Speedway redevelopment commission approves Main Street survey, dental developer reimbursement and roundabout design amendment; several payments cleared

The Speedway Redevelopment Commission on Jan. 27 approved a series of contracts, reimbursements and invoices intended to move several downtown projects toward construction and to clear routine financial items.

The commission voted unanimously to hire Keiser Consulting to perform a topographical survey for a planned Main Street overhaul, approve an economic-development agreement to reimburse DA Dental Partners for development fees tied to occupancy, accept an amendment to the design contract for the 16th and Main Street gateway roundabout, and pay a contractor for irrigation repairs on Crawfordsville Road. Commissioners also approved the commission slate, monthly claims and a temporary pay adjustment for an executive assistant.

The Main Street item authorized negotiation and execution of a professional-services contract with Keiser Consulting for a topographical survey priced at $40,100. Grant Kleinhens, town manager, told the commission the full design-and-bid package was estimated much higher but that the survey was the “most important part” at this point to establish existing pavement and subgrade conditions. He said the proposal can be phased and that doing the survey now will inform whether to pursue the full reconstruction at once or in stages.

Kleinhens also reviewed the claims docket and flagged the large debt-service disbursements in January’s total claims of $2,534,940.51, saying, “The claims amount total $2,534,940.51, which is significantly higher than it normally is.” Commissioners indicated the timing of bond and debt payments was expected and covered by tax increment financing and other revenues.

On economic development, the commission approved an agreement with DA Dental Partners LLC, owned by Ashwani Sharma, to reimburse documented development fees totaling $21,291. The reimbursement is conditioned on the developer obtaining a certificate of occupancy, a safeguard commissioners added to ensure the work is completed before funds are released. Kleinhens summarized the project cost at about $1,299,579.58 and noted the site had a reduced assessed value while vacant; commissioners said the project will raise the property assessment and local tax revenue.

The commission also approved amendment No. 1 to the professional-services agreement with REA for the 16th and Main Street gateway roundabout. The amendment added $172,300 of design and phasing work, bringing the contract to a total of $249,850. Commissioners asked Kleinhens to continue negotiating the scope and the construction-administration component so the commission can determine whether to use an owner’s representative for construction oversight.

A request from the Scannell family trust to return a Wilshaw deficiency payment was approved after staff said taxes were later received and covered the debt service. Philip (last name not specified in the record) had issued a deficiency check of $161,456.55 when taxes were late; the commission voted to reissue that amount back to the payor after the tax receipts cleared the account.

The commission approved a temporary pay adjustment for its executive assistant, Eder Lopez, at $125 per week (about $250 per pay period). Kleinhens said the adjustment mirrors past practice during staffing transitions and will continue until the economic-development director position is filled or until the end of the year; payments will cease the pay period after a new director starts.

Commissioners also approved an invoice of $30,155 to Smock Fansler for irrigation repairs and upgrades along Crawfordsville Road. Kleinhens said the item originally carried a not-to-exceed amount of $75,000 but that final costs came in well below that figure; “the final cost of that was only $30,155,” he said, and commissioners noted the upgrades will make the system easier to operate and maintain.

Votes at a glance: - Election of officers (slate: Jennifer Miller, president; Jacob Blaisdell, vice president; Christine Meter, secretary) — Passed, voice vote 5-0. - Approval of monthly claims ($2,534,940.51) — Passed, voice vote 5-0. - Professional services contract: Keiser Consulting — topographical survey $40,100 — Passed, voice vote 5-0. - Economic development agreement: DA Dental Partners LLC — reimbursement $21,291, tied to certificate of occupancy — Passed, voice vote 5-0. - Amendment No. 1 to REA professional-services agreement (16th/Main roundabout) — additional $172,300; total contract $249,850 — Passed, voice vote 5-0; staff authorized to negotiate scope details. - Return of Wilshaw deficiency payment to Scannell Development Company — $161,456.55 returned — Passed, voice vote 5-0. - Temporary pay adjustment for executive assistant Eder Lopez — $125 per week until position filled or end of year — Passed, voice vote 5-0. - Invoice approval: Smock Fansler (irrigation repairs) — $30,155 — Passed, voice vote 5-0.

Commissioners discussed phasing and public impacts for the Main Street work, noting the street’s age and the need to avoid disrupting events downtown. Jennifer Miller and other commissioners emphasized careful scheduling and phasing to minimize conflicts with festivals and business activity. Kleinhens said staff will return with refined scopes and schedules after the survey and as donor and budget decisions are firmed for the roundabout project.

The meeting ended after a short calendar discussion about temporarily moving the commission’s regular meeting day to the third Monday to avoid conflicts with town council executive sessions. The meeting was adjourned at 6:38 p.m.