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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-01-12 Northeast Urban Renewal Board MinutesNortheast Urban Renewal Board (NURB) Regular Meeting Tuesday, May 1, 2012 The Northeast Urban Renewal Board met in regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 1, 2012, 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 (arrived at 6:37 p.m.) Non-Voting Members: Commissioner Liaison: Chris Mehl Staff: Keri Thorpe, Assistant Planner Ken Stocks, Grants Specialist Dustin Johnson, Project Engineer Courtney Kramer, Historic Preservation Officer Robin Sullivan, Recording Secretary Guests: Chris Nixon, 719 North Wallace Avenue Call to Order – Chair Erik Nelson called the meeting to order at 6:33 p.m. Public Comment – No comment was received under this agenda item. Consent Items – Approve minutes from April 3, 2012 meeting. It was moved by Dan Doehring, seconded by Bob Pavlic, that the minutes of the meeting of April 3, 2012, be approved as submitted. The motion carried on a 4-0 vote. Discussion Items – FY 2013 Work Plan and Budget – Review draft FY 2013 work plan and budget. Planner Keri Thorpe distributed copies of the draft work plan and budget for Fiscal Year 2012-2013, noting they are based on the minutes from last month’s meeting. She highlighted the anticipated carryover and revenues, noting that the total amount to be budgeted is $174,592. She stated that the expenditures budgeted were taken directly from the minutes, with the East Peach Street line item being the one used to balance the revenues and expenditures. Responding to Chair Erik Nelson, Planner Thorpe confirmed that the work plan is essentially the same boilerplate as last year with a few changes to reflect the current budget. Chair Nelson reviewed the budget by priority. He noted Priority I, Parks and Green Space, provides for maintenance of the open space and trail improvements that have been made to date as well as 50 percent of the estimated costs of the Aspen Street bridge. He voiced his hope that funding from additional resources can be obtained during this upcoming year to complete the bridge project. Responding to Commissioner Liaison Chris Mehl, Chair Nelson stated the amount budgeted for maintenance was increased because of the improvements made this year, including the North Church Avenue trail and the East Aspen Street improvements. He noted that the entire Aspen Street right-of-way will need to be maintained, particularly because of the knapweed problems that exist. Chair Nelson turned attention to Priority II, Infrastructure. He noted that under this budget, the same level of design will be provided for East Tamarack Street and Front Street/North Ida Avenue as has been done for East Peach Street. He stated the monies budgeted for East Peach Street could be used as matching funds for construction of this shovel ready project. Responding to Planner Thorpe, Chair Nelson confirmed that the engineering services for East Tamarack Street and East Front Street/North Ida Avenue should be lumped into one line item. Responding to questions from Commissioner Liaison Chris Mehl, Chair Nelson stated the Board will initiate engineering of the improvements for East Tamarack Street and Front Street/North Ida Avenue this year; however improvements to East Peach Street may or may not happen. Chair Nelson then turned his attention to Priority III, Neighborhood Planning, which includes monies for a redevelopment incentive plan and matching monies for preservation grants. The Board agreed with the budget for those items as listed. Chair Nelson noted the final portion of the budget is for administrative services and is the same as in past years. He then indicated he is comfortable with presenting this budget to the City Commission, and stated he would be excited to obtain some matching grant monies this year. Planner Thorpe noted it is anticipated there will be an additional increment of approximately $25,000 received yet this fiscal year and asked where the Board would like to have those monies budgeted. Chair Nelson suggested that they be added to the East Peach Street line item; the Board members concurred. Jeanne Wesley-Wiese suggested that the Board consider the installation of sidewalks along East Aspen Street between the creek and North Rouse Avenue as an additional infrastructure project, noting it may increase the chance of obtaining grant monies for the bridge. She recognized it is too late to include the project in this budget, but suggested that it be included in the Board’s next discussion on projects. Project Engineer Dustin Johnson suggested that if the Board waits until after the Montana Department of Transportation does its improvements to North Rouse Avenue, it can tie its street and sidewalk improvements to theirs. He recognized that installing sidewalks along East Aspen Street is a good project, but cautioned that the MDT keeps changing its plans, which could have a negative impact on any improvements made prior to theirs. It was moved by Tom Noble, seconded by Dan Doehring, that the Board approve the work plan and budget for Fiscal Year 2012-2013 as written. The motion carried on a 5-0 vote. Historic Passenger Depot. Historic Preservation Officer Courtney Kramer stated she is working on a grant application for the depot. She noted this is a planning grant only, to do a structural analysis of the building and identify any environmental issues, as well as a baseline of what the building looks like and its as builts. She noted the maximum grant is $5,000; and there is $15,000 in the budget as a match for a grant. She asked if the Board wants to use all of the $15,000 as a match or if it wishes to limit its match to $5,000. She recognized that Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) is notoriously difficult to work with, and one of the first steps will be to get them to allow a qualified contractor to be on the property for five days without requiring City indemnification. She concluded by stating she is still pursuing grants for this property whenever the opportunity arises. Chair Nelson stated he does not feel the City has exhausted all of its options for what can be done to get through the railroad’s system. He also wants to understand how the building and/or the grounds can be used. He recognized that information for a specific project is specialized and, as a result, the developer must do that step himself. Officer Kramer stated she tried to pick just one element to address in the application, and she agrees that getting through the process is the best approach available at this time. Chair Nelson left the meeting at 7:10 p.m. and turned the gavel over to Vice Chair Noble. Planner Thorpe asked about the possibility of moving the depot across the street. Officer Kramer responded that if the depot were picked up and moved across the street, it would still be eligible for a historic grant, and recognized that might be a more realistic approach. She noted that the Historic Preservation Advisory Board has been working with her on that possibility and they’ve received good feedback but no real action to date. She stated that, while BNSF is difficult to work with, Montana Rail Link (MRL) has indicated a willingness to do so. Responding to Historic Preservation Officer Kramer, Planner Thorpe stated it would be possible for the NorthEast Urban Renewal Board to fund the installation of a fence if the property on the district side of the fence is then available to the district. Historic Preservation Officer Courtney Kramer announced that Historic Preservation Days will be held in May. Activities include a run sponsored by the Big Sky Windrinkers on Wednesday, May 16, that begins at the depot, and a walking tour of the Northeast Neighborhood on Sunday, May 20, that also begins at the depot. Responding to Chris Nixon, Officer Kramer stated she included the offer to reroof the depot in an e-mail she sent to BNSF but has not yet received a response. She noted that MRL, along with the lessee, are responsible for the building. She concluded by stating she will include a follow-up on her list of things to do. Treasure State Endowment Program (TSEP) grant – a potential funding source for East Peach Street improvements. Project Engineer Dustin Johnson stated that TSEP funding is on an every two year cycle. He noted the program is procedurally confusing, but the hard work is done, with the environmental check list and preliminary engineering report yet to be completed. Grants Writer Ken Stocks stated the Morrison-Mairle report is almost acceptable, but staff did not have the time to pull the application together for this cycle. He noted this grant works well with the Montana Department of Transportation’s North Rouse Avenue project. He then stated the biggest hurdle is matching funds; and the monies budgeted for the Peach Street improvements could be used for that purpose. He noted there may also be other grants available to assist with the construction of these improvements. Planner Thorpe noted that Controller Brian LaMeres has indicated it may be possible for the district to borrow against future increments if necessary to fund improvements. Project Engineer Dustin Johnson stated most of the grant monies available are for creeks and water at the present time. He asked the Board to let staff know if they are interested in pursuing any grant options. Responding to questions from Tom Noble, Engineer Johnson stated the City and the State are co-permitted for realignment and reconstruction of the bridge across Bozeman Creek on East Peach Street. Pedestrian Bridge. Planner Keri Thorpe stated attendance at a one or two-hour training session is required for the electronic grant application, but she may be able to fulfill that training via a webinar rather than traveling to Helena. She asked if the Board is interested in her attending the training and covering the costs of doing so. She noted that she can then update the previous application and update the numbers based on the budget approved earlier in the meeting and increasing the previous cost estimates. It was moved by Jeanne Wesley-Wiese, seconded by Dan Doehring, that the Board authorize and direct staff to attend the training session for the Fish, Wildlife and Parks Trails Grant electronic application process and submit revisions provided by the Board for FY13 grant cycle. The motion carried on a 4-0 vote. Proposal for zone code amendments to limit restaurants in the HMU District – letter to property owners requesting feedback. Jeanne Wesley-Wiese suggested that people across the street from the district be included in the list. Planner Thorpe noted that will include property owners on both sides of North Rouse Avenue and East Peach Street. She distributed copies of a draft of the letter from the NorthEast Urban Renewal Board and asked for Board comments. She then noted that the postcards to accompany this letter will be done at a print shop. Bob Pavlic suggested that boxes be included on the postcard so respondents can identify if they own commercial, residential or mixed use properties. Dan Doehring questioned whether people will know what the wording means and if they will understand the processes involved. Planner Thorpe asked if the Board wishes to keep it simple and just ask if they want to eliminate restaurants. As a result of Board comments, the Planner indicated she will give respondents the options of do not amend; eliminate restaurants; and evaluate on a case-by-case basis with public input. After listening to the Board member comments, Commissioner Liaison Chris Mehl proposed several revisions to the letter, stressing the importance of keeping it simple and not being too technical. Planner Thorpe indicated she will send out a revised letter for the Board to consider at its next meeting. Neighborhood News. Bob Pavlic stated it appears a parking lot is being constructed by the depot, noting that gravel has been dropped between the depot and his property. He noted more track maintenance is being planned for this summer, and the parking lot is for those workers. He stated that maintenance is to include extension of the sidings to accommodate the extended lengths of trains. Bob Pavlic stated the warehouse next to him was purchased by Steve Schlegel; and he has had his lot surveyed. He does not yet know the new owner’s plans for the building. He then stated that Sam Robinson bought the lot next to him and is going to build a house near the railroad track. He noted that this district has cheap property for those who wish to build in the city and, as a result, he is nervous for the residential people. Tom Noble noted that when gentrification occurs, those involved find they don’t like the neighborhood and then move away. Commissioner Liaison Chris Mehl noted one of this district’s goals is to procure parkland. He stated that, at its May 21 meeting, the Commission will have a policy discussion on putting a bond issue on the ballot for trails and parks. He noted that, with the current land prices and interest rates on bonds, now is the prime time to acquire land. He encouraged Board members to forward comments to him or any of the Commissioners or to attend the meeting. Responding to Planner Thorpe, Commissioner Liaison Mehl confirmed a maintenance component will be included in the bond issue. Bob Pavlic identified the land at the intersection of North Plum Avenue/Avocado Street/East Peach Street, as a possibility for open space. Commissioner Liaison Mehl noted the Commission is very interested in the Story Mill area, noting one of his goals is to work with the County in providing a safe route to the M. Commissioner Liaison Chris Mehl noted the City is working with other cities to address potential issues revolving around the increase in coal trains. He stressed that the City is very limited on what it can do, noting the State has more ability to influence issues. He then noted that the southeast ports export more coal than others; however, it appears China may continue to want coal and that would likely be exported through the west coast, thus affecting this area. Adjournment – 8:12 p.m. There being no further business to come before the Board at this time, Vice Chair Noble adjourned the meeting. Erik Nelson, Chair Northeast Urban Renewal Board City of Bozeman