Evansville Common Council Meeting – July 13, 2026

The Common Council of the City of Evansville met on July 13, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. Eight members were present, one absent, constituting a quorum. The meeting covered consent agenda items, a budget ordinance amendment, several economic development tax phase‑in resolutions, a resolution recognizing the U.S. 250th anniversary, a resolution on city brand standards, a solar project update, and public comments on various topics.

Consent Calendar

• Ordinance G‑2026‑13: Vacating a 20‑foot (later corrected to 12‑foot wide, 29.5‑foot long) alley near 213 West Division Street / 210 West Indiana Street.
• Ordinance G‑2026‑14: Amending Chapter 16.10.090 of the municipal code regarding floodplain administrator duties.
• Ordinance R‑2026‑15: Rezoning property at 5033 Belmade Avenue.
• All three items were adopted by a voice vote with no opposition.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Christopher Nori (2728 Harmony Way, representing Solar United Neighbors of Indiana) expressed continued philosophical opposition to using ARPA interest funds for paving, stating those funds should be used in the spirit of the original ARPA grants.
• Margaret Madden (3019 Southeast Boulevard) asked the council to consider declaring bamboo an invasive plant due to damage from a neighbor’s bamboo, providing photos and requesting council action.
• Kyle Morse (522 South Bakey) defended a press release he had issued, stating that the council’s resolution on the 250th anniversary came after July 4th, unlike earlier recognitions for Pride Month and Juneteenth, and he urged equal attention to the nation’s anniversary.
• Luke Bryant raised concerns about Flock ALPR cameras, noting lack of transparency, warrantless use, data sharing across jurisdictions, and new AI tracking features (Flock Nova), urging tighter oversight.

Discussion Items

• Ordinance F‑2026‑08 (Budget Amendment) : The council considered a second amendment to this ordinance, which authorizes transfers, additional appropriations, and reappropriations. City Controller Robert Guntra explained various fund shifts, including moving $21,000 from Best Friends Animal Society for vaccinations, $1 million for paving from the local wheel tax fund, $750,000 for affordable housing projects (Grandview Towers, JD Sheth’s Mina’s Place, Hope of Evansville, Phoenix Apartments, and individual home repairs), and $400,000 of ARPA interest for paving. Council members asked about fund balances and project counts. The ordinance was adopted with 6 ayes and 3 abstentions (Councilors Taylor, Kayler Lindsay, and Brickmeyer? – actual roll call: Taylor yes, Kayler Lindsay yes, Brickmeyer aye, Allen aye, Green aye, Chalkman aye; six ayes, three abstentions).
• Resolution C‑2026‑25 Amended (Escalade Sports) : A property tax phase‑in for Indian Industries Inc. d/b/a Escalade Sports at 817 Maxwell Avenue. The company proposed ~$8 million in real property rehabilitation and $925,000 in new equipment, retaining 155 jobs (average income $12 million total) and adding 17 new positions (average salary $77,000, 40% above county average). EREP recommended a standard 9‑year phase‑in. Council members questioned wages, local hiring (including specialized saw‑tooth roof work), and the company’s financial ability to proceed without the abatement. Escalade’s president stated the investment would not be made without the abatement. The resolution passed 7 ayes, 1 nay.
• Resolution C‑2026‑26 (Qualas Engineering Plastics) : A preliminary resolution declaring an economic revitalization area for 1700 Lynch Road. The project would reactivate a 141,000‑square‑foot empty former Lionel Basell building with ~$10 million in investment (mostly new equipment), recommissioning rail, and adding 35 full‑time jobs over five years with wages 30% above county average. EREP recommended a 10‑year phase‑in with a clawback agreement. Council members asked about wages, local contracting, and environmental impact. Company representatives noted dust collection and fume ventilation upgrades and noted they are in contact with sewer and water utilities and the EPA. The resolution passed 8 ayes, 0 nays.
• Resolution C‑2026‑27 Amended (250th Anniversary) : Recognizing the U.S. 250th anniversary and encouraging civic education. Council added Councilors Lindsay and Hieronymus as sponsors. Discussion included reflections on the nation’s ideals and calls for respectful discourse. Councilor Green condemned a recent press release he considered a cheap shot. Councilor Taylor noted painful history and requested abstention, but was told abstention required a conflict of interest; she voted aye. The resolution passed 7 ayes, 1 abstention.
• Resolution C‑2026‑28 (Brand Standards) : Acknowledging the city’s new brand standards while preserving the official seal and flag. Attorney Aaron Allen explained there is no cost. Council members praised the rebranding. The resolution passed 8‑0.
• Solar Project Update : Lauren Lynch (Evansville Climate Collaborative) reported on progress toward the council’s clean energy goals. The city selected four contractors for solar installations on high‑energy facilities (Deaconess Aquatic Center, Swander Ice Arena, Central Dispatch, Fire Department, Mesca Park Zoo, Animal Care & Control). Total cost ~$6.5 million, with 50–60% reimbursed via federal clean electricity tax credit. Six‑year return on investment, 25‑year panel lifespan. The project will save ~$550,000 annually on electricity and reduce emissions by 1,600 metric tons CO2 equivalent. Evansville Water & Sewer will front costs; the city will reimburse over six years without impacting utility rates or the city’s operating budget. Lynch addressed a question about a canceled $20 million EPA grant and confirmed the solar tax credit is secure through 2027.
• Other Discussion : Councilor Green and others engaged in a broader discussion about political discourse, local civility, and the need to avoid personal attacks, referencing the 250th anniversary debate. Councilor Taylor shared concerns about unintended consequences of Flock cameras and stated she had researched the system, finding it generic and subject to EPD policies. She offered to continue the conversation with Luke Bryant.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar: All three ordinances (G‑2026‑13, G‑2026‑14, R‑2026‑15) adopted unanimously.
• Ordinance F‑2026‑08: Adopted as amended (6 ayes, 3 abstentions).
• Resolution C‑2026‑25 Amended: Adopted (7 ayes, 1 nay).
• Resolution C‑2026‑26: Adopted (8 ayes, 0 nays).
• Resolution C‑2026‑27 Amended: Adopted (7 ayes, 1 abstention).
• Resolution C‑2026‑28: Adopted (8 ayes, 0 nays).
• Solar Project: The council received the update and expressed support; no vote required.
• Next Meeting: Monday, July 27, 2026, at 5:30 p.m.

Note: The transcript did not provide an official agenda or minutes; the summary relies solely on the raw transcription.