Meeting Minutes HIGHLAND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION STUDY SESSION MINUTES WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8, 2006 The Highland Redevelopment Commission met in Study Session on Wednesday, March 8, 2006, at 7:35 PM in the Council Chambers of the Highland Municipal Building, 3333 Ridge Road, Highland, Indiana. The meeting was called to order by President Bernie Zemen. The minutes were prepared by Cecile Petro, Redevelopment Director. ROLL CALL: Present on silent roll call were Commissioners: Bernie Zemen, Daniel Dernulc, Robert Helmer, Mark Herak, and Joseph Wszolek. Also present were attorneys Steven Kennedy and David Westland and members of the public. GENERAL SUBSTANCE OF THE STUDY SESSION Neighborhoods Inc. Contract for the Comprehensive Plan The contract with Neighborhoods Inc. for conducting a Best House on The Block Contest for Highland was discussed. Attorney David Westland stated that item #18 regarding the liability of the town must be added to the contract. An attachment from Neighborhoods Inc.’s insurance company is not sufficient. The motion should read: “with the addition of paragraph #18”. Interlocal Governmental Agreement with Hammond, Indiana Attorney Steve Kennedy discussed the Agreement to date. The Commissioners discussed interest on the loan and the interest payment schedule before and after eighteen (18) months. Hammond will pay the interest after the eighteenth (18th) month, i.e., beginning with the nineteenth (19th) month. Attorneys Kennedy and Westland provided clarification on the Agreement and the bond for the Commissioners Next Study Session The next study session will be on March 20, 2006 at 7:00 PM at the Council Chambers within the Municipal Building. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 PM. Minutes submitted by Cecile L. Petro Interim Recording Secretary Redevelopment Director HIGHLAND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8, 2006 The Highland Redevelopment Commission (RC) met on Wednesday March 8, 2006, at 8:08 PM for a Public Meeting in the meeting room of the Highland Municipal Building, 3333 Ridge Road, Highland, Indiana. The meeting was called to order by Director Cecile Petro and recorded and transcribed by her. ROLL CALL: Present on roll call were Commissioners: Dan Dernulc, Robert Helmer, Mark Herak, Joseph Wszolek, and Bernie Zemen. Also present was attorney David Westland, attorney Steven Kennedy, and members of the public. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS SESSIONS: The minutes of the Public Meeting/Study Session of February 6, 2006, and the Study Sessions of February 20, 2006 and February 25, 2006, were introduced. Minutes stood as posted. SPECIAL ORDERS: None COMMUNICATIONS: None UNFINISHED BUSINESS AND GENERAL ORDERS: Neighborhoods Inc. Contract for the Best House on the Block Contest Commissioners asked Mr. Keith Speaks, Director of Neighborhoods Inc., to discuss the development of the contest in Highland and other parts of Northwest Indiana and neighboring Illinois. Mr. Speaks indicated that Neighborhoods Inc. has completed fourteen contests. He also provided general information on the contest as a whole. Commissioner Helmer then made a motion to approve the Professional Services Contract with Neighborhoods Inc. with the addition of paragraph #18 which states: “Service Provider hereby covenants and agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold Client harmless from and against any and all claims, demands, judgments, losses, damages, costs, expenses, actions, causes of actions, and suits at law or in equity, of whatever kind, nature, character, description, extend or duration, arising out of this Professional Services Agreement. Service Provider shall also add Client as an additional insured to any applicable policy of insurance and shall provide proof to Client of the same.” Commissioner Wszolek seconded the motion. Discussion followed. Motion passed 4 ayes and 1 nay. Commissioner Herak voted nay. Interlocal Governmental Agreement with Hammond, Indiana Commissioners asked Attorney Steven Kennedy to explain the Interlocal Agreement with Hammond to provide them with a loan of $2,000,000.00. Mr. Kennedy responded that the community was provided with a public forum on March 4, 2006 to comment on the issue. He also stated that the loan would be interest free to Hammond for a time limit of eighteen (18) months and that the proceeds from the sale of the property would be used to pay back Highland first. Commissioner Herak then made a motion to accept the Interlocal Governmental Agreement with Hammond with the addition of the phrase: “payable biannually beginning at the twenty-fourth (24th) month” Within the following sentence: “The loan shall be interest free for the period of eighteen (18) months from receipt of the funds and shall thereafter accrue interest payable biannually beginning at the twenty-fourth (24th) month at the rate of interest as set out in an amortization schedule incorporated in a bond issue authorized by the Highland Redevelopment Commission for each and every year the debt is outstanding;” (p. 1) And within the following sentence: “That the Highland Redevelopment Commission in consideration of the contribution of the Hammond Redevelopment Commission in the acquisition and redevelopment of the property known as River Park Apartments as more fully described in this document agrees to loan the City of Hammond by and through its Redevelopment Commission, a sum not to exceed $2,000,000.00, interest free for eighteen (18) months from the receipt of the funds and shall thereafter accrue interest payable biannually beginning at the twenty-fourth (24th) month at the rate of interest as set out in the amortization schedule incorporated in bond issue authorized by the Highland Redevelopment Commission for each and every year the debt is outstanding and pursuant to the powers and purposes of the respective Commissions and subject to the laws pertaining thereto and in conformity with the subject area set forth in this Agreement.” (p.3) Commissioner Dernulc seconded the motion. Motion carried 4 ayes and 1 nay. Commissioner Helmer voted nay. NEW BUSINESS: None BUSINESS FROM THE COMMISSIONERS: Commissioner Herak thanked the Redevelopment Commission for rescheduling the meeting to accommodate his schedule. Commissioner Zemen thanked Commissioner Herak, former Commissioner Keith Magiera, and Clerk Treasurer Michael Griffin for their presentations at the Public Forum on March 4, 2006. Commissioner Helmer stated that he supports the idea of the bond, but did not agree with the process. ACTION TO PAY ACCOUNTS PAYABLE VOUCHERS: Commissioner Dernulc made a motion to pay accounts payable vouchers. Commissioner Helmer seconded the motion. Motion passed 5 ayes 0 nays. 094 REDEVELOPMENT GENERAL $ 8,787.90 096 REDEVELOPMENT CAPITAL $ .00 097 REDEVELOPMENT BOND & INTEREST $ .00 TOTAL $ 8,786.90 PUBLIC COMMENTS: 1. Mr. Milligan. 3148 Eder Street. Mr. Milligan asked about liability for Highland during the demolition phase of the River Park Apartments. Attorney Kennedy responded that Highland would not be liable. 2. Mr. Keith Magiera. 3308 George. Mr. Magiera inquired about the progress on the Comprehensive Plan for the Redevelopment District. Staff and Attorney Westland answered Mr. Magiera’s questions. NEXT MEETING: The next Public Meeting of the Redevelopment Commission will be April 3, 2006 at 7:00PM at the meeting room in the Highland Municipal Building, 3333 Ridge Road, Highland, Indiana. The next Study Session will be on March 20, 2006 at the meeting room in the Highland Municipal Building, 3333 Ridge Road, Highland, Indiana at 7:00PM and on April 3, 2006 at 6:30 PM before the Public Meeting and after the Public Meeting, if needed. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Dernulc made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Herak seconded the motion. Motion passed 5 ayes 0 nays. Respectfully Submitted by Cecile L. Petro Interim Recording Secretary Redevelopment Director HIGHLAND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION RECONVENED STUDY SESSION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8, 2006 The Highland Redevelopment Commission reconvened in Study Session on Wednesday, March 8, 2006, at 8:45 PM in the upper meeting room of the Highland Municipal Building, 3333 Ridge Road, Highland, Indiana. The meeting was called to order by President Bernie Zemen. The minutes were prepared by Cecile Petro, Redevelopment Director. ROLL CALL: Present on silent roll call were Commissioners: Bernie Zemen, Daniel Dernulc, Robert Helmer, Mark Herak, and Joseph Wszolek. Also present were members of the public. GENERAL SUBSTANCE OF THE STUDY SESSION Comprehensive Plan for the Redevelopment District Commissioners discussed the development of the Plan. They also encouraged the Redevelopment Director to direct Arsh Group, the consultant on this project, to interview as many different stakeholders, residents, and media persons as possible in order to acquire many different viewpoints. The first Oversight Committee meeting will be held on March 29, 2006 at the Lincoln Center at 7:00 PM. The public is invited to attend. Loan Fair The Redevelopment Director presented the flyer that will be distributed widely regarding a Loan Fair for the residents of the Town. This Loan Fair will be a “one-stop” shopping event for the residents to acquire information on loans and other financial assistance which may be available for them to repair and beautify their homes and landscape. This is part of the Redevelopment Commission’s Healthy Neighborhoods program. The Loan Fair will take place on April 22, 2006 at 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Lincoln Center. Riverfront Development District The Commission reviewed a draft proposed area within Highland for the Riverfront Development District. Questions were raised concerning the residential areas within that District. Some Commissioners were concerned that these residents might not want the District to include their streets. The Town Manager offered to distribute a flyer to the residents and talk with them about the proposed District. The Commission directed the Redevelopment Director to prepare a flyer for the Town Manager to take door to door. Expansion of the Redevelopment District The Commission decided to wait until the Comprehensive Plan is underway before designating an area for expansion. Redevelopment Bond The Commission was informed that a bond is considered taxable if more than 10% of the bond will be used for private purposes. Adjournment The Commission adjourned the Study Session at 9:55 PM. Respectfully Submitted by Cecile L. Petro Interim Recording Secretary Redevelopment Director BACK TO MAIN MENU