Redevelopment Agency

REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING MINUTES MARCH 26, 2012 MEMBERS PRESENT Marge Blizard Anthony Jacobs Leland Loose James Quarto Sofee Noblick Timothy Smith MEMBERS ABSENT Carol Maranda OTHERS PRESENT Attorney Konstant Morell Gary Evans-Community Development Peter Davis, Planning and Neighborhood Services Director 1. Call to Order. Marge Blizard called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. 2. Determination of Quorum. It was determined a quorum was present. 3. Minutes of February 27, 2012. Upon motion of Leland Loose, second by Anthony Jacobs, the minutes were unanimously approved with one correction. 4. Correspondence. a. Cecil Group Proposed Project Schedule Jim Quarto wishes to commend those who assisted in getting the cost reduction from the original estimate down by about $20,000. Marge Blizard responds that it was a joint effort, and partly it was NPU being able to do some of the work and the rest was strictly negotiating. Marge Blizard comments on the schedule and points out that March 30 is not a realistic initiation date. Attorney Konstant Morell arrived at 5:05. Marge Blizard asks Konstant what the likely timeline is on getting the contract with the Cecil group signed and everything ready so they can commence. Konstant replies that it would probably be 60 days max, maybe even quicker if the source of funding has been identified and the parties agree on the terms. Marge Blizard states that the funding source has been identified and the funds are available. Redevelopment Agency Minutes March 26, 2012 Page 2 Peter Davis mentions that in the Draft Contract, page 2, item 6, it states that the Cecil Group would commence services within 7 days of the execution of the contract, unless otherwise directed by the client. The only change in the scope is the public meeting aspect under task (2). If they can get a clean copy of the contract it might be possible to get it signed within 7 to 10 days. That would move the project schedule dates down by about 2 weeks. Marge states that this looks good and like work could start within two to three weeks and once it’s done it would be available for use for applying for EPA grants. She also states that most of the dates in the proposed timeline would be moved down about two weeks. She asks Peter how the new timeline will work with the EPA application deadlines. In the timeline it states that September 30th the work would be completed so if two or three weeks are added how does that affect the application process. Peter Davis replies that as far as the POCD goes, he’s hopeful to have the public hearing on this in December so if this is done in late September to early October it looks timely for EPA grant applications. Marge states that the Committee has covered the New and Unfinished business with the discussion and asks if there are any questions. She also states that if things go according to plan and the contract gets signed the project should start within about a month or so. Peter Davis states that according to the timeline Cecil Group would like a meeting with the Committee to initiate the project. Marge Blizard feels that it’s a good idea and that she would like to be involved in the process as it progresses. She would like to meet with them at the next meeting of the Committee for an update and to keep track of progress. She would like to let Ken know that the next scheduled meeting is April 23rd. It would also be beneficial to get an updated schedule of dates once the contract is signed. Marge asks if there are any questions or comments on the Area Wide Plan Study. Leland Loose asks if he is correct in thinking that they’re doing a tree-top assessment of the sites until the 2nd week of June which is when they do an actual analysis of the actual contaminants. When does the site analysis occur? Peter Davis states that he is correct. They’re going to identify possible contaminants based on prior uses of the properties. A historical evaluation, a Phase I analysis. The physical analysis will be done later using assessment grants. The Area Wide Plan’s purpose is to identify Brownfield sites using land records and information from prior testing if any have been done. Redevelopment Agency Minutes March 26, 2012 Page 3 5. Unfinished Business – Covered during the discussion. a. EPA Assessment Grant update. b. Cecil Group Assessment Scope of Services c. Brownfield Assessment City Funding 6. New Business – Covered during the discussion. a. Brownfields Study Cecil Group Proposed Project Schedule. 7. Other Marge Blizard asks if there is anything from any of the other Boards or Committees that may be pertinent to the RDA. Jim Quarto mentions that most of what the Dangerous Buildings Committee discusses pertains to residential blight and dangerous conditions. He also mentions the Reid & Hughes Planning and Development Committee has formally put out an RFP but as of yet there have been no replies from any developers. 8. Citizen Comment Jim Quarto asks Peter Davis if the assessments the City already completed on some of the 81 properties are still valid. Peter Davis replies that yes, and Cecil will include them by listing the sites and what work has already been completed on the sites. 9. Adjournment Anthony Jacobs motions to adjourn, seconded by Jim Quarto. All in favor the meeting adjourned at 5:27 p.m. Respectfully Submitted by: Christine Averna