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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDowntown Development Authority - Minutes - 11/08/2007DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Regular Directors' Meeting Jack Wolfe, Chair 495-1298 (W) Kelly Ohlson, Council Liaison 219-9814 (W) Kathay Rennels, County Liaison 498-7010 (W) MINUTES of November 8, 2007 REGULAR MEETING The Board of Directors of the Downtown Development Authority met in Regular Session at 7:30 a.m. on November 8, 2007 at Home State Bank located at 303 East Mountain Avenue, Fort Collins, CO 80524. PRESENT George Brelig; McCabe Callahan; Carey Hewitt; Kim Jordan; Ryan Keiffer; Kelly Ohlson, Kathay Rennels; William Sears; Patty Spencer; Steve Taylor; Jack Wolfe STAFF Chip Steiner, DDA Executive Director; Matt Robenalt, DDA Project Manager; Joanna Stone, DDA Staff; Carol Bennis, Beet Street, Executive Director; Kathy Cardona, DDA Staff GUESTS INCLUDED Mike Jensen, Ty Smith & JJ Hannah, Fort Collins Real Estate; Chuck Seest, Finance; Jean Lamm & Maggie Hirko, Beet Street; Blue Hovatter, Interested Citizen; Scoo Leary, Aggie Theater; Brad March; Denise Weston, Transportation Planning; Rick Price, Bike Fort Collins; Sandy Powell, NCBR; DK, Bicycle Coordinator; Mary Vivo; Josh Guernsey; David Short, DBA; Earen Russell CALL TO ORDER Mr. Wolfe 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 October 11, 2007. Seconded by Mr. Callahan, and passed unanimously. BIG IDEAS No big ideas were presented. BEET STREET Carol Bennis reported that Beet Sheet anticipates completion of their 2008 programming through August by the end of this month. They are also sponsoring Bella Luna Cirque, a Cirque du Soleil-style performance group at the Lincoln Center for First Night. They are in discussion with Wynton Marsalis and Ken Bums for the Jazz Festival being held in July 2008. Responses to the amphitheater RFP will be reviewed on November 121s. Ms. Bennis presented the by-laws for Beet Street that received tentative approval from the Steering Committee, pending Beet Street becoming an independent 501(c)(3) corporation. The 90 day action plan and 2008 meeting calendar was also reviewed. Downtown Development Authority November 8, 2007 Page 2 SECURITY UPDATE Matt Robenalt discussed the fast few months of the new downtown private security initiative. The overall feeling is that the benefits make it a worthwhile project Mr. Robenalt noted that feedback has been mixed, but felt that was because some people believed that the security personnel would act more like a police Officer, rather than the eyes and ears for the police. There is currently an RFP for 2008 and the 3 other partners have budgeted, pending Council approval, for the continuation of the program. The exact cost will not be known until vendor selection is completed. Based on current expenditures, the cost would be approximately $16,500. Mr. Taylor noted that the DBA is strongly supportive of the initiative. Board discussion also explored the issue of whether the program could be expanded to other areas, which would also increase program costs. There are, however, legal issues regarding what types of enforcement can take place on sidewalks and other areas. Kathay Rennels advocated posting signs that clearly outline behavioral expectations, as posted signs enable enforcement. Signs are currently posted at the library, museum and Old Town Square. The transit center is working on signs. It was noted that perhaps existing signs should be revised to be more explicit. Ben Manvel introduced the idea of having volunteers patrolling downtown in a type of ambassador program, much like the Poudre Wilderness Volunteers. Moved by Mr. Taylor; seconded by Ms. Jordan: To approve 2008 funding for the downtown private security initiative up to the amount of $16,500. The motion passed unanimously.. BIRNEY TROLLEY The original plan proposed by Fort Collins Municipal Railway to assign the new Birney trolley to the City, partially approved for funding by the DDA at the last board meeting, has been determined to be unconstitutional. Further, the City cannot accept a gift that stilt has a lien against it. Brad March is proposing to acquh-e the trolley in whole by adding to the funds already committed. So far the Municpal railway has $50,000 in reserve and $55,000 pledged by the DDA. The Wilkins Trust is also adding $75,000 toward the purchase. Mr. March is requesting an additional $25,000 Mr. March began the discussion with a presentation to the DDA of a signed, framed poster and replica trolley. Board discussion was generally favorable because of the historical nature of die request. The cost and source of funds for repairs, once the trolley is purchased is unknown at this point. Ms. Jordan wanted to make it clear that the Municipal Railway would not be coming back to the DDA for cost of the repairs. Mr. Callahan suggested that there could be fundraisers and community support for the repairs, spread over the next 5 years. There were also questions about future use of the trolley. Mr. Steiner felt that the trolley could run on the east side of College Avenue without having to worry about crossing the railway or major intersections. Mr. Brelig suggested it could function as a circulation path between the breweries, thus alleviating parking issues. Moved by Mr. Sears; seconded by Mr. Oblson: To approve the request for funds to purchase the Birney trolley up to $80,000, $75,000 for purchase and $5,000 for transportation costs, contingent upon funding from the Wilkins Trust in the amount of $75,000 and the Municipal Railway Society in the amount of $50,000. The motion passed unanimously. Downtown Development Authority November 8, 2007 Page 3 BIKE PLAN David "DK" Kemp, the City's bicycle coordinator, gave a PowerPoint presentation of the new Fort Collins Bicycle Plan. The recommendations of the updated bike plan are many, broadly categorized under the headings engineering, education, encouragement, and enforcement. The goal is to gain Fort Collins platinum designation as a biking community. Among the recommendations to help the City reach this goal are to link bikeways with activity centers, continue educational campaigns and events, foster links and relationship between the public and city departments, create a "self-govemed" enforcement concept through marketing endeavors and peer influence. Mr. Kemp explained that he felt the goals of the bike program were complementary with the goals of the DDA. Mr. Atteberry emphasized that because there is only one other city (Davis, California), in the country with a platinum designation, this could be a real differentiator for Fort Collins. ECONOMIC PROFILE INSERT Mr. Steiner recommended that the Board, in conjunction with Beet Street, by an eight page insert in an economic profile publication being produced by the Northern Colorado Economic Development Corporation and Upstate Colorado, with the assistance of the Northern Colorado Business Report. Though the DDA does not normally participate in such publications, Mr. Steiner argued that the board should make an exception in this case because it is an opportune time to illustrate what a DDA can accomplish with TIT, give exposure to Beet Street, and give counterweight to a heavy emphasis on other areas in Northern Colorado. The target audience is Chambers of Commerce, real estate agencies, convention and visitors' bureaus and participating advertisers. It can be used as a mailer or inserted into relocation packages. Beet Street hopes to use it as background information in development requests and fundraising efforts. Copy for the insert would be provided by DDA and we would have input on the rest of the publication. We would receive copies of the publication and an overrun of the insert to hand out as needed. Ms. Rennels felt it was a good way to explain what TIF does and how it can finance great cities. Ms. Jordan pointed out that with a quality publication this goal could be accomplished in an attractive way. Moved by Mr. Kciffer; seconded by Ms. Spencer: To approve the expenditure of $18,000 ($9,000 from DDA, $9,000 from Beet Street) to pay for an 8 page insert in the economic profile publication, contingent on us providing the written content or editing what is written. The motion passed unanimously. DDA BYLAWS AMENDMENT The amendments reflect several changes to the bylaws. It incorporates the earlier resolution to change the Board membership from 9 to I I members and include a member of the Larimer County Board of Commissioners; to reflect contract policy; and, to establish officer elections in the month of May to begin terms in June. There are also some grammatical and gender specific word changes. Moved by Mr. Taylor; seconded by Ms. Jordan: To approve the amendments to the bylaws of the Downtown Development Authority. Tile motion passed unanimously. Ms Liley offered a friendly amendment to alter the wording to Article 5, Section 5.110, change the last sentence to read "such contract funds approved by the Executive Director, have been previously budgeted..." The friendly amendment was accepted by the Board. SALES TAX REPORT Chuck Seest announced that the September sales reflected in the October sales tax collections increased by 2.7% downtown and 3.6% citywide. This shows a year-to-date increase of 3.6% downtown and 4.8% for the City as a whole. The City financial planning for 2008 is based on a modest 2% increase in sales tax collections. Downtown Development Authority November 8, 2007 Page 4 UPDATES News Racks: The City will make a decision on November 20'" and then recommend to Council whether to go forward with the existing plan of condominium -style news racks; the publishers' plan; or, a hybrid of fire two. Mr. Steiner felt that the DDA should not support any plan other than the condominium news racks. A resolution on the matter will be brought to the board at the December meeting. Holiday Displays: This issue is on the November 20th Council agenda. None of the recommendations of the Citizen Task Force, if adopted, will take affect until 2008. Mr. Steiner recommended that the Board should look at what is adopted by Council before considering whether any changes should be made to DDA policy. ADJOURN There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 10:20 a.m. 6eerye-Bneltg; Seerelnry