Meeting Minutes HIGHLAND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION STUDY SESSION MINUTES JANUARY 17, 2007 The Highland Redevelopment Commission (“Commission”) met in Study Session on Wednesday, January 17, 2007 at 6:31 PM in the upstairs Conference Room within the Municipal Building at 3333 Ridge Road, Highland, Indiana. The Study Session was called to order by Commissioner Brice Johnson. The minutes were prepared by Cecile Petro, Redevelopment Director. ROLL CALL: Present on silent roll call included Commissioners: Bernie Zemen, Rex Burton, Adam Gawlikowski, and Brice Johnson. Commissioner Dominic Noce was absent with notice. Also in attendance was Town Manager Rich Underkofler. GENERAL SUBSTANCE OF THE STUDY SESSION Redevelopment Commissioners reviewed the agenda for the Public Meeting. The Redevelopment Director requested that the Commission review the minutes and claims. No comments were made on the minutes. The Commission discussed the organization of the Redevelopment Commission for the remainder of the year. A discourse among the members ensued. Commissioner Johnson stated that he would step down as President. The members talked about a possible slate of officers for the Public Meeting. The Commission reviewed the proposed Legislative Agenda for the Northwest Indiana Forum. The Commission discussed the Forum’s Legislative Agenda. Clarification was given for the remainder of the agenda items, in particular, the procedure for the Public Comment section. ADJOURNMENT: The Study Session was adjourned at 6:55 PM for the Public Meeting. HIGHLAND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION PUBLIC MEETING JANUARY 17, 2007 The Highland Redevelopment Commission (“Commission”) met in a Public Meeting on May 1, 2006 at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building at 3333 Ridge Road, Highland, Indiana. Redevelopment Commission President Brice Johnson called the meeting to order. ROLL CALL: Present on roll call included Redevelopment Commissioners Bernie Zemen, Rex Burton, Adam Gawlikowski, and Brice Johnson. Commissioner Dominic Noce was absent with notice. Also in attendance was Town Manager Rich Underkofler. Taking minutes for the meeting was Redevelopment Director Cecile Petro. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS SESSIONS: Commissioner Burton made a motion to approve the minutes of December 13, 2006. Commissioner Gawlikowski seconded the motion. Motion carried 4 ayes, 0 nays, and 1 absent. ACTION TO PAY ACCOUNTS PAYABLE VOUCHERS: Commissioner Gawlikowski made a motion to pay claims. Commissioner Zemen seconded the motion. Motion passed 4 ayes, 0 nays, and 1 absent. SPECIAL ORDERS: Commissioner Gawlikowski made a motion to ratify a change for the Redevelopment Commission meeting date from January 10, 2007 to January 17, 2007. Commissioner Burton seconded the motion. Motion passed 4 ayes, 0 nays, and 1 absent. Commissioner Zemen made a motion for the following slate of officers: Adam Gawlikowski, President, Rex Burton, Vice President, and Dominic Noce, Secretary. At this point in the meeting, Commissioner Johnson handed the gavel to Adam Gawlikowski, the new Commission President. Motion passed 4ayes, 0 nays, and 1 absent. Commissioner Johnson made a motion to retain David Westland with Tauber, Westland, and Jasaitis, P.C. for the Redevelopment Commission Attorney for the remainder of 2006. Commissioner Zemen seconded the motion. Motion passed 4 ayes, 0 nays, and 1 absent. Commissioner Burton made a motion to appoint Cecile Petro as Recording Secretary for the Redevelopment Commission. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion. Motion passed 4 ayes, 0 nays, and 1 absent. Commissioner Johnson made a motion to pass Resolution #2007-01 Authorizing Compensation for Certain Employees to be Derived from the Proper Fund of the Redevelopment Department of the Town of Highland, Lake County, Indiana. Commissioner Zemen seconded the motion. Motion passed 4 ayes, 0 nays, and 1 absent. COMMUNICATIONS: President Gawlikowski read the letter sent by the Northwest Indiana Forum requesting endorsement of their 2007 Legislative Agenda. Commissioner Burton stated that he believed in the spirit of the document, but was not prepared to endorse this agenda. Commissioner Johnson also stated that he needed additional time in order to make a decision. President Gawlikowski tabled the item. Vice-President Burton read a letter from Dr. Brennan. The letter stated that she was opposed to the development of the island due to possible problems with underage drinking and possible drownings once access to the island is available. UNFINISHED BUSINESS AND GENERAL ORDERS: None NEW BUSINESS: None BUSINESS FROM THE COMMISSIONERS: None PUBLIC COMMENTS: Carolyn Marsh. 1804 Oliver Street. Whiting, Indiana. Ms. Marsh stated that Highland needs a master plan for the Little Calumet River in order to support the Rookery. She stated that the Plan needs to consider the entire River as one area. Furthermore, she proposed that the Town withdraw this grant application and work with the Audubon Society on another grant. Any funding spent on this current project is a waste of money, she added. Ms. Marsh encouraged the Town to rewrite this grant. To do otherwise would Be detrimental to the relationship between the Audubon Society and Highland. Craig Zandstra. 2429 Walnut Drive. Highland, Indiana. Mr. Zandstra, who works for the Lake County Park Department, stated that Highland has 600 acres of open land in addition to Wicker Park and the Hoosier Prairie. He requested that the Town look again at the grant to see if the Town could maintain the island in its natural state. He followed up by stating that Highland has one of the best natural areas in northwest Indiana and that these lands could be utilized more advantageously than they currently are. Commissioner Burton. Commissioner Burton encouraged the Town to see if the grant application could be altered. Commissioner Johnson. Commissioner Johnson requested a clarification of the grant process. Town Manager Rich Underkofler. Mr. Underkofler stated that this is a draft and that he believes that both groups will be able to reach a consensus. The grant was approved by the state and has been sent to the federal level for approval. Commissioner Gawlikowski. Commissioner Gawlikowski stated that the Commission will act upon this proposal on February 14, 2007, our next public meeting. He requested that all parties work jointly and review this application. Deborah Trocha. 9846 Fifth Street. Highland, Indiana. Ms. Trocha stated that all of the Little Calumet River needs to be protected because the Rookery is only one part of this ecosystem. NEXT MEETING: President Gawlikowski informed the public about the dates of the next public meeting and the next full study session. The Redevelopment Commission will meet in a full study session on January 24, 2007. The next Commission public meeting will be February 14, 2007. There will be study sessions before and after the public meeting. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Burton made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion. By a unanimous voice vote the meeting was adjourned at 8:02 PM. HIGHLAND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION STUDY SESSION RECONVENED JANUARY 17, 2007 The Highland Redevelopment Commission reconvened the Study Session at 8:23 PM in the upper Conference Room within the Municipal Building at 3333 Ridge Road, Highland, Indiana. ROLL CALL: Present on silent roll call were Redevelopment Commissioners Bernie Zemen, Adam Gawlikowski, Rex Burton, and Brice Johnson. Commissioner Dominic Noce was absent with notice. Also in attendance were Town Manager Rich Underkofler and Redevelopment Director Cecile Petro. GENERAL SUBSTANCE OF THE RECONVENED STUDY SESSION Gail Barenie, Architect with Jacobs and Maciejewski, and Associates Architects The Redevelopment Commission had requested the advice of Architect, Gail Barenie, on Redevelopment Commission’s property located at the southeast corner of Highway Avenue and Kennedy Avenue. Ms. Barenie stated that the Commission should consider all four corners of the intersection as it plans and develops that area. The four corners should be a destination point for the public, she added. The following are other points she outlined for the Commission: --the height of the buildings on the corners should be 2-3 stories --some kind of tower or destination feature should be placed there --the Commission needs to develop guidelines before it tries to obtain a developer --the Commission should try to expand to the east and capture a larger area, so that the Commission is able to obtain the type of development that it wants --mixed use on the corner would be preferred (retail on ground level, office on second, and living space on the second or third levels) --don’t discount some businesses because the Commission doesn’t like their typical design--the Commission can require their own standards or guidelines --don’t place a “big box” on the corner because parking is insufficient--The Commission would be better off to obtain additional property to increase the area available for redevelopment The Commission thanked Ms. Barenie for her insights and time. Joint meeting with Hammond. The Director stated that Hammond could not meet with the Commission on January 25, 2007 as scheduled due to a meeting conflict. The Director and Commission President will try to schedule another possible date with Hammond. Sales Tax Increment Financing Meeting on January 30, 2007. The Director informed the Commission that she had not heard from the Executive Director of the Northwest Indiana Forum regarding a possible regional meeting of Redevelopment Commissions for the purpose of educating and advocating for sales Tax Increment Financing. Kiosk brochure The Commission reviewed and approved the kiosk brochure. Comprehensive Plan President Gawlikowski requested that the Comprehensive Plan be emailed to all Commission members as soon as the Director receives it. ADJOURNMENT President Gawlikowski adjourned the study session at 9:45 PM by general consent. Minutes were prepared by Redevelopment Director, Cecile Petro. BACK TO MAIN MENU