The Evansville Board of Public Works on Oct. 2 approved a one-day license agreement allowing Animal Resource Foundation Inc. (ARF) to use space at the city animal care facility for a fundraiser and adoptathon scheduled for Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

A city staff member told the board the agreement is a license, not a rental, and that "no money is being exchanged" to the city; organizers will collect donations and all proceeds will go to the Spirit Medical Fund. The staff member also said the foundation presented required insurance naming the city as an additional insured and that paperwork was in order.

Tom Cross, who identified himself as president of Animal Resource Foundation Inc., told the board the event was organized in part as a two-year anniversary celebration and coincides with his birthday. "We have done probably 300" adoptions through recent PetSmart events, Cross said, and the foundation helps spay/neuter and rehome animals to reduce intake at the shelter. Cross said the group plans to allow one or two food trucks off-site; he said those vendors provided their own certificates of insurance.

Board members asked whether the license could cover recurring events. A city staff member said the agreement before the board covered only this date but that the city could prepare a standing license covering multiple, identified dates if organizers provide lead time and specific dates.

A board member moved approval of the license agreement; another member seconded the motion and the board approved the license. The agenda item record notes the event will occur Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The license authorizes use of city property for the single-day fundraiser; it does not transfer funds or create a lease. Organizers and city staff agreed future recurring events would require separate approvals or a multi-date license with specific dates provided in advance.