University Parkway Development - Smart Growth?

Board of Directors Meeting
Wednesday, April 25, 2001
Red Bank Branch Library

President Paul Farmer called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.

Attending: Basden, Bill; Basden, Marge; Bequette, Steve; Berning, Dot; Chapman, Kurt; Cleek, Linda; Farmer, Paul; Foncannon, Ryan; James, Shirley; Kolb, Bonnie; Korb, Jeff; Musgrave, Shelby; Padget, Fred; Poag, Terry; Richardson, Bobbi; Sensmeier, Bernice; Wallenmeyer, Loretta; Wentzel, Sam

Announcements: New board members Ryan Foncannon, representing the USI Student Government Association, and Jeff Korb, At Large member who serves as Membership Chair, were introduced.

Secretary’s Report: Minutes of the March meeting were approved as submitted.

Treasurer’s Report: Bernice Sensmeier presented the March report. She also read an invitation from the Post Office Federal Credit Union, the invitation extending to individual WIA members. In the ensuing discussion, concerns were raised over the appropriateness of WIA seeming to endorse any specific financial institution. It was decided that the Finance Committee will continue to make the most favorable investment choices available and that no action will be taken regarding promotion to members.

Farmer attended the March 22 public meeting regarding the proposed GIS system for Vanderburgh County. Additional meetings will be held on the issue of free vs. fee-for-use access.

Membership in United Neighborhoods of Evansville (UNOE) continues to grow.

No issues of particular interest were before the April meeting of the Area Plan Commission. The May 2 meeting, however, will include action on the Shane’s Point expansion, rezoning along Mill Road, and a change in zoning for the Citgo station at the corner of Lloyd Expressway and Red Bank Road.

Evansville has received Tree City recognition.

Ground was broken for the Jacob’s Village project.

Residents of German Township have expressed concern over a possible sewage treatment plant in the southwest part of the township. Shirley James will investigate.

The By-Laws Committee continues to meet and expects to have recommendations for the memberships later this year.

It was noted that Steve McCallister’s mother recently passed away and the association wishes to convey its sympathy.

Loretta Wallenmeyer will attend the Mater Dei honors event to present the 2000-2001 scholarship.

Traffic reports were distributed.

Kurt Chapman reported that crime in the city was down in January and February but increased in March with the onset of better weather. Spring Break (the last full week in March) was a particularly bad time for criminal mischief, etc. The West Sector (which is everything west of US 41) had the highest incidence of seven of the ten major crime-reporting categories, with criminal mischief and thefts from vehicles being most prevalent.

Steve Bequette reported that auto thefts are the only crime up in the first quarter of 2001 for the VCSD, and that an arrest has been made. He also reported that the newly passed legislation increasing the penalties for methamphetamine offences goes into effect July 1 and praised the efforts of Representative Jonathan Weinzapfel in passing the bill.

The proposed commercial and residential at the Lloyd Expressway and Schutte Road (reported in the morning Evansville Courier & Press) was discussed. It was decided to hold a general membership meeting at Perry Heights School on Wednesday, May 16, at 7:00 p.m., and to invite developer Dan Buck to attend the meeting to present information about the proposed development.

Jeff Korb suggested that this meeting, which will be open to the public, presents an opportunity for membership development.

Fall Festival- The Evansville Freedom Festival has issued WIA an invitation to bring its concession booth to Thunder on the Ohio, June 27-July 1. After some discussion James moved and Bill Basden seconded that we not participate this year.

Parks – Shirley James reported:

· The committee met on April 12 and set goals for the year.

· Joy Fitzgerald has been hired as curator of the Howell Park Wetlands

· The Howell Park Golf Course and Putt-Putt have opened for the season.

· New playground equipment has been installed at Howell Park.

· The next meeting of the Parks Department will be on June 14 at Burdette Park.

· New flags have been placed on the Wabash Avenue of Flags.

· Willard Library is moving forward with plans to improve its grounds, including replacement of some damaged trees.

Farmer asked Doris Eicher, Shelby Musgrave, and Loretta Wallenmeyer to serve on the Nominating Committee.

Linda Cleek presented a preview of the WIA web site, which will be going on line in the near future. Our Internet address will be www.westsideimprovement.org.

The meeting was adjourned at 1:15 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Linda Cleek, Secretary

© 2008 Westside Improvement Association, Inc.