OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Vanderburgh County Commissioners Meeting - May 26, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, May 26, 2026
BodyEvansville, Indiana
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, May 26, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 40:46
Transcript — Verbatim
0:01

Alright, good morning.

0:03

Hope everybody had a good weekend, Memorial Day weekend.

0:06

Welcome to the Van Der County Board of Commissioners meeting for May 26, 2026.

0:10

Madeline, please call to order.

0:12

Commissioner Gable.

0:13

Commissioner Canterbury?

0:14

Here.

0:15

President Elpers.

0:16

Here.

0:16

Please join me for a pledge of allegiance.

0:21

To the flag.

0:22

United States of America.

0:24

And to the Republic from which it stands.

0:27

One nation under God.

0:29

Indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

0:37

All right, Jesse.

0:38

Come on up.

0:39

First action items for County Engineer.

0:43

Number one.

0:45

Open bids VC 26-04-02.

0:50

Charlotte Avenue Pipe Replacement.

0:54

So motion to open the bids.

0:56

So moved.

0:58

Commissioner Gable.

1:00

Commissioner Canterbury?

1:01

Yes.

1:02

President Elpers.

1:03

Yes.

1:06

And we'll come back to that at the end of the meeting and we'll read those bids into the record.

1:11

Number two, award bid VC 26-04-01.

1:17

Repair and resurfacing of county roads to EMB paving LLC.

1:20

EMB paving submitted the lowest bid of 558,222.99 cents.

1:26

Anything else here, Jesse?

1:28

Yeah, we're just going to take care of some more roads that have not been touched in a while.

1:34

And I have a list here if you guys have any questions on it.

1:36

But I mean, there's some sections of roads on here that we haven't paved in uh since they were constructed, like this section here off of uh oh the interchange ramps to the uh university parkway.

1:48

So we're just trying to take care of some uh really old stuff.

1:50

So that's what we're gonna do.

1:52

Anything else commissioners?

1:53

Are these roads different than what were brought to our attention?

1:58

Um some roads in here uh may have been included in that road here.

2:02

I have to get back with you on that, but I know that uh Hillside Terrace, 11th Avenue, uh Bridge View, Void.

2:09

Um, I look I tasked my GIS person Todd and uh to take a look at how long it's been since we've touched those roads, and it's been it's been a long time.

2:18

Okay, we just resurfaced the bridge.

2:22

Uh last week that wasn't necessarily on the uh resurface bridge.

2:29

Oh, you're talking about the there at Hillsdale, we resurfaced that I'm sorry at Hillsdale Road?

2:34

Yes, Hillsdale, yeah.

2:35

Oh, that yes, we've reached we've uh already had an ongoing contract uh to repair a lot of things and so those were taking care of large stretches of roads.

2:44

Again, we haven't seen a lot of work on in a while.

2:46

So thank you.

2:48

Okay, I'll make a motion to approve and award the bid.

2:52

Second.

2:52

Commissioner Gable?

2:54

Yes.

2:54

Commissioner Canterbury, yes, President Opers.

2:57

Yes.

2:57

Number three, 2025 annual operation, operational report for local roads and streets and bridges.

3:03

This is an annual report that must be submitted to the state by June 1st that documents revenues and expenditures for road and bridge projects.

3:10

Anything else, Jesse?

3:11

No, nothing else added.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Economic Development███████████████████████████████████████39%
Zoning Variance████████████████████20%
Engineering And Infrastructure█████████████████17%
Procedural████████████12%
Public Safety███████7%
Mental Health Awareness███3%
Public Engagement██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Vanderburgh County Commissioners Meeting - May 26, 2026

The Vanderburgh County Board of Commissioners held its regular meeting on May 26, 2026, at 9:00 AM (local time). The meeting covered a range of routine approvals, infrastructure projects, economic development incentives, and a zoning change. All votes were unanimous, with Commissioners Gable, Canterbury, and President Elpers present.

Consent Calendar

  • Open Bids VC 26-04-02 (Charlotte Avenue Pipe Replacement): Bids opened; taken under advisement (Blinkenberger Bros: $126,066; Dyke Brothers: $94,609; Coberstein Contracting: $133,656).
  • Award Bid VC 26-04-01 (Road Resurfacing): Awarded to EMB Paving LLC for $558,222.99 for repair and resurfacing of various county roads, including sections not paved since original construction.
  • 2025 Annual Operational Report for Local Roads, Streets, and Bridges: Approved. Required submission to the state by June 1, 2026, documenting revenues and expenditures.
  • Change Order #2, VC 25-05-01 (Broadway Avenue Bridge Replacement): Increase of $6,157.95 for perforated pipes to address excessive groundwater. Bridge project on track for completion by early August 2026.
  • Supplemental Agreement #3 (Wimberg Road Bridge over Locust Creek): Increase of $24,800 for environmental study revisions and additional utility coordination.
  • Health Department Facility Rental Agreement: Approved $630 rental with Wilson Woods Nature Center for pre-K program Fall Festival, funded by Foundation for Better Health grant.
  • Sheriff's Office MOU with Heritage Health Solutions: Approved. Heritage will manage medical claims and administrative services for off-site inmate medical care to reduce expenses; fee per bill, with savings expected.
  • Courtroom Water Damage Repair (Old Courthouse): Awarded to Sims Painting for $1,500 (low quote).
  • Professional Services Agreement with Supercuts Lawn Care: Approved for code enforcement lot mowing and debris removal, following nuisance ordinance passed in May 2026.
  • MOU with Building Authority and County Clerk (Storage Facility): Approved for negotiations regarding third-floor jail space for Clerk's file management.
  • MOU with Veterans Coliseum Preservation Foundation (Feasibility Study): Foundation to pay $39,360 directly to Baratus for a feasibility study of the Veterans Coliseum.
  • MOU for Market Street Waterline Replacement: Approved $109,821 total cost, split 50/50 between the county and the Veterans Coliseum Preservation Foundation, to provide adequate fire suppression water pressure for the Coliseum.
  • Consent Items: All consent agenda items approved.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Commissioner Gable publicly commended the Veteran Services department for organizing Memorial Day recognition at burial sites, expressing gratitude for remembering the fallen.
  • During the rezoning hearing, Bill Hunnard (5809 Polo Run), representing Polo Run Home Association, expressed concern that allowing duplexes in the proposed development could lead to rental properties that may not be maintained as well as owner-occupied homes. He requested assurance that only single-family homes would be built.

Discussion Items

  • Old Farm Reserve Development (Resolution CO.r.05-26-012): Chip Alstott and Ryan Lewis (Parkway Improvements LLC) presented plans for a 163-unit residential subdivision, 240 apartment units, and 30 acres of commercial development near University Parkway. The entrance will use a J-turn (no stoplight) for safety. The project is estimated at $130 million. Outside bond counsel Brad Bingham (Barnes & Thornburg) explained the proposed developer-purchase TIF bonds of approximately $10.5 million (par) to provide $10 million net to the developer. These bonds are non-recourse to the county, repaid solely from TIF revenue from the development. The project also qualified for $4.5 million in Indiana Ready2 funds. John Schottmeyer (Redevelopment Commission) noted the site had been vacant for over a decade and that the sewer system was already in place, with associated debt. The resolution was approved unanimously.
  • Petersburg Road Design/Construction (Resolution CO.r.05-26-013): Craig (Engineering) reported that federal funds had been obtained for the expanded project, reducing the local share. The resolution authorizing use of TIF funds from the Burkhart Road Economic Development Area was approved unanimously.
  • Ordinance CO.05-26-011 (Off-Street Parking): Tabled for further discussion.
  • Rezoning VC-5-2026 (Aaron Miller, 5925 & 6001 Covert Avenue): Cassie (Area Plan Commission) explained the request to rezone from PUD, R1, and C2 to R3 with a Use and Development Commitment (UDC) allowing only single-family and duplex units (apartments excluded). The developer intends single-family homes on 34 lots. Scott Beadle (Kash Waggener) stated the aim is to downzone from commercial and PUD uses, and the UDC addresses neighborhood concerns. After remonstrance from Bill Hunnard, the developer reiterated the focus on single-family homes. The final reading was approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

  • All actions received unanimous approval unless noted. Specific votes are recorded as:
    • Open bids: Motion carried (Gable, Canterbury, Elpers yes).
    • Award road resurfacing: Motion carried (all yes).
    • Annual roads report: Motion carried (all yes).
    • Change order Broadway bridge: Motion carried (all yes).
    • Wimberg bridge supplement: Motion carried (all yes).
    • Health department rental: Motion carried (all yes).
    • Sheriff's MOU: Motion carried (all yes).
    • Courtroom repair award: Motion carried (all yes).
    • Supercuts lawn service agreement: Motion carried (all yes).
    • Storage facility MOU: Motion carried (all yes).
    • Coliseum feasibility MOU: Motion carried (all yes).
    • Waterline MOU: Motion carried (all yes).
    • Old Farm Reserve resolution: Motion carried (all yes).
    • Petersburg Road resolution: Motion carried (all yes).
    • Off-street parking ordinance: Tabled (all yes).
    • Rezoning VC-5-2026 final reading: Motion carried (all yes).
  • The meeting adjourned shortly after. The previously scheduled drainage board meeting was cancelled due to lack of business.

Meeting Transcript

Alright, good morning. Hope everybody had a good weekend, Memorial Day weekend. Welcome to the Van Der County Board of Commissioners meeting for May 26, 2026. Madeline, please call to order. Commissioner Gable. Commissioner Canterbury? Here. President Elpers. Here. Please join me for a pledge of allegiance. To the flag. United States of America. And to the Republic from which it stands. One nation under God. Indivisible with liberty and justice for all. All right, Jesse. Come on up. First action items for County Engineer. Number one. Open bids VC 26-04-02. Charlotte Avenue Pipe Replacement. So motion to open the bids. So moved. Commissioner Gable. Commissioner Canterbury? Yes. President Elpers. Yes. And we'll come back to that at the end of the meeting and we'll read those bids into the record. Number two, award bid VC 26-04-01. Repair and resurfacing of county roads to EMB paving LLC. EMB paving submitted the lowest bid of 558,222.99 cents. Anything else here, Jesse? Yeah, we're just going to take care of some more roads that have not been touched in a while. And I have a list here if you guys have any questions on it. But I mean, there's some sections of roads on here that we haven't paved in uh since they were constructed, like this section here off of uh oh the interchange ramps to the uh university parkway. So we're just trying to take care of some uh really old stuff. So that's what we're gonna do. Anything else commissioners? Are these roads different than what were brought to our attention? Um some roads in here uh may have been included in that road here. I have to get back with you on that, but I know that uh Hillside Terrace, 11th Avenue, uh Bridge View, Void. Um, I look I tasked my GIS person Todd and uh to take a look at how long it's been since we've touched those roads, and it's been it's been a long time. Okay, we just resurfaced the bridge. Uh last week that wasn't necessarily on the uh resurface bridge. Oh, you're talking about the there at Hillsdale, we resurfaced that I'm sorry at Hillsdale Road? Yes, Hillsdale, yeah. Oh, that yes, we've reached we've uh already had an ongoing contract uh to repair a lot of things and so those were taking care of large stretches of roads. Again, we haven't seen a lot of work on in a while. So thank you.

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