October 2007

University Parkway Development - Smart Growth?

These minutes are not yet approved.

Westside Improvement Association
Board Meeting
October 24, 2007
Red Branch Bank Library

Present: Cleek, Linda; Farmer, Paul; Gerteisen, Wayne; Hudson, Aphrodite; Jeffers; Brenda; Kolb, Bonnie; Nix, Ava; Outlaw, DeAnna; Padget, Fred; Stagg, Carolyn

Excused Absence: Moers, Joyce; Thompson, George

President DeAnna Outlaw called the meeting to order at 4:07 p.m.

Secretary’s Report: Minutes of the September board meeting were not available for approval.

Treasurer’s Report: Fred Padget reported we now have 10 business/organizational memberships. He distributed a preliminary report on the Fall Festival. This was our highest income year ever; profit levels remain to be determined. A discussion of portion control of barbecue followed. Wayne Gerteisen suggested having a sample portion for reference purposes. Carolyn Stagg had some suggestions for streamlining the order/pick-up process. Lamentations on lack of volunteers and how to recruit more ensued.

Announcements:

Mayor’s Traveling City Hall – will be held tomorrow, October 25, at 5:39 p.m. at Howell United Methodist Church. Padget reported he plans to attend to discuss MS4 designations and requirements. The Vanderburgh County Soil and Water Conservation Group is supposed to be the IDEM-designated MS4 operator for erosion control, etc., but it isn’t currently enforced within the city limits.
Smart Growth Meeting – Saturday, October 27, 9 a.m., Central Library, presentation cosponsored by the League of Women Voters and Sustainable Communities.
INDOT Grants for Elderly/Disabled Transportation – Padget has some information on grant applications for transportation of elderly and disabled people. Churches or community groups may be interested in applying.
Share the Road – Gerteisen reported on local efforts to increase the number of Share the Road signs throughout the area.
Burdette Bike Trail Ribbon Cutting - Friday, November 2, 10 a.m.

Committee Reports:

Web site – Linda Cleek reported updates are forthcoming soon.
UNOE – Paul Farmer reported the UNOE Sparkplug Banquet will be held on Friday, October 26.
Solid Waste District – County Commissioner Troy Tornatta asked that a survey be taken to see if people would pay or donate at recycle days. The survey showed a 50-50 split of those willing and unwilling to pay. For the electronics recycle days, most people said they’d be willing to pay. Other areas will be surveyed over the next few months.
Law Enforcement - Ava Nix reported on crime statistics from the West Sector police reports. She made a handout on Halloween safety available to the group.
Land Use & Planning – no APC meeting was held in October. Coming up is a rezoning off Big Cynthiana Road for residential lots, not seen as problematic. There’s a request to rezone a lot just south of the Lloyd to allow for additional residential building, also not a problem. A request for rezoning a house near Five Points from R1 to C2 to permit opening a resale shop. A use-and-development or covenant may be used to make sure that high-traffic uses are prohibited. The Jerry David lot has been rezoned to C4 with a use-and-development. The current plan is to build an office building.
Shirley James Memorial – Farmer will serve on the committee along with Dot Berning and co-chairs Padget & Cleek.

New Business:

· Banquet - The speaker will be Mizell Stewart, Editor-in-Chief of the Evansville Courier & Press.

· Awards – Outlaw opened the floor for award nominations and discussion.

o Padget suggested John Stoll, County Engineer; Bill Jeffers, County Surveyor; and particularly for this year Beverly Behme, who recently retired from the Area Plan Commission for Outstanding Government Service. Paul Farmer, Brenda Jeffers, PWOO.

o Redesign of old Citizen’s Bank Building on Franklin Street.

o Cleek suggested the Pet Food Center for their long-time assistance to WIA Padget/Cleek, PWOO. To be called Outstanding Service by a Business.

o Burdette for the memorial trees?

o Dot Berning and DeAnna Outlaw for spearheading and maintaining the momentum on the adopt-a-spot. Motion by Gerteisen, second by Jeffers. PWOO

o Philip Outlaw for service above and beyond at the Fall Festival. Golden Spud award? Farmer/Jeffers DeAnna will present this award

o Certificate of appreciation and membership for the 2008 year for Stewart.

o Farmer moved nominations be closed. Cleek seconded , PWOO

Media Committee – Carolyn Stagg asked what the media committee is supposed to do. Outlaw explained that primary duties are to get information to the West Side supplement and other outlets as appropriate. Carolyn will be the new Media chair.

The meeting was adjourned at 5:40 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Linda Cleek, Secretary

Next Meeting: Annual Banquet, Thursday, November 15, 6 p.m., USI University Center