MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE MICHIGAN CITY REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION JANUARY 9, 2012

Transcription

1 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE MICHIGAN CITY REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION JANUARY 9, 2012 The Michigan City Redevelopment Commission met in a regular meeting in the Common Council Chambers, City Hall Building, 100 East Michigan Boulevard, Michigan City, Indiana, on Monday, January 9, 2012, at 5:00 p.m. local time; the date, hour, and place duly established for the holding of said meeting. CALL TO ORDER Executive Director John Pugh presided and called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. ROLL CALL The following members were noted present for the record: Ken Behrendt, Lynne Kaser, James LaRocco, Larry Silvestri, and Joie Winski (5 present 0 absent). Staff in attendance: Executive Director John Pugh, Attorney Michael Bergerson, and Secretary Debbie Wilson. REORGANIZATION / ELECTION OF OFFICERS Mr. Pugh opened the floor for nominations for President. Ms. Kaser nominated Ken Behrendt for President. With a vote of 5 ayes and 0 nays, Ken Behrendt was nominated for President. Mr. Pugh opened the floor for nominations for Vice-President. Ms. Kaser nominated James LaRocco for Vice-President. With a vote of 5 ayes and 0 nays, James LaRocco was nominated for Vice-President.

2 Mr. Pugh opened the floor for nominations for Secretary. Mr. Silvestri nominated Lynne Kaser for Secretary. With a vote of 5 ayes and 0 nays, Lynne Kaser was nominated for Secretary. Mr. Pugh stated that in the past he has served as Acting Secretary to facilitate with signatures; he therefore opened the floor for nominations. Ms. Kaser nominated John Pugh as Acting Secretary. With a vote of 5 ayes and 0 nays, John Pugh was nominated for Acting Secretary. Officers for 2012 are: Ken Behrendt, President; James LaRocco, Vice-President; Lynne Kaser, Secretary; John Pugh, Acting Secretary. The meeting was turned over to President Ken Behrendt. President Behrendt welcomed new Commission members James LaRocco, Joie Winski, and Larry Silvestri. He also thanked the retiring members for their services Ed Bigda, Max Barrick, and Hesham Khalil. He noted that Mr. Bigda served on the Commission for over 10 years. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The Chair entertained a motion for approval of the minutes of the regular meeting of December 12, A motion was made by Ms. Kaser to approve the minutes as written. The motion was seconded by Mr. Behrendt with voice vote as follows: (Ayes): Ken Behrendt, Lynne Kaser, James With a vote of 5 ayes and 0 nays, the minutes were unanimously APPROVED. Page 2 of 5

3 CLAIMS Mr. Pugh distributed and reviewed the claims for January: Payroll Staff Salaries 12/16/11 3, /29/11 4, , Claims (Regular) Michael Bergerson Legal retainer Jan Lenore Gregory Acctg services Nov Claims (N TIF) Michael Bergerson Legal services N TIF 2, US Bank Semi-annual lease Lafayette/Barker 379, Weaver Boos TC Open Space Plan Phase II 42, Weaver Boos Brownfield grant writing 3, , Claims (S TIF) US Bank Semi-annual lease refunded 2011 bond 130, , The Chair entertained a motion for approval of the claims. A motion was made by Ms. Kaser to approve the claims as presented. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Winski with voice vote as follows: (Ayes): Ken Behrendt, Lynne Kaser, James LaRocco, Larry Silvestri, Joie Winski (Nays): With a vote of 5 ayes and 0 nays, the claims were unanimously APPROVED. FINANCIAL REPORT Mr. Pugh distributed and reviewed the financial report ended November 30, The Chair entertained a motion for approval of the financial report. A motion was made by Mrs. Winski to approve the financial report as presented. The motion was seconded by Ms. Kaser with voice vote as follows: (Ayes): Ken Behrendt, Lynne Kaser, James LaRocco, Larry Silvestri, Joie Winski (Nays): Page 3 of 5

4 With a vote of 5 ayes and 0 nays, the financial report was unanimously APPROVED. UPDATE ON ELSTON GROVE Tim Haas, Haas & Associates, 526 Franklin Square, Michigan City, Indiana came forward to address the Commission. He reported that Woodruff s was shut down for a couple of weeks during the holidays. They started back up today and are working on the sanitary sewer construction on Spring Street between 5 th and 7 th Streets. They will continue working down to 11 th on Spring until finished. In the near future they are considering bringing in a second crew to begin sewer construction work on Cedar Street working from 6 th to 11 th Street. REPORT BY LEGAL COUNSEL Attorney Bergerson reported that negotiations continue with owners of property between 5 th and 6 th Streets. Attorney Bergerson also reported that Blocksom continues to search for a site. He recommended that the President appoint a negotiating committee to invite Blocksom back to the discussion table to spur them along. He will keep the Commission updated on their progress. Attorney Bergerson certified for the record that an Executive Session was held prior to this meeting and discussion was limited to the items on the agenda; no votes were taken and there was no discussion of any other item. REPORT BY DIRECTOR With three new members on the Commission and the number of projects underway, Mr. Pugh recommended a public workshop be scheduled with the consultants (Eric Neagu, Tom Stevenson, Rob Hunden, Jason Semler) to bring the new members up to date. Mr. Pugh will contact the consultants to schedule the workshop. PUBLIC COMMENT COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Mr. Silvestri commented that he spoke to a previous commission member who mentioned the possibility of a pedestrian crosswalk between City Hall and the library to improve pedestrian access from Washington Park to the Franklin Square area. Page 4 of 5

5 President Behrendt advised that the idea was presented before and INDOT will not allow it. NEXT MEETING DATE The next regular meeting is scheduled for February 13, A workshop will be scheduled sometime before the regular meeting. ADJOURNMENT The Chair entertained a motion to adjourn. A motion to adjourn was made by Mrs. Winski seconded by Mr. LaRocco and unanimously approved. The Chair declared the meeting adjourned at 5:16 p.m. /s/ Lynne Kaser, Secretary Page 5 of 5