University Parkway Development - Smart Growth?

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

Senior Vice President Fred Padget called the meeting to order at 11:35 a.m.

Attending: Bernhardt, Wayne; Berning, Dot; Chapman, Kurt; Cleek, Linda; Harty, Bill; Kolb, Bonnie; McCallister, Steve; Musgrave, Shelby; Padget, Fred; Poag, Terry; Sensmeier, Bernice; Wallenmeyer, Loretta; White, Martha

Excused: Basden, Bill; Basden, Marge; Bequette, Steve; Eicher, Doris; Farmer, Paul; James, Shirley

Guest: Small, Ed

Announcements:

· Shelby Musgrave reported that the Poplar Grove Neighborhood Association continues to meet and is planning for the west side clean sweep later this summer.

· Loretta Wallenmeyer asked that the reference to "Farm Bureau" in the list of organizations qualifying for seats on the WIA board be changed to "Vanderburgh County Farm Bureau, Inc." to more accurately designate the proper organization. This change will be made before final copies are printed.

Secretary’s Report: Minutes of the June Board meeting were approved after a motion by Steve McCallister and a second by Musgrave.

Treasurer’s Report: Bernice Sensmeier presented the June report. She requested that anyone having a change of address or phone number report it to her so that mailing and phone lists can be kept up to date. A note to this effect will be printed in the newsletter and posted on the web site.

Traffic Reports were distributed.

Guest Presentation: Ed Small, a longtime Evansville resident who works near the intersection of Fulton Avenue and the Lloyd Expressway presented an alternative to the planned interchange at that intersection. McCallister advised that a study of all intersections from Fulton to USI is planned. WIA will take no position on the issue at this time. Small reported that CSX has plans to repair the rail crossing on Franklin Street during August 2001.

Vice President's Report:

· Padget reported that UNOE continues to work on 501 (C) 3 status and development of its by-laws and operational plan.

· The next Area Plan Commission meeting is August 1. A proposed rezoning at 1603 S. Tekoppel Avenue (R3 to C4) may be problematic. Padget will check with the Howell Booster Club to see if they have concerns about the change and will attend the August 1 meeting.

· Copies of Dan Buck's revised petitions for rezoning at the southeast corner of Schutte Road and the Lloyd Expressway were distributed. Padget recapped the process so far and reported that the Schutte neighbors are moving ahead with organizational plans including appointing block captains, a designated media contact (Gregg Baker, 428-3119, gregg.baker@theliebermangroup.com), and meeting with veterans of the east side Super Target battle. WIA will support the neighbors in their efforts rather than lead the opposition to rezoning.

· A town hall meeting is planned for this fall at which development, planning, and growth issues of all kinds will be discussed. Bill Harty moved, with a second from Bonnie Kolb, that WIA be a sponsor of this event. USI will also be a sponsor and will host the meeting.

· Individuals are encouraged to write letters to the Evansville Courier and Press "Sunday Soapbox" on the west side development issue. The deadline is July 31.

Fall Festival Committee: Bonnie Kolb reported that Ron Gatewood will continue to volunteer for morning duty daily and that the same cleaning crew will be used. George Thompson will prepare the lemons. An onion chopper is still needed. We also need to confirm that Ryan Foncannon will captain one day (with assistance from Linda Cleek).

Police Report:

Kurt Chapman reported that the biggest problem areas recently have been the North Park area and the west side (sector 1) where vandalism, mostly broken automobile windows, continues.

· Cleek reported that improvements to and expansion of the web site continues.

· She asked that members contribute "west side stories"--anecdotes concerning past and present life on the west side--that may be posted on the web site and used in the newsletter. Several possible contributors were mentioned. The stories should be about a page or less, may be humorous or touching, personal, political, etc. Stories may be mailed or e-mailed to Cleek or McCallister.

· McCallister reported for Shirley James that a public hearing on pollution in Pigeon Creek is scheduled for Tuesday, July 31, 7:00 p.m. at the 4-H Center Pavilion. A large attendance is encouraged.

· Terry Poag reported that Burdette Park is seeking more space and that the county may take over the Dogtown and Angel Mounds boat ramps, making improvements that may include soccer fields, etc.

· Dot Berning reported that she has spoken with Mesker Zoo's Dan McGuinn about the dumping on zoo property east of St. Joseph Avenue. She is hopeful that the dumping will be stopped and the trash already there removed shortly.

· McCallister reported that he has received no notification of EUTS meetings since last month.

· Wayne Bernhardt asked about plans to finish repaving Diamond Avenue west of St. Joe--work that was started a considerable time ago and never finished. McCallister will look into it and report at the next meeting.

Padget reminded the group that the By-laws revision will be voted upon at the August meeting. Elected officials will also be invited to this meeting, which will be cosponsored by the Vanderburgh County Farm Bureau, Inc.

Respectfully submitted,

Linda Cleek, Secretary

© 2008 Westside Improvement Association, Inc.