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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-05-16 NURB MinutesNURB Meeting – January 5, 2016 1 Northeast Urban Renewal Board (NURB) Regular Meeting Tuesday, January 5, 2016 The Northeast Urban Renewal Board met in regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 5, 2016, in the Conference Room, Professional Building, 20 East Olive Street, Bozeman, Montana. Present: Absent: Voting Members: Tom Noble, Chair Erik Nelson Robert Pavlic Daniel Doehring Jeanne Wesley-Wiese Non-Voting Members: John Usher Commissioner Liaison: I-Ho Pomeroy Staff: Brit Fontenot, Economic Development Director Kyle Mehrens, Stormwater Coordinator Robin Sullivan, Recording Secretary Guests: Maurice Quanbeck, 520 North 11th Avenue Carl Jackson, KLJ Engineering Shari Eslinger, KLJ Engineering Call to Order – Chair Tom Noble called the meeting to order at 6:36 p.m. Changes to the Agenda – No changes were made to the agenda. Public Comment – No comment was received under this agenda item. Minutes – December 1, 2015. It was moved by Bob Pavlic, seconded by Jeanne Wesley- Wiese, that the minutes of the meeting of December 1, 2015, be approved as submitted. The motion carried on 3-0 vote. Discussion/Action Items – Review of projects in work plan; updates on cost estimates and timelines. Recording Secretary Sullivan distributed copies of the spreadsheet showing revenues and expenditures through December 2015. NURB Meeting – January 5, 2016 2 Carl Jackson, KLJ, Engineering, stated his involvement in the North Wallace Avenue design has been as a quality check. He provided an update on the road design components that have changed since the public meetings were held. He noted that during those meetings, the exact location of the traffic island between East Tamarack Street and the railroad tracks was identified as a moving target, pending discussion with representatives from Kenyon-Noble. Those discussions have been held, and it has been determined there is no good location between East Tamarack Street and the railroad tracks, so the island has been moved to the northeast side of the railroad tracks. This location will still meet its purpose, which is to create traffic calming and alert drivers that they are entering the North Wallace Avenue corridor. Economic Development Director Brit Fontenot stated that during the meeting, he raised questions about whether the changes will change the intended outcome. He was assured it will not and, in fact, may even provided added benefit for pedestrian safety by slowing traffic as it crosses the railroad tracks. He further noted that, since the island has been relocated outside this district, another source of funding will be used to cover the estimated $2,000 to $4,000 cost of the island. Responding to questions from Jeanne Wesley-Wiese, Economic Development Director Fontenot stated the total cost of the improvements will be spread across the special improvement district based on linear footage. He then confirmed that the costs of the basic street reconstruction will be split with the street reconstruction fund on an 85/15-percent basis but the costs of the extra items, like the bulb-outs and islands, will be fully funded through the special improvement district or tax increment financing dollars. Jeanne Wesley-Wiese asked how this new information is to be disseminated to the property owners. Economic Development Director Brit Fontenot distributed copies of a letter from City Engineer Rick Hixson, dated January 5, which has been mailed to all affected property owners along North Wallace Avenue; and an update is being provided to this Board at this meeting. He then stated that if this Board does not support the design changes that have been made within the district boundaries, the consulting engineer needs to know. Jeanne Wesley-Wiese expressed concern about relocation of the island, noting the neighborhood had anticipated it would keep the Kenyon-Noble employees from parking adjacent to the roadway. Bob Pavlic noted that when the new Front Street trail is improved, the cars will no longer be able to park in that area. Carl Jackson stated City Engineer Rick Hixson has indicated the sidewalk, which currently ends before the railroad tracks, will not be extended past the railroad tracks with this street improvement, but will be constructed as a separate project at a later date. He then stated the final documents are to be completed by February 29, so there is still time to resolve some of the design questions. Responding to Chair Noble, Economic Development Director Fontenot confirmed that this Board could choose to pay for the island because it will benefit this district even though it has now been moved outside the district boundaries. He noted that Director of Public Service NURB Meeting – January 5, 2016 3 Craig Woolard has indicated he will fund that portion of the project, so he does not believe this Board needs to assume those costs. In response to questions from Jeanne Wesley-Wiese, the Economic Development Director gave an update on the meeting between the GVLT, TOPS and members of this Board regarding funding for the railroad crossing improvements and trail connections. He noted that Erik Nelson thought those other groups may be willing to contribute financially to the pedestrian railroad crossing improvements since developments outside the district, such as the Story Mill Park, will result in the need to provide a safe crossing for pedestrians. He noted the Board member indicated this Board could support the project with a $25,000 allocation that includes design of a simplified crossing with a 5-foot-wide sidewalk, curb and gutter. Unfortunately, the representatives of the other groups did not show a lot of interest in contributing toward the costs of improving that crossing. Responding to Chair Noble, Director Fontenot stated the representatives of the GVLT and TOPS see the crossing as a railroad issue and not a trails or parks issue. Jeanne Wesley-Wiese stated she thinks the crossing should be done right the first time instead of pursuing small improvements within the existing right-of-way. She then stressed that this is a community issue and not just a district issue. Economic Development Director Fontenot stated the Board must now determine if this project is important enough to continue inching forward with the design or if it wishes to wait until others wanting to make the improvements have committed to the project. Responding to Chair Noble, the Director stated the Board has $25,000 in its budget for design of the North Wallace Avenue improvements. Shari Eslinger stated the railroad crossing is a major safety concern because of the trail extensions that will funnel people to this crossing and the pending Story Mill Park improvements. She then stated that Brad Koon in KLJ’s Helena office is the one that works on railroad projects. Chair Noble voiced his support for designing the most basic crossing, noting that design can then be presented to GVLT and TOPS; and they may become more interested at that time. Carl Jackson estimated the design cost at $7,000 to $10,000. He then noted that the Montana Department of Transportation has worked with the railroad for a standard design for crossings and, if that process is followed, it will be easier to complete. Carl Jackson stated that Sanderson Stewart is working on the design for the Front Street trail improvements, and the crossing for that trail connection has been identified. He noted that, even though the island has been relocated, the trail crossing will remain in the same place. Carl Jackson turned attention to the stormwater improvements for the North Wallace Avenue project. He stated that the traditional stormwater system will be continued to East Tamarack Street. There is some discussion that a detention pond north of East Tamarack Street could help reduce the stormwater costs, but they need to verify that there is space for an adequately sized detention pond. NURB Meeting – January 5, 2016 4 Kyle Mehrens, Stormwater Coordinator, stated the City is trying to provide treatment where there is currently direct discharge into Bozeman Creek. He noted that Wallace Avenue gathers stormwater from the Library, with many inlets located along the roadway. He stated that, rather than allowing the water to flow untreated into Bozeman Creek, the proposal is to install a mechanical system at East Tamarack Street that provides a vortex motion where the solids stay on top, the silts stay on the bottom and the clean water is discharged in the center. He noted that the stormwater improvements in the street will be paid through the SID and what is outside the district will be paid by the stormwater utility. He then noted that the existing stormwater system is undersized in a lot of areas. Carl Jackson stated the costs of those improvements have been incorporated in the costs previously shared with the Board. Kyle Mehrens then noted the stormwater system in East Tamarack Street will be upgraded in conjunction with those street improvements. He indicated that the long-term maintenance costs of the spinner will be borne by the City. Economic Development Director Fontenot stated staff felt this update was important because of the changes that have been made to the North Wallace Avenue project since the last meeting. Set priorities for projects to be funded through bond issue, based on information provided in previous agenda item. Responding to Chair Noble, Economic Development Director Fontenot stated the costs for stormwater improvements are included in the street improvements and, therefore, are included in the special improvement district. Jeanne Wesley-Wiese noted the last time improvements to North Wallace Avenue were proposed, the SID was killed because the estimate was much lower than the actual costs would have been. Responding to the Economic Development Director, Chair Noble and Jeanne Wesley-Wiese voiced support for putting conduit for fiber in the street as part of the project improvements. The Economic Development Director reminded the Board that at last month’s meeting, Dan Semmens, Dorsey and Whitney, indicated the first step in selling bonds is prioritizing the projects to be funded so that the bond amount can be determined. He also recommended that the Board prioritize the projects recognizing that the last one on the list may not be funded because of unforeseen costs in the other projects. Chair Noble asked if the board will receive updated cost estimates on East Tamarack Street and North Ida Avenue. The Director responded that the designs for those streets are only at a certain percentage complete. The intent is for the consulting engineer to bring those designs to completion and to develop cost estimates for those improvements. Chair Noble stated improvements to East Peach Street and East Tamarack Street are a top priority. He noted that many of the items on the Board’s long list of projects are not solid projects and not subject to funding through a bond issue. NURB Meeting – January 5, 2016 5 Shari Eslinger stated John How has some rough numbers put together for those streets, but completing those designs has been put on the back burner until after the North Wallace Avenue project is done. Economic Development Director Brit Fontenot noted that the Board needs a firm cost estimate for those street improvement projects by the next meeting so that they can better set priorities and identify what projects can be completed within the next three to five years. Responding to Chair Noble, the Economic Development Director stated the Board can bond for approximately $1.5 million at this time. Bob Pavlic stated he feels East Tamarack Street is the highest priority, particularly with the impending improvements to North Rouse Avenue. He then stated that improving East Peach Street would also be good. Chair Noble stated he would drop the quiet zone off the list for bonding because it will be very expensive. He then noted that the Board has the monies available to construct the pedestrian bridge, so that project can be dropped off the list of projects for bonding. Jeanne Wesley-Wiese stated she agrees with dropping the quiet zone off the list because it is a community issue. She would put the pedestrian crossing as a priority, though. Chair Noble stated he would put North Ida Avenue at the bottom of the list because it will be the hardest street to do; Jeanne Wesley-Wiese and Bob Pavlic voiced agreement. Responding to Bob Pavlic, Chair Noble stated the East Aspen Street project is for that portion between North Rouse Avenue and the creek. He then noted that, if the Board wishes, it could be combined with the pedestrian bridge project. Bob Pavlic stated he feels the Front Street project could also be dropped from the list. Carl Jackson stated KLJ Engineering needs to know the anticipated timing of these projects so that they can project out the costs. Chair Noble stated that Director of Public Service Woolard also needs to support the proposed improvements; and the City Commission has to approve them. Economic Development Director Brit Fontenot noted there are two railroad crossings in close proximity, and suggested a comprehensive plan is needed for both of them. John Usher suggested that the Board budget some monies for the quiet zone so that the information is available to seek community support. He noted that dropping the quiet zone project to the bottom of the list is acceptable, but he does not want to see it dropped off the list. Carl Jackson noted that a feasibility analysis would be helpful and provide some beneficial information. He then stated that KLJ will develop cost estimates, prioritizing East Tamarack Street and East Peach Street, combine the pedestrian bridge and East Aspen Street costs and give a proposal for a feasibility study for a quiet zone. NURB Meeting – January 5, 2016 6 Update on January 4 meeting with Gallatin Valley Land Trust. The Economic Development Director noted this was covered under the update on projects in the work plan. Initial discussion regarding work plan and budget for Fiscal Year 2016-2017. Chair Noble stated the Board needs to review the items in the work plan to determine if they continue to be important. Economic Development Director Fontenot stated there is renewed interest in the depot building, noting he has been getting calls recently. Set agenda for February 2, 2016 meeting or cancel meeting. Chair Tom Noble stated items for next month’s agenda include construction cost updates, prioritization of those items to be funded through bonding, and discussion with Director of Public Service Woolard regarding the district’s projects. Economic Development Director Fontenot asked that the Board set some goals, dates and deadlines for moving forward with the bonding process. Recording Secretary Sullivan reminded the Board that it must begin discussion on the budget and work plan for next year. FYI/Discussion (formerly Neighborhood News). No items were raised under this agenda item. Adjournment – 8:05 p.m. There being no further business to come before the Board at this time, Chair Noble adjourned the meeting. Tom Noble, Chair Northeast Urban Renewal Board City of Bozeman