Commission To Update Buffalo Street Project
The Central Redevelopment Buffalo Street Project was distributed to members of the Warsaw Redevelopment Commission earlier in the week by Jeremy Skinner, city planner.
Skinner advised the commission noted the latest document provides a description of what all the project entails to help begin stages of the project and a property acquisition list. Commission members were asked to review the project so that the first of the year the plan can be updated.
The Buffalo Street Project is a plan is based on a study and will encompass the area on Buffalo Street from Main to Center Lake. The study was started when the city acquired the old American Water Company property.
The brief meeting focused on approval of claims. These claims included engineering services from Emans Engineering, Bremen, in the amount of $1,592.50; professional services from Faegre Baker Daniels, South Bend, for the Winona PVD project for $202.50; a final NIPSCO bill for the property at 227 N. Buffalo St., for $27.09; monies obligated to the city’s wastewater department from the Northern TIF for 2014 totaling $600,000; a final claim from DT Construction, Silver lake, on replacement of the east entrance doors to the city hall, totaling $15,344; and from Umbaugh & Associates for analysis of the Winona PVD TIF Revenue and potential TIF Revenue from the Parkview Project totaling $1,580 were all approved.
A claim to Clevenger Insurance, Warsaw, on $100 bond renewal for all commission members was also approved.
Extensive discussion was held regarding a $337 claim from Faegre Baker Daniels regarding professional services in review of a letter from a bonding company. Skinner explained in 2008/2009 the federal government changed its reporting procedures stating information was to be reported to a clearing house if there was a change within the rating. In 2009/2010 the government changed its rating structure. No governmental entity submitted changes as it was public knowledge the rates had change across the board.
However, explained Skinner and Mayor Joe Thallemer, Baird, holder of one of the city’s bonds, filed a report stating the city did not comply with the law. No other holders of city bonds filed such a report. Thallemer stated it was the understanding that only significant changes needed reporting. An across the board rate change was not considered significant. Baird allegedly sent violation letters to all municipalities it holds bonds for.
The next meeting for the commission, whose members include Charles Smith, Richard Snodgrass, George Clemens, Jeff Johnson, Tim Meyer and Curt Hermann, will be at noon, Monday, Jan. 5.