The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About08-07-08 Minutes, NSURBN7uRB http://www.bozeman.net/commission/north seventh urban renewal board (nsurbl2.aspx s APPROVED Minutes from August 7, 2008 meeting Voted on and approved during January 8, 2009 Board meeting held at the Stiff Building, upper conference room TO DO List: Everyone a) attend August 11 city commission meeting for funding request presentation; b) mark calendars for next work session, August 21, 6pm, Stiff Bldg; and c) September 2 Commission meeting is when we have to present our actual budget Mike a) call Steve Kirchhoff and ask him to speak at commission meeting Keri a) work up comments on traffic study and submit to application department on August 13, RE: Mandeville Industrial Subdivision In attendance: Carl Solvie, Mike Hope, Susan Fraser, Michelle Wolfe via phone, and Keri Thorpe Call to Order KThorpe called meeting to order and got Michelle on the phone Work Session, finalizing funding request Discussed what all needs to be said at Monday night's commission meeting - • Fairgrounds $300K is NOT the money promised to N7 (after Sean Becker's comment to Michelle this is not clear); • This is not coming out of nowhere -Carl, Mike, etc, go the wheels turning long ago -took time to get to board status; • If we don't get this money it sets the whole project back 7 years. One things feeds another -need infrastructure improvements to bring contractors in to revitalize, etc; • Commission will probably ask `how are you going to get property owners to participate?' The property owners will be getting a dollar's work for 50 cents - quite attractive to business owners; • When we left that meeting (Mike) we believed we had 50K for the plan and 250K for the project; • 5-6 years in the making, vital and active board -let's do this - N7 needs a little help; • Why would you spend 68K on plan and not spend the 250K to implement?; • It will drive economic development; • Subsidy programs, rehab loan and TIF, can help with demolition of places such as KMart and Team Bozeman; • With economic slowing, and if project doesn't start now, a snowball effect will occur on N 7th -make sure we're giving businesses incentive to continue on N 7th, to move to N 7th, etc. Funding request submitted on August 6 but changes made due to comments from staffers Brit, Anna, Stacey - • Changed $232K to full $375K; • Earmarked changed to discussed. Page 1 of 4 N7URB http://www.bozeman.net/commission/north seventh urban renewal board (nsurbl2.aspx Mike not comfortable asking for $375K as we've been working with the $232K that was promised. Carl suggested we say `we feel we're due 232K but we're asking for the entire amount'. VOTED to approve funding request -all in favor; Susan F made the motion and it passed. Mandeville Plat Application Keri explained comment process, planning office process. This is a city project, an industrial subdivision, zoned M 1. She had already forwarded traffic impact study to all board members, noting that it was nice of the staffers to share it with us this early. Discussion followed. Mike mentioned most of the truck traffic would be from interstate off-ramps north towards Murdoch's. Scott Hedglin not able to attend meeting but had sent the following comments on the traffic impact study: Section 1.3: "substantial impacts to...N 7th Ave and W Griffin Drive" -this give us about all the authority we need to comment. Also, NSURB should be keep in the loop on the updates to the Transportation Plan. Section 1.4: Additional traffic lanes/improvements at 7th and Griffin should be integrated with NSURB goals (this is Area C of the Winter's plan, we should brainstorm some specific goals so when they ask we have a response). Section 3.1.1: It would be good to see a long term plan for connectivity to the planned ped and bike path (my guess is it would connect to Mandeville on the west side of (behind) Murdoch's and feed onto 7th from that direction). Section 3.1.3 and 4.6 and 5.2: Data that trip distributions through 7th/griffin intersection are substantial and will degrade level of service...see first comment. Section 3.2: Outside of current project, but should be noted that NSURB requests review if DNRC land is ever developed. Section 6.0: Should be noted that NSURB requests additional reviews if/when other changes to intersection are implemented (in brainstorming ideas, keep in mind phasing is an option). Section 6.0: My 2 cents...8% truck traffic seems low.... Keri had already talked with our project's city engineer, Dustin Johnson, and he said we could request improvements reminding that plan already in place for area. 7th @ Oak, 7th @ Griffin and I-90 ramps impacted would be impacted. This is a City of Bozeman project; Helena company worked up plan and Bob Murray is reviewing inhouse. There is justification for NSURB to comment as the study looked at everything within one mile of the plat. Carl and Mike said if Griffin @ 7th was renovated correctly it would positively impact everything, including sidewalk improvements. Keri relayed that Dustin continued saying the improvements @ Griffin are worth asking for. Mike said we should weave Mandeville project into Monday night's presentation to the commission - if city wanting this then why not want to improve main artery servicing the plat? M 1 zoning gives lots of flexibility as to what type of businesses might situate there. Page 2 of 4 N7URB http://www.bozeman.net/commission/north seventh urban renewal board (nsurb)2.aspx Keri continued with her thoughts on this project. The area's traffic lanes are already congested and Mandeville will build on that pressure. When looking at the bigger picture, the Story Mill, Legends, Creekwood residential areas on the Northeast side - we don't want these folks avoiding the already congested intersections, throwing them down smaller Rouse, etc. Improved intersections are needed, i.e. 7th @ Griffin, 7th @ Oak. Discussion followed as to whether or not NSURB should make written comments. It was agreed that yes, comments should be sent. Keri will write up after contacting Susan Kozub as she was also going to read through the traffic study and make comments. She will then email it to the Board for comments, etc. Comments are due Wednesday, August 13. Discussion followed. Mike noted need lefthand turn arrow at Griffin for southbound traffic on N 7th. Program Options for subsidy programs noted in funding request Keri visited with Chris at the Missoula agency. He was very helpful -they discussed nuts and bolts of the following two programs (the following section is taken directly from the Missoula website -click the link to see the actual application and instruction): Code Compliance Program (CCP): The purpose of the CCP is to encourage compliance with life-safety regulations adopted by the City of Missoula by subsidizing private efforts to repair and rehabilitate commercial property in accordance with life-safety codes. CCP URD 2 Narrative CCP URD 2 Application Commercial Rehabilitation Loan Program (CRLP): Through the CRLP, MRA subsidizes interest rates on commercial loans to foster voluntary rehabilitation of eligible commercial properties. Assistance is available for facade and interior building improvements (Economic Development) in URD 1 and for facade improvements in URD 2. CRLP URD 2 Narrative CRLP URD 2 Facade Application Both programs require application and board approval. The life-safety code compliance program may help make property ready for sale; the commercial rehab loan program could help property owners with eliminating blight, signage. The rehab loan is very attractive. Someone getting financing, if NSURB approves, and bank does all the paperwork. NSURB could say we'll pay a certain amount of interest and send check to bank. Mike noted we could set up grants- discussed DBA history with grants. Page 3 of 4 N7LJRB http://www.bozeman.net/commission/north seventh urban renewal board (nsurbl2.aspx Keri continued to report on her chat with Chris in Missoula. TIF monies can be used for demolition because demolition does not increase the equity of the property, and such a subsidy could make an existing property more attractive to a buyer. Mike noted that the rehab loan program made the most sense for our needs and would be attractive when/if spots such as KMart or Team Bozeman go up for sale. He went on to note that we should get these in place now, making plans now so don't have sneaking situations, i.e. downtown examples. Make the process clear. Keri went on to remind that hiring apart-time employee is included in our funding request. This staff member could handle the applications and prepare them for the board's approval. Keri went on to say some think TIF should be used for private investment. As a planner, sidewalks, etc, are a huge benefit to private investment. Mike agreed saying getting costs deferred gives investors reason to select N 7th rather than 19th or 27th, but does not offer them a free ride -and it shouldn't be a free ride. Keri commented on free ride comment saying programs can narrow down contributions to percentages, etc, keeping free rides from happening. Should have Anna Rosenberry speak with board about using TIF monies -how it works. Carl commented that he would like to see the decisions kept within NSURB rather than at the city offices. Carl also commented that such subsidy programs and the TIF would put us on an equal field with vacant lot development. Mike stated we should look to adopt these two programs now; Carl agreed. Work Plan and Budget Preparation Plan must be submitted to commission on Wednesday, August 27. Board agreed to meet again on Thursday, August 21, for a work session to complete and vote on this document. Will find out what City Commission agrees to on August 11 then we'll know what $$ we have to work with. Keri commented that she and Dustin Hoffman will prepare the RFP for the engineering study, several others in their office will review the applications, and then she'll bring the top ones to the board. Keri noted that we need to include researching grants in the work plan and budget. August 21 Board work session agenda • Finalize work and budget plan presentation talking points for September 2 commission meeting Adjournment - 7:43pm Page 4 of 4