16 July 2021 SE Indiana Regional Port Authority Meeting
Present: 6/12 and 2/12 via telephone so all votes have to be by roll call.
Aurora: Mark Drury, Benjamin Turner (via telephone), Derek Walker
Dearborn County: Jim Thatcher (Chairman), Tom Palmer (Secretary), Eric Kranz
Greendale: Alan Weiss (Vice Chair), Al Abdon ( via telephone), E.G. McLaughlin
Also present: Andy Baudendistel, Legal Counsel
ABSENT: Lawrenceburg: Kelly Mollaun, Lenny Fryman, Sarah Jordan, Dearborn County: Eric Krantz
- ANNOUNCEMENTS – none
- APPROVAL OF MINUTES: May 21st, 2021 Meeting approved.
- GUEST SPEAKERS – BLN- John DiDimasio update on the training workshop in September. Libby presented the rest. Jurisdictional authority, preliminary mapping and zoning- how big a sandbox to play in and Business models. Ports of Indiana have 3- and then there are other port in Indiana. Not all ports have waterfront access. Hoosier Heritage Port Authority - Noblesville, Fischers, and Hamilton County to preserve a rail corridor. They still have tourist train operation too. This is an example that what people normally think of as a Port Authority. Perry County Port Authority with the city of Madison - purchased a rail line that was to be take out- then a major auto parts manufacturer came in that used the rail to get the project. The county operated the rail line. There is also a recreational component using it on the weekends. Ports of Indiana organized in 1961. Freight and jobs that have resulted from that are substantial. Foreign trade zones exist in ports. Subaru has one for example. Pharmaceuticals also use foreign trade zones. Ports have the right of eminent domain. You can accept and receive federal grants, These are in the millions of dollars. John DiDimasio continued- noted there were a lot of opportunities to create projects. They took a quick look at the Tanners Creek site- it has a lot of connectivity. Part is under Aurora and part under Lawrenceburg. There are 2 different zoning regimens applied to the property. 640 acres is zoned general MFG and Industry. Aurora has some in Ag. You need to consider the zoning of sites you want to work with. They also looked at flood maps and floodplains. You have to see the depths of the water and whether you need to dredge for barges etc. Transportation date and traffic counts were looked at. This data is pre-COVID. The Governor announced the 101 connector to Markland from US 50. Properties can be leveraged. Survey on vision of the future- wants 71% regional leader in recreation and livability and 29% a port to transform regional freight movement. Discussion of CSX lines that are available in our area and also other rail. Things are moving to containerization. Some routes can’t handle certain sizes due to tunnels etc. Questions about the benefits for the local distilleries. Libby presented various models that port authorities use. They depend on how you want to proceed and staffing too. Truck parking sites and where they currently are is being considered. There are apps to use for truck parking. A transportation bill coming up may include things to help with this. OKI was recently awarded something for solar. 216 solar workers in Ohio. There is a 20% tax credit for solar end users. Technologies get funding depending. Active or Passive solar. Multiple users, improving competition can also improve ability to get state money. We have competing intermodal facilities close by. Cincinnati’s ports should be considered when we decide what role to fill. Na rm of the national park service is looking at the waterways. OKI also done work with a digital guide books of facilities around the Ohio River. John DeDimasio spoke about the landing in Aurora. This is close to a park. On Sept 17th they will have the workshop at IVY Tech. Libby wanted them to think about their top models they like. Generally we have to think of something to bring in revenue.
- NEW BUSINESS-
- OLD BUSINESS- Larry Boyd (Erics Bayview Grill and Marina)- on telephone- presented a 3 stage program with the dredging company. Derrick Walker said that they are getting ideas about what we can do with the Port. Larry - Help finance the dredging and get a filling station down there and share percentage of their revenue stream for the help. They also are considering floating cabins with inn keepers tax. The vision is to bring that marina back to life and a place for people to bring their families here. They also have a campground site. A general store there for the campground and boaters. They can combine 3 barges there and combine them for a restaurant bar there. Kayaks too. Boaters are asking about overnight facilities. He thinks its a facility option the whole area can use. 44 acres with a fair amount of it as water. They have expansion opportunities. They are working on a budget on 3 phases. Dredging, docks, gas, camping, and the store would be early on as they bring in revenue. Dredging is $140,000 for the first phase. The second portion 2nd year. They will manufacture the floating houses here in town. It mimics something like in Cumberland. He’s trying to see if the Port Authority would consider “partnering” for want of a better word with this. Army Corps of engineers for dredging ( McKay) helped with that. He was aware of Wilson Creek issue that complicated the previous dredging. Pontoon boats now- and 20-25 ft boats. Permits with Randy Turner in Aurora and lift station for sewage has to be installed. Nicole Daily and Building Dept have been consulted. From the electrical standpoint - there is already electricity by the docks have to be redone. The marina is located in the floodway. The county only controls the flood plain. IDNR controls the floodway. Larry said they would not be building anything permanent in that floodway as that is not allowed. All these items would be mobile. The lift station has to be encapsulated as it has to go under water. IDNR has to know about the floating fuel station also. Board said they would like to see approved plans before deciding. The public private partnership could be a good idea if we see the payback period and amount to justify using public money. The traffic in and out will keep the dredging in pretty good shape for about 5 years, then more maintenance dredging. It takes 3 weeks for first dredging. Can start in December possibly. There is a disposal pond there for the dredging. By May 31st next year it will be dredged.
- FINANCIAL REPORT / INVOICES- Palmer presented- BLN $236.35 plus $473.30 for 1 and 3 percent of action plan- approved.
- PUBLIC COMMENT- none
- CONFIRMATION OF NEXT MEETING (Tentatively scheduled for September 17th, 2021?)
- ADJOURNMENT - 2:30PM
