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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-21-09 Downtown Tax Increment Finance District Minutes Downtown Tax Increment Finance Board Meeting Minutes 7/21/09 Attending: Bobby Bear, Peter Bertelsen, Vonda Laird, Bob Lashaway, Bill Stoddart Ellie Staley, Chris Naumann Absent: Thail Davis Public Comments None Minutes ACTION:Bob Lashaway motioned to accept the minutes from June 2009. Peter Bertelsen seconded the motion. All voted in favor. Financial Report Chris reported that very little fiscal activity had occurred in the first three weeks of FY2010. The TIF paid the first quarter management fee to the Downtown Partnership and spent $958 on sprinkler and lamp post repairs. Chris also noted that the approved budget did not reflect that the FY2009 expense “Garage Cash Contribution” balance of $220,000.00 had not been realized and therefore needed to be carried over into the FY2010 budget. He informed the board that he added that line item to the FY2010 budget and that the Starting Cash Balance would reflect a $220k increase. The board agreed that Chris should just adjust the budget and provide to the City of Bozeman Finance Department. Program Director’s Report Upcoming DBA/DBP Events: thnd - Art Walks – Next one is August 14 from 6-8pm. Then, every 2 Friday through September. The 2nd one was even bigger than the first and I continue to have 3 young music groups located at Soroptimist, Ellen and Emerson… rd - Music on Main – Next one this Thursday, July 23…Clumsy Lover’s. Great sponsor support, kid’s activities, non-profit booths, etc… - Crazy Days – last weekend….great turnout, great business response, feedback on businesses opening early…. th - Cruisin’ on Main Car Show – Sunday, August 16 9am-3pm on Main Street from Rouse to Willson Avenue, registration Other Items: Membership Drive and Directory Re-print in August…Erin, just completed an inventory of all - downtown located businesses and now I am putting the DBA Board to work on the drive! Gallatin Art Crossing – 14 new pieces of art in downtown…19 total - Executive Director’s Report Tax Increment Finance District Board July 21, 2009 Downtown Disaster Update Recent “activity” includes: ? Montana Ready Mix has completed the site clean-up. ? The American Legion has tentative plans to begin construction in August. ? The Downtown Relief fund will be making its final disbursement in the coming weeks. Over 500 donations were made to the Fund for approximately $190,000. Just over 90 recipients received 350 payments. Downtown Improvement Plan th The draft of the Downtown Improvement Plan was released on June 29. The public comment th period extended through July 15, although comments were received and accepted through th July 17. We received only 16 substantive comments from a variety of community members including 2 property owners, 3 business owners, 5 City of Bozeman staff, and 6 citizens. During the public comment period (June 29-July 15) our website analytics show that 305 unique visitors viewed the Plan webpage but only 23 people visited the public comment form, and only 4 submitted on-line comments. Parking Garage Update Recent “activity” includes: ? The Big Blue P exterior signs on the garage have been installed ? Ordinance prohibiting skateboards, roller blades, bicycles in facility adopted ? Qwest finally completed their utility work in the alley behind the facility th ? The alley will be paved the week of July 27 by the City of Bozeman Parking Commission Update The Bozeman Parking Commission (BPC) is working on its FY2010 budget and operating plan. The BPC completed FY09 with a $66,000 operating deficit in large part because of the delayed opening of the parking garage. Staff is projecting a similar operation shortfall for FY2010 at $66,690. COB leadership realizes that the BPC will operate at a loss while the garage usage increases, but they have asked the BPC to develop a strategy to increase revenues. Here are some of the potential options for increasing revenues beginning in FY2010 that could reduce the operating deficit: ? Increase the hours of paid parking in the garage (now = 8am-8pm 6 days a week. Proposed = 24 hours a day 6 days a week) ? Increase the daily maximum charge at the garage (now = $5. proposed = no maximum needed if charging 24/6) ? Increase the charge for a lost ticket (now = $5 [daily max]…you could park there a week, hit the “lost ticket” button, and pay $5. proposed = $23 which would be twice the new daily maximum. ? Increase the lease rates for both the surface lots and the parking garage. Downtown’s lease rates are less than our “sister cities”—Helena, Missoula, Billings. ? Increase the fine for parking violations throughout all of the 3 parking districts. Currently the fine for most parking infractions is $15, the proposed new fine would be $20. ? Sell or lease the second floor office space in the garage. rd The BPC will be voting at a meeting this Thursday, July 23 on which of these initiatives to adopt. Discussion and Decision Items FY2009 Annual Report Chris presented the board with the final version of the FY2009 Annual TIF Report and FY2010 Work Plan as presented to the City Commission on Monday July 20, 2009. Chris indicated that such a report is prepared annually as required by Montana state statute. Development and Streetscape Assistance Program update Chris informed the group that he was finalizing both TIF assistance programs which the board has funded for FY2010. The next step is to have both programs reviewed by the City of Bozeman Finance Department and potentially COB legal staff. Cycle Stall Purchase Chris updated the board that he was able to hire a local fabrication company, Archweld, to make the large bike rack to be placed in the first parking space at the northwest corner of Bozeman Avenue and Main Street. He said the local cost was slightly less than from Dero (a national manufacturer in Minneapolis). He added that Archweld was able to deliver the rack much sooner than Dero. With no future or old business to discuss, Bobby adjourned the meeting.