DRAFT

City of Lawrence

Public Incentives Review Committee

June 19, 2012 meeting minutes

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Mayor Bob Schumm, Vice Mayor Mike Dever, School Board Member Shannon Kimball, County Commissioner Mike Gaughan, Boog Highberger, and Cindy Yulich

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Rob Chestnut and Jeff Morrison

 

STAFF PRESENT:

David L. Corliss, Diane Stoddard, Britt Crum-Cano, and Emily Kotay

 

PUBLIC PRESENT:

Hank  Booth, Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, Leslie Soden, East Lawrence Neighborhood Association, Tony Krsnich and several other members of the public.

 

 

Mayor Bob Schumm called the meeting to order. 

 

Diane Stoddard and Britt Crum-Cano provided the staff report on the request from Tony Krsnich to establish a neighborhood revitalization area (NRA) on the Cider Building property, located at 810/812 Pennsylvania Street.  It was reported that staff believed the project met the requirements of the policy, and the benefit-cost thresholds in the policy.  Ms. Crum-Cano also reported that the analysis of the developer’s projections indicated that assistance would be required in order to make the project feasible and that the developer’s bank had indicated that some revenue source, such as the rebate, was necessary for financing. 

 

Commissioner Gaughan asked about the wages provided in Mr. Krsnich’s application.  Ms. Crum-Cano confirmed that the positions and wages were a large driver in the benefit-cost model.  She was not able to answer details about the positions Mr. Krsnich was projecting- those details would need to be provided by the developer. 

 

Shannon Kimball moved to approve the April minutes.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Gaughan.  Motion unanimously approved. 

 

Mr. Krsnich spoke to the project and provided a summary of his plans. He indicated that regarding the positions, he was moving his development company’s offices here to the building.  He indicated that they already had five new employees.  He also reported that he has made progress with lease projections too.  He confirmed that artists were not included in the total positions that were projected to be created and neither were the construction positions associated with the project.  Commissioner Gaughan asked about office spaces.  Mr. Krsnich responded that there are 29 spaces for office tenants and they would have access to shared office equipment.  There would also be artist workspace available in the building to the south and gallery space within the Cider Building.

 

After discussion, the Cindy Yulich made a motion to recommend approval of the request.  The motion was seconded by Boog Highberger.  The motion was approved unanimously. 

 

The meeting was adjourned at approximately 3:50 pm.