Anderson Redevelopment Commission

MINUTES ANDERSON REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION December 8, 2020 SPECIAL CALLED PUBLIC MEETING only to the citizens of Anderson but will be a 5:00 p.m. regional draw bringing added economic benefit to Via Zoom Conferencing the City. Mayor Broderick stated Athletic Park is a central area that is a blank piece of land with lots of MEMBERS PRESENT possibility. TIF dollars have been used recently for Richard Symmes, President local businesses including Glazebrooks Funeral Danny McGhee, Vice President Home on Nichol Avenue, the former Courtyard Aspen Clemons, Sec/Treas Apartments and for creating jobs as with Sirmax David Eicks Kenneth Davenport and SER. Mayor Broderick highlighted the work Diane Airhart, Non-voting the Commission is doing in the renovation of the former Marsh store and the purchase of the former STAFF PRESENT Clark Station on Nichol Avenue with efforts to find Greg Winkler, ED Director individuals willing to invest in the area and an Karen Soetenga, Specialist additional 5-6 Million earmarked for that purpose. Mike Austin, Commission Attorney Mayor Broderick stated there are companies showing interest in Anderson with a large company OHTERS PRESENT coming close to an announcement bringing new jobs Mayor Thomas J. Broderick, Jr. and investment. Mayor Broderick stated the City Tom Pitman, Barnes and Thornburg does not want to lose sight of other aspects Darren Grile, Anderson Light and Power including quality of life and highlighted the Doug Whitham, City Controller Chuck Leser, City Engineer contributions of past Mayors in the investment in Ken DeLaBastide, Herald Bulletin parks including the trail system. Mr. Broderick Cory Whitesell, HWC stated the City is at a point in time, because of Keith Sattler, HWC investments brought in, that it can sustain a project like this and asked for the Commission’s support for OPEN SPECIAL MEETING the project. Mayor Broderick stated the project needs to be done right and is best served by a long- ROLL CALL AND DECLARATION OF QUORUM term bond, 1M per year for 20 years. The Current Mr. Symmes, at 5:02 pm., established a quorum balance in TIF is nearly 23M with a draw of 2-3M with five (5) members present. coming soon, allowing the bond to be handled easily over time. BUSINESS Presentation by Mayor Thomas J. Broderick, Jr. Mayor Broderick introduced Cory Whitesell and regarding projects for consideration Keith Sattler from HWC. Mayor Thomas J. Broderick, Jr. informed members of the Athletic Park improvement project first Mr. Whitesell briefed members on the further introduced in August. Mayor Broderick briefed customized plans for Athletic Park creating a members on the need to attract and retain unique destination for all populations and abilities. individuals in the community highlighting other Mr. Sattler briefed members on the plan which communities like Seymour Bloomington, Carmel, included an entry pavilion, playground area, and Kokomo doing similar projects and the aquatic play area, performance area, picnic areas, importance of being progressive. Mayor Broderick game lawn area, rock-climbing zone, possible Ferris stated over the last three to four years more and wheel and seating for parents and older people. A more homes are being built in Anderson and people question and answer time followed. and companies are looking for this kind of environment. The project will be a great benefit not Ms. Clemons stated she wasn’t sure where a park received 30 minutes prior to the meeting. Mr. project fell regarding the Commission’s priorities Austin stated it was certainly legal to consider and but given the current state of affairs with the global vote if that is the desire of the majority. Ideally, a pandemic creating food shortages and people out of little more time would be good to consider, but there work it’s hard to prioritize this type of project. Ms. is nothing surprising in the resolution. Mr. Clemons asked if an economic impact study had McGhee asked if Mr. Davenport would be able to been done. Mr. Sattler stated there had not been vote because he is a voting member of the Parks one done but could be done. Discussion followed. Department. Mr. Austin stated yes, there is no conflict; Mr. Davenport can wear two hats. Mr. McGhee asked if there is a forecast on revenue to be lost due to the pandemic. Mr. Whitham stated Mr. Eicks asked if the resolution needed to be read. TIF revenue is expected to be stable and monitoring Mr. Austin stated no. Discussion followed. Mr. has taken place with no decrease to date. Eicks stated the resolution is one page and time could be given for members to read if desired. Ms. Mr. Eicks offered two observations: over the years, Clemons stated she was ok with having the vote. he has heard repeatedly there is nothing to do in Anderson especially for kids and of late people are Counselor Crumes stated it was clear they haven’t choosing to come and stay in Anderson because of had enough time to study the resolution and do the progressive things being done. Discussion their research. followed. Mr. Symmes called for the vote. Motion passed; 3 Mr. McGhee asked what the plans were for the yes, 2 no. Symmes, Eicks and Davenport voting Park Place area to the east of the proposed park. yes, Clemons and McGhee voting no. Ms. Clemon’s Mayor Broderick stated the amount of investment no vote was due to the resolution being available would be a boost and significantly change the area. only 30 minutes prior to meeting. The investment already made in the 8th Street Bridge and Disc Golf in Edgewater Park, Mr. Pitman stated you can’t take an official action connectivity with the trails, art shop and new without holding a meeting and you can’t pass a restaurant only means additional growth will resolution without taking a vote, which both were happen with the project. Mayor Broderick stated done. Conceptually, the resolution says one thing; he has talked with Park Place neighbors and they the Commission is willing to contribute TIF for the are excited about the project. Rental and support of this project. homeowner assistance programs and blight elimination efforts will continue with emphasis in Brief discussion followed. the area. Mr. Pitman stated after the pandemic hit he Question and answer time followed. studied the legal use of TIF and unfortunately it is not legally allowed to solve Covid issues. Mr. Eicks made a motion to approve Resolution ARC07-20, distributed before the meeting to There was a motion to adjourn at 6:34pm. Commission members. Ms. Clemons recommended tabling the resolution to give time for members to go through resolution as she was not comfortable approving the resolution before reading it. Mr. Symmes stated there was a motion on the floor. Mr. Davenport seconded the motion. Mr. McGhee asked Commission attorney Mike Austin if it possible to vote on something that was Page 2