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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-20-09 Downtown Tax Increment Finance Board Minutes Downtown Tax Increment Finance Board Meeting Minutes 10/20/09 Attending: Bobby Bear, Peter Bertelsen, Thail Davis, Bob Lashaway, Ellie Staley, Chris Naumann Absent: Vonda Laird, Bill Stoddart Public Comments None Disclosures None Minutes ACTION:Peter Bertelsen motioned to accept the minutes from September 2009. Bobby Bear seconded the motion. All voted in favor. Financial Report Chris outlined recent financial activity for the TIF account. The TIF received $4,200.00 from the Library Foundation as payment for three pedestrian benches. Chris indicated that the TIF paid its second quarter management fee to the Downtown Partnership. Other expenses included: engineering fees for TD&H to formally submit the side-street streetscape plans to the City of Bozeman; Soroptomist Park maintenance, Soroptomist sculpture concrete pads, and replacement flag holders; and the purchase of a new street lamp and the bike stall rack. Chris informed the board that the first half of the State entitlement revenue should be deposited in November and the increment is realized in December. Program Director’s Report Fall/Winter Events and Programs: th - MSU Parent’s weekend “Downtown Discovery” activity – Friday and Saturday, October 30 st and 31. A scavenger hunt through downtown takes parent’s and students through over 15 downtown businesses to help them get a acquainted with our local businesses and have a chance to win one of 4 awesome gift baskets filled with goodies from downtown businesses! st - Downtown Trick or Treating – Friday, October 31 from 3-6pm. Got information into the School district and foundation publications. 10% discount on candy at Heeb’s to keep it downtown. See letter for more information. Businesses are very excited! th - Cat/Griz Pep Rally – Friday, November 20 from 6-7:30pm at Willson and Main Street. MSU coaches, players, pep squad and “Champ” help us get pumped for the even bigger game! Also enjoy free food and live music! th - 2009 Christmas Stroll – Saturday, December 5 from 4:30-7:30pm. Santa and kid’s activities at the Baxter, haywagon rides, in-store activities, 30-40 non-profit food vendors and more! Other Items: Getting ready to finally re-print the Downtown Directory that should be available in early - Nov. The membership drive has been successful and has added about 12 new members. Also have decided to set up a Website Management System so that I can make any - website changes to the business database myself. This should be completed in early Nov. too and I will be making business directory changes similar to the printed directory at that time. Looking into a small marketing push for the holidays including some general radio and - print ads advertising Downtown Dollars and downtown holiday shopping. We are also doing a great layout in the Nov. Downtown Newspaper with small holiday shopping ads and a map indicating all of the advertising businesses. Low cost holiday advertising for the businesses. Executive Director’s Report Tax Increment Finance District Board October 20, 2009 Downtown Improvement Plan Following the first review by the Planning Board (September 15), the Plan Advisory Committee met (September 22) to discuss potential revisions based on consistent public comment. The Committee agreed to a series of revisions that clarifies the intent of the Plan and addresses concerns that all of the public surface lots are being targeted for redevelopment. At the second Planning Board meeting (October 6), they unanimously passed a motion recommending that the City Commission adopt the Plan with the following amendments:  Incorporate all of the revisions proposed by the DBIP Advisory Committee;  Incorporate the following language on page 31: “Consider developing a comprehensive way finding sign plan highlighting downtown as an important component of Bozeman as a regional hub.”  Incorporate the following language where appropriate: “There will be no net loss of public parking spaces unless substantiated by a comprehensive parking inventory and use study.” At the October meeting of the Parking Commission meeting, they unanimously passed a resolution recommending the City Commission adopt the Downtown Improvement Plan as originally presented including the revisions proposed by the Advisory Committee. th Both recommendations will be included in the City Commission’s packet for the November 9 meeting and public hearing for adoption. TIF Interlocal Agreement Update Chris Kukulski has called for a meeting to propose the draft of the TIF Interlocal Agreement on th October 29. The following people have been asked to attend: Kirk Miller and Steve Johnson (BSD7); Earl Mathers, Wendy Wiedenmeyer, and Ed Blackman (Gallatin County); Anna Rosenberry (COB); and myself. Depending on a re-certification of the taxable values of property in the Downtown TIF and the “final” TIF District valuation, the Interlocal agreement could go into effect immediately if the inflation adjusted cap of $1,059,103 is eclipsed. Downtown Bozeman Gas Refurbishment Project The following is an update as provided by Northwestern Energy on October 6, 2009. Block 5: South of Main, Tracy to Willson Pre-construction Assessment Schedule: Complete Construction Schedule: Complete on 10/11 Reclamation Schedule: Week of10/14 – Duration 3 days Scope: Move meters outside, replace services that have mechanical fittings, remove swing joints, remove stubs, and section out dresser couplings. Install PCF on east edge of Willson, isolate between Willson and Tracy. Impacts: Alley remains closed during construction. NWE has provided temporary gas service to all residents and businesses on that block. Block 6: North of Main, Tracy to Willson Pre-construction Assessment Schedule: 10/14 – Duration 3 days Construction Schedule: 10/14 - Duration 10 days Reclamation Schedule: Week of 10/28 – Duration 2 days Scope: Move meters outside, replace services that have mechanical fittings, remove swing joints, remove stubs, and section out dresser couplings. Install PCF on east edge of Willson. Impacts: Alley will be closed during construction. NWE will provide temporary gas service to all residents and businesses on that block to whom gas service is critical (or if it’s cold enough that heat is necessary). Discussion and Decision Items Tax Increment Projection Chris reminded the board that Anna Rosenberry (COB Finance Director) had inquired with the Montana Department of Revenue about a recertification of the downtown district property values. Early indications are that DOR will not perform a recertification which would result in this increment being approximately $1,175,000.00. This total would be in excess of the inflation adjusted cap of $1,059,103.00 as stipulated in COB Ordinance No. 1628. TIF Interlocal Agreement Chris reminded the board that a meeting is scheduled for October 29 to discuss the Interlocal agreement between the COB, Gallatin County, BSD7, and the TIF Board. Chris asked if the board would like Bobby Bear and Bob Lashaway to represent the TIF Board at this meeting, as they have participated in previous meetings about the agreement. The Board agreed. Chris also indicated that per the Bozeman City Commission’s preference, the draft Interlocal agreement will propose that the TIF State mils be divided between the County, Schools, and City on a pro-rata basis. Downtown Improvement Plan Update Chris presented the board with a DBIP Report: Downtown Improvement Plan Report Following the first review by the Planning Board (September 15), the Plan Advisory Committee met (September 22) to discuss potential revisions based on consistent public comment. The Committee agreed to a series of revisions that clarifies the intent of the Plan and addresses concerns that all of the public surface lots are being targeted for redevelopment. The Committee’s revised language is outlined on the next page of this report. At the second Planning Board meeting (October 6), they unanimously passed a motion recommending that the City Commission adopt the Plan with the following amendments:  Incorporate all of the revisions proposed by the DBIP Advisory Committee;  Incorporate the following language on page 31: “Consider developing a comprehensive way finding sign plan highlighting downtown as an important component of Bozeman as a regional hub.”  Incorporate the following language where appropriate: “There will be no net loss of public parking spaces unless substantiated by a comprehensive parking inventory and use study.” At the October meeting of the Parking Commission meeting, they unanimously passed a resolution recommending the City Commission adopt the Downtown Improvement Plan as originally presented including the revisions proposed by the Advisory Committee. th Both recommendations will be included in the City Commission’s packet for the November 9 meeting and public hearing for adoption. The revised version of the Plan incorporating the Advisory Committee revisions (but not those proposed by the Planning Board) can be viewed at: http://www.downtownbozeman.org/downloads/DBIP%20Final%20Draft%2010-12-09%20SM.pdf I know that a small group of business and property owners are still claiming that the Plan calls for the elimination of the four public parking lots. They are soliciting signatures on a petition requesting that the City Commission not adopt the Plan based on this misinterpretation. I am actively seeking letters of support for the Plan from business and property owners plus other community organizations and individuals. I have started with an initial contact list of 25 specific stakeholders. I will be contacting the board later this week about “signing” a joint letter to the City Commission from the BID, TIF and DBA Board in support of the Plan. The Board indicated that all members would sign the joint Downtown Partnership letter in support of the Plan. Bridger Park Connectivity Project Chris updated the board that the City Commission did not award the TIF the requested $130,000.00 grant of federal stimulus money for this project. The Commission awarded the th funds to projects proposed by the North 7 and Northeast TIF boards. Chris indicated that the Commission recognized the Downtown TIF’s large revenues as compared to those of the other two TIF districts. Chris and the board agreed that the Commissions rationale was solid and justified. Chris suggested that the board still considered funding this project, either partially or entirely, once the details of the Interlocal agreement were finalized. The board agreed that this is a high priority project along with the creek improvements adjacent to the public parking lot at the corner of Babcock and Rouse. With no future or old business to discuss, Bobby adjourned the meeting.