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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01 06 2009 Northeast Urban Renewal Board Minutes NURB Meeting Minutes (DRAFT) January 6, 2009 Meeting was called to order by Erik Nelson; present were NURB members Erik Nelson, Tom Noble, Terry Giovanni, Nelle Devitt, Dan Dohring, Bob Pavlik & Keri Thorpe. Also present were guests, Josh Keller of the Rocky Mountain Resource Conservation & Development Area, Inc. (RC&D), Courtney Kramer, Historic Preservation Planner for the City of Bozeman & Chris Nixon, NENA President. The minutes from the last meeting were approved. We began the meeting with a presentation from Josh Keller, of RC&D. Josh gave us an overview of his programs; mainly the economic & community development programs & opportunities for partnership with NURB. Josh informed us that the RC&D's economic development planning activities come from the Montana Department of Commerce's Certified Regional Development Corporation (CRDC) Program & that the CRDC has grants available (up to 25K) for groups that assist the community with economic development origin. He then brought up the Brownfields Program, a program through the EPA with grants for real property w/ potentially hazard pollutants, mine scarred lands etc. The RC&D applied for 2 of the Brownfield grants & will find out if they receive any grant $ in March or April. It was implied that if they receive these substantial grants, they may have money to aid us. Josh had the following suggestions for NURB regarding potential grants: ? Try getting planning grants through the Economic Development Administration the Department of Commerce, through infrastructure, or Fish/Wildlife (parks). ? Josh suspects that our TIF $ will aid in us getting any grants because we have the ability to match funds. ? Josh suggested we meet with his Economic Development Board. Josh Keller will review NURB’s goals & look for more possible grants. Josh will also provide us with a direct plan re: grants process: ie: the steps to apply for such grants. Keri then provided us with an update on the KwikWay property. Steve Schlegler is the new owner of the property. He could not attend the meeting but has submitted a site plan to the city to turn the property into a pizzeria restaurant. As we know the tanks have been removed, but more cleanup may be required. The owner has met with the DEQ & as Keri stated that as far as she knows the city will be happy to have that site utilized again. It was suggested that perhaps NURB could partner with the new owner & get sidewalks around the building. Preservation Planner Courtney Kramer, then spoke to us regarding the Depot & the Demolition by Neglect ordinance. She provided us with a draft of this citywide ordinance & walked us through the “definition” & the “process”. We talked about if NURB would support this ordinance and if we agree with its’ terms. There were concerns regarding the “definition” since many NENA houses may qualify as neglected based on the language. There were also concerns with “nosey neighbors” & the ability to appeal the ordinance if necessary. Courtney Kramer reminded us that this is only a DRAFT & will keep us in the loop on the drafts progress so we can weigh in on the ordinance as a board or as individuals. She also brought up the “Preserve America Grant” as a possible way to renovate/save the historic depot building. NURB may follow up on this if we receive more information. Keri reported that the Idaho Pole Delisting has stalled- there is nothing new from the D.E.Q on the status. Keri will keep us posted. We reviewed the information that Erik & Jeanne put together re: parks/project ideas the NURD. Their list of possibilities included some spots that were “out of district”, which were typically larger projects, as well as the “in-district” possibilities- trails & right-of- ways. The board decided that Erik will collect info on the parks & rec boards next meeting or contact person & perhaps set up a meeting with them in the near future re: the status of the Triangle Park Plan. Erik was also going to speak w/ GVLT (Gallatin Valley Land Trust) and get their opinion on our possible park project, also maybe an estimate on the actual cost for park projects in Bozeman. The board examined a document that Erik had re: existing infrastructure for water & sewer in our district. The board will need to decide what to do- as far as infrastructure –so we can act on it soon. We discussed more grants for infrastructure (CTAP) & the controversy re: residents paying for re-doing or putting in new sidewalks. Randy Wall was not present at the meeting but he would like to be on the board as a non- voting member. th Nelle Devitt’s application for reinstatement to the board will be reviewed at the Jan. 20 commission meeting. Meeting was adjourned. Respectively submitted, Nelle Devitt (in place of Jeanne Wesley-Wiese)