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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRedevelopment Authority Meeting Minutes 3.10.25 - SignedT —44 . P.a� et CITY OF SOUTHBEND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY March 10, 2025 — 1:30 p.m. Mayor's Conference Room, 14th Floor or via: hitps://tinyurl.com/RDA31025 The meeting was called to order at 1:34 a.m. President Erin Hanig presiding. 1. Roll Call Members Present: Erin Linder Hanig, President Anthony Fitts, Vice -President Richard Klee, Secretary Redevelopment Staff: Laura Hensley, Board Secretary Legal Counsel: Danielle Campbell Weiss, Senior Asst. City Attorney Attending: Erik Glavich, Director Growth & Opportunity, DCI Joseph Molnar, Assistant Dir. of Growth and Opp., DCI Todd May, J.C. Hart— Virtual Timothy Schuster, Attorney for J.C. Hart — Virtual 2. Election of Officers A. Nominations were made by Erin Linder Hanig for Anthony Fitts to be the 2025 President, Richard Klee to be the Vice -President and Erin Linder Hanig to be the Secretary -Treasurer. Upon a motion by the now Vice -President Richard Klee and seconded by Secretary -Treasurer Erin Linder Hanig, the motion carried unanimously, the Authority approved the 2025 Officers on March 10, 2025. 3. Approval of Minutes A. Approval of the Minutes of December 19, 2024 Upon a motion by President Anthony Fitts and seconded by Vice - President Richard Klee, the motion carried unanimously, the Authority EXCELLENCE ACCOUNTABILITY INNOVATION: INCLUSION EMPOWERMENT 14005 County -City Building 227 W. Jefferson Blvd. South Bend, Indiana 46601 p574235.9337 f 574.235.9021 www.southbendin.gov CITY OF SOUTH BEND ; REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY approved the Minutes of the Meeting of December 19, 2024. 3. New Business A. Maintenance and Temporary Construction Easement Agreement (South Bend Riverwalk Partners / J.C. Hart Company) President Anthony Fitts noted for the record that he has a past relationship with Holladay Properties, however, is not involved with this partnership or this project. Danielle Campbell Weiss, Senior Assistant City Attorney, stated that that would not be a conflict of interest since this is regarding easement rights and does not have monetary involvement. Joseph Molnar, Assistant Director Growth & Opportunity, presented this development agreement with J.C. Hart Company Inc. Mr. Molnar explained the agreement is for transformative residential housing for two (2) multi -family residential buildings (291 total apartments) and a 398- space parking garage. A minimum $61.5 million in private investment is required per the agreement with City funding some infrastructure improvements (i.e.new street; utilities) through the $5.64 million READI 2.0 award on the west bank of the St. Joseph River. Mr. Molnar showed a rendering of the area and stated that this fulfills the first phase of the Monroe Park neighborhood plan for this area which was approved 2 1/2 years ago, by the Common Council. Mr. Molnar explained that the Authority is here today is that they own this long track along the bank of the river and due to demolition, construction, and maintenance, the sidewalk may have temporary closures. He stated that there are two (2) pieces to the easement. First, a grant of maintenance easement along a small section of the Riverwalk. The second, a maintenance easement, would allow access for maintenance repair and is solely for the development area. J.C. Hart Company Inc. would provide 48-hour notice to the City if there was a need for the sidewalk to be temporarily blocked and agreed to do their best to keep the fencing within the grassy area and not cross over except when absolutely necessary. They have also agreed that at the conclusion of the construction easement, they would restore the area to its original condition, and if there's any damage to the property, they shall repair it at their own expense. The timeline for the project would start in March of 2025 and be completed by the end of 2028. Mr. Molnar gave a brief overview of the developer, J. C. Hart Company, Inc. They are an Indiana based company and have been in business since 1976, they are a Hall of Fame employer, and 12-times voted Best Place to Work. They have also been voted Indiana Association Property Management company of the year 2009, 2014, and 2022. They are responsible for over 6,750 multi -family units managed within Indiana and Page 12 CITY OF SOUTH BEND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Ohio. Secretary Erin Linder Hanig asked for clarification that the riverwalk would still be accessible and Ms. Campbell Weiss stated that, the intent is to not have it closed/blocked at all, but to the extent it is necessary, any closure would be for as little as possible. Ms. Linder Hanig also had concerns regarding liability insurance. Ms. Campbell Weiss stated that, there is an indemnity clause which protects the City, and the agreement also requires J.C. Hart to carry certain liability insurance for the affected area. J. C. Hart will be responsible for securing the site as well. President Fitts asked if there were any other property areas that will be affected and Mr. Molnar stated that this is the only area the Authority owns and the area to the South is owned by the Redevelopment Commission. Vice - President Richard Klee asked if this will be built in phases or all at once. Mr. Molnar stated that the two (2) structures support each other and will be built as one project. Erik Glavich, Director Growth & Opportunity, asked if Todd May, with J.C. Hart, could give a high-level overview of the project. Mr. May stated that the project would start with the garage and then move to the E-shaped building, then continuously phase into the 30-month time period. President Fitts asked when this Easement Agreement will get started and Ms. Campbell Weiss stated that, it would commence after J.C. Hart closes on the property, which is expected to be by the end of this week. Upon a motion by Vice -President Richard Klee and seconded by President Anthony Fitts, the motion carried unanimously, the Authority approved the Maintenance and Temporary Construction Easement Agreement (South Bend Riverwalk Partners / J.C. Hart Company) on March 10, 2025. B. Resolution No. 219 (Appointing Authorized Representatives to Conduct Certain Administrative Acts) Joseph Molnar, Assistant Director Growth & Opportunity, explained that this designates DCI staff representatives to conduct administrative acts such as signing documents at a closing for property transactions and only signing off on items that have been previously approved by the Authority. Danielle Campbell Weiss, Senior Assistant City Attorney, stated that the Redevelopment Commission has had a similar Resolution for many years and in the case of this resolution for the RDA, specified staff would not have authority to sign off on bonds, or approve of the sale or purchase of property transactions. Only administrative matters that are time sensitive such as ordering a title search or attending a closing on behalf of RDA would be things staff could do without separate RDA approval. Secretary Erin Linder Hanig asked if this would go into effect across the board and not time -bound, or issue -bound regardless of Authority members or staff changes. Ms. Campbell Weiss stated that, the RDC updates the Resolution every year for any staff changes, and we would Page 13 CITY OF SOUTH BEND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY expect to do similar for this RDA resolution. Ms. Linder Hanig asked if there will be a structure put in place so that going forward, future Board Members are aware of this Resolution. Mr. Molnar stated that if action was taken pursuant to this resolution, an email would be sent to make members aware as well as an update at the next scheduled meeting. President Fitts asked if there were any grey areas and Ms. Campbell Weiss stated when in doubt, the policy would be to err on the side of obtaining formal approval from the RDA members President Fitts asked if City staff would need to carry additional liability insurance and Ms. Campbell Weiss stated that City employees are already covered through the work they do in the scope of their employment. Upon a motion by President Anthony Fitts and seconded by Vice - President Richard Klee, the motion carried unanimously, the Authority approved Resolution No. 219 on March 10, 2025. 4. Adjournment The Aut rity adjourned the meeting at 2.02 p.m. Anthony Fitts Rick Klee South Bend Redevelopment Authority South Bend Redevelopment Authority 4 Jurin Linder Ha i th Bend Redevelo t Authority Page 14