Meeting Minutes HIGHLAND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION STUDY SESSION MINUTES DECEMBER 13, 2006 The Highland Redevelopment Commission (“Commission”) met in Study Session on Wednesday, December 13, 2006, at 6:35 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, Rex Burton, Adam Gawlikowski, and Dominic Noce. Bernie Zemen was absent with notice. The Commission discussed its property located at the southeast corner of Kennedy Avenue and Highway Avenue. Director Petro stated that the Commission will resume discussion of the lot after the public meeting. GENERAL SUBSTANCE OF THE STUDY SESSION Redevelopment Commissioners reviewed the agenda for the Public Meeting. Commissioner Burton requested information on the claim from Highland Blueprint. Ms. Petro stated that the claim was for multiple copies of an updated Redevelopment Area map. Ms. Petro offered information on claims for Americo and Dore and Associates. She stated that if these two claims are approved tonight that this will complete the Redevelopment Commission’s payment for the demolition of the River Park Apartments in Hammond. Commissioner Burton requested information on the Bond repayment. Clerk Treasurer Michael Griffin entered the meeting and gave the Commission an update on the process. He stated that the Redevelopment Commission is currently making the interest payments for the loan. After eighteen months, the Hammond Redevelopment Commission will be responsible for the payments, if the loan is not repaid. Interest payments are made semi-annually in February and in August of each year. In 2007, $52,992 will be paid in interest on the loan unless Hammond pays off the loan in full. The Study Session adjourned for the Public Meeting at 7:05 PM HIGHLAND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION PUBLIC MEETING DECEMBER 13, 2006 The Highland Redevelopment Commission (“Commission”) met in a Public Meeting on December 13, 2006, at 7:15 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. The minutes were prepared by Cecile Petro. ROLL CALL: Present on roll call were Redevelopment Commissioners Brice Johnson, Adam Gawlikowski, Rex Burton, and Dominic Noce. Commissioner Bernie Zemen was absent with notice. Also in attendance were Town Council President Joseph Wszolek, Town Manager Rich Underkofler, Economic Development member George VanderWerken, and Sand Ridge Audubon Society member Carolyn Marsh. Plan Commission and BZA member Tom Agler entered the meeting at 7:30 PM. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS SESSION: Commissioner Burton made a motion to approve the minutes of November 8, 2006. 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 approve claims. Commissioner Gawlikowski seconded the motion. Discussion ensued regarding final demolition payments for the River Park Apartments in Hammond. Commissioners directed Ms. Petro to ask Mr. John Bloskey from Amereco to attend the next meeting of the Redevelopment Commission in order to give the Commission a final update on the demolition project. Motion passed 4 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent. SPECIAL ORDERS: None COMMUNICATIONS: None UNFINISHED BUSINESS AND GENERAL ORDERS: None NEW BUSINESS: Commissioner Burton made a motion to accept the financial consultant agreement with Cender and Company. Commissioner Gawlikowski seconded the motion. Commissioner Burton requested clarification on the “due not exceed” amount in the agreement. Director Petro stated that the agreement’s “do not exceed amount” is for 2006 and 2007 together and not for each year. Motion carried 4 ayes, 0 nayes, and 1 absent. Commissioner Burton made a motion to cancel the December 27, 2006 Study Session. Commissioner Gawlikowski seconded the motion. Motion passed 4 ayes, 0 nays, and 1 absent. Commissioner Burton made a motion to accept the proposed Redevelopment Commission meeting schedule for 2007 with the elimination of the November and December 2007 Study Sessions. Commissioner Gawlikowski seconded the motion. Motion passed 4 ayes, 0 nays, and 1 absent. HIGHLAND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MEETING SCHEDULE FOR 2007 January 10, 2007 Public Meeting and Study Session January 24, 2007 Study Session only February 14, 2007 Public Meeting and Study Session February 28, 2007 Study Session only March 14, 2007 Public Meeting and Study Session March 28, 2007 Study Session only April 11, 2007 Public Meeting and Study Session April 25, 2007 Study Session only May 9, 2007 Public Meeting and Study Session May 23, 2007 Study Session only June 13, 2007 Public Meeting and Study Session June 27, 2007 Study Session only July 11, 2007 Public Meeting and Study Session July 25, 2007 Study Session only August 8, 2007 Public Meeting and Study Session August 22, 2007 Study Session only September 12, 2007 Public Meeting and Study Session September 26, 2007 Study Session only October 10, 2007 Public Meeting and Study Session October 24, 2007 Study Session only November 14, 2007 Public Meeting and Study Session December 12, 2007 Public Meeting and Study Session BUSINESS FROM THE REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION: Commissioners wished each other a Merry Christmas. Commissioner Burton informed the Commission about the GIS Seminar he attended. Discussion ensued. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None NEXT MEETING: The next public meeting will be January 10, 2007 at 7:00 P.M. A study session will precede the meeting at 6:30 PM and reconvene after the meeting. The next full study session will be January 24, 2007 beginning at 6:30 PM. Commissioner Gawlikowski stated that he will out of town for the next meeting. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Gawlikowski made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Gawlikowski seconded the motion. Motion carried on a voice vote with no opposition at 7:32 PM. HIGHLAND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION STUDY SESSION RECONVENED DECEMBER 13, 2006 President Brice Johnson reconvened the study session at 7:38 PM. in the Upper Conference Room of the Municipal Building. Commissioners present included Brice Johnson, Adam Gawlikowski, Dominic Noce, and Rex Burton. Commissioner Bernie Zemen was absent with notice. Mr. Johnson introduced Ms. Carolyn Marsh from the Sand Ridge Audubon Society. Ms. Marsh explained the Audubon’s viewpoint on the Rookery, the island and the surrounding areas, and the Memorandum of Understanding within the recent Coastal grant application. She also stated that the Audubon Society wants to partner with the Commission and work with the Town on the Memorandum of Understanding within the Grant application. However, she pointed out several areas of disagreement within the Memorandum of Understanding. After Ms. Marsh’s presentation, the Commission asked clarification questions. The Commission requested that Ms. Marsh return to the Commission at their January 24th meeting to further discuss this issue. Redevelopment Director Petro reviewed the history of the Bult Oil site. She stated that the deed for the property is expected from the county very soon. Once the deed is received and reviewed by our attorney, she will request a remediation letter from the Environmental Protection Agency. Director Petro provided information on the updated appraisal of the Commission’s southeast corner lot at Kennedy Avenue and Highway Avenue. Discussion among Commission members followed. Councilman Wszolek stated that the Commission should have a good idea of what is desired for the development of the lot before the Commission moves forward with contacting a realtor. The Commission then directed Ms. Petro to contact Architect Gail Barenie and developer Dave VanDyke to see if they would be interested in providing their professional opinion about the possibilities for the lot. Director Petro stated that the next joint meeting with the Hammond Redevelopment Commission will take place on January 25, 2007. The Commission directed Ms. Petro to contact Hammond Consultant, Ed Kruza, to see if he could have a draft Memorandum of Understanding available by January 14, 2007 so that the two Commissions will have a chance to review the document before the next joint meeting. Commissioner Gawlikowski stated that the Sales TIF (tax increment financing) meeting will be on January 30, 2007 at the Northwest Indiana Forum. Mr. Vince Galbiati will write a proposal to present to the group on January 30th. The purpose of the meeting will be to educate and advocate for Sales TIF. Commissioner Burton stated that he would like the proposal to contain a requirement to locate the local source of all sales tax within Indiana. Ms. Petro provided the Commission with a draft brochure for leasing the kiosk panels. The Commission reviewed the brochure and suggested that a professional review it, also. The Commission discussed the lack of lighting on the kiosks. They directed Ms. Petro to contact the manufacturer and relate to them the problems we are having with the kiosks and that the Commission would like them to look into this matter. The Commission discussed the next public meeting date. Several Commissioners stated that they will be out of town for the January 10, 2007 meeting. The Commission directed Ms. Petro to look into the procedure for changing the meeting date to January 17, 2007. The Study Session was adjourned at 9:55 PM BACK TO MAIN MENU