Public Meetings - Evansville, Indiana

The Evansville Board of Public Safety held its 21st scheduled meeting of the year on November 4, 2026, at 1:00 PM (agenda time; provided date/time: 2026-11-04 19:00:00+00:00). The meeting featured a public information session on the Flock automated license plate reader (ALPR) camera system, public comments, and routine approvals including road closures, dumpster permits, and other consent items. The board tabled the vote on the Flock 2026–2027 contract pending receipt of the finalized contract approval form (CAF). Consent Calendar - Dumpster Permit: Approved for 406 SE 1st Street (Environmental Cleaning Solutions, LLC) from November 2 through November 13 for removing wood siding. (Ratification of consensus vote.) - Road Closures and Lane Restrictions: - 704 N 1st Ave lane restriction for bird exclusion work (Swat Pest Management, November 24–25). Approved. - Main Street from NW 9th St to E Sycamore and eastbound lane of E Sycamore from Main St to S. Elsas Ave for Feed Evansville food giveaway (November 25, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM). Approved. - 120 S. Red Bank Road lane restriction for storm structure installation (Russell’s Excavating, November 6–20). Approved. - Ohio Street closure from Ray Becker PKWY to Mead Johnson employee west gate entrance for exterior flashing work (November 14 and 21, 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM). Approved. - Dumpster in Street: 1501 Adams Ave (placed on Brookside Drive) from October 29 through November 30 for remodeling debris. Approved. - Secondhand Merchant License: Kaijo Trade & Co., Juliana Wandell, 507 N Greenriver Road. Approved. - Precious Metal Dealer Permit: Premier Gold & Coin, David Charles Arendt, December 15–19 at Hilton Garden Inn. Approved. - Removal of Handicap Parking Space: 517 E Delaware, requested by new property owner Andrew Effinger. Approved. - Approval of Claims: Approved. - Approval of Minutes from October 28, 2026: Approved. - Special Event Permit (Gobbler Gatherer): Evansville Rescue Mission approved for eastbound lane closure on Locust Street and 9th Street between Locust and Walnut Streets, November 23–24, 5:00 AM – 11:00 PM, pending receipt of valid certificate of insurance. Public Comments & Testimony - Philip Alpers (232 Nita Day’s alias): Expressed concerns about Flock cameras, including undisclosed Condor cameras with 32x zoom and live video, audits not addressing national-level side-door loopholes, burst-style image capture (10 frames per second), indefinite retention of case-file PDFs, and questioned why warrants were not used instead of warrantless surveillance. Called for a middle-ground approach. - Christopher Norwich (2728 Harmony Way): Criticized that the public information session was not announced in advance (agenda published only a few hours prior). Questioned whether competitive bidding procedures were followed for the Flock contract (amount over $50,000) and submitted verbal public information requests for documents related to the 2026 and 2027 Flock safety contracts and the ClearView contract renewal. Raised concerns about Flock’s business model not being allowed under European privacy standards, lack of third-party security audits, documented hacks, and over 100 documented abuses nationally (including 7 in Indiana, some with access to Evansville data via data-sharing). Stated that AI-based license plate misidentification has led to wrongful arrests. - Brenda Latham (430 S. Kelsey Avenue): Requested a flashing warning light at the intersection of Walnut Street and South Alvard Boulevard for students crossing to Harper Elementary. Noted lack of crossing guards and drivers not stopping. Her husband was killed in a cycling accident four years ago. The board made a motion directing staff to contact traffic engineering to investigate the intersection for safety improvements, which was unanimously approved. Discussion Items - Public Information Session on Flock ALPR System: - Chief Smith (Evansville Police Department) opened the session, stating the current Flock contract expires in about two weeks. He proposed moving from three-year to one-year contracts to allow annual community re-evaluation. Emphasized no misuse of Flock in Evansville, transparency portal on the website, and internal audits every 45 days. Cited that Flock helped achieve murder clearance rates in the 90th percentile and assisted in recovering a kidnapped child within 20 minutes, locating a silver alert, and identifying suspects in a recent homicide using shared data with Kentucky. - Phil Arnold (Flock Safety Public Affairs Manager, former police chief) described Flock as an ALPR company; cameras only photograph the back of vehicles and license plates (no facial recognition). Data is owned by the agency; retention at EPD is 30 days (up to 90 days if investigation-related with a case number, saved as PDF indefinitely). Discussed guardrails: internal/external audits, automatic pattern detection for misuse, and a new auto-shutoff tool (starting January 2027) that locks out officers if misuse alerts go unanswered. Claimed Flock is the only ALPR company with such safeguards. Mentioned a third-party security audit by Bishop Fox and a bug bounty program. - Capt. Patrick McDonald (oversees criminal investigations) clarified that Evansville uses Falcon and Falcon Flex cameras (still photo, not video) and does not have Condor (facial recognition, weapon detection) or Raven (live pan-tilt-zoom) cameras. Explained that Flock is used as lead information only; all plates are human-verified before enforcement. Stated that a recent federal case in another district ruling evidence inadmissible is not binding locally. Reiterated that no misuse has occurred in Evansville. - Old Business: - Ratification of dumpster permit at 406 SE 1st Street (approved under consent). - Departmental Reports: - Police Department: Request for approval of Flock 2026–2027 contract was tabled (motion carried) until the next meeting on November 18, 2026, pending receipt of the finalized CAF. - Special Event Permit (Sgt. Winsett absent): Annual Gobbler Gatherer event approved as noted in consent calendar. - Other Business: - Fire Department vehicle purchase: Battalion Chief Nick Raver reported that a 2026 Ford F-350 single cab dually was found for $45,604 after sealed bids for a truck to pull the boat received no responses. The purchase had been approved at the previous meeting; the board confirmed the approval is sufficient, and no further vote was needed. - Consumables pricing: Dr. Nay Streeter (purchasing) explained that a request for quotes for fire department consumables (under $50,000 for two months) resulted in a pricing sheet from Boundary. The board approved the pricing agreement (not a contract), with the understanding a formal bid will be issued for future needs. - Change order for E1 heavy rescue apparatus: The September 15, 2026 change order reflecting a revised contract price of $1,096,326 was previously approved subject to CAF approval. The CAF having been submitted and approved, the board formally approved the agreement. Key Outcomes - Flock 2026–2027 Contract: Tabled until the November 18, 2026 meeting (next scheduled meeting) to allow receipt of the finalized CAF. No vote taken. - School Crossing Safety: Board unanimously approved a motion directing staff to contact traffic engineering to investigate installing a flashing warning light at Walnut Street and South Alvard Boulevard for students crossing to Harper Elementary. - Road Closures/Dumpsters/Dealers: All consent items (listed above) approved unanimously during the consent section and subsequent votes. - Claims and Minutes: Approved. - Next Meeting: Wednesday, November 18, 2026, 1:00 PM, Civic Center Room 301. - Adjournment: Meeting adjourned.

The Board of Park Commissioners held its regular meeting on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at 12:00 PM. The meeting was called to order, and the minutes from the October 21, 2026 meeting were approved unanimously. Consent Calendar - Approved surplus of two large mirrors from C.K. Newsome Center to the Children's Center for Dance Education. - Approved and executed agreement with Everything Exterior for Amazonia flat roof replacement at Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden. - Approved and executed CenterPoint interconnection agreement for parking lot solar array at Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden. Discussion Items - Igleheart Splashpad Fence Encroachment Amendment: Superintendent Scott Fankhouser requested approval of an amendment to the CenterPoint encroachment agreement to extend the fence into the parking lot for safety. Approved unanimously. - Igleheart Splashpad Change Order 3 ($27,029.49): Fankhouser detailed itemized costs including fleck flooring for bathrooms ($7,580), additional striping ($525), ADA sidewalk repair ($9,975), removal of concrete ribbon under fence, repainting exterior doors ($2,346) due to heat absorption, French drains ($5,008.49) for water issues, and a buck booster for pump ($1,595) to prevent power dropout. Approved unanimously. - Informational Signage at Howell Wetlands: Mariah Bradley (co-Executive Director of Wesselman Woods) presented a proposal to install two signs funded by Altrusa International Group ($2,000) featuring migrating birds and beavers as a keystone species. Also, a beaver baffle to mitigate flooding, funded by West Side and Dutch Club (up to $5,000). Approved unanimously. - Golfmoor Park Tennis Court Resurfacing Bids: Two bids were opened: Tennis Technology Inc. base bid $113,793 with an alternate fence item at $35,003; Superior Asphalt Maintenance base bid $110,050. Taken under advisement. - Wesselman Park Main Restroom Project Bids: Five bids were opened: ARC Construction $745,000; Midwest Contracting & Maintenance $798,000; Sellers Masonry $792,000; Dyke Brothers Lumber & Construction $853,600; Danco Construction $962,000. Taken under advisement. - Amazonia Boardwalk Change Orders 3 and 4 ($12,979): For Custom Mechanical to address unforeseen footing issues during bridge disassembly at Mesker Park Zoo. Approved unanimously. Key Outcomes - Approved minutes of October 21, 2026. - Approved consent calendar items (3 items). - Approved Igleheart Splashpad fence encroachment amendment. - Approved Igleheart Splashpad Change Order 3 ($27,029.49). - Approved informational signage at Howell Wetlands. - Opened and took under advisement bids for Golfmoor Park tennis court resurfacing and Wesselman Park main restroom. - Approved Amazonia boardwalk Change Orders 3 and 4 ($12,979). - Approved payroll and vendor claims. - Meeting adjourned.

The Evansville Police Department Pension Board held a regular meeting on November 4, 2026, at 8:23 AM in Room 307 of the Civic Center Complex. The meeting followed an executive session closed to the public for discussion of confidential records and prospective employees (I.C. § 5-14-1.5-6.1(b)(7) and I.C. § 5-14-1.5-6(b)(5)). Mayor Stephanie Terry was absent. The board achieved a quorum and addressed applicant approvals, financial reports, deaths of pension beneficiaries, and a resignation. Executive Session - A closed executive session was held prior to the open meeting at 8:15 AM to discuss confidential records and prospective employees. No details of the executive session were disclosed in the open meeting. Discussion Items - Applicant 26-151: The board moved to accept applicant 26-151 (previously discussed in executive session). The motion was made and seconded, and passed unanimously by voice vote. (Note: Applicant 26-108, listed on the agenda, was not mentioned in the transcript or voted upon.) - Approval of Minutes: The minutes from the October 14, 2026 meeting, which had been emailed to members, were approved as presented by a motion from Treasurer Robert Gunter, seconded by Chief Phil Smith. Motion passed unanimously. - Financial Report – 1925 Fund: Secretary Rick Hubbard reported two payroll figures: October 15, 2026 payroll of $240,017.12, and October 31, 2026 payroll of $238,230.62. (Note: The agenda listed both payrolls as $240,017.12; the transcript corrected the second figure to $238,230.62.) - Deaths of Pension Beneficiaries: - Sandra K. Berlin, widow of Charlie Berlin, passed away on October 24, 2026. No qualifying dependents. Motion to remove her from pension payroll made by Chief Smith, seconded by Erik Belford, passed unanimously. - Valdezo Hawkins, widow of Robert Hawkins, passed away on October 14, 2026. No qualifying dependents. Motion to remove her from pension payroll made by Chief Smith, seconded by Kyle Kassel, passed unanimously. - Resignation: Officer Anthony D. Stephenson (Badge 1596) resigned after serving 2 years, 10 months, and 8 days, effective November 30, 2026. - Good of the Board: The next regular meeting was scheduled for December 2, 2026, at 8:15 AM in Room 307. Key Outcomes - Applicant 26-151 was accepted into the pension system. - Minutes of October 14, 2026 were approved. - Sandra K. Berlin and Valdezo Hawkins were removed from the pension payroll. - The resignation of Officer Anthony D. Stephenson was noted. - The meeting adjourned at 8:27 AM.

The Evansville Fire Department Pension Board of Trustees met on November 2, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. local time (15:00 UTC). The agenda listed an 8:59 a.m. start, while the transcript records the meeting being called to order at 9:00 a.m. Chuck Mangold presided, and roll call was taken. No official minutes were available. The board approved prior meeting minutes, handled four pension payroll changes, announced the next meeting, and adjourned. Consent Calendar - Approved the previous meeting's minutes by motion and second; the voice vote was all in favor, with no discussion recorded. - No old business was presented. Discussion Items - New business: the board considered a motion to remove Lennis Kirk from pension payroll; it was moved, seconded, and approved by voice vote, all in favor, with no discussion. - Considered a motion to add Virginia Kirk to pension payroll; it was moved, seconded, and approved by voice vote, all in favor, with no discussion. - Considered a motion to remove Leanne Reece from pension payroll; it was moved, seconded, and approved by voice vote, all in favor, with no discussion. The transcript spells the name 'Reese.' - Considered a motion to remove Judy Carr from pension payroll; it was moved, seconded, and approved by voice vote, all in favor, with no discussion. - The next meeting was announced for Tuesday, January 5, 2027, Room 307 at 0900, with the hope that it would be in the same room. Key Outcomes - Previous meeting minutes approved. - Lennis Kirk removed from pension payroll. - Virginia Kirk added to pension payroll. - Leanne Reece removed from pension payroll. - Judy Carr removed from pension payroll. - Next meeting set/announced for Tuesday, January 5, 2027, Room 307 at 9:00 a.m. - Meeting adjourned by motion, second, and voice vote, all in favor.

On October 29, 2026, at approximately 09:45 UTC, the Evansville licensing board convened with no minutes from the previous meeting. The board approved a large slate of construction, roofing, HVAC, and electrical license applicants based on exam scores, voted unanimously to impose a three-year license suspension, and discussed updates to the residential contract exam. Consent Calendar The following applicants were approved by voice vote after motions and seconds: Construction and Roofing: - Andre Diaz – drywall partition, 84% - Jacob Williams – commercial construction parts 1 and 2, 74% and 74% - Leo Post – commercial construction parts 1 and 2, 78% and 78% - Richard Riggs – commercial construction parts 1 and 2, 74% and 74% - Richard Williams – commercial construction parts 1 and 2, 72% and 84% - Stephen White Jr. – brick and masonry, 72% - Aaron Waddell – residential construction parts 1 and 2, 80% and 72% - Chad Alstock – commercial construction parts 1 and 2, 70% and 74% - Christina Gray – unlimited concrete, 70% - Charles Reeves – fire sprinkler, 72% - Cody Sunderhouse – commercial construction parts 1 and 2, 74% and 70% - Deborah Bieber – excavating, 76% - Deborah Bieber – underground utilities, 72% - Daniel Wagner – underground utilities, 80% - Joshua Colbert – unlimited roofing (transcript initially said 'underground roofing'), no exam score stated - Jordan Funk – residential contractor parts 1 and 2, 76% and 80% - Jason Gaddis – building installation, 72% - John Gibson – commercial construction parts 1 and 2, 76% and 76% - Peyton O'Brien – residential contractor parts 1 and 2, 72% and 76% - Tyson Martin – residential contractor parts 1 and 2, 80% and 76% HVAC: - Sean Bean – HVAC, 72% - Austin Oglesby – HVAC journeyman, 70% - Braden Whitfield – HVAC journeyman (transcript shows 'HBAC'), 72% - Kelly Copeland – HVAC journeyman, 80% Electrical: - Jacob Elleman – journeyman electrician, 71% - Luke Castle – journeyman electrician, 75% - Cameron Bland – journeyman electrician, 80% - Rory Bain – journeyman electrician, 84% - Jose Chavez Carlos – journeyman electrician, 84% Discussion Items - Old business: The board took up a single item of old news, a proposed three-year suspension of Jacob Key's license. - New business: The SIBA residential contract exam has experienced glitches and is not currently available to applicants. A member reported that Bill Petby took the test and it appeared to be working, so the board should begin using it. - Exam cycle update: The board currently uses the 2023 exam. The first meeting with the exam body (transcribed as 'NASCAR') is scheduled for the following day, and they are targeting implementation of the 2026 exam by May 2027, following a three-year cycle. This timeline is not yet official. Key Outcomes - All listed applicants were approved unanimously by voice vote. - The board voted unanimously to suspend Jacob Key's license for three years. - The board intends to start using the SIBA residential contract exam after a satisfactory test by Bill Petby. - The exam update to the 2026 version is targeted for May 2027, pending official confirmation. - The meeting adjourned by voice vote.

The Board of Public Safety held its regular meeting on October 28, 2026, at 1:00 PM at the Civic Center Complex. The meeting included departmental reports, routine consent items, and a public comment period focused on the Flock automated license plate reader (ALPR) camera contract. Consent Calendar - Police Department: Approved the surplus of six patrol vehicles (2013 Dodge Chargers and Ford) that have reached end of life, and approved a one-year extension to the service agreement with Muensterman. - Fire Department: - Approved the consumable quote bid RFQ‑011-01‑2026, subject to review by the controller’s office, purchasing, and legal. - Awarded the boat bid (IFB 011‑03‑2026) to Stanley, waiving irregularities, contingent upon purchasing department approval of required forms. - Authorized an open‑market purchase for a tow vehicle after no bids were received (IFB 011‑04‑2026). - Approved a change order for the E1 Heavy Rescue Apparatus with a revised contract price of $1,096,326, subject to submission of a CAF at the next meeting. - City Engineering: - Approved a 15‑minute parking zone on the north side of Walnut Street between Frederick Street and Rotherwood Avenue (requested by the University of Evansville). - Approved a “no on‑street parking” restriction on Michigan Street from First Avenue to the new cul‑de‑sac (requested by Amcor). - Special Event Permits: Approved all five requests: - Junior Achievement JobSpark (Nov 3‑4, 7 AM – 2 PM, street closures on Locust and 9th Streets). - Four Freedom Veterans Parade (Nov 14, noon – 5 PM, route in downtown and west side). - Annunciation Parish Eucharistic Procession (Nov 22, noon – 1 PM, religious procession through Bayard Park area). - Jacobsville Area Community Corporation Christmas on North Main Parade (Nov 22, 2 – 5 PM, Main Street to Garvin Park). - University of Evansville Winter on Walnut 2026 (Dec 4, 5 – 8 PM, Walnut Street between Rotherwood and Weinbach). - Road Closures (Consent): - 3200 N Burkhardt Road – lane restriction for asphalt removal and curb work (private development). - Cherry Street between 2nd and 3rd – tree removal, curb, and sidewalk replacement (city infrastructure project). - 1012 Cherry Street – sewer tap (one‑day project). - 1917 Lodge Avenue – water main tap (one‑day project). - 201 Main Street – temporary sidewalk use for window replacement. - Dumpster in Street: Approved placement at 1101 SE Riverside Drive (on Shawnee Drive) for a house clean‑out, Oct 30 – Nov 20. - Precious Metal Dealer: Licensed Road Show Concepts, LLC to operate at the Hilton Garden Inn, Nov 10‑14. - Other Business: Approved claims and approved the minutes of the October 14, 2026 meeting. Public Comments & Testimony Three members of the public spoke during the public comment period, all opposing the renewal of the Flock ALPR camera contract. - Brendan Dillingham argued that the cameras violate the Fourth Amendment, citing the recent federal ruling in United States v. Kyle and Carpenter v. United States. He demanded the board not renew the contract. - Philip Albers criticized the 30‑day retention period used by the Evansville Police Department (versus Flock’s current 7‑day default) and raised concerns about the nationwide sharing system that allows 7,000 other agencies to access Evansville’s data without notification. He urged the board to reduce retention and opt out of the sharing network. - Bart Heath contended that the surveillance system infringes on constitutional rights and called the gradual private implementation a threat to liberty. The board listened without making any direct response regarding the Flock issue. Key Outcomes - All departmental and consent items were approved unanimously by voice vote. - No action was taken by the board on the Flock contract concerns raised during public comment. - The next regular meeting is scheduled for November 4, 2026, at 1:00 PM in Room 301 of the Civic Center Complex.

On Wednesday, October 28, 2026, the Evansville Human Relations Commission (HRC) held its regular board meeting, scheduled for 11:30 a.m. in Civic Center Room 301 in Evansville, Indiana. The board approved minutes as corrected, debriefed the Annual Dinner & Mayor's Celebration of Human Rights Awards, discussed the upcoming 12:30 p.m. strategic planning session and broader community violence concerns, reviewed the Black History Month Banner Project, and received updates from the Director and legal counsel. A quorum was present. Note: the raw transcript refers to the chair as "Ruby McLean" at points; the official agenda lists Ruby McGlown. Consent Calendar - Agenda requests: none. - Minutes: Motion to approve the minutes as corrected, changing the referenced approval from September to August. The motion passed unanimously (all in favor, none opposed). Annual Dinner & Mayor's Celebration of Human Rights Awards (Debrief) - Director Diane Clements-Boyd opened a debrief of the annual dinner. Commissioners praised the event: the room was large and full, and the food service was excellent - one commissioner ranked the meal among the top three they've had at the venue and noted the food was served hot. - Ticket sales were approximately 300, similar to the prior year. Sponsorships were lower than in past years, which Director Boyd said the commission needs to explore and improve. - A recording of keynote speaker Reverend Barber exists with two cameras and good quality, but the viewing links were not working; staff are working with the AV technician to make it available to commissioners on a password-protected internal server for archival purposes. - Commissioner Samantha Buente recommended directly soliciting previous ad buyers. She said she sponsored an ad last year, was not asked again, and would have said yes - calling for better follow-up and record-keeping. Director Boyd agreed the commission could use more help and better delegation, and noted sponsors normally receive a thank-you card and a copy of the speaker's book. - The speaker's books did not arrive from the vendor this year; the speaker's tight schedule also prevented a formal book signing, though he signed books attendees brought. Staff are still trying to purchase the books, potentially from another vendor. - Commissioner Buente relayed community feedback that the last few featured speakers have been religious leaders and that some community members would prefer a non-religious leader. Director Boyd said the selections were based on civil rights and diversity/inclusion work, not religious affiliation, but agreed the commission should consider diverse perspectives in future planning. Buente said the feedback was worth keeping in mind for the next planning cycle. Strategic Plan Session and Community Violence Discussion - Director Boyd reminded the board that the strategic plan session would begin at 12:30 p.m. in Room 318, with staff present, and encouraged commissioners to voice concerns about drafts before finalization. - The board discussed the upcoming Evansville Town Hall Part 2 at Zion Church on October 29 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m., following a first session at the Dream Center. Commissioners noted Chair McGlown attended the Dream Center session, and a commissioner was asked on short notice to moderate after the scheduled moderator could not attend; that moderator's opening remarks emphasized root-cause analysis of crime rather than a law-enforcement-only focus. - Commissioner McGlown said the forums were missing the actual young people most affected by violence; the youth who attended were "handpicked" and well-spoken. She called for "boots on the ground" outreach and meeting youth "at their point of need," citing a funeral for a recent murder victim attended by nearly 700 youth, and a young man on the news who said, "We don't have anything to do. We have nowhere to go." - A commissioner expressed broader community concerns: residents losing confidence in elected officials, questions about transparency and accountability, compromised trust between law enforcement and the community, reluctance to report crimes, and the need for mentorship, conflict resolution, mental health resources, family support, educational opportunities, and positive alternatives to violence. The commissioner also cited the school-to-prison pipeline and the absence of visible restorative justice, and referenced a recent death involving police where public video and a report appeared to conflict. - Commissioners discussed a Divine Nine candidate forum at the Boys & Girls Club where candidates gave no concrete answers on the school-to-prison pipeline; a 2016 study on the issue was noted as never acted on. Commissioner McGlown suggested commissioners gather informally to discuss issues and organize outreach, while following protocol. Director Boyd said meeting details would be shared with all commissioners. Old Business: Black History Month Banner Project - Director Boyd said she will meet with Adam Trinkle next week to plan the 2027 Black History Month Banner Project and hopes to avoid last year's issues. - Community suggestions include Haynie's Corner and the Lincoln Avenue Corridor. A commissioner who serves on the Haynie's Corner board said that board supports placing banners there. - The project will use a two-year cohort; committee members from last year will serve again this year. - The board also noted the commission's outreach person was missing from the staff listing in the minutes; Director Boyd said she did a good job reporting last month and will have an announcement next month. Counsel Report - Ted Ziemer IV was absent due to a doctor's appointment with his wife. - In the district court case, opposing counsel filed for an extension; HRC's attorney, Kyle Biesecker, did not object. The response to the complaint is due the first week of November. Director's Report - The Director reported 13 complaints filed in September, 3 transferred to the EEOC, and approximately 77 cases open at the end of August. The transcript also states "there were two 10 new cases added," which is unclear. - Few closures occurred in September because the end of the EEOC fiscal year and a federal funding glitch put cases in a holding pattern; the EEOC asked the commission not to close cases until resolved. Housing cases are still being closed. One settlement was negotiated. - The commission did not meet its contractual obligation with the EEOC for the fiscal year; the new EEOC fiscal year began October 1, 2026. - Outreach and education meetings were limited in September due to annual dinner planning; other staff maintained regular meeting cadences. Open Discussion & Commissioners' Remarks - Commissioners acknowledged the passing of Mistella Moss's brother, who died at age 100; his service is Saturday. - The Mayor's Gala is scheduled for Saturday, December 12, at City View. - The board discussed state rules for virtual participation: at least 50% of board members (six) must be physically present; otherwise the meeting must be canceled or postponed. Off-site members must be seen and heard to vote, and virtual attendance is limited to two consecutive meetings. One commissioner described the rule as "draconian" and said the board will proceed if six members are physically present, unless someone objects. - Meeting dates were changed: the November meeting will be November 18 because of Thanksgiving, and the December meeting is set for December 16 (per the invitation). One commissioner cannot attend the November meeting. - A motion to adjourn was made and seconded; the meeting adjourned, with commissioners planning to move directly to the strategic planning session. Key Outcomes - Minutes approved as corrected (all in favor, none opposed). - The board will work on improving sponsor and ad solicitation follow-up and record-keeping. - The strategic planning session will take place immediately after the regular meeting at 12:30 p.m. in Room 318. - The Black History Month Banner Project will continue with a two-year committee cohort; 2027 planning is ongoing, with a meeting with Adam Trinkle scheduled for next week. - November 18 and December 16 meeting dates were set. - No other formal votes were taken during the meeting.

The Construction and Roofing Board met on October 28, 2026, at 3:43 p.m. to review contractor and remodeler license applications, receive an update on the delayed residential contractor exam, and discuss a public complaint about the online permit search. All 10 board members answered roll call. Consent Calendar - The board approved the previous meeting's minutes by unanimous voice vote; the minutes noted that the prior meeting lacked a quorum. - By unanimous voice vote, the board approved the following applicants: - Joseph E. Anderson - Residential Contractor, Verity Innovations - George B. Davenport - Residential Contractor, Titan Construction - Thomas D. Dean - Commercial Contractor, Dean Builds Inc. - Austin J. Giles - Residential Remodeler - Isaac Largel - Residential/Commercial Contractor, L&S Contracting - Paul M. McCully - Commercial Contractor, Parkway Construction - Christopher L. Mooney - Residential Remodeler, Sho Pro of Indiana - Cody R. Robinson - Drywall Partition, The Patch Patrol - Emilee Santos - Residential Contractor, Premium Steel - Aaron W. Schuck - Residential Contractor/Wood Framing, L&S Contracting - Joseph S. Trevino - Residential Contractor, Matador Equity - For Joseph S. Trevino, the board briefly reviewed the notary date on his application before approving it unanimously. - The transcript also includes two additional unanimous approvals that do not appear on the agenda: an applicant identified as "Reinitz Joseph" (residential remodel) and an applicant identified as "Stasek Michael" (commercial contractor). Continuing Education - No continuing education was reported. Old Business: Residential Contractor Exam Update - Bill Petke of the Builders Association reported that the Siba residential contractor exam had not yet been administered because of a program glitch. - He said he took the test that day, that the questions are code-based with some administrative questions, and that the system should be fully operational within the next couple of days. - The proctoring software will verify the applicant's identity by comparing the driver's license to a live photo and will monitor test-taker behavior. - Petke apologized for the delay and said the Builders Association would cover the credit-card convenience fee for approved applicants affected by the delay through the rest of the year. - He said work on the commercial contractor exam could begin in December, pending the board providing the exact books or publications to use for test questions. - He noted that Indiana's next commercial building code has not been signed by the governor and cannot take effect until 180 days after signature; the current test is based on a 2006 code that Indiana never adopted. New Business: Permit Search Complaint - A board member reported that residents had called about the online permit search not showing certain locations, particularly Ascension hospital, where three contractors were doing the same scope of work. - A permit existed under an out-of-town contractor, but it was not coming up in the online search. - Staff said a recent system upgrade may have caused the issue, the compliance officer is out until Friday, and Chris will inspect the site the next morning. Key Outcomes - All applicant motions carried by unanimous voice vote. - The next board meeting is scheduled for November 18, 2026, at 3:30 p.m. in Room 307. - Staff will follow up on the online permit-search issue and inspect the Ascension hospital site. - Commercial exam development is targeted to begin in December, and the association will absorb the affected test convenience fees for the rest of the year. - The board adjourned by unanimous voice vote.

The Vanderburgh County Data Center Research Committee met Tuesday, October 27, 2026, from 1:00 to 3:00 PM in Room 301 of the Civic Center Complex in Evansville, Indiana. Chair Lloyd Lamberton led the meeting. Committee members present included Jason Nabb, Scott Ambrose, Tom Settler, Jenna Richardt, Lauren Lynch, John Bates, John Dykoff, John Robertson, Richard Reed, Chai Mamadala, Susan Hardwick, and Mark Murray; County Commissioner Mike Gable also attended. The committee approved the prior minutes, reviewed fire/EMS/EMA/public safety recommendations, began planning an evening public comment session, heard community comments, and discussed research on health impacts of data centers. Consent Calendar - Roll call was completed. - The October 20, 2026 meeting minutes were approved by voice vote after a motion and second. The minutes text was not included in the source material provided. Public Comments & Testimony - Melanie McDowell thanked the committee for its due diligence, suggested using a cell phone recording on Facebook and the 4-H Center as a larger venue, and asked whether the ordinance would require millions of dollars in decommissioning and cleanup because the technology may be outdated in three to seven years. She said communities in Warrick and Posey counties do not want data centers, expressed concern about cancer rates and air quality in the Ohio River Valley, and predicted that most public comments will be opposition. - Mike Gable, Vanderburgh County Commissioner, thanked the volunteer committee and said the commission needs its support. He acknowledged the room is small, said recording at the library can be expensive, cited a recent $2,500 event-recording cost, and said the commission might revisit recording if the committee thinks it is important. - Margaret Connolly suggested contacting Vicky Small about the League of Women Voters recording arrangement shown on WNIN, and about possible library recording equipment. Discussion Items Data Center Tour and Amazon Outreach - Lloyd Lamberton reported that he had contacted Amazon representatives for the South Bend-area facility and South Bend officials, and was waiting to hear back about a possible committee tour. He had also spoken with Amazon staff at a public event and formally requested a tour. - Committee members who attended the Amazon open house reported a large Amazon team answered questions on many topics. Lloyd said he spoke with economic development and environmental staff, including about South Bend's pretreatment program and challenges. One member learned the South Bend facility's actual wastewater discharge was substantially less than its permitted amount, that water use is seasonal because air cooling is used in the winter, and that backup power comes from diesel generators with limited annual run hours. Members noted the words emergency and temporary may need to be defined, and questioned why natural gas was not used instead of diesel; infrastructure differences were cited as a likely reason. Section 16: Fire, EMS, EMA, and Public Safety - Richard Reed presented on fire, EMS, EMA, and public safety. He said the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), building codes, OSHA, the Area Planning Commission, and county road use agreements/INDOT already govern construction, suppression, egress, and traffic. He said existing local employers such as Cook, Sterling, AstraZeneca, power plants, refineries, and Toyota have internal response teams, emergency action plans, and standard operating guidelines. - Reed identified the main gap as the absence of an ordinance requirement for live, hands-on training, site tours, and developed standard operating guidelines before a data center starts operating. He recommended requiring developer/operator-funded training and planning, including during construction before testing and power-up, and said this should include communication about specialty equipment needed by responding departments. He noted many nearby counties are still developing ordinances and that South Bend had not responded to his inquiries. - Committee discussion supported an all-of-the-above approach: existing regulations, ordinance language, and development contracts should all require adequate fire safety, planning, and training, especially because large data-center developers may not be local companies. Members broadly agreed that any additional fire resources, such as firefighters, trucks, or stations, should be funded by the developer rather than shifting costs to property taxpayers. - A member cited the Louisville Powerhouse campus, described as 157 acres and 400 to 402 megawatts, with $12.5 million provided to Pleasure Ridge Fire Department. Reed suggested comparing facilities on a per-megawatt basis and noted that county councils and economic development agreements handle many funding decisions. - Members discussed lithium-ion battery risks, including hydrogen fluoride and hydrofluoric acid, and the need for air quality sensors, fixed or third-party monitoring, and training for all local fire departments. Reed agreed and cited refinery boundary monitoring as a model. - Members discussed possible city/county mutual aid or contractual fire protection for facilities outside the city. Reed said he had general talks with Chief Knight, and mutual aid agreements are feasible. Lauren Lynch advised that formal arrangements with the city would be negotiation points for county commissioners, although the committee could include a recommendation in its document. - Reed and members acknowledged that an ordinance must be supported by legal authority. The committee agreed to list desired best practices holistically rather than write ordinance language, and Reed agreed to draft a living document on SharePoint for committee comment. - A member raised property setbacks, noting the Vanderburgh County draft had a 20-foot residential setback compared with Posey County's 1,000-foot setback. Property value impacts on nearby homeowners were also identified as a public concern to address. Community Comments and Correspondence - John Robertson was absent, so the committee deferred its response to emailed community comments. Members discussed the need to acknowledge comments and respond to them, and John was expected to collate and report comments at the next meeting. Lauren Lynch also said some public comments had gone to spam folders and planned to follow up with IT. Evening Public Comment Session Planning - Lauren Lynch said the committee identified two potential dates, November 10 or November 17, 2026, at 5:00 to 6:30 or 7:00 PM. Option 1 was Room 301 at the Civic Center, with the county's normal live streaming and recording, commissioner-funded security, and roughly 76-person capacity. Option 2 was the Evansville Public Library Browning Room A, with about 98-person capacity and commissioner-funded security, but no county recording or live streaming; she initially said the library was only available on November 17. - Lynch noted recording and streaming are not legally required because the committee has no decision-making or fiduciary authority, but she recommended recording so remote residents can participate. - Some members were unavailable on each date, so the committee agreed to poll the full committee and use majority preference. Members said they would look for another date or venue if fewer than 60 percent of members were available. They also considered the Old National Events Plaza and 4-H Center. - The committee planned two-minute speaker limits, first-come/first-served signup, and encouraged written copies of statements. They agreed to state at the outset that the committee is not deciding whether to site a data center or reviewing a proposal, but is seeking input related to its research and recommendations. - Discrepancy note: Later in the meeting, a statement was made that Browning Room A was already reserved for November 10 and that Lauren would check with Vicky Small about recording equipment. This conflicts with Lauren's earlier statement that the library was available only on November 17. The transcript does not resolve the conflict. Health Impacts Research - Mark Murray, speaking personally and not on behalf of his employer Ascension, summarized three research studies posted to SharePoint. - Washington State/Quincy study: modeled diesel exhaust from four data centers and estimated an additional lifetime cancer risk of 11 per million for 2016 operations, projected to rise to 19 per million in future operations. Murray said this is not statistically insignificant but not major, and he connected it to possible requirements for disclosure of generator count, fuel type, emissions, and allowable non-emergency testing hours. - Virginia study: residents near data centers reported disrupted sleep, migraines, and reduced outdoor enjoyment; complaint-related measurements were in the 40 to 59 decibel range including low-frequency background noise. Relevance included residential setbacks, nighttime testing restrictions, low-frequency noise monitoring, and pre-construction modeling with post-construction verification. - Arizona study by Pima County Health Department and Johns Hopkins researchers, dated August 2026, screened exposure pathways across construction, operation, and decommissioning, including diesel and upstream power emissions, water use, noise, waste heat, light pollution, and equipment disposal. Relevance included a life-cycle checklist, baseline measurements, and comparing facility disclosures to actual implementation. - Discussion included Amazon's New Carlisle facility, described as having 910 diesel generators, a large backup-power capacity, and six million gallons of stored fuel. Members discussed battery storage as cleaner and quieter but noted its footprint, cost, and difficult decommissioning. Several members favored setting strong standards and using contracts to encourage good-neighbor operators rather than directly banning specific technologies. Air emissions permitting and enforcement is handled by IDEM, not the city or county. Memphis was cited as having documented health impacts from diesel generation. Decommissioning was again identified as a critical future topic. Key Outcomes - The October 20, 2026 minutes were approved. - Richard Reed will draft Section 16 fire/public safety recommendations and best practices, post a living document to SharePoint within about seven days, and incorporate committee comments before the next meeting. - The committee will poll members to choose the evening public comment session: November 10 in Room 301 with streaming/recording, or November 17 at the Evansville Public Library Browning Room A without county streaming/recording, subject to the noted availability discrepancy. The selected date and venue will be publicly announced. - John Robertson will report on emailed community comments and responses at the next meeting. Lauren Lynch will follow up on spam-folder issues with IT. - Jenna Richardt will present on electric/energy at the November 10, 2026 meeting, and Mark Murray will also cover backup generation. - Upcoming dates: November 10, 2026; November 17, 2026; December 8, 2026, for a public comment meeting and committee discussion; and December 15, 2026, for the final meeting to vote on recommendations to the County Commissioners.