President Abell: I’d like to call to order the May 2nd, 2007 meeting of the Vanderburgh County Council. Attendance roll call, please.

President Abell: Councilman Winnecke, would you lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance?

(Pledge of Allegiance was given)

President Abell: I would entertain a motion to approve the minutes of the April 4th meeting.

Councilmember Leader: So moved.

Councilmember Raben: Second.

President Abell: Roll call vote, please.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Sutton?

Councilmember Sutton: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Leader?

Councilmember Leader: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Shetler?

Councilmember Shetler: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Goebel?

Councilmember Goebel: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Raben?

Councilmember Raben: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Winnecke?

Councilmember Winnecke: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: President Abell?

President Abell: Yes.

(Motion unanimously approved 7-0)

President Abell: Appropriation Ordinance, I’ll turn the meeting over to our Finance Chairman, Councilman Raben.

SHERIFF

Councilmember Raben: Okay, thank you. First on the agenda this morning is the Sheriff, Rent 1050-3600. Madam President, I’m going to move that we set this in at $10,292 and I can explain after the motion is –

President Abell: Is that $10,292?

Councilmember Raben: 292.

Councilmember Sutton: Second.

Councilmember Raben: Okay, basically, what this is, this will pay, what is in our budget today is through June. This will make up July’s rent. Myself, Councilmember Leader and Bill Nix have a meeting Friday and we’re going to, again, make another attempt to renegotiate the rate. So hopefully, we’ll come back in July for the reduced rate for the balance of the year.

President Abell: Any questions or comments? Roll call vote please.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Sutton?

Councilmember Sutton: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Leader?

Councilmember Leader: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Shetler?

Councilmember Shetler: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Goebel?

Councilmember Goebel: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Raben?

Councilmember Raben: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Winnecke?

Councilmember Winnecke: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: President Abell?

President Abell: Yes.

SHERIFF                                                                REQUESTED       APPROVED

(Motion unanimously approved 7-0)

JAIL

Councilmember Raben: Okay, next under Jail, 1051-4250 Miscellaneous Equipment, I’m going to move that be set in at $40,000.

Councilmember Sutton: Second.

President Abell: Questions? Roll call vote please.

Councilmember Goebel: (Inaudible)

President Abell: I didn’t see you, Councilman.

Councilmember Goebel: I was just curious as to how we came up with that figure.

Councilmember Raben: Okay, there is some new – and we might call the Sheriff to the podium, but there is some new equipment that this amount, along with some funds that he’s wanting to throw into the project, we might be able to get the entire project done for less.

Eric Williams: Sheriff Eric Williams. Basically, a couple of things are occurring. The pricing that we presented was based on the technology that’s in place now in the existing courtroom. We’re exploring some different technology that would use some of our existing infrastructure a little more efficiently, which would probably drive that price down a little bit. On top of that we’ve got a little bit of money left over from the money that we set aside out of the jail commissary account for the original jail project and we think that would probably be a good use of that, to push that over into this project to get it completed. So that’s about $20,000.

Councilmember Goebel: Thank you, Sheriff, that’s about $69,000 or 70,000 that’s saved. Thank you very much.

President Abell: I’m sorry. Councilman. Any other questions? Roll call vote.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Sutton?

Councilmember Sutton: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Leader?

Councilmember Leader: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Shetler?

Councilmember Shetler: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Goebel?

Councilmember Goebel: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Raben?

Councilmember Raben: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Winnecke?

Councilmember Winnecke: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: President Abell?

President Abell: Yes.

JAIL                                                                       REQUESTED       APPROVED

(Motion unanimously approved 7-0)

ARMSTRONG TOWNSHIP ASSESSOR

Councilmember Raben: Okay next, Armstrong Township Assessor in the amount of 1,145, I’ll move approval.

Councilmember Winnecke: Second.

President Abell: Questions or discussion? Roll call vote.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Sutton?

Councilmember Sutton: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Leader?

Councilmember Leader: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Shetler?

Councilmember Shetler: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Goebel?

Councilmember Goebel: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Raben?

Councilmember Raben: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Winnecke?

Councilmember Winnecke: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: President Abell?

President Abell: Yes.

ARMSTRONG TOWNSHIP ASSESSOR              REQUESTED       APPROVED

(Motion unanimously approved 7-0)

WEIGHTS & MEASURES

Councilmember Raben: Weights & Measures, 1302-3580 Vehicle Repair in the amount of $1,000, I’ll move approval.

Councilmember Leader: Second.

President Abell: Questions or discussion? Roll call vote.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Sutton?

Councilmember Sutton: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Leader?

Councilmember Leader: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Shetler?

Councilmember Shetler: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Goebel?

Councilmember Goebel: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Raben?

Councilmember Raben: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Winnecke?

Councilmember Winnecke: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: President Abell?

President Abell: Yes.

WEIGHTS & MEASURES                                      REQUESTED       APPROVED

(Motion unanimously approved 7-0)

PUBLIC DEFENDER

Councilmember Raben: Public Defender, 1303-3948 in the amount of $250,000, I’ll move approval.

Councilmember Leader: Second.

President Abell: Questions or discussion? Roll call vote.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Sutton?

Councilmember Sutton: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Leader?

Councilmember Leader: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Shetler?

Councilmember Shetler: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Goebel?

Councilmember Goebel: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Raben?

Councilmember Raben: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Winnecke?

Councilmember Winnecke: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: President Abell?

President Abell: Yes.

PUBLIC DEFENDER                                             REQUESTED       APPROVED

(Motion unanimously approved 7-0)

SUPERIOR COURT

Councilmember Raben: Superior Court, 1370-3050 Patient/Inmate Care in the amount of 500,000, I’ll move approval.

Councilmember Winnecke: Second.

President Abell: Questions or discussion? Roll call vote.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Sutton?

Councilmember Sutton: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Leader?

Councilmember Leader: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Shetler?

Councilmember Shetler: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Goebel?

Councilmember Goebel: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Raben?

Councilmember Raben: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Winnecke?

Councilmember Winnecke: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: President Abell?

President Abell: Yes.

SUPERIOR COURT                                               REQUESTED       APPROVED

(Motion unanimously approved 7-0)

BURDETTE PARK

Councilmember Raben: Burdette Park, Accrued Payments in the amount of, including FICA & PERF in the amount of 16,142, I’ll move approval.

Councilmember Leader: Second.

President Abell: Questions or discussion? Roll call vote.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Sutton?

Councilmember Sutton: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Leader?

Councilmember Leader: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Shetler?

Councilmember Shetler: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Goebel?

Councilmember Goebel: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Raben?

Councilmember Raben: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Winnecke?

Councilmember Winnecke: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: President Abell?

President Abell: Yes.

BURDETTE PARK                                                 REQUESTED       APPROVED

(Motion unanimously approved 7-0)

ELECTION OFFICE                                     PUBLIC DEFENDER (TWO)

PUBLIC DEFENDER (LATE)                      SUPERIOR COURT (LATE)

CUMULATIVE BRIDGE (LATE)

Councilmember Raben: Okay, and Madam President, if everyone is okay with it I’d like to make a motion that we accept all transfers including the late transfer for Cum Bridge as listed.

Councilmember Sutton: Second.

President Abell: Questions or discussion? Roll call vote.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Sutton?

Councilmember Sutton: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Leader?

Councilmember Leader: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Shetler?

Councilmember Shetler: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Goebel?

Councilmember Goebel: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Raben?

Councilmember Raben: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Winnecke?

Councilmember Winnecke: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: President Abell?

President Abell: Yes.

ELECTION OFFICE                                               REQUESTED       APPROVED

PUBLIC DEFENDER                                             REQUESTED       APPROVED

PUBLIC DEFENDER                                             REQUESTED       APPROVED

PUBLIC DEFENDER                                             REQUESTED       APPROVED

SUPERIOR COURT                                               REQUESTED       APPROVED

CUMULATIVE BRIDGE                                         REQUESTED       APPROVED

(Motion unanimously approved 7-0)

Councilmember Raben: Okay, and last is the amendments to the Salary Ordinance. I’m going to move that, everyone is, Sandie Deig is passing around a copy of the amendments to everyone. Its quite lengthy because of Burdette’s salary adjustments for the part-time pay increases that were granted last month. So I’m going to move that these be entered into the minutes.

Councilmember Winnecke: Second.

President Abell: Questions or discussion? Would everyone like to have just a few minutes to look this over? Has everyone had enough time? Roll call vote please.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Sutton?

Councilmember Sutton: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Leader?

Councilmember Leader: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Shetler?

Councilmember Shetler: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Goebel?

Councilmember Goebel: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Raben?

Councilmember Raben: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Winnecke?

Councilmember Winnecke: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: President Abell?

President Abell: Yes.

(Motion unanimously approved 7-0)

President Abell: Under Old Business, we have an Ordinance Approving the Acquisition of Real Estate From the State of Indiana. That is not going to be heard. We keep that on the agenda waiting for environmental issues to be settled before we’ll vote on that.

President Abell: Under New Business, before we get to the resolution regarding the tax, Mr. Ahlers has offered to explain the way that we can vote on the ordinance, one reading or two readings based on the resolution, and I’ll turn the microphone over to him.

Jeff Ahlers: Typically, an ordinance requires two readings but you’re allowed to pass a motion that, if it passes unanimously, that today would be the first and final reading of the ordinance to cast the votes for the homestead ordinance. So if someone wants to make a motion before we make the motions to pass the resolution and ordinance, that upon unanimous approval, this would be the first and final reading of those two documents, you may do so.

Councilmember Winnecke: Madam Chair, at this time I would move that we would make, we would consider this would be the – how did you say it? The first and only reading?

Jeff Ahlers: The first and final reading upon unanimous passage of the resolution and ordinance for the homestead.

Councilmember Winnecke: I move that.

Councilmember Shetler: Second.

President Abell: We have a second. And we’ll have a roll call vote on that.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Sutton?

Councilmember Sutton: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Leader?

Councilmember Leader: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Shetler?

Councilmember Shetler: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Goebel?

Councilmember Goebel: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Raben?

Councilmember Raben: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Winnecke?

Councilmember Winnecke: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: President Abell?

President Abell: Yes.

(Motion unanimously approved 7-0)

President Abell: Now we’ll do a little redundant work, we’ll be voting on The Resolution of the Vanderburgh County Council Approving an Ordinance of the Vanderburgh County Income Tax Council Amending the Percentage Credit Allowed for Homesteads for 2008 and Casting the Votes of the County Council on Said Ordinance. This is resolution CO.R-05-07-003, I need a motion.

Councilmember Raben: So moved.

Councilmember Winnecke: Second.

President Abell: Roll call vote please.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Sutton?

Councilmember Sutton: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Leader?

Councilmember Leader: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Shetler?

Councilmember Shetler: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Goebel?

Councilmember Goebel: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Raben?

Councilmember Raben: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Winnecke?

Councilmember Winnecke: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: President Abell?

President Abell: Yes.

(Motion unanimously approved 7-0)

President Abell: And now we vote on the Ordinance of the Vanderburgh County Income Tax Council Amending the Percentage Credit Allowed for the Homestead. I need a motion.

Councilmember Leader: So moved.

Councilmember Goebel: Second.

President Abell: Roll call vote.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Sutton?

Councilmember Sutton: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Leader?

Councilmember Leader: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Shetler?

Councilmember Shetler: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Goebel?

Councilmember Goebel: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Raben?

Councilmember Raben: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Winnecke?

Councilmember Winnecke: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: President Abell?

President Abell: Yes.

(Motion unanimously approved 7-0)

President Abell: Next on our agenda is the consideration of salaries for county employees for the proposed 2008 budget. As we all know, its time for the department heads to start working on the budgets, and they need to know a percentage that they should be working with for salary increases. Could I hear the pleasure of this Council? Does anyone have any comments about where you want to see that set in?

Councilmember Sutton: Madam Chair, I know this is an area of a lot of attention and discussion, especially in this building, but I think we’ve tried to, as a Council, be very prudent over the years and based on what we can see coming down the road with our expenses and revenue. I would recommend and, of course, we can have some discussion, obviously, but I would recommend that we make a suggested level for our department heads at three percent for a salary increase for next year.

President Abell: Any other comments from anyone regarding the three percent? Three percent is what we standardly go with. I think everyone in the county, all the employees, realize we will do all we can to get them a salary increase. We have to also be aware of all of our expenses as Mr. Sutton pointed out and I think with the recent property tax increases, the public is going to be concerned with what we do also. So we will ask the department heads, Ms. Deig, if you would advise the department heads to work with three percent for right now until we get into the budgets.

Councilmember Sutton: Madam Chair, I think you did phrase that just absolutely correctly. That doesn’t mean that we are going to guarantee any particular percent, but it gives us a baseline of where we can start and gives the basic framework for our department heads to work around. But, you know, we’re going to work as hard as we can to do what we can. The county employees do work very hard and we want to be able to do what we can to make sure that they get an increase. But, again, we’ll just have to factor in several things.

President Abell: Thank you, Mr. Sutton.

President Abell: The Pigeon Creek Greenway Passage Ordinance, we’ve had it for a while. I think you’ve all had an opportunity to read it. I need a motion for that to come before this Council.

Councilmember Winnecke: I’ll move that we adopt it as presented.

Councilmember Raben: I’ll second.

President Abell: Questions and comments? Now this is the first reading, so this will still have to come back next month for the final reading of this ordinance, but if anyone has any questions or comments, this would be the time to do that. Well, then, I guess I will because I do have some comments on it. I sat on the Parks Foundation Board for many years and elected to get off of the Parks Foundation Board when I accepted public office because I thought that it was too closely connected for someone who was elected to also sit on a board that did advising in any way to a government agency. And that government agency at that time was that we advised the Parks Foundation, held the money for the Greenway Passage Board. In reading this ordinance, I have many concerns about it. On page one, for instance, the definition of the Pigeon Creek Greenway is a linear passage, pedestrian bikeway or trail created by the City of Evansville and Vanderburgh County. I have discussed this with the County Attorney, Mr. Ziemer, and I’ve also discussed it with the president of the County Commissioners, Ms. Musgrave. I think that is a very shallow description of what this greenway is. I am concerned as to what can be considered part of the greenway. I would ask my fellow Councilmen to think about the greenway is not defined as to where it is. And I am seriously concerned about public money being spent on private property. And if some of this greenway is run toward an area of private property, how much money are we going to spend to improve someone’s private property that they may in turn take back. These are public funds and I’ve never thought that public funds, and all of you know that because I voted against an ordinance last year regarding spending public money on private property, and I’m still against it. And I’m very concerned that this doesn’t set forth that it cannot be spent on anything other than public property unless there is a limit to the amount of money that can be spent, and that the people who have the private property are granting us that easement with that knowledge that it is just an easement, and we’re not going to spend millions, and I do think millions is not an unfair comment, on private property. I also have a question about, on page two, the membership of this board is a seven member board from the city and a six member board from the county. And I don’t think that it should ever be one agency have control over the other. I’m concerned that the county will not be able to have any discussion regarding this and on page three, it indicates that the money raised from the greenway is administered by the Parks Department under the policies and practices of the city. If the money is administered by the Parks Department under the policies and practices of the city, I don’t like to see the county give any money to it, because we obviously don’t get to say that its under our practices and our policies. With that said, is there anyone else that would like to make any comments or questions? We’ll vote on it next time? We’ll vote on this ordinance next month.

Jeff Ahlers: No, you vote on it now.

President Abell: That’s what I thought. I thought we would vote on it now, but then Mr. Ahlers and I were crossing signals. We’ll vote on it now, but we vote on it again next month for second reading. Roll call vote please.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Sutton?

Councilmember Sutton: Before I vote, I did want to ask a question of our Chair regarding some of your concerns. The last concern that you talked about in terms of the control of the dollars, is there a particular, I mean, is there a formula or a suggestion that maybe you might have in mind in that regard of what might be the more appropriate way with handling this particular, this board?

President Abell: I like the way that we’re now handling the IT board. They have the ability to spend some monies that are just, they don’t have to come before this body for every little thing they want to spend, but I think there should be a limit at which they cannot just spend the money, that they should have to come before an elected body because these people are all appointed people and I think an elected body, elected by the people, because this is the people’s greenway, should be the ones who make this decision. I would look to a limit at which they can make a discretionary payment without coming before the elected body. And again, it indicates in this ordinance that the people on the board can be elected officeholders and I just think that that’s not good practice to – we keep putting the same people on the same boards, making the same decisions, and the same mistakes. And I’d like to see this board made up of nothing but citizens of Evansville and Vanderburgh County who are concerned about this. And then they would not be an elected board so, since its public money, I think an elected board should be the ones who make the final decision on how its spent, not an appointed board.

Councilmember Sutton: And so that then comes to a point of where a decision needs to be made on funds either received or funds that they are going to spend, but in between the city and the county, how would, what are you suggesting of how they would come to some, arrive at some decision of how those funds would be allocated or spent?

Councilmember Abell: Well, I think its fair to say that the county really gets the short end of the stick on all of this because we don’t get any say in the city, but yet, most of us who live in the county, do live in the city also. So I would think that the City Council should have a vote on how these things go and that the County Council – and if they wanted to do that by another board, a small executive board made up of elected officials with an even number from the city and an even number from the county, I would not be opposed to that. I am just opposed to a group of people making decisions with public money, who are not elected officials in the capacity at which they’re making those decisions.

Councilmember Sutton: Mr. Ahlers, this resolution that we have here, is this the final action that would be taken on this with the vote today?

Jeff Ahlers: No, today is just the first reading, so, I mean, there could be amendments made before the second reading or it can be, you know, you can vote no either today if a majority votes no, or on the second reading, it does not pass. And then, of course, at that time you can go back with the city representatives or whoever else is a party to this ordinance and work out new terms and bring it back again. So there is several different mechanisms that can occur. My understanding is, I think that this has already been passed by the Commissioners and the city, so quite frankly, probably if you’re wanting to make changes, you would probably have to vote it down and then go back to them. Because, in other words, if you make amendments to it and they haven’t passed it, it isn’t, you know, because it’s a joint ordinance. If it was just our ordinance, it would be fairly simple, we would just amend it between readings and you would re-pass it. But given that there’s other official bodies that are involved with the Commissioners and the City Council passing it, I mean, I think to make changes, you would probably need to vote it down and then go to them and say, we want these changes, and then work something out and then have everybody re-pass it.

Councilmember Sutton: Well, I guess I’m on the clock right now, I guess, in terms of my vote, but I think what I prefer to do is I’m going to vote yes for this, since this is the first reading and so that we can keep this rolling, moving along. And in between the first reading and the second reading, see if we can iron out maybe some of the concerns that have been expressed here with possibly negotiating or working out some of these finer points and coming to some agreement with all the bodies involved, and then when we get to the second reading, which will be next month, if those changes are made, then we can give some consideration to it. But that’s my vote, my recommendation.

President Abell: Thank you. Mr. Shetler?

Councilmember Shetler: Is there anybody on the County Council involved in helping to lay this out?

President Abell: No, I got it by email and I was told we were putting it on the agenda and voting on it.

Councilmember Shetler: Alright, thank you.

Councilmember Raben: You know, I guess since we’re still discussing, there’s been a lot of great points made here today. I certainly agree with some of your points, Councilman Abell, that in regards to spending any greenway funds on private properties, you know, that does not ever need to happen. One thing we do need to understand is, our contribution is somewhat dwarfed by the city’s contribution. I mean, they’re contributing this much and we’re contributing this much, so respectively, I guess, you know, we have to understand that there are more controls on their side. But as Councilperson Abell stated, you know, we still have our part, as small as it may be, you know, we ought to have some say in how its spent because it is tax dollars that we appropriate and we’re responsible for. I don’t know if this thing has to be passed today, if we even need to do the first reading. I mean, Councilman Sutton offered the suggestion, we go through the motions today and let’s get more answers before we vote on it a second time. But there really isn’t any need if we don’t want to vote on this today.

Councilmember Winnecke: He’s already cast the first vote.

Councilmember Raben: Oh, okay.

President Abell: Mr. Goebel?

Councilmember Goebel: Madam President, have you talked with either of the other two bodies that have passed this resolution already about your concerns? Has there been a sit-down?

President Abell: I have talked to President Musgrave mostly by email, but some by phone, and I’ve talked to Mr. Ziemer, I guess he’s the one who actually drafted this ordinance for the County Commissioners. That’s the only people that have wanted to talk to me about it.

Councilmember Raben: I want to make one last pitch, and I mentioned this last week. You know, one thing that I would hope that, regardless of what the makeup of this body ends up being, that a part or all it, but some form of formal dedication is made toward Shirley James and her efforts spent on making this thing happen. So I’d sure love to see them take that on as soon as this board is finalized.

Councilmember Leader: Ms. Abell? I just wanted to comment, that it seems to me that with all of the areas in which we lack understanding, and which to investigate further, if we don’t have to have the first reading today, can we postpone the first reading until next month even though we do have a motion on the floor? It seems to me we’ve got a lot of investigation to do, the first time we’ve really read it and discussed it.

President Abell: I think the only way we can do that is if the person who made the motion can withdraw his motion, so I’ll leave that up to them.

Councilmember Winnecke: I mean, I guess I would just say, we’ve had this motion before us in various forms for the last two or three months, so this is not the first time that we’re seeing it. So could we delay it? I think theoretically, yes, but as Mr. Raben said, you know, our contribution to the greenway project as a county is very small, its $9,000 annually. I don’t know the specific city dollar amount, but I know its significantly more. I mean, I think the issues raised are legitimate, but I don’t know that they are so significant that we should impede the progress of forming this interlocal agreement.

President Abell: Mr. Shetler?

Councilmember Shetler: I think, bottom line, correct me, I guess, if I’m wrong, but whether we vote for it or against it, whether it passes or if it fails, it still will continue on at the final reading next month anyway, and discussion can take place in between.

Jeff Ahlers: That’s correct. And I suppose you could delay the final reading if you decide that you need more time, but obviously, that just depends upon the will of the majority, what you want to do, ultimately.

President Abell: Anyone else? Well, we do have a motion and a second on the floor. So we will vote on this motion. We still have a final reading either next month or possibly the month after. In the interim, I will make an effort to find out exactly what the financial contribution is of both parties. I do know that the city does indicate they have a huge financial contribution and I think basically they do have some, but as many of you may know, I was in city government at one point and the contribution was actually community development block grant money, which is federal money, not city money, it doesn’t come out of the city general fund, and also, the contribution of land, which was property held by the city, but virtually, not prime real estate by any stretch of the imagination. But I’ll try to get those figures together and get those to every one of you by next month. Roll call vote please.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Sutton?

Councilmember Sutton: I voted already, but yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Leader?

Councilmember Leader: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Shetler?

Councilmember Shetler: No.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Goebel?

Councilmember Goebel: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Raben?

Councilmember Raben: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Winnecke?

Councilmember Winnecke: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: President Abell?

President Abell: No.

(Motion carries 5-2/Councilmembers Shetler & Abell opposed)

President Abell: Mr. Ahlers is just pointing out that the ordinance does not indicate who commits what type of funding to this thing and I think that’s another thing that needs to be set forth if we’re going to sign an ordinance and enter in an agreement with the city, we need to know where we stand on this.

President Abell: The next item on our agenda is the resolution urging the Indiana State Legislature to provide property tax relief, and as all of you will remember, we voted on this last week because we had to. Mr. Goebel brought it before us because the state legislature was going to adjourn and consequently, this is nothing for us to vote on, but I would like to make it part of the record in our public meeting that we did vote unanimously to send that resolution up and that it was done. Mr. Goebel, would you like to comment?

Councilmember Goebel: Yes, I thank everyone here for their support on this. This is probably a no-brainer for us, and also the City Council, but speaking with all the members of the local delegations to the House and Senate, they were very helpful, very open, and all supported the extension of the appeals process for Vanderburgh County. And I think they also worked very diligently on trying to get some form of property tax relief. I don’t know if its going to be enough and I guess Mr. Fluty will have those answers down the road. It seems to be a bit murky right now, but I felt gratified that the delegations up in the State House were so open. So, that’s all I have to say, thank you.

President Abell: Thank you. And thank you for bringing that to us last week, Mr. Goebel. Is there anyone else that has any business to come before this Council?

Councilmember Winnecke: On your desks this morning there is an invitation to a groundbreaking next week, May 8th, for the new facility for Creative Press. As you will recall, our body granted a tax phase-in, and I will tell you, that was a significant piece of the incentive package that encouraged this company to stay here versus moving across the river. And I’d also tell you as a representative of the Growth Alliance of Greater Evansville, the new joint city-county economic development organization, that organization was very active in negotiating with the parent company and I think did this body and the county proud by its negotiations with them. But this is definitely a success. Two or three years ago, this body recognized the tax phase-ins for job retention are every bit as important as acquisition, and this is evident of that. So I just bring that to your attention and hope we can all be at the ground breaking.

President Abell: Thank you, Mr. Winnecke, and I hope all of you vote before you go to that groundbreaking next Tuesday. Is there anyone else who has any comment? Well, I’m going to take just a second and I promise not to spend long, but I do have to do a little boasting. After our meeting last week, my husband and I traveled to Fort Benning, Georgia and watched our youngest son become a new lieutenant in the Army and get his commission. And I can tell you that it was very moving to watch 138 of America’s finest young men and women stand up and not only take the Pledge of Allegiance of the Flag, and their oath of office, but also to devote themselves to defend our country and to fight wherever called. And in a time of war, I think that was a valid comment that they – of valor that they would do that, and I can’t tell you, although we are certainly a part of government here, it certainly makes you respect and appreciate the Pledge of Allegiance much more when you stand there and watch those men and women in uniform doing it. And I was very pleased to get to witness what a fine service it is. And it makes you realize that not all of our youth are over at the Youth Center, some of them are serving our country. Is there anymore business to come before this Council? We stand adjourned.

(There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 9:06 a.m.)

VANDERBURGH COUNTY COUNCIL

        President Marsha Abell               Vice President Lloyd Winnecke

       Councilmember Jim Raben           Councilmember Mike Goebel

        Councilmember Tom Shetler         Councilmember Royce Sutton

        Councilmember Donna Leader

Recorded and transcribed by Teri Lukeman