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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-05-11 Northeast Urban Renewal Board Minutes NURB Meeting – July 5, 2011 1 Northeast Urban Renewal Board (NURB) Regular Meeting Tuesday, July 5, 2011 The Northeast Urban Renewal Board met in regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 5, 2011, in the Conference Room, Professional Building, 20 East Olive Street, Bozeman, Montana. Present: Absent: Voting Members: Erik Nelson, Chair Daniel Doehring Tom Noble Robert Pavlic Jeanne Wesley-Wiese Non-Voting Members: Commissioner Liaison: Carson Taylor Staff: Dustin Johnson, Project Engineer Keri Thorpe, Assistant Planner Robin Sullivan, Recording Secretary Guests: Kevin Jacobsen, Morrison-Maierle Sam Haraldson, Bozeman Area Bicycle Advisory Board Call to Order. Chair Erik Nelson called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m., noting that he has another commitment at 7:30 p.m. Public Comment. No comment was received under this agenda item. Consent Items – Approve minutes from June 7, 2011 meeting. It was moved by Tom Noble, seconded by Bob Pavlic, that the minutes of the meeting of June 7, 2011, be approved as submitted. The motion carried on a 5-0 vote. NURB Meeting – July 5, 2011 2 Discussion Items – Peach Street engineering study and concept planning update with Kevin Jacobsen from Morrison-Maierle. Kevin Jacobsen reviewed the discussion at last month’s meeting, based on the plan that had been prepared following input from this Board as well as the Bozeman Area Bicycle Advisory Board (BABAB). He noted the overwhelming comment was that this plan tried to fit too many things into a tiny space. The Board then focused on retaining the parking on the south side of the street, adding storm drainage, making the north side more aesthetically pleasing, and maintaining the existing street width. Chair Nelson noted the Board recognized that this segment on East Peach Street is only a few blocks long with a stop sign close to the middle, so traffic does not reach significant speeds. As a result, the Board felt it would be better to allow for movement of cars, trucks and bicycles in a wider travel lane and to provide more signage reflecting that this is a shared use facility. Sam Haraldson, Chair of the BABAB, noted the Board’s first priority is to ensure implementation of the complete streets concept wherever possible. He reported that the Board has discussed the proposed improvements to this section of roadway and recognizes that with its existing width, it is not possible to reach a perfect design, but encourages this Board to further research the possibility of providing for bicycle traffic. Chair Nelson noted this Board looked at what might be most ideal in terms of function and recognized that children may legally ride on the sidewalk, thus alleviating those safety concerns. He suggested that a slightly wider sidewalk could adequately accommodate both pedestrians and young bicyclists. He then noted this Board wants to somehow mark this entrance to the district and reflect its mixed use. Sam Haraldson recognized that it is not possible to make everyone happy given the right-of- way constraints, but encouraged this Board to give careful consideration to accommodating the different modes of transportation. In response to comments regarding speeds along this segment of East Peach Street, Bob Pavlic observed that as traffic enters East Peach Street from Broadway Avenue, it is often moving quickly, not slowing until it reaches the stop sign at North Wallace Avenue. Chair Nelson suggested that some type of traffic calming just east of North Ida Avenue, possibly in the form of a rumble strip, could help to slow those speeds. Responding to Chair Nelson, Kevin Jacobsen stated he does not have a new street design for the Board to consider at this time but will prepare an overall street design for consideration at the next Board meeting. NURB Meeting – July 5, 2011 3 Responding to Project Engineer Dustin Johnson, Kevin Jacobsen expressed a willingness to attend the BABAB meeting tomorrow night. Chair Nelson suggested that someone from this Board attend as well; Tom Noble volunteered to do so. He then recognized it is important for the Bike Board to put its seal of approval on the plan approved by this Board before it moves forward to the Commission. Chair Nelson noted that, based on the special conditions that exist along this street, it is not possible to include all of the improvements that may be desired. Kevin Jacobsen stressed that this is not a road project, reminding the Board that such a project would trigger the collector street standards. He noted, rather, this is a stormwater project that includes some clean-up within the right-of-way on the north side of the street. Kevin Jacobsen turned the Board’s attention to some images of bioswales, noting that they include both concepts and actual imagery from existing sites. He briefly highlighted the various images, noting that he is concerned about the ribbon curb discussed at last month’s meeting because of the potential for vehicles to easily drive into the bioswale and damage it and, as a result, has included stand-up curbs on both sides of the street. He noted that, with a 5-foot-wide sidewalk and a 4-foot-wide boulevard, there is not much room for water retention since the slope can be no greater than 3 to 1 off the sidewalk, and it is desirable to have the lowest point in the center of the bioswale. He stated that under these proposed designs, curb cuts would allow water to flow both into and out of the bioswales. with excess water running down the curbline to the next curb cut. He stated these bioswales could probably accommodate typical runoff but would not be able to handle a storm event. Chair Nelson expressed his interest in the least expensive alternative for addressing storm- water, noting he feels that will be the one the property owners can accept. He noted that if that includes sheet runoff, he can accept it. Kevin Jacobsen cautioned that a 4-foot-wide boulevard is really not wide enough for a bioswale. Chair Nelson noted that the proposed bioswales would actually reduce the pollutants entering the stream. He then asked if federal funding could possibly be acquired for this project, or if CTEP or other monies might be available. Project Engineer Dustin Johnson cautioned that alternative funding sources should be sought for this type of project. NURB Meeting – July 5, 2011 4 Kevin Jacobsen turned his attention to possible drainage options for the south side of the street, particularly in those areas where driveways are close together. He noted that traffic calming options near Bronken Distributing could also be included in the street design if desired. Kevin Jacobsen cautioned that a maintenance component is involved with bioswales, particularly since they will clog and need to be cleaned and maintained. Project Engineer Dustin Johnson stated a bioswale is a stormwater facility, and he believes the City should take care of it. He noted the problem is that there are too many stormwater detention facilities for the City to maintain, particularly since there is no funding for doing so. As a result, the City is considering the creation of a stormwater utility. Responding to questions from Tom Noble, Project Engineer Johnson stated bioswales are designed so that there is no standing water, so they should not become a breeding ground for mosquitos. Kevin Jacobsen concluded by noting that they will prepare a new comprehensive street design to present this Board for its consideration. Action Items -- Consider a motion approving budget allocations for FY2012 projects and priorities for preparation of NURB Annual Work Plan and Budget for Fiscal Year 2012. Planner Keri Thorpe noted that a spreadsheet showing the monies spent on projects in this fiscal year, the anticipated balance and projected revenues for next year were distributed prior to this meeting. She then distributed a revised spreadsheet, noting that the increment for next year is lower than previously anticipated. Based on the new figures, she now anticipates this Board will have approximately $171,000 to budget for next fiscal year. Since she was not sure whether the Board has identified any new projects for the upcoming year, she prepared a proposed budget based on the items included in last year’s budget. She drew attention to several of the line items, asking the Board if it wishes to contribute $5,000 to the Planning Department to help fund her position. She then noted that she has placed the revenues not budgeted for a specific project into the East Peach Street line item. Jeanne Wesley-Wiese voiced concern that no additional monies have been budgeted for the bridge. Planner Keri Thorpe responded that most of the $15,000 budgeted for the bridge last year have not been expended; and the grant proposal just submitted included only a $15,000 commitment. NURB Meeting – July 5, 2011 5 Chair Erik Nelson expressed his general support for the proposed budget as submitted. He noted, however, he would like to see more flexibility in the manner in which infrastructure monies are budgeted and would like to see design solutions for North Ida Avenue included in that portion of the budget. Jeanne Wesley-Wiese stated she is more interested in the bridge. She reminded the Board members that they have discussed the idea of budgeting monies toward this project each year, and she is concerned that no additional monies have been included in this proposed budget. Chair Nelson suggested that, if the grant application is not approved, the Board could add monies in next year’s budget to improve the odds of getting approval, or it could pursue other funding sources. Jeanne Wesley-Wiese noted she is a little anxious about the grant, since it includes less than 30 percent in matching monies and 20 percent is the minimum. Also, the grant is for trails, and initial feedback from the Fish, Wildlife and Parks Department is that the bridge does not result in a huge improvement to the connectivity of the trail network since the trail ends at East Tamarack Street. Jeanne stated she feels the bridge would be a benefit, and a lot of people would like to see it. Chair Nelson noted there is $15,000 in the budget to match the Preserve America grant and, if those monies are not used for that purpose, they could be moved over to the bridge. Tom Noble and Dan Doehring both expressed support for setting aside additional monies for the bridge. Chair Nelson proposed that, if the Board wishes to set aside additional monies for the bridge, it take $5,000 from the Preserve America grant, which would bring the local match for the bridge grant application to 30 percent. Tom Noble suggested that the Board commit another $15,000 toward the bridge, noting that half of the funding would be then set aside for that project. Chair Nelson cautioned against taking monies from the infrastructure line items, noting that those are large ticket items. He also noted that monies may be needed for installation of sidewalks in conjunction with the East Peach Street improvements that are currently being designed. Responding to Jeanne Wesley-Wiese, Chair Nelson noted there is currently a $12,860 balance in the amount budgeted for the bridge and suggested that it could be increased to $20,000. Planner Keri Thorpe noted that the redevelopment incentive plan is not ready, so she has removed the funding for that project in this year’s budget. NURB Meeting – July 5, 2011 6 Chair Nelson left meeting at 7:50 p.m. Dan Doehring acknowledged the need to keep the monies set aside for infrastructure improvements. Tom Noble noted that monies will keep accumulating in that line item; however, they are building slowly at this time. He stated that now the Board has an opportunity to budget monies for something not building related; but once development picks up again, there will be a lot of demands for these monies. It was moved by Tom Noble, seconded by Jeanne Wesley-Wiese, that the budget be amended to move $10,000 from East Peach Street/Infrastructure budget item to the bridge. The motion carried on a 4-0 vote. Responding to Jeanne Wesley-Wiese, Planner Keri Thorpe stated that under infrastructure, she can list engineering services and identify the Board’s priorities again, including North Ida Avenue in that list. It was moved by Tom Noble, seconded by Jeanne Wesley-Wiese, that the Board approved the budget as amended. The motion carried on a 4-0 vote. FYI Items -- Bench. Planner Keri Thorpe suggested that the bench originally proposed for the North Church Avenue trail be relocated to the East Aspen Street trail improvements. The Board agreed with the proposed relocation, noting that a bench has already been privately installed along the North Church Avenue right-of-way. East Aspen Street right-of-way maintenance. Planner Thorpe expressed concern about the weeds that exist in this right-of-way as well as the pocket park. As a result, if she cannot get someone else to spray for the weeds, she will do so. She then noted that many of the plantings are now hard to find because the sites need mowing, and she will get some lath to mark where those plants and shrubs are located. Totems for trail. Commissioner Liaison Taylor reported that his conversation with Park/Recreation Superintendent Ron Dingman revealed that the Parks Department personnel make the trail totems in the winter, based on the orders that they have received. He encouraged this Board to put in its order now so that the totems will be available next spring. NURB Meeting – July 5, 2011 7 Demolition by neglect ordinance. In light of concerns expressed about the weeds on the old brewery site, Jeanne Wesley-Wiese noted a demolition by neglect ordinance is still needed. Commissioner Liaison Carson Taylor noted that the demolition by neglect ordinance did not receive enough votes to become a priority for the upcoming year and, as a result, he is pursuing other mechanisms for accomplishing the same thing. He cautioned that even if a demolition by neglect ordinance is implemented, it will not address existing situations, such as the brewery wall, the armory and Story Mill. He stressed that it is important to consider this type of issue as the Commission looks at the possibility of a downtown convention center; and the potential for use and abuse of this type of ordinance must be discussed. Depot. Bob Pavlic asked for an update on the depot. Planner Keri Thorpe stated she will contact Billings to find out how they were able to get their depot upgraded and who they worked with. She noted that when Historic Preservation Planner Courtney Kramer calls the Missoula office, they are not cooperative and, as a result, the Preserve America grant application was not approved. Adjournment – 8:15 p.m. There being no further business to come before the board at this time, it was moved by Bob Pavlic, seconded by Jeanne Wesley-Wiese, that the meeting be adjourned. The motion carried on 4-0 vote. Erik Nelson, Chair Northeast Urban Renewal Board City of Bozeman