Ellettsville Redevelopment Commission
The Ellettsville, Indiana Redevelopment Commission met in
regular session on
Roll Call: Amber Ragle, David Drake, Frank Buczolich, Darby McCarty, present, Doug Norton - Not present.
A quorum is present.
Frank Nierzwicki notes the advisory group members present—Dana Kerr, Meshelle Roberts, Gary Brinley, and Jeana Kapczynski
David Drake motions to approve the December 14th minutes
Amber Ragle seconds the motion
Vote carries with a unanimous approval of
Treasurer’s Report: Amber notes that there is no report
Frank Buczolich moves to old business:
Heritage Crossing Redevelopment Schedule—
Frank Nierzwicki: explains that in the packet is an updated plan from the one distributed in October/November of last year with additional parcels added. The staff is currently double and triple checking parcels and working with auditors’ office on former rail bed listed as INDOT property. This parcel is described as the land where the depot used to be. There was an increase from 78 to 148 parcels.
After page 10 there is a map of the area—included in the
redevelopment area is both sides of
Also in the packet is a draft action plan with target dates for implementation. Staff has talked with various departments and groups for feedback for the projects TIF monies will be used to support. Staff is currently trying to get a wish list from various agencies to have information to discuss at the meeting and a finalized version of TIF projects.
After the discussion tonight on types of projects included in the TIF for public improvements, at the next meeting March 8th where it is hoped that the Redevelopment Commission can actually declare an area and the projects. Then it will go to the Plan Commission who will evaluate whether or not it is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. Finally, it goes to Town Council.
Then staff will work on tax results and freezing base at
that level—working with school, library and county for tax information. Following that, there will be a public
hearing in April; April 3rd a notice will go in the
David Drake: Question with the TIF and new reassessment policy of the state. Does it change with the yearly reassessments?
Frank Nierzwicki: he believes so but will contact the state.
David Drake: Old parcel numbers are 007 but are included in the packet
Frank Nierzwicki: We will double check all parcel numbers with the state auditor
Jeana Kapczynski: Any word on the “Magnus” property?
Frank Nierzwicki: No, there has not been word on that but our acreage is great enough that we could come back to that property at a later date (it does not exceed the 20% rule).
No additional comments.
Frank Nierzwicki: Staff needs a decision that this is the schedule to work from (with the stipulation that the plan commission will determine a date in March)
David Drake makes a motion that the schedule be approved
Amber Ragle seconds the motion
Motion carries
Frank Nierzwicki: Discussion of Journal article regarding redevelopment. To aid in answering questions, Frank included a list of FAQs about redevelopment with answers in the packet.
Frank Nierzwicki:
Draft projects—Frank has compiled 5 projects for discussion
and input for TIF money projects.
Total cost: $1.8 million
Frank Buczolich: Is there a timetable?
Frank Nierzwicki: depends on the bond issuance. Timeframe can be set by the commission and can be pay as you go waiting for development. Or developers can bond themselves and use development as a revenue stream; Frank Nierzwicki recommends insulating the town from direct bond issuances.
David Drake: Are the pedestrian bridges made out of gold? (why are they so expensive)
Frank Nierzwicki: That is the quote from Rick Coppock for compliance with state requirements. Also, some of the trail can be done in house to bring the cost down.
Audience Member: question about the locations on a map.
Frank Nierzwicki:
will get AV and maps/powerpoints working ASAP;
Frank Nierzwicki recommends looking at the county planning department’s
webpage for a map. Also, there is an issue
on re-use and the flood plain for typical development—
David Drake: how much money does the town already have?
Frank Nierzwicki: $169,000.
Frank also noted that previously contacted departments and groups (Park board, Fall Festival group) are still being contacted.
Audience member:
Chamber of commerce discussed an additional traffic conductor between
Frank Nierzwicki:
Frank notes that he was not on staff when the idea was initially brought up;
there may be an issue with having a bridge over the creek because of flood
plane. Planning would like to see
Staff needs a deadline for group submittal for cost estimates end of February would be a good deadline to give the Redevelopment Committee as much time as possible to look at the listing. Also need to double check parcels and get a detailed map together.
Dana Kerr: seems like a short amount of time for people to get things together; should they have more response time?
Frank Nierzwicki: A later date could be recommended, however, the commissioners have asked for some movement since it began in October and has waited for annexations. One possibility would be pushing things back a month to June. There is more flexibility at the beginning of the process than at the end. Advice is to not amend the project list because the process is long & will need amendments if additions are made.
Frank led a discussion about various groups & their likeliness of responding to a plea for projects to be included in the documents.
David Drake: David Drake believes should continue on schedule unless individuals make a plea for more time needed to put together a proposal.
Audience Members: Since there are “shoddy” looking houses and the old car wash… could we buy some of those structures and level them? That would be one option and would help public perception.
Frank Nierzwicki: Yes, the redevelopment commission can purchase property, take grants, and have property donations. No Treasurers report yet
Audience Member: perhaps the money could be used for smaller things like clearing away the brush and smaller items.
Frank Nierzwicki: part depends on the cost of acquiring of land for the trail.
Audience Member: could some parts be gravel?
Frank Nierzwicki: Actually it’s paved to encourage multi-use.
Audience Member: If there is a way it can cross highway 37
without anything elaborate, I think it would be useful for people to commute
from Ellettsville to
Frank Nierzwicki:
The idea is to have the trail go into
Jeana Kapczynski: Is the utility department looking into long-term utilities for the area?
Frank Nierzwicki: The utilities department is looking at one line expansion, I talked to him about thinking broader. He’s going to get back to me.
Frank Buczolich: no new items on the agenda.
David Drake: makes a motion to adjourn
Darby McCarty: seconds it.
Vote carries
Meeting is adjourned at