Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-07-18 Minutes - Northeast Urban Renewal Board (NURB) NURB Meeting – August 7, 2018 1 Northeast Urban Renewal Board (NURB) Regular Meeting Tuesday, August 7, 2018 The Northeast Urban Renewal Board met in regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 7, 2018, in the Conference Room, Professional Building, 20 East Olive Street, Bozeman, Montana. Present: Absent: Voting Members: John Usher, Chair Dan Doehring Bobbi Clem Jeanne Wesley-Wiese Robert Pavlic Non-Voting Members: Ethan Barlow Dalton Brink Nolan Campbell Commissioner Liaison: I-Ho Pomeroy Staff: Brit Fontenot, Economic Development Director David Fine, TIF Specialist Robin Sullivan, Recording Secretary Guests: Call to Order – Chair John Usher called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Changes to the Agenda – No changes were made to the agenda. Public Comment – No comment was received under this agenda item. Minutes – June 5, 2018. It was moved by Bob Pavlic, seconded by Bobbi Clem, that the minutes of the regular meeting of June 5, 2018 be approved as submitted. The motion carried on a 3-0 vote. Discussion/Action Items – Updates on current projects. Brit Fontenot noted that Shane Strong is not present because of a scheduling conflict but has submitted written updates on the East Peach Street and East Tamarack Street projects. He briefly highlighted the report, noting that work on East Peach Street is now complete. NURB Meeting – August 7, 2018 2 Brit Fontenot turned attention to East Tamarack Street, noting that this project has encountered some scheduling issues. The contract documents have been executed and all necessary permits obtained. Work is now tentatively scheduled to begin on August 13; however, there is a potential that the street reconstruction portion of the project may be pushed out to next spring because of the short timeframe available before winter shutdown. Brit Fontenot stated there is a large gas main in East Tamarack Street; and that main conflicts with the proposed work and must be lowered. Due to miscommunication between the City and NorthWestern Energy, that work has not yet been scheduled and requires a welder certified to work on high pressure lines. At this time, it is not known if some of the work can proceed or if relocating the gas main is to be completed first. Brit Fontenot stressed the importance of continuing to move forward with this project but acknowledged that the potential for winter shutdown must be considered to ensure that the road is in good condition for winter travel. He then noted that the removal of several trees along this street frontage is now being done to accommodate the road improvements and sidewalk. Brit Fontenot stated staff is concerned about how late in the construction season this project is scheduled to begin. He noted that other issues impacting this project include accommodating Lattice Materials’ operations and completing the jack and bore to push the sewer pipe under the creek. Brit Fontenot concluded by stating he has talked to Jim Ness at the bank about delaying draw of the second “half” of the bond proceeds; and the bank is willing to delay the draw in light of the timing issues. He then asked that board members refer questions about this project to City staff as they arise. Nolan Campbell asked if delaying this project until spring will result in both it and the North Rouse Avenue improvements being undertaken at the same time. He noted that if that happens, it will severely impact travel in this area. Staff updates on items of interest to the Board. Brit Fontenot addressed several items under this agenda item. Contract for engineering services. The three-year contract with KLJ expires next week. Staff is working on an amendment to retain KLJ for engineering services on the East Tamarack Street project, which will expire with completion of that project. At the same time, staff is preparing a request for qualifications for new engineering services. Staff is considering a three-year contract with a single engineering firm for all of the tax increment financing districts. David Fine noted that the district is out of money once the East Tamarack Street improvements are completed, so the willingness of an engineering firm to respond to an RFQ for this district only is minimal. He noted that it is important to have an engineering firm on board in case those services are needed. Brit Fontenot stated the RFQ will include several components that allow the Board to tap into other areas of expertise in a task order structure. This will allow the Board to move quickly and efficiently without going through the procurement process for every project or task. NURB Meeting – August 7, 2018 3 Responding to questions from board members, Brit Fontenot stated only those tasks performed for this Board will be paid for by this district. He stressed that the contract will be actively managed and will not negatively affect this Board’s finances. Responding to Nolan Campbell, David Fine stated he expects the RFQ process to take a couple months. In the meantime, this Board’s only active project is the East Tamarack Street reconstruction; and the engineering services will be covered through the amendment to the KLJ contract. The board members agreed with this proposal for hiring of an engineering firm on a multi-year contract. Staffing change. As of August 1, David Fine is the TIF Specialist and will serve as liaison to all urban renewal districts except the downtown. This change will make the work more streamlined and will allow for all districts to be operated in a similar manner. Information card regarding public safety center bond; information sheet on upcoming meetings for the Bozeman Community Plan update; and information sheet on update of the Downtown Bozeman Improvement Plan. Brit Fontenot distributed copies of the various information sheets. He encouraged board members to review the information for the public safety center bond, become involved in the meetings for the Community Plan update, and become involved in the downtown plan update if interested. Update on financial status of NURB fund. Robin Sullivan distributed copies of the revenues and expenditures for Fiscal Year 2017-18, the spreadsheet showing revenues and expenditures from inception to date, and the spreadsheet showing expenditures from the bonds. She briefly highlighted the information, noting that few if any expenditures for Fiscal Year 2017- 2018 should be outstanding at this time. Robin Sullivan also distributed a listing of board members and their term expiration dates, noting the terms for Dan Doehring and Dalton Brink expired on July 31. Brit Fontenot thanked the board members for completing the code of ethics training, noting it is good to review those issues annually. John Usher voiced his concurrence with Brit Fontenot’s decision to delay drawing the second “half” of the bond proceeds and waiting for all of the costs from the East Peach Street and East Tamarack Street projects to be paid before deciding if monies are available for any additional projects. Responding to questions from Bob Pavlic, Brit Fontenot stated that the Cottonwood & Ida project is being redesigned in light of data from the test wells regarding the water table. He noted the project is still moving forward and, if the Board wishes, he will contact the development group to see if they have any updates. Responding to questions from John Usher, Brit Fontenot stated Bridger Builders was interested in asking that the East Tamarack Street improvements be extended to include the street in front of the depot. That request was being made at the eleventh hour in the design and bidding process, so it was not given favorable consideration. He then noted that Bridger Builders NURB Meeting – August 7, 2018 4 seems to have a good relationship with the railroad, which gives their project a better chance than most proposals to date. He indicated that they may be prepared to report to this Board at its September meeting and, at that time, it may be important for the Board to voice its support for the project if they find it appropriate to do so. Set agenda for September 4, 2018 meeting or cancel meeting. To be included on the September 4 agenda, in addition to the standard agenda items, are an update on the East Tamarack Street project, update on the engineering services contract, and possibly updates on the Bridger Builders depot project, the Cottonwood & Ida project, and the wetlands project if additional information is available. FYI/Discussion. Bobbi Clem reported that the Brewery property has been sold to a development group that includes the principals of ThinkTank. Bob Pavlic noted that work is being done on the building across from the Bozone Brewery, which is to become the home of the Avocado Street Market. Adjournment – 7:17 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