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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-06-09 Northeast Urban Renewal Board Minutes Northeast Urban Renewal Board (NURB) Special Meeting Tuesday, October 6, 2009 The Northeast Urban Renewal Board met in special meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 6, 2009, in the Conference Room, Professional Building, 20 East Olive Street, Bozeman, Montana. PresentAbsent: : Voting Members: Erik Nelson, Chair Daniel Doehring Tom Noble Jeanne Wesley-Wiese (arrived at 7:05 p.m.) Robert Pavlic (arrived at 7:10 p.m.) Non-Voting Members: Lisa Danzl-Scott Nelle Devitt Staff: Keri Thorpe, Assistant Planner Robin Sullivan, Recording Secretary Call to Order. Chair Erik Nelson called the meeting to order at 6:45 p.m. Public Comment. No member of the public was present at this meeting. Consent. Minutes September 1, 2009. Chair Erik Nelson delayed action on the minutes of the meeting held on September 1, 2009, to a later date. Discussion Items. Annual Work Plan tasks. Lisa Danzl-Scott displayed the notebooks that she has compiled to date. She noted that the three notebooks provide information sheets and pamphlets gathered from three different agencies: (1) the County public assistance office, (2) the City-County Health Department and (3) Human Resource Development Council (HRDC). She still needs to gather tax information from the County and include that information in these notebooks. She highlighted the types of information contained in the various notebooks, and noted that the information can either be copied or the pamphlets discreetly handed out to residents needing the information. Lisa suggested that these notebooks be left in a location that would be accessible to the residents and business owners within the district, noting that could possibly be at the Planning Office or at the Northeast Neighborhood Association (NENA) office. She noted that the NURB Special Meeting October 6, 2009 1 notebooks could also be made available during the NENA meetings so anyone in the general area could look at and use the information. Lisa Danzl-Scott cautioned that it will be important to keep the information updated, noting that an employee at HRDC indicated it can change every three or four months. Responding to Planner Keri Thorpe, Lisa confirmed that she has receipts for the costs she incurred in compiling the notebooks. After briefly reviewing the information in the notebooks, Chair Erik Nelson suggested it would be beneficial to have a brief description of what each agency does on the information sheets, so that people can more easily identify which ones might be best able to provide needed assistance. He also suggested that organizing the information by group might make it easier to find the desired assistance. Lisa Danzl-Scott drew attention to the energy assistance program, noting that a weatherization application is included in the notebooks. Tom Noble noted that the weatherization program has received a huge increase in monies available, and stated that residents should be encouraged to take advantage of the opportunities provided under this program. Depot Park: Update on site plan review/implementation/stimulus dollar spending guidelines. Erik Nelson displayed a map showing the district boundaries and the location of Depot Park. He stressed that this is a triangular parcel of land across Front Street from the depot, and is not the depot trail adjacent to the depot and the railroad track. Erik Nelson reported that this plan has now gone through Development Review Committee (DRC) review. Thomas, Dean & Hoskins, thee consulting engineering firm, has been providing some work on the project and will prepare an RFP for general contracting services, to include all improvements except for the boulder. Because of the size and scope of the work, this project must be publicly bid, which will add time to the process. Erik stated he is disappointed the work cannot be completed yet this year; however, he noted that a project completion date of May 31 is being proposed, so the park will be available for use next summer. work to date has been pro bono, the Board may see a bill for preparing the RFP and the bidding process. He then indicated that, since this is a public bid, the Board must select the lowest qualified bidder. He stated the engineer will assist the Board in reviewing the bids and making that determination. Erik Nelson noted that funding for this project includes an initial allocation of $20,000 from the tax increment monies, $20,000 from a parkland improvement grant, an additional $6,100 from tax increment monies, and $18,000 in stimulus monies. He suggested that if additional stimulus monies can be obtained for future phases, then it might be possible to seek another parkland improvement grant to match those funds and further expand the project. Erik Nelson stated an irrigation well is to be drilled for this park; and it is also intended to provide water for the boulevard and for the community gardens in the Aspen Street right-of-way if that project becomes a reality. He recognized that trenching would be required under North Ida NURB Special Meeting October 6, 2009 2 amount of energy that would be required to provide irrigation water for the gardens. He stressed that providing water will be dependent on the amount of water the well generates. He also noted that this combining of projects will require the moving of some monies within the budget to cover the costs attributed to each. Responding to Jeanne Wesley-Wiese, Erik Nelson stated this project required City review because of scope of improvements, including the curbs and well. Erik Nelson concluded by stating that all improvements, except for the boulder, are to be included in the bid documents. He has not yet had an opportunity to meet with City staff on how the stimulus monies can be spent and the process for doing so, so the boulder will be handled separately. Bozeman Creek bridge cost estimates. Keri Thorpe stated she is still waiting for information from Gary Vodenhal, Gallatin Valley Land Trust, regarding the fiberglass bridges being used in northern Montana. She noted that an 8-foot-wide steel bridge would cost an estimated $25,000 to $30,000, with an additional $3,000 to $4,000 in footings if an elevated bridge is required. She stated that if permitting and engineering services are not donated, several thousand dollars in additional costs could be incurred. Erik Nelson estimated that, based on this information, the bridge across Bozeman Creek could cost $28,000 to $50,000. Jeanne Wesley-Wiese questioned why the foot bridge would need to be eight feet wide. Tom Noble stated that, if other access to the area is not available, the bridge must be wide enough to accommodate a vehicle. Keri Thorpe stated that, in this instance, an 8-foot-wide bridge may not be absolutely necessary. Jeanne Wesley-Wiese noted that, because of the costs of this project, the Board has previously discussed the possibility of setting aside monies for it with the realization it may take several years to fully fund the project. Other news from the District. No comment was made under this agenda item. Action Items. Subcommittee selection: consider a motion to assign subcommittees to work on Annual Work Plan Items. Chair Erik Nelson noted that the work plan is divided into three sections, with projects listed under each. He suggested that the Board concentrate on appointing committees for the first two sections, which include infrastructure projects and parks, trails and greenspace. He then turned attention to the infrastructure projects, as follows: Infrastructure: (1) Tamarack Street Rouse Avenue to Front Street; (2) intersection of Front Street/North Ida Avenue/East Aspen Streets; (3) Ida Avenue Peach Street to Front Street; (4) North Church Avenue Sidewalks; and (5) East Peach Street Sidewalks. NURB Special Meeting October 6, 2009 3 Chair Erik Nelson suggested that, for those projects listed in the infrastructure category, the contracting with an engineering firm to do an initial needs assessment and design survey assessment on all of these projects. He stressed the importance of considering the entire area and not just each specific project separately. He also suggested that that a full topo map of the entire district could be acquired for around $10,000; and that information could be extremely beneficial as these projects move forward. Responding to Bob Pavlic, Chair Nelson stated that he anticipates the MSU architecture students will provide a concept plan for the district. He has not yet entered into a contract with them because they have not given him any information or draft documents. Planner Keri Thorpe noted that the Engineering Department qualifies and ranks engineering firms and then draws from the top three when specific projects arise. She then stated that the North Seventh Avenue Urban Renewal Board has selected a consulting engineer and a lighting design person who attend all of their Board meetings. Planner Thorpe expressed support for having some initial engineering done, noting that once the data has been generated, it is easier to get projects on the capital improvements plan and to seek additional funding. She also suggested that the Board look at saving some of the increment monies to provide matching monies if needed. Responding to Bob Pavlic, Keri Thorpe stated that if engineering services are over $20,000, they are subject to the request for qualifications process. She noted that Dustin Johnson, from the Engineering Department, may be willing to assist the Board with the RFQ and indicated that she could also help if the Board so desires, and then bring back that information for Board consideration and action. Erik Nelson indicated an interest in serving on the committee as well. Chair Nelson turned Board attention to the parks, trails and greenspace projects. Planner Keri Thorpe asked if there is support for a community garden. Nelle Devitt suggested that the question be raised in the fall newsletter for NENA, and possibly discussed at the fall meeting. Bob Pavlic expressed interest in serving on a committee for the community garden. Lisa Danzl-Scott noted that she and Nelle Devitt have been working on trails, and would like to continue doing so. She then noted that they are going to talk to the Gallatin Valley Land Trust about the possibility of grants for the Front Street shared use path. Erik Nelson expressed interest in serving on the committee for Depot Park. Chair Nelson asked if the committees have the authority to act. Planner Keri Thorpe responded that the Board may grant authority to the committees if they so desire. As a result of discussion, the Board determined that the committees should have the authority to get a project rolling, but expenditure of any monies must come back to the Board for action. Jeanne Wesley-Wiese stated that she would be interested in serving on the committee for the bridge portion of the project. NURB Special Meeting October 6, 2009 4 During discussion, the Board members indicated a willingness to serve on the committees, as follows: Depot Park (the triangle) Erik Nelson and Bob Pavlic Depot Trail Area Jeanne Wesley-Wiese and Tom Noble Front Street Shared Use Path Lisa Danzl-Scott and Nelle Devitt Aspen Street right-of-way Open Space Improvements Bob Pavlic and Tom Noble North Church Avenue Trail Improvements (Aspen to Tamarack) Dan Doehring, Lisa Danzl-Scott and Nelle Devitt Bridge across Bozeman Creek Jeanne Wesley-Wiese, Dan Doehring, Lisa Danzl-Scott and Nelle Devitt Planner Keri Thorpe read an e-mail from Holly Thompson into the record, noting that she is in support of a bridge across Bozeman Creek. Lisa Danzl-Scott suggested that the issue of the bridge be put on the agenda for the upcoming NENA fall meeting to find out how much neighborhood support there is for the project. She also questioned how the neighbors in the immediate area might feel about a bridge, since it will attract more traffic through their quiet area and will result in the loss of trees. Chair Nelson noted that the Board will need to prioritize its projects based on the monies available once it has the information upon which to make a decision. Planner Keri Thorpe stated she will follow up on whether an 8-foot-wide bridge is necessary in this area or if a narrower bridge could be installed. She will also follow upon the possibility of installing a fiberglass bridge. It was moved by Bob Pavlic, seconded by Tom Noble, that the committee appointments be approved, as follows: Infrastructure RFQ Erik Nelson, Dustin Johnson and Keri Thorpe Visioning document Erik Nelson and Tom Noble Depot Park (the triangle) Erik Nelson and Bob Pavlic Depot Trail Area Jeanne Wesley-Wiese and Tom Noble Front Street Shared Use Path Lisa Danzl-Scott and Nelle Devitt Aspen Street right-of-way Open Space Improvements Bob Pavlic and Tom Noble North Church Avenue Trail Improvements (Aspen to Tamarack) Dan Doehring, Lisa Danzl-Scott and Nelle Devitt Bridge across Bozeman Creek Jeanne Wesley-Wiese, Dan Doehring, Lisa Danzl-Scott and Nelle Devitt The motion carried. NURB Special Meeting October 6, 2009 5 Meeting Schedule. Chair Erik Nelson noted that, to move work items forward in a more timely manner, the Board needs to either give the committees more authority or meet more frequently. It was moved by Bob Pavlic, seconded by Tom Noble, that the Northeast Urban Renewal Board change its meeting schedule to meet at 6:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of the every month at the Professional Building. The motion carried. Adjournment 8:10 p.m. There being no further business to come before the Board at this time Chair Nelson adjourned the meeting at 8:10 p.m. ________________________________________ Erik Nelson, Chair Northeast Urban Renewal Board NURB Special Meeting October 6, 2009 6