HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-03-20 Minutes - Northeast Urban Renewal Board (NURB)
NURB Meeting – March 3, 2020 1
Northeast Urban Renewal Board (NURB)
Regular Meeting Tuesday, March 3, 2020 The Northeast Urban Renewal Board met in regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 3,
2020, in the Madison Conference Room, City Hall, 121 North Rouse Avenue, Bozeman,
Montana. Present: Absent:
Voting Members:
Bobbi Clem John Usher Dan Doehring Corwin Dormire
Jeanne Wesley-Wiese Non-Voting Members: Ethan Barlow Robert Pavlic Nolan Campbell
Commissioner Liaison: I-Ho Pomeroy Staff:
David Fine, Urban Renewal Program Manager Robin Sullivan, Recording Secretary Guests:
Chris Nixon, 719 North Wallace Avenue Call to Order – Chair Bobbi Clem called the meeting to order at 6:33 p.m.
Changes to the Agenda – No changes were made to the agenda. Public Comment – At the Board’s request, David Fine gave an overview of the parking benefit
zone framework adopted by the Commission at last night’s meeting, stressing that it does not extend to this district. He stressed that the action established the program but did not create any districts.
Chris Nixon reported that the Audobon Society now owns 32 acres donated by the Delaneys and is under contract to purchase an additional 8 acres between the railroad tracks and the interstate, including the big railroad berm; and they are currently raising monies for that purchase. Confluence is currently under contract for designing the wetlands restoration. He
indicated they are also looking at different resources that could be incorporated into the project, thus making it bigger than originally thought.
NURB Meeting – March 3, 2020 2
Bobbi Clem noted the subject property is at the edge of this district but is not within this district’s boundaries.
Chris Nixon stated the City will be putting in a new sewer main as part of the Front Street sewer project. The original design included putting the new line in the same place as the existing line, which is under the wetland, but it has been redesigned to run along the bluff adjacent to East Main Street. The relocation will allow an all weather access for the City’s crews and will allow
for an all weather trail connector to the wetlands. He identified some potential additions to the project, including reconnecting the fisheries for Sourdough Creek and creation of a wetland mitigation bank that will keep monies and improvements in the community. Minutes – January 14, 2020. It was moved by Dan Doehring, seconded by Jeanne Wesley-Wiese, that the minutes of the regular meeting of January 14, 2020 be approved as submitted. The motion carried on a 4-0 vote.
Discussion/Action Items – Staff updates on items of interest to the Board. David Fine reported that he has received one response to the quiet zone request for qualifications; however, he has not yet opened it. He stated that designing of the Griffin Drive crossing is underway; and it may be
possible to incorporate some of the quiet zone improvements into the project, depending on the kind of treatment required as a result of the study. He reminded the Board that all three crossings must be improved to meet quiet zone requirements.
David Fine reminded the Board that an off-site parking lot for the Cottonwood & Ida project was approved for a portion of the brewery wall site. Think Tank has now submitted a proposal for development on the site, which includes new buildings along North Wallace Avenue and East Tamarack Street with structured parking at the back of the site. He indicated that they may
seek Board support for designating a portion of the garage as public parking. Responding to Chris Nixon, David Fine confirmed that once a consulting engineer is selected, the scope of work and fee will be negotiated. He acknowledged that the costs of the study for two of the crossings be funded with monies from outside this district’s revenues.
Update on financial status of NURB fund. Robin Sullivan distributed copies of the FY2020 revenues and expenditures to date and a copy of the revenues and expenditures from
inception to date. She briefly highlighted the report, noting that an additional $10,000 in engineering costs for the East Tamarack Street project is anticipated yet this year. Initial discussion on budget and work plan for Fiscal Year 2020-2021. Robin
Sullivan distributed a draft of the work plan to serve as a basis for discussion about items to be budgeted for the upcoming fiscal year. During discussion, possible items identified included $10,000 for professional services and
monies for a connector trail between the railroad and the Audobon site.
NURB Meeting – March 3, 2020 3
Looking forward. Bobbi Clem distributed a sheet with her thoughts on possible future projects that could be funded with the anticipated increase in tax increment financing funds over the next twenty years, and noted that she has requested this item be included on future
agendas. Bobbi Clem noted that several years ago, this Board identified projects and established the priorities for those projects. It then waited until it had adequate monies and the ability to sell
bonds to complete the top priority projects. The Board has no monies available to spend on new projects, but it is anticipated tax increment financing monies will become available over the next few years. She feels that now is the time to identify the next round of priorities and plan for them so that when the monies are available, they can be funded. She reminded the Board that projects previously identified but for which monies were not available include North Ida Avenue,
Front Street and the pedestrian bridge. She noted that North Ida Avenue will be improved as a part of the Cottonwood & Ida project, and the triangle created by East Aspen Street and Front Street around the boulder park is to be reconfigured under the infrastructure improvements approved in conjunction with that project. She proposed that this Board consider the
engineering design for the remainder of Front Street between East Tamarack Street and North Ida Avenue as its next project and possibly pursue the opportunity to make those improvements in conjunction with the Cottonwood & Ida project improvements rather than as a small stand alone project if monies are available.
David Fine noted that the property on which the depot sits is long and narrow, and parking for the proposed depot reuse will be on the east end of the site. He suggested that the developer be required to bear the costs of engineering and costs estimates for those street improvements.
Responding to Ethan Barlow, David Fine stated the City’s Engineering staff felt the angle of Front Street creates an unsafe traffic condition and, as a result, required that the intersection be squared and that Front Street become a one-way street in the triangle area.
Nolan Campbell questioned the need for the proposed parking at the east end of the depot and along Front Street with the structured parking proposed for the Brewery Wall site. He then voiced his support for making the depot better than it currently is. David Fine noted that the depot is an asset to this district; however, it is not big in terms of
square footage. He stressed that its reuse would help to remediate the blight in that portion of the district. Bobbi Clem stated that under the proposed reuse of the depot, the builder would purchase the
building and lease the ground. Ethan Barlow noted the developers of the currently proposed project have an appetite for complicated projects in historic structures, citing renovation of the East Willson School into residential units as an example. He agreed that having the building occupied is an appealing
alternative to the existing situation. Chris Nixon noted this Board has previously considered fencing along the depot property. He then suggested fencing along the pocket trail connector so more of the strip could be used as a
trail. He proposed that if the fence and possibly the quiet crossing could be tied into railroad safety, it may be possible to obtain funds for a portion of those projects.
NURB Meeting – March 3, 2020 4
Bobbi Clem highlighted some of the other projects she has identified from the original list of projects as well as a variety of projects that have been discussed over the past few years. Those include additional improvements along the new connector trail, planting additional trees
along streets, and encouraging a Streamline commuter loop that includes this district, Main Street and Midtown. Ethan Barlow expressed his support for public/private collaborations where this district can play
a role in making a project feasible. He sees the depot restoration as being an example of those opportunities. Dan Doehring indicated that he wants to give further thought and consideration to these proposals, noting a lot of change is occurring in the area.
Responding to questions from Ethan Barlow, Jeanne Wesley-Wiese stated that preserving the history of the area is important; and she sees the depot as a huge part of the neighborhood. She noted, however, that she does not want to commit monies to a project with the railroad but
wants to hear more facts about the proposal. She then identified other projects involving historic buildings that were subsequently destroyed. Set agenda for April 7, 2020 meeting or cancel meeting. Items to be included on the
agenda are updates on items of interest to the Board, a report on the financial status, looking forward and continued discussion on the budget for Fiscal Year 2020-2021.
FYI/Discussion. Bobbi Clem reported that she has heard the Stoltzfus property on the south side of East Tamarack Street has been acquired by Kenyon-Noble. Bobbi Clem announced that another art show has been scheduled in The Tin Works building
this summer. Bobbi Clem reminded the Board of the NENA spring meeting scheduled for March 24. She noted that an overview of the Audobon Society’s wetlands restoration will be on that agenda.
Nolan Campbell reported that the soils on the Idaho Pole site have now been deleted from contaminated designation; and the site is now under contract. Responding to Jeanne Wesley-Wiese, Nolan Campbell confirmed that the water is still under
restrictions. He then acknowledged that deed restrictions are not automatically lifted, but may be lifted upon request.
Adjournment – 8:17 p.m. There being no further business to come before the Board at this time, Chair Clem adjourned the meeting. Bobbi Clem, Chair Northeast Urban Renewal Board
City of Bozeman