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Community Improvement Corporation Minutes 07/07/2009
COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT CORPORATION MEETING
Tuesday, July 7, 2009 at 7:30 A.M.

Evendale Municipal Building, 10500 Reading Road, Evendale, Ohio

Attendees:      Natalie Greulich, Al Pearlman, Doug Lohmeier, Jeff Albrinck, Hugh McKinnon, Stiney Vonderhaar, Dave Harwood,  Jack Cameron, Della Rucker.

Recurring Business:

1.      Approval of Minutes from June 2, 2009 Meetings
        a.      (1st Vonderhaar, 2nd Harwood – 6 aye, 0 nae)  Albrinck arrived after the vote.

2.      Economic Development update     

3.      Brief update on Boy Scout building, SS Office.
        a.      Executive Session – did not go into executive session
        b.      Discussed Landmark and their evolving situation and reorganization.  Made note that Evendale and Glendale need to get together on future plans especially in light of the happenings at Landmark.
        c.      Jack apprised CIC of the concerns City of Reading had with shuttle and how that would impact the adjacent properties to the pick up location.  Metro has been contacted and any stops in Evendale would need funding and Metro gains concurrence with municipality before creating                      routes or stops.
        d.      Discussed ongoing meetings with GE necessitated by CEO meeting with Governor Strickland.  The State of Ohio has been spearheading the meetings along with GE representatives, Evendale, County and various other agencies.  GE has outlined a comprehensive project on their            campus that would allow them to stay for the next 18 years.  The State has identified the programs they could apply and is coordinating the required applications.  July 27th is the Tax Credit Authority meeting in Columbus which will be the first public statement of their intent.  Until                  that time it will remain semi-confidential.  Evendale has expressed their willingness to waive building permit fees, contribute $1million towards construction/demolition and support tax abatement for new buildings through the Hamilton County Enterprize program.  All members                       agreed that it was extremely important to retain GE and CIC members supported the above expressed efforts by Evendale.  Any formal actions would need to be approved by Council and possibly CIC.  Jack will update throughout the remainder of the process.

Old Business:

1.      Al. Neyer, Chris Dobroszi, potential office development – Jack explained that Chris Dobroszi feels that they are going to an existing building in Blue Ash and the opportunity is 99% dead.

2.      Equity, Shad Phipps, discussion of letter regarding grant request – Jack confirmed through Patty Cole that the Village had no interest in this loan.

3.      Norfolk Southern request to access Medallion Drive
        a.      Connection was discussed with Dan Kroeger and his feelings are still opposed to the access to Medallion.  Adding an option for the adjacent property would not change his feelings.  Gold Medal has expansion need and is having CUC look at building and explain their best option.                    Jack and Don Mercer have looked at the existing building and site and it is at the maximum allowable building square footage for their acreage.  Continued exploration to see if variance would be appropriate.
        b.      Meeting took place between Solomon Jackson (Norfolk Southern), Christine Thompson (Sharonville) and Ashley Parrot (intern with Sharonville) on Monday.  Jack expressed our current position which is that we are not committed for or against it but have several things that will be                   needed if we do allow the access.  1) Right turn out only; 2) dirt, dust and debris control; 3) Traffic study to identify optimum configuration of new light and lanes; 4) Construction of said light and lane configuration; 5) Clean-up/landscaping of the cleared area is desired.  Solomon                   stated that extra funding for light is not in the budget and he will have to see if that is possible.  Solomon also said that they are trying to be a good corporate citizen and the access is not a necessity for them.  NS is fine staying with the current configuration.  Christine stated that                     Mayor Lovitt plans to get vocal and make this a political issue if Evendale does not allow the access another accident occurs.  Jack asked that Solomon determine from his superiors if any of the above items from Evendale are ‘show stoppers’.  Christine was going to explore cost                of traffic study and design and Solomon was going to get back from his end as well.

4.      Economic Development consultant, staffing or the like
        a.      Council was presented the letter from CIC at their June meeting and were fine with the content and process.  Carolyn had some concern with limiting our landbanked properties with a priority list but that can be reviewed once we select a firm.  Council is planning on passing the                  Master Plan at this week’s Council meeting after which the RFP will be placed out for public consumption.  RFP submittals are due August 3rd and Jack will distribute to CIC at that time and review references prior to the 11th.  CIC decided that the most efficient means of scoring                       would be to review and come to the August 11th meeting with their top 5, assuming we get numerous submittals.  Each proposal would be brought up for discussion at that meeting and discussion would ensue.  Interviews will be targeted for 45 minutes.  Depending on the amount               and variety of submittals they will determine a reasonable amount of firms to interview on August 18th and 20th with August 25th set as a tentative interview date.

Discussion Items for Next Meeting

Date of Next Meeting and Adjournment