Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-01-21 Minutes - Northeast Urban Renewal Board (NURB) NURB Meeting – April 1, 2021 1 Northeast Urban Renewal Board (NURB) Regular Meeting Thursday, April 1, 2021 The Northeast Urban Renewal Board met in regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 1, 2021, via Webex. Present: Absent: Voting Members: Ethan Barlow Bobbi Clem Corwin Dormire Natalie Van Dusen Jeanne Wesley-Wiese Non-Voting Members: EJ Daws Chris Nixon Robert Pavlic Commissioner Liaison: I-Ho Pomeroy Staff: David Fine, Urban Renewal Program Manager Robin Sullivan, Recording Secretary 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 – NOTE: David Fine 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. Approval of Minutes – March 11, 2021. It was moved by Jeanne Wesley-Wiese, seconded by Ethan Barlow, that the minutes of the regular meeting of March 11, 2021 be approved as submitted. The motion carried on a 5-0 vote. Discussion/Action Items – Update on financial status of NURB fund. Robin Sullivan reviewed the FY2021 NURB Meeting – April 1, 2021 2 revenues and expenditures to date. The first portion of property tax revenues has now been posted to the fund and the only expenditures for this past month have been in staffing costs. David Fine stated he anticipates a number of large bills within the next couple months as engineering work is underway on Front Street and the pedestrian bridge. Staff Update the Status of Budgeted Items. Bobbi Clem gave a brief overview of the Front Street project, noting that improvements to the road adjacent to the depot could enhance the possibilities of renovation and reuse of that structure. She stated that a construction company was very interested in the structure but found the street improvements made the project not cost effective. One railroad owns the land while another owns the building, making reuse of the depot extremely complex. Also, the railroads do not want a restaurant or the serving of liquor in the depot because of its proximity to the railroad tracks. David Fine reviewed that status of each of the budgeted items for this fiscal year. He stated that engineering for the Front Street improvements from East Tamarack Street to North Ida Avenue is underway. Including this short portion of street improvements with the off-site street improvements for the TinWorks Project will result in significant cost savings. He noted that the developer of that project has suggested the road improvements could begin as early as this spring or summer. David Fine turned attention to the pedestrian bridge, noting that final engineering is currently underway. A lot of engineering work was done previously; and some of that work can be used now. As a result, not all of the $30,000 budgeted for this engineering will be needed. He has received no invoices for this work to date. Responding to questions from Jeanne Wesley-Wiese, David Fine confirmed that using some of the engineering work already done will result in not all of the monies budgeted for this project being expended. He then acknowledged that the cost of engineering for public projects is very high. He indicated that the recent change in floodplain mapping is having an impact on the engineering previously done for this bridge. Jeanne Wesley-Wiese stated that she wrote an article about the pedestrian bridge for the NENA newsletter; and President Reno Walsh voiced his support for the project. She suggested that he contact this Board’s members individually so they know how much the neighborhood would like to see this project completed. She concluded by noting that an article about the status of the pedestrian bridge is to be posted on the NENA website; and she will forward that article to the board members if they wish. David Fine reminded the Board that the Front Street connector trail is part of a much larger project that provides a trail system across the city. He noted that the Parks Department requested $15,000 from this year’s budget, in addition to the $20,000 this Board previously gave toward that trail extension. The trail improvements will not be done until next fiscal year, so these monies should be carried forward. David Fine stated the quiet zone feasibility study has been completed for all three of the railroad crossings; and the monies expended from this budget are for the North Wallace Avenue/L Street crossing only. He recommended that the Board budget monies for construction of the quiet zone at North Wallace Avenue in the future. He noted that, since a public/private NURB Meeting – April 1, 2021 3 partnership will be needed to fund the $550,000 in improvements for all three crossings, it may take a while to schedule their installation. David Fine stated this Board also budgeted $25,000 to investigate the feasibility of the parking structure that is part of the Brewery Project. That work is currently being done, but he is not sure that all of the $25,000 will be expended this fiscal year. Responding to Jeanne Wesley-Wiese, David Fine stated the quiet zone improvements will include upgrades necessary so that drivers cannot drive around the gate when it is down. Also, a pedestrian gate will need to be installed for the sidewalk trail. The cost estimate for those improvements is $168,500. Responding to Ethan Barlow, David Fine stated that KLJ Engineering did the quiet zone study. Responding to questions from Jeanne Wesley-Wiese, David Fine stated these are the five infrastructure projects that the Board approved when it voted to approve the work plan and budget for Fiscal Year 2020-2021. He reminded the Board that the work plan and budget they approve is a recommendation, which the City Manager then puts into his recommendations for the fiscal year and the City Commission acts on. Responding to additional questions from Jeanne Wesley-Wiese, David Fine confirmed that the work plan and budget appropriates monies for specific projects. He noted that less monies may be expended on a project; however, authorization to spend more than budgeted must be sought if the costs go over the amount budgeted. Responding to Bobbi Clem, David Fine stated the connector trail to the Audobon site has not been scheduled but is listed as a future project. He noted that trail is not yet designed and cautioned the Board that only that portion of the trail lying within this district can be funded in this District’s budget. Bobbi Clem noted there are two national programs for funding of trails: rails to trails and rails with trails. She stated that these funding programs are not easy or fast but could be a potential source for funding a portion of the trail costs. David Fine stated he has a preliminary design for the parking structure. He indicated the key issue now is to work with a consultant to ensure that the fiscal plan for acquiring and operating the garage is solid. He estimated that the financial analysis will take a month to complete. No public comment was received on this agenda item. Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Work Plan and Budget First Review. David Fine reviewed the proposed Fiscal Year 2021-2022 work plan and budget as drafted by staff. Responding to Ethan Barlow, David Fine stated that staff has estimated a beginning balance at July 1, based on anticipated revenues and expenditures for the remainder of this fiscal year. David Fine noted staff has estimated a beginning balance of $370,000 at the end of this fiscal year; however, he anticipates that number may be higher. Staff is also projecting a tax increment of $270,000 plus $1,000 in interest income, providing a total of $641,000 in total NURB Meeting – April 1, 2021 4 monies available for the year. Proposed projects to be funded in the fiscal year include engineering for Front Street improvements between North Ida Avenue and East Aspen Street, construction of Front Street between East Tamarack Street and North Ida Avenue, carryover of the Front Street connector trail, and additional due diligence and legal review for the parking structure. Monies are also budgeted for trail and boulevard maintenance, staffing, bond servicing, miscellaneous professional services, and a designated reserve for projects. He reminded the Board that this may be the last year for maintenance of the Aspen Street park if the TinWorks Project moves forward and street improvements are completed. David Fine stated that the monies budgeted for the Economic Development staff has increased in the upcoming budget. At the current time, 70 percent of his salary is paid by the urban renewal districts, and next fiscal year, 100 percent of his salary will be paid from those funds. David Fine noted that several projects have also been listed in the future projects column; and the Board may choose to move projects around as long as monies are available. Responding to Jeanne Wesley-Wiese, David Fine stated that construction of the pedestrian bridge was initially included in the budget prepared by staff; however, in recent months it has become apparent that the off-site street improvements for the TinWorks Project will be undertaken this construction season. To take advantage of cost savings, staff has moved the Front Street construction forward and moved the pedestrian bridge back. Jeanne Wesley-Wiese acknowledged that two neighbors have voiced opposition to the pedestrian bridge; however, she noted that sixty people are for it. She then expressed her frustration and disappointment that all of these projects are for economic development and none of them are for the residents of the district. David Fine stressed that the work plan and budget before the Board are simply staff recommendations; and the Board has the ability to make any changes they wish. He then noted that infrastructure is one of the steps toward remediating the blight that caused this district to be created. No public comment was received on this agenda item. Corwin Dormire voiced his support for staff recommendations. Natalie Van Dusen stated she is trying to get up to speed but is comfortable with the budget as recommended. Ethan Barlow stated he is comfortable with staff’s rationale and recommendations. He recognized there are monies available for only one large project, and he supports the Front Street construction because of the economies resulting from contiguous work. He characterized the pedestrian bridge as a more isolated expenditure. David Fine stated this has been listed on the agenda as the first review. As a result, final action may not be taken; however, the Board may choose to support the preliminary work plan and budget as submitted or as amended and staff will then bring back a work plan and budget for final action at the next meeting. NURB Meeting – April 1, 2021 5 It was moved by Corwin Dormire, seconded by Bobbi Clem, that the Board approve the preliminary work plan and budget as recommended by staff. The motion carried on a 4-1 vote; Jeanne Wesley-Wiese voted No. Bobbi Clem requested that NENA President Reno Walsh be invited to attend the next meeting to represent the neighborhood. Set New Day and Week for Board Meetings. David Fine reminded the Board that staff has requested a change in the week on which this Board meets, and one of the board members has identified a conflict with the first Thursday of each month. The City Clerk’s office has identified the third and fourth Thursdays as possibilities for a new meeting time. It was moved by Ethan Barlow, seconded by Corwin Dormire, that the Board set its meetings for 6:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month. The motion carried on a 5-0 vote. David Fine suggested that the Board hold its next meeting on April 15, which is now the next regularly scheduled meeting. He proposed that at that time, the Board consider the work plan and budget, make revisions and possibly adopt it so it can be included in the City Manager’s budget recommendations to the Commission. Election of Chair and Vice Chair for 2021. David Fine reminded the Board that it is to elect its Chair and Vice Chair at the first meeting of each calendar year. Bobbi Clem reminded the Board that she will soon be moving to Seattle and, as a result, will not be seeking reappointment when her term ends in July. Following a brief discussion, it was moved by Bobbi Clem, seconded by Jeanne Wesley-Wiese, that Corwin Dormire be elected Chair and Ethan Barlow be elected Vice Chair for Calendar Year 2021. The motion carried on a 5-0 vote. Jeanne Wesley-Wiese stated that when her term expires in July, she will reapply but her reappointment is dependent on the Commission. Looking forward/Set agenda for April 15, 2021 meeting or Cancel Meeting. Items for the April 15 agenda include action on the 2021-2022 work plan and budget and possibly a discussion with NENA President Reno Walsh about neighborhood issues. Responding to Corwin Dormire, David Fine stated he does not anticipate that the Board will be able to meet in person until after the City Commission returns to in-person meetings. He noted that, with the current limitations on capacities and social distancing, virtual meetings allow all interested persons to attend while in-person meetings may be limited. FYI/Discussion. Bobbi Clem announced that the people at Starlite are trying to organize some Saturday night and Sunday evening community events, possibly including music, dancing and food trucks. NURB Meeting – April 1, 2021 6 Jeanne Wesley-Wiese stated that at last month’s meeting, she raised a question about Bob Arnold’s encroachments into the public right-of-way and the trail. David Fine responded that he will follow up on the issue. Ethan Barlow stated he, too, has had issues with Bob Arnold encroaching onto his property, but found him to be responsive when asked to remove those encroachments. Adjournment – 7:51 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