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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDowntown Development Authority - Minutes - 07/02/1998oawrvrowry • DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY 19 OLD TOWN SQUARE, SUITE 230 Telephone (970) 484-2020 FORT COLLINS, CO 80524 Telefox (970) 484-2069 DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Regular Directors' Meeting Kermit Allard, Chair 482-1893 (W) Chuck Wanner, Council Liaison 484-3014 (W) Anne Garrison, Staff Liaison 484-2020 (W) MINUTES OF JULY 2, 1998 REGULAR MEETING The Board of Directors of the Downtown Development Authority met in regular session at 7:30 a.m. on July 2, 1998 in the Meeting Room at Home State Bank 303 East Mountain Avenue. PRESENT There were present: Kermit Allard, Chair Mary Brayton, Vice Chair Jason Meadors, Secretary Greg Belcher, Treasurer Steve Slezak Larry Stroud Margaret Brown John Pitner ABSENT Chuck Wanner STAFF Chip Steiner, Consultant Anne Garrison GUESTS Jay Hardy, Susanne Edminster, Carol Champion, Frank Bruno, Jack Gianola CALL TO ORDER Mr. Allard called the meeting to order and roll call was taken. i DDA MINUTES PAGE 2 APPROVAL OF MINUTES ELECTION OF OFFICERS A motion was made by Ms. Brayton to approve the minutes of June 4, 1998. This was seconded by Mr. Meadors and carried unanimously. Prior to presenting the slate of officers, Mr. Steiner introduced three changes which were recommended by the Executive Committee as follows: * Officers be elected for a two year term • Elections be moved to August to allow new members to orient themselves • The positions of Secretary and Treasurer be combined, so as to retain the services of the former Chairperson on the Executive Committee. The last suggestion constitutes an amendment to the Bylaws, and requires the the approval of the Board and City Council. To this end, Mr. Steiner had prepared a resolution urging City Council to approve the recommended changes. However, Mr. Allard submitted that if a change is to be made, the Bylaws should be reviewed in their entirety by a committee convened to undertake this task. Mr. Slezak was asked to head up the committee, possibly with the assistance of Mr. Steiner and Legal Council. The election of officers took place with the following results: Chairperson: Mr. Allard was nominated by Ms. Brayton, this was seconded by Mr. Belcher and carried unanimously. Vice Chair: Ms. Brayton was nominated by Mr. Belcher. Mr. Slezak seconded the motion and moved that nominations cease. The motion carried unanimously. Treasurer: Mr. Belcher was nominated by Mr. Meadors and seconded by Mr. Stroud. Ms. Brown moved that all nominations cease, and the motion carried unanimously. Secretary: Mr. Meadors was nominated by Mr. Belcher and this was seconded by Ms. Brown. Mr. Pitner moved that all nominations cease, and the motion carried unanimously. Mr. Allard offered thanks and appreciation to the Board for their previous service. MULBERRY/ Mr. Steiner recalled for the Board its earlier decision that DDA remain neutral LEMAY CROSSING on this issue. However, in light of DBA's request for reconsideration, and because the economic livelihood of the downtown is a matter for much discussion, it has been brought back to the table. Mr. Steiner feels that there is less reason than before to endorse or oppose the project. It is a land use decision rather than an economic one, and not even in the DDA District. Therefore, Mr. Steiner's suggestion stands that DDA neither endorse or oppose this project, but DDA can, if the Board chooses, comment on the economics of this issue, outside of a land use decision. Mr. Steiner made the observation that there should be relatively little impact on the central business district, in that Wal- Mart will compete with other discount stores such as Target, etc., not downtown businesses. DDA MINUTES PAGE 3 In addition, Fort Collins has a large, highly educated, relatively well paid populace which shops downtown for goods and services not available at Wal-Mart. Mr. Steiner concluded that in his opinion Wal-Mart would offer a regional attraction, which could not help but bring out -of -area shoppers and others from the periphery into Fort Collins, and thus he did not feel any negative impact would be felt. Mr. Steiner continued that any letter from DDA should state that this should not be a relevant issue to the Planning and Zoning Board, but rather a land use decision. Mr. Steiner then directed the Board's attention to a letter received from the Developer, Mark Goldberg, in which he promises to seek annexation into the DDA District, and even to place deed restrictions on the property. Following a lengthy discussion, Mr. Stroud moved that the Chair direct a letter to the City and the P & Z Board stating that the issue is outside our jurisdiction and it is therefore our decision to remain neutral. The motion was seconded by Mr. Slezak who added, that not only should the project be considered a land use issue only, but that downtown should not be used as a 'pawn' in the debate. Clarifying the motion, Mr. Allard restated the three general parameters which the Board discussed: It is outside the jurisdiction of the DDA ` Keep the economics out of what is essentially a land use decision ` Keep economics and its effects on downtown out of the decision making process, and do not use the possible results as a rationale for making a land use decision. Hearing no further discussion, the motion on the floor was that the Chair direct a letter indicating the points as mentioned above, and the motion carried unanimously. PARKING RAMP Mr. Steiner introduced Jack Gianola, Project Manager for the structure, who in DESIGN turn introduced his colleagues: Carol Champion, Parking Services, Frank Bruno, Director of Administrative Services, and Susanne Edminster, Director of Parking Services. The Hensel Phelps design has been finalized and the artist's rendering reflects the changes which were requested. The Real Estate arm of Hensel Phelps will undertake the task of building, leasing and managing the 15,890 square feet of retail space. The walkway by Opera Galleria is still under consideration, and 905 parking spaces are projected for the ramp. Construction on this project will begin in November 1998 and end August/November 1999. Responding to a question posed by the Board, Susanne Edminster confirmed that 300 parking spaces would be allotted to each of the three entities , City, County and DDA as per the agreement. Blocks 22, 32 and 33 are slated to provide 600 alternative parking spaces during the construction phase. DDA MINUTES PAGE 4 Ms. Brayton moved for the approval of Resolution 98-5 commending the City for its efficiency and hard work, and approving the design concept for the Mason Street Parking Ramp. Mr. Meadors seconded the motion which carried unanimously. Work orders for diagonal parking are in place for Mathews, Meldrum, Olive and Maple and a few places on Oak. West Oak is not included in these plans, but at the Board's request, Ms. Edminster will review West Oak again to consider the feasibility. DDA'S FUTURE Mr. Meadors reported a conversation with Bill Kaufman regarding a remark made by City Council about extending the life of DDA through legislation. In Mr. Kaufman's opinion, it is possible to extend the statutory life of the DDA. It is his suggestion that we approach Peggy Reeves, Steve Tool and/or Bob Bacon to obtain some direction. Mr. Meadors moved that DDA direct its Consultant to approach our legislators, with a view to enlisting their support in eliminating or extending the present City provisions, as they relate to the future of the Downtown Development Authority. This motion was seconded by Mr. Belcher. Mr. Allard reminded the Board that our greatest opposition may be the school district, etc., which expects a windfall when DDA sunsets. Mr. Steiner recalled that in actuality, the only thing to sunset is the tax increment, not the DDA, thus it may not require legislative action, but he will check into it, and at the same time, review the Enabling Legislation. The motion carried unanimously. OTHER BUSINESS Brief mention was made of a pending lawsuit in which DDA has been named. This stems from injuries received by an individual who fell on an icy surface in the Plaza during First Night Both Stewart Ellenberg, Risk Management and Ms. Liley have been advised. Project Updates: ` Remington Church which was recently purchased would like to be annexed into the DDA District. The new owners may appear before the Board at the August meeting. ` Horticultural Center location is being reconsidered, and Lee Martinez Park and the Oxbow site have both been mentioned. ADJOURN There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 9:05 a.m. Jason Meadors, Secretary