the witching hour. So I called a special meeting of the Monroe County Capital Improvement Board of April
24th, 2026. But to order, I will ask Mr. Whitlatch to take the role. John Whitecart, present. Doug Bruce,
here. Galen Cassidy, here. Joyce Pulling, here. Jim Silberstein, here. Jay Baer. In the flesh. Excellent.
Item number two on the agenda is board discussion, real estate, and we have two resolutions we're going
to be looking at this morning. So I'm going to ask Mr. Whitledge to share those resolutions with us
for discussion. So the first resolution, we'll take these one at a time. The first resolution is to
issue a request for proposal for development of a host hotel.
on the real estate that we have just acquired, which is approximately six acres, and we are asking approval
of this board to issue a request for proposal that has been prepared by JS Held, and I think we're just
waiting for a copy of that that would be attached to that resolution, but the resolution
would be to authorize the issuance of an RFP for a host hotel for the Convention Center project, subject
to the terms in a form substantially similar to the RFP that's been attached, and I think that's coming
right now. The CIB authorizes its president, John Weichart, to execute any and all documents and take
such other actions as may be necessary or desirable to issue the ROP. The resolution shall be effective
upon adoption.
and that's the requested action for the board. Okay, so we have a you have a copy of the resolution
in front of you. Is there a motion to approve the resolution? So moved. Second. So it's been moved and
seconded. So now the floor is open to board members for questions or discussion. Any questions or discussion
about the issuing the request for proposals for a hotel?
Just one question, if I may. Yes. When we did this initially and we had a number of respondents, then
we got into this whole question about other incentives, et cetera. And you have said both in this meeting
and also publicly that we are not an organization that has a bunch of incentives in our quiver other
than the land, which is, of course, in this RFP. Do we want to say
in this RFP explicitly, we do not have other incentives to give you, so please don't ask for any because
you're just wasting everybody's time. Yeah, I don't. In my opinion, what we're putting out to hotel
developers is telling them what we have to offer them.
I think when we get responses from the RFP, we'll know if they're asking something else of us, and then
that will help us determine whether we accept or reject their responses to us. So I think we're better
simply making the statement, here's what we have, and then awaiting responses and then judging those
responses. A question for Deb, do we anticipate a pre-bidders conference to clarify any questions between
now and the response date, or are we just going to say here it is and let us know what you got?
So there's opportunities for them to ask questions in writing, but we're not planning, we are not at
this point, much like we did in the last time, we did not have a pre-proposal meeting the last time
either. But they will send us questions. Great, thank you. And for the public and those listening, we're
asking for responses by June 30th to our requests for proposals. And then we were notifying them that
our intention would then be to have interviews in early July. Yes.
Any other questions or discussion? All right, seeing and hearing none, Mr. Whitlatch, would you take
the roll? John Weickart? Yes. Doug Bruce? Yes. Galen Cassidy? Yes. Joyce Pauling? Yes. Jim Silberstein?
Yes. Jay Baer? Yes. Thank you. And then the second item under real estate, and again, I'll ask Mr. Whitlatch,
but it has to do with obtaining appraisals and environmental reports.
Yes, so this request for action from this board is to put out a request for information or actually
what we're asking is that we be authorized to enter into an agreement to obtain appraisals of the real
estate that we've just acquired, approximately six acres.
and fair market value appraisals and we and we're asking for two of those to be at a minimum of two
of those to be prepared and we're also asking for appropriate environmental reports which would encompass
a phase one report. So the actual action item is that the request is that the CIB authorize JSL to work with
CIB President John Weickart to obtain proposals for appraisals and appropriate environmental reports,
environmental reports for the real estate. The CIB authorizes President John Weickart to execute any
and all documents and take such other actions as may be necessary or desirable to accept any proposals
and to move forward with appraisals and appropriate environmental reports.
And I think our goal is to receive these back so that we have them to make information available to
RFP respondents. Is that correct? Yeah, our goal is hopefully we'll get them early June and provide
them as due diligence information to any interested developers. Yes. All right, is there a motion to
approve the resolution? Second. Moved and seconded. So now we have open the floor for discussion or
questions or comment.
on the resolution to obtain appraisals and environmental reports for the newly acquired real estate.
Just one, is there a not to exceed on this work or do we need to subsequently revote once we actually
have bids from appraisers and environmental services or in this vote we now say because you've got statutory
authority to actually proceed? I think the
The way that the resolution is drafted is that we are giving JS Held and John, or basically giving John
the authority to enter into an agreement as we receive the information from JS Held. Deb can maybe talk
to the expected range of app that we
have not put a not to exceed number on that. We can certainly amend and do that if we feel that's important.
I think we feel that it's going to be within a dollar range that we're comfortable. We don't necessarily
need that, but it's certainly not an unreasonable request. So I'll let Deb speak to what the costs may be.
For the environmental, the first step is a phase one environmental site assessment, and those are not
going to exceed $10,000 in terms of the fee for the amount of properties that we have here. So I would
expect that that one in particular to be 10,000 or less. And I think it actually might be several thousand
dollars less. So I think 10 would be a max to expect. As far as the appraisals go, we will need two
independent appraisals. And those, if you look at both of them together, it could be anywhere from
you know, 60 to $70,000 maybe total is what we're talking about when we think about the appraisals.
When they appraise those, they'll do it by parcel. They will appraise by parcel. The environmental reports
will be done as a whole because the environment doesn't know parcel lines. So we'll look at
those holistically, but individually will be the parcels. And it's how they came to you is how they
will be. So it'll be by parcel number.
So are there, I guess the question I feel like is hanging. So is there some dollar figure you wanna
put on my authority to do this? Is that what you're asking? Not necessarily, I just wasn't sure how
we were gonna handle it. Okay, all right. Yeah, I would say I'm comfortable with those amounts there.
If something were to come back close to that, I think that's fine. If it greatly exceeds that, then
maybe we need to discuss it.
I don't think it's something that needs to be in the in the motion if we're within that range. Are you
comfortable with that? Okay, so any other questions or discussion about the resolution? The motion to
accept the resolution? Okay, seeing and hearing none. Mr. Whitlach? John Weichart? Yes. Doug Bruce?
Yes. Galen Cassidy? Yes. Joyce Pauling? Yes. Jim Silberstein? Yes. Jay Baer? Yes. Thank you.
That concludes item number two. Item number three is comments from board members. Any comments from
board members? Seeing none. Item number four, comments from public. And we have an opportunity at the
end of each meeting for 10 minutes of public comments with individual commenters having two minutes.
And I assume we have some public comments this morning.
So if so, if you please go to the microphone, identify yourself and the clock will start ticking. Homes
for all. We're asking that the Capital Improvement Board to continue negotiations with the Redevelopment
Commission to preserve the affordable housing at Seminary Point through a land swap seminary
Point is a home to 29 units of existing affordable housing, beloved local non-for-profit My Sister's
Closet, and a community gathering place, Friendly Beast Cider Company. In a housing crisis, these are
homes and community spaces we cannot afford to lose. We understand that the CIBC's North College Square
as the ideal site for the Convention Center Hotel, and many in Bloomington community feel the same.
At Monday's RDC meeting, Mr. Whitecart suggested that if the RDC proceeds with the public offering,
the CIB may pivot to the south and west properties. We ask that you not pivot away from the land swap
negotiations and continue to pursue the best outcomes for the community as a whole. Wednesday night,
there were several council members that were in favor of the swap.
And we want to encourage that you look through those comments. A few action items which you just spoke
about is getting the appraisal and the environmental study done. We also would like you to extend the
tenant leases past the July deadline and stop raising rent on tenants paying month to month.
and provide us with the opportunity to present our vision for Seminary Point's future. In a housing
crisis, preserving affordable housing isn't just a priority, it's an obligation. Thank you. Thank you.
I'm Bryce Green. I represent DSA and also Homes for All. I'd like to echo everything Amber just said.
Um, and I'll also just expand on that. The city councilors who are in favor of the, the land swap, uh,
I, I, as of now, it represents a majority of the city council. And I know that's up to the RDC as to
whether or not they want to accept your offer for the swap. Um, but, uh, one of the council has brought
up the, uh, the, the problem of having the, uh, the reciprocal value, uh, for the, for the properties
be maintained. Um, something that,
might be easier to do after the appraisal. I mean, the last the cost was 3 million in 2010, you know,
during Obama's first term. So I mean, the costs have definitely gone up since then. But also, I don't
know if the CIB is interested in half the parcel as part of the swap. If the
the land is split in half and half of that was swapped for the South property. I guess my question would
be if the CIB is open to that and if it has the resources or wherewithal or if you know any hotel developers
who would be interested in developing a hotel on half the site or if the CIB had resources to purchase
the other half using either other land or other funds because I mean this
This is essential. This is a housing crisis. And I think every step ought to be made. Every meeting
ought to be had. Every call ought to be made to do our best to preserve this. And I know it's on the
RDC side, but again, time is of the essence. These leases expire in July. Again, I'd like to ask that
these leases be extended at least a little bit while this thing gets settled. But I think we all want
the same thing here. You guys want that property.
We want to keep Seminary Point affordable housing. And I think there's a way forward with that.
Thank you. No, it's not dialogue. We just wanted to hear what you had to say. Anybody else want to make
comment from the public? Anybody online? I can't, there are no hands up online. All right, thank you.
All right, next board meeting is May 20th, 2026.
Oh, I'm sorry, is there a question? Is there a hand up? I'm sorry, is it Matthew? Yes. Hi, so I put
my hand up at the last minute. Is it okay if I still speak for public comment? Yeah, sure, go ahead.
Thank you. Yes, I also represent Homes for All and just want to emphasize what all of my colleagues
have mentioned while also adding the additional factor that the RDC mentioned that the pieces of which
they weren't interested in the land swap was that they don't know what to do with the south property
with so many point if they get it. And I just want to emphasize that we feel like we are creating an
incredible plan for what that could be.
one that pulls on evidence-based models from other cities that have had very similar situations of affordable
housing and turning it into something that was a hotspot in their town. We're partnering with organizations
that have built some of the most successful and largest affordable housing initiatives and projects
in Bloomington.
So we want to work with you in this, in that we think that we can really give the RDC a great plan and
kind of cover those points of their concerns while also letting you all do the work of negotiating with
them. So just know that the community is here to support the initiative for the swap, not just on the
negotiation end of the money, but also what to do with the land if the RDC did own it.
afterwards. So I just want to put that in there. And there's top leaders in Bloomington for affordable
housing that are thinking about this and are looking at you all as the facilitators of a land swap so
that we can build something really beautiful, continue to build on top of what already exists at Seminary
Point, something that can be historical and beautiful for our city. Thank you, Matthew. Any other
comments online? Any other hands up? Okay. All right. Item five, I'll repeat again, the next board meeting
May 20th, 2026 3pm. Item number six, you don't have to go home and stand can't stay here. We are adjourned.
Thank you.