HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-14-14 Northeast Urban Renewal Board MinutesNortheast Urban Renewal Board (NURB)
Regular Meeting
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
The Northeast Urban Renewal Board met in regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 14, 2014, in
the Conference Room, Professional Building, 20 East Olive Street, Bozeman, Montana.
Present: Absent:
Voting Members:
Tom Noble, Chair
Daniel Doehring
Erik Nelson
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:
Kevin Jacobsen, Morrison-Maierle
Chris Nixon
Call to Order – Chair Tom Noble 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 December 3, 2013 meeting. It was moved by Erik Nelson, seconded by Bob Pavlic, that the minutes
of the meeting of December 3, 2013, be approved as submitted. The motion carried on a 5-0 vote.
Discussion/Action Items –
Update re design for East Tamarack Street/Front Street/North
Ida Avenue street improvements. Kevin Jacobsen, Morrison-Maierle, reviewed the latest revisions to the designs for East Tamarack Street, Front Street and North Ida Avenue street improvements.
He turned attention to East Tamarack Street between North Rouse Avenue and North Wallace Avenue. He
stated a review of the Montana Department of Transportation plans for improvements to North Rouse Avenue revealed the east leg of the intersection will include a left turn lane, a through
westbound lane and a through eastbound lane with curb walk on both sides. The design he has proposed will tie into those improvements and includes two bike lanes, two travel lanes and
parking on the north side of the street. The road section across the bridge is essentially the same street section with no parking adjacent to the bridge. The existing sidewalk across
the bridge is about 4½ feet wide and could possibly be widened to 6 or 6½ feet if the Board so chooses. He proposed that, with a wider sidewalk, the bridge could be enhanced by including
a monument on each corner possibly with a decorative light that emits a very soft light. He showed the Board pictures of a bridge in Billings that depicts such improvements, including
a decorative metal railing on the sides of the bridge. He cautioned that, at the southeast corner of the bridge, the driveway for Lattice Materials is only about a foot from the end
of the bridge.
Erik Nelson suggested the possibility of widening the bridge by using the same deck and adding no more than three feet on each side so that a railing could be included.
Kevin
Jacobsen cautioned that, while there is adequate right-of-way width to do so, it would be necessary to assess the structural integrity of the bridge to determine if width could be added.
Responding to additional questions from Erik Nelson, Kevin Jacobsen stated the proposed bridge improvements could be done as a stand-alone project since they are located off the
roadway itself. He estimated the costs of those improvements would be between $30,000 and $60,000.
Kevin Jacobsen turned attention to the intersection of East Tamarack Street and North
Wallace Avenue. He noted that the idea of installing a four-way stop at this intersection was raised during previous conversations; and he feels that could be done.
Kevin Jacobsen
continued review of the designs by moving to East Tamarack Street/Front Street/ East Aspen Street/North Ida Avenue. East Tamarack Street would include 12-foot-wide travel lanes, 6-foot-wide
valley gutters, swales on both sides of the road and sidewalks on both sides. He noted the western portion of the road would include a 3-percent crown in the middle; however, it would
be better to tilt the eastern portion of the road so that it sheets to the north and east. There is currently a French drain at the southwest corner of the park that does not work well;
and he proposes that the drain be eliminated with the street improvements. The East Aspen Street segment would include the existing curb along the park, two travel lanes and parking
along the park. He noted that street will also be tilted to sheet to the north and east.
Chris Nixon suggested that, rather than removing all of the stormwater run-off through the
storm drain system, it be diverted to the green space and trees along the depot trail adjacent to the railroad tracks.
Erik Nelson suggested that the East Aspen Street design include
all of the right-of-way. Kevin Jacobsen responded that the remaining 11 feet would be for boulevard and sidewalk, and indicated he will add it to the design.
Bob Pavlic suggested that, if at all possible, it would be nice to do something at the northwest corner of the park to delineate it.
Kevin Jacobsen turned attention to the proposed
design for North Ida Avenue, noting it includes a sidewalk on the west side, parking on the east side and two 10-foot-wide driving lanes. He noted this design includes an inverted crown
in the center because the existing buildings and power poles preclude a swale on the west side of the road. He noted the inverted crown would allow runoff to sheet northward toward
the depot.
Project Engineer Dustin Johnson indicated City staff could probably support an inverted crown as long as it is not greater than 2 percent. He noted that North Ida Avenue
has a south to north grade of about 1½ percent, which is enough to move water. He then indicated a preference for using concrete rather than asphalt for the inverted crown but cautioned
that care must be taken to ensure it is properly installed and sealed.
Erik Nelson voiced his support for the proposed design, but asked that the entire right-of-way be included in
the design. He suggested that the western portion of the right-of-way could possibly be combined with the private property to allow for 90-degree parking that would be allowed to back
into the street.
Project Engineer Johnson reminded the Board that these street designs must be submitted to other City advisory boards for their review and comment and must then be
forwarded to the Commission for action.
Kevin Jacobsen continued review of the street design, noting that the large trees on the east side of North Ida Avenue are located outside the
right-of-way, although they overhang the street considerably. He noted the hedge at the intersection of East Cottonwood Street, however, is within the right-of-way.
Kevin Jacobsen
cautioned that this proposed street design does create one tricky spot at the intersection with Front Street, where the inverted crown meets with the crowned street section. He then
indicated that he will work on a street design that allows for the two designs to meet without creating a problem for drivers.
Erik Nelson asked what the next steps are within the scope
of the engineering services agreement.
Kevin Jacobsen indicated the East Peach Street design has been reviewed by the City, and a set of construction documents has been completed;
however, the design has not yet been submitted to the Commission for action. A similar set of plans is to be drafted for these street improvements and, once those plans have gone through
the City’s review process and the final set of plans prepared, all of the street designs will be submitted to the Commission as a package for non-standard street improvements within
this district. He noted that once these plans have been approved, they can be used by the City or any developer required to make street improvements in conjunction with a project.
Responding to questions from Jeanne Wesley-Wiese, Project Engineer Johnson indicated that small projects will not trigger the requirement for street improvements. He then noted that
the improvements could possibly be funded through the City’s capital improvement program, a special improvement district or a grant.
Bob Pavlic asked that consideration be given to
the installation of stop signs at the intersection of East Cottonwood Street and North Ida Avenue, characterizing it as a dangerous intersection.
Responding to Kevin Jacobsen, the Board
members voiced their support for the street designs as presented and for moving through the process to finalize the designs.
Preliminary discussion regarding goals, work plan and budget
for upcoming fiscal year. Recording Secretary Robin Sullivan distributed the work plan and budget for Fiscal Year 2013-14 and a spreadsheet showing the revenues and expenditures to
date. She briefly highlighted the information, noting the current fiscal year information was distributed to assist the Board in setting its work plan and budget for the coming fiscal
year. She then turned attention to the spreadsheet, and stated the Finance Department is projecting the revenues budgeted will be met and suggests those same revenue figures be used
for next fiscal year.
Bob Pavlic suggested the Board seek proposals for designs and cost estimates for a construction of a pedestrian bridge.
Neighborhood Coordinator Brekke cautioned
it may not be possible to get good designs and cost estimates without a specific location being selected. She reminded the Board that one concern raised about the proposed Aspen Street
location is the lack of pedestrian connectivity.
Jeanne Wesley-Wiese suggested that monies could be included in the budget for sidewalks along East Aspen Street.
Neighborhood Coordinator
Allyson Brekke stated that, depending on when the baby arrives, she may or may not be at the April meeting, but she will definitely be back for the May meeting. She then indicated she
will help with presentation of this budget to the Commission. She recognized that getting improvements on the ground would be beneficial for this district, and indicated she will rely
on the Director of Public Works for presentation of the street improvement package.
Set agenda for February 4, 2014 meeting. Chair Noble asked if there are any items to be included
on the agenda besides the work plan and budget; no other items were added.
Neighborhood News. Chris Nixon reported the NorthEast Neighborhood Association will probably call a special
meeting to consider the Story Mill proposal and, if they have a quorum, to consider amending the bylaws to allow on-line voting to meet the quorum requirement of 45.
Neighborhood Coordinator
Allyson Brekke reported the City sent a letter to the owners of the Brewery Wall expressing concerns about the current structural support system and requiring a
response by the end of January. She will send a copy of that letter to the Board via e-mail.
Erik Nelson asked that the Board be informed as plans for the current Montana Department
of Transportation property unfold. He recognized that the property is not within this district; however, it is across the street and its use could impact the district.
Chris Nixon
reported on the meeting regarding the Story Mill property which was held last night, noting the current schematic shows removal of eight acres at the corner of Bridger Drive and Story
Mill Road for potential workforce housing.
Adjournment – 7:50 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