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 August 2002
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Westside Improvement Association
General Membership Meeting
Thursday, August 15, 2002
University of Southern Indiana

President Fred Padget called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.

Attending: Cleek, Linda; Harris, David; James, Shirley; Koressel, Robert; Lockard, Michael; McCallister, Steve; Padget, Fred; Peak, Martha Jo; Poag, Terry; Resing, Stephen; Roedel, Trena; Schapker, Marc; Shapker, Minnie; Sensmeier, Bernice; Wallenmeyer, Loretta; Wegner, Pamela; Wentzel, Sam

Secretary’s Report: Minutes of the May 2002 general meeting were approved as submitted.

Treasurer’s Report: Bernice Sensmeier presented the treasurer's report.

President’s Report:

  • The United Neighbors of Evansville (UNOE) has received one check from the city and will be receiving further city support this year.
  • Westside Improvement participated in National Night Out at Garvin Park on August 6. Those assisting at our table were Linda Cleek, Padget, Martha Peak, Mary Rhodes, and Trena Roedel.
  • The Vanderburgh County Soil and Water Conservation District is planning educational seminars for builders in an effort to stop erosion.
  • The “early warning” railroad signals for Ohio Street’s intersections with Fulton Avenue and the Becker Parkway are still “in the works.”
  • The INDOT public hearing on the I-69 studies will be held at Harrison High School on Wednesday, August 21. Doors open at 5 p.m. with an INDOT presentation at 6 and time for public comment from 6:30-9:30.
  • The next Tox-Away Day will be September 14, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at Roberts Stadium.
  • Tire Amnesty Day will be held October 12, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., at the Civic Center.
  • Recycle Day will be Saturday, September 7 at the west side Wal-Mart.
  • WIA will cooperate with the Farm Bureau to conduct a Candidate’s Night later this fall. UNOE may also cosponsor.

Padget and Steve McCallister reminded everyone that newsletter articles are due the first Friday of every month. Submissions are encouraged from WIA members and may be made by mail or fax, although e-mail attachments are encouraged.

Committee Reports:

  • Fall Festival – Padget reported that one day captain is still needed and encouraged everyone to sign up to work. Ninety-nine people worked at least one shift last year.
  • National Night Out/West Sector Police – Cleek presented Padget a plaque recognizing WIA’s participation in National Night Out. She read a public announcement (posted on the web site) concerning the EPD’s reaccredidation process.
  • Scholarship – it was pointed out that the 2001 winners are pictured on the new WIA brochure. The 2002 selection process will be underway in September. George Thompson and Loretta Wallenmeyer will co-chair.
  • Transportation--
    • Padget introduced Steve Resing as the new transportation chair. Resing explained that his job requires driving through various parts of the county so that he has an opportunity to observe road conditions.
    • Resing and Padget attended the August 14 Public Safety Board meeting at which new truck routes were approved. The proposal to make Barker Avenue a truck route from Claremont to the Lloyd Expressway was defeated.
    • Also discussed at the Safety Board meeting was the situation on Barker Avenue near the Reitz High School practice fields. A school-zone speed limit and a flashing caution light are suggested for occasions when children are present for athletic events, practices, etc.
  •  Pollution & Conservation—Trena Roedel reported
    • Efforts to resolve the Jerry David dumping situation continue drag on through DNR.
    • Interest has been shown in getting the Howell Wetlands on the National Wetlands Registry.
    • Shirley James reported that WIA has been invited to send representatives to the annual Wetlands Conference in Indianapolis on September 3. Michael Lockard moved that WIA reimburse those who attend for mileage. Sam Wentzel seconded; the motion passed without opposition. James, Peak, and Roedel will attend the conference.
    • The Howell Wetlands will have a full-time curator, Kristin Moran. Joy Fitzgerald will continue in an advisory capacity.
    • The Parks Department master plan, which is several years old, proposes many of the aims of WIA and efforts should be made to support the plan.
  • Land Use & Planning—Michael Lockard reported
    • He attended a UNOE zoning meeting at which the need for reusing existing structures in preference to new construction was discussed.
    • Accident statistics posted on the WIA web site (provided by the VCSO and the EPD) have been useful in dealing with the Area Plan Commission on the proposed Dorothy Drive rezoning which has been rejected.
    • The proposed apartment development on Middle Mount Vernon Avenue is moving ahead with surveying, etc.
    • WIA is assisting the neighbors of the proposed halfway house at 2013 W. Iowa with their opposition to locating such a facility in a residential area. Many public officials are going on record in opposition to the project. It goes before the Board of Zoning Appeals on September 19 at 4 p.m.
    • Robert Koressel commented that WIA should be proud of Lockard’s efforts in the halfway house matter.
    • Jeff Hatfield of the APC was very complimentary of WIA’s approach to zoning re preparation, etc. It was mentioned that an instruction manual for those seeking rezonings would be useful. Apparently such a thing existed in the past but has fallen out of use.
  • Parks—Shirley James reported
    • The Howell Wetlands needs an interpretive center, docents, etc., in order to realize its potential.
    • James discussed the pending possible merger of the David Dale Owen Land Trust with the Wabash Heritage Trust.
    • The survey of the Clem Frank parcel has been completed and it was found that a corner of the land has been paved and used for parking for the adjacent apartment complex.
    • Bids for construction of the riverfront section of the Greenway will be let in October.
  • Nominating—Sam Wentzel reported
    • Elections will be held at the annual meeting on November 21.
    • The other members of the nominating committee are Shelby Musgrave and Loretta Wallenmeyer.
    • A slate of officers and board members was presented. The slate is attached.
    • James suggested approaching some of the larger businesses about participating in WIA.

Other Business:


Steve McCallister brought up two concerns of west side neighborhoods:

  • Violations of the city noise ordinances
  • Large numbers of unrelated people occupying single-family dwellings, causing problems with traffic, noise, litter, parking, etc.

Cleek will forward the questions to Kurt Chapman, our Beat One CPO.

James and Padget passed along compliments to the newsletter from various public officials.

Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 9 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,


Linda Cleek
Secretary


Next meeting: Wednesday, September 25, 11:30 a.m. at Red Bank Branch Library.

 

 

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