Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-16-14 Downtown Tax Increment Finance District (TIF) Minutes Downtown Tax Increment Finance Board Meeting Minutes September 16, 2014 Attending: Bobby Bear, Vonda Laird, Bob Lashaway, Scott Lee, Carson Taylor, Chris Naumann Absent: Bob Hietala, Shannon Haish, Bill Stoddart Public Comments None Disclosures None Minutes ACTION: Bob Lashaway moved to approve the August minutes as presented. Vonda Laird seconded the motion. All voted in favor. Financial Report Chris presented the year to date financials. Expenses included $16,500 for two technical assistance grants. Otherwise there were a few smaller expenses totaling $480. There were no questions or discussion about the financial report. Executive Director’s Report Technical Assistance Program Update The chart lists the 11 grants awarded in FY2014 totaling a $62,000 commitment of the $100,000 budget. No grants have been awarded thus far in FY2015. Keep in mind that the committed grant amounts are only tentative since the actual reimbursement amount will be determined as a one to one match upon completion of the grant work. As a reminder, the Planning grants have a $7500 cap and the Façade grants are capped at $3000. Bold listings indicate completed. FY2014 Downtown Technical Assistance Program Project Name Project Address Applicant Professional Grant Type 34 North Bozeman 34 North Bozeman Big Sky Beverage Intrinsik Planning Masonic Temple 14 South Tracy Masonic Temple CTA Planning Masonic Temple 14 South Tracy Masonic Temple CTA Facade Lindley Park Hotel 702 East Main Renslow Group Minarik Architecture Planning Bridger Park Garage LED Update Scott Lee and I will be on the selection committee reviewing the respondents to McKinstry’s RFP to install the LED fixtures in the garage. COB Professional Services Agreement The COB-DBP PSA was ratified by the City Commission on September 8, 2014. Mendenhall Streetscape Project I selected TD&H Engineering as the contractor to design the Mendenhall Streetscape Project. David Crawford (TD&H), Rick Hixson (COB Engineer) and I are drafting the scope of work. The preliminary timeline would have construction begin in September of 2015. Mendenhall Building Project A 5-story 90,000 square foot mixed use building has been proposed 5 West Mendenhall. One floor of commercial use, two floors of office, and two floors of residential (25-30 apartments). Downtown Parking Update The graphs below show the trends in both garage use and revenue for August. Entries and revenues were up 12% and up 37% over August 2013. Therefore year-to-date entries and revenue for 2014 are up 15% and 19% respectively over 2013. Grand & Main 136 West Main Bzn Redevelopment Thinktank Planning Willson Residences 404 West Main Bridger Builders Comma Q Planning Willson Residences 404 West Main Bridger Builders Comma Q Facade The Dutton 131 West Main Dutton Developers Springer Group Planning The Dutton 131 West Main Dutton Developers Springer Group Facade Montana Motor 23 West Babcock MMSB, LLC AE Dynamics Planning Montana Motor 23 West Babcock MMSB, LLC Langlas Facade Discussion and Decision Items Mendenhall Streetscape Project Chris updated the board that the Mendenhall Streetscape Project was taking shape. The RFQ for an engineering and design firm had been released a few weeks ago and a firm would be selected from the respondents in another week. He said several meetings had been held to discuss the scope and in particular incorporating fiber optic infrastructure in the project. Chris indicated that he would have a more comprehensive report to share the next board meeting. Downtown Incubator Chris informed the board that he had been working with Rob Irizzary of StartUp Bozeman to find a downtown incubator space. This space would be provided to several start-up companies that Rob has identified as being conducive to the downtown work environment. After looking at a few vacant spaces including the 2nd floor of the Owenhouse building, Chris determined that the basement at 411 East Main—below Rockford Coffee and CTA—would be an ideal location. Chris has been working with Tom Starner—the building owners representative—and Rob to negotiate improvements and terms of the lease. The issues that have arisen are the inability of StartUp Bozeman to pay downtown market lease rates and the need for the owner to make HVAC and electrical improvements to the space. Chris asked the TIF Board if they would have any interest in financially supporting this downtown incubator especially in consideration of the Downtown Improvement Plan identifying the need for one (DBIP page 34). The board acknowledged that startups, in particular tech/software companies would thrive downtown and an incubator would be an important tool for attracting them to Main Street. They asked Chris to bring a specific proposal outlining how the TIF could financially support establishing a downtown incubator. At 1:00pm Bobby adjourned the meeting.