Evansville Redevelopment Commission approves minutes, pays $852,384.57 in bills, grants Verizon access and extends consultant through December

The Evansville City Redevelopment Commission approved its July 2 meeting minutes, authorized payment of $852,384.57 in accounts payable, granted Verizon a right-of-entry at the Ford Center to size cell equipment, and extended a consultant services agreement through December.

The session began with a motion to approve the July 2 minutes; Commissioners Altman, Neeson, McAllister and Weltner voted aye and the chair declared the minutes approved.

Staff walked the commission through the accounts payable register and highlighted several large items. "The original note was for $1,950,000 but we only drew $1,690,000," said Lana, explaining the remaining payments are to finish paying a Bond Bank note from a 2021 transaction tied to the Fifth and Main development; she said about $1,000,000 had been paid previously, leaving roughly $650,000 plus interest. Lana also identified a $36,225 payment to Echo Housing tied to the Promise Home supplement in Jacobsville, a $6,250 stipend to Jacobsville’s director, Ted O'Connell, a $24,200 capital improvement payment for parking garages and $112,003.60 for elevator upgrades. The total on the register was $852,384.57.

A motion to pay the accounts payable as presented carried after roll call; Commissioners Osman, Mason, McAllister and Waugh (as transcribed) were recorded as voting aye.

On the Ford Center, the commission considered Resolution 24 ERC 26, an access agreement to allow Verizon onto the arena roof to size and assess placements for cell equipment. "This is not that lease yet," said a city staff member, noting the agreement covers access for measurements and includes indemnity while Verizon’s contractors perform work. The commission voted to approve the right-of-entry.

Finally, the commission addressed Resolution 24 ERC 27 to extend consulting services provided by Kelly through December. Staff said Kelly began consulting in March while the city searched for a new historic preservation officer. "We actually have recently hired a potential candidate for historic preservation officer who is moving to Evansville from Ohio," said another speaker, adding the new hire may need 30–60 days to relocate and be onboarded. The commission voted to extend Kelly’s term through December without increasing the contract amount.

The meeting adjourned with no further public comment.

What happens next: the accepted accounts-payable voucher will be paid per the register; staff will continue negotiating a separate Verizon lease after the access work; and the consultant extension runs through December to allow overlap with the incoming historic preservation officer.