HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-02-17 Minutes - Northeast Urban Renewal Board (NURB)
NURB Meeting – May 2, 2017 1
Northeast Urban Renewal Board (NURB) Regular Meeting Tuesday, May 2, 2017 The Northeast Urban Renewal Board met in regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 2,
2017, in the Conference Room, Professional Building, 20 East Olive Street, Bozeman, Montana.
Present: Absent: Voting Members:
Jeanne Wesley-Wiese, Vice Chair Robert Pavlic Bobbi Clem John Usher Non-Voting Members:
Dalton Brink Ethan Barlow Tom Noble Commissioner Liaison:
I-Ho Pomeroy Staff: Jessica Johnson, Neighborhood Coordinator Robin Sullivan, Recording Secretary
Guests: Chris Nixon, 719 North Wallace Avenue Maurice Quanbeck, 520 North 11th Avenue
Dan Doehring, 704 North Church Avenue Dennis Taylor, Interim City Manager 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 – April 4, 2017. It was moved by John Usher, seconded by Bobbi Clem, that the
minutes of the meeting of April 4, 2017, be approved as submitted. The motion carried on a 3-0 vote. Discussion/Action Items – Discussion regarding Bozeman Creek pedestrian bridge project. Jeanne Wesley-Wiese noted that Shane Strong has sent copies of the bridge design to the Board. She also
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noted that Martha Drysdale has written a letter to the Board voicing opposition to the pedestrian bridge, mainly because of the impact that strangers will have on the residents of this currently quiet street. She concluded by stated the RUDAT supported the pedestrian bridge.
Bobbi Clem gave an overview of the RUDAT process, noting that she and Jeanne Wesley-Wiese served on the steering committee for that project. She noted the architects involved in the process have submitted a document that not only provides a vision of what is possible, they
have identified a number of items this Board would be responsible for pushing forward. She stated some of those suggestions include increasing the size of this TIF district, since it was the core of the RUDAT process; possibly increasing the size of this Board and assuming additional duties to move the RUDAT process forward; and trail projects that include an additional trail along Bozeman Creek and an extension to the Story Mill trail. Discussions with City staff have
revealed that increasing the size of the district is not a viable option because the result would be to take too much money out of the general funds for the various local entities. Responding to Commissioner Pomeroy, Jeanne Wesley-Wiese stated that the most recent
survey of area residents showed 27 in favor and 12 against the pedestrian bridge. The previous survey showed few residents in opposition. She then stated that Lucia Stewart, who owns the property on the west side of the creek that would be most impacted by installation of the bridge, still supports it. She then noted that she and Chris Nixon walked down the street to see what the concerns are and how much would be impacted by the installation of a sidewalk.
Responding to Jessica Johnson, Jeanne Wesley-Wiese stated one of the issues emphasized in the RUDAT report is the area’s natural feature and the need to utilize it for all of the people in the district. She characterized Bozeman Creek as a beautiful natural feature with no pedestrian
bridge across it. Bobbi Clem questioned the need for a third bridge when two are only a few blocks apart. One of those crossings is on a street with a bike lane and the other is on a street that has a stop light
to assist in crossing North Rouse Avenue. Jeanne Wesley-Wiese responded that the pedestrian bridge has been an approved project for several years. She noted this discussion has been placed on the agenda because of the concerns expressed by people along East Aspen Street.
Bobbi Clem voiced her interest in seeing a connection between the library trail and the Story Mill trail, suggesting negotiations with the railroad to cross the tracks and then extending the trail along the creek.
Jeanne Wesley-Wiese stated she has lived in this area for forty years and finds that she has to walk in the street because there are no sidewalks along many of the streets, including East Tamarack Street. Her preference is to walk in a more natural setting where there is no traffic.
Responding to questions from Dalton Brink, Jeanne Wesley-Wiese confirmed that the pedestrian bridge is the fifth priority in the listing of projects to be covered by bond proceeds, with East Peach Street, East Tamarack Street, Front Street and North Ida Avenue ahead of it.
Jessica Johnson stated that the projects on the list have been approved by the Commission; however, this Board may choose not to proceed with all of them.
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Dalton Brink voiced his interest in looking at the RUDAT report prior to making any final decisions on this project.
Bobbi Clem noted that, in light of recent controversial development projects, the Mayor has voiced an interest in seeing projects that will not generate a controversy. As a result, she suggested that the board step back from the bridge at this time and look at implementing some of the RUDAT recommendations.
John Usher acknowledged the pressure points that accompany this project, which is the fifth priority on the list of items funded through the bond issue. He sees the RUDAT report as a red herring and stressed that this Board must concentrate on getting its street projects done since the bonds have just been awarded.
Bobbi Clem suggested that a RUDAT steering committee be formed to keep that process alive, keeping it separate from this Board.
Jessica Johnson reminded the Board that they committed $15,000 in TIF monies to assist in funding the project; and that made them one of the biggest contributors. It is important to look at this report since it is theirs, recognizing that not all of the recommendations are realistic. She suggested, however, that they look at the report and identify three things they want to look at more closely.
Jeanne Wesley-Wiese concluded discussion on this agenda item, noting that monies have been set aside for the pedestrian bridge since shortly after this Board was formed.
Discussion regarding previous Board direction regarding the quiet zone in work plan; directing staff to initiate CDBG application process; and use of the old Depot.
Responding to Jeanne Wesley-Wiese, Interim City Manager Dennis Taylor stated that under the new CDBG guidelines, cities over 50,000 population receive entitlement monies; those under 50,000 compete through the application process.
Bobbi Clem reported that she contacted the railroad regarding the old depot. It is currently being leased by Treasure State Oil for storage, and that use will likely continue even though their property immediately across Front Street has been sold and operations moved to Belgrade. She stated Montana Rail Link and Burlington Northern Santa Fe are willing to do a
long-term lease. Depots are not their primary business focus; but they do have restrictions on their use, including a prohibition on restaurants and bars, and they require fencing from the railroad tracks. She asked the railroad about the Board leasing the depot or her personally leasing and managing it; however, they indicated that it will remain as storage at this time.
Robin Sullivan stated this item was placed on the agenda because several months ago the Board directed staff to proceed with these three items. At that time, Brit Fontenot cautioned that staff would be unable to address any of them for a minimum of ninety days and these items keep getting pushed out month by month. She is seeking Board direction on whether these
items are to remain on staff’s list of things to do or if they are to be removed. Responding to Dalton Brink, John Usher reviewed the purpose of the quiet zone and why the Board had set aside monies for a study. He stressed the Board was not to fund the entire cost,
but was to serve as charge leader for the entire community. He then questioned whether the
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Board should seek someone else to prepare a CDBG application for the quiet zone study or if it is easier for staff to do it.
Jessica Johnson stated that in Missoula, she worked with grant programs. She suggested that a CDBG application for use of the depot as a community center might be competitive; however, she agreed that an application to fund a quiet zone study would probably not fare so well. She then offered to contact the person in charge of the CDBG program and report back to the Board
at next month’s meeting. Jeanne Wesley-Wiese stated that, while that information would be beneficial, she feels it is important to develop a plan before directing staff to initiate a grant application. Final report on RUDAT process and findings. Bobbi Clem stated the big decision at this time is how to implement items identified in the final report. Based on the discussion earlier in this meeting, it appears that work should be done through a steering committee.
Jeanne Wesley-Wiese stated it is important for this Board to remain informed; however, she stressed that it cannot take on those additional duties. She then noted that she is unable to access the RUDAT plan on line; and she needs to review it before determining if there are any parts of it that this Board should be involved in.
John Usher characterized the RUDAT report as very well meaning and pie in the sky. He acknowledged that many of the ideas, or a variation of them, appear doable; and he is interested in having a plan that can be pushed against. He supports the idea of a steering
committee, noting that this Board does not need to get distracted from what it is currently doing. Bobbi Clem stated she will continue to serve as the point person for the RUDAT project and will serve as the connection between the steering committee and this Board. Report on bid opening for the East Peach Street reconstruction project. A memo
from Shane Strong dated May 2, 2017, revealed that the bids for the East Peach Street project came in lower than projected. The low bid, from JR Civil LLC, is in the amount of $856,246.92; and the street improvement portion is $563,306.63, which is $83,493.37 below the engineer’s estimate.
Updates on current projects. There was no update on current projects since Shane Strong was absent.
Update on financial status of NURB fund. Robin Sullivan distributed copies of the revenues and expenditures for Fiscal Year 2016-17, noting there is little change since last month.
Budget and work plan for 2017-2018 fiscal year. Robin Sullivan distributed copies of the budget and work plan that she had submitted at last month’s meeting. She asked if the
Board has any changes to the budget and work plan, since it must be adopted at this meeting to
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meet the mid-May presentation of the City Manager’s budget recommendation to the City Commission.
John Usher noted that the paragraph on Page 2 of the work plan pertaining to the RUDAT project needs to be revised, and suggested that it be done in an open-ended manner that gives the Board flexibility.
Robin Sullivan responded that she left that paragraph incomplete because the final report on the RUDAT was to be discussed at this meeting, and would be the basis on which to complete the paragraph. She proposed that, based on the RUDAT discussion, the sentence read “The Board is beginning its review of the RUDAT report.” The Board agreed with the proposed change.
In light of the favorable bids received for the East Peach Street project, Robin Sullivan voiced an interest in reducing both the amount budgeted for the project and the amount to be funded through bonds by $40,000, contingent on Brit Fontenot’s ability to successfully negotiate for that draw.
Jeanne Wesley-Wiese expressed concern that the $82,000 budgeted for the pedestrian bridge and East Aspen Street will not cover the new projected costs of $80,000 for the bridge and $12,000 to $15,000 for the sidewalk.
Robin Sullivan asked the Board to identify which line items it wishes to reduce to generate the additional monies for the bridge project, cautioning that those budgeted for the bonds cannot be changed. As a result of reviewing the proposed budget, the Board determined it cannot move any monies.
It was moved by Bobbi Clem, seconded by Jeanne Wesley-Wiese, that the Board approve the work plan and budget for Fiscal Year 2017-2018, as revised in the discussion. The motion carried on a 3-0 vote.
Set agenda for June 6, 2017 meeting or cancel meeting. Items to be included on the June 6 agenda, in addition to the standard agenda items, are: continued discussion on the pedestrian bridge, continued discussion on the RUDAT report, an update on possible CDBG
funding options, engineering reports from Shane Strong on current projects, and selection of the Chair and Vice Chair for the remainder of the year. FYI/Discussion (formerly Neighborhood News). There was no discussion under this agenda
item. Adjournment – 8:25 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