Meeting Minutes HIGHLAND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION STUDY SESSION MINUTES JULY 12, 2006 The Highland Redevelopment Commission (“Commission”) met in Study Session on Wednesday, July 12, 2006, 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 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, and Dominic Noce. Commissioner Brice Johnson was absent with notice. Also in attendance were Town Manager Rich Underkofler, Attorney David Westland, and BZA Board Member Gail Barenie. 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. Commissioners noticed a discrepancy between the emailed accounts receivable docket and the docket included within their packets. A corrected docket was provided. No comments were made on the minutes. Ms. Petro stated that in next month’s accounts receivable docket there would be a claim for the appraisal of the American Legion parking lot property per the request of the Town Council. Commissioner Burton stated that in next month’s claim docket the Commissioners would also find a claim for a property ownership listing for the entire Town of Highland including key numbers and property identification numbers. This listing will aid the Redevelopment Commission as it proceeds with its redevelopment plan. Gail Barenie, an architect with Jacobs and Maciejewski, AIA and Associates Architects, P.C. presented the proposed plans for the new Town Hall. Her firm has been charged with providing a concept and needs assessment plan for the Town. The concept shows a three story building located at the southwest corner of Highway Avenue and Kennedy Avenue. She explained that the building would have a first floor level facing Kennedy and Highway. The second story entrance would be located at the current American Legion parking lot. The Commission thanked Ms. Barenie for keeping the Commission abreast of these plans since the proposed Town Hall will be located within the Redevelopment District. The Study Session adjourned for the Public Meeting. HIGHLAND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION PUBLIC MEETING JULY 12, 2006 The Highland Redevelopment Commission met in a Public Meeting on July 12, 2006 at 7:15 PM in the Council Chambers within the Municipal Building at 3333 Ridge Road, Highland, Indiana. Redevelopment Commission Vice-President Adam Gawlikowski called the meeting to order. ROLL CALL: Present on roll call were Redevelopment Commissioners Bernie Zemen, Rex Burton, Adam Gawlikowski, and Dominic Noce. Commissioner Brice Johnson was absent with notice. Also in attendance were Attorney David Westland, Town Manager Rich Underkofler, and BZA Board member Gail Barenie. Members of the public and media were also present. Taking minutes for the meeting was Redevelopment Director Cecile Petro. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS SESSIONS: Commissioner Noce made a motion to approve the minutes of June 14, 2006, and June 28, 2006 and the Joint Meeting of the Plan Commission, BZA, and the Redevelopment Commission held on June 28, 2006. Commissioner Zemen seconded the motion. Motion carried with 4 ayes and 0 nays. SPECIAL ORDERS: None UNFINISHED BUSINESS AND GENERAL ORDERS: None NEW BUSINESS: None BUSINESS FROM THE REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION: None ACTION TO PAY ACCOUNTS PAYABLE VOUCHERS: Commissioner Noce made a motion to pay claims. Commissioner Zemen seconded the motion. Motion passed 4 ayes and 0 nays. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None NEXT MEETING: The next full Study Session will be July 26, 2006. The next Study Session and Public Meeting will be August 9, 2006. All Study Sessions begin at 6:30 PM and Public Meetings begin at 7:00 PM. Study Sessions may reconvene after the Public Meeting. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Zemen made a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Burton seconded the motion. Motion carried on a voice vote with no opposition at 7:22 PM. HIGHLAND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION STUDY SESSION RECONVENED JULY 12, 2006 The Highland Redevelopment Commission reconvened the Study Session at 7:45 PM in the Council Chambers within the Municipal Building at 3333 Ridge Road, Highland, Indiana. ROLL CALL: Present on silent roll call were Redevelopment Commissioners Bernie Zemen, Adam Gawlikowski, Noce, and Rex Burton. Also in attendance were Town Manager Rich Underkofler, BZA Board Member Gail Barenie, members of the public, and Redevelopment Director Cecile Petro. GENERAL SUBSTANCE OF THE RECONVENED STUDY SESSION A. Presentation by Gail Barenie on Redevelopment Efforts by other communities Mr. Barenie provided examples of redevelopment efforts in other communities including South Holland and Homewood, Illinois. The purpose was to show the Redevelopment Commission how other communities are carrying out their redevelopment efforts. B. Updates on the following programs: 1. Hammond Loan Agreement and Bond The Director stated that the Hammond Redevelopment Commission has notified her that utilities will be taken out of the River Park Apartments by the end of July 2006 and demolition will be completed by the end of August 2006. 2. Number of Best House on the Block Contest entrants to date Ms. Petro reported that over thirty entrants have entered the contest to date. 3. Progress on the Comprehensive Plan for the Redevelopment District The Director reported that Arsh Group will be making a presentation to the Town Council during their Study Session on July 17, 2006 to discuss a possible median on Kennedy Avenue and the possible closure of several streets that intersect with Kennedy Avenue. 4. Indiana Main Street Presentation Ms. Petro reminded the Commission that Ms. Ellen Harper will be presenting information on the Main Street concept and the requirements for becoming a Main Street community on July 27, 2006 at the Lincoln Center at 7:00 PM. C. Expansion of the Redevelopment District The Redevelopment Commission discussed the possibility of expanding the Redevelopment District this year. The Commission directed Ms. Petro to begin the process of expanding the district by looking into the area on the northeast side of Kennedy Avenue up to the Little Calumet River including the Highland Public Works area and the Plaza Lanes property. The Commission would like to have a Designating and Declaring Resolution prepared for the next Study Session to review. D. Creation of a Tax Increment Financing Area The Commission directed Ms. Petro to proceed with information gathering on the possibility of a Tax Increment Financing district. It was stressed that the Commission needs to become more familiar with this tool and the ramifications of putting this in place. Mr. Underkofler, the Town Manager, suggested that the Commission may want to meet with other taxing bodies that would be affected by the creation of this district. Staff will look into arrangements of a joint meeting to inform and gain support for this effort. E. Creation of an Overlay District After much discussion among the Commissioners, it was decided that they would review Development and Design Standards from other communities; determine which Standards they would like to have in the Redevelopment District; and then resolve whether an Overlay District would be needed. The Director will send examples of Design Standards to the Commissioners. F. Phase II of the Redevelopment Plan The Commission directed Ms. Petro to send a letter to Arsh Group requesting information on the status of Phase I of the Redevelopment Plan. The Commission would like to begin planning for Phase II which will involve development of sub- areas identified by Arsh Group. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 PM by general consent. Minutes were prepared by Redevelopment Director, Cecile Petro. BACK TO MAIN MENU