HomeMy WebLinkAboutDowntown Development Authority - Minutes - 09/02/1999AWNTOWN �
DEVELOPMENT
AUTHORITY
19 OLD TOWN SQUARE, SUITE 230
FORT COLLINS, CO 80524
Mary Brayton, Chair 484-1401 (W)
Chuck Wanner, Council Liaison 484-0810 (H)
Anne Garrison, Staff Uaison 484-2020 (W)
DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
Regular Directors' Meeflng
MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 2, 1999
Telephone (970) 484-2020
Telefax (970) 484-2069
REGULAR MEETING
The Board of Directors of the Downtown Development Authority met in
regular session at 7:30 a.m. on September 2, 1999 in the conference Room
at Home State Bank, 303 East Mountain Avenue.
PRESENT There were present:
Mary Brayton, Chair
Larry Stroud, Vice Chair
Jason Meadors, Secretary/Treasurer
Steve Slezak
Greg Belcher
Carey Hewitt
Chuck Wanner
ABSENT John Pitner
Margaret Brown
STAFF Jay Hardy, Executive Director
Anne Garrison
Lucia Uley, Counsel
GUESTS John Fischbach
CALL TO ORDER Ms. Brayton called the meeting to order at 7:30 a.m. and roll call was taken.
APPROVAL OF Mr. Meadors moved to adopt the minutes of August 5, 1999 as written, this
MINUTES was seconded by Mr. Hewitt. However, an amendment was called for by
Mr. Slezak who requested that under the topic Joint Office Building, the last
sentence be amended to read, 'no long term commitment be made as it
relates to building ownership.' Thus amended, the motion carried
unanimously.
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OTS MAINTENANCE The City has stated its willingness to contribute financially to the upkeep
and future maintenance of Old Town Square, but does not wish to take
over its maintenance. Created as a meeting place, the plaza has seen
much more extensive use in recent years than was originally imagined.
This has led to the need for additional repairs and maintenance which go
beyond that of normal wear and tear. As a result, Old Town Square
Properties is seeking relief from some of these expenditures.
In meetings between Messrs. Fischbach and Hardy, the possibility of the City
and DDA partnering to assist financially in areas which go beyond routine
maintenance, and the sum of $25,000 split equally between the two entities
was discussed. The Remington Street parking structure was cited as a
precedent involving maintenance.
The Board's discussion repeatedly returned to having the City take a
more active role, and in conclusion Mr. Fischbach said that in light of
the Board's interest, he was prepared to re -think the possibility of
the City taking over the maintenance, provided its is properly
compensated. However, Mr. Fischbach and Mr. Hardy will continue to
discuss other possibilities and report back to the Board.
BUDGET 2000 In 1998 the City implemented a two year budget cycle, thus the print out
in the packets has already received Board approval. The only differences
are the result of staff changes which have impacted office space costs
and salaries The attached budget, therefore, is informational only and no
formal action is required.
FLOOD PLAIN TASK Mr. Hardy referred the Board to the Matrix included in the packets which
FORCE UPDATE outlines the criteria being proposed by the Water Board staff as regulation
options for the Poudre River Floodplain. If these regulations are enforced,
Fort Collins will become one of the most restrictive areas in the country.
The recommendation proposes that the Floodway be equal to the
Floodplain, and this option does not allow for floodway modifications. Fill,
new development in floodway/floodplain, additions, and redevelopment
all would not be permitted, even in those instances where an existing
structure bums down. Mr. Hardy suggested that the Board consider
sending a positional letter to the City by September 9, 1999.
The Board felt great concern about this issue which was evidenced in the
lengthy discussion which ensued. Some of the comments expressed were
as follows:
" Floodplain for Cache La Poudre is a very extensive area
' FEMA standards are safe and well thought out
" To go beyond federally safe standards is irresponsible
• Such a move will destroy any development in downtown
If floodway is expanded to floodplain, the City Plan is being negated
" Staff recommending this plan is inconsistent with other City staff's work
' Board asked if this document has been subject to legal scrutiny
The suggestion was made that a sub -committee be formed, to include
Legal Counsel, which would consider this issue in more depth and return to
the Board with a recommendation. Topics for consideration would
include redevelopment, City Plan, property owners rights, safety issues, to
name a few.
DDA MINUTES
PAGE
At this juncture, Mr. Stroud moved that DDA formulate a letter which
outlines its position with regard to development in the floodplain,
development in the City and work in process, and indicates its desire
to study this issue in more depth and offer a recommendation, but
for the moment, DDA wishes to go on record as expressing its concerns
This was seconded by Mr. Belcher.
During the discussion which followed it was suggested that DDA's
recommendation and position be stated at the November meeting, and
that a presentation by Mr. Bob Smith in October would be helpful.
Mr. Belcher who has served as DDA's representative on the Floodplain
Regulations Task Force indicated that the committee was heavily weighted
with non business personnel, and that due to the unequal representation,
several representatives had resigned.
Each Board member was provided with a meeting date schedule, and
upon review, Mr. Hardy urged Mr. Fischbach to maintain the schedule and
not allow this issue to pass too speedily through the proposed channels.
Mr. Fischbach assured the Board that this was the minimum timeline.
An amendment was made to the motion that a sub -committee be formed;
that a letter to Mr. Bob Smith be submitted stating DDA's concerns, and that
a formal recommendation in the form of a resolution be provided to the
Board at the October meeting. The amendment was acceptable to both
Mr. Stroud and Mr. Belcher and the motion carried with Mr. Wanner
abstaining.
The sub -committee will comprise: Ms Uley, Ms. Brayton and Messrs. Stroud,
Slezak and Belcher.
POUDRE RIVER As requested at the August meeting, a committee was convened to discuss
COMMITTEE and recommend DDA's position regarding the Downtown River Corridor
Implementation Program. The committee reviewed twenty five potential
projects on seventeen sites. Of necessity, any projects impacted by the
floodplain regulations have been tabled until the Task Force issues its
recommendations.
Projects considered to be of highest priority are Linden, Willow and Lincoln
streetscape improvements. Projects viewed as Important were Off Street
Parking, Environmental and Cultural Interpretive Program and the Cache
La Poudre River Trail Amenities.
Mr. Hardy asked the Board if they would consider formal action on these
recommendations, and Mr. Slezak responded with a motion to instruct the
,iExecutive Director to proceed as outlined on the memo included in the
packets. This was seconded by Mr. Stroud and carried unanimously.
UPDATES ' Multi -Use Community Stadium - There -has been a great deal of interest
from many factions of the community. Mr. Fischbach was very helpful in
setting up individual meetings with City Council, following which a working
template was devised which outlined the issues and concerns that could
be stumbling blocks to the project along the way. An analysis, based on
the input from both City and DDA is in process to determine whether or not
r
DDA MINUTES
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it is feasible to move forward.
Other projects listed are at various stages of planning or close to
completion; there are no issues with any of them at this time. Mr.
Hardy reported that he is working with Alan Krchmarik to put together
a funding mechanism to finance these projects.
In conclusion, the Board was referred to a matrix prepared by the
City which indicates existing and potential projects, their estimates
cost and explanatory notes. This provides a snapshot of work projected
or in process, including those of DDA, at this time.
ADJOURN There being no further discussion, the meeting adjourned at 9.15 a.m.
Jason Meadors, Secretary