HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-06-19 Minutes - Northeast Urban Renewal Board (NURB)
NURB Meeting – August 6, 2019 1
Northeast Urban Renewal Board (NURB)
Regular Meeting Tuesday, August 6, 2019 The Northeast Urban Renewal Board met in regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 6,
2019, in the Conference Room, Professional Building, 20 East Olive Street, Bozeman, Montana.
Present: Absent: Voting Members:
Bobbi Clem Dan Doehring John Usher Corwin Dormire Jeanne Wesley-Wiese Non-Voting Members:
Ethan Barlow Dalton Brink Nolan Campbell Robert Pavlic Commissioner Liaison:
I-Ho Pomeroy Staff: David Fine, TIF Specialist Robin Sullivan, Recording Secretary
Guests: Call to Order – Vice Chair Jeanne Wesley-Wiese called the meeting to order at 6:34 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 30, 2019. It was moved by John Usher, seconded by Bobbi Clem, that the
minutes of the regular meeting of April 30, 2019 be approved as submitted. The motion carried on a 3-0 vote.
Discussion/Action Items – Staff update on Cottonwood & Ida project. Robin Sullivan distributed copies of an e-mail from Erik Nelson providing an update on the project.
David Fine reported that the applicant is seeking modifications to the project, which will trigger a complete review process, including design review through the PUD review process and Commission review and approval. The modifications include a reduction in the number of
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residential units from 92 to 78. Once the review process is completed, the applicant anticipates construction will begin next spring.
Nolan Campbell reported that one of the buildings is also to be lowered in height, with no building exceeding three stories. David Fine stated that the development agreement, which is between the City of Bozeman and
the owners of the project, has been approved by the City Commission and signed by the City Manager but is missing the signature of one of the principals. The agreement stipulates that if the project is built at a certain value, then the owner will be reimbursed for infrastructure improvements made. Also, a non-discrimination affirmation agreement must be executed.
Staff updates on items of interest to the Board, including East Tamarack Street and East Peach Street. David Fine reported that the consulting engineer is waiting for a final walk through for the East Peach Street project to be scheduled with JR Civil and the City. Also,
JR Civil has to redo the manhole between North Wallace Avenue and North Church Avenue again. David Fine reported that the East Tamarack Street project is complete except for a few punch list items. Once those items have been corrected, a final walk through will be scheduled; and it
is anticipated that will be completed by the end of the summer. Jeanne Wesley-Wiese asked why sidewalks were not installed along the east side of North Wallace Avenue between East Tamarack Street and L Street; David Fine responded he will
have to research that issue. Update on financial status of NURB fund. Robin Sullivan distributed copies of the
FY2019 revenues and expenditures to date, the FY2020 revenues and expenditures to date, and the revenues and expenditures from inception to date. She briefly reviewed the information in those spreadsheets, noting that the balance brought forward to FY2020 is approximately $65,000 lower than she had projected, which will make the budget for the fiscal year even tighter than originally anticipated.
Jeanne Wesley-Wiese noted that the railroad has apparently taken over the depot, to be used as its maintenance headquarters. The result is a lot of weird noises coming from that site.
Robin Sullivan distributed copies of the updated board as a result of last night’s Commission appointments. She noted it is now outdated with Dalton Brink’s resignation just prior to this meeting, so she will provide a new updated listing at the next board meeting. Discussion regarding staffing for Board. David Fine reported that this had been listed as an executive session on the original agenda; however, he waived his right to privacy and it is now listed as a discussion item in open meeting. It is his understanding that the Board Chair had requested this item be placed on the agenda.
John Usher noted that when this Board convened in April, it was asked to fund 10 percent of a new staff person in the Economic Development Department, increasing the amount paid for
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staff support from $10,000 to over $23,000. He noted that Anna Rosenberry was sitting in that meeting; and the manner in which the increase in costs was handled made him feel sandbagged. He acknowledged that staff does the work that results from this Board’s actions.
However, he noted the Board was told it could say whatever it wanted but the Commission would go with the staff recommendation; and that made him question why the Board was even providing input.
John Usher stressed that a review of the original documents confirmed that when this district was created, it was not for economic development but for infrastructure improvements because it had been deemed a blighted area. He noted that the district is now out of money, but the improvements made to date have been for the good of the entire community.
John Usher noted that the manner in which the increase for staffing was handled “got under Bob Pavlic’s skin as well as his own skin”. He then stated that during that meeting, staff admonished Jeanne Wesley-Wiese that the tax increment funds are not hers; however, it now appears the City staff has identified it as theirs.
Nolan Campbell recognized staff’s bad timing in requesting the additional monies in the budgeting process since the final decision had to be made that night. He suggested that, if the Board had been given more time, it could possibly have negotiated the amount paid for staffing this fiscal year and proposed that such negotiations be undertaken next year.
Responding to John Usher, David Fine stated that he and Brit Fontenot do not feel they have adequate staff in their department to handle the workload for the urban renewal districts as well as economic development, so they requested additional staff. They were informed just weeks
before the board meeting that they would need to find the funds to hire a new person from sources other than the General Fund; and this was their proposal for doing so. He then reminded the Board that they are advisory to the Commission and that they should inform the Commission if they feel it is a bad idea; however, he acknowledged that he would also have
made the case that an increase in staffing levels was needed. David Fine stated that hiring of an additional staff person is important to the urban renewal program in general because it allows staff to follow up on board actions and to consider possible options or projects. He recognized that it is important for the Board to have a chance to
consider weighty issues rather than being surprised at the last minute. John Usher voiced his support for Nolan Campbell’s suggestion that the percentage be negotiated next year. He recognized that if the Cottonwood and Ida project does become a
reality and if tax revenues are generated in two or three years, then the district will see some of the road improvements that this Board has identified as a priority and will have some additional monies. He then noted that he voted for the Cottonwood and Ida project; however, he is leery of the impacts it will have on the neighborhood and its residents. He concluded by noting that economic development seems to be the key issue in the valley at this time, even though it is not
the mission or vision of this district or this Board. Responding to questions from Jeanne Wesley-Wiese, David Fine stated there are currently five urban renewal districts in Bozeman. Two of those districts have not yet become active and, as
a result, have no monies. Funding for the new position in the Economic Development Department includes 50 percent from the Parking Fund, 20 percent from the Downtown Urban Renewal District, 20 percent from the Midtown Urban Renewal District and 10 percent from the
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Northeast Urban Renewal District. He acknowledged that if staff had had more time to develop its proposal, it might have presented a slightly different split. He then stated the new position will start in the high $50,000s plus benefits, and there will be some start up costs for the
additional person. The new hire will be done at mid year to ensure adequate monies are available to cover all costs. In addition to funding a portion of this position, staff time from other departments is also covered by the tax increment financing districts.
David Fine suggested that if the Board feels very strongly that a different percentage would be appropriate, the issue can be discussed further. He asked that such discussions be done early in the budgeting process so he can approach the other urban renewal boards to seek additional funding from their districts to cover the costs. He then indicated that, with the hiring of a new person, staff for the urban renewal districts can spend more time being proactive and carrying
projects and issues forward. Bobbi Clem stated she does not think this Board would have been successful if it had not been for the staff work that Brit Fontenot did, particularly on the sale of bonds. She acknowledged
that the district may not use 10 percent of staff’s time this year but may have used more staff time than it paid for in the past year or two. Jeanne Wesley-Wiese acknowledged that staff support is needed; however, this Board was blindsided by the huge increase in staff funding that put some projects in jeopardy.
Jeanne Wesley-Wiese asked if Bob Pavlic’s demotion to non-voting member status was a result of his push back on this issue; David Fine responded it was a Commission decision.
Ethan Barlow noted that response does not directly answer the question and recognized that it seems very coincidental. Jeanne Wesley-Wiese noted it seems strange that Bob Pavlic was demoted to a non-voting
status after serving on the board for nearly fifteen years; John Usher noted the same thing happened to Tom Noble a few years ago. John Usher noted that this Board was quiet and had few members for years; however, when monies became available, everyone was interested.
Ethan Barlow voiced his appreciation for Bob Pavlic’s straight forward manner and plain talk. He then noted that this conversation with its candor and transparency, has been good and has identified many of the issues and concerns.
Responding to John Usher, David Fine stated he feels this conversation will help staff to be better servants to the Board. Responding to comments from Commissioner Liaison Pomeroy, Jeanne Wesley-Wiese noted
that board members devote their time without any compensation; and to have the Commission not reappoint someone who has served for years without thanks or any recognition is a slap in the face to the volunteer. She then stated it appears that if one pushes back a little, the City will remove that individual.
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Ethan Barlow identified the changes that are occurring in the district and characterized the situation as “rear view mirror versus windshield”. He acknowledged the passionate feelings of those within this district and further noted that the community at large is experiencing
tremendous change. Jeanne Wesley-Wiese stated she is impassioned because she lives within the district. She does not want this to be a figure head board that rubber stamps things for the bureaucracy;
rather, she wants this Board’s position and actions to matter. David Fine acknowledged the importance of a board that believes in its urban renewal plan and wants to enact that plan.
Commissioner Liaison Pomeroy noted that the City has 37 advisory boards, and is thankful for the volunteers who spend their time on those boards because they care. Ethan Barlow noted that this discussion has helped him to better understand how the process
works. He stated that a part of him, too, does not need to see the neighborhood change, like those voting members who have voted for projects that they recognize will negatively impact them personally. He then noted that this board has evolved over time but has maintained the vision of investing in the streets and sidewalks in the area; however, a degree of possessiveness has crept into the mix.
John Usher noted that this Board has seen the street improvements done that it had the money for, and those improvements have included sidewalks. He noted that East Tamarack Street may have been perceived as “kind of a spooky place to walk before, and now people are using
those sidewalks on a regular basis with smiles on their faces”. Set agenda for September 3, 2019 meeting or cancel meeting. Since there are
currently no pressing agenda items, the Board cancelled its September 3 agenda. To be included on the October 1 agenda are appointment of a Chair, review of the urban renewal plan, update on property valuations for district, update on the wetlands project/Audubon, update on construction projects and the financial report.
FYI/Discussion. Bobbi Clem encouraged all board members to attend the art show and
reception this Friday at Tin Works.
Adjournment – 7:55 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