Anderson Redevelopment Commission

MINUTES ANDERSON REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION February 8, 2022 PUBLIC MEETING 5:00 p.m. BUSINESS Via Zoom Conferencing 2022-2023 Mowing Contract - ARC owed properties Mr. Winkler briefed members on the need to secure MEMBERS PRESENT mowing services for ARC owned property for the Richard Symmes, President 2022-2023 season. Mr. Winkler stated Select Lawn Kenneth Davenport, Secretary Services and Eric Apple have provided a great service David Eicks and have always been responsive and good to work Perry Washington with. Mr. Austin stated the contract does not need to STAFF PRESENT go out for bid because it does not meet the maximum Greg Winkler, ED Director threshold. Brief discussion followed. Karen Soetenga, ED Dept Mike Austin, Commission Attorney Mr. Eicks made a motion to approve an extension of the mowing contract with Select Lawn Services to OHTERS PRESENT include the 2022-2023 season and Mr. Davenport Doug Whitham, City Controller seconded. Neal McKee, Water Department A roll call vote was taken. Matt House, City Engineer Mr. Symmes, yes Ken de la Bastide, Herald Bulletin Mr. Davenport, yes Hilary Tyler, Light and Power Mr. Eicks, yes Kim Townsend, AHA Director Mr. Washington, yes Kellie Kelly, Citizen Motion passed unanimously; 4 yes, 0 no. Fay Dansby, Citizen 2022 Farming Lease - ARC owned property at Exit OPEN PUBLIC MEETING 226 Mr. Austin informed members of the need to get new ROLL CALL AND DECLARATION OF QUORUM appraisals for the lease of 60 tillable acres at Exit 226 Mr. Symmes, at 5:00 pm., established a quorum with owned by the Commission. Mr. Austin stated Bruce three (3) members present. Land Farms has been contracted up until this year to MINUTES farm the land at $226.00 per acre but the contract has Mr. Davenport moved to approve the January 11, expired. New appraisals will need to be acquired and 2022 minutes as presented. Mr. Eicks seconded. then the lease of the land will need to go out for a A roll call vote was taken. formal bid. Mr. Symmes, yes Mr. Davenport, yes Mr. Eicks made a motion to have new appraisals done Mr. Eicks, yes to determine the market rate of tillable acreage and a Motion passed unanimously; 3 yes, 0 no. bid package prepared for ARC’s 60 acres at Exit 226 and Mr. Davenport seconded. FINANCIALS / INVOICES A roll call vote was taken. Commission members reviewed financials and Mr. Symmes, yes invoices. Mr. Davenport, yes Mr. Eicks, yes Mr. Eicks moved to approve the invoices in the Mr. Washington, yes amount of $1,319,578.78. Mr. Davenport seconded. Motion passed unanimously; 4 yes, 0 no. A roll call vote was taken. Mr. Symmes, yes Brief discussion followed. Mr. Davenport, yes Mr. Eicks, yes Water Department Hydrogeological Test Well Motion passed unanimously; 3 yes, 0 no. Project Phase III Request Mr. Washington joined the meeting. Mr. McKee informed members of a request for funds Mr. Whitham asked if this kind of negotiation and for the third phase of a production/test well project. change order is customary in this type of work. Mr. Mr. McKee stated the first drill test provided good House answered yes. Brief discussion followed. Mr. formation and the next step is to install a Eicks stated it was a change order approved by production/test pump well to find out what the capacity himself and the City Engineer in order to control traffic is. The request for funding for the test well and and not cause gridlock in the City because so much monitoring is $129,811.00. paving was going on around the City. Discussion followed. Mr. Eicks asked if the amount would be sufficient for the entire process. Mr. McKee stated there is a slim Mr. Davenport made a motion to approve the change possibility it could go over. This is phase 3 and if orders as presented and Mr. Eicks seconded. there is sufficient formation there, next step is drilling A roll call vote was taken. the wells and having the well houses constructed. Mr. Symmes, yes Mr. Davenport, yes Mr. Washington asked what areas will be supplied by Mr. Eicks, yes the pump and what amount of water is needed. Mr. Mr. Washington, no McKee stated the Lafayette plant supplies the entire Motion passed; 3 yes, 1 no. City. The City is estimating it will supply an additional Traffic Modernization Project Update 2M gallons per day in capacity. Mr. House informed members bids for the Traffic Modernization project came back non awardable Mr. Davenport made a motion to approve Phase 3 of according to INDOT’s guidelines. The funds will be the Hydrogeological test well project in the amount of shifted to another project since the project may be $129,811.00 and Mr. Washington seconded. delayed as late as 2025. A roll call vote was taken. Mr. Symmes, yes Mr. Davenport, yes Mr. Washington asked how the bid request was Mr. Eicks, yes published. Mr. House stated INDOT does the bidding Mr. Washington, yes and contract work and bidding is done through their Motion passed unanimously; 4 yes, 0 no. system. Large contractors watch their bid site. Brief discussion followed. Change Orders for MLK Project Mr. House informed members the paperwork sent out Mr. Washington asked what project the funds would prior to the last meeting had an email stating the be shifted to. Mr. House stated the funds would go to project was over by $48,000 and after researching another project in the Madison County Council of found they hit some soft areas in the paving that Government’s district. incurred additional cost but as time went on the project ended up being $92,000 under budget. MISCELLANEOUS Mr. Austin, Commission attorney, informed the public Mr. House stated the change order for tree trimming of his advice to the Commission regarding the P.R. was needed so the paving didn’t ruin the trees. The Bingham Agreement. Mr. Austin stated the increase in the maintenance of traffic was due to Commission has much sympathy for the Bingham Scatterfield Road being under construction at the Square Apartment tenants and they were the reason same time and the City asked E & B paving to hold off the Commission provided the assistance in the first till the end of year so there would not be two place. It is commonly known P. R. Bingham is trying thoroughfares blocked at the same time. All to sell the West 16th Street Apartment complex and maintenance signs were pulled off site and replaced the Madison Square Complex just north of Community when project resumed. Brief discussion followed. Hospital. Mr. Austin stated there is support for P. R. Bingham to sell the West 16th street complex as long Mr. Washington asked who agreed to the change as the Commission gets paid as part of the sale and order. Mr. House stated the former engineer, Chuck as long as there is a qualified buyer. P. R. Bingham is Leser would have agreed. Mr. Washington stated it required to obtain the Commission’s authorization should have come back to the Commission, and he is before the sale of the West 16th Street complex. Mr. not willing to pay for non value added expense. Brief Austin stated discussing details of the P. R. Bingham discussion followed. issue and having citizen input at a public meeting is not helpful in that if the work is not done or bonds not Page 2 paid there could be litigation. Mr. Austin stated if the Ms. Townsend, Director Anderson Housing Authority, Commission files suit any public statements made by informed members she needed clarification regarding the Commission could be used against them in court. the Anderson Housing Authority’s fund balance for the The Commission wants Bingham to be successful in Lincolnshire Apartment project. AHA’s understanding finding a reputable buyer which would give the tenants was that the funds available would be in the amount of a fresh start with a new landlord. The more it is $770,000 and Ms. Phillips, Controller’s office, stated discussed in public or the press the less likely the ARC resolution stated $700.000. Ms. Townsend Bingham will find a suitable buyer. Mr. Austin stated stated she had a Board meeting on Friday for which for these reasons his advice is for the Commission not she needed an update. Mr. Whitham stated he would to accept questions or comments about the P.R. try quickly to get an answer. Brief discussion followed. Bingham matter or at least in a very limited way. Ms. Townsend informed the Commission that Mr. de Mr. Washington stated the situation was explained la Bastide comes to AHA Board meetings. Ms. well and there still are issues surfacing every day. Mr. Townsend stated she was not calling the paper to give Washington encouraged issues to be brought to those them information; they have to report on the plight of responsible at the City: Todd Fisher in the Municipal the residents at the meeting and if there is press it is Development Department. because a reporter is present at the public meetings. Mr. Symmes stated he feels it’s best not to talk in Ms. King, Anderson property owner, stated a petition public about the matter, the demand letter has been requesting the Marsh building be made available to sent with no response and three potential buyers may The Queens and the 765 project who are providing have been identified. food and vaccinations to citizens near Nichol and Raible Avenue has 450 signatures. Ms. Dansby, citizen asked how the Commission determines a qualified buyer. Mr. Austin stated that is Mr. Symmes stated he knows the group does good up to the Commission as under the contract with P.R. work but did not feel the Commission’s insurance Bingham they cannot sell without the Commission’s would cover such activity without a lease and the approval so the Commission will be able to review the organization showing proof of insurance. Brief buyer’s background and credentials and determine discussion followed. Mr. Winkler stated he had a whether the buyer will be a good fit. Ms. Dansby conversation with Jean Poole, believed to be their asked if the Commission could make public how they representative, concerning the request. Brief are defining a qualified buyer. Mr. Symmes stated discussion followed. they would have to bring a bonified offer along with money down to tell us they are buying in good faith. Ms. Dansby asked if the Commissioners are involved As long as the Commission’s bond is paid off, nothing in the decision. Mr. Winkler stated the ARC owns the more can be done. Brief discussion followed. Mr. property so ultimately they would make the decision Symmes stated the Commission can take a look at with the Mayor’s support. what qualified buyer would mean. Mr. Brown, citizen, asked if the use of the Marsh Ms. Kelley, citizen, stated she has listened to past building by The Queens could be placed on next meetings regarding past contract issues and there is a month’s agenda. Mr. Symmes stated he did not think lack of confidence and trust in ARC’s investments. it would be ready for next month’s agenda. Bingham is one more indicator of a process that needs Discussion followed. Mr. Eicks stated the building to be more transparent and involve more was purchased and investment made in order to stakeholders. Ms. Kelley asked moving forward when secure a grocery store. Brief discussion followed. Mr. investors come to the ARC again for rehabilitation Eicks stated Mr. Austin could inform as to the dollars, what the approach is going to be so this does requirements needed in order for The Queens to use not happen again. Mr. Symmes stated the the building and it most likely would include putting it Commission has done 36 projects which have out for a RFP. Mr. Winkler stated when The Queens provided excellent results but the Commission did get first approached the City there were additional stung on the P.R. Bingham project. Brief discussion recommendations made. Brief discussion followed. followed. Meeting was adjourned at 5:59pm. Page 3 , Page 4