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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-03-15 NURB minNURB Meeting - March 3, 2015 1 Northeast Urban Renewal Board (NURB) Regular Meeting Tuesday, March 3, 2015 The Northeast Urban Renewal Board met in regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 3, 2015, 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: I-Ho Pomeroy Staff: Brit Fontenot, Economic Development Director Craig Woolard, Director of Public Service Robin Sullivan, Recording Secretary Guests: John Usher, 423 East Tamarack Street Liz Galli-Noble, 401 North Church Avenue Chris Nixon, 719 North Wallace Avenue Kelly Pohl, Gallatin Valley Land Trust 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 February 3, 2015 meeting. It was moved by Erik Nelson, seconded by Bob Pavlic, that the minutes of the meeting of February 3, 2015, be approved as submitted. The motion carried on a 4-0 vote. Discussion/Action Items – Presentation from Gallatin Valley Land Trust (GVLT) on its trail proposal. Kelly Pohl, Assistant Director of Gallatin Valley Land Trust, gave a brief overview of the structure and mission of the Gallatin Valley Land Trust, noting that their ultimate vision is to create a trail network that allows people to access the public lands both north and south of town from Main NURB Meeting - March 3, 2015 2 Street. She noted there are currently over 80 miles of trails in Bozeman and the surrounding area, and much of the trail work occurring now is in the northeast part of Bozeman. Those projects include the recently completed path along Oak Street between North 7th Avenue and North Rouse Avenue, ¾ mile of new trail in the snowfill area, the path to the M and the Story Mill Park. The GVLT is working with Barnard Construction on a trail connection from Bond Street to the Story Mill Park, in conjunction with that park development, Kelly Pohl turned her attention to a new trail connection that extends from Oak Street along the Birch Street right-of-way and the Front Street right-of-way to the depot trail and to the Story Mill spur trail. She stressed the importance of this safe trail connection to allow people to access the Story Mill Park without using North Rouse Avenue. She noted that this trail will provide an important east/west connection, particularly since most trails in the community are north/south trails that follow along waterways. Ms. Pohl stated a bridge will be needed across Bozeman Creek, and an engineer is currently looking for the appropriate location for that bridge. A fence will be constructed between the trail and the railroad. Also, GVLT will work with Kenyon-Noble to remove the encroachments that currently exist in the Front Street right-of-way. Another goal of this project is to address water quality and creek restoration, improving the creek corridor and vegetation. Ms. Pohl stated GVLT would like feedback from this Board about the project, along with some possible assistance. She noted that signage will be installed at both ends of the trail, and kiosks will be located along the trail to provide information about the trail and the area. GVLT is applying for some grant funding and is seeking letters of support to submit with those applications. She estimated the cost of the project at $150,000 and noted that the bulk of the money would come from the parks, open space and trails bond if that application is successful. The GVLT is also providing some sponsorship opportunities for signage, kiosks and totems. She concluded by noting that the south end of the trail lies just barely within this tax increment financing district. Responding to Chair Noble, Ms. Pohl estimated the bridge across the creek will be 60 feet from the railroad tracks. She then noted that, since this trail is being constructed in street right-of-way and since it is anticipated that the street improvements will be eventually made, every effort will be made to locate this trail as far to one side of the right-of-way as possible. She then stated a prefab bridge will be used so that it can be picked up and located elsewhere when the street improvements are made. Jeanne Wesley-Wiese voiced her interest in a permeable surface to create accessibility rather than paving. In response to Chair Noble, Ms. Pohl stated that GVLT is pursuing funding for the project first. They will seek support from the park fund board and then seek Commission approval of their application. The next step will be to begin engineering work and get the bridge permitted, then begin construction when the right-of-way is cleared. She does not anticipate that construction will begin until next year. NURB Meeting - March 3, 2015 3 Responding to Bob Pavlic, Ms. Pohl stated the prefab bridge will cost $52,000; and it is estimated the total cost of the bridge installed will be $60,000. She noted that the cost of prefabricated bridges is based on a cost per foot, with the length and width of the bridge determining the total cost. Erik Nelson voiced his support for the trail and stated he feels this Board should be supportive. Responding to Erik Nelson, Ms. Pohl stated that the Gallatin Valley Land Trust is currently working with the railroad about a safe pedestrian/bicycle crossing. She noted, however, that the railroad moves colossally slow. She suspects that construction of this trail will elevate the need for a crossing and will help get to a better point of negotiation with the railroad. Responding to Chair Noble, Director of Public Service Craig Woolard stated an engineering firm has been selected for Oak Street. He then noted extending that street across the railroad tracks is cost prohibitive; however, he stated this proposed path is a high priority. Responding to questions, Ms. Pohl stated she sees this trail as a connector and not a destination. As a result, she does not foresee an increase in vehicular traffic in this area. Responding to Erik Nelson, Ms. Pohl stated the GVLT will be asking for about $125,000 in bond monies, and will be submitting an application for $10,000 or $15,000 in the state’s recreational trails grant program. She noted the business sponsorship opportunities will range from $300 to $2,000 and will include totems, benches and kiosks. Chair Noble asked about a dog waste station, noting that he feels it is important to provide one. Ms. Pohl responded she will talk to the Parks Department about one. Chair Noble thanked Ms. Pohl for her presentation and requested that this item be placed on next month’s agenda for further discussion. Kelly Pohl encouraged the Board to consider writing a letter of support. The Board asked that she send a form letter of support to staff for consideration. Review of Request for Proposals for street lighting in district. Liz Galli-Noble distributed copies of the draft request for proposal along with information she had gathered. Liz Galli-Noble stated she walked the district and physically located every street light in the district on a map. She then added a description of the lights and meet with Linda Gail, an Engineer from NorthWestern Energy. She noted that NorthWestern Energy owns all of the lights except the one located at the corner of North Rouse Avenue and East Tamarack Street, which is owned by the Montana Department of Transportation. Liz Galli-Noble noted that she drafted a request for proposals as a basis for discussion. NURB Meeting - March 3, 2015 4 Economic Development Director Fontenot noted the draft is extremely helpful and thanked Ms. Galli-Noble for her work. He then suggested that this work be folded into a term contract for a broader scope of work to be done within the district by a consultant. He distributed copies of his proposed term contract for consideration at an upcoming meeting. Director of Public Service Woolard asked the Board what its objective is. Jeanne Wesley-Wiese stated better shielded lighting is a key issue. Chair Noble stated one objective is to improve the existing lighting and the other is to develop a lighting plan that includes new street lights within the district. The Director of Public Service noted the latter objective involves the creation of a special improvement lighting district, particularly if the Board wishes to get a specific light fixture. Responding to Erik Nelson, Director Woolard stated the costs of the lights within a lighting district are typically lower than they are under the statewide model that NorthWestern Energy uses for its unmetered street lights. He indicated that the street lighting assessment includes the installation costs and energy costs and is billed annually on the special improvement district assessments. Liz Galli-Noble stated she asked Linda Gail about the costs of replacing the existing lights and found the cost of replacing the pole and light would be about $6,000 per light for a standard light; and if just the heads were replaced, it would be approximately $1,000 per light. Responding to Economic Development Director Fontenot, Ms. Galli-Noble stated NorthWestern Energy does not offer any LED light fixtures. Director of Public Service Woolard stated NorthWestern Energy does not have an LED standard and, as a result, will not install those lights. Liz Galli-Noble voiced her amazement that there are only fourteen street lights within the district, and noted she likes the fact that there are not an excessive number of lights in the area. She also recognized the importance of street lights at the intersections for public safety. Responding to Erik Nelson, Director of Public Service stated that the creation of a special improvement lighting district is the City’s preferred alternative. He noted the City is currently working on an LED standard; and the nominal standard for public safety is a light at every intersection. Chair Noble requested that this item be placed on next month’s agenda for further discussion. Update on design of North Wallace Avenue street improvements; possible budget amendment to include in this year’s budget. Chair Noble noted that several questions arose during last month’s discussion of this issue, so it was continued to this meeting. NURB Meeting - March 3, 2015 5 Erik Nelson noted one of the main concerns seemed to be that, if this Board were to coordinate the North Wallace Avenue improvements with the City, it would not be as engaged as it was on design of the improvements to East Peach Street and East Tamarack Street. Director of Public Service Woolard responded that the Board would control the street improvements within the district like it has for the other streets. Responding to Jeanne Wesley-Wiese, Director of Public Service Woolard stated residents outside the district will be involved in the design process. He stressed that there are not many variables in the design, particularly since there will be no change in the right-of-way, and there will be boulevards and sidewalks on both sides of the street. He noted the key issues will probably revolve around the intersections, but options for those improvements are also very limited. He stated the process for creation of a special improvement district includes sending a letter to the abutting property owners to determine the level of interest in participating in an SID, noting that it includes an estimate of the costs. If a majority of the property owners are interested, then staff will pursue the creation of an SID; however, if a majority of the property owners do not wish to participate in an SID, then the only portion of the improvements that could be completed are those lying within this district. Responding to Erik Nelson, the Director confirmed that there is no risk at the design stage. Erik Nelson noted that if the property owners within this district were to be included in an SID for the entire length of the North Wallace Avenue project, it may make passage of the SID a more viable option. He also suggested that if an SID is created, this Board could choose to use the annual TIF revenues to pay the costs of the SID for those properties in the district. He then stressed the importance of synchronizing the SID for North Wallace Avenue with bonding for the other street improvements to ensure there are adequate TIF monies available to cover the costs of both. Director of Public Service Craig Woolard stated that, if the Board is willing to pursue improvements to North Wallace Avenue within the district, he is willing to pursue them outside the district. He will proceed with a straw poll of the property owners outside the district within the next month, before any costs for design of the improvements are incurred. Responding to Erik Nelson, the Director stated that if the Board tells him they are willing to move forward with designing of the improvements and that it will cover the engineering costs within the district, that moves North Wallace Avenue to the top of his list and will trigger the straw poll. Responding to Economic Development Director Brit Fontenot, Director Woolard stated that, since this is March, he does not believe a budget amendment to include the North Wallace Avenue design in this fiscal year’s budget is needed. Jeanne Wesley-Wiese stated she is interested in knowing what the street improvements would be. She then noted that parking on both sides of the street was implemented several years ago as a traffic calming measure and her support of the project is dependent on what traffic calming NURB Meeting - March 3, 2015 6 measures are included. Director of Public Service Woolard noted that parking and traffic calming will be key issues in the designing of the street improvements. Responding to questions from Chris Nixon, Director Woolard confirmed that those areas where the boulevards are higher than the adjacent sidewalk can be addressed with these street improvements; however, he noted that the sidewalks will not be included. Director of Public Service Woolard stated the North Rouse Avenue improvements from East Tamarack Street to Griffin Drive are to be undertaken next summer with the rest of the street improvements to be done in 2019. Director Woolard indicated he will prepare the straw poll letter and will be prepared to discuss this issue further at next month’s meeting. Discussion/set budget for Fiscal Year 2015-2016. Recording Secretary Robin Sullivan distributed copies of a worksheet for the budget for next year. Erik Nelson stated he feels this Board should proceed with bonding for East Peach Street and East Tamarack Street as soon as possible and asked how much should be budgeted for that. Economic Development Director Brit Fontenot suggested that, based on information he has obtained from bond counsel, the upfront costs for bonding should be $25,000 to $30,000. He then announced that he is working on a contract with Dorsey Whitney to provide legal counsel for bonding for this district as well as other TIF districts that are considering the issuance of bonds over the next three years. As a result, he suggested that the Board consider a line item for legal fees for this year and upcoming years. Erik Nelson suggested that the Board may wish to consider additional monies in trails maintenance to sponsor a kiosk on the new trail that the Gallatin Valley Land Trust has proposed. Chair Noble suggested that the Board can also consider how the monies budgeted for streambank restoration are to be used. Erik Nelson requested that the worksheet be revised to include a column showing the expenses to date for this fiscal year and that this discussion be continued to the next meeting. Set agenda for April 7, 2015 meeting or cancel meeting. Chair Noble noted that agenda items for the April 7 meeting include possibilities for redevelopment incentives, the proposed term contract concept, discussion on the trail proposed by the Gallatin Valley Land Trust, the lighting RFP, the percentage split on ownership of street frontages along North Wallace Avenue, and the results of the straw poll of those property owners outside the tax increment financing district. NURB Meeting - March 3, 2015 7 Economic Development Director Brit Fontenot stated the North 7th Avenue Urban Renewal Board is looking at revised redevelopment incentives and suggested that this board wait until those incentives have been developed, then pattern its incentives after that district’s. Neighborhood News. No comment was made under this agenda item. Adjournment – 8:30 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