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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRDC April 24, 2024 JEFFERSONVILLE REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES April 24,2024 The Jeffersonville Redevelopment Commission held a Regular Meeting on April 24, 2024 that was called to order at 4:00 pm in the Mayor's Conference Room located at 500 Quartermaster Court, Jeffersonville, Indiana Board Members present: Scott Hawkins, Evan Stoner, Mike Moore, Sophia O'Coffey, Duard Avery, Teresa Perkins Staff Members present: Redevelopment Director Rob Waiz, Redevelopment Commission Attorney Les Merkley City Attorney, Grant Administrator DeLynn Rutherford, Administrative Assistant/Secretary Theresa Treadway, City Controller Heather Metcalf, City Engineer Andy Crouch, Public Art Administrator Kat Wang. Guests: Josh Darby with Jacobi, Toombs & Lanz, Bob Stein with United Consulting, Chris Gardner, Andrew Harp with News & Tribune, John Kraft with MAC Construction and Jeffersonville High School student Anveer Mann. CALL TO ORDER Mr. Hawkins, President called the meeting to order at 4:00 PM. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Mr. Moore made a motion to approve with Mr. Stoner seconding, passing unanimously 5-0. CONSENT REPORTS Minutes: Mr. Moore made a motion to approve the minutes from March 27, 2024 with Ms. O'Coffey seconding, passing unanimously 5-0. Claims: Mr. Stoner made a motion to approve the TIF Claims in the amount of $987,041.38 with Mr. Moore seconding, passing unanimously 5-0. Mr. Stoner made a motion to approve the Redevelopment Operating Claims in the amount of $24,738.30 with Ms. O'Coffey seconding,passing unanimously 5-0. JTL Ongoing Projects Update: Charlestown Pike Reconstruction, Segment 1 (Holman's Lane to Utica-Sellersburg Road) and Utica-Sellersburg Road Reconstruction, Segment 2 (Railroad Tracks North to Charlestown Pike: • Acquisitions of all 57 permanent right of way parcels has been completed. • Notice to Proceed has been issued to all utilities for relocation. • All utility relocations along Utica-Sellersburg Road have been completed. • For Charlestown Pike-Charlestown has completed setting new poles and transferring all lines. Duke has set all new poles and is currently working on their transfers. It is anticipated that Duke will complete this around the end of April. Once Duke transfers, then ATT will transfer, then Charter last. • Opened bids on 3/15/24. Only received 1 bid. MAC Construction was low/only bidder at $16,280,000 total for the two segments ($4,023,000 for Utica-Sellersburg Road + $12,257,000 for Charlestown Pike). Mr. Moore made a motion to approve MAC Constructions bid of$16,280,000 contingent upon closing on the bond and receiving bond funds with Mr. Stoner seconding,passing unanimously 5-0. Falls Landing Park(8th Street and Ohio Avenue) • Coordinating with Duke Energy to have two utility poles and overhead lines removed that currently cut across the south portion of the site. Duke has removed their poles across the south portion of the site. ATT removed their last remaining pole. • Glass panel installation on canopies is complete. See next page for progress photos. • All that remains is installation of electrical equipment. Temporary power will be on pedestals until permanent is received and installed. Falls Landing Parking Lot and Restrooms • Project awarded to Excel Excavating. JTL providing full-time inspection. • Currently reviewing material submittals. Pre-construction/kickoff meeting held on April 17, 2024. Notice to proceed issued on April 22, 2024. Construction activities kicking off. United Consulting Project Update: • Continuing with Charlestown Pike project, we had bid opening on April 17, 2024. We received 3 bids, Flynn Brothers Contracting $8,168,383.60, Louisville Paving $8,135,000.00 and MAC Construction$8,964,000.000 with Louisville Paving being the lowest bid at $8,135,000.00, contract has been reviewed and meets all requirements. Mr. Moore made a motion to approve Louisville Paving in the $8,135,000.00 contingent upon the bond closing and receiving bond funds with Ms. O'Coffey seconding,passing unanimously 5-0. HWC Engineering Project Update: • For Hike the Pike project we continue working on right of way and acquisition phase, there is 43 parcels, we have started making offers and hope to have last acquisition completed by October. NEW BUSINESS Resolution 2024-R-9-Les Merkley—In your packet was 3 Resolutions that are needing signed for the bond, which we are scheduled to close on Tuesday, for the Charlestown Road Project. This Resolution 2024-R-9 is amending the Falls Landing TIF area to include the Charlestown Pike area. This is a public hearing, at this time we open it up to hear from any public on this resolution, being no public in attendance,the hearing is now closed. We are needing a motion and a second to approve resolution 2024-R-9. Mr. Moore made a motion to approve Resolution 2024-R-9 with Ms. O'Coffey seconding,passing unanimously 5-0. Resolution 2024-R-10-Les Merkley-This resolution 2024-R-10 is amending the Inner City Road Economic Development area to include Charlestown Pike for the Charlestown Road project. This is a public hearing, at this time we open it up to hear from any public,being no public in attendance,the hearing is now closed. We are needing a motion and a second to approve resolution 2024-R-10. Mr. Stoner made a motion to approve Resolution 2024-R-10 with Ms. O'Coffey seconding,passing unanimously 5-0. Resolution 2024-R-11-Les Merkley-This Resolution allows us to close on the Bond needed to complete the Charlestown Road Project, which is scheduled to close on Tuesday, April 30, 2024 and allows us to spend the bond funds. This is a public hearing, is there anyone here to speak on this resolution,hearing none,the public hearing is now closed. We need a motion and a second to approver Resolution 2024-R-11. Mr. Stoner made a motion to approve Resolution2024-R-11 with Mr. Moore seconding,passing unanimously 5-0. Falls Landing Park Sculptures—Andy Crouch—As Josh Darby said, Falls Landing Park is almost finished. We have six pedestals that need art on them. I have Kat Wang with me, she is our Public Art Administrator she has been working on pieces for us since last fall. We have made selections on those and we are here to request funding for four out of the six pieces,public art is paying for two of them. Each piece is $12,000, I have talked with Theresa and there is leftover funds on this project available. Mr. Moore made a motion to approve the $48k needed with Ms. O'Coffey seconding,passing unanimously 5-0. Charlestown Pike Service Contracts—Andy Crouch—There is two service agreements starting with HWC. I have asked them for an inspection agreement for both sections of Charlestown Pike project,this contract is for$1,000,083.00. Mr. Moore made a motion to approve with Mr.Avery seconding,passing unanimously 5-0. JTL is the second contract to keep them on retainer for up to $50k for the Charlestown Road Project as well. Mr. Moore made a motion to approve with Mr. Stoner seconding,passing unanimously 5-0. Mr. Moore asked if bids for Shirley's Arbor were submitted for approval, per Andy, TowerPinkster is handling that. Mr. Moore said let the record show that all bids came in extremely high and I am making a motion to reject all bids on Shirley's Arbor Pavilion with Mr.Avery seconding,passing unanimously 5-0. Jeffersonville Tennis Facility Donation —Mike Moore -Not sure if anyone has seen the new Mark Reilly tennis facility at Jeff High. I was able to tour the facility today and it is tremendous facility that serves and benefits the residents of Jeffersonville while attracting visitors with various tournaments. They are I need of some benches, swivel chairs and equipment costing approximately $15,000. Mr. Moore made the motion to use $15,000 in TIF proceeds to purchase benches, chairs and other equipment to be donated to Greater Clark County Schools for use at the Mark Reilly tennis facility at Jeff High contingent upon the school board accepting the donation and the City of Jeffersonville receiving prominent signage at the facility with Ms. O'Coffey seconding, Mr. Hawkins abstained,passing 4-0. Restaurant RLF Committee for Food Lab—DeLynn Rutherford —We received an Restaurant Forgivable Loan application which was reviewed by the RLF committee on April 16, 2024. The committee gave a recommendation to approve $35,500 contingent on owners signing a personal guaranty and providing contractor bids and remodeling costs. Mr. Moore made a motion to approve their recommendation with the contingencies RLF set forth with Mr. Stoner seconding,passing unanimously 5-0. QUESTIONS FOR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR We have accomplished a lot and moving our City forward. I appreciate you all being here and helping out. Mr. Stoner had a question stating that one of the great things that happened during the 45th presidency was the opportunity zone by Senator Tim Scott and I am just trying to learn a little bit more about it and the impact it has here in Jeffersonville. DeLynn Rutherford stated she worked on it and got it approved. Mr. Stoner asked our relationship with this and how it has worked. Ms. Rutherford stated is only a certain census tract that is eligible. I can pull the file on that and show you if you want to look at it. It is pretty self-explanatory information on it. Mr. Waiz stated developers are aware we offer this but we do not fund it. Ms. Rutherford said it does not go through us for approval, it is very difficult to make use of it. It mainly downtown to the Clarksville area. BOARD COMMENT Ms. Perkins—Thank Mayor Moore and rest of this board for the contribution to the tennis facility, I am sure it will be put to good use. Mr. Moore said IUS actually used the facilities this past week and plan to for their season since their courts are under construction. Mr. Moore—First off I want to make everyone aware that the DORA program has begun, stands for Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area. The business just apply to participate, you have to get our approval and then it goes to the State for their approval. We are one of 11 that has been chosen to participate. We have 2 approved with 2 more about to be approved. This will allow people to go outside with their drink in the designated cup with the DORA logo to walk say from the Parlour to the River Stage. In the past, the State has been very strict with this. I honestly think this legisturte was past with Jeffersonville in mind. This is going to have a very positive impact but with any new process we have to keep an eye on things and will have extra police security and make sure everybody feels safe but it will allow somebody to leave the Parlour and go to Harry's. I talked with the new people at Match Cigar bar and they are applying for it. It is one of the largest DORA district in the State going from 10th Street to Riverfront, Over to Upland, to Wall Street to Mulberry Street to along Riverside Drive. It's something that is going to give us new opportunity. This program has been accepted around the State,New Albany as recently applied as well. I think you will see a lot of positive vibes and seeing a lot of restaurants partnering. This is giving a new element to living downtown and thriving downtown. This is giving you an opportunity to grab a nice meal and then walk to a park or concert. We have been pushing the State for this for about two and half years and we are excited to finally have it. Mr.Avery—Nothing tonight thanks Mr. Stoner—I had a chance to sit down with the Planning&Zoning Director and review some of the maps and review some of the property across the City. There is a filter you can put on it to go back and look at 2002, 2010, I was a freshman in high school when you came in office and the change that has happened so far in the City of Jeff is a world of difference. Mr. Moore said Rob had pulled up several locations in google maps from downtown,Veterans Parkway, River Ridge and it's unbelievable the google maps from 2011 to today and it's all positive. Rob said to Evan he had given him those maps two months ago when they met up with you. And to borrow a quote from you"there is more to be done". There is two properties I want to bring up and I do not have to have a response today but there is a vacant piece of property off Eastern Boulevard right after Pope Street and by Housing Authority, it is just sitting there and obviously with the statute and what redevelopment commission is here for, I would just love to see some focus or just maybe some discussion about that property. Mr. Moore stated Housing Authority tried to buy it, Mr. Stoner said they looked up the owners and of course there is another property across the street, Mr. Moore said they have dealt with the owners. He said he may not talk a lot (referring to Mr. Waiz)but he is aware of it. Mr. Waiz said you bring it up but what are you thinking? I just want to discuss it and learn the history of it and learn a little bit more about it. Also the property around the NoCo and there was discussion about that as well. Mr. Moore said what parking lot you are talking about. Ms. Rutherford stated that is the painted lot, Picasso Point the old Bales. Mr. Moore said we had a restaurant that Mr. Waiz said to Mr. Stoner, I believe I told you about that as well a couple months ago. Mr. Stoner said I am not coming after you to Mr. Waiz and Mr. Waiz stated I know you're not it would be tough to do. I am just letting you know this has all been brought up. Mr. Stoner said that the purpose of redevelopment is to take properties that are blighted and improve it,you know I am just bringing it up. Mr. Moore said be careful with that,the government is not the answer to everything. There is a fine line between we are here to assist than to control. Mr. Avery said he remembers there was something looking at that location. Mr. Moore said Ball State, but that never worked out and now a restaurant is looking. Mr. Hawkins, asked if any further comment, Mr. Stoner said that's it for the day. Ms. O'Coffey—No comment Mr. Hawkins—Just couple of things,being a person that use to represent just other end of town and now at large, I am so glad the Charlestown Road project is occurring. Looks like utilities are moved and we are really going to be seeing action. Out of all the revolutionary things I have been able to bare close witness to as my various roles in the City,this could be the biggest. The thousands of people that have new homes there it going to be absolutely fabulous when done. Mr. Moore said it is not going to be without headaches but worth it in the end. Other thing is people complain about TIF districts, but without it we could not do what we do in the City without it. City Council does not have funds to do these projects, we basically cover day to day operations. For the critics on TIF districts, you do not get all the projects that have been done around the City without them. NEXT MEETING May 29, 2024 at 4:00 pm ADJOURNMENT Mr. Moore made a motion to adjourn at 4:54 pm Scott Hawkins, President Submitted By: Theresa Treadway