[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6032274,"mediaKeyId","5443161-1e4bb199955579795756c6e8d008175b","parentId",5443161,"title","Council approves appropriations, moves funds for mold remediation, parking debt service and housing trust projects","audioSeconds",63,"startMs",578000,"endMs",641000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5443161-1e4bb199955579795756c6e8d008175b&start=578&end=641","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5443161-1e4bb199955579795756c6e8d008175b/thumbnail_578000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6032274/Evansville-City/Vanderburgh-County/Indiana/Council-approves-appropriations-moves-funds-for-mold-remediation-parking-debt-service-and-housing-trust-projects","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6032274-b00ef4a2de3390fb3bc96adae9459797/orig.mp4?Expires=1771192741&Signature=MGI9XBvEpv~9HsiV9ffwa~GsRpUdLcpgJV9w6rxGKEA~3HeVAm9TjxIh3Lqqh1vi-n3Ed2OTwOwYBTODfLknYf0iL74yWzq5YqhAO---FOxVxZKU3VUFETSqMePvQ2ZqUIzD9nIPU14pkqYeQuGuGFMQtqkcXlYLIMo0hXvuNXpPQnBLtdzfO408niwp0xz8JhgiQ5BMOeq3azkzg2C~Fy~1LBmQzKO~Dek-EAGL~1imjoI3tg6xzMLMlYVO6UotPfmCori6UiuXYX6vXsmIkEmwsXq9nFXrSmLNCLAatD7s4BS-ux4x5x7Syv9hjHjAn2AyqFOT3emezfddzdXspw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Evansville City, IN","date","2025-03-10T00:00:00Z","article","The Evansville Common Council on March 10 voted 9-0 to adopt ordinance F2025-02, which authorizes multiple transfers and additional appropriations across city funds, including money for facility repairs, debt service and housing programs.

Controller Robert Gunter and Danielle Crook, executive director of Parks and Recreation, told the council the Swonder Ice Arena required extra work to remove mold discovered behind a wall; the city will use casino revenue to cover approximately half of the remediation shortfall. “As they were getting in and removing the mold, they noticed it was more involved than what we had anticipated,” the controller said; Danielle Crook confirmed HVAC failures created condensation and that crews stopped work after finding mold extended into the East Arena.

The ordinance also moves general-fund cash balance dollars into the debt service fund to cover bonds for the planned parking garage on the 500 block of Main Street. The controller said the city has appropriated money to pay the bonds but had not previously appropriated the general-fund cash balance to the debt service fund and agreed to provide the bond term and timing when available.

Other items included a $35,000 public-safety fire grant carryover, roughly $7,400 carried over for human relations, and a housing trust fund appropriation that brings available housing trust resources to roughly $1.86 million (city had earlier committed $1 million). Colby Jackson, DMD, described how the carryover will allow ongoing homeowner repair grants; staff reported about a dozen projects are ready or nearly ready for contracting and about 25 additional applications are in the pipeline. The council heard that $450,000 of the housing trust allocation will be split among three housing organizations—Habitat for Humanity, Memorial CDC and Community 1—to support a coordinated neighborhood initiative in the Teepee Park area. Specific planned uses listed by staff included five roofs, three HVAC replacements, two whole-house rehabs, acquisition and renovation of 660 Ravenswood Drive and new construction at 1555 South Linwood.

Council members asked for further details on the parking garage bond term and timing for local income tax (LIT) receipts; the controller said he would provide that information after the meeting. The ordinance was adopted by roll call: Councilwoman Mosby, Councilman Hieronymus, Councilwoman Carothers, Councilwoman Kayla Lindsay, Councilman Brinkmeyer, Councilwoman Allen, Councilman Green, Councilman Johnson and Councilman Schrockman voted aye; there were no nays.

The ordinance as adopted authorizes the transfers and appropriations presented; council did not attach additional conditions in the meeting record.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Evansville City Council Meeting - Mar 10, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Evansville Common Council on March 10 voted 9-0 to adopt ordinance F2025-02, authorizing multiple appropriations and transfers for facility repairs, debt service and housing programs.","taxTitle","Evansville City, Vanderburgh County, Indiana","taxId",12506,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6032279,"Evansville council adopts amended downtown DORA, narrowing southern boundary",105,313000,418000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5443161-1e4bb199955579795756c6e8d008175b&start=313&end=418","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5443161-1e4bb199955579795756c6e8d008175b/thumbnail_313000.jpg","/articles/6032279/Evansville-City/Vanderburgh-County/Indiana/Evansville-council-adopts-amended-downtown-DORA-narrowing-southern-boundary","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6032279-138ce4e2ab38ace4cdd7e12e1c125e54/orig.mp4?Expires=1771192741&Signature=Tcoy7lu5QxXroV0SetYsO3QC7XnGy4Ga9dOr9cF4J8e1efDEeHGoLZHLk-dsIefHvx3-WZXu0cVtv1cpcu6onLlT0qX6kBEaQIHCWusG~M4I9~m9U7FPAxBCgAcorBAwgbRCLaPSqvv21QgNuqwfrdp7U1fsUNUyqRW9xBju~1T7oN9N8CriAJHZnnhNgBIUPTZNK8gGtPhRjOwclajFjzYLVTxYfGkivO9UMoYF3L5Xl9CbfErFUNA3fZQAP69hCd8Wx299grZai-yb3rdYYSZU6AByq4G3F8Kb~QLO3cAs3CIX5G7o0S0-s5UjpsSQ6bV5K6nhSiMzpm-~fFMocA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Evansville Common Council on March 10 unanimously approved an amendment to the city’s designated outdoor refreshment area, moving the southern boundary north from Cherry Street to Walnut and adding a few downtown businesses as authorized DORA permit locations.

The change, approved 9-0 on second reading as ordinance G2025-05, was presented to the council as a technical correction needed for the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission application and to reflect consent letters from nearby institutions. “Any church or K through 12 school that is within 200 feet of the DORA has to provide a letter of consent,” the DORA presenter told the council, adding the amended boundary now has “those necessary letters of consent from entities like Signature School, City Church, Encounter Church, and Trinity United Methodist Church.”

Why it matters: Indiana Code 7.1-3-31 requires local municipal authorization and, for some permit processes, evidence of consent from nearby protected institutions. Council members said the narrowed boundary resolves a prior inclusion of a church that preferred to be excluded because of its recovery work. The presenter also reported adding downtown food-and-drink businesses including Pangaea Pizzeria and Zuki to the list of participating locations.

Council discussion focused on whether the boundary can be adjusted again in the future. Councilmember Hieronymus asked if there was any limit to how often boundaries could be modified; the presenter responded that the council could return to amend boundaries again and that the body has the authority to form up to seven DORAs in its jurisdiction. The presenter also said the boundary, once established, is intended to be permanent unless this council chooses to rescind it.

No members of the public spoke on the item during the public comment period before the roll call. The clerk recorded roll-call approval from Councilwoman Mosby, Councilman Hieronymus, Councilwoman Carothers, Councilwoman Kayla Lindsay, Councilman Brinkmeyer, Councilwoman Allen, Councilman Green, Councilman Johnson and Councilman Schrockman; the ordinance was declared adopted.

The council did not enumerate an implementation date in the meeting; the presenter said the amendment was made to align with the commission application and to allow the newly listed establishments to participate.","The Evansville Common Council unanimously approved an amended designated outdoor refreshment area (DORA) boundary and added participating businesses after obtaining required letters of consent from nearby schools and churches.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6032264,"Imam asks council to pass ordinance urging employers to accommodate Friday Jumu'ah prayers",154,1915000,2069000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5443161-1e4bb199955579795756c6e8d008175b&start=1915&end=2069","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5443161-1e4bb199955579795756c6e8d008175b/thumbnail_1915000.jpg","/articles/6032264/Evansville-City/Vanderburgh-County/Indiana/Imam-asks-council-to-pass-ordinance-urging-employers-to-accommodate-Friday-Jumuah-prayers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6032264-7dae6abdafbfec6acc691f0c995e3d06/orig.mp4?Expires=1771192741&Signature=iMBgDgss6vX35-E1I6ay5QP-fCzbBTuVKkOXUg0Q4UplxbIi~aZ4KeQcvBAIwSxQefWoGWkhWiY2zsRkL-dXxmpU-NQlExZXu0FeZkpGbmGadaKLyd-0ZmahuhFqSdBNXNoOEZEAuULX04p36RoEXo4D9GC9TyeUbDGq6ZYn7QbID8K7bywLraaXjjiPEzLE3tLhgoGeMIQCsHflXBnXQvlT~5NCxY4cDriFFor-oXbWDHR-OUm5n0TIR2lJ1Mb1Sq-2-73yngHKZiv0aKQagp-8yjTJUz07X9647ohj5OHFi3ltMebAgNN1APpLqZyPXR821RfEl6gs-cenyhsj~A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During public comment at the March 10 Evansville Common Council meeting, Imam Farajii Omar Garth of Masjid Asuna asked the council to pass an ordinance directing employers and corporate entities in Evansville to allow Muslim employees a 90-to-120-minute accommodation to attend Friday congregational (Jumu'ah) prayers.

“We're not asking for an entire day off on Friday. We're simply asking to be allowed to leave our respective places of employment or schools for approximately 1 and a half to 2 hours to attend our religious services,” Imam Garth said. He said many Muslim constituents—students, factory workers, doctors and others—face obstacles in obtaining such accommodations and invoked federal protections for religious accommodation, citing the federal prohibition on employment discrimination and the obligation to accommodate sincerely held religious practices.

Imam Garth said Masjid Asuna, which opened downtown about eight months earlier and is located at 728 Court Street, has invited city officials to visit and learn about the congregation’s work. The council did not schedule action on the request during the meeting; the item was delivered as public comment and no formal council response or referral was recorded on the transcript.

A separate public commenter, Kenneth Colbert, used his time to request copies of contracts between the city and certain nonprofit organizations under the Indiana Access to Public Records Act (IC 5-14-3). He said he had submitted written copies of the request to the council and to the state access counselor.","A local imam asked the Evansville council to pass an ordinance instructing employers to allow Muslim employees time to attend Friday congregational prayers; the council took no action during the meeting.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6032270,"City-funded opioid settlement programs report early results; council views video and hears client stories",203,1204000,1407000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5443161-1e4bb199955579795756c6e8d008175b&start=1204&end=1407","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5443161-1e4bb199955579795756c6e8d008175b/thumbnail_1204000.jpg","/articles/6032270/Evansville-City/Vanderburgh-County/Indiana/City-funded-opioid-settlement-programs-report-early-results-council-views-video-and-hears-client-stories","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6032270-98ae79723cefba4a4c3bb7c0bb827643/orig.mp4?Expires=1771192741&Signature=csBoTzvREsg7o8kYgf8WeOGG1rM1L4Xin8wtFixmwrjTZ9g4-Bn~3v0koWuWaHjW4JZRpzHmmj3TNEHvyZm5iQPZ5y5Tae9tOKAq8lYtDodPcvvMP-bUaItGotT6Rd8rZ67yG2lcKVzdGPYMWWaly~aLYi7eQrracqp49Nt4pdK~oLfVl56kLObb6YER3iktTQVJ2OsljdNkL28oNJmT~IdAT9TwAYbSwmRq5ZGfx-8eqES5zbhME0mOWFyv0j14sydDvjcAfdlYXJ8GpJzh2WaRgJ9S2Ha-zSpuNbQLUATrjaRl~bmH7NeFRKa1Wj7uNb7-mTMFIroKU5YtLiu1jQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City-funded programs supported by opioid settlement dollars reported early results and program plans to the Evansville Common Council on March 10. Youth First and Forefront Community Therapy described how their city allocations are being used for school-based mental-health supports, chronic complex pain programming and neonatal opioid withdrawal services.

“Youth First received $257,500 and we're putting it toward our mental health professionals program providing student assistance in the schools,” Carrie Black, president and CEO of Youth First, told the council. She said the funding helps maintain school-based mental health professionals while the community faces a shortage of such providers.

Ryan Wood, president and CEO of Forefront Community Therapy, described a multidisciplinary approach for chronic and complex pain that aims to reduce opioid reliance through physical therapy, pain psychology and social-work supports. “Research shows actually chronic opioid use actually increases your pain experience,” Wood said, describing plans for expanded pain psychology services and a neonatal opioid withdrawal program that will work with infants exposed in utero and with their mothers.

Presenters showed a video and included client testimonials. Staff and clients described measurable service outcomes: about a dozen homeowner-repair projects tied to other programs were reported ready for contracting (this detail relates to the housing item discussed earlier), and Forefront described plans for an opioid symposium in the fall intended for regional providers and partnerships with local medical and academic programs.

Council members thanked the presenters and praised program work; no formal council action was taken at the meeting. Presenters said the symposium is intended as a capstone to disseminate evidence-based nonpharmacological approaches to pain and addiction treatment in the region.","Youth First and Forefront Community Therapy updated the council on how opioid settlement funds are being used for youth mental-health assistance, chronic pain programming and neonatal opioid-withdrawal services; staff and clients described earlier outcomes and planned symposium.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves appropriations, moves funds for mold remediation, parking debt service and housing trust projects

Evansville council adopts amended downtown DORA, narrowing southern boundary

Imam asks council to pass ordinance urging employers to accommodate Friday Jumu'ah prayers

City-funded opioid settlement programs report early results; council views video and hears client stories