HomeMy WebLinkAboutDowntown Development Authority - Minutes - 09/03/1998k,. ,
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DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
Regular Directors' Meeting
Kermit Allard, Chair 482-1893 (W)
Chuck Warmer, Council Liaison 484-3014 (W)
Anne Garrison, Staff Liaison 484-2020 (W)
MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 3, 1998
REGULAR MEETING
The Board of Directors of the Downtown Development Authority met in regular
session at 7:30 a.m. on September 3, 1998 in the Meeting Room at Home State
Bank, 303 Fast Mountain Avenue.
PRESENT There were present:
Kermit Allard, Chair
Mary Brayton, Vice Chair
Jason Meadors, Secretary
Greg Belcher, Treasurer
Steve Slezak
Chuck Wanner
ABSENT Larry Stroud
Margaret Brown
John Pitner
STAFF Chip Steiner, Consultant
Anne Garrison
Lucia Liley, Counsel
GUESTS Angela Milewski, LPC Liaison to the DDA, Carol Tunner, Dick Beardmore
CALL TO ORDER Mr. Allard called the meeting to order and roll call was taken.
DDA MINUTES
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APPROVAL OF A motion was made by Ms. Brayton to approve the minutes of August 6, 1998.
MINUTES This was seconded by Mr. Belcher and carried unanimously.
MASON STREET Mr. Steiner provided a synopsis of the neighborhood meeting which took place
PARKING LOT on September 1, 1998. The response by those present was overwhelmingly
negative. Mr. Steiner's recommendation is that the Board retain the property at
this time, and evaluate the effect of the new parking ramp over the next couple
of years.
Mr. Steiner feels that no further action on the part of the Board is necessary,
except to direct him to advise Mr. Bisetti of the Board's decision. Ms. Brayton
made a motion to direct Mr. Steiner accordingly, this was seconded by Mr.
Belcher and carried unanimously.
Angela Milewski, representing the Landmark Preservation Commission was
recognized and formally welcomed by Mr. Allard on behalf of the Board.
BUDGET The Board was directed to review four resolutions in the packet:
1. Resolution 98-8 Adoption of Operating Budget
2. Resolution 98-9 Determine and Fix Mill Levy
3. Resolution 98-10 Debt Service Appropriation
4. Resolution 98-11 Appropriation of Tax Increment Funds
A motion was made by Mr. Wanner and seconded by Mr. Meadors that the
foregoing resolutions be adopted, and the motion carried unanimously.
On the question of health benefit costs for employee Anne Garrison, it was
confirmed that DDA's contribution is $360 a month, in addition to the
employee portion also being paid.
REMINGTON ST The new owners of the Remington Street Church are pursuing annexation into
ANNEXATION the DDA District A site map included in the packets indicates exact location.
Plans are to renovate the building into a Performing Arts Hall and School.
The owners are also currently in discussion with the Stryker -Short Foundation.
Financial assistance is critical at this time with the cost of renovation estimated
at $350,000.
Mr. Steiner recommended that the Board approve the annexation of this
property into the DDA District, and suggested that the City also be urged to
approve the annexation, and that we make a contingent commitment of $50,000
based on the owners' investment, the approval of LPC, and City Council's
approval of the project
Mr. Beardmore spoke to the concern that the owners do not have the funds to
do a 'top flight restoration', and he added, 'as a result this would be done as a
phased project, but it needs to get up and running relatively soon.'
Mr. Slezak moved to adopt Resolution 98-12 which supports annexation of this
project and commits $50,000 toward its renovation. This was seconded
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by Mr. Meadors and carried unanimously.
BYLAW Two changes have been made to the Bylaws since the Board last
REVISIONS reviewed them; they are as follows:
* The Administrative Manager will become the Assistant Treasurer
and Assistant Secretary, and in that capacity, has authority to sign all
vouchers of authorized DDA expenditure.
* The Bond requirement is waived for anyone holding the position of
Executive Director and Treasurer.
Ms. Brayton moved to adopt Resolution 98-4 which addresses the Bylaw
revisions, this was seconded by Mr. Belcher and carried unanimously.
OTHER BUSINESS A letter has been received from the City requesting that DDA put up
$200,000 for maintenance of the current parking garage. Mr. Steiner is
researching the agreement in which it states that the City is responsible
for maintenance. Tax increment money is intended for capital development,
not maintenance of completed projects.
OTS MAINTENANCE Concern was expressed over the possibility that two significant retailers
may move because of the trash accumulation, and lack of general maintenance
in Old Town Square. In addition there is the aggravation of concerts and youth
loitering in the area.
A discussion followed in which complaints were enumerated, and overall
dismay expressed with regard to the poor condition of Old Town Square. The
Board feels repair costs far outweigh the expenditure for reasonable
maintenance.
Mr. Meadors made a motion that the Board direct Counsel and the DDA
Consultant to review all agreements relating to the maintenance of Old Town
Square, with the intent to require compliance by all available means, including
but not restricted to suspension of participation in the Enterprise Zone. This
was seconded by Mr. Wanner and carried unanimously.
CDBG Mr. Steiner explained that as a result of a mid stream change in the
CHANGES interpretation of Redevelopment Block Grant regulations, DDA must now
obtain appraisals for all facades in which CDBG funds are utilized. Several
projects remain unfunded as DDA attempts to reach understanding and
compliance with this entity. Ms. Liley has been responsible for retaining the
services of an appraiser to handle the Trimble Court buildings at a cost of
$4,000.00. A motion from the Board authorizing the expenditure
of this amount was requested. This was so moved by Ms. Brayton, seconded by
Mr. Slezak and carried unanimously.
ADJOURN There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 8:30 a.m.
Jason Meadors, Secretary