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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDowntown Development Authority - Minutes - 12/07/2006DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Regular Directors' Meeting Steve Taylor, Chair 221-0524(W) Kurt Kastein, Council Liaison 223-0425 (W) Linda Gula, Staff Liaison 484-2020(W) MINUTES of December 7, 2006 REGULAR MEETING The Board of Directors of the Downtown Development Authority met in Regular Session at 7:30 am. on December 7, 2006 in the Meeting Room at Home State Bank located at 303 East Mountain Avenue, Fort Collins, CO 80524. PRESENT George Brelig McCabe Callahan Carey Hewitt, Secretary/Treasurer Kim Jordan Kurt Kastein William Sears Patty Spencer Steve Taylor, Chair Jack Wolfe, Vice Chair STAFF Lucia Liley, Council Robert Steiner, DDA Executive Director Matt Robenalt, DDA Project Manager Linda Gula, DDA Staff GUESTS Darin Attebeny, Chuck Seest, Kathy Cardona, David Short, Karen Weitkunat, Ed Siegel, Rabbi Gorelik CALL TO ORDER Mr. Taylor called the meeting to order at 7:35 am. Roll call was taken. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mr. Hewitt moved to approve the minutes of November 2, 2006. Seconded by Mr. Sears and passed unanimously. CONSENT AGENDA Mr. Steiner stated that both items on the Consent Agenda required discussion from the Board. JULIAN'S FACADE REQUEST Mr. Steiner stated that Dr. Ed Siegel, owner of the north half of the Colorado Building and the son of Julian Siegel (who established Julian's Women's Clothing) plans to restore the fagade of the clothing store to its appearance in the 1940's (art deco) and is requesting a DDA fapade grant in the amount of $12,490 (50% of the estimated total cost). He stated staff supports the request. He noted the restoration, while modest, is true to the 1941 remodel and provides the downtown with a unique, attractive, non-19`' century storefront Dr. Siegel was available to answer questions and provide more information if necessary. He stated that this store had recently been approved as an historic landmark He went on to discuss the history of the building and the clothing business, and his father `s involvement in the business and the community. Mr. Hewitt asked if a tenant had been secured. Dr. Siegel stated they are working with national retailers and are hoping for a retailer offering high quality clothing. Mr. Hewitt moved to commit up to $12,490 for the fagade request Seconded by Ms. Spencer and passed unanimously. DDA BOARD MINUTES PAGE DECEMBER 7, 2006 D. Resolution 2006-11 Recommending the City Council the Issuance of Tax Increment Bonds and the Appropriation of the Proceeds. Resolution 2006-11 approves the issuance of $5,356,584 in tax increment bonds and recommends to City Council the approval of the issuance and the appropriation of the bonds. It was noted in Resolution 2006-11, two projects need to come off the list 1) East Mountain Streetlight Relocation — $24,950, and; 2) 622 South College -- $5,700 This would change the amount listed in the Resolution to $5,625,934 Mr. Wolfe moved to approve Resolution 2006-11 with the amended dollar amount of $5,625,934 and also deleting the East Mountain Streetlight Relocation ($24,950) and 622 South College ($5700) from the projects listed. Seconded by Mr. Sears and passed unanimously. RESOLUTION 2006-12 DEFINING HOLIDAY DISPLAYS Mr. Taylor stated he would like to summarize what has happened with this issue to date. He stated it was brought to the DDA's attention last year that there was not a written policy in place regarding holiday displays for Old Town Square plaza. The Board has had several discussions and it boiled down to the DDA making a decision based upon allowing unattended secular or non secular displays or not. The decision at that time was to instruct staff to craft a resolution that limited unattended public displays to those that follow the secular definition. Ms. Liley stated this is strictly a policy that relates to unattended displays that are the DDA's owned displays and the message to the community, and then to put in writing what the holiday display policy of the DDA will be so that it is very clear that there will be only secular symbols during this holiday season. She stated there is nothing in this resolution or the previous resolution that in any way would restrict any other kind of speech. She stated any activity that would be occurring in the Plaza, anyone who wants to bring banners, have rallies, celebrate any kind of cultural event is welcome to do so. That form of speech would not be restricted. That was the direction of the Board Rabbi Gorlik played a DVD showing menorah displays and celebrations around the world. After the DVD showing, Rabbi Gorlik commented that the idea of the public menorah is to promote the message of freedom of religion, the message of hope, the message that one can (with faith) overcome in the face of adversity. There are many ways of celebrating the holiday season and promoting a universal message and Fort Collins should be part of that message. He stated they wanted to add a new component to the holiday message, to be a part of the message and recognize it, and to provide a sense of inclusion and diversity. Mr. Blue Havater stated he advocates being able to promote your own message. However, in the public forum, what the DDA has done is say that they will fund and display non- religious, secular symbols that are inclusive of everyone. He went on to note that if individual groups want to put individual menorahs in their shops or hold their own celebrations, the DDA is not saying that is not permitted. He stated he did not feel that the DDA's resolution is oppressing religion. Mr. Mike Jensen stated that the community is working on culture and diversity and that we have to balance that culture and diversity with laws and the constitution. Mr. David Herrera commented if someone wants to go to Old Town Square with a menorah and it is attended, that is permissible as a first amendment right. Mr. Callahan expressed support for the Resolution as presented. Mr. Wolfe moved to approve Resolution 2006.12. Seconded by Mr. Sears and passed unanimously DDA BOARD MINUTES PAGE DECEMBER 7, 2006 OTHER BUSINESS Sales Tax Update — Mr. Seest reported sales tax collections are up 0.8%. Downtown continues to be slightly ahead of the rest of the city in collections. Good Neighbor Handbook — Mr. Robenalt distributed a copy of the Good Neighbor Handbook that he had developed for downtown residents. He stated it was geared for urban living. Beet Street Executive Director — Mr. Steiner stated that Carol Bennis, a Beet Street Executive Director finalist, would be in town on December 13-14 - for a second interview. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting adjourned 9:45 a.m.. c Carey Hewitt, ecretary