“READERS FORUM” DECEMBER 16, 2018
We hope that today’s “READERS FORUMâ€Â 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?Â
WHATS ON YOUR MIND TODAY?
Todays“Readers Poll†question is: How do you rank the Vanderburgh County Council job performance in 2018?
If you would like to advertise on the CCO please contact us at City-County Observer@live.com
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA FOR DECEMBER 17, 2018
DECEMBER 17, 2018
AGENDA
| I. | INTRODUCTION |
AGENDA Attachment:
| II. | APPROVAL OF MEETING MEMORANDA |
MEMO Attachment:
| III. | REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS |
| IV. | SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY |
A. CARRY OVER 2018 ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
B. MOTION TO SUSPEND THE RULES TO HEAR ORDINANCES G-2018-35 AND G-2018-36 IN ONE NIGHT
| V. | CONSENT AGENDA:Â FIRST READING OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS |
A. ORDINANCE G-2018-35 An Ordinance Granting a Certificate of Convenience and Necessity for the Operation of Taxicabs for the Year 2019 (Yellow Checker Cab Company) Sponsor(s): Adams Discussion Led By: A.S.D. Chair Adams 12/17/2018 Notify: Heather Williams, Yellow Checker Cab Company G-2018-35 Attachment:
B. ORDINANCE G-2018-36 An Ordinance Granting a Certificate of Convenience and Necessity for the Operation of Taxicabs for the Year 2019 (Tri-State Transportation, Inc.) Sponsor(s): Adams Discussion Led By: A.S.D. Chair Adams 12/17/2018 Notify: Heather Williams, Tri-State Transportation, Inc. G-2018-36 Attachment:
C. ORDINANCE F-2018-24 An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Evansville Authorizing Repeals and Re-Appropriations Within the Department of Metropolitan Development Sponsor(s): Weaver Discussion Led By: Finance Chair Weaver Notify: Kelley Coures, Dept. of Metropolitan Development 1/14/2019 F-2018-24 Attachment:
D. RESOLUTION C-2018-43 A Resolution of the Common Council of the City of Evansville Ratifying, Confirming, Authorizing and Approving an Agreement Between the City of Evansville and International Association of Firefighters Evansville Local No. 357 Inc. January 1, 2019 through December 31, 2021 Sponsor(s): Mercer Discussion Led By: Finance Chair Weaver 1/14/2019 Notify: George Fithian, Administrative Services C-2018-43 Attachment:
| VI. | COMMITTEE REPORTS |
| VII. | REGULAR AGENDA:Â SECOND READING OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS |
A. ORDINANCE G-2018-34 An Ordinance Granting a Certificate of Convenience and Necessity for the Operation of Taxicabs for the Year 2019 (Dave’s Taxi Service) Sponsor(s): Adams Discussion Led By: A.S.D. Chair Adams 12/17/2018 Notify: David Goldblatt, Dave’s Taxi Service G-2018-34 Attachment:
B. ORDINANCE G-2018-35 An Ordinance Granting a Certificate of Convenience and Necessity for the Operation of Taxicabs for the Year 2019 (Yellow Checker Cab Company) Sponsor(s): Adams Discussion Led By: A.S.D. Chair Adams 12/17/2018 Notify: Heather Williams, Yellow Checker Cab Company G-2018-35 Attachment:
C. ORDINANCE G-2018-36 An Ordinance Granting a Certificate of Convenience and Necessity for the Operation of Taxicabs for the Year 2019 (Tri-State Transportation, Inc.) Sponsor(s): Adams Discussion Led By: A.S.D. Chair Adams 12/17/2018 Notify: Heather Williams, Tri-State Transportation, Inc. G-2018-36 Attachment:
D. RESOLUTION C-2018-42 A Resolution of the Common Council of the City of Evansville Ratifying, Confirming, Authorizing and Approving an Agreement Between the City of Evansville and Fraternal Order of Police Evansville Lodge No. 73 Inc. January 1, 2019 through December 31, 2021 Sponsor(s): Elpers Discussion Led By: Finance Chair Weaver 12/17/2018 Notify: George Fithian, Administrative Services C-2018-42 Attachment:
E. ORDINANCE R-2018-26 An Ordinance to Rezone Certain Real Estate in the City of Evansville, State of Indiana, More Commonly Known as 433 Enlow Avenue Petitioner: Aletheia Properties, LLC Owner: Aletheia Properties, LLC Requested Change: R2 to R3 Ward: 6 Brinkmeyer Representative: Michael Rivas, R-2018-26 Attachment:
F. ORDINANCE R-2018-29 An Ordinance to Rezone Certain Real Estate in the City of Evansville, State of Indiana, More Commonly Known as 1841 Buchanan Road Petitioner: Nora Elaine Roberts Owner: Nora Elaine Roberts Requested Change: M2 to R2 Ward: 6 Brinkmeyer Representative: Nora Elaine Roberts R-2018-29 Attachment:
G. ORDINANCE R-2018-30 An Ordinance to Rezone Certain Real Estate in the City of Evansville, State of Indiana, More Commonly Known as 612-614 Line Street, 300-310 E. Mulberry Street and 611-619 S. Governor Street Petitioner: Community Action Program of Evansville and Vanderburgh County, Inc. Owner: Community Action Program of Evansville and Vanderburgh County, Inc. Requested Change: C2 to R3 Ward: 4 Robinson Representative: Bret Sermersheim, Morley Corp. R-2018-30 Attachment:
| VIII. | RESOLUTION DOCKET |
| IX. | MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS |
A. THE NEXT MEETING of the Common Council will be Monday, January, 14, 2019 at 5:30 p.m.
B. SILAS MATCHEM, PROMISE ZONE DIRECTOR
C. BOARD & COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS
D. 2019 YOUTH GRANT APPLICATIONS will be available beginning January 1, 2019 online at www.evansville.in.gov/youthgrants or during regular office hours in the City Clerk’s Office in room 314 of the Civic Center. Application deadline is 5:00 p.m., Friday, February 15, 2019.
E. ADDITIONAL MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS
| X. | COMMITTEE REPORTS |
| XI. | ADJOURNMENT |
MALEVOLENT OR INDIFFERENT
MALEVOLENT OR INDIFFERENT
GAVEL GAMUTÂ By Jim Redwine
For thousands of years humans have pondered the same theological issues: Are there gods and, if so, are they benevolent, malevolent or indifferent towards humans? Of course, this debate can readily be applied to humans without reference to gods. How do we relate to one another? Are we generally good, bad or indifferent towards others?
In my work, I have almost never encountered a purely evil person nor an unfailingly good one. My experience has been that most of us fall into neither category. Pretty much we just muddle through life somewhere between these extremes while generally behaving rather indifferently to much of what passes by.
That basic human tendency is what leads us to put off until, maybe, later what we should address today. It is not a failure of conscience that results in inaction; it is simply more comfortable to ignore injustice than to address it, especially if it is a collective community injustice from long ago. Such is what has led us away from publicly recognizing the events of October and November 1878.
No one alive bears any direct culpability for injustices done to Jim Good, Edward Warner, Jeff Hopkins, William Chambers, Daniel Harrison (Harris), Sr., Daniel Harrison, Jr. and John Harrison in Posey County, Indiana in 1878 by virtually the entire white power structure. But we can now begin to absolve our community of one hundred and forty years of injustice and indifference. In other words, we should not look to the gods for absolution, it is we who must deliver ourselves.
Want to read other Gavel Gamut articles? Go to www.jamesmredwine.com
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Evening Of Elegance Honors Volunteers
Evening Of Elegance Honors Volunteers
DECEMBER 15TH, 2018 
PAUL WILCOXEN EVANSVILLE, INDIANA
The group focuses on literacy and mentoring to students in grades kindergarten through third grade.
One representative says the benefits for both go beyond tutoring.
“It’s really neat because, not only are we academic tutoring, we’re also mentoring through that whole social and emotional growth of a child,†said Lonita Bennett, AARP representative. “You see that blossom because they really have a one-one-one, caring adult they really get to just be themselves and have that time.â€
The event included guest speakers, special music as well as dinner and dancing.
The group has about 25 volunteers but with the new semester starting in a few weeks, Bennett says it would be nice to get more.
If you’re 50 years old or older and would like more information on how to volunteer, go to the Carver Community Organization’s website.
New Housing Opportunities for Homeless In the Community
New Housing Opportunities for Homeless In the Community
DECEMBER 15TH, 2018  MITCH ANGLE EVANSVILLE, INDIANA
Echo Housing created Garvin Lofts to provide a home for individuals in the community experiencing chronic homelessness.
The three-story building has 27 one bedroom apartments and 12 of those are set aside for those who are also medically vulnerable.
Garvin Lofts will include on-site case management, laundry, and a community space with a television.
Along with this addition to help many homeless have a place to call home, Echo Housing says there is still more to be done.
Officials with Echo Housing say they plan on moving the first residents into the complex by December 18th.
Anderson Wigwam Owners Lose Bid In Tax Court
Marilyn Odendahl for www.theindianalawyer.com
The company which now owns the storied Anderson High School arena, known as the Wigwam, failed to convince the Indiana Tax Court it is entitled to an injunction against the collection of property taxes based on a valuation of more than $2 million.
In September 2014, Wigwam Holdings LLC acquired four parcels of land by quitclaim deed from the city of Anderson, which acquired the property from the Anderson Community School Corporation. The 8.56-acre parcel at issue included the 8,996-seat basketball facility.
After the Madison County Assessor assessed the property at $11.42 million, Holdings appealed to the Madison County Property Tax Assessment Board of Appeals. The assessment was reduced to $2.12 million, but Holdings maintained the value remained too high.
Holdings then turned to the Indiana Board of Tax Review, claiming the assessment should be $68,500. To support its claim, the company, in part, relied on the testimony of Jay Allardt, who helped prepare the appraisal done in accordance with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice.
Allardt contended the Wigwam’s “highest and best use†was as vacant land because the building contained asbestos, was not compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, lacked air conditioning along with a sprinkler system and was in generally poor condition. He subtracted his estimated land value of $68,500 from his estimate of the building’s demolition and remediation costs of $559,000 to conclude the Wigwam’s market value was actually a negative $490,500 as of May 2014.
The county assessor offered the testimony of Anthony Garrison, an Indiana certified Level III Assessor-Appraiser. He argued that Allardt’s appraisal was inconsistent with the market value-in-use standard because it was based on a hypothetical use of the property as vacant land rather than its current use as improved land. Also, Allardt’s appraisal did not account for the requirement in the Quitclaim Deeds and accompanying escrow agreement that Holdings restore the Wigman’s gymnasium for the community’s future use.
The Tax Court was not convinced and denied Holdings’ petition pending the resolution of the company’s appeal in Wigwam Holdings LLC v. Madison County Assessor, 18T-TA-00015.
In part, the court pointed out the assessor provided the findings of Garrison, who identified wide-ranging disparities between Allardt’s appraisal and his testimony compared to the valuation standards and assumptions underlying Indiana’s assessment guidelines.
“Here, the certified administrative record reveals that the parties presented conflicting evidence during the Indiana Board hearing calling into question the credibility of Holdings’ evidence,†Judge Martha Blood Wentworth wrote. “The Indiana Board exercised its discretion and weighted the evidence. Absent an abuse of discretion, the Court cannot reweigh that evidence. Accordingly, the Court finds that Holdings does not have a reasonable opportunity to prevail on this issue in its appeal.â€
Group Celebrates Bill Of Rights Day
Group Celebrates Bill Of Rights Day
DECEMBER 15TH, 2018 PAUL WILCOXEN EVANSVILLE, INDIANA
One group wants to remind folks the Bill of Rights is still important to the country.
Today is National Bill of Rights Day and the Citizens For Liberty held an event celebrating the Bill of Rights at the Central Library in Downtown Evansville.
Students from around the area each took turns reciting the 10 Bill of Rights.
The Harrison High School ROTC was also on hand to post colors.
The event featured a keynote speaker and winners from an easy contest were honored.
Holly’s House To Receive Donation From Christ the King Elementary School
Holly’s House, a non-profit child, and adult advocacy center, will attend a brief donation presentation on Wednesday, December 19, 2018, at 1:15 pm CST at Christ the King School, 3101 Bayard Park Drive, Evansville, Indiana, 47714, to accept handmade blankets made by 7th and 8th Grade Students in support of Holly’s House and the “Think First & Stay Safe†child abuse prevention program.
Holly’s House offers the “Think First & Stay Safeâ€Â personal safety and child abuse prevention program at no charge to elementary schools in five counties in Southwest Indiana. This program utilizes the curriculum developed by Child Lures Prevention and focuses on helping children understand the lures or tricks that are used by people who might want to hurt them. The program also focuses on bullying, internet and general safety lessons including emphasizing the importance of telling a trusted adult if they feel scared or unsafe.
Since first offering the program in the spring of 2010, over 40,000 elementary school students have been taught how to “Think First & Stay Safe.†As the demand for the program has increased, the “Think First & Stay Safe†staff has grown to include one full-time and three part-time prevention educators.
Holly Edmond, Holly’s House Executive Director, said, “This heartfelt gift shows that students want to support Holly’s House and those we serve. The “Think First & Stay Safe†program utilizes age-appropriate lesson plans to teach safety tools children may use for the rest of their lives. To receive this gift at Christ the King makes it even more meaningful. It is wonderful to know that students who have been taught the “Think First & Stay Safe†program join Holly’s House in our commitment to preventing child abuse.â€
  Christ the King School Blanket Donation
3101 Bayard Park Drive
Evansville, IN 47714
Wednesday, December 19, 2018, 1:15 pm
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