Anderson Redevelopment Commission

MINUTES ANDERSON REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION July 12, 2022 PUBLIC MEETING send the notice of the meeting did not go through. Mr. 5:00 p.m. Washington stated he had an IT individual look for the ED Conference Room, Room #105 email with no results. Mr. Washington stated the east 120 East 8th Street door of the building was locked at the time of the Anderson, IN 46016 meeting and should be open due to the Open Door law. MEMBERS PRESENT Richard Symmes, President Mr. Washington stated he reviewed the duties of Kenneth Davenport, Secretary Redevelopment Commission on page 23 chapter 4 of David Eicks Perry Washington the Redevelopment Commission handbook which include investigating, surveying and studying areas in STAFF PRESENT the TIF in need of redevelopment. Mr. Washington Greg Winkler, ED Director – by phone stated he has questions all the time about areas that Karen Soetenga, ED Dept the Commission has not spent money on; as far as Mike Austin, Commission Attorney making decisions, there is no comprehensive plan to bounce those decisions against. OHTERS PRESENT Councilor Crumes Mr. Washington stated regarding the second item, April Phillips, Controller’s Office studying, the Commission needs to conduct studies to Ken de la Bastide, Herald Bulletin combat the causes for the need of redevelopment and Angie Strickler, Citizen ask “What are those things?”. Mr. Washington stated OPEN PUBLIC MEETING when funds or a plan are requested for certain areas it never happens. Mr. Washington informed members one of the first things he asked as a Commission ROLL CALL AND DECLARATION OF QUORUM Mr. Symmes, at 5:00 pm., established a quorum with Member was how much TIF money have we paid into four (4) members present. the fund and no one could tell him because it was thrown into one big pot. Mr. Washington stated it was MINUTES not fair that some areas never get any attention. Mr. Eicks moved to approve the May 10, 2022 and May 20, 2022 minutes as presented. Mr. Davenport Mr. Washington stated he has things thrown to him at seconded. Motion passed unanimously; 4 yes, 0 no. meetings and has asked to get items in a timely manner so studies can be done and questions asked FINANCIALS / INVOICES in order to make good decisions. Commission members reviewed financials and invoices. Mr. Washington stated he read through Resolution ARC05-22 and he did not disagree that the 5.9M could Mr. Eicks moved to approve the invoices in the amount of $6,301,127.54. Mr. Davenport seconded. be given to Flagship Enterprise Center (FEC) for the Motion passed unanimously; 4 yes, 0 no. purchase of 2705 Enterprise Drive but the funds were issued to defease an Anderson University bond and NEW BUSINESS the Commission will never get the funds back. Mr. Perry Washington to address Commission Washington stated he asked for FEC financials but Mr. Washington stated he had listened to the only received them at the last minute and showed, in recording of the May 20, 2022 meeting of the 2020, 2.3M in overhead expenses and when grants Commission and heard it stated he was not at the are taken out FEC is not making money. Mr. meeting because he chose not to be there, which was Washington stated he asked for plans on how FEC is not true. Mr. Washington stated he did not receive going to run the new building as well as a Board communication regarding the meeting. Mr. evaluation but hasn’t received anything. Washington informed members he told Ms. Soetenga, Economic Development staff, that the email used to Mr. Washington stated he takes his job seriously and wants to see Anderson flourish and the Commission Mr. Davenport asked if the email situation concerning must make good decisions for the future. Mr. Mr. Washington had been straightened out. Ms. Washington stated when he abstained from the vote Soetenga stated the problem might have been that on the agreement and pledging of funds for the FEC another member of the Economic Development project he had asked questions that could not be Department sent the email and perhaps it was sent to answered so he could not make a good business a spam filter. Ms. Soetenga stated she verified that decision. the email was correct on the distribution list used, no correction was needed. Mr. Eicks stated he had it Mr. Eicks responded to Mr. Washington stating he verified through the City IT department that it was sent heard Mr. Washington but didn’t agree with everything correctly. Mr. Washington stated he never received it. that was said and didn’t believe everything said was Brief discussion followed. factual. Mr. Eicks stated it was ok because Mr. Washington is allowed his opinions and he was not MISCELLANEOUS here to debate but didn’t want his silence to be interpreted that everything Mr. Washington said he Meeting was adjourned at 5:18 pm. agreed was correct. Mr. Washington stated when he gives information it is factual information he has investigated to come to that conclusion. Mr. Symmes stated the Commission was not taking , questions due to there not being any items to be decided on the agenda. Ms. Strickler, citizen, stated she did not want to walk away with false information. Mr. Eicks reiterated his statement he did not want to debate and does not believe all that was stated is accurate. Mr. Symmes reiterated no questions from the audience were going to be heard. OLD BUSINESS Mr. Washington asked for an update on the sale of Bingham Square Apartments. Mr. Austin stated P.R. Bingham is still trying to work through insurance issues concerning the recent fire at one of the buildings. Mr. Austin stated it is his understanding the sale of the building is still in the works but they have not reached an agreement concerning the value of the burnt building. Mr. Washington asked if there was a timeline. Mr. Austin stated P.R. Bingham has stated once a closing is set they would inform the City but he would reach out for more information regarding the timeline. Mr. Eicks stated there should be a sell by date at which time the Commission’s consent would be void; the Commission does not want to be in the same situation a year from now. Mr. de la Bastide asked when the building is to be torn down. Mr. Eicks stated it has not been determined if the building will come down. Brief discussion followed. Page 2