HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-01-11 Northeast Urban Renewal Board MinutesNortheast Urban Renewal Board (NURB)
Regular Meeting
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
The Northeast Urban Renewal Board met in regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 1, 2011, in the Conference Room, Professional Building, 20 East Olive Street, Bozeman, Montana.
Present: Absent:
Voting Members:
Erik Nelson, Chair Robert Pavlic
Daniel Doehring Jeanne Wesley-Wiese
Tom Noble
Non-Voting Members:
Commissioner Liaison:
Carson Taylor
Staff:
Keri Thorpe, Assistant Planner
Robin Sullivan, Recording Secretary
Guests:
Ken VanDeWalle
Gary Vodehnal
Call to Order. Chair Erik Nelson called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m.
Public Comment. No comment was received under this agenda item.
Consent Items –
Approve minutes from February 1, 2011 meeting. It was moved by Dan Doehring, seconded by Tom Noble, that the minutes of the meeting of February 1, 2011, be approved as submitted.
The motion carried on a 3-0 vote.
Discussion Items –
District Neighborhood Plan (aka Visioning Document) – Update and next step. Chair Erik Nelson stated that, upon contacting the Community Design Center at MSU, he found they do not
have room for this project this semester; however, Mr. McNab indicated it may be possible to schedule it for this summer if students are available to do the desired edits. In light
of this information, he indicated that he did not meet with Tom Noble and Planner Thorpe as had been planned at last month’s meeting. He then asked if the Board wishes to talk about
its desired
revisions further or if it wishes to have the Committee forward the previously discussed revisions to the Community Design Center so they can be incorporated into the new document.
Tom Noble noted it is important to remember that this visioning document is not for an area that is to be bulldozed and reconstructed, but is for an area that is to be adapted to and
improved.
Chair Nelson noted that the visioning document should focus on the public rights-of-way only. He then suggested that it may be preferable to have one student undertake the editing and
preparing of the final document rather than having three students working as a team.
Dan Doehring suggested that if the Board identifies additional issues, those items be written down so that they can be incorporated into the direction provided to those preparing the
final document.
Chair Nelson asked the Committee members to identify when they can meet within the next couple of weeks so that final direction to the Community Development Center can be prepared.
Trail construction project – bid document preparation. Planner Keri Thorpe reported that she has been gathering information so the bid documents can be prepared for the trail construction
projects for both North Church Avenue and East Aspen Street. She noted that after reviewing the existing improvements along East Cottonwood Street, Project Engineer Johnson determined
Class II trail improvements connecting the existing sidewalk and the improved North Church Avenue trail would be adequate.
Planner Thorpe then reported that the paperwork for the well at Depot Park has been revised to allow for use of that water to irrigate the landscaping in the East Aspen Street right-of-way.
She indicated that the addition of this irrigation line will probably result in the need for a different timer on the well.
Chair Nelson suggested the existing irrigation box may be able to accommodate a couple more zones.
Planner Keri Thorpe stated the bid documents will be put out to landscape contractors. She has not yet determined if the project costs will exceed the threshold for advertising for
bids or if she will be seeking three proposals. She noted that both the North Church Avenue trail improvements and the East Aspen Street right-of-way improvements will be included in
the bid; and she proposes to seek a base bid and several alternates so that the bids for only those improvements for which there is money in the budget can be awarded. She proposed
that the trail improvements, including totems and barricades, be included in the base bid, with the trees, irrigation system and park furniture being included in the alternates.
Responding to Chair Nelson, Planner Thorpe reviewed the costs of the furniture used by the Parks Department. She noted the picnic table costs $477 and the benches cost $379, but she
is not sure if that includes shipping charges. She noted that furniture is installed in concrete so it does not move, and the wood boards are easily replaced if they become damaged.
Ken VanDeWalle noted that a couple of months ago, he submitted a design for a picnic table and park benches that reflected an agricultural theme and incorporated tractor seats. He has
now prepared a new bench design loosely based on a railroad theme. He reviewed the design, noting that it is to be constructed of steel tubing frame with arched grate and Epay wood
boards bolted on the top and back braces. He noted that the wood can be easily replaced if is damaged.
Gary Vodenhal noted that the bench is cantilevered, and its design could easily be incorporated into other furniture within the district. He stated that when the idea of encouraging
gardens in the boulevard areas was being discussed, it seemed that an agricultural theme for park furniture would be good; however, since that idea has been eliminated, the railroad
theme seems more appropriate.
Ken VanDeWalle stated he based his bench design on the angles and curves created by the intersecting of the main line and a spur line. He also noted it was his intention to keep the
design simple and clean. He then estimated his costs of fabricating and installing the bench at $900, noting most of the cost variables lie in the installation. He then suggested that
this type of design could easily be used for a picnic table and benches without backs.
Gary Vodenhal noted the cost of the park furniture used by the Parks Department is less than he had anticipated. He then stated that the benches he generally purchases are recycled
plastic and cost roughly $800 each delivered. He noted it takes two people approximately one and one-half hours to dig holes, pour the concrete and set the benches.
Chair Nelson expressed his support for incorporating locally designed and constructed items in the district whenever possible, noting that these different and interesting items help
to reflect the district’s unique characteristics and could attract people to this area. He then indicated he embraces unique attributes rather than developing a theme to be followed
throughout the district. He cautioned that, since public monies are involved in the purchase of the park furniture, it is important to realize an excessive cost for acquiring locally
produced items cannot be justified.
Responding to questions from Ken VanDeWalle, Chair Nelson stated that the Board has a little more flexibility in the improvements made within the public right-of-way than it has on those
made within parks. He then acknowledged that it may be interesting to allow local artists to propose designs for future improvements.
Gary Vodehnal noted that he uses hardwood on bridges because it is so durable; however, he does not use wood on benches because of vandalism. However, in this instance, he feels it
would be appropriate to use wood on the benches, providing something unique and different for this area.
Responding to Chair Nelson, Tom Noble stated that he likes the idea of not identifying a theme for the district, but allowing for more creativity and the use of locally made products.
Chair Nelson suggested that, when the bid documents are prepared for the trail improvements, an alternate be included for park furniture, with the cost of installation being split out
from the cost of the furniture so that a more accurate comparison of the furniture itself can be made. He noted that information could then be used as a basis for determining whether
the costs of incorporating upgraded furniture into the project are excessive or if the additional costs can be justified.
Responding to Chair Nelson, Ken VanDeWalle estimated the costs of the bench itself at $650, and confirmed that he is giving back to the district in the designing and fabricating of the
bench at that cost.
Gary Vodehnal noted that he often hears from people who are interested in sponsoring benches and want plaques on them. He asked if this Board would be willing to consider such donations
if people are interested in benches or other furniture in this area. In light of affirmative responses, Mr. Vodehnal indicated he will keep this area in mind as he receives inquiries.
Planner Thorpe asked if a picnic table is to be included in the bid documents.
Chair Nelson requested that all park furniture be included in the bid as alternates so that those costs can be incorporated into the budget if determined desirable.
Responding to comments from Chair Nelson, Ken VanDeWalle stated that, if the Board wishes to include more park furniture in these improvements, he would be willing to prepare different
designs for more benches and a picnic table rather than using the same theme for all of the furniture.
Possible pursuing of MRL lease. Chair Nelson stated he and Gary Vodehnal have had some recent discussions about possibly pursuing a lease for railroad property adjacent to the depot.
Gary Vodehnal reported that he went to Missoula and visited with the realtor from Montana Rail Link about working with them to acquiring a lease for a trail along the rail line and open
space.
Erik Nelson noted the limiting factor is that the railroad wants 50 feet from the edge of the track to the fence, while the depot is 34 feet from the edge of the track. He noted that
this leaves limited space between the fence and the edge of the street right-of-way.
Gary Vodehnal noted that it would be nice to install the fence on the same line as the face of the depot, which would put it 34 feet from the closest track. He stated that if the depot
were then used, the additional 16 feet would give room for parking as well as some more open space. Also, installing the fence on the same line as the face of the depot would look better
than having the fence aligned with a point on the side of the building. He then reported that the railroad would like to see a proposal for the fence and trail.
Gary Vodehnal expressed his interest in proposing a trail from North Wallace Avenue to East Birch Street, which would allow this trail to connect to the bicycle/pedestrian trail adjacent
to the
Fairgrounds. He is also interested in proposing line protection for the Story Mill spur line. He stressed that the City would be required to sign off on both proposals, so he must
first work with the City and Montana Rail Link before moving forward with negotiations.
Planner Thorpe cautioned that Montana Rail Link has steep insurance requirements; and the State restricts municipalities from assuming certain liabilities. As a result, she noted that
the City Attorney’s office must become involved in this process, to determine if it is possible to consider these proposals.
Gary Vodenhal concluded by noting that Burlington-Northern owns the land and leases its lines to Montana Rail Link; and both railroad companies have stringent requirements. He acknowledged
that this combination of ownerships makes moving forward with any projects extremely challenging.
Board member recruitment. Planner Thorpe noted there are no residency requirements for the non-voting positions.
Miscellaneous discussion. Chair Nelson reported that Morrison-Maierle has encountered some surveying issues but hopes to address the Board at next month’s meeting.
Chair Nelson announced that he will be absent from next month’s meeting since he will be out of the country.
Adjournment – 7:40 p.m. There being no further business to come before the Board at this time, Chair Nelson adjourned the meeting.
Erik Nelson, Chair
Northeast Urban Renewal Board
City of Bozeman