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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDowntown Development Authority - Minutes - 07/10/2003DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY REGULAR DIRECTORS' MEETING Kim v1ORDAN, CHAIR 221-0524 NV) BILL BERtSCHY, COUNCIL LIAISON 484-8838 (W) ANNE GARRISON, STAFF LIAISON 484-2020 (W) MINUTES OF JULY 10, 2003 REGULAR MEETING THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MET IN REGULAR SESSION AT 7:30 A.M. ON JULY 10, 2003 IN THE MEETING ROOM AT HOME STATE BANK LOCATED AT 303 EAST MOUNTAIN AVENUE, FORT COLLINS, CO 50524, PRESENT THERE WERE PRESENT: KIM JORDAN, CHAIR STEVE TAYLOR, VICE CHAIR JASON MEADORS, SECRETARY/TREASURER GREG BELCHER BILL SEARS CAREY HEWITT LARRY STROUD ABSENT: BILL BERTSCHY MARY BRAYTON STAFF: ROBERT STEINER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ANNE GARRISON JIM MARTELL, COUNSEL GUESTS: JOHN FISCHBACH, MYRNE WATROUS, ALAN KRCMARIK, MARC DRISCOLL, ROGER GUNLIKSON CALL TO ORDER MR. STROUD CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AT 7:35 A,M. AND ROLL CALL WAS TAKEN. APPROVAL OF MINUTES MR, MEADOR$ MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF JUNE 5, 2003 THIS WAS SECONDED BY MR. STROUD AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY, PINE STREET MR, STEINER REFERRED TO HIS MEETING WITH PINE STREET MERCHANTS, AND THEIR CONCERNS IMPROVEMENTS ABOUT BEING OVERLOOKED WITH REGARD TO DOWNTOWN IMPROVEMENTS OCCURRING IN OTHER AREAS. THEY DID NOT RECEIVE THE DTSP SURVEYS, AND LACK ADEQUATE TRASH RECEPTACLES. AND BENCHES. MR. STEINER TENTATIVELY AGREED TO PAY FOR TWO BENCHES AND TWO TRASH CANS, SUBJECT TO BOARD APPROVAL, FOLLOWING A BRIEF DISCUSSION, MR. MEADOR$ MOVED TO APPROVE UP TO $3,500 mom CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS TO FUND TWO BENCHES AND TWO TRASH RECEPTACLES. THIS WAS SECONDED BY MR. STROUD AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY, PERFORMING ARTS MR. STEINER PROVIDED 7NE-149ARRgRR AN UPDATE, REMINDING I.T,THAT AT LAST YEARS RETREAT ONE OF THE HIGHEST PRIORITIES IDENTIFIED WAS A PERFORMING ARTS CENTER. AN INFORMAL COMMITTEE WAS NAMED WHICH DETERMINED THAT SOMETHING MORE THAN A 2500 SEAT THEATRE WAS NEEDED. THE NEXT STEP IS TO APPOINT A FORMAL TASKFORCE, WITH THE DDA MINUTES PAGE 2 CURRENT GROUP COMPRISING THE NUCLEUS, TOM GLEASON HAS AGREED TO SERVE AS TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN, AND IT 15 NOW NECESSARY TO DETERMINE THE FUNDING MECHANISM AND HIRE A CONSULTANT. MR. STROUD SUGGESTED THAT PERIODIC REPORTS BE MADE TO THE FULL BOARD RATHER THAN TO THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ONLY. MR. STEINER SUGGESTED A MEETING WITH THE CITY TO BEGIN THE SITE SELECTION PROCESS. THERE WILL ALSO BE A NEED FOR SOME UPFRONT FUNDING FOR LITERATURE AND ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS. IT WOULD BE PRUDENT FOR THE BOARD TO AUTHORIZE THE COMMITTEE TO SPEND UP TO A CERTAIN AMOUNT, AND THEN RETURN FOR FURTHER AUTHORIZATION AS NEEDED, MR. MEADORS ASKED FOR CLARIFICATION ON THE TASKS OF A CONSULTANT. MR. STEINER EXPLAINED THAT THERE WAS NO ONE IN THE CITY WITH THAT SPECIFIC TYPE OF KNOWLEDGE. THE CONSULTANT WOULD NEED TO KNOW HOW TO OPERATE, FUND, NEGOTIATE NAMING RIGHTS AND STAY WITH THE PROJECT UNTIL IT IS RUNNING IN THE BLACK, IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW WHAT THE PRIVATE SECTOR CAN FUND IN ORDER TO KNOW THE AMOUNT OF 'TAX' THE PUBLIC SECTOR MUST PROVIDE. AT THIS JUNCTURE, MR. STROUD MOVED TO APPOINT A FORMAL AD HOC COMMITTEE FOR THE PURPOSE OF FURTHERING THE GATHERING PLACE' CONCEPT; AUTHORIZE IT TO SEEK APPLICANTS FOR THE CONSULTANT POSITION, AND APPOINT COMMUNITY LEADERS TO SERVE, AND FUND IT UP TO $ 1 50,000 RETURNING TO THE BOARD WITH ANY EXPENDITURE OVER $ 1 5,000. THE MOTION WAS SECONDED BY MR. BELCHER, COUNSEL SUGGESTED THAT THE CHAIRMAN SHOULD APPOINT THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE. THIS FRIENDLY AMENDMENT WAS ACCEPTED BY BOTH MESSRS STROUD AND BELCHER, AND THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. FIRST NATIONAL BANK THIS 15 THE LARGEST BANK IN FORT COLLINS. AND A LONG TIME SUPPORTER OF DOWNTOWN, THE DBA AND DDA. IT IS PROPOSING A $2.3 MILLION RENOVATION WHICH THE COUNTY ASSESSOR ESTIMATES WILL GENERATE $256,000 IN INCREASED VALUE. STAFF BELIEVES THERE ARE VALID REASONS TO FUND THIS PROJECT AT A HIGHER RATE THAN THE $50,000 WHICH GROSS TAX INCREMENT WOULD GENERATE THROUGH 201 1. MR. STEINER OFFERED MANY REASONS WHY THE BOARD NEED NOT BE BOUND BY A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE. AND AT THE SAME TIME CHALLENGED R TO CONSIDER WHETHER THESE REASONS WARRANT AN EXCEPTION IN THIS CASE, AS IN THE CORTINA PROJECT. BY STATUTE, DDA HAS CONSIDERABLE LATITUDE IN DETERMINING WHAT IT BELIEVES TO BE FAIR MARKET VALUE FOR THE OWNERSHIP OF THE FACADE EASEMENT. ASIDE FROM ANYTHING ELSE, IT IS A PROMINENT FORTY-TWO YEAR OLD BUILDING IN THE DOWNTOWN IN NEED OF A FACELIFT. COMPLETION DATE IS SLATED FOR NOVEMBER IS, 2003. MR. BELCHER MOVED TO FUND THE PROJECT IN THE AMOUNT OF $ 1 30,000 BASED ON MONIES FROM TAX INCREMENT, AND BASED UPON THE STRAIGHT LINE DEPRECIATION OF 1 0% OF THE $ 130.000 THAT WOULD GENERATE ON OROSS TAX INCREMENT THROUGH 20 1 1. THE MOTION WAS SECONDED BY MR. STROUD. IN THE DISCUSSION THAT FOLLOWED, MR. STROUD MENTIONED THE IMPORTANCE OF THE USES OF THE PLAZA AREA, AND ITS VALUE, IN TERMS OF CONTRIBUTING TO THE ECONOMIC VITALITY OF DOWNTOWN. MR. MARTELL CONCURRED THAT MR, STROUD'S STATEMENT WAS EXTREMELY RELEVANT TO THE DISCUSSION, IN FACT, FAIR VALUE ON THE USES OF THE PLAN BECOMES THE BASIS FOR THE BOARD'S DETERMINATION, RATHER THAN COST OR DEPRECIATION. THE OUESTTON WAS CALLED AND THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. POUDRE RIVER DIORAMA THIS AGENDA ITEM WAS DEFERRED UNTIL THE NEXT MEETING, DUE TO THE FACT THAT DAVID LAUER WAS NOT PRESENT, CONCERN WAS EXPRESSED BRIEFLY ABOUT THE WISDOM OF BUILDING SOMETHING THAT MAY NEED TO BE REMOVED AS PLANS FOR THE RIVER PROCEED, SALES TAX FIGURES ALAN KRCMARIK COMMENTED ON THE MOST RECENT SALES TAX REPORT NOTING THAT THE FIGURES ARE REALLY NOT VERY GOOD BECAUSE THE SUPER CENTER IS CARRYING THE DAY. HE NOTED THAT THE ECONOMY CONTINUES TO STRUGGLE THROUGH JUNE. STATE FIGURES HOVER AROUND 4-1. AND 6% ART. HOTEL AND FOOD INCREASED, AND HE NOTED THAT WE ARE STILL AMONG THE TOP THREE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S MR. MEADOR$ MOVED TO CLOSE THIS SEGMENT OF THE REGULAR BOARD MEETING AND ADJOURN TO REVIEW EXECUTIVE SESSION, FOR THE PURPOSES OF DISCUSSING PERSONNEL ISSUES RELATING TO DDA'S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. THIS EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR THE PURPOSES PREVIOUSLY STATED IS AUTHORIZED PURSUANT TO CRS 24-6-402 (4) (1) (1). THE MOTION WAS SECONDED BY MR. BELCHER. DDA MINUTES PAGE 3 MR. MEADORS THEN MOVED TO RETURN FROM EXECUTIVE TO REGULAR SESSION, AND THIS WAS SECONDED BY MR. BELCHER. PURSUANT TO THE BOARDS DISCUSSION, MR. BELCHER MOVED TO APPROVE A 5% INCREASE IN SALARY FOR MR. STEINER, AND THIS WAS SECONDED BY MR. HEWMT. MR. MARTELL SUGGESTED THAT THE MOTION INCLUDE LANGUAGE STATNG THAT MR. STEINER'S CONTRACT WILL BE EXTENDED FOR THE PERIOD OF ONE YEAR. THE FRIENDLY AMENDMENT WAS ACCEPTED BY MESSRS. BELCHER AND HEWITT, AND THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. ADJOURN THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS, THE MEETING ADJOURNED AT 9. 10 A.M. JASON MEADORS, SECRETARY DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT ddoAUTHORITY TO: DDA Board of Dire rs FROM: Chip Steiner DATE: August 5, 2003 RE: In -Situ Earlier this year, the Board had an opportunity to review the proposed In -Situ project that would be located on Lincoln Avenue close to the Poudre River. The Board generally supported the project. In -Situ will bring better than 50 good paying jobs to Fort Collins. Inexistence since 1976, In -Situ, which is currently located in Laramie, Wyoming, builds and sells environmental and water -monitoring equipment. Because of the positive economic impact, the Northern Colorado Economic Development Corporation is seeking a $120,000 grant from the State to help in relocating In -Situ to Fort Collins. The grant requires a local match. DDA participation in the project can provide that match. Using $80/sf, the 25,000 square foot building would be valued for tax purposes at $2 million. Over a six year period (2006 — 2011) this would generate around $300,000 in tax increment —plenty to meet the State's requirement for local matching monies. The Board is being asked to make a financial commitment to the project. If it chooses to do so, the commitment must be contingent upon 1) In -Situ taking title to the property and requesting annexation into the DDA district (the property borders but is not in the district); 2) the DDA and City Council approving the annexation; 3) submittal of the normal review documents for DDA consideration including elevations, site -plan, detailed cost breakdown (including those things to be funded by the DDA); 4) appropriation of DDA funds by City Council. Staff encourages the Board's positive consideration. In -Situ brings jobs to the central business district. The impact of those jobs is made more important by the recent departures of Retec and Managed Business Solutions from downtown. A DDA commitment should also help to ensure State financial participation. The level of the DDA's commitment need only match the proposed State grant —that is, $120,000. The Board may wish to limit its commitment to this amount for now and agree to reconsider when the project returns with full documentation. I No Text QvInwsitu Inc. 210 S. Third Street. Laramie, Wvomine 82070 U.S.A Company History Rev 4, 7/18/03 Founded in 1976 by Dr. Chester McKee with two employees, In -Situ has grown into one of the world's leading manufacturers of technically advanced environmental and water quality instrumentation with equipment and distribution centers deployed throughout the world. In -Situ began as a consulting firm specializing in computer simulation models for groundwater remediation and in -situ mining. Because these models rely on timely, accurate data for the best results, increasing attention was focused on gathering the information at the point of interest and in real-time — that is, gathering the data 'in -situ'. Through field experience and constant customer interaction, the difficulty in gathering accurate data in the field became increasingly apparent. Realizing this need and leveraging its experience in the consulting field, the Company produced its first data logger, the Hermit 1000 along with a line of highly accurate pressure transducers to aid in aquifer characterization, remediation and monitoring. Twenty-five years later, our equipment line has grown considerably but In -Situ continues to focus on designing and providing the best equipment to water professionals worldwide. As part of the Company's growth strategy, In -Situ remains heavily committed to product development and the commercialization of new technologies while building a global customer base in the increasingly important water market. Leading government and private entities in over 50 countries use In-Situ's equipment and it is the standard relied on by many professionals within the global water market. The Company's products are deployed throughout the environmental industry as well by numerous city, state and federal agencies and departments - anywhere water level and water quality are important. In-Situ's continuous focus on quality is apparent throughout the design and production process. Our equipment must pass stringent environmental testing before it is certified accurate and field worthy. At In -Situ, quality is a companywide focus and we are working hard to ensure that In -Situ continues to be the high -quality leader as we grow and add product lines to our portfolio. The importance of clean, safe water is a global concern and one of the major challenges facing our generation. Around the world, governments and citizens are recognizing the impact of human activities on the natural environment — including our natural water resources. People are increasingly conscious of the health of local ecosystems with clean water being one of the most important issues. In both industrialized and developing nations the expertise of professionals is required to protect and ensure the safety of these groundwater and surface water resources. in - Situ plays a critical role in helping to monitor and protect our water and environment by providing the tools necessary for reliable, accurate assessment of their health. Major Corporate Milestones: 1979 • In -Situ sole proprietorship is incorporated in the State of Wyoming 1984 • In -Situ introduces the Hermit 1000 and transducers for accurate aquifer characterization on multiple clustered wells 1986 � ln=s ty. Inc. 210 S. Third Street, Laramie, Wyoming 82070 U S A • In -Situ introduces the Hermit 2000 allowing for monitoring of up to eight wells and then 16 wells simultaneously 1987 • In -Situ introduces the PXD line of transducers, a highly accurate and rugged water level sensor 1989 • In -Situ introduces the Well Sentinel, the world's first self-contained in -well water level and data logging probe. 1995 • In -Situ introduces the Troll 4000 water level and data -logging probe — the industry's first probe which fits down a 2 inch, 5 cm groundwater well • In -Situ introduces Win -Situ — a powerful and easy -to -use instrumentation software package for Windows 1997 • In -Situ introduces the Troll 8000 — a fully self-contained multi -parameter water quality data logger and probe • In -Situ introduces the Hermit 3000 for logging water level and barometric data with up to eight channels 2000 • In -Situ introduces the miniTroll — for use in wells smaller than one inch or 2.5cm, it is the industry's smallest water level and data logging probe • In -Situ introduces Pocket -Situ — an easy -to -use instrumentation software package for the Windows CE Handheld computers with the power of the desktop version 2002 • In -Situ introduces the Troll 9000 multi -parameter water quality probe • In -Situ introduces laboratory -grade, field -rugged Turbidity sensor for the Troll 9000 • In -Situ introduces Chloride, Nitrate and Ammonium sensors for the Troll 9000 • In -Situ introduces the baroTroll for precise measurement and logging of barometric pressure data • In -Situ introduces the enhanced, ETS Telemetry solution for the miniTroll and Troll 9000 lines 2003 • In -Situ introduces the Troll 9000E multi -parameter water quality probe for extended or long- term deployments • In -Situ introduces FlowSense software and accessories for easy and accurate low -flow sampling with the Troll 9000 DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT ddoAUTHORITY TO: DDA Board of Director FROM: Chip Steiner C DATE: August 5, 2003 RE: Downtown Strategic Plan, Building Heights One of the more important elements of the Downtown Strategic Plan project is to revise the City's standards for building heights in the central business district. As outlined on the attached materials, the current proposal is to specify building heights for individual blocks. The heights range from 150 feet down to 45 feet depending on the block's relationship to surrounding land uses and building type. Generally, heights permitted heights are reduced the further from Mason Street the block is located. City Planning has presented the height issue to a number of groups including the Planning and Zoning Board, Landmarks Preservation Commission, the Chamber of Commerce, developers, architects, and neighborhood groups. Responses have ranged from a maximum of four or five stories to retaining the current standard of 168 feet. Higher buildings would be required to meet more stringent design standards in the form of setbacks from the property line, step -backs of upper floors, and significant articulation of the facades (this means lots variation to the plane of the faVade so that it does not present a monolithic slab to the streetscape--Cortina is a good example of such articulation). DDA staff has been a proponent of retaining the 168-foot height on those blocks close to the existing highest buildings (First National and Key Banks) with reduced heights nearer residential neighborhoods and the historic core of downtown. DDA staff has also supported setbacks, step -backs, and fagade articulation as standards to encourage innovative and pedestrian -friendly designs. There are also other ways to address permissible building heights such as height -to mass and height -to density. It would be very useful for the Board of Directors to provide a specific recommendation on building height. Staff supports the proposal as outlined on the attached materials (that is 150 foot maximum heights that fall off to 45 feet near neighborhoods. It also supports design standards that mitigate a higher building's impact on the streetscape and that specifically encourage a pedestrian -friendly design. DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY TO: DDA Board of Directors FROM: Chip Steiner C DATE: August 5, 2003 RE: Transportation Ballot Issue City Transportation officials will present the Board with the latest transportation funding ballot proposal. As DDA staff understands the issue (only from reading the Coloradoan), the latest funding proposal does not entail a new tax. Rather, it will ask the voters to re -allocate existing transportation tax revenues to different projects that the City believes have higher priority. DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT ddoAUTHORITY TO: DDA Board of Directors FROM: Chip Steiner DATE: August 5, 2003 C/""`1`'I J RE: Christmas Lights The Downtown Business Association is requesting the DDA extend its funding of Christmas Lights for the upcoming holiday season. The total cost of the project is $45,000. The DBA is asking that this cost be shared equally between the Association, the DDA, and the City—i.e. $15,000 each. If the City declines to participate, the DBA asks the DDA to up its participation to $20,000 with the Association picking up the $25,000 balance. Staff supports this request. Funds would be taken from the administrative Capital Projects line item. DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY TO: DDA Board of Dir ors FROM: Chip Steiner DATE: August 5, 2003 RE: Updates Torgerson Building, 323 North College. DDA agreed to a fagade easement of $50,000. Most of the renovation is done. Billboards have not been removed yet (a requirement of the deal). Agreement is drafted but not yet executed. Austins. Not sure of the status but I think it is almost complete. Agreement is drafted but not yet executed. 310 East Mountain (Ernie Gainer's project). On hold. Ernie had proposed to bring revised drawings to the Board this month but did not submit materials. BID. BID discussions originally focused on providing enhanced maintenance and security in the downtown. Downtown Strategic Plan consultants have suggested focusing on marketing instead. Staff needs to restart the talks with the City. Baptist Church. Project is done. Check is cut. Complication: the City has already paid the owner the $64,000 committed by the DDA (I don't know why). However, since we are taking an easement, we still need to execute the agreement with the owner. Lucia's office is scheduling a meeting with the City, owner and DDA to close the deal and have the owner endorse the check over to the City. Chamber of Commerce. Check is cut. Chamber hasn't signed the agreement. Museum Improvements. Status unknown. Pine Street Benches and Trash Cans. Materials are ordered. Dioramas. Scheduled for September. Rhythms. Dead. National Association for Interpretation. Staff and architects discussing project scope and design. 251 Linden Street. DDA agreed to complete funding of this project. It is done. Ice Rink. Lumped in with Performing Arts/Civic Center project. Oak Street Plaza Renovation. Being designed by City. Project was delayed with the departure of Parks Planner, Jeff Lakey. Web Page. Done (maybe). Old Town Ordinances. Done. Signs are posted. Cortina. Nine units, including both penthouses are "reserved." Developer is trying to secure additional parking. Empire. Under construction. Should be completed late spring, 2004. Scooters. Waiting on construction drawings. Linden Hotel Payoff. Done, or at least it will be when the City does a clean-up ordinance on DDA finances. Interactive Play Area. Installation to begin the day after NewWest Fest. First National Bank. Under construction. Mason Street North. Supposed to start construction in October. Patio License Revisions. Language governing the care of privately owned portions of patios is written and will be incorporated into each agreement as they renew at the end of this year. Performing Arts/Civic Center/Chautauqua. Invitation letter to suggested committee members is being revised. First meeting is scheduled for late September. Also drafting RFP to bring in consultant. That process should be completed by year's end.