Loading...
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. DDA MINUTES • • PAGE 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 PAGE 9 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