Redevelopment Agency

Norwich Redevelopment Agency Regular Meeting Minutes June 26th, 2017 5:00 PM Room 319 City Hall Present: Chairman James Quarto, H. Tucker Braddock, Anthony Jacobs, Mark Kulos, Sofee Noblick, Stacy Gould, Diba Khan-Bureau, Barry Elison, Sean F. Buckley, Heather Lussier, Jennifer Messervy, and Michael O’Neil Absent: Robert Buckley Administration and Staff Present: Deanna Rhodes, City Planner Others Present: Guest James Olsen, Josh Way, Ivery Stakley - Recording Secretary. I. Call to Order: Chairman Quarto called the meeting to order at 5:03 PM. It was determined a quorum was present. II. Approval of Minutes: On a motion by Mark, seconded by Tucker, the minutes from the May 22nd 2017 RDA meeting were approved as presented. The motion passed unanimously. III. Correspondence: Deana shared an article that the mayor asked her to pass along called “General Assembly Passes CT Brownfield Land Bank Creating a Viable Remediation Alternative for Municipalities” written by Gary B. O’Connor, Pullman & Comley, LLC. She gave copies to all committee members in attendance and the committee members decided to add the article to the July Meetings Agenda. Then she shared how there is an interested buyer in the k-part building, but he was concerned because it is a flood hazard area and he was outbid for the property. There are many problematic brownfield properties. The committee members were concerned the buyer wants to use it for storage which would not help create jobs and Jim asked if it is possible they want to use it to create housing. IV. Unfinished Business: a.) Introduce Brownfields Citizen Stakeholders-RDA Subcommittee: Everyone in the room introduced themselves including the new RDA subcommittee members Diba Khan-Bureau, Barry Elison, Sean F. Buckley, Heather Lussier, Jennifer Messervy, and Michael O’Neil. The committee previously asked that Three Rivers Community College be involved in their work. Professor Khan-Bureau wants to know how the college can participate and help the committee. Mr. Olsen said the students can observe, learn, and gain experience. V. New Business: a.) Consultant James Olsen/ Tighe & Bond to provide update regarding the EPA City- wide Brownfields Assessment Project: The RDA committee assesses properties to find what changes are needed to make the building safe and give estimates of what it will cost to make the changes. The assessments make buyers more aware of all the needs of the building before they invest in it. Consultant Olsen wants to identify which sites the RDA will create phase one and two on before we can move to further phases. He has also sent requests for grants to be extended, because there is some money left, but the grants are specific to the shipping street territory. Olsen will eventually come to the meeting with a list of priority properties that we can immediately move forward with. Deanna asked if the next meeting should be a field trip but Olsen said the committee needed to choose priority properties before they can move forward. Although they can do a fieldtrip in a couple months or so. Tucker wants to know how property owners are approached and Olsen says they communicate verbally and electronically through email. If something has development potential the RDA may approach them to help develop it but the city cannot force them to follow through on finishing developing the site or project. Olsen wants the properties on mays meeting minutes to be looked over for what are priority sites. But the committee decided to review each site during the meeting to save time. Address Notes 751 North Main Street Given to the city 457 Laurel Hill Owners may not be interested 556 East Main Street Owner uncooperative 7 New Wharf Road Has been tested 72 Jewett City Road Gateway 4 Willow Street Interested party wants to make coffee shop 16 South Golden Street N/A 196 Yantic Street N/A The park on Lake Street Flood hazard area, owner wants to build playground so wants it tested to make sure it is safe for kids 88-90 Boswell Avenue Being Town Down: Low Priority 15 Park – the Floor Covering Business Lot Sold: No Priority Atlantic Packaging If it is storage then it is low priority 192 North Main – Savage Hardware 2 years back taxes and disrepair YMCA on Main Street N/A 364 Main Street Gateway, property empty: Low Priority  VI. Other: None. VII. Citizen Comment: None. VIII. Adjournment: Upon a motion by H. Tucker Braddock, seconded by Anthony Jacobs the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 5:45 PM. The next meeting will be at 5 PM on Monday, July 24th, 2017 at Norwich City Hall in Room 319. Meeting Minutes Prepared by Ivery Stakley on June 26th, 2017.