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Edwardsville got one step closer Monday night to providing its residents with an incentive to rehabilitate some of the more historic homes in the city.

In a work session prior to their regular meeting, council members set the preliminary guidelines of a new Neighborhood Revitalization Act. The program would allow residents who make improvements to their property or build a new structure to receive a tax abatement.

The majority of Monday’s discussion revolved around what area would be included in the city’s first attempt at such an act.

City Administrator Michael Webb presented the council with the suggestion of using the boundaries of the Union Pacific Railroad on the north, 9th Street on the east, the Kansas River on the south and 3rd and 4th streets on the west.

“I think the goal here is to encourage reinvesting in some of the more historical areas of our city,” said Mayor William “Heinz” Rodgers. “We should start with a small area and get our feet wet and work though the process.”

Council member Chuck Adams disagreed.

“My concern is that we work hard on the program and then only two people come in, and then it’s a program failure on the books,” he said. “I’m much more apt to expand the area. If we try out this small area and it fails, it would ruin the opportunity for promoting the program in the future.”

Webb said the reason he chose this section of Edwardsville was because it provided a wide range of building styles. Webb said this first, smaller area would give the city a good idea of who takes advantage of the program.

In the end, all the council members agreed that Webb’s suggested boundaries would be used.

Webb divided the plan into three property categories: single family, multi-family and commercial.

For single-family rehabilitations, there would be a 10-year term at 95 percent tax abatement with a $5,000 minimum investment. Single-family new buildings would be eligible for a 5-year term at 50 percent tax abatement with a $50,000 minimum investment.

For multifamily rehabilitations, there would be a 10-year term at 50 percent tax abatement with a $25,000 minimum investment.

For commercial rehabilitations, there would be a 10-year term at 50 percent tax abatement with a $25,000 minimum investment. New commercial buildings would be eligible for a 10-year term at 50 percent tax abatement with a $250,000 minimum investment.

In other action Monday, the council:

• Heard a proclamation from Rodgers that proclaimed March 2009 as Professional Social Work Month.

• Heard a reminder that from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 28, the city would host a clean up day at City Park, 1200 Blake St. Proof of residency will be required.

Items that will not be allowed are paint, batteries, oil, anything flammable, corrosive or potentially explosive liquids, tires, concrete, stone, dirt and asphalt shingles.

• Approved, 5-0, to have a work session at 6 p.m. prior to the Monday, May 11 meeting. Adams said he wanted to use the work session to introduce the new mayor and potential council members to Roberts Rules of Order.

• Heard a report from Rodgers about several employment opportunities that are up for bid in the city. Rodgers said those interested can go to edwardsvilleks.org to learn about the bidding process.

• Heard a report from Webb concerning the $775,000 the Mid-America Regional Council awarded the city as part of the stimulus funds for work on Woodend Road. Webb said there were a few other avenues in which the city was hoping to get additional funding for other projects such as 110th Street and a possible walking trail from city park to the Kansas River boat ramps.

Webb also said there was some confusion with a survey that was sent out to residents living along 110th Street and Edwardsville Drive, which runs from I-70 down to K-32. He said the purpose was to get resident’s opinions on design issues such as the need for sidewalks, bike paths and gutters.

The final topic of his report covered the recent announcement that Millard Refrigerated Services, 2350 South 98th St., recently won a property tax appeal that reduced its value from $22-25 million to $15 million, which could mean a $250,000 loss in revenues for the city. Webb said he spoke with the Unified Government and would have a report for the council at the March 23 meeting.

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