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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDowntown Development Authority - Minutes - 01/09/2003DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY REGULAR DIRECTORS' MEETING LARRY STROUD, CHAIR 229-9900 (w) BILL BERTSCHY, COUNCIL LIAISON 484-8838 (W) ANNE GARRISON, STAFF LIAISON 484-2020 (W) MINUTES OF JANUARY 9, 2003 REGULAR MEETING THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MET IN REGULAR SESSION AT 7:30 A.M. ON JANUARY 9, 2003 IN THE MEETING ROOM AT HOME STATE BANK - 303 EAST MOUNTAIN AVENUE, FORT COLLINS, CO 80524. PRESENT THERE WERE PRESENT: LARRY STROUD, CHAIR KIM JORDAN, VICE CHAIR JASON MEADORS, SECRETARY/TREASURER MARY BRAYTON RICK GOODALE GREG BELCHER STEVE TAYLOR ABSENT: CAREY HEW" BILL BERTSCHY STAFF: ROBERT STEINER. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ANNE GARRISON LUCIA LILEY, LEGAL COUNSEL GUESTS: MAYOR MARTINEZ. DIME JONES, DAVID SHORT, MYRNE WATROUS, DOUGLAS GENNETTEN, MICHAEL WILUS, JEFF LAKEY, MARTY HEFFERNAN, ELLEN MARTIN CALL TO ORDER MR. STROUD CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AT 7:30 A.M. AND ROLL CALL WAS TAKEN. APPROVAL OF MINUTES MR, GOODALE MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF DECEMBER 5, 2002 THIS WAS SECONDED BY MS, JORDAN AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. DDA/DBA AGREEMENT RENEWAL OF A LONG-STANDING AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY AND THE DOWNTOWN BUSINESS ASSOCIATION (DBA) WAS PRESENTED FOR BOARD CONSIDERATION, A BRIEF EXPLANATION WAS GIVEN BY MR. STEINER, WHO CALLED UPON DAVID SHORT, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE DBA, TO PROVIDE DETAILS OF THE MARKETING FOCUS IN 2002, AND PLANS FOR 2003. MR. SHORT EXPLAINED THAT ONE HUNDRED PERCENT OF MEMBERSHIP DUES ARE DEDICATED TO MARKETING THE DOWNTOWN BUSINESSES, WITH A TOTAL OF BETWEEN $50 - $60.000 BEING SPENT ANNUALLY TO THIS END, THE QUESTION WAS POSED WHETHER HOLIDAY LIGHTS SHOULD REMAIN UP YEAR ROUND, AND THE BOARD EXPRESSED MIXED FEELINGS, LEAVING THE LIGHTS IN PLACE THROUGH EASTER MAY BE A CONSIDERATION, THIS COULD COMPROMISE THE HEALTH OF THE TREES, HOWEVER, AND WE WILL NEED TO CHECK WITH FORESTRY. DDA MINUTES PAGE 2 25 1 LINDEN STREET BUILDING OWNER, MR. GENNETTEN, APPEARED BEFORE THE BOARD TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS FOR PHASE 11 OF THE CAPTIONED PROJECT, THE SECOND PAYMENT OF $ 10,000 WAS NOT IMMEDIATELY RELEASED, TO ENSURE ADEQUATE FUNDS WERE AVAILABLE TO COVER THE COMPLETE EASEMENT ACQUISITION, THE FAgA.DE HAS NOW BEEN FULLY RESTORED AS CONTRACTED WITH DDA, MR, STEINER RECOMMENDS THE BOARD RELEASE THE REMAINING $ 10,000 SUBJECT TO MR. GENNETTEN PROVIDING A LETTER, CERTIFYING TO THE COUNTY THE TAXABLE VALUE OF THE IMPROVEMENTS HE HAS MADE, AND THAT THE TAX INCREMENT GENERATED BY EXISTING IMPROVEMENTS IS SUFFICIENT TO COVER THE DEBT. THE OWNER HAS COMPLIED WITH ALL OTHER DDA DOCUMENTATION. MS. BRAYTON MOVED TO APPROVE RELEASE OF THE $ 10,000 FROM ESCROW, BASED ON ALL OTHER DOCUMENTS BEING IN PLACE. THIS WAS SECONDED BY MR. BELCHER AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY, LUCKY JOE'S SMOKER THE BoARD'S RESPONSE WAS GENERALLY NEGATIVE WHEN POLLED RECENTLY CONCERNING LUCKY JOE'S REQUEST TO USE A SMOKER ON THEIR PATIO. MR. STEINER SUGGESTED THE BOARD CONSIDER HOW MUCH SMOKE WOULD BE GENERATED, AND HOW IT WOULD IMPACT NEARBY BUSINESSES. MR. TAYLOR STATED HE DID NOT MEL A PATIO WAS THE PLACE FOR COOKINO EQUIPMENT, AND THAT THERE WERE MAINTENANCE AND OTHER ISSUES TO BE CONSIDERED. MR, MEADORS MOVED TO DENY THE REQUEST. THIS WAS SECONDED BY MR. BELCHER AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY, OAK STREET PLAZA JEFF LAKEY, MARTIY HEFFERNAN AND ELLEN MARTIN PRESENTED IDEAS FOR THE RENOVATION OF OAK STREET PLAZA, PLANS ARE ALREADY IN PLACE TO COMPLETE THE STREETSCAPE IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS. SOME FUNDING IS AVAILABLE FROM ART IN PUBLIC PLACES, HOWEVER, TO PUT ART IN THE PLAZA WITHOUT RESTORATION WOULD BE INAPPROPRIATE. BECAUSE IT FALLS IN THE CATEGORY OF A ROCKET PARK, IMPACT FEES CAN ALSO BE CHANNELED INTO THE RESTORATIO, REMOVAL OF THE CURRENT BUS SHELTER AND BUBBLES ARE FIRST ON THE LIST, THESE WILL BE REPLACED BY ONE OF THE NEW STYLE BUS SHELTERS AS SEEN THROUGHOUT THE CITY, THE DESIRE IS TO PROVIDE ANOTHER COMMUNITY GATHERING PLACE WITH A WELCOMING FEEL THAT ATTRACTS RESIDENTS AND VISITORS ALIKE. INPUT, AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AT A LATER DATE, ARE REQUESTED. THE BOARD EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER THE TYPE OF BUS SHELTER PUNNED, STATING IT SHOULD BE WELL LIT TO DETER TRANSIENTS, AND PORTRAY AN AMBIENCE BEFITTING THE PLAZA. CONCLUDING THE DISCUSSION, MR. STROUD SUMMARIZED THAT THE BOARD WAS GENERALLY IN SUPPORT OF THE PLAZA RESTORATION, AND DIRECTED MR. STEINER TO OBTAIN SOME COSTS, AND BEGIN THE TASK OF GETTING THIS PROJECT UNDERWAY. PATIO USE AT ITS DECEMBER MEETINO, THE BOARD DISCUSSED OLD TOWN SQUARE PATIO LICENSING, WHICH RESOLUTION EXPIRED ON DECEMBER 31 , 2002. RESOLUTION #2003-01 IS INTENDED TO ESTABLISH SOME BOUNDARIES, AND COUNSEL NOTED THAT IF IT DOES NOT INCLUDE EVERYTHING THE BOARD WANTS TO SEE, IT SHOULD BE CHANGED. IT IS THE OBJECT OF THE DDA TO SEE PATIOS USED FOR THE PURPOSE OF BRINGING ACCEPTABLE ACTIVITY INTO THE PLAZA, RATHER THAN AS MERE STORAGE AREAS, AFTER SOME DISCUSSION IN WHICH ADDITIONAL POINTS SURFACED, IT WAS DECIDED TO RETURN IN FEBRUARY WITH A RESOLUTION REFLECTING THE SUGGESTED CHANGES, ICE RINK MR. STEINER PROVIDED THE OVERVIEW FOR THIS PROJECT, REFERRING THE BOARD TO ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE PACKETS. FOUR OPTIONS WERE OFFERED FOR CONSIDERATION, AND POSSIBLE SITES WERE REVIEWED. MR. WILLIS SHARED INFORMATION FROM THE BOULDER, COLORADO RINK THAT HAS OPERATED SUCCESSFULLY FOR THE PAST FOUR YEARS, MR. STEINER NOTED THAT SINCE THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE REVENUE GENERATING, IT MIGHT BE AN OPERATION THAT COULD FALL UNDER THE PURVIEW OF THE DOWNTOWN BUSINESS ASSOCIATION. MR, TAYLOR SAID HE SUPPORTED A TEMPORARY FACILITY AS SOMETHING THAT WOULD BE A TRAFFIC LEAD-IN TO A MORE PERMANENT FACILITY. AT THIS POINT, MR. STEINER OFFERED TO SIT DOWN WITH OBA AND SEE IF OPERATING THE RINK WOULD BE A CONSIDERATION FOR THEM. ODA MINUTES PAGE 3 MR. HEFFERNAN WAS ASKED IF THE CITY COULD BE INVOLVED IN ANY WAY, AND ME RESPONDED THAT WITH THE CUTS PRESENTLY IMPOSED, AND THE SOFTENING ECONOMY, THE CITY WAS NOT IN A POSITION TO EXTEND ANY SERVICES AT THIS TIME, ADJOURN THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS, THE MEETING ADJOURNED AT 9,25 A,M, JASON MEADORS, SECRETARY DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT ddoAUTHORITY TO: DDA Board of Dirac rs FROM: Chip Steiner C DATE: February 4, 2003 RE: Pickle Plant Improvements The City is asking if the DDA has any interest in participating in a beautification project on the old pickle plant site along Riverside Avenue and the Burlington Northern railroad tracks. Background materials are attached although no budget and no specific financial request was included. This stretch of Riverside serves as a gateway leading to downtown and it would be great if it could be dressed up. DDA involvement could move the project up on the calendar. There would be no direct leveraging of private investment although it might help as a longer -term inducement for private property owners on both sides of Riverside to engage in some improvements as well. Without knowing the specific cost and the level of DDA involvement and without a design proposal, staff cannot make a recommendation to the Board other than to suggest there is potential. 19 Old Town Square,,• Suite 230}� DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT ddoAUTHORITY TO: DDA Board of Dire FROM: Chip Steiner DATE: February 3, 2003 RE: Revised Patio Policy Resolution Attached is a revised patio policy resolution that is intended to address concerns raised by the Board of Directors at the January meeting. The first policy has been changed to require only that patio areas must be open and food and beverage service made available during normal hours of operation. In other words, if normal business hours include only breakfast and lunch then it is only during that time that a patio must be open and available to the public. However, the second policy requires that all licensed patio areas must be fully set up, including tables, chairs, and umbrellas no later than noon and they must remain open until dark. An exception is made for restaurants only serving breakfast and lunch; these must remain open until three p.m. The third policy forbids the use of a patio for storage during winter months if the patio is not being used during that time. The fourth policy clarifies that a patio license will be revoked following two (or more) findings ofviolation by the Liquor Licensing Authority within any six-month period. The fifth policy defines both short and long-term maintenance requirements. Short term maintenance means cleaning tabletops, pavers ashtrays (guess not anymore), chairs, and tending to plants and planter boxes. Long-term maintenance includes power washing of pavers, painting, and replacement of broken materials. The sixth policy states that the DDA can revoke a patio license if any of the first five policies are violated. The seventh policy explains that a patio license is good for one year with five automatic renewals unless the DDA notifies the licensee at least 30 days prior to the anniversary date, that it chooses not to renew the license. The eighth policy states that all the above policies will be included in all patio license agreements. 19 Old Town Square • Suite 230 • Fort Collins, Colorado 80524 • tel: 970.484.2020 • fax. 970.484.2069 DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT dduAUTHORITY TO: DDA Board of D' e tors FROM: Chip Steiner DATE: February RE: New/revised City rdinances Accompanying this memorandum are six ordinances drafted by the City and intended to address many of the problems we experience downtown (although the ordinances have city-wide effect). The ordinances address the following: 1. Disturbances. Requires that establishments serving liquor to notify the police whenever a public disturbance is taking place on their premises. Failure to do so will be a subject of consideration by the Liquor Licensing Authority in any action related to issuing a license, revoking a license, suspending a license, and nonrenewal of a license. 2. Misuse of Public Water. Forbids taking baths, doing laundry, washing dishes, etc. in public bodies of water (e.g. a fountain). 3. Obstructing passageways. Forbids blocking access to stores, businesses etc. by sitting or lying around within 20 feet of the entry. Also forbids blocking pedestrian and vehicular movement, sidewalks, streets, etc. 4. Trespass. Forbids climbing on sculpture, statues, fountains, or other objects (including planter walls?) unless the object is specifically designed for public use (i.e. a bench). 5. Public Urination, et.al. Forbids people from peeing, defecating, spitting, vomiting, anywhere but in a "receptacle designed and intended for such use." A sixth ordinance about loitering will be adressed by City staff at the Board meeting. Directors need to discuss these ordinances in terms of their impact on downtown. Staff suggests a recommendation be passed and forwarded to City Council. 19 Old Town Square Suite 230 Fort Collins. ColOARis7gk;Q30 . ,Cax.9,70.4a4.2069 DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT ddoAUTHORITY TO: DDA Board of Direc FROM Chip Steiner 01,1__Af DATE: February 4, 2003 RE: OTS Stage Railing By way of background, a number of people have recently stepped off the stage in Old Town Square and landed in the water channel running along in front of it. This occurs when the water channel has frozen over and then is covered with snow. This creates some liability issues. Ed Stoner of Progressive Old Town Square has proposed placing posts and chain along both sides of the channel to prevent a reoccurrence of these accidents (see attached drawings). Estimated cost is $1,650. For the full Board's information, the Executive Committee was lukewarm, at best, about this idea. Staff is asking for Board direction and approval of funding for whatever direction is given. 19 Old Town Square • Suite 230 • Fort Collins, Colorado 80524 • tel: 970.484,2020 • fax: 970.484.2069 We poi Page No of Pegez j7� Eo PROPOSAL AN, 413 K. liYt ISTU WanING. INC. ACCEPTANCE �19 N. ur FORT COUJN9, co sow BrD�•1� F�l JSAL SUBMITT TO PNONF DATE 03 JOB NAME STATE AND 21P CODE �O L'N1i�//f� JOB LOCATION TECT DATE OF PLANS !!VN S vAR G JOB PHONE rreDr wDimr rpacrLco Woos and eshmores for _ 1 /7 CJ� V �R„mot- yYvSir1�[. We ZPr se Q 10 !e,.K Wo . of and labor — [omplbe in accmdenu wnh p abaee a ecdi wm VC f 1 <vllona. !or the of too as tZ�Z—V x C f dolfan (9JC✓rO .� ). All mo rial a gaa.a^le.d ra M as apenhW All •.oA ro 4 campl.l.d in o war.man. 1i1. ^•.^^.- erdmg le amnde.dAwy oh.rw•en er d....... Iron oW.. Ayl orrxed >pecdrtaeen[ a .ol..ng ....e tmb -JI M .curN only .Ion r.r.q.w CAI bao•we an ax+ra chorg. on..nd abo•o the esrmar.. All arden, end $i +ure ' eeow aribn, a¢.eenn r delays b.ry d our eantrel. Oa.ner to [•nl,r rammgew antl ocher q.•w.r w>wanu. Ow ohen an I Il 4 t ro•Colo Ponam0. Inm.anv v r to•.•ed ey WeMmans Colo NOM: This p of moy be 9 •vi lhdrawn by us Y nw occep+ed ..dhin / days. Acceptance of Proposal -Th. ob.— .no contlmona an apuale0a.. end are h.reby accpred tau OH ou rhwved Ill do Ib roh as apKll:.d .o.m.w I'll be mod. a+ oml.nea ebo.., Signa Nye Dal. of Aocep+anca ___ Q v No Text DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT ddoAUTHORITY TO: DDA Board of Direct s FROM: Chip Steiner DATE: February 3, 2003 J RE: Downtown Security One of the ongoing issues about downtown involves the level of security and police enforcement of liquor laws provided in the central business district. The Board has talked about this issue frequently and usually in the context of either forming a business improvement district or through an intergovernmental agreement with the City involving paying for capital improvements in return for enhanced police services. Financially, the latter approach is more feasible. A business improvement district is hampered by the amount of money it can generate. As the Board has seen earlier, it would require better than seven mills to fund the "enhanced maintenance" program as designed by the City (in addition to the seven mills, Old Town Square and the DDA would each need to contribute $60,000 annually). This does not leave any funds for security services. Consultants for the Downtown Strategic Plan have suggested that 1) the maintenance program as outlined by the City is too expensive and 2) that maintenance (and marketing) could be funded through a special assessment rather than a property tax. If this approach was to be used then a property tax could be used to pay for additional security. Bear in mind however, that one of the reasons the City and DDA have been examining enhanced maintenance is to remove the responsibility from the private sector. Furthermore, a property tax and a special assessment could really burden some downtown properties. Using tax increment funds to leverage increased police and security services is a more immediate and simpler solution than creating a BID. Tax increment dollars can be used to purchase equipment for the Police Department (as the consultants have suggested) or to pay for other capital improvements in return for an increase in dollars to the Police budget to pay for more downtown services. To be effective, tax increment dollars would have to be used in this manner for the next few years at least —at $200,000 per year we would be losing the ability to leverage $8 million in new downtown investment over a four-year period (the DDA should have around $1.5 million in excess tax increment funds available to it in 2003). The Board needs to discuss the following issues: 1) whether or not to pursue a BID for purposes of funding enhanced maintenance and/or enhanced security services; 2) whether to use tax increment revenues to improve security services. 19 Old Town Square -Suite 230 • Fort Collins, C91*4do80524 •. #eE. 9i0,4$G.2020 fax:. 970.484.2069 DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT ddoAUTHORITY TO: DDA Board of Direc FROM: Chip Steiner DATE: February 4, 2003 RE: Other Business and Upaates I. Meeting with Landmark Preservation Commission. The LPC has suggested that DDA representatives meet with the LPC at its next regularly scheduled meeting. I responded that representatives from each board should meet together at a different time and location. Apparently this is taken to be a wasted exercise since the full LPC board wishes to discuss the issue with the DDA. I then suggested that the full boards meet together. This is acceptable but apparently only at an LPC meeting. Is the DDA board willing to attend an LPC meeting February 26? Incidentally, an update of the Downtown Strategic Plan is scheduled for the LPC meeting that night as well. 2. Public Bathroom. Steve Taylor has suggested that the Scooter's building in the center of Old Town Square be converted into public restrooms and an information booth to be managed by the Downtown Business Association. Scott Smith, owner of Scooter's, would be willing to sell the business. The proposal has also been broached with Progressive Old Town Square which owns the real estate. The idea has considerable appeal since most of the infrastructure is already in place. And, although staff has not confirmed this, Mikal Torgerson has offered to provide design services without cost. Staff will prepare a full-blown proposal for Board consideration at its March or April meeting. Related to this, DDA and DBA staffs have met with a representative of a company that provides ice skating rinks. His top site was the north end of Old Town Square plaza just next to the Scooter's building. If we were to control the building it could also function as a ticket and vending booth. 3. Canyon and Howes Building. This project has made its first pass through the City's review process. None of the issues raised by staff should prevent the project from proceeding. It would really be terrific if the groundbreaking for the building could occur around the time that Council approves the Downtown Strategic Plan (July). Need to ask about scheduling DDA consideration and its level of participation. 19 Old Town Square • Suite 230 • Fort Collins, Colorado 80524 • tel: 970.484,2020 • far: 970.484.2069 4. Empire Hotel. Steve Levinger has got this project underway. We are currently looking at methods of DDA involvement. This could include buying and leasing back the parking lot behind the building. The owner would hold an option to repurchase the lot at some future date. This approach would allow the DDA to make improvements on the parking lot. 5. Downtown Strategic Plan. There was a public meeting three weeks ago on the Downtown Strategic Plan. Notes from this meeting are included. The DDA and the DBA are scheduled to meet February 25 to review the basic policy recommendations and to discuss the "Alliance" concept promoted at the DDA-DBA organizational subcommittee meeting. I will be forwarding out a complete packet of information well in advance of that meeting. Two transportation issues are creating problems (at least for DDA staff). The first is that the adopted "Access Management Plan" (a State and City plan), calls for the removal of all parking along Jefferson Street at a given point in the future. This will only exacerbate the barrier the road now imposes between the existing downtown and the river corridor. Second (speaking of barriers), as a part of the Mason Transportation Corridor, the railroad has asked the City, in return for cost free leases on its Mason Street right- of-way at the south end of town, to build a "wall" along its tracks in the downtown area and to re -expose all the ballast (the gravel base upon which the ties rest). The "wall" has apparently been reduced to something less than concrete Jersey barriers but the point is the same: to make it impossible for cars, buses, people, bikes, to cross Mason Street anywhere in midblock. This kind of barrier isn't pedestrian friendly. It also creates traffic circulation problems since left turns will be limited to two intersections and no left turns at all will be available mid -block. The aesthetic impact should be equally appealing. Staff will try scheduling a presentation on the plan for the March meeting. 6. City Plan. While much of the City Plan Update discussion is being framed by various opinions on growth, there seems (although one never really knows until the rubber hits the road) to be solid support for downtown development and redevelopment. Many of the arguments opposing growth also encourage redirecting development toward the downtown and other infill projects. This does not take into account historic opposition to such projects by surrounding neighborhoods. 7. Giddings. John Prouty has met with the City, DDA, and State Historic Preservation people. This project looks strong. 8. Web Page. We've got some terrific pictures for the web page. It's coming soon.