Benton Harbor Brownfield board approves minutes and financials, schedules training and next steps

The Benton Harbor Brownfield Redevelopment Authority approved its meeting minutes and accepted financial reports for January and February, then voted to approve March payables and reimbursement items.

Teresa, the board consultant, reviewed the February financials, reporting a checking balance of $78,817.92 and $220,269.56 in the LBRF money-market account, and noted property tax revenue had been recorded but the city check was expected in March. "We have a few signatories, so I'm not able to do that at a staff level," she said when describing the transfer process required to fund a payable from the LBRF to checking.

The board confirmed earlier actions including a previously approved $150,000 grant and a $25,000 supplemental loan for the Kings Court housing project; Teresa said staff will prepare a written loan agreement and submit it to the board attorney for review before the board takes final action. "Once we have this formal agreement in place that the lawyer has reviewed, you do need to take action on that agreement," Teresa said.

City Manager Mr. Little gave historical context on brownfield obligations, explaining a prior set of property transfers connected to Harbor Shores and emergency-manager-era decisions have constrained some grant eligibility. "When the package was put together . . . the city had no vote, no say . . . As a result of that, this city has not been able to apply for any recreational money through DNR, the National Park Service, since about 2015," Mr. Little said.

After discussion, the board approved the January and February financial statements by roll call vote, seven to zero. The motion to approve March payables—covering consultant invoices, EPA grant application work and a previously authorized reimbursement to Blueestar 14 LLC—also carried seven to zero.

The meeting closed with direction to staff: prepare the Kings Court loan document for counsel review, coordinate any needed LBRF-to-checking transfers with signatories, and return the contract for board action at the next regular meeting or a special meeting if a timely vote is required. The board adjourned at 5:25 p.m.