Economic Development Commission

Chairperson Councilman Vincent Loffredo Economic Members Councilman Anthony Gennaro Councilman Edward McKeon Development Councilman Phillip Pessina Councilwoman Jeanette Blackwell Committee Staff Christine Marques, Director of ECD Brian Gartner, ECD Staff SPECIAL MEETING Minutes DATE: Thursday September 21st 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, Councilwoman Jeanette Blackwell, Councilman Phillip Pessina Staff in Attendance: Brig Smith, General Counsel Bobbye Knoll Peterson, Chief of Staff Christine Marques, Director of ECD Robert Kronenberger, E.M. Director, & Superintendent of R.M. Keating. Brian Gartner, ECD Staff Public In attendance: Sara Mendillo, Middlesex Chamber of Commerce Members of Cultivating Justice / Chicks Ahoy Farm – Diana Martinez, Lorenzo Jones Rani Arbo Caitlin Cunningham Jennifer Green Amy Grillo Malana Rogers-Bursen Kate Tsahalis Allison Williams Elizabeth Williams, Cultivating Justice / Chicks Ahoy Farm Karin Williams, Youth Chair of Cultivating Justice, Secretary of the Chicks Ahoy Board 1. Call to Order: Chairman V. Loffredo called the meeting to order @ 7:04pm. 2. Approval of Minutes 1. Minutes of the August 17th 2023 Special Meeting – Moved by Councilman McKeon, seconded by Councilwoman Blackwell, and passed with one abstaining (P. Pessina). 3. Public Session: A. Elizabeth Williams, Meriden Connecticut, speaks on behalf of Cultivating Justice acquiring 17 Miller Street. B. Zoe Heck, Wesleyan University, speaks on behalf of Cultivating Justice acquiring 17 Miller Street. C. Diana Martinez, 143 Prospect Street, speaks in favor of the Cultivating Justice proposal to purchase 17 Miller Street. D. Amy Grillo, 11 Huber Avenue, speaks in favor of the Cultivating Justice proposal to purchase 17 Miller Street. E. Krishna Winston, Chair of the Recycling Commission, 655 Bow Lane, addresses the committee on two items, R.M. Keating and 17 Miller Street. 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  Mrs. Winston speaks in favor of the proposal from Cultivating Justice to purchase the City owned property located at 17 Miller Street. Mrs. Winston also speaks in favor of a proposed bottle redemption center to be run by Steve Gomes. F. Chairmen Loffredo closed the Public Session G. Chairmen Loffredo motioned to amend agenda to address 17 Miller Street by General Counsel Smith early on in the session. 4. New Business 1. The Village at Riverside (Proposed Redevelopment of the former Parking Arcade) 1. Mayor Florsheim addresses the EDC on the proposed project. Mayor reflects arcade project will address the parking situation downtown, benefit housing and economic development downtown, and connect downtown with Harbor Park. 2. Attorney Smith speaks to the proposed project. 3. Laura Crosskey, Crosskey Architects, speaks about the proposed project. Crosskey reviews conceptual architectural designs, explaining amenities and components to the mixed-use infrastructure development. 4. Amy Valliancourt, VHB Director of Environmental Services, speaks about the proposed project. 5. Theodore von Rosenvinge, Geotechnical Engineer, speaks about the proposed project and presents findings regarding subsurface explorations. 2. Miller Street Property 1. The City has acquired this property on Miller Street due to a tax foreclosure. City staff has requested that any interested parties to please submit letters of intent. Two letters on intent were received, and provided to the committee. Discussion ensues about the process of disposing of surplus City assets. Chapter 232 of the Middletown Code of Ordinances governs how surplus property is determined and how it is to be disposed of. The committee members were previously provided the pertinent section of the code, and will be provided with it again prior to their next meeting. Cultivating Justice / Chicks Ahoy Farm currently licenses City property on Miller Street for a community garden. They would like to purchase the home and utilize it as a headquarters, and to also keep the preexisting tenant in his home. He has rented the property since the 1980’s, and the foreclosure was in no way his fault. Felipe Pacheco is a resident of the neighborhood who previously rehabbed his home, and would like to do the same with this property. He wants to acquire the property for his families own use. No action is taken at this time. 5. Old Business 1. 21st Century Bond 1. No changes have been made in the last month, no additional expenditures. 2. Arcade Redevelopment 1. No substantive update. Page 2 of 3  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. Progress continues to be made. Water did not infiltrate the building in the flood event a few weeks prior. Some discussion ensues about measures that have been taken in the redesign to protect the finishes from water damage if infiltration occurs. 5. R. M. Keating 1. The Chair recognizes Steve Gomes. Mr. Gomes who serves as Chairman of the Pension Board discusses his concerns about the current contract for superintendent services at the Keating Building, and that contract being held by a former employee. Chairman Loffredo states for the record that the ED committee did not take part in the procurement of superintendent services. Mr. Gomes further discusses his proposed project at the Keating building, and frustrations he has had with the City with the process. Mr. Gomes discusses the various funding sources he has received from the city including an ARPA award in addition with state grant funding. Mr. Gomes discusses the space that former Director Samolis had in mind for the proposed operation. Mr. Gomes expressed concern with the process with another redemption center that was recently approved through the Land Use office. Mr. Gomes also expresses concern about an interaction he had with the Land Use director. 2. The Chair recognizes Mayor Florsheim who addresses the committee. 3. The Chair recognizes Bobbye Peterson, Chief of Staff addresses the committee. 4. The Chair recognizes Rob Kronenberger, Superintendent of R.M. Keating. Mr. Kronenberger would like to go on record stating that a space has been offered to Mr. Gomes and is still available. Mr. Gomes was previously shown a different space by the former ECD Director. Mr. Kronenberger does not believe that space would be an appropriate fit for that portion of the building as it contains multiple public facing businesses specializing in primarily food. A punch list has been assembled to fit out the space for his occupancy. 5. 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. A detailed update was not available due to responsible staff member being out on sick leave. The Chair requests an update for the next meeting. 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 McKeon, seconded by Councilwoman Jeanette Blackwell, and passed unanimously at 10:37p.m. Page 3 of 3