Economic Development Commission

Chairperson Councilman Vincent Loffredo Economic Members Councilman Anthony Gennaro Councilman Edward McKeon Development Councilman Phillip Pessina Councilwoman Jeanette Blackwell Committee Staff Bobbye Knoll Peterson, Acting Director of ECD Brian Gartner, ECD Staff REGULAR MEETING Minutes DATE: Tuesday July 11th 2023 TIME: 7:00 p.m. Meeting was held online via WebEx and in person, Room 208, Municipal Building. In attendance: Councilman Vincent Loffredo, Councilman Anthony Gennaro, Councilman Edward McKeon, Councilman Phillip Pessina, Councilwoman Jeanette Blackwell Staff in Attendance: Mayor Benjamin Florsheim Bobbye Knoll Peterson, Acting Director of ECD Christine Marques, Director of ECD Brig Smith, General Counsel Brian Gartner, ECD Staff Public In attendance: Alan Marshall, Upward Solutions Glenn Russo, Newfield Residential Partners Trevor Davis Nancy Stamler, 210 Dripps Road, Middletown, CT. Chairman Gerald Daley, Boathouse Building Committee Members of the Boathouse Building Committee – Jennifer Alexander, Wendy Sheil Lorri DiBattisto, P.E. 1. Call to Order: Chairman V. Loffredo called the meeting to order @ 7:04pm. 2. Approval of Minutes 1. Minutes of the June 13th 2023 Regular Meeting – Moved by Councilman Pessina, seconded by Councilman McKeon, and passed unanimously. 3. Public Session: None 4. New Business 1. Update of Newfield Residential Partners Phase II Tax Abatement 1. Alan Marshall presents the following to the committee about the Springside Middletown project. Mr. Marshall provides the quarterly report on the project to the Chair, and to the Development Director. They are looking to add two additional buildings comprising of 72 additional units to Phase II of the project. The parcel earmarked for these two additional buildings is surrounded by already approved units. This would require approval by P&Z, and possibly the IWWA. The minority set aside, and Discover Middletown programs will both be proportionately increased due to the larger scope. Proportional increase in the set-aside program from $1,000,000.00 to $1,173,913.00. If you require special accommodations for any meeting, please call the ADA Coordinator at (860) 638-4540, (voice) or (860) 638-4812 (TDD/TTY), or the Town Clerk’s Office at (860) 638-4910 at least ten (10) days prior to the scheduled meeting. Page 1 of 3  Proportional increase in the Discover Middletown program from $100,000.00 to $117,390.00. Mr. Marshall informs the committee about the public set aside foundation that has been established. It is the first in Middletown, and possibly the first in CT. The process has been designed for minority contractors to apply, be screened, for due diligence items to be completed, and that they are at least 51% minority owned. Over sixty minority contractors have been hired as part of this project. Three people have been retained to provide quarterly reports. Two minority contractors have received their LLC’s on this project. Discussion ensues about the project. Attorney Smith speaks to the proposed modified agreement. 2. Update from the Boathouse Building Committee 1. Chairman Gerald Daley, Project Architect, Project Engineer, and members of the Boathouse Building Committee present the project details to the EDC. The building is being designed to anticipate future potential flooding of the area. The building is being designed to also anticipate future expansion. The building will be owned by the City, and utilized by the MHS rowing team. The hope is to garner support from the EDC prior to Council approval for a referendum on the November ballot. Some discussion ensues between members of the building committee, and the EDC committee members. It is suggested by Acting Director Peterson that the building committee members engage the BOE in discussions about the space. 3. Discussion & review of the EDC’s responsibilities as stated in Chapter 232: Public Property, Article II: Sale of Public Property - https://ecode360.com/8365311 1. Chairman Loffredo requested this to be provided to the EDC for their information. Acting Director Peterson informs the committee that the City has acquired an additional property on Miller Street due to a tax foreclosure. City staff has requested that any interested parties to please submit letters of intent. Attorney Smith speaks about the previous foreclosures, and the process behind them. Ms. Stamler asks to be recognized, after being recognized she inquired about how many properties were acquired through foreclosure. 5. Old Business 1. 21st Century Bond 1. No changes have been made in the last month, no additional expenditures. 2. Arcade Redevelopment 1. Acting Director Peterson addresses the committee about the status of the project. A meeting was scheduled for July 11th, but was changed due to their attorney attending a memorial service. 2. Chairman Loffredo inquires about a timeframe about the project, and Acting Director Peterson feels like we are very close to having an agreement. The following questions still remain outstanding in regards to the underground parking garage – How deep is feasible? How much load can the site handle? VHB is currently Page 2 of 3  doing soil testing to determine. Amy Valliancourt, VHB is working on the project, and has been a great partner to the city. Acting Director Peterson anticipates that we are a few weeks away from a substantive update. 3. Riverfront Master Plan 1. We are working on a budget with the state for CIF funds and then will begin the riverfront remediation work. 4. 80 Harbor Drive 1. Acting Director Peterson updates the committee about the anticipated flooding of Harbor Park, and 80 Harbor Drive. It is anticipated that we will not have any flooding issues in regards to the building. 5. R. M. Keating 1. We have been continuing to work with tenants who are struggling to get caught up from large arrearages. Several additional tenants have been served with 30 day notices. Several tenants have also become current during this period. 2. The EDC discusses an RFP for the purposes of updating signage at R.M. Keating. 6. Grant Earmarks 1. City staff has been working with the CIF team for the 12 million dollar grant for the riverfront. 7. Dripps Road 1. No substantive update. 6. Adjournment: Moved by Councilman Councilwoman Jeanette Blackwell Anthony Gennaro, seconded by Councilman Anthony Gennaro, and passed unanimously. Page 3 of 3