Anderson Redevelopment Commission

MINUTES ANDERSON REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION April 23, 2020 PUBLIC MEETING Mr. Symmes stated at this time the 2700 Scatterfield 3:30 p.m. Road request was being tabled. Via Zoom Conferencing Mr. Austin stated there was an Executive Session held MEMBERS PRESENT prior to the regular meeting to discuss real estate and Richard Symmes, President potential litigation; nothing else was discussed and no Danny McGhee, Vice President action was taken. Aspen Clemons, Sec/Treas David Eicks ARC02-20 Resolution Designating Member to Sign for Kenneth Davenport the Payment of Bills and Deposit of Funds Mr. Winkler stated a resolution was needed to designate STAFF PRESENT a Commission Member as signer on invoices for payment Greg Winkler, ED Director during this time of social distancing and remote Karen Soetenga, Specialist meetings. Mayor Broderick stated the action is taken Mike Austin, Commission Attorney pursuant to the Governor’s orders. Mr. Symmes stated Mr. Eicks is listed in the resolution as signer as he is OHTERS PRESENT present in City Hall each day and would have easy Mayor Thomas J. Broderick Jr. access to sign documents. Mr. Austin, commission Councilor Crumes attorney, stated once the Governor’s orders are lifted and Tom Batemen, Bingham Square Apartments meetings are held as usual, the invoices will be ratified. Ron Plichta, Bingham Square Apartments Lindsay Brown, Anderson resident Ms. Clemons asked if Mr. Eicks position on the Board of Ken DeLaBastide, Herald Bulletin Works could be a potential conflict of interest. Mr. Austin stated there could be a need for him to recuse himself on ROLL CALL AND DECLARATION OF QUORUM some issues but as long as he is designated following the Mr. Symmes, at 4:05 pm., established a quorum with five governor’s directive it would be permissible. All invoices (5) members present. will be brought back to the Commission for ratification. Discussion followed. Mayor Broderick stated payments MINUTES would be for prior obligations already approved and Mr. Eicks moved to approve the February 4, 2020 Commission Members will have a chance to look over minutes as presented. Mr. McGhee seconded. Motion invoices before Mr. Eicks signs. Discussion followed. passed unanimously; 5 yes, 0 no. Mr. Davenport made a motion to approve Resolution FINANCIALS / INVOICES ARC02-20 designating Mr. Eicks as signer for the Commission members reviewed financials. Mr. Eicks payment of bills and deposit of funds. After a long pause, moved to approve the financials as submitted. Mr. Mr. Symmes asked if he could seconded the motion and Davenport seconded. Motion passed unanimously; 5 yes, Mr. Austin stated yes. Mr. Symmes seconded. Mr. 0 no. McGhee stated if his name was placed as the signer members would have additional support for the resolution Commission members reviewed invoices. Mr. Eicks seeing that there is some concern about the name that is moved to approve the invoices as submitted. Mr. currently listed. Discussion followed. Davenport seconded. Motion passed unanimously; 5 yes, 0 no. Mr. Davenport withdrew the motion. Discussion followed. Mayor Broderick stated the ARC members that BUSINESS are also Board of Works members are legal appointments; if there was a conflict there would be a Review of ARC Fiscal Report conflict at any time. It is within the law; one can serve on Mr. Winkler stated a fiscal report was prepared and sent both the Board Of Works and the Anderson to the DLGF and distributed to members at an earlier Redevelopment Commission. date. No action is required. Councilor Crumes stated the issue was not personal and 2700 Scatterfield Road, LLC Request she is opposed to Mr. Eicks being the signer regardless of who has seen the invoices as it is about the way it diligence, they ran the other way. Bingham LLC’s looks. estimates are within the realm of the amount needed for improvements provided by other interested parties. Ms. Clemons moved to approve ARC02-20 a Resolution Mayor Broderick stated high priority has been given to designating Mr. McGhee as signer for the payment of the west side and the City was looking for opportunities bills and deposit of funds during the time of remote for decent living conditions and partners willing to invest meetings due to pandemic. Mr. McGhee seconded. the amount needed to make it right. Brief discussion Motion passed unanimously; 5 yes, 0 no. followed. Mr. McGhee stated he was concerned about the ongoing drainage issues in the area. Mayor Project Development Agreement with Bingham, LLC Broderick stated drainage would happen once we know concerning the Former Courtyard Apartments who will be locating there and what footprint they will Mr. Winkler introduced Thomas Bateman and Ron have. McGhee asked if $700,000 would be feasible. Mr. Plichta from Bingham LLC. A video was shown of the Plichta stated there would be a shortfall and it would improvements made to the former Courtyard apartments, hinder their ability to do it the right way, not halfway. now Bingham Square Apartments. Mr. Plichta stated Discussion followed. they are requesting a $900,000 TIF Bond to complete needed improvements. Discussion followed. Ms. Mr. Brown, Anderson resident, asked if HUD was Clemons asked if he is using local contractors. Mr. interested in purchasing the property at one time. Mr. Plichta stated a list is available and an estimated 50% Eicks stated, no they wanted to manage it. are from the area and have billed in the area of $350,000. Discussion followed. Mr. McGhee asked if Mr. Eicks moved to approve Project Development the shortfall was due to lack of occupants. Mr. Plichta Agreement with Bingham LLC with amendment to read stated two other entities were interested but backed away 129 units instead of 147. Mr. Davenport seconded. because of the amount of damage to the units and Motion passed; 4 yes, 1 no. Mr. McGhee stated his building. A budget was made for renovation and a reason for a nay vote was he would have preferred decision was made to move forward with assistance from $700,000 be financed for the project given they already the City in the form of a TIF bond that would be paid back have units filled. in taxes. Discussion followed. Mr. DeLaBastide, Herald Bulletin, asked if the sewer ARC03-20- Resolution Pledging TIF Funds for PR problem has been resolved. Mr. Plichta stated the Bingham, LLC project (Formally Courtyard Apartments) company has budgeted for the remaining sewers to be Mr. Winkler stated ARC03-20 is a resolution pledging TIF lined with help of the TIF bond. Discussion followed. funds for the Bingham LLC project. Brief discussion followed. Councilor Crumes stated she was aware of local contractors who tried to get work but were outbid. She Mr. Eicks moved to approve ARC03-20 a resolution stated they are required to be bonded and licensed which pledging TIF funds for Bingham, LLC project and Mr. costs money. Councilor Crumes asked if Mr. Plichta Davenport seconded. Motion passed unanimously; 5 was paying minimum wage. Mr. Plichta stated he pays yes, 0 no. between 10 – 12 dollars per hour. Discussion followed. Mr. Eicks stated a license and bonding is not needed for general construction or demolition. Discussion followed. There was a motion to adjourn. Counselor Crumes stated she has concerns that projects are patched up and things are not done properly and have to be addressed later. Mr. Plichta stated due to the complex taking Section 8 vouchers and VASH individuals their property is inspected on a regular basis. It is an investment on the part of the company and they have an interest in protecting it. Counselor Crumes asked that a list of investors in the project be made available to her. Mr. Austin stated the agreement needs to read 129 units not 147. Mr. McGhee asked if it fair to say we gave around 3- 400,000 to similar projects even though they were a little smaller. Mr. Winkler stated there are 43 units in the former Tower Apartments and this project is roughly 3 times the size making it consistent. Discussion followed. Mayor Broderick stated each project stands alone by the location and condition of the property. There were others interested in the Courtyard Apartments but after due Page 2