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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDowntown Development Authority - Minutes - 03/06/199714 . d MD&NTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY ONE WEST CONTEMPORARY ART CENTER 201 SOUTH COLLEGE AVENUE, FORT COLLINS, CO 80524 • DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Regular Directors' Meeting MINUTES OF MARCH 6. 1997 Telephone (970) 484-2020 Telefox (970) 484-2069 The Board of Directors of the Downtown Development Authority met in regular session at 7:30 a.m., March 6, 1997 in the Third Floor Conference Room at 201 South College Avenue, One West Art Center. PRESENT There were present: Stephen Slezak, Chair presiding Bonnie Bixler Szidon, Vice Chair Mary Brayton, Secretary Carey Hewitt, Treasurer Bill Attwooll Kermit Allard Chuck Wanner Greg Belcher Absent: Jason Meadors Staff: Chip Steiner, Consultant Anne Garrison Lucia Liley, Counsel Guests: Bud Frick, Jay Hardy, Frank Lancaster CALL TO ORDER Mr. Slezak called the meeting to order, and entertained a motion to approve the minutes of February 6, 1997 (Regular Board Meeting) and February 11, 1997 (Special Board Meeting.) Mr. Belcher moved to approve the minutes in each case as written, this was seconded by Mr. Wanner and approved unanimously. DDA MINUTES PAGE 2 STAFF CONTRACT Me. Garrison was excused from the meeting. In the discussion which followed, the Board agreed to grant a 5% increase in salary, and renew her contract for the period of one year. JUSTICE CENTER Mr. Steiner introduced this important issue for discussion, offering his comments as those of a private citizen, not affiliated with the DDA in this regard. DDA has previously discussed and recognizes that it should have a strong role in the development of the Justice Center. In this, its interest is second only to that of the County. DDA has the option to participate either financially and/or by its efforts to 'sell' the project. One of the ways could be in the assemblage of information which promotes the project in Fort Collins since it benefits the central business district. The ultimate goal is to get the vote passed, and although this interest is shared by the City, County and DDA, the three parties must first negotiate roles and obligations. Helping to negotiate that agreement may also be an area DDA can assist. In answer to Mr. Allard's question regarding the City's review of DDA'B tax increment funds, Mr. Steiner shared that he had received a spread sheet from Mr. Krcmarik, and City figures were down one half million dollars from Mr. Steiner's projection of three million dollars. In either case, they are conservative projections. Mr. Allard then asked that Mr. Steiner follow up with the City and County. The latter being the source for the figure in both cases. Addressing Mr. Lancaster, Mr. Slezak asked where the County stood with regard to selecting its representative to spearhead the campaign, and what does the County envision as far as the division of work between the three entities. As it stands now, the County plans to place four separate issues on the ballot. They comprise: • Jail • Courthouse • Loveland Court Facility • Fairgrounds Four different issues, four different taxes. It plans to stay with the same team and same design with some facade changes. The preferred site for the parking structure is the LaPorte/America lot, which is seen as servicing more than the courthouse needs, and is planned as the transit center site. The County is paying out of existing funds to do the design work for the jail, thus DDA's help with the parking structure will be a great selling point. The Loveland facility is still on hold while decisions are being made as to how to proceed with it. Mr. Allard inquired if any analysis had been done to determine why the vote went down, and if certain areas, either geographically or philosophically, impacted the decision. Mr. Lancaster said it went down everywhere. He sees one reason being that the County was 'gun shy' and pulled back too far, not taking an active part, then in • 0 DDA MINUTES PAGE 3 addition, some of the information went out so late that early voting had already begun. We failed to Bell the need, and certainly we failed to Bell the solution. Mr. Lancaster was clear that the jail is a top priority, with the Justice Center in second place, and parking may have to be a matter for the City. Mr. Slezak suggested that DDA may wish to seek out and hire a person who will take these issues forward. In addition, its task will be to formulate the financial participation for this project. It was then conjectured that if Mr. Steiner can put together a deal between the City, County and DDA for the parking structure alone, then DDA could hire a consultant to take the Justice Center forward. This did not appear to be an option. The Authority has already established its stand on both these issues and is in a position to agitate the situation; to force it ahead and bring it to the voters. Mr. Lancaster concurred that a champion was needed, and it may be that the County needs to have its own lead person. In answer to Mr. Allard's question, Mr. Steiner explained that two steps would be necessary to deal with the parking structure portion of this issue. Identify the funding then go to the City, because DDA is not in a position to build a 700 space parking ramp by itself. Mr. Wanner put forth the idea that the DDA could build the parking structure and state that it is the first step in putting together the Civic Center Plan. In so doing, put forth part of the revenue stream, the other part would be derived from private development on the lower floor which could be rented out as retail apace, the City would also fund part of it. Having this in place would make the County election a lot easier. Ms. Szidon wanted to go on record with the suggestion that the Northern Hotel be utilized, possibly as a future Motor Vehicle Department with loft apartments on the top floor and a parking structure on the same lot. Me. Liley addressed the Board's question as to whether DDA's lead person could be Mr. Steiner. Since he is not a Board Member and does not have a vote, he is in a different position than the rest of the Board. Thus, to some extent, following his disclosure, the Board can define what is considered to be a conflict of interest. Secondly, it depends on the timing, because of the need to avoid even a potential conflict. Therefore it must be determined at what point do the DDA's interests become the same as the County's, so that there is not the potential for conflict. If we could obtain an agreement with the County, this Board having made the policy decisions, then the interests are the same and Mr. Steiner could represent both. The problems lie in getting to that point, because obviously there are potential conflicts. Mr. Wanner moved to hire a consultant immediately to further the interest of the DDA and downtown, and to coordinate with the City and County and DDA to create a reasonable Court House, Civic Center and parking structure plan for the next eight months. This was seconded by Me. Brayton. It was DDANINUTES PAGE 4 further stated that this person should be interviewed and hired before the next Board Meeting. Ms. Brayton offered a friendly amendment to the motion, that because of timing, the Executive Committee undertake the task of identifying and interviewing this individual. Mr. Wanner added to the motion that the candidate hired should be familiar and involved with Larimer County and Fort Collins. Mr. Allard sought clarification that the Board is, in essence, instructing Mr. Steiner to be the lead person in the search. He, with the Executive Committee will take responsibility for hiring this individual. Mr. Wanner will advise John Fischbach of DDA's decision to retain the services of a consultant. Mr. Slezak asked the Board for its vote on this amended motion which passed unanimously. CONSULTANT'S Mr. Steiner suggested that his contract be continued on a CONTRACT month to month basis. The Board suggested a period of three months. This was moved by Me. Brayton and seconded by Mr. Allard. UPDATE Rand -Scot, Inc. has not contacted DDA since it received project approval, but Me. Garrison will speak to Joel Lerich before the next Board Meeting. Mr. Reidhead is staying in touch with regard to the Trimble Court/Binkler Building restoration, so plans seem to be on track in that regard. ADJOURN There being no further business, Mr. Attwooll moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:10 a.m. Mary Brayton, Secretary