FINANCE, ADMINISTRATION, RECREATION, SERVICE,
ENGINEERING and GORMAN FARM
COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
February 1, 2011
The Finance, Recreation, Service, Engineering and Gorman Farm Committee met at 6:00 pm on January 4, 2011. Present were Councilmembers Smiley-Robertson, Vonderhaar, and Schaefer. Also in attendance during portions of the meeting were Jack Cameron, George Snyder, Dave Nichols, James Jeffers, Jim Bothe, Brian Babb (the new Gorman Farm Foundation President) and Chris Patterson (Planning Commission). Councilmembers Lohmeier and Puthoff joined the committee for the Planning Commission briefing. Carolyn Carmody and Cynthia Carraci attended the meeting to discuss the Traffic Signal Plans.
I. Planning Commission Briefing
Chris Patterson briefed the Council on the Planning Commission recommendation regarding Anchor Project at Evendale Commons. The approach Planning Commission took for their recommendation was to consider the Chase Bank Building last. The changes to the proposal would reduce office space in the D-1 through D-4 by about 50%. The use model would be the Kinetic Vision building. The use is consistent with similar uses throughout the valley. Class-A office space is not a use consistent with the area. The economic conditions are currently not conducive to development of Class-A office space in near term.
Some other use changes included are:
D-4 Would allow a distribution use
D-2 Has the possibility of a hotel
C-1 Does not allow fast food use
C-1 Would allow neighborhood retail
A-3 Can be Fast Casual or a sit down Restaurant
D-1 Would allow a Chase Bank
No changes were made in the currently developed areas or the undeveloped A-2 area. No decisions were made by the Council committee. The presentation was informational only.
II. TIF Bonds
At the last Committee meeting George Snyder, Tom Bowers and Brian Seedhouse presented information concerning three options for the Evendale Commons TIF Bonds. No recommendation was made at that time. Because of the potential for risk of loss on the options of the Village buying the bonds or paying the TIF debt from current resources, the Committee recommends the Council simply have the bonds issued on the value of the TIF alone without Evendale guaranteeing them or buying them. The Committee wanted to have the full Council discuss the issue before moving forward.
II. Finance Reports
George advised the Council that the annual report was completed and will be submitted to the State Auditor shortly.
The January financial report shows that the January net (without Evendale Commons was $276,428.95. Earnings tax was$1,142,663.26, about $29,000 more than January 2010 and the most ever collected in a January.
The Committee discussed the investment options available through Fifth Third Bank. George will arrange for SKS Investment Consulting to speak to the committee. In the meantime the committee will approve investment in Government Agency Bonds other than Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac bonds.
Finally, there will be an Ordinance authorizing the payments to employees approved as part of the 2011 budget.
III. Engineering/Service
Carolyn Carmody and Cynthia Caracci, parents of children at Evendale school presented information concerning a Safe Routes to School initiative. Essentially they were concerned that the Traffic Signal project take into consideration a safe route to Evendale school. The first issue raised was the possibility of a traffic signal at Giverny and Glendale-Milford Road. James Jeffers reported that TEC had done traffic counts and that a light at that location could not be warranted. The cross traffic flow level is inadequate to justify a traffic light. Splitting the flow between Kingsport and Giverny may result in neither being warranted. Another issue at the location is requiring traffic to stop on the hill. Any changes must be made by next Tuesday, February
8, 2011. It will be bid at the end of 2011 and awarded in 2012.
The alternative presented by Carolyn Carmody and Cynthia Caracci was a sidewalk from Giverny to Sharondale on the south side of Glendale-Milford Road. While recognizing that this is not a sidewalk project, the request was to move the cross-walk from the east side of the Sharondale intersection to the west side of that intersection. This would make any sidewalk installation much easier. Bill Mechley indicated that this type of change would not present an issue and that he would have TEC include this change in the final plans. This is similar to an issue raised by Councilmember Vonderhaar concerning the St. Rita Lane crosswalk.
Jim Bothe reported that salt supplier, Cargill, though about a dollar a ton higher than another supplier, has been able to re-supply Evendale while neighboring communities have had trouble being re-supplied.
James Jeffers reported on the Stormwater Management District ordinance will be on the agenda. Evendale will retain the permitting process because we can do it more efficiently. We need to set up a review board which will probably be the same as the Flood Water Management Board. The membership will be reduced from 7 to 5. The mapping of the stormwater system in Evendale 905 catch basins, 386 manholes, 43 headwalls, 190 pipe outlets, and 24.70 miles of pipe.
Finally, the Waterworks is planning a project installing a new pipe up Mohler and over Twilight.
IV. Gorman Farm
Brian Babb, the new Gorman Heritage Farm Foundation President addressed the Committee. He described the asset as wonderful, but is a very young organization. He indicated that the employees were very dedicated and the board talented. He wants to make the committee system work for the board. He wants the farm to be sensitive to the needs of the neighbors.
In discussing the content of the five year plan Councilmember Smiley-Robertson suggested that it should be use to set the course going forward. Councilmember Schaefer suggested that it should include the physical make up of the farm as well as the types and numbers of animals they intend to keep at the farm. Councilmember Vonderhaar raise the issue of renting the Pavilion and that if it could be done in conjunction with the Recreation Department, there is a ready market for the use of the Pavilion. Brian also discussed a proposal to use some of the wooded area of the Farm for timber production. Councilmember Schaefer noted that if that is done, there should be a buffer so the operation does not disturb the quite enjoyment of the Farm’s neighbors
Brian asked that the lines of communication remain open and that it would be helpful if comments about the Farm by residents be forwarded to the Farm.
III. Recreation
The initial item raised concerned the progress of the bicycle initiative. Dave Nichols indicated that URS had the prior walking trail study and that the focus would remain on extending any trail from the south through at least Evendale Commons. It is expected that Phase II of the study will be done shortly. Part of Phase I of the study involved changing ordinances that were inconsistent with current bicycling patterns. Two minor ones were identified. Councilmember Vonderhaar suggested that the police department look at these before action is taken. He will refer these to the committee dealing with the Police Department.
Dave also presented a study of fees from surrounding communities. Since the committee had not had the opportunity to look at the material, any action was delayed until the next meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 9:30 pm.
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Christian J. Schaefer
Committee Chairman
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