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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-04-13 Northeast Urban Renewal Board Minutes Northeast Urban Renewal Board (NURB) Regular Meeting Tuesday, June 4, 2013 The Northeast Urban Renewal Board met in regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 4, 2013, in the Conference Room, Professional Building, 20 East Olive Street, Bozeman, Montana. Present: Absent: Voting Members: Tom Noble, Chair Erik Nelson Daniel Doehring Robert Pavlic Jeanne Wesley-Wiese Non-Voting Members: Commissioner Liaison: Chris Mehl Staff: Allyson Brekke, Neighborhood Coordinator Dustin Johnson, Project Engineer Robin Sullivan, Recording Secretary Guests: Chris Nixon Call to Order – Chair Tom Noble called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. Public Comment – Dan Doehring suggested that a doggie station be installed at depot park, noting it could serve both that park and the Aspen Street right-of-way. Neighborhood Coordinator Brekke stated she will request the Parks Department install a doggie station in the depot park. Responding to Project Engineer Johnson, Bob Pavlic confirmed that the manufacturers of the boulder repaired it, and it is now holding together. Consent Items – Approve minutes from April 2, 2013 meeting. It was moved by Bob Pavlic, seconded by Dan Doehring, that the minutes of the meeting of April 2, 2013, be approved as NURB Meeting June 4, 2013 1 submitted. The motion carried on a 4-0 vote. Discussion/Action Items – Report on presentation of Work Plan and Budget for Fiscal Year 2013-14 to City Commission. Chair Tom Noble noted that Neighborhood Coordinator Brekke gave him a prepared statement to read; and he feels the presentation went well. He reported that Deputy Mayor Jeff Krauss thanked the Board for committing monies to the depot analysis. Chair Noble noted that Commissioners asked if the Board knows when North Rouse Avenue is to be rebuilt, and asked that any improvements to East Peach Street tie into the improvements the Montana Department of Transportation will make in conjunction with its project. Neighborhood Coordinator Allyson Brekke noted that this group was the last to present out of six, and has the smallest budget of all tax increment financing districts. She then stated the presentation was a summary of the budget and work plan, as approved by this Board at its April meeting. Jeanne Wesley-Wiese voiced her concern that she had missed the last meeting, particularly because of the language change that was made in the work plan and budget regarding the Aspen Street bridge. She is concerned that with that change, the bridge could be constructed anywhere, and stressed that the monies have been set aside over the years for a bridge at Aspen Street. She noted that a survey about a bridge at Aspen Street was done and, of the 47 responses, 45 were in favor. This change in language has increased her resolve to push for the bridge. Neighborhood Coordinator Allyson Brekke responded that generalizing the line item does not mean the bridge cannot be constructed at Aspen Street, but simply allows for the opportunity to construct it in another location if it is deemed more appropriate. Chris Nixon stated a pedestrian bridge at Aspen Street is “one of the neater ideas” the Board has had, and responds positively to feedback from the neighborhood survey. He stressed that people like to see something on the ground, and encouraged the Board to budget additional monies toward the bridge. He suggested that once the bridge is constructed, sidewalks along Aspen Street as well as other streets in the area might become a higher priority. He then voiced his interest in seeing the North Church Avenue trail stretch across East Tamarack Street, noting the pedestrian bridge could also help with that extension. Bob Pavlic noted it was his impression that Peter Skidmore and the stream enhancement committee discouraged additional stream crossings. Chair Noble noted that Peter Skidmore stated the streambank is healthy the way it is, and acknowledged that in a perfect world, no additional crossings would be constructed. NURB Meeting June 4, 2013 2 Neighborhood Coordinator Brekke cautioned the Board that it does not have sufficient monies budgeted to proceed with the project at this time. She then noted that the narrative in the work plan still references Aspen Street. Chair Noble stated that, while he supports the construction of a pedestrian bridge at Aspen Street, he wants to leave the option open so that the monies could be used in the best manner for the district. Neighborhood Coordinator Brekke asked what type of grant has been sought in the past and what its deadline might be. She then indicated she will research former Planner Keri Thorpe’s files and follow up on updating the application if the deadline has not passed. Chris Nixon suggested that a joint grant application from the NorthEast Neighborhood Association and this Board might result in a stronger application. Update on status of adoption of design for East Peach Street improvements. Neighborhood Coordinator Allyson Brekke reported that the City Attorney’s office has determined the design is to be adopted by ordinance, as a special set of street standards within the district. This will eliminate the need to seek a variance for the street design as each project emerges. She then suggested that, once the ordinance has been drafted and approved by the City Attorney’s office, this Board should present it to the Commission for action. Project Engineer Dustin Johnson noted that the ordinance is to modify the Transportation Plan for East Peach Street within the district. He stated the biggest issue at this time is getting the ordinance through the City Attorney’s office. Update on engineering services for East Tamarack Street/Front Street/North Ida Avenue street improvements. Project Engineer Dustin Johnson expressed his intent to follow essentially the same design process as that used for the East Peach Street design. He suggested the possibility of simply using the same engineering firm through an amendment to the contract for East Peach Street and shelving adoption of the Peach Street design until after these street designs have been completed. He indicated that, if the Board is supportive, he will talk to Kevin Jacobsen at Morrison-Maierle and forward any comments this Board has. He noted that he will also draft a scope of services for consideration at next month’s Board meeting, and he can ask Kevin Jacobsen to attend that meeting as well. Bob Pavlic voiced concern that Front Street and North Ida Avenue are essentially dead-end streets and questioned if they should be included in the design process. He also noted that Front Street is all railroad property, with little traffic. He recognized that East Tamarack Street is a major street in the district and that it should be designed like East Peach Street was. Project Engineer Dustin noted the problem with North Ida Avenue is that it is a non-standard street but traffic funnels through it from East Peach Street to East Tamarack Street. NURB Meeting June 4, 2013 3 Neighborhood Coordinator Brekke cautioned that the Front/Ida segment connects East Peach Street and East Tamarack Street. Chair Tom Noble asked if the Board wants to look at a design standard for North Wallace Avenue. Project Engineer Johnson responded that staff has already looked at North Wallace Avenue, and the only thing it has been able to identify is restricting parking on one side of the street. Chris Nixon noted one of the concerns with the depot structure is that there is currently no street delineation adjacent to the building; and that delineation is essential for use of the building to be considered safe. Neighborhood Coordinator Brekke suggested that staff request a breakout of the costs by street for Board consideration at its next meeting. Project Engineer Johnson stated he will confirm with the City Attorney’s office that the street design can be considered an amendment to the East Peach Street contract prior to next month’s Board meeting. Update on public meeting re depot. Chair Noble noted he attended most of the public meeting. He stated that Leslie Gilmore gave a fairly comprehensive presentation on the condition of the building, showing pictures she had taken of the outside, inside and the basement. A historian also talked about the history of the building. Discussion included other depots that have been rehabilitated around the state. The presentations were followed by a brainstorming session about possible uses for the depot. Chris Nixon stated several ideas were discussed, including the possibility of using the depot as a wedding venue, or as a restaurant or brew pub. He noted that, since the building is located close to the tracks, a fence would need to be constructed between it and the tracks. He concluded by expressing concern about the possibility of the building being moved. Responding to Bob Pavlic, Neighborhood Coordinator Allyson Brekke stated the final report on the structural analysis has not yet been completed; and she will make sure a copy of that report is made available to this Board once it is received. Further responding to Bob Pavlic, Chris Nixon stated the cost of mothballing the building is to be included in the report; and the roof is identified as a top priority. He then noted that once a depot has been turned into a commercial use, it may be possible to purchase the building, citing other buildings along the route as examples. Chair Noble noted that, years ago, the owner of the elevator on East Mendenhall Street was able to purchase the ground under the elevator, but acknowledged that property was along a spur rather than a main line. NURB Meeting June 4, 2013 4 Bob Pavlic noted he has a 100-year lease for the ground under his home and business. Neighborhood Coordinator Brekke stressed the importance of keeping the energy going for this building. Determine whether to meet in July; set agenda or cancel meeting. Chair Noble stated he feels that the Board should meet next month, which will be July 2. He indicated that items on the agenda are to include a meeting with Kevin Jacobsen from Morrison-Maierle. Neighborhood News. Bob Pavlic stated Sweet Pea Landscaping is cutting the wrong property instead of the Aspen Street trail improvements. Neighborhood Coordinator Allyson Brekke asked that those members whose terms will expire in July let her know if they plan to apply for re-appointment. Chris Nixon reported that the NENA meeting was held at the end of May, and there were good presentations about the depot as well as the Story Mill park effort. He noted that Maddie Pope is planning a tour of the area in two or three weeks, and offered to ask her to make a presentation to this Board if they so desire. He noted that, with the bank’s short timeline for acquisition, the community group did not have time to raise monies to acquire any of the historic Story Mill structures, but noted that park improvements could encourage someone else to acquire and restore those buildings. Chris Nixon stated another brewery wall festival will probably be held this summer. The time of the festival has not yet been set because there has been some discussion about tying it in with the Parade of Sheds. Also, a north side 9K fundraising run is being proposed during the festival. He reported that new people in the area are interested in becoming involved in this project. He proposed that this Board consider preparing a flyer that shows what the tax increment financing monies have funded to date for this event. Bob Pavlic reported that the M&M cigar sign on his building has been repainted. Adjournment – 7:30 p.m. There being no further business to come before the Board at this time, Chair Noble adjourned the meeting. Tom Noble, Chair Northeast Urban Renewal Board City of Bozeman NURB Meeting June 4, 2013 5