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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCRC-02-19-09 CRC Meeting February 19, 2009 CARMEL REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION Meeting, Thursday, February 19, 2009 President Ron Carter called the meeting to order at 6:40 p.m. Commission members Jeff Worrell and Bill Hammer were present, constituting a quorum. Also present were Karl Haas, Les Olds, Darrel Norris, Don Cleveland, Sherry Mielke, Andrea Stumpf and Matt Worthley. Others present: From Shiel Sexton Co.: Mike Anderson From CSO Architects: Dan Moriarity, Brandon Bogan Others Present: Rick Osborn, Loren Matthes, Bruce Donaldson The Pledge of Allegiance was said. Public Hearing: Lease Agreement re: Community Improvement Projects Mr. Donaldson, with Barnes and Thornburg, was present to explain the lease agreement between the Carmel Redevelopment Authority (CRA) and the CRC regarding the Community Improvement Projects. The CRA will issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $27,750,000 covering various projects including a public parking garage facility in the City Center redevelopment area, improvements to the existing Veterans Way including streetscape and plaza improvements, improvements in the Southwest Clay township area including roundabouts, drainage improvements and bike paths and the acquisition of the existing Brookshire Golf Course with construction of additional improvements and addition of some equipment. The source of repayment will be revenues from COIT. The CRC needs to conduct a public hearing and approve the requisition before the City Council takes final action of adopting its ordinance. Discussion of Resolution 2009 -1 ensued. Loren Matthes, with Umbaugh Associates, was present to discuss the bond payments including payment rates timelines, estimated project sources and uses, amortization and Carmel's S &P standard ratings. The Public Hearing was opened at 6:57 p.m. No one was present to speak in favor of or against Resolution 2009 -1. The Public Hearing was closed at 6:58 p.m. Mr. Hammer questioned if this would affect the City's bond ratings. Ms. Matthes said it would not. Mr. Hammer moved to reorder the agenda to address Action Item #2: Approval of Resolution 2009 -1 COIT Lease Financing. Seconded by Mr. Worrell and unanimously approved. 1 CRC Meeting February 19, 2009 Resolution 2009 -1 approves the form and execution of a lease between the Carmel Redevelopment Authority and the CRC authorizing the financing of local public improvements for lease to the CRC. Mr. Worrell moved to approve Resolution 2009 -1. Seconded by Mr. Hammer and unanimously approved. Approval of Minutes January 21, 2009: Moved for approval by Mr. Hammer, seconded by Mr. Worrell and unanimously approved. January 29, 2009: Moved for approval by Mr. Worrell, seconded by Mr. Hammer and unanimously approved. Financial Matters Ms. Mielke announced the January 2009 end of month operating balance for the CRC General Fund is $4,009,049.00. Ms. Mielke requested the Commission's approval to pay invoices for the CRC General Fund in the amount of $467,642.87. Mr. Hammer moved to approve CRC General Fund claims as submitted. Seconded by Mr. Worrell and passed unanimously. Sherry Mielke requested the approval of the Disbursement of Funds from the PAC Construction Fund in the amount of $2,896,932.85. Moved for approval by Mr. Worrell, seconded by Mr. Hammer and unanimously approved. Committee Reports No committee report at this time. Update on Properties Mr. Worrell questioned the resolution of the parking issues for the Old Town Shops. Mr. Olds reported the issue was being resolved through the Carmel Police Department and that the CRC staff has been notified to refer all parking issues to the City. Mr. Worrell questioned if there were any marketing efforts in regards to the vacant spaces located in the Old Town Shops buildings. Mr. Olds reported there has been little or no interest but that some real estate issues would be brought before the Commission in the executive session for their direction. Mr. Olds stated they are still in the process of removing contaminated materials from Parcel 47 and that costs were reaching the upper end of the estimate for the site. 2 CRC Meeting February 19, 2009 PAC Food Service Mr. Moriarity presented options regarding the food service for the PAC including outfitting kitchens and warming areas. The architects have discussed operations and catering issues with Kevin and Richelle Rider for their input. A kitchen on the lower level, including a range or equipment and storage, was included in the original designs of the PAC and could be used for catering of events. In the original drawings, the kitchen is intended to service the entire PAC with no warming kitchens or other facilities needed. The kitchen is equipped to serve as a full- operating kitchen (providing full meals). There are other options of including warming and staging areas on the upper levels to be used to service the upper and box tier areas. The options presented to the Commission are as follows: 1. Continue with the original drawings with one kitchen on the lower level and no additional warming areas above. 2. Add the two warming areas on the upper floor and keep the kitchen as it is in the lower level. The warming areas can be served out of the first floor kitchen. 3. Add the two warming areas on the upper floor and delete the kitchen on the lower level. The money saved on deleting the lower level kitchen can be used to build the upper level warming /staging areas, with the assumption that an outside venue or restaurant/catering kitchen can serve as the main kitchen area and deliver the food to the PAC. Mr. Moriarity suggested the Commission think about the general disposition of the space, and the anticipated operation of the facility. He noted that Nashville's Schermerhorn Center has a kitchen that is approximately three times the size of the Carmel PAC, but that it also contains a full service restaurant and a theatre floor that is able to be changed to provide banquet opportunities. Mr. Hammer questioned if there was a full -time food service operator chosen for the facility. Mr. Olds stated there was no set operator at this time. He expressed the need to identify a food service operator and get them involved to incorporate their input at this point in the construction schedule. Mr. Carter reported that management at the Strathmore Center in Bethesda had reported expanding their kitchen facilities as a revenue generating source. Adding the two warming kitchens on the box tier levels would add additional costs to the project. If the lower level kitchen is eliminated, various credits can be applied to the cost of the upper level kitchens, but would not cover the cost of the additions. The cost of adding upper level kitchens is estimated at $200,000. Mr. Carter questioned why these options were not presented as part of the upgrades brought before the Commission in the past few months. Mr. Moriarity explained this was 3 CRC Meeting February 19, 2009 an on -going debate for the past several years that has never been resolved. The additional kitchens were never an alternate in the drawings. The discussion of the other "upgrades" always revolved around alternates on bid documents that were released and bid out. Per Mr. Carter's request, Mr. Moriarity contacted Kevin Rider to receive his input on the kitchen facilities for the hall, which has occurred over the past few months. The cost of the equipment was just received previously that day. Mr. Moriarity stated Kevin Rider's strong recommendation was to move the kitchens to the upper floors, and then decide what to do with the lower level basement space. The area can be roughed -in, with the option of converting it to a kitchen at a later date. The space could have various uses such as storage or office space. However, many uses of the space could depend on the currently unknown suggestions or wishes of a general operating manager. Mr. Worrell requested data and estimated costs regarding the various options presented. Mr. Olds expressed the establishing of a food service operator to provide input is a major priority to be able to more accurately provide costs. Arts Design District Mr. Olds expressed the staff's concerns regarding the businesses of the Arts Design District during the "trying" economic times as small business owners. The staff continually tries to come up with ideas on how to help existing businesses as well as attracting new businesses to the area. The staff will need direction from the Commission as efforts may involve costs not currently in the approved budget. City Center Development The first phase will be open by January 1, 2010. Contracts are being awarded on a weekly basis. Crews will proceed with the construction of Veterans Way. The first phase will have approximately 540 cars located in the first phase underground garage and on- street parking. The first phase will consist of eight condominiums, 125 rental apartments, approximately 65,000 ft. of retail space and 18,000 sq. ft. of office space. Indiana Design Center Mr. Olds reported the Indiana Design Center (IDC) will be opening in late spring. The underground garage will be turned over for public use in April. Tenant finishes will begin soon. The streetscape work will be completed in a few weeks, with the new road running under the building opening this summer. Old Business Approval to Increase CRC Staff Health Benefit Share Ms. Mielke requested the Commission's approval to remove this item as she would like to pursue an additional option. New Business Approval of Professional Services Contracts Mr. Olds requested the Commissions approval to authorize the president to sign new architectural engineering and construction management agreements with the attached list of architects, engineers and construction manager (please see attached list). The 4 CRC Meeting February 19, 2009 contracts are hourly- rated, with the exception of construction manager as it is easier to set fixed fees within construction. This would result in the standardization of consultant dealings with the CRC. Mr. Hammer moved to approve the authorizing of the President of the Commission to sign Architectural Engineering and Construction Management contracts for various CRC Projects. Seconded by Mr. Worrell and unanimously approved. Other Business No other business at this time. Announcements Ms. Mielke announced the event of moving the historic Peele House on Sunday, March 8 at 1 p.m. and invited the public and Commissioners to attend. Andrea Stumpf announced the success of the Valentines Gallery Walk and the partnership with various galleries and businesses with Down Syndrome Indiana to host artwork during the month of March Adjournment Mr. Hammer moved the meeting be adjourned and seconded by Mr. Worrell. The meeting was adjourned at 7:47 p.m. The next regularly scheduled meeting is Wednesday, March 18, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. 5