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Westside Improvement Association
Board Meeting
Wednesday, October 22, 2003
Red Bank Branch Library
President Fred Padget called the meeting to order at 4 p.m.
Attending: Bernhardt, Wayne; Berning, Dot; Cleek, Linda; Farmer, Paul;
Gillenwater, Jim; Harty, Bill; James, Shirley; Kolb, Bonnie; Musgrave, Shelby;
Padget, Fred; Roedel, Trena; Sensmeier, Bernice; Thompson, George; Wallenmeyer,
Loretta
Excused Absence: Bequette, Steve
Secretary's Report: Minutes of the September meeting were approved on a
motion by Jim Gillenwater and a second by Bernice Sensmeier.
Treasurer's Report: Treasurer Bernice Sensmeier gave the report.
President’s Report: Padget distributed copies of his report. Highlights
include:
Association Announcements: Dot Berning reported she
attended several sessions of the Regional Neighborhood Association Conference in
October and was impressed by the quality. Paul Farmer, who was involved in the
conference’s organization and management, reported that about 490 persons
attended. Early indications are that the conference was very well received. The
2004 conference will be in Columbus, Ohio, and the 2005 conference in Memphis,
Tennessee.
Law Enforcement: Linda Cleek attended the October West Sector meeting and
reported:
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Crime statistics and other information from EPD are available
on their Web site. A link may be found on the WIA site.
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A new tool for the EPD is a device to measure the amount of
light passing through vehicle windows. State laws regulating the amount of
tint in windows will be enforced using this device.
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September was a bad month for accidents on the Lloyd again
this year. Our reports will include the intersections of St. Joe, Ingle, and
Tekoppel and the Lloyd starting in September 2003. The addition of St. Joe
will add to the monthly number of accidents while the addition on Ingle and
Tekoppel will more accurately report the location of accidents previously
assigned to either Barker or Dorothy.
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Bill Harty questioned why Evansville Police and Vanderburgh
County Sheriff’s officers don’t do more traffic management when accidents
occur. We will bring this up at the next West Sector meeting.
Annual Meeting: Cleek reported the meeting will be held
at the Old Mill on Thursday, November 20. Socializing begins at 6 with dinner at
6:45. Dr. Phil Fisher, dean emeritus of the USI School of Business and
facilitator for the city/county unification study will be the guest speaker.
Records Retention: Cleek has been in contact with Willard Library
officials and will organize moving the records before the end of the year.
Volunteers will be sought at the appropriate time.
Annual Awards:
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After some discussion, Shirley James moved that our awards be
designated “Awards of Excellence” without specific reference to government,
public service, environment, etc., and that specifics be included in a written
statement accompanying the awards. She further moved that winners for 2003 be
Rick Obenshain for his work with watershed and other environmental issues and
Paul Bouseman for his work with Mesker Park Zoo and Botanical Gardens. Wayne
Bernhardt seconded the motion which passed without opposition. George Thompson
recommended that no more than two or three awards be given each year.
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The Board Member of the Year award will be decided by the
president with input from other members.
Committee Reports:
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Fall Festival—Bonnie Kolb reported
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Our income was $12,751.35, an increase of $247.45 over last
year. Most bills are not yet in so no final report is available at this
time. Padget suggested a meeting to debrief the Festival in the near future.
All interested parties will be invited, but particularly the co-chairs and
day captains.
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The cleaning person discovered a $100 bill in the booth and
returned it to Kolb. Kolb asked for opinions on how to recognize this
action. Berning moved, and Gillenwater seconded, that a thank-you letter be
sent along with a check for $25 as a reward. The motion passed without
opposition.
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Scholarships—Thompson reported that Reitz and Mater Dei are to
forward their three nominees by October 31. The scholarship committee will
then select one recipient from each school. He asked that consideration of an
increase in the scholarship amounts be considered for the future.
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Pollution and Conversation – Trena Roedel reported:
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Progress on the “Owen Park” is held up while title issues
are being resolved. The Four Rivers Land Trust is willing to take title to
the land.
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Recycling Days are scheduled for November 1 at the 4-H
Center and December 6 at the Westside Wal-Mart. The east side location
(Super Wal-Mart) is likely to be dropped due to poor participation. The
number of recycle days on the Westside may increase as a result.
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There is no new information on the Carpentier Creek study.
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Transportation – the October newsletter contains information
about recent EUTS actions. There were comments about the seeming inability of
EUTS to get timely meeting announcements to those who are (or may be) on their
committees. Cleek reported the Technical Committee is scheduled to meet on
October 28 and that she is unable to attend.
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Web Site – Cleek reported that a
survey developed by Roedel concerning the
neighborhood park will be up by October 23. She will forward the URL to
members when it is ready.
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Parks – James reported:
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Moutoux Park improvements continue. James would like WIA to
consider a donation to the park next year but suggests waiting to see how
much the city will do.
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Howell Park and the Evansville Parks Foundation are joint
sponsors of “Howell-o-ween Glow Golf” on Friday, October 24. A variety of
activities are planned.
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A parcel of land being held by Valley Watch is now subject
to taxes because it was not transferred to the appropriate not-for-profit
organization in a timely manner. Padget suggested checking with officials of
the Four Rivers Land Trust for advice.
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The contract for Section C of the Pigeon Creek Greenway
Passage was recently awarded to Bernardin Lochmueller.
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A group of Eagle Scouts recently mapped Pigeon Creek with
the aid of global positioning technology and pinpointed all the trash on the
creek. Steps are being taken to get property owners to remove the trash or
give permission for others to do so. Cargill has donated $2,000 for clean-up
at the mouth of the Creek.
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James urged everyone to visit the new Discovery Center at
Burdette Park.
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Land Use—Padget reported:
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Dennis Owen is requesting a rezoning from R-1 and C-1 to C-4
for the parcel of land at 3900 W. Lloyd (south of the Expressway). Padget
will comment on the problems at Owen’s Hogue and Rosenberger development as
well as Owen’s commitment to the neighborhood park.
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The proposed subdivision at Hogue and Boehne Camp Roads was
approved by the Area Plan Commission. Padget pointed out again that existing
laws won’t permit the APC to deny rezonings when the requirements of the
subdivision check-list have been met and that changes in our laws are needed
to give them this power.
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Harty mentioned the recent Safety Board concerns over
traffic resulting from a new Wal-Mart on the south side of the Expressway.
Announcements: Loretta Wallenmeyer reported that the
Vanderburgh County Co-Op sent a check for $100 to St. Paul’s United Church of
Christ in appreciation for use of their facilities for our Candidate’s Night in
September.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda Cleek
Secretary
Next general membership meeting: Thursday, November 20, 6 p.m., Old Mill
Restaurant (annual awards banquet and election of officers)
Next board meeting: January 2004, date, time, and place TBA
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