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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-07-17 NURB MinutesNURB Meeting – February 7, 2017 1 Northeast Urban Renewal Board (NURB) Regular Meeting Tuesday, February 7, 2017 The Northeast Urban Renewal Board met in regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 7, 2017, in the Conference Room, Professional Building, 20 East Olive Street, Bozeman, Montana. Present: Absent: Voting Members: Jeanne Wesley-Wiese, Vice Chair Bobbi Clem Daniel Doehring (arrived at 7:55 p.m.) Robert Pavlic Non-Voting Members: John Usher Tom Noble Commissioner Liaison: I-Ho Pomeroy Staff: Brit Fontenot, Economic Development Director Robin Sullivan, Recording Secretary Guests: Jessica Johnson, Neighborhood Coordinator Shane Strong, KLJ Engineering Chris Nixon, 719 North Wallace Avenue Maurice Quanbeck, 520 North 11th Avenue Erik Nelson, 33 North Black Avenue Call to Order – Vice Chair Jeanne Wesley-Wiese 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 – January 3, 2017. It was moved by Bobbi Clem, seconded by Bob Pavlic, that the minutes of the meeting of January 3, 2017, be approved as submitted. The motion carried on a 3-0 vote. NURB Meeting – February 7, 2017 2 Discussion/Action Items – Introduction of Neighborhood Coordinator Jessica Johnson to Board. Jessica Johnson stated she has worked in the City Manager’s office for a little over a year. She gave a brief history of the neighborhood program, which has been in place for many years. The program was written into the City’s charter with a designated staff liaison and encourages the formation of neighborhood associations. The NorthEast Neighborhood Association (NENA) was the first organized neighborhood association in the city; and there are currently thirteen neighborhood associations with one representative from each of those associations serving on the InterNeighborhood Council (INC). Part of the neighborhood coordinator role is to encourage communication among parties and to disseminate information between those associations and the City. Jessica Johnson stated that a state of the neighborhoods address is given to the Commission each year by the INC. In that presentation, they share accomplishments from the past year, what they have identified as goals for the upcoming year and any recommendations they may have. She gave an overview of the state of the neighborhoods address that was recently given to the Commission, noting the presentation is available online. Brit Fontenot stated this tax increment financing district is approximately one-quarter the size of the NorthEast Neighborhood Association. He then noted that the neighborhood coordinator can help on the front end of issues and encouraged this Board to leverage her talents. He noted that she helped organize meetings on the recent retention pond issue. Jessica Johnson stated she uses Nextdoor to communicate with residents in the various neighborhoods. She lets people know about a variety of issues, including developments in their areas and the snow plowing schedules. Responding to John Usher, Jessica Johnson stated she can see how many are signed up for Nextdoor communications, but she does not have many viewing options. Responding to Bob Pavlic, Jessica Johnson stated she attends neighborhood association meetings and helps print newsletters for the various associations. The Board thanked the Neighborhood Coordinator for her presentation. Review of Aspen Street pedestrian bridge project and project costs. Shane Strong stated he talked to a bridge manufacturer and found that a timber bridge will cost approximately $5,000 more than a steel truss bridge. He also talked to Director of Public Works Craig Woolard and found that a concrete sidewalk along one side of East Aspen Street is required, at an estimated cost of $12,000. Brit Fontenot noted that at last month’s meeting, there was some question about whether the Planning Department would need to review this project. A discussion with that department over this past month revealed no review or approval is required. He also talked to the Parks Department to find out if they have any review authority since trails are involved as well as the pedestrian bridge; that department wants to look at it when the project comes closer to reality. NURB Meeting – February 7, 2017 3 Bobbi Clem noted that the RUDAT process will include a review of the overall connectivity of streets and trails. She suggested that this bridge and its location could be a part of that discussion. Jeanne Wesley-Wiese noted that those who live in this tax increment financing district and walk around the area recognize the benefits of the pedestrian bridge and stressed that it has had strong neighborhood support since it was first proposed. She stated it would be nice to have this project completed prior to the second phase of the reconstruction of North Rouse Avenue. Brit Fontenot reminded the Board that the costs of the two priority street reconstruction projects could potentially eat up all of the bond monies; and the bridge has always been a project to be done if monies are available. He proposed that the engineering for the bridge be done and that designing continue. Shane Strong stated that if the engineering work has been completed, this project could be bid as an alternate to the street reconstruction bids. Responding to Bob Pavlic, Shane Strong confirmed engineering for the bridge will cost approximately $11,000. He then noted that, even if the bridge is not installed now, the bridge design could be used for future installation. Discussion – possible request to vacate portion of East Aspen Street right-of-way extending east from North Wallace Avenue – Bobbi Clem. Bobbi Clem requested that this item be postponed until after the RUDAT process is completed. Possible budgeting of monies for RUDAT project; possible discussion regarding anticipated outcomes of RUDAT. Erik Nelson reported that the RUDAT process is designed to raise public awareness of the importance of specific projects to the neighborhood. He noted that those projects may include pedestrian connections and building opportunities. He stressed that the process is ground up rather than top down; and this is a fantastic opportunity for property owners in the district, this Board and NENA to provide input on what they envision for the area. Erik Nelson stated that Bozeman is one of four communities hosting design professionals this year. He noted the result of this process should be a platform for an overall development plan for this portion of the community. He acknowledged that this Board has a visioning document and goals and objectives, but this process will produce images that will help this neighborhood communication with the Planning Department. He then stated that the MSU School of Architecture has dedicated two graduate students to this process as well as ten students to help with information gathering and outreach. He concluded by asking that this Board support the project, both emotionally and financially. Bobbi Clem stated that she has attended steering committee meetings and met with the advance team; and she is impressed with the people and the process to date. Erik Nelson stated the steering committee is meeting on Tuesdays from now to April 6, when six design professionals will participate in a kick-off to introduce the team to members of the community and discussions begin. The team with take the information they gather and sit down NURB Meeting – February 7, 2017 4 in an intensive design charrette over a weekend, submitting their results to the community the next week. Responding to Brit Fontenot, Erik Nelson stated the advance group met with several people, including the current Mayor and future Mayor, Director of Community Development, Director of Public Works, City Manager, Economic Development Director, leaders of NENA and Ralph Johnson, Professor of Architecture at MSU. Erik Nelson stated he hopes to have NENA representation on the steering committee. He then noted that Mercury is doing the advertising for this project and raising community awareness about it. He indicated that the MSU students are doing an intensive amount of research on connectivity and current densities, providing the base data for the work to be done. He then stressed that this document is not a planning document, but is one that will include long, mid and short-term goals. Responding to Brit Fontenot, Erik Nelson stated the RUDAT project uses Envision Tomorrow software. What is on the ground today, including water, sewer, streets and trails, will be loaded into the computer, and the software will help to identify impacts on that infrastructure resulting from development on different properties. He then indicated that fiber could also be included in the process. Erik Nelson stated the loose boundaries of the RUDAT project include both sides of North Rouse Avenue between East Peach Street and East Oak Street, encompass the Idaho Pole site, the City-owned portion of the Fairgrounds, a portion of The Cannery District, and this TIF district, and consider the impacts of the downtown and the Story Mill Park on this area. Responding to comments from Board members, Erik Nelson stated the Director of Community Development recognizes that the melding of zoning districts was an effort to tell two opposing groups that they were both right. He also recognizes the RUDAT could provide a catalyst for a change in zoning. He concluded by noting that this process can result in a true neighborhood plan. Responding to John Usher, Erik Nelson stated he envisions the RUDAT document will live on a website. Since the document centers around this district, he feels the Board should take the reins on this process, noting that it could choose to adopt a portion or all of the final document. He noted that in one community, the RUDAT meetings were done on Facebook Live. In addition to the 700 people at the meeting, over 2000 people watched it. It was moved by Bob Pavlic, seconded by Jeanne Wesley-Wiese, that $15,000 be transferred from the railroad crossing to the RUDAT project. The motion carried on a 3-0 vote. Bobbi Clem stated it is her understanding that Prospera submitted the application for the RUDAT because of its non-profit status and suggested the check may need to be made to them. Review of 60% design drawings for East Peach Street and East Tamarack Street. Shane Strong stated he can electronically send the drawings to the Board. He then reviewed the current set of drawings, which are approximately 50 percent complete. He was to meet with Andy Kerr and Bob Murray in the City Engineering Department today; however, they cancelled. NURB Meeting – February 7, 2017 5 Shane Strong stressed that what is on the design drawings is what will be built. He noted that the sewer line in East Peach Street is to be replaced under almost all of the street, and the City Engineering Department has asked that a stormwater line be installed under the entire length of the street. He noted that the City installed a sewer line and a stormwater line in the Plum Avenue right-of-way north of East Peach Street. The stormwater line is a half-pipe in gravel bedding that will allow the stormwater to infiltrate into the ground. Responding to Bobbi Clem, Shane Strong agreed it would be nice to know what type of development may occur in this area and how it might impact the capacity of the water and sewer lines. He noted there is a large water main in East Peach Street and the sewer line replacement is currently at the same size as the existing one, and is tying into an 8-inch line. He turned attention to the stormwater line, noting that the one installed by the City is a 12-inch line; however, their minimum standard is a 15-inch line. Shane Strong turned attention to the interceptor sewer line in Front Street, which is limiting development on the east side of town and around the hospital. He stated the existing sanitary sewer line along the western portion of the East Tamarack Street project is a 30-inch pipe; however, at the manhole it reduces to a 10-inch line. The City’s CIP for Fiscal Year 2019 includes upsizing that line to a 24-inch line; and the Engineering staff has indicated monies are not budgeted for that upsizing in conjunction with this street reconstruction project. Failure to upsize the line at this time will result in the City tearing up a brand new street within a year after its reconstruction. He stated the meeting with Engineering staff has been rescheduled for Thursday; however, the Director of Public Works is out of the office until February 20. Responding to Jeanne Wesley-Wiese, Shane Strong stated that the water and sewer line replacements done in conjunction with these street reconstruction projects will be paid through the enterprise funds. The costs for those line replacements will be lower because the streets will already be torn up. Brit Fontenot stressed the importance of coordinating these infrastructure improvements so that a new road is not torn up. He then indicated he will work with City staff over the next few weeks to address this issue. The Board thanked Shane Strong for the update. Updates on current projects and updated project cost estimates. Shane Strong stated he has no updates at this time. Staff updates on items of interest to the Board. Economic Development Director Brit Fontenot stated the Commission has authorized bonding for this district, and he is working with bond counsel to put together the solicitation documents, which will go to the public on February 20. 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 revenues and expenditures to date, noting the first half property taxes have been received. NURB Meeting – February 7, 2017 6 Brit Fontenot noted that $50,000 had been budgeted for the railroad crossing improvements because that was the estimate submitted by Montana Rail Link. The invoice from Montana Rail Link, however, was for $2,781. He reminded the Board that he had received commitments from the Parks Department and Gallatin Valley Land Trust for $7500 each toward this project. He has informed them of the actual costs and asked that they set aside the monies they had committed for this for whatever the next project might be. Brit Fontenot asked that, in light of the savings realized for this crossing, the Board consider earmarking approximately $30,000 of those monies for putting interduct conduit from Front Street, along East Tamarack Street to the Fairgrounds. He noted that the conduit, with handholds, will allow for easy installation of fiber to this area in the future. Responding to John Usher, Brit Fontenot stated the conduit in the street at this time is probably proprietary private conduit. What he is proposing is an open access public conduit that ties to the backbone of the open access fiber system. Bobbi Clem noted that when North Wallace Avenue was reconstructed last summer, several property owners were definitely interested in seeing open access fiber conduit included, and were disappointed when it was not. Brit Fontenot reported that KLJ was overpaid by $6,943.52; and when they found the overage they issued a refund check. Election of Chair and Vice Chair for 2017. Jeanne Wesley-Wiese asked that this item be delayed until the current vacancy has been filled; the Board members agreed. Brit Fontenot noted that one application has been submitted for this position, and the Mayor wants to make the appointment as soon as possible but also wishes to have more applications from which to choose if possible. Set agenda for March 7, 2017 meeting or cancel meeting. Items to be included on the March 7 agenda, in addition to the standard agenda items, are review of the 90 percent designs for the street reconstruction projects, an update on the bond process and an update on the RUDAT project. John Usher asked that the street designs be forwarded to Board members prior to the meeting so they have an opportunity to review them before the presentation and be prepared to ask questions. FYI/Discussion (formerly Neighborhood News). Bob Pavlic reported that Treasure State Oil still has the lease on the depot. He suggested that the City consider approaching Montana Rail Link to pick up the lease, stating he feels it is important for the City or this Board to have control of the structure rather than an individual. Brit Fontenot stated he will contact MRL and express the City’s interest in leasing the depot. NURB Meeting – February 7, 2017 7 Chris Nixon noted that the park along the railroad tracks in Manhattan is the type of park improvement that this Board envisioned a few years ago. Bobbi Clem suggested that MRL be invited to participate in the RUDAT process. Chris Nixon announced that the Lehrkind Bed and Breakfast is on the market. Responding to Bob Pavlic, Chris Nixon stated nothing is happening with the Brewery property. Adjournment – 8:24 p.m. There being no further business to come before the Board at this time, Vice Chair Wesley-Wiese adjourned the meeting. Jeanne Wesley-Wiese, Vice Chair Northeast Urban Renewal Board City of Bozeman