked to asthma and other health problems that hurt our communities and cause students to miss school, particularly in communities of color and Tribal communities. New, zero-emission and low-emission buses will not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but produce cleaner air for students, bus drivers, school staff working near the bus loading areas, and the communities that the buses drive through each day. The reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from these bus replacements will help to address the outsized role of the transportation sector on fueling climate change. In addition, zero-emission buses cost less for school districts to operate than diesel buses, and the electricity stored in zero-emission school buses can transmit energy back to the grid to meet extra energy demand or provide energy to communities during power outages.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law allows EPA to prioritize applications that will replace buses serving high-need local education agencies, Tribal Schools, and rural areas. This approach supports President Biden’s Justice40 initiative to direct at least 40% of the benefits of certain government investments to underserved communities. EPA’s Clean School Bus Program will strive to meet this commitment and advance environmental justice and equity considerations into all aspects of our work. In addition, EPA will focus education and outreach efforts to underserved communities, including partnering with stakeholders to reach communities that may have never applied for a Federal grant or rebate. Portions of the rebates can also be used to install electric vehicle charging infrastructure so that schools can make chargers available for the new buses. The rebate program will select awardees through a lottery system.
“Every dollar we invest in clean school buses means cleaner air, healthier students, and a brighter future for our nation. That’s exactly why we fought to include historic funding for electric and other zero-emitting clean school buses in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, targeting schools that serve our most vulnerable children,†said Senate Environment and Public Works Chairman Tom Carper. “For those of us who have spent years working to clean up our nation’s school buses, we know there are millions of dirty buses that need replacing, especially in our most disadvantaged communities. Today’s announcement represents real potential progress in terms of cleaner air for all and a better economy. American-made clean school buses are good for communities, good for our economy, and good for our planet—a true win-win-win.â€
“Right now, most school buses are powered by dirty diesel engines that exacerbate climate change and emit dangerous air pollution. With these funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we are beginning to change that, paving the way for cleaner air and healthier communities – especially for frontline communities who are at greater risk,†said House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. “These investments will also help spur the development and deployment of American-made clean technology, creating more good paying jobs right here at home. This is a win for our economy, our environment, and most of all, our nation’s children, all of whom deserve to breathe clean, safe air.â€
“Too many American children are forced to breathe dirty air on their commutes to and from school. This announcement is a major down payment on ensuring that our children and grandchildren can experience pollution-free rides,†said House Energy and Commerce Environment and Climate Subcommittee Chairman Paul Tonko. “I’m proud that our Bipartisan Infrastructure Law makes this investment, driving innovation, creating good jobs, reducing pollution, and prioritizing communities that need the help most. I’m heartened by today’s announcement that will set us on a path to build a cleaner, healthier, better world for our kids.â€
“Clean air for our children is fundamental to their healthy development and success in life. Clean, quiet, and pollution-free electric school buses will improve air quality and the lives of our kids. Electrifying medium- and heavy-duty vehicles also is a key strategy to reduce transportation costs, improve quality of life in communities, protect public health, and tackle the climate crisis,†said House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis Chair Kathy Castor. “I applaud Administrator Regan’s efforts to implement the groundbreaking funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.â€
Swimming & Diving To Host Alumni Meet On September 16
Swimming & Diving To Host Alumni Meet On September 16
5/19/2022
EVANSVILLE, Ind.—The University of Evansville swimming and diving program is now accepting entries for an alumni meet, which will take place on Friday, September 16 and will help kick off the 2022-23 swimming and diving season. The meet will begin at 5 p.m., with warm-ups set to begin at 3:30 p.m.
The meet will consist of the 200-yard medley relay, the 50-yard butterfly, the 50-yard backstroke, the 100-yard IM, the 50-yard breaststroke, the 50-yard freestyle, and the 200-yard freestyle relay. Diving alums can also sign up for a one-meter diving competition (three dives). The relay teams can be co-ed, and there are no limits on the number of events an alum can sign up to participate in.
Registration is free for UE alumni. Those interested in taking part in the Alumni Meet can sign up on-line at www.uealumnionline.com/SDAlumni2022. Registration is open until Monday, September 12.
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