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Lawrence Redevelopment Commission approves Baker Tilly amendment and transfers $185,000 bond reserve
Summary
At its April 16 meeting the Lawrence City Redevelopment Commission approved a 2026 amendment with Baker Tilly to continue financial-analyst services and authorized transferring $185,000 from a retired bond debt-reserve fund into the commission's main spending account; staff also reported on upcoming bids and an overlay-district review with Indianapolis planning staff.
The Lawrence City Redevelopment Commission on April 16 approved an amendment to its agreement with Baker Tilly to provide financial-analyst services for 2026 and authorized the transfer of $185,000 from a retired bond debt-reserve fund into the commission's main spending account.
A Baker Tilly representative told commissioners, "There's a new requirement in our state statute that requires any municipal entity or public entity to post on their website their services with financial advisors," and said the firm had not executed a 2026 amendment before the meeting and was providing the agreement as a DocuSign amendment to a 2020 base contract. The amendment updates scope and rates for 2026, the representative said.
Commissioners asked whether the 2026 amendment differed from 2025 beyond rates and whether obligations described in the amendment were already in place. Staff said the base contract remains in effect and that the controller's office, which serves as treasurer to the Redevelopment Commission, already performs or will make arrangements to perform the functions referenced in the amendment.
A motion to approve the 2026 amendment was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote; the commission authorized the executive director to sign the DocuSign amendment on the commission's behalf.
Executive Director Greg Goodnight updated commissioners on upcoming work, saying, "Just a reminder, we have the opening of the bids for the Pendleton Pike Islands next Friday the week of 4:24 at 2:00 p.m.," and reported continued meetings with property owners and multi-family developers exploring redevelopment opportunities across Lawrence.
A commissioner asked about a line in this month's paid claims related to the Monarch property labeled "Project Indigo." Staff explained that economic-development organizations sometimes use project names for leads and that the Redevelopment Commission itself had not issued bonds under the current administration; questions about bond-document changes or incentives would be handled with bond counsel and the relevant economic-development partners.
Staff also gave an update on the proposed overlay district, saying staff had met with City of Indianapolis planners, were awaiting written comments and were aiming to move the overlay forward this year once feedback is incorporated and planning staff indicated support.
On a separate motion, the commission authorized staff to transfer the remaining balance of $185,000 from Fund 408, a bond debt-reserve account for Pendleton Pike bonds retired in December, into Fund 406 (the commission's main spending account) and to close Fund 408; that motion was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote.
Routine procedural items concluded the meeting: approval of prior minutes and the monthly claims were carried by voice vote, and the commission adjourned at 3:48 p.m.
Next steps: staff will execute the Baker Tilly amendment via DocuSign as authorized and proceed with the Fund 408-to-406 transfer; staff will also circulate the city of Indianapolis' written comments on the overlay district once received.
