City Council Meeting - April 14, 2025

Ordinances:

First Reading of Ordinances:  G-2025-10, F-2025-06, F-2025-07

Second Reading of Ordinances: G-2025-9 – adopted, F-2025-05 adopted.

F-2025-04 (transfer of funds that will help procure new equipment for Fulton Avenue

Park, and 2 additional vehicles for the Fire Department – Engine and Rescue Truck. 

Adopted

Resolutions:

Second reading of Resolutions C-2025-14, C-2025-15, C-2025-16 adopted

Public Comment:

4th Ward Councilwoman Carothers expressed concern regarding the gas station on the

corner of Kentucky Ave. & Walnut St. becoming a liquor store. Change of Use filings are

not reviewed by the City Council which has resulted in the establishment of a Liquor

Store near a church/school.  She will be meeting with the APC to see if it can be

relocated.

Pastor Adrian Brooks – also discussing the ability of this business to locate here without

discussion of neighboring businesses and community. He suggested that the city

council adopt an ordinance requiring businesses to notify surrounding churches,

schools, neighborhoods and businesses of the proposed change. Change of use issues

do not have to come before the city council.

James Sutton, Youth Pastor at Nazarene Baptist Church, shared the concerns of Adrian

Brooks regarding the liquor store.

Councilman Zac Heronemus discussed the passage of SB197 by the Indiana General

Assembly that will criminalize homelessness. The bill passed with significant resistance

by law enforcement officers, advocacy agencies and shelters. Heronemus asked that

this be a very low priority of our local law enforcement.

John Fisher and Clover Blake announced the failure of Nextstar to negotiate with the

bargaining group at WEHT/WTVW regarding the firing of six union and one nonunion

employees. Both asked for the support from local officials and stated that Sheriff Noah

Robinson had issued a statement in support. They are asking for the reinstatement of

the fired employees.

Val Johnson asked the council to reconsider supporting a resolution supporting gender

affirming care in Evansville

Kamario Garth, leader of the Prayer House of the Tradition brought to attention the letter

he received from Councilwoman Mosby indicating an ordinance he proposed be

enforced allowing employees Friday worship hours at their Muslim house of worship. 

He indicated he thought it to be a direct violation of Title 7 and asked that he be able to

meet with City Council attorneys.

Mike O’Daniel spoke on the issue of the liquor store at Kentucky & Walnut. He owns the

auto sales facility at Walnut and Highway 41 and expressed concern about the crime

that would result if the liquor store were granted a license. He intends to open a youth

ministry facility behind his property that would be within 200 feet of the liquor store. This

would violate state law, and the liquor store would not be able to operate