Minutes of the Board of Safety
MINUTES
Wednesday, May 11th, 2016
Building Commission – Ron Beane Police Department – Chief Billy Bolin
Transportation & Services – Todd Robertson Fire Department – Chief Mike Connelly
~ Pledge of Allegiance ~
Departmental Reports:
- Police Department – Captain Stephanie Cox
Motion by Mike Lauderdale, 2nd by Michael Retter and so ordered to approve each of the following:
1.   Evansville Police Department requests approval to surplus the following items:
a. Three (3) 5 gallon buckets of used .45 ACP brass. The brass will be traded to Kenny Marx for 600 IDPA Targets. The targets are used in training.
b. 1 – Nikon Coolpix Camera    Model # 4300   Serial # 002028199  EPD asset #01043
c.  2 – MuVi portable body cameras.      Model # 9492236651
d.  1 – Lanier mini-cassette recorder      EPD asset # 0060
- Fire Department - Chief Connelly
Motion by Michael Retter, 2nd by Mike Lauderdale and so ordered to approve the following:
1. Evansville Fire Department requests approval to award bid for Exercise Renovation in EFD Administration Building (RFD-07-011-15) to Happe and Sons.
Motion by Michael Retter, 2nd by Mike Lauderdale and so ordered to approve the following:
2. Evansville Fire Department requests approval to open bids received for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Assistant Chief Paul Anslinger present for discussion. One bid was received and opened. Hosier Fire Equipment Inc. Jacket $1,064.00 and pant $850.00 The EFD will take the matter under advisement and bid may be awarded at the 25 May 2016 BPS meeting.
- Building Commission – June Maples
Motion by Mike Lauderdale, 2nd by Michael Retter and so ordered to approve the following:
1. A coin toss was held Friday May 6, 2016, between Evan Michel with Velpen C & D Landfill Inc., and John Smith with Powers Excavating and Demolition. This was to break the $6,000.00 tie bid from April 27, 2016, for 871 East Riverside Dr. John Smith, with Powers Excavating and Demolition Inc. won the coin toss. The Building Commission requests approval to award the bid to Powers Excavating and Demolition Inc.
D. Transportation & Services – Jim Cruse
Motion by Michael Retter, 2nd by Mike Lauderdale and so ordered to approve both of the following items:
1. 1121 Fountain Ave. (between Fulton Ave. & Fourth Ave.) – Install 2 “Deaf Person Ahead†signs
2. 1210 Cross Gate Dr. to Berry Ln. Stop sign – Install “No Parking Anytime with Tow Away†signs.
Consent Section:
A. Â Handicap Parking
Motion by Mike Lauderdale, 2nd by Michael Retter and so ordered to approve the following:
1. Approve request for “Handicap†parking designation at 309 E. Iowa Street – Based on the property site inspection this property qualifies for an on-street “Handicap†parking space.
Motion by Mike Lauderdale, 2nd by Michael Retter and so ordered to approve the following:
2.  Approve request for “Handicap†parking designation at 303 N. Enlow Ave. – Based on the property site inspection this property qualifies for an on-street “Handicap†parking space.
Motion by Mike Lauderdale, 2nd by Michael Retter and so ordered to approve the following:
3.  Approve request for “Handicap†parking designation at 106 W. Maryland St.- Based on the property site inspection this property qualifies for an on-street “Handicap†parking space.
B. Dumpster Permit
Motion by Mike Lauderdale, 2nd by Michael Retter and so ordered to approve the following:
1.  Approve request for dumpster permit at 2216 W. Illinois Street – 1 dumpster to occupy 2 spaces for removal of home renovation debris. Requested dates not noted on agenda. Permit approved for 2 weeks. Dates to be reviewed and permit to be extended if necessary at the    25 May 2016 BPS meeting.
C. Special Event Request
Motion by Mike Lauderdale, 2nd by Michael Retter and so ordered to approve the following:
1.  National Veteran’s Memorial requests approval of “Vietnam War 50th Anniversary Commemorative Ride†– 21 May 2016 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. - Vehicles will stage in the parking lot near the LST, they will then caravan down Waterworks Road to Veteran’s Memorial Parkway I-69 East to the Morgan Avenue exit and continue on out of the city limits to end at Lincoln State Park. *** PENDING INSURANCE APPROVAL ***
Motion by Michael Retter, 2nd by Mike Lauderdale and so ordered to approve the following:
2.  Blackstrap Media requests approval of “Maryland Street Block Party†– 4 June 2016 from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. - Closing the 400 Block of E Maryland Street; between N Governor Street and Elliot Street. *** PENDING INSURANCE APPROVAL ***
Motion by Michael Retter, 2nd by Mike Lauderdale and so ordered to approve the following:
3.  American Heart Association requests approval of “Evansville Tri-State Heart Walk†– 4 June 2016 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. - No road closures. Walk will take place on the Greenway along the river. *** PENDING INSURANCE APPROVAL ***
Motion by Michael Retter, 2nd by Mike Lauderdale and so ordered to approve the following:
4.  Hadi Shriners request approval of “Shrinersfestâ€Â - 20 June 2016 at 9:00 a.m. through 27 June 2016 at 6:00 p.m. - Closing Riverside Drive from Court Street to Cherry Street, Main Street from 2nd St to Riverside Drive, Walnut Street from 1st Street to Eiverside Drive, Vine Street from Riverside Drive to First Street. *** BARRICADES, FENCING, SPECIAL SIGNAGE AND WATER REQUESTED. PENDING INSURANCE APPROVAL ***
D. Road Closure
Motion by Michael Retter, 2nd by Mike Lauderdale and so ordered to approve the following:
1.  Skanska USA Civil Project Engineers requests Riverside Drive closure through Oak Street, on May 14th, 2016 during the time frame of 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. This would allow access to median planting so they can demo what is currently there, replant and mulch the space. (Note: Riverside Drive through Cherry Street has been previously approved for closure during the “Rockin’ River City Ride†on the date requested.) This matter was tabled at the 27 April 2016 BPS meeting to allow BPS Secretary time to ensure there would be no conflict between events. BPS Secretary spoke with organizers of both events. They have discussed logistics of the events and there will be no event conflict.
Motion by Michael Retter, 2nd by Mike Lauderdale and so ordered to approve the following:
2.  Schnell Contractor’s Inc. requests closure of St. Joseph Avenue between the Lloyd Expressway and Ohio Street. Closure will only affect one lane in front of Mead Johnson on St. Joseph Ave. A 10 foot wide lift will be used to repair failed sealants and pedway.
E. Taxi Cab License
Motion by Mike Lauderdale, 2nd by Michael Retter and so ordered to approve the following
F. Massage Clinic License
Motion by Michael Retter, 2nd by Mike Lauderdale and so ordered to approve the following:
1.  Request approval for the renewal of the massage clinic permit for New Age Spa – 2800 Lincoln Avenue.
OTHER BUSINESS:
- Approve claims. No claims to approve.
Motion by Michael Retter, 2nd by Mike Lauderdale and so ordered to approve the following:
- Approve the minutes from Wednesday, April 27th, 2016.
Announcements:
Motion by Mike Lauderdale, 2nd by Michael Retter and so ordered to approve the following:
Next Meeting, May 25th, 2016 at 1:00 p.m.
Adjourned:Â _________1:20 p.m._________
Independence Square apartment complex earns “Crime Free Housing Program” Gold status
The Independence Square Apartments at 201 W. Delaware Street will be certified GOLD by the EPD Crime Free Multi-Housing program. Independence Square is a senior living center and consists of 123 units. This will be the first senior community that will be certified GOLD by the EPD. Congratulations on meeting all the requirements and standards to achieve GOLD statusâ€!
Carter Earns Academic All-District
University of Southern Indiana Women’s Golf senior Anastasia Carter (Granger, Indiana) has been named CoSIDA Academic All-District IV in a vote by the region’s sports information directors.
Carter, a four-time All-Great Lakes Valley Conference honoree, is a spanish studies and finance double-major with a 3.53 grade point average. She is the first Screaming Eagle women’s golfer to receive the honor since Jennifer Beaman was awarded Academic All-District V in 2004.
With a 78.23 strokes-per-round average, the 2015-16 campaign has been the best of Carter’s four seasons at USI. Carter has four top-five and four top-10 finishes that helped USI to a school record four wins during the season.
Having not missed a match during her career, Carter has competed in every round the Eagles have played over the past four seasons. Her one individual win came at the 2014 GLVC Championships at Annbrair Golf Course in Springfield, Illinois. Carter is tied with Jessica Dooley for the lowest 36-hole score in program history with a score of 145, which she carded during her lone tournament win.
Carter qualified as an individual for the NCAA II National Championships in Aurora, Colorado. The tournament is a part of the NCAA II National Championship Festival being held in Denver, Colorado. The opening ceremonies will take place on Sunday at Mile High Stadium, home of the Super B
Hot Jobs in Evansville
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Conference positioning on the line as UE hosts Southern Illinois
With just six games remaining in the regular season and the Missouri Valley Conference tournament inching ever closer, the University of Evansville baseball team will be looking to improve its league positioning this weekend as Southern Illinois is slated to pay a visit to Charles H. Braun Stadium.
The Aces, who were swept in conference play for the first time this season a week ago at Dallas Baptist, enter the weekend with a 7-8 league mark and a 25-21 overall record. The three losses saw UE drop from second in the standings down into a tie with Wichita State for fifth.
However, the Aces do have a number of things working in their favor, beginning with holding a tiebreaker over both Wichita State (18-31, 7-8 MVC) and fourth-place Bradley (23-17, 7-7 MVC). The two teams currently tied for second, Indiana State (30-17, 9-6 MVC) and Southern Illinois (28-19, 9-6 MVC), represent the final two opponents on UE’s schedule this season.
Dallas Baptist (32-15, 11-3 MVC) currently holds a 2.5 game lead at the top of the standings.
If Evansville is to make a push up the standings, chances are that its hot-hitting line-up will play a major role. With six players hitting better than .280 and 46 home runs on the year, the team is enjoying one of its best offensive seasons. Trey Hair and Boomer Synek lead the group with .361 and .344 averages, respectively, combining for 74 scores and 72 runs batted in to go along with 30 doubles and 13 round-trippers.
Josh Jyawook and his .306 average as well as Korbin Williams and his team-leading 10 homers have also impressed, and UE has really depended on contributions from all over the line-up as 12 different players have left the park this season.
Synek, who has played behind the plate virtually all season, also help leads a defensive effort that ranks among the top of the MVC. The senior, who is playing in his first-ever collegiate campaign at catcher, has picked off 13 runners this season, which is a total better than every other MVC team. He’s also caught another 16 stealing.
As a team, the Aces have really helped out their pitching staff, committing the second-fewest errors in the league and posting a .974 fielding percentage.
On the mound, UE will once again turn to Patrick Schnieders on Friday night. The junior out of Westphailia, Mo., will be looking for his first win since April 22, and he enters the weekend with a 4-4 record with a 4.50 earned run average.
Starters for Saturday and Sunday have yet to be determined.
First pitch on Friday is slated for 6 p.m., and Sunday’s 1 p.m. contest will represent the final home game of the year for the Aces. A special pregame ceremony will take place to honor the UE senior class.
TROPICANA EVANSVILLE ANNOUNCES PROJECT 21â PROGRAM SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS
The Project 21â Scholarship Program at Tropicana Evansville is part of an industry-wide initiative to stop casino gambling by people under the age of 21. Tropicana Evansville achieves this objective by using one of the best tools available – education. Students between the ages of 17 and 21 are given the chance to design and submit a poster, a video or a written essay to educate other young people that it is not permissible in Indiana to gamble in a casino under the age of 21. Tri-state area high schools, technical schools, and colleges have participated in this scholarship program over the past several years. Each year $6,000 in scholarship money is awarded to the best entries. Tropicana Evansville has awarded over $52,000 in scholarships to area students since the Evansville program began.
The 2016 Project 21â Scholarship winners are
Best Poster – Makenzie Harrison of Vincennes Lincoln High School, Vincennes, IN
Makenzie plans to attend Butler University to study Pharmacy.
Best Video – Harrison Higgs of North High School in Evansville, IN
Harrison plans to attend IUPUI to study Business and Photography.
Best Essay – Holly Bittner of Gibson Southern High School, Fort Branch, IN
Holly plans to attend Vincennes University to study Public Relations.
Photos attached:
(1)   Makenzie Harrison of Vincennes Lincoln High School
(2)   Harrison Higgs of North High School in Evansville, IN
(3)   Holly Bittner of Gibson Southern High School
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THURSDAYS “READERS FORUM”
WHAT ON YOUR MIND TODAY?
FOOTNOTES: Our next “IS IT TRUE” will be posted on this coming FRIDAY?
Todays “Readers Poll” question is: Who would you vote for If the election was held today for District 77 State Representative seat?
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MARRIAGE TRENDS AND MY MOTHER
By Tom Purcell
My mother is in an enviable place in life as she nears the beginning of her eighth decade. She’s lost her filter, and that doesn’t bode well for me, her only son.
“You have six months to get married or else,†she said to me recently.
I can’t fault her for her concern. Single men can be knuckleheads. We don’t take care of ourselves as we should. We don’t live as long (though some of my married friends tell me marriage only makes life seem longer).
The fact is, marriage is good. Married people have lower rates of depression. Married men earn more — partly because they need to but mostly because they desire to — and married couples are much less likely to experience poverty.
A recent study by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that married people are generally happier than single people. It found that the “happiness bonus†from marriage is greatest during middle age, when people, struggling to pay college tuitions and save for retirement, benefit most from the support of a lifelong partner.
My mother knows this. Thus, the regular phone calls.
“You have five months, one week, four days, two hours and 27 minutes to get married!â€
“But, Ma,†I try to explain, “the world has changed. It’s not like the old days when people married just out of high school or college. A Pew study found that the share of never-married Americans has risen dramatically in the past five decades. It found that 1-in-5 Americans aged 25 and older have never been married, compared with just 1 in 10 in 1960.â€
“You have four months, two weeks, six days, 12 hours and 48 minutes to get married!â€
“But, Ma,†I say, “more and more people are marrying and starting families in their 40s and 50s. Maybe I’m fooling myself, but I still have some time. Tony Randall had his first kid to a young woman when he was 78. Novelist Saul Bellow sired his fourth child at the age of 84. Author George Plimpton had twins at 68. Sure, all three are dead, but I think I made my point.â€
“You have three months, one week, five days, 18 hours and 12 minutes to get married!â€
“But, Ma,†I say, “it’s not that I don’t want to marry. I always wanted to have a marriage like you have with my dad. I had my opportunities over the years, but couldn’t do it when I was younger. I made some bonehead decisions, no doubt. I can’t imagine how different my life will be when you and dad are no longer in it, and I know as I go into the last third of my life, that I’d be incredibly blessed to have a wife to share my life with. But then again I’m awfully set in my ways and maybe marriage just isn’t in the cards for me.â€
“You have two months, two weeks, six days, seven hours and 18 minutes to get married!â€
“But, Ma,†I say, “part of the challenge is to find a woman who is as honest, caring and compassionate as you. You taught me what really matters in life: family, laughter, honesty, beauty. Surely, you don’t want me to marry just anyone — I could have done that a dozen times. Don’t you want me to hold out until I find a woman who is as sweet and fun and funny as you?â€
“Nice try, but you have one month, three weeks, two days and 11 minutes to get married!â€