|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Hoosier History Highlights
City Council Meeting
JANUARY 12, 2026
5:30 P.M.
AGENDA
| I. | INTRODUCTION |
01-12-2026 Agenda Attachment:
| II. | APPROVAL OF MEETING MEMORANDUM |
12-15-2025 Memo Attachment:
| III. | REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS |
| IV. | SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY |
A. NOMINATION & ELECTION OF OFFICERS
B. COMMITTEE CHAIR APPOINTMENTS
C. DEPARTMENT LIAISONS
D. VOTE TO HEAR ORDINANCE G-2026-04 IN ONE NIGHT
| V. | CONSENT AGENDA: FIRST READING OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS |
A. ORDINANCE G-2026-01 An Ordinance to Vacate Certain Public Ways or Public Places Within the City of Evansville, Indiana, Commonly Known as Part of a 60 foot Right-of-Way for Chestnut Street in the Original Plan of the City of Evansville Sponsor(s): Green Discussion Led By: Public Works Chair Taylor Discussion Date: 1/26/2026 Notify: Scott Buedel, Cash Waggner & Associates G-2026-01 Attachment:
B. ORDINANCE G-2026-02 An Ordinance Amending Chapter 8.05.090 of the Evansville Municipal Code to Increase Curbside Refuse Collection Fees Sponsor(s): Trockman, Allen, Green Discussion Led By: Public Works Chair Taylor Discussion Date: 1/26/2026 Notify: Marco DeLucio, ZSWS G-2026-02 Attachment:
C. ORDINANCE G-2026-03 An Ordinance to Vacate Certain Public Ways or Public Places Within the City of Evansville, Indiana, Commonly Known as the 12’ Alley Behind 1028 Hensz Ave Sponsor(s): Koehler Lindsey Discussion Led By: Public Works Chair Taylor Discussion Date: 1/26/2026 Notify: Roger Lehman, RLehman & Son Consulting G-2026-03 Attachment:
D. ORDINANCE G-2026-04 An Ordinance of the Evansville Common Council Consenting to the Issuance by the Vanderburgh County Redevelopment Commission of Certain Tax Increment Revenue Refunding Bonds Sponsor(s): Green Discussion Led By: Finance Chair Green Discussion Date: 1/12/2026 Notify: Joshua Trockman, KDDK G-2026-04 Attachment:
E. ORDINANCE R-2026-01 An Ordinance to Rezone Certain Real Estate in the City of Evansville, State of Indiana, More Commonly Known as 2222 W Virginia St and 2227 W Michigan St Owner: D & P, LLC Requested Change: R2 to R3 Ward: 6 Brinkmeyer Representative: Scott Buedel, Cash Waggner & Associates, PC R-2026-01 Attachment:
| VI. | COMMITTEE REPORTS |
| VII. | REGULAR AGENDA: SECOND READING OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS |
A. ORDINANCE G-2025-28 An Ordinance of the City of Evansville’s Common Council Amending Title 2, Chapter 2.80 of the Evansville Municipal Code Relating to the Greenway Advisory Board Sponsor(s): Allen Discussion Led By: ASD Chair Heronemus Discussion Date: 1/12/2026 Notify: Marco DeLucio, ZSWS G-2025-28 Attachment:
B. ORDINANCE G-2026-04 An Ordinance of the Evansville Common Council Consenting to the Issuance by the Vanderburgh County Redevelopment Commission of Certain Tax Increment Revenue Refunding Bonds Sponsor(s): Green Discussion Led By: Finance Chair Green Discussion Date: 1/12/2026 Notify: Joshua Trockman, KDDK G-2026-04 Attachment:
| VIII. | RESOLUTION DOCKET |
A. RESOLUTION C-2026-01 A Resolution of the Common Council of the City of Evansville, Indiana Recommending the City Controller to Waive the City’s Sidewalk Caf License Fees for 2025 and/or 2026 Sponsor(s): Allen, Green, Trockman Discussion Led By: President Trockman Discussion Date: 1/12/2026 Notify: Joshua Trockman, KDDK C-2026-01 Attachment:
B. RESOLUTION C-2026-02 A Preliminary Resolution of the Common Council of the City of Evansville Declaring an Economic Revitalization Area for Property Tax Phase-In for the Rehabilitation of Real Property and Granting a Waiver of Noncompliance for an Economic Revitalization Area (Uniseal Inc) Sponsor(s): Brinkmeyer, Trockman, Allen Discussion Led By: President Trockman Discussion Date: 1/12/2026 Notify: Patrick Hickey, E-REP C-2026-02 Attachment:
| IX. | MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS |
A. THE NEXT MEETING of the Common Council will be Monday, January 26, 2026 at 5:30 p.m.
B. ADDITIONAL MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS
| X. | COMMITTEE REPORTS |
| XI. | ADJOURNMENT |
Board of School Trustees of the EMeetin
The Board of School Trustees of the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation will meet for the regularly scheduled Board meeting Monday, January 12, 2026 at 5:30 PM in the Board Room of the EVSC Administration Building located at 951 Walnut Street, Evansville, IN. Board meetings can also be observed by tuning to EVSC’s radio station, 90.7 WPSR; live streamed online at https://www.wpsrhd.com/; or viewed on our YouTube page at https://youtube.com/evsc1.
Prior to the regularly scheduled Board meeting, three members of the Board, along with district administrators, will hold a Town Hall beginning at 5:00 PM. This Town Hall is for Vanderburgh County residents to speak directly with Board members in attendance about issues involving EVSC schools. The Town Hall will be held in the Technology and Innovation Center located at 951 Walnut Street, Evansville, IN.
Members of the public who would like to attend the Town Hall should register by completing the Town Hall Registration Form located on our website at district.evscschools.com.
Quartet of Dominican newcomers kick off 2026 signings for Otters
Junior Cerda, a 25-year-old native of Puerto Plata, D. R., joins the Otters for his sixth year of professional baseball. After spending the 2021 and 2022 seasons with the Diamondbacks Arizona Complex League squad, Cerda earned his first shot at Single-A ball in 2023 with Visalia. In 2024, he spent time in both Single-A and High-A before being released from the Diamondbacks organization.
Cerda completed the 2024 season with the Kansas City Monarchs in the American Association. Last year, he played a combined 27 games between Kansas City and the Gary SouthShore RailCats in the AA, with a 5.20 ERA in 47.2 innings of work. Across those games, he struck out 42 batters while allowing only 20 walks.
J.D. Encarnacion is another right-handed pitcher, hailing from San Pedro de Macoris, D.R. 2026 marks the first taste of independent baseball for the 24-year-old, who has spent the last six years within the Boston Red Sox affiliation. After a single season of Dominican Summer League action with the Red Sox in 2019, J.D. came to the states in 2021 to play in the Florida Complex League. A sub-three ERA delivered him to the Single-A and High-A ranks in 2022, where he collected a 4.05 ERA across his 26 games.
Encarnacion spent the entirety of 2023 with High-A Greenville, starting in 21 of his 24 appearances. He reached his highest level of action last year, playing 10 games (seven starts) for Double-A Portland. In those games, he had 23 strikeouts across 30.2 innings.
Jose Montilla, from Neyba, D.R., is also looking forward to his first taste of independent baseball in 2026. After not playing during the 2024 and 2025 seasons, the 27-year-old is back on the mound to continue his baseball career. From 2017 to 2023, Montilla played within the Atlanta Braves organization, playing with Otters catcher Logan Brown for the Rome Braves in 2019.
After bouncing around the affiliation, Montilla earned his first shot at Double-A ball in 2023 for the Mississippi Braves, clocking 21 games. Across those appearances, he had 36 strikeouts and just 20 walks in 46.1 innings of work.
Marcos Gonzalez comes to Evansville from Bani, D.R. to join the Otters’ infield for 2026. After signing with the Cleveland Guardians affiliation in 2017, Gonzalez played until 2023 within the organization – eventually playing 18 games for the Triple-A Columbus Clippers.
After being released by Columbus during the 2023 season, he concluded the season with Gary in the American Association. He continued his career with two more seasons with the RailCats, clocking a .258 average across 138 games, with 27 doubles, three triples, 16 home runs and 74 RBI.
Fans can expect another group of signees early next week – including the first announced returners for the 2026 season!
Season tickets and group offerings are available now for the 2026 season. Single game tickets will go on sale in February.
EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT
FOOTNOTE: EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT information was provided by the EPD and posted by the City-County-County Observer without opinion, bias, or editing.
Levi McKinney breaks 3M dive mark as Aces compete against UIC
Aces held Senior Day recognition prior to the meet
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Friday’s meet against UIC saw the University of Evansville Swimming and Diving Teams recognize four seniors prior to the meet. Evelyn Chin, Hannah Krings, Mia Pesavento, and Mohammed Rashed competed in their final regular season home meet at Deaconess Aquatic Center.
Once competition began, several notable performances highlighted the day for the Purple Aces. Leading the way was Levi McKinney who reset his own program record in the 3-meter dive with a score of 336.83. His previous mark of 320.65 was set in December. Both scores qualified him for the NCAA Zones.
The men opened the day with a victory in the 200-medley relay with a time of 1:33.72 while the ladies took second in their event posting a 1:48.04. They were just 0.20 off the winning time. Logan Tenison was victorious in the 50-free, posting a 21.41 to best teammate Sammy McCall’s finish of 21.56. In the 100-free, Michael Pruett came in nearly a second ahead of the competition.
Highlighting the day for the women were multiple runner-up efforts. Jillian Giese swam a 2:14.77 in the 200-IM on the way to second-place. Claire Mewbourne added a runner-up finish in the 200-breaststroke with a 2:29.57. The men fell to the Flames by a final of 150.00-93.00 while the women dropped a 183.00-55.00 final.
FULL INDIVIDUAL RESULTS
Women’s 1000-Free
Hannah Krings – 3rd – 11:32.74
Men’s 1000-Free
Wyatt Gallas – 3rd – 10:01.98 – PERSONAL BEST
Tyler Jackson – 4th – 10:08.13
Carter Bolling – 5th – 10:25.29
Women’s 200-Free
Jadyn Dauphinais – 3rd – 2:02.13 – 1st RACE IN EVENT
Luana Carrotta – 4th – 2:04.54
Ane Madina Garate – 5th – 2:05.02 – 1st RACE IN EVENT
Audrey Wandling – 6th – 2:08.76
Lilly Yancey – 7th – 2:10.17
Men’s 200-Free
Joseph Capo – 3rd – 1:43.35
Harry McDowell – 5th – 1:47.95
Luke Cook – 6th – 1:50.94
Women’s 50-Free
Jaley Hamilton – 5th – 26.23
Delaney Miller – 6th – 26.49
Rafaela Markarewicz – 7th – 26.52
Amanda Denny – 8th – 26.61
Tristen Thomas – 9th – 27.00
Men’s 50-Free
Logan Tenison – 1st – 21.41
Sammy McCall – 2nd – 21.56
Brendan Ulewicz – 4th – 21.99
Mohammed Rashed – 6th – 22.31
Ben Morse – 7th – 22.77
Women’s 200-IM
Jillian Giese – 2nd – 2:14.77
Claire Mewbourne – 3rd – 2:15.97
Men’s 200-IM
Joao Guilherme – 3rd – 2:04.71
Chris Rector – 4th – 2:06.72
Robert Hargrove – 5th – 2:08.16
Women’s 1-Meter Dive
Leah Gardner – 6th – 199.98
Eden McRoberts – 7th – 188.70
Men’s 1-Meter Dive
Levi McKinney – 3rd – 276.08
Gabe Lett – 6th – 166.05
Women’s 200-Fly
Mia Pesavento – 4th – 2:28.12 – 1st RACE IN EVENT
Evelyn Chin – 5th – 2:28.58
Men’s 200-Fly
Adam Pawlak – 2nd – 1:58.76
Alex Willis – 3rd – 2:02.83
Wyatt Gallas – 5th – 2:07.90
Women’s 100-Free
Jadyn Dauphinais – 3rd – 55.33 – 1st RACE IN EVENT
Jillian Giese – 4th – 56.52 – 1st RACE IN EVENT
Delaney Miller – 5th – 57.95
Amanda Denny – 6th – 58.17
Men’s 100-Free
Michael Pruett – 1st – 46.33
Sammy McCall – 3rd – 47.84
Tyler Jackson – 4th – 48.87
Mohammed Rashed – 6th – 52.16
Jesse Montano – 7th – 52.49 – 1st RACE IN EVENT
Women’s 200-Back
Grace Moody – 5th – 2:13.98
Jaley Hamilton – 6th – 2:19.60
Men’s 200-Back
Logan Tenison – 2nd – 1:50.98
Boris Tavrovsky – 4th – 2:02.75
Carter Bolling – 5th – 2:04.96
Women’s 500-Free
Luana Carrotta – 3rd – 5:36.09
Hannah Krings – 4th – 5:37.27
Men’s 500-Free
Joseph Capo – 3rd – 4:45.82
Luke Cook – 5th – 5:04.39
Women’s 3-Meter Dive
Eden McRoberts – 5th – 196.13 – PERSONAL BEST
Leah Gardner – 6th – 192.30
Men’s 3-Meter Dive
Levi McKinney – 2nd – 336.83 – SCHOOL RECORD/NCAA ZONE QUALIFIER
Gabe Lett – 6th – 167.25 – PERSONAL BEST
Women’s 200-Breaststroke
Claire Mewbourne – 2nd – 2:29.57
Rafaela Markarewicz – 4th – 2:39.27
Tristen Thomas – 5th – 2:43.95
Men’s 200-Breaststroke
Joao Guilherme – 4th – 2:16.10
Jesse Montano – 5th – 2:19.03
Robert Hargrove – 6th – 2:19.55
Chris Rector – 7th – 2:22.68
Trevor O’Sullivan – 8th – 2:27.13
THUNDERBOLTS GAIN POINT IN SHOOTOUT LOSS AT HUNTSVILLE
Opportunity to Acquire a Legacy Online News Publication: City-County Observer
For over two decades, the City-County Observer has been a recognizable and trusted name in local digital journalism. Built during a time when community-focused reporting mattered most, the Observer established itself as a platform for government transparency, civic dialogue, and independent reporting. Today, it presents a rare opportunity: the chance to acquire a legacy online newspaper with an established brand, existing readership, and significant growth potential.
A Recognized Name with Community Credibility
The City-County Observer is not a startup—it is a known entity. The name carries weight in the community, particularly among readers who value local government coverage, public accountability, and independent commentary. In an era when local journalism is disappearing, this publication represents something increasingly rare: brand recognition tied to civic trust.
For the right buyer, the City-County Observer is more than a website—it is a foundation. One that can be revitalized, expanded, and positioned for long-term success in the future of local media.
If interested, please contact citycountyobserver@live.com, or 8127748012
THERAPY
GAVEL GAMUT
By Jim Redwine
www.jamesmredwine.com
(Week of 12 January 2026)
THERAPY
America needs therapy; about 350 million counselors seems about right. Where to find them and how to compensate them are the seminal issues. As therapists always approach client treatment with the same, lone question, “How do you feel about that?”, the answers to America’s dilemmas and to each of our personal problems must lie within. We need only to bring forth for analysis the quandaries we are facing, then have other individuals or groups help us solve things for ourselves.
For example, a Catholic penitent might say, “Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned”; he or she divulges the sin, then does whatever penance, say ten Hail Mary’s, the priest decides will expiate those transgressions. Or we pay $500 per hour to psychiatrists who might treat us by asking, “How do you feel about that?”. An example of a United States problem in need of therapy might be invading Greenland or Venezuela. Perhaps we could allow our Congressional therapists to have us explain to ourselves why America deserves and must have Greenland or Venezuela or even Iran or whatever country it will take to “Make America, or us as individuals, Great Again”.
This approach to therapy for people or for countries has been used for thousands of years. The Greeks in Persia, the Romans in Palestine, the Zionists in Palestine, the United States in Iraq, etc., etc., etc. If armed conflict offends your sensibilities, one could simply join a group that can ask that age old question, “How do you feel about that?” and let each American respond with the knowledge our group will help us work out how we truly feel. The answers are always within, it is just bringing them out that is difficult.
A literary example of successful group therapy was Ernest Hemingway’s A Moveable Feast in the Paris of the 1920’s. Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Gertrude Stein, Ezra Pound and James Joyce to name just some of the group would meet at Silvia Beach’s Shakespeare and Company Bookstore in the Montparnasse neighborhood on the left bank of the Seine River and interchange what would become some of the best writing and therapy of any generation, especially the Lost Generation of post-World War I.
Hemingway’s experience came to mind when my long-time friend, fellow jurist and fellow writer sent me a Christmas present of his therapy group’s book, Holiday Tales from the San Juans. It is a compilation of his writing group that meets each Thursday morning, if so inclined, at the Ruby M. Sisson Memorial Library in Pagosa Springs, Colorado. This Ruby’s Writer’s Guild consists of Judge Albert Northrop, my friend, and some of his friends in Pagosa Springs. Anyone who wishes can offer a written item such as a poem or a personal story for the rest of the Guild to ponder and pontificate upon. This is the epitome of the therapy America needs. Put the innermost thoughts out first then listen to well informed and well-intentioned responses.
An example for America might be, “Should we adhere to our Constitution or ape the behavior of despots such as Putin, Netanyahu or Hitler?” As for this one American, admittedly in need of therapy myself, I suggest a country of Ruby’s Writer’s Guilds generously sharing their thoughts would be more likely to make America America again than heedless hegemony.
For more Gavel Gamut articles go to www.jamesmredwine.com
On Facebook follow us at “Jim Peg Redwine” or Substack “@gavelgamut”


















