Public Meeting Schedule Released Regarding Downtown Hotel Project: Mayor Winnecke to Make His Plans Known

08/08/2013

Hotel Project Public meetings announced for month of August to share details

(EVANSVILLE, IN) â€“ Members of the Evansville Redevelopment Commission (ERC) voted today to adopt a resolution approving a project development agreement with developer HCW of Branson, MO, for the Downtown Convention Hotel Project. The vote took place at a special ERC meeting.

Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke said he is very pleased with the ERCâ€™s action. He called todayâ€™s vote â€œa critical stepâ€ that clears the way for an ordinance approving funding for the project to be presented at the Evansville City Council meeting for first reading Monday, August 12, at 5:30 p.m.

The total cost of the project is $74 Million. The City would contribute $20 million toward the hotel and $17.5 million toward ancillary components, such as Sky bridges, Parking Garage, Retail Building, infrastructure and streetscape improvements and renovations to The Centre. Mayor Winnecke said he is confident the County will be contributing to the project.

The project is projected to create 831 jobs during construction and 235 permanent onsite jobs when the hotel and retail complex opens. The public investment will not impact property taxes and instead will be paid for using a combination of revenues from the Downtown TIF, Food and Beverage Tax, Innkeepers Tax and Riverboat Gaming. HCW will not receive tax abatement.

A series of public meetings have been scheduled throughout the city at various times and days to give the community an opportunity to hear details of the Downtown Hotel Project and ask questions. Mayor Winnecke plans to seek final approval of the deal at the September 9 City Council meeting and break ground on the project by late 2013.

Hotel Public Meeting Schedule

Tuesday, August 13th at 6:00 pm Red Bank Library, Howard Room 120 S. Red Bank Rd., 47712

Wednesday, August 14th at 6:00 pm McCullough Library, 5115 Washington Ave., 47715

Saturday, August 17th at 1:00 pm Concordia Lutheran Church, 2451 Stringtown Rd., 47711

Monday, August 19th at 6:00 pm Dexter Elementary School, Auditorium 917 S. Dexter Ave., 47714

Wednesday, August 21st at 10:00 am, Central Library, Browning Room B 200 S.E. M.L. King Jr. Blvd., 47708

Wednesday, August 21st at 6:00 pm North Park Library 960 Koehler Dr., 47710

Grandmother Arrested for DUI with 2-Year-Old Granddaughter

08/08/2013

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Vanderburgh County â€“ Wednesday night, August 7, at approximately 11:00 p.m., Trooper Wes Alexander was driving his patrol car northbound on St. Joseph Avenue south of Mohr Road when the driver of a 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe drove left of center and nearly struck his patrol car. Trooper Alexander immediately turned around and stopped the driver, who was identified as Tamara A. Tevault, 49, of Evansville. Tevaultâ€™s two-year-old granddaughter was also in the vehicle. Further investigation revealed Tevault had taken Clonazepam, Hydrocodone and a morphine pill earlier. Due to her state of intoxication, she was arrested and taken to the Vanderburgh County Jail where she is currently being held without bond.

Redevelopment Commission Approves Downtown Hotel Project

08/08/2013

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Members of the Evansville Redevelopment Commission (ERC) voted today to adopt a resolution approving a project development agreement with developer HCW of Branson, MO, for the Downtown Convention Hotel Project. The vote took place at a special ERC meeting.

Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke said he is very pleased with the ERCâ€™s action. He called todayâ€™s vote â€œa critical stepâ€ that clears the way for an ordinance approving funding for the project to be presented at the Evansville City Council meeting for first reading Monday, August 12, at 5:30 p.m.

The total cost of the project is $74 Million. The City would contribute $20 million toward the hotel and $17.5 million toward ancillary components, such as Sky bridges, Parking Garage, Retail Building, infrastructure and streetscape improvements and renovations to The Centre. Mayor Winnecke said he is confident the County will be contributing to the project.

The project is projected to create 831 jobs during construction and 235 permanent onsite jobs when the hotel and retail complex opens. The public investment will not impact property taxes and instead will be paid for using a combination of revenues from the Downtown TIF, Food and Beverage Tax, Innkeepers Tax and Riverboat Gaming. HCW will not receive tax abatement.

A series of public meetings have been scheduled throughout the city at various times and days to give the community an opportunity to hear details of the Downtown Hotel Project and ask questions. Mayor Winnecke plans to seek final approval of the deal at the September 9 City Council meeting and break ground on the project by late 2013.

EPD opens registration for the fall Citizen’s Academy

08/08/2013

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The Evansville Police Department will be hosting the 2013 Fall Citizenâ€™s Academy beginning on September 10th.
Registration is now open for anyone over 14 years of age who wishes to attend. The sessions will be held every Tuesday night for 10 weeks, ending on November 12th. The sessions will be held at EPD Headquarters at 15 NW Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
You can register online atÂ www.evansvillepolice.comÂ by clicking on the â€˜Citizenâ€™s Academyâ€ link. You can also register by contacting Debbie Baird at 812-436-4948 or by email atÂ dbaird@evansvillepolice.com.
The goal of the EPD Citizenâ€™s Academy is to give members of the community an inside look at the various units of the police department and to create a better understanding and
communication between citizens and police through education.
Some of the presentations include K-9, Traffic Unit, SWAT, Bunco Fraud, Sex Crimes, and a Round Table discussion with Mayor Winnecke, Chief Bolin, and Prosector Hermann.

ERC Rubber Stamps Hotel Agreement, City Council is Next in Line for Approval

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This morning the Evansville Redevelopment Commission voted 4 – 0 to approve the proposal to hand an out of town developer a $37.5 Million gift to build a Doubletree Hotel in downtown Evansville where the Executive Inn once stood. The total cost of the project will be $74 Million and include a hotel, supporting infrastructure, restaurant and retail space, a parking garage, and an apartment building. The ERC’s vote came only 72 hours after the Mayor announced his support for the project at a news conference in the empty lot next to the Ford Center.

Next up in the approval cycle is the Evansville City Council that will hear the first reading next Monday night. The second and third readings along with the vote on funding were set by the Mayor for September 9th. This gives the City Council 3 weeks to complete whatever vetting they deem as necessary before voting on whether or not to borrow $37.5 Million to donate to the developer.

It is also expected according to Mayor Winnecke that the County Commissioners will be refinancing the bonds for The Centre to contribute to the cause as well. No amount has been assigned for the County to contribute at this time but it has been stated that the funds will have to come from refinancing The Centre.

This is the fourth time a development agreement has been announced as approved by the ERC and comes over 5 years after former mayor Weinzapfel triumphantly announced that he had secured the commitment of Browning Investments to complete a 4-Star hotel without public support for $42 Million on the word that a downtown arena would be built? That deal and two later deals all fell apart for reasons from financing difficulties to inexperience in the lodging industry.

This ERC vote comes during a week when it was revealed that the Mesker Amphitheatre is dilapidating rapidly from lack of maintenance, the public pools were closed early to save $72,000, and a 76% sewer rate increase is being drafted for a September vote. The final vote on the sewer rate increase is being considered for a time after the vote on funding for the hotel is completed.

EPD Activity Report: August 7, 2013

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EPD Activity Report: August 7, 2013

VANDERBURGH COUNTY FELONY CHARGES

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Below is a list of felony cases that were filed by the Vanderburgh County Prosecutorâ€™s Office on Tuesday, August 6, 2013.

Darin DietschÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Operating a Vehicle with an Ace of .15 or More-Class A Misdemeanor

(Enhanced to D Felony Due to Prior Convictions)

Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated-Class C Misdemeanor

(Enhanced to D Felony Due to Prior Convictions)

Luther EasleyÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Possession of a Schedule IV Controlled Substance-Class D Felony

Resisting Law Enforcement-Class A Misdemeanor

False Informing-Class B Misdemeanor

Nolan HillenbrandÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Possession of a Schedule II Controlled Substance-Class D Felony

Possession of a Schedule IV Controlled Substance-Class D Felony

Unlawful Possession or Use of a Legend Drug-Class D Felonies

(Two Counts)

Sara McBrideÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Possession of a Schedule II Controlled Substance-Class D Felonies

(Two Counts)

Possession of a Schedule III Controlled Substance-Class D Felony

Possession of Marijuana-Class A Misdemeanor

Charles CollierÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Operating a Vehicle as a Habitual Traffic Violator-Class D Felony

Shane JamesÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Theft-Class D Felony

Battery Resulting in Bodily Injury-Class A Misdemeanor

(Habitual Offender Enhancement)

For further information on the cases listed above, or any pending case, please contact Kyle Phernetton at 812.435.5688 or via e-mail at KPhernetton@vanderburghgov.org

Under Indiana law, all criminal defendants are considered to be innocent until proven guilty by a court of law.

Vanderburgh County Redevelopment Commission Meeting

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The Vanderburgh County Redevelopment Commission will meet on Friday August 16, 2013 at 9:00 a.m. in Room 307 of the Civic Center Complex located at 1 N.W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. to consider, among other things, a proposed Memorandum of Understanding regarding a shell building to be constructed within the Vanderburgh Industrial Park.

PET OF THE WEEK

08/08/2013

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Sofie is a gorgeous one-year-old female cat! She came to a nice family once who tried to keep her, but their other animals did not like Sofie, so they brought her to the VHS so they could help her find her forever family. She is friendly and lives with over 20 other cats at the shelter, so sheâ€™s used to having to share her space. Once she gets used to you, she likes to be held! Sofieâ€™s adoption fee is $30, which includes her spay, microchip, vaccinations, and a bag of food to take home.

IS IT TRUE August 8, 2013

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IS IT TRUE August 8, 2013

IS IT TRUE that today is the day that the Evansville Redevelopment Commission is expected to vote on the yet to be seen agreement between the City of Evansville and the out of town developer chosen to build a new downtown convention hotel with all of the bells and whistles imaginable?…the ERC has been put into a position of being a rubber stamp to a proposal before by Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel on three occasions with respect to this same hotel project?…that all three times the ERC did what their master told them and voted in the affirmative without doing sufficient vetting and three times they wore goat horns with egg on their face for choosing loyalty over cognizant thought?…the ERC also chose loyalty over exercising their mind when rubber stamping Mayor Weinzapfelâ€™s scheme to buy a parking lot down at the McCurdy Hotel for $603,000 and to approve a completely unqualified developer who failed to pay his taxes but still made a healthy contribution to the Weinzapfel for Mayor campaign as the contractor for the project?…we shall see tomorrow morning at the Civic Center at 8 am on the third floor if the Evansville Redevelopment Commission has learned the lesson that VETTING MATTERS?…it is a sad thing to say but the CCO expects the rubber stamp of blind loyalty to be used again?

IS IT TRUE that meetings of the Evansville Redevelopment Commission are public meetings and people are allowed to stand up and have their say?…it will be interesting to see just how many members of the Evansville City Council who are being teed up as the next rubber stamp commission by the Winnecke Administration will actually show up and speak?…this is a good opportunity for Councilman John Friend, CPA who chairs the Budget Committee to ask some of the financially critical questions that he has been pontificating about for months?…tomorrow is the chance for every fiscally conscious member of the City Council to admonish the ERC to read the agreement and think before casting a vote?…we are living in a city where public pools are closed to save $72,000, a 75.8% sewer rate increase is being planned for a September vote, a potentially Billion dollar EPA mandate is coming, yet our appointed and elected officials are being asked by the Mayor to rubber stamp a $37.5 million (or more) gift to an out of town developer to build a hotel downtown?…if we are not living in the TWILIGHT ZONE then there is no TWILIGHT ZONE?

IS IT TRUE this also is happening when the free dental clinic is closed for lack of being able to raise donations of $150,000?…this is only 61 days of interest on the debt that will be incurred to give away $37.5 Million for a hotel?…if this is not a gross case of misplaced priorities then there has never ever been a set of misplaced priorities in the history of Evansville?…this is the sort of thing that drives good people away and makes the rest of the country think that we are not just fat but we are incredibly stupid to put up with a local government whose choices indicate delusion and narcissism?…if the people of Evansville take this laying down or sitting on the couch they are getting what they disserve?

IS IT TRUE that Mike Duckworth, Director of the Vanderburgh County roads may be accepting a new position with the City of Evansville? … that the new position could be in the City of Evansville Water Department?…we also hear that this water department job shall pay about $20,000 more per year than the County position? …we wonder if this position with the city water department was advertised in the local media?…if it wasn’t, could we be correct in saying here is another example of back room political patronage appointment deal between President of County Commission Marsha Abell and the Mayor of Evansville?…we also hear we will be extremely surprised to hear who Marsha Abell selected to replace Mr. Duckworth?…we wonder if Ms. Abell advertised this vacant county position in the local media before making an appointment?

IS IT TRUE that City of Evansville Controller Russ Lloyd, Jr. in the attempt to level out cash deficiencies, asked the county auditor to advance the City of Evansville 50% of the spring installment due in June?…that the auditor granted his request?… that due to these advances, the City’s funds balance, especially in the hospitalization, Parks and Recreation, and General funds will be adversely effected?…that Controller Lloydâ€™s action has distorted the true cash balances on hand?â€¦that we cannot wait until the budget hearings to see how this one gets explained?