Evansville Vanderburgh County Building Commission Hearing - June 3, 2026
Evansville Vanderburgh County Building Commission Hearing - June 3, 2026
Hearing Officer Joe Harrison Jr. convened the Evansville Vanderburgh County Building Commission on June 3, 2026, at 1:15 PM to consider unsafe building orders for two properties. The hearing addressed requests to vacate, repair, or raise structures deemed hazardous. Two evidentiary cases were heard, involving a fire-damaged house and a property with a dilapidated garage and shed.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Susan Stocker Melquires (owner of 6125 Broadway Avenue): Appeared in person with her son, John Swell. She stated the fire occurred on October 10, 2024 (19 months prior), and she had been living in a camper on the property since November 2025. She expressed a desire to rebuild the house with help from family, churches, and Home Depot, estimating $10,000–$20,000 in materials. She acknowledged signing a notice of violation on May 29, 2026. She asked for more time and opposed the raise order, citing sentimental attachment and the property being paid off.
- No other public testimony was offered for the second property (4612 Detroit Road); the owners were not present. Code Enforcement Inspector Kenny Knox reported he had spoken with one owner two weeks prior, and the property was unoccupied.
Discussion Items
Case 1: 6125 Broadway Avenue (CE 26E 84)
- Property: Fire-damaged house and two sheds owned by Susan Stocker Melquires.
- Inspector Testimony: Kenny Knox, code enforcement inspector with 15+ years, testified that the property had been inspected four times since August 19, 2025. He observed fire damage to the roof, siding, and soffit, as well as tall weeds and trash. The house was vacant and secured, but no permits or progress had been made. He recommended the house remain vacated and the house and both sheds be raised. He noted he did not enter the house because it was locked.
- Owner's Position: Melquires argued she was working with contractors and had received material donations. She requested an opportunity to rebuild rather than demolish.
Case 2: 4612 Detroit Road (CE 26C 85)
- Property: House, garage, and shed owned by multiple individuals (Christopher Roman, Amber Presky, Lillian Presky, Logan Presky, Misty Bruce, Aaron Preskey).
- Inspector Testimony: Knox testified that six inspections had been conducted since August 12, 2025. The house had damage to wood, gutters, shingles, chimney, windows, and lacked electrical and water service. The garage’s east wall and roof had collapsed; the shed had exposed foundation and risk of collapse. Knox recommended the house be vacated and repaired, and the garage and shed be raised. He stated the house was repairable, but the garage and shed were dangerous.
- No owner testimony was presented; Knox had contact with an owner who said they would tear down the garage themselves.
Key Outcomes
Case 1: 6125 Broadway Avenue
- Vacate Order: Affirmed. The house and both sheds must remain vacant. The structure is an impaired structural condition, a fire hazard, a public health hazard, a public nuisance, and dangerous due to ordinance violations.
- Raise Order: Affirmed. The house and both sheds must be raised. The demolition deadline is July 7, 2026. If the owner secures a contractor and signs a contract, the deadline may be extended.
- Appeal: Must be filed within 10 days (by June 13, 2026) with Vanderburgh Superior Court.
Case 2: 4612 Detroit Road
- Vacate Order (House): Affirmed. The house must remain vacant.
- Repair Order (House): Affirmed. All repairs must be completed by July 17, 2026. A follow-up hearing is scheduled for August 5, 2026, at 1:00 PM in the same room.
- Raise Order (Garage and Shed): Affirmed. The garage and shed must be raised by July 21, 2026.
- Appeal: For all orders, owners have 10 days to appeal to Vanderburgh Superior Court.
Meeting Transcript
Okay, good afternoon, everyone. Let's call this hearing to order. This is the Evansville Vanderburgh County Building Commission. Today's dates June 3rd, 2026. My name's Joe Harrison Jr. I've been appointed as your hearing officer by the Vanderburg County Commissioners. And my authority is derived from Indiana Code 36-7-9 and the unsafe building laws and ordinances which have been enacted by the Vanderburgh County Commissioners. I have authority to issue civil penalties up to $5,000. I can require performance bonds that they be posted. I can affirm ordinance violation fines. Today the county is requesting that those that are to be here either repair, vacate, or raise property or other structures. I can affirm, modify, or deny those requests. If you wish to appeal my decision, you may do so by filing an appeal with Vanderburgh Superior Court within 10 days of my decision. If you do not, you may waive your right to an appeal. And then a magistrate judge in housing court that's under Vanderburgh Superior Court will hear the appeal. Now that I have advised you of your rights and my authority, anyone who expects to testify or give evidence today, I would ask that you stand and raise your right hand. All those who wish to testify or give evidence today. You swear or affirm the testimony you're about to give, is true and accurate, so help you guide. I do. Thank you. So the building commission's gonna uh go first and they're gonna present their first case. Okay, thank you, Your Honor. Our first case is on page one. This is an evidentiary matter. CE number 26 E 84. This is a vacate and a raise order on a fire damaged house and two sheds located at 6125 Broadway Avenue. The owner is Susan Stocker Melquires. Okay, maybe if you like to come up on the table there. Report by the department. The property is vacant and secure. The yards are not acceptable due to tall weeds and trash. The property's been inspected four times. There's been no progress on the orders. There are no permits on file, and there's been no contact with the owner, and we are ready to proceed. Thank you. Can you hear me? Yes. All right, thank you. Petitioner would like to call Kenny Knox. Go ahead. Can you please state your name for the record? Kenny Knox. And what is your position with the Evansville Vanderburgh County Building Commission? Oh, code enforcement inspector. And how long have you held that position? A little over 15 and a half years. And what are some of the duties that you have in that position? We enforce the city codes. Property maintenance codes. Making sure people cut their grass, trash, which is couches, and it's dumping their property.
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