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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDowntown Development Authority - Minutes - 02/01/2007c- DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Regular Directors' Meeting Steve Taylor, Chair 221-0524(W) Kurt Kastein, Council Liaison 223-0425(W) Joanna Stone, Staff Liaison 484-2020(W) MINUTES of February 1, 2007 REGULAR MEETING The Board of Directors of the Downtown Development Authority met in Regular Session at 7:30 am. on February 1, 2007 in the Meeting Room at Home State Bank located at 303 East Mountain Avenue, Fort Collins, CO 80524. PRESENT George Brelig McCabe Callahan (left at 9:55 am.) Carey Hewitt, Secretary/Treasurer Kim Jordan William Sears Patty Spencer Steve Taylor, Chair Jack Wolfe, Vice Chair (left at 9:00 am.) ABSENT Kurt Kastein Lucia Liley STAFF Robert Steiner, DDA Executive Director Matt Robenalt, DDA Project Manager Linda Gula, DDA Staff Joanna Stone, DDA Staff Kathy Cardona, DDA Staff -- - GUESTS INCLUDED Darin Atteberry, Karen Weitkumn, Dan Eckles , David Short, Mike Jensen, Kathleen Bracke, Kelly DiMartino CALL TO ORDER Mr. Taylor called the meeting to order at 7:35 a.m. Roll call was taken. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mr. Hewitt moved to approve the minutes of December 7, 2006. Seconded by Mr. Wolfe and passed unanimously. RESOLUTION 2007-2 Mr. Taylor asked that before regular business began that the Board consider a resolution thanking Linda Gula for three years of superb service to the DDA. The resolution passed unanimously. BIG IDEAS The Executive Committee suggested that the DDA begin each meeting with a half hour open mike "Big Ideas" session to allow anyone in attendance to make project, programming, and planning concepts for Board consideration. Mr. Steiner stated that the DDA is looking at advertising this opportunity through a link on the DDA website, announcements on KUNC, and with print notices. Ideas the Board finds intriguing and that could be implemented would be passed on to staff to pursue. Sessions will be open to anyone but its focus is on constructive ideas that bring benefit to downtown. Jack Prouty presented a proposal for expansion of the Bas Bleu Theatre to include a black box theater, dressing rooms, set storage and office space. Jill Stilwell, Director of Cultural Services and Facilities for the City of Fort Collins, gave background information on the city's cultural services plan which is being developed, noting how the Has Bleu proposal fits in with that plan which includes a black box theater. Discussion emphasized that enhancing performing arts space, developing the Pine Street area, and the possibility of moving DDA offices into the new office space were all positive aspects of the proposal. The Board felt that this was a project that deserved further review and development. Blue Haveter presented three ideas for improving the downtown area with transportation planning. CONSENT AGENDA 1. Matt Robenalt's one-year anniversary is this month. Mr. Steiner commented on Matt's outstanding contribution to the DDA.and recommended the DDA renew the contract for a second year and include a five percent pay raise taking annual compensation from $64,416 to $67,637. 2. The DDA is applying for grant for approximately $1 million from the Metropolitan Planning Organization for improvements to the alley running from the 100 block of West Mountain to the 100 block of West Oak and from the 200 block of Linden to Pine Street (behind the Silver Grill CaM). The grant application requires a resolution from the DDA Board of Directors acknowledging that the request is being made and that it understands the obligations of the Authority should the grant be awarded. This is Resolution 2007-01. Moved by Mr. Wolfe, seconded by Ms. Jordan: To approve the Consent Agenda in its entirety. The motion and Resolution 2007-01 passed unanimously. REGULAR AGENDA MASON STREET CORRIDOR The City has received a large grant (more than $4 million) from the State to construct the downtown portion of the proposed Mason Street multi -modal transit corridor. The grant is subject to a $I—$L2 million local match. The City is asking the DDA to match half of the required amount up to $600,000 for the completion of the transit corridor from Cherry St. to Laurel St. If state and local funding is secured, the City should receive approximately $60 million from the Federal Government to complete the corridor. Mr. Steiner strongly recommended that the Board support the request contingent upon the Board's approval of the design concepts, maintaining left turns, and that there are no barriers constructed on Mason Street. Kathleen Bracke, Senior Transportation Planner for the City of Fort Collins presented the latest designs for the Mason Street Corridor. The plan includes converting both Mason and Howes Streets back to two way traffic to expedite transit and accessibility downtown. Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) is a key element of the design with infill and redevelopment centered around the stations, with streetscape enhancements and improved pedestrian and bikeways. The plan also attempts to converge with CDOT plans for regional transportation. Mr. Hewitt moved to commit up to $600,000 in matching funds to the project, with the hope that CSU might participate financially. Following further discussion, Mr. Atteberry stated that he had been in discussion with CSU President Larry Penley about the project and, while he felt CSU was excited about the project, a financial contribution had not been discussed.. Moved by Mr. Hewitt, seconded by Ms Jordan: to commit an equal match of funds with the City of Fort Collins up to $600,000. The motion passed unanimously. OPERA GALLERIA Ms. Spencer recused herself for this discussion and presentation. Mr. Dan Eckles, speaking for the Opera Galleria LLC, presented conceptual drawings of a public entry into the atrium from the Tenney Court alley. Mr. Steiner pointed out that the entry would be publicly owned but managed by the Galleria LLC and would have the same opening -closing times as the rest of the facility. The entry would add another rear entry facing onto Tenney Court and make the Galleria a more attractive commercial space. Funds are available from miscellaneous bond proceeds and the estimated cost is $61,127. A second proposal would improve the rear fapade of the building by adding new windows on the south and west walls of the first floor of the Opera Galleries Wainscoting, which is in place along the west wall, would be continued on the south wall. The Board agreed that the fapade improvements would enhance the appearance of Tenney Court. After further discussion, some board members felt that some minor changes in the design of the new entryway would increase visibility and make the entrance look more like a public entrance into the building. Ms. Jordan moved to fund the fapade improvements up to half of the cost, not to exceed $35,000. Mr. Hewitt seconded the motion. After further discussion, Ms. Jordan restated her motion to include language requesting that the issues brought up during discussion of the new entry be resolved before work begins on the fapade. Following further clarification. Mr. Hewitt seconded the amended motion. Mr. Eckles expressed concern that he was not sure that he would be able to make major structural changes to the entry and that work on the fapade would be delayed by the re -design. Mr. Steiner felt that the design changes requested were minor and suggested allowing the Executive Committee to meet on the matter within 30 days. This was approved by the Board. Moved by Ms. Jordan, seconded by Mr. Hewitt: To approve funding not to exceed $35,281.50 for fagade improvements to the west and south walls of the Opera Galleria contingent upon minor changes to the design of the new entry into the Opera Galleria. It was further approved that the Executive Committee of the DDA may review the design within the next 30 days without approval of the full Board. HOTEL AGREEMENT The DDA has concluded the negotiations on the Exclusive Negotiating Contract with Corporex for the development of a downtown hotel. Mr. Steiner distributed the final agreement which has not yet been signed Corporex. The agreement prohibits the DDA from negotiating with any other hotel developer for so long as the contract is in effect. Moved by Mr. Hewitt, seconded by Mr. Sears: To authorize the Chair to enter into an agreement with Corporex regarding the development of a downtown hotel as long as there are no substantive changes to the contract. The motion passed unauimously. NEWS RACKS The City is proposing to buy and install uniform racks at eight comers along College Avenue (four intersections) at a cost of $32,000--$48,000 total and is asking the DDA for financial participation. Mr. Steiner recommended that the DDA fund 50 percent of the cost of purchase and installation, not to exceed $24,000. This topic has resurfaced because of the large increase in the number and design of news racks. It is hoped to improve both the aesthetics and maintenance issues by installing new styles of racks. Mr. Short and Ms. DiMardno spoke in favor of the idea Mr. Robenalt presented two styles of racks for consideration, After discussing possible configurations of racks, the Board asked that DDA and the City do further research into cost and design, and bring back further information to the next board meeting. MISCELLANEOUS 1. Billboards. The billboards on top of the Torgerson Building on the west side of the 200 block of North College, are due to be removed next month. At the Executive Committee meeting it was suggested the DDA consider keeping the billboards to use them for promotional and marketing purposes, perhaps as a form of Art in Public Places. Mr. Sears commented that the voters had voted against billboards and we should set the pace by following their wishes. Mr. Hewitt felt they should be removed immediately. Ms. Jordan stated we would be passing up an opportunity for creativity in promoting downtown. Mr. Jensen stated that there is new development beginning at an adjacent site which will block the billboards within 6-8 months. Ms Jordan asked that the issue remain open for 30 days in order to explore possible options. Mr. Steiner will follow up to see if there is anything to discuss in light of the development project. 2. County Representation on DDA Board. Mr. Steiner met with the Larimer County Manager earlier this month to discuss plans for an urban renewal authority TIF district for downtown and the possible development of an amphitheater on the south half of the Justice Center block. During the course of the conversation, the Manager wondered whether it made sense to have County representation on the DDA Board since it is one of the largest downtown employers. Mr. Steiner stated that there are three possible ways this could take place: have a Latimer County representative act as liaison; change the bylaws to include someone from Larimer County as a voting member of the Board; or, have that person attend Board meetings in a non -voting capacity. Ms. Jordan suggested that, at least at the outset, the County representative attend meetings in a non -voting capacity, similar to the City Manager. Board members felt that this is a great idea and asked Mr. Steiner to follow up with DDA counsel and the City Attorney OTHER BUSINESS Mr. Taylor thanked Mr. Atteberry for the remarkable job of snow removal the City crews performed during the recent snow storms and expressed the Board's appreciation for the effort. UPDATES Mr, Steiner passed out a handout summarizing updates on various DDA projects. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting adjourned 10:00 am. C Carey H witt, Secretary