Meeting Minutes HIGHLAND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION STUDY SESSION MINUTES MAY 24, 2006 The Highland Redevelopment Commission (RC) met in Study Session on Monday, May 24, 2006, at 6:30 PM in the upstairs Conference Room within the Municipal Building at 3333 Ridge Road, Highland, Indiana. The Study Session was called to order by Commission Vice-President, Adam Gawlikowski. The minutes were prepared by Cecile Petro, Redevelopment Director. ROLL CALL: Present on silent roll call were Commissioners: Bernie Zemen, Rex Burton, Adam Gawlikowski, Dominic Noce and Brice Johnson. Also in attendance was Town Manager Rich Underkofler. Town Councilmen Joseph Wszolek and Dan Dernulc entered the meeting after it was called to order. Also present were members of the public and media. GENERAL SUBSTANCE OF THE STUDY SESSION 1. Commission President asked the Director to provide an update on the following: A. Hammond Loan Agreement and Bond The Director handed out a list of bids which were received by Hammond’s Redevelopment Commission from contractors for the environmental clean up and demolition of the River Park Apartments in Hammond. She also provided a summary of the meeting between Hammond Redevelopment Commission staff and Highland’s Clerk-Treasurer, Town Manager, and Redevelopment Director held on May 17, 2006. Discussion ensued among the Commission members regarding the future of that site. Town Manager Underkofler stated that the Hammond Redevelopment Commission wants to work with our Commission so that a compatible development on Kennedy Avenue can be achieved. A-1. Resolution No. 2006-09 to Approve an Agreement Between Bond Counsel, Local Counsel and the Redevelopment District. Members of the Commission received copies of the resolution which identified counsel expenses in preparation of and execution of the bond. This item will appear on the next public meeting agenda. Commission members asked for clarification on the purpose of the resolution. The Director and Town Manager provided answers to the questions. B. Best House on the Block Contest for Highland 2006 The Director provided an update on the number of entrants in the program to date. She stated that there were 20 (twenty). She also distributed copies of the geographic boundaries for the program this year. C. Loan Fair Review 1. Review responses from questionnaire sent to Lenders The Director presented a copy of the results from the survey of Lenders who participated in the Loan Fair. She discussed the poor turnout at the Fair as reflected in the comments. Ms. Petro also stated that the Commission had sent out press releases, distributed flyers to the Library, Park Department, and Town Hall. Other efforts to publicize the program included mentioning the program during the Beautification series at the Library and at Chamber meetings. The flyer was also send to the lenders so that they could reproduce it and make it available at their locations. 2. Discuss whether to continue to offer program Due to time constraints, this was postponed until a later date. D. Redevelopment Director’s visits to local businesses The Director handed out a summary of her visits to local businesses within the Redevelopment District during the first quarter of 2006. She stated that she was directed by the previous Redevelopment Commission to talk with businesses within the Redevelopment District about the Redevelopment District Loan and also obtain their impressions of the five kiosks in the downtown area. The kiosks were designed to provide private businesses a place to advertise, as well as, provide the Redevelopment Commission an opportunity to place information on current events within the town. Ms. Petro gave a brief history of the kiosk purchase and Commissioner Noce explained the source of funding for the kiosks and the purpose of the kiosks at that time. The Commission decided to review the results of her visit at a later date. 2. Review of the proposed Riverfront Development District The Director reviewed the Riverfront Development District map as proposed by Staff. This area for the district was based upon comments by the former Redevelopment Commission to exclude residential areas from the District. Several Commissioners responded that they would like to have additional time to review this proposal before a district is designated. Commissioner Gawlikowski stated that since this would be a long range plan and that we would have no current interest in obtaining residential property now, he believes we should capture as much area as possible. Former Commissioner, Keith Magiera, stated that we were told at a recent Main Street Conference to include as much area as allowed because it may be difficult, if not impossible, to expand the area later. Ms. Petro will email the statute to the members so that they are able to review the opportunities and limitations of the statute. Commissioner Burton stated that if we wanted to expand the area to include the residential area, then we must explain the plan to the residents of the area. 3. Schedule the Redevelopment Director’s Performance Review The Town Manager explained the process and requested dates from the Commission President to meet for that review. The mornings of May 30 and May 31 were suggested. The Town Manager will firm up the date with the Council President. 4. Redevelopment District Loan (RDL) Committee’s recommendation for the RDL to the Redevelopment Commission The Director provided a summary of the Committee’s position along with each applicant’s description of his proposal. The Committee stated that it supports the proposal from Langel’s for $15,000.00 with two contingencies: 1) Langel’s must seek and receive approval for the variances needed to complete their project before any loan is granted; and 2) Langel’s must agree to relocate and re-establish any green space that is removed. After much discussion regarding the variances needed, the possible displacement of the Town’s planter, the uncertainty about the placement of the canopy, and the obstruction of the sidewalk; it was decided that the she would inform Langel’s of these concerns before approval of the loan could be granted. 5. Update on Comprehensive Plan by Arsh Group Commission President, Brice Johnson, introduced Mr. Taghi Arshami and his staff to the Commission and members of the public. The Director provided an email by Commissioner Burton who suggested that the Redevelopment Commission receive only limited information at this time, so that the The unveiling of the framework plan would become an event at the Second Community Consultation Forum on the Redevelopment District Comprehensive Plan scheduled for May 31, 2006. The Commission asked Mr. Arshami if he could limit his presentation to give a flavor of what to expect at the next Forum. Mr. Arshami stated that he would provide about 40 % of his Forum presentation. Mr. Arshami and his staff, including Jay Gianotti and Carla McVae, provided a framework plan for the area and some of the results of the Visual Perception Survey. The Commissioners had questions regarding the proposed plan and stated that they looked forward to the full presentation on May 31, 2006. 6. Future Events A. Second Community Consultation Forum The Director stated that the Second Community Consultation Forum on Redevelopment District’s Comprehensive Plan is scheduled for May 31, 2006, at the Lincoln Center. Two news releases and two emails were sent out to the media, the Oversight Committee, those who had attended the First Forum, and others who have expressed interest in being notified. Commissioner Johnson asked about refreshments and stated that he did not wish to impose on Mrs. Wszolek again. She had provided refreshments at the First Forum. Councilman Wszolek responded that the Director had already contacted Mrs. Wszolek who stated that she would provide them for the cost of the supplies. Other Commissioners asked if we could change the room to a larger room at the Lincoln Center. Commissioner Johnson directed her to look into a larger room at the Center. B. Indiana Main Street Joint Meeting with Dyer, IN The Director explained the Main Street program. She stated that the Executive Director of Main Street, Ellen Harper, is willing to come to Highland and meet with those who are interested in hearing about the statewide program. Ms. Petro also requested to have a joint program with Dyer, Indiana, another community which is interested in Main Streets. She stated that two dates in July are best for the Main Street Executive Director and for two Dyer Redevelopment Commissioners. Most Commissioners stated that July 27, 2006 would be the best date. C. Expansion of the Redevelopment District The Director asked the President if this item could be added to the agenda. She stated that the Commission as a whole needs to decide if they wish to expand the district, and if so, decide where to expand. Ms. Petro suggested that each Commissioner send her their suggestions, (if they want to expand), and she will email those suggestions out to all of the Commissioners before the next Study Session. ADJOURNMENT: The Study Session was adjourned at 9:45 PM. BACK TO MAIN MENU