Minutes: Redevelopment Authority, May 15, 2007

Evansville Redevelopment Authority

Board of Commissioners

Regular Meeting

Tuesday, May 15, 2007, 7:30 pm

City Hall, 31 S. Madison Street, Evansville, Wisconsin

MINUTES

Call to Order. The meeting was called to order at 7:35 pm by Chair Chris Eager. Present: Chris Eager, Betsy Ahner, Tony Wyse, John Decker, Tom Calley, Barbara Jacobson and Roger Roth. Also present: Executive Director Dan Wietecha, Mayor Sandy Decker, Greg Ardisson and Dick Woulfe.
Declare Quorum. There being a majority of the commissioners present at call to order, a quorum was declared by the chair.
Approve Agenda. The agenda was approved as presented without objection.
Approve Minutes of March 20, 2007 Meeting. The minutes were approved as presented without objection.
Old Business.
Night Owl proposal. Ardisson gave an update of his proposed renovations. He is applying for Historic Tax Credits. The project will be for just the Night Owl building and not include the two buildings to the west. Exterior improvements would include a new roof, new windows and new siding; interior improvements would be limited to the main floor.
The board agreed it is still a worthy project and its willingness to use tax increment financing (TIF) to assist with the renovations. It advised Ardisson to provide as good a construction cost estimate as possible, final construction plans and a completed TIF application. It also noted that Ehlers and Associates may need to run some tax projections for the project. A TIF application form was provided to Ardisson. Ardisson indicated his intention to start construction in early June; the board advised waiting for all the financial approvals but noted its willingness to hold a special meeting to help the project proceed.

Allen Creek Master Plan RFP. Wietecha distributed a memo comparing the two candidates; he also passed around copies of their original proposals. With clarification that the project is to include the entire North Union corridor, RA Smith increased its price from $10,000 to $15,000. Although fairly new to planning projects, RA Smith would bring some real expertise in economic development and market feasibility to help the master plan be implemented. Meanwhile, PDI limited the involvement of some of its more expensive staff and reduced its price from $16,730 to $10,000. PDI has decades worth of experience in planning and would be a real benefit in establishing design standards for the master plan. The board noted that the area is meant to be an extension of the downtown, so the general tone for the design standards is already set. The board confirmed that both candidates would include property owner interviews in their work. Decker made a motion, seconded by Roth, to hire RA Smith. Motion approved unanimously. Wietecha will draft an engagement letter for RA Smith.
New Business.
Main Street Construction Update. Wietecha said that the contractor has lost a few days due to rain and some unexpected work in the intersection of First and Main. West Main should be re-opened for traffic next week with the crew moving on to work its way up Maple Street. He indicated that the application for additional construction funds could have a decision within the next week.
Other Business. None
Adjournment. Wyse moved, seconded by Jacobson, to adjourn the regular April meeting. Motion approved unanimously at 8:40 pm.