Redevelopment Agency

MINUTES OF NORWICH REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING September 28, 2009 MEMBERS PRESENT Timothy Smith Anthony Jacobs Tom Marien Leland Loose Carol Maranda MEMBERS ABSENT Marge Blizard Sofee Noblick Irv Weber OTHERS PRESENT Konnie Morell, Attorney Jennifer Gottlieb – Assistant City Manager I. Call to Order – Chairman T. Marien called the September 28, 2009 meeting to order at 5:03 p.m. II. Determination of Quorum It was determined a quorum was present. III. Approval of Minutes a) Minutes of the meeting July 27th, 2009-Motion to accept A. Jacobs, 2nd L. Loose, motion passed. IV. Correspondence a) Resignation of Rabbi Charles L. Arian – September 11, 2009 RDA September 28, 2009 Page –2-. V. Unfinished Business a) Update for 26 Shipping Street Clean-up Letter from Assistant City Manager giving update was passed out to all members. There will be about $20,000 left over after contract amount which will be put towards security measures such as a fence. J. Gottlieb suggested members go to site to see. Roof went out to bid. CLA Engineers recommended some extreme measures which resulted in the low bid being $240,000. The best use may be to solicit an investor to go into the building and have the City pledge the original money slated for roof repair to the new investor as long as they completed repairs to roof in accordance with federal guidelines for use of money. T. Marien suggested that the building be “mothballed” until a comprehensive plan for the entire area is developed. J. Gottlieb suggested “green jobs” creation for the site and soliciting an industry which does not create a lot of pollution and noise. b) Development Plan for the City of Norwich T. Marien attended a meeting at NCDC where they were gathering data on City agencies/committees/boards and compiling a list in conjunction with their new strategic plan for the City. They are sending a copy which T. Marien will forward to everyone on the RDA. The goal is to put together an economic plan for City which does not exist at this point and have a specific plan as to where to go from here. L. Loose asked if someone had been tasked to come up with that. T. Marien said a consultant had been hired by NCDC and he would keep the RDA members informed of any information he receives. T. Marien feels that the definition of economic development needs to be agreed on before resources can be solicited and clear definitions of what each group’s role would be is needed. c) Reid & Hughes Building Memo from Attorney Sternloff was discussed regarding the development agreement. Certain title transfer requirements were discussed. The agreement is still in negotiations between both party’s lawyers. Motion to authorize the RDA Chariman, Tom Marien, to represent the RDA at future meetings to be held with the City Manager and his designated staff by A. Jacobs, 2nd Tim Smith, motion passed. RDA September 28,2009 Page –3- T. Marien asked for input from members for items that RDA would like addressed at these future meetings. VI. New Business a) Resignation of Rabbi Arian Resignation accepted. b) Endorsement of application for brownfields grant J. Gottlieb discussed her letter to the RDA regarding a $200,000 brownfield assessment grant which the City will be applying for which is due October 16th. She requested the RDA write a letter supporting this application and discussing how they will partner with the City in identifying sites. Motion to write letter L. Loose, 2nd C. Maranda, motion passed. J. Gottlieb to get details of who the letter should be addressed to to T. Marien. VII. Citizen Comment None VIII. Adjournment – Motion to adjourn T. Smith, 2nd A. Jacobs, Meeting adjourned at 5:50 p. m.