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HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril 17, 2013 workshopJEFFERSONVILLE CITY COUNCIL/REDEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP Wednesday April 17, 2013 City Council Chambers Room The Common Council of the City of Jeffersonville met in a workshop on Wednesday April 17th, 2013. Council President Sellers called the workshop to order at 6:00 P.M. and on the roll call members present was: Councilpersons Mike Smith, Dennis Julius, President Connie Sellers, Lisa Gill, Matthew Owen and Zach Payne who arrived at 6:19 P.M. Councilpersons Absent were Councilperson Edward Zastawny, Bryan Glover, Nathan Samuel. Redevelopment Board members present were Jamie Lake and Jack Vissing with members absent including Rob Stevens, Monty Snelling, and Kevin Lagrange. Guests present: Jorge Lanz with JTL, Curt Peters with the Fire museum, Mayor Mike Moore, Redevelopment Director Rob Waiz, UEZ Director Kelly Phillips, and Grant Writer Delynn Rutherford. FIRE MUSEUM Curt Peters with the Vintage Fire Museum gave a brief overview of what exhibits and pieces the vintage Fire museum will hold in the proposed location of 723 Spring Street. Mr. Peters stated that the fire museum is currently being housed in the old Coyle building in New Albany and they are selling the property and would like to see the exhibits in a home building placed on display in downtown Jeffersonville. The pieces they house bring in over a 100 firefighters and families to town to see the displays for a convention that will be held again in November 2014. The plan would be in this building to be open 6 days a week with 1/2 hour tours, safety demonstrations, and enough room to house trainings, meetings, and luncheons or birthdays. There is no funding required. The Council thanked him for coming and for his presentation. CLARK COUNTY MUSEUM Dawn Struck spoke on behalf of the proposed Clark County Museum stating they are looking at 721 Michigan Ave, with no funding required to purchase the building. Ms. Struck stated they have many exhibits planned, with one being the Henryville exhibit showcases the tornado that struck over a year ago. Ms. Struck stated that there are a lot of partners that are anxious to be involved in this museum. ARTIST INCUBATOR Ms. Struck stated that there is also no funding required for the artist incubator that they are hoping to have located in the old gray and wells building. Ms. Struck stated she has been hosting JAM sessions monthly as part of the Jeffersonville Art Movement and having this space would really give the opportunity for that to grow. Mr. Waiz suggested moving them to into a property previously purchased for the Canal project. Mayor Moore stated using these city owned property's as part of his vision for Jeffersonville. Mayor Moore suggested gathering the council and other city officials on the city trolley to tour these proposed sites. Councilperson Owen stated he personally supports the cultural district. Mr. Waiz added that if a large developer was to come in and want to purchase these properties the individuals would have 80-90 days to vacate the property. 10TH STREET WIDENING PROJECT Council President Sellers, speaking for herself, stated that she is willing to approve funding for the first few years so that the city could possibly get more money from KIPDA. Council President Sellers stated that the project will go forward either way, but they could reevaluate in a few years to try to get more funding from KIPDA. Mayor Moore expressed concerns about the council support for the project. Councilperson Gill and Council President Sellers both stated they support the project and it will move forward. Mayor Moore stated that Umbaugh Associates has said the money is there to complete the project. Councilperson Julius stated that he spoke to KIPDA and if the city is prepared to pay cash then KIPDA will give extra money to a different city for a different project instead of looking at giving more money to Jeffersonville for this project. Mr. Lewis reminded the Mayor that there is no vote on this tonight and the council is speaking their personal opinions and thoughts. Mayor Moore asked for the 10th street business owners to speak. David Strong from Eastside Animal Hospital spoke before the Council stated that they have waited a long time for this to happen and however it gets done, he asks that it be a priority. Miguel Hampton also spoke stating his support for the project and asking for a timeline of completion. The council stated that information will have to come from City Engineer Andy Crouch. Councilperson Gill stated that she supports this project and communication will be open with KIPDA for 3 years for more dollars, but either way construction will happen. Mr. Lake stated he fully supports this project and is weary about committing cash due to other projects in the future and would like to try to get more money from KIPDA in the future. Mr. Lake stated that more money from KIPDA is just more money in Jeffersonville's pocket. Mr. Lake stated that Mr. Crouch is an unbelievable asset to the city and he knows how to work with KIPDA. Mr. Lake stated that he believes the city will find huge support from Redevelopment. Councilperson Owen stated that he personally believes the council plans to stick to the timeline that the mayor has presented, but would like to approve in phases due to hope of more KIPDA funds. JEFFERSONVILLE MARINA Mayor Moore stated that they decided there would be65 slips with 8 transient docks and are permitting with the Corps of Engineers to have the River stage moved up fifty feet. Council President Sellers expressed concern about debris and the effectiveness and maintenance of the deflector. Mr. Lanz stated that the max projection is 200 feet from shore and will protect the docks from about two thirds of the debris. Maintenance will include pulling that debris off the deflector, but he doesn't see it able to be damaged because they are steel pieces from barges. It will not be 100%, but it will be a good effort to catch the debris. The public will be able to walk out on the deflector, allowing the public to access the marina, but stay a distance from the docked boats. Mayor Moore stated the price will increase so the marina will be able to sustain itself. Mayor Moore stated the docks will be floating docks and they are more appealing. Mr. Lanz stated the permitting process is a long process, but as long as construction has begun, Mrs. Rutherford believes they will be able to ask for an extension on the grant timeframe requirement. Council President Sellers stated that she had to leave but quickly stated her stance on the following projects left to discuss. Council President Sellers stated she is personally supportive of the town center South Road and traffic signal and she would like to educate the community before committing money to the Bike -n -Hike. Council President Sellers stated she is personally supportive as well of the Charlestown- Holmans Lane improvements to the intersections, and is currently conflicted on Alison Brooke Park. Council President Sellers and Councilperson Gill stated they need to leave for another meeting and exited at 7:20 P.M. ALLISON BROOKE PARK Council Vice -President Julius stated that the only concern is the pond that is being given to the city stating that it will take maintenance and the parks department is already beginning to become loaded down with maintenance. Mayor Moore stated that city engineer Andy Crouch is very comfortable with it. Mrs. Rutherford stated she would ask Mr. Crouch to send out an email regarding the pond and provide information about maintenance. HOLMANS LANE/CHARLESTOWN PIKE INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS Mr. Lanz stated that they have identified a project to improve the intersection and a short term solution is to put in a right turn lane which would require obtaining a piece of right -a -way from the adjacent property owner. Mayor Moore stated the turn lane is urgent after having spoken with the School Superintendent, in order to help assist Wilson Elementary School traffic. Mr. Lake stated the he believes that would be a huge help and currently it is a big safety issue. TOWN CENTER ROAD -TRAFFIC SIGNAL Mr. Lanz stated this project will connect town center road from Veterans Parkway to Charlestown Pike and will be ready for bids in May. Mr. Lake stated that there are three major churches there and will really help with that traffic. Mr. Lanz stated they will need Redevelopment approval before sending out bids. Council Vice President stated he personally doesn't believe there will be much opposition with this project. BROWNFIELD GRANT Mrs. Rutherford stated that they are still waiting on the award to come in and it should be May 2013. Mrs. Rutherford stated that there is a $10,000 match and the grant is for up to $400,000. The grant can be used for phase 1 and phase 2 for any property the city wants to develop. Mr. Lake stated he believes it is a fantastic opportunity. Mayor Moore asked the Council what their plans were regarding Colston Park. Council Vice President Julius stated that the Council thought the park would be in the RFP. Mayor Moore stated he would love the council to deed it property over to Redevelopment so they can market it. Council Vice President Julius stated he doesn't see it being deeded over. Mr. Lewis stated they agreed to have it deeded over if it was in the RFP and that agreement was put in writing to both of the Mayor's attorneys. Mayor Moore asked if the council is willing to do the phase 2 and phase 3 studies and Council Vice President Julius stated it wasn't in the RFP. Mayor Moore asked if the Council is going to market it. Mr. Lewis stated the whole agreement was that the council would deed it over if there was a project in mind and if it was in the RFP. There was discussion regarding the possibility of putting out an addendum to the RFP to include the Colston Park area. Councilperson Owen made a motion to adjourn at 7:39 P.M. with Councilperson Payne seconding, passing unanimously. Connie Sellers, President ATTEST BY: Vicki Conlin, City Clerk