THE CITY-COUNTY OBSERVER A Non-Partisan Publication Dedicated To The Reporting Of Your Local Government At Work Serving Posey, Vanderburgh & Warrick Counties & Their Communities DECEMBER 16, 2009 VOLUME II, ISSUE 32 Redevelopment Commission Outstanding Loans Round Out Agenda By Jamie Grabert, Publisher Kish said that he Tuesday’s Evansville Redevelopment Commission meeting had consulted with the was typical of the year-end meeting. Little significant busi- company that did the ness was discussed. Wishes of future success were passed on study and the current to GAGE’s Libby Au as she made her last presentation to the plan would not require a board. But one interesting item was on the agenda – “Loan Sta- change. tus Reports.” Asst. Director of In fact, much of the business conducted was regarding the DMD Jane Reel, these city’s parking garages. Three items were briefly discussed and changes are being made approved for the Arena project, including Resolution 09-ERC- to make traffic flow 96 “Authorizing Seeking Bids for the Demolition Package and easier downtown and Quotations for Architectural Salvage Selective Building Demo- invite more traffic to lition for the Downtown Arena; Resolution 09-ERC-97 “Ap- the area. She said that proving Indemnity Agreement with Architectural Renovators”; people don’t go down- and Resolution 09-ERC-98 “Approving Indemnity Agreement town because it’s hard with Historic Landmarks Foundation.” to get around, and the John Kish Arena Project Director John Kish spoke to the commission- city wants to remedy that. Arena Project Director ers about hiring a company to come in and clean up some of the Therefore, one-way streets potentially hazardous materials in the buildings to be razed for Fifth, Third, Sycamore and Vine will soon become two-way the arena. He said he is getting quotes to do such tasks as clean streets. up pigeon droppings, paint chips that may contain lead-based The last item on the agenda was by far the most interest- paint and other such materials. He also noted that the Dept. of ing, and of course, there was no discussion. DMD staff mem- Metropolitan Development is trying to salvage items of any bers gave a “Loan Status Report” dated December 8, 2009. It value. Before ending this part of the discussion, Kish asked the tells of the amount of loans such as GAGE, Sworrab, Michael commissioners to keep the bids confidential, as he did not want Martin Realty, Kunkle Group, Claremont LLC and Holweger people to bid the jobs by going $1 under another bid and things Management LP. The report also gives the status, original loan like that. about, loan balance and maturity dates. The total amount of Commissioner Ted Ubelhor was especially concerned about money loaned on the spreadsheet is $879,553.31, while the to- Resolution 09-ERC-09, as the city is donating some of the tal amount outstanding is $692,440.83. This means that only items and materials in buildings purchased for the arena to the $187,112.48 has been paid back. IDEA Home located at 620 Washington. His concern was that The first item on the spreadsheet is GAGE. This loan has the company would charge the ERC for the materials after they been featured in several issues of the City-County Observer. had been donated by the city. He wanted to ensure that the ERC This is an unsecured, no-interest short-term loan for $280,000. would only be charged for the labor to install the items, not the The entire balance of the loan was originally due in last month; materials. however, the Redevelopment Commission voted to extend the Commissioner Phil Lieberman was concerned about Reso- maturity date of the loan to May of 2010. lution 09-ERC-95 “Approving Additional Changes to Down- Michael S. Martin Realty borrowed $75,000 and has an out- town Traffic Flow.” He first asked about the traffic study that standing balance of $45,015.03. This loan matures January 10, was approved in 2006. He asked if it should be looked at again 2014. because of the arena. continued on page 2 THE CITY-COUNTY OBSERVER COVER STORY Outstanding Loans... from page 1 Sworrab has a loan for $25,000. According to the DMD, this •Renaissance on Main, Inc. had an original loan for $22,299.57. loan is an Arts District Incentive Loan. It is a forgivable loan that The outstanding balance on this loan is $17,734. It has a maturity was assigned late summer. It was made as an incentive loan to date of November 15, 2014. According to the Secretary of State’s entice an artist to create a studio in the Haynie’s Corner area. Ac- Office, Benjamin Kunkle is listed as the registered agent and prin- cording to the Secretary of State’s Office, the registered agent for cipal for this company as well. Sworrab is Reed Schmitt. The loan is forgiven at a rate of $5,000 •Claremont, LLC had an original loan for $210,000. They have per year, which means the loan will be forgiven if he stays in that an outstanding balance of $95,462.46. The maturity date on this location for at least five years. DMD representatives said that if loan is July 23, 2014. According to state records, this company he sells the property before the five-year term, he will have to pay lists Patrick Rayburn as its registered agent. back what is left. DMD has a lien on the property to make sure •Holweger Management, LP had an original loan for they can get their money back, if he sells. $117,253.74. The outstanding balance on this loan is $117,253.74. According to DMD, the following loans were made as part of According to “Notes” on the spreadsheet, Holweger only has to the Main Street Loft Project. They are also supposed to be match- pay the interest on this loan until September 2010. The maturity ing loans. DMD representative also said that all of the money for date on the loan is August 1, 2015. According to the Secretary of this project was exhausted a couple of years ago. Those loans were State’s Office, Allan R. Holweger is listed as the registered agent as follows: and general partner. Judith K. Holweger is listed as another general •Kunkel Group had a $150,000 loan. They have an outstanding partner. balance of $111,975.60. It has a maturity date of July 20, 2014. Additional questions were posed to the Dept. of Metropolitan According to the Secretary of State, Benjamin Kunkle is listed as Development. Answers were not available at press time. the principal and registered agent. Page 2 December 16, 2009 THE CITY-COUNTY OBSERVER NEWS Smith Named Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources and Business Affairs The Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation Board of 2011 budget is estimated to increase only a total of $300,000 School Trustees tonight approved the appointment of David combined. “To add to this challenge, we are expecting immedi- Smith as assistant superintendent of Human Resources and ate cuts to K-12 education,” Bertram said. Business Affairs, effective Dec. 15. The board formally ac- Bertram explained that the EVSC’s core business is educat- cepted the resignation of Margaret Conway, chief financial of- ing children and leadership has been working to determine ef- ficer, tonight; and in September, accepted the resignation of ficiencies and cost savings measures, while protecting class- Diana Price, chief human resources officer. Smith replaces rooms. Every operation in the district is being analyzed, he these positions. said. Many cost savings have already taken place. Over the past Smith has been with the EVSC since 1982 serving most re- several months efforts to be more efficient and effective have cently as deputy chief of staff. From 2008-2009 he was di- saved the corporation several million dollars, which helped rector of school support and the previous year, Smith served to balance the 2010 budget. The Rainy Day Fund has grown as director of principal support and leadership development. from $67 to $6.5 million. Another savings approved tonight From 2005-07 he was interim deputy superintendent. He has (Dec. 14), was a new plan for property and casualty insurance been an assistant principal and principal at Evans Middle that will save the EVSC more than $300,000. Self-insuring School and served in instrumental music teaching positions at workers’ compensation is saving the corporation more than Bosse, Reitz, and Thompkins. He holds an EdD degree from $500,000, and 10% reductions in all non-school functions has Oakland City University, and EdS from Indiana State, and MA been made in the past two years. Also, Just-in-Time-Delivery and BME degrees from the University of Evansville. has greatly reduced warehousing costs, and the EVSC Collab- Several re-organized and re-titled positions of current em- orative Purchasing Organization is driving down procurement ployees were also approved in the HR and Business Offices costs. including: Courtney Bohleber, named internal auditor; Debo- Bertram also said that another cost-savings measure will be rah DeBaillie, human resource specialist; Michelle Williams, to eliminate administrative raises for 2010-2011. While a 2% human resource specialist; Ellada Hadjisavva, director of re- salary increase was given to administrators this year, this will cruitment; and Jean Stevens, director of finance, all effective be cut for 2011. December 15. In other personnel news, Paul Neidig, director of athletics Bertram explained that this reorganization continued on page 6 provides avenues for growth for many posi- tions under Smith’s leadership. Reorganization also provides an oppor- tunity to examine protocols and financial savings.