Meeting Minutes HIGHLAND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION STUDY SESSION MINUTES WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 2007 The Highland Redevelopment Commission (“Commission”, “RC”) met in Study Session on Wednesday, July 11, 2007 at 6:33 PM in the Council Chambers within the Municipal Building at 3333 Ridge Road, Highland, Indiana. The Study Session was called to order by President Adam Gawlikowski. The minutes were prepared by Cecile Petro, Redevelopment Director. ROLL CALL: Present on silent roll call included Commissioners: James Kessler, Rich Garza, Adam Gawlikowski, and Dominic Noce. Brice Johnson was absent without notice. Also in attendance were Economic Development Commissioner George VandeWerken and Attorney David Westland. 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. There were no comments on the minutes or claims by the Commissioners. Director Petro stated that the Commission will receive a large bond interest payment on next month’s accounts payable report. The Commission discussed the bond payment schedule. Attorney Westland also advised the Director to proceed with a letter to Precision Development requesting payment on an invoice from Cender and Company to recover the costs associated with the potential development on the corner of Indianapolis Boulevard and Main Street. The Commission discussed renting the southeast corner lot on Highway and Kennedy Avenues to Mr. Myron Chapman for a one time beer garden use. They considered various rental amounts, a rental document that would hold the town harmless, and a requirement between Mr. Chapman and the town that would be reviewed by Attorney Westland. ADJOURNMENT: The Study Session was adjourned at 7:10PM for the Public Meeting. HIGHLAND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION PUBLIC MEETING WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 2007 The Highland Redevelopment Commission (“Commission”, “RC”) met in a Public Meeting on July 11, 2007 at 7:10 PM in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building at 3333 Ridge Road, Highland, Indiana. Redevelopment Commission President Adam Gawlikowski called the meeting to order. ROLL CALL: Present on roll call included Redevelopment Commissioners James Kessler, Adam Gawlikowski, Rich Garza, and Dominic Noce. Commissioner Brice Johnson was absent without notice. Also in attendance were Economic Development Director George VandeWerken and Attorney David Westland. Taking minutes for the meeting was Redevelopment Director Cecile Petro. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS SESSIONS: Commissioner Garza made a motion to approve the minutes of the Public Meeting and Study Session of June 13, 2007, and the Study Session of June 27, 2007. Commissioner Noce seconded the motion. Motion carried 4 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent. ACTION TO PAY ACCOUNTS PAYABLE VOUCHERS: Commissioner Noce made a motion to pay accounts payable vouchers as presented by the Director. Commissioner Garza supported the motion. Motion passed 4 ayes, 0 nays, and 1 absent. SPECIAL ORDERS: None COMMUNICATIONS: Secretary Noce presented three pieces of correspondence received by the Commission. Two letters, dated June 22, 2007, were from the office of Congressman Visclosky and one letter, dated July 2, 2007, was a response to Congressman Visclosky’s letters by Director Petro. The three letters addressed concerns about the proposed North Kennedy Avenue pedestrian bridge. Commissioner Gawlikowski stated that he was encouraged that Congressman Visclosky is interested in assisting the town with an enhanced pedestrian bridge. UNFINISHED BUSINESS AND GENERAL ORDERS: None NEW BUSINESS: Commissioner Garza made a motion to approve Myron Chapman’s request to use the corner lot at Kennedy and Highway Avenues for a one night, one time beer garden after certain rental agreement conditions are met and after a fee of $1000.00 is paid to the town. Commissioner Noce supported the motion. During discussion, Commissioners requested information on the anticipated number of people attending the Grand Opening, how late the beer garden will be open, will music bands be inside or outside, will food be prepared on the premises and will it be available outside, and how much security will be provided. Mr. Chapman responded that the number attending is undetermined, but that he has to abide by the Fire Marshal’s limit. He stated that he hopes to attract between 150 to 200 people. The bands will be outside and the food will be catered for the Grand Opening and will be for sale inside his sports bar. Mr. Chapman stated that he will hire private security. Commissioner Noce stated that he will vote to approve the use of the lot for this purpose because it will assist business development in the downtown area. Motion carried 4 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent. Commissioner Noce made a motion to approve Resolution 2007-07, A Resolution of the Highland Redevelopment Commission Designating and Declaring Certain Areas as Expanded Redevelopment Areas and Amending the Current Redevelopment Area to Include the Expansion Area along with the attached documents. Commissioner Kessler seconded the motion. Motion passed 4 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent. BUSINESS FROM THE COMMISSIONERS: None PUBLIC COMMENTS: None 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 July 25, 2007. The next public meeting will be on August 8, 2007. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Kessler made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Noce seconded the motion. By a unanimous voice vote the meeting was adjourned at 7:34 PM. HIGHLAND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION STUDY SESSION RECONVENED WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 2007 The Highland Redevelopment Commission (“Commission”, “RC”) President, Adam Gawlikowski reconvened the Study Session at 7:43 PM on July 11, 2007, in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building at 3333 Ridge Road, Highland, Indiana. ROLL CALL: Present on silent roll call were Redevelopment Commissioners Adam Gawlikowski, Dominic Noce, Rich Garza, and Jim Kessler. Commissioners Brice Johnson was absent without notice. Also in attendance were Economic Development Commissioner George VandeWerken and Redevelopment Director Cecile Petro. Plan Commissioner Tom Aglar entered at 8:30 PM. GENERAL SUBSTANCE OF THE RECONVENED STUDY SESSION 1. Neighborhoods Inc. Presentation on the Best House on the Block Program Neighborhoods Inc. Executive Director Keith Speaks and Marketing Assistant Kassia Mehidi provided the Commission with information on the approach that Neighborhoods Inc. takes with residents to inform them about the Best House on the Block program. Mr. Speaks and Ms. Mehidi role played a typical scenario between staff of Neighborhoods Inc. and residents. Once a resident is interested, staff provides a 2 1/4 to 2 1/2 hour consultation describing the program, reviewing and documenting the proposed work the resident intends on completing, guiding the resident through suggestions, and completing the entry forms. Mr. Speaks also stated that the 2007 Best House on the Block Contest area, known as Wicker Park Estates, has been a difficult area to obtain entrants into the program this year. Neighborhoods Inc. staff has been making repeated stops and has talked to numerous home owners. Next Thursday they will have a meeting in a local Park to talk to the neighborhood and to create interest among the residents in the program. Commissioner Gawlikowski left the meeting at 8:30 PM. 2. Draft Redevelopment Commission Budget for 2008 The Director presented the draft 2008 budget for the Redevelopment Commission. No comments were made at this time. Final approval of the budget is slated for the August 8, 2007 meeting of the Commission. ADJOURNMENT Vice President Kessler adjourned the study session at 9:17 PM with general consent. Minutes were prepared by Redevelopment Director, Cecile Petro. BACK TO MAIN MENU