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MINUTES OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE April 4, 2022 AUDITORIUM Present: Councilmembers Baker, Bullock, Kepple, Litten, O'Malley, Rader, & Shachner Also Present: Mayor Meghan George, Law Director Corrigan, Assistant Law Director Swallow, Planning Director Leininger, Chief of Staff John Storey, Clerk Bach taking minutes and approximately 30 members of the public Call to Order: 6:41 p.m. Lakewood Hospital Site Redevelopment Discussion President O'Malley made opening remarks, stating that Committee of the Whole wished to convene in advance of the formal introduction of the downtown development term sheet in order to begin deliberations as soon as possible. He explained that the resolution on the General Meeting docket this evening authorizes the mayor to enter into negotiations with CASTO regarding a development agreement. Once the development agreement is near finalized, the administration will return to Council for authorization to execute the development agreement. President O'Malley acknowledged members of the advisory panel, of which he was a member. The panel last met in mid-December. He emphasized that there will be a robust public input process as deliberation on the development project continues. Mayor George expressed enthusiasm for the proposal currently before the city, remarking that it captures the key goals of the visioning process which followed the loss of the hospital. She credited CASTO for its partnership and described the ley features of the proposal including a new gathering space, parking, hundreds of new apartments, commercial space and retaining one of the city's major employers. She emphasized that this is the very beginning of the process and that she is eager to hear from council and the public. Planning Director Leininger delivered a prepared presentation (attached here) which details the proposed development, highlights of which are summarized here. Director Leininger discussed the history of the site and its current conditions. Importantly, he mentioned that the city has received a No Further Action (NFA) letter from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and a covenant not to sue. The site's environmental issues have been resolved in the view of the EPA. Annual monitoring of the site and additional protections are part of those agreements with the EPA. In addition to environmental challenges, Director Leininger touched on the challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, including uncertainty, inflation, supply chain challenges and more. Focusing forward, Director Leininger emphasized that the city has held fast to the 13 development objectives it identified at the time the project was originally undertaken. He noted that the term sheet developed with CASTO is non-binding and many details are yet to be determined. He announced that Roundstone Insurance has committed to anchor the project and 1