University Parkway Development - Smart Growth?

Westside Improvement Association
Board Meeting
Wednesday, July 25, 4 p.m.
Red Bank Branch Library

Members Present: Berning, Dot; Cleek, Linda; Farmer, Paul; Harty, Bill; Jeffers, Brenda; Kolb, Bonnie: Moers, Joyce; Outlaw, DeAnna; Padget, Fred; Stagg, Carolyn

Excused absence: Runge, Mel; Thompson, George

Guests: Mary Sheller, Keep Evansville Beautiful; Brian Wildeman, Landscape Architecture Consultant

President DeAnna Outlaw called the meeting to order at 4 p.m.

Announcement: Joyce Moers reported that two students from Resurrection School are the receipts of the WIA scholarships for Burdette Summer Camp. They are attending this week and next.

Secretary’s Report: The minutes of the June meeting were approved on a motion by Paul Farmer & second by Bill Harty.

Treasurer’ Report: Fred Padget presented the report, including an update on the funds for the Shirley James memorial and Adopt-a-Spot.

Guest Speaker: Dot Berning introduced guest speaker Brian Wildeman who has done some architectural design work for our Adopt-a-Spot. Some of his ideas include:

•  Use evergreens behind the gates to hide the ball diamond
•  Container plantings
•  Take advantage of wildflowers and perennials
•  When you use annuals, use lots of them (mass plantings)
•  Using found objects in with the plantings

It was noted that the property is owned jointly by the Parks Department and the Board of Public Works, so any physical changes to structures will need to be approved by the appropriate city authorities.

Committee Reports:

•  Adopt-a-Spot - Berning asked for an additional $150 in funding for our spot. She has a number of suggestions for fall and spring plantings. Harty moved that WIA commit another $150 to the Adopt-a-Spot, seconded by Brenda Jeffers. The motion passed without opposition. Berning read a letter, dated July 2, from Pat McCormick complimenting the group for the great improvements on the corner. Berning also mentioned the feature in the Westside supplement to the Courier and pointed out that Ava Nix and Harty also worked at the spot.
•  Membership Picnic – Berning reported the menu will be fried chicken, barbecue pork, potato salad, baked beans, and all the fixings from Marx Barbecue for $6.85/person.
•  Law Enforcement – Nix summarized June crime statistics and said that Steve Melcher had reported that the signals have been approved and should be in on Ohio Street sometime in 2008.
•  National Night Out –Jeffers reported everything is ready to go. The Surveyors Office crew will set up the table and make sure we get a shady spot. Carolyn Stagg added that the flag ceremony will start about 5:50 (marching down Main Street). Padget brought up the question of 501c3’s “intervening in political campaigns”, in regard to Steve Melcher’s name appearing on the back of the NNO shirts. He thinks those representing WIA might compromise our nonprofit status by wearing the shirts at NNO. He and others will wear WIA shirts instead.
•  Solid Waste – Farmer – 56 tons of trash were picked up on the west side at the Recycle days in 2006. That’s more than half of the county’s total tonnage for the year.
•  UNOE –Farmer reported UNOE is working with local pandemic planning and statewide planning for dealing with chemical spills. UNOE will host an open house at its new offices on the 5th floor of the Hulman Building on August 23, 3-7 p.m. Shelley Kirk will be the moderator at Candidate’s Night on September 27, 6:30 p.m., at the Red Cross.
•  Transportation – Harty discussed the major the traffic backup on the Lloyd after the recent fatal accident at Wabash and the Lloyd. There were apparently no police officers directing traffic. Linda Cleek suggested Nix bring up the issue at the next West Sector meeting.
•  Land Use & Zoning – Padget reported on the following:
  • The Area Plan Commission (APC) will hear the resolution for the University Parkway TIF district on August 9.
  • A requested rezoning at 2708 Claremont is corrective, returning a residence to the proper zoning.
  • The Boehne Hospital development is still in the works. Scott Anderson currently plans to ask for zoning for catering, but not for events (no alcohol permit). If the APC acts on August 9, the issue will go to the County Commission on August 21.
  • There are subdivision issues (which may or may not be significant) on Kasson Road near Weslake and on Hogue Road. No details are currently available.
  • The County Commission will also hear the Jerry David rezoning at Hogue and Rosenberger on August 21.

The meeting was adjourned at 5:50 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Linda Cleek, Secretary

Next Meeting: Membership Picnic, Noon, Saturday, September 15, Burdette Park Shelter # 13



 

© 2008 Westside Improvement Association, Inc.