WEBVTT 00:00:00.450 --> 00:00:08.960 - the witching hour. So I called a special meeting of the Monroe County Capital Improvement Board of April 00:00:08.960 --> 00:00:17.551 - 24th, 2026. But to order, I will ask Mr. Whitlatch to take the role. John Whitecart, present. Doug Bruce, 00:00:17.551 --> 00:00:26.142 - here. Galen Cassidy, here. Joyce Pulling, here. Jim Silberstein, here. Jay Baer. In the flesh. Excellent. 00:00:26.690 --> 00:00:34.036 - Item number two on the agenda is board discussion, real estate, and we have two resolutions we're going 00:00:34.036 --> 00:00:41.099 - to be looking at this morning. So I'm going to ask Mr. Whitledge to share those resolutions with us 00:00:41.099 --> 00:00:48.163 - for discussion. So the first resolution, we'll take these one at a time. The first resolution is to 00:00:48.163 --> 00:00:52.542 - issue a request for proposal for development of a host hotel. 00:00:52.802 --> 00:01:02.376 - on the real estate that we have just acquired, which is approximately six acres, and we are asking approval 00:01:02.376 --> 00:01:11.596 - of this board to issue a request for proposal that has been prepared by JS Held, and I think we're just 00:01:11.596 --> 00:01:19.486 - waiting for a copy of that that would be attached to that resolution, but the resolution 00:01:19.586 --> 00:01:26.532 - would be to authorize the issuance of an RFP for a host hotel for the Convention Center project, subject 00:01:26.532 --> 00:01:33.411 - to the terms in a form substantially similar to the RFP that's been attached, and I think that's coming 00:01:33.411 --> 00:01:40.158 - right now. The CIB authorizes its president, John Weichart, to execute any and all documents and take 00:01:40.158 --> 00:01:47.038 - such other actions as may be necessary or desirable to issue the ROP. The resolution shall be effective 00:01:47.038 --> 00:01:48.030 - upon adoption. 00:01:48.418 --> 00:01:55.519 - and that's the requested action for the board. Okay, so we have a you have a copy of the resolution 00:01:55.519 --> 00:02:02.834 - in front of you. Is there a motion to approve the resolution? So moved. Second. So it's been moved and 00:02:02.834 --> 00:02:10.574 - seconded. So now the floor is open to board members for questions or discussion. Any questions or discussion 00:02:10.574 --> 00:02:14.622 - about the issuing the request for proposals for a hotel? 00:02:15.842 --> 00:02:22.499 - Just one question, if I may. Yes. When we did this initially and we had a number of respondents, then 00:02:22.499 --> 00:02:29.417 - we got into this whole question about other incentives, et cetera. And you have said both in this meeting 00:02:29.417 --> 00:02:36.009 - and also publicly that we are not an organization that has a bunch of incentives in our quiver other 00:02:36.009 --> 00:02:40.382 - than the land, which is, of course, in this RFP. Do we want to say 00:02:41.090 --> 00:02:47.886 - in this RFP explicitly, we do not have other incentives to give you, so please don't ask for any because 00:02:47.886 --> 00:02:54.358 - you're just wasting everybody's time. Yeah, I don't. In my opinion, what we're putting out to hotel 00:02:54.358 --> 00:02:57.918 - developers is telling them what we have to offer them. 00:02:58.562 --> 00:03:04.558 - I think when we get responses from the RFP, we'll know if they're asking something else of us, and then 00:03:04.558 --> 00:03:10.497 - that will help us determine whether we accept or reject their responses to us. So I think we're better 00:03:10.497 --> 00:03:16.320 - simply making the statement, here's what we have, and then awaiting responses and then judging those 00:03:16.320 --> 00:03:22.431 - responses. A question for Deb, do we anticipate a pre-bidders conference to clarify any questions between 00:03:22.431 --> 00:03:27.966 - now and the response date, or are we just going to say here it is and let us know what you got? 00:03:28.162 --> 00:03:34.101 - So there's opportunities for them to ask questions in writing, but we're not planning, we are not at 00:03:34.101 --> 00:03:39.982 - this point, much like we did in the last time, we did not have a pre-proposal meeting the last time 00:03:39.982 --> 00:03:46.156 - either. But they will send us questions. Great, thank you. And for the public and those listening, we're 00:03:46.156 --> 00:03:52.154 - asking for responses by June 30th to our requests for proposals. And then we were notifying them that 00:03:52.154 --> 00:03:56.094 - our intention would then be to have interviews in early July. Yes. 00:03:58.434 --> 00:04:05.711 - Any other questions or discussion? All right, seeing and hearing none, Mr. Whitlatch, would you take 00:04:05.711 --> 00:04:13.205 - the roll? John Weickart? Yes. Doug Bruce? Yes. Galen Cassidy? Yes. Joyce Pauling? Yes. Jim Silberstein? 00:04:13.205 --> 00:04:21.130 - Yes. Jay Baer? Yes. Thank you. And then the second item under real estate, and again, I'll ask Mr. Whitlatch, 00:04:21.130 --> 00:04:26.174 - but it has to do with obtaining appraisals and environmental reports. 00:04:26.626 --> 00:04:35.746 - Yes, so this request for action from this board is to put out a request for information or actually 00:04:35.746 --> 00:04:45.140 - what we're asking is that we be authorized to enter into an agreement to obtain appraisals of the real 00:04:45.140 --> 00:04:50.430 - estate that we've just acquired, approximately six acres. 00:04:50.530 --> 00:04:58.534 - and fair market value appraisals and we and we're asking for two of those to be at a minimum of two 00:04:58.534 --> 00:05:07.018 - of those to be prepared and we're also asking for appropriate environmental reports which would encompass 00:05:07.018 --> 00:05:15.742 - a phase one report. So the actual action item is that the request is that the CIB authorize JSL to work with 00:05:15.938 --> 00:05:22.225 - CIB President John Weickart to obtain proposals for appraisals and appropriate environmental reports, 00:05:22.225 --> 00:05:28.450 - environmental reports for the real estate. The CIB authorizes President John Weickart to execute any 00:05:28.450 --> 00:05:34.799 - and all documents and take such other actions as may be necessary or desirable to accept any proposals 00:05:34.799 --> 00:05:39.422 - and to move forward with appraisals and appropriate environmental reports. 00:05:40.834 --> 00:05:47.551 - And I think our goal is to receive these back so that we have them to make information available to 00:05:47.551 --> 00:05:54.268 - RFP respondents. Is that correct? Yeah, our goal is hopefully we'll get them early June and provide 00:05:54.268 --> 00:06:01.052 - them as due diligence information to any interested developers. Yes. All right, is there a motion to 00:06:01.052 --> 00:06:07.768 - approve the resolution? Second. Moved and seconded. So now we have open the floor for discussion or 00:06:07.768 --> 00:06:09.246 - questions or comment. 00:06:09.634 --> 00:06:17.262 - on the resolution to obtain appraisals and environmental reports for the newly acquired real estate. 00:06:17.262 --> 00:06:24.966 - Just one, is there a not to exceed on this work or do we need to subsequently revote once we actually 00:06:24.966 --> 00:06:33.198 - have bids from appraisers and environmental services or in this vote we now say because you've got statutory 00:06:33.198 --> 00:06:36.446 - authority to actually proceed? I think the 00:06:36.610 --> 00:06:45.383 - The way that the resolution is drafted is that we are giving JS Held and John, or basically giving John 00:06:45.383 --> 00:06:54.157 - the authority to enter into an agreement as we receive the information from JS Held. Deb can maybe talk 00:06:54.157 --> 00:06:57.278 - to the expected range of app that we 00:06:57.442 --> 00:07:04.645 - have not put a not to exceed number on that. We can certainly amend and do that if we feel that's important. 00:07:04.645 --> 00:07:11.583 - I think we feel that it's going to be within a dollar range that we're comfortable. We don't necessarily 00:07:11.583 --> 00:07:18.654 - need that, but it's certainly not an unreasonable request. So I'll let Deb speak to what the costs may be. 00:07:18.754 --> 00:07:24.662 - For the environmental, the first step is a phase one environmental site assessment, and those are not 00:07:24.662 --> 00:07:30.627 - going to exceed $10,000 in terms of the fee for the amount of properties that we have here. So I would 00:07:30.627 --> 00:07:36.824 - expect that that one in particular to be 10,000 or less. And I think it actually might be several thousand 00:07:36.824 --> 00:07:42.616 - dollars less. So I think 10 would be a max to expect. As far as the appraisals go, we will need two 00:07:42.616 --> 00:07:48.350 - independent appraisals. And those, if you look at both of them together, it could be anywhere from 00:07:48.450 --> 00:07:54.981 - you know, 60 to $70,000 maybe total is what we're talking about when we think about the appraisals. 00:07:54.981 --> 00:08:01.968 - When they appraise those, they'll do it by parcel. They will appraise by parcel. The environmental reports 00:08:01.968 --> 00:08:07.976 - will be done as a whole because the environment doesn't know parcel lines. So we'll look at 00:08:07.976 --> 00:08:14.507 - those holistically, but individually will be the parcels. And it's how they came to you is how they 00:08:14.507 --> 00:08:17.054 - will be. So it'll be by parcel number. 00:08:27.586 --> 00:08:34.542 - So are there, I guess the question I feel like is hanging. So is there some dollar figure you wanna 00:08:34.542 --> 00:08:41.498 - put on my authority to do this? Is that what you're asking? Not necessarily, I just wasn't sure how 00:08:41.498 --> 00:08:48.593 - we were gonna handle it. Okay, all right. Yeah, I would say I'm comfortable with those amounts there. 00:08:48.593 --> 00:08:55.549 - If something were to come back close to that, I think that's fine. If it greatly exceeds that, then 00:08:55.549 --> 00:08:57.566 - maybe we need to discuss it. 00:08:57.698 --> 00:09:05.150 - I don't think it's something that needs to be in the in the motion if we're within that range. Are you 00:09:05.150 --> 00:09:12.530 - comfortable with that? Okay, so any other questions or discussion about the resolution? The motion to 00:09:12.530 --> 00:09:19.765 - accept the resolution? Okay, seeing and hearing none. Mr. Whitlach? John Weichart? Yes. Doug Bruce? 00:09:19.765 --> 00:09:26.494 - Yes. Galen Cassidy? Yes. Joyce Pauling? Yes. Jim Silberstein? Yes. Jay Baer? Yes. Thank you. 00:09:27.458 --> 00:09:34.837 - That concludes item number two. Item number three is comments from board members. Any comments from 00:09:34.837 --> 00:09:42.364 - board members? Seeing none. Item number four, comments from public. And we have an opportunity at the 00:09:42.364 --> 00:09:49.818 - end of each meeting for 10 minutes of public comments with individual commenters having two minutes. 00:09:49.818 --> 00:09:53.950 - And I assume we have some public comments this morning. 00:09:54.530 --> 00:10:03.907 - So if so, if you please go to the microphone, identify yourself and the clock will start ticking. Homes 00:10:03.907 --> 00:10:13.373 - for all. We're asking that the Capital Improvement Board to continue negotiations with the Redevelopment 00:10:13.373 --> 00:10:21.758 - Commission to preserve the affordable housing at Seminary Point through a land swap seminary 00:10:22.210 --> 00:10:29.388 - Point is a home to 29 units of existing affordable housing, beloved local non-for-profit My Sister's 00:10:29.388 --> 00:10:36.636 - Closet, and a community gathering place, Friendly Beast Cider Company. In a housing crisis, these are 00:10:36.636 --> 00:10:44.027 - homes and community spaces we cannot afford to lose. We understand that the CIBC's North College Square 00:10:44.027 --> 00:10:51.134 - as the ideal site for the Convention Center Hotel, and many in Bloomington community feel the same. 00:10:51.298 --> 00:10:59.245 - At Monday's RDC meeting, Mr. Whitecart suggested that if the RDC proceeds with the public offering, 00:10:59.245 --> 00:11:07.351 - the CIB may pivot to the south and west properties. We ask that you not pivot away from the land swap 00:11:07.351 --> 00:11:15.377 - negotiations and continue to pursue the best outcomes for the community as a whole. Wednesday night, 00:11:15.377 --> 00:11:20.702 - there were several council members that were in favor of the swap. 00:11:20.834 --> 00:11:29.404 - And we want to encourage that you look through those comments. A few action items which you just spoke 00:11:29.404 --> 00:11:37.892 - about is getting the appraisal and the environmental study done. We also would like you to extend the 00:11:37.892 --> 00:11:45.630 - tenant leases past the July deadline and stop raising rent on tenants paying month to month. 00:11:45.890 --> 00:11:53.978 - and provide us with the opportunity to present our vision for Seminary Point's future. In a housing 00:11:53.978 --> 00:12:02.308 - crisis, preserving affordable housing isn't just a priority, it's an obligation. Thank you. Thank you. 00:12:02.308 --> 00:12:10.558 - I'm Bryce Green. I represent DSA and also Homes for All. I'd like to echo everything Amber just said. 00:12:10.690 --> 00:12:17.118 - Um, and I'll also just expand on that. The city councilors who are in favor of the, the land swap, uh, 00:12:17.118 --> 00:12:23.421 - I, I, as of now, it represents a majority of the city council. And I know that's up to the RDC as to 00:12:23.421 --> 00:12:29.912 - whether or not they want to accept your offer for the swap. Um, but, uh, one of the council has brought 00:12:29.912 --> 00:12:36.278 - up the, uh, the, the problem of having the, uh, the reciprocal value, uh, for the, for the properties 00:12:36.278 --> 00:12:38.462 - be maintained. Um, something that, 00:12:38.754 --> 00:12:47.592 - might be easier to do after the appraisal. I mean, the last the cost was 3 million in 2010, you know, 00:12:47.592 --> 00:12:56.430 - during Obama's first term. So I mean, the costs have definitely gone up since then. But also, I don't 00:12:56.430 --> 00:13:03.102 - know if the CIB is interested in half the parcel as part of the swap. If the 00:13:03.426 --> 00:13:10.781 - the land is split in half and half of that was swapped for the South property. I guess my question would 00:13:10.781 --> 00:13:18.416 - be if the CIB is open to that and if it has the resources or wherewithal or if you know any hotel developers 00:13:18.416 --> 00:13:25.631 - who would be interested in developing a hotel on half the site or if the CIB had resources to purchase 00:13:25.631 --> 00:13:30.814 - the other half using either other land or other funds because I mean this 00:13:31.554 --> 00:13:38.101 - This is essential. This is a housing crisis. And I think every step ought to be made. Every meeting 00:13:38.101 --> 00:13:44.713 - ought to be had. Every call ought to be made to do our best to preserve this. And I know it's on the 00:13:44.713 --> 00:13:51.391 - RDC side, but again, time is of the essence. These leases expire in July. Again, I'd like to ask that 00:13:51.391 --> 00:13:58.069 - these leases be extended at least a little bit while this thing gets settled. But I think we all want 00:13:58.069 --> 00:14:01.342 - the same thing here. You guys want that property. 00:14:01.538 --> 00:14:09.248 - We want to keep Seminary Point affordable housing. And I think there's a way forward with that. 00:14:09.248 --> 00:14:17.600 - Thank you. No, it's not dialogue. We just wanted to hear what you had to say. Anybody else want to make 00:14:17.600 --> 00:14:25.791 - comment from the public? Anybody online? I can't, there are no hands up online. All right, thank you. 00:14:25.791 --> 00:14:29.726 - All right, next board meeting is May 20th, 2026. 00:14:29.986 --> 00:14:39.904 - Oh, I'm sorry, is there a question? Is there a hand up? I'm sorry, is it Matthew? Yes. Hi, so I put 00:14:39.904 --> 00:14:49.920 - my hand up at the last minute. Is it okay if I still speak for public comment? Yeah, sure, go ahead. 00:14:49.920 --> 00:14:59.838 - Thank you. Yes, I also represent Homes for All and just want to emphasize what all of my colleagues 00:15:00.034 --> 00:15:08.306 - have mentioned while also adding the additional factor that the RDC mentioned that the pieces of which 00:15:08.306 --> 00:15:16.418 - they weren't interested in the land swap was that they don't know what to do with the south property 00:15:16.418 --> 00:15:24.529 - with so many point if they get it. And I just want to emphasize that we feel like we are creating an 00:15:24.529 --> 00:15:27.742 - incredible plan for what that could be. 00:15:27.970 --> 00:15:36.927 - one that pulls on evidence-based models from other cities that have had very similar situations of affordable 00:15:36.927 --> 00:15:45.721 - housing and turning it into something that was a hotspot in their town. We're partnering with organizations 00:15:45.721 --> 00:15:53.863 - that have built some of the most successful and largest affordable housing initiatives and projects 00:15:53.863 --> 00:15:55.166 - in Bloomington. 00:15:55.682 --> 00:16:03.380 - So we want to work with you in this, in that we think that we can really give the RDC a great plan and 00:16:03.380 --> 00:16:11.153 - kind of cover those points of their concerns while also letting you all do the work of negotiating with 00:16:11.153 --> 00:16:18.776 - them. So just know that the community is here to support the initiative for the swap, not just on the 00:16:18.776 --> 00:16:25.278 - negotiation end of the money, but also what to do with the land if the RDC did own it. 00:16:25.410 --> 00:16:32.662 - afterwards. So I just want to put that in there. And there's top leaders in Bloomington for affordable 00:16:32.662 --> 00:16:39.843 - housing that are thinking about this and are looking at you all as the facilitators of a land swap so 00:16:39.843 --> 00:16:47.306 - that we can build something really beautiful, continue to build on top of what already exists at Seminary 00:16:47.306 --> 00:16:54.206 - Point, something that can be historical and beautiful for our city. Thank you, Matthew. Any other 00:16:54.466 --> 00:17:03.024 - comments online? Any other hands up? Okay. All right. Item five, I'll repeat again, the next board meeting 00:17:03.024 --> 00:17:11.662 - May 20th, 2026 3pm. Item number six, you don't have to go home and stand can't stay here. We are adjourned. 00:17:11.662 --> 00:17:12.542 - Thank you.