Meeting Minutes
COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT CORPORATION MEETING
Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 7:30AM
Evendale Municipal Building, 10500 Reading Road, Evendale, Ohio
Roll Call:
Meeting attendees included Hugh McKinnon, Dave Harwood, Chris Schaefer, Bob Szczur, Al Pearlman. Absent from the meeting were Carolyn Smiley-Robertson, Stiney Vonderhaar, and Jack Cameron.
Recurring Business:
1. Meeting Notes
Notes from the May 17, 2011 meeting were not available for approval and remain pending.
2. Economic Development Update
a. Bob Szczur noted that physical earth moving activity commenced at the new bank site within Evendale Commons.
b. Chris Schaefer noted that the realty sign at the Village Landing site had been posted. General comments were that the sign was difficult to read from the road, even though it was 4’ x 8’. The group did not feel this was a problem because interested parties would disembark their vehicle, if necessary, to read the sign.
New Business:
1. Tour of the Sphere
The group took a tour of The Sphere sport complex led by Jerome Marsh Sr., Director of Marketing of The Sphere.
The tour focused on first floor attractions of the facility to include, but not limited to, the restaurant & bar area where our meeting was held, in-line skate rink, the two ice rinks, the basketball courts, the arcade area, several retail booths currently under construction, proposed internet connectivity booths and several other features of the site. Although we did not tour the second floor, Jerome pointed out space that was to be leased for a chiropractic office, yoga area, and admin office space. Throughout the tour Jerome pointed out the numerous improvements current management has made and is contemplating making at the site.
Jerome made it a point to mention several large tournaments the site had under contract to include a large in-line skate tournament, women’s AAU basketball tournaments, hockey team training agreements, and numerous other sport venues. Bob Szczur asked Jerome for a copy of the sport calendar for the year. Jerome agreed to provide this document; Hugh McKinnon stated he and Jack Cameron requested this information on a previous tour of the facility.
Jerome and The Sphere management are aggressively marketing the site and intend to add additional sport venues, retail kiosks, and lease office space. Jerome also mentioned The Sphere’s active outreach to other businesses in the area for sponsorship to include the Evendale Wendy’s restaurant that agreed to purchase two sponsor banners, and the Evendale Speedway complex.
The overall CIC impression of The Sphere after the tour was positive; several members recognized the significant improvement in the building, and to the operation that has occurred under the new management. We all agreed that current management was committed to building the business and was committed to its success. During the tour, no request was made of the Village for any assistance, by either Jerome the Marketing Manager, or Daryl the business owner (who we briefly met while on tour). The CIC agreed that we should not initiate any action at this time since we were not asked for assistance by the management, but should continue to monitor developments.
2. Approve payment to Plattenburg & Associates for 2009-10 audit.
The group briefly reviewed the extensive audit document provided by Plattenburg & Associates. Al Pearlman mentioned that the fee was probably appropriate for the scope of work, but a summary of findings report was not included.
Dave Harwood motioned, & Al Pearlman seconded that this issue be tabled & payment be suspended until a summary was provided by the auditor. There was unanimous approval to this motion.
3. Approve payment to Kleem for Village Landings signs.
Dave Harwood motioned, & Bob Szczur seconded that $682.90 be paid to Keem Inc. for the Village Landings site. There was unanimous approval to this motion.
4. Appraisal cost for Village Landings.
There was unanimous agreement among the group to follow Jack Cameron’s suggestion to not pursue a site appraisal at this time. The key reasons included the fact that at this time we do not know the outcome of the Planning Commision work to determine the use for the site, and a concern that the appraisal may become out of date by the time we have a feasible offer for the site.
Old Business:
1. Business Ready Evendale Strategy – not much activity; no discussion
2. Village Landings – noted that signage was in place.
3. Village Crossings – noted there does not appear to be any discernable activity – no discussion.
Other:
1. Chris Schaefer led a brief discussion of the 6/21/2011 Tax Administrator Report with earnings tax activity through 5/2011. Chris pointed out that tax receipts were running ahead of projections for 2011, and ahead of year to date comparison with 2010. Chris also pointed our current unencumbered cash position was about $200,000. His overall impression was the Village was in good financial shape this year, and that Council was considering additional road and sidewalk projects this year.
2. The group mentioned that the GE Labor contract appears to have been resolved, and that a strike was not going to occur.
Discussion Items for Next Meeting:
The group wanted Jack Cameron to follow-up with UC/GE regarding the potential for location of a UC Engineering Management facility to be co-located on the GE site. This facility was discussed previously when Evendale agreed to invest $1,000,000 in the GE renovations.
Approval of the 5/17/2011 meeting notes.
Jack Cameron should request an audit summary from Plattenburg & Associates which the CIC could review in order to provide a basis for payment.
Next Meeting & Adjournment:
The group unanimously agreed to meet on Tuesday 7/19/2011 @7:30 AM at the normal Evendale Administration Building. The group unanimously agreed to adjourn.
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