December 18, 2008

The Ellettsville, Indiana, Redevelopment Commission met in regular session on Thursday, December 18, at the Fire Department Training and Conference Room. Darby McCarty called the meeting to order at 7:04 P.M., leading the Pledge of Allegiance.

Roll Call: Members present were Darby Mc Carty, Frank Buczolich, Philip Rogers and Darlyne Sowder.

Members absent: Matthew Stille

Approval of Minutes

Darby McCarty- Darby made a motion to approve the minutes of the October 23, 2008 meeting. Philip Rogers made a motion to approve of the amended minutes, Frank Buczolich seconded the motion. Minutes approved.

Old Business-None

New Business-Economic Recovery Act of 2008, CDBG Disaster Recovery Funds

Frank Nierzwicki- I received a phone call the other day from Greg Jones, from Southern Indiana Development Commission (SIDC) out of Loogootee; he called me about two large governmental programs. The first is the Economic Recovery Act (ERA) of 2008 this is also known as the financial bailout plan that was passed this year. The second program is the federal disaster relief program aimed at the areas in southern Indiana and some in northern Indiana.

The ERA of 2008, SIDC has been chosen by the state to assist local communities and municipalities that qualify to apply for federal funds to stabilize neighborhoods affected by the mortgage foreclosures. The program will allow local governments to purchase abandoned or foreclosed homes. The idea is to protect neighborhoods from being depressed with home prices and to keep a steady tax base for governmental units. The town would have to apply and it’s a competitive process with other governmental units within the state of Indiana. 83 million is available for non-metropolitan areas in the state. SIDC would provide staff with the application process, and the deadline for sending in a letter of intent is January 9, 2009. We need Town Council’s approval. This gives no obligation to the Town to continue with the process. SIDC is a regional planning group and there are other groups similar to SIDC. These groups are picking up the work in areas that are void of regional planning groups. Greg will be speaking before the Town Council. They would receive funds to help administer the grant. It would be virtually impossible for the planning staff to do this, my experience isn’t with housing.

The next program is the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery Fund (CDBG DRF). This is a program that focuses mainly on assisting communities affected by the spring/summer floods and tornadoes. They are looking to buy out homes located in the floodplain. The long range planning aspect of the program would benefit Ellettsville. This would allow the Town to purchase land within the floodplain for green space protection. Our trail would qualify for green space protection. We have some areas that are vacant that would be ideal for this.

The third program hasn’t been approved yet. It’s the Obama Administration Economic Stimulus Package. I have been asked by the Bloomington MPO to submit road, street and trail items that could be funded within 120 days. The federal government would pick up matches on approved programs to get projects going. We would have two projects to submit, the trail and the Sycamore Drive project. $42,000 is needed for the trail match to get it started. The school would have a front door entrance and this would help with development in this area.

I’ll be asking the Redevelopment Commission to pass its support to proceed with a letter of Intent.

Darlyne Sowder- The last stimulus package deadline is tomorrow, how will you get that done, when the Town Council doesn’t meet until Monday? I think it’s an excellent idea to apply for any money we can. If you would like a motion I would be willing to do so. I make a motion that we ask Frank Nierzwicki to proceed with this and ask the Town Council to support our recommendation.

Frank Nierzwicki- I’m submitting the two projects tomorrow. The letter of intents deadline is January 9, 2009.

Philip Rogers- I don’t see how the Town can raise enough money on its own to get some of these projects done.

Darby McCarty- Do I have a second.

Philip Rogers- I’ll second it.

Darby McCarty- All in favor, say aye, all were in favor. Next business.

Proposed Timetable Heritage Crossing TIF 2009

Frank Nierzwicki- This is an altered schedule going forward from 2008 to 2009. Dec. 18 is the last Redevelopment meeting for 2008. If we have a starting point we will know how we want to move forward in 2009. You may want to adopt the timetable for next year, pending all of you would be reappointed, and in January election of officers takes place, and you would formally approve the recommendations for tonight.

Feb. 5, 2009 the Town Plan Commission meets to approve, disapprove or amend the Declaratory Resolution and Redevelopment Plan,

February 23, Town Council meets and approves Declaratory Resolution and Redevelopment Plan,

Feb. 24, impact study delivered to Redevelopment Commission,

March 4, notice of adoption of plan by Town Council and public hearing notice published,

March 26, Redevelopment Commission holds public hearing and adopts confirmatory resolution approving redevelopment area and approving redevelopment plan, and on

April 27 filings are made by staff with the county auditor and department of Local Government Finance.

The tentative meeting dates are included in your packets. We have some open months that we’ll not meet, so we can meet for special meetings as needed.

Darby McCarty- Any recommendations or motions for the record?

Darlyne Sowder- I have a question, at the bottom it says pending approval of the Plan Commission at the December meeting, and did they do that?

Frank Nierzwicki- That should be stricken and done at the Feb. 2009 meeting. It depends on approval. There is approval at each stage.

Frank Buczolich- I move that we recommend the adoption of the proposed timetable for the Redevelopment Commission for their use in the calendar year of 2009.

Philip Rogers- I’ll second that.

Darby McCarty- All in favor, say aye, three in favor and one nay.

Frank Nierzwicki- Do you have any other recommendations?

The next item is the Community Planning Grant, I-69 Planning Grant.

There has been money set aside from the grant for training. We want all commissions, supervisors and the Town Council to attend. This conference will explain the process of each of the commissions and how they work together. The proposed dates are Monday March 23 or Tuesday March 24. A hearing notice will be posted, so the public can attend, we’ll follow all of the open door policies. The public would have to pay for their lunch and their gate fee if applicable. Some role playing will occur and planning exercises.

Project Lists

Please refer to the project and cost list for the projects. These cost estimates will be used to prepare for the grants we discussed earlier.

Darby McCarty- Any questions from anyone, the next meeting will be at 6:30 on January 22, 2009.

Adjournment

Darby McCarty entertained a motion to adjourn at 7:39 P.M. Darlyne Sowder made a motion to adjourn and Philip Rogers seconded the motion. Motion carried. Next meeting will be held on January 22, 2009 at 6:30 P.M.