Economic Development Committee
2008 Meeting Minutes

January 15, 2008 Meeting Minutes

Committee members present: Chairperson Debby Curry, Michelle Tippie, and Frank Billings. Others present: Maridee Curry, Jim Miller, Bill May, Solicitor Phil Davis, Administrator Dennis Recker, Public Works Director Mark Weber, and Jim Grove.  

The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Debby Curry at 6:30 PM.  Motion by Debby Curry, second by Michelle Tippie to approve the minutes of the September 18, 2007 meeting. Motion approved.  

Dennis Recker briefed the Committee on a local manufacturing company that is interested in expanding their business in the Industrial Park. This expansion would require the extension of the existing stub road west from Industrial Parkway including water and sewer lines. The Committee authorized the staff to enter into discussions with the business owner and the property owner in an equal three way joint effort to fund the roadway and utility construction.  

Dennis Recker briefed the Committee on the concept of using Joint Economic Development programs with Waterville Township to encourage economic development in the area of State Route 64 and the proposed U.S. 24 interchange. The Committee authorized the staff to begin discussions with the Township to establish a Joint Economic Development Area. The Administrator informed the Committee members and other Council Members present that he would consult with Mayor Kuhn to refine the Administrations policy in the area of Economic Development efforts with surrounding Townships.  

Motion by Debby Curry, second by Michelle Tippie to adjourn at 7:00 PM. Motion approved.

January 29, 2008 Meeting Minutes  

Committee Members present:  Chairperson Debby Curry, Members Michelle Tippie and Frank Billings.  Others present:  Mayor Angie Kuhn, Council members Jim Miller, Frank Billings and Bill May, Mr. Ray Wood (Developers Representative), Todd Frendt (President AWYF), Finance Director Jordan Daugherty, Village Administrator Dennis Recker, Mr. Joe Wielinski, Chamber President Josh Torres, Matt Billings and Deb Kuck.  

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chairperson Debby Curry.  A motion to approve the January 15, 2008, Minutes were made by Debbie Curry, seconded by Frank Billings.  Motion was approved 3-0.   

Chairperson Curry introduced Ray Wood who provided an overview of the Whitehouse Square, Traditional Neighborhood Development plan.  Mr. Wood provided an update of the current status of the project.  Highlights from this presentation by Mr. Wood follows:  

Mr. Wood stated that this concept is very closely linked and interdependent with the Blue Creek Recreational Area.  Mr. Todd Frendt, from the Anthony Wayne Youth Foundation, emphasized how important the parks were to the total TND concept.  Mr. Frendt also shared a Texas A & M study which cited the positive impact that active youth sports and recreational parks have on local economies.  

Mr. Wood informed the Committee of the current timelines for infrastructure and this includes an extension of the Whitehouse Square Boulevard to the south, the construction of a round-about intersection, and as soon as possible thereafter, the construction of two internal east to west lateral service roads.  

Mr. Wood said they will have a new web site up and operating next week, February 4-8, 2008.  The web site address is www.whitehousesquare.com and a new brochure will be out then as well.  

There were no other business items scheduled and the Chairperson moved to adjourn, and Michelle Tippie seconded the motion.  Vote was 3-0 and the meeting was adjourned at 7:58 p.m.

March 25, 2008 Meeting Minutes

Committee Members present: Chairperson Debby Curry, Members Michelle Tippie and Frank Billings. Others present: Council members Jim Miller, Maridee Curry and Bill May. Staff: Village Administrator Dennis Recker, Solicitor Philip Davis, and Building and Zoning Clerk Barbara Knisely, citizen James Grove.

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chairperson Debby Curry. A motion to approve the January 29, 2008, Minutes was made by Debby Curry, seconded by Frank Billings. Motion approved 3-0.

Chairperson Debby Curry opened the meeting and recognized the Administrator who presented the basic reasons for the meeting.

The Administrator explained that there were 13 violations of the temporary sign regulation pending notification and that before these would be mailed out, the Administrator wanted to be sure that Council was fully supportive of the enforcement of this Code.

The Administrator also stated that if the Committee was less than unanimously in favor of this Code section, then the Committee should send the Code to the Planning Commission for review and amendment.

The idea of waiving the newly established temporary sign permit fees for non-profit organizations was discussed.

The Village Attorney provided input regarding the definitions of a "not for profit" 501 3C Organization and recommended that simple reference to these groups as "not for profit" would be satisfactory as the intent of the Committee seemed to be in favor of a wide inclusion of all area not for profit organizations with or without 501 3C status. This would include Anthony Wayne School activity groups as well as the Volunteer Firemen's Association.

Michelle Tippie moved that temporary sign permit fees be waived for all non-profit groups, but that they are still required to obtain the permit from Village officials. Seconded by Frank Billings, Motion passed 3-0. The permit will state the location, size, and dates the sign will be in place. The Village Attorney supported that this could be done by adding this exclusion to the Village Fee Schedule which is to be considered by Council at it's April 1, 2008, Council Meeting. This suggestion was accepted and the Administrator will ensure this notation is made to the Fee Schedule.

Chairperson Debby Curry asked the Committee Members if the temporary sign regulation was acceptable for enforcement with the non-profit fee waiver added. Bill May provided his thoughts that some standard had to be enforced. Page 2 Economic Development Committee Meeting March 25, 2008

The Administrator suggested that the Committee consider referring the entire Sign Code to the Planning Commission as our sign code language is not as clear as other local codes that have been reviewed in the surrounding communities.

Michelle Tippie commented that a more clear code wording would be beneficial to the community. Michelle Tippie moved to send the signage code to the Planning Commission for comparison with other area communities and to return the revised code to Council for it's review and possible adoption. Motion seconded by Frank Billings. Motion carried 3-0.

A lengthy conversation concerning numerous zoning and exterior property maintenance code issues took place. Issues as to how the code should or could be enforced, i.e., full enforcement or complaint generated enforcement, role of Council in this administrative function, and other issues were discussed.

The Village Attorney summarized the group discussion by saying that the Committee could recommend a review of the zoning code to establish a base line code that reflects the needs and values of the community. Such a revision of the code could then be supported for enforcement by the Village Council and Village staff.

Debby Curry and Michelle Tippie recommended that such a review be undertaken by Council acting as a Committee of the Whole of Council. No meeting date was set and the Administrator will follow-up on requesting and scheduling such a code review meeting.

With no further business on the Agenda, Debby Curry moved to adjourn. Motion was seconded by Michelle Tippie. All voted yes, and the meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.

April 8, 2008 Meeting Minutes

Members present: Chairperson Debby Curry, Members Michelle Tippie and Frank Billings. Others present: Council Members Maridee Curry, Bill May; Mayor Angela J. Kuhn. Mark Weber, Public Works Director and Dennis Recker, Village Administrator.

The meeting was called to order at 6:35 p.m. by Chairperson Debby Curry. Debby Curry moved to approve the Minutes of March 25, 2008. Michelle Tippie seconded this motion and the motion was passed 3-0.

The Chairperson recognized the Village Administrator who gave an overview of the Administration's request. Following a brief series of questions concerning various economic development agreement options, Chairperson Debby Curry moved to recommend Council authorize the Administration to enter into joint economic development discussions with Waterville Township authorities. Motion was seconded by Michelle Tippie and this motion passed 3-0.

Chairperson Curry then called for any other business. This call resulted in a discussion of the Village's Temporary Sign Regulations, Village Fee Schedule and the Committee's desire to see these policies reviewed. Michelle Tippie recommended that the Fee Schedule be reviewed again with the water and sewer rates in September. A brief discussion regarding the 2008 Fee Schedule legislation pending approval before Council took place before Debby Curry moved to adjourn. Michelle Tippie seconded this motion and the motion was passed 3-0. The meeting was adjourned at 7:15 p.m.

May 22, 2008 Meeting Minutes

Members present: Chairperson Debbie Curry, Vice-Chair Michelle Tippie and Frank Billings. Others present: Council Members: Maridee Curry, Bill May and Jim Miller. Barbara Knisely, Dennis Recker and Guest Presenter Brian Bilger from the Lucas County Improvement Corporation, and Mr. Ray Wood, Whitehouse Square property owners' representative.

The meeting was called to order by Vice Chairperson Michelle Tippie at 6:35 p.m. Vice Chairperson Tippie moved to approve the April 8, 2008 Minutes. Motion was seconded by Frank Billings and Motion passed 2-0. The Vice-Chair recognized Dennis Recker, Village Administrator who introduced Brian Bilger and his subject "Community Reinvestment Areas".

Mr. Bilger explained that a CRA is a program offering direct incremental real estate tax exemptions which benefit property owners who renovate existing buildings or construct new buildings in an area where revitalization is being encouraged. Establishing the CRA does not grant such tax exemption, as each individual request is reviewed, negotiated and approved separately by the Village Council and the Lucas County Commissioners.

Under the program, current real property tax revenues remain the same but as development occurs and real property values are adjusted to reflect new investment (higher parcel values), the incremental tax revenue is distributed as follows: The schools receive their portion of the new incremental tax paid directly to them. The remaining portion of the incremental real property tax is waived which serves as a small financial assist to the businesses that have invested in the community with buildings, business operations and likely some new jobs that produce new income tax revenue.

The CRA can be established by the legislative authority of the Village and are then accepted by the Lucas County Commissioners. The Ohio Department of Development (ODOD) certifies the CRA and the CRA is then available.

Each new business or investor who wants to take advantage of the CRA (receive the incremental tax exemption) must apply to the Whitehouse Village Council, the Anthony Wayne School Board and the Lucas County Board of Commissioners to be approved for exemption from the (non school portion) of an incremental tax which comes about by higher valuation of land due to improvements built on the property.

Mr. Recker explained that the Village has two CRA's in effect within the Village, neither of which has an active agreement in effect.

(Committee Member Maridee Curry and Councilperson Debby Curry arrived at 6:45). Committee Chair Debby Curry requested that the Administration prepare an example scenario that demonstrates the real property tax revenue impact of a CRA if one were to be put in place.

Mr. Recker said he would work with Mr. Wood, Mr. Bilger and the Village Finance Director to prepare such a document.

Mr. Recker then asked Mr. Wood when he felt a CRA would be needed. He indicated that some actual construction is very likely in the next 2 to 4 months. The CRA must be established before a business builds to receive the benefit. Therefore, Council would need to initiate the CRA by legislation soon so it can be approved by the Commissioners and certified by the State in the next 60 days or sooner.

Mr. Recker suggested that the Committee recommend that Village Council authorize legislation to create a CRA in the Village's TND zoning district.

The Committee Members and comments from other Council Members present, seemed to suggest while more research and an example document would be valuable in finalizing a decision, a CRA is likely needed to complete with other communities that have CRA's in place in critical new developing areas.

Committee Member Frank Billings made a motion that the Committee recommend to Council as a Whole that legislation be authorized to create a CRA in the TND zoning district. This motion was seconded by Michelle Tippie. The motion passed 3-0.

Debbie Curry made a Motion to adjourn the meeting and Michelle Tippie seconded. Motion passed 3-0. Meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.

June 24, 2008 Meeting Minutes

Committee members present: Chairperson Debby Curry, and Michelle Tippie. Others Council Members present: Maridee Curry and Jim Miller. Staff present: Administrator Dennis Recker and Public Works Director Steve Pilcher.

The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Debby Curry at 7:00 PM. Chairperson Curry moved to approve the May 22, 2008 minutes. Michelle Tippie second. Motion passed 2-0.

Chairperson Curry recognized the Administrator who gave an overview of three options available to the Village for placing the Codified Ordinances on-line.

The first was to input the Code on the Village web-site as a PDF file. This option would cost the least but would not have a search engine option and this would not be easy to use.

The second option would be to manage the site internally but hire avatar to construct site search engine compatibility. This would cost slightly less than option three but would require more internal man hours for administration and updating changes.

The third option is to contract with the Walter Drane Company to maintain the site which would be accessed via a link on the Village's web-site. This feature will be fully automated and would permit searches by key word, title, or specific code number(s). The work could be done in as little as three (3) weeks. The one time cost would be $2400.00 and a monthly administrative fee of $30.00. This fee would not be charged until 2009. Several communities (Maumee and Waterville) are using this service now. Sylvania uses option II but they invested in their own search engine system.

With no further questions Debby Curry moved to recommend Council approve legislation authorizing the Administrator to contract with Walter Drane to place the Whitehouse Codified Ordinances on their site to be accessed via a link off the Village's web-site at a cost not to exceed $2400.00 and a monthly fee of $30.00 beginning in January 2009. This legislation was to be prepared as an emergency so that the public can have access as soon as possible. Michelle Tippie seconded the motion. Motion passed 2-0.

The second issue discussed by the Committee was criteria to be used in any future Tax Increment Financing Agreements. The first criteria would be that the Anthony Wayne School District would receive the agreed upon percentage of the incremental tax valuation. The second criteria is that the debt service on all public infrastructure constructed as part of a business/commercial or industrial expansion project would be the sole responsibility of the business entity. The Administrator provided all Committee and present Council Members with a fact sheet on Tax Increment Financing for their study. The Committee took this information under advisement.

With no further business to discuss Chairperson Debbie Curry moved to adjourn. Michelle Tippie second. Motion to adjourn passed 2-0 and the meeting was adjourned at 7:48 p.m.