Evansville City Council Meeting - October 26, 2026

On October 26, 2026, the Evansville Common Council met at 5:36 p.m. with six members present (Councilmembers Taylor, Heronemus, Hatfield, Koehler Lindsey, Brinkmeyer, and Green) and three absent, establishing a quorum. The meeting began with roll call, approval of the October 5, 2026 meeting memorandum, and acknowledgment of reports and communications. The council adopted several ordinances on first and second reading, approved an interlocal cooperation agreement for a joint river patrol, and heard extensive public comment on gun violence and the Flock automated license plate reader (ALPR) system. The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn, which passed amid heated debate.

Consent Calendar (First Reading of Ordinances and Resolutions)

• Ordinance F-2026-18: Authorized transfers of appropriations, additional appropriations, and repeal/re-appropriation of funds for various city funds. Sponsor: Councilmember Green. Adopted unanimously (6-0).
• Ordinance F-2026-19: Amended Ordinance F-2026-04 regarding the issuance of Taxable Economic Development Tax Increment Revenue Bonds, Series 2026 (The Republic Project). Adopted unanimously (6-0).
• Ordinance R-2026-19: Rezoned 3524 Kratzville Rd from M1 to R2 (owner: Happy Storage, LLC). Adopted unanimously (6-0).
• Ordinance R-2026-23: Rezoned 3416 & 3408 N First Ave from C1 & C4 w/ UDC to C2 (owner: ILJKM Properties, LLC). Adopted unanimously (6-0).
• Ordinance R-2026-24 (amended): Rezoned 1724–1740 S Grand Ave from R2 to C4 w/ UDC (owner: Community One, Inc). Adopted unanimously (6-0).
• Ordinance R-2026-25: Rezoned 1119 Lincoln Ave & E Mulberry St from R1 to CO2 (owner: Sergio Chang Figueroa & Maureen Vanegas). Adopted unanimously (6-0).
• Ordinance R-2026-26: Rezoned 1020 Professional Blvd from CO2 & C1 to C2 (owner: 1020 Professional Blvd Medical Office Facility, LLC). Adopted unanimously (6-0).
• An amendment to ordinance R-2026-24 was also adopted, and a special order was made to add ordinance R-2026-19 to the first reading agenda for procedural consistency.

Committee Reports

• The Area Plan Commission reported recommendations on several second-reading ordinances: R-2026-02 (recommended approval, 6-1 vote), R-2026-19 (7-0), R-2026-20 (continued), and R-2026-21 (7-0). Council accepted these reports.

Discussion Items

Regular Agenda – Second Reading of Ordinances

1. Ordinance F-2026-15 – Appropriated monies for the Evansville-Vanderburgh Levee Authority District for FY 2027 (beginning January 1, 2027). Robert Gunter (Controller) explained this was the final budget adoption for the Levee Authority, delayed from October 5. No changes were made. Adopted 5-0 (Councilmember Taylor was remote and unable to vote on this item).

2. Ordinance R-2026-02 – Rezoned 2713 Jeanette Ave from R1 to M2 w/ UDC (owner estate of Ronald Lee Strahl). Cassie Virgin (Area Plan Commission) noted a legal description discrepancy with GIS and requested correction before recording. Joshua Claybourn (attorney for the estate) argued the property had been used as an auto repair/salvage yard since the 1960s, a legal nonconforming use that was voided when a pole barn was built after a fire. The UDC restricts use to auto repair, towing, storage yard, and warehouse; no change in use is intended. Councilmembers asked about salvage vs. storage, and it was confirmed that salvage will not be part of the business. No public opposition. Adopted 6-0.

3. Ordinance R-2026-19 – Rezoned 3524 Kratzville Rd from M1 to R2 (owner: Happy Storage, LLC). Cassie Virgin reported the property contained a residence with legal nonconforming status due to a 1957 rezoning; the applicant seeks to match surrounding residential zoning. Krista Lockyear (attorney for owner) stated the intent is to maintain single-family residential use for lending purposes, though R2 allows duplexes. No public opposition. Adopted 6-0.

4. Ordinance R-2026-21 – Rezoned 1500 N Heidelbach Ave from M2 to R5 w/ UDC (owner: Oolite Management Services, LLC). Cassie Virgin described the site’s history as a furniture factory and later flea market (demolished 2016), with EPA contamination from a previous Whirlpool facility. A proposed 63-unit multifamily development (workforce housing) is planned, limited to 4 stories by UDC. The representative confirmed market-rate workforce housing. No public opposition. Adopted 6-0.

Resolution Docket

Resolution C-2026-35 – Approved an interlocal cooperation agreement for a joint river patrol between Evansville Police Department (EPD) and Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office. Councilmember Allen (speaking via roll call?) explained the agreement allows use of the county-owned boat (purchased via state grant), with each agency paying officer wages/training, and splitting minor repairs 50/50. Major repairs are covered by the county. The City’s share of expenses was included in the EPD budget. Public comment questioned jurisdictional and financial details; council clarified the funds are already allocated. Adopted 6-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• The session opened for general public comment beyond the agenda. Topics included gun violence among youth and the Flock ALPR system.
• Jordan Payne (805 Riverside Dr) – Spoke as a senior at Bosse High School, urging more positive activities for teens, motivational speakers in schools, one-on-one mentoring for black young men, and community campaigns against gun violence and drug abuse.
• Christopher Newman (3121 S Rollerwood Ave) – Emphasized listening to youth voices, especially those who are angry, anxious, or overlooked, and meeting them where they are.
• Candace Taylor (317 Hays Dr) – Opposed renewing Flock, citing documented misuse in other cities (e.g., wrongful identification in Lafayette, officer charges in Indianapolis, Washington Post report of 100+ employees accused). Urged transparency and reallocation of the $182,000 budgeted for Flock.
• Anthony Ogden (2712 Sontag Ct) – Alleged a judge ordered Flock data to be turned over in his case but it was not, implying law enforcement noncompliance.
• Roger Madden (4205 Frizzy) – Supported Flock as a tool that can clear or convict, but criticized Brady rights violations and lack of evidence disclosure. Mentioned drunk driving enforcement failures.
• Jessica Reed (1124 SE First St) – Criticized the $182,000 budget for Flock, arguing it could be better spent on community safety investments (mental health, housing, youth programs). Stated surveillance responds after crime, while true safety prevents it.
• Brennan Dillingham (1825 N Iroquois Dr) – Expressed hopelessness, believing council does not care about citizen concerns.
• Ann Yates (7020 Little Shaker Rd) – Asked council to strike Flock from the budget and challenged a previous dress code enforcement of a political shirt, citing First Amendment rights.
• Adam Carey (7699 Meadow Lane) – Listed questionable search reasons from EPD audit logs (e.g., “homeless”, “test”, “FBI”, “DEA”), argued misuse of Flock and Clearview AI. Demanded defunding.
• Brian Gebhardt (802 SE First St) – Noted data collected by Flock goes to private companies without public consent or control.
• Olivia Latham (132 S Bakey Rd) – Asked for clarity on whether a line-item vote to strike Flock funding is possible; Councilmember Heronemus explained the budget is passed but an ordinance could ban Flock, though no council member is willing to introduce one. Councilmember Brinkmeyer acknowledged confusion and stated he is still learning options.
• Councilmember Green defended Flock, citing a case where a child abducted by a sexual predator was rescued in 20 minutes using Flock, and a robbery suspect was caught. He argued license plate data is purged unless part of an active case and criticized the tone of public comments.
• After further back-and-forth, Councilmember Brinkmeyer moved to adjourn, which was seconded and passed (voting ayes). The meeting ended abruptly.

Key Outcomes

• All consent calendar items (7 ordinances) adopted 6-0.
• Ordinance F-2026-15 (Levee Authority budget) adopted 5-0 (Taylor excused).
• Ordinance R-2026-02 (2713 Jeanette Ave rezoning) adopted 6-0 with a request to correct the legal description before recording.
• Ordinance R-2026-19 (3524 Kratzville Rd rezoning) adopted 6-0.
• Ordinance R-2026-21 (1500 N Heidelbach Ave rezoning) adopted 6-0.
• Resolution C-2026-35 (Joint River Patrol) adopted 6-0.
• Public comment on Flock: Council members acknowledged concerns but the budget is finalized; no immediate action was taken. The next meeting is scheduled for November 9, 2026, at 5:30 p.m.