Meeting Minutes HIGHLAND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION STUDY SESSION MINUTES NOVEMBER 8, 2006 The Highland Redevelopment Commission (“Commission”) met in Study Session on Wednesday, November 8, 2006, at 6:05 PM in the Council Chambers within the Municipal Building at 3333 Ridge Road, Highland, Indiana. The Study Session was called to order by President Brice Johnson. The minutes were prepared by Cecile Petro, Redevelopment Director. ROLL CALL: Present on silent roll call included Commissioners: Brice Johnson, Bernie Zemen, Rex Burton, and Dominic Noce. Commissioner Adam Gawlikowski entered the meeting at 6:45 PM and Attorney David Westland entered at 6:35 PM. Economic Development Commissioner, George VandeWerken was also present. GENERAL SUBSTANCE OF THE STUDY SESSION Mr. Dan Botich and Mr. Carl Cender from Cender & Company were introduced by the Redevelopment Commission President as candidates for a financial consultant for tax increment financing. They explained their work experience with public finance, budgets, taxes, and especially their experience with Redevelopment Commissions. Mr. Botich and Mr. Cender emphasized their relationship with the county assessor and auditor offices and stated that Cender & Company’s market area was northwest Indiana. Mr. Botich also stated that he holds a degree in Urban Studies and a Masters in Public Affairs. The Commission followed up with questions for the firm. A discussion ensued. Redevelopment Commissioners reviewed the agenda for the Public Meeting. The Redevelopment Director requested that the Commission review the minutes and claims. Commissioners asked for clarification on a few of the claim items. No comments were received on the minutes. Resolution 2006-12, A Resolution Acknowledging Richard Garza’s Community Leadership in Bringing People Together to Improve the Clough Street Neighborhood was reviewed. The Redevelopment Director asked Attorney Westland to provide his comments on the proposed kiosk panel lease. Mr. Westland directed the Commission to review the statements regarding the rotation of the panels. The Commission discussed possible changes. Commissioners discussed possible date changes, as well as the elimination of the study session on November 22, 2006. The Study Session adjourned for the Public Meeting at 7:05 PM. HIGHLAND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION PUBLIC MEETING NOVEMBER 8, 2006 The Highland Redevelopment Commission (“Commission”) met in a Public Meeting on November 8, 2006 at 7:08 PM in the Council Chambers within 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 were Redevelopment Commissioners Brice Johnson, Adam Gawlikowski, Bernie Zemen, Rex Burton and Dominic Noce. Also in attendance was Attorney David Westland. Minutes for the meeting were taken by Redevelopment Director Cecile Petro. After roll call, President Johnson handed over the gavel to Vice President Adam Gawlikowski due to his laryngitis. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS SESSIONS: Commissioner Noce made a motion to approve the minutes of October 11 and October 25, 2006. Commissioner Zemen seconded the motion. Motion carried with 5 ayes and 0 nays. ACTION TO PAY ACCOUNTS PAYABLE VOUCHERS: Commissioner Burton made a motion to pay claims. Commissioner Noce seconded the motion. Motion passed 5 ayes and 0 nays. SPECIAL ORDERS: None COMMUNICATIONS: None UNFINISHED BUSINESS AND GENERAL ORDERS: None NEW BUSINESS: Commissioner Zemen made a motion to approve Resolution 2006-12, A Resolution Acknowledging Richard Garza’s Community Leadership in Bringing People Together to Improve the Clough Street Neighborhood. Commissioner Noce seconded the motion. Motion carried 5 ayes and 0 nays. After the resolution was passed, Commission President Johnson presented Mr. Richard Garza with a Community Leadership Award plaque which stated, “In grateful appreciation for your outstanding leadership and dedicated service to the people of your neighborhood”. All of the Commissioners made positive comments about Mr. Garza’s contributions to Highland. Commissioner Burton made a motion to approve the kiosk panel lease as presented. Commissioner Noce seconded the motion. Motion passed 5 ayes and 0 nays. Commissioner Johnson made a motion to approve the cancellation of the Redevelopment Commission Study Session scheduled for November 22, 2006. Commissioner Zemen seconded the motion. Motion carried 5 ayes 0 nays. BUSINESS FROM THE REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION: None PUBLIC COMMENTS: None NEXT MEETING: The next full Study Session will be December 27, 2006. The next Study Session and Public Meeting will be December 13, 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 Johnson made a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Noce seconded the motion. Motion carried on a voice vote with no opposition at 7:29 PM. HIGHLAND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION STUDY SESSION RECONVENED NOVEMBER 8, 2006 The Redevelopment Commission reconvened the Study Session at 7:38 PM. Commissioners present included Brice Johnson, Adam Gawlikowski, Dominic Noce, Bernie Zemen, and Rex Burton. Minutes were taken by Director Cecile Petro. Mr. Robert Swintz from London Witte Group provided the Commission with information on the firm’s capabilities for tax increment financing consulting. Mr. Swintz stated that the Indianapolis based firm has 25 to 30 professionals on staff and spends a substantial amount of time in the northwest Indiana area servicing various clients. They have worked on minor project as well as some very large projects. A discussion with the Redevelopment Commissioners ensued. Mr. Rodney Langel from Langel’s pizza presented his plans for expanding his downtown business to include outdoor dining. Also included in his plans would be for a complete renovation of the façade of his building. Mr. Langel would like the Redevelopment Commission to advocate for his plans to other town boards, commissions and town council. The Commission responded that it would like to see architectural plans, they would like to know how well these plans meet the zoning code, and if a design standard professional would approve these plans. The Commission was positive overall about the concept of outdoor dining and encouraged Mr. Langel to move ahead with his plans subject to the approval of the Town Council. If his plans meet zoning code regulations and the plans are approved by the Town Council, the Commission intends to add the request for the Redevelopment District Loan by Mr. Langel to the agenda for the December 12, 2006 meeting. Director Petro explained to the Commission that Mr. Bloskey, Chief Engineer for the River Park demolition, met with her today to give her pictures of the site on a disk. All twenty five (25) buildings have been demolished and hazardous materials have been removed. Back fill is presently being placed on the site. He expects that completion of the project will be in two months. Mr. Gawlikowski attended a recent seminar on STIF, Sales Tax Increment Financing. He stated that it was a very informative seminar and that he would like to follow up the seminar by co-hosting a meeting with other redevelopment commissions in LaPorte, Porter, and Lake counties. The purpose of the meeting would be to educate all commissions and develop a plan of action to approach the state legislature regarding implementing STIF in the northwest Indiana area. Director Petro and Commissioner Gawlikowski will explore this possibility. Commissioner Gawlikowski also stated that he would like to see a point person from the Commission on every project the Commission undertakes. The Commission will discuss this at a future meeting. The Commission directed Ms. Petro to contact Mr. Tarik El-Naggar regarding possible design standard consulting. It is the intent of the Commission to ensure adequate funding for this important component to the Redevelopment Plan for 2006 and into 2007. The Study Session adjourned at 9:32 PM BACK TO MAIN MENU