Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-06-18 Minutes - Northeast Urban Renewal Board (NURB)NURB Meeting – March 6, 2018 1 Northeast Urban Renewal Board (NURB) Regular Meeting Tuesday, March 6, 2018 The Northeast Urban Renewal Board met in regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 6, 2018, in the Conference Room, Professional Building, 20 East Olive Street, Bozeman, Montana. Present: Absent: Voting Members: John Usher, Chair Bobbi Clem Dan Doehring Robert Pavlic Jeanne Wesley-Wiese Non-Voting Members: Ethan Barlow Dalton Brink Nolan Campbell Commissioner Liaison: I-Ho Pomeroy Staff: Shane Strong, KLJ Engineering Robin Sullivan, Recording Secretary Guests: Chris Nixon, 719 North Wallace Avenue Maurice Quanbeck, 520 North 11th Avenue Kristin Griffin, 428½ North Church Avenue Call to Order – Chair John Usher called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m. Changes to the Agenda – No changes were made to the agenda. Public Comment – No comment was received under this agenda item. Minutes – February 6, 2018. It was moved by Dan Doehring, seconded by Bob Pavlic, that the minutes of the meeting of February 6, 2018, be approved as submitted. The motion carried on a 5-0 vote. NURB Meeting – March 6, 2018 2 Discussion/Action Items – Presentation of design, cost estimate and bidding schedule for East Tamarack Street improvements. Shane Strong stated that, since City staff is not present at this meeting, he cannot show the plans he has prepared for this project; but he will e-mail them to the board members for their review. He noted that the sewer design was an issue because the pilings under the bridge abutment walls preclude boring under it. The County has determined that the sewer should be moved to the south edge of the right-of-way and bored under the creek. That boring will require a construction easement from Lattice Materials. Shane Strong stated that he had originally planned to submit the final plans last Friday; however, the change in sewer design has set the project back a week. The new schedule includes submitting the plans and specifications to the City and the Department of Environmental Quality by this Friday; and advertising for bids is to start on April 10 with a bid opening on May 1. He noted that construction would then be scheduled to begin June 11 and, with a 120-day construction time, the completion date set for October 9. Responding to John Usher, Shane Strong stated the completion schedule for East Peach Street is not set because he is waiting for the timeline from JR Civil. He indicated that, if that schedule conflicts with the anticipated start date for this project, the Notice to Proceed can include a delayed start date. Shane Strong noted that there is no water involved in this project; however, the sewer main will involve significantly more work than the sewer main in East Peach Street. He then stated that installation of the 24-inch interceptor sewer will require boring approximately 150 feet to get the main under the creek. He indicated that boring will be from the east, so a 15-foot-wide hole will be opened up to allow for jack and bore under the creek. Shane Strong stated that the current cost estimate for the street and stormwater portions of the project is $618,200, with an additional $300,000 to $400,000 for the sewer main. Responding to Bob Pavlic, Shane Strong stated that the bid must be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder. He acknowledged that under certain circumstances, the low bid may not be accepted; however, care must be taken to ensure it is done properly. Further responding to Bob Pavlic, Shane Strong stated he does not believe anything will be done on the North Rouse Avenue construction project this year. Responding to Bobbi Clem, Shane Strong stated the sewer upgrades along the Front Street portion of the project have not yet been designed; and the monies for that project have not been approved. He anticipates that the new interceptor sewer will follow the existing line and easements. Jeanne Wesley Wiese voiced concern that the existing line runs through the wetlands, and noted that there has been discussion about rerouting the sewer line to follow the freeway right- of-way. Update on Vision NorthEast process and findings. Bobbi Clem announced that the Vision NorthEast group will probably be disbanded. She noted that she will keep this Board informed of any projects that are coming forward; and Amy Hoitsma will work with the Northeast NURB Meeting – March 6, 2018 3 Neighborhood Association (NENA) and possibly a committee of that group as needed. She recognized that under this new realignment, it will be much easier to obtain funding through a non-profit organization. She concluded by indicating she hopes to have a final update for next month’s meeting. Jeanne Wesley-Wiese stated that the group could also approach this Board if there is a project for which tax increment financing monies are desired. Updates on current projects. Shane Strong reported that most of his work this month as on the East Tamarack Street project. He then indicated he is trying to get an update from JR Civil on when they will complete the East Peach Street project; and he will hopefully have that information by next month’s meeting. Staff updates on items of interest to the Board. There was no update on this item. Update on financial status of NURB fund. Robin Sullivan distributed copies of the revenues and expenditures for Fiscal Year 2017-18 and the spreadsheet showing the bond proceeds expended to date. She then highlighted the revenues and expenditures for the month. Review of initial draft of the Work Plan and Budget for Fiscal Year 2018-2019. Robin Sullivan distributed copies of the initial draft of the Work Plan and Budget for Fiscal Year 2018-2019 and the spreadsheet showing the revenues and expenditures including in the proposed budget. She stressed that some of the numbers currently contained in these documents are plug numbers just to get the budgeting process started. John Usher asked that the board members review these documents and be prepared to discuss them at next month’s meeting. Robin Sullivan drew attention to some of the items in the draft work plan. She stated that she subtracted the first bond draw from the sale amount, but she is not sure of the accuracy of the amount to be received in July. She then noted that the amount budgeted for the East Peach Street project is the difference between the amount budgeted this year and the amount that has been spent to date. The monies budgeted for the East Tamarack Street project include $680,000 for the street improvements plus $80,000 for the fiber conduit. She noted that the monies for the conduit were budgeted in this current fiscal year but were not expended, so they are being carried forward. A new item has been added for design of the North Ida Avenue street improvements, in light of the fact that street improvements are anticipated in conjunction with the proposed Cottonwood & Ida project. She concluded by noting the work plan also includes monies for one-third of the estimated costs of a quiet zone feasibility study. Robin Sullivan turned attention to the spreadsheet, identifying those budgeted costs that cannot be adjusted. They include the amounts budgeted for staff support, administrative services, bond repayment and designated bond reserve. John Usher briefly reviewed the information contained under the FY 2018 At-A-Glance section and the Moving Forward – FY 2019 section. He noted that the FY 2019 section indicates this NURB Meeting – March 6, 2018 4 Board will support opportunities to work with the railroad on preservation of the depot and on the quiet zone. He then noted that Bobbi Clem has done some research on the quiet zone issue, and her information sheet was distributed at the beginning of this meeting. Bobbi Clem announced that she will be attending a meeting tomorrow regarding a proposal for re-use of the depot. She noted that the railroad will not sell the property, but will do a long-term lease. One hurdle to be overcome is the City requirement to pay $250,000 for improvements to Front Street adjacent to the depot. Responding to questions from John Usher, Bobbi Clem stated that a group is considering a proposal to revise the provisions for the HMU district to allow for R-5 type residential development as well as a B zone. She noted that the R-5 district will allow commercial uses on the street level and residential uses on subsequent floors; and the B zone would allow existing commercial uses to count on-street parking spaces toward their parking requirements and creation of a Streamline bus stop. She then noted that under the existing zoning, the Cottonwood & Ida project could not include the number of residential units proposed without going through the planned unit development process. Bobbi Clem asked if the Board would be willing to listen to a presentation at next month’s meeting from the group proposing re-use of the depot; they voiced support for including it on the agenda. Jeanne Wesley-Wiese noted that the developers of the Cottonwood & Ida project are asking that the tax monies captured from their project be used to pay for their public infrastructure; however, she feels the Board needs to better understand what they are asking. John Usher noted that at last month’s meeting, the Board adopted a resolution of support for the project; but that document does not make any financial commitments. He then agreed that the Board needs to better understand how the developers’ request will impact this district. Responding to John Usher, Bobbi Clem stated tomorrow’s meeting is to show her the proposed re-use of the depot and to discuss possible alternatives to overcome the roadblock caused by the requirement to make street improvements. She recognized that rail funds or historic preservation funds could possibly be sought to assist with the project. John Usher noted that the FY 2019 section includes reference to support of the rehabilitation of wetlands. He stressed that this is not the Board’s fight, but recognized the importance of identifying it as a key issue for the upcoming year. Jeanne Wesley-Wiese noted the agenda for the upcoming NENA meeting includes a request that cash-in-lieu monies be expended on the wetland. She noted that the neighborhood does not have a park; however, the residents are passionate about the wetlands and ensuring they are preserved. Chris Nixon noted it might be beneficial to have a meeting with the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board about the wetlands, particularly since that board refused to accept them as dedicated parkland when the Village Downtown project was approved. He voiced concern that, rather than requiring dedicated parkland, that board recommended accepting cash-in-lieu. He then stressed the importance of recognizing the importance of streams and wetlands in the community and of protecting those resources. NURB Meeting – March 6, 2018 5 Set agenda for April 3, 2018 meeting or cancel meeting. To be included on the agenda, in addition to the standard agenda items, are possibly additional discussion on the Cottonwood/Ida project; a presentation on proposed re-use of the depot; and continued review of the draft Fiscal Year 2018-2019 work plan and budget. John Usher stated that a discussion with the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board on wetlands and cash-in-lieu of parkland could possibly be scheduled for a future meeting. FYI/Discussion (formerly Neighborhood News). Jeanne Wesley-Wiese announced that the spring meeting for the NorthEast Neighborhood Association (NENA) is scheduled for April 25. Adjournment – 7:35 p.m. There being no further business to come before the Board at this time, Chair Usher adjourned the meeting. John Usher, Chair Northeast Urban Renewal Board City of Bozeman