Council approves minutes, claims, Ambrose on Main bond ordinance and two reimbursement resolutions

The Westfield Common Council on March 24 approved routine minutes and claims and adopted an economic development tax-increment bond ordinance for the Ambrose on Main project, plus two separate reimbursement resolutions for project expenses.

The council voted 7-0 to approve minutes from the March 10 meeting and to approve the claims docket for March 24. Councilors then approved Ordinance 25-12, authorizing issuance of economic development tax increment revenue bonds to support the Ambrose on Main mixed-use development. The council also passed Resolution 25-112, which clarified intent to reimburse project expenditures from future bond proceeds for several public improvements, and Resolution 25-114, to reimburse expenditures related to Fire Station 84. All votes recorded were unanimous (7-0).

Why it matters: The bond ordinance and reimbursement resolutions position the city to support private development and to use bond proceeds to reimburse prior project costs for capital projects including parks, police and fire facilities. The Ambrose on Main project was presented to the Economic Development Commission earlier and is projected by staff to increase assessed value, generating tax increment revenue.

Ordinance and resolution details: Redevelopment manager Rachel Baker described the Ambrose on Main project as a $26,200,000 mixed-use development at the northeast corner of East and SR 32 that staff projects will yield about $13,000,000 in future assessed value, roughly $260,000 per year in increment and about $33,000 per year in school referendum revenue. Bond counsel and staff were available to answer questions; the council conducted a second reading and adopted the ordinance.

Resolutions 25-112 and 25-114 were described as reimbursement resolutions for the purpose of federal tax compliance: they declare the city's intent to reimburse certain pre-bond expenses with bond proceeds. Staff enumerated preliminary reimburseable costs for Fire Station 85 (about $155,000), police department stormwater and site work (about $350,000 plus land purchase), Park Street design work (about $127,000) and construction-related costs for Station 84 (about $2,200,000 in construction-related issuance activity to date). Staff emphasized the resolutions do not themselves authorize bond issuance.

Votes at a glance: - Motion to approve minutes (03/10/2025): Moved by Kurt Wanninger; seconded by Victor McCarty. Roll call: Chad Huff (yes); Victor McCarty (yes); Patrick Tam (yes); Kurt Wanninger (yes); John Dart (yes); Joe Depner (yes); Noah Herron (yes). Outcome: approved, 7-0.

- Motion to approve claims docket (03/24/25): Moved by Noah Herron; seconded by Chad Huff. Roll call: all councilors recorded yes. Outcome: approved, 7-0.

- Ordinance 25-12 (Ambrose on Main TIF bond ordinance), second reading and adoption: Moved by Victor McCarty; seconded by Chad Huff. Roll call: Patrick Tam (yes); Kurt Wanninger (yes); John Dart (yes); Joe Depner (yes); Noah Herron (yes); Chad Huff (yes); Victor McCarty (yes). Outcome: approved, 7-0.

- Resolution 25-112 (reimbursement intent for park improvements, police HQ and Fire Station 85): Moved by Kurt Wanninger; seconded by Victor McCarty. Roll call: Kurt Wanninger (yes); John Dart (yes); Joe Depner (yes); Noah Herron (yes); Chad Huff (yes); Victor McCarty (yes); Patrick Tam (yes). Outcome: approved, 7-0.

- Resolution 25-114 (reimbursement intent for Fire Station 84): Moved by Kurt Wanninger; seconded by Victor McCarty. Roll call: all councilors recorded yes. Outcome: approved, 7-0.

The council recessed into other agenda items after the votes; additional ordinances and PUD amendments were discussed on first reading without final action.