Ellettsville Redevelopment Commission
November 9, 2006
The Ellettsville, Indiana
Redevelopment Commission met in regular session Thursday, November 9, 2006 in the Fire Department
Training and Conference Room located at 5080 West
State Road 46.
Frank Buczolich called the meeting to
order at 7:00 PM. The Meeting opened with the Pledge of
Allegiance.
Roll Call: Darby McCarty,
Frank Buczolich, Amber Ragle and David Drake were present. Ray Freetage was absent.
Review of Minutes from the October 26, 2006 Redevelopment Meeting: David Drake moved to approve minutes from
last meeting, Amber seconded.
Commissioners approved the minutes
Treasurer’s Report: Amber
Ragle stated that she did not have a report.
Old Business:
Frank Nierzwicki:
explained letter in packet sent to the Town Council
President about the timing for designating the redevelopment area (Heritage
Crossing). One of the issues was that it
needs to be designated by the Redevelopment Commission, then go to the Plan
Commission, then to Town Council
for first and second reading, then approval with public hearing (notification,
certified letter to all the parcel owners 80+).
The Redevelopment Commission can enlarge the area by up to 20%; anything
larger would require the process to begin all over again. There are currently 35 acres with a favorable
recommendation from plan commission for annexation but not in town yet; that
would push it above 20%.
Frank Nierzwicki
recommends that the Commission postpone designation until January to avoid confusion
and duplication; he did make note of the fact that Commissioners’ terms expire
in January. Discussion ensues: everyone wants to get the redevelopment area
designated but wants to do it correctly.
The Commissioners inform Frank Nierzwicki
to table the issue until January and proceed as he sees fit.
Potential new annexations: Frank
Nierzwicki reported on possible new annexations in or near the Heritage
Crossing area. He stated the next
annexation would be the Elizabeth Hassler property: 312
Depot Road, 81% surrounded by Town. Issue is the extension of water lines—cost
benefit will not be skewed for it. Town
has 3 years for capital improvements (for budgeting purposes). That will be in the December agenda for the
Plan Commission. The Hassler annexation
would be for approximately two (2) acres.
Maps: added to Heritage Crossing:
Township area & Campbell’s Park. Although they might not be developed, they
would be eligible for TIF monies.
Also, former Railroad Depot site
could be added as a trail extension; Frank has not yet been able to find the owner. New meeting date for
September 2007 because of previous conflict with the Fall Festival. September
13, 2008 would be the alternative date for the meeting.
David Drake makes a motion to
change the Redevelopment Commission to September
13, 2008 at 7:00 PM;
Amber seconds, motion carries.
New Business:
Discussion of a new Planning and
Redevelopment Office:
Frank Nierzwicki explains a possible move to a Planning &
Redevelopment Office. His Department is
currently housed in a 12 by 10 foot space at the Ellettsville Police Department. There is currently an opportunity to purchase
a building on Sale Street—the
old Township office, 1350 square feet. This could house all maps and paper work
that have been scattered throughout the town into one place. Funding by the Town for the redevelopment
office—20% of Frank’s salary, intern, etc.
Appraisals for the building will be at least $2,000. Currently the Planning and Redevelopment
Department owns a digital camera, printer, 2 radios and that’s all so the new
office would need to have to purchase more equipment. Those are the start-up costs: appraisals,
copier, etc. Also would like funding for
a newsletter, training issues, subscription to journals, money for SPEA intern
summer employment, etc. Frank suggests some
funding could come from outside forces.
Eventually the Council may expect
that the Redevelopment Commission could stand on its own insomuch as funding is
concerned.
David Drake clarifies that Frank is asking for permission to
solicit for outside assistance in funding.
When the Redevelopment Commission does start bringing in money it should
be used on supporting the problems we are trying to address before using it on
ourselves; getting financial assistance now from outside organizations would be
fine though.
Frank Nierzwicki agrees that projects need to be produced for the Town,
explains that he would need to take idea of fundraising to the Town Council.
David Drake: Frank
Nierzwicki’s job encompasses: Plan Commission, BZA, Code Enforcement, and
Redevelopment. Redevelopment Commission
is only a small part of Frank’s office.
David hopes that the Town Council realizes the small amount of funding
that Redevelopment would be responsible for funding.
Frank Nierzwicki’s response is that in the budget, Redevelopment is
only 20%.
David Drake makes motions to approve Frank’s request to obtain
outside funding for start-up costs and the first three years of the office with
Town Council approval. Amber seconds the
motion, it passes.
Subcommittee workshop
Non-agenda items: none
Next meeting: December
14, 2007 starting at 7:00 PM
David makes a motion to adjourn,
Darby seconds, meeting adjourned. 8:23 PM.