Evansville City Council Brief

This week’s Evansville City Council meeting was held on March 9^th at 5:30 p.m., with eight members present: Rita Taylor, Zac Heronemus, Kendra Hatfield, Angela Koehler Lindsey, Jim Brinkmeyer, Mary Allen, Paul Green, and Courtney Johnson. Councilman Ben Trockman was absent.

 Every ordinance on the consent agenda was approved for the next meeting.

The council moved through the agenda quickly, approving updates to the city’s animal control ordinance, delaying a decision on a contested Reis Avenue property matter, and authorizing the next step in financing for a new Stringtown library branch.

The meeting opened with students from Bosse High School leading the Pledge of Allegiance.

Council unanimously approved Ordinance G-2026-05, which updates the city’s animal control code and places greater emphasis on microchipping pets to help reunite lost animals with their owners. Evansville Animal Care and Control Director Missy Mosby said collars and tags often come off animals, while microchips allow officers to quickly identify owners. Microchipping is available through Animal Care and Control for about $25, and the department hosts free clinics.

Council also discussed Ordinance G-2026-06, a request to vacate an unbuilt cul-de-sac right-of-way at the end of Reis Avenue. The request would allow access for a planned single-family home. Neighbors raised concerns about the property’s R-4 zoning, possible future development and road maintenance. Council voted to table the item until March 30 to allow more discussion.

Council approved resolution C-2026-11, allowing the Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library to issue up to $6.865 million in bonds to help fund construction of a new Stringtown Branch library, along with site improvements, technology and equipment upgrades across the library district. The new branch was discussed as part of the Crawford Door redevelopment, a planned 139-unit affordable housing development. The project would relocate the current Stringtown branch to that area, replacing the existing 5,475-square-foot facility with a new 10,550-square-foot library.

Public comment included remarks from a Bosse High School teacher, Seth Easterday, praising students who participated in a February walkout supporting immigrant students and families. Two speakers, Thomas Moore, Fitch and Associates and Nicole Henricksen, Global Medical Response addressed the city’s transition to a municipal Emergency Medical system.

Council recognized Missy Mosby for her service and heard updates about new grants, adoption programs and community support for Animal Care and Control.

The next council meeting is scheduled for March 30 at 5:30 p.m. in Room 301 at the Civic Center.