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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-07-17 Minutes - Northeast Urban Renewal Board (NURB)NURB Meeting – March 7, 2017 1 Northeast Urban Renewal Board (NURB) Regular Meeting Tuesday, March 7, 2017 The Northeast Urban Renewal Board met in regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 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 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: Shane Strong, KLJ Engineering Chris Nixon, 719 North Wallace Avenue Maurice Quanbeck, 520 North 11th Avenue Karen Lindell, 416 East Aspen Street Dalton Brink, 213 Perkins Place Call to Order – Vice Chair Jeanne Wesley-Wiese called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Changes to the Agenda – No changes were made to the agenda. Public Comment – Karen Lindell, 416 East Aspen Street, stated she just found out about a bridge at the end of the street. She asked what the cost of that bridge will be, stating that as a taxpayer she does not support it. She characterized it as “a bridge that goes nowhere” since the east end of it will be adjacent to the chain link fence around Lattice Materials. She noted it is only a block to East Tamarack Street and a block and a half to East Peach Street, both of which have creek crossings. She uses the northeast trail system extensively, both for bicycling and running, and in fifty to sixty minutes on the trail, she may see ten people. She would use the bridge, but she does not believe that enough people would use it to justify use of taxpayer monies. She stressed the importance of saving monies whenever possible. NURB Meeting – March 7, 2017 2 Minutes – February 7, 2017. It was moved by Bob Pavlic, seconded by Bobbi Clem, that the minutes of the meeting of February 7, 2017, be approved as submitted. The motion carried on a 4-0 vote. Discussion/Action Items – Update on RUDAT project. Bobbi Clem reported that people are invited to attend a public input meeting at the Beall Park Center from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 14. A neighborhood walkabout is scheduled from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, April 7. The walkabout will be in the Mill District, with about six locations where people can provide input on specific topics. Someone from MSU, someone from the steering committee and someone from the Community Mediation Center will be at those locations to gather the public input. This will be the kick-off for the three-day event, which is scheduled for April 7 to 10. The final presentation will be made from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, April 10, at the Ellen Theater; and the hope is to have 400 attendees. Bobbi Clem stated an initial site visit was held with two architects and the team leader, and they have identified the areas of expertise and experience they will be seeking in the architects they recruit to participate in this project. Discussion regarding design and next steps in proceeding with Aspen Street/ pedestrian bridge project. Jeanne Wesley-Wiese noted this pedestrian bridge has been on the list of projects in the work plan for almost fifteen years. Prior surveys of the neighborhood have revealed almost 100 percent support from the respondents; and she has recently received communications of support from residents in the district. She then noted that this district paid for the North Church Avenue trail improvements, and the pedestrian bridge will link those on the west side of the creek to the trail system. She stated that, in conjunction with construction of the pedestrian bridge, the City’s Director of Public Works is requiring the installation of sidewalk on one side of East Aspen Street to provide for safe pedestrian movement. Responding to questions from Karen Lindell, staff confirmed that sidewalks will be included in the improvements to East Tamarack Street, East Peach Street and North Rouse Avenue. Karen Lindell noted that sidewalks will eliminate safety concerns about pedestrians using any of those roadways, which already provide creek crossings. Dalton Brink, 213 Perkins Place, stated he has lived there for several years. He anticipates that within ten years, the area will see a lot of infill development, which will probably include families with children that will use the trail system to a greater extent than it is being used today. Also, there will be more traffic in the area. Responding to questions from Karen Lindell, Jeanne Wesley-Wiese suggested that people living on the east side of the creek will use the pedestrian bridge to access businesses along North Rouse Avenue, including The Meat Shoppe and Unknotted. Brit Fontenot noted that the pedestrian bridge is one of the projects this Board and the City Commission have determined would be eligible for bond monies; and the Board is currently in the process of soliciting proposals for a $1.4 million bond sale to fund as many of those projects as possible. He stated that reconstruction of East Tamarack Street and East Peach Street are NURB Meeting – March 7, 2017 3 the top two priority projects, and this bridge is the fifth priority on that list. He then indicated that design of this project is currently underway so that an accurate project cost can be determined. Bobbi Clem suggested that, with more detailed information and a better cost estimate now available, it may be beneficial to survey those in attendance at the upcoming NENA meeting to determine if support for this project remains as high as it was previously. Shane Strong stated that current estimates include $70,000 for the bridge and $12,000 for sidewalks along East Aspen Street. He noted that core samples of the dirt on the creek banks have been taken, and a geotechnical report should be available within the next couple weeks. That information will reveal if additional costs will be incurred in stabilizing the ends of the bridge. He noted that the cost of this project was previously estimated at $166,000 because it was anticipated complete reconstruction of East Aspen Street would be required, and that was projected to cost $100,000. Brit Fontenot cautioned that there are currently some encroachments in the East Aspen Street right-of-way that will need to be addressed in conjunction with this project. Jeanne Wesley-Wiese stated monies have been identified outside the bond proceeds that could be used to fund this project. John Usher stressed that the pedestrian bridge continues to be the No. 5 project on the list in the bond resolution and final action on its construction has not yet been taken, so there is still time to impact that decision. He recognized that this area is changing, and he sees a lot of people using the North Church Avenue trail every day. He recognized that some of those people may wish to use the pedestrian bridge, but without a bridge in place the amount of use cannot be determined. Karen Lindell reiterated her concern about using taxpayer monies to construct a bridge that may see limited use. She noted that she has lived in her home for thirty years. She is now retired and on a limited income, and she has had to go back to work to pay her continually increasing property taxes. Jeanne Wesley-Wiese voiced support for integrating another survey into the upcoming NENA meeting. Review of 90% design drawings for East Peach Street and East Tamarack Street. Brit Fontenot reported that he and Shane Strong met with Director of Public Works Woolard last week regarding the East Tamarack Street project. He reminded the Board that the improvements to East Tamarack Street extend from Front Street to North Rouse Avenue, and the improvements to East Peach Street extend from North Rouse Avenue to Avocado Avenue. He stated both of those projects are currently being designed and were scheduled to be bid this summer; however, that schedule has been changed in light of the meeting. He noted that a $2 million interceptor sewer project has been scheduled for 2019, and that 30-inch line is to extend under Front Street and East Tamarack Street. In light of the impending project, the Director of Public Works has asked that reconstruction of the street be delayed to 2019 so all the work can be done at once. He stated that this is still within the 36-month period for drawing down the bond monies. He indicated that the East Peach Street project can be completed this summer. NURB Meeting – March 7, 2017 4 Shane Strong stated he e-mailed the drawings for these street improvements to the Board members; few of the members had received them. He noted that he will resend them. Shane Strong stated that during his initial meetings with City employees, the interceptor sewer improvements did not appear to conflict with this project. He noted that options for Board consideration include NURB financing the entire project, including that portion of the interceptor sewer, now or waiting until 2019, when the City has the monies available for those sewer improvements. Brit Fontenot stated that he asked Shane Strong to design, and include in the bid for this year, the installation of conduit for fiber along East Tamarack Street. He noted that this installation is under the sidewalk, so it can be installed at this time and will not be impacted by the future street improvements. John Usher noted that reconstruction of North Rouse Avenue north of East Oak Street is scheduled for this year and asked if that portion south of East Oak Street is to be done before 2019; Shane Strong responded it is dependent on whether all of the right-of-way acquisition has been completed by next year. Responding to Bob Pavlic, Shane Strong stated that improvements to East Peach Street will include replacing sewer main along its entire length, replacing a block of water main, and installing stormwater improvements along its entire length. He concluded by cautioning that, if contractors are busy with other projects by the time this project is bid, there is a risk the bids received will be very high. Update on bond process. Brit Fontenot reported that solicitation for proposals has been published in the paper. A couple of banks have requested additional information, and one has indicated its intent to submit a proposal by the March 27 deadline. Updates on current projects. Shane Strong stated he hopes to have preliminary geotechnical information for the pedestrian bridge available for the March 23 NENA meeting. Staff updates on items of interest to the Board. Economic Development Director Brit Fontenot stated he attended a conference last week, at which he met the CEO of Montana Rail Link and spoke to him briefly about Bozeman. He suggested this contact, as well as contacts with Burlington-Northern Santa Fe, could help with potential reuse of the depot. Jeanne Wesley-Wiese noted it is important to find out if the lease for the depot is up, stressing the importance of trying to obtain that lease. Brit Fontenot asked if the Board is interested in including monies in the budget for leasing of the depot; the Board responded in the affirmative. Responding to a request from Jeanne Wesley-Wiese, Bobbi Clem indicated she will contact MRL about the status of the current lease. NURB Meeting – March 7, 2017 5 Update on financial status of NURB fund. Recording Secretary Robin Sullivan distributed copies of the revenues and expenditures for Fiscal Year 2016-17. She noted little change has occurred in either revenues or expenditures this past month. Set agenda for April 4, 2017 meeting or cancel meeting. Items to be included on the April 4 agenda, in addition to the standard agenda items, are updates on respondents to the bond proposal, updated cost estimates for the projects to be bid this year, and beginning to work on the budget and work plan for next fiscal year. FYI/Discussion (formerly Neighborhood News). Bobbi Clem noted that Dalton Brink has expressed some interest in serving on this Board. Dalton Brink stated he has lived on Perkins Place since 2008. He started an arts venue in an old building on East Cottonwood Street, then started a non-profit, and currently works as artistic director for the Rialto Theater. He is interested in the northeast side and desires to get involved with this Board. Adjournment – 7:33 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