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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDowntown Development Authority - Minutes - 11/01/2001i DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 1, 2001 REGULAR MEETING THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MET IN REGULAR SESSION AT 7:30 A.M. ON NOVEMSER 1, 2001 IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM AT HOME STATE BANK, 303 EAST MOUNTAIN AVENUE, FORT COLUNs, CO 80524 PRESENT THERE WERE PRESENT: LARRY STROUD, CHAIR KIM JORDAN, VICE CHAIR JASON MEA.DORS, SECRETARY/IHEASURER GREG BELCHER RICK GOODALE MARY BRAYTON CAREY HEWITT CHUCK WANNER STEVE TAYLOR STAFF JAY HARDY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ANNE GARRISON LUCIA LLEY, COUNSEL GUESTS JOHN FlsCHBACH, ANGELA MILEWsKI, DAVID SHORT, ALAN KRCHMARIK, TED SHEPARD, HEATHER BROOKS CALL TO ORDER THE MEETING CAME TO ORDER AT 7.30 A.M. AND ROLL CALL WAS TAKEN. APPROVAL OF MR. MEADORS MOVED TO ADOPT THE MINUTES OF OCTOSER 4, 2001 AND MR. HEWITT MINUTES SECONDED THE MOTION. MS. BRAYTON REFERENCED THE SECOND TO LAST PARAGRAPH ON PAGE 3. CONCERNING FUNDING FOR 100 SOUTH COLLEGE AVENUE, AND MR. STROUO'S REPORTED REMARKS. THE LATTER CONCURRED THAT THE RECORD ACCURATELY RELECTED HIS COMMENTS. HOWEVER, FOR CLARIFICATION, MS. LILEY SUGGESTED THE MINUTES INDICATE 'THAT AT THE SUGGESTION OF THE BOARD, MR. STROUD INDICATED A HIGHER LEVEL OF FUNDING WOULD SE CONSIDERED.' THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY, LAND USE CODE MR. HARDY INTRODUCED THIS TOPIC, EXPLAININO THAT TWICE A YEAR LAND USE CODES ARE CHANGES REVISED, AND WHEN THEY RELATE TO DDA'S BOUNDARY, THE BOARD IS APPRISED. TODAY TED SHEPARD WILL ADDRESS THIS ISSUE, AND HEATHER BROOKS WILL DISCUSS HOMELESSNESS AND ITS IMPACT ON THE CITY. DDA MINUTES PAGE 2 MS . BROOKS INDICATED THAT THE ORAL IS TO PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE CASE MANAOEMENT FOR THE HOMELESS, NOT PREVICIlSLY OFFERED IN FORT COLLINS. AND TO FIND AN APPROPRIATE SITE FOR A FACILITY. WHEN NEW BRIDOES CLOSED IN MARCH, JOHN FISCHIACH AND GORDON THIBEDS^u OF UNITED WAY NET TO DETERMINE THE NEEDS IN wow OF THE CLOSURE. THE CITY WAS WILLING TO PROVIDE THE SITE, AND UNITED WAY THE SERVICES, WHILE WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE EXISTING SHELTERS. 450 NORTH COLLEGE AVENUE, THE OLD POWER PLANT CURRENTLY RENTED BY CSU, WAS UNDER CONSIDERATION. IN THE MEANTIME, THE CITY AND UNITED WAY HAVE DECIDED NOT TO PURSUE, AS A POSSIBILITY, THE LAST PIECE OF CITY -OWNED LAND AS A POTENTIAL SITE. EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE SUCH AS GM PREPARATION, DRUG, ALCOHOL AND MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING, MEDICINE PICK UP AND SHOWERS, ARE ALL VITAL SERVICES. THE TWO EXISTING SHELTERS DO A GOOD JOB, AND BOTH ARE STRICT WITH REGARD TO ALCOHOL AND DRUG USAGE; THEY ARE SIMPLY LIMITED IN WHAT THEY CAN SUPPLY. HEATHER EXPWNED THAT THERE IS A FACTION OF HOMELESS PEOPLE WHO CHOOSE THE LIFESTYLE, WHILE OTHERS RESPOND POSITIVELY TO BEING HELPED MEDICALLY OR EDUCATIONALLY. PROVIDING THESE SERVICES UNDER ONE ROOF IS ESSENTIAL FOR THOSE WHO OBTAIN THEM NOW ONLY BY TRAVELING TO SEVERAL DIFFERENT PLACES AROUND TOWN. ABOUT I % OF THE POPULATION (APPROXIMATELY I, 1 1 B) IS HOMELESS. AND WHILE THE 'MOSILC' POPULACE HAS DECREASED SINCE THE CLOSURE OF NEW BRIDGES, THERE ARE STILL 560 HOMELESS CHILDREN IN THE POUDRE SCHOOL DISTRICT. ADDRESSING THE ZONING ISSUES, TED SHEPARD NOTED THAT SHELTERS 00 NOT HAVE THEIR OWN CLASSIFICATION, BUT ARE LISTED UNDER "OFFICE," AND AS A RESULT OF THIS DEFINITION ARE ALLOWED IN RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL. AREAS OF TOWN. THERE 1S PRESENTLY A REVIEW UNDERWAY TO REDEFINE THIS CLASSIFICATION. EIGHT ZONE DISTRICTS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED, AND IT IS BEING RECOMMENDED TO CITY COUNCIL AND THE PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD THAT THESE EIGHT DISTRICTS ALLOW A SHELTER AS A NEWLY DEFINED LAND USE. IN ADDITION, THERE IS A RECOMMENDATION THAT TWO STANDARDS BE REQUIRED. THESE ARE AS FOLLOWS: SHELTERS MUST BE WITHIN 1 /4 MILE OF A TRANSIT ROUTE SHELTERS CANNOT BE MORE THAN 10,000 SQUARE FEET IN SIZE THESE ARE MODIFIABLE CRITERIA WHICH THE PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD WILL TAKE UNDER CONSIDERATION AS SITES ARE IDENTIFIED. MR. SHEPARD WILL TAKE THIS THROUGH THE ADOPTION PROCESS. AND CITY COUNCIL'S FIRST AND SECOND READING ARE SLATED FOR NOVEMBER 20, AND DECEMBER 18. 200 1, DBA MARKETING MR. HARDY INTRODUCED DAVID SHORT. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE DOWNTOWN UPDATE BUSINESS ASSOCIATION. IN HIS RECAP, MR. HARDY NOTED THAT DDA COMMIS $2,000 ANNUALLY TOWARD DOWNTOWN MARKETING COSTS, AND MORE RECENTLY $20,000 TOWARD THE HOLIDAY LIGHTS ENHANCEMENT. MR. SHORT REPORTED THAT THE PARKING VALIDATION PROGRAM BEGINS TODAY, SIGNS ARC POSTED IN THE GARAOE, AND CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SHOULD BE LIT THROUGHOUT DOWNTOWN VERY SOON. THE GENERAL MARKETING BUDOET HAS INCREASED SINCE 1998 FROM $30,000 A YEAR TO OVER $42,000 IN 2001 . THE NEW LOGO INCORPORATES MANY ELEMENTS OF DOWNTOWN, HIGHLIGHTING ITS UNIQUE IDENTITY, HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE, AND THE SMALL TOWN FEEL IT HAS DESPITE ITS GROWTH. IN ADDITION, MR. SHORT OUTLINED VARIOUS PUBLICATIONS IN WHICH DBA ADVERTISES REGULARLY, ALL INTENDED TO KEEP DOWNTOWN IN THE FOREFRONT OF THE PUBLIC'S MIND, MOVIE THEATRE ADVERTISING IS ONE OF THE MORE RECENT VENUES, ALONG WITH A DASHER AT O.D.'S SPORTS CENTER. MOST ADVERTISING PROMOTES THE GIFT CERTIFICATE PROGRAM WHICH REACHED $46,000 LAST YEAR. THESE ARE MONIES CAPTURED FOR OUR DOWNTOWN MERCHANTS ONLY, AND OF COURSE, THE PARKING VALIDATION PROGRAM WILL RECEIVE HEAVY EMPHASIS ON HOW EASY IT IS TO PARK AND SHOP DOWNTOWN, EVEN DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON. IN ADDITION, THERE WILL BE LARGE RADIO BLITZES, ABOUT 1 12 ADS A WEEK, TOGETHER WITH CABLE TV SPOTS WHICH WILL BEGIN BEFORE THANKSGIVING. DBA HAS ALSO SECURED A BILLBOARD ON HARMONY ROAD. DDA MINUTES PAGE 3 MR. HARDY REPORTED THE RESULTS OF HIS CONVERSATIONS WITH MERCHANTS, TO DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT SALES WERE GENERALLY UP OR DOWN. MR. KRCHMARIK ADDED SOME COMMENTS AND PROMISED TO PROVIDE DDA WITH A CLOSER REPORT FOR THE DECEMBER MEETINO. DDA BUDGET 2002 THERE ARE TWO SMALL CHANGES TO THE BUDGET AS PRESENTED LAST MONTH. THE CITY'S RES. #04,#05,#06 PORTION OF THE OLD TOWN SQUARE AGREEMENT, (ENHANCED MAINTENANCE,) AND ENTERPRISE ZONE ADMINISTRATION FUNDS WILL EACH BE A SEPARATE LINE ITEM WITHIN THE INCOME AND EXPENSE CATEGORY. IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE BUDGET, THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS WERE PRESENTED FOR BOARD APPROVAL: RES #O 1 -04 - EXPENSES OF CONDUCTING BUSINESS OF THE DDA - FY 2002 RES #0 1 -05 - DEBT SERVICE FUND PAYMENT FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDING 1 2-3 1 -02 RES #0 1 -06 - DETERMINING S FIXING OF MILL LEVY - FISCAL YEAR ENDING 1 2-3 1 -02 MS. LILEY RAISED THE QUESTION OF WHY THE LINDEN HOTEL FIGURES WERE GOING UP AND MR. HARDY AGREED TO LOOK INTO IT. MR. MEADORS THEN MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTIONS #04, #05 AND #06 AND MR. BELCHER SECONDED THE MOTION WHICH CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. PROJECT VERSUS AT THE RETREAT THIS YEAR, MR. GOODALE REQUESTED THE BOARD TAKE A FEW MOMENTS INFRASTRUCTURE TO ENGAGE IN A GENERAL PHILOSOPHICAL DISCUSSION ON THE CAPTIONED SUBJECT. MR. GOODALE EXPLAINED WHAT HAD MOTIVATED HIS QUESTION, AND EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT DDA MAY BE EXPENDING FUNDS IN AREAS WHERE COSTS WERE PREVIOUSLY CONNECTED TO THE DEVELOPER. HE CONTINUED, DDA IS A VALUABLE ORGANIZATION AND HAS HAD AN ENORMOUS IMPACT ON THE SUCCESS OF DOWNTOWN. HE THEN SPOKE TO THE WISDOM OF STAYING ON THE SAME COURSE. RESIDENTIAL PROJECTS ARE IMPORTANT, AND ENSURING WE HAVE THE FUNDS TO HELP LEVERAGE THEM WHEN THE TIME COMES, IS VITAL. MR. HARDY PROVIDED SOME BACKGROUND INFORMATION USING PORTIONS OF DDA'S ENABLING LEGISLATION TO CONFIRM THAT DDA IS CHARGED WITH PARTICIPATING IN BOTH FACADES AND INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS. MR. HARDY ALSO READ RELATIVE PORTIONS FROM SECTION B. PAGE B OF THE FORT COLLINS PLAN OF DEVELOPMENT, BOTH OF WHICH ARE GUIDING DOCUMENTS FOR DDA. AFTER SOME FURTHER DISCUSSION AND INPUT FROM THOSE PRESENT, IT WAS DEEMED THAT ALL QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS HAD BEEN SATISFACTORILY ADDRESSED, AND THERE WAS NO NEED TO PURSUE THE TOPIC FURTHER. OTHER BUSINESS ■ MS. BRAYTON PROVIDED A REPORT ON DBA'S REVIEW OF DOWNTOWN LIVE. THE CONCERTS WILL CONTINUE WITH MODIFICATIONS, SOME OF WHICH INCLUDE A CHANGE FROM THURSDAY TO TUESDAY EVENING, ADDED SEATING, GREATER USE OF PRIVATE SECURITY AND A CHANGE IN THE TYPE OF PERFORMANCE. THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE EVENT COMMITTEE, STILL PENDING APPROVAL BY THE DBA BOARD OF DIRECTORS, SUGGEST OFFERING THURSDAY NIGHT CONCERTS ON A LIMITED BASIS, USING BIGGER NAMES, AND MOVING THE EVENT TO THE JUSTICE CENTER GROUNDS. MS. JORDAN WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM DBA EARLY IN 2002, TO DISCUSS HOW TO ELEVATE PROFESSIONALISM, AND FOSTER A SOUND BUSINESS CLIMATE DOWNTOWN. ■ THE BOARD WILL HAVE RECEIVED FORMAL INVITATIONS TO THE GRAND OPENING OF THE NORTHERN HOTEL ON NOVEMBER 15, 2001 . THERE WILL, HOWEVER, BE A PRIVATE TOUR AT 9:00 A.M. TODAY DIRECTLY FOLLOWING THE BOARD MEETING. ■ THE HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE HOSTED BY DDA AND DBA EACH YEAR WILL TAKE PLACE ON WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 1 2, FROM 5:30 P.M. TO 7:30 P.M. THE EVENT WILL BE HELD THIS YEAR AT COOPERSMITH'S POOLSIDE. ■ IN RESPONSE TO A REQUEST FOR UPDATED INFORMATION ON JOHNNY'S PLACE, MR. HARDY ADVISED THAT AWNINGS ARE ON ORDER AND THAT THE SIGN WILL BE CHANGED AND REINSTALLED AT THE SAME TIME THE AWNINGS ARE PUT IN PLACE. ADJOURN THERE BEING NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, THE MEETING ADJOURNED AT 9:00 A.M. JASON MEADORS, SECRETARY ddoDOWNTOWN � DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY 19 OLD TOWN SQUARE, SUITE 230 FORT COLLINS, CO 80524 To: DDA Board of Directors From: Jay Hardy� Date: December 6, 20D1 RE: Larimer County Courthouse renovation Telephone (970) 484-2020 Telefox (970) 484-2069 Babs Cornell from Larimer County will be in attendance to provide a progress report on the renovation of the current County Courthouse, as well as the timeline of the project. DOWNTOWN � DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY 19 OLD TOWN SQUARE, SUITE 230 FORT COLLINS, CO 80524 To: DDA Board of Directors From: Jay Hard Date: December 6, 2 01 RE: Downtown Play Area Telephone (970) 484-2020 Telefox (970) 484-2069 Lee Swanson, owner of Ben & Jer y's Scoop Shop in Old Town Square will be in attendance to present a play area proposed for the north end of Old Town Square. Mr. Swanson presented this project in May seeking feedback, and is now making a funding request. A play area located downtown has been met with an initial favorable response. Old Town Square tenants and Progressive Old Town Square (POTS) have both endorsed the project in its proposed location as well as committed funds toward the project. The Downtown Business Association has also reviewed the project conceptually, and will consider a funding request if the DDA commits funds. Attached is a scaled map of Old Town Square showing property lines and the size of the proposed project. Various issues are still unresolved with the project. The proposed location straddles the property line of the DDA and City of Fort Collins right-of-way. Therefore, the ownership, liability and maintenance issues cannot be finalized without the approval of the City. I have met with the City and Old Town Square Properties regarding these issues and am confident they can be resolved. Additionally, we are currently discussing ways to make the Old Town Square/City of Fort Collins/DDA relationship flow more smoothly in relation to vending practices with the Square, maintenance and capital improvements issues, as well as a few administrative items. Staff will present these issues to the Board in January or February 2002. However, as with many DDA projects, Mr. Swanson is requesting a funding commitment from the DDA in an effort to leverage the support of the project with other entities. Attached is an update of the current funding commitments on the project. As the DDA considers different ways to attract visitors downtown, this project seems to provide an element, which could boost foot -traffic in the `family and children' category. The project would effectively reduce the amount of `open area' within the square, and while consideration of whether this is the `highest and best use' of this space is debatable, I would recommend the DDA commit $20,000 toward the project, contingent upon receiving the appropriate approvals. Additionally, an update from Mr. Swanson during the first quarter of 2002 would be important. If the Board chooses to fund the project, money is available in FY2001 Administrative Capital Project budget. This is the last scheduled project funding request for FY2001. ddaDOWNTOWN � DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY 19 OLD TOWN SQUARE, SUITE 230 FORT COLLINS, CO 80524 To: DDA Board of Directors From: Jay Hard Date: December , 001 RE: Downtown Financial Report Telephone (970) 484-2020 Telefax (970) 484-2069 As requested at the November Board meeting, I have attached the sales tax figures from the City of Fort Collins for downtown over the past few months. The table represents the percentage changes for each month, comparing 2000 and 2001 sales tax figures within the DDA boundary. Please be sure to read the three short paragraphs at the bottom of the page in an effort to further understand these figures. C� C MEMORANDUM DATE: December 3, 2001 TO: Jay Hardy, Executive Director, Downtown Development Authority FROM: Alan Krcmarik, Financial Officer SUBJECT: Sales Tax Collections in the DDA in 2001 According to the City's sales tax records for the year to date, collections within the DDA are up just over 1 % for the year. This includes October retail activity that is remitted to the City in November. In the table below, I show the growth rates month by month. For example, the January numbers are comparable to January of 2000. January 2.1% February -2.8% March -0.2% April 6.2% May 8.1% June 8.1% 7 -2.4% Au -8.0% September -7.0% October -4.5% November 20.5% Year-to-date 1.2% The decrease in October is due to one vendor making two payments in 2000 and only one in 2001. The reduced consumer spending due to the Terrorist Attacks also shows in October. The large increase in November is due to the vendor making two payments in 2001 and only one in 2000. The November growth is also spurred by the opening of a new retailer in the district. If the collections for October and November are combined, the growth rate is 6.2% over the same two months of 2000. . d do DOWNTOWN � DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY 19 OLD TOWN SQUARE, SUITE 230 FORT COLLINS, CO 80524 To: DDA Board of Directors From: Jay Hardy Date: December 6, 2001 RE: Project Update Telephone (970) 484-2020 Telefox (970) 484-2069 The following is a current update of downtown projects, which the DDA reviewed in 2001: 185 N. College Ave. — According to the property owner, the DDA approved adjustments to the signage and fagade are scheduled for completion December 20, 2001. 328 Remington (Old Baptist Church) — Renovation is underway. All matching funds were secured and the project should be complete in the first quarter of 2002. 334 E. Mountain (Rhythm's Bar & Grill) — Renovation is underway. The Board placed a funding contingency for completion prior to 12/31/01, or the project must return to the Board. A few delays have been experienced so the completion date is unclear at this time. If the project is not complete by 12/31/01, the Board will review it again in early 2002. 100 S. College Ave. (Cache Bank & Trust) — The Board considered this project in October, and encouraged the owner and tenant to consider some changes, and then return to the Board. Unfortunately, the owner and tenant elected not to pursue DDA funding, and construction is currently underway. 135 W. Oak Street (Jay's Bistro) — This project is about one week behind original schedule. Steele's Block redevelopment — Initial cost estimates have encouraged the developer to continue this project as presented to the Board. A funding request is likely to come before the DDA in March or April 2002. Staff is currently exploring various `non- traditional' funding mechanisms for tax -increment financing. The probable financial proposal will mirror the Stapleton Airport redevelopment. Further discussion on this approach can be brought before the Board for discussion in early 2002. Mason Street North — This is now in the final approval stages. A few changes have occurred since the DDA committed funds to the railroad -crossing portion of the project. As the details of the `adjusted project' are finalized, the Board will need to review and adjust, if necessary. Parking structure signage — The DDA partnered with the DBA and the City for this needed addition. The signage was installed in November. Opera Galleria Lofts — The project the DDA reviewed earlier this year has been altered to meet the demand for a less expensive housing product. The DDA is currently working with the owner and City to find a parking solution for these tenants. The `adjusted' product will probably be on the market later this month Pine Street sidewalk repair — This project has been completed on the west side of the 200 Walnut Building (where Rasta Pasta is located). DOWNTOWN � DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY 19 OLD TOWN SQUARE, SUITE 230 FORT COLLINS, CO 80524 To: DDA Board of Directors From: Jay Hard Date: December , 2 Ol RE: DDA Staff Reviews Telephone (970) 484-2020 Telefox (970) 484-2069 Annual evaluations of Anne Garrison and myself will be outlined during the Board meeting. I will provide a summary of Anne Garrison's evaluation for the Board and the Board will then conduct my annual review.