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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-03-17 NURB minutesNURB Meeting – January 3, 2017 1 Northeast Urban Renewal Board (NURB) Regular Meeting Tuesday, January 3, 2017 The Northeast Urban Renewal Board met in regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 3, 2017, in the Conference Room, Professional Building, 20 East Olive Street, Bozeman, Montana. Present: Absent: Voting Members: Erik Nelson, Chair Daniel Doehring Bobbi Clem Robert Pavlic Jeanne Wesley-Wiese Non-Voting Members: Tom Noble John Usher Commissioner Liaison: I-Ho Pomeroy Staff: Brit Fontenot, Economic Development Director Robin Sullivan, Recording Secretary Guests: Shane Strong, KLJ Engineering Chris Nixon, 719 North Wallace Avenue Maurice Quanbeck, 520 North 11th Avenue David Curry, Simkins-Hallin Addi Jadin, City Planning Call to Order –Chair Erik Nelson called the meeting to order at 6:33 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 6, 2016. Jeanne Wesley-Wiese asked that Jenna Caplette’s name be added to the list of guests at the meeting. It was moved by Bobbi Clem, seconded by Bob Pavlic, that the minutes of the meeting of December 6, 2016, be approved as amended. The motion carried on a 4-0 vote. NURB Meeting – January 3, 2017 2 Discussion/Action Items – Presentation of Regional/Urban Design Team (RUDAT) project – ThinkTank Design Group. Brian Caldwell, ThinkTank Design Group, gave a brief background on the RUDAT process and how he envisions it can help the northeast neighborhood. He is seeking a letter of support from this Board as well as a possible financial contribution. He stated part of the American Institute of Architects mission as a non-profit is to give back to the community through volunteerism and has created RUDAT as a public outreach arm. It has been in existence for forty-five years and has been used in Missoula. The intent is to bring in between six and twelve volunteers to help create a neighborhood or community plan or a sub-area plan. Brian Caldwell stated the cost of this project is approximately $48,000, and he has submitted a grant application for Big Sky Trust Foundation monies for slightly over $24,000. The monies are to cover the costs of travel for the team and volunteers who come from around the nation and participate in a five-day intensive design charrette. He noted the project will begin around January 15 and is to be complete by the end of March or early April. He characterized this as a great opportunity for the northeast neighborhood to have meaningful dialogue that is documented in a way that results in the basis for a neighborhood plan. He announced that the MSU School of Architecture will participate in the event. Brian Caldwell stated he is very interested in the RUDAT process, noting he has been trying to develop properties within this district for the past fifteen years. The RUDAT project is to include not only this TIF district but some of the properties immediately outside it, like the old Montana Department of Transportation site, the Story Mill Park and the Idaho Pole site. Also, he noted the Montana Department of Transportation is committed to reconstructing North Rouse Avenue beginning this next summer, so he envisions this corridor as having more opportunity for development than the North 7th corridor. He concluded by estimating this project will include approximately $150,000 in volunteer time. Responding to questions from Erik Nelson, Brian Caldwell confirmed that ThinkTank Design Group will participate in the project but will receive no compensation. He then reviewed the process, noting that a steering committee of roughly ten people will hold weekly or bi-weekly meetings that are open to the public to help gather information and brainstorm on how to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the district and the information that volunteers will need when they arrive. He then stated that Mercury Advertising has volunteered their time to advertise and get people involved. Jeanne Wesley-Wiese voiced her support for this RUDAT project but questioned whether the Board can commit monies to it. Responding to questions from Bob Pavlic, Brian Caldwell stated he plans to seek both emotional and financial buy-in to this project, noting he plans to approach Simkins-Hallin, Kenyon-Noble and other businesses in the area for a financial contribution. He hopes to have the meetings for this project located in a building within this district if possible. Further responding to questions from Bob Pavlic, Brian Caldwell stated that letters of support will help with the grant application, which was due on December 28. He has letters of support from the City Manager and the Mayor and verbal support from the NENA. He noted that a letter of support from this Board and letters of support from business owners would also help to convey the widespread support for this grant application and this process. NURB Meeting – January 3, 2017 3 Responding to Brit Fontenot, Brian Caldwell stated the composition of the steering committee is not final at this time and confirmed that one of these Board members could be included. He is also seeking a representative of NENA to sit on the committee It was moved by Jeanne Wesley-Wiese, seconded by Bob Pavlic, that the Board send a letter of support for this project and the grant application. The motion carried on a 4-0 vote. Erik Nelson asked the Board to address the request for financial assistance for this project. Robin Sullivan stated that she has reviewed the current budget and has identified some line items where monies may be available. She cautioned, however, that this RUDAT project is not included in the work plan or the budget and she can find no line item under which it might fit, so it may be necessary to go through the budget amendment process before monies can be committed. Brit Fontenot stated that Planning Director Marty Matsen is aware of this project. He then noted this is an opportunity for this Board to have an impact on the creation documents and on what will occur beyond the boundaries of this TIF district. He views this as an opportunity to enhance the budget for this Board through redevelopment. Responding to Bobbi Clem, Brian Caldwell stated the bulk of the expenses will be incurred in March and April when the volunteers travel to Bozeman. Erik Nelson suggested that the RUDAT look at places of cultural interest to be preserved, like the depot rehabilitation and possibly a public arts component for this district. He noted this project would help to bring all of those elements together. Erik Nelson asked that possible commitment of monies be placed on the agenda for the February meeting and asked that Recording Secretary Sullivan find out if a budget amendment is necessary and the timeline involved and then identify possible funding for that commitment. Introduction of Forrest Sanderson, KLJ, to Board. Shane Strong briefly introduced Forrest Sanderson to the Board, noting he is participating in this meeting via telecon. Forrest Sanderson stated he works in the Billings office of KLJ but has no problem traveling around the state as necessary. He gave a brief bio of himself, noting he graduated from Belgrade High School in 1981, served in the Army and then received his degree from MSU in 1989. Since then he has served in planning departments in Lake County, Flathead County and Red Lodge, serving as Director in all three places. He “retired” from Red Lodge in 2014 and within a few days began working for the KLJ office in Billings. He is a certified floodplain manager and an AICP certified planner. He concluded by stating he likes to see projects on the ground as quickly as possible. Brit Fontenot stated he has provided Forrest Sanderson the materials that this Board has been using over the last several months, including the work plan and budget and the resolution for bonding. NURB Meeting – January 3, 2017 4 Review of previously budgeted monies for Aspen Street pedestrian bridge; possible funding sources; permitting process and project costs. Distributed just prior to the meeting was a memo from Shane Strong, dated January 3, 2017, providing an updated estimate for the pedestrian bridge, which is based on the bid received for a steel truss pedestrian bridge in Livingston. The cost estimate is $89,100 for the bridge plus engineering costs. Shane Strong indicated they are also seeking a price for a timber bridge, and he will forward that information when it is available. Shane Strong cautioned that Director of Public Works Woolard is requiring pedestrian improvements on East Aspen Street to connect the pedestrian bridge to North Rouse Avenue. He stated there is a trail along the east side of the creek to provide access to that end of the bridge and to connect it to the street system. Erik Nelson asked if there is a way to postpone the requirement for installing sidewalks since North Rouse Avenue is to be reconstructed in the next few years. He then asked Shane Strong to work with Director of Public Works Woolard to identify the least expensive way to provide pedestrian connectivity at this time. He also asked that both the bridge and the required pedestrian improvements be included as an alternate in the bid next spring. Bobbi Clem asked about the possibility of vacating that portion of East Aspen Street lying just east of North Wallace Avenue so they can count it toward parking requirements. She stated that the Director of Public Works will provide millings from the North Rouse Avenue reconstruction, but she and the property owner to the south must pay the costs of seal coating and striping the lot Erik Nelson stated that street right-of-way has value to the Tin Works, which lies to the east. He then noted he may be able to assist in addressing some of the parking issues with his proposed development. Jeanne Wesley-Wiese voiced her opposition to vacating any public right-of-way. She then noted this issue is not on the agenda and suggested it be added to next month’s agenda for discussion. Review of updated timeline for sale of bonds and completion of the street designs and bidding documents for East Peach Street and East Tamarack Street. Recording Secretary Robin Sullivan distributed copies of the revised spreadsheet showing the steps and timelines. Brit Fontenot reviewed the timeline, which is contained in the resolution that the Commission has approved for the sale of bonds. He then noted that the reconstruction of East Peach Street and East Tamarack Street will be phased so that the streets are not closed at the same time. Review of 30% design drawings for East Peach Street and East Tamarack Street. Shane Strong stated he has developed a non-standard street design for East Peach Street that includes 11½-foot-wide driving lanes and an 8-foot-wide parking lane on the south side of the street. Because of the narrow width of the street, no bike lanes will be provided but the street will have sharrows. He stated that Bob Murray and Andy Kerr have commented on the design; however, City Engineer Rick Hixson and Director of Public Works Craig Woolard are the ones NURB Meeting – January 3, 2017 5 that have to approve it, and they have not yet responded. He then stated he is working on the centerline for the design and is getting the horizontal ties identified so he can move to the next step in designing the improvements. Responding to questions from Bobbi Clem, Erik Nelson stated the previous plans were submitted to the Bike board and other City boards as well as staff when they were 95 percent complete. He indicated that public input will be considered at that time. Shane Strong turned his attention to the preliminary designs for East Tamarack Street, noting that the street is 37 feet wide back-of-curb to back-of-curb. It will include a bike lane on the north side of the street and narrower driving lanes. He is awaiting approval from the City Engineer and the Director of Public Works for this design as well. He then stated he has the PDF files from the engineers for the North Rouse Avenue reconstruction project; however, he needs the CAD drawings so he can better identify those improvements and how to transition from these street designs to those for North Rouse Avenue. He noted that the improvements in those plans extend further than he had anticipated when he did the cost estimates, so the costs may be slightly lower than projected. Updates on current projects and updated project cost estimates. Shane Strong reported that Knife River still has the punch list items and striping to do on North Wallace Avenue. He then stated he is reviewing a pay request that is $170,000 over bid, due in large part to the subgrade stabilization. He noted that, even with the additional costs, the actual costs are lower than the estimate. Responding to Jeanne Wesley-Wiese, Shane Strong asked that any additional punch list items be forwarded to him so he can include them in the list. Staff updates on items of interest to the Board. Economic Development Director Brit Fontenot reported that he has asked Shane Strong to look at the installation of fiber conduit in East Tamarack Street in conjunction with the reconstruction, noting that it will tie into the existing fiber backbone at a later date. He indicated the costs of that installation will be an alternate in the bid. The Board members voiced their agreement with including the fiber conduit in the bid, noting it is an important service to provide whenever possible. Update on financial status of NURB fund. Recording Secretary Robin Sullivan distributed copies of the revenues and expenditures for Fiscal Year 2016-17. She briefly highlighted the figures, noting that only a small portion of the first half property taxes have been distributed because the deadline for payment was extended to the middle of December. Accept resignation of Erik Nelson from Board, effective January 31, 2017. Jeanne Wesley-Wiese noted that Erik Nelson has served well on the Board and has a lot of experience with the district. Bobbi Clem and Bob Pavlic voiced their agreement. NURB Meeting – January 3, 2017 6 The Board recognized the conflicts that Erik Nelson would face if he remained on the Board and accepted his resignation. Election of Chair and Vice Chair for 2017. Erik Nelson asked if the Board wishes to elect a Chair and Vice Chair at this meeting or wait until a full Board is appointed and present. Jeanne Wesley-Wiese suggested that these appointments be delayed. Brit Fontenot stated no applications are on file for a voting member on this Board, and the City Clerk will not place it on the Commission agenda until she has some. Set agenda for February 7, 2017 meeting or cancel meeting. Items to be included on the February 7 agenda, in addition to the standard agenda items, are possible budgeting of monies for the RUDAT project, an update on costs for the pedestrian bridge with pedestrian improvements along East Aspen Street, and possible vacating of right-of-way for East Aspen Street extending east from North Wallace Avenue. Brit Fontenot stated he will draft a letter of support for the RUDAT project and send it to Jeanne Wesley-Wiese for editing and signature. FYI/Discussion (formerly Neighborhood News). Bob Pavlic noted that, with Treasure State Oil no longer located on Front Street, there is a possibility Jay O’Neil will no longer need the lease on the depot. He suggested it may be beneficial to contact the railroad to find out if it will be available for leasing. Erik Nelson asked Bob Pavlic if he would contact the railroad since he is the Board member that has the most contact with them; Bob responded that he will find out if the depot is available for the same lease that Jay O’Neil paid for cold storage. Adjournment – 8: 20p.m. There being no further business to come before the Board at this time, Chair Nelson adjourned the meeting. Erik Nelson, Chair Northeast Urban Renewal Board City of Bozeman