Economic Development Commission

Committee Members Staff to the Committee Chairperson Councilman Vincent Loffredo Christine Marques, Director of ECD Members Councilwoman Jeanette Blackwell Brian Gartner, ECD Staff Councilman Anthony Gennaro Councilwoman Steven Kovach Councilwoman Linda Salafia ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MIDDLETOWN CONNECTICUT SPECIAL MEETING WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2024 MINUTES A Regular Meeting of the Economic Development Committee of the City of Middletown was held on Wednesday, July 24 th 2024 at 6:00 PM. This meeting was a hybrid meeting with in-person participation in Room #208 of the Municipal Building and remote access via WebEx. Committee Members Present: Chairman Vincent Loffredo, Councilwoman Jeanette Blackwell, Councilman Anthony Gennaro, Councilman Steven Kovach, and Councilwoman Linda Salafia Staff Members Present: Brig Smith, Christine Marques, Brian K. Gartner Jr Members of the Public Present: None 1. Call to Order - Chairman V. Loffredo called the meeting to order at 6:05 PM. 2. Approval of Minutes 1. Minutes of the June 11th 2024 Special Meeting (Keating Tour) - Motion to APPROVE is made by Councilwoman Blackwell, seconded by Councilman Kovach and passed unanimously. 2. Minutes of the June 11th 2024 Regular Meeting - Motion to APPROVE is made by Councilman Kovach, seconded by Councilwoman Salafia and passed unanimously. 3. Minutes of the June 25th 2024 Special Meeting - Motion to APPROVE is made by Councilman Kovach, seconded by Councilwoman Salafia and passed unanimously. 3. Public Session - None 4. New Business - None 5. Old Business 1. Proposed lease agreement for The Middletown Board of Education at R.M. Keating (180 Johnson Street) – Committee member’s request that staff reach out to Marco Gaylord (BOE) to request a copy of the documentation that was provided to the committee at their meeting of June 25 th 2024. 2. 21st Century Bond – Committee member’s request staff provide an updated expenditure report for the next meeting. 3. The Village at Riverside (Arcade Redevelopment Project) –  The Common Council has approved the acquisition of 195 deKoven Drive (ATD).  The inclusion of the ATD property is important for parking and the overall development plans for the area.  There will be an 18-month leaseback agreement for the current owner to continue operating their business.  An internal working group comprising of City staff and the development team has been meeting regularly to discuss the next steps for the project.  The development of the parking garage is crucial for the project, and discussions are ongoing to determine the overall needs and design. 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 2   The parking garage project involves coordinating with various stakeholders including Attention to Detail, Riverview Center (Harding), State of CT (Courthouse), Middletown Police, CT DOT, & the railroads.  A structural analysis of the Riverview Plaza (Between the Harding Building and PD) is necessary as it may need to be replaced. 4. Riverfront Master Plan – A draft RFP for LEP services for the remediation work has been drafted. 5. 80 Harbor Drive –  The Ice Cream Shop is open and the Dragon Shack will be coming online after the deck is constructed.  The issue of parking signage and availability has been raised and is being addressed.  The ramp for the Ice Cream shop was not workable due to underground obstructions which caused changes in the structure, but accessibility will be provided via a kiosk. 6. R. M. Keating – Several lease renewals will be presented at future meeting. City staff is currently working on the contracting of the repair of the Fire Alarm system. 7. Grant Earmarks - No substantive updates at this time. 8. 210 Dripps Road –  A CGS 8-24 review is required by state statute when leasing or selling municipal property.  Motion to REQUEST an affirmative C.G.S. 8-24 Review from the Planning & Zoning Commission is made by Councilman Kovach, seconded by Councilwoman Blackwell and passed unanimously.  Staff is waiting on department heads to provide information on specific properties for potential sale.  The committee recommends that staff should reach out to the historical society for recommendations on preserving the historical property.  Discussion ensues about the process for disposing of surplus city property, and the associated ordinance that governs the sale. 9. 17 Miller Street – Departmental responses, and title search information is provided to the committee. 10. 20 Portland Street – Departmental responses, and title search information is provided to the committee. 11. Economic Development Fund Balance - Provided to the committee for their information. 12. National Register Designation for the Beman Triangle – Committee members request that staff follow up with Jesse Nasta from the Middlesex Historical Society for an update. 13. Adjournment A. Having no further business in front of the committee this evening the committee moved to adjourn. Page 2 of 2