HomeMy WebLinkAbout1-25-12 Minutes RDA Minutes 1 1/25/2012 REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MINUTES JANUARY 25, 2012 PRESENT: Thomas Belter, Jason Lasky, Ben Schneide r, Archie Stam, Burk Tower EXCUSED: John Bermingham, Steve Hintz STAFF: Allen Davis, Community Development Director; Darlene Brandt, Recording Secretary Chairman Belter called the meeting to order at 4:00 pm. Roll call was taken and a quorum declared present. The minutes of September 28, 2011 were approved as distributed (Stam/Schneider). Res. 12-01 Authorize Submittal of EPA Brownfields M ulti-Purpose Pilot Grant Application Mr. Davis stated the EPA is accepting applications for a new grant program to provide a single grant t o eligible entities for both assessment and cleanup w ork at a specific brownfields site. One grant will be awarded per region. Staff is recommending an appli cation be submitted for the redevelopment of the Boat Works property at 362 Michigan Street. No def initive redevelopment plan has been approved, but staff is aware of contamination on site and tha t will need to be addressed before the property can be redeveloped. The grant guidelines require the gran t submittal be authorized and public input be sough t prior to submittal. Chairman Belter inquired if expenditures are limite d? Mr. Andrew Mott, AECOM Consultants, stated the gran t is comprised of two sections -- a maximum $200,000 assessment grant and a maximum $200,000 cl eanup grant. Mr. Mott reviewed the types of activities that can be carried out under each compo nent. Mr. Lasky inquired if there is contamination in the river, does that need to be cleaned up as well? Mr. Mott replied yes. The extent of the contaminati on is unknown and grant funds would be utilized to further assess and identify where the contaminates are located. Chairman Belter asked for any public comments on th e grant application. No questions or comments were made. Motion by Tower to approve. Seconded by Stam. Motion carried 5-0.
RDA Minutes 2 1/25/2012 Res. 12-02 Change Order #1, Lunda Construction - Ma rion Road Riverwalk Docks (+10,316.60) Chairman Belter asked for any public comments on th e change order. No questions or comments were made. Motion by Tower to move. Seconded by Stam. Motion carried 5-0 Discussion on Proposal Received for Vacant Lots on West 6th Avenue Adjacent to 600 Oregon Street Mr. Davis updated the Board on the status of the We st 6th Avenue lots. He noted that Mr. Loren Rangeloff recently purchased the property at 600 Or egon Street and approached staff about possibly acquiring a portion of the lot adjacent to his park ing lot. 600 Oregon and the adjacent lot had shared a driveway. That portion of the driveway on Mr. Range loff's property is not wide enough to allow proper ingress/egress. Mr. Rangeloff is looking at about 24 ft. of property to expand his parking lot. Ther e are pluses and minuses to this proposal. The parki ng lot would definitely be more attractive; would require on site drainage; and landscaping. If land is sold, there would be a smaller piece of propert y available for a redevelopment site. Mr. Davis note d, however, there would still be sufficient area fo r a redevelopment project. Mr. Schneider stated it appeared sufficient lot are a would still remain and the potential sale would b e a plus for everyone. He inquired what is on the sout h side of the Oregon Street driveway? Mr. Loren Rangeloff, 2001 Oregon Street, stated the re is a bakery next door with a rental unit on the back. That property does not have off-street parki ng area. Mr. Rangeloff indicated he has cleaned up the property since he acquired it through foreclosu re in mid 2011. He noted an additional 24 ft. woul d provide sufficient space to maneuver in the parking lot and install landscaping. It was the consensus of the Board to consider the s ale of a 24 ft. wide strip of land adjacent to 600 Oregon Street to Mr. Rangeloff for parking lot expa nsion. Mr. Davis was asked to prepare the necessary information for a future meeting. Executive Director's Announcements/Statements/Discu ssion Status of City Center Riverwalk: Mr. Davis noted t he project is being bid out. It is anticipated that Council will award a bid at the end of February. Status of South Shore - Riverwalk: Mr. Davis noted staff is working with the DNR on the legal status of the structures in the river, who has ownership a nd enforcement jurisdiction. It is hoped to meet wi th the RDA, staff and attorneys in closed session in t he near future to review options once these issues have been resolved. Status of South Shore - Pioneer: Mr. Davis indicat ed staff has met with the owner of the Pioneer to review market feasibility of the property. Mr. Bel ter felt this property could possibly be developed in
RDA Minutes 3 1/25/2012 three phases depending on the economy, the develope r and the timing. Mr. Staff inquired if Buckstaff's is within the South Shore boundaries. Mr. Davis replied no. Mr. Paul Esslinger stated he was present to discuss the structures on the river. This is a discussion item but Attorney Curtis was apparently not notifie d of this meeting, nor was he. Mr. Esslinger indicated two of the owners of the structures are w illing to sell; another property could be sold soon . He believed it is wise to come to a decision on thi s -- either leave them there or remove them. Mr. Lasky inquired how are the structures owned -- deeds, squatter's rights, what? What are the transferability of those rights? Mr. Esslinger stated Attorney Curtis believes they have squatter's rights. Mr. Davis reiterated that staff is working with the DNR and the item would be brought before the Board at a later date. There being no further business the meeting adjourn ed at approximately 4:40 pm (Stam/Schneider). Respectfully submitted, Allen Davis Executive Director/ Community Development Director