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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes __________________________________ 1/20/2010 RDA Minutes 1 Redevelopment Authority of the City of Oshkosh Minutes January 20, 2010 PRESENT: John Bermingham, Paul Esslinger, Steve Hintz, Ben Schneider EXCUSED: Thomas Belter, Don Simons, Archie Stam STAFF: Mark Rohloff, City Manager; Darryn Burich, Planning Director; Darlene Brandt, Recording Secretary Vice-Chairman Bermingham called the meeting to order at 4:00 pm. Roll call was taken and a quorum declared present. The minutes of October 21, 2009 were approved as distributed (Schneider/Esslinger). Res. 10-01 Award Bid, Demolition of Scattered Sites to Tom VanHandel Corp. There was no discussion on this item. Motion by Hintz to approve Res. 10-01. Seconded by Esslinger. Motion carried 5-0. Res. 10-02 Consideration of Resolution Preliminarily Determinating Project Site to be Blighted; Providing for Public Hearing Regarding Blight Determination – 1001 & 1007 Bayshore Drive (1001 Bayshore Drive LLC Project) Ms. Lynda Templan, of Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek, stated the Redevelopment Revenue Bonds, if issued, would fall under the Midwestern Disaster Area Bond program authorized by Congress in October, 2008 in response to flooding that occurred in the Midwest. The bonds are not part of the stimulus funding package. The bond program does not allocate actual federal or state dollars, but provides owners with the ability to secure tax exempt financing bonds in support of a wide variety of project activities, including commercial and residential developments, at no liability to the RDA or the City. The City and RDA need to approve a blight designation for a property and approve the revenue bond financing. Ms. Templan noted the current request is for 1001 & 1007 Bay Shore Drive, which property is actually in a floodplain and requires both interior and exterior rehabilitation. The RDA/City can decide not to blight the property, the property would not be upgraded and eventually deteriorate more or be sold to another landlord who might not upgrade the property and again, continue continue to deteriorate. There was discussion on the definition of “blight” being broad. __________________________________ 1/20/2010 RDA Minutes 2 Ms. Templan noted that State Statutes provide a definition of “blight” and cites examples of conditions of blight. Both the broad statutory definition and blight findings being made by municipalities throughout the State under this program, are much broader than the classic definition of blight. Ms. Templan pointed out there are two reasons this request is before the Redevelopment Authority: a) state and federal tax exemption and (b) the City does not have authority to issue these bonds. She reiterated that if approved, the RDA and/or City has no liability under these bonds. Mr. Bermingham inquired if the RDA approves this, it will not impair any other developer from asking for the same type of consideration? Ms. Templan replied no. She noted she is currently working with a couple of local developers who might be interested in applying for these bonds as well and she may be back with additional requests. Ms. Templan indicated that the typically size size of a project was $1.3 -$1.5 million in order to be financially feasible, and if you cannot recover your costs within 2 years, she recommends you not apply for redevelopment revenue bonds. Mr. Esslinger noted he will not partake in discussion or vote on the item or the bond issue until legal staff determines if he has a conflict of interest due to the applicant pledging funds to him for the historic fire truck. Motion by Schneider to approve Res. 10-02. Seconded by Hintz. Motion carried 3-0-1 Present. 10-03 Initial Resolution – Redevelopment Revenue Bond Financing /1001 Bayshore Drive LLC Project Motion by Hintz to approve Res. 10-03. Seconded by Schneider. Motion carried 3-0-1 Present. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at approximately 4:32 pm (Hintz/Schneider). Respectfully submitted, Mark Rohloff Executive Director