Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-10-20 Downtown URD Minutes Downtown Urban Renewal District Board Meeting Minutes March 10, 2020 Attending: Cory Lawrence, Marley McKenna, Tony Renslow, Nick Zelver, Chris Naumann, Emily Cope, Chris Mehl Absent: Bobby Bear, Bill Stoddart Public Comment: Mike Hope commented that he is the owner of Rocking R Bar and a development on Aspen Street in Midtown. He is also on the MDT highway commission. He provided a handout with a drawing of Main Street with proposed lane widths if it were to be converted into three lanes and an email from MDT stating road width of Main Street is 60 feet. He said the roadway is not wide enough for 3 lanes and diagonal parking on both sides. He believes that any changes made to installing streetlights or crosswalks should fall on the development project, not the URD/TIF. He said the transportation analysis ultimately takes away money that could be invested in parking. David Loseff commented that he is the owner of the Baxter. He passed out a handout with a drawing of Main Street showing how it is currently set up and a proposed three lane configuration that will not work. He raised concerns about the associated costs to the City if Main Street is converted. He said that the Babcock bike lanes would result in a net loss of parking if no parking is added to Main Street. He believes there are a lot of conversations regarding parking downtown by different commissions and boards that need to be discussed collectively. Ashley Ogle representing the Element Hotel and Kenyon Noble commented about several big issues, like parking and Main Street, that greatly impact property and business owners. She said for downtown to stay healthy we need more parking, so the URD should commit 90-100% of its effort and money to build a 2nd parking garage. She acknowledged some work has been done on another garage, but not ejough. She emphasized that there needs to be better communication with owners as far in advance as possible so that stakeholders can be informed and have more opportunities to be involved in the discussions and decisions. Jonathan Crabtree introduced himself as the office manager of A&E Architects and was there to observe. Chris Naumann clarified the following: MDT had been consulted about the scope of work and provided significant input and requested revisions that were incorporated into the final version. Lynn Zanto confirmed via e-mail that a 3-lane configuration would not preclude state and/or federal funding. MDT is currently rebuilding Hwy 86 (Rouse Ave) as a 3-lane road with bike lanes, parking, and sidewalks with state and federal funds. Minutes Cory Lawrence asked that his comments be changed under the BID Renewal Update section be changed to “He believes by conversations he’s had with property owners that everyone is in favor of the BID programs but there are issues of disparity in the value derived from the BID Director and his priorities”. Marley McKenna noted she was listed under “attending” and “absent”, she was absent. ACTION: Tony Renslow moved to approve the February minutes as revised. Marley McKenna seconded the motion. All voted in favor. Financial Report Chris presented the finance report for Fiscal Year 2020. He highlighted previous month’s expenses as follows: $1,364 for TD&H Engineering for Rouse Ave Streetscape engineering and $518 for Groundprint Consulting. ACTION: Marley McKenna moved to approve the March Financial Report. Tony Renslow seconded the motion. All voted in favor. Executive Director’s Report Technical Assistance Program Update Five grants have been awarded for FY2020, three of which are still open. One grant remains from FY2018 for the Osborne Building. Other Financial Program Updates Streetscape Grants: None Hotel Incentive Grant: Armory Hotel-Pending Life-Safety Grants: None Fiber Connectivity Grant: None Building Project Updates Armory Hotel projected opening pending resolution of site plan permit issues. Osborne Building (233 East Main) 4-story mixed use building with 2 floors of restaurant Date Project Name Project Address Applicant Professional Type Value Completed 4/16/2018 Osborne Building 233 East Main Street Casey Durham Locati Arch Plan/Façade 10,500$ Total 10,500$ Technical Assistance Program FY2018 Report Date Project Name Project Address Applicant Professional Type Value Completed 10/7/2019 Gallatin Laundry 137 East Babcock St Robert Lateiner Think Tank Plan/Façade 10,500$ YES 11/1/2019 9 E Main Street 9 E Main Street Robert Lateiner Think Tank Façade 3,000$ CANCELED 1/30/2020 Bozeman Creek Watercourse of Bozeman Creek Jim Madden Intrinsik Planning 7,500$ 1/30/2020 DA Davidson & Co 529 E Main St Randy Scully Intrinsik Planning 7,500$ 1/30/2020 102 E Babcock Street Parking Lot102 E Babcock St- Block B Lot 12ARandy Scully Intrinsik Planning 7,500$ Total 10,500$ Technical Assistance Program FY2020 Report use and 2 floors of offices. Construction began October 2018. See https://www.theosbornebozeman.com/ “OSM” Building 5 story mixed use building proposed on southwest corner of Babcock and Wallace—construction began Spring 2019. One 11 Lofts (corner of North Willson and West Lamme) 50-unit apartment building with 53 parking spaces. Construction began spring 2019. Merin Condos (on North Bozeman across from Dave’s Sushi) 28 units of owner-occupied housing. In Final Site Plan review. Demolition of the site was recently completed. Village Downtown 30 new residential condo units and 9 single-family lots are under review by the City. Veranda Apartments (111 South Church) proposed new construction of 6 units. AC Hotel (5 East Mendenhall) 6 story 140 room full-service hotel. Site Plan approved in November 2019. East End Flats (240 East Mendenhall) 6-story mixed use project. In development review. Deviation hearing for stream setback improvements was opened on 2/24/20 and approved on 3/9/20 by the City Commission. Strata Building (106 East Babcock)—former BSW Bank—3 floor (46,000 SF) office building. Construction projected to be complete 4th quarter 2020. New Businesses Update • Blackbird Kitchen—140 East Main—formerly C. Moose—expansion to open early 2020 • Tanoshii—113 East Main—formerly Corx—renovations underway • TBD—33 South Willson—formerly Delicious Bakery • TBD—19 South Willson—formerly Barely & Vine • Barely & Vine—24 North Tracy—relocating to soon-to-be former Starky’s • TBD—544 East Main—formerly Heeb’s • TBD—2 East Main—former Miller’s Jewelry location—tenant improvements underway • TBD—9 East Main—formerly Sassy Sisters • TBD—27 East Main—formerly Crossroads—condo under contract for purchase to potentially be redeveloped as a restaurant(s). Downtown Plan UDC Recommendations The following UDC revisions recommended in the 2019 DBIP will be considered for implementation in April by the City Commission. 1) Allow small "bonus" business signage to help activate the alleys (#16 in the DIP Appendix) 2) Expand allowable ground floor uses Downtown. This will once again allow things like offices on Mendenhall ex: Fico and Opportunity Bank at 5 West Building. (#2 in the DIP Appendix; note that #9 was also related to this but was already fixed in a previous round of edits.) 3) Allow specific site considerations to come into play when determining the "street vision triangle." (#7 in the DIP Appendix) New Parking Options at Bridger Park Garage In the interest of creating the best downtown parking experience possible, the Bozeman Parking Commission recently created new daytime and evening rate packages for the Bridger Downtown Parking Garage. Citizens can purchase a ‘daily rate’, 6 am to 6 pm for $5 (expires at 6 pm, regardless of time purchased) and an ‘evening’ rate for 5 pm to 8 am of $3 (expires at 8 am). Either of the rate packages will only appear in the pay station selection menu during the hours for which they are valid. So, you won’t see the evening package option until 5 pm, or the daily option until 6 am. Rainbow Crosswalk Project Gender Equality Montana met with the Downtown Partnership and Mayor Chris Mehl to propose installing rainbow crosswalk on Main Street. Below is an excerpt from the formal request. The Mayor has begun discussions with the City Public Works Department to determine the feasibility of the request. Proposal: a rainbow crosswalk for Downtown Bozeman Submitted by Gender Equality Montana Overview. In 2014, Bozeman passed a non-discrimination ordinance which transformed our community and made it a safer, more welcoming place for all residents and visitors. In an effort to build on the important work realized in 2014, we propose that Bozeman follow the lead of communities across the region and country and install a rainbow crosswalk downtown. The rainbow is not only an affirming acknowledgement for the LGBTQ+ community, but also a powerful symbol of inclusivity. Specifics. We propose that the crosswalk be installed at the intersection of Tracy Ave. and Main St. - ideally one at each crossing (North, East, South and West). Below are some examples of how other communities - including our neighbors in Missoula - have done this. In an effort to be the most inclusive, we propose that the crosswalk in Bozeman include the traditional rainbow colors (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple) as well as black, brown, white, light blue and pink. Planning Updates In this section, I will provide update about several ongoing City planning processes. Community Plan (City Growth Policy) Update Consultants: Logan Simpson (Ft. Collins) Update: The Planning Board has decided to spend more time revising the draft plan so the February 10th City Commission presentation will be rescheduled to a later date. https://www.bozeman.net/city-projects/bozeman-community-plan-update Community Housing Action Plan Consultants: Navigate, LLC Workforce Housing Solutions Update: The City Commission completed their review of the Community Housing Action Plan on Monday January 13, 2020. Initial UDC edits will be considered in October 2020. https://www.bozeman.net/city-projects/community-housing-action-plan https://www.bozeman.net/city-projects/community-housing-needs-assessment FEMA Floodplain Map Next Steps: The final draft map will be released in 2nd quarter of 2020. The City then has 180 days to amend its floodplain regulations to incorporate the new maps. The new regulatory floodplain map would become effective by the beginning of 2021. TIF Bond Refinancing The City Finance Director refinanced the downtown URD TIF bond which reduced the annual debt service payment for the garage from $426k to $332k—a annual savings of $92k and saving $1.1 million between now and 2032. North Black Pocket Park Construction of the North Black Pocket Park in southwest corner of Black Lot public parking lot is making significant progress. The project includes three elements: new pocket park; relocated Black Lot egress; and new streetscape including sidewalk, streetlamps, and trees. Landscaping installation will take place Spring 2020. MDT Rouse Project Negotiations continue with Montana Department of Transportation to have downtown streetlamps installed along Rouse Avenue between Main and East Lamme Streets next summer when MDT completes the Rouse reconstruction project. MDT’s general contractor, Missouri River Construction, has agreed to contract with the URD directly for the installation of the streetlamps and related electric infrastructure. TD&H is completing the final engineering and cost estimates. Discussion and Decision Items Downtown Plan Transportation SOW Review Chris Naumann presented the fee and billing schedule Sanderson Stewart completed for parts one and two for the SOW. Chris mentioned that MDT provided 3-4 pages of notes in response to the initial SOW that Sanderson Stewart provided. He commented that MDT never provided a comment that a three lane Main Street wouldn’t fit with two lanes of diagonal parking. Tony Renslow commented that he thought the price for part one seemed a bit high. He said all the attention is being paid to the 3-lane component but there is so much need for improvement regarding through-trucks, vehicle traffic flow, bike and pedestrian safety. Marley McKenna asked if the board could receive bids from other engineering firms. Chris Naumann commented that all the Urban Renewal Districts, including the four others that are managed by the City, went through a process to select a term contract team. Marley McKenna commented that while parking is a large concern for downtown stakeholders, another piece to the larger picture is the flow of traffic through downtown. Nick Zelver commented that advancing the multi-modal analysis and improvements is very important. He also suggested that the decision making process needs to be informed by data. Cory Lawrence posed questions to the board including what is the strategy of the board/staff regarding projects they take on and how are they prioritized. He stated when he first read the bullet points for the SOW he was for it when it included adding parking, but against it when it included removing parking. He commented that the board should be educated before any big decisions are made. Chris Mehl commented that as a city commissioner/mayor he has seen many SOW estimates and that the one being discussed seemed reasonable. The board agreed they would like to further review the SOW individually before the next meeting. The board agreed they would like to hold a work session for the URD to further discuss the Transportation SOW. They directed Chris to find a time/day in the beginning of April to hold a meeting. Ashley Ogle commented that when big decisions are being made that information needs to be brought to downtown stakeholders attention and that consistent communication is key. David Loseff said that very specific questions should be asked such as, Will parking be added or removed? What is the cost to convert Main Street to three lanes? If it is converted to three lanes will is lose federal funding? Who pays for road maintenance if Main Street loses federal funding? Chris Naumann pointed out that the professional services work being proposed in the scope of work is the “education” component that will provide the data and analysis to make informed decisions. He also pointed out that the scope of work includes: public engagement; phased implementation planning; and costs estimates. Currently we do not know what will work, what impacts certain implementations will have on the overall transportation system, or how much any of it might cost. DBA Event Stage Funding Request Chris presented the memo that was previously sent out to the URD Board and referenced the proposal sent by Ellie Staley, the DBA Director requesting $50,000 for the purchase of a new event stage. He suggested the funding could come out of the FY20 URD Budget, under the “DBIP: General Implementation” line item. Ellie Staley presented information on the stage and included that Music on Main is a free event for the community and the DBA intends to keep it free. As a free event, the event is welcoming to everyone in the community. She included that the stage can be leased out to other organizations in Bozeman and will also be used for other DBA events other than Music on Main. ACTION: Marley McKenna moved to approve $50,000 of funding for the purchase of a new event stage for the Downtown Business Association out of the FY20 budget, line item “DBIP: General Implementation”. Nick Zelver seconded the motion. All voted in favor. Bozeman Fiber Update and Funding Request This item was decided to be discussed at the next board meeting. Meeting was adjourned at 1:40 pm Downtown Urban Renewal District Scope of Work – Downtown Transportation Study Task Order No. DTN20-002 3/5/20 Sanderson Stewart is pleased to provide this scope of work for a transportation study that will provide analysis and recommendations associated with the transportation- related improvements in the 2019 Downtown Bozeman Improvement Plan (DBIP). This work is to be done as a part of the Downtown Urban Renewal District term contract for architectural and engineering services. This project generally consists of background research, data collection, and analysis associated with the following recommended improvements from the DBIP: • Main Street – convert to three lanes with back-in angled parking from 7th Avenue to Cypress Street • Mendenhall Street – modify existing sharrow striping to improve visibility from 11th Avenue to Rouse Avenue • Babcock Street – eliminate on-street parking on north side and replace with two-way cycle track from 8th Avenue to Wallace Avenue • Install traffic signals at Babcock/Black and Mendenhall/Black intersections • Improve Black Avenue as a Bicycle Corridor • Install pedestrian crossing enhancements at Babcock/Wallace, Babcock/Grand, and Mendenhall/Grand intersections The analysis will be conducted in two parts. Part 1 will consist of concept designs in plan view for the full length of the three corridor projects (bullets 1-3 above). This effort will be completed first to verify feasibility of the recommendations from the DBIP. Design concepts will be reviewed by the Downtown Bozeman Partnership, City of Bozeman and MDT prior to proceeding with Part 2 of the project, which will require a separate authorization to proceed. Part 2 will include traffic data collection and analysis of the affected intersections and corridors for the extent of the improvements. A detailed list of assumptions and scope of services for the project are outlined below. Scope of Work: Part 1 – Concept Design Phase 1 – Project Management and Coordination This phase of the project will include project initiation and planning tasks, including scoping, contract preparation, and kick-off meetings with the Downtown Bozeman Partnership, City of Bozeman and MDT. Other project management tasks include the following: • Coordination with Client and project team • Coordination with City of Bozeman and MDT • Research and review of previous related studies (including the DBIP and the Bozeman Transportation Master Plan) and available traffic data • Correspondence, phone calls and meetings throughout the duration of the project • Weekly project update emails • Monthly invoicing of project fees/expenses • Internal (project team) coordination and quality control reviews of analysis and deliverables Phase 2 – Limited Topographic Survey and Base Mapping This phase of the project will utilize base maps previously prepared for the 2003 Downtown Bozeman Streetscape Project on Main Street from Grand Avenue to Rouse Avenue. A limited topographic survey will be completed to verify curb lines and back of sidewalk locations within this area and to extend the base map area to the full extent of the recommended corridor projects listed on page 1 (first 3 bullets). The following tasks will be included in this phase of the project: • Survey back of curb and back of walk for the full length of the Main, Mendenhall, and Babcock corridor projects described on page 1 using GPS survey equipment. • Develop base drawings using the streetscape project drawings supplemented with the new topographic survey information. Phase 3 – Concept Design This phase of the project will consist of the development of plan-view design concepts for each of the projects described on page 1 of this scope of work. The concept design exhibits will be drawn to scale to verify feasibility of the DBIP recommendations, but they will be highly graphic in nature for presentation to project stakeholders. Concept designs will address the anticipated intersection treatments and transitions at the east and west ends of the projects and will also identify other related projects from the DBIP that overlap these project corridors, such as the Black Avenue Bike Corridor, recommended signals at Black/Babcock and Black/Mendenhall, and pedestrian crossing improvements along Babcock and Mendenhall. Design concepts for State Highway System routes (including National Highway System and Urban Route facilities) will be designed in accordance with MDT design standards. All non-MDT facilities will be designed in accordance with City of Bozeman design standards. Phase 4 – Concept Design Summary Memo Part 1 of this project will culminate with submittal of a memo summarizing the concept design effort and identifying potential challenges associated with the improvements. This memo will be submitted, along with the design concepts, to the Downtown Partnership, Bozeman Parking Commission, City of Bozeman and MDT for review. A review meeting will be held at this stage of the project with representatives from each jurisdiction to discuss the concepts and identify any concerns prior to proceeding with the remainder of the analysis (Part 2). Comments from the reviewing agencies will be addressed prior to making the design concept exhibits or concept design summary memo available for public review. If any design concepts are determined to be infeasible by any of the reviewing agencies, those concepts may be removed from consideration prior to Sanderson Stewart being authorized to proceed with Part 2 of the project. PART 2 – DATA COLLECTION, ANALYSIS AND REPORTING Phase 5 – Data Collection After a separate notice to proceed has been issued for Part 2 of the project, Sanderson Stewart will begin with traffic volume data collection using Miovision video data collectors. This effort will consist of PM peak hour turning movement counts at the following 34 intersections: Main Street • 7th Avenue • 5th Avenue • 3rd Avenue • Grand Avenue • Willson Avenue • Tracy Avenue • Black Avenue • Bozeman Avenue • Rouse Avenue • Church Avenue • Wallace Avenue • Broadway Avenue • Cypress Street Mendenhall Street • 11th Avenue • 7th Avenue • 5th Avenue • 3rd Avenue • Grand Avenue • Willson Avenue • Tracy Avenue • Black Avenue • Bozeman Avenue • Rouse Avenue Babcock Street • 8th Avenue • 5th Avenue • 3rd Avenue • Grand Avenue • Willson Avenue • Tracy Avenue • Black Avenue • Bozeman Avenue • Rouse Avenue • Church Avenue • Wallace Avenue Existing annual average daily traffic (AADT) volume data from MDT will also be reviewed and summarized for this analysis. Other tasks include: • Set up, relocation and retrieval of Miovision Scout video data collectors at the locations identified above • Data processing through Miovision, including bicycle and pedestrian counts and vehicle classification for approximate PM peak hour period (processing of 2 hours/intersection), as well as up to 16 hours of data at up to six intersections where traffic signal warrants will be evaluated • Format count data and develop study area maps to illustrate existing traffic control and existing volumes Phase 6 – Evaluation of Existing Conditions The traffic analysis tasks will begin with an evaluation of existing conditions. Sanderson Stewart will prepare corridor models for Main, Babcock and Mendenhall. The models will initially be created for existing conditions so that a direct comparison of analysis results can be provided for existing conditions and recommended improvements. The following tasks will be completed in this phase: • Set up corridor models in Synchro or Vissim to conduct capacity analysis for existing conditions (traffic volumes, traffic control and lane configurations) • Analysis of bike and pedestrian performance measures for existing conditions • Prepare summary tables for review of analysis results • Request crash data from MDT for study area • Review and summarize crash data, calculate metrics and prepare summary figures • Perform turn lane warrant analysis and traffic signal warrant analysis Phase 7 – Evaluation of Recommended Improvements The recommended improvements from the DBIP will be evaluated using the same methodology used for existing conditions. The recommended improvements will be added to the models and they will be analyzed for existing and future traffic volumes. The following tasks will be included: • Set up corridor models to conduct capacity analysis with recommended improvements and existing traffic volumes • Develop future traffic volume projections for 20-year planning horizons using historic background growth rates • Use corridor models to conduct capacity analysis for recommended improvements and future traffic volumes • Analysis of bike and pedestrian performance measures for recommended improvements with existing and future volumes • Prepare summary tables for review of analysis results • Turn lane warrant analysis and traffic signal warrant analysis • Develop study area maps that show future traffic volume scenarios Note that it has been assumed that a redistribution of existing traffic volumes will not be included in this analysis. It is our understanding that the future improvements on each corridor are generally intended to accommodate the same level of traffic that exists on the roadways today. Future volumes will be projected, but volumes will not be redistributed from one corridor to the next. Phase 8 – Update Concept Designs The design concepts developed under Part 1 of this study will be revisited to assess if any revisions to the original improvement recommendations may be necessary based on the results of the analysis effort. The concept designs and graphics will be revised and developed to a higher level for presentation at stakeholder/public meetings. Other improvements may be identified during the analysis phase and will be added to the design concepts as needed. Up to one alternative concept design will be considered for each corridor to address any areas where the analysis results do not support the improvements recommended in the DBIP. Phase 9 – Engineer’s Opinion of Probable Cost Opinions of probable construction cost will be developed for each of the design recommendations and alternatives developed. They will be broken down by individual project/improvement. Phase 10 – Stakeholder Involvement It is anticipated that a thorough stakeholder and public involvement process will be needed for this project. Individual tasks and meetings/presentations include the following: • Prepare presentation materials • One (1) open house-style stakeholder/public meeting will be held after the analysis is complete and design concepts have been updated to show the full extent of recommended improvements. • One (1) meeting each is anticipated with the following stakeholder groups: o Transportation Coordinating Committee o Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Committee o Bozeman Area Bicycle Advisory Board o Urban Renewal District Board o Business Improvement District Board • Comments received through these meetings and presentations will be summarized and presented for Client and agency review. Comments will be addressed as needed in the analysis and design concepts prior to preparing the summary report. Phase 11 – Summary Report The preceding analysis and design concepts will be presented in a final summary report. This report will present the following project elements: • Background information and research • Summary of all analysis completed for existing and future traffic volumes and with recommended improvements • Summary of recommended improvements • Recommendations for any amendments to the Bozeman Transportation Master Plan or the DBIP (as required) • Concept design illustrations for recommended improvements • Planning-level opinions of probable construction cost for recommended improvements and alternatives • Summary of public participation process, including comments matrix (appendices) • Next steps and potential funding opportunities A draft report will be submitted for review to the Downtown Partnership, City of Bozeman and MDT. A final report will be prepared after all review comments are received and addressed. Other Potential Scope Items: The following items are additional potential scope items that were included as transportation-related recommendations in the DBIP. They are not currently included in this scope of work but could be added by a contract amendment if needed. • Parking related modifications • Transit-related improvements (Streamline circulator with park-and-ride service would utilize Mendenhall and Babcock) • Alternative Transportation Facilities (EV charging stations, ride share, car share, and micro mobility improvements) Other Exclusions: The following items are not expected to be needed for this project and are therefore specifically excluded from this scope of work: • Full topographic and boundary survey of the proposed projects • Analysis of additional major improvements not included in this scope, such as conversion of Babcock or Mendenhall to two-way operation • Regional travel demand modeling (using MDT model) • Design of any roadway or intersection improvements beyond concept-level as described above • Presentation of findings beyond the review meetings and stakeholder/public meeting listed in this scope If needed, these items will be added as a separate task order or contract amendment. Fees and Billing Arrangements: Phase Fee Part 1 – Concept Design 1. Project Management and Coordination $10,720 2. Limited Topographic Survey and Base Mapping $16,060 3. Concept Design $16,410 4. Concept Design Summary Memo $4,580 Sub-Total for Part 1 $47,770 Part 2 – Data Collection, Analysis and Reporting 5. Data Collection $12,820 6. Evaluation of Existing Conditions $6,610 7. Evaluation of Recommended Improvements $14,900 8. Update Concept Designs $11,400 9. Engineer’s Opinion of Probable Cost $8,220 10. Stakeholder Involvement $7,600 11. Summary Report $12,980 Sub-Total for Part 2 $74,530 Total Project $122,300 Sanderson Stewart will bill for its services on a lump sum basis by phase with a project sub-total of $47,770 for Part 1 and $74,530 for Part 2 with a total project fee of $122,300. We will not proceed with Part 2 of the project until a separate authorization to proceed is given by the Client. Sanderson Stewart shall submit invoices to the Client for work accomplished during each calendar month. The amount of each monthly invoice shall be determined on the “percentage of completion method” whereby Sanderson Stewart will estimate the percentage of the total work (provided on a lump sum basis) accomplished during the invoicing period. Project Schedule: The anticipated schedule for this project consists of the Part 1 deliverables within 3 months of notice to proceed. The Part 2 deliverables are anticipated to take 5 additional months to complete after a separate authorization to proceed with Part 2 is given by the Client. Reasonable time shall be allowed for review and coordination with the various agencies and stakeholders. March 5, 2020 TO: URD Board FR: Chris Naumann RE: URD Funding Requests MEMO For the March board meeting there are two funding requests to be considered for approval. The first is the DBA request for $50,000 of funding for the purchase of an event stage as outlined in the attached proposal previously sent to the board by Ellie Staley (and included here within). I support this request not only in the spirit of the URD assisting the DBA as a fellow member of the Downtown Partnership, but also as a small implementation step highlighted in the 2019 Downtown Plan. As such, this request could be funded out of the “DBIP: General Implementation” budget line item. The budgeted amount for this line item is $75,000. To date we have spent just under $9,000. If the DBA request is granted that would leave $16,000 remaining for other investment during the last four months of the fiscal year. The second request is to consider allocating the $8,000 remaining from the Lamme Fiber Project budget to Bozeman Fiber for developing network expansion plans and ‘smart’ services strategies. Bozeman Fiber has begun to create a vision for the next phase of deployment and utilization that will be branded “Smart Bozeman”. This evolution of the network will seek to physically expand the reach of the network across the community. This effort will also include engaging community partners to utilize the network for “smart services”. For example: • Montana State University for ‘distributed campus’ resources such as virtual classes • Bozeman Health for ‘tele-health’ services • Northwestern Energy for electric and gas utilization data metrics • City of Bozeman for ‘smart’ utility metering and asset management functions If approved, Bozeman Fiber would primarily use the funds to develop GIS network expansion maps. Funds might also be used for smart services research and creating corresponding informational collateral for engaging and cultivating community partners. Please let me know if you have any questions. Otherwise, I look forward to discussing both at our board meeting on March 10th.