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Westside Improvement Association
Board Meeting
Wednesday, January 22, 2003
Red Bank Branch Library
President Fred Padget called the meeting to order at 11:32
a.m.
Attending: Bequette, Steve; Bernhardt, Wayne; Berning, Dot; Chapman,
Kurt; Cleek, Linda; Eicher, Doris; Hager, Greg; James, Shirley; Kolb, Bonnie; Lockard,
Michael; Musgrave, Shelby; Nethery, Troy; Schapker, Marc; Schapker, Minnie;
Sensmeier, Bernice; Padget, Fred; Roedel, Trena; Wallenmeyer, Loretta; Wentzel,
Sam
The meeting began with introductions by the members of the 2003 Board of
Directors.
Secretary’s Report: Minutes of the previous meeting were not available
and approval was deferred until the next meeting.
Treasurer’s Report: Bernice Sensmeier presented the end-of-year figures
for 2002. WIA had 185 paid members at the end of 2002 and a total bank balance
of $31,818.06. Padget noted that insurance and newsletter costs are up. Mike
Lockard suggested that we check into other possible vendors for the newsletter.
President’s Report:
- Soil & Water Conservation District—the changes in Rule 5
will allow VCSWCD to become involved in smaller projects, however, they have
been given no additional funding to support expanded activity.
- The recent EUTS traffic volume and crash rate report
revealed that the highest crash rate in the county is at the intersection of
Middle Mount Vernon and Boehne Camp Roads. The crash rate is computed by
dividing the number of accidents by the volume of traffic, e.g., if there were
ten cars through an intersection and one accident the crash rate would be 10%.
The highest rates of traffic accidents in Vanderburgh County occur along the
Lloyd Expressway with the Rosenberger/Lloyd intersection highest in WIA
territory.
- Padget and Lockard attended the recent “Meet Your
Legislators” session. Future sessions are scheduled for February 8, March 1
and 22, and April 12. Details are posted on the WIA Web site.
- A seminar for builders on fighting soil erosion will be
held at the 4-H Center on January 30. Details are posted on the Web site.
- Lockard has been appointed to the Area Plan Commission.
- Padget and past president Paul Farmer have been appointed
to the Vision Committee working on a new comprehensive plan.
- Padget distributed a needs inventory for WIA. Included are
are
- A chair and committee to conduct a membership drive.
Shirley James suggested that businesses be represented on the WIA board.
Padget agreed that businesses should be included as a part of the membership
drive. James also suggested recruiting attorney Pam Henzler to replace Gene
Brooks as WIA counsel. Lockard suggested attorney Brad Harris as another
possibility.
- A representative to the Solid Waste Board (Bill Harty
having resigned that position.)
- A representative to the United Neighborhoods of
Evansville (UNOE).
Action Items
- Linda Cleek moved that WIA authorize payment of $20 dues
for UNOE membership for 2003. Sam Wentzel seconded the motion which passed
without opposition.
- When to hold board meetings during 2003 was discussed.
James moved that meetings be held at 4 p.m. on the 4th Wednesday of the usual
months (January, March, April, June, July, September, October). Troy Nethery
seconded the motion which passed without opposition. Checking with the Library
staff revealed that the meeting room is only available until 5:30 p.m. on
those dates.
Law Enforcement Reports
- Kurt Chapman distributed crime reports for 2002. He stated
that most of the WIA territory is included in West Sector Beat 1. James
brought recent vandalism at Howell Park and Wetlands and Moutoux Park to his
attention.
- Padget attended the January West Sector meeting.
- Cleek read a brief report from Steve Bequette, who had to
leave early. The increase in the number of meth lab raids in 2002 was most
significant. Bequette volunteered to present an informational program on
identifying meth labs at a general membership meeting. There was consensus
that this is a good idea and that perhaps the joint EPD/VCSD task force could
be invited. Nethery, who works at the Wal-Mart Pharmacy, explained their
methods for minimizing sales of meth precursor items.
Committee Reports
- Land Use – Lockard reported
- funding for the Jobes Lane water and sewer project is
coming together with support from county and city sources and a grant
submission to the state. It would be useful to WIA to identify situations
that would benefit from this sort of attention and funding on a regular
basis.
- the sewer department will be replacing the lift station
at Broadway and Johnson Lane
- the development by Dennis Owen at Rosenberger and Hogue
Road (Carpentier Pavilion) is proceeding. Owen has purchased the Jerry David
property and is trying to get the ancient lawsuit cleared up.
- Appointment to Area Plan Commission notwithstanding,
Lockard plans to continue as Land Use chair but may require assistance and
others to make presentations to APC.
- Pollution & Conservation – Trena Roedel reported
- A link to the Hoosier Wetlands Web site has been added to
the WIA site.
- The study of Carpentier Creek funded by the Vanderburgh
County Commissioners includes the Creek from south of Nurrenbern Road to
just west of Red Bank Road near Upper Mount Vernon. The consultants on the
project are aware that the Creek’s problems do not recognize these
artificial boundaries.
- DNR maps will be updated, partly as a result of the
Carpentier Creek project.
- The Commissioners are planning a Carpentier Creek tour
later this spring.
- Parks – James reported
- Work continues with the Wabash Heritage Trust merger.
Clem Franke Nature Preserve will be dedicated on Arbor Day (April 25).
Rescheduled to Saturday, April 26, 10 a.m.
- The Westside Soccer League leases a portion of Moutoux
Park for its fields, bringing about 800 youngsters per year to that site.
Leachate and drainage problems continue, with anecdotal evidence that there
may be related cancer cases. Investigation into the contamination continues.
- The beavers are back at Howell Wetlands.
- Lake Victoria at Mesker Park Zoo is reported to have a
hole in the dam. Investigation continues.
- Call Committee—Dot Berning reported that she has four
volunteers assisting her. Anyone who prefers not to receive reminder calls
should let Dot know.
Announcements
- James reported that the Pigeon Creek Greenway Passage is
sponsoring an EcoTour on June 14-15. The Zoo, Howell Wetlands, Greenway,
Burdette Park, and Wesselman Nature Preserve are included.
- Wentzel thanked WIA on behalf of the West Terrace
Neighborhood Association for its support and contributions to the Clem Franke
Nature Preserve efforts. Wentzel has been appointed to the board of directors
of the Wabash Heritage Trust.
The meeting was adjourned at 1:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda Cleek
Secretary
Next general membership meeting: Thursday, February 20, 7 p.m., location TBA
Next board meeting: Wednesday, March 26, 4 p.m., Red Bank Branch Library
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