Peoria Standard

City of Chillicothe Economic Development Committee met July 20.

Here is the minutes provided by the Committee:

The Economic Development Committee met on July 20, at 4:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall.

Present: Aldermen, Connor and Jenkins, Mayor White, Economic Development Director Parker

Absent: Aldermen Colwell

Public: John Gardner - 600 Sweetbriar Dr.

In Chairman Colwell's absence Mayor White called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. As everyone knows the Elm Street Property caught on fire. The City had liability insurance only on the property. That means that there was no coverage for that fire damage so the City will be responsible for the demolition. Discussion took place over whether or not the building should still be restored or taken down. John Gardner (public voice) asked if the building could be saved or if not could the architectural features that are in that home. He also asked if it was a historic home. The Mayor replied that it is not on the historical registry. The Mayor reported that according to the Fire Chief 1/3 of the building is damaged. The question he asked the committee is; do we want to proceed with demo or put another RFP out for the home to be restored. The consensus was to have the house demolished. It was hard to get interested parties when it did not have fire damage. Also the cost would be too great for someone to restore it.

The Mayor instructed Director Parker to check with the city attorney on what the process would be to allow individuals or a salvage company the right to go in and remove the items that would have some value attached to them. The Mayor stated the following:

*At this time no decision to demo until after we find out about the process to retrieve some of the architectural features out of the home; will seek legal counsel on this.

*If When decision is made to demolish and RFP would have to be sent out to get bids on the project.

City owned vacant lots will be put on the market via an RFP that will seek developers looking for land to build a project. Director Parker reported that she had spoken with the city engineer in regards to how the RFP should read. She stated his suggestion was to keep it short and broad and if they had questions they could call or come into talk to the Economic Development Director for guidance of the process. A draft of the RFP was given to the committee. The Mayor ask that Director Parker look back at any prior RFP's to see if we need to add more to this draft. A motion will be made at Council meeting to direct the city attorney to prepare an RFP for city owned properties and to be specific about the sites and note that it is vacant land. Those sites are 214 Ash Street and then the 3 vacant lots behind city hall which hold the address of 105 W. Walnut,911 and 917 N. First St.

Director Parker informed the committee of an opportunity to attend a conference with individuals she has been working with for some time on a community development project. RPCCMT - Rural Peoria County Coalition of Municipalities & Townships which is a group of individuals from other small communities in the area are seeking grant opportunities to create a housing rehab program. This conference is where LISC started its first large housing rehab project and she hopes to gain information that will help get funding here in to do the same type program. The cost of the travel and hotel will be reimbursed by the national LISC office. Committee was in agreement that she should go and learn what she can for this and other projects.

There being no further business meeting adjourned at 5:07 p.m.

http://www.cityofchillicotheil.com/EconomicDevelopement%20July%2020.pdf