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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDowntown Development Authority - Minutes - 04/05/2007DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Regular Directors' Meeting Steve Taylor, Chair 481-5385(W) Kurt Kastein, Council Liaison 223-0425(W) Joanna Stone, Staff Liaison 484-2020(W) MINUTES of April 5, 2007 REGULAR MEETING The Board of Directors of the Downtown Development Authority met in Regular Session at 7:30 am. on April 5, 2007 in the Meeting Room at Home State Bank located at 303 East Mountain Avenue, Fort Collins, CO 80524. PRESENT Steve Taylor, Chair Jack Wolfe, Vice Chair Carey Hewitt, Secretary/Treasurer George Brelig McCabe Callahan Kurt Kastein William Sears Patty Spencer ABSENT Kim Jordan STAFF Robert Steiner, DDA Executive Director•, Matt Robenalt, DDA Project Manager; Joanna Stone, DDA Staff; Carol Bennis, Beet Street, Executive Director, Lucia Liley, Legal Counsel GUESTS INCLUDED Darin Atteberry, Karen Weitkunat, David Short, Mike Jensen, Blue Hovatter, Jason Jones, Dave "DK" Kemp, Derek Young, Mark Korb, Robert Bisetti, Julie Brewen, Scott Allen, Ken Hejduk, Bud Frick 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 March 1, 2007. Seconded by Mr. Callahan, and passed unanimously. Kurt Kastein and Karen Weitkunat were thanked by the Chair for their service to the City and specifically to the DDA. BIG IDEAS No Big Ideas were presented, BEETSTREET Ms. Bennis summarized the current status of the startup phase of the Fort Collins Cultural District. She noted that she had just hired an administrative secretary, Maggie Hirko, who will start work on April 18, 2007. Resumes continue to come in for the other two positions, Director of Development and Director of Programming. Current efforts are directed toward an analysis and inventory of venue capacity within the DDA footprint through 2008. This will also help design the scope of Beet Street programming in the next year. Her focus is also to do sufficient due diligence regarding the size and utilization of the proposed amphitheatre, with the ultimate goal of filling it to capacity at least one night per week in each 24 weeks of planned programming. Ms. Bennis continues to work with existing programming calendars. Mr. Steiner added that venues/programming at CSU may also be available. Branding/Naming: Ms. Bennis briefly described the twists and turns in the naming process, which has concluded in the adoption of the name `Beet Street." She feels this name was the most historic and most compelling and was unanimously approved by the steering committee. The next step is developing logos and tag lines, which should be ready by the next committee meeting, in preparation for the communication rollout. DDA Minutes April 5, 2007 Page 2 ROBERTSON BUILDING Mr. Hewitt and Mr. Brelig recused themselves for this discussion. The Robertson Building (158 South College, 162 South College and 110 East Oak Street) is owned in a partnership that includes Board member Carey Hewitt, Mark Korb and Robert Bisetti. The design work for the remodeling project is being done by Board member George Brelig's firm, RB+B Architects. The building has 190 linear feet of street frontage plus another 50 feet of alley frontage. Because of the length of frontage, the DDA is being asked to double its normal maximum facade grant to $100,000. Mr. Steiner believes the DDA should support the request for $100,000 and suggested that the Board approve an additional $25,000 with the following stipulations: change the upper floor facades of the two most easternmost storefronts on Oak Street from paneling to brick or some other upgraded material; improve the alley facade, possibly upgrading the windows and wrapping the brick veneer around to the back. Derek Young of RB+B Architects presented drawings of the proposed remodel, stating that the hope was the improved design would draw people down Oak Street. Robert Bisetti represented the owners and stated that the renovation of the building, will improve the look of an important comer downtown and also improve the commercial appeal of the building. He expressed concern about the cost of alley improvements, stating the owners would prefer to use the funds for improving the streetside facade. They would then address the alley facade when there was a comprehensive plan to renovate the entire alley. Board discussion centered on the facade material improvements with the owners agreeing to revisit the design and explore the use of other materials. Discussion of the alley facade presented various ideas ranging from wrapping brick veneer, adding windows and improving the rear entry, to simply having a mural painted. Moved by Mr. Wolfe, seconded by Mr. Sears: To approve a facade grant in the amount of $125,000 on the following conditions: 1. Change the facade on the two easternmost storefronts to include upgraded material; 2. Improve the alley way in some manner; 3. Give staff along with Mr. Wolfe and Mr. Sears the authority to review and approve revised design plans; 4. Reimbursement is subject to the execution of a facade agreement The motion passed unanimously. BICYCLE LIBRARY The City and Friends of the Fort Collins Bicycle Program are seeking a grant from the Metropolitan Planning Organization (CMAQ) to start a bicycle library and they have requested a local match of $15,000 from the DDA. The program is intended to provide loaner bicycles to residents, commuters, employees, students, and visitors. It will be administered by Friends of the Fort Collins Bicycle Program, Inc. The City of Fort Collins will handle the program budget and funding appropriations. Library stations will be located throughout the community including local businesses, hotels, CSU, City transit centers, parking facilities, traditional libraries, the Colorado Welcome Center and the CVB. Mr. Steiner recommended the Board support this grant request and suggests that the information kiosk in Old Town Square be dedicated as a bike library station. DDA funding either should be limited capital purchases will stay downtown or given to the City's bicycle program and have the City use it for the program. Rick Price and David (DK) Kemp spoke to the proposal, describing their vision of a bicycle lending library of approximately 200-300 bikes. They have studied similar projects in other communities and feel that the library would enhance Fort Collins status as a bicycle friendly community and that it would provide an alternative way to get around town quietly and efficiently, to enhance air quality and ease congestion. In response to questions, they explained that were looking at charging a maintenance fee to take care of upkeep. They also hope to have bike tour maps of downtown, the natural areas and breweries available for users. Board members were very favorable about the project, stating that this is exactly what the City had in mind for initiatives to enhance bicycle use. Moved by Ms. Spencer, seconded by Mr. Sears: Support a matching grant of $15,000 for the proposed bike library contingent upon the bicycle library receiving the CMAQ grant and that the funds are spent within the DDA boundary. The motion passed unanimously. HOUSING AUTHORITY — 366 East Mountain Avenue The Fort Collins Housing Authority is requesting $48,813 for facade improvements to the building it owns at 366 East Mountain Avenue, which provides five affordable five housing units dedicated to households eaming 30 percent of Area Median Income. Total cost of the project is about $171,000 and Housing Authority proposes to pay for the project with funds from the DDA, CDBG, and the Governor's Office of Energy Management. Staff believes the DDA should support this request. Because the Housing Authority is a public agency, DDA funds can be used for any building improvements and is not limited to the facade right of way improvements. Mr. Steiner stated that low income DDA Minutes April 5, 2007 Page 3 housing is an important component of the downtown residential environment and that the Board should support the request with two suggestions: the front stairway should be re -designed and that the amount of the grant should be increased by $5,000 to defray the costs of the redesigned stairway. He further suggested that the funding should come from the miscellaneous category of the latest bond issue to finance the DDA's portion of the project. Julie Brewer from the Housing Authority was present to explain the grant request and answer questions. She explained, in response to a question about maintenance that because of the budget and low rents received from the property that maintenance is difficult to fund, but that they had included reserves in their grant requests for maintenance. Ms. Bremen described the stairs as rusted through and in need of replacing. Mr. Hewitt stated that he would like to see a rendering of what the stairs would look like before granting money for their repair. Mr. Taylor expressed the opinion that this is a wonderful and rare opportunity for the Board to do something for affordable housing. Moved by Mr. Wolfe, seconded by Mr. Sears: To grant $53,813 to the Fort Collins Housing Authority for purpses of making fagade improvements to 366 East Mountain Avenue, which includes $5,000 to design stair improvements. The Housing Authority will provide the Board with information on the improved staircase design. The motion passed unanimously. PORTABLE SIGNAGE — RESOLUTION 2007-03 The Downtown Business Association has requested a resolution in support of the use, legalization and regulation of portable signage on downtown sidewalk rights -of -way. Board discussion was favorable of the resolution. Moved by Mr. Hewitt, seconded by Mr. Wolfe: To pass Resolution 2007-03 in support of the Downtown Business Association's request for support for the use of portable signs in the Downtown Fort Collins. The resolution passed unanimously. LEGAL FEES The discussion of legal fees was tabled for a later date. 2007 ACTION PLAN In response to the funding uncertainties of the DDA after 2011, Mr. Steiner presented priorities and strategies for the remainder of 2007. He feels that pursuing the extension of the DDA through legislation should be the top priority. If that option proves impossible, then the possibility of creating an Urban Renewal Authority will be pursued. Mr. Steiner proposed other priorities should include a comprehensive plan and design study for our alleys; analysis of the feasibility of a business improvement district and other possible downtown funding mechanisms; pursue design for a permanently installed ice rink; and, organize another trip to Chautauqua. Since $1.3 million has been approved and appropriated for a downtown amphitheater/Beet Street home, that project remains a priority and the DDA should pursue the project and get all the preliminary work done so that when funds become available construction can begin immediately. Mr. Steiner also suggested that the DDA limit funding for all new projects to the increment that is generated by them. DDA revenues through 2011 are projected to be $4 million to $8million. Staff believes these funds should be reserved for the hotel. Board discussion focused on the suggestion that project funding be limited to the amount of TIF it would generate. Board members felt that they needed a clearer picture of exactly where DDA stands financially so it was decided to bring the DDA checkbook to the next meeting and continue the discussion at that time. OTHER BUSINESS Holiday Disolays: A special meeting of the DDA Board will need to be scheduled between now and the end of May to discuss holiday displays. UniverCity Connection video: UniverCity Connection wants to put together a video for the concluding event of that process. They are asking the DDA to fund the video. Mr. Steiner feels that the DDA would be able to use a version of the video for our statewide campaign. This was just presented to Mr. Steiner and the UCC may be able to come up with some funds to share in the cost. Moved by Mr. Wolfe, seconded by Mr. Kastein: To approve the granting of $40,000 to UniverCity Connection for the purpose of preparing of video. The motion was approved unanimously. Change of Meeting Dates: Ms. Jordan, whose tern expires December, 2008, has been invited to join the Governor's statewide business advisory task force, which meets monthly at the same time as the DDA Board meetings. She is the only representative from Northern Colorado. Mr. Steiner asked if, after 25 yews, the DDA Board was willing to change monthly Board meetings from the first Tuesday of every month to another day. The Board was willing to do this. DDA staff will work on rescheduling meetings. DDA Minutes April 5, 2007 Page 4 EXECUTIVE SESSION At 10:00 am. Mr. Wolfe moved to go into Executive Session to discuss to discuss the acquisition of real estate and negotiation. This Executive Session for the purposes stated is authorized pursuant to CRS 24-6-402 (4). Seconded by Mr. Kastein and passed unanimously. At 10:20 a.m. Mr. Wolfe moved to adjourn Executive Session back into Regular Session. Seconded by Mr. Sears and passed unanimously. Moved by Mr. Wolfe, seconded by Ms Spencer: To give DDA staff authorization to enter into an option contract with the purpose of obtaining ground associated with the hotel property. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting adjourned 10:25 a.m. ca-tm� Carey Hewitt, jecretary