At first 2025 meeting, Evansville council elects officers, names committee chairs and fills multiple boards

At its first meeting of 2025, the Evansville Common Council elected Councilman Trotman as council president and Councilman Paul Green as vice president, named committee chairs and confirmed a slate of board and commission appointments.

Councilman Trotman was nominated and elected by voice vote after receiving a nomination from Councilwoman Allen and a second from Councilman Paul Green. Councilman Paul Green was nominated and elected vice president by voice vote. President Trotman later announced committee chair appointments: Councilwoman Carruthers for Administration and Safety, Councilwoman Kayler Lindsey for Public Works and Development, and Councilwoman Allen as finance chair. The council said department liaison assignments would be made later.

The council adopted a consent agenda that included first readings of several ordinances listed by the clerk: Ordinance G20 25-01 (vacation of portions of public utility easements in Alberta Place No. 2 at addresses 100 S and 114 S Teacupel Avenue), Ordinance G20 25-02 (authorizing issuance of taxable economic development TIF bonds for the Franklin Lofts project and lending proceeds to Franklin Street Lofts LLC or affiliate), Ordinance R20 25-01 (rezoning of property commonly known as 1501 West Maryland Street and 1516 Fountain Avenue), and Ordinance R20 25-02 (rezoning of 1617 South Kentucky Avenue). The consent agenda was approved by voice vote.

The council also considered and adopted Resolution C20 25-05, described as approving an agreement concerning legal representation. Councilman Trotman recused himself from the roll call on C20 25-05 because of a family relation; the clerk recorded eight ayes and one recusal and declared the resolution adopted.

During the meeting the council confirmed a number of board and commission appointments by voice vote. Noted confirmations and terms recorded in the meeting record include: - Affordable Housing Trust Fund Advisory Committee: Matt Henke (appointed 01/13/2025—to 12/31/2028). - Commission on the Social Status of African American Males: Melissa Moore (full two-year term to 12/31/2026) and Donovan Phipps (remainder of term to 12/31/2026). - Evansville Fire Department Merit Commission: Chad Fetcher (01/13/2025 to 12/31/2028). - Evansville Land Bank Board of Directors: Darren Morley (01/13/2025 to 12/31/2027). - Human Relations Commission: Samantha Pinte and Ellie Cena Martin (terms to 12/31/2026). - Loan Administration Board: Ariana Sweeney (01/13/2025 to 12/31/2025).

Council members also spent time thanking city crews, first responders and community volunteers for responses during a recent winter storm. The mayor's office was noted as holding an animal-welfare town hall on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. at the CK Newsom center.

Votes at a glance (items recorded and outcomes at the Jan. 13 meeting): - Ordinance G20 25-01: first reading placed on consent agenda; consent agenda adopted by voice vote. - Ordinance G20 25-02: first reading placed on consent agenda; consent agenda adopted by voice vote. - Ordinance R20 25-01: first reading placed on consent agenda; consent agenda adopted by voice vote. - Ordinance R20 25-02: first reading placed on consent agenda; consent agenda adopted by voice vote. - Resolution C20 25-02: adopted (ratifying city Teamsters agreement) ——(roll call announced 9 ayes, 0 nays). - Resolution C20 25-03: adopted (ratifying METS Teamsters agreement) ——(roll call announced 9 ayes, 0 nays). - Resolution C20 25-04: adopted (Franklin Lofts allocation-area approval) —(roll call announced 9 ayes, 0 nays). - Resolution C20 25-05: adopted (agreement concerning legal representation); Councilman Trotman recused; clerk announced 8 ayes, 0 nays, 1 recusal.

The meeting adjourned after the consent votes and appointments were completed.