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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-03-20 Midtown URB minutes Page 1 of 11 Approved minutes from September 3, 2020 board meeting Voted on and approved during March 4, 2021 meeting via WebEx TO DO List: Everyone attend October 1 WebEx board meeting In attendance: Maddy Roche, Nolan Campbell, David Fine, Andrew Cetraro, Val Wyman, Jon Owens, Scott Hedglin, Chris Mehl, Susan Fraser A. Call to Order – Andrew called to order at 4:33pm. B. Changes to Agenda – none. C. Public Comment – Charlie Cromwell, attorney assisting El Mercadito, noted he prepared the applications to be considered tonight so comments and questions to him. D.1. Action Item – ELM Nick Checota presented, explaining the construction is already nearing completion. Usually does not request grants for their projects, but the pandemic has devastated LogJam’s entertainment business, currently operating at 1.3% normal rate, bringing him to apply for grant and present today. (See Attachment A for visual and TIF-eligible budget) Val asked Nick about the state grant, and he responded saying yes, have applied for this as is open to any operation. Val went onto to say it is in the best interest of Midtown to complete this project with the requested funding. David spoke to the staff report recommending approval as this application scored 31 out of 52 points (see Attachment B for pages 1-3 of staff report). Public comment called – no responses. Discussion of board. Scott asked applicant and staff to speak to the streetscape designs to match the District’s, and David pointed out the N. 7th streetscape was done during the RSVP project, but the work on side streets will be specialized, high-quality design to make useful for band trailer unloading, passenger drop off/pick up for event attendees, etc. Supportive comments made. Val motioned acceptance, having considered the application, the findings of the staff report, public comment and all information presented, to recommend staff negotiate a development agreement with the applicant for the consideration of the Bozeman City Commission for reimbursement of TIF-eligible costs not to exceed $288,032. Nolan seconded the motion. All in favor. D.2. Action Item – PDI Investments, 431 N. 7th (Access Fitness leasing) Jerry Pape presented for the applicant (see Attachment C for visual). David explained this is a new request and why. Board approved ‘up to $50K’ during March 2020 meeting for admin settlement covering easement desired for Midtown streetscape project. This is a separate application as now requesting the infrastructure costs of $50K for the fire suppression water line improvements needed so property is up to code. David then spoke to the staff report (see Attachment D for pages 1-2) noting this infrastructure improvement will increase the taxable value, a gain for the District. Page 2 of 11 Public comment called – no responses. Andrew opened board discussion. Val noted the ROI is strung out but still a decent investment for the boar to make. Scott made the motion to approve in accordance with staff recommendations. Val seconded the motion. All in favor. D.3. Action Item – El Mercadito TIF Assistance application Charlie Cromwell presenting on behalf of the leasees of old Spectrum building on Mendenhall. He told of their successful grocery in Four Corners and their pre-pandemic plans for opening another store in Midtown. They have a lease agreement for this space and are paying rent. Northwestern Energy said existing power will not support the equipment they need. This was not forecasted in their budgeting for renovation work, thus this application was submitted. Charlie added he sees this electricity upgrade as attractive improvement for other businesses to move in the District. Jon commented it would be nice to have this grocery in his neighborhood. Val asked staff to define the monetary ask, and David said Northwestern Energy has forecasted $40K for work. Scott asked Charlie to confirm the power upgrade would reach beyond this one building; Nolen asked for a map of the area that would benefit from this upgrade. Liz Larsen, project manager, still does not have such information. David spoke to the staff report (see Attachment E for pages 1-2). Staff struggled with this application as there is more to building a successful district than just the actual ask in an application. Based on the current criteria, this application scored 21 of 52 points and as such staff is unable to recommend approval. He also noted did not have enough information to decipher the return on investment. He went on to stay, considering past history of applications, the board might consider adding a small business grant program for such situations as these. Discussion. Maddy and Jon spoke to seeing such projects as good for the district, having a grocery in his neighborhood would be nice. Jon also spoke to non-tangible returns on such investments. Val said she likes the general concept, and Noland added such energy improvements would benefit the area. Nolan disclosed Charlie Cromwell is his attorney, then asked Charlie if the building’s owner is open to anything, with the answer ‘no more than already agreed’. Scott added this TIF was formed for infrastructure needs such as these and he would support matching actual invoice for this improvement. Nolan agreed with Scott’s suggestion of matching the grant dollar to cover actual invoice from the energy company. Public comment called – none received. Scott made the motion to approve the requested infrastructure assistance regardless of final invoice amount. Andrew seconded. All in favor. D.4. Action Item – El Mercadito TAG application (see Attachment F) Charlie presented again. David has no staff report for this grant process but is very much supportive of approval. Public comment called – none received. Page 3 of 11 Scott asked David to confirm the ask is $4k and David said yes. Scott motioned to approve this application up to the maximum allowed, $7500. Andrew seconded the motion. All in favor. D.5. Action Item - TAG application for 719 W Lamme David reported receiving this application in June for turning an existing house into an artist’s home studio. Staff administratively approved in June due to the pandemic halting monthly meetings. It is on the agenda today for the board to ratify. Scott noted he supports staff helping applicants in the day-to-day dealings. Andrew echoed that support. Discussion continued. Public comment called – none received. Andrew motioned ratification of up to maximum allowed, $7500. Val seconded the motion. All in favor. D.6. Action Item – Staff Approval of Tech Assistance Grants (max: $7500) David says applicant sometimes waiting a month for board approval, slowing improvement projects. Andrew agreed. Worst case would be board not ratifying staff’s administrative approval of a grant. David will bring more language/detail to the board for official approval of process. E. FYI David reported the Festival Street bid did not include the 5th avenue trail he thought was included. Wanted the board to know this, too, and he apologized for his oversight. Good-humored harassment of staff by an appreciative board ensued. F. Adjournment Andrew adjourned the meeting at 6:11pm. Page 4 of 11 Attachment A Page 5 of 11 Attachment B Page 6 of 11 Page 7 of 11 Attachment C Page 8 of 11 Attachment D Page 9 of 11 Attachment E Page 10 of 11 Attachment F Page 11 of 11 Attachment G