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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-16-20 Minutes - Northeast Urban Renewal Board (NURB) NURB Meeting – June 16, 2020 1 Northeast Urban Renewal Board (NURB) Regular Meeting Tuesday, June 16, 2020 The Northeast Urban Renewal Board met in regular meeting at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 16, 2020, via Webex. Present: Absent: Voting Members: Bobbi Clem Corwin Dormire Dan Doehring John Usher Jeanne Wesley-Wiese Non-Voting Members: Ethan Barlow Nolan Campbell Robert Pavlic Commissioner Liaison: I-Ho Pomeroy Staff: David Fine, Urban Renewal Program Manager Mike Veselik, Economic Development Specialist Robin Sullivan, Recording Secretary Guests: Brit Fontenot, Economic Development Director Call to Order – Chair Bobbi Clem called the meeting to order at 5:08 p.m. Changes to the Agenda – No changes were made to the agenda. Public Comment – NOTE: Mike Veselik read a statement prepared by the City Attorney to ensure that this Webex meeting meets all of the legal requirements for an open meeting. He repeated the required statement throughout the meeting as needed. No comment was received under this agenda item. Minutes – March 3, 2020. It was moved by Jeanne Wesley-Wiese, seconded by Daniel Doehring, that the minutes of the regular meeting of March 3, 2020 be approved as submitted. The motion carried on a 4-0 vote. NURB Meeting – June 16, 2020 2 Discussion/Action Items – Update on financial status of NURB fund. Robin Sullivan noted that a copy of the FY2020 revenues and expenditures to date was e-mailed to the Board prior to this meeting. She briefly highlighted the report, noting that she anticipates additional expenses will be submitted prior to June 30. Also, the second half property tax revenues have not yet been distributed among the various City funds, so she anticipates the ending balance for the year will be close to the balance on this report. Discussion on budget and work plan for Fiscal Year 2020-2021. A copy of the work plan and budget was included in the information submitted to the board members via e-mail. David Fine characterized the document as staff’s best effort to develop a work plan and budget that meets the priorities of the Board within the financial opportunities currently available. He noted that some of the projects are driven by the Cottonwood & Ida project, particularly the small pieces of street improvements that will be left over after the required off-site improvements are completed. This includes the small portion of Front Street between the terminus of the East Tamarack Street improvements and North Ida Avenue. He proposed that the engineering of that small street section be completed this year and that, if possible, it be included with the bid for the other streets to hopefully capture the savings of doing the work in a larger project. He acknowledged that monies for the construction will probably not be available this fiscal year but would be next fiscal year. David Fine noted that a block of North Ida Avenue will also not be improved with the Cottonwood & Ida project; however, he proposed that both the engineering and construction of that project be delayed because there have been no proposals for redevelopment of the parcels along that block. It will be an expensive project since the underground utilities need to be replaced, and service lines will need to be installed in conjunction with any redevelopment. David Fine stated that staff is also proposing engineering work be done for the pedestrian bridge, with construction being considered next fiscal year. The projected cost of the project is based on the estimated costs for crossing Bozeman Creek for the Front Street trail. The bids for that project are to be opened yet this year, so the actual costs can be more accurately identified for this bridge. He then highlighted the other infrastructure projects included in the proposed budget, including $15,000 for the Front Street connector trail, as requested by GVLT and the Parks Department a few months ago, and $11,500 for the quiet zone study. He reported that the study is under contract and is progressing; and an equal amount has been committed by the Tin Works, the Cannery District and potentially the Idaho Pole site developers. The $50,000 budgeted for the quiet zone construction is simply a placeholder until the study identifies the improvements needed for a quiet zone designation. Also, the monies included for the connector trail to the Audobon site is simply a placeholder for that potential project. He cautioned that, under the State Statutes for tax increment financing districts, it does not appear monies can be legally expended outside the district for this trail connection. David Fine turned his attention to the trails and boulevards maintenance line item. He noted that boulevard trees are currently being planted along East Tamarack Street where possible, using the City’s tree share program for purchase and planting of the trees. He had hoped to plant eighteen boulevard trees along the street frontage; however, the location of many utilities in the boulevard has resulted in planting only seven trees. The trees are being planted this summer, and the maintenance line item for next year includes a contract for water bags to NURB Meeting – June 16, 2020 3 ensure the trees become established before they are turned over to nature. He indicated that the contract is for a two-year period, so the monies will need to be budgeted next year as well. David Fine concluded by briefly highlighting the administrative support, staffing, professional services and bond repayments costs in the proposed budget. He noted the last line is a designated reserve for future projects since there are not sufficient monies to cover the costs of any single project this fiscal year. Bobbi Clem thanked staff for drafting the proposed budget, stating she feels it is well thought out. Jeanne Wesley-Wiese voiced concern about the increased costs for the pedestrian bridge, with the construction estimate now at $170,000. She noted that the Board has already paid a significant amount for engineering on the bridge. She then questioned the tree planting along East Tamarack Street, since she doesn’t recall any prior discussion on the issue. David Fine responded that KLJ did not scope the planting of boulevard trees in the East Tamarack Street improvements, so the trees that were removed for the project were not replaced. In light of that oversight, he and Mike Veselik have worked with the City Forestry Department and its cost share program to get those trees planted in the most cost effective manner possible. Jeanne Wesley-Wiese noted that when the Board originally began discussing future projects to be funded, the projects included some type of identification as the entrances to the district along East Peach Street and East Tamarack Street. She finds the bridge installation by the Montana Department of Transportation on East Peach Street very minimalist and suggested that some type of aesthetic improvement be considered. John Usher stated the new bridge on East Tamarack Street has three horizontal pieces of metal attached to the edge of the bridge. David Fine suggested that the consulting engineers spend some time with the Board to discuss the aesthetics side of bridge projects. Jeanne Wesley-Wiese expressed an interest in seeing the actual bid for the new pedestrian bridge for the Front Street connector trail. She then voiced her hope that some of the engineering work previously done for the pedestrian bridge project can be used. John Usher stated he is interested in seeing how much the floodplain extension has impacted the estimated costs of the pedestrian bridge. David Fine cautioned that construction costs are going up double digits every year; and it is often hard to get good projects done because of both public and private demands for services from those contractors. Responding to Bobbi Clem, David Fine stated this is the only meeting for Board to consider and act on its budget given the state of the world. As a result, he asked that the Board consider the work plan and budget as submitted and entertain any suggestions for revisions to the document. He then cautioned it will difficult for him to get actual budget numbers for the suggested aesthetic improvements to the two street bridges. NURB Meeting – June 16, 2020 4 Responding to Bobbi Clem, David Fine indicated that the engineering work he has reviewed for the pedestrian bridge has been preliminary rather than substantial work. Jeanne Wesley-Wiese voiced her concern that monies spent on engineering have been wasted because when engineers are changed, the initial engineering work is not used. Brit Fontenot indicated he will review the engineering work done by the prior engineering firms for the pedestrian bridge to see if any of that work can be used to reduce costs. David Fine stressed the importance of doing the engineering work for a project just prior to doing the construction because engineering can go stale, floodplains change, and state and federal regulations change. Bobbi Clem noted that ThinkTank is now designing a parking garage instead of surface parking on the Brewery site for the Cottonwood & Ida project. She stated there is some discussion about a portion of the parking being public parking and asked if some monies should be budgeted to address that portion of the project. David Fine identified the importance of doing due diligence when considering a public/private partnership; and he feels it would be appropriate to budget monies to cover those costs. He indicated that the due diligence could include a consulting engineer or a parking consultant. A development agreement could also be needed, which would involve an attorney. He proposed that the Board consider taking $25,000 from the reserve for projects and creating a new line item in the work plan and budget for this item. Jeanne Wesley-Wiese stated she feels it is a good idea; however, she questioned whether monies are available for this purpose. She then voiced her frustration that the first project on the Board’s initial list has been pushed aside for monies to be spent on other projects, and the costs of constructing the bridge have continued to escalate. Responding to those concerns, Brit Fontenot noted the strategy in this budget is to make the district ready for projects and noted it is important to stay flexible and make decisions as opportunities arise. Responding to questions from John Usher, David Fine stated the budget provides spending authority, which is different from the actual expenditure of monies. John Usher stated he anticipates the parking garage will happen, and he feels it would be good for this Board to be involved; however, he is also sensitive to Jeanne Wesley-Wiese’s concerns. Dan Doehring stated this portion of the district is busy and is only going to get busier. He agrees with the idea of more parking and feels the Board should at least look into it, since it is important to make more parking available for residents. John Usher noted the initial proposal was for underground parking on the Cottonwood & Ida site but, because of constraints, the developer has chosen to purchase the Brewery site and meet the parking demands on that site. NURB Meeting – June 16, 2020 5 David Fine briefly reviewed the history of the Cottonwood & Ida project, noting that a Planned Unit Development for that project exists; and it includes designated off-site parking for the commercial portion on the Brewery lot. That parking was to be surface parking under a 25-year agreement. The developer has since revised the plans for the Cottonwood & Ida project to include fewer residential units and to include development of the Brewery site. Under the new plan, parking is to be provided in a parking structure hidden behind a wrap of residential units, with a portion of the parking spaces to be made available to the public. He stated the underground parking on the Cottonwood & Ida site will not be done because of the high groundwater on that site. Bobbi Clem suggested that monies be added to the budget for the parking structure and that ThinkTank be asked to provide an update to the Board. Mike Veselik reminded the Board that the budget provides spending authority and, if this project does not get off the ground, the monies will not be expended and will return to the reserve. It was moved by Bobbi Clem, seconded by Daniel Doehring, that the Board move $25,000 from the reserve for projects to a new line item to fund consultant services for the parking structure proposed for the Brewery site. The motion carried on a 4-0 vote. It was moved by Bobbi Clem, seconded by Jeanne Wesley-Wiese, that $700 be moved from the reserve for projects to the Trails/Boulevards Maintenance line item to cover the costs of planting trees in the East Tamarack Street boulevard. The motion carried on a 4-0 vote. It was moved by Bobbi Clem, seconded by Daniel Doehring, that the work plan and budget for Fiscal Year 2020-2021 be adopted as modified. The motion carried on a 4-0 vote. Set new day of week for Board meetings. David Fine reported that the City Commission has moved its meetings to Tuesday evenings; and the City Manager has asked staff and those boards meeting on Tuesday evenings to find another night for their meetings. He proposed that the Board consider moving its meetings to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday evenings. Following a brief discussion, it was moved by John Usher, seconded by Jeanne Wesley-Wiese, that the Board set its meetings for the first Thursday of every month at 6:30 p.m. The motion carried on a 4-0 vote. Staff updates on items of interest to the Board. David Fine introduced Mike Veselik to the Board. Mike Veselik stated he has been working for nearly two months. He grew up in Chicago and, prior to moving to Bozeman, spent eight years in Washington, DC, both on and off Capitol Hill. He noted that his wife is from Bozeman and wanted to move back home. David Fine briefly addressed the tree planting issue along East Tamarack Street, noting that utility conflicts made it extremely difficult to find places to plant boulevard trees. He stated that staff did their due diligence in working on this issue, to ensure properties along the roadway were treated equally. NURB Meeting – June 16, 2020 6 Mike Veselik stated no trees are being proposed along the Brewery site at this time because of the impending development, including landscaping of the site. David Fine stated he will provide updates to the Board once he has information from ThinkTank about the Cottonwood & Ida project as well as development of the Brewery site. David Fine noted there are now two people in the Economic Development Department that will be working with the urban renewal districts, with Mike Veselik doing the day-to-day work on projects. He indicated that he will be out of the office for a period of time in September and October. Discussion - Looking forward. There was no discussion under this agenda item. Set agenda for July 2, 2020 meeting or cancel meeting. The Board determined that the July 2 meeting should be cancelled, particularly since it is only three weeks away. The members also expressed an interest in holding an in-person meeting rather than a Webex meeting if at all possible. Bobbi Clem suggested that an August 6 meeting be considered. Mike Veselik reported the City Manager has encouraged staff to not hold Webex meetings for advisory boards unless absolutely necessary. As a result, he suggested that the Board consider holding its next meeting after in-person meetings are allowed. FYI/Discussion. Bobbi Clem announced that another art project will be held at the Tin Works building. She noted that some art has already been set up in front of the warehouse and encouraged board members to view the artwork. Jeanne Wesley-Wiese noted the sculptures and mural on the building facing East Cottonwood Street has been done by an artist from Romania. She stated it reflects what the district and the people are going through. Adjournment – 6:57 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