City Council

MINUTES OF THE LAFAYETTE COMMON COUNCIL August 4, 2014 REGULAR MEETING The Common Council of the City of Lafayette, Indiana met in regular session on Monday August 4, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, 20 North 6th Street, Lafayette, Indiana. President Meyer called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. The Pledge of Allegiance was given to the flag of our Country. The following members were present: Present: Heide, Klinker, Reynolds, Campbell, Brown, Ahlersmeyer, Weast-Williamson, Downing and Meyer. City Clerk Cindy Murray and City Attorney Ed Chosnek were present. The City Clerk stated that there was a quorum present. Councilman Campbell moved to approve the minutes of the July 7, 2014 Council Meeting, Councilman Downing seconded. The motion passed by unanimous voice votes. There are no Claims, Petitions or Communications The Clerk stated the following reports are available in the City Clerk’s Office: Fleet Maintenance Department Monthly-June Water Works Department Monthly-June Water Pollution Control Department Monthly-June Police Department Monthly-June Ordinances for Second Reading The Clerk read Ordinance Amended 2014-05 (An Ordinance Amending the Lafayette Municipal Code Pertaining to the Sewer Service and Wastewater Control in the City of Lafayette by Amending Repealing Chapter 6.01,6.03 and 6.04), by title only on second and final reading. Councilman Klinker moved to remove the Ordinance Amended 2014-05 from the table for consideration, Councilman Reynolds seconded. The motion passed by unanimous voice vote. Brad Talley, Wastewater Pollution Control Superintendent, spoke regarding the ordinance. Ordinance 2014-05 passed 8-0 on a roll call vote on second and final reading. Ordinances for First Reading The Clerk read Ordinance 2014-17 (An Ordinance to Amend the Zoning Ordinance of Tippecanoe County to Rezone Certain Real Estate from GB to CB-Lafayette Redevelopment Commission, Petitioner- 506 Brown Street) by title only on first and final reading. Councilman Brown moved for passage, Councilwoman Weast-Williamson seconded. Dennis Carson, Redevelopment Director and Michael Hunt, 602 N. 5th Street spoke in support of the ordinance. Ordinance 2014-17 passed 8-0 on a roll call vote on first and final reading. The Clerk read Ordinance 2014-18 (An Ordinance to Amend the Zoning Ordinance of Tippecanoe County, Indiana to Rezone Certain Real Estate from I3 to GB-Ruth Schafer Family, LP-Petitioner, 91 N 36th Street) by title only on first and final reading. Councilwoman Weast-Williamson moved for passage, Councilwoman Ahlersmeyer seconded. Kevin Riley, Attorney representing the petitioner spoke regarding the ordinance. Council discussion ensued. Ordinance 2014-18 passed 8-0 on a roll call vote on first and final reading. Resolutions: The Clerk read Resolution 2014-08 (A Resolution Approving a Deduction for Tax Abatement in an Economic Revitalization Area (ERA)-General Electric Company) by title only on first and final reading. Councilman Reynolds moved for passage, Councilman Klinker seconded. Dennis Carson Redevelopment Director, Mayor Roswarski and Eric Mattison GE Plant Manager spoke regarding the Resolution. Resolution 2014-08 passed 8-0 on a roll call vote on first and final reading. The Clerk read Resolution 2014-09 (A Resolution Approving a Deduction for Tax Abatement in an Economic Revitalization Area (ERA)-ET Pure Lafayette, LLC) by title only on first and final reading. Councilwoman Weast-Williamson moved for passage, Councilman Downing seconded. Mayor Roswarski and Drew Sanders, Pure Management spoke regarding the Resolution. Resolution 2014-09 passed 9-0 on a roll call vote on first and final reading. The Clerk read Resolution 2014-10 (A Resolution Designating the Board of Works and Safety as the Approving Body for Byrne Memorial Grant Applications by the Lafayette Police Department) by title only on first and final reading. Councilwoman Ahlersmeyer moved for passage, Councilman Reynolds seconded. Pat Flannelly, LPD Chief spoke regarding the Resolution. Resolution 2014-10 passed 8-0 on a roll call vote on first and final reading. There were no Reports of Standing Committees. There were no Reports of Special Committees. Report by the Mayor: Mayor Roswarski spoke and updated the council on the projects that are ongoing in the city. Miscellaneous or New Business: Department Head Update: Dennis Carson, Economic Development Department gave the following Department update. Department purpose: Business attraction, retention and expansion, development and revitalization Partners: Greater Lafayette Commerce, West Lafayette, Tippecanoe County, Purdue University, Ivy Tech and others as well as the many city departments and staff. Staff: Dan Walker, Project/Planner Manager; Margy Deverall, Project/Planner Manager; Adam Murphy, Project/Planner Manager and Joyce Funk, Administrative Assistant. Our department and staff closely work with the Community Development Department and staff and many others. Staff to: Lafayette Redevelopment Commission, Lafayette Redevelopment Authority, Lafayette Parking Commission and the Lafayette Urban Enterprise Association Lafayette Redevelopment Commission: This body oversees four Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts which capture the increment in property taxes that provides critical financial resources for many projects throughout the City as well as many redevelopment projects to increase investment, assessed value and job creation. Major projects: Chatham Square – This $20 million + project redeveloped the crime ridden and blighted Bridgeway Apartments which is now 89 units of affordable rental housing and nine single family homes. The last single family home was purchased and the project closed this past January. Home Hospital site – The Creasy/Treece TIF was expanded and consolidated with the Central TIF in 2013 which helped facilitate the redevelopment of the Home Hospital site. On the main campus a new assisted living facility called the Residences at Columbian Park has recently broken ground and other parcels will be developed as single family homes or other opportunities. TIF proceeds are instrumental in many public works projects such as the extension of Maple Point Drive, Veterans Memorial Parkway, Poland Hill and Twyckenham road improvements and roundabout, Alabama and 3 rd Streets reconstruction and streetscape, Twyckenham Quiet Zone, neighborhood sidewalks, Upper Berlowitz Infrastructure Master Plan and last year a new fire truck apparatus was purchased and this year an ariel truck at a cost close to $1 million will be purchased as well as sorely needed new trash trucks for the streets and sanitation department. TIF proceeds are also instrumental in such endeavors as job training for local businesses including Rea Magnet Wire who is making a $7.5 million investment and adding nine new jobs and Alcoa as part of their lithium alloy product expansion adding 75 new jobs with a $65 million investment as well as Wabash National and Heartland Automotive. The Commission provides job training funds for local residents through the Advancing Manufacturing program in partnership with Greater Lafayette Commerce and Ivy Tech. TIF is an important part of the incentive packages along with our tax abatement program that the Commission oversees for business attraction and expansion. Some of the most notable in the last year include: SIA - $450 million investment bringing over the Impreza line Heartland Automotive - $45 million investment, 224 new jobs Worwag - $2 Million investment, 14 new jobs Tate & Lyle - $70 million investment, nine new jobs Passageways – A growing technology company located in the Earl & Hatcher building downtown GE Aviation - $92 million, 200 jobs Over $1 billion in new investment throughout Greater Lafayette was announced last year – a record. May is tax abatement compliance month where we are updated with the status many of these announcements and investments from the business community. We will be reviewing over 50 new and previous applications from Lafayette companies. On a smaller scale, but just as important to the future growth of Lafayette, are the downtown development projects we do such as: MatchBOX Coworking Studio – This facility, located in the Stein Family Building on 6 th Street, recently opened and has been strongly embraced by the community. Its purpose is help foster a culture and ecosystem of entrepreneurship, innovation and technology to grow locally owned businesses and retain local talent. The facility provides shared office space for up to 150 members in a creative and collaborative one of kind environment. It has been open just a few weeks has over 30 members and growing. MatchBOX is managed by the Lafayette Urban Enterprise Association in a broad partnership that includes the City of Lafayette, Tippecanoe County, Tippecanoe County Public Library, Greater Lafayette Commerce, Lafayettech, Ivy Tech Community College, Purdue University and many, many others in the business community. We just got our slide installed – come over and give it try! The Economic Development Department and the Redevelopment Commission are also involved in development through real estate projects such as: Queen Anne Courts – Though it was sad to see the demise of the Soller Baker property (but not so much for the failed Queen Anne Courts project), the new development in its place is part of string of new investment in downtown that includes Lafayette Community Bank, Regions Bank and others. This new development by Crest Properties will be a $7 million investment that will create 64 upscale rental units, with an interior parking garage, two elevators and a fitness center featuring an architectural style that will draw upon the former buildings on site and its surroundings. The Lafayette Redevelopment Commission was instrumental in site development through acquisition, demolition and site preparation. Centennial Townhomes – An innovative partnership among the Redevelopment Commission, Lafayette Urban Enterprise Association and the residents of Centennial Neighborhood, together they purchased the former Midwest Rentals property at 5th and Brown Streets and have been seeking developers for owner occupied townhomes. At the April Commission meeting, an agreement was signed with local developer John Tiebel who will construct 14 townhomes on the site. Units will be 1,600 sq. ft. with upscale finishes, two car detached garage, and a brick exterior that will reflect the architecture of the historic Centennial Neighborhood among other amenities. The next steps are to rezone the property as a planned development and hopefully break ground this summer. SIA/South Tipp Park – We also get to work on many fun projects with other city staff and departments such as the redevelopment of South Tipp Park by Bauer Community Center which recently broke ground. Staff such as Margy Deverall worked with the neighborhood and the public on its design and assisted with fundraising. Many thanks to Rick Johnson and SIA for their efforts. Public Art – Our department also coordinates many public art projects on our own and with partners such as West Lafayette and TAF. Notable projects have included the thought provoking and interactive Before I Die and Erase Your Fears Here as well as murals and sculpture. We have several projects that you will be hearing more about this summer. Wayfinding – Wayfinding signage is the never ending project but we are expecting to bid this project later this year. We have coordinated our plans with West Lafayette and Purdue as well as the Wabash River Enhancement Corporation and others. Wayfinding will provide navigation from I-65 and other entry ways through the community, in and around downtown, West Lafayette and Purdue for an enhanced visitor and public experience. Bike/Pedestrian Plan – Our department is spearheading efforts for complete streets policies and guidelines along with a Bicycle/Pedestrian Plan that will augment the City Trail Master Plan. With grant funding and transportation funds, this plan will set a long range vision with specific goals and objectives to make Lafayette more pedestrian and bicycle friendly and safe as mode of transportation on par with vehicles and others. Public meetings will commence this summer. May is national bike month and our office spearheaded an ordinance establishing a three foot safe passing distance between motor vehicles and bicycles that is currently being considered by City Council. Parking Commission: This public body oversees policy and governance of parking and related issues primarily in the downtown area. The Commission and staff were instrumental in the evaluation and decision to bring parking management under the City of Lafayette that started this past January. This body revised the parking fees and is now developing new permits for construction and maintenance contractors and healthcare providers that need to do business downtown and monitor the activities of the new parking staff as well as concerns and needs from the public. The Commission feels that taking parking back under City control has been a positive step for its management and is proving to be cost effective and providing a better experience for residents and visitors downtown. Thank you for your support and feel free to contact me or staff anytime if you have any questions or need additional information. There were no Reports by Council: Public Comment: Lloyd Wells -3717 Rawlings Drive, commented about the rough railroad crossing at Kossuth Street, the Mayor gave an update that the RR has agreed to come back and repair it. Bill Miller- 8143 Old State Road 25 N spoke regarding the proposed stone quarry, he requested the council send a Resolution in opposition of the stone quarry to the BZA. Jim Page -1506 Durango brought photos and asked for an amendment to the parking ordinance. Perry Barbee, 3700 Redbud -welcomed GE to the community and encouraged everyone to do something on American Night Out tomorrow night. Councilman Campbell moved to adjourn, Councilman Klinker seconded. Meeting was adjourned at 8:10PM Minutes prepared by Cindy Murray, City Clerk Complete audio of meeting available in the City Clerk’s office or at www.lafayette.in.gov